Lydia Pallister [p.1.6.5.3.7.14]

Our thanks go to Jean Jackson, granddaughter of Lydia, for providing photographs & information on Lydia’s family

Lydia Pallister was the second child of Thomas Pallister & Ann Walton Featherstonhaugh, born July 30th, 1894 at Lanchester. Ann, known as Annie, was Thomas’ third wife & Lydia was his 14th child.

In 1901 Lydia & her parents were living at Victoria St, Lanchester where her father was a butcher. Lydia’s sister Dorothy was at home & her half-brother Thomas.

By 1911 Lydia was working as a second housemaid at Burnhopeside Hall, Lanchester. Head of the household was widowed Isabella Dixon, the housekeeper. (Interestingly the second wife of Lydia’s father, Dorothy Davison, also worked at Burnhopeside Hall prior to her marriage to Thomas Pallister.)

Lydia (standing) & sister Dorothy

Lydia married Richard Thompson, an auctioneer & cattle dealer, in Jan-March 1916 at Lanchester. Richard was widowed, his first wife Mary (nee Milburn) having died. Richard was born March 21st, 1863 at Aydon, Northumberland, the son of Elizabeth Atkinson & John Thompson. Richard’s son George Thompson had married Lydia’s sister, Dorothy (Dot) Pallister in 1911.

The 1939 register shows Richard & Lydia living at Newhouses Farm, Lanchester where Richard was a farmer & steam thresher proprietor. Living with them were sons Richard, threshing machine engine driver assisting his father, John Thomas, a cowman assisting his father, Gilbert & Arthur G, both threshing machine attendants, & a daughter Margaret who was helping with household duties. Another Richard Thompson was also working on the farm as a head horseman who was born 1912. This was the son of Lydia's sister Dot & her husband George Thompson.

Richard died on November 19th, 1947 at Newhouses Farm. Probate was granted to widowed Lydia & James Charlton, farmer. His effects were £1,307.3s.5d.

Lydia died aged 88 at Pont Head Farm, Leadgate, Consett, Co Durham & was buried on January 11th, 1982 at Blackhill Cemetery, Consett.

The children of Lydia Pallister & Richard Thompson were:

p.1.6.5.3.7.14.1 Richard Thompson born April 27th, 1916 at Sunniside, Iveston, Co Durham; died March 27th, 2007 at Penrith, Cumbria
p.1.6.5.3.7.14.2 John Thomas Thompson born January 10th, 1918 at Newhouses Farm, Lanchester; died April-June 1980 at Penrith, Cumbria
p.1.6.5.3.7.14.3 Gilbert Thompson born April 22nd, 1920 at Newhouses Farm, Lanchester; died August 2nd, 1989 at Churchrigg, Wigton, Cumbria
p.1.6.5.3.7.14.4 Margaret Thompson born January 18th, 1924 at Newhouses Fam, Lanchester; died February 2002 at Lanchester
p.1.6.5.3.7.14.5 Arthur G Thompson born January 18th, 1924 at Newhouses Farm, Lanchester
p.1.6.5.3.7.14.6 Norman Bousfield Thompson born Jan-March 1926 at Newhouses Farm, Lanchester; died August 14th, 2012 at Iveston, Co Durham
p.1.6.5.3.7.14.7 Oliver Hugh Thompson born July-September 1927 at Newhouses Farm, Lanchester
p.1.6.5.3.7.14.8 Arabella Thompson born March 5th, 1930 at Newhouses Farm, Lanchester; died October 3rd, 1972 at Ferndene, Knitsley, Co Durham