“Tell my Story”
Now and again, when you are researching family trees, you come across someone who holds a fascination for you, who says “tell my story”‘ This is the story of one such woman.
To start with, I was asked to look for the family of “Effie Ferguson” who was born in Dunfermline in 1903. I discovered that in fact, Effie (or Euphemia, to give her her Sunday name) was born in Oakley. She was the daughter of Daniel Ferguson and Jane (or Jeanie) McNeill. They had been married in 1893 in Muiravonside in Lanarkshire, but Daniel had moved to Fife because of work. Effie was one of 8 children.
Moving back a generation I found that Daniel was the son of John Ferguson and his wife Alison Cheyne. He was born in Avonhead, New Monkland, Lanarkshire on the 23rd of January 1872.
It is Alison that I want to tell you about.
Alison Cheyne was born about 1854 in Newton Village, Midlothian, the daughter of John Cheyne, a coal miner and his wife, Jane Dunn. On 23rd June 1871 she married John Ferguson in Avonhead. He was born about 1848 in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, the son of Daniel Ferguson and his wife Janet Izatt.
The marriage produced two children, Daniel and his sister Jane (or Jeanie) who was born 18th July 1873.
So, then I looked for John and Alison’s deaths. Sadly, John died on 20th November 1873 in the Gorehill Pit, New Monkland, Lanarkshire, when his daughter Jeanie was only a few months old. His death registration told me little apart from it being a mining accident. I wanted to know more, if I could.
I looked at the Scottish Mining records but could find nothing. Then I searched the British Newspaper Archives, and found:
| Glasgow Herald – Saturday 22 November 1873 AIRDRIE – Fatal Pit Accident – At an early hour yesterday morning, a miner, named John Ferguson, residing at Avonhead, was accidentally killed in No. 4 Coal Pit, Arden. Along with three workmen he had been firing a shot, and after lighting the match, had entered the cage to be drawn up. After the cage started Ferguson attempted to leap off, but got entangled, and was drawn up the shaft some distance head downwards. Before the engine could be stopped he was jammed between the cage and the side of the shaft, and when extricated life was quite extinct. He was 26 years of age, and has left a wife and two children. |
But what of Alison? She was 19 when John died. When did she die? I could find nothing in the Scottish Records. Had she remarried? About 10 months after John Ferguson’s death, on 3rd Jul 1874 in Avonhead, Alison married James Haldane, a collier. He was born Abt. 1851, probably in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire. At the time of their marriage he was a 23-year-old widower, she was 20, with no occupation shown, A bit quick? Well, she did have two small children to support after all.
Then in 1878 the following article appeared in the newspapers:
| Glasgow Herald – 13 March 1878 Edinburgh Evening News – 13 March 1878 Sessions of Lanarkshire Remarkable Bigamy Case Before Sheriff Birnie yesterday, Alison Cheyne or Haldane pleaded guilty to a charge under a jury libel of marrying Thomas Malcolm, miner, Blantyre, on 29th December 1876, while James Haldane, to whom she was married in 13 July 1874, was still alive. From the statement of her agent, Mr Campbell, the case was in some respect remarkable. Accused, who is 23 years of age, when 16 years old was married to a sinker, who was killed, after two children had been born, at Black’s Pit, Rawyards. Nine or ten months afterwards she met Haldane, and married him on an acquaintance of ten days. He developed all the vices, and left her at the end of six weeks without having contributed a penny towards her support. Led, on the representation of a friend, to believe (though the Fiscal did not admit this) that Haldane was dead, she married Malcolm, with whom she had lived happily, until an evil-disposed person, because she would not give her money to buy whisky, informed Malcolm, who, greatly incensed, told the Police. The Sheriff, taking into account that she had been two months in prison, and that Haldane had deserted her at the end of six weeks, passed sentence of four months imprisonment. |
At this point her two Ferguson children were probably with her mother, where they appear to have remained for some years.
So, who was Thomas Malcolm? How on earth had Alison ended up in Prison?
Two years after she had been deserted, by James Haldane, apparently in the belief that he was dead she had married Thomas Malcolm, a Carter, on 29th Dec 1876 in Thornwood, Bothwell, Lanarkshire. He was born 31st December 1855 in Bothwell, Lanarkshire to William Malcolm, a Limestone Contractor, and his wife Margaret Russell. He is shown as a 21-year-old Bachelor and she 22 and a widow, working as a Farm Servant.
They had two children, William and Edith.
As a result of the trial their marriage entry was cancelled, and their children were declared illegitimate.
William Malcolm was born 2nd Apr 1877 in Auchentibber, Lanarkshire, and Edith Mary Malcolm was born 8th July 1878 in The County Prison, Beckford Street, Hamilton, Lanarkshire
(It was impossible to find out about the conditions in Hamilton Prison, but from reports of other such establishments of the time, it is possible that there were was no segregation of male and female prisoners. While the men were probably in cells, the women often had to make do with the floors and corridors. They were possibly abused by the guards and other prisoners, and any comfort would be at the discretion of the Matron or Governors wife. Her confinement was possibly a very public affair.)
Thomas Malcolm married legitimately in 1879. – not to Alison. It would appear that he did not want his children. A record of Sheriff Court Paternity Cases I found as I was writing this shows:
Register of Extracted Decrees
| Pursuer | Alison Cheyne or Ferguson or Haldane, Carmouth, Bridge of Earn, Perthshire (formerly at Longriggend, Airdrie) |
| Defender | Thomas Malcolm, Carter, Drumloch Limeworks, Glassford |
| Child’s Date of Birth | 22 April 1877 |
| Year Extract Issued | 1880 |
| Sheriff Court | Hamilton |
| County | Lanarkshire |
And,
| Pursuer | Alison Cheyne or Ferguson or Haldane, Carmouth, Bridge of Earn, Perthshire (formerly at Longriggend, Airdrie) |
| Defender | Thomas Malcolm, Carter, Drumloch Limeworks, Glassford |
| Child’s Date of Birth | 4 July 1878 |
| Year Extract Issued | 1880 |
| Sheriff Court | Hamilton |
| County | Lanarkshire |
| NRS Reference | SC37/7/24 p. 290 |
| Notes | Child born in Hamilton Prison |
I wish I had seen this when I was doing the original research, it would have saved me a lot of time hunting for Alison.
The next time we meet the “ Malcolm” children is in 1881.
1881 Census
Address: 1 Braehead,Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire
| Helen Spiers | Head | Widow | 40 | Ross & Cromarty | |
| Barbara Allan | Boarder | Unmarried | 26 | Millworker (Wool) | Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire |
| George Allan | Boarder | 4 | Glasgow, Lanarkshire | ||
| William Malcolm | Boarder | 3 | Blantyre, Lanarkshire | ||
| Mary Malcolm | Boarder | 2 | Hamilton, Lanarkshire |
William Malcolm died as the result of an accident on
20 Sep 1882 in Braehead, Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire. His death registration
shows his cause of death to be “Injury to Brain – result of Accident 3½ days” His death was registered by Helen
Spiers (Nurse). The RCE shows that he had fallen in the house and had been
concussed for 4 days. He was 5 years old.
1891 Census
Address: Stirling Street, Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire
| Helen Spiers | Head | Widow | 50 | Children’s Nurse | Ross & Cromarty |
| Williamina McFarlane | Boarder | Unmarried | 16 | Millworker | Kennet, Clackmannanshire |
| Mary E Malcolm | Boarder | 12 | Millworker | Hamilton, Lanarkshire | |
| James Colquhoun | Boarder | 6 | Scholar | Glasgow, Lanarkshire | |
| Helen M Divine | Boarder | Under 1 | Glasgow, Lanarkshire |
So, who was Helen Speirs? Why were the children sent to Clackmannanshire? There were connections with the area in the Ferguson and the Malcom families. Was she a relation? I tried unsuccessfully to find out. Mary lived with Helen until her marriage in 1899.
But where was Alison? Well……..Yes, I know now, but it took some time to find her.
1881 Census
Address: Balhepburn Farm House, Rhynd, Perthshire
| Thomas Robb | Head | Married | 62 | Farmer of 215 Acres all arrable Employing 3 Men 2 Girls 1 Boy | Perthshire, Perth |
| Catherine Robb | Wife | Married | 59 | Perthshire, Perth | |
| David Robb | Son | Unmarried | 19 | Farmer’s Son | Edinburgh |
| Henry Robb | Son | 11 | Scholar | Perthshire, Rhynd | |
| Elizabeth Robb | Daughter | Unmarried | 29 | Farmer’s Daughter | Leith |
| Alison Cheyne | Servant | Unmarried | 23 | Domestic Servant | Nottingrange |
| Isabella Pollock | Servant | Unmarried | 21 | Domestic Servant | Lanarkshire |
This is where things become “interesting” Girl? 23 ? Really? In fact, she is 27, and Single? Let’s not go there.
But then things became clearer……
On the next farm …..
1881 Census
Address: Balhepburn Bothy, Rhynd, Perthshire
| Robert Sinclair | Head | Unmarried | 18 | Farm Servant | Perthshire, Perth |
| George Traill | Unmarried | 19 | Farm Servant | Fife, Auchtermuchty |
Finally, she married George Traill, now a Carter, on 21st March 1885 in 173 Shamrock Street, Glasgow (by Declaration- a civil ceremony), son of Ebenezer Traill, a Cotton Weaver and his wife Christine Anderson. He was born 16 Dec 1860 in Back Wynd, Auchtermuchty, Fife.
According to their marriage
registration George was a 25-year-old Bachelor and Alison (using her maiden
name) a 26-year-old Spinster, a Dairy Maid. Whether this marriage was also
bigamous is uncertain. Alison was in fact 31. A pattern was emerging.
Christina Traill was born on 17th March 1882 in 40 Moss Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, this was 3 years before her parents married. Again, more questions, why did they wait ? Had they heard some news about Mr Haldane?
1891 Census
Address: New Keppochhill Road, Glasgow, St Rollox, Lanarkshire
| George Traill | Head | Married | 30 | Carter | Auchtermuchty, Fife |
| Allison Traill | Wife | Married | 36 | Wallyford, Midlothian | |
| Christina Traill | Daughter | 9 | Scholar | Glasgow, Lanarkshire |
* Allison was 41
1901 Census
Address: 598, New Keppochhill Road, Glasgow, St Rollox, Lanarkshire
| George Traill | Head | Married | 42 | Contractor’s Carter | Auchtermuchty, Fife |
| Allison Traill | Wife | Married | 47 | Dalkeith, Midlothian |
Alison was 51
George died of Smallpox on13th March 1902 in The Belvidere Hospital, Glasgow, Lanarkshire. His death was registered by JOHN GAILEY, his Son in Law.
There was no trace of Alison on the 1911 Census.
Christina Traill had married John Gailey on 17th November
1898 in Craigbank House, Glasgow. He was born about 1876, in Ireland.
1901 Census
Address: 2 Masterton Street, Glasgow
| John Gailey | Head | Married | 25 | Contractor’s Carter | Ireland |
| Ann* Gailey | Wife | Married | 19 | Lanarkshire, Glasgow | |
| William Gailey | Son | 1 | Lanarkshire, Glasgow | ||
| George Gailey | Son | 1 mo | Lanarkshire, Glasgow |
By 1906 John Gailey is a Coal Dealer. They had 5 children, but one died in infancy.
On 28 February 1908 Christina and her four surviving children sailed from Glasgow to New York on the ‘Columbia’ to join her husband.
1910 Census
Address: Eagle Mills, Brick Church Road, Brunswick, Rensselaer, New York
| John Gailey | Head | Married | 32 | Farmer | b. Ireland |
| Christina Gailey | Wife | Married | 27 | b. Scotland | |
| William Gailey | Son | 10 | b. Scotland | ||
| John G Gailey | Son | 7 | b. Scotland | ||
| Alice Gailey | Daughter | 5 | b. Scotland | ||
| Agnes Gailey | Daughter | 3 | b. Scotland |
It would appear Alison followed in 1915 to settle with them. On the Passenger List she is shown as Mrs Alice Traill, age 55. Actually, she is 61.
1915 Census
Address: Brunswick, Rensselaer, New York
| John Gailey | Head | Married | 33 | Farmer | Scotland |
| Christina Gailey | Wife | Married | 32 | Housework | Scotland |
| William Gailey | Son | Unmarried | 17 | School | Scotland |
| John Gailey | Son | 13 | School | Scotland | |
| Alice Gailey | Daughter | 11 | School | Scotland | |
| Nancy Gailey | Daughter | 9 | School | Scotland | |
| Alicon Traill | Mother in Law | Widow | 38* | Scotland |
*
1920 Census
Address: Farm, Crossroad, Brunswick, Rensselaer, New York
| John Gailey | Head | Married | 42 | Farmer | b. Ireland |
| Christina Gailey | Wife | Married | 37 | b. Scotland | |
| William Gailey | Son | Single | 21 | Farm Labourer | b. Scotland |
| John Gailey | Son | 17 | Farm Labourer | b. Scotland | |
| Alice Gailey | Daughter | 15 | b. Scotland | ||
| Agnes Gailey | Daughter | 13 | b. Scotland | ||
| James Gailey | Son | 3 | b. New York | ||
| Martha Traill* | Mother in Law | 65 | b. Scotland |
1930 Census
Address: 1 Hoosick Road, Brunswick, Rensselaer, New York, USA
| John Gailey | Head | 54 | Married | Farmer | b. Scotland |
| Christina Gailey | Wife | 48 | Married | b. Scotland | |
| Alice Gailey | Daughter | 26 | Single | Stitcher in Factory | b. Scotland |
| Agnes Gailey | Daughter | 24 | Single | Stitcher in Factory | b. Scotland |
| James Gailey | Son | 14 | b. New York | ||
| Alice Treville | Mother in Law | 77 | Widow | b. Scotland | |
| Conrad W Unsole | Boarder | Single | Farm Labourer | b. Germany |
Oh No! She hasn’t?, I thought. Not another marriage? Then I found her……Phew!, she hadn’t.
1940 Census
Address: Hoosick Road, Brunswick, Rensselaer, New York
| John Gailey | Head | Married | 59 | Farmer (own Farm) | b. Scotland |
| Christina Gailey | Wife | Married | 57 | b. Scotland | |
| William Gailey | Grandson | Single | 16 | New York | |
| Mary Gailey | Grand Daughter | 14 | New York | ||
| Alberta Gailey | Grand Daughter | 6 | New York | ||
| Robert Gailey | Grandson | 6 | New York | ||
| Alice Traill | Mother in Law | Widow | 86 | b. Scotland |
Alison Cheyne died in 1950 in Troy, New York. She was 96. But what of her children?
Daniel Ferguson and his family emigrated to Ohio, USA
Jeanie Ferguson married and died in 1963 In Paisley.
Edith Mary Malcolm married and died in 1952 in Uddingston.
Christina Traill died in 1973 in Troy, New York, She was 91.
In May 2020 I received an email from a great-great granddaughter of Thomas Malcolm and Catherine Craig, the woman he married in 1879. She told me that she had been researching Thomas Malcolm, and to cut a long story short ……they had emigrated to Canada and acquired land in the North West Territories. Thomas had Catherine committed to an Asylum for the Insane, their 4 children were left with strangers, and he disappeared. See a pattern to his relationship with Alison, and their children? Catherine spent the final 9 years of her life living with her youngest child.
She added that Thomas has proved to be an elusive figure in ancestral research, but she believes she had found him and more information would follow after she had revealed it to his descendants at a family reunion that was planned for that summer.
I have heard nothing more to date.