Inherited Craziness
A place to share all the nuts found on my family tree

Thursday 5 May 2022

Winship Soppit and Ann Hall

Framwellgate Bridge, Durham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Robinson - geograph.org.uk/p/6271900

Winship Soppit (b. 1842), elder son of Joseph Soppit and Catherine Winship, married an Ann Hall in Durham, in the 4th quarter of 1871. (There's more than one Ann Hall born in the relevant area, so it would require more clues.)

Winship and Ann had six children:
  1. Winship Soppit b. 1872 M Quarter in HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING Volume 10A Page 475 (Died in the same quarter, 1872 M Quarter in HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING Volume 10A Page 345)
  2. Catherine Soppit b. 1873 S Quarter in DURHAM Volume 10A Page 448 (Died in the same quarter, 1873 S Quarter in DURHAM Volume 10A Page 240.) There's a baptism of a Catherine Soppit, whose parents were Winship and Ann, in Durham, on 13 Oct 1874. A posthumous baptism, or perhaps more likely that the year has been transcribed incorrectly?
  3. Joseph Soppit b. 1877 M Quarter in DURHAM Volume 10A Page 396 (Died aged 1, in 1878 M Quarter in DURHAM Volume 10A Page 197)
  4. John Winship Soppit b. 1879 M Quarter in DURHAM Vol 10A Page 373
  5. Margaret Soppit b. 1881 J Quarter in DURHAM Volume 10A Page 385 (Died in the same quarter, 1881 (Volume 10A Page 181)
  6. Edith Annie Soppit b. 1885 S Quarter in GATESHEAD Vol 10A Page 795. (Died aged 2 in 1887 D Qtr in GATESHEAD Vol 10A Page 486)
In 1881, Winship Soppitt (sic) (38) Blacksmith at colliery, was living at Colliery Houses, 22, Framwellgate, Durham with wife Annie (29), John W (2) born at Framwellgate Moor; Margaret (0) and Annie Pallister (9) Niece.

Then Winship Soppit died, aged 48, in 1890 in Morpeth, Northumberland.

In 1891, Annie Soppitt (sic) (39) widow, was Housekeeper to John Scott (42) Deputy At Coal Mine, at Long Row, Harraton, Durham. John Soppit (12) was staying with his aunt and uncle John Pearson and Bridget Soppit at the Screen Man Arms, Gale Street, Haswell, Easington, Durham.

In 1901, Ann Soppit (49) widow from South Hetton, Durham, was listed as a Pauper Inmate in Preston Lane, Tynemouth, Northumberland - the Tynemouth Parish Workhouse was in Preston Lane, North Sheilds.

Annie then just disappears, with no further records on census, nor death. 

John Pearson and Bridget Soppit

St. Cuthbert's Church, East Rainton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Trevor Littlewood - geograph.org.uk/p/3448633

John Pearson (b. 1836 in Durham), son of Andrew Pearson and Jane Brown, married Bridget Soppit (bap. 3 Mar 1839 in Longbenton), daughter of Joseph Soppit and Catherine Winship, in Sunderland, Durham in Q2 1858.

John and Bridget had six sons:
  1. Joseph Pearson b. 1859 in HOUGHTON LE SPRING Vol 10A Page 355
  2. Andrew Pearson b. 1862 J Quarter in DURHAM Volume 10A Page 328 (Died aged 17 in 1879 in HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING Vol 10A Page 224)
  3. John William Winship Pearson b. 1864 in DURHAM Vol 10A Page 332
  4. Robert Pearson b. 1866 in DURHAM Volume 10A Page 345, bap. 5 May 1867 in Pittington, Durham
  5. Frederick George Pearson b. 1869 in DURHAM Vol 10A Page 362
  6. John Henry Pearson b. 18 Sep 1873 in HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING Volume 10A Page 582, bap. 5 Dec 1873, in East Rainton, Durham.
Yes, two sons were registered as John, although census records suggest the elder was known as William and the youngest, as Henry. 

In 1861, the couple were living in Low Moorsley (wonder if they encountered serial killer Mary Ann Cotton there?) in the district of Hetton-le-Hole. John Pearson (25) Joiner & Cartwright, with Bridget (22) and Joseph (1).

In 1871, at Quarry House, Pittington, we find John Soppit (35) Joiner, Bridget (32) and sons Joseph (11), William (6), Robert (4) and Frederick (2). I cannot account for the absense of Andrew and cannot locate him elsewhere.

In 1881, John Pearson (45) Foreman joiner (colliery) was living in Overmans Row, Haswell, Easington, Durham, with wife Bridget Pearson (42), Joseph (21) Fireman (locomotive engine); William (16) Pupil teacher; Robert (14), Frederick (12) and Henry (7), as well as Mary Jane Bird (14) General domestic servant. One imagines Overmans Row was housing for foremen. 

In 1891, John Pearson (55) Ironkeeper joiner, was listed at the Screen Man Arms, Gale Street, Haswell, with Bridget Pearson (52), FG Pearson [Frederick George] (22) and Henry Pearson (18), John Soppit (12) Nephew (son of Winship Soppit and Ann Hall) and Sarah A Walker (18) General Servant.

Bridget Pearson died, at 61, in 1900 in BROMLEY (Vol 02A Page 286). Bridget's younger brother, John Soppit, Publican, lived Bromley, Kent, so it would seem likely she was staying with him at the time of her death. 

In 1901, John Pearson (65) widower, living on own means, was boarding in 15, Rawshorne Terrace, South Hetton, Haswell, Easington, Durham, in the household of Thomas Hodgson (68) Coal miner.

In 1911, John Pearson (75) widower, Lamplighter, was a boarder in the household of Robert Shanks (75) Tea and coffee dealer, at 4 Richmond St, South Hetton, Haswell, Durham. 

John Pearson died, aged 80, in Easington, in 1916.