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Robert PATERSON (b c1854)

Robert Paterson was the first child and eldest son of John Paterson and Susan Stewart. He was born in Paisley (Renfrewshire) Scotland, probably in 1854. He was, unfortunately, born prior to the introduction of statutory registration of births which was initiated in 1855. I can find no record of his birth in the old parish registers of the Church of Scotland.

Robert appeared in his parent's household at 12 School Wynd in Paisley in the 1861 Census. He was the eldest child in the household, age 7. Two siblings, Janet and William, twins born in 1856, had died in 1857. The youngest child in the household that year was his brother John, age 2.

By 1871, Robert's family had moved to 23 New Sneddon Street in Paisley. Robert was reported to be 18 years old and a ship carpenter apprentice, brother John was age 13 and a woolen dyer apprentice. Robert and John had four new brothers and sisters born during the decade, James (10), Agnes (7), and another set of twins, Joseph (5) and Matthew (5),

Robert married Elizabeth Tees, presumably at her parent's home at 23 St James Street in Paisley on 17 Aug 1880. John Crouch, minister of Victoria Place Baptist Chapel performed the ceremony. Robert had become a journeyman ship carpenter in the prior decade. Elizabeth was a thread mill worker. She was unable to sign her name and certified the record with her mark.

Robert and Elizabeth lived at least into their 50s. Robert worked as a ship carpenter through most of his life, but the couple moved to Belfast at the turn of the century and Robert abandoned his trade.

Robert seems to have been missed by the 1881 Census (taken on 03 Apr 1881), but Elizabeth and their first child, born in Paisley on 25 Mar 1881, named John after Robert's father, were living with Elizabeth's parents at 24 St James Street in Paisley. John was reported to be 10 days old. The next summer, twins, a son, Joseph, and a daughter, Elizabeth, were born very close to midnight 17 months later, on 12 and 13 Aug 1882, at 43 Lady Lane, Paisley. The twins were premature (7th month). Joseph grew to maturity, but Elizabeth lived only five weeks, dying on 22 Sep 1882. A third son, Stewart, was born at 67 High Street in Paisley on 12 Jul 1884. A second daughter, also named Elizabeth, was born on 13 Jan 1886 at the same address. I have found no record of this second Elizabeth's death but her absence from the household in 1901 when she would have been 15 suggests she, too, died as a child. A third daughter, Susan McMillan, was born at 47 George Street in Paisley on 16 Nov 1887. Susan died of measles at 25 Underwood Street, Paisley, just shy of her first birthday on 11 Nov 1888.

At the time of the 1891 Census (05 Apr 1891) the couple was living at 39 McLean Street in Glasgow (Govan). Four children were at home, John (10), Joseph (8), Stewart (6), and Elizabeth (5). All three boys were in school. A fourth son, named Robert, was born at 53 McLean Street in Glasgow on 20 Jun 1892. The child lived only seven months, dying of acute bronchitis on 22 Jan 1893. Alas, only a month later, on 20 Feb 1893, the couple's eldest son, John, died of cerebritis. The last of the couple's children, a son named James was born in Belfast 1898.

Robert and Elizabeth moved the family from Scotland to Belfast, Northern Ireland between the 1891 Census and the birth of son James. The couple was found by the 1901 Census of Ireland living at house 36 in Sandy Row (St George's Ward) Belfast. Joseph (age 18), Stewart (age 16) and James (age 3) were in the household as was Robert's sister-in-law Martha Stevenson (age 40) and a domestic servant named Caroline Speirs (age 43). Robert's occupation was given as spirit merchant (retailer). Son Joseph was an apprentice plumber; son Stewart was an apprentice upholsterer. Neither Joseph nor Stewart was yet married. Elizabeth, who was two years younger than Stewart, did not appear in the household in 1901.

The 1911 Census of Ireland found the family in house 1 on Hurst Street (St George's, Antrim) in Belfast. Son Joseph was no longer at home. Stewart was an upholsterer and still unmarried at age 26. Son James was only 12 and still in school. The home still had a domestic servant, Agnes Dunwoody, age 60. The Census reported that Elizabeth, married for 30 years, was the mother of eight children, only three of whom survived. The three surviving children in 1911 would have been Joseph (b 1882), Stewart (b 1884) and James (b 1898).

Robert was still alive in Belfast in 1926. When son Joseph emigrated to Canada in Feb 1926, he listed his father as his nearest of kin and gave his address as 6 Clonlee Drive, Belfast. I presume the couple lived out their lives in Belfast or at least in Ireland, but I have found no record of their deaths there.

I know nothing of the fate of Stewart or James, two of the three children surviving in 1911.

Sources and Notes:

1861 Scotland Census, Household of John Paterson (b 1833): Citation: National Records of Scotland, 1861 Census 573/3 4/9. Page 9 of 21. Content: The 1861 Scotland Census record (573/3/4/9) from Middle Church Parish, Paisley, [Renfrewshire], 12 School Wynd shows dwelling with one room with one or more windows and household composed of (1) John Paterson, head, married, 29, police constable, born Old Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire, (2) Susan Paterson, wife, married, 30, born Duntocher, Dumbartonshire, (3) Robert Paterson, son, 7, scholar, born Paisley, Renfrewshire, (4) John Paterson, son, 2, born Paisley, Renfrewshire.

1871 Scotland Census, Household of John Paterson (b 1833): Citation: National Records of Scotland. 1871 Census 573/2 10/1. Page 1 of 21. Content: The 1871 Scotland Census record (573/2/10/1) from Middle Parish, Paisley, Renfrewshire Scotland, 23 New Sneddon Street, a residence of 4 rooms, 2 with one or more windows, shows household composed of (1) John Paterson, head, married, 38, police officer, born Old Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire, (2) Susan Paterson, wife, married, 39, born Duntocher, Dumbartonshire, (3) Robert Paterson, son, 18, Ship Carpenter (apprentice), born Paisley, Renfrewshire, (4) John Paterson, son, 13, Wollen Dyer (apprentice), born Paisley, Renfrewshire, (5) James Paterson, son, 10, scholar, (6) Agnes Paterson, dau, 7, scholar, (7) Joseph Paterson, son, 5, scholar, (8) Matthew Paterson, son, 5, scholar. All children born in Paisley.

1880 Marriage Registration for Robert Paterson (b c1854) and Elizabeth Tees (b c1855): Citation: The National Records of Scotland. Stautory registers, Marriages 573/322. Content: An entry (322) in the 1880 marriage registry of the district of Paisley in the count of Renfrew states that Robert Paterson (signed), ship carpenter (journeyman), bachelor, age 26 married Elizabeth Tees (signed with her mark), thread mill worker, spinster, age 25 on 17 Aug 1880 at 23 St James Street, Paisley after bann according to the forms of the Baptist Church. Robert's address: 2 Clyde View Terrace, Springbank ?Road?, Paisley; father: John Paterson, police detective; mother: Susan Paterson m.s. Stewart. Elizateth's address: 23 St James Street, Paisley; father: Joseph Tees, agricultural laborer; mother: Elizabeth Tees m.s. ?Sweenie?. Officiant: John Crouch, minister of Victoria Place Baptist Ch[apel], Paisley. William Tees and Marion Taylor, witnesses. Registered 19 Aug 1880 at Paisley.

1881 Birth Registration for John Paterson (b 1881): Citation: Ancestry.com. Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Content: The record shows that John Paterson, male, was born on 25 Mar 1881 in Paisley (Renfrewshire) Scotland. Father: Robert Paterson. Mother: Elizabeth Lees (sic).

1882 Birth Registration for Joseph Paterson: Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1882 Births in the District of Paisley, County of Renfrew. 573/1381. Content: The 1882 registry of births in the District of Paisley, County of Renfrew, entry 1381, shows that Joseph Paterson was born 12 Aug 1882 at 11h30m pm at 43 Lady Lane, Paisley. Father: Robert Paterson, ship carpenter (journeyman); Mother: Elizabeth Paterson m.s. Tees; Married 1880 Aug 17th at Paisley. Signed Robert Paterson, present. Registered 1882 Aug 24th at Paisley.

1882 Birth Registration for Elizabeth Paterson: Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1882 Births in the District of Paisley, County of Renfrew. 573/1382. Content: The 1882 registry of births in the District of Paisley, County of Renfrew, entry 1382, shows that Elizaabeth Paterson was born 13 Aug 1882 at 0h15m am at 43 Lady Lane, Paisley. Father: Robert Paterson, ship carpenter (journeyman); Mother: Elizabeth Paterson m.s. Tees; Married 1880 Aug 17th at Paisley. Signed Robert Paterson, present. Registered 1882 Aug 24th at Paisley. [The second of twins.]

1882 Death Registration for Elizabeth Paterson (b 1882): Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1882 Deaths 573/1067. Content: The 1882 registry of deaths in the District of Paisley in the County of Renfrew, entry 1067, shows that Elizabeth Paterson, female, age 5 weeks, died on September twenty second at 5h pm at 43 Lady Lane, Paisley. Father: Robert Paterson, ship carpenter (journeyman); Mother: Elizabeth Paterson m.s. Tees. Cause: Premature birth (7th month). Informant: Robert Paterson, father (present). Registered on 1882 September 23rd at Paisley.

1886 Birth Registration for Elizabeth Paterson: Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1886 Births 573/178. Content: The 1886 register of births in the District of Paisley in the County of Renfrew, entry 178, shows that Elizabeth Paterson, female, was born 1886 January thirteenth 0h 30m am at 67 High Street, Paisley. Father Robert Paterson, ship carpenter (journeyman); Mother: Elizabeth Paterson m.s. Tees; Married: 1880 August 17th, Paisley; Infomant: Susan Paterson (her mark), mother. Registered: 1886 January 28th at Paisley.

1887 Birth Registration for Susan McMillan Paterson: Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1887 Births 273/2190. Content: The 1887 registry of births in the District of Paisley in the County of Renfew, entry 2190, shows that Susan McMillan Paterson, female, was born 1887 November sixteenth, 9h 30m pm at 47 George Street, Paisley. Father: Robert Paterson, ship carpenter (journeyman); Mother: Elizabeth Paterson m.s. Tees; Married: 1880 Aug 17th, Paisley. Informant: Robert Paterson Isigned), father (present). Reigstered 1887 December 5th at Paisley.

1888 Death Registration for Susan McMillan Paterson (b 1887): Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1888 Deaths 573/1536. Content: The 1888 registry of deaths in the District of Paisley in the County of Renfrew, entry 1536, shows that Susan McMillan Paterson, female, 11 mos, died 1888 November eleventh 8h 30m am at 25 Underwood Street, Paisley. Paisley. Father: Robert Paterson, ship carpenter (journeyman); Mother: Elizabeth Paterson m.s. Tees. Cause: Measles (2nd attack) 10 days, congestion of lungs, 4 days. Informant: Elizabeth Paterson (her mark), mother (present). Registered: 1888 November 12th at Paisley.

1891 Scotland Census, Household of Robert Paterson (b c1854): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1891 Scotland Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Parish: Govan; ED: 18; Page: 7; Line: 21; Roll: CSSCT1891_301. Content: The 1891 Scotland Census of Govan (Lanarkshire), 39 Maclean St, lists household 51 composed of (1) Robert Paterson, head, male, age 37, ship carpenter, born Paisley, Renfrewshire, (2) Elizabeth Paterson, wife, female, age 35, born Paisley, Renfrewshire, (3) John Paterson, son, male, age 10, scholar, born Paisley, Renfrewshire, (4) Joseph Paterson, son, male, age 8, scholar, born Paisley, Renfrewshire, (5) Stewart Paterson, son, male, age 6, scholar, born Paisley, Renfrewshire, (6) Elizabeth Paterson, daughter, female, age 5, born Paisley, Renfrewshire, (7) Martha Tees, sister-in-law, female, age 30, waitress, born Paisley, Renfrewshire.

1893 Death Registration for John Paterson (b 1881): Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1893 Deaths 646/1 78. Content: The 1893 registry of deaths in the District of Plantation in the County of Lanark, entry 78, shows that John Paterson, male, 11 years, died on 1893 February Twentieth 0h 10m pm at 53 McLean Street, Govan. Father: Robert Paterson, shipwright (journeyman); Mother: Elizabeth Paterson m.s. Tees. Cause of death: Cerebritis. Informant: Elizabeth Paterson (her mark), mother, (present). Registered 1893 February 21st at Govan.

1901 Ireland Census, Household of Robert Patterson (b 1854): Citation: National Archives of Ireland, 1901 Census, Country Antrim, St George's Ward Belfast, Sandy Row. Content: The 1901 Census of Ireland, County Antrim, St George's Ward Belfast, Sandy Row, house 36 on 31 Mar 1901 lists a household composed of (1) Robert Patterson, head of family, Est Ch of Scotland, can read and write, age 47, male, occupation: spirit dealer (retailer), married, born Scotland, (2) Elizabeth Patterson, wife, Est Ch of Scotland, can read and wrie, age 45, female, no occupation, married born Scotland, (3) Joseph Patterson, son, Est Ch of Scotland, can read and write, age 18, male, occupation: apprentice plumber, not married, born Scotland, (4) Stewart Patterson, son, Est Ch of Scotland, can read and write, age 17, occupation: apprentice upholsterer, not married, born Co Antrim, Ireland, (4) James Pattersonm son, age 3, born Co Antrim, Ireland, (5) Martha Stevenson, sister-in-law, Est Ch of Scotland, can read and write, age 40, female, Barmaid, married, born Scotland, (6) Caroline Speirs, domestic servant, Irish Presbyterian, can read, age 43, female, occupation: domestic servant, widow, born Co Down, Ireland.

1911 Ireland Census, Household of Robert Paterson (b c1854): Citation: National Archives of Ireland, 1911 Census, Country Antrim, St George's Ward Belfast, Hurst Street. Content: The 1911 Census of Ireland, County Antrim, St George's, Hurst Street [Belfast] lists a household composed of (1) Robert Paterson, male, age 57, married, head, spirit's merchant, (2) Elizabeth Paterson, wife, married, can read/write, female, age 55, married 30 years, 8 children born, 3 living, (3) Stewart Paterson, son, can read/write, male, age 26, single, upholsterer, (4) James Paterson, son, can read/write, age 12, scholar, (5) Agnes Dunwoody, servant, Presbyterian, can read/write, female, age 60, All of the Patersons are reported to be Church of Ireland and born in Belfast. Both reports are likely simply enumerator errors.

1908 Marriage Registration for Joseph Paterson (b 1882) and Wilhelmina Gibson: Citation: IrishGenealogy.ie. Content: A 1908 Marriage Registration in the Parish of Shankill, Belfast (Antrim), entry 20, shows that Joseph Paterson married Wilhelmina Frances Gibson on 18 Aug 1908 in St Enoch's Church according to the form and disciple of the Presbyterian Church. Joseph is a bachelor and Publican. His father is Robert Paterson, publican. Wilhelmina is a spinster, no occupation. Her father is William Alexander Gibson, street inspector. Both are 'of full age' and Belfast residents.

1915 Passenger Manifest for Joseph Paterson (b 1882) and family: Citation: Ancestry.com. UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008. Content: A passenger manifest for the ship Grampian arriving at Liverpool from St John NB on 08 Feb 1915 lists this family in 3rd class accommodation with address 35 Sandy Rd, Belfast: (1) Joseph Paterson, insurance agent, male, age 32, (2) Wilhelmina Paterson, wife, age 28, (3) Robert Paterson, child, male, age 5, (4) Elizabeth Paterson, child, female, age 3, (5) Maggie, infant, female, age 9/12. All were last permanent residents of Canada. All plan future permanent residency in Ireland.

1926 Passenger List for family of Joseph Paterson (b 1882): Citation: Ancestry.com. Canada, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1865-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Content: A 1926 passenger manifest for the ship SS Montrose sailing on 20 Mar 1926 from Belfast to St John, New Brunswick lists passengers (1) Joseph Paterson, male, age 44, married, born Paisley, Scotland, in Canada (Toronto) from 1912-1915, publican, occupation you intend to follow in Canada: uncertain; The address in Canada to which you are going: Sister-in-law, Mrs J Wylie, 1 Cobalt Ave, Mount Denis, Toronto; nearest relative: Father: Mr Robert Patterson, 6 Clonlee Drive, Belfast, (2) Wilhemina Patterson, wife, age 39, born Stewartstown, N Ireland, housewife, (3) Robert Patterson, son, age 16-1/2, born Belfast, N Ireland, in Canada before from 1913-1915, (4) Elizabeth Patterson, daughter, age 14-1/2, born Belfast, N Ireland, in Canada before from 1913-1913, (5) Joseph Patterson, son, age 9, born Belfast, N Ireland, never before in Canada.