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2 unusual facts about Shafto family


Shafto family

John's son Robert Shafto (1732-1797) was a politician known famously as 'Bobby Shafto'.

William's nephew George Shafto (later George Shafto Delaval) married a daughter of George Delaval of North Dissington and sister of Admiral George Delaval.


George Delaval

In 1716 he purchased for £5000 the forfeited estate of the Shafto family at Bavington Hall, Northumberland, and in 1718 he bought the ancient seat of the Delaval family at Seaton Delaval from his impoverished cousin, Sir John Delaval, 3rd Baronet.

The Mitre, Newcastle upon Tyne

It became home to a branch of the Shafto family of Bavington Hall until the 1770s, when it was sold by Robert Shafto (the son of Bobby Shafto, immortalised in the song of the same name).


see also

St Margaret's Church, Durham

The eagle lectern dates from 1909, and was given in memory of members of the Shafto family killed in the Boer War.