Maria Branwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maria Branwell
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| Born | 15 April 1783 |
| Died | 15 September 1821 (aged 38) |
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| Relatives | Elizabeth Branwell (sister) |
Maria Branwell (born April 15, 1783 – died September 15, 1821) was the mother of famous British writers. Her children included Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, and Anne Brontë. Her son, Branwell Brontë, was a poet and painter. Maria married Patrick Brontë in 1812.
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Maria's Early Life
Maria Branwell was born in Penzance, Cornwall. She was the eighth of twelve children born to Anne Carne and Thomas Branwell. However, only six of her siblings lived to be adults.
Her father, Thomas Branwell, was a successful merchant. He owned many buildings in Penzance. The men in Maria's family were active in their town. Her brother, Benjamin, even became mayor in 1809.
The Branwell family were important members of the Methodist church. Maria's aunt and two of her cousins married Methodist clergymen. Maria herself married a clergyman, Patrick Brontë, in 1812. The Branwell family helped build the first Wesleyan Methodist chapel in Penzance in 1814.
Meeting Patrick Brontë
Maria met Patrick Brontë in 1812. She was visiting her aunt Jane and uncle John Fennell in Yorkshire. Maria had moved to Yorkshire to help her aunt. Four family members, including both of her parents, had passed away between 1808 and 1812.
Her uncle, John Fennell, was a former schoolmaster. He became the headmaster of a new Methodist training school. This school was called Woodhouse Grove School in Rawdon. Patrick Brontë knew John Fennell from his time in Shropshire.
John Fennell asked Patrick to help examine students at Woodhouse Grove. Maria and Patrick quickly fell in love. They married within the same year.
Their Wedding Day
Maria and Patrick were married on December 29, 1812. The wedding took place at Guiseley Parish Church. Their friend, Reverend William Morgan, performed the ceremony.
On the very same day, Maria's youngest sister, Charlotte, also got married. She married her cousin, Joseph Branwell, in Cornwall. This shows how close the Branwell family was.
Maria's Family Life
Maria and Patrick's first home was Clough House in Hightown. Their first two children were born there:
- Maria (born 1813 or 1814)
- Elizabeth (born 1815)
Their next home was in Thornton. Their other children were born in Thornton:
- Charlotte (born 1816)
- Patrick Branwell (born 1817)
- Emily Jane (born 1818)
- Anne (born 1820)
In 1820, the Brontë family moved to Haworth.
Maria's Final Years
After moving to Haworth, Maria became very ill. She suffered for about seven and a half months. Maria passed away on September 15, 1821. Her youngest daughter, Anne, was only 20 months old.
Maria was buried on September 22, 1821, in Haworth. Reverend William Morgan, who had married her, performed the burial.
Maria's Writings
Maria Branwell wrote an essay called "The Advantages of Poverty, In Religious Concerns." This essay can be found in a book titled Life and Letters by Clement Shorter. She also wrote letters.
See also
