Robert Pallister [p.1.6.8.9]

Robert Pallister was the ninth child of Thomas Pallister & Mary Blackburn born c1829 at North Side, Birtley, Co Durham.

In 1841 Robert was at home with his parents, brothers & sister at Queens St, Thornley, Co Durham. He was a coal miner.

Robert married Mary Anne Cook in January-March 1850, the marriage being registered at Chester-le-Street. Mary was born c1830 at Peels Houses, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham. Robert & Mary had twins – Thomas & Mary Ellen who were born in April-June 1850 & who both sadly died in infancy.

In 1851 Robert & Mary Anne were living at Birtley & Robert was a coal miner. Living next door was Robert’s brother John, his wife Maria & their son John.

By 1861 Robert & Mary had moved to Belmont Colliery, Pittington, Co Durham where they were living with their 5 children – William (9), Hannah (8), Mary E (4), Jane (3) & James (2 months). Robert was still a miner. They also had a son Robert, aged 6 who was with uncle William Cook & his wife Hannah at the time of the census at Brickgarth, Birtley.

In 1871 the family were living at Perkinsville, Pelton, Co Durham & Robert was still a coalminer as was son William. Other children at home were Mary Ellen, Jane, James, Isabella (7), Margaret (2) & Ann (1 month).

Robert & Mary were living at South Row, Ouston Co Durham in 1881 & Robert was still working in the coal mine. At home were Mary Ellen, James, an engine man, Margaret & Ann.

Robert died in Oct-December 1883 at the age of 55, the death being registered at Chester-le-Street.

Mary was living at Cement Row, Ouston in 1891 with son James, a winding engineman, daughters Nellie (Mary Ellen) & Annie, both dressmakers & Maggie.

Daughter Mary Ellen married James Henderson in July-September 1900 at Chester-le-Street.

In 1901 Mary & son James were still living at Cement St, Ouston. James was still unmarried & described as a colliery engineman.

At the time of the 1911 census Mary was still living with son James who had married Sarah Hannah Johnson (born January 23rd, 1878 in Middlesbrough) in 1908. They were living at 234 East St, Ouston & James was a pumping enigineman underground. James & Sarah had a 1 year old son Robert. It was noted on the census that Mary had had 12 children, only 6 of whom were still living.

Mary died July-September 1911, aged 81, the death being registered at Chester-le-Street.

Son James was killed in a mining accident at Ouston Winning Colliery on May 9th, 1923, aged 62, & after a service in the Wesleyan Church, Perkinsville, was buried at Holy Trinity Church, Pelton. Probate was granted to brother-in-law Robert Stephenson, mason & James' widow Sarah Hannah. His effects were £284.6s.11d. (An error on his headstone gives his death date as June 9th!)

Headstone of James Pallister

The children of Robert Pallister & Mary Anne Cook were:

p.1.6.8.9.1 William Pallister born July-September 1851 at Birtley, Co Durham; died July-September 1917 at Lymington, Hampshire
p.1.6.8.9.2 Hannah Pallister born Jan-March 1853 at Birtley, Co Durham; died Jan-March 1907 at Chester-le-Street
p.1.6.8.9.3 Robert Pallister born Jan-March 1855 at Birtley, Co Durham, died 1861 at Chester-le-Street
p.1.6.8.9.4 Mary Eleanor Pallister born Oct-December 1856 at Birtley, Co Durham
p.1.6.8.9.5 Jane Pallister born Oct-December 1858 at Birtley, Co Durham; died July 12th, 1918 at Arladale, Low Fell & buried at Saltwell Cemetery on July 16th.
p.1.6.8.9.6 James Pallister born Jan-March 1861 at Belmont/Hallgarth, Co Durham, died June 9th, 1923 at Ouston, Co Durham
p.1.6.8.9.7 Isabella Pallister born Oct-December 1863 at Perkinsville, Pelton, Co Durham
p.1.6.8.9.8 Margaret Pallister born April-June 1868 at Perkinsville, Pelton, Co Durham; died June 5th, 1930 at 7 Studley Gardens, Low Fell, Gateshead, Co Durham
p.1.6.8.9.9 Ann Pallister born Jan-March 1871 at Perkinsville, Pelton, Co Durham