The family traced their local roots back to the Norman Conquest. They had roots in Quakerism and family connections with the Bainbridges. John Dover Muschamp (1777-1858) of Westgate, gave his support to early PM in Weardale. As a youth he had many recorded escapes from death, including falling from a galloping horse. He was converted under the preaching of Jane Ansdale when the PMs missioned Weardale in 1822. He fitted up a barn for their use and then supported the building of a chapel. For many years he was circuit steward and chapel treasurer. He died at the family home at Brotherlee on 29 March 1858.
Three sons settled in Sunderland. The eldest, Emerson Muschamp(1809-1849), born on 18 February 1809, was converted at a PM prayer meeting in 1824 and became very active in its affairs. He was involved in a wide range of enterprises, including estate management and railway construction. Moving to Sunderland in 1829, he became much involved in commercial and public life and was a member of the first Sunderland borough council in 1835. He died on 29 January 1849. His widow married Luke Tyerman. His two brothers, John Bell Muschamp and William Muschamp were Wesleyans and had a drapery business in High Street, William also having interests in coal-mining and paper-making. John became a partner with his cousin Emerson Muschamp Bainbridge in Newcastle.