Mary Ann Wood

1834 - 1904

Mary was born in about March 1834 ⁽¹⁾, probably in High Needham ⁽²⁾, and baptised in Earl Sterndale on 6th April the same year ⁽³⁾. She was the eldest child of William and Martha. Her sister Hannah was born in early 1835 ⁽⁶⁾, another sister Jane Ann in late 1836 ⁽⁷⁾,and brother Joseph in early 1839 ⁽⁸⁾.

Her sisters Hannah and Jane Ann are assumed to have died young ⁽⁹⁾, and by the time of the census in June 1841⁽¹⁰⁾, only Mary Ann and Joseph are living with their parents, probably in Hurdlow ⁽¹¹⁾. In the 1851 census ⁽¹²⁾ the family unit is unchanged, although her father's status had increased somewhat from being an agricultural labourer to farming 100 acres, so its probably fair to assume that their lifestyle had improved somewhat too.

Sometime prior to her marriage, she moved to Flagg ⁽¹³⁾, where she no doubt met her husband William Allen. They were married on 20th March 1861 in St John the Baptist's in Chelmorton ⁽¹³⁾. They then moved in with her parents in Hurdlow and her father gave William a job ⁽¹⁴⁾.

Their movements over the next few years aren't too clear, but it seems they didn't stay there for too long. Their eldest son William was born in around the 3rd quarter of 1861, at which time they may have still been with her parents ⁽¹⁵⁾. However by the time their next son, Samuel was born, in the second quarter of 1863, they were probably living in Flagg ⁽¹⁶⁾. They may have moved house in around 1866 into a "one up, one down cottage at the end of Flagg beyond the school" ⁽¹⁷⁾. Their next child Joseph was born towards the end of 1867, also probably in Flagg ⁽¹⁸⁾. Their youngest son George was born in November 1870, by which time they were definitely living in Flagg ⁽¹⁹⁾. By the census of April 1871 ⁽²⁰⁾ she was shown to be living in Flagg as a farmer's wife. Her last child, and only daughter, Martha Ann was born towards the end of 1874 ⁽²¹⁾.

The 1881 census ⁽²²⁾, is the only time we see Mary Ann & George together with all their children under one roof, as son Joseph died very soon afterwards ⁽²³⁾, and by 1891 sons William Henry and George were living and working at Highfield House Farm in Flagg ⁽²⁴⁾, leaving just Samuel and Martha still living at home ⁽²⁵⁾.

By the 1901 census ⁽²⁶⁾ Samuel had moved out, but eldest son William Henry had moved back in. Mary Ann died three years later on 27th November 1904 ⁽²⁷⁾ at the age of 70, and was buried in Taddington three days after that ⁽³¹⁾.

• William Henry, born 1861 ⁽¹⁵⁾. Apart from a spell working for Joseph Needham on Highfield House Farm ⁽²⁴⁾, he supposedly lived all his life in a one up-one down cottage at New Buildings, Flagg ^{(17) (26)}. He was said to have been a stone waller of great repute. He never married. He died about 1947 ⁽²⁸⁾.
• Samuel, born 1863 ⁽¹⁶⁾. Married Mary Bradbury in 1897⁽²⁹⁾, although it seems likely that they already had two children together before this (Samuel and Ann). They had at least one more child after they were married (Harold) ⁽³⁰⁾.
• Joseph, born 1867 ⁽¹⁸⁾, died 1881 ⁽²³⁾.
• George has his own page.
• Martha Ann, born 1874 ⁽²¹⁾. Was still single and living with her parents in 1901 ⁽²⁶⁾. Is thought to have had an illegitimate son Ray ⁽²⁸⁾.

1. She was baptised on 6th April 1834 ⁽³⁾, and her age in the 7th June 1841 census ⁽¹⁰⁾ was given as 7, so all that is really certain is that she was born between 8th June 1833 and 5th April 1834. However her parents were only maried in October 1833 ⁽⁴⁾ so it is much more likely to have been a matter of days, or possibly a few weeks, before her her baptism.
2. In the 1851 census ⁽¹²⁾ her place of birth was given as Hartington Middle. In 1861 ⁽¹⁴⁾ & 1881 ⁽²²⁾ it was given as High Needham. In 1871 ⁽²⁰⁾ & 1901 ⁽²⁶⁾ it was given as Sterndale, and in 1891 ⁽²⁵⁾ as Earl Sterndale. Given that these census entries are prone to get less accurate, if anything, then the earlier ones have to be considered to be of more value. Hartington Middle refers to quite a wide geographical area, but High Needham is very specific as there would have been probably only one or two houses (and the Grange) there at the time. Earl Sterndale was the parish where she was baptised and which covers High Needham. However, just to add back a little uncertainty. Her baptism entry ⁽³⁾ states that her (parents') residence was Hurdlow. In reality there is little more than a mile between any of these places though ⁽⁵⁾.
3. Baptism entry in parish register of St Michael & All Angels, Earl Sterndale reads:
   

   When baptized	Child's Christian Name	Parent's Christian Name	Parent's Surname	Abode	Quality, Trade or Profession
   April 6th [1834]	Mary Ann Daugr of	Wm and Martha	Wood	Hurdlow	Farmer

4. Her parents' marriage entry in the parish register of St Giles, Hartington reads:
   William Wood of this Parish
   Bachelor and Farmer
   and Martha Needham of this Parish
   Spinster
   were married in this Church by License with Consent of
   Parents this seventh Day of
   October in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty three
   By me W. M. Ward M. A. Vicar.
   This marriage was solemnized between us William Wood, Martha Needham X Mark
   In the presence of William Needham, [Sam Johnson]
5. Map showing location of Earl Sterndale, High Needham and Hurdlow.
6. Baptism entry in parish register of St Michael & All Angels, Earl Sterndale reads:
   

   When baptized	Child's Christian Name	Parent's Christian Name	Parent's Surname	Abode	Quality, Trade or Profession
   April 19 [1835]	Hannah Daugr of	Wm & Martha	Wood	Sterndale	Farmer

7. Baptism entry in parish register of St Michael & All Angels, Earl Sterndale reads:
   

   When baptized	Child's Christian Name	Parent's Christian Name	Parent's Surname	Abode	Quality, Trade or Profession
   Decr 11 [1836]	Jane Ann Daugr of	Wm and Martha	Wood	Sterndale	Farmer

8. Baptism entry in parish register of St Michael & All Angels, Earl Sterndale reads:
   

   When baptized	Child's Christian Name	Parent's Christian Name	Parent's Surname	Abode	Quality, Trade or Profession
   Febr 10 1839	Joseph son of	Wm & Martha	Wood	Sterndale	Farmer

9. Neither appear with the family in the 1841 census, and no later mention is found of them anywhere. However their burials have not been found either.
10. Census of 7th June 1841 reads:
    Place: Hartington Middle Quarter
    

    William Wood	25	Ag Lab
    Martha Do	25	.
    Mary Ann Do	7	.
    Joseph Do	2	.

11. The census only states Hartington Middle Quarter. However, at the baptisms of Mary Ann and her siblings the residence is constantly given as Hurdlow. There is every indication that her parents lived there up until the 1860s, with the 1861 census stating their residence as Hurdlow, and Mary Ann's marriage certificate of the same year stating that she was formerley of there.
12. Census of 30th March 1851 reads:
    Place: Hartington Middle Quarter
    

    William Wood	Head	Mar	39	Farms 100 Acres	Stafford, Warslow
    Wartha Do	Wife	Mar	39	.	Derby, Hartington Middle Q
    Maryann Do	Daur	U	17	.	Do Do
    Joseph Do	Son	.	11	.	Do Do

13. Marriage Certificate from Registration District of Bakewell states:

    1861 Marriage solemnized at Chelmorton in the parish of Bakewell in the County of Derby

    When married	Name and Surname	Age	Condition	Rank or Profession	Residence at the time of marriage	Father's name and Surname	Rank or Profession of father
    March 20th 1861	William Allen	27	Bachelor	Miner	Flagg	Samuel Allen	Miner
    	Mary Ann Wood	27	Spinster	-	Flagg, late of Hurdlow Town	William Wood	Farmer

    Married in the Church of Chelmorton according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church after banns

    in the presence of John Cantrell, Alice Mycock

14. Census of 7th April 1861 reads:
    Place: Hurdlow
    

    William Wood	Head	Mar	50	Farmer of 100 acres	Staffordsh, Elkston
    Martha Wood	Wife	Mar	49	Farmer's wife	Derbysh, Glutton Bridge
    Joseph Wood	Son	Un	22	Farmer's Son	Derbysh, Earl Sterndale
    Mary Ann Allen	Daur	Mar	27	Farmer's Daur	Derbysh, High Needham
    William Allen	Son-in-law	Mar	27	Agricultural Lab:	Derbysh, Flagg

15. Baptism entry in Chelmorton Parish Register reads:
    

    When baptized	Child's Christian Name	Parent's Christian Name	Parent's Surname	Abode	Quality, Trade or Profession
    Sepr 21st [1861]	William Henry son of	William Mary Ann	Allen	Flagg	Labourer

16. The 2nd April 1871 census ⁽²⁰⁾ gives his age as 7 and his place of birth as Flagg, while the parish register at Chelmorton lists his baptism on 7^th June 1863. This would seem to indicate that he was born in April, May or early June of that year. The index of registrations of births shows that a Samuel Allen was registered in the second quarter of 1863 in Bakewell district.
17. Information from living relatives states that her son William Henry "lived in a one up, one down cottage at the end of Flagg village beyond the school, where parents William and Mary had lived with their 5 children. They moved in when William was 5 and he continued to live in the same house until he died in about 1947". However, this story may not be totally accurate as at the time of the 1891 ⁽²⁴⁾ census, William Henry was a farm servant, living on the job at Highfield House Farm, along with his younger brother George .
18. The 2nd April 1871 census ⁽²⁰⁾ gives his age as 3 and his place of birth as Flagg. However, his baptism is recorded in the parish register of Sheldon on 26^th January 1868. The index of registrations of births show a Joseph Allen was registered in the fourth quarter of 1867 in Bakewell district.
19. Son George's Birth Certificate from the Registration District of Bakewell states:

    When and where born	Name	Sex	Name and surname of father	Name, surname and maiden surname of mother	Occupation of father	Signature, description and residence of informant	When registered
    Fifth November 1870, Flagg	George	Boy	William Allen	Mary Ann Allen, formerly Wood	Lead Miner	William Allen, Father, Flagg	First December 1870

20. Census of 2nd April 1871 reads:
    Place: Flagg
    

    William Allen	Head	Mar	37	Farmer of 10 acres	Derbyshire, Flagg
    Mary A Do	Wife	Mar	36	Farmer's wife	Do, Sterndale
    William Do	Son	.	9	Scholar	Do, Do
    Samuel Do	Son	.	7	Do	Do, Flagg
    Joseph Do	Son	.	3	Do	Do, Do
    George Do	Son	.	5 Mo	.	Do, Do

21. The 1881 census ⁽²²⁾ gives her age as 6, and the index of registrations of births shows that a Martha Ann Allen was registered in the fourth quarter of 1874 in Bakewell district. However, she wasn't baptied until 1878 in Chelmorton:
    

    When baptized	Child's Christian Name	Parent's Christian Name	Parent's Surname	Abode	Quality, Trade or Profession
    Dec 8	Martha	William & Mary Ann	Allen	Flagg	Labourer

22. Census of 3rd April 1881 reads: (Note that Martha Ann has been mis-entered as Mary Ann)
    Place: Flagg
    

    William Allen	Head	Mar	47	Lead Miner	Derbyshire, Flagg
    Mary Ann do	Wife	do	46	do do's wife	do, High Needham
    William do	Son	Unm	19	Lead Miners Son	do, Flagg
    Samuel do	do	do	16	do do do	do, do
    Joseph do	do	do	13	Scholar	do, do
    George do	do	do	10	Scholar	do, do
    Mary Ann do	Dau	.	6	do	do, do

23. Burial entry from parish register of St Michael's, Taddington reads:
    

    Name	Abode	When buried	Age
    Joseph Allen	Taddington	April 13th [1881]	13

24. Sons William and George in the Census of 5th April 1891 reads:
    Place: Highfield House, Flagg
    

    Joseph Needham	Head	M	55	Farmer	Flagg, Derbyshire
    - various other -	-	-	-	- people in -	- the household -
    William Allen	Serv	S	28	Farm Servant	Flagg, Derbyshire
    George do	Serv	S	18	do do	do, do

25. Census of 5th April 1891 reads:
    Place: Flagg
    

    William Allen	Head	M	56	Lead Miner	Flagg, Derbyshire
    Mary Ann do	Wife	M	58	.	Earlsterndale, do
    Samuel do	Son	S	27	General Labourer	Flagg, do
    Martha do	Daur	S	16	.	do, do

26. Census of 31st March 1901 reads:
    Place: New Buildings, Flagg
    

    William Allen	Head	M	67	General Labourer	Worker	Derbyshire, Flagg
    Mary Ann do	Wife	M	67	.	.	do, Sterndale
    William do	Son	S	39	do do	do	do, Flagg
    Martha Ann do	Daug	S	26	.	.	do, do

27. Death Certificate from Registration District of Bakewell states:

    When and where died	Name	Sex	Age	Occupation	Cause of death	Signature, description and residence of informant	When registered
    Twenty Seventh November 1904, Flagg, RD	Mary Ann Allen	Female	70 years	Wife of William Allen, a General Labourer	Broncho Pneumonia (5 Days), Fatty Heart (2 years 6 months), Certified by [Astable?] Wood MRCS	X The mark of William Henry Allen, Son. Present at the Death. Flagg	Twenty ninth November 1904

28. According to living relatives.
29. The index of registrations of marriages shows a Samuel Allen and a Mary Bradbury were registered married in the second quarter of 1897 in Bakewell district.
30. The 1901 census shows their 3 children as Samuel Allen Bradbury age 5, Emma Ann Allen Bradbury age 4 and Harold Bradbury Allen age 2. The fact that the youngest two were apparently born before their parents marriage, and have the middle name Allen, whilst the one born after their marriage has the middle name Bradbury seems likely to be because the first two were illegitimate, but Samuel accepted paternity of them.
31. Burial entry from parish register of St Michael's, Taddington reads:
    

    Name	Abode	When buried	Age
    Mary Ann Allen	Flagg	30 Novr 1904	70 years