Fifth Generation 
Fifth Generation 32. Ralph WIGHAM was born 23rd Jun 1804 in Parish of Longbenton, Northumberland,20 was christened 19th Aug 1804 in St. Bartholomew Church, Longbenton, Northumberland,21,22 died 21st Aug 1849 in East Howdon, Chirton, Northumberland,23,24 and was buried 21st Aug 1849 in Christ Church, Tynemouth, Northumberland.25 The cause of his death was cholera.37
General Notes: At the time of the first census of 1841, Ralph was a Coal Miner living with his wife Jane and young family at Chirton, East Howdon, in the parish of Tynemouth. He spent all of his remaining life in the East Howdon area. Ralph was out-lived by both his parents. 38
Research Notes: The informant of Ralph's death certificate was a Richard Wake - the name also appears on the death certificate of Ralph's farther Thomas a year later. Richard Wake is listed in the census returns of 1851 and is referred to there as a retired grocer living in Albian Street, North Shields - similar age to Ralph, obviously a friend of the family. Interestingly, Ralph's wife Jane is also described as a Grocer in various census returns.
Noted events in his life were:
• 1841 Census: Ref HO 107/825/2, 7th Jun 1841, Borough of Tynemouth, Parish of Chirton.18 Listed as Coal Miner (35), living with his wife Jane (35), Margaret (9) - first born, probably named after mother, Nichol (8) - first born son, probably Jane's family name, Thomas (7), Mary (4) in East Howdon.
Ralph married Jane NICHOL 10th Apr 1831 in Christ Church, Tynemouth, Northumberland 26,27.,28 Jane was born about 1805 in Easington (Esh), Durham and died in 1886 in 23, Howdon Pit Row, East Howdon, about age 81.
Noted events in her life were:
• 1841 Census: Ref HO 107/825/2, 7th Jun 1841, Borough of Tynemouth, Parish of Chirton. Listed as wife (35) of Ralph (35), living with children Margaret (9) - first born, probably named after Ralph's mother, Nichol (8) - first born son, probably after Jane's maiden name, Thomas (7), Mary (4) in East Howdon.
• 1851 Census: HO107 2409, folio 230, p. 26, 30th Mar 1851, Borough of Tynemouth in parish of Chirton. Listed as widow (45) living with children Nicholas (18) - Labourer, Thomas (14) - Labourer, Elizabeth (14), Mary J, Ralph, Sarah, and John, at Pit Row, Howdon.
• 1861 Census: RG9/3839, 7th Apr 1861, Borough of Tynemouth in township of Chirton - Ward of Percy. Listed as Widow (56) - Greengrocer living with children Ralph (18) - Labourer, Thomas (26) - Labourer, John (14) - Labourer, Mary J (21) - House Maid, Sarah (16) - Elizabeth MOORE (24) - married daughter - Labourer's wife, and her children Thomas MOORE (6), Margaret G MOORE (4), Sarah H MOORE (3), John W MOORE (1), at Pit Row, Howdon.
• 1871 Census: RG10/5115, 2nd Apr 1871, Borough of Tynemouth in parish of Chirton. Listed as Fruitier (65) living with children John (24) - Coal Trimmer, Thomas MOORE (16) - Greengrocer, grandson Ralph MEGGAT (1) - son of Sarah at Howdon Pit Row.
• 1881 Census: RG11/5077, 3rd Apr 1881, Borough of Tynemouth in the Parish of Chirton. Listed as Fruitier (76) living with William MEGGAT (39) - house painter and husband of daughter Sarah (36) and their children Elizabeth MEGGAT (15), Ralph MEGGAT (11), Nichol MEGGAT (7) - probably after Jane's maiden name, Margaret MEGGAT (5), John MEGGAT (4), James MEGGAT (9 months), at number 23 Howden Pit Row.
• Death:. Jane was living with her dughter Sarah and her family (MEGGAT) at the time of her death at the age of 80. She was widowed for over 50 years during which time she lived at Pit Row Howdon.
Children from this marriage were:
+ 53 M i. Ralph WIGHAM was born on 24 Sep 1841 in Percy Main, Howdon, Northumberland 39,40 and died 3rd Oct 1901 in Wagon Inn, Howdon on Tyne, at age 60.41
54 F ii. Margaret WIGHAM was born in 1832.
+ 55 M iii. Nicholas (Nichol) WIGHAM was born about 1835.
+ 56 M iv. John WIGHAM was born about 1846.
57 F v. Mary J WIGHAM was born in 1840.
58 F vi. Sarah WIGHAM was born in 1845.
59 M vii. Thomas WIGHAM was born in Dec 1834 43 and died Jan-Apr 1870.44
Research Notes: A reference to a Thomas Wigham appeared in the 1842 Children's Employment Commission report of 1842, para. 88: Thomas Wigham, St. Laurence Colliery: " Was down this pit when, his mother said, he was between five and six years old, a wee thing of a boy" (ibid. No. 268:p.623, 1.22). There is no other Thomas Wigham of a corresponding age in the Northumerland census of 1841.
60 F viii. Elizabeth WIGHAM was born about 1837.