Mary Ann (or Marianne) was born in 1821 at Longbenton, Northumberland. Her parents were John Welch and his wife Hannah. She was baptised at St Bartholomew's church, which was the parish church of Longbenton, on the 1st of July 1821. Her father was recorded in the baptismal register as being a pitman living at High Row.

I haven't yet been able to find Mary Ann in the 1841 census.

On the 18th December 1845 at the age of 25, Mary Ann married William Pallister a 35 year old pitman. Their marriage took place at the parish church at Wingate Grange. Their witnesses were Thomas Moore and Joseph Stewart Barker.

Mary Ann's first child, Hannah, was born in the first quarter of 1846, followed in 1847 by another daughter called Margaret. Sadly Margaret died soon after birth. A third daughter, also called Margaret was born in 1849. Their first son, John, was born in 1850 but sadly he too died soon after birth.

By the time of the 1851 census, Mary Ann and William were living at Wingate Grange, where William worked in the pit. Their daughter Margaret was recorded in the family home aged 2 but Hannah was visiting her Granpa at Willington so was recorded there.

On the 1861 census Mary Ann was 40. She and her family were now living at Usworth where her husband was working in the pit. They now had another daughter, Isabella who was 8. Margaret was 12. Hannah was now 15 and living in Painshaw working as a servant.

In 1862 Mary Ann had another son, who they called William.

Sadness for the family when their daughter Isabella died in 1868, aged 15.

By the time of the 1871 census, Mary Ann was 50, her husband was still working at the pit in Usworth and they were living at The Square, Usworth. Her son William was 8 years old.

In the 1881 census the family  were recorded as living at number 14, The Square, Little Usworth. Both Mary Ann's husband and son worked in the pit.

In 1891 the family were living at number 2, Folds in Great Usworth, Mary Ann was 70 and her husband William was 81, he was recorded as living on his own means.

Mary Ann died on the 25th May 1891 aged 71. Her death was registered by her grandson, Thomas Richardson. She was buried at Holy Trinity in Usworth on the 28th May and the service was performed by M M Simpson.