It was the Festival of Cards at Junction 24, North Petherton, last Thursday and Friday. Run by the Postcard Traders Association. Postcard Traders Association

I was fortunate enough to be able to visit on Friday and also have a meet-up with my good friend Simon from Charnwood Genealogy. Charnwood Genealogy

We had a lovely catch-up, and while he was looking for postcards for himself, he found this lovely Cabinet Card for me. Isn’t it just lovely?

The Story of William John Stewart and Margaret Jane Whitling Wilson.

Margaret Jane Whitling Wilson was born on 17 March 1864 in the busy railway town of Darlington, County Durham. Her parents were James Whitling Wilson, 1829-1903, a Worsted and Mohair Manufacturer and Margaret Dodds, 1829-1865, who was a Milliner and Dress Maker.

Margaret sadly died when her daughter was just a year old. Young Margaret Jane spent her early life in the town she would always call home.

William John Stewart had already known both happiness and sorrow before Margaret entered his life. His first marriage was to Anna Maria Dixon, who was born on 12 May 1853 in Cockfield, Durham, the daughter of George and Grace Dixon. Anna married William John Stewart on 8 December 1874 in Darlington.

Their marriage, though brief, brought two sons. Their first child, George Dixon Stewart, was born in 1875 and lived a long life until 1958. Their second son, William Angelo Stewart, was born in June 1877 but tragically lived only a few weeks.

Heartbreak followed swiftly, as Anna herself died on 17 June 1877 in Darlington at just 24 years of age, likely as a result of childbirth, leaving William a widower with a young child and the grief of losing both wife and infant son in such a short time.

A decade later, William found companionship again. On 25 April 1887, Margaret Jane Whitling Wilson married William John Stewart at St. Cuthbert’s Church in Darlington. Margaret was 23 years old, and William, born in 1850, was fourteen years her senior. William was a Solicitor in Darlington.

Their marriage marked the beginning of a long and steady partnership.

By 1891, Margaret and William were living in Middleton One Row in Middleton St George, County Durham, where Margaret was recorded as William’s wife. Their home appears to have been a quiet one, as there were no known children from their marriage.

William was an Alderman in Darlington and served as Mayor of Darlington twice, once from 1898-99 and 1912-13. There is an image of him from 1898, on the Durham County Council Website, taken by the same photographer who took Margaret’s photo above.

So I’m thinking that they were probably taken at the same time when he became Mayor for the first time.

By 1911, the couple were living in Darlington, William still a Solicitor. His son, George, is also a solicitor now.

They remained together there as husband and wife, and Mayor and Mayoress once again in 1912.

In 1921, Margaret was recorded in Folkestone, Kent, listed as a visitor and householder, possibly staying with relatives or enjoying time by the seaside. Despite this temporary stay, Darlington remained the centre of their lives.

After thirty-five years of marriage, Margaret’s life changed dramatically when William John Stewart died on 27 December 1922 in Darlington at the age of 72. Widowed at 58, Margaret continued on quietly.

By 1939, she was living in Durham, recorded as widowed and carrying out unpaid domestic duties. She eventually returned to Darlington, the town where her life had begun.

On 3 June 1944, Margaret Jane Whitling Wilson died in Darlington at the age of 80. Probate for her estate was granted on 18 July 1944, closing the story of a woman whose life spanned from the Victorian era into the modern world.

Small Ancestry family tree: M and W Stewart Family Tree

Though Margaret and William had no children together, Margaret had shared in William’s wider family story, including the memory of his first marriage and sons.

You can contact me either by commenting here or via email at lynnswaffles@gmail.com. 

Till next time then………