Eleanor Pallister was the fifth child of Thomas Pallister & Christiana Stabler born at Rushyford, Co Durham & christened May 8th, 1836 at Merrington, Co Durham.
Eleanor & her parents were living at Rushyford, Windlestone in 1841 along with 4 brothers. Eleanor’s father was an itinerant blacksmith & as evidenced by the birthplace of the children.
At the time of the 1851 census Eleanor was living at Snow Hall, Gainford & working as a house servant for farmer Henry Wade & family.
Eleanor married John Spence on July 15th, 1856 at Darlington, Co Durham. John was christened May 25th, 1834 at Whorlton, Co Durham, the son of Margaret & Joseph Spence, a labourer.
In 1861 Eleanor & John were living in Staindrop, Co Durham where John was a journeyman mason. They had a son Thomas P (4) & 2 daughters – Margaret (2) & Elizabeth A (8 months).
The family were still living in Staindrop in 1871 at a Cottage, Front St. As well as children Thomas, Margaret Jane & Elizabeth, they now had Joseph (7), William (5), Mary C (2) & Eleanor (1). John was now described as a mason.
In 1881 Eleanor & John were still in Staindrop & John continued to work as a mason. Children at home were Joseph, William, a grocer’s apprentice, Mary, Ellen & new arrivals Sarah (9), Ester (7), John George (5) & Emily (3).
John, aged 56, died on June 19th, 1890 & was buried on June 22nd at St Mary’s, Staindrop.
Widowed Eleanor was living in the High St, Staindrop in 1891 & was described as living on her own means. With her were Elizabeth Ann, living on her own means, George & Emily. They also had 3 boarders.
Eleanor, aged 58, died on November 13th, 1894 & was buried on November 17th at St Mary’s, Staindrop.
The children of Eleanor Pallister & John Spence were:
p.1.2.4.2.1.5.1 Thomas Pallister Spence born July-September 1856 in Stockton, Co Durham & christened October 12th, 1856 at Aycliffe
p.1.2.4.2.1.5.2 Margaret Jane Spence christened July 18th, 1858 at Staindrop, Co Durham
p.1.2.4.2.1.5.3 Elizabeth Ann Spence christened October 7th, 1860 at Staindrop, Co Durham
p.1.2.4.2.1.5.4 Joseph Spence born July-September 1862 at Staindrop; buried March 8th, 1863 at St Mary’s, Staindrop.
p.1.2.4.2.1.5.5 Joseph Spence christened March 20th, 1864 at Staindrop, Co Durham
p.1.2.4.2.1.5.6 William Spence christened April 1st, 1866 at Staindrop
p.1.2.4.2.1.5.7 Mary Christiana Spence christened April 25th, 1869 at Staindrop
p.1.2.4.2.1.5.8 Ellen Spence christened June 12th, 1870 at Staindrop
p.1.2.4.2.1.5.9 Sarah Spence christened March 31st, 1872 at Staindrop
p.1.2.4.2.1.5.10 Esther Spence christened November 14th, 1873 at Staindrop
p.1.2.4.2.1.5.11 John George Spence christened May 21st, 1876 at Staindrop
p.1.2.4.2.1.5.12 Emily Spence christened November 18th, 1877 at Staindrop