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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Northumberland => Topic started by: heathera1940 on Tuesday 29 September 09 13:47 BST (UK)
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I am trying to find a connection between the names Tower and Wilson. Joseph Wilson was born in Scotland c. 1800 . He later lived with his wife and children in Tweedside Villa Tweedmouth Berwick on Tweed. He was partner in an Iron founders business. One of his sons Robert born c. 1834 was given the names Robert Tower Robertson Wilson . Robert's son Robert b. 1866 was also given the name Tower. My cousin b 1949 was given the name Tower as a middle name. Her mother married a Wilson and she has always insisted that Tower was a family name associated with with the Wilson's. She says that in the mid 1800's they were referred to as the Tower Wilson's. I can not find anything to link the two names
Any help appreciated
Heather
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it is possible the names Tower may come from a relative of Joseph Wilson. maybe his mothers maiden name? Scottish people often carry maiden names forward so they are not lost. do you know where is scotland joseph was born? and a more exact date maybe from census or when he died?
Diddy
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a quick look on SP. there are 9 Joseph wilsons born between 1798 and 1802. only one is in Berwick (Greenlaw):
Joseph Wilson 28/3/1798 son to Alexander Wilson & janet Jeffrey.
no Towers so far!! Diddy ;)
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A query about Wilson>< Tower and an Iron Foundry in Tweedmouth/Spittal was discussed on a Northumberland message board a handful of years ago !
Michael
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Link to a past enquiry on Rootschat on the same subject http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,292757.msg1753438.html#msg1753438
Jennifer
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I have found alot of info on the Gladstone and Wilsons, who were connected, but the stumbling block is How did the Tower name get into the equation. I have looked back onto the original enquiry I posted a while ago, and I have noticed a family living in Front street Tweedmouth. I have since found out that there was an Iron foundry in or near Front Street. Someone has suggested to me that the foundry might have been called the Tower Foundry or a partner in the firm with Joseph c. 1800 might have been called Tower. Could Joseph have been referred to as Mr. Wilson from the Tower foundry?and the two names stuck . I will keep searching. It's not as if I've got anything else to do !!!!!!!
Thanks for all your info.
Heather
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I have just found out that an Iron foundry was built c. 1800 by Messrs. Robertson & Co. at the east end of Tweedmouth. The site was formerly called St Cuthberts well. One of Joseph's Wilson's son was called Robert Tower Robertson Wilson, so I know where the Robertson came from. Still the elusive Tower
Cheers Heather
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I have been trying to send you a PM but something seems to be going wrong somewhere!
The wife of John Robertson of the Tweedmouth foundry was Margaret Tower. Their son Robert Tower Robertson was named after his mother's family.
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At last a link to the Towers . Thanks very much Jora. Do you have any other info
dates etc.
regards Heather
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There is a good possibility of a marriage on the IGI of John Robertson to Margaret Tower on 28 July 1795 at St. Nicholas, Aberdeen.
From the index of baptisms at the High Meeting in Berwick the children of John Robertson & Margaret Tower are -
Margaret 1796
John 1797
Dorothy 1799
Janet 1801
Ann 1803
Alexander 1805
William 1806
Elizabeth 1808
Esther 1810
Robert Tower 1812
Another baptism at the Low Meeting House in 1814 - Catherine Mary daughter of John Robertson Esq.
John Robertson was a Freeman of Berwick admitted in 1788. Three of his sons became Freemen - John in 1824, Alexander in 1826 and William in 1830.
There is no mention of Robert Tower Robertson becoming a Freeman, which suggests he may have died before he reached the age of 21. Your Robert was born c. 1834 - he could have been named after Robert Tower Robertson in his memory if the families were close.
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Many many thanks Jora
I have now got something to get my teeth into
Heather
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I am researching the family of Charles Ovans and Janet Robertson. I believe Charles to be the son of David Ovans and Mary Lambert b Tweedmouth 1793. Charles died in Gloucester Sq 1858, and Janet died there in 1865.
Janet Robertson is, I believe the dau of John Robertson and Margaret Tower. Can anyone point me to possible sources of information for John Robertson and Margaret Tower.
Any other information on the Ovans family also appreciated.
Thanks
Stuart
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Just a brief follow-up - the OPR marriage record between John Robertson and Margaret Tower in Aberdeen is as follows:
Upon the Twenty Eighth day of July, On Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Five by the Revd Mr James Ross one of the Ministers of Aberdeen were lawfully married in the House of the Bride's Father in Aberdeen after Due Proclamation of Banns. Mr John Robertson Mercht in Berwick and Miss Margt Tower Daughter of John Tower Cooper there in presence of these Witnesses Robert Tower Mercht in Aberdeen and the said John Tower.
This would suggest that the Tower family originated from Aberdeen with at least one merchant and one cooper.
Stuart (Aberdeen)
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Many thanks for that info.
Heather
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How can I help you about the Ovans family?
If it is Charles Ovans you are researching, his father David went to Bombay in 1795 as surgeon to one of the Bombay Native Infantry regiments. Charles is shown as serving with 19th Bombay NI,
later 14th. He was posted as Resident to the court of the Raja of Satara in 1838. If you want to see more, google Raja of Satara. Quite a story. He returned to England before the Mutiny and died in London in 1858.