George Atkinson

(My 3xGreat Grandfather)

George has to be the preverbial black sheep !
He certainly seems to have been a bit of a lad in his youth, at least 3 illegitimate children to 3 different women by the time he was 23!
BUT in George's defence I think we must be careful not to judge our ancestors by current values, life was very different 200 years ago and we cannot ever really know the full story! Also I believe his early life was difficult having lost both his parents by the age of 11.
In 1851 he is 41 and lodging with a 26 year old woman, in 1864 he married her and they had a son and were still living together in 1891, so it seems he had settled down.
I guess I will never know if my 2xgt grandfather Lionel knew him, they lived in the same town, and no doubt at some point their paths may have crossed.
George seems to have built himself a successful coach building business and by 1871 was employing 20 men.

Details

Born: ~1810, Hurworth on Tees Father: Richard Atkinson Mother: Dorothy Dunn, b. 1767, East Harlsey, daughter of Thomas Dunn Married: 28-Jan-1864, Darlington Holy Trinity, Wit. Rbt. Atkinson & Sarah Sinsley Spouse: Eleanor Simonson, daughter of John and Sarah Simonson Died: Q3 1893, Darlington, aged 83 Buried: 21-Aug-1893, Darlington WW. Cemetary (section C BBB 182) Occupation: Coach Maker/Coach Painter Children: James Atkinson Richardson Baptised 28-Sep-1828. Illegitimate son of Jane Richardson Lionel Stainsby

		Baptised 16-Sep-1831. Illegitimate son of Sarah Stainsby)

		Dorothy Walker 
		Baptised 24-Nov-1833. Illegitimate son of Elizabeth Walker, spinster

		Frank Trenholme Atkinson
		B. 1865, 1881 living at 42, Greenbank Rd, Darlington.

Census

1851: 14, Bridge Terrace, Darlington, Durham		
Sarah Simonson		Head 	?					F	Hurworth			
Eleanor Simonson	Daut 	Plain Sewer		U	26	F	Darlington
Matthew Simonson	Son	Coach maker		U	17	M	Darlington
Elizabeth Simonson	Daur.				U	15	F	Darlington
Ann Hilton	Daur.					U	13	F	Darlington
George ATKINSON	Lodger	Coach painter			U	41	M	Hurworth

1861: 15, Bridge Terrace, Darlington, Durham		
Sarah Simonson		Head 	Seamstress		W	64	F	Hurworth			
Eleanor Simonson	Daut 	    ..  		U	36	F	Darlington
Mary E. Hope		Gr.Dtr				U		F	Darlington
George ATKINSON		Un.	Coach painter		U	51	M	Hurworth
						
1871: 9, Albion Street, Darlington, Durham		
Sarah Simonson		Head 	Mantle maker		W	74	F	Hurworth			
George Atkinson		S.law	Coach builder -	master	M	61	M	Hurworth
				empl. 13 men & 7 Boys
Eleanor Atkinson	Daut 				U	46	F	Darlington
Frank T. Atkinson	Gr.Son	Scholar			U	6	M	Darlington
Mary E. Hope		Gr.Dtr				U	12	F	Darlington

						
1881: 24 Albion Street, Darlington						
George ATKINSON		Head 	Coach Builder 		M	71	M	Hurworth On Tees, Durham 
				empl.11 Men & 9 Boys	
Eleanor ATKINSON	Wife				M	56	F	Darlington, Durham
Frank Trenholme ATKINSONSon	Coach Builder 		U	16	M	Darlington, Durham
				Apprentice	
Sarah SIMONSON		MthLaw	Annuitant		W	84	F	Hurworth On Tees, Durham

1891: 24 Albion Street, Darlington						
George Atkinson		Head 	Retired Coach Builder	M	81	M	Hurworth On Tees, Durham 

Eleanor Atkinson	Wife				M	66	F	Darlington, Durham

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