Posted by Ian Smyth Herdman
on 2/12/2008, 10:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Brookfield Cottage."
79.76.215.110
Dear Lisa,
Thank you so much for your very kind reply to my question on the West Auckland Message Board. I had thought that my question would go unanswered as I posted the question last year. So I do sincerely thank you for replying to me on this subject. As I stated in the message I am writing a manuscript on Mary Ann and of her life and legacy. At present the manuscript is 423 pages of A4 details. I have researched her biography from her ancestors in Tanfield right through to present day. Fortunately I am in contact with several of her relations today. Although they are very concerned that they remain anonymous, they have given me details which are totally accurate and which are not known, apart from within their families. Mary Ann Cottons daughter born in Durham jail before her execution, lived to a great age and it is her descendants who I have a close association with. From my research and from their recollections, they gave me the name of a cottage in which they said was a dwelling in which Mary Ann Cotton either visited or had known the owners. It later transpired that Mary Ann had an affair with a gentleman there, who she had known from within the village. At that time he was ill with either hepatitis or smallpox. This comment was clearly remembered by the present day ancestors of Mary Ann, as she was believed to have told her relations whilst in Durham Jail, that the father of her child had lived in Brookfield Cottage, where she had visited and stayed with him on several occasions.
Your email was very interesting as you are the first person who has lived there who has confirmed Mary Ann Cotton's story, other than her relations today. I have driven passed your home, but for the sake of privacy I had thought it very polite not to knock or attempt to engage the owners at that time. I would be very grateful if you have any information which would add to the manuscript, such as old photographs, not just of your house but of images of West Auckland at the time of her stay there in 1871 to her arrest in July of 1872. I must admit that the research which I have undertaken has been exhaustative, and has been intense, but has been rewarded with several facts which do shed new light on her biography, trial and medical evidence. At present the manuscript is nearing its completion, but I would be happy to include illustrations and further unknown information. If you would like to add to this manuscript with any information that may be useful, then I would be delighted to include it. I would naturally give you a credit within the book for any such information used. Well I had better sign off, I do sincerely thank you for your information and for your time in contacting me. If you want to contact me direct, you can reach me on this e-mail address. holmcroft@fsmail.net
Kind Regards
Ian S. H.
--Previous Message--
: I would just like to add! that the
: cottage is still standing, It was
: renamed Brookfield House,As i have
: the deeds,to the property,we have
: complety renivated the house and
: hope it will stand for many years to
: come. Lisa Proudfoot.
:
: --Previous Message--
: She did live on Darlington Road
: before
: moving to Front Street but the house
: is no longer there.
:
:
:
:
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