Brown, Dorothy (nee Smith)

Dorothy Brown (nee Smith) was born in Rothbury, the daughter of George, a clog maker and Margaret, a dressmaker. It is possible that she was orphaned in the 1850s as in 1861, aged 13 she was living with her aunt who was the innkeeper of the Rifleman Inn, Rothbury. Ten years later she was still at the Rifleman but listed only as a general servant domestic. In about 1876 she married Thomas Brown. He was a native of Elsdon/Otterburn and his first job was that of shepherd. He moved to Reedsmouth where he worked himself up from engine cleaner to engine driver and at one time was based in Rothbury. They appear to have lost two daughters (Dorothy and Margaret) in childhood but had two further children. Between 1891 and 1901 they moved from Rothbury to Reedsmouth. Dorothy was widowed on 27 August 1901 and by 1911 was living in 1 Cruddas Terrace with her son George James and three boarders. Dorothy was still living in 1 Cruddas Terrace in 1921 and although describing her occupation as ‘home duties’ she may have been running some kind of boarding house as listed in the return are four visitors in the form of William and May Riley and their two infant sons.