Mary Hunt 1834-1869

Hose seamstress.

   Family tree (3 generations)    Facts    Gallery    Archive

Facts

Date   Event   Source
?May 1834   Mary Hunt was born in South Croxton, Leicestershire, the second child (first daughter) of Thomas Hunt (28), a framework knitter, and Susannah Hunt, formerly Susannah Glover (19). If the age given on the 1851 census is correct, her birthday was between May and October 1834. If the age given in 1841 is correct, the date narrows further to May 1834.   Censuses

5 Oct 1834   She was christened in South Croxton.   South Croxton parish register
? early 1836   Her brother, Samuel, was born.   1841 census
24 Apr 1836   Her brother, Samuel, was christened in South Croxton.   South Croxton parish register
2 Jul 1838   When she was 4, her father was sentenced to six weeks in prison for stealing five elm boards.   Quarter sessions
14 July 1838   Her sister, Maria, was born in South Croxton; her father's occupation was recorded on her birth certificate as 'loom hand'.   Birth certificate
26 July 1838   Her sister, Maria, was christened in South Croxton; her father's occupation was recorded in the parish register as framework knitter.   South Croxton parish register
13 Aug 1838   Her father came out of prison.   Assumed from sentence
26 Jan 1839   Her father was transported to Australia for stealing a sheep.   Quarter sessions
26 Jan 1841   When Mary was six years old, her mother was receiving temporary parish relief for the family.   Minutes - Board of Guardians, Barrow-upon-Soar
Abt Jan 1841   Her mother had an illegitimate daughter, Elizabeth Anne, by John North (42), unemployed.   South Croxton parish register
Jan-Mar 1841   Elizabeth Anne died in infancy.   BMD
Feb 1841   Parish relief, in the form of bread and small amounts of cash, continued.   Minutes, as above
16 Mar 1841   She was conveyed to the workhouse with her mother and siblings.   Minutes, as above
7 Jun 1841   She was in Barrow on Soar workhouse, a 7-year-old 'pauper inmate', along with her brother Samuel (5). Her mother and youngest sister Maria were in the house of her grandparents, Thomas and Mary Glover, in South Croxton.   Census
26 Sep 1842   When she was 8, her mother married at St Margaret's Church, Leicester, Robert Greenwood of Queniborough.   Marriage certificate
1843   A step-brother, Thomas Glover Greenwood, was born.   Assumed from next
31 Dec 1843   Her step-brother, Thomas Glover Greenwood, was baptised.   Parish register - South Croxton
1845-1858   Other step-siblings may have been born.   See Susannah Glover
30 Mar 1851   At 16, she was living with her Mother and Stepfather at 4 North[gate] Street, Leicester. Her occupation was hose seamstress. No other children are mentioned.   Census
Jul-Sep 1858   When she was 23, her first known child, William Thomas, was born.   BMD
Apr-Jun 1860   Her second known child, Ann Naomi, was born.   BMD
7 Apr 1861   She was now living with Joseph Ward (30), brickmaker['s labourer], at 4 Northgate St. Her name was recorded as 'Mary Ward, wife of Joseph'. [There is no other evidence that they were married.] Also in the house, his father, Robert (70), son, William Thomas (2) and daughter, Ann Naomi (10m).   Census
Jan-Mar 1862   When she was 27 her next son, Henry Edwin, was born.   BMD
Jan-Mar 1862   Her possible daughter, Harriet, was born.   BMD
28 Sep 1862   Her possible daughter, Harriet, was buried at Welford Road, aged 6 months.   Burials register
24 Apr 1863   Her son, Henry Edwin, died of whooping cough, age 14 months. He was buried at Welford Road 2 days later. (Informant Mary Ward, present at the death, Tiger/Digex Yard, Northgate; son of Joseph Ward, bricklayer's labourer.)   Death certificate
Feb-Mar 1864   Her possible son, Harry, born.   BMD
29 May 1864   Her possible son, Harry, was buried at Welford Road, aged 3 months.   BMD
30 Dec 1864   When she was 30, her eldest son, William Thomas, died aged 6 of 'confluent variola [smallpox], 13 days; vaccinated'. The death was registered by the grandmother, Susannah Greenwood, of George Street, Belgrave Gate.   Death certificate
2 Jan 1865   William Thomas was buried at Welford Road, aged 6.   Burials register
Apr-Jun 1865   Her son, Frank, was born.   BMD
6 Mar 1866   Frank died of 'diarrhoea, manasmus' aged 9 months. (The informant was Hannah Berry.)   Death certificate
11 Mar 1866   Frank was buried at Welford Road aged 9 months.   Burials register
15 Apr 1866   Her daughter, Ann Naomi, died of 'convulsions', aged 5. Again, the death was registered by the grandmother, Susannah Greenwood, of George Street, Belgrave Gate.   Death certificate
18 Apr 1866   Ann Naomi was buried at Welford Road. Welford Road Register says aged 6; the death certificate says aged 5. It seems that Joseph and Mary had so far had between four and six children, and all of them had died in infancy at Northgate Street.   Burials register
1 Oct 1869   When she was 35 her last child, a daughter, was born.   Birth certificate (see 9 Nov)
2 Nov 1869   Mary Hunt died a month after the birth aged 35, at 4 Court x, Northgate Street.   Death certificate
3 Nov 1869   Her death was registered by Hannah Berry, a neighbour (her address was 1, Court x in 1871), present at the death. The certificate has 'Mary Ward, wife of Joseph Ward, bricklayer's labourer', and cause of death 'pyonia' - probably a version of pyaemia (severe blood poisoning), 'pyon' meaning pus. Early symptoms of pyaemia are frequent intermittent high fever, shaking chills, and red streaks leading from a wound. Where treatment is delayed, septicemia (bacteria invading the blood system) occurs from a pus-forming area (abscess) and produces multiple abscesses internally and externally throughout the body, with fatal results. 'Childbed fever is a variety of pyaemia' - Semmelweis, 1861.   Death certificate
5 Nov 1869   She was buried under the name of Mary Ward at Welford Rd, plot URI 2458. Address in register Court x, Stag Yard, North.   Burials register
(9 Nov 1869   Her baby daughter was registered as Mary Hunt by this Mary's mother, Susannah Greenwood. The father's name was not mentioned on the certificate. The location of the birth and the residence of the mother are the same, viz 4 x Court North, West Leicester.)

   Birth certificate