Of Huguenot origins, the Rigauld family settled in Lincolnshire in the 16th century. By the eighteenth century some of them were Methodists. Two brothers, Paul Riggall (1750-1836) and William Riggall (1752-1821) farmed on the edge of the Wolds near Horncastle. William's son Robert Riggall (1788-1865) and Paul's son William Riggall (1784-1875) married sisters, Rebecca and Elizabeth Kirkby and were the grandparents of Marmaduke Riggall (1851-1927; e.m. 1872), an enthusiastic founder member of the Wesley Historical Society, born at Wawne near Beverley on 15 March 1851, who died on 8 September 1927.

Other branches of the family were also stalwart Methodists. Paul's son Francis Riggall (1788-1857) became a draper in Alford, but became a local preacher and soon gave up his business to become a travelling Tract Distributor and founder of Tract Societies. He retired to Louth and left legacies to the Theological Institution and to Kingswood and Woodhouse Grove schools. William junior's son Francis Riggall (1806-1893) took a farm at Dexthorpe in 1836 and with his wife Elizabeth (née Mawer) opened his farm kitchen for Methodist services. Servants and labourers were among the 40 or so members on their class books.

Entry written by: WL
Category: Person
Comment on this entry