A Farm Discovery

The Scottish 1865 Valuation Rolls were recently released on Scotlands People. The index is currently free to search, however images cost two credits. In 1865, my Great Great Grandfather William Gow was raising his family at Cairn Farm, Muthill, Perthshire, and I did indeed find him at Cairn Farm in the Valuation Roll.

My 2x Great Grandfather William Gow
[Source: Personal Collection]

I was intrigued to discover that William was leasing Cairn Farm from Robert Thomas Napier Speir. I did not even know that William had leased his farm from someone! I also found that William was leasing a second farm from Speir - Drummawhance Farm. This is the first time I have heard of this farm. Cairn Farm has always been the only farm ever mentioned in reference to William Gow and his family. It is the farm listed on census records and birth and death certificates. My Dad and I both agree that Drummawhance might not have been mentioned in these records because it was only a working farm. The other surprise was that both farms, a long with a few others, were part of Culdees Castle, which was owned by Speir.

The website linked for Culdees Castle provided the longitude and latitude of the Castle's location - 56.324191N, 3.804687W. I popped that into Google Maps to see where the Castle was, as I had found that it was demolished in 1967. We did not know the exact location of Cairn Farm before either, so I was hoping this might provide me with a general area. The pin is the location of Culdees Castle according to the longitude and latitude co-ordinates. But wait, what is that farm in the bottom right corner? Drummawhance Farm!

Image from Google Maps showing the location of Culdees Castle
[Source: Google Maps]

 I scrolled down a bit further and what do I see...CAIRN FARM!

Image from Google Maps showing the location of Culdees Castle, Drummawhance Farm, & Cairn Farm
[Source: Google Maps]

My Dad and I have spent countless hours exploring Muthill on Google Maps and we have no recollection of Cairn Farm being labelled. Otherwise, well, we would have sent my Aunt there when she went to Muthill a couple of years ago. I am so excited that we now have an exact location of Cairn Farm! And the fact that the farms are across the road from each other would have been pretty handy for William.

Cairn Farm & Drummawhance Farm - pretty close together!
[Source: Google Maps]

I googled Drummawhance Farm and it seems to still be in operation. It even has its own website with a contact form. I might send a message through and see what information, if any, they have on either farms. I cannot wait to go to Scotland one day and visit Cairn Farm to see where my Great Great Grandparents lived, and where my Great Grandfather lived before coming to Australia!

Thank you Valuation Rolls - you've given me a lot more than I expected.

Have you found anything exciting or unexpected in Scotlands People's Valuation Rolls?

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks #1: William Gow

I’m giving myself a new challenge this year - 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks which is run by Amy Johnson Crow from No Story Too Small. I noticed many blog posts from people who took part in the challenge last year and thought it would be something fun to do in the future. Plus, I’m hoping it will help me identify areas for further research.

The theme for Week 1 is Fresh Start. When I think of a fresh start I think of my Great Grandfather William Gow.

Born on the 21^st of May, 1868, William was the youngest of 5 children to parents William Gow and Jean Drummond. He grew up on his family’s farm at Cairn, Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland. Sadly, his father passed away the day after his 6^th birthday in 1874. William remained on the farm until 1886. By then, his siblings and mother had all relocated, including his brother Robert who had immigrated to Sydney in 1884. In 1886, when he was just 18 years old, William made the long journey to Sydney arriving on October 5^th, 1886. William did not have any family with him when he made this trip, so it must have been quite daunting! 

William Gow in 1889, aged 22.
[Source: Personal Collection]

When he arrived in Sydney, he lived in Potts Point, an inner-city suburb. William had worked as a gardener in Scotland, and continued to do so in Sydney. In his diary for the year 1887, William recorded what he did each day. Some entries are detailed, others are not. On January 17^th, he was “cleaning [garden] beds in front of the house and watered them and pots at the door and veranda.” Potts Point is also situated on Elizabeth Bay. On February 6^th, William “got out the boat and went over to Darling Point and had another row around Elizabeth Bay.” In quite a few entries he mentions doing some gardening at a Bush House. I currently have no idea where Bush House is/was but it would be interesting to find out. According to William’s obituary, he also worked as a gardener for Sir Adrian Knox. Perhaps Bush House could have been something to do with Sir Adrian Knox? Some investigating to do here I think.

In 1896 William became a police officer, and in 1897, after the 12 month probation period, became an Ordinary Constable. 

William Gow's Police Appointment on NSW State Records

On the 14^th of December, 1904, William married Elizabeth Croal. They lived in Stanmore (inner-west Sydney) where they had two children – Adam Gow (1905 – 1905) and William David Drummond Gow (1910 – 2003). 

Wedding of William Gow & Elizabeth Croal, 14th Dec 1904, Sydney
[Source: Personal Collection]

In 1905, William became a 1^st Class Constable. I actually have all this wage sheets from his career as a police officer which I got from the New South Wales State Records! William became favourably known throughout the Sydney Police Traffic Department, and when he retired in 1912, he was asked to reconsider. However, William believed that gardening was his true calling. With that in mind, in 1913 William, Elizabeth & their son William Jr moved to Gumma, a small town near Macksville on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales. William became well known for growing tomatoes and he thoroughly enjoyed working on the land. 

Article from Farmer and Settler, 1 Nov 1929
[Source: Trove]

William passed away on November 28^th, 1943 at the ‘Jalna’ Private Hospital in Macksville at the age of 75. He is buried in Macksville Cemetery. When he died, William had been living at Gumma for 31 years.  I feel that moving to Gumma gave William a fresh start. His obituary states that he was “a very kindly Scotsman who nevertheless was ever ready to speak his mind and defend what he considered was right and just.” Now that, that makes me very proud.

William Gow's death notice, Sydney Morning Herald, 11 Dec 1943
[Source: Trove]

The Gow Siblings: Isabella Gow

Isabella Gow, my Great Great Aunt, was born on April 9, 1859 in Cairn Farm, Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland. She was the third child of William Gow and Jean Drummond (her older siblings being John & Robert). Isabella lived on the family farm until she was 18 and married John Reddoch on January 22, 1878.

Isabella Gow, 1869, Scotland
[Source: Personal Collection]

Isabella & John lived in Kinross at a house called Tullibardine. I forget if John built it for her or if he bought it. I think that information is written down in a letter my Aunt has. I have often searched for information on Tullibardine House such as where it was in Kinross, but have not been able to find anything solid.

Isabella & John had 9 children together -

1. Jean Drummond Reddoch, born 1879, Govan
2. John Drummond Gow Reddoch, born 1880, Muthill
3. William Gow Reddoch, born 1881, Dalginross
4. Robert William Reddoch, born 1883, Ardoch
5. Isabella Gow Reddoch, born 1885, Ardoch
6. Helen Christie Reddoch, born 1887, Ardoch
7. Charles Gow Reddoch, born 1889, Ardoch
8. Jessie Gow Reddoch, born 1892, Orwell
9. James Gow Reddoch, born 1895, Kinross

As you can see, most of the children were given either Gow or Drummond for their middle name. There were two more children, however both were stillborn. 

Isabella died on October 13, 1897 at Tullibardine House at the very young age of 38, as a result of complications during childbirth in which the child was stillborn - the second of the two. I do not know where she is buried, but in some family history information that a distant cousin wrote, apparently the two stillborn children she had are mentioned on her gravestone.

Siblings John & Isabella Gow with Mrs Lawson, 1862.
I have no idea who Mrs Lawson is.
[Source: Personal Collection]

Amanuensis Monday: William Gow.

For today's Amanuensis Monday, I have transcribed the Testament of my Great Great Grandfather William Gow. William was born in 1808 in Scotland and died in 1874 in Muthill, Perthshire. In 1855 he married Jean/Jane Drummond and they had 5 children - John, Robert, Isabella, Jeannie & William.

There was no punctuation in it, however, I have attempted to insert punctuation where I think appropriate. Words in red are those that I was unsure about.

William Gow, Great Great Grandfather.
[Source: Personal Collection]

Inventory of the Personal Estate of William Gow, 1874

At Perth the twenty eighth day of December, Eighteen hundred and seventy four, In presence of James Adam Esquire Advocate Commissary of the County of Perth, Compeared Alexander George Read Solicitor in Auchterarder as Procurator for the Executor.

Executor after named and designed and gave in the Inventory of the Personal Estate of William Gow Farmer in Cairn in the Parish of Muthill (duly stamped with Twenty two pounds Sterling of duty), and oath thereon after-written desiring the same to be recorded in the Commissary Court Books of Perthshire, conform to act of Parliament which desire the said Commissary found reasonable and ordained the same to be done accordingly the tenor whereof follows:

Inventory of the Personal Estate of umqulul William Gow farmer in Cairn in the Parish of Muthill who died at Cairn on or about the twenty third day of May Eighteen hundred and seventy four.

Farm Stocking growing crop household furniture and other effects

                                                                        Forward £ 

Effects which belonged to the deceased at the time of his death conform to Inventory and Appraisement by John Sinclair Licensed Appraiser

                                                                        £ 743, 7, 6

Cash in house                                                 £ 2

Total amount of Personal Estate                   £ 745, 7, 6

Signed Jane Gow

           Jas Smitton J.P.

At Auchterarder the twenty sixth day of December Eighteen hundred and seventy four years, In presence of James Smitton Esquire, One of Her Majestys Justices of the Peace for the County of Perth, appeared Jane Drummond or Gow residing at Cairn in the Parish of Muthill Executor of the deceased William Gow farmer in Cairn foresaid who being solemnly sworn and examined Depones that the said William Gow died at Cairn on or about the twenty third day of May Eighteen Hundred and seventy four, and the Deponent has entered upon the  possession and management of the deceased's Estate as Executor qua relict:

That the Deponent knows of no Testamentary Settlement or Writing left by the deceased relative to the disposal of his personal Estate or Effects or any part thereof. 

That the foregoing Inventory signed by the Deponent and the said Justice of the Pace as relative hereto as a full and complete Inventory of the Personal Estate and Effects of the said deceased William Gow – wheresoever situated and belonging or due to him beneficially at the time of his death in so far as the same has come to the Deponents Knowledge that the Deponent does not know of any money or property belonging to the deceased liable to the duty imposed by the Acts 23 Victoria Chapter 15 and 23 & 24 Victoria Chapter 80.

That the value at this date of the said Personal Estate and Effects in the United Kingdom is Six hundred pounds Sterling and under Eight hundred pounds Sterling. All which is truth as the Deponent shall answer to God.

Signed  Jane Gow

           Jas Smitton J.P. 

[Source: ScotlandsPeople, Wills & Testaments 1513 - 1925] 

The Gow Siblings: Robert William Gow

Robert William Gow was born on September 14, 1857 in Cairn Farm, Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland. He was the second eldest child of William Gow and Jean Drummond. He lived on his family's farm until the late 1870's. According to the 1881 Scotland Census, he was working as a gardener. Robert left Scotland and arrived in Sydney on May 23, 1884 via the ship Potosi. He was the first person in his family to leave Scotland.

Robert Gow, 1879, Scotland.
[Source: Personal Collection]

On August 4, 1886, Robert married Mary Agnes Ryan in Sydney. Robert was Presbyterian, however Mary was Catholic. Apparently it was looked down upon if Catholics married Presbyterians. Robert and Mary married in the Catholic Church. There might have been an increased risk of Mary being ostracized from her family if she did not marry in the Catholic Church. I wonder if this risk wasn't relevant for Robert?

Robert and Mary lived in Willoughby, Sydney where they had eight children together -

1. Myrtle, born 1887, Sydney
2. Allen Drummond, born 1889, Sydney
3. Mary, born 1891, Sydney
4. Nellie, born 1893, Sydney
5. William Drummond, born 1895, Sydney
6. Ronald Drummond, born 1897, Sydney
7. Millicent, born 1900, Sydney
8. Eric Drummond, born 1902, Sydney

All four boys were given the middle name Drummond - Robert's mother's maiden name.

Robert passed away on December 8, 1927, four years after Mary died. Robert and Mary are both buried in Macquarie Cemetery in Sydney. They are not buried together because of their different religions - Robert is buried in the Presbyterian section and Mary in the Catholic section. When they got married, I wonder if they knew they weren't going to be buried together? Robert is buried with their eldest daughter Myrtle.

Grave of Robert William Gow & his daughter Myrtle
Macquarie Cemetery, Sydney.
[Source: Personal Collection]

A Timeline for William Gow.

Over at Young & Savvy Genealogists, my blogging partner Heather, recently posted about a new timeline tool she discovered. I've just had my first go at making one and I love it! I chose to make it for my Great Grandfather, William Gow. I knew I had a lot of information I could add to it. It was slightly time consuming, but fun and I definitely want to create more. If you'd like to have a go at making one, check it out here. It's definitely worth it!

The Gow Siblings: John Gow

John Gow, my Great Great Uncle, was born on December 9, 1855 in Cairn Farm, Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland. He was the eldest of five children born to William Gow & Jean Drummond. He lived on the farm until the mid 1880's. His father had died in 1874, so being the eldest, he remained on the farm to help his mother and younger siblings.

In 1891, he married Betsy Ireland Syme in Logie, Perthshire. Together, they moved to Ireland. Their daughter, Betsy Ireland Syme Gow was born on August 28, 1892 in Ireland. Sadly, Betsy (Senior), died as a result of complications from childbirth on August 31st. After the loss of his wife, John & his baby daughter Betsy returned to Scotland.

John Gow & daughter Betsy I. S. Gow
Date Unknown. Most likely 1896 - 1898. 

John re-married a woman named Annie Wilson in Blackford, Perthsire in 1896. Their first child, William Alexander John Gow was born in Scotland in 1898. Sometime between 1898 and 1901, John moved back to Ireland with his family. John and Annie had two more children - Alexander and Anna. Alexander Charles Gow was born in Limerick, Ireland in 1901 and Anna Jane Gow was born in 1904 in Glenstal, Ireland.

John passed away on the 14th of January, 1929 in Glenstal, five years after Annie died. John's daughter Betsy immigrated to New Zealand, while William, Alexander and Anna all remained in Ireland.

John Gow & Family, approx 1902/1903, before the
birth of daughter Anna in 1904.

An hour ago, I literally just found my first Irish Census Record for John Gow & his family! YAY! 

Video: David Croal.

NEW VIDEO! 

The story of my Great Great Grandfather David Croal. His life ended in a very sad way.

Happy Birthday William Gow.

My Great Grandfather William Gow was born on the 21st of May, 1868 in Cairn, Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland (see birth certificate). His parents were William Gow & Jean/Jane Drummond. He was the youngest of 5 children. His older siblings were John, Robert, Isabella, Jeannie.

William left Scotland and travelled to Australia in 1886 by himself when he was 18. His brother Robert was already in Sydney. Growing up in Scotland, he learned how to be a landscape gardener. When he arrived in Sydney on October 5^th, 1886, he became a landscape gardener at the home of Sir Adrian Knox, a barrister and chief justice.

William was only supposed to stay in Australia for 2 years, however, much to his mother’s dismay, he remained here.

He joined the police force in Sydney in November 1896. On his application form, he stated that he had been a gardener and fruit grower for 14 years.

On the 14th of December, 1904, he married Elizabeth Croal. In late August 1905, they had a son, Adam, who sadly died after being alive for only 24 hours. On February 2nd, 1910, they had another son - William David Drummond Gow (My Grandfather, known as David throughout his life).

William Gow was well known throughout the Traffic Department of the Police for 16 years. In 1912, he resigned and returned to farming. He was requested to reconsider his decision but believed farming was his true occupation. In late early 1913, William, Elizabeth & David moved from Sydney to Gumma, near Macksville, NSW where they lived & owned a farm. One of their favourite things that they grew were tomatoes.

'Tomato Stakes'
William Gow & William D. D. Gow.
November 1941, Gumma, NSW

William remained in Gumma until his death in 1943. He passed away at ‘Jalna’ private hospital in Macksville on the 28th of November, aged 75. If William had returned to Scotland after 2 years, I probably wouldn’t be here, writing this. So William, I thank you.

Happy 145th Birthday!

Amanuensis Monday.

Letter from Jean Gow (Auchterarder, Scotland) to her son William Gow (Sydney, Australia), 27th of September 1893.

"Dear Son,

I just received your letter this morning & always glad to hear from you. You have got the paper of your fruit you think it might have had a better it was a mistake of me but I did not see it till I saw it in the paper & I could not help it then. In deed I was so bad of myself if Uncel [Uncle] Peter had not come. I dowt [doubt] you would not seen in the paper at all you think I might kept more to my self. I was so proud of you sending them that I could not hide your thoughtfulness of sending them so far to me I will be more so if you will send me some of your Oranges & I will know better if they are good or not. You saw I did not say if they were good you know heat corn is never good. They were very pretty to look at did you get the letter that they were corn & more as the young Sadie that wrote it was so kind to me. You have sent me Robert [William’s brother] address but I think you are making a card(?) of me now when you put Esquire to it. I will send his papers to you until I hear from you again & you can send them to him. Will he be far from where he was? Missie is gone to Kinross her address is Hygh St Kinross. I sent your address to Jeannie [William’s sister] long a go but everyone is so much taken up with themselves they have not much time to think of others at least it appears so. I had a letter from John [William’s brother] a long with yours this morning. He is thinking of coming for some days only if he can get away. You might come & join his company the days he will be here. I hope this will find you will & free of toothache. I am better than I have been for a long time so I will draw to close.

I remain your affectionate mother

Jane Gow.”

There was a significant lack of punctuation in the letter so I inserted full stops where I thought appropriate.

What were the main points I got from this letter?

• Jean would like William to send some Oranges to she can judge the,
• Jean is very proud of William for doing well on the farm
• She will send Robert’s papers to him, and he will forward them on to Robert
• Jeannie is busy, everyone is taken up with themselves, therefore not much time to think of others
• John is thinking of coming to Scotland from Ireland for some days
• Jean is asking William if he might join John’s company and visit Scotland as well.
• Jean is better than she has been in the past for a long time.

Alexander Croal.

My Great Great Uncle Alexander Croal. Born in 1870, Scotland, he arrived in Australia with his siblings & parents in 1883. He went back to England and married Mary Curran in 1913. They had one son Dennis in 1913. We are unsure as to what happened to Mary, but Alexander & Dennis returned to Australia. Alexander was an Actor & we have a few copies of theater productions where his stage name Alec Alves is listed in the cast. He died in Sydney in 1951.

Oh Jeannie, what a mystery!

31st March 2012.

What a day that was. It was the day I discovered what had happened to my Great Great Aunt Jeannie Gow. Over the past few months I’ve been writing up the story of how I discovered what had happened to her. It really did involve detective skills, cross checking, double checking, and triple checking documents, dates and names. It was a puzzle, and somehow, on the 31st of March 2012 all the pieces fell together. I took a break from writing the story to focus on University. Now that Uni is over for the year, I’m getting back into it.

Here’s a paragraph, a sneak peak at the story of dear old Jeannie:

Mid-semester break rolled up on the 31^st of March. I decided to dive into the genealogy again after taking a break to focus on my University studies. The Scottish 1911 census had been released on ScotlandsPeople last year, but at the time I dismissed it because none of my direct ancestors were in Scotland in 1911. They were either a) dead or b) living in another country. I thought about taking another look at the census – I went through the family tree to check who would have been in Scotland in 1911. I don’t know how I forgot about them, but the other sister Isabella had married and had a number of children. Although Isabella died in 1896, her husband John Reddoch and her children were still alive in Scotland in 1911.

You'll have to stay tuned to find out more...