Hi RootsChatters,
As a sequel to the Janet Beaton/Paton story some of you will recall that Janet and John adopted a homechild called Henry Gilchrist (Beaton).
He was born 15 May 1878 Greenock Scotland , Taylors Close, as the illegitimate son of Mary Gilchrist, formerly a domestic servant.
A little "Birthday Book" date book of his in the possession of his living daughter Ethel has written in the side cover :
"Hendrey Ghilchrist, from his mother
God is love
March 21 1882
written on December 25th Mrs. Ghilchrist"
I find this most moving. It is signed by his mother December 25 (maybe the Xmas day before he was admitted to the Marchmont Home system on the 30th of Jan 1882?). But the reference to March 21 1882 is the day before we know from records that he set sail for Canada on 22 March 1882 (on the St. Andrew steam sail ship at age 4 as the youngest of a party of 74 children) and the last time she may have seen him. How could she have signed it in December and referenced the following March? I suspect that it is December 25, 1883! She may well have kept in touch with her little boy up to the last minute and possibly in Canada until he was safely adopted in 1884. She loved him deeply.
I know a lot about Hendrey/Henry/Harry's voyage and his life in Canada and am writing his story, weaving it in with that of Janet and John which a number of you have helped compile and have followed the thread under "Mystery of the Grieving Paton Heiress". The stories of the homechildren are an important part of the history of Canada which should not be forgotten.
What I am missing is any further information on his mother and her life, and his father, if that were ever posssible. Any help would be very welcome.
As always, thanks very much, Lumber-Jack
