Elizabeth Richardson was the second child of Thomas Richardson & Eleanor Powell, born 1817 at Barley Mow. She was christened on December 5th, 1817 at St Michaels, Bishop Wearmouth.
Elizabeth was living at home at the time of the 1841 & 1851 censuses at White House farm, Houghton & Seaton Blue House, Seaton & Slingley respectively.
By 1861 Elizabeth’s parents had both died and Elizabeth, still unmarried at the age of 43, had carried on farming at Blue House farm (also listed as Bay Horse in the census) with the help of her brothers Joseph (farm manager employing 1 man & 1 boy), Robert (butcher) & Henry (ploughman). Also living there and recorded as a general servant was niece Mary Ann Place (16), daughter of Elizabeth’s sister Jane. Elizabeth’s brother William is also recorded at the same address but in a separate dwelling and is working as an agricultural labourer. Although he is married at this time his family appear to be away from home at the time of the census.
In 1871 Elizabeth is still farming at Seaton with her brother Henry. Also living with them is nephew Henry Richardson who appears to be the son of brother Joseph, born 1861 at Seaham Harbour.
In the Post Office directory of 1879 Elizabeth was listed as a farmer of Seaton. This was Elizabeth’s last year of farming as an advert in the Durham County Advertiser of September 13th, 1878 stated that her tenancy expired in May of 1879. Blue House Farm, comprising 6 rooms, a dairy & pantry was therefore to be sold. Also the 50 acres of farm land & farming equipment, a labourer’s cottage & the adjoining mansion house, known as Seaton House, were for sale.
By 1881 Elizabeth (64) had given up farming and was living in Seaton village, now with brother Robert the butcher, but still with her is nephew Henry who is a colliery labourer.
Elizabeth died on April 17th, 1888 at the age of 70 at Seaton.