Shale miners

By Scott Daily

James "Paraffin" Young

After receiving a patent for producing paraffin oil (often referred to as kerosene in many parts of the world) James Young established a refining factory in Addieswell, West Lothian around 1865. To quote from West Lothian Shale Trail "At the start Young’s refinery produced oil for lighting, and also developed new types of light which gave better light. This was much better and cheaper than whale oil, and burnt cleaner. But the increasing popularity of cars meant that the West Lothian refineries produced petrol and diesel fuel. Paraffin wax was used to make candles, and a by-product of the retort process was ammonium sulphate fertiliser." At the same time many areas of Scotland and Ireland were suffering financially and so many were looking for work. As more and more shale mines opened in West Lothian, people began to move from Ayrshire to West Lothian to work. 

There wasn’t much shale mining in Ayrshire but there was a short lived oil works at Kilwinning from 1865 to not long after the 1871 census which showed William Gorman working there as a shale miner. William was born in 1844 in Londonderry, Ireland

There was another short lived oil works at Lanemark in New Cumnock 1864-1867. Most were in West Lothian.

As shown in the Cumnock Connections tree, some who came to West Lothian from other parts either married people originally from Cumnock or moved to the area after working for a time in the slate industry. 

One example of someone who married into a Cumnock family, and whose offspring seemed to have settled for a time in the Cumnock area, is James Baird who was born in West Lothian (to a family who had previously been in Lugar) and is listed in a 1891 census as living in Uphall, West Lothian employed as a shale miner. He had married Catherine Hutchison who was born in Cumnock. Their three children listed in the census were stated to be born in Lugar, Ayrshire. In the baptism records for their daughter Marion Marshall Baird (who later emigrated to Manhattan, New York) it states that James' occupation was "char filler". James is recorded as passing away at the age of 40 (from heart disease) back in West Lothian. 

A second example of a Cumnock woman who married a West Lothian shale miner was Jane Murdoch Price who was born in Cumnock. Jane married William Wardrop who is listed in a 1911 census as a shale miner living in West Lothian.  The Wardrops had also lived in Cumnock in 1875-8 at Glengyron Row.

To give an example of someone orginally from Ireland who came to Scotland to work  and married and settled in Ayrshire, we have William Gorman who was born in Londonderry. He married Catherine Shirkie from Kilwinning. They were married in Old Cumnock in 1864 and in the 1871 he was living in High Doura, Kilwinning and working as a shale miner. in the 1881 census, where William is listed as working as a coal miner, they are shown to have four children, Edward (listed as a coal miner, age 13); William, age 7; Stewart, age 4; and Janet, age 1. The family would later move to Irvine. It would seem the William had various legal problems as there is record of him spending time in prison in Ayr in 1889. He died at  Cunningham Combination Poorhouse in Irvine in 1891.

Allan Cameron had been an iron miner in Cumnock in 1871 and 1881 was a shale miner in Lasswade, Midlothian by the 1891 census.

Irish miners who came to Cumnock

by Roberta McGee

This is a list of Irish miners who came to Old Cumnock to look for work in the 1800s. The link will take you to their family history on the Cumnock Connections family tree. 

Armstrong, William, coalminer born 1806 Ireland d 1882 Cumnock In Scotland (Portpatrick) by 1827

Battles, John,  coalminer born 1835 Ireland

Bradford, George, iron miner then coalminer born 1830 Co. Down died 1887 Cumnock. In Cumnock by 1849

Brown, Thomas,  coalminer born 1839 Ireland (possibly Co. Down)

Burns, Owen,  coalminer born 1834 Cavan, Ireland died 1905 Cumnock. In Ayrshire (Ayr) by Nov 1838

Crawley, Patrick, ironstone miner born 1840 Ireland died 1898 Paisley

James Docherty,  ironstone miner born 1833 Ireland

Docherty, Patrick,  irons miner then coalminer born 1843 Derry, Ireland  died 1914 Old Cumnock

Donaghy, Bernard, iron miner born 1837 Ireland

Donaldson, James,  iron miner then coalminer born 1822 Co. Down, Ireland d 1885 Cumnock. In Lugar by 1850 though seem to have gone back and forth to Ireland

Dunlop, Samuel,  coalminer born 1848 Ireland

Ferguson, James, coalminer born 1845 Belfast died 1896 Cumnock

Finn, Thaddeus , ironstone miner born 1845 Co Sligo, Ireland died 1916 Cumnock. In Cumnock by 1868

Gaffney, Dominic,  ironstone miner b 1837 Ireland died 1884 Auchinleck. In Ayrshire by 1851 census

Gilchrist, James, coal miner then iron miner born 1842 Ireland died 1892 Cumnock 

Green, Patrick,  iron miner, born 1834 Co. Tyrone, Ireland

Hill, Samuel, iron miner then coal miner, b 1832 Ireland died 1914 Muirkirk

Hogg, William, iron miner then coalminer b 1842 Ireland died 1904 Cumnock

 Hughes, John, iron miner, born 1834 Ireland died 1881 Old Cumnock.

Jackson, David, coalminer born 1835 Co Down, Ireland died 1909 Cumnock

Jolly, Joseph, iron then coalminer born 1845 Aghaderg, Co. Down died 1903 Cumnock

Judge, Thomas, iron miner then coalminer, born 1832 Ireland died 1911 Muirkirk

Kelly, John, coalminer born 1836 Ireland died 1917 Cumnock

Lang, Andrew, iron miner then coalminer, born 1838 Ireland died 1901 Old Cumnock.

Lang, William , iron miner then coalminer, born 1832 Ireland died 1911 Muirkirk.

Lorimer, Henry,  coalminer born 1839 Co. Derry, Ireland died 1910 Lugar, Cumnock

Lorimer, Hugh,  iron miner born 1835 Co. Antrim, Ireland

Lorimer, John, coal miner born 1841 Co. Derry, Ireland

Lucas, Martin, iron miner born 1829 Ireland died 1910 Ayr

Marrs, Robert,  iron miner born 1849 Castle Dawson, Londonderry, Ireland

Marrs, Samuel,  iron miner born 1851 Castle Dawson, Londonderry, Ireland died 1924 Ayr

Marrs, Thomas,  iron miner then coalminer born 1855 Castle Dawson d 1889 Fife

McCallum, Hugh, coal miner born 1837 Co. Tyrone, Ireland died 1911 Bannockburn Stirling

McCormick, Michael,  iron miner born 1846 Ireland

McDowall, William , iron miner then coalminer born 1853 Ireland 

McGuire, Michael,  pit sinker born 1851 Ireland died 1888 Old Cumnock

McKendrick, David, iron miner then coal miner born 1840 Ireland

McLurg, Thomas, coalminer born 1847 Ireland died 1885 Dalziel, Motherwell

Plunkett, David, iron miner born 1843 Ireland

Potter, Samuel,  coalminer b 1859 Ireland died 1928 Cowdenbeath

Quinn, John,  coalminer/mine cutter born 1851 Creggan Lower, Armagh d 1928 Auchinleck

Ward, Clelland,  iron miner then coalminer born 1855 Ireland died 1918 Auchinleck

Wightman, James, iron miner then coalminer born 1849 Co, Down, Ireland d 1936 Cumnock

Migration between Scotland and Ireland

by Ailsa M McInnes

There are few of us, especially in the west of Scotland, without Irish forbears. We know of the influx of people from before, particularly during, and beyond the great famine of 1845-52. Those seeking work in local farms, coal mining and the other heavy industries of the Cumnock area. However, what of the movement of people in earlier times?

There has always been close ties between Scotland and Ireland - of language, culture and history – not surprising as they are separated at the narrowest point by about twelve miles of sea.

In mythology, the Giant’s Causeway on the Antrim coast with a similar rock formation at Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, tells of Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill challenged to a fight by Scottish giant Benandonner, and the causeway being built so they could meet. (‘The Giant’s Causeway.’ The Dublin Penny Journal, issue 5 p33) Another version has Fionn disguised as his baby son. On seeing the ‘baby’ Benandonner fearful of what size Fionn might be flees back to Scotland, destroying the causeway behind him. (Jones, Richard ‘Myths and legends of Britain and Ireland’ p131)

You only need to stand on the Antrim coast and see Arran from the ‘wrong side,’ (for Ayrshire folk) Kintyre and the islands of Islay and Jura with Mull in the distance. For centuries travel by sea was much easier than by land and this western seaboard was a busy highway.

 

 John Speed ‘The kingdome of Scotland 1610’. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.

 

Undoubtedly, there has been interaction and movement between all of these islands from time immemorial. In the early period of the Roman occupation of Britain Gaelic settlers from Ireland had established colonies in what is now western Scotland and Wales, with only place name evidence surviving in the Rhinns of Galloway and the Lleyn peninsula. (Haggart, Craig ‘The Western Seaboard of Scotland in the ninth century’ Glasgow University p2)

Legend has it that in the fifth century the Scoti from Ireland settled in Argyll and the islands to form the kingdom of Dal Riada, although it would now appear that this migration was much earlier. Documentary evidence shows that Dal Riada was a distinct Irish kingdom. Adamnan described the people of Dal Riada as the Irish in Britain, their language, laws and customs were Gaelic and they had frequent contact with their kinsmen in Ireland. (Haggart p3) Ultimately the name Scoti prevailed once the various kingdoms united.

In 563, Columba an Irish missionary of aristocratic family settled on the Isle of Iona and had a crucial role in converting Scotland to Christianity, sending missionaries throughout the kingdoms and establishing the Celtic Church. (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

Of course, into this mix of Irish/Gael came the Norse/Vikings, the Gall Gaels (the foreign Gaels) giving their name to Galloway and Galway. (Clancy, Thomas Owen ‘The Gall-Ghaidheil and Galloway’ Journal of Scottish Name Studies 2 2008 p19-50) And let’s not forget the infamous ‘Gallowglass’ elite mercenary soldiers from the Isles, fighting in both Ireland and Scotland between the mid thirteenth and late sixteenth century. (Perceval-Maxwell, M ‘The Scottish Migration to Ulster in the Reign of James I’ p2)

 

Grave Slabs at Saddell Abbey. Photo Credit Andrew McInnes

 

There were strong family ties amongst aristocratic families in both countries. For example, the MacDonnells of Antrim were descended from John Mor MacDonald of Dunnyveg, second son of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles. Edward Bruce, younger brother of Robert, was proclaimed High King of Ireland in 1316 although killed at the battle of Faughart two years later. Sean Duffy suggests that he was probably fostered in Ireland as a child, likely by the O’Neill’s of Ulster. Archie Duncan suggests some time was spent with the Bissets in the Glens of Antrim. The fostering of noble children was a common Scottish/Irish cultural practice. (Duncan AAM ‘The Scots’ Invasion of Ireland, 1315’, in Davies, RR ‘The British Isles, 1000-1500 ‘p105)

The Plantation of Ulster, beginning in 1610, was to change Ireland dramatically, with profound repercussions down the centuries to the present day. Many Ayrshire folk were part of this plantation and a Cumnock laird, George Crawford of Leifnorris, was one of the original fifty nine undertakers. (https://ulster-settlers.clericus.ie)

Earlier in the century Hugh Montgomery, Laird of Braidstone in Ayrshire, James Hamilton, the son of the minister of Dunlop, Ayrshire and Con O’Neill, the principal Irish landowner of North Down had been the precursor to this ‘official plantation,’ carving up the counties of Antrim and Down for themselves. Montgomery had engineered O’Neill’s escape from imprisonment in Carrickfergus Castle (he had rebelled against the English during the reign of Elizabeth I) with the proviso that they divide O’Neill’s lands between them. Somehow James Hamilton intervened and it became a three way split. (Perceval-Maxwell p50-51)

It took over two years of planning for the colony of the six escheated (confiscated) counties, and those arriving in 1610 were ‘fitted into a systematically devised structure.’ There were three categories of settler – undertakers (civilian groups so called because of the conditions they undertook to fulfil, and they were not allowed Irish tenants), servitors (military officers and government officials, Irish tenants were allowed.) and Irish grantees. (Hunter, RJ (Editor) ‘Plantations in Ulster, 1600-1641 A Collection of Documents’ p9) There were strict regulations as to what was to happen. Each undertaker was to settle his land within a set time and have ten settler families, a minimum of twenty four adult males per 1,000 acres. He was to build a stronghold with an enclosed bawn (wall). The colonists were to live ‘for their mutual defence and strength’ in village settlements close to the undertaker’s stronghold and he was to provide arms for defence. Native Irish residents were to be cleared from the land. (Hunter p18) Many undertakers breached the rules and let their lands to Irish tenants as they could charge them a higher rent. The government tried to force them to comply but with little success. In practice there was not the wholesale transplantation of Irish from the lands as had been initially planned. (Hunter p38)

 In 1610 George Crawford of Leifnorris was granted 1,000 acres in Tullelegan connected to Mountjoy Precinct, Tyrone. (Perceval-Maxwell p336) Each county was divided into two precincts, save Armagh. Tullelegan was south of Cookstown and possibly survives today as a rather lovely country house hotel called Tullylagan. Three hundred acres of this grant was demesne land. (A piece of land attached to a manor and retained by the owner for their own use. (Oxford Languages Dictionary) The manor of Tullelegan was to be erected, Crawford was allowed to hold a baron court and his rent was £5 6s 8d. His letters patent of denizen are dated August 1610. Basically this was naturalisation making him ‘a free denizen and liege subject of Ireland by patent, empowered to enjoy the privileges of a native true born subject thereof.’ (https://ulster-settlers.clericus.ie) This permitted an individual to purchase property in Ireland and allowed their legitimate heir to inherit otherwise property would revert to the crown after the individual's death.

Unfortunately George Crawford of Leifnorris failed to prosper in Ulster. Of the fifty nine undertakers Perceval-Maxwell states that he was the ‘most backward’ in developing his estate. (Perceval-Maxwell p130) He was in debt, and in July 1610 just before the plantation began, had been imprisoned in the tollbooth in Edinburgh. His son, another George Crawford, fared little better. He too was in debt and had been briefly imprisoned in Blackness castle for feuding and on his release had a sum of 10,000 merks to pay. (Perceval-Maxwelll p336) As well as financial woes, Carew’s Survey of 1611 noted that George senior was ‘diseased,’ with what we do not know. Robert O’ Rorke, his Irish agent, and presumably in Tullelegan had timber felled and was preparing materials for building work to commence the following spring. (https://ulster-settlers.clericus.ie) This would imply that Crawford was not residing in Ulster, nor would it appear were any of his Cumnock tenants. In 1612 he had complained about the high cost of transport between Scotland and Ulster and there appears to have been little progress from the previous year. In 1615, the Crawford family, not in a position to invest either time or money in their Irish estate, sold Tullelegan to a Captain Alexander Sanderson. (Perceval-Maxwell p336)

Sanderson, originally from the east of Scotland, was a mercenary soldier and had served in the Swedish army under Karl IX in Russia. During these Russian hostilities with Poland -Lithuania he was captured. He then entered Sigismund III’s service with the Polish army at the siege of Smolensk. (https://ulster-settlers.clericus.ie) He and his descendants were to do well in Ulster. Pynnar’s Survey of 1618-19 states 'Captain Sanderson, Esq., hath 1,000 acres, called Tullylegan. Upon this there is a good bawne of clay and stone, rough cast with lime, having two flankers, and a very good house of lime and stone; himself, with his wife and family, now dwelling there.’ Around him were houses with sixteen British families, giving thirty six men at arms. (https://ulster-settlers.clericus.ie) Incredibly his gravestone has survived in Desertcreat Church of Ireland. It states that he is the owner of the manor of Tullylegan near Cookstown. He was born in Scotland, a foot soldier in Belgium, a master of horse and infantry in Poland, Justice of the Peace in Ireland and three times a High Sheriff. (Plantation-of-Ulster-Story-of-Scots.pdf)

 

 © OpenStreetMap contributors

 

Possibly George Crawford had been chosen as an undertaker for Tullelegan as his father-in-law was Andrew Stewart, the third Lord Ochiltree. Ochiltree had served the crown loyally, was a member of the Scottish council and had become a Justice of the Peace when that office had been created by James VI/I. (Perceval-Maxwell p98) He was one of the nine chief undertakers and gained 3,000 acres in Mountjoy Precinct, Tyrone. Ochiltree too was greatly in debt, primarily due to a previous foray into the Isles to crush resistance to royal authority. (Perceval-Maxwell p99) In 1615 he sold his Scottish lands and title to his cousin Sir James Stewart of Killeith. (Perceval-Maxwell p107) However, he was to prosper in Ulster, eventually becoming Lord Castlestewart. Of interest, Carew’s Report of 1611 stated that he had brought ‘thirty three followers including gentry ‘of a sorte,’ freeholders and other tenants, artificers and a minister.’ Work on his castle had begun, three houses of oak had been built and there were numerous livestock there or en route. (Perceval-Maxwell p329) It would seem likely that many of those thirty three would have been from the Ochiltree area.  Bodley’s survey of 1613 noted that there were numerous Irish on his land and no additional families had settled. (Perceval-Maxwell p144) By Pynnar’s report of 1618-19 the castle was completed although without a bawm, and there were British freeholders and leaseholders along with their tenants and eighty men could be raised. By 1622 there were fifty British families present, indicating about one hundred men, as well as eighty four Irish. (Perceval-Maxwell p329)

The movement of Scots to Ulster continued throughout the seventeenth century. Modest at first, it accelerated after 1650 and peaked during the final decade of the century. (Scott B & Dooher J (editor) ‘Plantation; Aspects of seventeenth century Ulster society’ p2)

More records for Scottish/Irish migration are available for later centuries. However, the earlier period is fascinating with much still to be explored. Watch this space.

From Northern Ireland to Old Cumnock

From Northern Ireland to Old Cumnock

By Roberta McGee

Over the years a great many Cumnockians emigrated world-wide in search of a better life. However, on the other hand, some families saw Cumnock as a thriving, bustling town, the perfect place to work and raise a family. By the early 1900s Cumnock had grown in population and attracted many Irish immigrants who found work in the coal mining industry. 

Elizabeth Clawson was my husband's grandmother. Known as Betty, she was born in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1872. Betty was the sixth child of James Clawson and Margaret Dempsey who were married in 1858 in Rocavan, Co. Antrim. James, a labourer, and Margaret lived in Glenarm, Tickmacrevan, Co. Antrim.

Glenarm is a picturesque village and dates back to before the 17th century. It lies on the North Channel coast about twelve miles north of the town of Larne which is just a short distance from Stranraer in Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland. 

After their marriage James and Margaret moved to Carrickfergus where their eight children were born. James worked as a dock labourer. Carrickfergus, which sits on the north shore of Belfast Lough, is one of the oldest fortified settlements in Ulster and is steeped in history. 

When and why Betty moved to Scotland is uncertain but in 1893 we find her in Stevenston, Ayrshire, where she married Thomas McGee, a foundry worker aged 22 years. They married in the Free Church Manse in Stevenston on 27th October 1893. Betty's occupation is given as 'field worker'. Her mother, Margaret Dempsey, is recorded as deceased.  

Tom McGee was born in Dimity Street, Johnstone, Renfrewshire. His father was James Campbell McGee and his mother was Elizabeth Menzies, both of Irish extraction. Tom and his seven siblings led an unsettled life. His father was a pedlar and they travelled around from area to area. 

The 1901 census shows Tom, now a bricklayer's labourer, and Betty living in 18 Windmill Street, Saltcoats, with their two children James Campbell McGee who was born in 1894 in Stevenston and Thomas McGee who was born in 1896 at 15 McDowall Street, Johnstone. Betty's sister Maggie and her husband were also living in Windmill Street. 

Tommy, Jimmy, Sam & Alex McGee

In 1901/1902 Tom found employment as an insurance agent and they moved firstly to Tower Street, Cumnock where they had four children, Sam, Alex, Maggie and Neil, then to 98 Townhead Street, Cumnock where they had their youngest child William. 

Tom McGee with sons Sam & Neil at Michie Street

Although Tom's job as an insurance agent brought the family to Cumnock, he soon realised that a mining town would always need a chimney sweep. His main work throughout his life in Cumnock was sweeping chimneys and he supplemented his income at times through the years by being a greenkeeper, lamplighter, town crier, bill poster and J.P. Court Officer. 

Cumnock Chronicle 1914

Tom and Betty's religion was very important to them. They were attracted to Gospel work and Tom would go out into the community to preach the Gospel with his sons Tom and Jimmy who were his Gospel singers. Later they were staunch members of Cumnock Baptist Church, then the Apostolic Church, before moving back to the Baptist Church. Tom was a strong Orangeman and held the rank of Grand Master. He was also a Knight, in the Red Cross Degree, of the Grand Royal Black Chapter of Ireland and his services as a speaker in that connection were much in demand. Betty was also very much involved in the Ladies Orange Lodge in Cumnock. 

Anne Griffiths recalls Irish soldiers visiting her house in Michie Street:

We were neighbours of the McGees and gave hospitality to the many soldiers stationed locally. Whilst visiting us they spotted Mrs McGee's orange lillies growing in her garden and, as the 12th of July celebrations were approaching, they asked her if they might pick some. They arrived back at Pennylands Camp to be stopped and told 'Only one bloom each - we don't want another war here'.

Tom came through the South African Campaign with the King's Own Scottish Borderers in 1900. He enlisted with the Royal Scots Fusiliers when he was nearly 42 years old in 1914 and spent some time in the trenches in France. 

Children of Betty Clawson & Tom McGee

James Campbell McGee (Jimmy) was born in 1894 at Stevenston, Ayrshire and died in 1978 at Ballochmyle Hospital his usual address being 23 Herdston Place, Cumnock. He married Annie (Nan) Harper Armstrong in 1917 at the Baptist Church, Barrhill Road, Cumnock. Jimmy was 22 years old when he got married and had been a coalminer at Whitehill Pit but, at the time of his marriage, he was a Sergeant in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and was based at Randalstown in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.  During WW1 Randalstown was an army training camp housing more than 5,000 British and Irish soldiers in preparation for the trenches of France where Jimmy was sent after his training. After WW1 ended Jimmy became a Sergeant Major in the Territorials and later, during WW2, he was in the Home Guard. 

Jimmy & Nan McGee - family photograph

Jimmy's faith was an important part of his life. He was 13 years old when he joined the Baptist Church which he attended and took an active part in for 21 years before becoming a lay preacher with the Apostolic Church in Cumnock. He also accompanied his father Tom preaching the Gospel in the community and, with his brother Tom, was one of his Gospel singers. He later rejoined the Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon for many years. Jimmy and Nan had no children but they fostered three girls who were sisters. Nan died in 1970 at Cumnock. They had been married for 53 years. Jimmy married a second time in 1971 to widow Mirren McMurray Kerr but sadly she died that same year of acute leukaemia. He married a third time to Mary Brown Jarvis in 1973. 

Thomas McGee (Tom) was born in 1897 in Johnstone, Renfrewshire and died in 1968 in Stirling.He married Kate Scott Ritchie in 1918 at Stirling. Tom was a coalminer but at the time of his marriage he was a Corporal in the 5th Battalion RSF. They had a son Robert Ritchie McGee who died, aged 4 years old, in 1925. At the time of his son's death Tom was an asphalt worker. Kate died in July 1941 at Stirling and he married for a second time to widow Jessie Kennedy Smith. The marriage took place at 2 Urbana Terrace, Cumnock. 

Samuel Menzies McGee (Sam) was born in 1903 in Tower Street, Cumnock and died in 1989 at 13 Michie Street, Cumnock. Sam served with RSF 15th Platoon. He married Marie Matilda Drummond Biggham in 1934 at Bridgeton, Glasgow. He and Marie met on a visit "Doon the Watter" to Girvan. Marie lived in Glasgow where her family had moved to from Perth. She was born in 1905 in Glasgow and  lost her mother in 1913. She died in 1991 in Ayr County Hospital. Sam and Marie had four children two of whom are still living. 

RSF 15 Platoon - Sam McGee top row 2nd from right

Sam & Marie McGee’s Golden Wedding

Alexander McGee (Alex) was born in 1905 in Tower Street and died in 1989 in Cumnock. He married Annie Murdoch Stewart in 1926 at Skares. Annie died in 1988.

'On leaving school Alex began an apprenticeship as a slater with Messrs. Baird at Lugar. After his marriage he became a miner at Whitehill Pit. In 1946 he went into partnership as McGee & Murdoch and their premises were in Barrhill Road, Cumnock. In retirement he became a Lollipop Man at the Tanyard. They were staunch members of the Baptist Church and had five children, Tommy, Betty, Ferries, John and Margaret." 

Extracted from Golden Wedding Notice Cumnock Chronicle 2/4/1976

Annie & Alex McGee - family photograph

Two of Alex and Annie's daughter emigrated. Betty who was born in 1931 in Cumnock met her future husband Tom Houston when he was 14 years old and she was 13 years old. They began seeing each other 3 years later. Betty had been baptised into the Baptist Church. Tom was baptised in 1951 and left for America to study the ministry in 1952. Betty followed 10 months later and they were married in Calvary Baptist Church, Niagara Falls where they stayed for 11 years. Tom became a Pastor and they eventually settled in Texas where Tom had his own church.  Sadly Betty died there on 13th April 2024.

Their youngest daughter Margaret was born in 1941 in Cumnock. She married and emigrated to Zimbabwe but was forced to flee with no possessions and no money when the white landowners were evicted from their properties. She died in Ashford-in-Kemt, England in April 2019. Her sister Ferries died a month later at Ayr University Hospital. 

Margaret Dempsey McGee (Maggie) was born in 1908 at Tower Street, Cumnock. She married Robert Watson ('Dishy'). After father Tom McGee died her mother Betty went to live with them in Townhead Street. Read more about Maggie in our 'Many a Lang Scots Mile' blog here. 

Maggie McGee with brother Alex - family photograph

Neil Martin McGee was born at Tower Street, Cumnock in 1910 and married Maggie McCartney Stewart Dunn in 1937 at the Wilson Hall, Catrine. Neil and Maggie lived in Catrine all of their married lives.  Neil died there in 1983.

Neil and Maggie - family photograph

William McGee (Willie) was born in 1913 at 98 Townhead Street, Cumnock. He was a Corporal with the 13th King's Regiment (Liverpool) and volunteered to become a Chindit. The Chindits were special operations units of the British and Indian armies during WW2. Their primary mission was to operate behind enemy lines in Burma and disrupt Japanese communications. Willie took part in the first Chindit expedition, known as 'Operation Longcloth' which began in February 1943.                                                                              

Willie was taken prisoner by the Japanese on 7th May 1943 and taken to Rangoon Jail. He was fortunate to survive and return home at the end of the war. Of the Longcloth Chindits who became prisoners of war and were held in Rangoon Jail, 62% did not return home. Willie was awarded the Military Medal for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire. When he returned from Burma he settled in England and married widow Gladys Nuttal in 1946. He died in Lancashire in 2003. 

William McGee MM - family photograph

Tom and Betty led happy, successful lives in their adopted town of Old Cumnock. They were the first occupants of the newly built house at 15 Michie Street in the early 1930s. Tom sadly died in 1937 at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow. Some years after his death Betty moved in with her daughter Maggie Watson at 89 Townhead Street, which was across the road from where Tom and Betty lived when they first came to Cumnock. Betty died in 1965, the oldest lady in the Burgh, in her 93rd year.

4 Generations - Betty Clawson, son Alex McGee, granddaughter Ferries and great grandson

Betty Clawson McGee, son Sam & grand-daughters Rona & Christine