1872, February 8th

Joseph Pease, second son of Edward Pease, was born at Darlington, June 22, 1799. At an early age he was sent to school, Mr. Tatham's, at Leeds, under the direction of a member of the Society of Friends, from whence he was transferred to Southgate, near London, and placed under the care of Mr. Josiah Forster. After leaving school, he underwent a thorough course of training in his father's business. On the formation of the Stockton and Darlington Railway Company, he became its first treasurer. He was married, on the 20th March 1826, to Miss Gurney, daughter of the eminent banker of that name. In 1829, he founded, and was principal partner, in a company in Middlesbrough, which purchased 500 acres of land but with one house upon it. From this enterprise sprang the busy Middlesbrough of today. Like his father, he was intimately connected with the railway, and gave much of his time to developing that mode of transit ; in fact, it would be a very difficult task to enumerate the multitude of industries and enterprises which this energetic man in one way or another assisted. He was, perhaps, best known as the head of the immense firm of J. Pease & Partners, whose collieries and iron mines are thickly studded in the districts of Auckland, Crook, and other parts of the county, and North Yorkshire. His interest in the education of the people is marked in a striking degree in every colliery village which surrounds the pits. Many and important are the gifts he has bestowed upon his native town. Truly has it been said that a volume might be written on the one subject of Mr. Pease's educational enterprises. Needless to say, he was a most prominent member of the governing body of Darlington, to whom his wise counsels and enlightened views were of great value. On the formation of the parliamentary division of South Durham, under the Reform Act, Joseph Pease became at once the popular candidate ; the result fully realised the expectations of his friends, and he was elected the first Quaker M.P. His political career has been described as "most vigorous and diligent beyond all praise ; few spoke more frequently and readily on practical points." Upon entering the house he was tendered the usual oath and declined to be sworn. He eventually took his seat, and was the first member on whose behalf the oath had been dispensed with. During his representation of South Durham, which was from 1833 until 1841, he gave his energetic support to all measures of reform, especially the abolition of West Indian slavery, and for maintaining peace. The part he took in the debates on the Slavery question, and his speech upon that subject, will long be remembered. Matters were not always smooth, even amongst those who were supposed to be of the same party. He was always at one with the great Liberator, O'Connell ; and, as a result of some little friction between himself and the Irish party, and Irish M.P., the member for Drogheda challenged him to a duel ; Mr. Pease took no notice of this, which no doubt inflicted severe punishment upon his challenger.

He resigned his seat in 1841, owing, it is believed, to the persuasion of his friends, who were apprehensive of his health. After the became freed from the responsibilities of Parliamentary life, he displayed even greater energy in the development of the gigantic enterprises in which he was engaged. The extra time at his disposal at this period proved invaluable to the interests of Middlesbrough.

In religion, as will be seen from the foregoing, Mr. Pease was a devoted member of the Society of Friends, and held all the most responsible positions in that body; in fact, his labours in that direction extended over a great part of the United Kingdom. In 1872, about a month before his death, the Spanish Government conferred upon him the Order of the Grand Cross of Charles III., in recognition of the great service rendered to Spain, by undertaking, at his own cost, the translation and circulation in that country of Jonathan Dymond's "Principles of Morality." This new honour came at a time when he was nearing his end, when a far greater honour and reward awaited him.

He died in his 73rd year, on the 8th February 1872, at his residence, Southend, in this town, and was buried beside his father in the little Quaker cemetery at Darlington.

Source: History, Topography, and Directory of the County Palatine of Durham by Francis Whellan. Second edition published in 1894.