Mary Shaw

MARY THOMPSON

Mary was probably born in 1820 in Castleford, Yorkshire.

She was married for the first time on Monday 31 May 1841 at the Parish Church, Pontefract, Yorkshire to William Bland, a bachelor. She was then of full age (probably 21), had no apparent profession and was living in Pontefract. It is apparent from the marriage certificate that Mary could not write.

On the birth of her daughter, Maria, in September 1841 Mary was living in Castleford. It is apparent from the birth certificate that Mary still could not write and had been pregnant when she was married less than 4 months previously.

On the birth of her second daughter, Sarah, on 11 March 1844 Mary was living at Lees Forge, Dewsbury, Yorkshire. It is apparent from Sarah’s birth certificate that Mary still could not write.

Mary was widowed in 1849 when William died, aged just 36. She and William had been married for 8 years and had had 4 children.

When the UK Census was taken on 30 March 1851, Mary was living in Castleford with her four children. She was then aged 31, still a widow and employed as a charwoman. The children were Maria (9 and a scholar), Sarah (7 and a scholar), Clara (2) and William (1).

Mary was married for the second time on Wednesday 15 September 1858 in Featherstone, Yorkshire to Gideon Shaw, a bachelor. She was then of full age (probably 38), employed as a housekeeper and living in Whitwood, Castleford.

When the UK Census was taken on 7 April 1861, Mary was living at 22 Carlton Street, Castleford with Gideon, and her three children from her first marriage; Maria, Sarah and William Bland. She was then aged 41. Maria, then 19, was employed as a servant, Sarah, aged 17, was employed as a dressmaker and William, then 11, was a scholar.

When the UK Census was taken on 2 April 1871, Mary was living at 32 Carlton Street, Castleford with Gideon and two of her children from her first marriage; Maria and William Bland. This suggests that, although they had been married for 13 years, Mary did not have any children with Gideon. By the time of the census, Gideon had his own business as a shoemaker and employed 4 men. Maria, then 29, was employed as a servant while William, then 21, was employed as a tobacconist. Mary’s daughter, Sarah, had got married to Barnabas Bramley in 1864.

Mary died, aged 50 or 51, on Saturday 2 September 1871 at her home in Carlton Street, Castleford, Yorkshire. The cause of death was ascites (dropsy). Her death was registered by her husband, Gideon.