Liz Swift 1848-1938, part 2

Friday 26th February, 2010

In 1868 Liz married a miner named James Melling who had also been born in Upholland. Unfortunately, neither Liz nor James can be traced in the 1871 census. Perhaps a clue to their whereabouts at that time is provided by the birthplace of their third child, James. He was born in North Bitchburn, County Durham, in about 1873.

North Bitchburn, was a mining village situated between Bishop Auckland and Crook (ie Crook Co. Durham, not to be confused with Crook, near Wigan). Perhaps Liz's husband moved there with the family to take advantage of employment opportunities provided by the expanding Durham coalfield. By 1881, however, the family had moved back to Upholland.

On 25th August, 1890, Liz suffered a great tragedy – her husband was killed in a mining accident at Worsley Mesnes Colliery.

James and fellow worker, John Gledwell, were “timbering” while on night shift in a part of the mine where the roof was said to be “very bad”. At 12.45 am, there was a fall which trapped the two men. John Gledwell was soon rescued but it was 8 o'clock before James was uncovered. By this time he was dead.

Liz was now a widow with six children still living at home. Fortunately her son, James, was working as a “labourer at a colliery” so the family still had an income.

By 1901, Liz had moved to 64 City Road, Kitt Green, Orrell – less than two miles from Upholland. Living with her were her three youngest daughters, Nellie, Beatrice and Matilda. Nellie and Beatrice were working as “cotton weavers”.

Liz's early life must have been harsh. As a child she suffered deprivation as part of a large family living in crowded conditions. She had nine children and was widowed in her early forties when her husband was killed in a mining accident.

The latter part of her life, however, must have been considerably better. The foundation of the Welfare State, beginning with Lloyd George's introduction of non-contributory old-age pensions in 1908, increased the quality of life for people in Liz's position.

She became known once more by her maiden name, Liz Swift, and was often seen smoking a clay pipe and regaling family, friends and neighbours with stories of a bygone age. I'll bet she did this well.

Liz lived to see her 90th birthday.

Liz Swift, part 1