(photo
dated 1927)
Great Uncle of
W.P. 'Bill' Richardson
Robert Richardson was
born on 13th November 1877, the sixth child of Robert
Richardson and his wife Margaret (nee Pallister). He
was named after his father.
Robert was baptised on 26th November 1877 and the
baptism was recorded in the register for the Primitive
Methodist South Shields Circuit. The entry showed that
his Dad was a miner and the family lived at Usworth.
He was recorded on the 1881 census, aged 3, living with
his family at number 51, Railway Terrace in Little
Usworth, Co. Durham.
Four years later, in 1885, his father Robert was killed
in an explosion in Usworth Colliery.
In the 1891 census he was 13, and living with his family
at number 11, Railway Terrace. He was recorded as
earning his living down the pit doing the first job for
a lot of young boys in the mine, that of Trapper. He
would operate the traps or doors to let the waggons
through and close them again to maintain the ventilation
underground.
In the third quarter of 1900, Robert married Sarah Ann
Purvis, he was 22 and Sarah was 26.
By the time of the 1901 census Robert and Sarah were
living at number 4, Cooperative Terrace in Washington
Village, Co.Durham. Robert was 23 and his occupation was
listed as Coal - Stone Man. They had a daughter called
Esther who was just two months old.
The census of 1911 showed the family at 13 Wood
Terrace, New Washington, Co. Durham. Robert was 33 and
working as a coal miner - hewer, his wife Sarah was 37.
Robert filled in the census form and stated that they
had been married for ten years, they had four children
in that time, one of whom had died. The surviving
children were listed in the house, Esther was 10, Robert
was 8 and Sarah Annie was just 8 months old. The little
one who had died was Doris, who had been born in 1905
and died the following year, aged 1.
Robert and Sarah had a fifth child, Irene, who was
born in 1912.
Robert died on the 21st April 1930, aged 52. His death was
registered in the Chester le Street District. He was
buried at Holy Trinity, Usworth on 23rd April, the
parish register recorded his address at the time of his
death as 18, Richardson Terrace, Usworth.
|
