Bridge Street, Gateshead

In 1899, Robert Lendrem (1858-1910) arrived in Gateshead with his wife Mary Jane Warwick (1869-1950) and two surviving children - William and Jane. The contrast with Barnard Castle must have been extreme. Robert began work as a labourer in the docks at the bottom of Bridge Street in Gateshead.  A notorious slum in a bustling industrialized city, it is hard to imagine what the kids made of it all. Two more children - Wilfred and Charlotte followed in 1900 and 1902. Neither survived beyond infancy. By 1908 their eldest son, William, was back in Barnard Castle. On Robert's death, in 1910, Mary Jane quickly upped sticks and returned to Barnard Castle with her daughter Jane.

http://www.gatesheadhistory.com/bridge-street-gateshead.html

George Robert Lendrem (1822-1892)

BODY FOUND IN THE WEAR.

MELANCHOLY END OF A BARNARD CASTLE

MAN.

On Saturday, the body of a man, apparently about

sixty years of age, was found in the Wear at Fatfield,

by George and Thomas Oliver. The attire consisted

of black trousers, grey stockings, black kerchief, with

white spots, two dark-coloured waistcoats, brown

knitted jersey, black coat. There was an old silver

snuff box, a white-handled pocket knife, and 6d in

money. An inquest was afterwards held by Mr

Graham, coroner. The only evidence adduced was

of the finding of the body, and the jury returned a

verdict of " Found drowned. " An order was made

for the interment of the body, which was much

decomposed, as it apparently had been in the water

for about a month. The body was interred, not

being identified, at Fatfield. Our readers will regret

to hear that the body has since been identified as

that of George Robert Lendrem, an old and respected

inhabitant of Barnard Castle. It will be remembered

tbat he was missing on the 24th of January, by his

friends in Durham, where he had been staying since

before Christmas last.