Daughter of W.P. 'Bill'
Richardson's Great Aunt,
Sarah Isabella Howey
Mary Eleanor was the second child of Walter Potts and
his wife Sarah Isabella (nee Howey). She was born on
31st December 1889 at Witton le Wear and her birth
was registered in the Auckland Registration District.
Her baptism took place at the parish church in Witton le
Wear on 23rd February 1890, the record shows that her
Dad worked as a miner.
The census of 1891 recorded her, aged one, at Witton le
Wear. Her Dad was 38 and worked as a brickmaker, her Mam
was 28. Mary had an older sister, Georgina, who was two.
Mary was 11 for the next census, in 1901. Her Dad,
Walter, was 48 and was a Sanitary Pipe Maker. Mam, Sarah,
was 38 and in addition to her older sister Georgina (12)
Mary had four younger siblings: Annie (8), John (6),
Esther (4) and Bertha (1).
By the time of the 1911 census, Mary Eleanor was 21. She
was no longer living in the family home , but was
working 'in service' for William Chambers and his wife,
Mary, in Witton le Wear. William and his wife had a
little boy Theodore who was 13 and as well as the
household duties, I imagine Mary helped to look after
him.
The 1911 census return for Georgina's parents showed
that there were two more children in the family who had
died very young, these were Isabel (1891-1892) and
George Walter (1901-1904).
In the first quarter of 1920, Mary Eleanor married
Joseph B Watson.
I haven't yet found a definite record of any children of this
marriage.
Mary Eleanor died in the first quarter of 1980. She was
90 years old and her death was registered in the Durham
South Western District. |
