The Death of Maria Biddle by Tina Brown-Love

Maria Biddle (nee Motteram ) was the sister of my Great Grandfather Robert Motteram. Maria father (also Robert) was a private in the 15th Kings Regiment of Hussars and must have been stationed in Brighton Sussex when Maria was born in 1830.

The Motterams were originally from Staffordshire then moved to Shropshire and then to Birmingham

FROM HANDSWORTH HERALD 7TH MAY 1921

DEATH OF MARIA BIDDLE(NEE MOTTERAM)

"In the death of Mrs Maria Biddle, which took place on Sunday (May day) at the residence of her son Mr Walter Biddle,199 Holly Road Handsworth,a remarkable personage has passed away .She was in her 92 years of age and having lived in Birmingham or the suburbs all her life. She had not only seen the marvellous development of the town and city but possessed a very good knowledge of its prominent townsmen and citizens She lived on the Brookfields and saw the Great Western Railway along their boarders .

Perhaps one of Mrs Biddles characteristics was her fondness for walking. She regularly walked to town up to 7 months ago. For a quarter of a century Mrs Biddle had been associated with the Christodelphian body and every Sunday took the first tram from Handsworth to the meeting home of that sect in Temple Street .

Her late husband ,Mr John Edward Biddle, was one of the first workman employed by M r W H Hasler Jeweller of Hylton Street and remained in his service for 30 or 40 years .Mrs Biddle retained all her facilities till the last ,passing away peacefully away last Sunday The funeral tool place at Handsworth Cemetery on Thursday The service being conducted be Mr Creed a Christodelphian In the presence of a large gathering of that church The mourners were Mr Walter Biddle (son) son in law and Mr Allen (grandson )The bearers were Messers Dryhurst J Todd ,W H Hill ,Ritzie, Pride Mallet and Summerton."

Tina Brown-Love