George Earnshaw was the second son of John Earnshaw and Jane Wales. He was born on September 18th 1803 and christened October 30th 1803 at Muggleswick, Co. Durham.
He married Elizabeth Laing, after the calling of banns, on May 30th, 1830 at Monkwearmouth. George was able to sign the register & Elizabeth made her mark. Elizabeth was born September 25th, 1799 at Monkton & christened August 17th 1800 at Jarrow, the daughter of Mary Anderson & Hugh Laing, a brick maker.
In 1833 their son John was born at Silksworth & christened March 3rd at Seaham parish church. George’s occupation was given as a miller at the time of the christening.
By 1841 George & Elizabeth were living at Newbottle Lane, Houghton-le-Spring & George was a miller. They had 3 children by this time – John (8), Mary (6) & Elizabeth (3).
In 1851 George was a miller living at Seaham Mills with his wife and 2 daughters, Mary, aged 16 and Elizabeth, aged 11, both born in Seaham, Co. Durham. Sadly daughter Elizabeth died at the age of 17 in 1857.
In 1861 George & Elizabeth were living at Seaham Park Place, & he was still a miller. They had 2 boarders, Robert Dryden (a miller, aged 18) and James Hall (a cartman, aged 20). James was to marry George Earnshaw’s niece Mary Earnshaw in 1866!
George came to live at the home of his daughter Mary & her husband Rowland Robinson in Gateshead. He died aged 65 at 9 Worcester St, Gateshead & was buried on August 19th, 1869 at Gateshead.
An article in the Durham County Advertiser of November 25th, 1870 reported the horrific death of Elizabeth, aged 71. While living at Winlaton, Newcastle (presumably living with son John who was recorded there in the 1871 census) Elizabeth fell out of bed & her apparel caught fire from the candle that was standing on the table near the bed. She was burnt to death.
The children of George Earnshaw and Elizabeth Laing were:
e.2.1 John Earnshaw born at Silksworth
in 1833, christened March 3rd, 1833 at Seaham parish church; died July 25th 1874 at St Cuthbert's Place, Blaydon
e.2.2 Mary Earnshaw born at Seaham
Park House in 1834, christened October 6th, 1834 at Seaham parish church,
Co Durham
e.2.3 Elizabeth Earnshaw born July-September 1839 at The Mile, Seaham, Co. Durham, &
christened September 29th, 1839 at Seaham parish church, buried March 9th,
1857 at St Mary’s, Seaham.