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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: TAMOWEN4 on Friday 21 November 25 19:30 GMT (UK)
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Hi, researching family history, I found the following person. He was not a blood relation, one of his grandsons married a woman in my maternal family tree.
John A Paterson was born 1857 in Biggar Lanarkshire, he married Janet Hetherington Hadden born 1855 Hoddom Dumfries-shire.
They married in Wamphrey 1876.
The next time I find John Paterson is on the SP Census in 1891 (with Janet and family) listed as a Police Constable in Wanlockhead Dumfries-shire.
On the 1901 Census, John Paterson is listed as a Railway Porter. Living in Maryhill Glasgow.
Died Stobhill Hospital Glasgow 1910.
Is it possible to confirm John a Police Constable in Wanlockhead 1891 is the same John a Railway Porter 1901 Glasgow?
If he is the same person, I wonder why he left the Polis.
thanks in anticipation
Tommy Owen
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Just to narrow the window a little: Constable John Paterson of Wanlockhead is mentioned several times in an article appearing in the Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald, 23rd May 1894. The contents of the article are nothing to do with him personally.
Does the 1901 man have the same wife and family?
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Yes as far as can make out the 1901 man has the same named wife.
I was somewhat confused as to why someone with what was probably a secure job as a Police Constable in 1891 should end up as a Porter in 1901.
It would be interesting to know, however, very unlikely now.
I would doubt if the records for the old Dumfries-shire Constabulary still exist.
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I was somewhat confused as to why someone with what was probably a secure job as a Police Constable in 1891 should end up as a Porter in 1901.
There could be a number of reasons but often the life was found to be too demanding - 10 - 12 hour shifts followed by unpaid stand by hours in the house. They had to remain in uniform in case of a recall. However a more common cause was that any minor infringement led to immediate dismissal especially if drink was involved - a very common occurrence.
I would doubt if the records for the old Dumfries-shire Constabulary still exist.
Dumfries and Galloway Council have some police records
https://www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/library-services/heritage-service/collections-records#lgd-guides__title#lgd-guides__title
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RJ-Paton,
thanks for the reply.
Quite possible the demon drink being a factor, however, I'll never know ???
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An AI has told me (so treat with caution) that the Police Act of 1890 gave policemen the right of voluntary retirement, with a pension, after 25 years of service. Perhaps this is what he did, the timing seems about right.
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AlanBoyd.
this is quite possible. A previous suggestion he may have left because of some infringement?
I will try and see if there any any records still held for that Constabulary in Dumfries.
thanks for your reply.
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John Paterson was only in his early fifties when he died in 1910. What was the cause of death? He may have left the police force due to health grounds.
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Margow
cause of death TB aged 52. On death certificate now occupation Shoemaker. All names tie up with my original searches.
thanks
Thomas
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John Paterson may have been a shoemaker before he joined the police force and gone back to that occupation after he left. What was his occupation when he married Janet Hadden in 1876?
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The Police (Scotland) Act 1890 established pension service rights for Constables, although on slightly different terms than those Constables in England
The acts set a requirement of at least 25 years' service, reduced to 15 (England and Wales) or 20 (Scotland) years for retirement due to "infirmity of mind or body" and waived for retirement due to injury in the line of duty.
So basically if the TB which caused his death was evident earlier he may have been able to retire with 20 years service.
added : Given the updates re TB timeline this would appear unlikely
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deleted (duplicate of above)
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John Paterson's occupation on his marriage certificate is Shoemaker.
Janet Hadden is a housemaid and her address is The Manse, Wamphrey.
Dorrie
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So basically if the TB which caused his death was evident earlier he may have been able to retire with 20 years service.
Apparently the survival after diagnosable TB was only for ~2-3 years.
https://www.valmcbeath.com/victorian-era-england-1837-1901/victorian-era-consumption/
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Obviously other factors could override this, but why would someone diagnosed with TB move from a rural area to a city? By the 1890s the idea of sanatoria had appeared, with ‘fresh air’ being touted as the best hope for survival.
Does the death certificate give any indication of how long he had been suffering from TB (don’t Scottish certificates normally have this information)?
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I was somewhat confused as to why someone with what was probably a secure job as a Police Constable in 1891 should end up as a Porter in 1901.
As I said before the life was hard, 10hr shifts 7 days a week ( it wasn't until 1914 that Constables in Scotland got a statutory right to 1 day off in 7)
Wages - the average wage was considerably less than could be obtained in most industries
The 1890 Act although it introduced 25 yr service pensions and ill health retirals actually reduced the benefits on offer
Rigid army style discipline - many of the senior officers (above Inspector) were recruited directly as they retired from the Army
The job wasn't as secure as modern eyes may consider it or as attractive in comparison to many other jobs.
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Thanks to all for information. I believe I'm on the right track.