Mary Gould

(1797 - 1876)

Mary Gould was born as Mary Fisher and baptised at All Saints parish church, North Molton on 28 May 1797. Her parents were Thomas and Sarah Fisher.

Little is known of Mary until she reached the age of 25, when on 29 July 1822, she married John Gould at All Saints parish church, North Molton.

The first child of the marriage, George, was baptised at All Saints church on 20 July 1823. The baptism record indicates that Mary's husband John, was working as a husbandman.

Their second child Jane, was baptised at All Saints church on 02 April 1826; Mary would have been 28. The baptism record indicates that John had changed his job and was working as a labourer.

At the age of 32, Mary became a mother again with the birth of her son, John. He was baptised at All Saints church on 28 September 1829.

A further child Susan, was baptised at All Saints church on 01 December 1834. Mary would have been 36 years old.

The 1841 census identifies Mary, her husband John and children Jane and Susan, living at Bridge Street, North Molton. Mary's rounded age appears as 45 (her actual age would have been 44).

Mary's husband John, died on 20 November 1843 and was buried at All Saints Parish church on 26 November 1843. The death was registered by 46 year old Mary who was present at the death. She was presumably unable to write as she made her mark (x), rather than signing her name.

Mary's second child George died at the age of 25 and was buried at All Saints church on 29.10.1848.

The census of 1851 records 55 year old Mary Gould as living at 'Roberts', North Molton (her actual age was 53). As head of the household, she is correctly recorded as a widow and has a recorded occupation of 'pauper - formerly weaver'.

Also in the property is 60 year old visitor, John Radford. John, whom the census records as blind, is also shown as a pauper.

It is unclear if 'Roberts' is a single property. John and Margaret Trebble and their two children whilst appearing as a separate family, are also shown as living at 'Roberts'.

Mary married John Radford at All Saints church, North Molton on 02 June 1854. Mary's age is recorded as 59 (she was only 57) and her father is noted as Thomas Fisher. Again, Mary made her mark (x) rather than signing her name. The marriage was witnessed by William Priest and Mary's neighbour, Margaret Trebble.

The 1861 census of North Molton shows Mary as wife to head of the house, John Radford. Also in the property is Mary's grandson John Gould. Mary's age is again incorrectly recorded as 65; she was only 63.

The 1871 census shows 'pauper' Mary as head of the household and living at 'Hodges', North Molton. Mary's 'condition' indicates that her husband John Radford, had died and that she is now a widow. Living at the same property are Mary's two grandsons John and George Gould and daughter Susan Gould. Mary's stated age of 74 is again incorrectly recorded; she was 73.

Mary Died in 1876 and was buried at All Saints parish church, North Molton on 22 March 1876; she was 78 years old.