Great Uncle of
W.P. 'Bill' Richardson
Ralph Pallister Richardson was
born 30th April 1880 at Railway Terrace, Usworth, Co.
Durham. He was the seventh child of
Robert Richardson and his wife Margaret (nee Pallister).
He was baptised on 7th June 1880 and his baptism was
recorded in the Primitive Methodist Register for South
Shields Circuit. The entry says that his Dad was a miner
and the family lived at Usworth Colliery.
He was recorded on the 1881 census, aged 11 months,
living with his family at number 51, Railway Terrace in
Little Usworth, Co. Durham.
In 1885, his father Robert was killed in an explosion in
Usworth Colliery, Ralph was just four years old.
In the 1891 census Ralph was recorded as being a ten
year old scholar, living with his family at number 11,
Railway Terrace in Little Usworth.
In 1892, Ralph's mother Margaret, having been a widow
for seven years, remarried. Her new husband was John
Patterson.
The 1901 census shows that Margaret and John had set up
home at number 11 Pensher View in Usworth. Two of
Margaret's children are living with them, John aged 18
and the census return says:
'Robert' Richardson, aged 20,
but I believe that is an error and it was actually
Ralph. In 1901 the householder would have filled in a
form that was left and the enumerator would have copied
from that onto the schedule. Perhaps he misread the
handwriting or perhaps he knew the family and just got
the names mixed. Robert was married and living elsewhere
and was 23 at that time. So the age on the census return
tallies with Ralph's age and I can find no other trace
of Ralph in the 1901 census.
On the 21st June 1905, Ralph marrried Frances Carr at
Chester le Street Primitive Methodist Central Church.
Ralph was 25 and his address was given as 11 Pensher
View, (so it looks like it was him on the 1901 census at
the same address). His occupation was given as
'Engineman, Co-operative Stores', I am not sure what
that would have entailed. Frances was 21 the daughter of
William Carr and her address was Railway Terrace,
Usworth. Their witnesses were William Varty and Barbara
Taylor.
The census of 1911 recorded the couple at 1 Monument
Terrace, New Washington, Co. Durham. Ralph was 30 and
there was a note on the census form saying he was
'Permanently disabled Miner, whilst following occupation
as shifter in Coal Mine at Usworth Colliery Co. Durham'
His current occupation was listed as 'Shopkeeper
(dealer)' working on 'own account'. There was another
note ( crossed out by the enumerator and 'own account'
written instead) saying 'Worker for Johanasson Gordon &
Co. Ltd'. This was the company which owned Usworth
Colliery so perhaps that part referred to when he was
injured.
Ralph's wife, Frances was 27, they had been
married for 5 years and in that time had two children.
Both children were recorded in the house, Robert who was 4 and Ralph Pallister who was 4 months.
The 1914 Kelly's Directory of Durham listed Ralph in
Washington as a shopkeeper.
Ralph died on 10th February 1945 at Lynor, Village
Lane , Washington. He was 64 years old and his death
certificate stated that he was a retired Master
Confectioner. His death was registered by his son, also
called Ralph Pallister Richardson, who was living in
Fulwell, near Sunderland. He was buried in the
churchyard of Usworth Holy Trinity on 14th February, the
same location as his parents and several siblings.
|
