Ann Abernethy
Women's Suffrage Work
Ann's involvement in the women's suffrage movement was noted in the local newspapers and Lydia Becker's Women's Suffrage Journal.In 1876, she was on the platform with Becker and Alice Scatcherd at the women's suffrage meeting in Batley Town Hall. See: Public Meeting at Batley, 29th Feb 1876
Three years later, she was reported as hosting a meeting at home in Batley:
WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE. - From the Women's Suffrage Journal of October 1st, we learn that, recently a meeting of women was held at the house of Mrs. Abernethy, Batley, to hear addresses from Mrs. Oliver Scatcherd and Miss Helen Blackburn on "Women's Suffrage." There was an excellent attendance, and a most interesting discussion took place. All present were heartily in favour of the parliamentary franchise being conferred on women householders. The petition was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to Mrs. Abernethy, who occupied the chair, brought a pleasant meeting to close.
- The (Dewsbury) Reporter, October 4th 1879
Trade Union Work
Biography
Born in Aberdeen in 1840, Ann Gilbertson was the daughter of George, a Master Mariner, and Ann Burnett. She was one of nine children: five boys and two girls. By the age of 21, she was working as a 'wincey weaver', stringing cotton thread in Old Machar, Aberdeen.By 1866 she had moved to the Gorbals in Glasgow where Ann married carpet weaver Alexander Abernethy. Their daughter Susan was born later that year.
Between 1871 and 1875, the family moved to Batley and Ann found work as a woollen weaver. At a women's suffrage event in 1876, her address was given as Heckmondwike but the family were certainly back in Batley by 1881.
No doubt encouraged by Ann, her daughter Susan began training as a teacher with the Dewsbury & District Teachers' Association. By 1881, the family were living on Carlinghow Lane, Batley, joined by Ann's sister Isabella, a dressmaker. Ann's husband was unemployed but Ann continued to work as a woollen weaver. Unfortunately, two years later Ann's husband died at the age of 46.
By 1891, Ann had moved to Lydd in East Kent where her daughter Susan had become the Elementary School Mistress. Susan married and moved to Cornwall but Ann remained in Kent. The 1901 census shows her working as a housekeeper in Limpsfield.
It is unclear what happened to Ann after this date.
The Weavers Union photo is beautiful. Do you have any of the names of the specific weavers pictured in your archives list? Ann Abernethy was my husband's great great grandmother.
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