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John Smyth
18?? - 18??
John Smyth was Calum's, Jamie's and Pippa's
four times great grandfather.
Little is known about John just now. Both in his daughter
Mary Jane's wedding record from 1878, and that of his son Thomas in 1888, John was listed
as a farmer.
It is known that John had at least three
children.
CHILDREN of JOHN SMYTH and (UNKNOWN):
John Smith
b: abt 1852 d: 27/5/1905
Little is known about John, except that he was an unmarried labourer who ended his days at the age of 53 in the
Workhouse in Belfast, having previously resided with his sister Mary Jane Watt at 19 Springfield Village
in the city. The cause of his death was pulmonary tuberculosis, and Mary Jane was the informant to the registrar on 27 MAY
1905.
Initially the registrar noted John's age as 39, but this was subsequently corrected on the record by a handwritten note
stating "In Entry No 243 col 6 for '39 years' read '53' years corrected on the 20th June 1905 by me A Morrison Asst Registrar
on production of a statutory declaration made by Mary Jane Watt, sister" - the GRONI site mistakenly transcribes her
surname as Walt. (Source: GRONI D/1905/50/1007/118/243 Belfast Urban 4)
John was subsequently buried on 29 MAY 1905 in Belfast City cemetery in lair L2 class 5 number 296, owned by his younger
brother Thomas. John's religion was noted as Episcopalian, and the cause of death as consumption. His place
of residence was again confirmed as the Workhouse, the fee for the burial was 7s 6d. In this record, brother Thomas signed
with an X, showing that he was illiterate (Source: Belfast City Council burial records, City Cemetery, 6093.29512).
Mary Jane Smyth
b: abt 1855 d: 26/7/1916
Mary Jane was born about 1855 in Co. Antrim, Ireland.
Mary Jane married bleacher John Watt, son of James Watt, bleacher, on 26 JUL 1878 at
Trinity Church of Ireland, Belfast, after license. The residences for both were listed as Belfast, and both their ages were
simply given as being of full age (21 or over). The witnesses were Margaret McKnight and John
Beattie, whilst Mary Jane's father was noted as John Smyth, farmer (Source: GRONI M/1878/B1/464/5/86).
In the 1901 census, Mary Jane was resident at Springfield Village in Belfast's Woodvale ward. She was noted as aged 48,
Presbyterian, able to read and write, and from County Antrim. Her 55 year old husband John Watt was a general labourer,
and also Presbyterian, able to read and write and from Antrim. Three children were also present - 22 year old Mary
Jane, an unmarried linen weaver, 19 year old Eliza, a yarn counter, and 11 years old John,
a scholar. All could read and write, and were from Co. Antrim (Source 1901 Census, National Archives of Ireland).
Mary Jane was the informant for the death of her brother John in 1905, and was noted as resident at
19 Springfield Village (Source: GRONI D/1905/50/1007/118/243 Belfast Urban 4).
In 1911, the census notes that Mary Jane was now 55, and had been married for 32 years, with 4 children born to her and
three still alive. Her 62 year old husband John was still a general labourer, whilst her 22 year old son
John was also a general labourer. All could read and write, all were Presbyterian and noted as having been
born in Belfast City (Source 1911 Census, National Archives of Ireland).
Mary Jane died on 26 JUL 1916 at 19 Springfield Village, aged 56, 3 days following a cerebral haemorrhage. Her grandson
John Watt was the informant to the registrar on 27 JUL (Source: GROI D 1916 Group Reg ID 3480531 Belfast).
The following notice was also placed in the Belfast Telegraph on 27 JUL 1916:
WATT-July 26, 1919, at her residence, 19 Springfield Village, Mary Jane
Watt. The remains of my dearly-beloved wife will be rmeoved for interment in City Cemetery, on to-morrow (Friday), at 2.30pm.
Friends will please accept this intimation. Inserted by her loving Husband and Family. JOHN WATT
Mary Jane was buried two days later at Belfast City Cemetery in lair D1 3 (Source: Belfast City Council burial records).
John survived until his own death on 8 JAN 1931, at 338 Shankill Road, Belfast, aged 81. The following was placed
in the paper:
WATT-January 8, 1931, at his late residence, 338 Shankill Road, John Watt. The remains
of our dearly-beloved father will be removed from above address for interment in City Cemetery, on to-morrow (Saturday), 10th,
at 2.30pm. Friends will please accept this (the only) intimation. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing Family.
John was buried in the same lair as his wife on 10 JAN 1931.
CHILDREN of MARY JANE SMYTH and JOHN WATT:
Mary Jane Watt
b: 18/10/1878
Mary was born on 18 OCT 1878 at Springfield, Belfast. Her father was noted as a bleacher, and her grandmother Eliza
Watt of Springfield was the informant to the registrar on 4 NOV (Source: GRONI/Geni U/1878/55/1007/8/282)
Eliza Watt
b: 1/4/1881
Eliza was born at 16 Springfield Row on 1 APR 1881 in Belfast. Her father was noted as a bleacher, and her grandmother
Eliza Watt was the informant on 16 APR (Source: GRONI/Geni U/1881/55/1007/10/215)
Unknown Watt
b: 19/1/1883
This unknown male child was born on 19 JAN 1883 at 16 Springfield. His father was noted as a bleacher, and the informant
on 22 JAN to the registrar was his grandmother Eliza Watt of 13 Springfield (Source: GROI B 1883 Group Reg
ID 10237047 Belfast)
Annie Watt
b: 16/4/1886 d: 9/3/1889
Annie was born at 4 Springfield on 16 APR 1886. Her father was noted as a bleacher, and the informant was her grandmother
Eliza Watt of 3 Maurice Street on 26 APR (Source: GRONI/Geni U/1886/55/1007/14/386 Belfast Urban 9).
Annie sadly died at the age of 3 on 9 MAR 1889, at 19 Springfield Road, the cause of death being acute bronchitis, 3
days. In her death record, her father John was noted as a labourer, and as being the informant to the registrar on 13 MAR
(Source: GRONI/Geni D/1889/55/1007/11/469 Belfast Urban 9).
John Watt
b: 19/4/1889
John was born at 19 Springfield Row, Belfast, on 19 APR 1889. His father was noted as a labourer, and the informant
to the registrar on 26 APR was a Mary Crossley of 21 Springfield Row (Source: GRONI/Geni U/1889/55/1007/17/294).
Thomas Smyth
b: 1859 approx
Calum's and Jamie's great great great grandfather
- see below.
Thomas Smyth
Abt 1858 - 29/11/1914
Thomas was Calum's and Jamie's three times
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 1858.
On January 5th 1888, Thomas married Elizabeth
Bill, daughter of labourer David Bill, at Berry Street Presbyterian Church in Belfast. Thomas was listed
as a labourer, and his father John Smyth as a farmer. Both Thomas and Elizabeth were simply noted as
residing in Belfast. The witnesses to the wedding were George Green and Mary Green, with
the officiating minister being the Reverend J. D. Crawford D.D. (Source: GRONI/GENI M/1888/B1/483/8/65
Berry Street Presbyterian, Belfast)
Through the birth records of their children, in 1889, the couple were found noted as residing in Springfield,
Belfast, and then in 1891 at Ballymurphy. By July 1893 the couple are found at 136 Wilton Street in the city, where they
stayed until 1896, before moving to 203 Mayo Street. The 1894-1897 directories for the city show the house held by a
Mrs Smith.
The Belfast Newsletter of 8 MAY 1897 records how Thomas' wife Eliza was the potential
victim of a fraudster:
Emanuel
Gorfunkle, trading as the Ulster Furnishing Company, Donegall Street, charged one of his employees, a young man named Irvine,
with the larceny of a number of articles from him, and with embezzling large sums of money which had been paid to him by prosecutor's
customers. Mr J. Donnelly conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Wm. Harper represented the defendant. Mrs. Smith, 203 Mayo Street,
deposed to having had some dealings with the defendant in Mr Gorfunkle's shop. She gave him 3s, and ordered an ashpan, fender
motto, table, and other articles from him. She thought it was the Ulster Furnishing Company she was getting the articles from.
Her receipt book was taken from her afterwards, and replaced by another. Half a crown a week was what she agreed to pay. Gorfunkle
said that the articles sold by Irvine to Mrs. Smith were his property, and he alleged that the defendant had traded as the
City Cash and Credit Company on his own account, and taken his property.
There were about twenty similar allegations against Irvine, who pleaded not guilty, with the article
noting that he was to be tried at the Recorder's Court on May 19th.
In August 1897 the couple were
again found at 203 Mayo Street, but by July 1899 the Smyths had moved to 87 Canmore Street in Belfast.
In the 1901 census at
this address, 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 labourer in an iron foundry. Also present in the house were his 33 year old housekeeper wife Elizabeth,
his 12 year old daughter Mary (a corder in a linen mill), his 3 year old daughter Maggie
and 1 year old son William. All the children were from Belfast city, their mother was from County Antrim.
In addition, Thomas' 29 year old sister-in-law Martha Jane Bill was also resident with them as a boarder,
along with three of her children - Elizabeth Bill (aged 6), Thomas James Bill (aged
5), and Mary Jane Bill (aged 10). (Source: 1901 census, National Archives of Ireland).
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".
Thomas' wife Elizabeth sadly died on 24
JUL 1908, the cause being tuberculosis. She was aged 40, and resided at 28 Bann Street. She was buried in Belfast's Dundonald
Cemetery in lair Section C2, class 4, lair C2 461, after 2.30pm on the 26th. Thomas was noted as the registered proprietor
of the grave (Source: Dundonald Cemetery and Belfast City Council's burials website).
A year later, on Saturday 24 JUL 1909, Thomas placed a memorial notice for Elizabeth in the Belfast
Telegraph:
SMYTH - In sad and loving memory of my beloved wife, Elizabeth Smyth, who
fell asleep in Jesus on the 24th of July 1908, and was interred in Dundonald Cemetery.
At the river's crystal brink
Christ shall bind each broken link.
Inserted by her loving Husband and Family.
115 Wilton Street.
In the 1911 census, Thomas, by now a widower,
was resident at his brother-in-law's house (James Bill) 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 believed that Thomas died on 29 NOV 1914
at the Belfast Union Workhouse at 51 Lisburn Road, with the death record noting his usual residence at 33 Bann Street (the
home of his niece Maggie Mullan a year later). He was noted as a 56 year old bleacher, and a widower, with
the cause of death being valvular disease of heart and cardiac failure. J. Mahood at the workhouse was the informant a day
later (GROI D 1914 Group Reg ID 5412380 Belfast).
Thomas was buried on 5 DEC 1914 at the City
Cemetery's Public Ground, with his burial record noting him to be Presbyterian by way of religion (Source: Belfast City
Council's Burials database).
CHILDREN of THOMAS SMYTH and ELIZABETH
BILL:
Mary Elizabeth Smyth
b: 22/4/1889 d: 16/10/1910
Mary was born in Springfield, Belfast, on 22 APR 1889. Her father was noted as
Thomas Smith, a laborer in Springfield, and her mother as Elizabeth Bill. Her grandmother
Agnes Bill, of 126 Wilton Street, was the informant to the registrar on 3 MAY 1889 (Source: GRONI/Geni U/1889/55/1007/17/313
Belfast Urban 9).
As a child, Mary worked as a corder in one of Belfast's linen mills. She sadly
died on 16 OCT 1910 aged 21 at 115 Wilton Street, Belfast. The cause of death
was acute general tuberculosis, as suffered for 3 months. The record notes that she was an unmarried weaver. The informant
to the registrar on 17 OCT 1910 was Agnes Strahan of 130 Wilton Street (Source: Geni D/1910/56/1007/16/40 Belfast Urban
10).
Mary was buried two days later in Dundonald Cemetery (after 2pm), lair number
C2 461. The burial record notes her as a mill worker, and as Presbyterian by way of religion. Her father was the proprietor
of the grave, but was illiterate, and so his signature was given as an X. The cost of the burial was 7s 2d (Source:
Belfast City Council Cemeteries database).
Martha Smith
b: 31/10/1891 d:2/7/1893
Martha was born on 31 OCT 1891 at Ballymurphy, Belfast, with her father
noted as a labourer, and with her mother indexed under Bell, rather than Bill. The informant to the Belfast registrar
was her grandmother Agnes Bell (sic), resident at 9 Agnew Street (Source: GRONI U/1891/55/1007/20/79
Belfast Urban 9).
Martha died in infancy on 2 JUL 1893, aged just a year and 8 months. At the time she was resident
at 136 Wilton Street. She was buried two days later in Belfast City Cemetery in lair number L2 296, a newly purchased lair
by her father Thomas for the occasion. The cause of death in her burial record is noted as whooping cough and diarrhoea. Martha
was noted as having been Presbyterian (Source: Belfast City Council burial registers, record 6335.5461).
Thomas John Smyth
b: 21/7/1894 d: 3/2/1895
Thomas was born at 136 Wilton Street on 27 JUL 1894. His father was noted as Thomas Smyth, labourer,
and his mother was the informant to the registrar on 15 AUG. (Source: GRONI U/1894/51/1007/41/387 Belfast Urban 5).
Thomas died in infancy on 3 FEB 1895, aged just seven months, the cause of his death being congestion
of the lungs, as suffered for 18 days. At the time he was resident at 136 Wilton Street, and his father, noted as being illiterate,
was the informant on 4 FEB (Source: GROI D 1895 Group Reg ID 3532014 Belfast).
Thomas was buried a day later in Belfast City Cemetery in lair number L2 296 (Source: Belfast City
Council burial registers, record 6335.5461).
Martha Jane Smyth
b: 4/2/1896 d: 22/8/1897
Martha was born on 4 FEB 1896 at 136 Wilton Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim,
Ireland. Her father was noted as Thomas Smyth labourer, and her mother as Elizabeth Bill.
The informant to the registrar was her aunt Martha Jane Bill, present at the birth and also resident
at 136 Wilton Street (Source: GRONI U/1896/51/1007/43/355 Belfast Urban 5).
Martha passed away in her infancy at the age of a year and a half whilst resident
at 203 Mayo Street, the cause of death being diahrorea and exhaustion (Source: GRONI D/1897/56/1007/3/440 Belfast Urban 10).
She was buried a day later at Belfast City Cemetery, in lair L2 296 (Source: Belfast City Council burial registers).
Maggie Florence McCartney Smyth
b: 19/8/1897 d: 15/8/1906
Maggie was born at 203 Mayo Street, Belfast, on 19 AUG 1897. Her father was noted
in her birth record as Thomas Smyth, labourer, and her mother Elizabeth Bill. The informant was her aunt, Martha Bill,
of 34 Bann Street (Source: GRONI/Geni U/1897/56/1007/5/318 Belfast Urban 10).
Maggie died on 15 AUG 1906 at 51 Lisburn Road, Belfast (Belfast Union Workhouse), the cause being
meningitis and cardiac failure. Her father Thomas Smyth, of 57 Pernau Street, informed the registrar on the same day (Source:
GRONI/Geni D/1906/50/1007/123/49).
Maggie was buried in Dundonald Cemetery, Belfast, two days later, at some point after 2pm. At the
time of her death she was noted as being 9 years old and her last residence at Union Infirmary and 57 Pernau Street.
Maggie was buried in lair C2 461, where she would sadly be joined over the next three years by her mother and two sisters.
The cause of death on the burial record was 'heart failure'. The burial fee was 10s, and the registered proprietor of the
grave was Thomas Smyth, her father, who was illiterate and whose signature was therefore given as an X. Maggie was Presbyterian
(Source: Belfast City Cemetery burial records).
William McKeever Smyth
b: 10/7/1899 d: 18/5/1980
Calum's and Jamie's great great grandfather
- see below.
Martha Jane Smyth
b: 26/1/1901 d: 11/5/1905
Martha was born on 26 JAN 1901 at 87 Canmore Street, Belfast. Her father Thomas
was noted as a labourer, and her mother Elizabeth was the informant to the Belfast registrar on 12 APR. (Source: GRONI/Geni
U/1901/56/1007/11/348 Belfast Urban 10).
Like her two sisters before with the same name, Martha tragically passed
away in her infancy on 11 MAR 1905, aged 3 years and eleven months, at 26 Bann Street, Belfast. The cause of death was acute
bronchitis for 8 days and cardiac failure. Her mother was the informant to the registrar 2 days later (Source: GROI
D Group Reg ID 4765256 Belfast)
Martha was buried two days later in Belfast City Cemetery, in lair L2 296
(Source: Belfast City Council burial registers).
Mary Jane Smyth
b: 22/1/1903 d: 12/5/1904
Mary Jane was born at 87 Canmore Street on 22 JAN 1903. Her father Thomas was noted as a labourer,
and her mother Elizabeth, who was illiterate, was the informant on 17 FEB (Source: GRONI/Geni U/1903/56/1007/14/354).
Mary Jane passed away at the age of 16 months on 12 MAY 1904, at 34 Lanark Street, Belfast. The
cause of death was tubercular meningitis. The informant to the registrar on the same day was her mother (Source: GROI D Group
Reg ID 3605179 Belfast)
Mary was buried in Belfast City Cemetery a day later, in lair L2 296 (Source: Belfast City Council
burial registers).
Agnes Smyth
b: 19/6/1906 d: 30/11/1910
Agnes was born at 57 Pernau Street in Belfast on 19 JUN 1906,
and baptised 6 JUL 1906. Her father, Thomas Smith (sic), was noted as a labourer and her mother as Elizabeth
Bill (sic). The informant was her aunt, Mary Mullen (Mullan), of 45 Bann Street (GROI/Geni
Belfast Urban District No.3).
Agnes sadly died at 115 Wilton Street on 11 NOV 1910 of general tuberculosis,
the record noting her as aged 4 and 1/4. Her father was the informant to the registrar on the same day (Source: GROI
D Group Reg ID 4874052 Belfast).
Agnes was buried on 1 DEC 1910 (after 2pm), alongside her sister
Maggie and her mother in lair C2 461, and would sadly be joined just two and half weeks later by her
sister Mary. The cause of death on the burial record was decline of the bowels, and the registered proprietor
of the grave was Thomas Smyth, her father, who was illiterate and whose signature was therefore given as an X. Agnes' religion
was given as Presbyterian. The burial fee was 7s 6d. (Source: Belfast City Council burial registers).
Unnamed Smith
b: 8/3/1908 d: 8/3/1908
This unnamed male child was born on March 8th 1908 at 28 Bann Street. The birth record notes his father
as Thomas Smith, a labourer, and the mother as Elizabeth Bill. The birth was registered in Belfast urban district no. 3. The
informant was Mary Mullan, Elizabeth's sister.
Sadly, the wee boy died at 28 Bann Street on the same day. His burial record notes the cause as 'debility
from birth', with no name, simply the designation 'child of Thomas and Lizzie Smith'. No lair number is given. The fee was
2/6. The only other detail that can be gleaned is that Thomas was illiterate, signing the record with an X. (Source: Belfast
City Council burial lairs).
William McKeever Smyth
10/7/1899 - 18/5/1980
William was Calum's, Jamie's and Pippa's great
great grandfather.
William was born on 10 JUL 1899 at 87 Canmore Street, in the north of the city of
Belfast, Ireland. His birth record notes his father as Thomas Smyth, bleacher, and his mother, Elizabeth
Bill, who was illiterate, was listed as the informant to the registrar on 31 JUL 1899.
In the 1901 census William was listed as living
at 87 Canmore Street. On 19/6/1905 he started attending Wilton Street School, as evident from the surviving school register
held at PRONI.
William's mother sadly died on 24 July 1908 of
tuberculosis. In the 1911 census, along with his father, he was found at 104 Wilton Street, Belfast, the house of
his uncle, James Bill. In this record, William was noted as a 12 year old scholar, and as being able to read
and write. James' wife was called Martha, and also present were the following Bill children: Elizabeth
(17), Thomas (15), William (7), Mary (6) and Samuel (3).
This record corroborates a statement by William's daughter Margaret in February 2010, when she recalled that
her father had been raised by his aunt Martha after one or both of his parents had died when he was young.
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.
On Christmas Eve 1920 he married Annie Evelyn Lesley Watton in Belfast, with his name in the register noted as William McKeaver Smyth. The wedding
took place after banns 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 (these were likely William's cousins -
Archibald Mullan, son of his aunt Mary, and Mary Bill, daughter of
his aunt Martha). William in fact worked as a decorator for Annie's father, Cochrane McLaughlin Watton,
along with Cochrane's brother William. William's address at this point was 23 Barrow Street, with Annie
at 35 Barrow Street. William's father was described as Thomas Smyth, labourer, and Annie's as Cochrane Watton, painter (Source
GROI M Belfast 1 295 - 4th qtr 1920).
In 1922 the couple had their first child, Martha,
who later became Calum's, Jamie's and Pippa'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.
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 recalled 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.
William's son Tommy has told us that
his father was responsible for setting up the Ulster Accordion Band in Belfast in the 1930s, and was its chairman for a period.
A death notice in the Belfast Telegraph from 11 SEP 1936 corroborates this. The notice was placed on behalf
of the Ulster Accordion Band, and requests that members of the band attend the funeral of the grandfather of their member
J. Patterson. It was signed by 'Wm. Smyth, Chairman'.
Following the death of their daughter Iris on
23 JAN 1937, notices in the Telegraph two days later again confirm William's chairmanship of the band,
as well as of the King William's Apprentice Boys lodge 1202 and Royal Arch Purple Chapter lodge 1202:
KING WILLIAM'S APPRENTICE BOYS L.O.L. 1202 AND R.A.P.C. 1202
SMYTH - The Officers and Members of above regret to learn of the death
of the infant daughter of Br. William Smyth, and tender their deepest sympathy.
W.M.PERRY, W.M.
A. McCLEMENTS, P.M., Secy. and Reg.
ULSTER ACCORDION BAND
SMYTH - The Officers and Members of the above Band are requested to attend
the funeral of the daughter of their esteemed Chairman, Wm. Smyth.
WILLIAM SMYTH, Chairman.
WILLIAM KELLY, Secy.
A further notice was placed by William and Annie in the paper on 2 FEB 1937:
Mr. and Mrs Smyth and Family desire to return their sincere thanks
to all those who sympathised with them in their recent sad bereavement, the Officers and Members of L.O.L 1202, the Members
of Ulster Accordion Band, and the Teachers of Cliftonpark P.E.S., and especially those who sent floral tributes and letters
of condolence. Hoping this acknowledgement will be accepted by all.
- 25 Liffey Street.
Family tradition has it that 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. But
family tradition also has it that William was apparently asked to leave the Order at some point, though the reason for this is not clear. 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 loyalist organisations happened prior to 1947.
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 32 Roe Street
in Belfast, where William continued to live until his death in 1980. Whilst living here, he continued to work as a painter,
his occupation as noted in the relevant Belfast street directories.
On 10 MAY 1949, William placed a notice in the
Belfast Telegraph following the death of his wife's uncle James Bill, in which she was noted as
Evelyn, rather than Annie:
BILL
- May 9, 1949, at his residence, 23 Barrow Street, JAMES, dearly beloved husband of MARTHA JANE BILL. - Deeply regretted by
his sorrowing nephew William and Evelyn Smyth and Family, 32 Roe Street. He sleeps where all is peace.
William's daughter Margaret recalls also
that when she married her husband, her father was 72, and suffering badly from arthritis at this point. She also described
him as being a very private person, who never would, for example, talk about his involvement in the war.
William eventually passed away 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.
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, further notices were placed
in 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.
William's granddaughter Cherie (Calum's,
Jamie's and Pippa'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 (and for which she earned two bob
at a time!). 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!
William's grandson Bill Graham also shared some
recollections in 2013, recalling that his grandfather was painter and
decorator ("Some said he worked on the Titanic, others said on the SS Canberra, I don't know"), and that he and his grandmother
ran a shop. He also flagged up William's love of stout ("He used to give me a drop of porter under the table. Martha
– don't you be giving him any port, she said. What's wrong, something to do with worms, give him some port, he hasn't
got any worms, has he?!). He also noted that William could play the push-button accordion ("he
hid it up the stairs, he could play that very well"). Of his granny Annie, there was a slightly different perspective,
Bill noting that she was "a rabid old thing, protected her family with a passion you wouldn't believe", and adding that "If
she said jump, everyone said “How high?”, except for Christie. He was a lovely fella."
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.
Helen Smyth
b: June 1923 d: 22/4/1924
Helen sadly led a very short life. She was born in Belfast in approximately June 1923, but sadly died
in the city aged just ten months old at the home of her grandparents Cochrane and Lizzie Watton, at 35 Barrow Street. She
was subsequently buried in the Smyth plot at lair C2 461 in Dundonald Cemetery.
The following notice was placed in the Belfast Telegraph a year later on Tuesday 21 APR 1925:
SMYTH - In loving memory of our dear Helen, who departed this life on 21st
April 1924, and was interred in Dundonald Cemetery.
Dear little flower, short was thy stay
But Jesus knew best when he called you away.
Not gone from daddy's memory,
Not gone from mummy's love,
But gone to be with Jesus
In that beautiful home above.
Deeply regretted by her sorrowing Father and Mother, little Sister, and
Brother.
Also Grandfather and Grandmother.
35 Barrow Street.
William Cochrane Smyth(e)
b: 1/8/1924 d: 21/11/2010
William was born on 1 AUG 1924 in Belfast (Belfast Urban 3, p.190).
|
|
| 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 sadly passed away on Sunday, November 21st 2010.
Sadie
Smyth
b: Feb 1925 d: abt Oct 2001
Sadie is believed to have 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, Steven and Lesley.
Sadie's last known whereabouts were in Liverpool,
England, several years ago. She died about six months after her eldest sister Martha in 2001.
Beatrice Smyth
b: 4/5/1930 d: 16/12/1997
Minnie Smyth
b: 29/8/1931 d: 17/2/1932
Minnie was born in Belfast on 29 AUG 1931 (Source: GRONI B 1931 U/1931/49/1007/187/149)
Minnie died a few months later on 17 FEB 1932 (Source: GRONI D 1932 D/1932/49/1007/115/335)
Thomas Smyth
b: 19XX
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| Tommy and Margaret on niece Cherie's wedding to Colin Paton, 1969 |
As a youngster, Tommy worked at Edenderry
Mills in Belfast, and then joined ICI in Carrickfergus, County Antrim. He married Margaret in Belfast,
and the couple went on raise a family of eight children.
On
22 MAR 1978, Tommy and Margaret placed a notice in the Belfast Telegraph, following the death of their friend James
Hamilton, who died suddenly four days earlier.
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 was its chairman.
Iris Smyth
b: 15/7/1936 d: 23/1/1937
Iris was born on 15 JUL 1936 at 25 Liffey Street, Belfast. Her father, William Smyth, was noted
as a painter, and her mother as Annie Watton. William was the informant to the registrar on 30 JUL 1936 (Source: GRONI
B U/1936/49/1007/195/440 Belfast Urban 3)
Iris died on 23 JAN 1937 (Source: GRONI D 1937 D/1937/49/1007/121/227 Belfast). The following
notices were placed in the Belfast Telegraph on Monday 25 JAN 1937:
SMYTH - January 23, 1937, at her parents' residence, 25 Liffey Street,
Iris (wee Iris), youngest and dearly-beloved daughter of William and Evelyn Smyth. Funeral from above address, to-morrow (Tuesday),
at 2.30p.m., to Carnmoney Burying Ground. Friends will please accept this intimation.
Her little feet are wondering now
In the streets of shining gold.
With a glittering crown on the fair young brow,
She's a lamb in the Shepherd's fold.
Deeply regretted by her sorrowing Father and Mother, Sisters, and Brothers.
25 Liffey Street.
KING WILLIAM'S APPRENTICE BOYS L.O.L. 1202 AND R.A.P.C. 202
SMYTH - The Officers and Members of above regret to learn of the death
of the infant daughter of Br. William Smyth, and tender their deepest sympathy.
W.M.PERRY, W.M.
A. McCLEMENTS, P.M., Secy. and Reg.
ULSTER ACCORDION BAND
SMYTH - The Officers and Members of the above Band are requested to attend
the funeral of the daughter of their esteemed Chairman, Wm. Smyth.
WILLIAM SMYTH, Chairman.
WILLIAM KELLY, Secy.
On 2 FEB 1937 William also placed a thank you notice in the paper:
Mr. and Mrs Smyth and Family desire to return their sincere thanks
to all those who sympathised with them in their recent sad bereavement, the Officers and Members of L.O.L 1202, the Members
of Ulster Accordion Band, and the Teachers of Cliftonpark P.E.S., and especially those who sent floral tributes and letters
of condolence. Hoping this acknowledgement will be accepted by all.
- 25 Liffey Street.
Christopher Smyth
b: 24/12/1937 d: 11/3/2007
Christopher was born in Belfast, Northern
Ireland, on 24 DEC 1937 (GENI/GRONI U/1936/49/1007/198/58).
As a youngster, Christie,
as he was affectionately known, 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.
Christopher appears to have died in Hastings, East Sussex, in March 2007, with the index correctly noting
his birth date as 24 DEC 1937. (GROEW D 2007 465/1A entry 22, Hastings/R). The Ancestry hosted database England and Wales
Death Index 1989-2019 more specifially states his death to have been at St. Leonards-on-Sea on 11 MAR 2007.
Evelyn Smyth
b: XXXX
Evelyn married Gerard and went on to have four children.
Edna Smyth
b: 8/10/1942 d: 12/5/1943
Edna was born in Belfast on 8 OCT 1942 (Source: GRONI B 1942 U/1942/49/1007/204/402
Belfast)
Edna died in infancy on 12 MAY 1943 (Source: GRONI D 1943 D/1943/49/1007/128/54
Belfast)
Margaret Smyth
b:
XXXX
Margaret was named after her 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) 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, as well as for the further contact in Feb 2010.
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.
On 15 JAN 1953 Martha was
reported in the Larne Times as having won a beauty competition in Carrickfergus:
TOP TEN WINNER.
Beauty contests are still a big draw in Carrickfergus district, as was evidenced
on Friday night when a "Top Ten" competition was held in the Bandroom, sponsoed by Milebush Flute Band (Jas. McAllister Memorial).
There were entries from a wide area. During a fox-trot ten pretty girls were selected by a panel of judges, comprising
Mrs Betty McGurk (Bellahill), Messrs J. McAleanan (Dobbsland), and William Wilson (Milebush).
The winner was a young married lady - Mrs M. Graham, Chichester Square, Sunnylands.
The runner up was Miss Iris Mitchell, Bridewell, Sunnylands, and Miss Marie White, Downshire Road, Carrickfergus, was third.
Each of the seven remaining entrants received a consolation prize donated
by Mrs. McGurk.
Music for the dance was supplied by the McFall brothers, and the M. C. was
Mr. David Peoples.
So successful was the venture that the committee are choosing a "Miss Milebush"
at a dance in the same hall next month.
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 at ths point the
couple's relationship was deteriorating. With Ernie duly remaining over in the English Lake District, Martha once
more set about raising their children on her own. From a newspaper report it is known that Martha was receiving £12 a week
support from her husband in November 1958.
In the 1960s, Martha had two further 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.
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.
|
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| Martha's last photo, in Whiteabbey Hospital, with daughter Cherie - still smiling! |
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 Alison 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
Following Martha's death, a letter of administration
for her estate was granted the following year, a copy of which was located at PRONI. The text is as follows:
Administration 20021762
In the High Court of Justice in
Northern Ireland
Family Division Probate and Matrimonial
Office
Be it Known that Martha Jane GRAHAM
of 171 Castlemara Drive Carrickfergus County Antrim
Died on the 22nd day
of July 2001
Domiciled in Northern Ireland
Intestate
AND BE IT FURTHER KNOWN that on
the date hereunder written Letters of Administration of all the estate which by law devolves to and vests in the personal
representative of the said intestate were granted by the aforesaid Court to
[.... of ....]
AND IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that
it appears from information supplied on the application for this grant that the gross value of the estate in United Kingdom
does not exceed £10,000.00 and that the net value of the estate does not exceed £10,000.00
Dated the 17th day of
April 2002
CHILDREN of MARTHA SMYTH:
Ernest Graham
b: 1943 d: 1943
See Graham (1) page.
Edna Smyth Graham
William Smyth Graham
Charlotte Harper Graham
b: 29/6/1950
Calum's, Jamie's and Pippa's grandmother - see
Graham (1) page.
Ernest Michael Graham
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.
|
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| Calum's and Jamie's grandmother Cherie with her brother Mark |
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:
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.
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
|
