In late February 1865 just over a month since the death of her husband William Mowbray, Mary Ann Cotton and children made the short move south from Sunderland to the thriving Town of Seaham County Durham England. Initially MAC and the girls lived with MAC’s mother Margaret and her step-father George Stott, but this temporary arrangement only lasted for 8 days when a friend of Margaret’s, Mrs. Wallerson said that a room was available on North Terrace. And that the front room of the first floor looked out directly onto the Terrace Green area but was cheap rent as it was adjacent to a mariner’s pub the “Lord Seaham Inn.” MAC obtained a position as an infirmary nurse at the Seaham Infirmary, just at the end of North Terrace. She also earned an extra income making dresses in her spare time, which by all accounts sold very well. She hung the dresses outside of her home and the oldest girl Isabella aged 7 kept “shop.”
Home of Mary Ann Cotton 1865, North Terrace, Seaham Harbour. The Dwelling is Now a Fast-Food Business. Note Seaham Infirmary, Less Than 250 yds From Her Home.
Seaham Infirmary.
Whilst Mary Ann Cotton was employed at the Seaham Infirmary she quickly gained the
reputation of being a hardworking and a notable compassionate nurse. Although in
today’s modernity her nursing abilities were nothing more than of a general nature,
such as dressings, administering simple medications, bathing the patients and cleaning
duties etc. She was however regarded by her peers as being competent, intelligent
and knowledgeable. During her employment at the Infirmary she often saw several of
the District Doctors about the building, in particular Mr. Gammage who had previously
treated her husband William Mowbray and son during their stay at Henry Street in
Hendon Sunderland. “Doctors would in later life defend their diagnoses as to the
deaths of MAC’s husband and indeed would state that MAC was a caring and considerate
person competent in her skills.”
