Cornelius Widdas was born 1845 at Coniscliffe, near Darlington.  By 1866, aged 21 Cornelius Widdas became manager of the North Bitchburn Colliery and by 1891, he was promoted to the position of Agent for the North Bitchburn Coal Company Ltd. The company owned Randolph and Gordon House Collieries. He and his wife Eliza had 7 children.  Cornelius Widdas died aged 66, in 1911, suffering from heart disease.  He died at home, Beechburn Grange, Howden-le-Wear, leaving about £1M in today’s money to his sons.

Family Details

Cornelius Widdas was born 7 February 1845, the son of James and Jane Widdas at Coniscliffe near Darlington.  There were at least 6 children:

• Sarah Ann bc.1842 at Darlington
• Cornelius born 1845 at Coniscliffe
• Mary J.bc.1849 at West Auckland
• Jane bc.1852 at Etherley
• James bc.1853 at Etherley
• Arthur bc.1856 at Etherley

In 1851, the family lived at Etherley and James Widdas, was recorded as a, “colliery agent”. By 1861, the family lived at Railway House, Witton-le-Wear.  James was employed by the North Bitchburn Coal Company.

1866 October 17: Cornelius married Eliza Weston at St. Paul’s Church, Hunwick.  They had 7 children:

• Susan Jane born 23 August 1867 at North Bitchburn
• Philip Arthur born 1 January 1869 at North Bitchburn
• Charles Christian born 25 December 1870 at North Bitchburn
• Frank born 14 November 1872 at Beechburn Grange, High Grange
• Hugh born c.1874 at Beechburn Grange, High Grange
• Percy bc.1880 at Beechburn Grange, High Grange
• Henry bc.1880 at Beechburn Grage, High Grange

In 1871, Cornelius and Eliza lived at North Beechburn Terrace, Hunwick with their 3 children, Susan, Philip and Charles who sadly died as an epidemic of diphtheria swept through the area in April 1874.  Cornelius was recorded as a, “Miners Engineer”. In 1881, 36 years old Cornelius and 43 years old Eliza lived at Beechburn Grange with 4 children, Frank, Hugh, Percy and Henry.  They had 1 servant, Mary Jane Hall.  Cornelius was recorded as a, “Mining Engineer”. In 1891, Cornelius and Eliza still lived at Beechburn Grange with 18 years old Frank, “Mining Engineer’s Assistant”, and sons Hugh, Percy and Henry with 1 servant, Susan Coates.  Eliza Widdas died 2 July 1899 aged 61.  In 1901, 56 years old Cornelius, now a widower, still lived at Beechburn Grange and was still employed as a, “Mining Engineer” together with his sons Hugh, a medical student, Percy and Henry, both coal mining students, his widowed sister Mary Pescod and one servant Sarah Carr. In 1911, Cornelius now 66 years old, still lived at Beechburn Grange together with his sisters Sarah Ann Widdas, Mary Jane Pescod and 2 servants.  He was still employed as a, “Mining Engineer”.

1911 October 18: Cornelius Widdas died aged 66.  He suffered from heart disease and died at home, Beechburn Grange.  A stained glass window in St. Philip and St. James Church at Witton-le-Wear is installed to his memory.  It reads:

“To the glory of God and in pious memory of James and Jane AD 1889 and of Cornelius and Eliza Widdas AD 1911.  This window is offered by members of the family. Jan AD1917.”

Cornelius Widdas left £8,428 19 shillings 5d to his sons, Frank, Percy and Henry all mining engineers and Hugh, a medical practitioner.

Business Details

By 1866, aged 21 Cornelius Widdas became manager of the North Bitchburn Colliery.

Below: Cornelius Widdas (left) at Randolph Colliery

By 1891, he was promoted to Agent for the NBCC Ltd. Group of collieries including Randolph and Gordon House.

Interests

Cornelius’ four sons took up the game of tennis and in support of his sons, he was to be elected Vice President of Durham County Lawn Tennis Association.

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