Neilson & Nelson Family - bainhouse.uk · Alexander married Ann GILMOUR on 22 July 1745 in Bathgate...
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Acknowledgements: To all those who contributed information to make this Bibliography possible and with special thanks to Isobel McWatt of Canada and Betty Jones (nee Watkinson) of Australia. © Margot Bain - November 2013 Not to be reproduced electronically or in any form, without permission. [email protected] Neilson & Nelson Family
Transcript of Neilson & Nelson Family - bainhouse.uk · Alexander married Ann GILMOUR on 22 July 1745 in Bathgate...
Acknowledgements: To all those who contributed information to make this Bibliography possible
and with special thanks to Isobel McWatt of Canada and Betty Jones (nee Watkinson) of Australia.
© Margot Bain - November 2013
Not to be reproduced electronically or in any form, without permission.
Neilson & Nelson Family
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INDEX OF NAMES
ADAMSON ..................................................... 21, 24
AITCHISON ......................................................... 35
ALISON ................................................................. 13
ANDERSON .................................................... 20, 33
ANDERSONE ......................................................... 6
AUSTIN ................................................................. 40
BAILEY ................................................................. 40
BAIN ...................................................................... 47
BAIRD ................................................................... 36
BARCLAY ............................................................ 49
BARR ..................................................................... 31
BARRONS....................................................... 29, 52
BAXTER ......................................................... 29, 50
BEASLEY ............................................................. 40
BESWICK ............................................................. 48
BEVERIDGE ........................................................ 26
BINNIE .................................................................. 10
BLACK .................................................................. 32
BLACKWOOD ..................................................... 12
BOAG .............................................................. 29, 49
BROWN......................... 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19
BROWNLEE ......................................................... 31
BRUNTON .......................................... 15, 29, 50, 52
BRYAN .................................................................. 48
CAIRNS ................................................................. 20
CAMPBELL ......................................................... 43
CARRUTHERS .................................................... 41
CAVANAGH ......................................................... 51
CHALMERS ......................................................... 18
CHISHOLM .......................................................... 32
CLARK .................................................................. 40
COATES .................................... 9, 10, 11, 20, 21, 22
COCKBURN ............................................. 13, 26, 27
COULTER ............................................................ 48
CRAWFORD .................................................. 29, 41
CRIPPS .................................................................. 52
CROSBIE ........................................................ 11, 21
CRUICKSHANK .................................................. 44
DELANEY............................................................. 44
DEMPSTER .......................................................... 19
DENHOLM ..................................................... 13, 27
DONACHIE .......................................................... 21
DOWNIE ......................................................... 29, 50
DUGDALE ............................................................ 12
EASTLEY ............................................................. 48
FINCH ................................................................... 21
FORRESTER ........................................................ 12
FOWLER ................................................................ 9
FRANCIS .............................................................. 21
FURRIE ................................................................. 32
FYFE ................................................................ 12, 23
GATES ...................................................... 18, 39, 40
GEBBIE ................................................................. 14
GIBSON............................................. 8, 9, 10, 12, 23
GILMOUR .................................................... 7, 8, 12
GORDON ........................................................ 13, 24
GRANT .............................................................. 9, 12
GREENS ................................................................ 11
HALL..................................................................... 40
HALYBURTON ................................................... 50
HEAP ..................................................................... 40
HERD .................................................................... 44
HERON ................................................................. 21
HINDMAN ...................................................... 18, 38
HUGHES ............................................................... 12
HUNTER ............................................. 18, 21, 37, 38
HYSLOP ............................................................... 35
JAMES .................................................................. 44
JONES ................................................................... 48
JOYCE .................................................................. 50
KAY ................................................................... 9, 10
KENDAL ............................................................... 40
KERR .................................................................... 31
KIRKHOP ............................................................. 14
KIRKWOOD ........................................................ 12
LAMB .................................................................... 18
LAVEROCK ................................................... 6, 7, 8
LAWSON ........................................................ 6, 7, 8
LEYSHON ............................................................ 40
LINDSAY .............................................................. 13
LOVE....................................... 15, 27, 28, 41, 42, 48
MacDONALD ....................................................... 52
MacFARLANE ..................................................... 31
MACKIE ............................................................... 51
MAGUIRE ........................ 10, 14, 17, 27, 29, 30, 31
MARSHALL ......................................................... 26
McCALLUM ............................................. 15, 29, 30
McCOLL ............................................................... 17
McCOWAN ..................................................... 10, 20
McGRATH .................................... 15, 27, 29, 41, 48
McGUIRE ............................................................. 31
McKAY ........................................................... 12, 41
McKENDRICK ........................................ 10, 19, 41
MCKINNON ......................................................... 48
McLEAN ............................................................... 32
McLELLAN .................................................... 13, 25
McPHAIL .............................................................. 22
McWALTER ................................................... 29, 48
MEEK .................................................................... 43
MILLAR ............................................................... 48
MILLER ................................................................ 30
MITCHELL .......................................................... 39
MOFFAT ............................................. 11, 21, 22, 33
MONTGOMERY ................................................. 33
MUIR ......................................................... 20, 35, 44
NAPIER ................................................................. 50
NEAVES ................................................................ 43
NEILSON . 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 33,
37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 52
NEILSONE ............................................................. 6
NELSON 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 25,
27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 41, 42, 43, 48,
49, 50, 51, 52
NIEMAN ............................................................... 48
NIMMO ....................................................... 9, 13, 14
3
ORR ....................................................... 9, 13, 14, 26
PATON ...................................................... 13, 24, 41
PORTEOUS .......................................... 9, 13, 26, 27
PRENTICE ............................. 10, 17, 18, 37, 38, 39
PRESTWICH ........................................................ 51
RANDALL ............................................................ 40
REID ................................................................ 14, 50
RENNIE........................................................... 17, 31
RITCHIE ............................................................... 30
RODGER......................................................... 18, 37
ROSS ........................................ 17, 19, 29, 33, 35, 42
RUSSELL ............................ 9, 11, 12, 16, 23, 29, 30
SHANNAN ............................................................ 12
SHARP................................................................... 40
SHARPE ................................................................ 42
SHIELS .................................................................. 31
SIMPSON ........................................ 9, 12, 13, 24, 25
SMITH ..................................................................... 9
SNEDDON................................................. 11, 22, 23
SOMERVILLE ............................... 9, 10, 13, 14, 18
SOMMERVILLE ............................................. 9, 18
STARK .................................................................. 22
STEWART ............................................................ 51
TENNANT ................................ 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 20
THOMPSON ......................................................... 44
THOMSON ................................... 14, 17, 32, 33, 52
TULLOCH ............................................................ 39
TWEEDIE ......................... 10, 16, 17, 31, 32, 33, 35
VEITCH ................................................................ 18
WADDELL ........................................................... 19
WALKER .................................................. 26, 41, 44
WANT ................................................................... 40
WATKINSON ....................................................... 48
WATSON .................................................. 14, 18, 31
WEIR ......................................................... 29, 36, 41
WHITEFIELD ................................................ 24, 25
WHITFIELD ........................................................ 13
WILLIAMS ............................................... 13, 25, 26
YOUNG ................................................. 9, 13, 19, 27
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Introduction
THE NEILSON / NELSON FAMILIES – Dedicated to all the descendants of the above families
This is the family history details for our Neilson and Nelson
Families starting as far back as 1632 in Edinburgh, West Lothian.
Up until recent times, the writer was led to believe that all her
ancestors were of the “Nelson” ilk and therefore assumed that she
belonged to the “Gunn Clan” and could wear the “Gunn” Tartan.
However, as the research progressed, it transpired that our family
name of “Nelson”, had in fact been a variant of the “Neilson” name
that changed some time around 1795, either through a census
enumerator spelling error, or perhaps wrongly recorded in the Birth,
Death and Marriage registers. The Neilson’s are a sept of the Clan
MacKay and should therefore wear the “MacKay” tartan which is
slightly different from their Gunn counterparts; although history has
recorded that many of the Gunn women were married into the
MacKay clan. As the Gunn clan is also a sept of clan MacKay it
makes little or no difference which tartan should be worn within our
respective Neilson/Nelson families.
As far as our family history is concerned, the current records are as
accurate as possible. However, as new evidence and information becomes available, additions and corrections
will be necessary. A great deal of the information has been gathered from certified copies of birth, death &
marriage certificates, obtained from the Scottish Registry files, in addition to
census records. Credit for some of the family information must also be given
to current members of the Neilson/Nelson clan who very kindly contributed to
this manuscript and without whom this document would not be complete.
The information extracted from Census records for 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881,
1891 and 1901 has been invaluable in helping piece together the dates, places
of birth, occupations, and the whereabouts of our Neilson/Nelson families and
their relatives. Some of the "ages" recorded on many of the Census were
inaccurate and do not correspond with birth, death or marriage certificates.
When the Census' were taken, some people were reluctant to reveal their true
age, or did not know what year they were born and therefore their age was
estimated. At times we found the transcription of Census details to be
extremely difficult because of poor, or extremely flamboyant, copperplate
handwriting. There was a tendency for Census Enumerators to record names
and places inaccurately. Many of the addresses given during the Census years
no longer exist and have been swallowed up by the expansion of towns and
cities.
Our own family history starts (over 380 years ago) during the reign of Charles I with the birth of Thomas
Neilson who was born circa 1632 in Bo'ness, West Lothian, Scotland.
MacKay Clan
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LOCATION MAPS
2013 Map showing Bo'ness, Linlithgow and Edinburgh
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Our Neilson/Nelson family tree starts with:
1. Thomas NEILSONE born in 1632 (approx.) in Bo'ness, West Lothian. Thomas married Margaret
ANDERSONE on 26 February 1652 in Edinburgh, Midlothian.
(as per copy of marriage entry from Scotland's People)
This marriage entry shows Thomas' occupation as a Cole Hewer (sic Coal Hewer)
Margaret ANDERSONE and Thomas NEILSONE had at least one child we know of: +2 John NEILSON (1663 ) married Margaret LAWSON (see 2 below)
2. John NEILSON, son of Thomas NEILSONE and Margaret ANDERSONE, was born on 4 April 1663 in Bo'ness
West Lothian Scotland and baptised at Borrowstouness1 (another name for Bo'ness) on 5th April.
Baptism entry 5 April 1663 for John Neilsone at Barrowstouness
John married Margaret LAWSON circa 1685. Margaret was born circa 1661 in Linlithgow, West Lothian and was
possibly the daughter of William Lawson and Marion Campbell (to be verified).
Margaret LAWSON and John NEILSON had the following children:
+3 James NEILSON (1687- )
+4 Elizabeth NEILSON (1688- )
+5 John NEILSON OR NILSON (1692 ) married Margaret LAVEROCK (see 5 below)
+6 Robert NEILSON (1695- )
+7 William NEILSON (1697- )
+8 Magdalen NEILSON (1699- )
+9 Thomas NEILSON (1703- )
1 "BORROWSTOUNNESS, (or Borrowstownness or Bo'ness), a parish and seaport town in the county of
Linlithgow, Scotland, 3 miles to the N. of Linlithgow. It is a station on the Monkland railway. The parish is situated
on the south coast of the Frith of Forth, at the mouth of the river Avon, and contains the villages of Borrowstown and
Newtown. The town is a burgh of barony under the Duke of Hamilton, and one of the oldest seaports in Scotland. Till
about 1650, it formed part of the ancient parish of Kinneil. (Note: The coalmining industry thrived in
Barrowstouness around this time)
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3. James NEILSON, son of John NEILSON and Margaret LAWSON, was born in 1687 in Linlithgow, West
Lothian and baptised on 5 November 1687 in Linlithgow (as per familysearch.org)
4. Elizabeth NEILSON, daughter of John NEILSON and Margaret LAWSON, was born in 1688 in Linlithgow and
baptised on 23 November 1688 in Linlithgow (as per familysearch.org)
5. John NEILSON OR NILSON, son of John NEILSON and Margaret LAWSON, was born in16922 in Linlithgow
(as per baptism entry from Scotland's People)
John married Margaret LAVEROCK OR LAVEROK (b.circa 1697) on 2 November 1713 in Bathgate, West
Lothian.
After the couple had their banns called on 1 Oct 1713 in Falkirk, Stirlingshire they were then married in Bathgate on
2 Nov 1713. The Banns show that John he was from Croftannie3 and Margaret from Bathgate (source = Scotland's
People).
John NEILSON or NILSON and Margaret LAVEROCK OR LAVEROK had at least one child that we know of:
+10 Alexander NEILSON born 1722 Bathgate and baptised there 4 November 1722 (as per copy of
original baptism entry from Scotland's People)- see map below
Married Ann GILMOUR (see 10 below)
2 John was born just a few months after the Massacre of Glencoe.
3 Reference to the place of "Croftannie":
A Minute of the Slamannan Kirk Session, dated 7th April 1713 noted that the lands of Ellrig, Easter Jaw, Wester Jaw
and Croftannie should be joined to Slamannan, a village in the south of the Falkirk council area in Central Scotland.
It is 4.6 miles south-west of Falkirk. This event however, did not take place until 1725.
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Map showing Bathgate & Linlithgow
6. Robert NEILSON, son of John NEILSON and Margaret LAWSON, was born in 1695 in Linlithgow and baptised
on 1 March 1695 in Linlithgow (as per familysearch.org).
7. William NEILSON, son of John NEILSON and Margaret LAWSON, was born on 13 February 1697 in
Linlithgow (as per familysearch.org).
8. Magdalen NEILSON, daughter of John NEILSON and Margaret LAWSON, was born on 29 December 1699 in
Linlithgow and baptised there on 31 December 1699.
9. Thomas NEILSON, son of John NEILSON and Margaret LAWSON, was born on 28 February 1703 in
Linlithgow and baptised on 14 March 1703.
10. Alexander NEILSON, son of John NEILSON OR NILSON and Margaret LAVEROCK OR LAVEROK, was
born in 1722 in Bathgate, West Lothian and baptised there on 4 November 1722 in Bathgate.
Alexander married Ann GILMOUR on 22 July 1745 in Bathgate (as per copy of original marriage entry via
Scotland's People)
Ann GILMOUR was the daughter of James Gilmard4 (sic) a Collier in Livingstoun (sic). She was born in 1726 in
West Calder, Midlothian and baptised there on 25 September 1726.
Alexander NEILSON and Ann GILMOUR had the following children:
11 Margaret NEILSON born on 6 August 1744 in Bathgate.
12 Agnes NEILSON born on 12 March 1748/49 in Bathgate.
+13 John NEILSON (1750-bef 1850) married Elizabeth GIBSON (see 13 below)
14 Marion NEILSON born on 5 April 1752 in Bathgate.
15 Ann NEILSON born in 1756 in Bathgate.
16 William NEILSON born on 13 December 1761 in Bathgate.
17 Ann NEILSON born on 25 September 1763 in Bathgate.
13. John NEILSON, son of Alexander NEILSON and Ann GILMOUR, was born on 31 May 1750 in Bathgate, West
Lothian and baptised there on 3 June 1750 (as per copy of original baptism entry from Scotland's People)
John worked as a Coal Miner and married twice; first to Elizabeth GIBSON in 1771 in Carnwath Parish,
Lanarkshire with whom he had 9 children.
Elizabeth GIBSON was the daughter of Henry GIBSON b.(1719) and Elizabeth ANDERSON (b.1720), was born on
1 August 1751 in Climpy5, Forth, Lanarkshire and baptised there on 21 August 1751 in Climpy. Elizabeth died
sometime before 1805.
4 Should read Gilmour and Livingstoun nowadays spelled as Livingston
5 The small settlement of Climpy is located a mile (1.5 km) northwest of Forth in South Lanarkshire Council Area.
Climpy has been associated with deep mining for coal since the 19th century and more recently open-cast mining.
9
After her death, John married Janet SMITH in 1805 in Cathcart, Renfrewshire. We have no records of Janet and
John having children.
John NEILSON and his first wife Elizabeth GIBSON had the following children:
18 Henry NEILSON born 30 November 1772 in Bathgate and probably died before 1775 after which
another baby was born and named Henry.
+19 Henry NEILSON born 12 May 1775 Bathgate married Marion TENNANT (see 19 below)
+20 Ann NEILSON born 27 Jun 1777 Carnwath, Lanark married Alexander FOWLER (see 20 below)
21 Elizabeth NEILSON born 2 February 1781 in Carnwath, Lanark.
22 Helen NEILSON born on 29 February 1784 in Carnwath.
23 Martha NEILSON born 28 March 1786 in Carnwath.
24 John NEILSON born 23 August 1788 in Carnwath.
+25 Johnston NEILSON (1792-aft1862) married Marion SOMMERVILLE (see 25 below)
+26 Alexander NEILSON OR NELSON born 20 May 1795-1863) married Margaret BROWN and
Mary KAY (see 26 below)
19. Henry NEILSON, son of John NEILSON and Elizabeth GIBSON, was born on 12 May 1775 in Bathgate, West
Lothian and married Marion TENNANT (b. circa 1776 Wilsontown6) in circa 1797 at Wilsontown, Lanarkshire.
Henry NEILSON and Marion TENNANT had the following children:
27 Agnes NEILSON born in 1798 in Wilsontown, Carnwath.
28 Elizabeth NEILSON born on 28 April 1799.
+29 John NEILSON (1801-1833) married Marion COATES (see 29 below)
+30 James NEILSON (1803-1869) married Elizabeth COATES (see 30 below)
+31 Helen NEILSON (1805-bef1851) married Walter RUSSELL (see 31 below)
+32 Agnes NEILSON (1807-1865) married Richard GRANT (see 32 below)
33 Margaret NEILSON born on 2 April 1809.
34 Marion NEILSON born on 23 June 1811.
+35 Henry NEILSON (1813-1863) married Agnes SIMPSON (see 35 below)
36 William NEILSON born on 15 October 1818.
37 Alexander NEILSON (1821- ) born on 24 August 1821 in Wilsontown.
38 Ann NEILSON born on 25 July 1824.
20. Ann NEILSON, daughter of John NEILSON and Elizabeth GIBSON, was born on 27 June 1777 in Carnwath,
Lanark and married Alex FOWLER circa 1797 in Cathcart, Renfrewshire.
25. Johnston NEILSON, son of John NEILSON and Elizabeth GIBSON, was born on 12/7/1792 in Carnwath,
Lanarkshire and baptized on 7/8/1792 in Carnwath. He died some time after 1862, when he was over the age of 69.
He worked as a Master Carter (Carrier of goods by cart or wagon)..
In Carnwath, some time around 1815, when Johnston was 22, he married Marion Somerville [known as Mina],
daughter of Hugh Somerville & Elizabeth Stark. Mina was born on 18/9/1788 in Carnwath7, Lanarkshire and died
on 31 March 1862 at the age of 73.
Johnston NEILSON and Marion SOMERVILLE had the following children:
39 John NEILSON born on 9 July 1821 in Carnwath Parish, Lanarkshire.
+40 Hugh NEILSON born 7 Jun 1822 in Forth, Midlothian married Jean PORTEOUS (see 40 below)
+41 Helen NEILSON 29 Apr 1823 in Forth, Midlothian married James NIMMO (see 41 below)
42 William NEILSON born on 29 August 1825 in Carnwath Parish.
+43 Elizabeth NEILSON born 14 Jul 1827 Burnfoot, Wilsontown, Lanarkshire and died 4 January
1891 Greenwall, Climpy, Forth married James ORR (see 43 below)
44 Christian [Christina] NEILSON born 26 Sep 1829 Forth, Midlothian married Thomas YOUNG on
13 December 1850 in Forth, Midlothian
The 150 ha (370 acre) open-cast site which lay to the southwest has been filled in and part forms the Black Law Wind
Farm, but the majority of the area has been developed as a wet grassland for breeding birds. 6 A mining village in Carnwath parish
7 Carnwath is in south Central Scotland, 30 miles from Edinburgh and Glasgow, and to the south of both these cities
10
26. Alexander NEILSON OR NELSON, son of John NEILSON and Elizabeth GIBSON, was born on 20 May 1795
in Carnwath, Lanarkshire. He worked as a Coal Miner possibly for Shotts Ironworks in Stane.
On 6 February 1818 in Edinburgh, Midlothian at the age of 22, Alexander first married Margaret Brown the daughter
of Alexander Brown and Margaret Wharrie (b.1769). Margaret was born on 16 October 1801 in Lesmahagow,
Lanark and baptised on 18 October 1801 in Lesmahagow, Lanark (otherwise known as Abbey Green.)
In the 1841 census Alexander, Margaret and children John Neilson, Alexander Neilson, James Neilson, Margaret
Neilson and Johnston Neilson were living in Shotts where Alexander was working as a Coal Miner and by 1851
Alexander, Margaret and two of his children, Margaret aged 15 (working as a Flowerer) and Johnston aged 10
(working as a Drawer below ground) were still in Shotts
(Stane).
Following the death of his first wife, Alexander married Mary KAY, a Widower, on 3 October 1856 in Stane
Congregational Church, Cambusnethan. The marriage witnesses were Johnston Neilson and Margaret Nelson.
Alexander's father was shown as John Neilson a coalminer [deceased] and mother was Elizabeth Gibson.
Mary KAY was born 17 November 1805 in Carnwath and was the daughter of John Kay and Mary Orr.
As far as we can ascertain, there were no children born to Mary Kay and Alexander Neilson.
However, Margaret BROWN and Alexander did have the following children:
+45 John NELSON (NEILSON) (1819-1892) married Rachel MAGUIRE (see 45 below)
46 Elizabeth NEILSON born on 1 July 1821 in Carnwath.
+47 William NELSON (1823-1870) married Jane TWEEDIE (see 47 below)
48 Alexander NEILSON born on 29 January 1826 in Carnwath.
+49 James NEILSON (1831-1878) married Dorothea PRENTICE (see 49 below)
+50 Margaret NEILSON (1836- ) married William SOMERVILLE (see 50 below)
+51 Johnston NEILSON (1840-1896) married Jane McKENDRICK (see 51 below)
Alexander died of chronic bronchitis on 17 February 1863 in Calderhead, Shotts aged 64. The death informant was
his son William Nelson. The death certificate also shows that his father was John Nelson a Coal Miner [deceased] and
Janet Nelson m.s. Smith (Alexander's stepmother8!)
29. John NEILSON, son of Henry NEILSON and Marion TENNANT, was born on 16 June 1801 in Wilsontown,
Lanarkshire. John married Marion COATES on 26 August 1821 in Shotts, Lanarkshire. Marion COATES, was
the daughter of James COATES and Janet BINNIE and was born on 20 June 1795 in Shotts.
John NEILSON and Marion COATES had the following children:
52 Janet NEILSON born on 12 December 1821.
53 Henry NEILSON was born on 30 January 1826 in Shotts and died 10 months later on
22 October 1826 in Shotts.
+54 Marion NEILSON born 1827 married William McCOWAN (see 54 below)
55 Elizabeth NEILSON was born on 13 December 1829 in Shotts and died 5 months later on
3 May 1830 in Shotts.
8 Alexander's son William should have registered the mother as Elizabeth Gibson on the death certificate
11
John died at the age of 31 on 31 January 1833 (as per Scotland's People) at Cartlandbridge Toll, Lanarkshire
(between the towns of Carluke and Lanark)
30. James NEILSON, son of Henry NEILSON and Marion TENNANT, was born on 3 May 1803 in Shotts. James
was a Coal Miner who at the age of 17, James married Elizabeth COATES9, aged 20, on 8 October 1820 in Shotts
(as per Scotland's People).
Elizabeth COATES, daughter of James and Janet BINNIE was born in December 1799 in Shotts.
The census returns for 1851 shows James age 47 and his wife Elizabeth age 49 living at 36 High Street, Shotts with
their two youngest children Alexander age 12, a Coalminer's Drawer, and Margaret age 11.
The 1861 census shows James and Elizabeth now living alone at Woodhead Row, Shotts.
James died aged 65 on 20 April 1869 in Calderhead, Shotts and his wife Elizabeth died age 71 on 15 August 1871 in
Stane, Cambusnethan
James NEILSON and Elizabeth COATES had the following children:
+56 Henry NEILSON born 1821 Shotts, married Agnes TENNANT (see 56 below)
57 James NEILSON born 1823 in Shotts and died on 16 July 1827age 4 in Shotts.
+58 Janet Binnie NEILSON born 1825 Shotts and married James MOFFAT (see 58 below)
59 Elizabeth NEILSON born on 27 July 1829 in Shotts.
+60 John NEILSON born 1830 Shotts and married Agnes W. CROSBIE (see 60 below)
+61 William NEILSON born 1832 Shotts and married Marion MOFFAT (see 61 below)
+62 Alexander NEILSON born 1838 Shotts married Magdalena H.SNEDDON (see 62 below)
62a Margaret NEILSON born 1840 Shotts, Lanarkshire
31. Helen NEILSON, daughter of Henry NEILSON and Marion TENNANT, was born on 1 May 1805 in
Wilsontown and baptised on 14 Mary 1805 in Carnwath. At the age of 18 Helen married Walter RUSSELL on 29
February 1824 in Shotts.
Walter RUSSELL, the son of David RUSSELL and Mary GREENS, was born on 12 August 1804 in Shotts and
worked as a Coalminer. In 1841 Walter, Marion and 6 of their 8 children were living in Shotts Ironworks, probably
in Miners' accommodation.
Helen died on 19 January 1849 (as per Scotland's People) and in 1851 we found Walter aged 45, a widower, living at
31 High Street, Shotts with his children Thomas, Alexander, Marion, John, David, Mary and James Russell.
9 Elizabeth was the sister of Marion Coates who married James' brother John Neilson
12
By 1861 Walter aged 55 had moved down the road to 56 High Street, Shotts and was still working as a Coalminer.
His son David aged 20 was living with him and he too was still in the coalmines.
Helen NEILSON and Walter RUSSELL had the following children:
+63 Henry RUSSELL (1826- ) born 1826 Shotts, married Jean FYFE (see 63 below)
64 Thomas RUSSELL was born on 18 September 1828 in Shotts and worked as a Coalminer
65 Alexander RUSSELL was born on 28 May 1830 in Shotts and worked as a Coalminer
66 Marion RUSSELL was born on 18 January 1834 in Shotts.
+67 John RUSSELL born circa 1837 Shotts, married Elizabeth GIBSON (see 67 below) and worked as a
Coalminer
+68 David RUSSELL born 1839 married Margaret RUSSELL (see 68 below) and worked as a
Coalminer
69 Mary RUSSELL was born on 30 April 1841 in Shotts.
70 James RUSSELL was born in circa 1843 in Shotts.
32. Agnes NEILSON, daughter of Henry NEILSON and Marion TENNANT, was born on 25 June 1807 and
baptised on 28 June 1807 in Wilsontown, Carnwath. Agnes married Richard GRANT, a Collier, on 6 August 1831
in Old Monkland, Lanarkshire.
Richard GRANT, son of John GRANT and Margaret BROWN was born on 30 August 1801 in Bo'ness, West
Lothian.
The 1841 census reveals that Richard, Agnes and their family were living at Whiterigg, Lanarkshire and by 1851
Richard, now aged 49 and an Ironstone Miner was living at Linlithgow Row 10., Newtown, Bo'ness with his wife
Agnes and their children. The family are still living at Linlithgow Row 10 in 1861 but it would appear that Richard
had died by this time leaving Agnes now aged 46 with her children Thomas, age 19, Richard age 17, William age 15,
Alexander age 13 and James age 11.
Agnes died on 4 August 1865 in Leatherburn, Cambusnethan from "supposed heart disease - found dead in bed". The
death was registered by her brother James Neilson.
Agnes NEILSON and Richard GRANT had the following children:
71 Marion GRANT born 2 Oct1832 at New Monkland and died 7 Mar 1883 at West Benhar,
Lanarkshire). Marion married William McKAY 1 April 1850 in Bo'ness, Lothian
72 John GRANT born 6 July 1834 New Monkland, Lanarkshire and married Esther SHANNAN born
c.1837 in Ireland. Couple married on 27 September 1858 in Bo'ness.
73 Margaret GRANT was born on 14 April 1836 in New Monkland, Lanarkshire.
74 Henry GRANT born circa 1839 New Monkland and married Elizabeth GILMOUR on 30 May 1859
Bo'ness.
75 Thomas GRANT born 1840 New Monkland married Ann HUGHES on 3 April 1863 Bo'ness.
Thomas worked as an Ironstone Miner.
76 Richard GRANT born 12 May 1840 married Jessie KIRKWOOD on 11 September 1865 in Carridon,
West Lothian. Richard worked as an Ironstone Miner and died aged 71, on 31 July 1911 in Bo'ness.
77 William GRANT born circa 1845 New Monkland married Grace FORRESTER circa 1872
William worked as an Ironstone Miner.
78 Alexander GRANT born circa 1847 New Monkland married Margaret BLACKWOOD on 4 August
1871. Alexander worked as an Ironstone Miner.
79 James GRANT born circa 1850 New Monkland married Fleming DUGDALE circa 1873.
Like his brothers, James worked as an Ironstone Miner.
35. Henry NEILSON, son of Henry NEILSON and Marion TENNANT, was born on 4 December 1813 in
Wilsontown. Henry, a Coalminer, married Agnes SIMPSON on 27 July 1834 in Shotts. Agnes SIMPSON,
daughter of Alexander SIMPSON and Janet Russell was born in 1810 in Shotts
In 1851 Henry aged 38, Agnes aged 38 and their children Marion, Janet, Helen, Agnes, Margaret and Elizabeth (aka
Betsey) together with Agnes' father Alexander Simpson (born circa 1774 Larbert, Stirlingshire) were all living at 18
13
Flat Row, Shotts Ironworks, Lanarkshire. By 1861 only Henry and Agnes both aged 48, and their two daughters
Margaret and Betsey (aka Elizabeth) were living at 11 High Street, Shotts.
Two years after the 1861 census, Henry died on 25 June 1863 in Shotts. Agnes his wife, died 8 February 1880 in High
Street, Shotts
Henry NEILSON and Agnes SIMPSON had the following children:
+80 Janet NEILSON born 1836 Shotts married James N. GORDON (see 80 below)
81 Marion NEILSON was born on 7 January 1838 possibly in Shotts
+82 Helen NEILSON born 1840 Shotts married David PATON (see 82 below)
+83 Agnes NEILSON born 1844 Shotts married Joseph WHITFIELD (see 83 below)
+84 Margaret NEILSON born 1846 Shotts married William McLELLAN (see 84 below)
+85 Stewarty Mitchell Shaw NEILSON (Female) born circa 1852 Shotts married James WILLIAMS
(see 85 below)
86 Mary or Elizabeth NEILSON born on 9 February 1855 in Shotts and died aged 9 on 1 June 1864 in
Shotts.
87 Elizabeth NEILSON was born in 1850 in Shotts.
40. Hugh NEILSON, son of Johnston NEILSON and Marion [Mina] SOMERVILLE, was born on 7 June 1822 in
Forth, Midlothian. Hugh married twice - first to Jean PORTEOUS in circa 1849 in Ratho, Lasswade, Midlothian
and second to Elizabeth ALISON on 17 November 1865 in Libberton, Lanarkshire.
His first wife Jean or Jane Porteous was born 1827 in Eddleston, South Lanarkshire and was the daughter of
Alexander Porteous, a Shepherd.
The 1861 census shows Hugh age 34 working as a Labourer and living at Hatton Bridge, Midlothian with his wife
Jane (aka Jean) and children Johnston, Helen, Marion and Alexander.
Jane Neilson (nee Porteous) died at the age of 37 on 17 April 1864 from Enteric Fever at Hallyards, Kirkliston,
Linlithgow. Death was registered by her husband Hugh.
After Jane's death, Hugh married Elizabeth Alison on 17 November 1865 at Libberton, Lanarkshire.
Elizabeth ALISON was the daughter of William ALISON and Elizabeth LINDSAY and was born 22 April 1836 in
Kirkton, Lanark.
Hugh, a Farm Labourer, died from Phthisis on 23 June 1883 at New Farm Cottages, West/Mid Calder. His death
was registered by his son Alexander.
Hugh NEILSON and his first wife Jean PORTEOUS had the following children:
+88 Johnston NEILSON (1850- 1915) married Hannah ORR (see 88 below)
+89 Helen NEILSON (1854- ) married John COCKBURN (see 89 below)
90 Marion NEILSON was born on 24 June 1856 in Ratho Midlothian
+91 Alexander NEILSON (1859- ) married Mary Magrogan YOUNG (see 91 below)
92 Margaret NEILSON was born on 20 January 1862 in Ratho Midlothian
Hugh NEILSON and his second wife Elizabeth ALISON or ALLISON had the following children:
93 Hugh NEILSON was born on 8 March 1866 in Carnwath, Lanark.
94 John NEILSON was born on 29 April 1868 in Mid Calder, Midlothian.
95 James NEILSON was born on 29 October 1872 in Kirkliston, West Lothian.
+96 Thomas NEILSON (born circa 1875 d. 1957 Australia) married Isabella DENHOLM (see 96
below)
97 Christina NEILSON was born in 1877 (approx.) in Kirkliston.
41. Helen NEILSON, daughter of Johnston NEILSON and Marion [Mina] SOMERVILLE, was born on 29 April
1823 in Forth, Midlothian. Helen married James NIMMO, a Blast Furnace Keeper born 1819 in Carnwath. Helen
died aged 40 in 1863 at Old Monkland, Midlothian (as per Scotland's People)
Helen NEILSON and James NIMMO had the following children:
14
98 Marion NIMMO was born in circa 1845 in Old Monkland.
99 Christina NIMMO was born on 14 May 1855 in Old Monkland.
100 James NIMMO was born on 2 December 1858 in Old Monkland.
101 Helen NIMMO was born on 17 March 1861 in Old Monkland.
43. Elizabeth NEILSON, daughter of Johnston NEILSON and Marion [Mina] SOMERVILLE, was born on 14 July
1827 in Burnfoot, Wilsontown, Lanarkshire. Elizabeth married James ORR, an Ironstone Miner on 22 June 1851
in Forth, Midlothian. James ORR, son of Thomas ORR and Grizzel WATSON , was born on 1 January 1823 in
Forth.
Elizabeth died on 4 January 1891 in Greenwall, Climpy, forth and James died on 3 November 1891 in Forth,
Midlothian.
Elizabeth NEILSON and James ORR had the following children:
102 Marion ORR born 23 March 1849 in Forth. Marion married Peter TENNANT
on 7 April 1871 in Carnwath.
Peter TENNANT, son of Joseph TENNANT and Hannah KIRKHOP , was born in 1848
(approx.) in Carnwath. Peter and Marion ORR had the following children:
a) Joseph TENNANT was born in 1871.
b) James TENNANT was born in 1873.
c) David TENNANT was born in 1875.
d) Peter TENNANT was born in 1879.
e) Hannah TENNANT was born in 1880.
103 Grace ORR was born in circa 1851 (approx.) in Forth
Grace married John GEBBIE on 15 July 1870 in Carnwath.
John GEBBIE, son of James GEBBIE and Janet THOMSON , was born in 1850 in Whitburn.
Grace and John GEBBIE had the following children:
a) Elizabeth GEBBIE was born in 1871 in Forth.
b) James GEBBIE was born in 1872 in Forth.
c) John GEBBIE was born in 1874 in Forth.
d) Janet GEBBIE was born in 1876 in Forth.
104
Elizabeth ORR was born circa 1854
45. John NELSON (NEILSON), son of Alexander NEILSON OR NELSON and Margaret BROWN, was born on
12 June 1819 in Linlithgow, West Lothian and baptised there on 4 July 1819. John worked as a Coalminer/Pithead
labourer and married Rachel MAGUIRE on 1 December 1844 in Shotts (as per Scotland's People)
Rachel MAGUIRE, daughter of Daniel MAGUIRE (1795?- ) and Ann (Annie) REID (1797-1855), was born on 28
September 1821 in Shotts Iron Works.
In 1851 the census returns show that the couple were living at No. 85 Flat \Row 22, Shotts, Lanarkshire. John, aged
31,was employed as a Coalminer, probably for Shotts Ironworks10
. Rachel was aged 29 and with them were the first
three of their 10 children - Ann, age 5, Alexander age 3 and young Daniel age 1 all born in Shotts.
By 1861 the family were still living in the same premises but the family had now expanded to 6 children - Ann now
aged 15 and working as a Domestic Servant, Alexander age 14 and like his father working as a Coalminer, Daniel,
Margaret and Barbara at school and now baby Elizabeth aged 4 months.
10
Shotts Ironworks, a village on the border of Shotts and Cambusnethan parishes, Lanarkshire, near Shotts railway
station, and 91/4 miles E of Holytown. It has pig-iron works with six furnaces. Pop. (1861) 1335, (1871) 1208, (1881)
969, (1891) 1141, of whom 643 were males and 498 females, while 938 were in the Shotts portion of the village.
15
The housing conditions at Flat Row must have been appalling in 1861 and there is a description of what these were
like in 1878 - "The Flat Row, which owes its name to the flatness of the roof, is much inferior. The floors are of
stone, and there are a good many complaints of dampness, especially in the gable houses. They are single
apartments, the rent being 6s a month (approx £30 per month today), and are unsupplied with coal-cellars or
gardens, although there are bleaching greens in front."
John was still working in the coalmines in 1871 and was now aged 52 and Rachel aged 49. There is no actual
address given during the census but they still seem to be living at Shotts Ironworks. Living with them are 4 of their
children (3 other children had died before this census return) - Alexander age 22 working as a Coalminer, Daniel age
19 also a Coalminer, Elizabeth aged 10 at school and their youngest child Rachel age 7 also at school.
In 1881 the family had moved to Gray Street, Shotts. The census returns reveal that John (age 61) is now working as
a Pithead Labourer and Rachel (age 59) is still at home. Staying with them are grandchildren Gilbert, John and Ann
McCallum whose mother Margaret Neilson (5th child of John & Rachel) married James McCallum.
The census returns for 1891 show us that John now aged 71 had retired as a Coalminer and was living with his wife
Rachel (age 69) at 1 High Street, Calderhead, Shotts. In the same household is their grandchildren11
Gilbert, age 19
working as a Coalminer, John age 15 also working as a Coalminer and Annie age 13.
John died of Chronic Bronchitis and Pneumonia on 6 January 1892 in Shotts aged 73 at his home in the High Street,
Calderhead, Shotts Iron Works. The death was registered by his grandson Gilbert who was present at the time.
It would appear that after John's death, Rachel at some point in time moved in and lived with her son Alexander (aka
Sandy) and his family at 54 Albert Road, Langside, Glasgow. She appears in his household census of 1901 at the
age of 79 and is an Annuitant (receives a Pension). However by 1904 Rachel then went to live with her daughter
Elizabeth and son in law James Russell. Rachel, aged 82, died on 17 January 1904 in Bryce's Land, New
Stevenston, Holytown, Motherwell. The death was registered by her son in law James Russell who was present at
her death.
105 Ann NEILSON was born in circa 1846 (approx.) in Shotts and died sometime after 1861
+106 Alexander NELSON or NEILSON (1848-1920) married Elizabeth Love or McGrath (see 106
below)
+108 Daniel NELSON (1850-1906) married Rachel R. BRUNTON (see 108 below)
+109 Margaret NEILSON (1852- ) married James McCALLUM (see 109 below)
11
It would appear that Gilbert, John and Annie's parents, Margaret (nee Neilson) and James McCulloch, may have
died prior to the 1881 census and the children were therefore brought up by their grandparents.
16
110 Barbara NELSON (NEILSON) (1853-1854) (source = Rootsweb and Isobel McWatt)
111 Barbara Reid NEILSON (1855-1873). Barbara was born on 12 September 1855 in Shotts Iron
Works (as per Scotland's People) Barbara worked as a Domestic Servant but died at the age of
17 on 4 Jun 1873 at Shotts Ironworks from acute bronchitis and phthisis pulmonalis (as per
Scotland's People) +113 Elizabeth NEILSON (1860-1930 ) married James RUSSELL (see 113 below)
114 Rachel NEILSON (1863- ). Rachel was born on 16 September 1863 in Shotts Ironwworks.
(as per Scotland's People) We have been unable to find anymore information about Rachel.
47. William NEILSON, son of Alexander NEILSON OR NELSON and Margaret BROWN, was born on 4
November 1823 in Carnwath and baptised there on the 9 November 1823.
William, a Coalminer, married Jane TWEEDIE on 14 March 1845 in Greenend, Walston, Parish Of Carnwath.
Their marriage banns were read at Shotts on 22 Feb 1845 and sum of 2/6 paid (25 pence in today's money).
Jane was the daughter of John Tweedie (Farm Labourer) (1790-18410 and Janet Ferguson (1791-1846) and was born
on 7 December 1821 in Walston, Carnwath.
In 1851 William working as a Coalminer, his wife Jane and children Margaret, John and Alexander were living at
South Field, Cambusnethan and by 1861 the family had moved to Morningside Village, Cambusnethan where their
children had now expanded to 6 in number - John, Alexander, Janet, William, James, and Jane.
William died at Morningside Square, Cambusnethan on 24 April 1870 at the age of 46, from bronchitis and asthma.
His death was registered by his son John Nelson who was present at his death.
In 1871, Jane now a widow was still living at Morningside Square and was aged 49. In the same household were her
children John aged 23 working as a Collier, Alexander age 20 also a Collier, William age 16 a Collier, James age 13
a Collier, Jane age 11 and Ferguson age 8 were still at school. Her granddaughter Jane T.N. Kay age 3 was living
with them as was her nephew George Lindsay age 20 working as a Railway Officer.
Tragedy struck the family in 1873 when on 19 August of that year at Ravenscraig (belonging to the Glasgow Iron
Co.,) Dalziel, Lanarkshire Alexander Neilson the second oldest son of William and Jane, had a pit accident when he
suffered pelvic injuries following a "fall of coals whilst "holing" for want of sprags" (i.e. A prop to support a mine
roof.) Alexander just aged 23 and married to Ann McGuire, died 5 days later at his home in 47 Ravenscraig on 24
August as a result of his pelvic injuries.
In 1876 tragedy struck the family once again, when another two of her son James (age 13) and John (age 24) were
killed in a Pit accident when they were both crushed by a Pit beam at Stravenhouse Colliery, Carluke.
The Scotsman Newspaper dated 21 March 1876 reported the incident at the time - as follows:
Frightful Colliery Accident At Carluke – Three Men Killed and Six Injured - Yesterday morning,
between six and seven o'clock, an accident of a serious nature occurred at No. 1 Pit, Stravenhouse
Colliery, Law, near Carluke, belonging to Mr James Thornton. The workmen, numbering upwards
of forty, were assembled near the pit mouth for the purpose of descending, when the pit frame gave
way and fell, killing on the spot John Nelson, aged 24, and James Nelson aged 13, brothers,
residing at Abbey Green Cottage, Whiteshaw Road, Carluke. John Aitchison aged 24, residing at
Thornton's Row, Law, was taken up alive, but only survived an hour and a half after the accident.
There were also six injured William Wilson, 30, and George Wilson, 26, brothers; and William
Duncan, 30, residing at Law. Edward M'Arthur, Wm. Frater, and Thomas Moffat were slightly
injured. The roadman and fireman, M'Arthur and Frater, were in the act of descending the pit to
examine the shaft before allowing the workmen to go down, when the accident occurred. They were
thirty fathoms from the pithead at the time, and escaped with slight injuries by sliding down the
bunting to the bottom of the pit. A greater number of lives would have been sacrificed had it not been
that a locomotive with empty wagon came up near the pit a minute before the beam fell, which drew
away from the scene of the accident between twenty and thirty men and boys . The two whorls, or
pulley wheels that fell on some of the men each weigh about 15 cwt. Several of the beams of the
frame (which are of great thickness) were snapped through. The pit frame was put up about three
years ago, and appeared to be strong and substantial. The cause of its giving way cannot, as yet, be
satisfactorily accounted for. The brothers Nelson were unmarried. Another brother was killed in a
pit accident a few years ago. Aitchison was only recently married. [Scotsman 22 March 1876].
17
On 12 May 1877 Jane at the age of 56, died from an Intestinal Obstruction at Clyde Street, Carluke, Lanark. Her son
William Neilson registered the death and was present at the time.
William NELSON and Jane TWEEDIE had the following children:
+115 Margaret NELSON (1845-1918) married Thomas RENNIE (see 115 below)
116 John NELSON (1848-1876). John was born on 2 February 1848 in Shotts. John was a
coalminer who died aged 24 having been crushed by a pit frame on 21 March 1876 in
Stravenhouse Colliery, Carluke, Shotts, Lanarkshire aged 24. At the time he was living at Abbey
Green Cottage, Whiteshaw Road, Carluke (see newspaper report above). His younger brother
James also died in the same accident.
+117 Alexander NELSON (1850-1873) married Ann Reid MAGUIRE (see 117 below)
+118 Janet NELSON (1852-1931) married Thomas THOMSON (see 118 below)
+119 William NELSON (1855-1913) married Jane Montgomery THOMSON (see 119 below)
120 James NELSON (1857-1876). James was born on 4 July 1857 in Morningside. James was a
coalminer who died aged 13 having been crushed by a pit frame on 21 March 1876 in
Stravenhouse Colliery, Carluke, Shotts, Lanarkshire. At the time he was living at Abbey Green
Cottage, Whiteshaw Road, Carluke (see newspaper report above). His older brother John also
died in the same accident.
121 Jane NELSON (1860-1925). Jane was born on 19 January 1860 in Morningside and died on 24
March 1925 at 104 Clyde Street, Carluke, aged 65, from Breast Cancer (for 3 years). Death
Informant was her brother Ferguson Nelson. Jane worked as a Domestic Servant and never
married.
+122 Ferguson NELSON (1863-1936) married Helen Calder ROSS (see 122 below)
49. James NEILSON, son of Alexander NEILSON OR NELSON and Margaret BROWN, was born on 10 June 1831
in Carnwath and baptised there on 25 July 1831 in Carnwath.
James was a Coal Miner aged 30 who married Dorothea PRENTICE, a Domestic Servant, on 15 December 1863 in
the Free Manse, Lanark when she was 25. Both parties were residing in Carnwath at the time. James' parents were
shown as Alexander Neilson a Coalminer and Margaret Neilson (ms Brown) both deceased. Dorothea's parents
were shown as Thomas Prentice, a Farmer and Agnes Prentice (ms McColl). Marriage witnesses were Johnston
Neilson, Ellen Stark and Helen Galbraith.
Dorothea PRENTICE, daughter of Thomas PRENTICE (1808-1849) an Agricultural Labourer, and Agnes McCOLL
(1806-1849) was born on 24 July 1833 in Greenhills, Lesmahagow and baptised there on 4 August 1833.
The census returns for 1871 show James, his wife Dorothea and Alexander age 6 and Janet aged 3 living at Salsburgh,
Shotts.
By 1878 the family had expanded and included James, his wife Dorothea and children Alexander, Janet, Thomas and
another Margaret (their first daughter Margaret died at the age of 4 in 1870).
On 10 December 1878 at the age of 45 James Neilson died in tragic circumstances. This was as a result of a brain
injury received at work the day before. After a Coroner's inquest Dorothea, his widow, registered his death.
Coroners Inquest as follows:
Page 103 Mid District of Parish of Shotts, Lanark.
the following report of result of a Precognition has been received touching the Death of
James Neilson Registered under No.38 in the Register Book of Deaths for the year 1878.
Name - James Neilson 45 years, Male.
When & Where died - 1878 December 10th about 3h.am In the house at Salisbury Parish of
Shotts occupied by deceased.
Cause of Death - Fracture of Skull from being struck by a piece of Ironstone in Number 1 Pit
Dunsyston near Salisbury on 9 December about 12.30 pm.
Dr. Alston, Airdrie saw the deceased soon after he received the injury.
Burial Place - Shotts Church Yard. No Undertaker.
Procurator Fiscals Office Airdrie 28 December 1878 - Thos. Clark, Procurator Fiscal 7
January 1879 at Salsburgh Shotts
18
After James' death Dorothea married again; this time to a John Hunter a Mining Overseer and a Widower. The
couple married on 22 December 1879 in Airdrie Parish Manse, Lanark, Lanarkshire when she was 47 and he was 51.
In 1881 Dorothea, husband John Hunter together with John's 3 sons John jnr., George and Jeremiah and Dorothea's
children - Alexander Neilson, Jessie Neilson, Thomas and Margaret Neilson were all living at No. 75 Benhar Coal
Company's Houses, Shotts, Lanark.
In December 1882, Dorothea left Scotland for Australia with her new husband John Hunter together with her children
and stepson George and son-in-law David Roger. Sadly Dorothea died 8 months after arriving in Australia from
phthisis. Her youngest children Thomas and Margaret were raised by their brother Alexander and his wife Jessie.
Dorothea died in Queensland aged 49 in 18 January 1883 in Tivoli, Queensland and was buried on 18 January 1883 at
Ipswich Cemetery, Queensland (Death entry 002910 page 103 as per Ancestry.com)
James NEILSON and Dorothea PRENTICE had the following children:
+123 Marion Prentice NEILSON (1858- 1912) married David RODGER (see 123 below)
+124 Alexander NEILSON (1864-1932 ) married Jessie Meek HUNTER (his stepfathers daughter)
(See 124 below) 125 Margaret NEILSON (1866-1870). Margaret was born on 31 May 1866 in Calderhead and died
aged 4 having suffered from Bronchitis for 24 Hours. Her death was registered by her father James
Neilson who as present at the time.
126 Janet NEILSON was born on 26 March 1868 in Shotts. We have no further information for Janet.
+127 Thomas Prentice NEILSON (1875-1936) married Martha HINDMAN (see 127 below)
+128 Margaret NEILSON (1878-1965) married William Henry GATES (see 128 below)
50. Margaret NEILSON, daughter of Alexander NEILSON OR NELSON and Margaret BROWN, was born on 15
February 1836 in Dunsyre12
, Lanarkshire and baptized on 28 March 1856 by Rev. John Wilson ( as per Scotland's
People). Margaret worked as a Flowerer13
before turning to work as a Domestic Servant.
On 19 July 1857 aged 21, Margaret, aged 21, gave birth to an illegitimate child - Alexander Reid Neilson who was the
reputed son of William Sommerville, a Locomotive Fireman (see Alexander No. 129 below). She did not marry
William, but instead at the age of 24 married Robert WATSON, a Coalminer, on 27 November 1863 in the
Evangelical Church at Shotts Iron Works. At the time Margaret was living in Stane, Shotts and Robert was living in
Cambusnethan. Marriage witnesses were William Miller and Ann Neilson.
Robert was born on 12 August 1840 and was the son of James Watson a Coalminer and Catherine Watson, ms Weir.
William SOMERVILLE and Margaret NEILSON had the following child:
129 Alexander Reid NEILSON (1857- ) married Marion VEITCH (see 129 below)
Was born on 19 July 1857 and was the illegitimate child of Margaret Neilson and William
Sommerville.
Before his marriage in 1883, Alexander changed his surname from "Neilson" to that of his father's
- "Sommerville or Somerville".
In 1861 Alexander was staying at Braehead14
with his grandmother whose name was Agnes
Purdie (William Sommerville's mother).
Alexander who was a coalminer, married on 22 June 1883, Alexander Marion VEITCH in
Braehead, Lanarkshire. Copy of marriage cert from Scotland's People shows the following:
22 June 1883 at Braehead, Parish of Carnwath After Banns according to United
Presbyterian Church
(signed) Alex Somerville, Coal Miner, Bachelor age 25 of Braehead Parish. Parents
William Somerville, Locomotive Fireman (deceased) - reputed Father and Margaret
Neilson, Domestic Servant, subsequently married to Robert Watson, Miner (deceased)
12
Near Carnwath 13
An Embroiderer or Pattern Maker 14
Braehead was a village in Carnwath, South Lanarkshire
19
and (signed) Marion Veitch, Domestic Servant, Spinster, age 24 of Braehead Parish, dtr
of John Veitch, Flesher(deceased) and Helen Veitch, m.s. Chalmers. Witnesses
Thomas McDonald and Eliza Veitch
Married by Alexander Banks U.P. Minister, Braehead.
Marion VEITCH was born in 1859 in Carnwath, Lanarkshire and was the daughter of John
Veitch, a Flesher & Farmer/Flesher, and Helen Chalmers.
By 1901 Alexander and his family were living in Braehead where he was working as a
Coalminer. Marion must have died sometime between 1901 and 1904 as Alexander married for
a 2nd time. His second wife was Agnes Lamb (aged 27) whom he married on 9 December 1904
in Carnwath. At this time he was working as a Pit Roadsman. The marriage certificate shows
that Agnes' mother was Mary McLean (ms Lamb).
Alexander Reid Neilson-SOMMERVILLE or SOMERVILLE and Marion Veitch had the
following children:
a) William SOMMERVILLE born 1883
b) John SOMMERVILLE born 1885
c) James SOMMERVILLE born 1887
d) Helen H.C. SOMMERVILLE born 1889
e) Alexander SOMMERVILLE born 1895
The 1911 census shows Alexander, a Coalminer, living in Braehead Village with his wife Agnes
and their children.
Alexander and his 2nd wife Agnes LAMB had the following children:
a) Agnes SOMMERVILLE born 1905
b) Robert SOMMERVILLE born 1907
c) Andrew SOMMERVILLE born 1909
Alexander died in Braehead on 26 September 1928 at the age of 70 of cardiac valvular disease
and oedema. His death was registered by his son John sic Somerville of Sunnybrae Cottage,
Braehead, Lanarkshire
51. Johnston NEILSON, son of Alexander NEILSON OR NELSON and Margaret BROWN, was born in 1840 in
Shotts. Johnston married twice. His first wife was Jane McKENDRICK whom he married at the age of 23 on 2
September 1864 in Forth. At the time Johnston was working as a Coalminer.
Jane McKENDRICK, daughter of Adam McKENDRICK and Jean ROSS , was born on 21 August 1843 in Forth.
Jane died on 7 March 1870 in Carnwath at the age of 31 from diphtheria and chronic bronchitis. Her death was
registered by Johnston Neilson, her husband who was present at her death.
Johnston NEILSON and his first wife Jane McKENDRICK had the following children:
130 Jane Ross NEILSON born on 6 December 1865 in Forth.
+131 Alexander NEILSON (1868- ) married Mary CARRUTHERS (see 131 below)
Following Jane's death, Johnston married Marion WADDELL on 12 May 1871 in Forth. Marion was the daughter
of Hugh Waddell and Marion Dempster, and was born circa 1847 in Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire.
In 1891 the census returns show that Johnston was living with his wife Marion and children at 23 Morningside
Square, Cambusnethan. Marion died on 2 May 1896 in Morningide Square Cambusnethan
Two years after this census was taken (1893), Marion died aged 45 in Cambusnethan.
Johnston NEILSON and Marion WADDELL had the following children:
1 Marion Dempster WADDELL born 4 January 1870 in Forth, married John YOUNG on 13 March
1923 in the United Free Church at Wilsontown, Lanarkshire
2 Robert Watson NEILSON. Robert was born on 17 April 1872 in Wilsontown, Forth, Lanarkshire.
Robert died aged 3 on 10 May 1875 from Croup. His death was registered by his father Johnston
Neilson who was present at the time of his death.
20
3 Hugh NEILSON was born on 20 September 1873 in Stobwood, Forth, Lanarkshire.
4 Margaret NEILSON was born in 1876 in Wilsontown.
5 Elizabeth (Lizzie) NEILSON was born in 1879 in Blackburn, West Lothian.
6 Johnston NEILSON was born 1881 in Wilstontwon, Forth, Lanarkshire and married Grace Wilson
CAIRNS (born 1889 Coatbridge, Lanarkshire) on 28 March 1913 in Lanarkshire.
Johnston died in 1947, Lanarkshire. 7 Walter NEILSON was born in 1884 in Oma, Shotts, Lanarkshire.
8 Grace NEILSON was born in 1886 in Morningside, Cambusnethan.
9 Mary NEILSON was born in 1888 in Morningside.
Johnston, aged 54 died on 2 May 1896 at Morningside Square, Cambusnethan from Bronchitis. His death was
registered by his son Hugh Neilson who was present at his death.
54. Marion NEILSON, daughter of John NEILSON and Marion COATES, was born on 10 November 1827 in
Shotts, Lanarkshire. Marion married William McCOWAN, a Stonemason, on 22 August 1856 in Shotts.
William McCOWAN, son of John McCOWAN and Elizabeth ANDERSON , was born on 29 August 1829 in Paisley,
Renfrewshire.
The census returns for 1871 show that William, Marion and 4 children were living at 35 Ann St, Greenock where
William was working as a Mason. By 1881 the family had moved to 6 Trafalgar Street, Greenock and in 1891
William and Marion who were living on their own, were still at Trafalgar Street, Greenock. In 1901 William now
aged 71 had retired and was living with Marion (aged 72) were residing at 72 Lyle Street, Greenock.
William died in Greenock in 1902 (as per Scotland's People) but we have been unable to trace the death of Marion.
Marion NEILSON and William McCOWAN had the following children:
1 James McCOWAN was born on 14 June 1857 in Shotts.
2 Marion McCOWAN was born on 22 May 1859 in Shotts.
3 Elizabeth McCOWAN was born on 1 June 1861 in Shotts.
4 Janet McCOWAN was born on 20 September 1863 in Shotts.
56. Henry NEILSON, son of James NEILSON and Elizabeth COATES, was born on 7 December 1821 in Shotts.
Henry, a Collier, married Agnes TENNANT on 24 December 1843 in Shotts. Agnes the daughter of William
Tennant, a Coalminer, and Margaret Brown, was born in Shotts on 21 March 1815.
Henry died on 1 April 1847 in Shotts aged 25 and is shown as "poor" (as per Scotland's People).
After the death of Henry, Agnes and her two children went to live with her parents at Store Row, Shotts. They are
still living with the "Tennant" family in 1871 at 70-71 High Street, Shotts where young James aged 16 was working
as an Iron Moulder.
Agnes died on 16 February 1871 in the Royal Infirmary Glasgow. Her cause of death was "uncertain, exhaustion".
Her death was registered by her brother John Tennant of Cambusnethan.
Henry NEILSON and Agnes TENNANT had the following children:
1 James NEILSON born on 18 January 1845 in Shotts. He appeared in the census of 1871 working
as an Iron Moulder.
2 Margaret NEILSON was born circa 1848 and married Andrew MUIR, a coalminer, on 21 June 1867
in Calderhead, Shotts. Margaret died on 13 February 1873 in Calderhead. After her death
Andrew married again on 22 August 1873 to Margaret McLachlan and had more children.
Margaret NEILSON and Andrew MUIR had the following children:
a) Agnes Tennant MUIR born 1868
b) Jane Millar MUIR born 1870
21
58. Janet Binnie NEILSON, daughter of James NEILSON and Elizabeth COATES, was born on 9 September 1825
in Shotts. Janet married James MOFFAT circa1844 in Shotts.
James MOFFAT, son of Andrew MOFFAT and Margaret STARK , was born on 21 January 1825 in Wiston,
Lanarkshire.
Janet Binnie NEILSON and James MOFFAT had the following children:
1 Elizabeth MOFFAT was born circa 1846
2 Andrew MOFFAT was born circa 1848
3 James MOFFAT (1850?- ) was born circa 1850 and married Mary HUNTER on 15 September 1872
in Shotts.
4 John MOFFAT was born 1853
5 Margaret MOFFAT was born on 29 January 1857.
6 William MOFFAT was born 1859
7 Janet (Jessie) MOFFAT was born on 29 December 1862.
The family lived in Shotts during the census returns of 1851 to 1871. In 1871 they were living in Pettigrew's Land,
Shotts, Lanarkshire and in 1901 both James (age 76) and Janet (age 75) were living in Roseneath Cottage,
Calderhead, Shotts.
Janet died at the age of 82 in 1908, Calderhead, Shotts.
60. John NEILSON, son of James NEILSON and Elizabeth COATES, was born in 1830 in Shotts.
John, a Spirit Merchant, married Agnes Wilson CROSBIE on 3 April 1857 in Carluke, Lanarkshire. They were
married by Alex Neilson Minister (?possibly a relative) of the United Presbyterian Church.
Agnes Wilson CROSBIE, daughter of Robert Gray CROSBIE (1807-1885) and Helen FRANCIS (1806-1882), was
born on 1 April 1833 in Kirkfieldbank, Lesmahagow .
Agnes was baptised into the church of the Latter Day Saints and their records show that she was baptised on May 14,
1845 Lanark, Lanark, SCOT Officiator: Houston, Jason. Records also show that Agnes attended the Lanark,
Glasgow conference in Scotland. She was cut off from the Latter Day Saints on 20 December 1851.
The census returns shows that John first worked as a Coalminer then became a Spirit Merchant in 1881 where the
family were living at 21 Wellgate, Lanark where John is aged 50 and Agnes is aged 49.
John died aged 57 on 26 May 1888 in Lanark and Agnes died at the age of 65 on 23 February 1899.
John NEILSON and Agnes CROSBIE had the following children:
1 Elizabeth NEILSON was born on 15 June 1857 in Hazelbank, Lanarkshire and he died on 9 January
1896.
2 James NEILSON was born on 12 April 1858 in Hazelbank. .
3 Helen NEILSON (1860-1898). Helen was born on 13 Feb 1860 in Dykehead, Shotts and married Hugh
ADAMSON on 26 November 1880 in Wellgate Free Church, Lanark, Lanarkshire. Witnessed by
Andrew Adamson & Margaret Neilson
Helen died on 26 May 1898 in 34 Castlegate, Lanark, Lanarkshire and was buried in 1898 in St.
Nicholas Cemetery, Lanark. Section 5, lair 39 left St Nicholas Cemetery.
After Helen's death, Hugh married 18 year old Mary Jane DONACHIE on 29 August 1900 in 24 Castle
St, Glasgow, Lanarkshire.
Helen NEILSON and Hugh ADAMSON had the following children:
a Alex ADAMSON
b Jean ADAMSON . Jean died in England.
c Agnes ADAMSON was born on 6 Jan 1881 in Kirkfieldbank, Lesmahagow and died 1
June 1904 at Ladywell Road, Helenbank, Motherwell.
On 11 Dec 1903 Agnes married William HERON (b.1877) in the United Presbyterian
Church in Motherwell.
22
d Hugh ADAMSON (1882-1974) was born 6 May 1882 in Kirkmuirhill, Lesmahagow
and died 25 June 1974 in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. On 17 Aug 1904 he married
Lily FINCH in the United Free Church, Coatbridge, Glasgow.
Lily died on 3 October 1962 at 25 Hardie Street, Blantyre, near Glasgow.
4 Margaret NEILSON was born on 24 March 1862 in Rigside, Lanarkshire.
5 Robert NEILSON was born on 4 August 1864 in Carmichael, Lanarkshire.
6 John NEILSON was born on 18 June 1866 in Rigside.
7 William NEILSON was born on 2 February 1868 in Rigside and died on 14 April 1868 in Rigside.
8 Alexander NEILSON was born on 20 May 1869 in Rigside.
9 George NEILSON was born on 16 January 1871 in Rigside and died on 2 October 1873 in Rigside.
61. William NEILSON, son of James NEILSON and Elizabeth COATES, was born in 1832 in Shotts. William, a
Coalminer, married Marion MOFFAT on 13 July 1855 in Shotts.
Marion MOFFAT, daughter of Andrew MOFFAT and Margaret STARK , was born on 2 March 1829 in
Wilsontown, Carnwath.
The couple appeared in several census returns dating from 1861. In 1861 they were living in School Master's
Houses, Shotts with their first three children and by 1871 they had moved to Fauldhouse, near Shotts where the
census shows us that the family had expanded. Living with them during the 1871 census was William's 71 year old
mother Eliza (Elizabeth) Neilson (ms Coates). In 1891 William and Marion living at Sheephousehill Storebank, in
Whitburn, West Lothian. Living with them were four of their children. The couple were still living in Whitburn
during the 1891 census where William is still working as a Coalminer aged 59 and Marion is aged 62. Their two
sons, James and Alexander is also living with them at this time.
At the age of 68, Marion Neilson had died in 1897 in Fauldhouse (as per Scotland's People).
By 1901 William (age 69) and a retired Coalminer Hewer, is living with his son John Neilson at Flowerhill House,
Fauldhouse, Whitburn.
William Neilson died on 7 Feb 1905 in Fauldhouse, near Shotts, West Lothian.
William NEILSON and Marion MOFFAT had the following children:
1 Andrew Moffat NEILSON was born on 27 June 1850 in Shotts.
2 James NEILSON was born on 12 February 1856 in Shotts.
3 John NEILSON was born on 9 February 1858 in Whitburn, West Lothian.
4 Henry NEILSON Henry was born on 19 May 1860 in Shotts.
5 William NEILSON William was born on 18 July 1863 in Calderhead, Shotts. He worked as a
Coalminer at Stravenhouse Colliery.
Info from Durham Mining Museum reveals that:
William Neilson of Stravenhouse colliery obtained a 2nd Class mining certificate no. 2573 on 2
January 1889 (aged 25). The grade was classified as 4.
Grade 4 = Certificate of Service (Second Class Certificate) as an Under Manager of Mines granted
under the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1877.
6 Margaret Coates NEILSON was born on 15 December 1865 in Whitburn.
7 Elizabeth NEILSON was born on 19 February 1868 in Calderhead.
8 Alexander Coates NEILSON was born on 24 December 1870 in Whitburn.
62. Alexander NEILSON, son of James NEILSON and Elizabeth COATES, was born on 4 November 1838 in
Shotts. Alexander married Magdalena Hall SNEDDON on 6 July 1860 in Armadale, West Lothian.
Magdalena Hall SNEDDON, daughter of James SNEDDON and Magdalen McPHAIL , was born on 15 June 1841.
In 1881 and 1901 the couple were living in McIntosh's Land, Shotts with their family.
23
Alexander died at the age of 72 on 20 March 1911 at Rosehall Road, Shotts, Lanark from Bronchitis, Kidney
congestion and senile decay. His death was registered by his son James Neilson who was present at the time (as per
copy of death cert). Magdalene died in 1922 at the age of 80 in Calderhead, Shotts.
Alexander NEILSON and Magdalena SNEDDON had the following children:
1 James NEILSON was born on 18 August 1861 in Armadale.
2 Magdalena NEILSON was born on 8 July 1864 in Calderhead.
3 Elizabeth NEILSON was born on 12 November 1867 in Calderhead.
4 Margaret NEILSON was born on 4 January 1872 in Calderhead.
63. Henry RUSSELL, son of Walter RUSSELL and Helen NEILSON, was born on 6 November 1826 in Shotts.
Henry, a Coalminer, married Jean FYFE (born circa 1828) on 20 June 1847 in Shotts.
Henry RUSSELL and Jean FYFE had the following children:
1 Walter RUSSELL was born circa 1848 in Shotts.
2 Alexander RUSSELL was born in circa 1850 in Shotts.
3 David RUSSELL was born in circa 1851 in Shotts.
4 William RUSSELL was born circa 1853 and married Isabella RUSSELL (born 1851) on 30 December
1873 in Calderhead, Shotts.
5 Thomas RUSSELL was born on 2 November 1855 in Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire.
6 Andrew RUSSELL was born on 22 December 1858 in Shotts.
7 Helen RUSSELL was born on 16 September 1862 in Carnwath, Lanark.
8 Henry RUSSELL was born on 14 October 1865 in Cambusnethan.
9 Margaret RUSSELL was born on 13 August 1867 in Carnwath.
10 John RUSSELL was born on 8 September 1870 in Carnwath.
67. John RUSSELL, son of Walter RUSSELL and Helen NEILSON, was born circa 1837 in Shotts.
John, a Coalminer, married Elizabeth GIBSON on 30 December 1859 in Calderhead.
Elizabeth GIBSON, daughter of John GIBSON and Ann PAISLEY , was born on 15 November 1840 in Dalkeith,
Midlothian.
Elizabeth NEILSON (ms Gibson) died on 19 February 1870 in Shotts.
John RUSSELL and Elizabeth GIBSON had the following children:
1 Ann Paisley RUSSELL was born 9 April 1861 in Calderhead and married David NELSON on 3
October 1879 in Shotts.
2 Helen Neilson RUSSELL was born on 3 January 1863.
3 Elizabeth RUSSELL was born on 20 January 1864.
4 Marion RUSSELL was born on 13 February 1866.
5 Agnes RUSSELL was born on 31 December 1867.
68. David RUSSELL, son of Walter RUSSELL and Helen NEILSON, was born on 16 August 1839 in Shotts.
David, a Coalminer, married Margaret RUSSELL circa 1861 probably in Shotts, Lanarkshire.
Margaret RUSSELL, daughter of Alexander NEILSON (b.1808) and Isabella RUSSELL , was born on 12 June 1840
in Whitburn, Lanarkshire.
David RUSSELL and Margaret RUSSELL had the following children:
1 Walter RUSSELL was born on 29 June 1862 in Shotts.
2 Isabella RUSSELL was born in 1864 in Shotts and died sometime before 1874 in Shotts.
3 Helen Neilson RUSSELL was born on 25 May 1867 in Shotts.
4 Alexander Neilson RUSSELL was born on 21 August 1870 in Shotts.
5 David RUSSELL (was born on 7 October 1872.
6 Isabella RUSSELL was born on 20 November 1874 in Shotts.
7 James RUSSELL was born in circa 1876
24
80. Janet NEILSON, daughter of Henry NEILSON and Agnes SIMPSON, was born on 17 February 1836 in Shotts.
Janet married James Nicholson GORDON, a Coalminer, on 8 August 1856 in Shotts.
James Nicholson GORDON, son of Boyd GORDON and Janet NICHOLSON , was born on 20 July 1833 in
Pathhead, Tranent, Inveresk, Midlothian.
Janet died at the age of 41 from Heart failure and Dropsy on 5 July 1882 at 4 Middle St, Cuthill, Prestonpans,
Haddington. Her death was registered by her husband James Gordon who was present at the time.
The 1901 census shows that James (a widower) was living at 55 Nimmors Square, Gartgill, Old Monkland,
Lanarkshire and by 1911 now aged 77, he was living as boarder with "private means" in the household of a William
Smith at 29 Hunter Street Lochgelly, Auchterarder, West Fife.
James died at the age of 83 in Lochgelly, Auchterarder (as per Scotland's People).
Janet NEILSON and James GORDON had the following children:
1 Henry GORDON was born on 28 June 1858.
2 Boyd GORDON was born on 11 January 1862.
3 James GORDON was born on 15 July 1864.
4 Robert GORDON was born on 8 January 1867.
5 Agnes GORDON was born on 2 August 1869.
6 David GORDON was born on 22 October 1871.
7 Janet Nicholson GORDON was born on 1 January 1874.
8 Minnie GORDON was born in circa 1877.
82. Helen NEILSON, daughter of Henry NEILSON and Agnes SIMPSON, was born in 1840 in Shotts.
Helen married David PATON, a Coalminer, on 30 October 1857 in Shotts.
David PATON, son of John PATON and Helen ADAMSON, was born on 7 November 1831 in Shotts, Lanarkshire.
In 1871 David, Helen and children were living at 7 Dumgrange Row, Dalmellington, Ayrshire but by 1881 they had
moved to Shotts. In 1891 the family were still living there at McIntosh's Land with four of their eight children.
However by 1901 the census returns show that David is still living in Shotts, in Grays Land, with his two younger
sons and his married daughter Helen (Ellen) Strang and four Strang grandchildren. Helen his wife, is not present
during this census so we presume she had died sometime between 1891 and 1901 but we have been unable to find a
death entry for her for this period of time.
Helen NEILSON and David PATON had the following children:
1 John PATON was born on 21 June 1861 in Straiton, Ayrshire.
2 Agnes PATON was born on 31 July 1865 in Dalmellington, Ayrshire.
3 Helen (Ellen) PATON was born on 2 October 1867 in Dalmellington.
4 Wilhelmina (Minnie) PATON was born on 10 April 1874 in Dalmellington.
5 David PATON was born on 12 May 1875 in Calderhead.
6 Henry PATON was born circa 1876 in Shotts.
7 William PATON was born circa 1878 in Shotts.
8 Andrew PATON was born 1884 in Shotts.
83. Agnes NEILSON, daughter of Henry NEILSON and Agnes SIMPSON, was born in 1844 in Shotts. She
married Joseph WHITEFIELD, a Coalminer, on 26 April 1861 in High Street, Shotts.
Joseph WHITEFIELD, son of William WHITEFIELD and Margaret STARK , was born on 16 April 1837 in
Carnwath, Lanarkshire and baptised there on 25 April 1837.
Joseph died on 4 November 1893 at the age of 56 in Calderhead, Shotts and Agnes died at the age of 84 on 26 January
1929 also in Calderhead.
25
Agnes NEILSON (Nelson) and Joseph WHITEFIELD had the following children:
1 William WHITEFIELD was born on 4 July 1862 in Shotts.
2 Agnes WHITEFIELD was born on 15 July 1864 in Shotts.
3 Henry Neilson WHITEFIELD was born on 30 March 1866 in Shotts.
4 Margaret WHITEFIELD was born on 27 August 1868 in Whitburn.
5 Janet WHITEFIELD was born on 28 July 1871 in Shotts.
6 Joseph WHITEFIELD was born on 22 February 1874 in Shotts.
7 John WHITEFIELD was born 1875 and died 1876
8 Marion WHITEFIELD was born in 1878 in Shotts.
9 Rankine WHITEFIELD was born in 1880 and died 1900
10 James WHITEFIELD was born 1882
11 Ellen WHITEFIELD was born 1884
12 Alexander WHITEFIELD was born 1886 and died 1943
13 Elizabeth WHITEFIELD was born 1889
Grave of Joseph Whitfield and his wife Agnes Nelson (Neilson) and their children in Behnar Cemetery, Lanarkshire
Inscription reads as follows:
Agnes Nelson in Memory of Joseph Whitefield Died Parkside Cottage Torbothie 4 Nov 1893
Age 56 Son John Died 1 Mar 1876 5 months Rankin Whitefield died 13 Jul 1900 Age 20 Agnes
Whitefield (Nelson) died 26 Jan 1929 Age 85 (Reproduced photo courtesy of A.Forrester in Ancestry.com)
84. Margaret NEILSON, daughter of Henry NEILSON and Agnes SIMPSON, was born in 1846 in Shotts.
Margaret married William McLELLAN on 13 March 1863 in Calderhead.
William, the son of James McLellan and Jane Graham and was born circa 1846.
William died on 9 January 1873 in Shotts and the 1881 census returns show Margaret living in Calderhead, Shotts
with her children James, Agnes, Henry, William, George, John and Margaret.
Margaret NEILSON and William McLELLAN had the following children:
1 James McLELLAN was born on 11 November 1863 in Calderhead.
2 Agnes McLELLAN was born on 8 April 1865 in Calderhead.
3 Henry Neilson McLELLAN was born on 3 November 1866 in Calderhead.
4 William McLELLAN was born on 27 April 1868 in Calderhead.
5 George McLELLAN was born on 8 November 1869 in Calderhead.
6 John McLELLAN was born on 9 January 1872 in Calderhead.
7 Margaret McLELLAN was born on 21 August 1873 in Calderhead.
85. Stewarty Mitchell Shaw NEILSON, daughter of Henry NEILSON and Agnes SIMPSON, was born circa 1852
in Shotts.
Stewarty married James WILLIAMS on 15 November 1872 in Shotts Works Village, Shotts. (as per Scotland's
People)
26
Stewarty and James Williams
Photo courtesy of dwstretton, West Yorkshire in Ancestry.com
James WILLIAMS, son of Archibald WILLIAMS and Janet BEVERIDGE , was born circa 1850 in Shotts.
The 1911 census shows that James, Stewarty and some of their children were living in Stewarty Cottage, Calderhead,
Shotts, Lanarkshire. At the time James was working as a labourer.
At the age of 87, Stewarty died in 1940 in Calderhead, Shotts.
Stewarty NEILSON and James WILLIAMS had the following children:
1 Archibald WILLIAMS was born in 1874 in Shotts.
2 Henry WILLIAMS was born in 1876 in Shotts.
3 Agnes WILLIAMS was born in 1878 in Shotts. (The 1911 census reveals that Agnes was deaf and
dumb from infancy)
4 Janet WILLIAMS was born in 1880 in Shotts.
5 James WILLIAMS was born 1886
6 Elizabeth WILLIAMS was born 1888
7 Helen WILLIAMS was born 1890
8 Margaret WILLIAMS was born 1893
88. Johnston NEILSON, son of Hugh NEILSON and Jean PORTEOUS, was born on 31 March 1850 in Ratho,
Lasswade, Lothian.
Johnston, a Coalminer, married twice - first to Hannah ORR on 22 August 1873 in Carnwath. After Hanna's death,
he married Margaret WALKER on 24 November 1893 in Forth, Midlothian, Scotland.
Hannah ORR, daughter of John ORR and Jane MARSHALL , was born on 14 August 1851 in Climpy, Forth,
Lanarkshire and died at the age of 40 in 1892 in Forth.
Johnston died at the age of 65 on 17 May 1915 in Forth, Midlothian.
Johnston NEILSON and Hannah had the following children:
1 Jean NEILSON was born in 1874.
2 John NEILSON was born in 1879.
3 Marion NEILSON was born in 1882.
4 Hugh NEILSON was born in 1886.
5 Mary NEILSON was born in 1890.
89. Helen NEILSON, daughter of Hugh NEILSON and Jean PORTEOUS, was born on 26 February 1854 in Ratho.
Helen married John COCKBURN, a farm servant, in 1873 in Kirkliston, West Lothian.
John COCKBURN was born circa 1847 in Colinton, Edinburgh and was the son of John Cockburn and Mary Grey.
In 1901 the family were living at Overton Farm Cottage, Kirkliston, West Lothian
On 12 Oct 1923 John Cockburn died at the age of 76 in Burnlea, Kikliston and Helen died at the age of 70 also in
Kirkliston.
27
Information retrieved from "Find a Grave" gives the following information:
John COCKBURN
Died at Burnlea
Husband of Helen Neilson
Father of Elsie Gray, Margaret Jane, Helen and John
All Buried in the same grave
Helen NEILSON and John COCKBURN had the following children:
1 John COCKBURN was born on 2 September 1874 in Dalmeny, West Lothian, died 30 July 1963 West
Lothian.
2 Hugh COCKBURN was born on 2 September 1874 in Dalmeny.
3 Mary COCKBURN was born circa 1876 in Dalmeny, died 18 September 1927, West Lothian
4 Elizabeth COCKBURN was circa in 1878 Livingston, West Lothian.
5 Margaret Jane COCKBURN was circa in 1880 Livingston, died 27 September 1959 West Lothian
6 Jane COCKBURN born 1881
7 Helen COCKBURN born 1882 died 15 January 1941 Kirkliston
8 James COCKBURN born 1885
9 Elsie COCKBURN born 1887 died 26 July 1933 West Lothian
10 Alexander COCKBURN born 1892
91. Alexander NEILSON, son of Hugh NEILSON and Jean PORTEOUS, was born on 18 January 1859 in Ratho.
On 6 December 1881 Alexander married Mary Magrogan YOUNG, born Cambusnethan
Alexander NEILSON and Mary YOUNG had the following children:
1 Hugh NEILSON was born circa 1883
2 Mary NEILSON was born circa 1885
3 James NEILSON was born circa 1887
96. Thomas Neilson, son of Hugh NEILSON and Elizabeth ALLISON was born circa 1875 in Kirkliston, West
Lothian. On 5 June 1896 he married Isabella DENHOLM at Uphall, West Lothian. The couple emigrated to
Australia sometime after 1909 where Thomas died aged about 80, on 1 February 1957 at Mudgee, New South Wales.
His wife Isabella also died at Mudgee on 24 Mar 1953.
Thomas NEILSON and Isabella DENHOLM had the following children:
1 Agnes NEILSON born 1898 possibly West Lothian
2 Johnston Denholm NEILSON born 1909 also possibly West or Midlothian
106. Alexander NELSON15
OR NEILSON, son of John NELSON (NEILSON)
and Rachel MAGUIRE, was born in 1848 in Shotts Iron Works, Shotts,
Lanarkshire. He was always referred to as "Sanny".
Alexander was a Coal Miner/Colliery Weigher/Colliery Clerk/Coal Salesman who
worked for Dixons Collieries[Wm. Dixon Ltd], Hutchesontown, Glasgow
On 12 July 1878 Alexander married Elizabeth LOVE (or McGRATH) in
Bridgeton, Glasgow. Elizabeth worked first as a Domestic Servant and then a
Dressmaker.
Elizabeth was born 18 March 1851 at Ballegregan, Campbeltown, Argyllshire
where her parents are shown as John McGrath and Mary WATERSON. However
Elizabeth used the surname of LOVE after her mother married John LOVE. She
was baptised in April 1854 in Campbeltown, Argyllshire.
Elizabeth's mother was Mary WATERSON (born 1813 Cleenish, Fermanagh,
15
Note that from hereon in, this branch of the family's surname is recorded as NELSON and not NEILSON.
28
Ireland and died 11 September 1893 Glasgow) who may have married twice - first to John McGRATH and then to
John LOVE. Mary Waterson was the child of Gabriel Waterson, a farmer and Euphemia Johnston.
Alexander (Sanny) and Elizabeth appeared in the census returns of 1881 living at 189 Rutherglen Road, Govan,
Glasgow. In this census Alexander is aged 33 and working as a Colliery Hillman and Elizabeth is recorded as being
aged 29. With them are John Nelson, their one year old son, and Alexander's mother-in-law Mary Love who is aged
68.
By the 1891 census Alexander and his family had moved to 725 Rutherglen Road, Govan where Alexander was
working as a Hill Clerk. His family now included children John, Thomas, Herbert and Daniel. His mother-in-law,
Mary, is still living with them and now aged 77. Also living with them was Edward and Alexander Smith, his
nephews.
On 31 March 1901 Alexander, now aged 49, and his family were living at 54 Albert Road, Langside, Glasgow. He
was still working as a Coal Hill Clerk and the family now had the addition of a daughter Rachel. Old Mrs. Love
(Elizabeth's mother) had died in 1893 at the age of 80. However, Alexander's mother, Rachel Neilson (ms
Maguire), an annuitant16
, was now living with them and aged 79.
By the time the 1911 census was taken, Alexander and his family had moved to Muirbank House17
, Rutherglen,
Lanarkshire. At this time, Alexander was working as a Coal Salesman. The census return also shows that
Alexander and Elizabeth had been married for 32 years, with 7 children born alive and 5 remaining.
Muirbank House where the father of the writer of this document was born. The painting shows
some of the chrysanthemums that were grown by the writer's grandfather Thomas Nelson
Alexander was extremely happy living at Muirbank and grew many prize winning chrysanthemums and dahlias in the
grounds of Muirbank, as did his son Thomas and grandsons Alex and John all of whom had the same passion for
gardening.
16
Annuitant - a person who has a small private income. 17
Muirbank House, stood in its own grounds on the south side of Chapel Street on the site of the present Muirbank
housing scheme, Rutherglen. The house was owned by Wm. Dixon Ltd, Glasgow (for whom Alexander worked) and
where both Alexander, his wife Elizabeth and their family lived for many years. Muirbank House was shared by a
Mr. Samuel McKinstrie and his family. The house had approx 23 rooms, 11 of which were occupied by the Nelsons
and the remaining 12 occupied by Samuel McKinstrie.
29
Elizabeth died of Myocardial Degeneration and Cardiac Failure on 3 April 1915 in Rutherglen18
aged 63 at Muirbank
House, Rutherglen, Glasgow. Her death was registered by her son Thomas Nelson who was present at the time.
Alexander died from a Cerebral Haemorrhage in Muirbank House on 26 May 1920 aged 72. His death was registered
by his son Thomas Nelson who was present at the time.
Alexander NELSON (Neilson) and Elizabeth LOVE (McGrath) had the following children:
1 John NELSON (1879-1952) married twice Janet CRAWFORD then Marion WEIR (see 251 below)
2 Thomas NELSON (1881-1958) married Margaret Blair ROSS (see 252 below)
3 Herbert Alexander NELSON (1883-1967) married Mary McWALTER (see 253 below)
4 Daniel Alexander NELSON (1889-1947) married Margaret BOAG (see 254 below)
5 Rachel NELSON (1894-1976) married Robert BAXTER (see 255 below)
108. Daniel NELSON19
, son of John NELSON (NEILSON) and Rachel MAGUIRE, was born in 1850 in Shotts,
Lanarkshire.
On 24 September 1875 Daniel, a Coalminer, married Rachel Russell BRUNTON in Calderhead, Shotts.
Rachel Russell BRUNTON, daughter of James BRUNTON (1833-1894) and Mary RUSSELL (1837- ), was born on
20 November 1855 in Shotts.
The 1881 census shows that Daniel, his wife Rachel and children John, James and Mary were living at McGuire's
Land, Shotts where Daniel was still employed as a Coalminer.
Daniel worked at Falahill Colliery (about 16 miles to the south of Edinburgh). where he obtained a certificate of
competency in coalmining on 15 Dec 1888 and a 1st Class certificate of Service as a Manager of Mines.
In 1901 Daniel had been promoted to a Coal Pit Oversman (Supervisor in colliery checking mine and coal quality)
and was now living at New Gardens, Bathgate, West Lothian. He was aged 49 and living with Rachel, his wife and
children John, James, Mary, Daniel, Thomas, Alexander and Rachel.
At the age of 55, Daniel died of Pneumonia and heart failure on 18 November 1906 at Acredale, Mid Street, Bathgate,
West Lothian. His death was registered by his son John Nelson who was present at the time.
Rachel died in 1920 in Bathgate aged 64.
Daniel NELSON and Rachel BRUNTON had the following children:
1 John NELSON was born in 1877, Shotts, Lanarkshire.
In 1906 John was living at 18 Mid Street, Bathgate [This is the address he gave when registering his
father's death the same year]
2 James Brunton NELSON (1879-1953) married Margaret DOWNIE (see 257 below)
3 Mary NELSON born in 1881 in Shotts and worked as a General Servant.
4 Daniel NELSON was born 1884 in Shotts and married Susan BARRONS (see 259 below)
5 Thomas NELSON was born 1886 in Benhar, Near Harthill, North Lanarkshire and worked as a Coal
Pit Labourer.
6 Alexander NELSON was born in 1890 in Benhar, Near Harthill, North Lanarkshire..
7 Rachel NELSON was born in 1893 in Breich, Near Whitburn, West Lothian and died 1927 in
Bathgate.
109. Margaret NEILSON, daughter of John NELSON (NEILSON) and Rachel MAGUIRE, was born in 1852 in
Shotts. Margaret, a Domestic Servant, married James McCALLUM (born 1851 Glasgow) on 10 February 1871 in
76 South Kinning Place, Tradeston, Glasgow, Lanarkshire. His parents were shown as Hugh McCallum, a Steamboat
Stoker, and Elizabeth McCulloch and Margaret's parents were shown as John Nelson and Rachel Maguire.
This is confusing as, according to the death certificate of James & Margaret's son John, this shows that James's
surname is McCallum and not Nelson!
18
Refer to "Rutherglen - A Place of the Past" at the end of this manuscript. 19
Note the change of the surname spelling.
30
From the above information it would appear that James McCallum changed his employment from a Steamboat Stoker
to that of a journeyman Mason.
The only other information we have on this family is that James and Margaret's children - Gilbert, John and Ann were
living with their grandparents John and Rachel Nelson when the 1881 census was taken. There is no sign of
James and Margaret after 1871; however according to Gilbert's marriage certificate in 1895 it does NOT show
his father still being deceased, so we presume James McCallum was still alive at that time. It is possible that
both James and Margaret emigrated to the USA or Canada leaving Gilbert and their baby, Ann, in the care of
their grandparents Margaret NEILSON (Nelson) and James McCallum had the following children:
1 Gilbert Blain NELSON or McCALLUM (1871- ) was born 24 June 1871 at 35 Preston Street,
Glasgow. He was a coalminer who married Janet MILLER on 1 March 1895
There is a conundrum regarding this family - James and Margaret's son Gilbert is shown on is
marriage certificate to be Gilbert Blain NELSON whose father was James Blain NELSON (a
Mason)! and his mother is shown as Margaret Nelson. This is confirmed by Gilbert's death certificate
in which it shows Gilbert Blane NELSON, son of James Blane Nelson (journeyman Mason) and
Margaret Nelson.
Gilbert died at 37 Nimmos Rows, New Stevenston, Holytown, Lanark on 23 Feb 1902 at the age of 30,
from acute pneumonia and thrombosis. His death was register by James Russell, uncle-in-law of
Bryce's Land, New Stevenston who was present at the time. The name of the deceased on the
certificate is shown as "Gilbert Blane Nelson".
2 John Neilson Blain McCALLUM was born 4 April 1873 and died at 326 London Road, Glasgow,
from Croup at the age of 2 on 1 September 1875.
Death cert shows father as James McCallum, journeyman Mason and mother Margaret McCallum, ms.
Neilson. Death was registered by James McCallum, father who was present at the time.
3 Ann Nelson McCALLUM was born 18 January 1878 at 326 London Road, Glasgow - parents shown as
James McCallum and Margaret Nelson on the birth certificate.
We have been unable to find any further records for Ann.
113. Elizabeth NEILSON, daughter of John NELSON (NEILSON) and Rachel MAGUIRE, was born on 4
November 1860 in Shotts.
Elizabeth was a Domestic Servant who married James RUSSELL, a Coalminer, on 28 September 1888 in Shotts.
At the time of her marriage Elizabeth was living at 27 High Street, Shotts and James was living at 27 Dykehead,
Shotts. Marriage witnesses were James Paterson and Marion Simpson.
James RUSSELL, son of James RUSSELL (1834- ), a Coalminer, and Janet RITCHIE (1835- ), was born on 25
March 1861 in Dykehead, Shotts, Lanarkshire.
Elizabeth died aged 69 at 3 Carlin Street, New Stevenston, Lanark, from Malignant Peritonitis on 24 August 1930;
death informant was her son John Russell.
James died in Shotts in 1953 at the age of 91.
Elizabeth NEILSON and James RUSSELL had the following children:
1
2
Janet Ritchie RUSSELL was born 22 May 1893 in Halkwoodburn, Shotts (as per Scotland's People)
and died there almost a year later on 7 May 1894 (as per Scotland's People)
John RUSSELL
31
115. Margaret NELSON, daughter of William NELSON and Jane TWEEDIE, was born on 2 December 1845 in
Walston, Parish Of Carnwath, Lanarkshire. She was working as a farm servant when her illegitimate daughter Jane
was born in 1867.
Margaret married Thomas RENNIE, an Agricultural Labourer, on 11 June 1875 in the Presbyterian Church at
Carluke. At the time of their marriage, Thomas was shown as being a Widower (previously married to Martha B. Barr
on 19 June 1868 in Carluke) on the marriage certificate and working as a "Bottomer".
Thomas was the son of Gavin RENNIE and Grace BROWNLEE and was born 10 September 1846 in Lesmahagow,
Lanark.
In 1881 Thomas and Margaret were living in Netherburn Village, Dalserf, Lanark where Thomas was working as a
General Labourer. By 1891 the couple had moved to High Gate Cottage, Lesmahagow where Thomas is now employed as an
Agricultural Labour. Also living at this address was his wife Margaret and children Gavina, Jean, Thomasina, Grace
and William.
The census for 1901 shows Thomas, age 33, working as an Estate Labourer and living at 29 Castlegate, Lanark. In
the same household are their children Martha, age 28, Thomasina, age 17, William N., age 12 , and Gracie.
Margaret Rennie (ms NELSON) died on 21 November 1918 at the age of 72 in Lesmahagow and Thomas RENNIE
died on 25 December 1919 at the age of 73 in Lesmahagow.
Margaret NELSON and Thomas RENNIE had the following children:
1 Jane Tweedie NELSON (1867-1875). Jane was born illegitimately to Margaret Nelson on 13 July
1867 at Morningside Square, Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire and died on 15 December 1875 in Carluke.
2 Jessie RENNIE was born in 29 Jun 1869 in Brockelsbrae, Lesmahagow, Lanark (daughter of Thomas'
1st wife Martha Barr).
3 Martha RENNIE was born 7 April 1872 in Lesmahagow (daughter of Thomas' 1st wife Martha Barr).
4 Margaret RENNIE was born in 1876 in Dalserf, Lesmahagow, Lanark.
5 Gavina RENNIE was born in 1878 in Dalserf, Lesmahagow, Lanark.
6 Jean RENNIE was born 1880 in Dalserf, Lesmahagow, Lanark. Jean married Christopher WATSON
(b.23 Apr 1877 Crossford, Lesmahagow) on 18 December 1900 in Lanark.
7 Thomasina RENNIE was born 1884 in Cleghorn, Lanark and married David REID (born 1881,
Dungannon, Co. Tyrone) on 14 August 1913 in Lanark.
8 Grace Brownlee RENNIE was born 1887 in Cleghorn, Lanark
9 William Nelson RENNIE (1889-1985) was born 1889 in Cleghorn, Lanark and married Isabella
MacFARLANE (born 1890) on 29 November 1912 at Hillhead, Glasgow. William died in 1895.
117. Alexander NELSON, son of William NELSON and Jane TWEEDIE, was born on 1 July 1850 in Carluke.
Alexander, a Coalminer married Ann Reid McGUIRE - sic (Maguire or McGuire), Farm Servant, on 9 June 1873
in Shotts Iron Works, Shotts, Lanarkshire.
Marriage witnesses were John Neilson (Alex's brother) and Thomas Thomson ( Alex's brother-in-law)
Ann Reid Maguire was born 30 September 1852 in Shotts and was the daughter of William McGuire (sic) and
Catherine Shiels.
Tragically, Alexander Neilson died from a pelvic injury following a mining accident in 1873. Report shows that he
died on 24 August 1873 in Ravenscraig, Dalziel, Lanarkshire (Glasgow Iron Co.) aged 24 as a result of "Falls of Coal
whilst "holing" - want of sprags". This was just a month before his son Alexander was born.
After Alexander's death, Ann married again to - Stewart KERR and Engineman and widower. The marriage took
place on 15 December 1875 in Carluke. After this young Alexander born 1873 adopted the surname of KERR.
Alexander NELSON and Ann Reid MAGUIRE had the following child:
1 Alexander NELSON then KERR was born on 4 September 1873 in Shotts.
32
118. Janet NELSON, daughter of William NELSON and Jane TWEEDIE, was born on
23 October 1852 in Shotts.
Janet married Thomas THOMSON on 23 November 1877 in Carluke, Lanarkshire.
Thomas THOMSON, son of John THOMSON and Ann CHISHOLM , was born on
18 June 1856 in Old Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire.
In 1901 Thomas, Janet and children William, Thomas, Alexander, Janet, Mary, David,
Ferguson, and Jane were living at the Auldmurroch Toll House in New Kilpatrick
Dumbarton where Thomas was working as a Road Surfaceman.
The 1911 census shows that Thomas, Janet and some of his children were living at the Clachan, Strathblane,
Stirlingshire. Thomas, a Road Surfaceman for the County Council, is aged 54 and Janet aged 56. The couple had
been married for 34 years and produced 12 children, 11 of whom were still living.
Thomas Thomson died on 7 November 1936 in Blanefield, Stirlingshire at the age of 80 and Janet died on
17 December 1931 in The Clachan, Blanefield, Stirlingshire at the age of 79.
Janet NELSON and Thomas THOMSON had the following children:
1 Jane Tweedie THOMSON born 28 Dec 1878, Bothwell, Lanarkshire and died 6 Oct 1967. Jane
married Donald C. Furrie, a Ploughman on 14 June 1901. Jane was working as a Dairymaid at
Cleddanie Farm, Old Kilpatrick. Jane died on 6 Oct 1967, Glasgow at the age of 88. Jane and Donald
produced 3 known children.
2 Annie THOMSON was born in 15 June 1879 in New Kilpatrick and
died aged 73,on 29 Oct 1952 at 47 John Allan Drive, Old Cumnock,
Ayrshire from a cerebral haemorrhage. On 14 September 1906 at
Auldmurroch Toll, New Kilpatrick, she married Andrew BLACK, a
Grocer's Assistant. At the time Ann was working as a Domestic
Servant. Photo courtesy of Letta Docherty
in Ancestry.com
Annie and Andrew produced 2 known children.
3
John THOMSON was born 30 August 1880, Old Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire
4 Margaret THOMSON born 18 May 1882 at Garscadden, New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire
5 William THOMSON born 18 July 1883 at Baldernock, Stirlingshire
6 Thomas THOMSON born 10 Aug 1885 Baldernock, Stirlingshire and died 12 March 1965 in Stirling.
Thomas worked as a Joiner and married Mary McLEAN on 10 June 1926 at Strathblane, Stirlingshire.
Mary was born 1894 and died 1967. They had one known child, Colin Thomson born 1931 and died
2006.
7 Alexander THOMSON born 5 May 1887 Baldernock, Stirlingshire
8 Janet Neilson THOMSON born 21 Aug 1888 Baldernock, Stirlingshire and died, aged 77 on 22 July
1966 at Killearn, Stirlingshire.
9 Mary Finlayson THOMSON born 1890 Baldernock, Stirlingshire and died 1952, aged 62 on 10 April
1952 at Old Cumnock, Ayrshire.
10 David THOMSON born 4 July 1894 Milamavia, New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire. In 1911 he worked
as a Domestic Gardener. David emigrated, as a Gardener, to Canada in 1912 leaving Glasgow on the
Letitia and arriving Quebec 10 June 1912. His destination was Winnipeg.
Thomas Thomson
Photo courtesy of Letta Docherty in Ancestry.com
33
In 1916 he was working as a Section Foreman, living 32, Delburne Village, Red Deer, Alberta.
When WW1 broke out, he enlisted, aged 23, on 17 January 1918 with the Canadian Army in Calgary
Alta, Alberta. We have no further records for David.
11 Ferguson THOMSON born 2 Aug 1896 New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire. Ferguson died, aged 22, on
29 September from wounds received in France. He was buried in Thilloy Road Cemetery,
Beaulencourt, Pas de Calais, France. At the time he was a private serving with the Scots Guards, reg.
number 16204.
Newspaper entry shows the following:
THOMSON, Pte Ferguson, 16204, M.M. 1 Btn. Scots Guards died 29 Sept 1918, age 22. Son of
Thomas Thomson of The Clachan, Blanefield, Glasgow.
119. William NELSON, son of William NELSON and Jane TWEEDIE, was born on 27 February 1855 in 29 Flat
Row, Shotts, Lanarkshire.
William, a Coalminer, married Jane Montgomery THOMSON on 28 August 1878 in Carluke, Lanark.
Jane Montgomery THOMSON, daughter of Robert THOMSON and Jane MONTGOMERY , was born in 1855 in
Lesmahagow.
William died at the age of 57 on 10 February 1913 in Carluke and Jane died, aged 84, on 21 April 1940 also in
Carluke.
William NELSON and Jane THOMSON had the following children:
1 William Montgomery NELSON was born 4 Aug 1870 in Carluke. William, a Coalminer, married Lilias
Walker ANDERSON on 31 December 1902 at 3 Clyde Street, Carluke, Lanarkshire.
Lilias Walker ANDERSON was born in 1880 in Lanarkshire and the daughter of Alexander
Anderson (1849-1936) a farm labourer and Lillias Walker (1851-1935).
William and Lilias had three children, one of whom was Lilias Walker
Anderson Nelson who was born 1903 in Carluke, Lanarkshire.
2 James Thomson NELSON was born 11 Jan 1883 in Carluke and married Betsy Main MOFFAT on 12
Mar 1920 in Carluke
3 Jane Tweedie NELSON was born on 11 January 1883 in Carluke. It would appear that Jane never
married and in 1968 died a spinster in either Coatbridge or Old Monkland, Lanarkshire.
122. Ferguson NELSON (NEILSON), son of William NELSON and Jane TWEEDIE, was born on 28 November
1863 in Morningside, Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire.
In 1881 Ferguson was working as a General Servant in the household of Alex Allison a Farmer at Hill of Kilncadzow,
Carluke.
Ferguson married Helen Calder ROSS on 28 June 1889 in Newington, Edinburgh, Scotland. Copy of marriage
certificate shows the following:
26 June 1889 at 16 West Mayfield, Edinburgh after Banns according to the Forms of the Free
Church,
F. Neilson, Plate-layer, Bachelor age 26, of Crossgates, Braidwood, Carluke, son of William
Neilson, Coalminer (deceased) and Jane Neilson ms. Tweedie (deceased) and Nelly Ross, Domestic
Servant, Spinster, age 24 of 5 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh, daughter of John Ross, Cellarman
(deceased) and Helen Ross, ms Calder (deceased). Witnesses James Rennie and Catherine Wilson.
Helen Calder ROSS (Nelly), daughter of John ROSS, a Coleman, and Helen WILSON , was born on 15 January
1865 in St. Cuthberts, Edinburgh, Midlothian.
By 1891 Ferguson, who was working as a Railway Platelayer, and Helen were living in Kilncadzow, near Carluke.
The census return for 1901 show that Ferguson, working as a Quarryman, was living in Midtown, Carluke with his
wife and children - Ellen Neilson, age 9, William age 8, John aged 6, Alexander age 4 and Ferguson age 2.
34
Ten years on, in 1911 the census returns show that Ferguson is now aged 48 and living in a 2 roomed cottage near
Carluke, Lanark. He was working as a " Foreman Brick Quarryman". Living in the same household was his wife
Helen, age 46, and children William age 18 and a student teacher, John Ross aged 16 a Brickmaker, Alexander,
Ferguson, James and William all at school. Ferguson stated he had been married for 21 years with 8 children born
alive and 1 deceased child
Helen died at the age of 63, on 15 June 1928 from a cerebral haemorrhage at 14 Coan Street, Haywood. Her death was
registered by her son Ferguson Nelson of 29 Coan Street, Haywood, South Lanarkshire.
Ferguson died of Chronic Arthritis and Heart Failure on 9 July 1936 in Haywood, Lanarkshire aged 73 at
Schoolhouse, Haywood. Copy of death cert from Scotland's People shows:
Ferguson Nelson, Pithead Foreman [retired] widower of Helen Calder Ross died 9 July 1936 at
Schoolhouse, Haywood age 73 years. Son of William Nelson, Coal Miner [deceased] and Jane Nelson,
ms Tweedie [deceased]. COD was Chronic Arthritis for 6 years and Heart failure for 2 days.
Death registered by his son John Ross Nelson of Eagle Cottage, Carnwath.
Old picture of Haywood taken from where the school once stood
Picture kindly supplied by Alex & Alan Nelson
Photo courtesy of lynwillcox76 in ancestry.com
35
Ferguson NELSON and Helen ROSS had the following children:
1 Helen Wilson NELSON was born on 4 Sept 1891 and died on 18 April 1970 in
Law Hospital, Carluke and was buried in Carluke Cemetery.
Helen never married and looked after her father and brothers following the
death of her mother.
2 William NELSON (1893-1915) was born 1 Feb 1893 and died 28 June 1915 in Gallipoli, Canakkale,
Turkey.
William never married. He was a Teacher at Wellington Industrial School, Leadburn before he joined
The 5th Royal Scots (Queens, Edinburgh Rifles) as a Private. Reg. No 1754 Service Number 2754
According to his enlistment papers from Ancestry.com he enlisted on 30 Nov
1914 at Edinburgh and was only 5ft 5 and a half inches tall and had a 32 inch
girth. He gave his mother, Helen as next of kin, residing at Carluke.
He was only 5ft 5 and a half inches tall and had a 32 inch girth.
He was sent with the British Expeditionary Forces to Gallipoli on 25 May 1915
and killed on 28th June 1915. His name appears on the Helles War Memorial,
Gallipoli as follows: William Nelson, Private, Royal Scots. Age: 22
3
John Ross NELSON (1895-1970)
John was born on 20 Feb 1895 in Kilncadzow, Lanarkshire.
He worked as a Forrester and married Bessie HYSLOP on 27 June 1919 in Durisdeer Village,
Dumfries.
Marriage certificate also shows:
John Nelson was age 24 and living in Pitgolen, Dollar and Bessie was living in Derider at the time of
their marriage
Witness were Margaret Hyslop Alexander Nelson. They were married in the Church of Scotland by
David McQueen, Minister of North UF Church, Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire.
Bessie, born 25 March 1894 in Durisdeer, was the daughter of Alexander Hyslop a Shepherd in
Durisdeer, and Agnes Hancock. She worked as a Dairymaid.
John died at the age of 75 on 8 March 1970 in Carnwath, Lanark and Bessie died 3 July 1969 at the age
of 75 in Carnwath.
4 Alexander NELSON was born 20 Jan 1897 in Kilncadzow, Lanarkshire.
On 22 Feb 1922 Alexander married Barbara Steele TWEEDIE in Auchengray, Lanarkshire
Copy of marriage cert shows that Alexander was a Coalminer living at 25 New Woolfords,
Collinshaw and the son of Ferguson Nelson a Pithead Worker and Helen Calder Nelson, ms. Ross.
Barbara Steel Tweedie age 21 of Faulkelly, Collinshaw, dtr of David Tweedie, Coalminer and
Barbara Tweedie, ms Stark.
The couple were married by Declaration in the presence of Thomas Bell of 59 Blackfriars St.,
Edinburgh and Alexander Peters of Lilybank.
Alexander died at the age of 67 on 30 October 1964 in Wilstontown, Lanarkshire and Barbara died at
the age of 86 on 12 November 1986 also in Wilsontown.
5 Ferguson Ross NELSON (1899-1973) was born 11 Jan 1899 in Kilncadzow, Lanarkshire and worked
as a Quarryman.
On 22 January 1926 he married Edith Caroline Smellie Dyer AITCHISON, a Domestic Servant, in
Edinburgh.
36
Marriage cert shows he was living at 14 Loan Street, Haywood, Edinburgh and was a Railway
surfaceman. Father was Ferguson Nelson, Collier Roadsman and mother was Helen Calder Nelson
[nee Ross]. Married by G. Hudson McCleave, Assistant at South Leith Parish Church. Witnesses
were James Nelson of 14 Loan Street, Haywood and Mary Aitchison of 46 Seafield Road, Leith.
Edith was the daughter of George Aitchison, a Road Labourer and Alice Dyer.
The couple had 4 known children - William, Ferguson, George and Alice Dyer Nelson.
a) William NELSON was born 1932.
b) Ferguson NELSON born 3/11/1926 Lanarkshire.
Ferguson worked as a Railway Clerk and died in Palestine
on 17/11/1946 at the age of 20 while serving with the
Palestinian Police Force.
He was buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery Israel
(Reference #: Q 28).
On the FORTH LANARKSHIRE WAR MEMORIAL it
shows:
Ferguson NELSON
(#604) Palestine Police Force
Ferguson was 20 when he died on 17-11-1946
He is buried at the Ramla War Cemetery, HaMerkaz
(Central District), Israel (Reference #: Q 28)
Son of Ferguson and Edith Aitchison Nelson of
Forth, Fergie had been a member of the Scots
Guards before joining the Palestine Police. A proud and active member of the Boys
Brigade Fergie had been a Railway clerk before enlisting.
Report states: 1946 November 17 – Police in Tel Aviv attacked Jews, assaulting many and firing
into houses. Twenty Jews were injured in fights with British troops following the death on
November 17 of three policemen and an RAF sergeant in a land mine explosion.
(note: one of the policemen would have been Ferguson Nelson)
c) George NELSON was born 21 April 1928 in Haywood and died 14 Aug 1995 in Forth.
George married Maisie McCallum born 8/6/1927 and died on 2/1/1992 at the age of 64.
d) Alice Dyer NELSON was born 29 Dec 1929 in Haywood and died on 15 Nov 2001 in Forth.
Alice married Jack Muir, born 4/2/1933 and died on 17/2/1999 aged 66.
Ferguson Ross NELSON died, aged 74, on 18 Nov 1973 in Forth, Lanarkshire and Edith died, aged 73
on 7 June 1973.
6 James NELSON (1902-1985) was born on 25 October 1902 in Kilncadzow, Lanarkshire.
On 11 October 1930 James married Mary Mcpherson Weir BAIRD (the daughter of Joseph Baird, a
Coalminer, and Grace Weir) who was born on 15 Aug 1904 in Haywood, Lanarkshire. The couple
were married by declaration (as per copy of marriage certificate).
The couple had 4 children, two of whom were Ferguson Nelson born 6 July 1933 in Haywood and
died the same day (?stillborn). The other known child was Jane Nelson born 15 February 1936 who,
tragically, also died on the same day, possibly having been stillborn.
James died on 28 March 1985 in Toronto, Canada and Mary also died in Toronto on 13 May 1987
Religious Note: Source - Ancestry.com - James was Presbyterian and a member of the Masonic
Order. He the beadle in his church. Unlike most other men in the village, he seldom drank, special
occasions aside, leading many proto-evangelical Christians to persuade him to join their church, but
he refused.
37
7 William Robert NELSON (1905-1928) was born on 6 July 1905 and died at the age of 22 from
pneumonia at his brother Alexander's house, just 2 weeks after his mother's death.
After 1915 he was known as "Willie-Robert" following the death of his brother William who was
killed at Gallipoli.
123. Marion Prentice NEILSON, daughter of James NEILSON and Dorothea PRENTICE, was born on 7 May
1858 in Carnwath (born illegitimately - 4 years before her parents married).
Marion married David RODGER(S) on 12 July 1878 in Braehead, Lanarkshire. David was born circa 1853 possibly
in Lanark and was the son of Robert Roger and Isabella Aitkman.
Copy of original marriage cert shows David a journeyman Mason was aged 25 living in
Motherwell, Parish of Dalziel and son of Robert Rodger, Road Labourer and Isabella
Aikman.
Marion Prentice Neilson a domestic servant living in Braehead, Carnwath, daughter of
James Neilson, Coalminer and Dorothea Neilson (ms Prentice)
David is shown on the passenger list for the "Southesk" leaving Glasgow and arriving in Brisbane, Queensland on 27
May 1882. Also on the passenger list is his wife Marion, aged 23; daughter Dorothy aged 3, Robert aged 1 and
Janet (no age shown).
David died on 13 November 1893 in Brisbane, Queensland (as per Ancestry.com) and Marion died in Brisbane on
25 March 1912.
Marion Prentice NEILSON and David RODGER(S) had the following children:
1 Dorothy RODGER was born circa 1879 Scotland and possibly died in enroute Queensland
2 Robert RODGER was born circa 1880 Scotland and possibly died in enroute Queensland
3 Janet RODGER was born in circa 1880 Scotland and died in 1882 in Australia.
4 Isabella RODGER was born 29 March 1883 Queensland, Australia (as per Ancestry.com)
5 Agnes McColl RODGER was born 15 November 1884 Queensland, Australia
Agnes married Charles Etchells Johnstone on 6 July 1910 in Queensland and died aged 55, on 27 June
1940 in Queensland. (as per Ancestry.com)
124. Alexander NEILSON, son of James NEILSON and Dorothea
PRENTICE, was born on 25 December 1864 in Braehead, Lanarkshire.
Alexander married Jessie Meek HUNTER on 21 January 1882 in
Chaplehall, Lanarkshire.
Jessie Meek HUNTER was born on 5 March 1864 in Whitburn, West
Lothian.
Alexander and Jessie, both aged 18, emigrated to Australia and sailed
from Glasgow on the "Scottish Knight" arriving in Mackay, NSW on 2
Nov 1882.
The 1930 Australian Electoral Roll shows Alexander and Under Manager at Dora Creek and wife Jessie.
Alexander died, aged 67, on 13 April 1932 in Dora Creek, Toronto, New South Wales and Jessie died aged 81, on 8
March 1945 in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
38
Alexander NEILSON and Jessie HUNTER had the following children:
1) Agnes Meek NEILSON born 3 Jan 1884, Queensland and died 17 May 1886, Queensland.
2) James NEILSON born 1886 died 1966
3) Alexander NEILSON born 6 Aug1888 Goodna, New South Wales and died 7 Jan 1947 Newcastle,
New South Wales
4) John NEILSON born 1890 died 10 Oct 1917 WW1 at Passchendale, Belgium
John's name is on Anzac Memorial at Passchendale, Belgium (Service No.6831 Pvt. John Neilson)f
5) Dorothy NEILSON born 1892 died 1892 Minmi, NSW
6) Jessie NEILSON born 1894 died 1896 Minmi, NSW
127. Thomas Prentice NEILSON, son of James NEILSON and Dorothea PRENTICE, was born on 10 January 1875
in Shotts.
He married Martha HINDMAN in 1899 in Minmi, New South Wales, Australia. (Source = New South Wales
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages).
Martha HINDMAN was born 20 September 1879, Minmi, Wallsend, New South Wales (daughter of John Hindman
and Jane Kenny and died 6 September 1946. Martha was buried in Catherine Hill Bay Cemetery near Newcastle,
N.S.W. (info courtesy of merrion4 in ancestry.com)
Thomas was employed as a Mine Manager at Catherine Hills Bay20
, NSW, Australia.
Thomas died in 1936 in Belmont, NSW, Australia and was buried in Catherine Hill Bay, New South Wales,
Australia. (Source = New South Wales Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages).
Both Thomas and Martha were buried in Catherine Bay Cemetery, Nr. Newcastle, New South Wales
Thomas Prentice NEILSON Martha HINDMAN had the following children:
James, John and Alec Neilson sons of Thomas Prentice Neilson & Martha Hindman
1 James [Jim] NEILSON was born in 1901 and died in 1963.
2 Jane Kenny NEILSON was born 1904 Minmi, NSW and died 1963 Wallsend.
3 John [Jack] Hindman NEILSON was born 16 April 1906 and died 8 September 1933 at Catherine
Hill Bay, nr. Newcastle, NSW.
4 Dorothy NEILSON was born in 1910 and died in 1910.
20
Catherine Hill Bay is a unique place; a small and relatively early coastal community which earned its livelihood
from the coalmining industry, and has managed to remain intact.
39
5 Alexander [Alec] NEILSON was born 6 June 1912 Abermain, NSW and died in Nov 1955 at
Catherine Hill Bay, nr. Newcastle, NSW.
6 Katherine Heather NEILSON was born 18 October 1920 Cessnock, NSW, Australia and died July
1990 at Penrith, New South Wales.
Katherine married Dominic Matthew Clifford MITCHELL in 1946 at Paddington, New South Wales.
Dominic born 6 June 1916 Wagga, Wagga, NSW., was the son of John J. Mitchell and Catherine
Violet Maguire.
At the age of 20, Dominic enlisted into the Royal Australian Air Force, Service No. A2170 on
20 August 1940.
He rose to the rank of Sergeant and was stationed at the HQHC Penrith, New South Wales.
Dominic retired from the Air Force in 11 July 1961 and then became a Hairdresser.
The 1968 Electoral Roll shows Dominic was living with Katherine at Cambridge Park, New South
Wales, and was a Hairdresser
Dominic died at the age of 62 on 11 May 1979 in Sydney, New South Wales and Katherine
After the death of Dominic, it would appear that Katherine married again circa 1981. She died at the
age of 77 on 16 November 2004 at Cambridge Park, NSW with the name of Katherine Heather
ROBSON.
(most of the above information is courtesy of Wendy Anne Lark in Ancestry.com).
Dominic MITCHELL and Katherine NEILSON had the following children:
a) Dominic Prentice Anthony MITCHELL b. 1953 (see photo opposite)
was born in 1953 in Penrith, New South Wales, Australia. He married
Moina Maria TULLOCH who was born in 1962 in Paddington, New South
Wales, Australia. Dominic and Moina have three children all born
Paddington, New South Wales:
Thomas Neilson MITCHELL born 1986, Matthew Dominic Ronald
MITCHELL born 1988 and Harrison Prentice MITCHELL born 1994
b) Katherine Heath MITCHELL b. 1953, Penrith, New South Wales
c) Jacqueline Mary MITCHELL b. 1956 Penrith, New South Wales
d) Emmett Joseph MITCHELL b. 1958 Penrith, New South Wales
128. Margaret NEILSON, daughter of James NEILSON (Coal & Ironstone Miner) and Dorothea PRENTICE, was
born on 24 February 1878 in Shotts, Lanarkshire
Margaret arrived in Brisbane on 27th May 1882 onboard the ‘South Esk at the age of three with her mother Dorothea
Hunter (ms Prentice), stepfather John Hunter and her sister Janet, brother Thomas, stepbrother George and her sister
and brother-in-law David Rogers.
After her mother, Dorothea's, death in 1883 Margaret and her bother Thomas were raised by their brother Alexander
Neilson and his wife Jessie .
In 1899 Margaret (a Domestic Servant) married William Henry GATES (a Coalminer then a Grocer) in 1899 in
Minmi, New South Wales.
Margaret and William were married in “Uncle Sandy and Aunty Jessie’s” home. Margaret signed her name on her
marriage certificate as Maggie Brown Neilson because she thought that was her name. It wasn’t until she received her
birth certificate from England that she found out her real name.
William Henry GATES was born in 25 July 1873 in Newington, Southwark, S.E. London and christened on 29
October at Holy Trinity Church, Newington. He was the son of William H. Gates, a Warehouseman and Ellen
Saunders. William was President of the West Wallsend Co-op Society and President of the Newcastle and Northern
District Baptist Sunday School union (1906).
40
William died, aged 71, on 30 March 1945in Belmont, New South Wales and was buried in the Baptist Cemetery in
Sandgate, New South Wales. Margaret died, aged 87, on 7 July 1965 in Stockton, New South Wales and was also
buried in the Baptist Cemetery in Sandgate, New South Wales.
Margaret NEILSON and William Henry GATES had the following children:
1 Dorothy Ellen GATES, daughter of William Henry GATES and Margaret NEILSON, was born in
1900 in Minmi, New South Wales, Australia. Dorothy married Alfred HEAP,
a motor driver, in 1923 in West Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia.
Alfred HEAP was born in 11 Dec 1899 at New Lambton, New South Wales,
Australia and was the son of Alfred Heap and Mary McSweeney
Alfred Edw. Heap
(photo courtesy of Ancestry.com and pibell14)
1930 /1936 Electoral Rolls records Alfred, a motor driver, and Dorothy living at William Street,
New Lambton, Adamstown, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
Dorothy died 2 Feb 1978 in Waratah Hospital, , New South Wales, Australia and buried
Sandgate Cemetery Newcastle New South Wales. Alfred died on 10 September 1985 in
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Alfred was also buried in Sandgate Cemetery
Newcastle New South Wales
Children born to Dorothy GATES and Alfred HEAP:
a) Margaret Mary HEAP b. 11 April 1924 and died 22 July 1991 at John Hunter Hospital,
Newcastle, NSW. Margaret married Maxwell Gordon BAILEY (b.1923 Newcastle
NSW - d.2002) on 28 April 1945 at New Lambton Baptist Church, New Lambton, NSW.
Margaret Heap and Maxwell Bailey had three children all born Newcastle, NSW:
Geoffrey Bailey b. 1949: Sheryl Bailey born 10 Jan 1958: Gordon Bailey born 1951.
After Margaret's death in 1991, Maxwell Bailey married Barbara Henderson (born 15 Nov
1932 NSW)
b) Dorothy Joan HEAP was born in 1930 in New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia.
She married Leonard SHARP who was born in 1930 in New Lambton and died in 1984 in
Australia.
c) Alfred HEAP b. 1930
d) Janet Esme HEAP b. 1939
2 Janet GATES born 20 Feb 1901 Minmi, NSW and died 2 July 1990 at Greenhills Nursing Home East
Maitland NSW; cremated 6 July 1990 Beresfield Crematorium, NSW. Janet married George
Benjamin CLARK, a Rigger, on 8 May 1926.
George Clark, son of James Clark and Annie Beasley, was born 5 May 1893 Council St., Newcastle,
NSW and died 9 Aug 1968 St. Vincent's Hosp. Darlinghurst, NSW - cremated 12 Aug 1968
Beresfield Crematorium.
Children born to Janet GATES and George CLARK
a) William CLARK b. 30 April 1927 married Ruth AUSTIN 1954
b) Janice Marion CLARK a dressmaker (b. 24 May 1930 - died 29 April 2008), married
Harold Eric HALL (b. 26 Apr 1931 d. 5 May 2008) a Shop Manager on 2 Aug 1952.
Both Janice and Harold were cremated on the same day 6 May 2008 at Beresford
Crematorium, NSW.
3 Nellie GATES born 17 July 1903 married William KENDAL
4 Thomasina Prentice May GATES born 20 May 1905 and died 28 Aug 1993
5 Vera GATES born 13 April 1908 died 1 Jan 1979. Married Alexander RANDALL 28 Nov 1931
6 Marion Ingrid GATES born 3 Dec 1909 and died 16 June 1984. Married David John LEYSHON
2 Dec 1936.
7 William Henry III GATES born 3 Feb 1911 died 7 Feb 1911 (4 days old)
8 Margaret Heather GATES born 13 Sept 1913 and died 1985. Married Walter WANT 18 Oct 941
9 George GATES born 9 March 1917 died same day 9 March 1917.
41
131. Alexander NEILSON, son of Johnston NEILSON and Jane McKENDRICK, was born on 29 June 1868 in
Forth.
Alexander married Mary CARRUTHERS on 31 December 1894 in Loganlea, West Calder, West Lothian.
Mary CARRUTHERS, daughter of Simon CARRUTHERS and Agnes PATON , was born on 20 September 1873 in
Carluke.
Alexander NEILSON and Mary CARRUTHERS had the following children:
1 Simon Carruthers NEILSON born circa 1894 possibly in West Calder and died in 1981 also in West
Calder (as per Scotland's People)
2 Johnston NEILSON was born 1900 in West Calder, Midlothian and died there on 9 March 1947.
251. John NELSON, son of Alexander NELSON OR NEILSON and Elizabeth LOVE or McGRATH, was born on 5
October 1879 at 789 Rutherglen Rd., Glasgow, Lanarkshire.
John worked first as a Pattern Maker and then a Joiner. On 17 July 1908 in the Dixon Halls, Cathcart, Glasgow he
married Janet Brock CRAWFORD, born 1879 Glasgow, the daughter of Alexander Crawford (a Dry Salter) and
Joanna McKay. At the time John was residing at 6 Boyd Street, Glasgow and Janet (a Power Loom Weaver) at 708
Rutherglen Road, Glasgow. Marriage witnesses were Herbert Alexander Nelson (John's brother) and Johanna
McKay (Janet's mother).
John and Janet had one child - Janet Crawford NELSON who was born 4 March 1909 at 51 Toryglen Street,
Glasgow. Just a year after their marriage and 2 months after their daughter was born, Janet died at the age of 28 from
pulmonary congestion, heart failure and oedema. After this, baby Janet was brought up by her grandparents
Alexander (Sanny) and Elizabeth Love. Sadly however, baby Janet child died 11 June 1911 at the age of 2 from
acute Meningitis at Muirbank House, Rutherglen, the home of her grandparents.
Years later John married again; on 1 June 1915, in Glasgow, he married Marion Scott WEIR, a Mantlemaker21
, at 289
Rutherglen Road, Glasgow (Marion's home). Marion was born 1884 and the daughter of John Weir, a Grocer, and
Catherine Brown Walker. Marriage witnesses were Daniel Alexander Nelson (John's brother) and Bessie W. Weir.
At the time of this marriage John was living with his parents at Muirbank House, Rutherglen.
Tragedy struck John once again as on 29 August 1932 Marion, at the age of 48, killed herself. At the time John and
Marion were living in Newfield Cottage, Rutherglen. A Coroner's inquest was held on 17 October 1932 in
Rutherglen which reported that Marion Scott Nelson "Death about 8.10 pm on 29 August 1932 at Newfield House,
Rutherglen. Cause of Death - Fracture of Base of Skull through fall from a window - suicide".
John Nelson died at the age of 73, on 23 November 1952 at 88 Bankhead Rd., Rutherglen, Lanarkshire from
bronchitis and cardiac failure as report by the family doctor, James Carnduff. Death was registered by William
Coulter, Nephew-in-law of 44 Cranmore Street, Glasgow.
John NELSON and Janet Brock CRAWFORD had one child:
Janet Crawford NELSON born on 4 March 1909 in 51 Toryglen Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire.
Janet died at the age of 2 from acute Meningitis on 11 June 1911 in Muirbank House, Rutherglen,
Glasgow. Her death was registered by her father John Nelson - mother was deceased.
21
Coat maker or Coat trimmer
42
252. Thomas NELSON, son of Alexander NELSON (NEILSON) and Elizabeth LOVE (McGRATH), was born on 4
August 1881 in 289 Rutherglen Road, Glasgow, Lanarkshire.
On 17/2/1905 when Thomas was 23, he married Margaret Blair Ross,
daughter of John Ross (b.26/2/1855 d.19/1/1940) & Elizabeth Ann Sharp
(b.1857 d.18/10/1892), in Hood Memorial Church, Fairbairn St., Bridgeton,
Glasgow. Margaret was born on 20/12/1880 in 12 Calder Street, Govan,
Glasgow and died in 78 Avonbank Rd., Rutherglen, Glasgow on 18/6/1979 at
the age of 98. Margaret was cremated at Daldowie Crematorium, South
Glasgow. She worked first as a housemaid then according to the 1901
census, she was a Mill worker at Craig or Heggie’s Mill in Bridgeton,
Glasgow.
Marriage Certificate reads:
17 Feb 1905 at Dixons Halls, Cathcart Road, Glasgow after publication of
banns of the Congregational Union Church Thomas Nelson, Mercantile Clerk,
Bachelor, age 23 of 6 Boyd Street, Crosshill, Glasgow, son of Alexander Nelson,
Coal Salesman and Elizabeth Nelson, m.s. Love and Margaret Blair Ross,
Spinster, age 24 of Westfield Place, Rutherglen, dtr of John Ross, Coal Miner
and Elizabeth Ross, m.s. Sharp [deceased]. Witnesses were John Nelson
[brother of groom] and Kate Ross [sister of bride].
Margaret Blair Ross was the daughter of John Ross and Elizabeth Ann Sharpe. John Ross, a Coalminer, was born 26
Feb 1855 in Strathbungo, Pollokshaws, Lanarkshire and died aged 84 on 19 Jan 1940 at 43 Bankhead Road,
Rutherglen. Margaret's mother, a Cotton Power Loom Weaver, was born in one of the Govanhill Colliery Houses
and died on 18 October 1892 at 16 School Square, Govanhill, Glasgow.
After their marriage both Thomas and Margaret lived at 16 Boyd Street, Glasgow where their first child Alexander
was born in 1908.
Thomas worked as a Mercantile Clark for Dixon's Collieries (Wm. Dixon Ltd) and lived with his wife and children in
Muirbank House, which stood in its own grounds on
the south side of Chapel Street on the site of the
present Muirbank housing scheme, Rutherglen.
The house was owned by Dixons and had approx 22
rooms, 11 of which were occupied by the Nelsons
and the remaining 12 occupied by Samuel
McKinstrie, a Tailor, and his family.
It was here that Thomas and his father Sandy, used
to grow their prize-winning chrysanthemums and
dahlias. When Muirbank House was demolished to
make room for a housing estate. Thomas carried on
growing his prize blooms, at the Victoria Gardens,
Rodger Drive, Rutherglen but which has now been
developed to occupy hospital staff accommodation.
[opposite Victoria Park, Rutherglen]
Muirbank House where Thomas Nelson and his family lived. The painting shows
some of the chrysanthemums that were grown by Thomas
Thomas was renowned for growing and displaying chrysanthemums and won at the Southport Flower Show on three
subsequent occasions which allowed him to keep the Southport Floral Cup. This had never been achieved by anyone
before. Thomas also judged at horticultural shows and was well known in Rutherglen and the West of Scotland
horticultural societies. He was a member of the Scottish National (or West of Scotland) Chrysanthemum & Dahlia
Society.
Thomas Nelson & Margaret Ross
?Engagement Photograph
43
In 1955 Thomas and Margaret celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary at the Co-operative Society Rooms in
Rutherglen. The event was attended by all the family members including their grandchildren
Thomas and Margaret and their children eventually moved from Muirbank House and lived at 46 Newfield Place,
Rutherglen for a number of years.
Their final move was to 78 Avonbank Road, Rutherglen where the couple lived until their deaths.
Thomas died at the age of 76 in the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow on 6 May 1958 from heart failure and Margaret his
wife died, also from heart failure, at the age of 89 on 18 June 1979 at her home in 78 Avonbank Road, Rutherglen.
Both deaths were registered by her son Alexander Nelson of Kingsbridge Drive, Rutherglen.
Thomas and Margaret had the following children:
1 Alexander (Alex) NELSON (7th Generation) was born on 16/3/1908 in 16 Boyd St., Glasgow and
died in 388 Kingsbridge Dr., Bankhead, Rutherglen on 28/12/1989 at the age of 81. Alex was a
Seedsman by trade, after which he worked as a Commercial Salesman with Cremola, Food
Photo of
Thomas & Margaret Nelson’s
Golden Wedding celebration
February 1955
Thomas Nelson winning the Southport Cup
44
manufacturers. Finally, he was employed as a van driver for the Scottish Daily Records and Evening
News.
On 16/4/1938 when Alexander was 30, he married Grace Neaves Meek, daughter of Frank Meek (born
about 1886 and died before 1938) & Marjory Emma Dow Neaves (born about 1885), in St. Bride
Parish Church, Stretford, Lancaster. Grace was born on 17/9/1911 in 74 Frances St., York and died
from a heart attack in Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow on 29/7/1983, at the age of 71. She
worked as a Shop Assistant. At the time Grace was born, her father was a Sergeant in the Royal Scots
Greys and then became a Policeman.
For many years Alex and Grace lived at 388 Kingsbridge Drive, Kings Park, Glasgow. He was a
church warden at Kings Park Parish Church, and like his father Thomas, grew many prize winning
chrysanthemums and dahlias.
MARRIAGE DETAILS
Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church of St. Bride, Stretford, Lancaster
on 16/4/1938.
Alexander Nelson, age 30, Bachelor and Commercial Salesman of 38
Grayswood Park Road, Quinton, Birmingham – Father Thomas Nelson,
Clerk
Grace Neaves Meek, age 26, Spinster and Shop Assistant of 100 Cornbank
Street ?Stretford, Lancashire. Father Frank Meek (deceased), Policeman.
Witness at wedding of Alex and Grace = John Nelson (brother of Alex) and
Vera Maud Meek (sister of Grace Meek)
Grace was born on 17 September 1911 at 74 Frances Street, York,
Yorkshire. Her father Frank (1886-bef.1938) was a Sergeant in the Royal
Scots Greys during WW1 before becoming a Policeman. Grace's mother was Marjory Emma Dow
Neaves born circa 1885 in Methven, Glack, Perthshire who married Frank Meek on 17 April 1911 at
The Manse, Duddingston, Portobello, Midlothian.
At first Alex and Grace lived at Newfield Place, Rutherglen where their daughter was born but then
moved to 388 Kingsbridge Drive, Bankhead, Rutherglen, Glasgow where they lived for their
remaining years. During WW2 Alex served in the Army.
Grace, at the age of 72, died on 29 July 1983 in Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow from heart failure
following cataract surgery. Her death was registered by Alexander Nelson, her husband.
Grace was cremated at the Lynn Park Crematorium, Glasgow.
Alexander, at the age of 82, died from heart failure at his home in 388 Kingsbridge Drive, Bankhead,
on 28 December 1989. His death was registered by his daughter Sheelagh Campbell.
Alex was cremated at the Lynn Park Crematorium, Glasgow.
Alex and Grace had one child (8th
Generation):
a). Marjorie Margaret (Sheelagh) Nelson
Information - Private
2 John Ross Nelson (7th
Generation) was born on 7/5/1915 in Muirbank House, Rutherglen, Glasgow and died in Mearnskirk General Hospital Glasgow on 11/6/1981, at the age of 65 from a stroke.
John was educated at Rutherglen Academy, and after leaving school at 15, he first went to work as a
Plummer’s apprentice, but gave this up to work as a Turbine Operator for Templeton's Carpet Factory
45
in Bridgeton, Glasgow. John joined the Royal Navy at the beginning of
WW2 and rose to the rank of Petty Officer and served in Minesweepers.
When John was discharge from the services, he returned to work as a
turbine mechanic with Templeton's Carpet Factory where he remained
until his retirement in 1967.
Like his father and brother, John was a keen gardener and grew prize
winning dahlias and chrysanthemums. He was also a very active member
of the British Legion in Kings Park, Glasgow.
MARRIAGE DETAILS
On 8/12/1939 when John was 23, he married Jeannie Cruickshanks
Delaney in the West Parish Church of Rutherglen.
Marriage Details:
John Ross Nelson, age 23, Bachelor, Turbine Operator – son of
Thomas Nelson (Mercantile Clerk) and Margaret Blair Nelson ms
Ross.
Jean Cruickshanks Delaney, age 21, shorthand typist – daughter of
Cornelius Maxwell Delaney (retired Facing machinist and
Engineering Turner) and Annie Cruickshanks Delaney (Manageress
of Furrier Shop)
Marriage witnesses were John McColl (cousin of Groom) and Chris
Delaney (sister of Bride).
Jean Cruickshanks Delaney was born on 14/2/1918 in Rutherglen,
Glasgow and was the daughter of Cornelius Maxwell Delaney
(b.24/6/1888 d.7/2/1961) & Annie MacArthur Cruickshank
(16/11/1893-22/12/1980).
John and Jean were divorced on 10/5/1974.
In 1944 Jean and John lived at 12 Cambuslang Road, Rutherglen and then moved to 16 Kingsbridge
Crescent, Kings Park, Glasgow. After their divorce, Jean moved to Ardmay Crescent, Kings Park,
while John remained at Kingsbridge Crescent, Kings Park until his death.
John died at the age of 65 in 1981 at Mearnskirk General Hospital.
DEATH CERTIFICATE DETAILS
11 June1981 at Mearnskirk General Hospital, John Ross Nelson, age 65, Maintenance
Engineer (retired) died from Bronchopneumonia, Cerebrovascular accident and left
ventricular failure. Father – Thomas Nelson, Accounts Clerk (deceased) and Mother –
Margaret Nelson ms Ross (deceased). Death Informant Thomas J. Nelson (son) of 226
Church Lane, Eston, Middlesbrough
John was cremated at the Lynn Park Crematorium, Glasgow.
Jean retired as a Secretarial Section Leader at the Scottish Electricity Board and moved from Kings
Park to Middlesborough in 1982 to live near her son. Eventually, Jean moved to an Old People's
home in Middlesbrough and died at the age of 89 in the James Cook Hospital on 2 October 2007 from
heart failure following a fractured femur sustained whilst in this hospital. She was cremated at
Middlesbrough Crematorium and her ashes scattered at Daldowie Crematorium, Glasgow beside that
of her daughter Ann who died in 1962.
Jean and John had the following children:
a) Anne Jean Nelson (Twin) was born on 14/5/1940 in 239 Montford
Ave., Bankhead, Rutherglen, Glasgow, and died in Villa 8, Lennox
Castle Hospital, Lennoxtown, Campsie, Stirlingshire on 23/2/1962 at the
age of 21 from status epilepticus and pneumonia.
Jean Delaney & John Nelson
on their wedding day Dec 1939
46
Anne's birth was registered by her mother who at that time was living at 239 Montford Ave.,
Rutherglen. During the time of her birth, her father was serving in the Royal Navy (WW2) and
gave his occupation as an Engineer Mechanic. Anne was the eldest twin being born half an hour
before her brother Tom.
Following illness at the age of 7, Anne developed epilepsy and spent many years in and out of
various hospitals and institutions - namely, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, and Lennox Castle
Hospital, Stirlingshire, the latter being the place of her death.
Anne was cremated at Daldowie Crematorium, south of Glasgow.
b) Thomas (Tom) John Nelson (Twin) was born on
14/5/1940 in 239 Montford Ave., Bankhead, Rutherglen,
Glasgow. Tom was the youngest twin being born half an
hour after his sister Anne.
On leaving Kings Park Secondary
School, Tom spent time working in
Liverpool in the Royal Liver
Building. He then joined the 10th
Signals Regiment of the Royal Signal
Corps (army service no 23975185)and rose to the rank of Sergeant. He
left the army having served for 12 years following which he became a
Civil Servant working and living in Eston, Middlesbrough. The Civil
Service transferred him to Inverness where he lived and worked until
early retirement some time around 1997. After his retirement, he and
his wife Ann (see marriage details) moved to Pockley, Helmsley, North Yorkshire. At the age of 71,
Tom died 15 Mar 2012 at the James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough at the age of 71 following medical
complications.
Notes for Ann Diana Nelson (ms Walker) - Information Private
At the age of 71, Tom died 15 Mar 2012 at the James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough at the age of 71 as
a result of an accident which produced medical complications. Tom was cremated at Middlesbrough
Crematorium, Middlesbrough.
47
c) Neil Maxwell Nelson,
Information Private
d) Margaret (always known as Margot)
Christine Nelson,
.
Information Private
48
253. Herbert Alexander NELSON, son of Alexander NELSON (NEILSON) and Elizabeth LOVE (McGRATH)
was born on 6 September 1883 in Hutchesontown and baptised in 1884 at Hood Memorial Church, Bridgeton,
Glasgow.
Herbert first worked as a Restaurant Waiter before becoming an Iron Turner. He married Mary Whyte
McWALTER a Boot Saleswoman, on 12 April 1911 at the Dixon Halls, Cathcart Road, Glasgow. At the time
Herbert was living at Muirbank House, Rutherglen and Mary was living at 196 Eglinton Street, Glasgow. Marriage
witnesses were Lizzie Miller McWalter (Mary's sister) and Daniel Alexander Nelson (Herbert's brother)
Mary Whyte MCWALTER, daughter of James McWALTER, a Railway Inspector
and Elizabeth MILLAR (1859-1929), was born on 30 March 1886 in Glasgow.
Mary's father James was a Railway Station Master & Inspector who was born on 16
August 1856 in Kettins, Forfarshire and died in 1929 in Glasgow. He married
Elizabeth Miller on 27 June 1884 in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. Elizabeth was born
on 14 April 1859 in Kirkhill, Cambuslang and died in 1929 Rutherglen.
After their marriage in 1912 both Herbert and Mary lived at 24 Hickman Street,
Glasgow where the first of their two daughters was born before moving into a rented
cottage at Newfield, Rutherglen.
Following living at Newfield, the couple moved to 88 Bankhead, Road, Rutherglen.
Herbert was a very keen gardener (as were all the Nelson boys it would seem) who
tended an allotment and took part regularly in local flower shows in Rutherglen, often
competing against his brother Thomas. Another brother, John, was cared for in their house in his last ailing years
during the early 1950s.
Mary died from a cerebral haemorrhage, age 70, on 29 March 1957 at Coathill Hospital, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.
Her death was registered by her son in law Wm. P. Coulter of 20 Melrose Terrace, East Kilbride which was also the
home of Mary.
After his wife, Mary, died, Herbert lived with his elder daughter, Bessie and her husband, Willie Coulter.
Herbert, aged 83, died in 1967 in 20 Melrose Terrace, East Kilbride, Lanark, Scotland at the home of his son in law
William Coulter.
Herbert Alexander NELSON and Mary COULTER had the following child:
1 Elizabeth Miller Love NELSON was born 30 May 1912 at 24
Hickman Street, Glasgow.
On 30 October 1936 Elizabeth, a Shop Assistant, married William
Pollock COULTER, a Motor Mechanic.
William was born in 1914 and was the son of James Coulter, a
Motor Driver, and Margaret McKinnon.
The Marriage took place at 23 Braeside Ave., Rutherglen and
witnesses were Mary McWalter Nelson of 23 Bankhead Road,
Rutherglen (Elizabeth's sister) and Albert Findlay of 93
Summerfield Street, Glasgow.
Elizabeth died December 1987 Hatfield, Herefordshire, and
William died May 1992 in Hatfield, Herefordshire, England
The couple had one child - May McWalter Coulter who married a
Mr. Nieman and had at least one child - Martin Nieman born circa
1966.
Walter with his daughter Bessie,
grand-daughter May and gt. grandson
Martin.
2 Mary [May] NELSON was born 22 January 1920 at Newfield Cottages, Rutherglen. On 23 November
1945 she married Patrick (Pat) Herbert WATKINSON, a Plumber, at the Hood Memorial Church,
Bridgeton, Glasgow.
49
Patrick was born on 21 Feb 1916 in Fulham, Middlesex and the son of
Joseph Watkinson and Minnie May Bootman.
On 22 July 1948 both Pat and May emigrated on the "Stratheden" sailing
from Loundon and bound for Melbourne.
Their ultimate destination was Tasmania.
In 1954 both Mary and Patrick appear in the Electoral Rolls living at 23
Halstead Street, Emu Bay, Darwin, Tasmania.
Both May and Patrick died in 1992 in Davenport Tasmania and were
buried in Buried in Burnie Lawn General Cemetery, Burnie, Tasmania (as
per Ancestry.com)
Mary NELSON and Patrick WATKINSON had the following children:
a) Alexander John WATKINSON (known as 'John'). John was born
on 1 December 1948 in Burnie, Tasmania, Australia [bapt in Presbyt. Church].
John married twice, first to: Glenys EASTLEY NEE BRYAN in 1981 and second to Sylvia Gale nee
BESWICK in 2006.
b) Elizabeth [Betty] Ann WATKINSON born on 18 October 1950 in Burnie, Tasmania Elizabeth
became a School Teacher and married Colin JONES on 4 January 1977 in Burnie.
254. Daniel Alexander NELSON, son of Alexander NELSON (NEILSON) and Elizabeth LOVE (MCGRATH),
was born on 14 September 1889 at 671 Rutherglen Road, Glasgow, Lanarkshire and christened at the Hood Memorial
Church, Bridgeton, Glasgow in 1990.
On 3 September 1915 Daniel, a Commercial Clerk, married Margaret Boag at 1137 Cathcart Road, Glasgow. At the
time Daniel was living at Muirbank House, Rutherglen with his parents and Margaret was living at 1137 Cathcart
Road (her marriage Address). Both were aged 25 at the time and the marriage witnesses were David McWalter and
Rachel Nelson.
Margaret (Maggie) was born 23 May 1889 in Masterton, Dunfermline, Fifeshire and was the daughter of James Boag
a journeyman Mason and Elizabeth Simpson Barclay.
Daniel died from pulmonary tuberculosis, aged 57, on 23 July 1947 at 15 5th Avenue, Auchenloch, Lanark. His
death was registered by his daughter Alexandra Nelson.
Maggie, his wife, died aged 79 in 1969 at Chryston, North Lanark.
Daniel Alexander NELSON and Margaret (Maggie) BOAG had the following children:
1 Margaret Boag NELSON was born 1925 in Cathcart, Glasgow. Margaret was employed as a
Book-keeper who at the age of 30, on 25 November 1955 died from pulmonary tuberculosis at 20
Millbrae Avenue, Chryston, North Lanark where her other two sisters were living. Her death was
registered by her sister Alexandra (Sandra) who was present at her death.
2 Helen Nicol NELSON was born 1926 in Cathcart, Glasgow. Helen was employed as a Shorthand
Typist and died on 27 March 1955 at the age of 28 from pulmonary tuberculosis at Hairmyres Hospital,
East Kilbride, Glasgow. Her usual address was 20 Millbrae Avenue, Chryston, North Lanark (where
she lived with her sisters). Her death was registered by her sister Alexandra Nelson of 20 Millbrae
Ave., Chyrston. Her death was just 9 months prior to her sister Margaret who also died from
tuberculosis (see above).
3 Alexandra (Sandra) Love NELSON was born in 1928, Cathcart, Glasgow and died, aged 83, in 2012,
Airdrie, Lanark. Sandra, who remained a spinster, was employed in the Income Tax Department.
50
255. Rachel NELSON, daughter of Alexander NELSON (NEILSON) and Elizabeth LOVE (McGRATH), was born
on 8 January 1894 at 725 Rutherglen Road, Glasgow and baptised in the Hood Memorial Church.
Rachel was employed as a Manageress in one of Craig's Teahouses22
in Glasgow.
On 4 September 1920 Rachel, aged 26,married Robert Sawyers BAXTER, a Municipal Clerk a Widower and aged
37, in the Hood Memorial Church, Bridgeton, Glasgow.
Robert Sawyers BAXTER, was born in 1883 and the son of John Sawyers BAXTER, a Mercantile/Municipal Clerk
(1847-1902 Shawlands, Glasgow) and Annie NAPIER (15 Dec 1857-1934). Robert's parents married on 10 Dec 1890
at 38 Paterson Street, Kingston, Glasgow.
Robert's first marriage was to Agnes Cullan Halyburton.
During WW2, Robert was a Fighter Gliding Pilot in the Glider Pilot Regiment and was captured at Arnhem. He
wasn't discharged from the forces until 1946/47, being sent to Palestine after WW2.
Robert died at the age of 43 of Angina Pectoris [heart attack] on 8 September 1926 at 47 Stevenson Drive, Glasgow.
His death was registered by his wife Rachel who was present at his death; Rachel died circa 1976 in Scotland.
Rachel NELSON and Robert Sawyers BAXTER had the following children:
Ian Nelson BAXTER was born 1922 in Cathcart, Glasgow. On 5 December 1945 he married Margaret
Cullen Joyce REID (born 6 June 1926) in the Provan District of Glasgow. Margaret was the daughter
of William Reid, a Baker, and Isabella Joyce.
During WW2 Ian was a Fighter Gliding Pilot in the Glider Pilot Regiment23
and was captured at
Arnhem. He wasn't discharged from the forces until 1946/47, being sent to Palestine after WW2.
Ian died in June to August quarter of 1975 his death being registered in Colchester, Essex.
Ian and his wife Margaret had two children - Alistair Napier Baxter and Robert Hamilton Baxter.
a) Alistair Napier Baxter was born in 1946 Springburn Glasgow and married Eileen Davy in
1969 Staincross, West Yorkshire. The couple have three children Rachel Katherine Baxter,
Rebecca Louise Baxter and Jonathan Davy Baxter. Alistair was a Professor and Head of
Geology Dept. London University; up until 2001he was Head of School at the Centre for
Contaminated Land Remediation.
b) Robert Hamilton Baxter was born 1953 in Cathcart, Glasgow and became a Graphic Designer.
2 Alistair Napier BAXTER was born 1924 in Cathcart, Glasgow. Alistair died on 19 February 1931
aged 6 at 47 Stevenson Drive, Glasgow from epileptic convulsions, exhaustion and heart failure.
257. James Brunton NELSON, son of Daniel NELSON and Rachel Russell BRUNTON, was born in 1879 in
Shotts.
James a Coalminer aged 26 married Margaret DOWNIE, age 21 a Domestic Servant, on 8 December 1905 in at 17
Mansion House Drive, Springboig, Shettleston, Glasgow. At the time James was living at Roseberry Place,
Tollcross and Margaret at 26 Mansion House Road, Langside, Glasgow. Marriage witnesses were Daniel Nelson
(James' brother) and Marion Downie (Margaret's sister).
22
James Craig owned several tearooms in Glasgow and their excellent teas were complimented by their first class
baking 23 Glider Pilots were already experienced soldiers who volunteered to join the airborne forces and take the fight to
the Germans in a totally new regiment. The men of the GPR (Glider Pilot Regiment) were predominantly SNCOs
trained to fly wooden assault gliders into occupied territory. Once on the ground they were expected to go into battle
with the troops they had delivered onto the Landing Zone. During the Arnhem operation they were involved in the
initial defence of the LZs, before fighting house to house leading mixed groups of infantrymen, engineers and medics.
In so doing they suffered extensive losses from which the Regiment never fully recovered.
51
Margaret DOWNIE was born on 27 January 1884 in Bathgate, West Lothian and was the daughter of John Downie a
Coal Miner and Sarah Downie ms (Cavanagh).
1911 census shows James Brunton Nelson, age 32, married for five years with three children born and three still alive,
residing in a house with 2 rooms at Kidford Place, Muiravonside, Stirling. He is employed as a Colliery Manager
born in Shotts. Also in the household is his wife Margaret, age 27, born Linlithgow and children Daniel, age 4 born
Bo'ness, Margaret S., age 2 born Bo'ness and James age 1 born Bo'ness.
James aged 55, died from pneumonia and heart failure on 13 March 1953 in Ballochmyle Hospital, Mauchline,
Ayrshire. His usual address was Acredale, Mid Street, Bathgate, West Lothian. His death was registered by John
Nelson, his son living at 18, Mid Street, Bathgate, West Lothian.
Margaret died, aged 58, on 13 January 1943 at "Freidheim", 9 Marchlands Terrace, Bo'ness, Lothian from an Intra
Cranial Tumour. Death was registered by her brother James Downie of 34a Stewart Avenue, Bo'ness.
James Brunton NELSON and Margaret DOWNIE had the following children:
1 Daniel NELSON (1906-1997) was born on 18 September 1906 in 24 Ghilpingstone Road, Carridon,
Linlithgow, Midlothian. Daniel was possibly a Doctor and died in 1997 in Doncaster or Sheffield,
South Yorkshire. It is possible he married Dorothy PRESTWICH but there is no record of a marriage
between this couple either in Scotland or England.
2 Margaret D. NELSON born 1909 Bo'ness, West Lothian - info as per 1911 census but no birth or death
records can be found.
3 James NELSON (1910-1956) was born on 11 January 1910 in Coronation Cottages, Carriden West
Lothian and baptised on 4 March 1910. James was an Explosives Processman who married Margaret
Murdoch McCall STEWART on 4 August 1944 in Saltcoats, Ayrshire. Margaret Murdoch McCall
STEWART was born on 31 March 1921 in Moorpark Road, Stevenston, Ayrshire
James died of Plasma Cytoma in 1956 at Kilmarnock Infirmary, Ayrshire and Margaret died in 1995 at
Cambuskeith Rd, Stevenston.
She and James NELSON had the following children:
a) Ranold or Ronald NELSON born 13 March 1946 Irvine, Ayrshire and died 2007 in
Hope Hospital, Manchester.
b) Roderick (Roddy) John Stewart NELSON born 5 Jan 1953 Ayrshire; married
Patrician Fullarton and had 4 children - Colin Nelson, Gillian Nelson, Kevin Nelson
and Sandra Nelson.
c) Roland NELSON born 1 March 1956 Irvine, Ayrshire.
4 Catherine [Cathie] Downie NELSON was born in 1912 Slamman, Stirtling and died in 1931 at Thornton
Fever Hospital, Strathmore Road, Fife at the age of 18 from encephalitis lethargica. Her home
address at the time was Braehead, Station Road, Lochgelly, Fifeshire (as per death certificate). Her
father is shown as being a Colliery Manager and was the death informant. Catherine worked as a
Clerkess.
5 Marion [Maisie] NELSON was born circa 1916 possibly in Whitburn, West Lothian, Scotland.
6 Alexander NELSON was born in 1926, Whitburn, West Lothian and died from Acute Capillary
Bronchitis and Cardiac Failure aged 18 months at Hawthorn Cottage, East Whitburn, West Lothian
(as per Scotland's People).
7 Joan Downie NELSON was born in 1920 in Whitburn, West Lothian Scotland and died, aged 78, in
1998 in Dunfermline, Fifeshire. Joan married Henry Ross Mackie in 1940, Dunfermline,
Fifeshire.
8 Thomas [Twink] NELSON was born on 27 June 1922 in West Lothian. Tom served as a 2nd Lieutenant
with the 1st Battalion 4th Prince of Wales' Own Gurkha Rifles/Service Number EC/12206. Thomas
died on 23 June 1944 in Myanmar, Burma. He is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Face
6124
24
The Rangoon Memorial is situated in Taukkyan War Cemetery, which is about 35 kilometres north of Yangon
(formerly Rangoon
52
259. Daniel NELSON, son of Daniel NELSON and Rachel Russell BRUNTON, was born 9 May 1884 at Dykehead,
Shotts. Daniel first worked as a Grocer and then became a shopkeeper Manager at the West Calder Co-op Store in
the village of Tarbrax.
On 16 October 1906 in West Calder, Midlothian Daniel married Susan Wilson BARRONS, a Cashier and the
daughter of William BARRONS and Jane THOMSON. Susan was born on 27 October 1883 in Livingston Street,
West Calder.
In 1911 both Daniel (surname recorded as NEILSON) and Susan were living at 2 Malvern Place, in the parish of St.
Thomas, Glasgow. Daniel is recorded as aged 30 and working as an Engine Fitter, born Glasgow. Susan is
recorded as being aged 25 and also born in Glasgow. At the time they were living in a 2 roomed tenement flat.
Daniel NELSON and Susan Barrons had the following children:
1 William [Bill] Barrons NELSON was born in 1915 in Haywood & Tarbrax, West Calder,
Lanark. William, a Doctor (?of Medicine or Other), married Catherine MacDonald in
1946 at St. Giles, Edinburgh. He died in 1971 at Whitburn, West Lothian, aged 63
2 Daniel [Dan] NELSON was born in 1917 in Haywood & Tarbrax and was a Veterinary
Surgeon.
3 Susan NELSON born possibly in Haywood & Tarbrax, West Calder . Susan was a
School Teacher.
4 Mary NELSON born possibly in Haywood & Tarbrax, West Calder . Mary was a
School Teacher.
5 Rachel NELSON
6 Margaret H. Barr NELSON was born in 1922 in Haywood & Tarbrax.
7 John [Jacky] NELSON was born in 1924 in Haywood & Tarbrax and became a
Veterinary Surgeon.
8 James Pryde Barrons NELSON was born in 13 August 1926 possibly Haywood &
Tarbrax. James was a Veterinary Surgeon who died in 1989 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
(info as per Ancestry.com) James married Gillian M. Cripps in the July to September
quarter of 1957 in Cheltenham, Gloucstershire (info as per Ancestry.com).
James NELSON and Gillian CRIPPS had one known child:
Richard J.B. NELSON born October to December quarter of 1965.
53
RUTHERGLEN - A PLACE OF THE PAST
The 1960 Illustrated Road Book of Scotland described Rutherglen as
follows:
“Although contiguous with the city of Glasgow, Rutherglen, is situated
south of the River Clyde, and has successfully retained its independence. It
remains the oldest of the Scottish Royal Burghs, having been thus created
by David Ist early in the 12th cent. The former castle has disappeared
having been burnt by the Regent Murray after the Battle of Langside in
1568, after which Mary, Queen of Scots, commenced her flight from the
country. In 1679, the Covenanters affixed a declaration to the Town
Cross, which led to the battles of Drumclog, near Loudounhill and
Bothwell Brig. A gable from the former Norman Church rests against an
early 16th cent. Steeple containing a Dutch bell of 1635. The Kirk port
dates from 1663 and has a pair of 18th cent. sentry boxes. The present
Mercat Cross is modern. Clydesdale horses were at one time tethered in
the wide main street during important sales. The town is an important manufacturing centre, noted for chemicals and paper mills,
and there are also collieries in the vicinity. One and a half miles south is Castlemilk incorporating a 15th or 16
th century Tower, and
thought to have housed Mary, Queen of Scots before the battle of Langside.”
This is the town into which I was born, as were my siblings, and where for three generations, my ancestors strived to raise their
families in difficult, but happy times. It was only in the late 19th century that both sides of my parents’ ancestors moved to
Rutherglen, which was at that time, a very busy, industrious, bustling town. Both paternal and maternal grandparents’ roots
originated, in other parts of Scotland, but in an effort to find work, they moved and settled down in this very ancient, Royal Burgh.
‘Ruglothians’, as the locals prided in calling themselves, had a very strong community spirit where everyone knew, or was almost
related to, everyone else. Local people had a slightly snobbish attitude in that they did not like the Royal Burgh to be associated
with neighbouring Glasgow. There was resentment at the thought of their ‘toon’, which was then in the county of Lanarkshire,
being engulfed into Glasgow during the reshuffle of county boundaries in 1972. When questioning a Ruglothian about his or her
place of origin, their reply would almost certainly have been “I was born in Rutherglen - or I was born in Lanarkshire”. Never in
their wildest dreams would they ever say they came from Glasgow. It was expected that everyone, including tourists, should
almost certainly know where Rutherglen was located on a British map, never where Glasgow was!
In 1996 a further boundary reshuffle took place, and it was with great delight that the locals found themselves and the Royal Burgh,
once more associated with the county of Lanarkshire.
Industry thrived in, or very near to, Rutherglen during the early part of the 20th century. There were shipbuilding yards by the
Rutherglen canal, steel works, coal mining, carpet manufacturing, chemical and paper mills. Somehow during this industrial era,
Rutherglen managed to retain its countryside atmosphere. As there were still a few farms in the area together with Cathkin braes
and the village of Eaglesham not too far away, Rutherglen inhabitants labelled themselves as “country folk”.
One would imagine that with all the thriving industry in the vicinity, work would be plentiful. The “great recession” of 1922 to
1926, heavily took its toll on the workforce of Rutherglen. At that time there were more than three million people unemployed in
Britain [a small number by today’s statistics]. Many of Rutherglen’s industries were closed permanently and a vast number of
men never returned to the local coal mines or the shipbuilding industry. Only the local steel works and Templeton's, the carpet
factory [closely situated to Polmadie and Bridgeton] survived the industrial blitz. Many skilled men had to seek any work that was
available in Glasgow and nearby Hamilton - an irony when one considers their “snooty” attitude relating to Glasgow at that time.
In the 1990’s Rutherglen town centre, like many other close knit communities, has changed considerably. The pride and obstinacy
of Rutherglen being “their toon, so hands off Glasgow!” has almost complete disappeared.
Gone are the surrounding green fields and farmlands; the local steel industry [Colville's], the carpet manufacturers [Templeton's],
and Dixon Colliers have become casualties to suburbanisation and small independent business. Gone too, has the Odeon Cinema,
the Rio Picture House [affectionately known as the ‘flea pit’], the Roger Institute [an evangelical centre] where we used to visit at
Christmas time, to collect a paper ‘poke’ [bag] containing two freshly baked buns, some sweeties and an orange, all for the price of
listening to a lecture about the “evils of drink”. Old Rutherglen folk like Archie Yuille, who was once the Town Crier; Alex the
greengrocer in Stonelaw Road; old Dr. Carnduff who brought a great many of Rutherglen’s folk into the world and, who I add,
was notorious for his ‘bread and milk’ poultice cure for everything – all these wonderful characters have now been forgotten in the
not so distant past, as have many other old Ruglothians who once strived so hard to keep Rutherglen independent.
© Margot Bain 1998
Rutherglen Town Hall
Photo 1997
