I have very little information about Elizabeth's early life. From census information I know that she came to England from Comber in County Down, Ireland and working on the ages given on census returns and on her death certificate, she was born around 1798.

The first record I can find for her is the 1851 census. She was living in West Rainton in County Durham, listed as age 50 and a widow. Her four (known, there may have been more children) sons were living with her and they had all been born in Ireland.  James was 21, David was 14, John was 12 and Hugh was 10  and all four worked as coal miners. That was a big gap between James and David, so I am sure there were more children but haven't yet been able to find them. They also had a lodger, another coal miner, James Thompson who was 25 and also from Ireland.

On the 1861 census Elizabeth was listed in West Rainton as being 60. Her sons James and Hugh were still at home and working in the pit. David was nowhere to be found on the 1861 census and I believe he may have gone back to Ireland for a while. John had married but lived along the row with his wife Margaret and their new baby who was just three weeks old. I imagine that Granny was pleased to have the family and baby so near.

By the time of the 1871 census Elizabeth was recorded as still living in West Rainton and was recorded as being 66. Only James who was 34, working in the pit and not married, remained at home. The other three sons were all married, though they were still nearby.

On the 1881 census, Elizabeth said she was 77. Her son James was 48 and recorded as a coal miner. This was the first census return that actually stated an address for them, they lived on Front Street, West Rainton

Elizabeth died on 16th February 1891 at West Rainton, her death certificate said she was 93 years old and her death was registered by her son, Hugh.

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