Ann Richardson [r.6.1]

Ann Richardson was the first child of Thomas Powell Richardson & Mary Wilson, born c1848 at Burdon, Warden Law.

The family lived at Burdon Cottage, Burdon at the time of the 1851 census but by 1861 they had moved to Warden Law Hill House.

A marriage licence was granted to Ann Richardson & Robert Earnshaw on November 26th, 1869, see below.

On November 28th, 1869 Ann married Robert Earnshaw at Christ Church, in the parish of New Seaham. Robert was the sixth child of Thomas Earnshaw and Elizabeth Crosby, born January 11th, 1840 at Dawdon Hall, Dawdon, Co Durham. One of the witnesses at the wedding was Ann's uncle, Robert Richardson, The other witness was Joseph Birkbeck, choirmaster & organsit at Christ Church, who had a very lucky escape from the mining disaster that was to occur at Seaham colliery in 1880 -see Robert Earnshaw's page [e.1.6].

In 1871 Robert & Ann were living at Seaham Park Place, Seaham with a daughter Elizabeth (1). They were living with Robert Richardson, Ann’s uncle.

By 1881 Robert (41), & Ann (32) were still at Seaham Park with children Elizabeth (11), Thomas (9), Robert Richardson (7), John (5), Mary Ellen (3) and Ada (2).

In 1891 Ann & Robert were now living at Grange Terrace, Ryhope with 9 children! Robert continued working at the paper mill & daughter Elizabeth was a finisher at the paper works, Thomas & Robert R were paper millers, John was a paper maker. Others at home were Mary E, Ada, Frederick (9), George William (7), Ernest (5).

In 1901 the family were living at 23 Stockton Terrace, Ryhope, Robert was 61 and Ann 52. At home were Robert R, a beater in the paper mill, John, a machine minder in the paper mill, Frederick, a clerk, George W & Ernest, both guilders apprentices. Daughter Mary E was also at home, now married (1898, Sunderland) to Richard Herbert Clifford (born c1876 Ryhope), a machine minder at the paper mill. They had a 1 year old son, Charles. Also visiting was Mary J Richardson (21), Ann’s niece – daughter of her brother Thomas Richardson.

A family group with Ann Richardson front row centre.

Ann died November 7th, 1901 aged 53 years and is buried at St Aidans cemetery, Grangetown alongside Robert, who died November 21st,1909 aged 69 years. Their daughter Ada, who died May 2nd, 1900, aged 21, is also buried in the same plot.

The children of Ann Richardson & Robert Earnshaw were:

e.1.6.1 Elizabeth Earnshaw born April-June, 1870 at Seaham, Co Durham
e.1.6.2 Thomas Earnshaw born Jan-March, 1872 at Seaham, Co Durham
e.1.6.3 Robert Richardson Earnshaw born Oct-December 1873 at Seaham, Co Durham; died June 8th 1934, buried St Aidans cemetery, Grangetown
e.1.6.4 John Earnshaw born Oct-December, 1875 at Seaham, Co Durham; died September 16th 1944, buried St Aidans cemetery, Grangetown
e.1.6.5 Mary Ellen Earnshaw born April-June 1877 at Seaham, Co Durham
e.1.6.6 Ada Earnshaw born Jan-March, 1879 at Seaham, Co Durham; died May 2nd 1900, Sunderland
e.1.6.7 Frederick Earnshaw born Oct-Dec 1881 at Seaham, Co Durham; died 1956, Grangetown, Sunderland
e.1.6.8 George William Earnshaw born Oct-Dec 1883 at Grangetown, Sunderland
e.1.6.9 Ernest Earnshaw born April-June, 1886 at Grangetown, Sunderland