Mary Ellen Widdop

1840s–1860s

Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, about 1845–1852, the daughter of Joseph Widdop. Married the stonemason James Rawson at Halifax Parish Church on 21 October 1869.

1870s–1880s

Raised Clara (1872), Sarah Ann, and James at Rawson's Court, off Stead Street, in St. Mary's parish.

1890s–1900s

Widowed in 1890. Lived at 4 Chaffers Court in St. Augustine's parish; her daughter Clara emigrated to America in 1896. Died at home in Halifax on 20 December 1908.

A Halifax Household

Mary Ellen Widdop (also written Widdup) was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, sometime between about 1845 and 1852, the daughter of Joseph Widdop. On October 21, 1869, at Halifax Parish Church, she married James Rawson, a stonemason. From 1872 they lived at 2 Rawson's Court, off Stead Street, in St. Mary's parish, where their daughter Clara was born that August. Sarah Ann and James followed, and in 1881 the household included a boarder, Grace Brassey.

In March 1890, when the family was living on Collins Street, James died of tuberculosis. By 1891 Mary Ellen and her children had moved to 4 Chaffers Court in St. Augustine's parish, where Clara was working as a worsted weaver; James Greenwood, a young overlooker, lived in the same parish. Clara married him in the early 1890s, and in 1896 they left for Pennsylvania. Mary Ellen stayed in Halifax and was still at Chaffers Court in 1901. She died at home in Halifax on December 20, 1908, of heart failure. Around 1910 her daughter Sarah followed Clara to Philadelphia.