Husband of
W.P. 'Bill' Richardson's Great Aunt, Mary
Lee
Harry Doyle Cotton
was born on 25th June 1865, in Jarrow. He was the son of
Walter Cotton and his wife Mary Ann (nee Custance).
The census of 1871 recorded him, aged 5, with his
family at 4 Lambert Terrace, Byker, Newcastle. His
father, Walter, was 36 and his occupation was listed as
Brewer and House Agent. His Mam, Mary Ann, was 39. Harry
had sisters and a brother, Hannah M. (12), Edith M.
(11), Kate E (9), Lizzie E (8) and William S (3).
By the time of the 1881 census, Harry was 15. The family
had moved south, to London.There was no occupation
listed for Harry on this census, very different from
most boys his age up in the North East, who would have
been working for their living for some time at that age.
On the 21st January 1888, Harry married Mary Lee, the
daughter of a miner from Crook, Co. Durham. Mary had
trained as a teacher and was living in London. Their
marriage took place at Paddington Register Office. Harry
was 22 and Mary was 24. The first of
their three children, Harry Evelyn Cotton, was born a
few months later followed by John Campbell Cotton in
1880 and finally Edith Mary in 1892. The
census of 1891 showed the family living at 39,
Arbuthnot Rd.,St Paul, Deptford. Harry was 25 and his
wife was 27. Harry's occupation was listed as
'assistant wool valuer'. Though I have
found his wife and children, I have not yet been able to
find Harry on the 1901 census. The census
of 1911, showed the family living at 20, Erlanger Rd.,
St Paul, Deptford. Harry was 45 and his occupation was
listed as 'Wool expert and valuer'. Great
sadness for the family, when in 1918, Harry, who I
assume was greatly troubled, committed suicide. |
