George Stephenson was born in 1781. His parents didn't go to school, his father who worked at coal mines couldn't pay for George to go to school. After finding work as an engine man at age 17. George pays for his own night school education. By 18, he can read, write and do arithmetic. He dates a farmer’s daughter but is rejected. His next love does the same. So, at the age of 19, he marries her sister. The couple live in a one room cottage. By 20, they have their first son, Robert. George cobbles and repairs clocks on top of his day-job to help family finances. His first child,"Robert Stephenson" They have a daughter. Aged just three weeks old, she dies and within months her mother joins her. George's wife was buried in St Bartholomew's Parish Church near Newcastle.