Mary Ann Buckberry

1817-1918

Although she made no contribution to public life, Mary Ann Buckberry earned herself a reputation as the Mother of Bourne by reason of her longevity, living until she was 101, the oldest person in the town.

She was born at Peterborough in 1817 but moved to Bourne when she was twenty, before the railway had arrived and the carrier's cart was the only form of public transport.

Mary married twice and outlived both husbands but had several children, the number unknown, and spent her final years living alone at a cottage in North Street by which time she had become a familiar figure in the town and was frequently seen standing at the end of the passage leading to her home, weather permitting, ready to talk to anyone who went by. She not only lived to see the arrival of the motor car but took her first trip in one at the age of 99, travelling almost 100 miles in one day to visit a granddaughter.

Mrs Mary Buckberry
Photo: William Redshaw

Her memories of earlier times remained good until her death, living through six reigns, taking part in the coronation celebrations for Queen Victoria in 1838 and, as a girl, singing in the choir at Peterborough Cathedral. She also remembered toiling long hours in the fields to earn a shilling a day.

Mary worked for many years as a weekly help for the family of William Redshaw, the photographer, and went to his house in North Street every Monday to assist with the household chores, particularly the washing. To celebrate her 100th birthday in 1917, she agreed to sit for her photograph which was taken by Redshaw at her cottage and the Stamford Mercury recorded the occasion on Friday 15th September with an interview:

The state of Mrs Buckberry's health is such that she bids to live for several more years. Her eyesight and hearing are both very good; she takes a great interest in all that goes on in the town and likes to be told all the news about the war [the Great War of 1914-18 was then in progress]. Her memory is very good for things that happened in her early years but she forgets present day things. In talking to our representative, she said that her life did not seem very long and she hopes she would live some time yet. She can remember sugar being dearer than now and not near so good either. She lives by herself and most mornings makes herself a cup of tea about 3 o'clock. Her appetite is very good and she does not seem to have to pick her diet.

During her final weeks, she became increasingly feeble and was unable to look after herself and so she went to live with her only surviving son, William Cooper, at his home in Eastgate where she died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday 16th April 1918. Her funeral took place the following Friday when she was buried in the town cemetery, the ceremony being conducted by the Congregational minister, the Rev J C Jones, and during the evening service on Sunday, he referred to the passing of the town's oldest inhabitant who, he said, ought to be called the Mother of Bourne.

Go to:     Main Index    Villages Index