Milburn, Jane

* Information supplied by Rob Tindall 15/10/23

Jane Milburn (nee Telfer) was born in the Falstone area (probably Stannersburn), the daughter of Walter and Mary Telfer, in 1840. Walter was initially a farrier but later became a farmer of 36 acres at Middle Eals. The 1851 Census has Jane as a scholar living at Middle Eals. In 1861 she is still at Middle Eals but married and recorded as Jane Milburn – she had married James Milburn, an agricultural labourer, in the first quarter of the same year. She and James were at Bridgeford Cottage, Bellingham with their three daughters – Mary Milburn (9), Margaret Ann Milburn (4) and Elizabeth Milburn (8 months). The family had moved to 9 Cruddas Terrace by 1881 and of the children only Elizabeth was living with them. In 1891 James was working as a surfaceman but also ran a grocer’s at The Hott with Elizabeth as a grocer’s assistant. Jane was widowed in April 1895. 'Jenny' Milburn was not only running a grocery at Hott Cottage in 1901 but was also the postmistress; Elizabeth who hadn’t married was helping. Kelly’s Directory of 1902 records Mrs Jane Milburn as Greystead shopkeeper and Post Office. The 1911 Census records her as a widowed grocer and living with her were Elizabeth who was ‘assisting the business’, and Mary Hedley (her widowed daughter aged 49, a boarding house keeper). Jane died aged 71 and was buried at Greystead on 30 June 1911.