Life History

29th April 1862	Born in Liverpool.
7th Dec 1876	Married Joseph Leatherbarrow in Little Crosby.
1879	Birth of daughter Mary.
1881	Birth of son Edward A.
about 1883	Birth of son William.
about 1885	Birth of son Joseph.
about 1887	Birth of son Harry.
about 1888	Birth of son Thomas.
1888	Birth of daughter Anne Theresa.
about 1891	Birth of daughter Margaret.
about 1893	Birth of daughter Margary.
1896	Birth of daughter Alice.
about 1900	Birth of daughter Agnes.
17th Jun 1906	Death of Joseph Leatherbarrow in Little Crosby.
11th Mar 1909	Death of daughter Margary.
	Birth of daughter Elizabeth Leatherbarrow.
20th May 1920	Death of son Edward A.
11th Jul 1939	Died.

Notes

The Leatherbarrows were wheelwrights and also made coffins. Mary Leatherbarrow was the 'hatcher and dispatcher' of the village (midwife and undertaker).

Mary managed to have 14 children. Throughout her life she smoked Woodbines.

Mary Leatherbarrow was Mary Drewry's grandmother with whom she was very close. According to Mary D., she was Mary Wharton who married Edward Leatherbarrow.
However Mary D's sister Kitty (who married a Wharton) says her maiden name was Latham. This is confirmed in the Marriage Certificate.
Mary Latham's mother was Mary Wharton, which might be the source of the confusion.
(Curiously, it looks like Mary Latham's husband, Joseph, is the grandson of another Mary Wharton. And her son-in-law Edward Vose is the son of a Catherine Wharton.)

Mary's Birth Certificate

Interestingly, in the 'Informant' box, it is Mary's mother who makes her mark, rather than her father. As a carter, he may have been away from home.

In the 1871 census (2nd April 1871)

Mary, who is nearly 10, is staying with her grandmother, who is also looking after 3 other grandchildren. I have assumed that Henry and William are her brothers. Mary Jones is her cousin, probably the daughter of Margaret Latham.

Henry Latham	66	Head	Farmer 45 Acres Employing 2 Men, b. Lathom
Mary Latham	67	Wife		b. Little Crosby
Peter Latham	28	Son	Ag. Lab.	b. Little Crosby
Emma Latham	25	Daughter-in-law		b. Seaforth
Mary Jones	16	Granddaughter		b. Liverpool
Mary Latham	9	Granddaughter		b. Liverpool, Lancashire
Henry Latham	6	Grandson		b. Liverpool
William Latham	2	Grandson		b. Little Crosby
Mark Keine	30	Farm Servant		b. Ireland
David Miller	20	Farm Servant		b. Ireland

It is worth noting that in the 1871 Census, Mary's future husband, Joseph Leatherbarrow, is recorded in the next dwelling in Little Crosby.

The Marriage Certificate

On the 7th December, 1876, Mary Latham is 14 years and 8 months.
In her marriage certificate, Mary is recorded as aged 17, and her husband as 19.
While Joseph may have been telling the truth, Mary was not. Since this was probably a criminal offence, Mary keeps up the pretence in later censuses. At her death, her true age is recorded.
(In the censuses, Mary claims her birth place as Little Crosby. Is this also part of the deception?)

The marriage is witnessed by Henry Latham (her brother?) and Ann Leatherbarrow (his sister?).

In the 1881 Census, on April 3rd, (in Joseph's page), Mary is 21 years old. Her birthplace is recorded, incorrectly, as Little Crosby.

In the 1891 Census (April 5th), Mary is 31 years old. Again, born in Little Crosby.

In the 1901 Census (March 31st), Mary is 40, and born in Liverpool.

In the 1911 Census (April 2nd) In 'The Village',

Mary Leatherbarrow	Head	52	Widow (14 children born alive; 11 still alive.); b. not stated
Edward Leatherbarrow	son	30	single	Horseman on Farm	b. Little Crosby
Theresa Leatherbarrow	daughter	22	single	General Servant (Domestic)	b. Little Crosby
Margaret Leatherbarrow	daughter	20	single	General Servant (Domestic)	b. Little Crosby
Joseph Leatherbarrow	son	16	single	Gardener (Domestic)	b. Little Crosby
Henry Leatherbarrow	son	14		Boy on Farm	b. Little Crosby
Thomas Leatherbarrow	son	12		School boy	b. Little Crosby
Agnes Leatherbarrow	daughter	10		School girl	b. Little Crosby
Alice Leatherbarrow	daughter	8		School girl	b. Little Crosby

From freeBMD

Birth: Jun 1862, Latham, Mary, Liverpool 8b 67

Marriage: Dec 1876, Latham, Mary, W. Derby 8b 915
Marriage: Dec 1876, Leatherbarrow, Joseph, W Derby 8b 915

Death: Sep 1939, Leatherbarrow, Mary, 77, Crosby 8b 634

Inscription taken from grave headstone:

Jesus have mercy, Mary help
of your charity pray
for the repose of the soul of
Joseph Leatherbarrow
who died 17th June 1906,
aged 49 years.
Also Margery daughter of the above
who died 11th Mar 1909
aged 16 years.
Also Edward son of the above
who died May 20th 1920
aged 39 years.
Also Mary, beloved wife of the above Joseph
who died July 11th 1939,
aged 77 years.
R.I.P.

I originally believed that Mary was born in Little Crosby.

The copies of two birth certificates below are for Mary Lathams born in the Little Crosby area.

From freeBMD - Birth: Dec 1860, LATHAM Mary, West Derby 8b 331

From freeBMD - Birth: Dec 1862 Latham, Mary, W Derby 8b 427