January 12th, 2007
Mary Cook
Mary Cook was widowed on 11th October,1877 when her husband, Richard, was killed in the King Pit explosion at Pemberton Colliery, Wigan.
Mary was born in Rennington, North Northumberland, in about 1830. Her father was Thomas Dickman, a farmer.
On June 4th, 1855, she married an ambitious colliery agent from County Durham called Richard Finley (Findley) Cook. They moved around the North of England as Richard looked for promotion in his chosen occupation. Sometime between 1871 and 1877 the family moved to Wigan where Richard became a "certificated manager" at Pemberton Colliery. They had six daughters, Isabella aged 14, Margaret (13), Jane (11), Eleanor (9), Elizabeth A (6) and Mary (5). They lived in Little Lane, close to Richard's work.
King Pit Explosion
The "Wigan Observer" said that word of the disaster spread slowly. But if Mary was at home at the time she would have been aware that something had happened. Perhaps she heard a low rumble or perhaps she saw smoke rising from the pit. She would have been worried, but as her husband was a manager she probably thought he would not have been directly involved in the tragedy.
He was, in fact, above ground at the time of the explosion, but he joined the rescue party and went underground to assess the situation. He was killed when he strayed into a pocket of lethal after damp
The funerals of most of the victims were held at St. John's Church, Pemberton. Mary travelled in one of three mourning coaches which followed the hearse. The funeral route was lined with spectators and a large crowd assembled outside the church. As her husband's coffin was carried into the church, the organist played the "Dead March" from "Saul" by G. F. Handel. The service was conducted by Rev. J. Leach and Rev. Evans.
After the Tragedy
The loss of the main bread winner would mean a drastic reduction in the family's income.
The "Cheshire Permanent Relief Society", established in 1873, distributed money to the families of the bereaved. 5s (25p) a week was paid to each widow with an additional 2s 6d (12.5p) for each child. Five pounds was paid for funeral expenses. In addition, Colonel Blundell, the owner of the mine, increased the compensation by 25 per cent and promised to pay the children's school fees.
It is not known whether or not Mary accepted this charity. She was the widow of a manager and may have proudly refused this offer of help. She was, however, forced to go out to work for the first time since her marriage. Her occupation in 1881 is described as "Civil Service, Post Office". She now lived with her daughters in Fleet Street, Pemberton.
In 1891 she was a "sub postmistress". Four of her daughters still lived with her. One of these, Isabella, is described as "clerk and sub post mistress". Perhaps mother and daughter worked in the same post office. Eleanor and Elizabeth A. worked as school teachers. No occupation is given for Margaret. Perhaps she did the housework. With four members of the household in work the family were probably reasonably well off.
At the age of 71 Mary was still working as a post mistress. Of her daughters only Eleanor still lived with her. She was a school mistress then aged 38. Perhaps to supplement the income they took in a lodger, Sarah Guy, who also worked in the Post Office. The family was affluent enough to employ a servant.
Mary Cook suffered a great tragedy when her husband died at a relatively young age. She appears to have been a resilient and hard working widow and overcame her difficulties.