#55 Elizabeth Stapleson

Birth

Elizabeth (Eliza) Stapleson was born in 1845 in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England when the worldwide cholera epidemic made deadly passes through England and Wales. Thankfully she survived. [1, 2, 3]

Marriage
Her date of marriage to Thomas Simpson is unknown, but presumably before October 1867.

Family
Their son Frank Peacock was born in October 1867. Daughter Elizabeth (my great-great-grandmother) was born in April 1870. Both in Luton, Bedfordshire, England.

In 1871 Thomas and Elizabeth were living on Union Street in Luton, Bedfordshire with 3 year old Frank and 1 year old Elizabeth. Thomas was employed as a railway porter. [1]



Living in the United Kingdom in 1871, Thomas may have enjoyed additional days off from work, thanks to Sir John Lubbock’s bill that sanctioned government-sponsored bank holidays.

Three more daughters were born, all in Luton, Bedfordshire, England: Emily Sophia in 1873, Lucy Ann in 1875, and Ada Mary in 1877.

In 1881 Thomas, Elizabeth (Eliza), Frank (age 13), Elizabeth (age 11), Emily (age 8), Lucy (age 6), and Ada (age 3) were all living at 23 Union Street in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. Thomas was working as a wharesman, and Frank as an errand boy. [2]



Progress made by the United States and Germany in manufacturing and agriculture in 1881, affected many in the United Kingdom, including Thomas's family during the Great Depression of 1873 to 1896.

Death
Elizabeth passed away on March 5, 1884, in Bedfordshire, England, at the age of 39. [4, 5] Her youngest daughter Ada would have only been 7.

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Sources:
1. 1871 England Census
2. 1881 England Census

3. England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980

4. England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915
5. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995