June 2005 RootsChat Challenge

[Paul E]

This thread is starting to read like "Six Degrees of Separation"
I can't believe the number of lines that you guys have been tracing.  I did intend to shove all this information onto a tree on Genes Reunited but I think I would need six months to do it!

Paul

[Manchester Rambler]

Definitely a well-connected lot!

Here's Charles Lindsay Ewing and family on the 1901 census:

38 Bryanston Sq, St Marylebone

C L Orr Ewing  Head  40  Living on own means   b. Scotland
Augusta Orr Ewing  Wife  24   b. Scotland
Janet Orr Ewing  Dau 10   b. Scotland
James Orr Ewing  Son  7    b. Scotland
Edward Orr Ewing  Son  2  b. London
David Orr Ewing  Son  1  b. London
(Plus a governess and 15 other servants!)

RG13/110 - Folio 85 - pg 18

Presumably a second marriage.

Rambler

[Boongie Pam]

ps. Christian Mollisons age on 1861 is 76 (b.1785)

Hmmm.  Interesting age - was she with anyone else in the house?  Sorry to ask but I can't get access at work.

P

[Joanna Tolhurst]

I have looked in Scotland 1871 for Isabella Anne Molison wife of James Molison and their children to no avail and yet James (and more see below)were buried at Nigg 1869....

Spent good chunk of my day in Aberdeen library (scottish local holiday in Banchory where I teach but not in Aberdeen where I live so boys still at school - day to myself!)
Had a good look through anything that may have given some clues in the local studies section, found a few snippets and then asked - instant response from very knowledgable librarian.  Here goes:

From St Fitticks churchyard inscriptions: (another source had a photo of the Davidson burial ground with the north sea stretching out beyond, a somewhat wild and windy place)
Robert Davidson of Balnagask d. 16 Dec 1829 age 90
Christian Philip his wife d Oct 1807
Children of the above:
Isobel b. 1791 d. 22 july 1804
John b 1793 d 15 July 1805
James b 1787 d in India 1812
William b 1797 d 14 March 1821
Robert of Balnagask b 1783 d 27 Jan 1827
Alexander of Balnagask b 1786 d 26 Dec 1868
Andrew b 1810 d 4 June 1860
Katherine b 1784 d 25 June 1875
Christian b 1795 d 8 Aug 1885
Also:
William Maule Molison Lieut 71st Highland ight Infantry d July 1832
His children:
Saltoun d in infancy
Christian d 1832 age 13
Robert d 1841 age 29
James d 1869 age 52 and his wife Isabella Anne Forsyth d 21 May 1879 age 53.
Their daughter, Margaret d 9 Aug 1875 age 24
Also:
Margaret Davidson wife of above William Maule Molison d 17 Aug 1877 age 88
Katherine Davidson d 12 July 1873 age 18
her sister Margaret wife of John Blaikie manson d 6 Oct 1882 age 30
daughters of William A Davidson and their mother
Margaret Maria Molison d 26 June 1889 age 67 wife of William A Davidson and daughter of William Maule Molison

That confirms everything we've found so far I think with the addition of a few more Robert Davidson and Christian Philip children.  We cab also see how the inheritence came down through Margaret Davidson who married William Maule Molison; her other brothers had all died by the time Alexander Davidson died in 1868.  Guess alexander had inherited on Robert Davidson senior's death in 1829, heir presumptive Robert junior had died in 1827.

More to follow, I'll try to type quickly without mistakes - not easy.
Jo

[CatOne]

Pam,

1861 Christian Mollison is a lodger in the house of a carpenter and his wife, Kensington St Mary Abbott

Regards,
Catherine
(just noticed condition is down as unmarried too?!)

[Joanna Tolhurst]

From Aberdeen Obituries 1823 -1839 Mcdonnell:
Robert Davidson died 27 Jan 1827 at Aberdeen aged 44 of Balnagask, drowned attempting to cross the ferry.

There was a ferry disaster later in the 1800s which prompted the building of a bridge over the Dee.

From Epitaphs and inscriptions vol2 Jervise:
Nigg churchyard
 granite monument in East wall of churchyard
Robert Davidson of Balnagask d 1826 age 90
Christian Philip d 1807
Alexander Davidson b 1786 d 1868 flour miller in London, left a good estate included a legacy to village of Torry of £1200 for educational purposes.
Before buying Balnagask Robert had farmed the property.  Alexander had bought Kirkhillocks and Craigieshaw. He left Balnagask and Kirkhillocks to Mr Davidson son of his sisters daughter and Craigieshaw to Mr Molison his own nephew.

Mr Davidson's mother was Margaret maria Molison who'd married William A Davidson and she in turn the daughter of Margaret Davidson who'd married William Maule Molison daughter of Robert Davidson sister to alexander.
Mr Molison, I think is James Molison who we have ref to residing at Craigshaw when he died in 1869.  our Alexander Strachan Molison must have missed out as his mother was a previous wife or mistress of William Maule Molison.

Mr Davidson above I think must be Colonel James Davidson:
newspaper cutting 6 May 1932
Obituary
Colonel James Davidson CBE of Balnagask Vice Lieuteant of Kincardine born 1853, became Colonel in 1896, married Margaret Berry daughter of Colonel Berry Hyde Park Gate London.  One child Alister James Davidson.

From Leopard mag May 1985:
Colonel was known as Laird of Torry at one time because he owned most of it.  Sold land for the new dock at Torry, land for Balnagask golf course and land to Aberdeen corporation.  Buried in St Fitticks churchyard.  After the burial the writer had to dig the surrounding area of vault to tidy up and sow grass seed.  Came across a 6 ft tall skeleton about 18 inches deep, never told anyone.  Writer reckoned some of Balnagask house was 250 years old.

bit more to come.

[MaryA]

Looking in 1891 for the missing Molisons, I came across this one I don't think has been posted, I think it's the sister of Osbert, hasn't the Isle of Wight been mentioned somewhere too.  However, forgive me if it has already been posted.

1891 RG12/895 Isle of Wight, Godshill Folio 23 Page 10
Holly Mount, Boniface Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight
Mary Francis Head S 52 Living on own means Mauritius B Subject
Caroline Price Sister M 50 " " " "
Mildred F Steele Visitor Wid 28 " " Sydney N.S. Wales
Marion D " Visitor 4 Durban S Africa
Jeanie W Molison Visitor S 24 " " London Holloway
Frances A Cross Serv S 27 Cook (Domestic) Hants Portsmouth
Sarah E Wilkinson Serv S 21 Parlour Maid (Domestic) Muswell Hill, Middlesex

Mary

[Keziahemm]

ref. my previous post about a "live" Orr Ewing mentioned in Sunday paper

 Archie Orr Ewing, landlord of Kings' Head, Bledington, Oxon.

Article was about Prince William staying at the pub after a society wedding.

Do we have anyone in the area that fancies a trip to the pub  

Susan

[Joanna Tolhurst]

From Leopard mag June/July 1985:
Memories of Frank Cook, inhabitant of Balnagask House Home for the Elderly formed 1950, one of 8 men and 19 ladies.
"The beauty of the House has been preserved, and the patterns of brasswork on the doors of the residents' lounge have a polish worthy of the most particular days of the Colonel's drawing room. There's a warmth about the house that must gladden the ghosts of the Davidsons ..."
Frank had known the Colonel and his wife but had never dreamt he would one day live in "the big hoose".

From Leopard mag June 1990:
A mystery unearthed at Balnagask House as it was reduced to a hole by demolition squad.  They found an ancient block of sandstone in gable wall.  maybe linked to Cormac de Nag's 13thc motte stronghold or Abbots of Arbroath who built a villa and doocote in vicinity.

So sorry no photos of the house to show everyone.  There was one in the magazine but no brilliant quality to photocopy and scan into computer; big house though.

So we've definitely got independant evidence for William Maule Molison being our Alexander Strachan Molison's father as we had ref in ASM voyages of his brother James in Sydney.  We've also got a link to 71st Highland Light Infantry for Lieut. William Maule Molison.

Just a bit to add on the Duncan Dunbars next.