80th Anniversary

Today, 26 December 2016 is the 80th Wedding Anniversary of my grandparents, Joe and Sadie Quinnin. My grandad's name was really Albert Victor, but he became known as Joe in his youth. The reason for this is subject to family lore and myth.

They married at Tynemouth Registry Office when my grandad was 27, and my grandma just 20-years-old. Their witnesses were my grandma's sister, Florence, and my grandad's brother-in-law, Bill Weightman, who had married his sister only a year before. 

My grandparents were utterly devoted to each other, their love for each other was undying. Together they had twelve children! 

In 1972, my grandad suddenly became ill. Crippled with stomach pains and other ailments, he was taken into hospital. There, on 3 August 1972, he wrote my grandma a letter. I now have the letter, which I treasure. It is written on pale blue hospital paper and is kept in a faded yellowing envelope. It reads:

Dear Sadie,

Just a line or two, to let you know I am doing fine in here. Well Sadie I went to sleep at 8-30 this morning and they woke me up at 11-20 to wash me. They gave me a good wash all over and my pyjamas were so wet with sweat they had to give me some of the RVIs.

When they got me put right they put me in a big chair at the bedside, and they put my smoking jacket on me, when they drew the curtain every one was looking at me, the nurses from the other wards were coming in to have a look at me, they were bowing in front of me and shaking hands. They were calling me Sir Albert.

Well how is every one at home. I hope you are getting plenty of rest now. Is Peg all right now I hope she still comes in to see you. Tell everyone I am asking after them. Well I think this will be all. Excuse writing as these nurses are pulling and tearing at me.

From your loving Husband

Sir Albert Victor 

Peg, the woman named in the letter, was my grandparent's neighbour.

My grandad died just over a month later, and my grandma never fully recovered. She was reunited with him in death in 1984.

Mary Ann Cotton, she's deed and she's rotten

Mary Ann Cotton, she's deed and she's rotten

Lying in a' coffin with a' belly wide op'en

This was the rather ghastly rhyme my grandma while cradling her children and grandchildren. I have known this version of the rhyme probably my whole life, although it does differ from the official version.

I was amazed to discover, fairly recently, that I have a distant connection to Mary Ann Cotton. But who exactly was she? 

Mary Ann Robson was born on 31 October 1832 at Low Moorsley, Durham, and was baptised on 11 November at West Rainton. Her parents were Michael and Margaret Robson (née Lonsdale). Michael Robson was a pitman, later described as a pit sinker. 

Mary Ann's baptism at West Rainton
(then Rainton Chapel)

When Mary Ann was still a young girl, her family moved to East Murton, where her father got a job at the local colliery. They weren't there for long when her father Michael died after falling down the pit. After Mary Ann's infamy rose, there were stories that Mary Ann witnessed her father's mangled body be brought back to the family home in a wheelbarrow, owned by the colliery. Her mother remarried to a man named George Stott shortly after, whom Mary Ann was not very fond of.

Mary Ann became known as the first and most prolific serial killer in British history. Cotton was the name of her fourth and final husband, although it was a bigamous marriage. Hers was a truly sick and horrific Victorian tale. She is thought to have murdered 21 people, including husbands, step-children, her own mother and eleven of her thirteen children. Arsenic was her poison. 

Mary Ann Cotton

Mary Ann Cotton is still a rather grisly name in the north east of England, but I doubt very many people outside of the region have heard of her. 

So how is it that I am connected to Mary Ann Cotton?

Mary Ann moved to Seaham Harbour after the death of her first husband in 1865. She soon after struck up a relationship with a man named Joseph Nattrass, who was already engaged to be married. After Joseph married, Mary Ann left Seaham Harbour. 

Mary Ann and Joseph rekindled their relationship years later, sometime after 1871. Joseph had been widowed, and was now living in a village nearby. On discovering this, Mary Ann convinced Frederick Cotton, her new husband, to move to the same village. Frederick Cotton was killed a few mere months later, and Joe became the lodger of Mrs Cotton. 

Joseph Nattrass may have been Mary Ann's on-off lover for a few years now, but that didn't stop him following the same fate as his predecessors. Joseph became ill in 1871, suffering with gastric fever - like all those before him, and died soon after.  

Joseph was the son of Henderson and Mary Nattrass, who had an elder brother named Michael. In 1862, at the parish church of Gateshead Fell, Michael Nattrass married a lady named Margaret Errington - Margaret's sister Isabella was my great-great-grandmother. Isabella and her husband Matthew Taylor (my great-great-grandparents) were the witnesses to the union. 

Michael Nattrass and my aunt Margaret did not have any children, and separated only a few years into their marriage. They both met new partners, and married bigamously, but they both seemed rather happy with this arrangement.

After Mary Ann Cotton was found out, her details and those of her victims were written about extensively in the media of the time. The following was written about Joseph 'Joe' Nattrass in the Shields Daily Gazette, 8 October 1872;

"Strange to say, at this period, "Joe" Nattrass, one of the men she is accused of poisoning at West Auckland, was lodging with his brother, Michael Nattrass, at the back part of the property at which she lived. Mrs Wallerson, a neighbour, is not aware that she knew Nattrass then, although she might, and he able to conceal the knowledge of such acquaintanceship from her. Joe Nattrass was married about this time to a young woman, named Thubron, daughter of John and Mary Thubron, who were then living in Back Terrace, Seaham Harbour. After his marriage he went to live at Shildon, where his wife died. He must then have gone to West Auckland, and by a singular coincidence fallen in with the woman Cotton and gone there to lodge. Michael Nattrass and his wife have since died."

Mary Ann Cotton was sentenced to death, and she was hanged on 24 March 1873 at Durham County Gaol. 

It is entirely possible that my aunt Margaret Errington knew the ill-fated Joe, and perhaps she was even acquainted with Mary Ann Cotton herself. Margaret died many years later, so must have known about the Mary Ann Cotton murders, as just about everyone in the north east would have. 

My maternal grandmother would sing her version of the Mary Ann Cotton rhyme to her children and grandchildren, whilst she cradled, rocked, or bounced them on her knee. I can only assume her own mother, Sarah Jane Taylor, sang the rhyme to her - and she possibly learnt the rhyme from her own mother, Isabella Errington! 

ITV have filmed a period drama detailing the Mary Ann Cotton murders - It stars Joanne Froggatt of Downton Abbey fame as Mary Ann, and airs tonight at 9pm.

By This Misfortune

Last year I wrote a blog post on my 4x great-grandmother, Martha Robinson. Martha suffered multiple tragedies in her life, and it was important for me to document the key points in her life. 

Last week I discovered yet more about my resilient ancestress, and thought I'd update my blog accordingly. 

To Summarise

• Martha was born in 1783 at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, to George and Jane Robinson (née Simpson).
• Lost her father, three brothers and nephews to the sea one fateful day in January 1808.
• Martha moved down the coast to Cullercoats when she married a fisherman named John Armstrong, at Tynemouth in January 1810. 
• In April 1810, John Armstrong drowned at sea, after marrying Martha only three months before. In a cruel twist, Martha discovered she was pregnant soon after.
• Martha returned to Newbiggin shortly after. There she gave birth to her son, George John Armstrong, in November 1810. 
• Martha married John Renner, my 4x great-grandfather, in August 1817. John Renner was the elder brother of her sister-in-law, Ann Renner Robinson.
• Martha and John Renner had three children; Ann in 1818 (my 3x great-grandmother), Edward in 1821 and Johnny in 1822. 
• John Renner died in May 1847, and Martha's son Edward died in May 1854. 
• Martha's youngest son, Johnny, drowned just off Newbiggin's Church Point in December 1861.
• Martha died in January 1867 of old age. 

Last week I found that Martha applied to receive some relief from The Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond, when she was widowed for the first time in 1810. The Corporation is now known just as Trinity House. Trinity House was responsible for distributing charitable funds to sailors, pilots and fishermen who had fallen on hard times, but also their widows and children, should they have any. 

***

It reads:

To the Honourable the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the CORPORATION of TRINITY-HOUSE, of Deptford Strond.

The humble Petition of Martha Armstrong of Cullercoats in the Parish of Tynemouth, in the County of Northumberland, aged 28 years, and Widow of the late John Armstrong, Fisherman, humbly

Sheweth

THAT your Petitioner's Husband the late John Armstrong was bred and served as a Fisherman at Cullercoats many years. He and many more went off in cobles on the 6th of April last, when a violent storm arose and a Life-Boat was employed to save the People, and the Crews of the other Boats in company, but by the violence of the Waves the said Life-Boat was dashed in Pieces, when your Petitioner's Husband and many more perished! By this Misfortune, your Petitioner is left a Widow and is pregnant. 

That your Petitioner is not now able to Support her self without the Charity of this CORPORATION, having no Pension or Relief from any other Public Charity or Company whatsoever.

Your Petitioner, therefore, most humbly prays that she may he admitted a Pensioner to this CORPORATION at the usual Allowance. 

***

The document is dated 4 May 1810, just short of a month following the death of Martha's husband, so the situation must have been pretty dire. 

My next task is to try and find out how much the "usual allowance" was, and how long Trinity House supported Martha and her son for. I can only assume that the payments stopped when Martha married John Renner in 1817. 

Margaret's Tragedy - An Anxiety Known Only To Themselves

On Wednesday I published a post about Bill Storey. This week, I wish to detail the life of his wife, Margaret Oliver. She suffered multiple tragedies in her seventy years - tragedies which should be remembered.

***

Margaret Oliver was born in 1827 at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, to Robert and Frances Oliver (née Lisle). Margaret's maternal great-grandfather was George Robinson who died in the Newbiggin fishing disaster of 1808. 

Margaret married Charles Twizell on 8 April 1849 at St Mary's, Woodhorn. Charles was a fisherman at Newbiggin, one of the sons of William and Ann Twizell.

St Mary's, Woodhorn.
Where Margaret and Charles were married.

Margaret gave birth to a boy in early 1851, and he was named William Charles Twizell, after his paternal grandfather and father, respectively. All was well - until the day of 18 March that same year.

"LOSS OF THREE FISHING BOATS AND NINE OF THE CREWS. 

It is with regret we announce one of those disasters which too frequently overtake the industrious and enterprizing [sic] fishermen belonging our sea coast. During the morning of Tuesday the boats from Cullercoats and Newbiggen [sic] were off, as usual, following their occupation, when towards noon the wind, which had been blowing from the S E, rose to a gale, and the sea becoming very heavy the boats instantly made for the shore. Those belonging Cullercoats arrived in safety, but three from Newbiggen were lost, when nine souls out of twelve perished. It appeared that those belonging Newbiggen were pressing towards that place, when several prudently put into Cresswell with comparatively little damage, while the three ill-fated boats proceeded forward, the crews, it seemed, being desirous to reach home. Unfortunately, when between Cresswell and Newbiggen, two of the boats were engulphed [sic] in the waves, when all hands perished, amounting to eight persons, three of whom were brothers. The third boat nearly succeeded in reaching Newbiggen, when a heavy sea swamped her, but by the timely arrival of a boat, which was carried over the moor to the beach, three of the crew, who were clinging to it, were saved in a very exhausted condition.  The progress of the boats, as usual on these trying occasions, was watched by the fishermen's relatives and friends with an anxiety only known to themselves, and it is stated that so close was one of the boats to the shore at the time of catastrophe, that a sufferer named John Oliver, while holding by the boat, shouted to his distracted mother, who was an eye-witness of the said calamity. Another fisherman, named Henry Brown, was twice so near the shore as to feel his feet, but alas! the second time he was swept away by the boiling surge and drowned. The three boats afterwards drifted on the rocks, and on the following day all the bodies were found on the beach. The following are the names of the sufferers:- Charles Twizell, who has left a wife and child; John Oliver, single man; Philip Dawson, wife and two children; John Dawson, brother to Philip; William Armstrong, wife and two children, and his brothers Robert and Hunter Armstrong; Henry Brown, single man; and William Armstrong, wife and six children. The scene, we understand, was of the most heart-rending description - men, women, and children were running to and fro almost in wild despair, and nothing for some time was heard, but sounds of wild lamentation commingling with the warring elements."

- From the Newcastle Courant, 21 March 1851

So that was the fate of Charles Twizell. The above named John Oliver, who called to his mother on the shore, was Margaret's elder brother. A double tragedy for Margaret and the Oliver family. 

The disaster was widely reported in newspapers, both regionally and nationally, so many people flocked to Newbiggin to pay their respects. The victims of the disaster were all buried on 21 March 1851, in the grounds of St Bartholomew's Church. On that same day, Margaret had her son, William Charles Twizell, baptised. 

Perhaps to people now, that sounds strange, maybe even a little morbid. I can only assume that little William was sickly at the time, and so Margaret rushed the baptism forward, for the sake of his soul. Sadly, William Charles Twizell died on 2 July 1851, and was buried with his father three days later. Poor Margaret was now widowed and childless. 

Margaret married Bill Storey eight years later at Tynemouth. Bill was a fisherman from Cresswell, but he moved to Newbiggin to live with Margaret.

The marriage notice of William (Bill) Storey and Margaret Oliver (Mrs. Twizell).
Notice no actual date is given for the wedding - 'lately'

Bill and Margaret's daughter, Margaret (known as Meggie) was born in early 1860, only about a year into their marriage. 

Margaret gave birth to twin sons in July 1863. They were named William and Edward, after their father and maternal uncle, respectively. The Storeys were obviously very proud at the birth of their sons, and so a suitable notice was placed in the Morpeth Herald newspaper. Sadly, the happiness wasn't to last.

Baby Edward died on 13 November, and baby William on 5 December. They were both just over four months old.

Three years later, Bill and Margaret had a third son, another William. Luckily he, along with their daughter Meggie, survived to adulthood.

Margaret Storey (née Oliver), sitting on the left,
between her two children, Meggie and William.
Her husband Bill Storey stands at the right, displaying a fish.
Shown with three of her grandchildren.

Meggie Storey married George Dent on 18 March 1882 at Morpeth Registry Office. The couple began living in the house next door to Bill and Margaret in Vernon Place, Newbiggin.

William Storey, Jnr married a Durham lass named Hannah Etherington in Newcastle in 1893. They had one child together that same year, and named him William. He was born while the family were living in Byker. 

Margaret died in May 1897, aged 70-years-old. Her husband Bill died in 1912.

Storey the Stentor

THE MORPETH HERALD AND REPORTER, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1899.

__________

NEWBIGGIN WATER QUESTION.

_____

THE RATEPAYERS' MEETING.

_____

(By an Observer.)

'A ratepayers meeting at Newbiggin is an epoch. So I hied me to the history making meeting last week. The subject, of course, was the water, for men may come, etc. Who is there who has not heard of Newbiggin with water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink. Newbiggin, which is in the same primitive condition in this respect as it was when the "Ancient Mariner" was written. Newbiggin, where the only bath consists of the German Ocean, where modern sanitation is impossible, and where the domestic supply is carried from the wells in the good old-fashioned way in which Rachel carried it when she met her famous lover Jacob at the well.'

You could only find such flowery language in the Victorian age, with references to classic works and the Bible. The reporter is incredibly critical towards Newbiggin and its people, perhaps he believes he is a cut above the common fisherman. 

The water problem was obviously a serious issue, if a 'once in a blue moon' meeting was held. Newbiggin had no water pipes, and the residents relied heavily on the old wells and little stream known commonly as "the pant", for water. It was reported by a councillor that up to two dozen people had been known to be known to be waiting for water at the well at a single time. This simply was not sufficient. 

Numerous schemes were proposed, including one suggestion that the water should come from Woodhorn Colliery, or even North Seaton. The matter was voted on, and the water problem in Newbiggin was soon resolved.

Then enters Bill Storey, the uncle of my 2x great-grandfather, Adam Storey, who spoke after the serious matters had been discussed:

'At this stage the comic element was supplied by a fisherman named William Storey, who, in a voice like a Stentor, proclaimed that he had never obeyed the orders of the Council, but had continued to drink of the well near the graveyard. He had never been "puzzoned" (poisoned), and amid hilarity he declared he was as good a man as any on the platform. Encouraged by the reception of his speech, he proceeded to dilate upon the good men which Newbiggin used to produce, one of whom was as good as two of the present day. 
To this the Chairman naively replied that there was such a thing as slow poisoning and decadence.'

Bill Storey was obviously another of Newbiggin's famous characters and a popular one at that, in the way he was received by his peers and friends. 

Margaret Oliver, sitting,
Bill Storey, displaying fish.
Pictured with their two children, and three grandchildren,

Bill was born in 1834 at Cresswell, and was the youngest son of Adam and Hannah Storey (née Mills). He married Margaret Twizell (née Oliver) on 27 February 1859 at Tynemouth. Margaret was the young widow of Charles Twizell, who drowned out at sea in 1851. Together Bill and Margaret had four children, although only two made it to adulthood. 

As well as being an impressive speaker and a fisherman, Bill also acted as a sidesman at St Bartholomew's Church, Newbiggin. A sidesman was responsible for greeting and ushering members of the congregation to their seats. Bill would also have took the collection after every sermon.

Bill was made a widower in May 1897, when his wife Margaret passed away. He then began living with his daughter Meggie, his son-in-law, George Dent and his numerous grandchildren. There he died on 24 November 1912, at the age of 78.

Owen Brannigan - The Family History Of Annitsford's Most Famous Son

Owen Brannigan was born on 10 March 1908 at Annitsford, Northumberland, to Owen and Sarah Catherine Brannigan (née Connelly).

Owen Brannigan grew up to be a world renowned opera singer. Like I did with Emmeline Shum-Storey, I decided to delve into the more recent family history of Owen Brannigan, a little-known celebrity. I was hindered slightly as all his lines go back to Ireland. If I discover anything more on any of Owen's ancestors, I shall update this post, or perhaps write a new one entirely. 

***

The Brannigans

Owen's father was born on 22 March 1876 at Seghill, Northumberland. His parents were named Arthur and Alice Brannigan, both natives of Co. Monaghan, Ireland. The Brannigans had only moved to Seghill some few years prior to Owen Brannigan, Snr's birth. Owen Brannigan, Snr was baptised at the little school chapel at Annitsford, the nearest Roman Catholic church. 

Arthur Brannigan had married Alice McNally on 14 March 1867 at Clontibret, Monaghan, Ireland, where they had a number of children before they left for England. Like most Irish migrants who came to this area of Northumberland, Arthur Brannigan got a job as a labourer in a nearby colliery. Arthur was fined 5s and costs for drunkenness at Seghill in spring 1890. He died the following year, and his funeral service was held at the little school chapel in Annitsford.

Alice McNally Brannigan raised her children to adulthood, and later moved in with her daughter Annie Corcoran. Alice died in 1913.

Owen Brannigan, Snr's gravestone at Annitsford.

Owen Brannigan, Snr was later an organist at St John the Baptist Roman Catholic church, Annitsford. His son obviously followed in his musical footsteps. Owen Brannigan, Snr died in 1955. 

St John the Baptist R. C Church, Annitsford.

The Connellys

Sarah Catherine Connelly was born in 1881 in Seghill, to James and Catherine Connelly (née McNamara). Sarah was only around four-years-old when her mother passed away. Sarah's elder cousin, Elizabeth Markey, moved in with the family, presumably to help take care of the children. 

James Connelly married Catherine McNamara in 1874. Catherine was born in Newcastle to Bridget and Patrick McNamara, a common labourer. James was born in Ireland.

Sarah Catherine Brannigan (née Connelly) died in 1921, when her son Owen was still a young boy. 

***

Owen Brannigan OBE himself was buried at Annitsford, in the grounds of the church where he once sang as a boy. He is remembered fondly by the community as Annitsford's most famous son. 

Owen Brannigan's grave.

On This Day - Grandma's 100th Birthday

100 years ago today, my grandmother Sadie Harbertson was born in the house of her paternal grandmother at 23 Long Row, New Hartley, Northumberland.

She was the sixth child of James Harbertson and Sarah Jane Taylor, who had married twelve years previously in 1902. 

Even as a child, Sadie insisted that everything be perfectly clean. She would walk through the door from school, already with her dress off, ready to wash and scrub through ready for the next day.

A photograph of a young Sadie.

A few years after her birth, the family moved to Orange Street, Annitsford where Sadie lived up until she met and married Joe Quinnin. The story goes that he used to pass her door every day as she sat on her doorstep, when one day he offered her a biscuit from his pocket. They married on Boxing Day in 1936, and went on to have twelve children. 

Like her mother, Sadie was a hard-working woman. The washing in the Quinnin household, as can be imagined, was never-ending. The lad's shirts had to be pristine white, anything less than that was "poisoned", and needed a good boil! 

Sadie loved her mother Sarah Jane dearly. Sadie's heart broke for the first time in May 1951 when Sarah Jane died. Although she was gone, her mother was a constant presence and Sadie often spoke of her, remembering her overall character, mannerisms and little things she would say or do. 

Sadie and Joe.

Years later, Joe became seriously ill and had to go into a hospital in Wylam, and later Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary. Joe, whose name was really Albert Victor, would write to Sadie sat in an armchair in the hospital ward with his smoking jacket on, asking after her, his children and neighbours. The nurses on the hospital ward said he looked like a Lord in his armchair and jacket, and so nicknamed him Sir Albert Victor. Eventually he was allowed to come home, but sadly Sadie's heart broke for a second time when her beloved Joe died in September 1972. 

In her life, Sadie was a very maternal figure and had a great instinct in that role. When visitors arrived, family or friends, they would instantly hand their bairns over to Sadie for her to cradle, knowing they'd be cherished in her arms. 

In her later years, Sadie was plagued by ill health, mainly having problems with her heart and diabetes, which is a family illness. Sadly she died on 24 August 1984, and was once again reunited with her beloved Joe. 

At the time of writing and publication, Sadie and Joe have no less than 96 blood descendants, although some have since passed on.

The Munificent Shum-Storeys | Part One

On 6 June 1842 at Ramsgate, Kent the daughter of an Esquire and land proprietor was born. The baby girl was named Emmeline Ann, and was baptised exactly one month later at St George's church, Ramsgate. 

The announcement of Emmeline's birth.

Emmeline's parents were Henry Shum and Emma Cooper, who had married in Marylebone two years previously. Emmeline already had an elder brother named George Henry, and in the years after two younger sisters were born; Nina Caroline and Lilian Margaret. 

One of the Shum family's ancestors was a man named Robert Storey, who owned land near Cramlington, Northumberland. George Shum married Robert Storey's daughter, Ann and from that day forward the two families were united, with George Shum taking his wife's maiden name as his own, becoming George Shum-Storey. George went on to build the family's Northumbrian seat Arcot Hall, on his father-in-law's land. 

Arcot Hall; the seat of the Shum-Storey family.

The Shum-Storeys were generous and kind landowners. They acknowledged the fact that they were privileged at a time when so many were not, and accepted their responsibility to help those poorer and less-advantaged than themselves. They instilled these values in their children, and Emmeline in particular took it to heart.

Emmeline's parents were frequent donors to the Newcastle Infirmary, giving old linen and also money donations. In their closer locality they often gave warm clothing, coal and money to the poor of Cramlington. During the Crimean War the family donated considerable money to the Royal Patriotic Fund; a charity set up to help the widows, orphans and other dependents of members of the armed forces killed during the war.

In September 1863, Mrs Emma Shum-Storey paid for the members of the Cramlington Church Choir to go to Warkworth for their annual trip. The choir were able to tour the castle, the Hermitage and walk around the picturesque village.

On 19 October 1861, Emmeline's father Henry Shum-Storey died at Arcot Hall. He was buried the churchyard of St Nicholas, Cramlington, in the family vault.

"FUNERAL OF H. SHUM STOREY, ESQ. - The remains of this deceased gentleman were interred in Cramlington church-yard, on Saturday last. The funeral cortège, consisted of the hearse, four mourning coaches, containing relatives and friends of the deceased, and several private carriages, followed by the tenants and servants on foot, arrived at the church about 11 a.m., when the service was read by the Rev. J. Smithard, Incumbent. As a mark of respect in which the deceased was held, a large concourse of the inhabitants of the parish joined the procession to the grave. The shops of the tradespeople in the village were closed, and flags half-mast high were displayed in the collieries of Messrs. Lamb, Potter, and Co., at Cramlington, Shank House, and Dudley. As owner of the Arcot Estate, Mr. Storey has long been known for his readiness in assisting any cause having for its object the welfare and improvement of the neighbourhood; and whether as a genial and warm-hearted neighbour, a kind and considerable landlord, or an unvarying friend to the poor, his memory will long be cherished, and his loss deeply felt."

- Newcastle Journal, 28 October 1861

At Henry Shum-Storey's death, his son George Henry inherited the Arcot Estate. Like his late father, George was a kind and charitable man. He donated to numerous funds and charities, and even bought instruments for the local fledgling brass band. He was also a keen donor to the Hartley Pit Disaster Fund in early 1862. 

On 12 July 1866, Emma Shum-Storey died at Arcot Hall. She was remembered as the widow of the late and great Henry Shum-Storey, Esquire, as well as the daughter of the late Robert Chester Cooper of Lewes, Sussex. 

Three years later on 27 April 1869, George Henry Shum-Storey married Gertrude Isabella Shawe at High Hesket, Cumberland. 

George Henry Shum-Storey and Gertrude Isabella Shawe's marriage notice.

Sadly the marriage did not last long, as George died on 17 December 1869, whilst visiting Malta. His body was quickly returned to Cramlington for the funeral. His funeral was described almost identically to his father's eight years before. Much grief was felt by all in the small parish of Cramlington. Gertrude Shum-Storey never remarried.

Emmeline was now the heir, albeit female, to the Shum-Storey legacy. On 12 June 1872, Emmeline married Laurence Paulet Shawe at Cramlington. He was the elder brother of her bereft sister-in-law, Gertrude. There was great celebration in Cramlington and surrounding areas, and a mass of people turned out to honour the fantastic occasion. 

"FASHIONABLE MARRIAGE IN NORTHUMBERLAND. -

On Wednesday, the marriage of Captain Shawe, late of the Royal Marines, only surviving son of the late Captain and Hon. Mrs Shawe, of Sevres Lodge, York, and nephew of Viscount Bolingbroke, with Miss Shum-Storey, eldest daughter of the late Henry Shum-Storey, Esq., of Arcot Hall, in the county of Northumberland, was celebrated in the parish church of Cramlington, in the presence of a large number of the relatives and friends of the bride and bridegroom. In honour of the occasion the cottagers and servants had erected a number of arches of evergreens and flowers over the road from the hall to the church, the principal of these being a triple arch near the Dam-dyke Farm, composed of ivy, laurel, and holly, with geraniums and other flowers blooming in pots in various parts of it, and a verdant and floral true lover's know depending from the crown of the centre span. Flags of various colours and designs waved from every prominent point within sight of Arcot or Cramlington, guns were fired from several places from the early morning till late in the evening, and the cheerful and appropriate music of the Seaton Burn Saxhorn band augmented the festive character of the proceedings. The bridal party left the hall in seven carriages, each drawn by a pair of handsome grey horses, ridden by properly costumed equerries. The bride was dressed in white corded satin, trimmed with Brussels lace, tulle, and bouquets of orange blossoms, with a tulle veil and wreath, and pearl ornaments. The bridesmaids, Miss Shum-Storey, Miss Shum, Miss Edith Shawe, Miss Montague-Shawe, Miss Hind, and Miss Bramwell, were dressed in white tarletan trimmed with cerise, Dolly Varden caps with tulle ends, and bouquets. The groomsmen were Mr Ernest Shum, of London, Mr Carr, Newcastle; Capt. Murray, 14th Brigade Royal Artillery, Newcastle; and the Hon. Mr Shore, of the Royal Artillery. A large number of persons assembled in the church to witness the interesting ceremony, which was performed by the Rev. C. C. Snowdon, vicar of Mitford, assisted by the Rev. J. Smithard-Hind, D.C.L, vicar of Cramlington. The bride was given away by her uncle Mr Robt. Shum-Storey, of London, and at the conclusion of the service the Wedding March was played on the organ. As they left the church flowers were strewn by little girls ranged on each side of the pathway from the porch to the gate, and the villagers set up a hearty cheer. On the return to Arcot Hall a magnificent breakfast was placed before the wedding guests, who included in addition to those ladies and gentlemen already mentioned the Honourable Mrs Shawe, of Sevres Lodge, York, mother of the bridegroom; the Rev. Ambrose and Mrs Jones, Stannington Vicarage; Mr and Mrs Bramwell, Jesmond Hall; Miss Shawe; Miss G. Jones; Mr and Mrs Woodruffe, Heywood Abbey, Staffordshire; Mrs Shum-Storey, London; aunt to the bride; Mr Atkinson, Moorland Hall, Penrith; Mr Cooper, Clifton; Captain Barret, Heighington, Darlington; the Rev. C. C. Snowdon of Mitford; and the Rev. Dr. and Mrs Smithard-Hind, Cramlington. The bride's health was proposed in graceful terms by the Rev. C. C. Snowdon. The toast was honoured with bumpers, and soon afterwards the happy couple drove to Newcastle to catch the 2:10 express for the south of England, where they will stay during the honeymoon. The bride is the happy recipient of a large number of very handsome and costly wedding presents from her relatives and friends, all of which were displayed in the drawing room for the inspection of the guests. In the afternoon the school children at Cramlington and the members of the choir were entertained in honour of the wedding. A dinner is to be given to cottagers and servants at Arcot Hall on Friday, and the festivities will be continued on Saturday, when the tenants on the estate will dine together at the Queen's Head Hotel in this town."

- Newcastle Courant, 14 June 1872

In May the following year, Queen Victoria granted Laurence and Emmeline a Royal license allowing them to take and use the ancestral name Storey. This enabled Laurence to take and bear the arms and crest of the Storey family, as well as any children arising from his marriage to Emmeline to take the name Shawe-Storey.

Emmeline definitely found her equal in Laurence, as he too was generous, kind and charitable in nature. The local community certainly took to Laurence, the new quasi-Lord of Arcot Hall. He was asked to be the honorary president of the Shankhouse Football Club, although this only came about after a handsome donation to the club. Laurence was described as an "ardent supporter" of the club in later years. 

In 1893, Emmeline and Laurence donated fresh fruit and vegetables to the Royal Seaman and Marines' Orphan School. Laurence had formerly been captain in the Royal Marines, but this was perhaps not the only reason they had made a donation to this particular cause, as Emmeline and Laurence's marriage was childless.

The Shawe-Storeys must have felt a huge sense of missing, and so children were the most frequent beneficiaries of their charity and generosity. In June 1897, Great Britain celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Laurence and Emmeline funded a massive celebration at Elm Lodge, Bursledon, Hampshire, their southern residence. Over two-hundred school children were invited to the festivities. 

Captain and Mrs Shawe-Storey were a big part of the Cramlington community, and they managed many events. There was a great church bazaar in August 1899, which lasted for three days. The event was opened by Laurence, and Emmeline herself presided over the various stalls set up in the school at East Cramlington.

Sadly, this wasn't to last. On 4 January 1905, Laurence Paulet Shawe-Storey died after having an operation for appendicitis. Laurence and Emmeline were obviously well-matched, but I think the death of her husband liberated Emmeline in a way. After Laurence's death, she began giving out larger amounts of money to local causes and organisations. Perhaps Emmeline needed a cause to fill the void caused by the loss of Laurence. 

Emmeline had converted to Catholicism only a few years before, and she noticed there were no Catholic churches in the locality. She enquired with a local priest who was using the school chapel at Annitsford, close to the Arcot Estate. Emmeline decided soon after that she would donate some of her land nearby, and pay for the building of a new Catholic church. So in early October 1905, only nine months after the death of Laurence, the chief stone of the new Catholic church was laid and blessed at Annitsford.

On This Day - My ANZAC Great-Grandfather

On this day 100 years ago my great-grandfather, Robert Mavin Storey, joined the 8th Field Ambulance of the Australian Imperial Force. 

Private R. M. Storey

Robert was born in March 1887 at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, England, to Adam Storey and Jane Mavin. He was named after his maternal grandfather. 

When Robert was three years old, his parents enrolled him in Newbiggin Church School. He was described as "very little", and the school mistress didn't believe he would attend very well. 

When he was older, Robert was involved with the local football team, and was an apprentice for some five years to a local master bricklayer. In 1911, Robert's older brother Eddie emigrated to Canada, and ended up saying there for two years. Eddie and Robert had already decided they wanted to travel together, so in December 1913 they embarked to Australia.

Robert joined the Australian Imperial Force on 8 May 1916 at Teralba, NSW, where he was living at the time. He had been working on building sites there, and lived in Pitt Street. A week later on 15 May, Robert formally joined the 8th Field Ambulance unit. 

When on extended leave in England in September 1919, Robert married Minnie Metcalf at Morpeth. They set off for Australia the following March, with their first stop being Teralba. From Teralba they moved on to Weston. There they had four children, before embarking back to England in 1934.

Back in his birth town, Robert set up his own building business, and on one occasion stood in the local council elections. 

Robert missed Australia dearly, and so went back there alone in September 1952. He died there over a year later in December 1953, at a fairly young age. The only consolation for his premature death was that it happened in his beloved Australia.

The Sandgate Riot

Anti-Catholicism in the 1850s was rife. This xenophobic attitude came from the incredible influx of Irish Catholics, who sought refuge during and after the potato famine. Officials thought it much better if the Irish population were of the Protestant faith, but others were plain anti-Irish. Sadly, history is constantly repeating itself, and those of other faiths, cultures or ethnicities are still seen as a burden, too foreign or a nuisance. As is the case today, those seen as foreign or a irritant were demonised by newspapers and other media outlets. 

Naturally, destitute Irish migrants went to industrious towns and cities around the world. In Britain, the majority went to Glasgow, Barrow, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle. They took up manual work, such as labouring jobs, coal and iron mining, and shipbuilding. Dundee was a centre for linen, and so Irish settlers also went there. 

The impoverished, emaciated Irish.

The Irish were conscious of the ill-feeling towards them from English natives and officials. They lived with threats from Poor Law officials about the possibility of removal back to Ireland if they proved too burdensome. When the famine conditions were better understood by officials and others of rank, they did become more lenient to the poor Irish, although they still held their prejudices. 

The Irish typically settled in old, tenement buildings in the poorer parts of towns and cities. In Newcastle, a lot of Irish migrants settled in the Sandgate area, located in All Saints parish. 

'Most of the houses are entered by a narrow flight of steps outside the buildings. On reaching the summit of these rude elevations, you are invited to grope your way into passages where light never enters, and up wooden stairs that threaten at every footstep to yield to the slightest pressure. The apertures made, in the shape of windows, to admit light, are the rudest contrivances imaginable. Few of them are glazed. Some consist of the patchwork of old rags, boards and straw, which are taken out when the weather permits, to allow the air and the light to enter. The narrowness of the alleys is another obstacle to the health of their occupants, the average of them being little more than four feet. Almost our first insight to one of these hovels, revealed a sad spectacle. Scarcely an article of furniture was to be seen in the room. The wife, as we were informed, lay ill in bed, the children, clothed in rags, were amusing themselves, to the best of their ability, and the husband was suffering from the effects of intemperance.'

- The Newcastle Guardian, 24 April 1847

Sandgate, Newcastle circa. 1890
From Newcastle Libraries, Flickr

In Newcastle, the Irish were blamed for the increase in fever rates, although records show that fever was a constant problem in the Sandgate ghetto long before the famine and the influx of Irish migrants. As well as being used as a scapegoat for such worrying illnesses, the Irish were generally thought of as drunken, violent and angry layabouts. 

The Irish Catholics were devout in their faith, and so were quick to defend it, the Pope, and themselves from English slurs. Sensing the tension, people known as 'ranters' targeted the areas inhabited by the Irish, and tried their best to provoke and thus further vilify and demonise the Catholic population. 

A man who went by the name of 'Ranter Dick' went to Sandgate one Sunday night in May 1851 and delivered a sermon of No-Popery, denouncing the Pope and the Catholic faith. He was described as a dilettante; a foolish, unintelligent man who had no real knowledge of the subject matter, only wishing to provoke and cause trouble. It worked.

'DISTURBANCE IN SANDGATE.

-

As most of our readers are aware, there is one street in Newcastle-upon-Tyne of almost universal notoriety. We do not allude to Grey Street, or Grainger Street, or Clayton Street, with their gorgeous buildings and magnificent shops, and their pathways continuously crowded with the fashionable, gay, or industrious pedestrians. These streets have their fame, but none of them are so long, so widely, known to fame as Sandgate. This street is situated at the lower end of the quay, and runs parallel with the Tyne to the south, and the New Road to the north. It is formed on both its sides by houses which appear to have been erected far beyond the reach of legal memory. To the eye they appear old, rickety, filthy hovels, and they are inhabited by the lowest of the people. The Irish are congregated in great numbers, and it is said that for some time past they have been cultivating feelings of hostility towards the English portion of their neighbours, in consequence of the recent agitation on the Papal question. This feeling found vent on Sunday afternoon last, when there arose a quarrel between them and the English, which was not thoroughly quelled for several days. How this riot originated it is difficult to say. The accounts are so contradictory; the people on the spot are not agreed; the police are not agreed; indeed, there appears to be no agreement whatever. Some attribute the disturbance to some one who was preaching in the open air, and who made some allusion to the Pope; others allege that an Irishman striking an English woman led to the tumult. Whatever was the immediate cause, it was not long before the Englishmen had to flee in all directions. Four police officers then appeared upon the scene, and attempted to clear the streets, but they were resisted, and two of them were rather severely handled. Having this driven away the officers of the peace, the Irishmen, to the number of upwards of two hundred, issued simultaneously from different alleys and lanes into the main street, armed with huge sticks, iron rods, pokers, tongs, coalrakes, and other steadily available offensive weapons, while women and lads accompanied them with brick-bats and missiles of various descriptions, shouting in a hideous manner. One of the rioters, who appeared to act as a ringleader, exclaiming, "Och, by Jasus, we'll take Sandgate to-night, and be revenged on every ----- in it." These words were soon followed up by actions. Stones, brick-bats, and other missiles flew in every direction, breaking windows, and otherwise destroying the property of the peaceful inhabitants. The English appeared to have been panic stricken by the violence of their opponents, and no resistance was offered until the arrival of a strong reinforcement of police, when the supremacy of the Irish mis-rule was completely subverted. In a very short time twenty or thirty of the more prominent rioters were in the hands of the police. Then it was that the work of the retribution commenced. The unfortunate Irishmen, now in custody, were set upon by the infuriated English. Women with rolling-pins battened them without mercy; and, but for the exertions of the police, the lives of some of them might have fallen a sacrifice. By the combined exertions of the police and the English, the Irishmen were completely overcome, the those who escaped being taken into custody, decamped from the scene of destruction as rapidly as possible, and left town next morning. The streets in the neighbourhood, however, for several days after were thronged with persons desirous of seeing the extent of the injury committed. That was of great extent. On Monday morning, the shop-windows remained unopened, and business was carried on inside by the aid of a swealing candle, or a flickering jet of smoky and offensive gas. About forty prisoners were brought up at the police court on Monday morning, before the Mayor, Mr. Philipson, Mr. Atkinson, and Capt. West. Peter Develin, a lodging-housekeeper, charged with exciting the mob, and presenting a pistol at a police-officer was fined £5, or one month imprisonment with hard labour. The others were variously mulcted in sums varying from 2s. 6d. to £2, with the alternative from seven days to one month. Several not identified were admonished and discharged. One of the witnesses attributed the outbreak to the conduct of the Watch Committee in having dismissed two active officers, Prior and Nicholson. The inhabitants of Sandgate had sent a memorial to the committee to replace the officers, but they would not, and from that time the Irish were uncontrollable; and one of the witnesses said he believed that if something was not done, they would some day tear down their dwellings.'

- Newcastle Journal, 17 May 1851

From the slums of Newcastle, the Irish later settled in mining communities in towns and villages. They may have been liberated from the poverty and conditions of Sandgate, but they never truly escaped the harsh prejudices. Some prejudice is still apparent towards Catholics and Irishmen.