The Stewarts from Donaldson Brae, Old Cumnock

 By Roberta McGee

Family of Stewarts at Castle Green, New Cumnock

Edward Stewart was descended from a large travelling family of hawkers, scrap merchants, horse dealers and general dealers. He was born in Penrith about 1866 and died on 4/6/1946 at 5 Donaldson Brae, Old Cumnock. He married Catherine McMillan, who was also from a travelling family, on 13th January 1888 at Irvine, Ayrshire. They had sixteen children, four of whom died young. The births of their children give us an idea of the areas they frequented - Kelton Dumfries, New Cumnock, Castle Douglas, Old Cumnock, Dalmellington, Kilmarnock.

Their surviving children were Annie, Mary Ann, William, John, Swales, Lizzie, Edward, Alexander, Louise, George, James and Margaret.

Cumnock Connections Tree

1901 found Edward, described as a general dealer, and his family living in a caravan on Castle Green, New Cumnock, and in 1911 they are in Kilmarnock. Edward is now a horse dealer while his wife and daughters are hawkers and his sons are carters or drivers.

Location of 1-6 Donaldson Brae & yard 

By 1920 Edward and his family had settled in Old Cumnock. He bought a house, 34 Tower Street, and the 1921 census finds the family living there. In 1920 he had also purchased a row of five houses at Donaldson Brae. They numbered 1 to 5 with number 6 being a stable and sheds. On the 1920 Valuation Roll he is also listed as the proprietor of a house at 31 Townhead and a stable and sheds. By 1925 he had sold the Townhead properties and the Stewarts now concentrated on their scrap metal yard at Donaldson Brae.

The Donaldson Brae houses were pretty little cottages, surrounded by well looked after gardens, the previous occupants being William Mackay, Daniel Stillie, miner, James Stillie, the Misses Gemmell and 'Grannie] Bryce.

Before

Fast forward to 1957. There was a complaint made to the Council about the state of the Stewarts' yard in front of the houses. Father Edward had died and the business was now being run by his son Swales. It was requested that a fence be erected around the yard to hide it from view. Swales said that there had been one but tanks ran over it during the war and it had never been replaced. 

After

'Swaley's Yaird' was a playground for the local children. No soft play areas for them back then. They spent many a happy hour playing in the old rusted wrecks of various vehicles. In their imagination they could be car, train or bus drivers. Their fantasies could even stretch to being the pilot of an aeroplane. Of course the yard was also the home to rats from the nearby burn. However, back then no-one really thought about health and safety and the rats kept a low profile!

Travelling was in the Stewarts' genes and just because they had now settled in Cumnock it didn't stop them from spreading their wings - sometimes temporarily and sometimes permanently.

Their oldest daughter Annie was born in 1890 in New Cumnock and died at 4 Alloway Road, Lochside, Dumfriesshire. On 5/4/1916, when she was 26 years old, she married Towson Watson. Towson was a 47 years old horse dealer and the brother of Robert Watson (Dishy). The witnesses on the marriage certificate were John Lowther, hawker and Elizabeth Watson, spinster. Their first child, Robert Watson, was born 7/8/1917 at 19 Townhead Street, Cumnock. Tragically Towson died on 24/10/1918 of influenza. Annie was about 5 months pregnant at the time of his death and their daughter Christina was born at Townhead Street on 7/2/1919.

On 1/2/1929 we find Annie in Canada with her son Robert and daughter Christina. They had sailed from Glasgow to Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 'Athenia'. Also accompanying them was her brother George Stewart. On 24/1/1931 Annie is living at 2563 Delisle Street, Montreal with her brother John. They are joined there by their brother James and sister Margaret. 

On 2/4/1942 Annie, her daughter Christina and Annie's sister Louise arrive at Border Control in Laurier, Washington, on the west coast of the USA. Their last residence is recorded as 95 King Street, Toronto with her brother William. They were en route to Trail, via Paterson, British Columbia. Why had they travelled so far west? Annie's late husband Towson's brother Isaac Watson had died in Vancouver, British Columbia on 15/11/1926 so perhaps he had family there. Another reason could be that Annie's son Robert Watson had arrived at North Port, Washington on the west coast on 3/7/1941 accompanied by his uncle Tom Hodgson, so he may still have been there. 

On 13/6/1946 Annie and Christina were back at son Robert's at 119 3rd Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Robert, a spray painter,  seemed to flit between Canada and the USA.  Annie died at 4 Alloway Road, Lochside, Dumfries and was buried in the family lair in St. Michael's Cemetery, Dumfries on 16/1/1958 so, at some point between 1946 and 1958 Annie had returned to Scotland. 

On 9/4/1930 Edward and Catherine's second child 37 years old Mary Ann Stewart sailed on the 'Laurentic' from Greenock to Montreal. Whether or not she returned to Scotland is uncertain. There is a  Mary Ann Stewart, whose mother's surname is McMillan, died in Old Cumnock in 1978. Perhaps this is her.

Third child William Stewart sailed on the 'Cameronia' from Glasgow to Halifax, Nova Scotia with his young son Swales arriving on 16/4/1932. His occupation is truck driver. He was joining his sister Annie Watson in Montreal. In 1942 William is living at 95 King Street, Toronto. 

On 18/1/1930 fourth child John Stewart, a motor driver, and his wife Bella, accompanied by his brother Edward, a dealer, sailed on the 'California' from Glasgow to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their intended place of residence was with his brother Alexander at 115 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, Ontario.  On 24/1/1931 John is living with his sister Annie Watson at 2563 Delisle Street, Montreal. He is joined there by his brother James and sister Margaret. In 1937 John is living at 131 Chatham Street, Windsor, Ontario. That year John, his wife and brother James visit Detroit on an 'occasional visit'. In 1946 he is living in Dundas East, Toronto, Canada. 

On 3/6/1926 fifth child Swales Stewart sailed from Greenock to Quebec on the 'Montclare' to visit his cousin Alexander McMillan in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He was still in Canada in 1929 in Toronto when he was joined by his sister Louise. He must have returned to Cumnock between 1929 and 1946 when his father died and he took over the running of the scrap metal business at Donaldson Brae. 

Child Number 6 is Elizabeth (Lizzie) who doesn't seem to have ventured out of Cumnock, but I would be surprised if she hadn't made a trip to Canada at one point. She was the housekeeper and was the informant on her brother George's death certificate in 1968 at Donaldson Brae. Lizzie had a shop in Lugar Street, Cumnock, next to Jenny Tear's. It was packed to the door with bales of cloth. She used to sit on the pavement outside, in her chair, when she didn't have customers. 

Lizzie's shop on the right

Edward Stewart is the seventh child who travelled on 18/1/1930 to Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 'California' with his brother John to their brother Alexander's in Toronto.

Alexander returned to Scotland and died 14/12/1957 at 15 College Street, Dumfries. He was 49yrs old, single and a dealer.

9th child Louise arrived in Quebec from Glasgow on the 'Letitia' on 9/6/1929 her destination address being her brother Swales in Toronto. She was still in Canada in 1942 living with her brother William. 

10th child George sailed on the Athenia from Glasgow to Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving on 1/4/1929, two months before his sister Louise. He had been accompanied by his sister Annie and her two children. They also went to brother Swales in Toronto. George returned to Donaldson Brae where he died, aged 59yrs, and was buried on 5/2/1968 at St Michael's Cemetery, Dumfries. 

Children Numbers 11 & 12 were James & Margaret. They arrived at St. John's, New Brunswick, Canada on 24/1/1931 on the 'Duchess of York' their destination being the home of their brother John and sister Annie at 2563 Delisle St., Montreal. In 1937 James's residence is 223 Taylor Street, Toronto. 

 Swales had first arrived in 1926 and there seems to have been a flurry of activity around 1929 and 1931 when a further ten of Edward & Catherine's children crossed the Atlantic. I could not find their mother, Catherine's, death so perhaps this may have been the reason for the exodus? 

The siblings moved easily between Canada and the USA but latterly their main domicile was in Ontario. Distance seemed to be no object . This had always been their way of life. The men would pick up work along the way, perhaps painting farm barns, while the women would hawk around the doors. Some of the men were dealers or salesmen. 

In later years the norm would be to travel down into the USA in the Spring to buy a new trailer to bring back up to Canada. This would be their home for the working year. They would travel and pick up work wherever they could and thought nothing of driving more than 2000 miles across Canada to British Columbia. Before winter fell they would take the trailer back into the USA, sell it and settle down in a house in Canada until Spring when the whole process would start again.  

There is still a strong travelling community in Ontario descended from the Stewarts and Watsons of Old Cumnock. Family is important to them. The Stewarts' old home on Donaldson Brae is long gone. In its place is Rothesay House, the new council building. Swales (or Swaley as the Cumnock folk called him - or indeed  'Swellie') died at 31 Herdston Place which is the last house at the bottom of that street just some yards from where Swaley's old house once stood. 

John Lowther

 by Roberta McGee

John Lowther was born in 1889 in Cockermouth, Cumberland, England. His father was Wilfred Lowther, a hawker, born in Bootle, Cumberland in 1866 to James and Eleanor Lowther (nee Burns), who were earthenware dealers. James came from a long line of Cumberland potters.

In 1881 Wilfred can be found in Kendal living with his sister Mary and her husband Joseph Miller. The Millers were a large travelling family of hawkers and horse dealers.

Read more about hawkers here Pedlars Tinkers and Hawkers - The Social Historian.

Cumnock Connections - Family Tree (tribalpages.com)

Wilfred married Elizabeth Moorehead in January 1888 at Cockermouth and their son John Lowther was born there in 1889. However, their marriage was short-lived because Wilfred died suddenly in April 1889, aged 22 years, at their house in St. Helen's Street, Cockermouth. So, at 21 years , Elizabeth was a widow. She moved, with her son, to Watchhill, Allhallows, Cumberland, to live with her widowed mother Betty Moorehead who had a grocer's shop there. 

By 1895 William Moorehead, Betty's son (Elizabeth's brother), was living in Old Cumnock and Betty, Elizabeth and John joined him there. William had been a coal miner in Allhallows but was now managing a lodging house in Elbow Lane, Cumnock. They did have connections in the area. Betty's brother was John Hall, a hawker, later swine dealer, who had married Jane Cunningham, the sister of Bob (Dishy) Watsons mother Christina Cunningham. The Halls had emigrated to Australia in 1887. 

On 31st December 1897 at Elbow Lane, Cumnock, Elizabeth married Hugh Walker.

Marriage Certificate:

Hugh Walker aged 30 years, hawker, bachelor, Lugar Street, Cumnock. Father: John Walker, coal miner Mother: Annie Walker ms McMillan deceased to Elizabeth Moorehead, aged 29 years, widow, Elbow Lane, Cumnock Father: John Moorehead, mason, deceased Mo: Elizabeth Moorhead ms Hall. Witnesses: William Moorehead and Hannah Hodgson.

In 1901 Betty Moorehead, John Lowther's grandmother, is managing the lodging house in Elbow Lane, Cumnock, assisting her 35 years old son William who is described as 'lodging house keeper'. There were 35 boarders. Her daughter, now Mrs Hugh Walker, is living in Townhead Street with her husband who is a china hawker, her son John Lowther aged 12 years, daughter Agnes Walker aged 3 years and son John Walker aged 8 months. So she had two sons named John, albeit with different surnames, carrying on the family tradition on both sides of the family it seems. 

Sadly Betty Died on 30th October 1903 at Elbow Lane, Cumnock.

Death Certificate:

Betty Moorehead, aged 67 years, widow of John MacKenzie Moorehead, hawker. Father: George Hall, horse dealer deceased Mother: Catherine Hall ms Lowther deceased. Cause of Death: Chronic Bright's Disease. Informant: Wm. Moorehead, son.

On 31st December 1914 John Lowther married Christine Watson, the sister of Bob (Dishy) Watson.

Marriage Certificate:

At 4 Minerva Street, Glasgow by Declaration in presence of Robert Watson, general dealer and Agnes Walker, spinster, John Lowther, aged 25 years, fish salesman, bachelor, 104 Townhead Street, Old Cumnock  Father: Wilfred Lowther, general hawker deceased Mother: Elizabeth Lowther now Walker ms Moorehead to Christina Watson, aged 24 years, Wood Street, Catrine Father: Robert Watson, horse dealer Mo: Christina Watson ms Cunningham.

John and Christina had three children together, Wilfred born 1916 Cumnock, Christina born 1917 Cumnock and Betty born 1919 Cumnock.

1918 proved to be a tragic year for John and his family.  There was an influenza epidemic in Cumnock and his young half-sister Annie Walker died on 8th July 1918 at Townhead Street. She was thirteen years old. Her death was followed by that of her sister Elizabeth Walker on 18th October 1918. She was sixteen years old. 

Two and a half years later John's wife Christina Cunningham Watson Lowther died on twenty sixth of January 1921 at 89 Townhead Street, Cumnock. She had suffered from Jacksonian epilepsy for eight years and died from heart failure. John was left with three small children to raise. Christina's sister Mary Ann Watson stepped in and took care of them while John worked as a fish salesman and at the end of the year John and Mary got married.

Marriage Certificate:

On 27th December 1921 at The County Buildings, Ayr by Declaration in presence of William Hodgson, fishmonger and Elizabeth Watson or Hodgson, both of 89 Townhead Street, Old Cumnock John Lowther, aged 37 years, fish salesman, widower, 89 Townhead Street, Old Cumnock  Father: Wilfred Lowther, horse dealer deceased Mother: Elizabeth Lowther ms Moorehead to Mary Watson aged 25 years, housekeeper, spinster, 89 Townhead Street, Old Cumnock Father: Robert Watson, china merchant Mother: Christina Watson ms Cunningham deceased.

John and Mary's son, Robert (Bobby) Watson Lowther was born in 1924 in Cumnock. 

John and Mary decided to emigrate to New Zealand and on 13th April 1926 they boarded the ship 'Mahona' at Liverpool and set sail for Auckland, New Zealand.

Passenger List - 13/4/1926 - Ship 'Mahona' - Liverpool to Auckland, New Zealand

John Lowther 33 fishmonger, Mrs John Lowther 29 wife, Wilfred Lowther 10, Christina Lowther 9, Betty Lowther 7, Robert Lowther 2 

89 Townhead Street, Old Cumnock, Ayrshire 

On 30th November 1927 their son John (Jack) Cunningham Watson Lowther was born in New Zealand. When Jack was in his twenties he visited Cumnock and fell in love with his cousin Christine Watson whose father was Bob Watson (Dishy). Jack and Christine were married in 1950 at Blythswood, Glasgow. They opened a fish and chip shop in her parents' house in Townhead Street but eventually Jack returned to New Zealand/Australia accompanied by his new wife. 

John Lowther's children with Christina Watson

1.     Wilfred Watson Lowther was born in 1916 in Old Cumnock and died 8/4/1985 at 

        141 Musselburgh Rise, Dunedin, New Zealand. He was 69 years old and a retired sales

        consultant. He married Agnes Sheila Brown on 28/7/1946 at St. Joseph's Cathedral.

        Dunedin.

2.    Christian (Christina) Cunningham Lowther was born in 1917 in Old Cumnock

       and died in New Zealand.

3.    Elizabeth (Betty) Moorehead Lowther was born in 1919 in Old Cumnock and died after

       1954 in New Zealand.  The 1954 Electoral Roll shows her living at 66 Harbour Terrace,

       North Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. She is a spinster and is living with her widowed

       mother Mary Lowther.

John Lowther's children with Mary Ann Watson

4.    Robert (Bobby) Watson Lowther was born in 1924 in Old Cumnock and died 4/6/1981 at

       Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Bob married Margaret Joyce Armstrong.

5.    John (Jack) Cunningham Watson Lowther was born 30/11/1927 in New Zealand and

       died 9/1/1991 in Queensland, Australia. He married Christine Watson in 1950 at Blythwood,                    Glasgow and they lived for a time in Townhead Street, Cumnock.  Christine is the daughter of               Robert Watson and Maggie McGee of Cumnock.

                                                             Brothers Bobby & Jack Lowther

John Lowther died 21st September 1946 in Dunedin, New Zealand. He was 57 years old. Mary, his wife, died 2nd February 1979 also in Dunedin, New Zealand. Mary was 82 years old. They are buried in Anderson's Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. A horse's head is etched on the gravestone, perhaps a nod to his traveller's background.  

John Lowther's journey through life took him from Cumberland to Cumnock and from Cumnock to Australia and New Zealand. He had experienced the joy of his children's births and the heartache of the death of his first wife and of his two young half-sisters in Cumnock. He found happiness again with his second marriage and courageously moved to the other side of the world to make better lives for his family. Being part of the travelling community and having relatives already in Australia and New Zealand would have helped the family settle in more easily. 

     

 

 

Robert Watson

 By Roberta McGee, (whose husband is nephew of Margaret McGee!)

                                                  Bob & Maggie -   Cumnock Chronicle 1966

Bob Watson, known in Cumnock as 'Dishy',  was born around 1896, whether in England or Stranraer is uncertain, and was descended from a long line of potters and china salesmen who travelled the length and breadth of the country selling their wares. They lived in caravans and were a well respected part of the travelling community.

Bob's grandfather was John Watson who was born about 1815 in Abbey Holme, Cumberland, England and his grandmother was Ann McKenzie who was born about 1818 in Dearham, Cumberland. The 1851 census shows them living 'at camp' in Orton, Cumberland and gives John's occupation as a 'rag gatherer'. Living next door to them are a family of McKenzies who are 'pot dealers', perhaps grandmother Ann's brother and family. By 1861 the family are living in Glasson, Drumburgh, which was a small settlement in Cumberland just inland from the Solway coast and about eight miles from Carlisle. Both John and Ann's occupations are given as 'dealers in potts or potter'. Bob's father Robert is on this census. He is sixteen years old and is also 'a dealer in potts or potter' which meant that they were selling wares from potteries as opposed to making them. Also on this census are Robert's siblings Elizabeth and Anne. The family's location was close to canals and railways which would make it easier for them to pick up and distribute the wares. They were, in fact, the equivalent of modern day commercial travellers. In 1871 the family are still living in Drumburgh and John's occupation is 'horse dealer', while his wife Ann and daughter Elizabeth's occupations are 'hawkers'.

On 2nd March 1871 Robert Watson married Christine Cunningham at Catherdral Lodge, Castle Street, Glasgow in the High Church district. Christina came from a long line of travellers and was born in England in 1851,

Marriage Certificate:

By Declaration in the presence of John Hall, horse dealer, and Jane Cunningham or Hall, his wife, Robert Watson aged 24 years, horse dealer, bachelor, 680 Duke Street, Glasgow. Father: John Watson, horse dealer Mother: Ann Watson ms McKenzie to Christine Cunningham aged 19 years, glass & china hawker, spinster, 580 Duke Street, Glasgow Father: Hamilton Cunningham, glass & china hawker decd Mother: Ann Cunningham ms Brough. (June Cunningham Hall was Christina's sister)

1881 saw Robert and his wife Christina living in a caravan at Stoneykirk, Wigtownshire, Scotland. Both Robert and his wife Christine are described as 'hawkers'. There are five children recorded on the census - John, Isaac, Towson, Annie (who were all born in England) and Hamilton who was 2 months old and born in Stranraer. Robert's parents, John and Ann, are living in Abbey Holme, Wigan, Cumberland. 

The 1891 census shows Robert and Christina, whose occupations are described as 'dealers', are now living at 14 Sheuchan Buildings, Leswait, Stranraer, Wigtownshire. Living with them are their children Towson, aged 15 years, who is also a dealer, Annie aged 12 years, Hamilton aged 10 years, Christian aged 4 years, Elizabeth aged 2 years and Maryann aged 2 months.

In 1901 Robert is a horse dealer and living at Marle Street, Kelton, Kirkcudbrightshire, along with his wife Christine and their children Towson aged 24 years who is also a horse dealer, Christian 14 years, Lizzie 13 year, Robert 7 years and Annie 22 years. 

In 1918 the family lived at Wood Street, Catrine. Robert's wife (Bob's mother) died there.

Death Certificate:

On 21st October 1918 at Wood Street, Catrine, Christina Watson aged 68 years, married to Robert Watson, dealer Father: Hamilton Cunningham dealer decd. Mother: Nannie Cunningham ms Brough decd. Informant: Mary Watson, daughter.

In 1921 72 years old widower Robert was living in a house at Caponacre, Cumnock. Also living there was his daughter Annie Watson aged 34 years whose job was 'home duties', his daughter Elizabeth Hodgson aged 23 years and her husband 24 years old William Hodgson who was a fishmonger, and Hamilton Watson, Robert's grandson, who was aged 5 years and born in Cumnock.

Bob's father, Robert, died on 18th January 1929 at 89 Townhead Street, Cumnock. His death certificate says he was 78 years old, a general dealer and widower of Christina Cunningham. His parents were John Watson, a general dealer decd and Ann Watson ms McKenzie decd. The informant was his son, Robert Watson.

Cumnock Connections - Family Tree (tribalpages.com)

Bob decided to put his roots down in Cumnock where his sister Annie had a general dealing business and he married Maggie Dempsey McGee in 1932.

Marriage Certificate:

On 17th March 1932 at Howard Street, Glasgow, by Declaration in the presence of Thomas McGee and Samuel Menzies McGee , both residing at 98 Townhead Street, Cumnock, Robert Watson aged 30 years (this is an error should perhaps be 36 years), general dealer, bachelor, 89 Townhead Street, Cumnock Father: Robert Watson, general dealer decd. Mother: Christina Watson ms Cunningham decd. to Margaret Dempsey McGee, aged 24 years, spinster, 98 Townhead Street, Cumnock Father; Thomas McGee, billposter Mother: Elizabeth McGee ms Clawson.

Bob's sister Annie died on 20th January 1944 at Ayr Hospital.

Obituary - Cumnock Chronicle 1944

Miss Annie Watson - who for 30 years has been well-known as she travelled up and down the countryside with her dish cart. The eldest daughter of the late Robert Watson, horse dealer, she had been in failing health for some time, never having completely recovered from an accident in which she was involved ten years ago with the horse and lorry. (They referred to the cart as a lorry)

After Annie died her business was continued by her brother Bob in Cumnock. Bob became affectionately known to the townspeople as 'Dishy'.

Bob was a handsome man who cut a fine figure with his long leather waistcoat, soft hat and gold fillings in his teeth. His horse and 'lorry' would navigate the streets of the town at a gentle trot with Bob ringing his bell to let the folks know that he was there and they would come rushing out with their rags to exchange them for a cup, saucer , plate or milk jug. He would stop for a cup of tea at 13 Michie Street, Cumnock, where his brother-in-law Sam McGee lived and the horse would have a well-earned rest and chomp on a bag of 'chop'.  Maggie's mother, Elizabeth (Betty) Clawson McGee, a native of Carrickfergus, and her father Thomas, at one time lived upstairs from their son Sam, at No. 15, but after Thomas died in 1937 Betty moved to Townhead Street.

Bob led a healthy, active life. He was well known around the horse fairs of Wigtownshire where his father had been a successful horse dealer. Bob also played football for Townhead Thistle and the Glaisnock Lads and he loved visiting the local picture house. He'd be there about four times a week - at every change of film. He was alto a regular visitor to trotting meetings around the country. 

Bob and Maggie lived at 87/89 Townhead Street in Cumnock. Bob rented land and sheds in the yard opposite his house, behind the thatched cottages, No. 116 Townhead Street, where Townhead Pit used to be. He also kept his horse there in the yard. I lived in Herdston Place and the quickest way to get from Herdston Place to Townhead Street was across that yard. How I dreaded it. I would stop when I crossed the metal bridge and wait until the horse was looking in the opposite direction, then run like the wind until I reached Townhead Street. Ironically, even if  the poor horse had wanted to chase me it couldn't. It was hobbled, so its movements were restricted.

         87/89 Townhead Street is on the left hand side at the bottom of the brae, just past Moodie's Row

Bob and Maggie led busy, interesting lives. They were staunch members of the Baptist Church and they frequently had extended members of both their families living with them. Maggie opened a little shop in one room of their house and her daughter Christine, with her husband Jack Lowther, had a fish and chip shop there at one time also. 

They had three children, Christine, Robert and Elizabeth who emigrated to Australia, Canada and New Zealand respectively. Maggie had cared for her mother Betty for many years. Betty was a strong, good-looking woman, She had come to Cumnock in 1902 and was a staunch member of the local Baptist Church. She was also closely connected with the Ladies' Orange Lodge. When she died in 1965 at the grand old age of 93 years, incidentally being the oldest woman in the Burgh at the time, Bob and Maggie decided to sell up and retire. Unlike most older couples, instead of enjoying a quiet, peaceful retirement, they decided to spread their wings and visit their children, and in the Spring of 1966, they left on the S.S.'Carinthia' from Greenock bound for Montreal to visit their son Robert in Canada. They then planned, after a year or so, to visit their daughters in Australia and New Zealand. Quite an undertaking for a couple in their late years. They would miss Cumnock but family was important and they longed to see their children again. Bob hadn't seen his sister Mary, who was also his daughter Christine's mother-in-law, in sixteen years and he looked forward to meeting up with her in Christchurch, New Zealand. Mary, who had been widowed in 1948, died in 1979 in New Zealand.

Cumnock Chronicle - Oldest residents in Cumnock - Betty McGee 2nd from left

l-r: Robert Watson (son), Bob & Maggie, Robert's son

                                                               

Their son Robert had emigrated from Cumnock to Canada in the 1950s where he married Anne Williamson who was from a very old Scottish travelling family. They had a good life there as travellers but sadly both have now passed away. Christine married her cousin Jack Lowther whose family had emigrated to New Zealand from Cumnock. Jack was born in New Zealand but came back to Cumnock where he met Christine. He and Christine were married in 1950 in Glasgow. They lived in Cumnock for a while then went back to New Zealand and Australia.  Elizabeth married Ian Woodley and she lives in New Zealand.

Bob and Maggie did return to Scotland in the 1970s for a visit after their trip. When they were here we drove them to the Stranraer area so that Uncle Bob could reminisce. The highlight of that visit was when he spotted an old Romany type caravan in someone's front garden and his eyes lit up. "I used to live in one like that", he said.  

They returned to their daughter Elizabeth's in New Zealand to spend the remainder of their lives. They were well looked after and had a good life and were both in their nineties when they died there. 

                                                                    Bob and Maggie

Lodging Houses of Elbow Lane 1900s - Muirhead

Elaine Corbett 

Elizabeth Muirhead was the mistress of the lodging house in 1901. Her son William was also involved in the running. 

In the post relating to the Lowther family, the Muirheads are described as coming from Cumberland and making a crossover between travelling folk and miners. Note in the list of residents below  how many pedlars there are.

Between them they housed thirty-five people. The 1901 census gives their occupations mainly as General Labourers.

 

Name	Age	Place of Birth	Occupation
Robert McGregor	64	Edinburgh	Pedlar
Anne McGregor	74	England
Thomas Smith	54	England	General Labourer
Rpbert Toole	42	England	General Labourer
Philip Colin	73	Ireland	General Labourer
John Campbell	41	Banfshire	General Labourer
John Higgins	25	Ireland	General Labourer
John Dunn	25	England	General Labourer
John Girvan	54	Ireland	General Labourer
John Clark	55	Ireland	Pedlar
Eliza Clark	55	Perth	Pedlar
John Smith	75	Ireland	Coal Miner
Andrew Johnstone	47	Kilmarnock	Masons Labourer
Samuel Shanes	24	Stewart Newtown	General Labourer
James Mitchell	30	Dumfries	General Labourer
Michael Carrick	87	Ireland	General Labourer
James Connor	41	England	Coal Miner
James Larkin	45	Ireland	General Labourer
Robert Kennedy	28	Ireland	General Labourer
John Neil	65	Renfrew	General Labourer
John Thomson	48	England	General Labourer
Robert Feasie	42	Ireland	Cork Cutter
John Wilson	32	England	General Labourer
James Robinson	50	Dundee	Shoemaker
Robert Lawson	52	Eaglesham	General Labourer
William Taylor	46	England	Pedlar
John Roberts	37	Wales	General Labourer
John Daly	27	England	General Labourer
Thomas McLean	47	Wigtownshire	Pedlar
Mary McClean	50	Wigtownshire
Patrick Dugan	24	Lanarkshire	Coal Miner
Maggie Dugan	26	Lanarkshire
Robert McEwing	60	Perth	Pedlar
Margaret McEwing	66	Ireland	Pedlar
William Fitzsimmons	62	Ireland	Pedlar