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John Smyth
18?? - 18??
John Smyth was Calum's and Jamie's great great
great great grandfather.
In his son Thomas' wedding entry on January 5th 1888,
John was listed as a farmer.
It is known that he had at least two children.
CHILDREN of JOHN SMYTH and (UNKNOWN):
Thomas Smyth
b: 1859 approx
Calum's and Jamie's great great great grandfather
- see below.
Margaret Smyth
b: 18??
All that is known about Margaret comes from her great niece, Margaret
Lynch (nee Smyth). According to Margaret Lynch, her great aunt Margaret died at a young age after
an accident involving a horse. Margaret was named after her great aunt in memory of her.
Thomas Smyth
1859 (approx) - 19??
Thomas was Calum's and Jamie's great great
great grandfather.
It is not yet known when Thomas was born, all
that is known as yet is that he was born in Belfast, Ireland, in approximately 1859.
On January 5th 1888, Thomas married Elizabeth
Bell, daughter of labourer David Bell, at Berry Street Presbyterian Church in Belfast. Thomas was listed
as a labourer, and his father as a farmer. The witnesses to the wedding were George Green and Mary
Green, with the officiating minister being the Reverend J. D. Crawford D.D.
From 1900, the the Smyths were
living at 87 Canmore Street in Belfast, where they stayed until 1904. At the time of the 1901 census, Thomas' age was listed
as 42, and he was born in the City of Belfast. He was a Presbyterian who could read and write, and he worked as a bleacher
in the mills and as a labourer.
In the Belfast Street directories from
the early Twentieth Century, we learn that the family remained at Canmore Street until 1904. Their name is recorded in these
volumes as "Smith".
In the 1911 census, Thomas, by now a widower, was resident at his brother-in-law's
house (James Bell) at 104 Wilton Street, in the Woodvale Ward of the parish of Shankill. In the
record he was noted as a 53 year old Presbyterian labourer, born in Belfast City, single, and able to read and write.
Only his son William was with him, and their surname was again recorded as Smith.
It is not yet known when Thomas died.
CHILDREN of THOMAS SMYTH and ELIZABETH BELL:
Mary Elizabeth Smyth
b: 1889 d: 19??
As a child, Mary worked as a corder in one of Belfast's linen mills. In 1912,
a Mary Smyth signed the Declaration of Loyalty in West Belfast. This may have been our Mary, as she was living at 8 Dewey
Street, with a Maggie Smyth, which may have been her sister. This however remains unconfirmed for now.
Maggie Florence Smyth
b: 1898 d: 19??
Nothing is as yet known about Maggie, other than that she was born in Belfast.
It may well be that she too went to work in one of the city's linen mills. In 1912, a Maggie Smyth signed the Declaration
of Loyalty in West Belfast. Again, this may have been our Maggie, as she was living at 8 Dewey Street, with a Mary
Smyth, which may have been her sister. This however remains unconfirmed for now.
William McKeever Smyth
b: 10/7/1899 d: 18/5/1980
Calum's and Jamie's great great grandfather
- see below.
William McKeever Smyth
10/7/1899 - 18/5/1980
William was Calum's and Jamie's great
great grandfather.
William was born in Belfast, Ireland, and in 1901 is listed in the census as living at
87 Canmore Street in the north of the city. On 19/6/1905 he started attending Wilton Street School, as evident from the surviving
school register held at PRONI.
William's mother died between 1901 and 1911, and
in the 1911 census, along with his father, he was found at 104 Wilston Street, the house of his uncle, James
Bell, where he was noted as a 12 year old scholar, and able to read and write.
During the First World War, at some point after
July 1915, having reached the required minimum age, William joined the British army. From the medal card at the National
Archives in London, it is known that William signed on as a private in the Royal Irish Rifles, and later did duty
as part of the Royal Irish Fusiliers and the Royal Irish Regiment. For his services to his country, William was later
awarded the Victory Medal. According to his son William, there is somewhere in existence (still to be traced)
a photograph of him with two horses and a uniform that includes two ammunition belts worn across his upper body.
After the war, William settled into civilian life,
and on Christmas Eve 1920 he married Annie Evelyn Lesley Watton in Belfast (GRO Dublin: Belfast 1 295 - 4th qtr 1920). The wedding took place at St Anne's parish church
in the city, the officiating minister was Reverend A. George Johnston, and the witnesses were Archie Mullen and Mary Bill.
William in fact worked as a decorator for Annie's father, Cochrane McLaughlin Watton, along with Cochrane's
brother William.
In 1922 the couple had their first child, Martha,
who later became Calum's and Jamie's great grandmother.
From 1927 to 1944 William and his family lived at 25 Liffey
Street in Belfast. Whilst here, the couple ran a grocery business from the front room of their house. William used to order
up all the produce (vegetables and the like) and at weekends used to make deliveries of these throughout the Old Park area
of Belfast using a horse and cart. William's main job though was working as a house painter and interior decorator, working
for a small local firm called Nelson's, whilst Annie looked after the day to day running of the shop. Their youngest
daughter Margaret recalls that her father closed the shop after complaints from the neighbours
that he was using this as a main source of income.
And according to his son William, if his mother mentioned to his
father that the front room could do with redecorating, when she would get up the following morning, she would find that the
room had been done overnight. William junior also recalls how when working with his dad, they would occasionally go for a
drink after work. His father would order himself a pint of Guinness, 'a working man's pint', and would order his son a bottle
of Guinness to wind him up, i.e. not a working man's pint! His sister Margaret further remembers that her father would only
have a drink on a Friday night, and on no other day of the week.
According to his son William, William
senior may have rejoined the British Army during the Second World War, as a member of the Royal Ulster Rifles, and it is believed
that he may have been at Dunkirk, although this still needs to be confirmed.
In 1944 the family moved again to 25 Roe Street
in Belfast, where William continued to live until his death in 1980. Whilst living here, he continued to work in his job
as a painter.
William was in the Orange Order in Belfast and was a member of the Royal Black Preceptory, and a grand
master of one of their lodges. According to his son Tommy, William also was responsible for the setting up
of the Ulster Accordion Band in Belfast, as part of his work in the Orange Order. But William was apparently asked to leave the
orders when one of his daughters married a Roman Catholic man and moved with him to the Ardoyne area of the city. William's daughter Margaret does not recall her father walking on an Orange march
in her childhood at all, so presumably his exit from the lodge happened prior to 1947.
William died in 1980, and was buried in the old cemetery
of Carnmoney Church of the Holy Evangelists (Church of Ireland), Newtonabbey, Co. Antrim. His wife Annie died the following
year and was buried alongside him. Their graves do not carry a headstone, and in 1997, they were joined by their
daughter Beatrice.
William's granddaughter Cherie, Calum's
and Jamie's grandmother, recalls her grandfather fondly, describing him as the salt of the earth. He always made a point of
referring to her by her proper name of Charlotte, saying that Cherie was a name for a dog! Cherie also remembers that he used
to make the Sunday soup every Saturday night, and that he loved his bottles of baby stout, which she also remembers
having to go to an off license in Belfast to get refilled for him. Cherie also remembers that he was the kind of man
who would always encourage people, telling her that if she worked hard for what she wanted she would get it. The kind of man
you would always run to meet - unlike his wife, who you always wanted to run away from!
The Belfast Telegraph
recorded the following tributes from friends and family:
Monday, May 19, 1980
SMYTH, William - May 18, 1980, at his residence, 32 Roe Street, dearly loved
husband of Annie. House private. Internment notice later.
Tuesday May 20, 1980
SMYTH,
William - May 18, 1980, at his residence, 32 Roe Street, dearly loved husband of Annie. House private. Funeral from his residence
, tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10.30am to Carnmoney Churchyard. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing wife Annie, Daughter Sadie, and
son Christopher, abroad. A bouquet of beautiful memories, sprayed with a million tears, wishing God had spared you just for
a few more years.
SMYTH, William McKeever - May 18 1980 - deeply regretted by his sorrowing daughter Martha and grandchildren,
Carrickfergus and Australia. Softly from the shadows he heard a gentle call, taking the hand of Jesus, he quietly left us
all.
SMYTH, William McKeever - May 18 1980 - Deeply regretted by his sorrowing son Tommy and daughter in law Margaret
and grandchildren; also great grandson. Two tired eyes are sleeping, two willing hands are still, the one who worked so hard
for us is resting at God's will; what he suffered he told so few, he didn't deserve what he went through, tired and weary
he made no fuss, but he tried so hard to stay with us; forever in our thoughts, God bless, Dad.
SMYTH, William - May
18 1980, beloved father of William McKeiver Smyth - deeply regretted by his sorrowing son and daughter-in-law, William and
Betty, Scotland. Also his granddaughters and husbands. Never selfish, always kind, these are the memories he left behind.
SMYTH, William - May 18 1980 - deeply regretted by his sorrowing daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Benny; also
grandson Bernard. If roses grow in Heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me and place them in my father's arms and tell him
they are from me.
SMYTH, William McKee - May 18 1980, at his residence, 32 Roe Street, loving memories of my dear
father. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing daughter and son-in-law, Evelyn and Gerald and grandchildren. Rest after suffering,
peace after pain, we would not waken you dear father to suffer again.
SMYTH, William - May 18, 1980, at his residence
32 Roe Street. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing daughter and son-in-law Beatrice and Jim Cahoon, also his granddaughter Phyliss.
He sleeps in a beautiful garden, free from all sorrow and pain and when life's journey is ended please God, let me meet my
father again.
SMYTH, William - May 18 1980, beloved grandfather of Christine - deeply regretted by his sorrowing granddaughter
and husband, Christine and Alan Haskins; also great grandson. You were someone special, grandad, someone kind and true, you
will never be forgotten, for we thought the world of you.
Wednesday May 21, 1980
SMYTH,
William - May 18 1980, deeply regretted by his his sorrowing daughter and son-in-law, Lesley amd Tommy Morgan and grandchildren,
Carrickfergus. I hold back the tears when I speak your name, but the ache in my heart is still the same, my voice is sad and
I whisper low, God bless you dad, for I love you so.
On the first anniversary of William's death, furthern notices were place
din the Belfast Telegraph by his wife Annie, daughters Evelyn and Margaret and sons-in-law Gerald and Benny, as well as from
his daughter Lesley Morgan, husband Tommy, and their children Andrea, Thomas and Zoe.
CHILDREN of WILLIAM McKEEVER SMYTH and ANNIE
EVELYN LESLIE WATTON:
Martha Jane Elisabeth Watton Smyth
b: 4/3/1922 d: 22/7/2001
Calum's and Jamie's great grandmother - see below.
William Cochrane Smyth(e)
b: Jul-Sep 1924
William was born in the third quarter of 1924 in Belfast (Belfast Urban 3, p.190).
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| Willy Smythe at home in Ayr, Scotland, April 2001 |
As a young man, William worked with his father in the painting firm, but
left to join the RAF in 1945, where he worked for 12 years as a member of the RAF police. Willy changed his name to Smythe
after he joined the RAF, as there was apparently another gentleman with the surname Smyth in his squadron. He pronounces it
'Smithe', but we all know he is a Smyth!!!
Whilst serving as a corporal in the RAF, William married Elizabeth
McKie, a departmental stores supervisor living in Ayr, Scotland, on December 12th 1955. Elizabeth was the daughter
of farm labourer Thomas McKie and his wife Agnes Miller, a farm servant. The wedding took place at St Quivox Parish Church
in Ayr, with the witnesses being T. Curran and Isabella D. Bryson.
Willy then left and worked as a hamcurer's boner, and later in a hospital
in Ayr as a porter.
Willy and Elizabeth are now retired and living in Ayr.
CHILDREN of WILLIAM SMYTHE and ELIZABETH McKIE:
Janet Elizabeth Sim Smythe
b: 11/11/1957
Janet (aka Janice) was born at 11.05pm on November 11th 1957 at Thornyflat Maternity
Hospital in Ayr. She married James Alexander Hutcheson in 1977, and had two children with him. The couple
were divorced in 2006.
Janet continues to live in Edinburgh to this day.
CHILDREN of JANET SMYTHE and JAMES HUTCHESON:
Nicola Hutcheson
b: 14/8/1980
Nicola was born at Simpson Memorial Maternity Hospital, Pavilion, Edinburgh, Scotland, on August 14th
1980.
Christopher Hutcheson
b: 1988
Christopher was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1988.
Ann Evelyn Smythe
b: 1/10/1963
Ann was born at 7.55pm on October 1st 1963 at Thornyflat Maternity Hospital.
She married Archie McDonald in 1992 and the couple continue to live in Scotland with their two sons, and
still maintain contact with their relatives in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
CHILDREN of ANN SMYTHE and ARCHIE McDONALD:
Gary William McDonald
b: 15/3/1996
Gary was born at Ayrshire Central Hospital, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland, on March 15th 1996.
Darren Archibald Smythe McDonald
b: 22/11/1997
Darren was born at Ayrshire General Hospital, Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, on November 22nd 1997.
Beatrice Smyth
b:
4/5/1930 d: 16/12/1997
Beattie was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on May 4th 1930.
Beattie married James Cahoon in the first quarter of 1951 (1951, Q1/0/424).
The couple went on to have two daughters, Phylis and Christine.
Beattie died on December 16th 1997 after developing cancer, and was buried in the old
Church of Ireland Cemetery at Carnmoney Church, Newtonabbey (1997/Q4/Death Ref D1997/B1/3001).
CHILDREN of BEATRICE SMYTH and JAMES CAHOON:
Christine Y. Cahoon
b:1962
Christine was born in the first quarter of 1962 at St. Georges (St. Georges, No. 1/p.423).
It is known Christine married Alan Haskins and that the couple have at
least one child.
CHILDREN of CHRISTINE CAHOON and ALAN HASKINS:
(Unknown) Haskins
b: ????
Phylis J. Cahoon
b: 1956
Phylis was born in Cookstown in the 3rd quarter of 1956 (1956/Cookstown/p.478).
Christopher Smyth
b: 19??
As a youngster, Christie and his brother Tommy were in
the TA together, training at the weekends. At one point the two of them were sent off on an expedition. Upon their return,
Tommy returned to Ireland, but Christie remained in Britain, where he joined up with the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was soon
sent to Malaya on a tour of duty, and upon his return he settled in Essex and married a woman called Christine,
with whom he had a daughter. His family in Ireland have not heard from him since, and hence his current whereabouts are
unknown.
CHILDREN of CHRISTOPHER SMYTH and CHRISTINE
(UNKNOWN):
Christine (or Karen) Smyth
b: 19??
Sadie Smyth
b:
19?? d: Oct 2001
Sadie married on three occasions. The first gent was called Cyril, surname
unknown, the second had the surname Owens and the third Williams.
From the three marriages there are three children - Maureen and Steven
(Owens or Williams), and Lesley Smyth.
Sadie's last known whereabouts were in Liverpool, England, several years ago. She died six
months after her eldest sister Martha in 2001.
CHILDREN of SADIE SMYTH:
Maureen (Unknown)
b: 19??
Steven (Unknown)
b: 19??
Lesley (Unknown)
b: 19??
Lesley was not raised by her mother Sadie, but by her grandparents. She married twice, the
first time to a gent as yet unknown, and the second to Thomas Morgan.
CHILDREN of LESLEY (UNKNOWN) and THOMAS MORGAN:
Thomas Morgan
b: 19??
It is believed that Thomas was born in Carrickfergus.
Zoe E. Morgan
b: 1979
Zoe was born in Carrickfergus in the third quarter of 1979 in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
(1979/Q3/CENTRE 2/p.47).
Andrea Morgan
b: 19??
It is believed that Andrea was born in Carrickfergus.
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| Tommy Smyth and wife Margaret on Colin Paton's wedding day, Carrickfergus, 1969 |
As a youngster, Tommy worked at Edenderry Mills in
Belfast, and then joined ICI in Carrickfergus, County Antrim. He married Margaret Brown in Belfast in
the third quarter of 1946 (1946/Q3/BELFAST/)/802), and the couple went on raise a family of eight children.
In
1981, after many years employment at ICI, Tommy was made redundant. Shortly after, he was responsible for setting
up the Snooker Club in the Northgate Bar in Carrickfergus, and is currently the chairman of the club.
Tommy and Margaret still live in Carrickfergus
to this day.
CHILDREN of THOMAS SMYTH
and MARGARET BROWN:
Jacqueline Smyth
b: 1946
Jacqueline has at least one son. It is not known if she is married (Belfast Telegraph
obits 24/7/2001).
CHILDREN of JACQUELINE SMYTH and (UNKNOWN):
Ryan (unknown)
b: 19??
Linda Smyth
b: 1955
Linda is married to Roy and has at least one son (Belfast Telegraph
obits 24/7/2001).
CHILD of LINDA SMYTH and ROY (UNKNOWN):
David (unknown)
b: 19??
Nigel Smyth
b: 19??
Nigel is partnered by Valerie with whom he has one son (Belfast
Telegraph obits 24/7/2001).
CHILD of NIGEL SMYTH and VALERIE (UNKNOWN):
Darryl Smyth
b: 19??
Glenn Smyth
b: 19??
Glenn is married to Lesley-Ann and has at least two children
(Belfast Telegraph obits 24/7/2001).
CHILDREN of GLENN and LESLEY-ANN (UNKNOWN):
(Unknown) Smyth
b: 19??
(Unknown) Smyth
b: 19??
Joyce Smyth
b: 19??
Joyce is married to William Wilkinson and has
at least two children (Belfast Telegraph obits 24/7/2001).
CHILDREN of JOYCE SMYTH and WILLIAM WILKINSON:
Warren Wilkinson
b: 19??
(Unknown) Wilkinson b: 19??
Steve Smyth
b: 19??
Stephen is either married to, or partnered by, a woman called Mary
(Belfast Telegraph obits 24/7/2001). They have at least one daughter.
CHILDREN of STEVEN SMYTH and MARY (UNKNOWN):
(unknown) Smyth
b: 19??
Darren Smyth
b: 19??
In 2001 Darren was partnered by a woman called Linda (Belfast
Telegraph obits 24/7/2001).
Graeme Smyth
b: 19??
Graeme is married to Alison and has at least two children (Belfast
Telegraph obits 24/7/2001).
CHILDREN of GRAEME SMYTH and ALISON (UNKNOWN):
(Unknown) Smyth
b: 19??
Evelyn Smyth
b: 1940
Evelyn married Gerard (Gerry) Marshall in the first quarter of 1965
in Belfast (1965/Q1/BELFAST/0/868) and went on to have four children.
In the 1960s, Eveline and Gerry lived for a period in the Castlemara estate of Carrickfergus,
before returning to Belfast, where the couple now stay in the Ardoyne area of the city.
Evelyn has recently undergone treatment for cancer, and we wish her well in her recovery.
CHILDREN of EVELYN SMYTH and GERRY MARSHALL:
Shirley Sarah Marshall
b: 1966
Shirley still lives in Belfast close to her parents. Her cousin Cherie
McKeown (formerly Paton, nee Graham) recalls that her nickname as a baby was "Bubbles"!
Karen Marshall
b: 1967
Karen was born in Court in the third quarter of 1967 (1967/Q3/COURT/0/174).
Yvonne Marshall
b: 1969
Yvonne was born in Court in the second quarter of 1969 (1969/Q2/COURT/0/314).
Gerard Dominic Marshall
b: 1973
Gerard was born in Court in the first quarter of 1973 (1973/Q1/COURT/0/325).
Gerard still lives in Belfast.
Margaret Smyth
b:
1947
Margaret was named after her great aunt, Margaret Smyth, who died
at a young age from an accident involving a horse.
Born and raised in Roe Street, Belfast, Margaret also stayed with her
sister Martha for a time in Carrickfergus. Her niece Cherie McKeown (formerly Paton, nee Graham) recalls how she would have her beehive hairstyle done by her aunt Margaret before heading to the local YMCA disco.
Margaret returned to Belfast and worked in Edenderry Mills as a flax and yarn
spinner. In the first quarter of 1971 she married Bernard (Benny) Lynch in Belfast, and had one
son with him. She continues to live in the city, in the Ardoyne area.
In August 2004, Margaret's great nephew Chris Paton contacted her for the first time and was able to find out much from her about the Smyth side of the family, and
for this he is eternally grateful.
CHILDREN of MARGARET SMYTH and BENNY LYNCH:
Bernard Lynch
b: 1974
Bernard was born in Belfast in the second quarter of 1974 (1974/Q2/BELFAST/4/597),
and at birth it was discovered that he had a serious kidney disorder. In December 2000, Bernard successfully underwent
a kidney transplant.
Bernard is married and has one son. He continues to live in Belfast.
CHILD of BERNARD LYNCH and (UNKNOWN):
Pearse Daniel Lynch
b: 23/3/1997
Pearse was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland (1997/Q1/BELFAST/ref.U1997/B1/0891).
Martha Jane Elisabeth Watton Smyth
4/3/1922 -
22/7/2001
Martha was Calum's and Jamie's great grandmother.
Martha's mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
profile has been established following analysis of her grandson Christopher's DNA in 2007. This form of DNA was passed to
her from her mother Annie Watton, her granny Elizabeth Holmes etc, along the maternal line. Her haplogroup is H, meaning that
her maternal ancestors eventually go as far back as an ancestor that the boffins in white coats have named Helena. The sample
of DNA was matched against the Cambridge Reference Sequence by the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, and the following
differences (mutations) to the sequence were noted:
HVR1: 16519C HVR2: 263G HVR3: 315.1C
If anybody has the same mtDNA mutations as Martha, it will be
extremely likely that they shared a common maternal ancestor somewhere in the last 500 years. Martha's mtDNA profile is shared
by her five surviving children, and her seven brothers and sisters. The children of her sisters also carry this same DNA profile,
though not those of her brothers, as men cannot pass on mtDNA to their children (it is inherited from the mother only).
Martha was born in Belfast in 1922, the eldest daughter in the Smyth family.
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| Martha Jane Elizabeth Watton Smyth, 1953 |
As a child, she attended school in
Belfast until the age of 14, after which, like most young working class girls at that time, she took up work in the Edenderry linen mill, just off the city's Crumlin Road. Also working
alongside her at the mill was her sister Beattie and brother Tommy. Martha's job was
to work as a doffer, one of the many young girls whose job it was to clear the frames of the empty bobbins, with a doff
being the term used for a bobbin that was full of yarn. Martha remained at Edenderry for about six years, eventually leaving
when she got married in 1943.
To hear more about life as a doffer in Belfast, the BBC's Legacies website
has recorded a series of audio interview of various mill workers. Click on the following link (requires Real One Player):
The linen processes and the doffers routine
And a traditonal doffer's song can be found at the following link:
You will easy know a doffer
During the Second World War Martha was also a songster
in the Salvation Army, and learned how to play the harp as a hobby on the Shankill Road.
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| Martha dn Ernest, with kids Edna and Billy, Belfast, approx 1946 |
On 10th July 1943, Martha married boilermaker Ernest
Graham, son of Ernest Graham and Charlotte Harper Montgomery, in Belfast, and after returning from their Dublin honeymoon, the couple went on to raise a family. Tragically,
Martha's pregnancy with her first son ended prematurely when she miscarried. The child was named Ernest
Graham, and was buried in the Smyth family plot at Carnmoney Church of Ireland Cemetery, near Whiteabbey.
Happily, Martha then went on to give birth
to Edna and Billy in the city, and just prior to 1950, the family moved to Carrickfergus,
County Antrim, where they set up home at Salia Avenue in the Sunnylands estate. Settled in Carrick, Martha further extended
the family by giving birth to Charlotte and Michael.
After her husband left
his employment at Harland and Wolfe in Belfast, disgusted at their policy of sectarian employment which discriminated
against Roman Catholics in favour of the country's larger Protestant community, Martha and Ernie moved to South Africa in
approximately 1953, where Ernie had gained employment with a company called Wesso. They lived there for six to eight months,
but when unrest in the country over apartheid became too much, they left the country and returned to Ireland.
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| Martha with her 2 children and a neighbour at Chichester Square, Carrickfergus - approx 1953 |
In the following year, Ernie got another contract to work as a boilermaker on the oil fields of Yemen, at Aden. He
again asked Martha to accompany him with the children, but at this point, according to her eldest son Billy,
Martha refused point blank when she was asked to go, as she really didn't like the time that she had spent in South Africa.
(And knowing how Calum's and Jamie's own grandmother Cherie gets on, Martha also probably had serious
problems with eating that "foreign muck"!!!)
Martha sent her children every week to Joymount Presbyterian Church. She was particularly strict about their religious
upbringing, and made sure that they all went to Church in the morning, Sunday School in the afternoon, and back to Church
again in the evening for the late service. According to her daughter Cherie (Charlotte), Martha's
eldest son Billy apparently used to open his offering envelope up every week, lift out the money and put
back in a penny, making sure that both he and God were well catered for!
On returning from the Yemen, Ernie took up work on another contract in Carlisle, but whilst there was
to have an affair, which was soon discovered by the lady's own husband. The angry husband got in touch with Martha in
Ireland to tell her about the affair, and that was to be the end of her marriage to Ernie. With Ernie duly remaining
over in the English Lake District, Martha once more set about raising their children on her own.
In the 1960s, Martha struck up a relationship
with a boxer called Billy Anthony, who was to bear her two more children, Mark
and Nicolle. Mark was born severely handicapped at birth, and required constant care and attention throughout
the day in case he took an epileptic fit or had seizures.
To support her family, Martha worked briefly in Larne at the Pye electronics factory,
and then took up work at the Carreras cigarette factory in Carrickfergus.
In August 1969, Martha had to say goodbye to
her son Billy, who had decided to emigrate to Australia. Billy did however return on several occasions to
visit his mum back in Ireland, and she always looked forward to his visits with great excitement. Just a few days after
Billy emigrated, Martha's daughter Cherie (Charlotte) also left Ireland, having married
a submariner from Carrickfergus called Colin Paton. The couple moved to Barrow on Furness in England and then to Helensburgh in Scotland to where Colin was based.
On June 6th 1976, Martha's son Mark, who had been born
severely handicapped, sadly died in hospital after a severe epileptic fit, at the age of thirteen. Living at 10 Chichester
Square at the time, in Carrick's Sunnylands estate, Martha and the family were completely devastated.
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| Martha and grandkids (LtoR) Dawn, Chris, Colin & Cheryl, & daughter Nicole holding grandson Robert |
In 1977, Martha visited her daughter Cherie in Plymouth,
and ended up staying for several months with Cherie and her four grandchildren, Chris, Colin,
Dawn and baby Robert, as well as her daughter Nicole and granddaughter
Cheryl. Nicole and Cheryl in fact spent a year with the Patons, and enrolled at the local school, Laira Green
Primary, which they attended alongside their cousins.
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| Martha in fits of giggles! Plymouth, England, 1977 |
To give an example of how mad a sense of humour Martha had, on one occasion in Plymouth, her grandsons
Chris and Colin were seated in the sitting room depicted in the above photo. Suddenly Martha
came running in, naked as the day she was born, except for a pair of tights she had on. She ran around the living room
twice, mischievously shouting out "Yeehaa!!" laughing her head off, and then ran back out the door again. To this day,
Colin and Chris have no idea what was going on...!
In subsequent years, Martha moved house back in Carrickfergus on several occasions, living at 10 Chichester
Square, Oakwood Road, and ultimately Castlemara Drive.
In 1979, Martha's daughter Cherie moved back to Carrickfergus
after separating from her husband Colin Paton. Cherie took her two youngest children, Dawn and Robert, back with her, leaving the two eldest boys, Chris
and Colin, behind in England to be raised by their father, although six months later they too returned to Carrick. With
the family split, Dawn and Robert were regular visitors to their grandmother, but Chris and Colin were initially not allowed
near their mother or her family by their father. This lasted for a couple of years, although when they moved to Castlemara,
being only a few yards away from Martha's house, this soon mellowed. On one occasion in the mid 1980s, Chris was even asked
to take a lump of coal to his granny's at New Year's Eve, to first foot the new year in, despite the fact he was blonde and
blue eyed, going against centuries of established Scottish tradition!
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| Martha with grandson Robert Paton, approximately 1984. |
In the late 1990s, Martha suffered a series of strokes
in her house at Castlemara, which she shared with her youngest son Michael. Having the constitution of an
ox, after each stroke, she kept getting back up, and was able to recover her speech ability within months. Alterations were
made to the house to help her, including the addition of a small chair lift in the corner of her sitting room that led to
her bedroom, and a ramp to help her with wheelchair access.
In 1999, Martha was visited by her two granddaughters Alison and Roslyn
from Australia, with their father Billy, a visit which she thoroughly enjoyed.
In April 2001, Martha got to meet her great grandson Calum Graham Paton for the one and only time, just a couple of days after his christening in the Republic of Ireland.
In July, just a few months later, Martha underwent
a life saving operation to have her left leg amputated from beneath the knee, after developing serious bedsores on it whilst
staying in Whiteabbey Hospital after yet another stroke. Tragically,
two weeks after the operation, Martha passed away, but not before receiving a visit from Calum's father, Chris,
who had travelled over from Scotland to see her. Her leg may have left her, and even her strength, but at the end she still
had her mad sense of humour about her!
Martha was buried on Wednesday 25th July in Victoria
Cemetery, Carrickfergus, beside her son Mark, who died in 1976. The following notices were recorded in the Belfast
Telegraph:
Tuesday, 24th July 2001
GRAHAM,
MARTHA - died July 22, 2001. I loved you mum and always will, I did in life, in death I do still, tender Lord, in your garden
of rest, for while on earth, she was the best. From her daughter Cherie, partner Jim, grand-daughter Dawn and grandson Colin.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - Died July 22, 2001. Beloved mother (sic) of Cheryl, mother-in-law (sic) of Glenn and grandmother
(sic) of Lindsay, Melanie, Mark and Kelvin. The angels sang amazing grace, the Lord came down and touched your face. He held
your hand and whispered low, come to Me Martha it's time to go. The gates of Heaven opened wide, the angels lined up side
by side, a special guest was on her way, the day God took our Mum away.
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| Martha's last photo, in Whiteabbey Hospital, with daughter Cherie - still smiling! |
GRAHAM, MARTHA - Died July 22, 2001 in hospital.
- Sadly missed by her loving daughter Edna, grandchildren Paul and Warren, grand-daughter-in-law Michelle, also great grandchildren
Stuart and Leah. Look around your garden Lord, my mum won't be hard to find, she has a face which is full of love, and a heart
that's kind and good. Tell her that we love her, and when she turns and smiles, put arms around her Lord and hold her for
a while. Mum we love you, our wounds will never heal, but when they say Edna you look just like your Mum, I'll stand and smile
with pride. Goodnight Mum and God Bless, I love you.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - July 22, 2001 - Sadly missed
by loving son, Michael. Tired and weary you made no fuss, you tried so hard to stay with us. God closed you eyes and and gave
you rest, for He alone knows what is best.
GRAHAM, MARTHA. - Died July 22, 2001. Deeply regretted by her loving sister
Lesley. A golden heart stopped beating, two willing hands at rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the
best.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - Died July 22, 2001 at hospital
- Deeply regretted by her sorrowing brother Tommy, sister-in-law Margaret. We cannot bring the old days back, when we were
all together but loving thoughts and precious memories remain with us forever.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - 171 Castlemara Drive,
Carrickfergus, died July 22, 2001 at Whiteabbey Hospital. - Deeply regretted by her grandson Chris, wife Claire, and great
grandson Calum (Glasgow). Also by her grandson Robert (Glasgow). We will miss you Granny and never forget you.
GRAHAM,
MARTHA - Died July 22, 2001. - Deeply regretted by her sorrowing nephew Stephen and Mary. The Lord is my shepherd. Gone but
not forgotten.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - Died July 22, 2001 at hospital.
- Deeply regretted by her niece Linda, Roy and son David. The Lord is my shepherd.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - Died July 22, 2001 at hospital.
- Deeply sympathy from her Nephew Nigel, partner Valerie and son Darryl. Precious memories.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - Died July 22, 2001 at hospital.
- Deeply regretted by her nephew Glenn, wife Lesley-Ann and family. Peace, perfect peace.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - Died July 22, 2001 at hospital.
- Deepest sympathy from her nephew Darren and partner Linda. The Lord is my shepherd.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - Died July 22, 2001 at hospital.
- Deeply regretted by her nephew Graeme, wife Alsion and family. No more suffering, at peace now.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - Died July 22, 2001 at hospital.
- Deeply regretted by her niece Joyce and husband William and family. Along the road of suffering, she found a little lane,
that lead her up to heaven and ended all her pain.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - Died July 22 at hospital.
- Will be sadly missed by her niece Jacqueline and son Ryan. Your restless days are over, your sleepless nights are past.
God put his arms around you and gave you peace at last.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - The members of the Northgate
Snooker Club regret to learn of the death of the sister of their esteemed Chairman Tommy and tender deepest sympathy to him
and the family circle.
GRAHAM, MARTHA - Died July 22, 2001. - Deepest
sympathy to Nicole and family on the death of her dear mother from Meta, Tommy and family. At Rest.
Wednesday, July 25th 2001
GRAHAM,
MARTHA - Passed away (peacefully), July 22, 2001. Much loved mother of Billy and Beth and grandmother of Brad, Roslyn and
Alison - Forever in our hearts.
On the day before, there were a further thirteen
notices from other members of the family circle.
Martha's death was also noted in the Carrickfergus Advertiser
and East Antrim Gazette, Wednesday 25th July, by Calum's father.
GRAHAM - MARTHA 171 Castlemara Drive,
22nd July 2001 at Whiteabbey Hospital. Deeply regretted by her grandson Chris, wife Claire and her great grandson Calum, Glasgow.
Also by her grandson Robert, Glasgow
We
will miss you Granny and never forget you.
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| Martha's grave in Victoria Cemetery |
Martha's headstone at her grave in Victoria Cemetery reads:
GRAHAM
In loving memory of
My Darling Son MARK JAMES
Died 14th February 1976 aged 13 1/2 yrs
Always remembered by
His loving mummy and family
Also our dear mother
MARTHA
Died 22nd July 2001
Until we meet
To hold you in my arms again
CHILDREN of MARTHA
SMYTH and ERNEST GRAHAM:
Ernest Graham
b: 1943 d: 1943
See Graham (1) page.
Edna Smyth Graham
b: 25/2/1946
See Graham (1) page.
William Smyth Graham
b: 28/3/1948
See Graham (1) page.
Charlotte Harper Graham
b: 29/6/1950
Calum's and Jamie's grandmother - see Graham (1) page.
Ernest Michael Graham
b: 12/7/1955
See Graham (1) page.
CHILDREN of MARTHA SMYTH
and WILLIAM ANTHONY:
Mark James Cahoon
Graham
b: 6/6/1962 d: 14/2/1976
Mark was born on June 6th 1962, weighing in at
twelve pounds at birth. He was born mentally handicapped and disabled.
Mark was christened in the house at 2 Chichester
Square, by the Reverend Tommy Carlisle from Joymount Presbyterian Church, with his godfather being his uncle Jimmy
Cahoon, and his godmother being his aunt, Beattie Cahoon (nee Smyth).
In 1966, because of Mark's disability, his mother moved the family into a new house at 12 Salia Avenue, which had the luxury
of full central heating. His sister Cherie fondly remembers him calling to her as "She", being unable to say the name Cherie
properly. All the family loved Mark to bits, and both Cherie and her brother Billy gave their sons Chris and Bradley
the second Christian name of Mark, named after their brother.
Mark sadly died in the Royal Victoria Hospital
in Belfast after suffering pneumonia and a severe epileptic fit, at the age of thirteen in 1976.
The following notices recorded Mark's death in
the Carrickfergus Advertiser and the Belfast Telegraph:
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| Mark in the early 1970s with sisters Edna (centre) and Nicolle (left), and niece Cheryl |
Carrickfergus Advertiser and East Antrim
Gazette
February 19th 1976
GRAHAM - Mark, darling son of Martha, died February 14 1976. Very deeply regretted
by Mollie, Des, Rosaleen Best and family Philemina and Jim. His little feet are wondering now in streets of shining gold,
a glittering crown on his fair young brow, a lamb in the shepherd's fold.
Belfast Telegraph
Monday, February 16th 1976
GRAHAM - February 14, 1976
(suddenly) at hospital, Mark, dearly loved son of Martha Graham, 10 Chichester Square, Carrickfergus. Funeral from his home
tomorrow (Tuesday), at 2.30pm to Victoria Cemetery - Very deeply regretted by his sorrowing mother, brother Michael, sister
Nicholl and family circle. Put your arms around him Lord, give him tender care, make up for all he's missed in life and all
that seemed unfair.
GRAHAM - February 14th 1976 (suddenly) at hospital, Mark, beloved son of Martha. Deeply regretted
by his sorrowing sister Cherie, brother-in-law Colin and nephews and nieces, Plymouth. God's garden must be beautiful, he
only takes the best.
GRAHAM - Mark, died February 14 1976 - The neighbours of Chichester Square deeply regret the
death of Mark, much loved son of Martha, and extend their deepest sympathy to the family circle. Sleeping in Heavenly Peace.
There were similar notices placed by Billy
and Beth in Australia; Edna, Paul and Warren in Carrick;
Annie and William Smyth in Belfast; Margaret and Tommy
in Carrick; and from friends Lily Hamilton and family, and Nell Holden and family.
Nicolle Elisabeth Graham
b: 15/2/1964
Nicolle was born in Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim on February 15th 1964, weighing in at seven and a half
pounds, and was subsequently christened at St. Nicholas Church of Ireland in the town.
Nicolle was raised in the town's Sunnylands estate, initially at 2 Chichester Square, and from 1966
at 12 Salia Avenue. For a time she was a member of the Brownies at St. Nicholas Church, and also took part in tap dancing
competitions at Sunnylands Community Centre, at which she won some medals, and found herself occasionally competing against
her niece Cheryl.
As a young girl in 1973, Nicolle spent some time staying with her elder sister Cherie (Charlotte),
and her two sons Chris and Colin in their house at Nelson Place, Helensburgh,
Scotland. A few years later, from approximately 1977 to 1978, Nicolle and her niece Cheryl stayed with Cherie and
her family again, this time at 53 Wycliffe Road, Plymouth, where they were to both stay for about a year, and where both attended
Laira Green Primary School as Chris, Colin and Dawn. Nicolle was known
as "Auntie Coco" to her niece and nephews, which we still call to wind her up...!
In the early 1980s, Nicolle married Robert Gilbert, but the marriage did not last
long. She subsequently struck up a relationship with David Kerr (Kerso),
with whom she was to have two sons, Ryan and Stuart (often believed to be the clones of
Cherie's two, Chris and Colin!). This relationship lasted for several years, but ultimately ended in the mid 1990s.
Living in the Castlemara estate in Carrickfergus, Nicolle worked for a time as a shop assistant in
Castlemara Stores, and as a care assistant at both Ravenhill old peopel's home in Whiteabbey and at Cherry Tree Nursing Home
at the bottom of Castlemara. She eventually remarried to Andy Cooke, and had another child, this
time a daughter called Zoe (often believed to be the clone of Cherie's little madam, Dawn!).
In June 2005, Nicolle moved to Wolverhampton, in England, with her daughter Zoe.
CHILDREN of NICOLLE GRAHAM
and DAVID KERR:
Ryan David James Graham
b: 12/2/1985
Ryan lives in Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, and is now the proud
father of a baby daughter, Bethany. He plans to marry his fiancee, Lynsey Jayne Holmes, daughter of Ruth
and Roderick Holmes, in August 2006.
CHILDREN of RYAN GRAHAM and LYNSEY HOLMES:
Bethany Martha Graham
b: 21/7/2003
Bethany lives in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, with her mother and father.
Stuart Michael Graham
b: 19/7/1987
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| Stuart in Carrickfergus, 2006 |
Stuart was born on July 19th, 1987, and was
raised by his mother in the Castlemara estate of Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, where he still lives
today.
CHILDREN of NICOLLE GRAHAM and ANDREW COOKE:
Zoe Nicole Cooke
b: 9/3/1992
Zoe was raised on the Castlemara estate in
Carrickfergus, County Antrim, and then moved with her mother in May 2005 to Wolverhampton, England.
Zoe is wild about
pigeon racing, and her interest can be gauged at her own website at Zoe's Pigeon World.
She's currently doing her A-levels and practising her new Brummie accent...!
Connecting to Calum and Jamie
Martha Jane Elisabeth Watton Smyth married Ernest
Graham in 1943
Daughter, Charlotte Harper Graham, married Colin Paton in 1969
Son, Christopher Mark Paton,
married Claire Patricia Giles in 2000
Sons, Calum Graham Paton and Jamie Christopher Paton
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