Freda Mary Earnshaw [1.6.7.2]

Freda Mary Earnshaw was the second child of Frederick Earnshaw & Mary Emily Stainsby born December 23rd, 1913 at Leechmere Rd, Grangetown, Co Durham. She was christened at St Aidan’s church, Grangetown on January 20th, 1914 by her uncle, the Rev. George W. Stainsby. The sponsors at her baptism were her father Frederick Earnshaw, her aunt Jennie Stainsby & Ethel E Wright.

left: Freda’s baptism record – 1914. right: Freda Mary - c1918

She helped raise her brothers and sisters, being the oldest daughter of a large family, before leaving home at Leechmere Rd. She went to keep house for her uncle Joseph Willey at his farm in Ryhope in the late1920s, following the death of his wife Edith Stainsby.

At the age of 24, Freda (affectionately known as Fred) married John McCree Pallister on June 4th, 1938 at St Aidans church, Grangetown. John (Jack) was living at 13 West View, Ryhope at the time of the wedding & Freda was of 25 Leechmere Rd, Grangetown. Jack, a blacksmiths striker at Ryhope colliery, was born December 14th, 1910 at Ryhope, the son of Sarah Ann Dimmock & Robert Speed Pallister, a mason. Witnesses at the wedding were Freda’s father Frederick Earnshaw, her sisters Joan & Ada, & Robert Speed Pallister, Jack’s brother.

Freda & Jack’s wedding – June 4th, 1938.
Alan Earnshaw, Joan Earnshaw, Jack & Freda, Ada Earnshaw, Robert Pallister

The 1939 register lists Jack & Freda living at 33 Ryhope St South, Ryhope. Jack was described as a blacksmith striker & general labourer. It was noted that he was a member of the A.R.P. decontamination squad.

Freda & Jack spent all their married life at 43 Wraith Terrace, Ryhope where their only daughter, Trudy Loraine Pallister, was born in 1948.. Freda was a good cook and used to bake her own bread religiously every week! Her life was centred around home and the care of her family.

Left: Freda with daughter Trudy Loraine c1951. Right: Freda & Jack on holiday in early 1960s

Around 1965 Freda’s health began to deteriorate and Jack gave up work to care for her at home. Eventually she had to be admitted to hospital where she spent the last 2 years of her life. Freda died October 4th, 1979 at the Havelock Hospital, Sunderland.

Jack died at home in Ryhope on July 17th, 1984.

The children of Freda Mary Earnshaw and John McCree Pallister were:

p.1.6.3.1.1.7.7.2.1 Trudy Loraine Pallister born 1948, Ryhope, Co Durham