This headstone has a simple inscription:
In Memory of Elizabeth Stead
who departed this life on March 8th 1868
In her 83rd year of her age
There was no information for Elizabeth in the burial records, but I could see that the 1861 census showed her living alone in Moorside, Eccleshill, a widow aged 76 and born in Northowram. I couldn't find her on the other censuses so I checked the wills and thankfully she had left one. Her will was proved by Jonathan Atkinson Busfield, a solicitor of Upwood, Bingley. He was the sole executor and her effects were under £200.
With this new information I found her on the 1851 census, living in Bingley, a house servant for Jonathan A Busfield and family. It states she was a widow born in Halifax. I then checked the 1841 census and lo and behold she was living in North Parade, Bradford, a house servant for Jonathan A Busfield and family. It doesn't state if she was single or a widow. Unfortunately, that's as far as I can go. I have no maiden name for her but I have a feeling she may not have been married.
Her former employer must have cared for her in her later years and made sure she received a respectable ending for all the years she spent in service looking after him and his family.
Location: section 3 F25