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William Watton
17?? - after 1803
William Watton may be the seven times great grandfather
of Calum, Jamie and Pippa.
A William Watton is noted in the 1803 Agricultural census
for Antrim as being resident at the townland of 'Ballyboggy' (Ballybogy), in Dunluce parish, barony of Dunluce Lower. This
is the only circumstantial clue that he may be a direct ancestor, with other members of the family known to have resided in
the same townland in later years.
Two other gents are noted in the parish also - James Watton
of Kilmoyle townland, and John Watton of Tullycapple townland. No other Wattons are noted in the census for
County Antrim.
 Alexander Watton
1780 - 3/11/1859
Alexander was Calum's, Jamie's and Pippa's six times great grandfather.
The assumption that Alexander was our direct ancestor was based on several confirmed DNA matches on
AncestryDNA which link our family line to some of his known descendants in Coleraine, namely through his daughter Agnes
and son Robert. A further DNA match on MyHeritage with Alexander's great great grandson Bryan in September
2020 was a particularly important find, with Bryan still based on the Watton farm to this day, and to whom thanks is
given for further information communicated following this discovery.
In the 1832 tithe records for the parish of Ballyrashane, Co. Antrim, Alexander is noted as residing
in the townland of Lisnisk, within the barony of Dunluce Lower, one of only five men with the surname in the barony (6 in
the county in total), and the only one resident in Ballyrashane. Alexander held 2 ares 33 roods and 30 perches of land,
valued at £2, 6s and 3d per year, for which Alexander had to pay a tithe of 4s 3d annually (Source: PRONI FIN/5/A/46 Ballyrashane).
Two of Alexander's children made their way to Scotland, providing us with some useful information from
the Scottish records. Alexander's daughter Agnes married a Henry Boyd in 1854 in Glasgow,
and had a daughter there in 1855. This was the first year of civil registration in Scotland, and for that year only, the birthplaces
of the parents were noted, in this case with Agnes stated to be from County Antrim. Agnes' death record from 1916 in Glasgow
confirms her parents as Alexander Watton (no occupation listed) and Ann Murchy. Agnes was
the first DNA match found in June 2019 to Calum's and Jamie's father, with a connection to her descendant Robin Bennet (nee
Boyd) at 16.7cM.
Alexander's son James, born in about 1816, also travelled to Scotland, where
he passed away in 1864 in Glasgow. The death record notes his parents to be Alexander Watton, labourer, and
Ann Murphy.
Several other children born to Alexander have been identified through marriage records from Ballyrashane,
noting Alexander to be a labourer and a weaver.
The Coleraine Chronicle of 12 NOV 1859 notes that Alexander died on 3 NOV 1859:
At Carnglass, on
Thursday, the 3rd inst., Mr. Alexander Watton,aged 79 years.
It is not yet known what became of his wife, or whether she predeceased him.
Children of Alexander WATTON and Ann MURCHY:
William Watton
b: 1813-1905
Calum's Jamie's and Pippa's five times great grandfather - see below.
James Watton
b: abt 1819
James was born in about 1819, and later married Elizabeth Wallace.
In the 1861 census for Glasgow, Scotland, James was noted as a 43 year old labourer at a brickfield,
resident at 7 Buchanan Court, Tradeston, Glasgow. His wife Elizabeth, was aged 53 and noted as Irish, and also resident was
their 11 year old daughter Elizabeth, a powerloom weaver, also from Ireland.
James died on 19 JAN 1864 at 7 Buchanan Court. He was aged 45 and noted as a boat builder's labourer.
His parents were listed as Alexander Watton, farmer, and Ann Murphy, both deceased. The
cause of death was paralysis 3 months and apoplexy for 3 days. His widow Elizabeth was the informant to the registrar on 20
JAN 1864 (SP/NRS D 1864 644/9 97 Glasgow).
Ann Watton
b: 18??
Jane Watton
b: 18??
Robert Watton
b: 1821
Robert's family is described in the book Families of Ballyrashane, by T. H. Mullin, in a
section entitled 'Wattons of Ballybogey Family Tree'. In this he is noted as being of 'Mooryet', and as having married Betty
Blair from Killans, Ballymoney. The couple are described in the book as having had six children.
Children of Robert WATTON and Betty BLAIR:
Robert Watton
b: 18??
'Robert, unmarried, lived on home farm'.
Annie Watton
b: 18??
'Annie, lived with Robert'
Joseph Watton
b: 18??
'Joseph, went to Canada'.
James Watton
b: 18??
'James, went to Canada'.
Alexander Watton
b: 18??
'Alexander married Sarah Taggart and had family':
A.Robert in England, married May Dickson.
B. Alexander of Mooryet married Jeanie McBride.
C. John.
D. Thomas James married Margaret Stirling (of Tullycaple)
E. David married Dorothy Wheeler.
F. William Rankin (Watton) married Phyliss Heyland.
G. Annie Married Walker Calvin.
H. Norman Blair (Watton), died young.
Thomas Watton
b: 23/11/1866
Thomas was born on 23 NOV 1866 at Lisnisk, the son of farmer Robert Watton and Elizabeth
Blair. His father registered the birth on 14 DEC 1866 at Dervock (Source: IrishGenealogy.ie 1866 B Group Reg ID 8139443
SRD Ballymoney RD Dervock).
Thomas served with the Royal Irish Constabulary, attesting for the service on 15 OCT 1886 in
Donegal. His service record notes him as six foot tall, Presbyterian by religion, and a farmer by trade. He served as a policeman
in County Donegal, Belfast, and in Counties Meath, Galway and Mayo. He was promoted to Sergeant on 1 OCT 1906, but was demoted
again to Constable on 20 JUN 1908.
Thomas died in Belfast on 15 NOV 1934, aged 68 and unmarried (GRONI/Geni: D/1934/50/1007/206/315 Belfast).
He was buried in the Glenalina Extension of Belfast City Cemetery on 17 NOV 1934, in lair Q1 138. His burial record notes
his last residence at Union Infirmary and 61 Meadow Street.
Agnes Watton
b: abt 1829
William Watton
Abt 1813 - 29/5/1905
William was Calum's, Jamie's and Pippa's five times great grandfather.
This took a bit of detective work, but thanks to DNA matches it has now been
possible to confirm that William was the son of that name, as recorded in Families of Ballyrashane, to Alexander
Watton of Ballyboggy (who died in the barony of Coleraine on Thursday, November 3rd 1859, at Carnglass, aged
79).
William married prior to 1846, and it seems highly likely that his
wife was called Elizabeth, noted as having passed away at Ballybogey on March 6th 1859, in the Coleraine
Chronicle of the 26th. This Elizabeth was 47 years of age at death, placing her birth in approximately 1812.
In his son William's wedding entry in the Coleraine register of 1867, William senior was listed as
a weaver.
The Coleraine Chronicle of 11 JUN 1881 notes that William was the victim of a thief:
BUSHMILLS PETTY SESSIONS
THURSDAY 9TH JUNE.
[BEFORE Hugh Lecky, Esq., J.P. (Chairman); and Henry J. Robinson, Esq.,
J.P.]
LARCENY
James Lanigan, alias Burns, was brought up in custody, charged
at suit of Constable Davenport with having, on the 2nd inst., stolen a pair of blankets, one quilt, and a piece of cloth,
the goods of William Watton, Ballylough. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to one month's imprisonment in
Belfast jail.
A DNA match with a descendant of William's son James led to the discovery that one
of his daughters, called Mary Jane, was present with her grandfather William in the 1901 census. at Ballyloughmore,
Bushmills, Co. Antrim. In this record, William was noted as an 87 year old widower, Presbyterian, and a linen weaver. He was
born in Co. Antrim, coiud read and write, and could speak only English. He was a tenant of Anthony Traill, and lived in a
3rd class property, a 2 roomed cottage with just two windows. Also present was his daughter, 58 year old Jane,
who was unmarried, and Mary Jane, aged 12, noted as his granddaughter.
William died on 29 MAY 1905 at Ballylough, aged 92. In his death record he was noted as a weaver,
and the cause of death was old age. His daughter Jane was the informant on 9 JUN 1905 (GROI 1905 D Group
Reg ID 4781814 Ballymoney).
CHILDREN of WILLIAM WATTON and ELIZABETH (UNKNOWN):
William Watton
b: 1846 approx
William was Calum's and Jamie's great great great great grandfather - see
below.
Sarah Watton
b: 18??
All that is currently known about Sarah is that she was from Coleraine
and that she sadly died of facial cancer, as recalled by her great niece, Georgina Watton.
(Unknown) Watton
b: 18??
This sister of William emigrated at some stage to Canada, and was able to put up her great niece Martha
Watton when she also emigrated to Canada at a later date (again as recalled by Georgina Watton).
Jane Watton
b: 1842 d: aft 1905
Jane was noted as the daughter of William in the 1901 census, and also acted as informant for her
father's death in 1905.
William Watton
1846 approx - 21/8/1902
William Watton was Calum's and Jamie's great
great great great grandfather.
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| William's signature from September 1868 |
It is known that William was from the vicinity
of Coleraine in County Londonderry, Ireland, and that at the time of his marriage he was based in the Castletoodry district of
the parish of Killowen. It is not yet known when he was born, as his wedding certificate entry simply lists him
as being of full age. At the time of his wedding, his wife was listed as 20 years of age, and if he was close to her age,
that would place his birth in 1846 approximately. Despite having a civil marriage, it is believed that William was Church
of Ireland by religion, the denomination within which his children were raised.
William married 20 year old servant, Elizabeth (Eliza)
Jane McLaughlin, on December 7th 1867, in the registry office of Coleraine. William was noted as resident in Castletoodry, parish
of Killowen, and Eliza from the town's Waterside district. Because Eliza was under the age of 21, she had to obtain a
special license for the wedding from the registrar's office. The witnesses to the marriage were William McLaughlin
(a relative of Eliza) and Robert Mitchell, both of whom were illiterate. At the time of the wedding, William
was working as a labourer (Source: GRONI/Geni M/1867/K1/1070/10/28 Coleraine).
No sooner had the couple married than they decided
to cross the Irish Sea and make their way to Greenock, in Renfrewshire, Scotland, where William took up work as a railway
labourer. Greenock had one of the highest concentrations of immigrant Irish labour in Scotland at that time, and was
crying out for cheap labour due to the rapid expansion of the Scottish rail network. In September 1868, the couple's first
child, John Watten, was born in the town at their home of 25 Charles Street, but tragedy befell them when
only seven weeks later, John died of bronchitis.
William and Eliza did not remain in Scotland
long, and by December 21st 1869, they are to be found near Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, where their second child,
Anne, was born. At this stage, William was still a labourer, and the family were resident in Balinteer, in
the Articlave district of the parish of Dunboe, just west of Coleraine.
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| Agherton St John the Baptist Church of Ireland |
The family continued to expand with the further addition
of William, Cochrane, Helena and Eliza. By 1877, the family were living
in nearby Portstewart, Co. Londonderry, just a couple of miles from Coleraine. They attended Agherton Church of Ireland, where all the children were subsequently baptised.
In the Coleraine Chronicle of 17 APR 1886, William appears to have been involved in helping
a local youth production of a mock trial at the school room at Agherton church, for a court case involving an alleged
breach of promise. The following is the first part of the article setting the scene:
ENTERTAINMENT AT PORTSTEWART
BREACH OF PROMISE CASE
On Wednesday evening, the 7th inst., the members of the Portstewart Young
Men's Association gave an entertainment, in the form of a "Trial" for Breach of Promise of Marriage, in the New Church School-room.
Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, the school-room was well filled. Shortly after 8 o'clock, Lord Chief Justice
Bottomley (D. Reid) took his seat on the bench, which, we understand, had been artistically fitted up in court fashion by
Messrs. M. Reid & Sons. The case, Sparkem v. Ringwood, was then called, after which the clerk of the court (M. Browne)
proceeded to call the list of jurors. The following gentlemen were sworn as a jury to try the case: - Saml. Browne (foreman);
Matthew Hunter, Wm. Watton, Joseph Gray, John McIlreavy, James McClure and Joseph Lyons...
The plaintiff was awarded damages of £1,000 with costs!
Not long after, William popped up again in the
Coleraine Chronicle on 8 MAY 1886, this time over a sewage issue by his property.
SANITARY MATTERS IN PORTSTEWART
The Sanitary Officer reported that a sewer between the premises of Wm.
Watton and Fanny Wallace, Portstewart, was obstructed, and he recommended that the defect be remedied at once, in order that
a nuisance which existed might be abated. It was resolved to serve a notice upon both parties.
William was politically a Unionist, and as with so many at the time, was opposed to the proposals
for the UK government to grant Home Rule to Ireland. The Northern Whig newspaper of 30 MAY 1892 notes a Unionist
meeting held at Portstewart, which William attended. From the article:
The chair was occupied by Major-General Beresford-Beresford,
and there was a large attendance. In a brief address the Chairman explained the object of the meeting, and advised the Unionists
of the district to stand firmly together in the fight against Home Rule. He expressed the hope that the coming Convention
would be a splendid success, and that it would have a beneficial effect on the electors of the kingdom.
At the conclusion of the meeting 22 delegates were selected to attend the forthcoming Ulster Convention
and to represent the Portstewart district. William was one of the delegates chosen, and it is presumed that he attended the event
which was held at Botanic Gardens in Belfast on 17 JUN 1892, with some 12,000 delegates from across the province.
A year later in the Coleraine Chronicle of 1 APR 1893 there is a list of furniture owned
by William listed as going on auction at his house:
SALE OF FURNITURE AT PORTSTEWART
INSTRUCTED by Mr. William Watton, I will sell on the Premises, at Main
Street, Portstewart, on FRIDAY, APRIL 14th, at 12 o'clock, a quantity of Household Furniture, consisting of Tables, Chairs,
Couch, Whatnot, Basin Stands, Toilet Tables, Bedsteads and Feather Beds, Bolsters and Pillows, Pictures, Delph, and a variety
of Kitchen Utensils.
Terms-Cash and Fees.
DAVID INNES, Auctioneer.
A further sale was recorded three years later in the Northern Constitution on 19 SEP 1896,
with William now preparing to move to Belfast:
AUCTION OF HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, HORSE, CAR, CART & HARNESS,
AT MAIN STREET, PORTSTEWART
To be Sold by Public Auction, at MAIN STREET, PORTSTEWART, on TUESDAY,
22nd September, commencing at Eleven o'clock, the following property of Mr. William Watton (who is removing):-
IN PARLOUR - 6 Baloon Back Chairs, 1 Mahogany Cabinet, 1 Lady's Arm Chair,
1 Square Birch Table, 1 Duplex Lamp, 1 Gent's Arm Chair, 1 Couch, Carpet and Earth Rug, 1 Side Table, 1 Gilt Mantel Mirror,
1 Whatnot, and 5 Pictures.
IN HALL - 1 Clock (8-day), 2 Chairs, 1 Table, 1 Picture.
The entire Furniture and Appointments of Four Bedrooms, comprising Iron
and other Bedsteads, Spring and Flock Mattresses, Feather Beds, Blankets, Quilts, Pillows, Bolsters, Wardrobes, Dressing Tables,
Looking Glasses, Wash Stand, Towel Rails, Bed-room Ware, Pictures, Carpets, Mahogany Couch, Tables, &c., &c.
MISCELLANEOUS EFFECTS - 1 Singer's Sewing Machine, 1 Patent Mangel (Williamson
& Co.), 1 good Posting Horse, Car, Cart and Harness, all and singular the entire Kitchen Utensils, Glass, and China.
Terms - Cash, and Fees.
J. F. GLENN & CO., Auctioneers, Coleraine
However, a fairly major tragedy occurred at the auction, as noted in the Derry Journal of
25 SEP 1896:
INQUEST AT PORTSTEWART
Dr. W. H. Caldwell, J.P., coroner, held an inquest on Wednesday in Portstewart,
on the body of Sarah Hutchinson, aged thirty-eight years (wife of George Hutchinson, Carnamoney, Draperstown), who had died
very suddenly on the previous day while attending an auction sale at Mr. Watton's, Main Street, Portstewart. Sergeant Gallgher,
R.I.C., represented the authorities. The husband of the deceased stated that she had left home on Monday. She had had an attack
of influenza some time since. Mrs Martin, with whom deceased had lodged, Matthew Brown, and Alexander McBride, were also examined,
and gave evidence to the effect that while purchasing some articles at the sale deceased suddenly fell to the ground and died
in a few minutes. The jury found a verdict of death from natural causes, probably heart disease.
Just a day after this, in a completely unrelated development, William was noted in the Coleraine
Chronicle of 26 SEP 1896 as providing a bail bond for someone in a court case:
BAIL BONDS
Head Constable Wheatley said he had an application to make with regard
to the recognizance of William Turbitt, Portstewart, who in October last had been bound over to keep the peace for twelve
months. In July last he had assaulted his wife, for which he had got a month's imprisonment, and he (the Head Constable) applied
to the Bench to estreat the recognizance. The sureties were Messrs. R. Thompson, Coleraine, and Wm. Watton, Portstewart.
Dr. H. A. Anderson appeared for the sureties, and asked the Bench for leniency.
The man Turbitt was under fresh recognizance for another 12 months, and was now living agreeably with this wife.
The amount ofthe recognizance was Turbitt in £5 and two sureties of £2
10s each, and the magistrates decided to reduce these amounts to Turbitt in 10s and two sureties of 5s each.
The Valuation Revision Books for Portstewart note that William
had removed from Main Street, Portstewart by 1897 (Source: PRONI Valuation Revision Books VAL 12/B/30/17/E 1895-1905).
He relocated to Belfast, where the Belfast and Ulster Street Directories for 1899 and 1900 listed him subsequently
as living at 8 Ilchester Street, with his occupation now noted as a gardener.
In the 1901 census, William was listed at McCandless Street in north Belfast, in Shankill ward, parish
of Shankill. He was a 47 year old gardener, could read and write, was Church of Ireland by way of religion, married and born
in County Antrim. His wife Eliza was 45, from County Derry, and could also read and write. Also present were
17 year old son Willie Watton, a catch boy in ship building, and 13 year old daughter Edith Watton,
a scholar. Both Willie and Edith were born in Derry and could read and write.
In his daughter Eliza's wedding register entry in September
1903, William is further listed as a coachman.
According to William's granddaughter Georgina Watton, William
eventually died at the age of 101. However, this was subsequently proved not to be correct, but it may be another
member of the family that she was referring to (there are a few William Wattons!). William in fact passed away on 21
AUG 1902 in Belfast, at his home of 9 Hartwell Street, the cause being pneumonia (Source: Belfast City Council burials database).
He was buried on the afternoon of the 23rd at Belfast City Cemetery, in lair G2 no. 452. William was noted as a gardener,
but erroneously aged 41 - the index for his burial record has also been mistakenly recorded as Walton, instead of Watton. The
proprietor of the grave was Annie Leslie, though it is not clear as yet who she was - she seems to have been
important to the family, however, as William's granddaughter was named Annie Evelyn Leslie Watton, apparently
in her honour.
On the same day that William was buried, his wife Eliza placed a notice in the intimations column
of the Belfast Newsletter:
WATTON - August 21, at his residence, 9, Hartwell Street, Belfast, William,
the beloved husband of Eliza Watton. Funeral to City Cemetery, tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, at two o' clock. ELIZA WATTON
CHILDREN of WILLIAM WATTON and ELIZABETH McLAUGHLIN:
{1} John Watten
b: 27/9/1868 d: 14/11/1868
John was born at 6am on September 27th 1868 at 25 Charles Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire,
Scotland. His father was listed as present at the birth, and he informed the Greenock registrar, Robert A. Baird, on
the following day. John's mother was listed as Elizabeth on the birth entry (GROS:1868/564/03/938).
Sadly, John never made it into childhood. Just seven weeks after he was born, he contracted bronchitis,
from which he died at 2.30am on November 14th 1868, at 25 Charles Street, Greenock. His father, who informed the registrar
on the same day, was again listed as a railway labourer, whilst his mother's name was erroneously spelt as Elizabeth
McLachlan (GROS:1868/564/03/747).
{2} Anne Watten
b: 21/12/1869 d: 1961
Anne was born in Balinteer in the district of Articlave, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry,
Ireland, on December 21st 1869. Her father, incorrectly spelt as William Watten, and listed as a labourer, informed
the registrar on the 30th (GRONI: Articlave, Coleraine, Bk 2,#326).
Anne married David Lesley Ogilby - the 1911 census suggests that this happened in
1896, but there is a civil registration index for the couple marying in St. Giles, London, England, in the second quarter
of 1904 (with thanks to Anne Dooris for the info).
In the 1911 census Anne Evelyn Ogilby was noted as resident at Calhams, 26 St. Matthew's
Gardens, St. Leonard-on-Sea. She was 40 year old, stated to have been married for 15 years, and had 2 children, one of whom
had died. Her birthplace was noted as Coleraine, Ireland. David was aged 56 and living on 'private means'. He was from Dungiven
in Ireland. Also present was their 14 year old daughter Violet Leslie Ogilby, born in Holywood, Ireland (in
Co. Down), and a 20 year old servant, Ivy Conway Dibley, from Newhaven in Sussex. (Source: Census Returns of England and
Wales, 1911. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA) Series RG14, 1911. RD 69, Sub Reg Dist St Mary
Magdalen, ED 14, Piece 4764). No birth record for Violet has been found in Ireland.
David eventually died in 1927, leaving Anne his estate, as noted in the English National Probate Index:
OGILBY, David Leslie of Calhame 26 St Matthew's-gardens St. Leonards-on-Sea
died 18 May 1927 at the Gensing Nursing Home 6 Anglesea Terrace St. Leonards-on-Sea Probate London 30 June to Annie Evelyn
Ogilby widow and Henry Smith solicitor. Effects £8495 15s 1d.
Annie is noted in the 1939 National Identity Register for England
as Annie E. Ogilby, born 18 DEC 1870, and a widow of independent means, resident at 21-22 St. Matthews Gardens.
Annie eventually passed away in the last quarter of 1961, at Battle, Sussex, aged 90. (GROEW
1961 Q4 Vol. 5h p.32)
CHILDREN of Anne WATTON and David OGILBY:
(Violet Leslie) Eileen Ogilby
b: 21/3/1897
Eileen was later recorded in the 1911 English census as Violet Leslie, but
she was initially named Eileen Ogilby. On many trees online she is noted as Violet Eileen Leslie
Ogilby.
Eileen was born on 21 MAR 1897 in High Street, Holywood, on the south side of Belfast
Lough in County Down. Her father was David Leslie Ogilby, an agent, and her mother Annie Ogilby,
formerly Watton. David was the informant to the Belfast registrar on 24 MAR 1897 (IrishGenealogy.ie. B 1897 Group
Reg ID 10857355 SRD Belfast RD Castlereagh Row)
Norah Leslie Ogilby
b: 7/10/1912
Norah was born in Hastings, Sussex, England, on 7 OCT 1912.
______________________
{3} William Watton
b: 16/12/1871 d: 22/12/1871
William was born at Ballysally, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, on 16 DEC 1871. His
mother was noted as Eliza Jane McLaughlin, and his father as William Watton, a labourer. William senior was the informant
three days later (Source: GROI B 1871 Group Reg ID 11877208 Coleraine)
William died at Ballysally just six days after he was born on 22 DEC 1871, the
cause being convulsions as suffered for one day. His father was noted as a coachman, and his mother was the informant on 2
JAN 1872 (Source: GROI D 1872 Group Reg ID 7187639 Coleraine).
{4} Cochrane McLaughlin Watton
b: 13/11/1872 d: 19??
Calum's and Jamie's great great great grandfather - see
below.
{5} Eliza Watton
b: 30/1/1875 d: 1946
Eliza was born in Ballysally, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, on
30 JAN 1875. Her father was William Watton, coachman, and her mother Eliza McLaughlin, who was
also the informant to the civil registrar in Coleraine, on 12 FEB 1875.
At the turn of the 20th century Eliza moved to Scotland, and on September
2nd 1903 married 29 year old Alfred Christie, an ironmonger's assistant, in Victoria Cafe,
Nairn, Nairnshire. Alfred was the son of George Christie, a quarrier, and his wife Ann Airth.
At the time of the wedding, Eliza was living at 3 St Ninian's Road in Nairn, whilst Alfred resided at Burnside Cottage in
nearby Forres. The witnesses to the wedding were Annie Christie and A.H.W.Inuaro (?), with
the minister being the Reverend William Pirie, from Nairn parish. The marriage was registered the following day (GROS:1903/123/00/22).
At the death of their son Alfred in 1911 Eliza and Alfred were listed
as living at 23 Urquhart Street in Forres - the couple in fact stayed their whole lives in Forres.
Alfred predeceased Eliza, who died herself in
her home, Barbies Cottage, Forres, on March 22nd 1946, at 7.35am. The cause of her death was a combination of heart and
gall bladder problems, and was registered at Forres three days later by her son (GROS:1946/137/0/23).
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| Alfred Christie, husband of Eliza Watton |
CHILDREN of ELIZA WATTON and ALFRED CHRISTIE:
Annie Watton Christie
b: 23/11/1903 d: 6/5/1966
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| Alfred, Annie, Alexander and Molly, circa 1910 |
Annie was born on November 23rd 1903 at 10.20pm at 1 Tulloch Park in Forres (GROS: 1903/137/120),
with the birth registered on December 8th.
Annie emigrated to Canada, departing from Glasgow on June 18th 1925 on board
the S.S. Letitia, sailing third class to Quebec, where she arrived on the 26th. She was noted as a 21 year old 'fiance' who
had been born in Forres, and as Scottish. She could read, her intention was to reside permanently in Canada, and her fiance
paid for her passage. In Scotland Annie had worked as a book-keeper, but her intended future occupation was to be a housewife.
Her fiance was noted as Mr. James MacDonald of 15, Empire Ave, Toronto, Ontario. Annie's nearest relatives in Scotland were
noted as Alfred Christie and Beatrice Cott of Forres, Morayshire, Scotland (Source: FindmyPast.co.uk).
Once in Ontario, however, clearly Annie's plans changed! She in fact married
Charles Kirk, son of Charles Kidd and Ethel Kirk, in Toronto. From
his granddaughter Angela Kirk's website, the following info on Charles is recorded:
Charles was born to a young single woman who
worked as a servant. Charles had an older sister Jessie and a younger sister Mildred. He was given to the Barnardos Homes
at age 4. He was admitted January 5, 1914. The notes that were taken during his admittance were obtained from the Barnardos
homes and give a brief desciption of Charles family situation at the time. Charles emigrated from England when he was 11 and
was indentured to an Ontario farmer. A book and movie entitled "Little Immigrants" has been written describing the life of
these children. When Charles was an adult he moved to Toronto where he met and married Annie Christie. Together they raised
three children, and the writer (until age 5) who was their grandaughter until Annie's death.
In Toronto, Eliza settled and raised a family with Charles. She eventually passed away on May 6th 1966 in the city, whilst Charles eventually died in 1987.
CHILDREN of ANNIE WATTON CHRISTIE and CHARLES KIRK:
Gerald Kirk
b: 19??
Gerald was born in Toronto, Canada.
Wallace Kirk
b: 19??
Wallace was born in Toronto, Canada.
Joyce Kirk
b: 19??
Joyce was born in Toronto, Canada. She married Roy at some
stage prior to 1959, and had at least one daughter.
CHILDREN of JOYCE KIRK and ROY:
Angela M. Kirk
b: XXXX
Angela was born in Toronto and was raised by her grandparents Annie and Charles.
She married, and has three children. She currently lives in Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, Canada.
Through Angela, much has been discovered on the descendants of Eliza Watton,
and for this I am extremely grateful.
CHILDREN of ANGELA KIRK and (UNKNOWN):
Steven
b: 19??
Elizabeth
b: 19??
Ben
b: 19??
Alexander Airth ('Sandy') Christie
b: 26/12/1905
Alexander was born at 23 Urquhart Street in Forres, on December 26th 1905, at
5.45am (GROS: 1906/137/4), with the birth registered on January 12th 1906.
On July 5th 1940, Alexander married Sheila MacDonald, a "motor
omnibus conductress" living at 17 Caroline Street in Bishopmill, Elgin. Sheila was the daughter of Peter MacDonald, a wood
contractor, and Mary Green. The registrar was William Hustwick, and the witnesses were Alex's brother Wilfred (still resident
at Berbice Cottage) and Sheila's sister Norah MacDonald (GROS: 1940/168/2/526).
Eileen Christie
b: 25/10/1911
Eileen was born at 23 Urquhart Street in Forres, on October 25th 1911 at 1.00am,
with the birth registered on the 30th.
Mary ('Molly') Christie
b: 29/7/1907
Mary was born on July 29th 1907 at 5.30am at 23 Urquhart Street in Forres, with
the birth registered on August 15th 1907.
Winnifred Christie & Wilfred
Christie (twins)
b: 3/2/1914
Winnifred and Wilfred were born on February 3rd 1914 at Berbice Cottage in Forres.
Winnifred arrived fisrt at 4.15am, with her brother arriving at 5.00am (GROS: 1914/137/17&18).
Little is yet known of Winnifred, but the following has been worked out about
her brother. Wilfred was present at his father's
death on October 28th 1939, and informed the registrar on the 30th (GROS: 1939/137/47).
On July 5th 1940, Wilfred was still living at the family home
of Berbice Cottage in Forres, where he witnessed his brother Alexander's marriage to Sheila MacDonald.
In the following year, it was Wilfred's turn, when he married 29 year old
clerkess Katharine Gallon Reid on August 29th, at Airlie Manse in Forres, with the service being Church
of Scotland in nature. Katharine was the daughter of Daniel Reid, a gardener, and Annie McHardy. At this point, Wilfred is
listed as having been an aero engineer, but he was to eventually become a gas fitter.
Wilfred died at 6.00am on March 30th 1969, at Leanchole Hospital in Forres. He
was 55 years of age, and at the time of his death had been resident at 48 MacDonald Drive in the town.
Wilfred's wife Katharine survived for a further 33 years, eventually passing
away in 2002 in Elgin (GROS: 2002/280/49).
Margaret Christie
b: 24/8/1916
Margaret was born on August 24th 1916 at 6pm, at Berbice Cottage in Forres (GROS:
1916/137/66). The birth was registered on September 5th by her father.
Alfred Christie
b: Jan 1910 d:19/4/1911
Alfred died at 7.30pm on April 19th 1911, in infancy, at the age of 15 months.
He had suffered teething convulsions and pneumonia for four days, as certified by Dr John Adam. His father, Alfred,
informed the registrar in Forres the following day (GROS: 1911/137/0/34).
I have recently found a genealogy website created by Annie Watton Christie's
granddaughter, Angie Kirk, and I am currently trying to contact her for more information. Angie's website
is the Kirk Family History page.
______________________
{6} William Thomas Watton
b: 6/6/1877 d: 16/8/1879
William Thomas was born on June 6th 1877 at Portstewart, Agherton (Reg District
of Coleraine), to William Watton, coachman, and Eliza McLaughlin, who was also the informant. His birth was announced in the
Coleraine Chronicle on 23 JUN 1877:
Watton - At Portstewart, on the 6th inst., the wife of Mr. William Watton,
a son.
William died in Agherton, Portstewart, on 16 AUG 1879, aged just
2. The cause of death was "scald one day" after a "burn of neck and chest three days, [...] tetanus eight hours". He
was noted as the son of a coachman, with his father William acting as the informant on 25 AUG 1879 (GROI D 1879 Group Reg
ID 6084761, IrishGenealogy.ie).
The following short intimation notice appeared in the Coleraine Chronicle on 30 AUG 1879:
Watton - At Portstewart, on the 16th inst., Wm. Watton, aged 2 years.
A William Thomas Watton was also born in Coleraine in the third quarter of 1891,
and appears to have married in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, in the first quarter of 1921. Whether this is a coincidental naming
of a child is as yet unclear.
{7} Lena Watton
b: 21/7/1879
Lena was born in Portstewart, parish of Agherton, Co. Londonderry, Ireland,
on 21 JUL 1879. Her father was William Watton, coachman in Portstewart, and her mother Eliza McLaughlin, who was also the
informant to the Coleraine registrar on 11 AUG.
In the 1901 census, as Helena she was recorded as staying with
her brother Cochrane Watton at 54 Groomsport Street, Belfast.
In the census, Lena is described as being a member of the Church of Ireland,
able to read and write, and as working in a factory. Her age was incorrectly listed as 20.
In the 1911 census for Belfast, 30 year old Lena is found at 72 Newington
Avenue in the Duncairn electoral ward of the parish of Shankill, and working as a domestic servant for 31 year old foreman
stonecutter Robert Howard and his wife Sarah, and their five children. She is mistakenly listed as having been born in Belfast,
and is described as an Episcopalian (Church of Ireland).
On March 27th 1919, Lena married James Murray at the Mariners
Church of Ireland, Shankill, Belfast. From a conversation with her niece, Margaret Payne (nee Watton),
it is known that Murray was a Scotsman from the Seaforth Highlanders. It is also believed that Lena had at
least one son.
Nothing further is as yet known of Lena.
CHILDREN of LENA WATTON and (UNKNOWN) MURRAY:
(Unknown) Murray
b: 19??
{8} Mary Jane Watton
b: 14/11/1881 d: 2/1969
Mary Jane was born on 14 NOV 1881 in Agherton, Portstewart, within the registration
district of Coleraine, Co. Londondonderry, Ireland. Her father William was the informant and was noted as
a coachman, resident in Agherton, whilst her mother was noted as Eliza Jane McLaughlin. The birth was registered
on the 28th (Source: GRONI U/1881/94/1008/13/46 Coleraine).
In 1912, Mary Jane signed the Declaration of Loyalty to the British Crown in Megain Lecture Hall,
in the Pottinger district of east Belfast. At the time, Mary was resident at 44 Chadolly Street (also resident at this address
were a Susan Bulla and an Annie Wightman.)
Mary Jane later emigrated to Canada. In 2016 I established a DNA connection with her granddaughter
Barb, who shared the following summary of her life:
My grandmother immigrated to Canada as part of the recruitment of household
and farm helpers, somewhere around the age of 13/14. I know that she worked as a household help on a farm south of Moose Jaw
for a number of years, but have not been able to track that part yet through voters lists etc. She had three boys, the youngest
was my father. Once she married my grandfather, Charles Young, she lived in Moose Jaw for the rest of her life. I also grew
up in Moose Jaw so saw her frequently while growing up. Her sister, Edith, also moved to Canada to Saskatchewan, however,
my dad did not know her well, and all that branch of the family has passed.
Thanks to Barb for sharing her grandmother's story. Mary Jane eventually passed away in Moose Jaw,
Saskatchewan, Canada, in Feb 1969.
{9} William Reid Watton
b: 20/12/1883
William was born on 12 DEC 1883 at Portstewart, Agherton. His father William
was noted as a coachman, and acted as the informant on 31 DEC 1883. William was subsequently baptised in Agherton
Parish Church.
In his youth, William moved to England to become an apprentice jockey at Marshs,
Newmarket, whilst the future King Edward VII was still just the Prince of Wales. From a letter written by William
in 1897, at Newmarket, it is known that he won his first Derby by riding a horse called "Perinnions". It is also known that
William used to exercise horses, and that he was known to famous jockeys such as Steve Donahue, Todd Sloan and Fred Archer.
William returned to Ireland shortly after and was refused leave to return to
England by his parents, for reasons unknown. He recalled in 1898 going to see a play in the Old Royal Victoria Theatre on
Arthur Street, Castle Lane, Belfast, entitled "The Diver's Luck" (first published on 17 Sept 1888 in Dublin), about the sinking
of the Great Eastern Steamship, at that time in Belfast.
William also noted that an attempt had been made to poison a group of Enniskillen
Dragoons stationed in Percy Street, Belfast. Riots broke out between Protestant and Catholic gangs in the aftermath.
He also recalled the presence of the old sailing ships in Belfast, and recalled
being told of the ship "Knockommnis" which had sunk at Black Rock, Portstewart in December 1883, the year of his birth.
In the 1901 census, William was listed with his family at McCandless Street in north Belfast, Shankill
ward, parish of Shankill. He was aged 17, could read and write, was Church of Ireland by way of religion, a 'catch boy
in ship building', and born in Derry.
In 1909, William married Ballymoney girl Maggie McCollum (13/6/1887
- 8/7/1975).
In the 1911 census, William and Maggie were located at 17 Haldane Street in the Shankill ward and
parish of Belfast. William was the head of the household, aged 25, a rivetter who could read and write, born in County Derry,
and Church of Ireland by religion. Maggie was 23 and from County Antrim. Also present were their one year old son William,
from County Antrim, and three members of Maggie's family - Martha McCullam, listed as a 39 year old mother-in-law,
a spinner in a mill, and able to read and write, and two children listed as step-cildren, being 7 year old James McCullam,
and 5 year old Josie McCullam, both scholars, born in County Antrim, and unable to read and write.
William took up work as young man at the Harland and Wolfe shipyard, and worked
on the Titanic with his brother Cochrane, though unlike Cochrane, who was a painter, William worked
as a riveter. The ship launched in 1912, and William must have been devastated to learn of the ship's fate upon her maiden
voyage to New York. However, William also got into a spot of bother whilst at the yard.
On August 13th 1912, William Watton, of 4 Ambrose Street, along with John Walker,
James McCullagh and George Bradshaw was charged with assault at Belfast Custody Court, following an incident at the yard on
July 2nd. Those assaulted were William Parkes, John Woods and John Clinton. William and his colleagues had asked the defendants
"Where the Fenian squad was, and where the Home Rulers were", before attacking the gentlemen, who were Roman Catholic. William
in particular was said to have hit one of those attacked with an iron bar in his jaw and neck. At this point bail was refused.
The outcome of the trial has yet to be discovered (working on it!). The incident was reported on p.7 of the Freeman's Journal
on August 14th 1912.
|
|
| William's signature in 1912 |
On September 28th 1912, aka "Ulster Day", both William and Maggie pledged
their loyalty to the British Crown. William signed the Ulster Covenant at York Street Lecture Hall, whilst Maggie
signed the Declaration of Loyalty at York Street Presbyterian Church.
At the time of the event, both William and Maggie were living at 4 Ambrose
Street in east Belfast. The purpose of the Covenant and Declaration was to show unionist contempt for the Liberal idea of
a Home Rule government which would potentially weaken the position of the Protestant Ascendancy. Protestants were the
minority religious grouping in Ireland, although by far the majority in the province of Ulster. Their fear was of a self governing
country with Roman Catholicism imposed as the state religion - "Home Rule is Rome Rule" was the slogan. William's grandson
Trevor Rowan also recalls how his grandfather was was nicknamed "Wee Willy Watton" as he was only 5'3", although very strong,
and that he was a dead ringer for the cartoon character Popeye, who also smoked a pipe!
In his later years William looked after
a river for the council at Sunnyhill, near Cavehill in the city. He eventually died on June 6th 1972, aged 88, at 122 Mountcollyer
Street, Belfast, and was buried at Roselawn cemetery on June 8th in lair T 311. After he passed away, his widow Maggie
survived for three more years, eventually passing away herself in Belfast on July 8th 1975, and was buried with her husband
on July 11th, her residence at time of death being 25 Watt Street.
CHILDREN of WILLIAM
WATTON and MAGGIE McCOLLUM:
(1) William Reid Watton
b: 29/6/1909 d: 16/1/1997
William married Louisa and had two
sons. The couple later divorced, and it is not yet known with whom the children went, although it was most likely Louisa.
William remarried to Hannah Caughey
on April 1st, 1929, at St. Stephen's Church, Belfast. Hannah had previously had a son, Jimmy, by a local
youth who had succumbed to cancer before they where able to marry. William appears to have taken Jimmy in for a while, and
the couple went on to have their own daughter, Margaret, known colloquially as Peggy.
The marriage was not to last however, the couple having
separated by 1936. Hannah struck up a relationship with a gentleman called Francis Walker, and in 1936 had
her first child with him, Robert Walker. She then went on to have a further twelve children with Francis
- these were Edward, Elizabeth, Jane, Alice, Sarah,
Daniel, Dennis, Alan, Roy, Gordon, Geoffrey
and Annie. Hannah eventually married Francis Walker in Scotland. She eventually passed away in Belfast on
January 6th 1997.
[Many thanks to Annie Walker's daughter Tracy Davidson,
nee Tully, for providing the above information in December 2005.]
William eventually passed away on January 16th 1997
and was buried at Roselawn Cemetery on the 20th in lair T 311. At the time of his death he was noted as residing at 25 Watt
Street in Belfast (Source: Belfast City Council cemetery website).
CHILDREN of WILLIAM WATTON
and LOUISA (UNKNOWN):
(Unknown) Watton
b: 19??
(Unknown) Watton
b: 19??
CHILDREN of WILLIAM
WATTON and HANNAH CAUGHEY:
Margaret (Peggy) Watton
b: 18/6/1930
Margaret married Robert on
October 6th 1951, and went on to have two children with him.
Margaret remarried in Toronto, Canada, to
Sidney Arthur Young.
Margaret has since passed away, after having
suffered for some time with motor neurone disease. The date of her death is not yet known.
CHILDREN of MARGARET
WATTON and ROBERT:
Linda
b: 19??
(Unknown)
b: 19??
(2) David Leslie
Ogilvie Watton
b: 5/5/1911 d: 22/10/1938
David died in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
(3) Margaret
Watton
b: XXXX
Margaret was born in Belfast, County Antrim,
Ireland. To her father, she was fondly known as "the little spitfire"!!!
|
|
| The little Spitfire! Margaret celebrating her 92nd birthday. |
As a young girl, Margaret grew up in Belfast, living on the Limestone
Road. When her schooling finished in 1928, she took up work at the York Street Flax Spinning Company, taking up a job
in its handkerchief department at the age of 14 years and two months. Whilst here she worked for a Mr. Ellisar, who she
describes as someone that she did not like, he being "too dour"!
Whilst in the hanky department, a French designer in the company, called
Mr Prangue, asked if she would like to work in the design department as a perforator, a chance which she jumped at. To do
the work, she had to learn how to work all the different colour cards for the linen.
Margaret remained with the flax company until the factory was bombed
during the Second World War. After this, she took up work in one of Belfast's munitions factories up the Falls Road, which
even in the Forties she described as not somewhere for a Protestant girl to happily work in, recalling that there
were troubles as bad there at that point as there were to be later in the post civil marches period of the late sixties.
She recalls that before taking the munitions job she had to be examined by a doctor, who told her that with the
muscles she had, she was just right for the job!!!
Margaret remaned in the munitions factory until the end of the war, making
six pounder and seventeen pounder shells, under the watchful eye of manager Mr Norther, who was an Englishman. There were
three shifts in the job, 12.00pm to 6.00am, 6.00am to 2.00pm and 2.00pm to 10.00pm, and Margaret worked in each shift at various
stages.
During the war, Maragret remembers how her family were blitzed on the Antrim
Road, and had to relocate to Watt Street.
Margaret went on to marry Robert and had two children.
She later remarried to Fred.
For her ninetieth birthday, Margaret travelled to stay with her daughter
Lorraine in Canada. Her last visit to Northern Ireland was when her brother Billy passed away.
Margaret currently lives in Cheshire, a font of information in her nineties,
and we are extremely grateful for the conversations we have had about her family and that of Calum's and Jamie's great
great great grandfather Cochrane Watton, who was Margaret's uncle!
CHILDREN of MARGARET WATTON and ROBERT:
Lorraine
b: XXXX
Lorraine used to work in a bank. Not much is known about Lorraine,
although it is known that she lost a baby at some point in the past.
Lorraine now lives in Toronto, Canada. In February 2004 she had her mother
Margaret staying with her to celebrate her ninetieth birthday, and in September 2005 her cousin Trevor and his family also
visited her.
Robert
b: XXXX
When Robert was born, he was eleven pounds in weight!
Robert is married to Jane and has two children. The
couple having met at a motor company caleld Atley's where Robert apparently got on extrmely well with Jane's father.
Today, Robert makes surgical instruments in Buckinghamshire, a career
he took up after studying blood cancers as part of his degree. Robert's wife Jane is a cancer doctor at a London hospital,
and regularly travels to lecture on leukaemia.
CHILDREN of ROBERT and
JANE (UNKNOWN):
James
b: XXXX
James lives in England.
Pippa
b: XXXX
Pippa lives in England.
(4) George Watton
b: 25/1/1916 d: 11/3/1916
George was born in Belfast on January 25th 1916, but died in infancy just
two months later.
(5) Georgina Watton
b: XXXX
Georgina was born in Belfast.
Georgina went on to marry Belfast man Leonard Higginbotham.
The couple emigrated to Penrith, New South Wales, Australia, prior to 1951.
Georgina still lives in New South Wales today, with her family.
CHILDREN of GEORGINA WATTON and LEONARD HIGGINBOTHAM:
Sylvia Higginbotham
b: XXXX
|
|
| Sylvia and partner Brian, 2001 |
Sylvia was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Sylvia married Douglas. The couple had one son, Bradley.
Sylvia now has an English partner with a home in France and who resides
in Queensland.
Sylvia still lives in Australia.
CHILDREN of SYLVIA HIGGINBOTHAM and DOUGLAS:
Bradley
b: XXXX
Bradley married Louise. The couple have one son, Jacob.
Leonara Anne Higginbotham
b: XXXX
Anne was born in Belfast.
After emigrating to Australia as a child, Anne married John.
The couple had two children, before divorcing prior to 1972. John eventually died on September 9th 1991.
Anne remarried to Raymond, but eventually divorced prior to
Raymond's death in 1992.
Anne still lives in New South Wales, now the grandmother of three children and
great granny to another, and she recently made contact with us through the Genes Reunited website. Thanks
for all your help Anne!
CHILDREN of ANNE
HIGGINBOTHAM and JOHN:
Joanne
b: XXXX
|
|
| Joanne and Marty at cousin Darren and Nicole's wedding. |
Joanne was born in Penrith, New South Wales.
Joanne married Martin, more colloquially known as Marty.
The couple have two children, and continue to live in Australia.
CHILDREN of JOANNE and MARTIN:
Patrick
b: XXXX
Patrick was born in Blacktown, New South Wales.
Patrick still resides in Australia, his grandmother's darling grandson!
Siobhan
b: XXXX
Siobhan was born in New South Wales, Australia.
Siobhan still resides in Australia, and was a flower girl at the wedding of her
first cousin once removed, Darren.
Colin
b: XXXX
Colin was born in New South Wales, Australia.
Colin married Janice. As well as Janice's son Shawn, from a prior relationship, the couple also had a child of their own, Craig,
before divorcing.
CHILDREN of COLIN and JANICE:
Craig
b: XXXX
Craig was born in Lismore, Australia, and is the father of a son, Jimmie.
CHILD of CRAIG and (UNKNOWN):
Jimmie
b: XXXX
(Name witheld by request)
b:
(Name witheld by request)
b:
(6) Ruth Watton
b: 9/12/1918 d: approx 2003
Ruth was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on December 9th 1918.
Ruth married Thomas Rowan (b:19/12/1918) and the couple
went on to have three children. In 1952 the family briefly emigrated to Canada, but returned to Belfast some four years later,
taking up residence in a council house in the city shortly after their return.
Ruth sadly passed away about two years ago at the age of 82, the cause
being cancer, a real shock to her son Trevor who described her as being "strong and healthy with hardly a wrinkle" right up
to her last days.
CHILDREN of RUTH WATTON and TREVOR
ROWAN:
June Rowan
b: 19??
June married William Whitestall, and had two children.
CHILDREN of JUNE ROWAN and WILLIAM WHITESTALL:
Michelle Whitestall
b: XXXX
Michelle is now married to a gent called Colin.
Stephen Whitestall
b: XXXX
Trevor Rowan
b: XXXX
Trevor was born in Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
|
|
| Trevor cycling uphill in North Wales! |
As a young boy, Trevor emigrated with his
family to Canada, but after four years the family returned to Belfast, and soon after set up in a council house.
After leaving school in Belfast at the age of 15, Trevor
took up a five year apprenticeship in England as a toolmaker in a car factory. He married at the age of 20, but divorced
five years later.
Trevor then left his factory to eventually
take a degree in Applied Psychology, followed by a Masters Degrees in Management and Education, and became a college
lecturer, and then manager, leading to a role of Principal Education advisor. Since 1992 he has been self employed as a consultant
/ researcher / inspector of education and training, which he says takes him about a bit!
Trevor met current partner Jeannie in 1972,
and has three children with her, all of whom he describes as being artistic like their mother, also an artist.
Since 1982, Trevor and Jeannie today have been living in a large
victorian house with a large garden and land overlooking sea and mountains at Snowdonia National Park.
CHILDREN of TREVOR ROWAN and JEAN (UNKNOWN):
Brydie Rowan
b: XXXX
Brydie lives in England.
Carys Rowan
b: XXXX
Karis lives in England.
Laurie Rowan
b: XXXX
Laurie lives in England.
David Rowan
b: 19??
David married Linda and the couple have two children.
CHILDREN of DAVID ROWAN and LINDA (UNKNOWN):
Kelly Rowan
b: XXXX
(Unknown) Rowan
b: 19??
(7) George Watton
b: XXXX
George was born in Belfast.
George left Northern Ireland when he took up work as a mechanic with
the Royal Navy, and was based for a time in Helensburgh, Scotland.
George then left to join up with the Fire Brigade in Essex, working at
the Southend-on-Sea depot for twenty six and a half years, before retiring.
As a youngster, George remembers Calum's and Jamie's great great great
grandfather, Cochrane Watton, describing him as being of medium build, maybe five foot eight inches in height.
George married Rita and has two children. The couple
still live in Southend-on-Sea, and despite having been away from Northern Ireland for over half a century, he still has his
Belfast accent!
Thanks to George for the phone conversation we had in
February 2005.
CHILDREN of GEORGE WATTON and RITA:
Christine Watton
b: XXXX
According to her aunt Margaret Payne (nee Watton), Christine
is an excellent ballroom dancer!
Christine was previously married to a Canadian gentleman, name unknown to us, with whom she
had two sons when she lived with him in Canada.
Christine is currently working as a legal secretary in London, England.
CHILDREN of CHRISTINE WATTON and (UNKNOWN):
(Unknown)
b: 19??
(Unknown)
b: 19??
Michael Watton
b: XXXX
Michael married Julie, and the couple have three daughters,
although their names are as yet unknown.
Michael, like his father before him, now works for the Fire Department
in Southend-on-Sea, England.
CHILDREN of MICHAEL WATTON and JULIE (UNKNOWN):
(Unknown) Watton
b: 19??
(8) Martha
Watton
b: XXXX
Martha was named after her maternal grandmother.
Martha married Herbert, a Dutch shipwright who ended
up as a station master in Toronto, canada.
The couple had one daughter, and Martha still resides in Canada
today.
CHILDREN of MARTHA WATTON and HERBERT:
Gloria
b: 19??
Gloria married Daniel and had one son in Canada.
CHILDREN of GLORIA WATTON and DANIEL:
Conor
b: XXXX
Conor was born in Ontario, Canada.
(9) Mary
Watton
b: 17/2/1927 d: 17/2/1927
Mary was stillborn.
{10} Sarah Robinson Watton - twin
b: 1/2/1885 d: 22/3/1886
Sarah was born on February 1st 1885 at
Portstewart, Agherton, Colreaine, to William Watton, coachman, and Eliza McLaughlin. She was baptised in Agherton Parish Church,
Coleraine, County Londonderry. Her father was the informant to the Coleraine registrar (Source: RootsIreland.ie).
Sarah died just over a year later on 21 MAR 1886 at Portstewart, Agherton, aged just 13 months,
and noted as a coachman's daughter in the death record. The cause of death was dentition, as suffered for six months, and
debility, and the informant on the 22nd was her father William Watton, resident at Portstewart, and present at her death
(Source: GRONI D/1886/94/1008/13/260 Coleraine).
{11} Edith Watton
b: 28/5/1887
Edith was born on 28 MAY 1887 at Portstewart, parish of Agherton,
Co. Londonderry. Her father William was noted as a coachman, and her mother as Eliza Jane McLaughlin, who also acted as the
informant to the Coleraine registrar on 6 JUN. Edith was subsequently baptised
in Agherton Parish Church, near Coleraine, County Londonderry (Source: IFHF/Emerald Ancestors).
What the birth record does not note, however, is that Edith was in fact a twin, but that her sibling tragically
did not survive birth, as noted in the Coleraine Chronicle of 11 JUN 1887:
BIRTHS
Watton - At Main Street, Portstewart, on the 28th ult., the wife
of William Watton, of twins (one still-born).
In the 1901 census, Edith was noted with her parents at McCandliss Street
in Belfast. She was a 13 year old scholar, Church of Ireland by religion, able to read and write and born in County Derry.
Thanks to a DNA match in 2016 with Edith's great niece Barb Thompson,
it is now clear that Edith emigrated to Canada. From Barb's recollections:
Her sister, Edith, also moved to Canada to Saskatchewan, however, my dad
did not know her well, and all that branch of the family has passed.
(With thanks to Barb)
{12}
Unknown Watton - twin
b: 28/5/1887
This unchristened second child born in Portstewart in May 1887 was stillborn (see above).
{13}
Unknown Watton
b: 29/4/1889
This son of William Watton, coachman, and Eliza McLaughlin, his mother,
was born at Portstewart, Agherton, on 29 APR 1889. At the time his birth was registered by his father on 20 MAY 1889, he had
not been christened.
Cochrane McLaughlin Watton
13/11/1872 -
21/11/1957
Cochrane was Calum's and Jamie's great
great great grandfather.
|
|
| Cochrane's signature in 1912 |
Cochrane was born in Ballysally townland, in the
parish of Ballyaghran, RD of Coleraine, County Londonderry, Ireland on November 13th 1872. In the record his
father William Watton was noted as a servant, and he acted as the informant to the registrar on 13 DEC 1872.
As a young teenager, Cochrane was a member of the Band of Hope, a temperance society. An article in
the Northern Constitution on 5 SEP 1885, mentions him at one ofthe meetings:
PORTSTEWART BAND OF HOPE
The monthly meeting of the Band of Hope was held on Thursday evening, 20th
ult., the Rev. Thomas Cooper president in the chair. The meeting opened with singing by the choir, Scripture and prayer. A
temeperance dialogue was then recited very crreditably by four boys, William Reid, John Bacon, Mark Bacon and Cochrane Watton,
after which the Rev. Mr. Baston, for many years a chaplain in India, gave a most interesting address on the manners and customs
of that country, given in so telling a manner as to bring it all before the eyes of the audience, and concluding
with an application of the temperance question, showing how in India, where the blood is already at fever heat, all alcoholic
beverages must be especially hurtful, and that, as the Irishman said, "people drink themselves into their graves and then
sit down and write home to their friends that the climate of India is most unhealthy." The meeting closed with a vote of thanks
to the lecturer, the National Anthem and the benediction.
An earlier article from the Coleraine
Chronicle dated 25 APR 1885 notes that at another band of Hope meeting, the same four boys gave 'two capital dialogues
extremely well', with the article noting that this was the 13th years of the band of Hope's existence in the town, and that
its motto was 'Excelsior'. A further article in the Northern Constitution of 31 OCT 1885 notes another Band of Hope
recital from Cochrane with the same boys, and two others, Sam Martin and Robert Reid.
Cochrane married Elizabeth Holmes, from County Donegal, on April 16th 1900, and in this
record his surname is mis-transcribed as 'Wadden' (GRO Dublin: Belfast/1/299 - 2nd quarter). At the time of his
marriage he was living at 6 Glenduce Street, Belfast - it is not known if his whole family was there, or whether he had
moved there himself from Coleraine. He was a painter at this point, and it is most probably that he had just moved to Belfast
to find work, as his fiancee Elizabeth was registered as living in the Rosemount estate of Derry at the time they married.
The wedding took place in the Church of Ireland Mariners Chapel, Belfast, by the Reverend John F. McLat (?). The witnesses
were James Shaw and May Wilson.
The couple settled in their new home at 54 Groomsport
Street, Cliftonville, Belfast, where they are found in the 1901 census (GRO Belfast: 1901/354/1/67). From this we learn
that Cochrane was still a house painter, born in County Londonderry, that his religion was Church of Ireland, and
that he could read and write. In the same census return we also learn that Cochrane's wife Lizzie was present,
aged 22, and his sister Helena was also present on census night, that she was 20 years old, unmarried, and
that she worked in a factory.
Between 1901 and 1904 there is no information as to what Cochrane got up to, but it is safe to assume
that he stayed in Belfast, as in 1904 and 1905, according to the Belfast Street Directories of the early 20th century, he
and his family were living at 62 Bright Street in the city, with Cochrane described as a painter. There is no listing
for the family in the city directories between 1906 and 1912, although in 1907 a James Watton, painter, is
noted at 16 Riga Street - this is either a mistaken entry for Cochrane, or perhaps another member of the family, such as a
sibling (In 1919, a 36 year James Watton from Bright Street was shown as having served with the RAF on a list for the Congregation
of Megain Memorial, as noted at Eddie's News Extracts). Cochrane certainly was living there however, as on February 13th 1906 his baby daughter Ethel died of
bronchitis in the property. By May 15th 1907 the family had relocted to 2 Springmount Street in Belfast, where their daughter
Kathleen was born, and by December th 1908 they were at 61 Foyle Street, where Kathleen tragically died of
bronchitis.
|
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| The Titanic nearing completion in Belfast docks, February 1912 |
In December 2002, Cochrane's great granddaughter Sammy
Jones made contact (she is Calum's second cousin twice removed). Sammy has been able to tell us that Cochrane also
worked as a painter at Harland and Wolff, and that he was one of the painters on the ill fated Titanic. It seems likely that
Cochrane was a decorator for the ship's luxurious interior. From Cochrane's niece, Margaret Payne, nee
Watton, we also learn that Cochrane was able to get a job for his brother William on the
new luxury liner as well, working as a rivetter on her. No doubt the two Watton brothers stood with some pride at dock
no. 401 in Belfast on May 31st 1911 to watch the great ship launch - they must have been equally shocked to learn shortly
after that she had sunk on her maiden voyage from Southampton.
Margaret Payne recalls that Cochrane was in the Salvation Army, and that he was a member of their brass
band. She would often visit his house on a Sunday and would be delighted to get a penny or a halfpenny from him as a treat.
She recalls that after the Titanic job, Cochrane left Harland and Wolfe and set up his own painting and decorating company,
employing his brother William Watton and a lad called Billy Smyth, who would eventually become Cochrane's son-in-law, and later Calum's and Jamie's great great grandfather.
In the 1911 census for Belfast, Cochrane was recorded at 11 Barrow Street in the Clifton ward of the
parish of Shankill as a 37 year old painter, born in Coleraine, County Derry, and married for eleven years. He and Lizzie
had had five children, though two had died in infancy. His religion was listed as Salvation Army, and he was able to both
read and write.
In 1912, Cochrane signed the Ulster Covenant at St. Mary's Institute in the Clifton district of north
Belfast. At the time he was noted as living at 11 Barrow Street (also resident at this address was a Lizzie Mallon).
In 1913, the directories list Cochrane again, still a painter, and still living at 11 Barrow Street
in Belfast. In the following year he is found at 12 Benwell Street in the city.
Between 1914 and 1932 (with the exception of 1923), Cochrane is listed every year as residing at 35
Barrow Street in Belfast. On each listing he is described as a painter. These basic listings hide one other story, however,
in that during the First World War, Cochrane enlisted with the Royal Marines Labour Corps, from 1917-19. He signed up
in Belfast on October 29th 1917, and joined E Company two days later. His attestation paper notes him as a house painter,
born in Coleraine on 21 NOV 1873 (sic - later correctly given as 1872), and aged 43 years, 11 months and 8 days. He was married,
but did not occupy a house of annual rateable value of £10 or more - his wife Elizabeth was resident at '35 Borrow Street'
(sic), off Manners Street (later noted elsewhere as 'Minour Street'), Belfast. Cochrane had never been imprisoned by
a civil power, or had any previous military experience. The form states that he signed up after receiving a notice to do so,
and contains his original signature. We then learn that Cochrane was just 5 feet and 3 and a half
inches tall, had a fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, and was Church of England by way of religion. He had no distinctive
marks. His Certificate of Final Medical Examination for the Entry of Men and Boys for the Royal Navy also gives his weight
as 117 pounds, his chest girth as 34-36 inches, and noted he had been previously vaccinated.
After a medical examination in Belfast he was considered fit for service. Final approval for enlistment
was given on October 31st. His service number was D.12984.S, class of engagement was H.O., and his mobilising authority was
noted as being at Deal. Cochrane then spent two weeks at Depot RM Deal, and was discharged on 13 NOV 1917, his conduct recorded
as very good.
Cochrane was hired as a naval labourer for the duration of the war (DofW). He set off on 13 NOV 1917
for Havre, from Southampton, arriving the following day, and joining Havre company. He was transferred to Dunkirk on
1 APR 1918.
On 8 MAY 1918, Cochrane was injured whilst on duty, though not severely. The report form (A.F W.3428)
notes the following:
Whilst at work, discharging cargo from No. 4 Hatch, of the S.S. Ethel, a
piece of timber fell from a Set and struck above named man causing injury as stated. He was sent to the M.J.R for treatment.
The injury was in his thigh (external aspect), and deemed 'not severe'. The report notes the injury
was in the line of duty, but that he was not to blame (nor any other person). On 12 OCT 1918 Cochrane was then granted 14
days leave to the UK, returning to duty on the 25th, where he remained for the rest of the war. On 11 MAR 1919 Cochrane was
evacuated to the UK for demobilisation.
Cochrane was discharged from service on 9 APR 1919. He had served for one year and 163 days, his conduct
throughout noted as 'Very Good'. His discharge form notes that he served in France with the RMLC from 14 NOV 1917 - 10 MAR
1919. In his particulars is an important statement, that noting his father (unnamed) to be deceased by this point. Cochrane
was awarded a war gratuity of £8 and given a railway pass back to Belfast from Deal. His discharge papers show a clean sheet
on the Company Conduct Sheet. His ability throughout service was satisfactory.
The discharge papers at Kew in fact include two handwritten notes by Cochrane, both of them very brief,
in response to a memorandum issued by the Officer in Charge at RMLC Records Depot RM Deal, dated 20 JUN 1919, asking him to
acknowledge receipt:
35 Barrow Street
off Manour St
Belfast
24/6/19
Dear Sir
I received certificate of Discharge Alright - 12984 No.
I remain Yours
sincerly
Cochrane Watton
And...
35 Barrow St
off Manour St
Belfast
Dear Sir, received Discharge
Certificate
With thanks
Yours obident
C Watton
12984 RMLC
Cochrane obtained the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for service for that period,
as noted in the UK Naval Medal and Award Rolls on Ancestry.co.uk.
Another of Cochrane's nephews, George Watton,
remembers meeting his uncle on one occasion in the Old Park Road, with George about seven years old at the time,
placing this at about 1927. According to George, Cochrane was about five foot eight inches tall, and of medium build.
On Wednesday 24th FEB 1932, the Northern Whig reported that Cochrane was fined by Belfast Police
Court:
EMPLOYER FINED £12
For failing to stamp the health and pensions insurance cards of an employee
named James Smyth, Cochrane Watton, of Barrow Street, was in Belfast Police Court yesterday fined £4 with costs on each of
three summonses, and also ordered to pay arrears of £3 8s6d.
Mr. G. A. Armstrong appeared on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, and Mr.
S. D. Crawford defended.
Cochrane's wife Elizabeth died on 3 April 1937. In his wife's burial
papers from April 1937, he is again listed as residing at 21 Ballynure Street, Belfast. Amongst the many notices
placed in the papers following Elizabeth's death was one in the Belfast Telegraph of 5 APR 1937 confirming Cochrane
as a member of the Apprentice Boys of Derry:
APPRENTICE BOYS OF DERRY BROWNING CLUB - BELFAST BRANCH.
WATTON - The Officers and Members of above Branch regret to learn of the
death of the wife of their highly respected Brother Cochrane Watton and tender to him their deepest sympathy. Members are
requested to attend the funeral.
HUGH THOMPSON W.P.
JAMES WHITE, P.P., Secy.
On Monday 4 APR 1938, a year after Elizabeth's death, the following notice
was placed by Cochrane in the Belfast Telegraph:
WATTON - In loving memory of my dear wife Elizabeth, who died on 3rd April
1937, and was interred in City Cemetery.
You watched beside my dying bed.
Now I will watch for you.
And when you reach the golden gates
I'll come and lead you through.
Still sadly missed by her sorrowing husband.
COCHRANE.
Two years after his wife's death, a further memorial notice from Cochrane
appeared in the Belfast Telegraph, on Monday 3 APR 1939:
WATTON - In loving memory of my dear wife Elizabeth, who passed away on
3rd April 1937.
There the old vacant chair in the homestead.
We miss the dear one who sat there.
But we know she has gone to a better land
That is free from all troubles and care.
Ever remembered by her Sorrowing husband
COCHRANE WATTON
Cochrane moved at some stage after the death of his
wife to England, where he eventually passed away on November 21st 1957 at The Grove, Shardlow, in Derbyshire. On his death
certificate he was noted as an 84 year old painter and decorator (retired), and the cause of his death was noted as myocardial
degeneration an chronic bronchitis. The informant was his daughter Sandra, noted as residing at 39 Portland Road in Nottingham.
The death was registered on the 22nd (GROEW: Shardlow 1957 Q4 Vol3A, p.456, entry 59).
CHILDREN of COCHRANE WATTON
and ELIZABETH HOLMES:
Annie Evelyn Leslie Watton
b: 11/5/1901 d: 7/10/1981
Calum's and Jamie's great great grandmother - see
below.
Sarah Strane Beckwith Watton
b: 15/3/1903 d: 31/10/1989
|
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| Passport photograph of Sarah Higginson, nee Watton |
Sarah's existence was discovered in Dec 2002 through a message posted on the
Ancestry.com message board by her granddaughter, Sammy Jones.
Sarah was born on March 15th 1903 at 41 Avon Street in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Present
at the birth was Maria Patience of 18 Medway Street, Belfast, which, if she is listed, presumably means that Cochrane was
not present.
In the 1911 census for Belfast, Sarah was noted as an eight year old scholar who was
born in Belfast and who was unable to read. She was Salvation Army by way of religion.
After her schooling, Sarah went on to work in one of the cotton mills as a rover,
an operator of a machine which prepared carded fibre into rolls.
It seems that before Sarah married, she had two children born out of wedlock in the
city, a boy in the late twenties called Cochrane, and a girl in the early thirties called Violet.
By 1941, Sarah had settled at 21 Ballynure Street in the city. She married on February
1st 1941 to widower Frank Rupert Higginson, who was a military policeman, the wedding taking place in
the splendour of St. Anne's Cathedral just north of Royal Avenue in the city.
|
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| Sarah Meads, formerly Higginson, nee Watton |
Frank and Sarah went to live in Scotland, presumably as the result of a change of posting
for Frank, and in March 1942 their first child, Frank, was born in Perthshire. The family were living at
Waterside Cottages in the Almondbank part of the town. But the family were soon moved again as by 1945, in May,
their second child Laura was born in Nottinghamshire, England.
In the late 40's or early 50's, Sarah and Frank divorced. Sarah remarried in the Seventies to George
Meads in Long Eaton, and the couple lived at 1 Southfields Bungalows, where Sarah eventually passed away on Halloween
1989. She is buried in Long Eaton cemetery alongside her husband George, and their gravestone reads:
Cherished
memories
of a dear wife and mother
SARAH MEADS
1903 - 1989
God bless
Also husband George
1905
- 1996
CHILDREN of SARAH WATTON and TOM (UNKNOWN):
Cochrane McLaughlin Watton
b: 2/11/1929 d: Apr 2007
Cochrane was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on November 2nd 1929.
Cochrane married Yorkshire woman Yvonne, and had a daughter,
Linda.
According to his granddaughter Laura, Cochrane emigrated to
Canada at some stage in the 1960s after the end of his first marriage.
Another granddaughter, Angela, recalls that her grandfather was
disillusioned with living in England, and that he in fact moved to London, Ontario, where he eventually passed away in April
2007.
Children of COCHRANE WATTON and YVONNE:
Linda
b:XXXX
Children of LINDA and BARRIE:
Angela
b. XXXX
Children of ANGELA and ROBERT:
Nadine
b. XXXX
Kirsty
b. XXXX
Jessica
b. XXXX
Unknown
b. XXXX
John
b. XXXX
Child of JOHN and ZOE:
Evie
b. XXXX
Violet Watton
b: XXXX
Violet was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Violet resides in England.
CHILDREN of VIOLET WATTON and EDDIE:
Christopher
b: XXXX
Christopher was born in England.
Stephen
b: XXXX
Stephen was born in England.
Amanda
b: XXXX
Amanda was born in Long Eaton, England.
CHILDREN of SARAH WATTON and FRANK:
Frank
b: XXXX
Frank was born in Scotland.
CHILDREN of FRANK and BETTY:
Samantha
b: XXXX
Samantha was born in England.
CHILDREN of SAMANTHA
and ROBERT:
Jennifer
b: XXXX
David
b: XXXX
CHILDREN of SAMANTHA
and TONY:
Timothy
b: XXXX
Susan
b: XXXX
Scott
b: XXXX
Sean
b: XXXX
Stewart and Sharon (twins)
b: Feb 1970 d: Feb 1970
Tragically, the twins survived only a few hours after birth.
Laura
b: XXXX
CHILDREN of LAURA and KAM:
Ting
b: XXXX
Choi
b: XXXX
Sharon
b: XXXX
Sarah
b: XXXX
CHILDREN of LAURA and DAVID:
Vincent
b: XXXX
Sarah
b: XXXX
Martin
b: XXXX
Ethel Watton
b: 15/12/1905 d: 13/2/1906
Ethel was born at 14 Riga Street in Belfast, on December 15th 1905. Her father informed the Belfast
registrar on January 3rd 1906 (Belfast Urban 3, book 122, #354).
Ethel tragically died just a few weeks later, on February 13th 1906, the cause being bronchtitis. At the time of her
death she was listed as having been resident at 16 Riga Street. She was buried in the City Cemetery, in lair G2 452, at
a cost of 7s 6d, and her religion was stated to have been Church of Ireland. (Source IFHF: Antrim deaths).
Kathleen Wade Watton
b: 15/5/1907 d: 7/12/1908
Kathleen was born on May 15th 1907 at 2 Springmount Street in Belfast. The informant to the Belfast
registrar on June 10th was Sarah Wade, from 30 Ballywatt Street, who was present at the birth (Belfast Urban
3, book 126, #391).
Kathleen tragically died in infancy on December 7th 1908, the cause being bronchitis. At the time
of death she was noted as residing at 61 Foyle Street, Belfast. She was subsequently buried in the City Cemetery on the 9th,
in lair G2 452, the burial fee being 7s and 6d, and her religion was noted as Church of Ireland (Source IFHF: Antrim
deaths).
Alice Beatrice Evangelina Booth Watton
b: 8/7/1909 d: Nov 1989
|
|
| Beattie Watton in Belfast, at some point in the 1950s |
Alice was known more colloquially as Beattie throughout her
life. She was born on July 8th 1909 at 11 Barrow Street, Belfast. The informant to the registrar on the 24th was Isabella
Cuthbert, who had to sign her name to the book with an X, being unable to write (Belfast Urban 3, book 32, #304).
In the 1911 census for Belfast, Beattie was noted as a year old, born in
Belfast, and Salvation Army by way of religion.
Beattie married on 19 AUG 1933 at St. Ann's Cathedral, Belfast, to William
Lyttle, a 27 year old machinist, son to Robert Lyttle, labourer, and resident at 119 Riga Street,
Belfast. She herself was noted as Alice Beatrice Evengeline Booth Watton, a 24 year old layer, and daughter
to Cochrane Watton, painter, and resident at 25 Liffey Street, Belfast. The witnesses were James
Reid and Martha Reid. (Source: GENI/GRONI M/1933/B1/418/181/116 Belfast).
After a few years she divorced her first husband, and moved to England. In April-Jun 1948 she then married James Jones (Vol 10c 1168, Ince,
Lancashire).
Beattie was visited at her home in Hindley Green, Wigan, England, by Calum's,
Jamie's and Pippa's grandmother Charlotte in approximately 1966, when she was about eleven years old. Charlotte's
brother Michael, and her mother Martha were over from Ireland on a visit, and
Charlotte remembers jumping up and down on Beattie's bed as a game with Michael - Michael accidentally knocked her off and
gave her a black eye when she hit the bed on falling down!
Beattie died in November 1989 in Wigan, Greater Manchester, with her date of birth in the death indexes
confirmed as 8 JUL 1909, and her name recorded as Alice Beatrice E B Scott. (GROEW, Nov 1989, D, Vol. 39,
p.2662, Wigan, Greater Manchester). This suggests that she remarried for a third time, but the details of such a wedding
have yet to be identified.
Helen Joyce Beasley Watton
b: 7/7/1911 d: 15/3/1919
Helen was born in 11 Barrow Street, Belfast, Ireland, on 7 JUL 1911. Her father was noted as Cochrane
Watton, house painter and her mother mistakenly as Lizzie Wade. The informant to the registrar on
27 JUL was Isabella Cuthbert, who was present at the birth (Source: IrishGenealogy.ie Births 1911 Group Reg 580868, Belfast).
Helen sadly died as a child on 14 MAR 1919 at 35 Barrow Street, Belfast, Ireland, a day before
her younger brother William. The cause was influenza (Spanish Flu), 10 days, and pneumonia. Her father was
noted as Cochrane Watton, RN Labour Corps, and he registered the death on the same day (Source: IrishGenealogy.ie,
Deaths 1919, Group Reg ID 5700487 Belfast).
William Atkinson Watton
b: 19/6/1913 d: 15/3/1919
William was born at 12 Benwell Street on June 19th 1913. His mother informed the Belfast registrar
on July 10th (Belfast Urban 3, book 143, #230).
William died as a child on 15 MAR 1919 at 35 Barrow Street, Belfast, Ireland, a day after his
older sister Helen. The cause was influenza (Spanish Flu), 10 days, and pneumonia. His father was noted as
Cochrane Watton, RN Labour Corps, and he registered the death on the same day (Source: IrishGenealogy.ie,
Deaths 1919, Group Reg ID 5700490 Belfast).
Annie Evelyn Leslie Watton
11/5/1901 - 7/10/1981
Annie was Calum's and Jamie's great great
grandmother.
Annie's mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
profile has been established following analysis of her great grandson Christopher's DNA in 2007. This form of DNA was passed
to her from her mother Elizabeth Holmes etc, and further back along the maternal line. Her haplogroup was H, meaning that
her maternal ancestors eventually went 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 Annie, it will be
extremely likely that they shared a common maternal ancestor somewhere in the last 500 years. Annie's mtDNA profile was shared
by her children, and her brothers and sisters. The children of her sisters also carried 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).
Annie was born at home on Groomsport Street in
Belfast in 1901, about a month after the census was taken for the city. By the following year the family were no longer registered
on that street, and it is not yet known where they moved to, although it was still in Belfast.
In the 1911 census for Belfast, Annie was noted as a ten year old scholar from
the city, who could not read, and who was Salvation Army by way of religion.
Annie attended school in Belfast, and upon completing her studies took up work
at one of Belfast's many linen mills, it is believed at Edenderry Mill off the Crumlin Road. It is not known what her role
was there, although her granddaughter Charlotte recalls that she had to wear wellies all day because the floor was so wet.
This would indicate that she worked at the spinning frames, so she was either a spinner or a doffer, replacing the empty bobbins
with full ones, known as 'doffs'.
In 1920, Annie's family were certainly
living at 35 Barrow Street in Belfast. It is assumed that Annie met her future husband William McKeever Smyth whilst living on this street - she lived at number 35, he was at number 23.
Annie married William on December 24th 1920 (GRO Dublin:
Belfast /1/ 295/#49 - 4th qtr 1920). The wedding took place at St. Anne's parish church in Belfast, after the proclamation
of banns. The minister officiating was Reverend A. George Johnston, whilst the witnesses were Archie Mullen and Mary Bill. Annie
is described on the wedding entry as working in a mill. She was in fact a wet spinner at Edenderry Linen Mills in the city.
She was also quite a religious woman, being a member of the Salvation Army, in which she was a songster.
The couple moved to 25 Liffey Street in
1927, where they stayed for 17 years. 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 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, whilst Annie looked after the day to day running of the shop.
In 1945 or 1946 the family moved to 32 Roe Street, where
Annie lived until the time of her death in 1981. She occasionally made visits to her children in Belfast and nearby
Carrickfergus. According to Calum's grandmother Charlotte, Annie would "have made two stones fight", and being the kind of
woman that you always had to make sure your house was tidy for, before she visited. Cherie also remembers that despite being
a bit of a dragon, Annie was a very beautiful woman as a young lady, and that a portrait of her used to hang on the wall of
her house. Upon her death, it is believed that either one of her daughters Lesley or Evelyn obtained
this picture - if either of you ever get to read this, I would love to see the portrait!
Annie and William had eight
children, but in addition to this Annie miscarried a further eight times, making a total of sixteen pregnancies. She died in 1981 and was buried in Carnmoney's Church of the
Holy Evangelist's cemetery.
The following notices were recorded in the Belfast Telegraph upon her
death:
Wednesday,
October 7th 1981
SMYTH, Annie Evelyn - Oct 7, 1981 at hospital, dearly loved widow of William, 32 Roe Street.
House private. Funeral arrangements later. Deeply regretted.
Thursday, October 8th 1981
SMYTH, Annie - October
7th 1981 (suddenly) at hospital, beloved wife of the late William McKeever Smyth, 32 Roe Street. Funeral from her home, tomorrow
(Friday) at 2pm to Carnmoney Cemetery.
There were also
notices from daughter Eveline, granddaughter Christine, daughter Margaret,
son Bill and granddaughter Janice.
CHILDREN of ANNIE EVELYN LESLIE WATTON and
WILLIAM McKEEVER SMYTH:
Martha Jane Elisabeth
Watton Smyth
b: 4/3/1922 d:
Calum's and Jamie's great grandmother
- see Smyth page.
and
Thomas McKeever Smyth
William Smyth
Margaret Smyth
Evelyn
Smyth
Beatrice
Smyth
Sadie
Smyth
Christopher
Smyth
Connecting to Calum and Jamie
Annie Eveline Leslie Watton married William
McKeever Smyth between 1918 and 1922
Daughter, 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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