Mary Bibby (Stirk)

MARY STIRK

On the basis of the 1861 Census record, Mary was probably born in 1813 in Hampsthwaite, Yorkshire.

It is thought that Mary married Timothy Bibby in 1834.

When the UK Census was taken on 6 June 1841, Mary was living in Meanwood, Chapel Allerton, Leeds in Yorkshire with Timothy and their three children. She was then aged 25. The children were Ann (6), Elizabeth (3) and George (10 months).

On the birth of her daughter, Jane, in 1842 Mary was living in Meanwood, Chapel Allerton. It is evident from her daughter’s birth certificate that Mary could not write.

When the UK Census was taken on 30 March 1851, Mary was living in Chapel Allerton with Timothy and their five children. She was then aged 37. The children were Elizabeth (12), George (10 and a scholar), Jane (8), John (7 and a scholar) and William (4).

Mary was widowed when Timothy died, aged only 44, on Saturday 22 January 1853 at Meanwood. The cause of death was consumption. His death was registered by Ann Bibby, their daughter. Mary and Timothy had been married for only 19 years and had had ten children. Their youngest surviving child, William, was only 7 when Timothy died.

She was married for the second time on Saturday 23 October 1858 in Leeds to Samuel Midgley. She was then aged 45.

When the UK Census was taken on 7 April 1861, Mary was living in Myrtle Row, Chapel Allerton with Samuel and three children from her first marriage. Mary was then aged 47. The children were George (20 and a farmer), John (17 and a blacksmith) and William (14 and a stone quarrier).