Maria was born at 56, Wellington Road North, Heaton Norris, Stockport, on the 27th of March 1845. She was the oldest daughter of William Henshaw, and his wife Elizabeth (maiden surname of Griffiths). Her father was a Blacksmith, and co-founded the Stockport Lurry Works with his brother Thomas in 1836. -

"HENSHAW, MARIA Mother's Maiden Surname: GRIFFITHS GRO Reference: 1845 J Quarter in STOCKPORT Volume 19 Page 257."

She was baptised on the 25th of May 1845, at Tiviot Dale Wesleyan Chapel, just down the road from Wellington Road North. This baptism also gives her birth date. -

"Manchester, England, Non-Conformist Births and Baptisms, 1758-1912 for Maria Henshall: Stockport: Tiviot Dale Wesleyan Chapel: 1838 - 1912: Baptism no.276, Ancestry image p.22." -

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/3758/images/41501_605905_0657-00022?pId=318111

On the 30th of March 1851, Maria was with her parents and siblings James, William Henry, Charles and Emma at 56, Wellington Road North. -

"1851 England Census for Maria Henshaw."
Class: HO107; Piece: 2155; Folio: 219; Page: 30; GSU roll: 87130-87131
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SG2S-KC2

Her father died on the 3rd of May 1854, at 58, Wellington Road North. Her mother died on the 22nd of September 1859, at 56, Wellington Road North, Heaton Norris.

On the 7th of April 1861, Maria was with her brother James (listed aged 21 and head of the household), sister Emma, and brother Thomas Griffiths Henshaw at 56, Wellington Road North. -

"England and Wales Census, 1861," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7JC-V4V : 29 December 2020), Maria Henshaw in household of James Henshaw, Heaton Norris, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom; from "1861 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7JC-V4V

On the 25th of July 1865 at Chorley, Wilmslow, Maria's great aunt Ann Woodall made her will. She was a spinster when she died and had no children. Therefore nieces and nephews , widows of nephews or nieces, and/or children of deceased nephews or nieces were mentioned in this will. Her effects were to be divided into 33 equal shares. The children of her "late nephew William Henshaw of Heaton Norris" were to receive one share of this between them. At the time Maria's great aunt made her will, this would include Maria and her brother James Henshaw, her sister Emma Henshaw, and her brother Thomas Griffiths Henshaw. -

"England, Cheshire Probate Records, 1492-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGB9-93B : 9 March 2018), Ann Woodall, 1866; citing Chorley, Record Office, Chester.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGB9-93B

At the time she died, Maria was the wife of Samuel Pennington. He was a Glass, China and Earthenware Dealer. They were married on the 26th of September 1866, in Cheadle. -

"England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DCW-4YC : 13 December 2014), Maria Henshaw, 1866; from "England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1866, quarter 3, vol. 8A, p. 30, Stockport, Cheshire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.

Some Information About Maria And her Children With Samuel Pennington (1843 - 1919). -

Their oldest child, Joseph William Pennington, was born at 6, Park Street, Stockport, on the 3rd of July 1867. -

"PENNINGTON, JOSEPH WILLIAM Mother's Maiden Surname: HENSHAW
GRO Reference: 1867 S Quarter in STOCKPORT Volume 08A Page 69."

Their daughter Elizabeth Griffiths Pennington was born in the 4th quarter of 1870 in Stockport. -
"PENNINGTON, ELIZABETH GRIFFITH HENSHAW
GRO Reference: 1870 D Quarter in STOCKPORT Volume 08A Page 55."

Maria, her husband Samuel and their two children were living at 8, St Petersgate, Stockport on the 2nd of April 1871. -

"England and Wales Census, 1871", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VB6B-DTD : 17 November 2020), Maria Pennington in entry for Samuel Pennington, 1871.

At some time after the 1871 census, and before June 1875, the family had moved to Whitehaven, Cumbria.

Their son Frederick Pennington, was born in Whitehaven on the 26th of June 1875. -

"PENNINGTON, FREDERICK Mother's Maiden Surname: HENSHAW
GRO Reference: 1875 S Quarter in WHITEHAVEN Volume 10B Page 613."

An Almanack from 1876 shows Samuel's business address as 13a Lower Church Street, Whitehaven. It gives his private residence as 8, Michael Street, Whitehaven.

Their son Charles was born in the first quarter of 1878 in Whitehaven.

"PENNINGTON, CHARLES Mother's Maiden Surname: HENSHAW
GRO Reference: 1878 M Quarter in WHITEHAVEN Volume 10B Page 599."

Samuel and his family had moved to 13, Church Street, in Whitehaven by 1878 when he became bankrupt.

The family moved to Salford before the 1881 census taken on the 3rd of April, where they were living at 28, Chief Street. She was in the house with her husband, and children Frederick and Charles. Her son Joseph William and daughter Elizabeth Griffiths Pennington were in the home of her sister Emma Vallance at Moss Side when this census was taken. -

"England and Wales Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27P-ZGDC : 13 December 2017), Mary Pennington in household of Samuel Pennington, Salford, Lancashire, England; from "1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 25, Piece/Folio 3976/85, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,775,130.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27P-ZGDC

Their daughter Mary was born in Salford, at 7, Tyler Street in October 1881. -

"PENNINGTON, MARY Mother's Maiden Surname: HENSHAW
GRO Reference: 1881 D Quarter in SALFORD Volume 08D Page 143."

At some point after this, and before May 1883, the family had moved to Nottingham, and were living at 7, Dales Row, Player Street, Radford. Their youngest son, Sam was born at this address in May 1883. -
"PENNINGTON, SAM Mother's Maiden Surname: HENSHAW
GRO Reference: 1883 J Quarter in NOTTINGHAM Volume 07B Page 291."
He was privately baptised on the 10th of August 1883, at St Peter's Church, Radford. The baptism gives his father's residence as 7, Dales Row, and his father's occupation as a Salesman. -

Radford : St Peter : : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/58187608e93790eca325149a : viewed 4 Feb 2021) baptism Sam Pennington 10 Aug 1883.

On the 11th of August 1883, Maria and her children Frederick, Charles, Mary and Sam (her four youngest children), were admitted to Nottingham Union Workhouse. The cause of seeking relief was entered as destitute. Maria and Samuel's two older children, Joseph William, and Elizabeth Griffiths, did not enter the workhouse. It is not known where Elizabeth Griffiths Pennington was at this time. But in relation to the oldest son, Joseph William Pennington, it is believed, and is probably very likely that he was apprenticed to a Blacksmith in Nottingham/ the area of Nottingham. Joseph married Sophia Annie Ringrose, on the 17th of February 1889, at St Paul's Church, Radford. His occupation was listed as a Blacksmith on the marriage certificate. And his address was given as 29, Denman Street, Radford. This is only around half a mile from Dales Row, Radford.

Maria and Samuel's son Charles was sent from Nottingham Workhouse to the Training institution at Radford Workhouse, Hartley Road, Nottingham, on the 27th of August 1883. Their son Frederick was sent to there on the 3rd of September 1883.

The youngest son, Sam, died on the 18th of October 1883 aged 5 months. He was buried at St Catherine's, Nottingham. On the same day that Sam was buried, Maria left the Workhouse with her daughter Mary, by her own wish. Their home address on leaving was still listed as 7, Dales Row.

Maria died at the home of her brother James Henshaw, at 68, Wellington Road North on the 6th of October 1884. She was aged 39. From her death certificate she died of "Phithisis" (which was an old term for TB). Her brother James also registered the death. -

"PENNINGTON, MARIA Age: 39
GRO Reference: 1884 D Quarter in STOCKPORT Volume 08A Page 19."

Because her brother James Henshaw registered Maria's death, it is believed her husband Samuel Pennington may still have been in Nottingham.

The gravestone does not mention Maria's married surname. Her brother James Henshaw was later buried in this same grave, his son Tom, and Sarah, the wife of James Henshaw.

In relation to Maria the inscription just states:

"MARIA, eldest daughter of the late WILLIAM HENSHAW, who died October 6th 1884 aged 39 years."

Maria's husband Samuel died at 16, Todd Street, Stockport in the home of his son Charles, on the 11th of November 1919. -

"PENNINGTON, SAMUEL Age: 76
GRO Reference: 1919 D Quarter in STOCKPORT Volume 08A Page 99."

It is not known where Samuel was buried or cremated.

Information about Maria's son Frederick Pennington can be viewed here. He was the father of Donald Henshaw Pennington, the historian. -

https://www.marplelocalhistorysociety.org.uk/stories-from-the-archive/stories-of-people/514-albert-schools-postcript.html