Background
William was born in Thorne on 23 October 1796 to Mordecai and Mary Casson.
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William Casson
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Career
He discovered the Fen or Crested Buckler-fern Dryopteris cristata in Yorkshire and wrote a local history of Thorne, The History and Antiquities of Thorne, with some account of the drainage of Hatfield Chase (1829, 3rd edition 1874). In March 1879, he became a minister and visited other meetings throughout Yorkshire, often in the company of a Scarborough Quaker minister, Henry Hopkins. Throughout his life William showed a deep interest in the district’s poor and the inmates of Thorne Union workhouse.
He visited the workhouse often and led a religious service on Sunday afternoons for several years.
He was also a staunch liberal who occupied several parish offices. He also played a crucial role in the Thorne Literary & Scientific Association.
At the end of his life, William suffered an accident to his hip and the loss of an eye, yet continued his rigorous schedule.
Membership
William was an ardent Quaker who was closely involved with Thorne Friends Preparative Meeting as well as a member of Balby Monthly Meeting.
