Mary Earnshaw was the seventh child of Thomas Earnshaw and Elizabeth Crosby, born 1842 at Dawdon Hall, & christened August 27th, 1842 at St Andrew's, Dalton-le-Dale, Co Durham.
Mary was living at home at the time of the 1851 & 1861 censuses at William St, Dawdon.
Mary married James Hall on January 2nd, 1866 at St Andrew’s, Dalton-le-Dale. James was a blacksmith of Seaham Harbour, the son of Helleanor & Procter Hall, a blacksmith. Witnesses at the wedding were John Earnshaw, Mary’s brother & Thomas Harrison. James was born c1841 at Crakehall, Yorkshire. Mary may have met James when he was a boarder with her Uncle George Earnshaw in 1861 when James was recorded as a cartman!
In 1871 Mary & James were living at William St, Dawdon (not many of the children ventured far from home!). James was at this time an enginesmith. They had 3 daughters – Elizabeth (5), Jane Earnshaw (2) and Mary Ellen (11 months).
By 1881 they had moved to ‘Old Farm’ House, Tudhoe Grange, Nr Spennymoor. James was now a soda water manufacturer and ale & porter merchant. Daughters Elizabeth (15), Jane E (12) & Ada (2) were at home but Mary E (10) was visiting grandmother Elizabeth Earnshaw. Also at home were their 2 sons James Proctor (8) & Frederick (5).
By 1891 the family had moved to High Grange Rd, Tudhoe Grange. James’ occupation was described as an aerated water manufacturer. Living at home were Elizabeth (24), Jane E (22) a dressmaker, Mary E (20), James P (18) a gardener, Frederick (14) a bottler, Ada (12) & Thomas Earnshaw (6).
In 1901 they were living at Woodview House, Tudhoe Grange. James, 60, was now a market gardener. Mary was 58. Many of the children were still at home – Mary E (30), James (27) & Fred (25) who were mineral water bottlers, Ada (22) & Thomas E (16) who was a horsekeeper. Visiting at this time was daughter Jane E (32) who had married William Hopper in 1891, and with her were her 3 children – Winnifred (7), Fred (5) & Mary Hannah (2).
James died in 1906 aged 66.
The children of Mary Earnshaw & James Hall were:
e.1.7.1 Elizabeth Hall born c1866 at Dawdon, Co Durham
e.1.7.2 Jane Earnshaw Hall born 1868 at Dawdon, Co Durham
e.1.7.3 Mary Ellen Hall born 1870 at Dawdon, Co Durham
e.1.7.4 James Proctor Hall born 1872 at Dawdon, Co Durham
e.1.7.5 Frederick Hall born 1875 at Dawdon, Co Durham
e.1.7.6 Ada Hall born c1879 at Dawdon, Co Durham
e.1.7.7 Thomas Earnshaw Hall born 1885 at Spennymoor, Co Durham