death in the docks at Birkenhead 1866

[Buzancy18]

My Great great grandfather's tombstone in Lochmaben Old Cemetery states

IN LOVING MEMORY  OF THOMAS GRAHAM WHO DIED AT BIRKENHEAD THROUGH ACCIDENT IN 1866 AGED 46
 He was a stonemason to trade.
Has anyone got access to anything regarding the details?
Thanks
Buzancy18

[mosiefish]

Hi,

Are you sure of the date on the tombstone?  There was no death registered in Cheshire for a Thomas Graham in 1866 but there was one in 1864 which matches the following report I found:

Cheshire Observer, Saturday 16th July, 1864

FATAL ACCIDENT TO A PLASTERER AT BIRKENHEAD
A melancholy and fatal accident took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Birkenhead dock works, to a mason named Thomas Graham aged forty.  At the northern entrances, where nearly 2,000 men are employed in building the immense blocks of masonry, the larger stones are removed and set by “jennies” travelling upon stages about 40 feet high from the foundation.  One of these “jennies” was removing some stones, when it came in contact with a diagonal piece of timber which binds the stage together.  This piece of timber sprung from its fastenings and fell upon Graham, crushing him down upon the wall where he was at work, and he expired almost immediately, in the arms of his son, who was employed within a few yards of him.  Graham was a very steady, industrious workman, a native of the neighbourhood of Annan, and had been employed for many years on the Liverpool and Birkenhead dock works.  The occurrence appears to have been purely accidental.

Regards,
Mo

[Buzancy18]

Mo,
You are brilliant! The tombstone, which is very ornate was put up by his fellow masons, does say 1866.  He had two sons William 1845 - 1911 and John Porteous 1847 - 1873. 
I am having a difficult time piecing all this together because his marriage gives:
GRAHAM, Thomas -  27/6/1844 - At Lochmaben, on the 27th ult.,by the Rev. Mr Marjoribanks, Mr Thomas Graham, mason, to Miss Jessie Porteous, grand-daughter of the late Provost Graham. I keep mixing up the Grahams!!
Thank you.
Buzancy18

[DorsetBoy]

Hi, my name is Mary Frost (nee Graham) and I too believe that Thomas Graham was my 2nd Great Grandfather. I lived in Dumfires until the age of 6 and I am planning to visit Dumfires in May to 'dig up' some more family history. Our family home was Gowanlea in Lochmaben until the late sixties when my Granny Elizabeth died and my Uncle Jim left for Australia.

Any more information you may have relating to Thomas and his wife Jessie would be greatfully appreciated.

Kind Regards

Mary

[Buzancy18]

Well Mary,
Your Family tree is back to 1722 and I can give you all the Grahams back from Thomas and all the Australian ones up to 1990 ( maiden Aunt ) If you are coming over to Lochmaben I have photos of the graves there. Send me a message for details.
Aye
Malcolm Graham Fergusson