Hedley, Mary Jane

Mary Jane Hedley was baptised in Bellingham on 2 August 1868. Her parents were John Hedley and Ann Hedley. John was a farmer at Rawfoot for a considerable number of years and in the years between 1871 and 1881 had expanded his acreage from 320 to 481. Mary Jane was the oldest of four children, her siblings being Catherine Hedley (born 1870), John Hedley (1873) and Elizabeth A Hedley (1877). From 1871 Mary Jane is never listed as having an occupation but it must be assumed that as a farmer’s daughter she helped out on the farm. Her father died at Rawfoot on 5 May 1903 and she, her mother and sister Catherine moved to 5 Percy Terrace, Bellingham. She was administrator for her father’s estate which was valued at £4,665 7s. Margaret’s brother, John who had been farming with his father at Rawfoot died suddenly on 12 December 1899 which explains Mary Jane’s role as administrator. All three inhabitants of 5 Percy Terrace in 1911 were shown as being of private means. The 1921 Census is curious in that it doesn’t list Mary Jane as head but the top entry in 5 Percy Terrace is for Catherine who under ‘relationship to head’ writes, “sister”. On census night Mary Jane was back at Rawfoot where she is listed as ‘head’, but visitor and all her sister Elizabeth A’s (now Elizabeth Walton) children are given as being sons and daughters of Mary Jane. It turns out that Elizabeth and Michael Walton were staying in Cooper Bunley Billingham with John Hall another farmer who had been born in Corsenside. In 1939 she was living alone in 5 Percy Terrace. She died at Woodburn Hill, West Woodburn on 26 September 1953 although her residence is given as Heatherlea – presumably Number 5 Percy Terrace. Probate was granted to George Hedley Walton and Thomas Walton, farmers. Her effects were valued at £2,736 14s 8d.