A Maritime Union Story

 

Margaret Nisbet was sometimes Margaret Nesbit!

Margaret Nisbet died on the 21st March 1927 at Haddington in Scotland. The document states that she was 83 years of age but she may have been older.

Born about 1841 in Haddington her Father was John Beaumont and her Mother was Mary (Wilson) Beaumont. Cerebral Haemorrhage and Senile Decay were her cause of death. Catherine Burnside was the informant at the time was her Daughter in Law. 61 Hardgate street Haddington was the residence. This was also the residence of Catherine and Andrew Burnside when they died in later years.

Margaret gave birth to Andrew Burnside on the 7th November 1859 at (Quarry House Jerusalem) Pencaitland near Haddington. In 1863 a correction was made to add his father's name to his birth certificate. Andrew Burnside may have been an only child.

In 1861Margaret Beamont was 20 years of age and unmarried. She worked as an Agricultural Laborer and lived with her 1 year old child Andrew Burnside.

According to the census done that year they lived with 36 year old Mary Gray and 58 year old David Gray at Jerusalem (House name) in Pencaitand. I'm assuming Mary Gray is Margaret's mother. She may also have been Mary Wilson!

Margaret Beaumont married 53 year old John Gowans in 1866 when she was 26. The Minister was John Cook who was the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland at the time. The document states that John Beaumont was her father and Catherine Burnside was her mother and they were both deceased. Her Mother was Mary Wilson, Mary Beaumont or Mary Gray?

In 1871 31 year old Margaret B Gowans was living with 57 year old John Gowans and her 11 year old son Andrew Burnside at Sidegate street in Haddington.

In 1891 she was a 50 year old on her own in Haddington.

In 1900 she married John Nisbet at Haddington. In 1911 John was about 62 years old and Margaret was about 72 years old. John's occupation was a Carter.

Margaret was the mother of Andrew Burnside who was the father of Elizabeth Reynolds that migrated to Australia in 1948.

Andrew Burnside's father was also Andrew Burnside and was a Hedger.

In 1851 16 year old Andrew Burnside lived at Blukale Cottage in Gladsmuir Haddingtonshire. He lived with his step Father who was John Calmils and whose occupation was a Hedger. Mary Caldmils was his 48 year old wife who must be Andrew's mother. 7 year old step sister Elebeth Caldmils, 5 year old step brother Alexander Caldmils and 3 year old Margaret Caldmils were on the list. Elebeth is probably a misspelling version of Elizabeth. Caldmils is not a common name but could be interpreted as Caldwell.

The spelling of some names vary. Welsh can be Welch. Beaumont can be Beamont. McGhurel can be McGirl, McGurl or McGurel. McGee can be Magee or McGhee. I've not come across any other spelling for Burnside although Burnsyde is a variation. I believe Burnside may have become Burns in some cases just like Ronald becomes Ron.

John Beaumont (Gardener) was neighbors with James Burns (Painter). If James is the son of Gilbert Burns who lived in Haddington and is buried there (1827). James Burns must be the nephew of Robert Burns. The Poet that promoted kindness in a cup! Gilbert had 11 children and 1 was called James.

I was told we are related to Rabbie Burnes who is famously known as Robert Burns. There's no proof but it is a possibility.

It's likely we are related to James Burnside from Garvald in Haddingtonshire. He's not so famous but his occupation was a “Mole Catcher”