Mary Jane Penn, born around 1844 in London

[Deirdre784]

Wondering if anyone can help with this puzzle….. added here as the story so far covers London, Liverpool, Birkenhead and south Wales.

What I have:

Marriage of Robert Burn Watson and Mary Jane Stephens at St Peter’s, Liverpool, on 22 April 1883... Robert Burn Watson, bachelor, labourer, aged 30, father Joseph, carpet weaver, and Mary Jane Stephens, widow, aged 35, father William Penn, shoemaker. Witnesses Caleb Shirley and Mary Ellen Higgins (image on Ancestry). [Mary Jane’s age makes her younger than the 2 found censuses and her death record suggest, but maybe it is to make her appear closer in age to her husband].

Birth of daughter Ann Elizabeth Watson, registered in Birkenhead, Sep quarter 1887, mother Penn (found on GRO), baptised in St Peter’s church in Liverpool on 28 Sep 1887, giving date of birth as 16 Sep 1887,  birthplace Birkenhead, father Robert Burn Watson, mother Mary Jane Watson (image on Amazon). No other Watson / Penn children found in Birkenhead.

Sadly I have not yet found the family in 1891 but it is known that the family had moved to south Wales as Robert was working on the sinking of the Llanbradach coal mine.

Robert Burn Watson died in the June quarter of 1900, registered in Pontypridd. Aged 47. Vol 11a, p289.

In 1901 Mary Jane Watson is a widow aged 58 (born around 1843), at 17 Wingfield Crescent, Llanbradach, near Caerphilly, south Wales, a bootmaker, born St George's, London, with daughter Ann (entered as Hanna on FindMyPast, not found on Ancestry) E, aged 13, born Birkenhead. [Class: RG13; Piece: 4997; Folio: 58; Page 4]

Daughter Ann Elizabeth Watson married Walter Charles Whitney on 16 Nov 1903 (image on FindMyPast)….
At the Holy Trinity church, Nantyglo, Monmouthshire, Walter, aged 22, father Thomas Whitney and Ann, aged 18, father Robert Burns Watson (deceased). Witnesses: Emily Goode and William Whitney. [Based on her birth and baptism details Ann was actually only 16].

In 1911 Mary Jane Watson is a widow, living with her daughter Ann Elizabeth and family (Walter Charles Whitney and their 4 children) at no 12, Six Bells, near Abertillery, Monmouthshire. Age 67 (about 1844), born London, England. [Class: RG14; Piece: 31835; Schedule Number: 314]

Mary Jane Watson died in the June quarter of 1912, registered in Bedwellty, Monmouthshire, aged 68 (birth around 1844).

I have all the info from 1912 onwards for Ann Elizabeth and her family, but would appreciate any help with her mother.

I can’t find a birth / census for Mary Jane Penn, with a father William, shoemaker, in London around 1843/44, or a marriage to a Mr Stephens (and then a subsequent death). How / why did she end up in Liverpool.... and where is the family in 1891.
Thanks for reading.

[Comberton]

1891 Wales census on Ancestry
Ann E Walson
Pontypridd
piece 4409 folio 110 page 85

[avm228]

1891 Wales census on Ancestry
Ann E Walson
Pontypridd
piece 4409 folio 110 page 85

Great find - and Mary’s birthplace is given as Northampton.

[Mabel Bagshawe]

So is this the marriage?

Marriages Q2 1866    Northampton    Vol 3b p146   
IVES    Hannah       
PENN    Mary        
Rabbitt    George        
STEPHENS    Edward       

(GRO has Rabbitt births with mmn Ives in Northampton, to discount the other two)

[Deirdre784]

Thanks Comerton, that’s great and must be them. But Northampton 🤔

Thanks Mabel, that looks possible, will investigate that further.

[Deirdre784]

Found that Edward and Mary in 1871, at St Andrew priory, Northamptonshire, plus 2 children Hannah and Edward. Mary born Shadwell, London   

Mary and Edward are both shoemakers.....

Not yet found them in 1881....

[Mabel Bagshawe]

Where are they - can;t find them on Ancestry? [Have now - as Stevens]

There's a further child b 1871 then no more. The children appear to be in the Northampton workhouse in 1879, where they are baptised. Can find the son Edward in 1881 in the same place

[Mabel Bagshawe]

By the way - the baptisms have her as Mary Ann

[Deirdre784]

Thanks Mabel, just found Edward in the workhouse in 1881 and Hannah is with an uncle Charles Stevens, still in St Andrew Priory.

Where did you find the workhouse records in 1879 Mabel?

Can this be the right family if their mother re-marries in 1883