Sentimental Sunday~ Ronald Sivinski Hirst

Ronald Sivinski Hirst 1927-2011

~Happy Fathers Day Daddy~ 

Miss you so very much

Census Sunday~ The Allen Family 1901 London

Source Citation: Class: RG13; Piece: 339; Folio: 107; Page: 40.

Civil Parish:	St Mary Stratford Bow
Ecclesiastical parish:	St Mary
County/Island:	London
Country:	England

The 1901 Census for my Great Great Grandfather William Allen and 3 of the 4 children, my Great Grandmother Mother is Alice (Ada was married and living in Mile End). The census shows William still a widower ( his wife Mary died after the 1881 census and before the 1891 census) the family is living at 3 Walter Court in Bromley. William Sr. listed occupation is Slate Sander machine, his son William is a Slater moulder, daughter Jane is a confectioner and Alice is not shown as employed so she was most likely still in school. All 3 of the children still living at home are listed as being born in Bromely By Bow and William in Westminster.

Click on the Photos to enlarge

Sympathy Saturday~ C.Q.M.S. Alexander Imlah

The Aberdeen Journal

April 14, 1924

*C.Q.M.S IMLAH, BUCKIE.
 The death has taken place of C.Q.M.S Alexander Imlah, younger son of the late A. Imlah, grocer, Buckie.
Mr. Imlah went to France with the 6th Gordon Highlanders in 1914, and took part in various engagements, including Neuve Chapelle, Givenchy, and Loos. He was severely wounded at Loos in 1915, the effects of which he felt till the end.  He was recommended for a commission, but on account of his injuries he did not accept.
Mr. Imlah who was 34 years of age, was destined for the teaching profession, but on his fathers death before the war took up his business.  He was of genial disposition and was well Known in local musical circles. Possessed of a baritone voice of fine quality. He was always ready and willing to give his services in aid of local charities.

Alexander Imlah: my 1st cousin 3x times removed.
*CQMS :Company Quartermaster Sergeant

 

Friday’s Faces from the Past~ Mystery Relative

 

The above photo comes from Great Grandma Mary Bella Watson's photo album. The information on the back reads " Cousin of Mary or Marge".  A. Dinnie (Alexander Dinnie) was the photographer and was in business at 3 Langstane Place, Aberdeen from  1870 – 1887. I'm not sure for the clothing if the child in the photo is a boy or girl, but since they are holding a basket, I tend to think it is a female.

On This Day: June 06 1897

On this day in 1897 on High Street in New Pitsligo , Aberdeen,Scotland, my Great Great Uncle James Smith died from Brights Disease of the Kidneys. He was the son of James Smith and Jane Matthew, husband of Ann Taylor. His Occupation at the time of his death was Master Shoemaker.

Sunday's Obituary~1918 Alexander Imlah

Source: Aberdeen Evening Express July 22,1918

 

 

Buckie

 ------------

The Funeral of Mr. Alexander Imlah, grocer, took place to Rathven churchyard on Friday was largely Attended. Deceased, who was a native of New Deer, came to Buckie from Inverness 36 years ago, when he was 35 years of age. he started and carried on a grocer's business successfully. His sons are Lieut. W. Imlah and Corporal A. Imlah, of the Gordons, both of whom have been wounded. He is survived also by two daughters.


** My GG Uncle

        

Military Monday~ Peace and Goodwill Towards Men

The letter below was published on Wednesday, January 06, 1915 in The Aberdeen Journal, it was written to my Great Great Uncle Alexander Imlah from his son Walter, Lance Corporal in D Company of the 6th Gordon Highlanders. Walters letter describes Christmas morning in France during WWI when weapons were put down, gifts were exchanged and for a few days there was peace on Earth and Goodwill towards all.

Aberdeen Journal Jan. 06, 1915

EXPERIENCES OF BUCKIE MAN

MEETING WITH GERMAN EX-WAITER

  ------------

Lance -Corporal Imlah at present serving with D Company, 6th Gordon Highlanders, in France, writing home to his father, Alexander Imlah, grocer, High Street, Buckie says:
__" We were in the trenches for four days last week, coming out two nights ago. We had a remarkable experience last week in the trenches.  On Christmas morning I was sitting in our trench having breakfast when the word came along--
'The Germans are out of their trenches.' I couldn't credit it at first, but on looking over the top of the trench I was amazed to see large numbers of the Germans standing out in front of their trenches, all without arms.  Of course we didn't fire, and when some of the German officers appeared, some of ours got out and went over to them, to inquire, I suppose, the reason why their men were out of their trenches.  The German officers then said that they wished an armistice in order to bury their dead.  After some conterence, it was agreed to grant the armistice, the reason being that we had dead to bury.  Other sentiments also had something to do with it,  I think, for was it not Christmas Day, the day of peace and goodwill towards men?  We were all glad of the halt anyway, and soon we got started burying the dead.  Any of our men who were laying near the German trenches were carried by the Germans to a ditch midway between the trenches, where they were buried by us.  Any of their dead on our side of the ditch were carried there to be taken away by the Germans for burial.

GERMAN STUDENT AS A PRIEST.
Our padre, who very fortunately, had happened to come up to the trenches that morning, to wish us a Merry Christmas, arranged to have a service.  After the burials were completed, we lined up on opposite sides of the ditch, officers in front and burial parties in rear-- I was very proud to be one of our party on such an occasion.  Our padre then gave a shot service, one of the items in which was Psalm xxiii, Thereafter a German solider, a divinity student, I believe, interpreted the service to the German party.  I could not understand what he was saying, but it was beautiful to listen to him, he had such an expressive voice.  The service over, we were soon fraternising with the Germans, just as if they were old friends.  We have all heard of the terrible atrocities perpetrated by the Germans, but really from our intercourse with some them on Christmas Day, one could hardly believe them capable of the terrible acts that have been laid at their door.  Some of them could speak English fluently-- one had been a waiter in the Hotel Cecil, London-- and I gathered from them that they were pretty well tired of this horrible business.  Souvenirs in the the form of silver coins, pipes, cigarettes, tobacco, etc. they handed out all round, and anything we gave them in return seemed to be very much appreciated.  They all looked a happy lot any way, and seemed to be well cared for.

A COMPACT WITH THE ENEMY.
The armistice was supposed to last till 4 p.m. on Christmas Day, after which time we were told any man who left the trenches would take a risk of being fired at.  However, we ourselves made a compact with the enemy that there would be no shooting at all that day, and you may be sure we kept our promise, and next morning arrived without a shot being fired.  Again the news came that the Germans were out of their trenches, and sure enough there they were walking about.  Some of our chaps were soon over amongst them, and through the day several of them had shaves from the Germans, and souvenirs were continually passing.  We left the trenches that afternoon, and to-day I hear the armistice still continues,  each side evidently refusing to start firing.  This can't last, of course, but I hear that we are going to have an armistice again on New Year's Day, which is our day.  This comedy, for it has now developed into such,  is only occurring along our immediate front of course.
  I must now be finishing as the see the hour is getting late.  There is much more I might tell you of,  but it would take too much space to tell you everything, and I must have some regard for the poor censor, who has to read all this.  We have received Queen Mary's present-- a very handsome gift it is.  I will try to get it send home.

Sunday’s Obituary~ 1926 Walter M. Imlah

From the Aberdeen Journal dated October 4th 1926, this is the obituary for my 1st Cousin 3x removed, Walter Mackay Imlah. Walter died on October 2nd 1926, cause of death was meningitis.

Aberdeen Journal

OBITUARY

_______

 LATE MR. W. IMLAH BUCKIE.

 After a brief illness, the death occurred on Saturday morning of Mr. Walter Imlah, bank Agent at Cullen, who resided at High Street, Buckie.  Mr. Imlah, who for some years was agent of  the Union Bank, Pontnockie, was recently appointed to the Cullen agency.  He was the son of the late Mr. Alexander Imlah, grocer, Buckie,  and was well known in the town and district. Mr. Imlah served during practically the whole of the war in the Gordon Highlanders, and rose to the rank of lieutenant.  He was severely wounded in France.  Subsequently he took a great interest in the Territorials, and for some time was Acting Captain of B Company, 6th Gordon Highlanders, his promotion to that rank only being substantiated at the time of his death.
Mr. Imlah was a keen horticulturist, and was a successful grower of Fruit.  He was one of the leading spirits in the local horticultural society.  He was also for some years an energetic member of the Oratorio and Operatic Society, and it was greatly due to his ability as secretary for a period that the society was brought to the prominent position which it now holds in musical circles.  He was 43 years of age and leaves a widow and four young children.



Sunday's Obituary~ Margaret M. Imlah

March 29, 1899 Argus and Partriot (Montpelier VT) Pg. 3

 

Mrs. James Imlah died last Friday night after an illness of a week, from paralysis. She leaves a husband and four children. The funeral was held from the house Sunday Afternoon and the interment was in Elmwood cemetery.

 

 

Margaret Mair McMillian died March 24, 1899 she was the first wife of my GG Uncle James Imlah. She was born April 03, 1860 in Abderdeenshire Scotland. Her death certificate list the cause of death as paralysis, I  believe the paralysis may have been  a result of complications during child birth as Margaret gave birth a week before her death to their fourth child, a little girl named Margaret Mair McMillian Imlah.

Surname Saturday~ Middler

Surname: Middler

Variations: Middle, Middell, Middler, and possibly others this is a residential name, it is an English name that derives from the 7^th century word “Middel” and meaning either a place between two other villages, or a person (Middler) who worked in the centre of (probably) a town or village. Another possibility is that Middle could refer to a dry area or island on a marsh, in the days before the drainage of the dens and lying regions. 

JEAN MIDDLER: 5^th GREAT GRANDMOTHER

Jean Middler was born about 1738 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland; she married my 5^th Great Grandfather Charles Watson on the 15^th day of December 1768 in the Parish of Keithhall and Kinkell Aberdeenshire. Jean Middler died on the 24^th of February 1806 and is buried in the Kirkyard of Tarves in Aberdeenshire.

Jean Middler: 5^th Great Grandmother 1738-1806

       James Watson: 4^th Great Grandfather 1772-1856

             William Watson: 3^rd Great Grandfather 1803-1875

                   James Watson: 2^nd Great Grandfather 1844-1866

                          Mary Bella Watson: Great Grandmother 1866-1939

                                Melville Morrison Smith: Maternal Grandfather 1901-1945

                                          Doreen Mary Smith: Mother 1928-1967

                                            

Tombstone Tuesday~ Watson & Middler

                                                            

Used With Permission

The Kirkyard of Tarves

 Stone 352 ( Flat)

 In memory of Charles Watson late farmer in Cairnbrogie d. 18 Sept 1801 aged 64. Also Jean Middler his spouse d. 24 Feb 1806 aged 68. Also their son Charles Watson d. 18 Mar 1850 ages 81. Isabel Milne his spouse d. 31 July 1861 aged 86. James Watson their son d. Cairnbrogie 6 Sept 1872 aged 59. Also his son George d. 20 Apr 1882 aged 17 also his Grandson Robert Tough d. 19 Oct. 1884 aged 6. Also Isabella Wright wife of the above James Watson d. 1 May 1887 aged 63. Also Duncan Watson d. at Broadward 10 Apr. 1844 aged 32 and his father James Watson late farmer in Broadward d. 12 Sept 1856 and his spouse Margaret Paterson d. 2 Sept. 1863 aged 83. James Watson, Burnside, Schivies(sic) d. 16 Oct 1883 aged 78. Helen Gordon his wife d. 24 Jan. 1890 aged 71.

Stone 351 (Standing)

In Loving memory of John Watson South Burnside, Schiyas d. 25 Feb 1898 aged 43; his wife Helen Mitchell d. 20 Dec 1930 aged 75. Also their daughter Margaret M. Watson d. 24 May 1967. And their sons John, South Burnside,Schiyas 1889-1957; James Alexander, Glasgow, 1890-1971; Henry Gordon, New Jersey 1897-1977.

The flat stone  left of the Standing Gravestone is the grave of my 5th Great Grandparents, Charles Watson and Jean Middler, their Son James and his wife Margaret Paterson my 4th Great Grandparents. The Standing Stone is the grave of my 1st Cousin 4xs Removed and his family, his parents were James Watson and Helen Gordon.

When I started typing this post the other day, I didn't have a photo to go with it so I thought I would find one of the Kirkyard to add, you can imagine my delight,shock and Joy as I scrolled through the pictures Google Search had found for Tarves Kirkyard and noticed this one for my family~

 

Mystery Monday~

 

This is another picture from Great Grandma Watson's photo album. While many of the photos had a name on the back, this one did not. The collar on her dress looks like it could be a hood, which makes me think it is a Jacket she is wearing over her dress, perhaps she was getting ready to travel? I'm not sure of the year, if I had to venture a guess I would say 1885. I would love to hear from anyone that can help shed some light on the year and if it is a dress or Jacket she is wearing. 

 

Church Record Sunday~ Nov. 8th 1772

O.P.R. Births 243/00 0010 0274 Tarves

"November the 8th said day Charles Watson in Cairnbrogie had a sone Baptized in presance of the Congration named Jeams".

James Watson, my 4th Great Grandfather was born in the Parish of Tarves in Aberdeenshire Scotland, he was the son of Charles Watson and Jean Middler.

Church Record Sunday~ June 14,1761

O.P.R. 1761

The page above is from the Old Parish Register dated 1761 for the parish of Methlick in Aberdeenshire Scotland, the following entry recorded the death of my 7th Great Grandfather, Sebastian Davidson.

         "Davidson : Sebastian Davidson an old man in Meikle Methlick was buried"

I haven't located a record for Sebastian's birth but he was married in 1706, so I figure his age at the time of his death between 80 to 85.

Sunday’s Obituary ~Mary Ann Smith 1885-1971

Source: Unknown

Alexander, Mary--- At the Henderson General Hospital on Wednesday, July 14, 1971, Mary Alexander, widow of Robert B. Alexander, 7 Clifton Downs in her 87th year. Dear Mother of Clarence, and Cyril Alexander, Mrs. Murial Parker, Mrs. James Hyslop (Marjorie) and Mrs. Angelo Amorosi (Audrey), all of Hamilton. Also surviving are 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Resting at the Dodsworth and Brown Funeral Home, Main Street West at Bay from 7 p.m. Friday evening. Service in the Dodsworth Chapel on Monday at 2 p.m. Interment White Chapel Memorial Gardens.

Mary Smith Alexander my Great Aunt, daughter of James Fenton Smith and Mary Isabella Watson.

Surname Saturday~Allen

 Allen Name Meaning :English and Scottish: from a Celtic personal name of great antiquity and obscurity. In England the personal name is now usually spelled Alan, the surname Allen; in Scotland the surname is more often Allan. Various suggestions have been put forward regarding its origin; the most plausible is that it originally meant ‘little rock’. Compare Gaelic ailín, diminutive of ail ‘rock’. The present-day frequency of the surname Allen in England and Ireland is partly accounted for by the popularity of the personal name among Breton followers of William the Conqueror, by whom it was imported first to Britain and then to Ireland. St. Alan(us) was a 5th-century bishop of Quimper, who was a cult figure in medieval Brittany. Another St. Al(l)an was a Cornish or Breton saint of the 6th century, to whom a church in Cornwall is dedicated. Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137.

 My Maternal Great Great Great Grandfather: William Allen 1828-?:  Born abt. 1828 in England, I have no information about him other than he was a Mason, this information was recorded on my GG Grandfathers Marriage record.
 
My Maternal  Great Great Grandfather, William Allen  1853-? was born abt. 1853 in Westminster, England. William Allen married Mary Ann Christian at Saint Michale's And All Angels Church in Bromley on the 7th of October 1877. His occupation was a Slate sander. I believe William died between 1904 and 1911.

My  maternal Great Grandmother Alice Mary Allen  1885- 1928 : The youngest child of William Allen and Mary Ann Christian, born on the 20th of April 1885 in Bromley By Bow. The earliest record I have for Alice is a school admissions record dated Oct 27, 1890, it was this wonderful record that finally gave me her date of birth as I have not been able to locate a baptism or birth record for her. She attended Bow High Street School in Tower Hamlets. Alice married Daniel Cocklin in 1904, they remained in England until 1913 at which time they sailed for Canada with their children. When Daniel died in 1919, Alice returned to England for a year and then return to Canada. In 1924 She married James Mason and they had one child, she died in 1928 at the age of 43.

 

Merry Christmas To All~

 

Image(s) courtesy VintageHolidayCrafts.com

Merry Christmas ~

Tracie

Church Record Sunday~ August 04, 1905

The Baptism Record on the left belongs to Daniel Charles Cocklin my Great Uncle. I was surprised when I discovered the record as I don't remember ever hearing my Nana ( my Maternal Grandmother) talk of having an older brother, perhaps she didn't have many memories of him since he passed away in 1911 when she was only 4 years old or maybe I didn't ask enough questions when Nana was living that would of prompted her to share.
 Daniel was the first child born to my Great Grandparents, Daniel Cocklin and Alice Mary Allen, he was born on the 18th of March 1905 and Baptised on the 4th of August at St. John the Evangelist, at the time of his baptism the family was living at 40 Samuel St, my Great Grandfathers Occupation at the time was General Labourer, the Baptism was performed by W.J. Thorburn.

Amanuensis Monday~John Imlah Last Will And Testament

Amanuensis Monday – An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin – some we never met – others we see a time in their life before we knew them. A fuller explanation can be found here

 EXTRACT

WILL

OF

JOHN IMLAH

DECEASED.

 

ABERDEEN, 26th SEPTEMBER,1918.

PNTIA JOHN CAMPBELL LORIMER, K.C.

PRESENTED BY David Troup, Solicitor in Peterhead.

 



I, John Imlah, retired crofter, Weetingshill, New Deer, in order to regulate the settlement of my affairs in the event of my death, Do hereby appoint Mr Alexander Horne, Clothier, New Deer, and Mr Peter Crighton, Bank Agent, New Deer, or the survivor or     survivors of them to be my Executors and Trustees, and I hereby give, assign & dispone to them or the survivor of them my whole heritable & moveable estate, wheresoever situated, but that for the following purposes:- First, for payment of my just & lawful debts, sickbed & Funeral expenses & the expenses connected with the winding up of my affairs; Second for payment to the aforesaid Alexander Horne of the sum of Five pounds Stg and to the aforesaid Peter Crighton of the sum of Ten pounds Stg. Third for payment to my brother Alexander Imlah, of the sum of Fifty pounds Stg. But I direct that my Trustees & Executors shall pay this legacy only in the event of the said Alexander Imlah having paid before my will comes into effect, that is, before my death, the interest accrued on the loans amounting to One hundred & seventy pounds Stg which he has from me, and on which the interest is meantime considerably in arrears, Fourth for payment to the managers of the Congregational Church, New Deer for the funds of the congregation, the sum of Twenty pounds Stg. Fifth for the erection of a suitable tombstone on my grave in New Deer Cemetry (sic) the sum of Thirty pounds  Stg. Sixth I leave the whole residue of my estate, after deduction of the aforesaid debts expenses & legacies, to my wife Margaret/Margaret Watt or Imlah, in liferent. Seventh after my wife’s death I ordain & instruct my Executors & Trustees to pay the whole residue of my estate in equal portions among the following (that is one ninth part to each) my brother James Imlah   No. 1 Long Street, Barre Vermont, my natural son William Imlah, my natural daughters Barbara Imlah, Annie Imlah or Rankine (sic),  Jessie Imlah, Helen Georgina Imlah, my brother in law Cumming Smith, 188 Gerrard Street, Aberdeen, my sister Isabella Imlah or Kindness, and my sister in law Mrs Shirran or Imlah

:- IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have signed these presents at Weetingshills (sic),  New Deer this Nineteenth day of April Nineteen hundred and seventeen years before the following witness (sic), viz; Helen Connon or Kelman, Domestic Servant, Weetingshill, New Deer and Albert Taylor, Postboy, 87 Main Street, New Deer.

 (Signed) John Imlah

Helen Kelman Witness Albert Taylor Witness.

 

 

 

**John Imlah my GG Uncle, the son of Peter Imlah and Mary Wilson.

Church Record Sunday~ October 1790

The Baptism Record above belongs to my Great Great Great Grandfather, James Smith, the first born Child to Alexander Smith and Mary McDonald.  James was born and Baptised according to the record on the 11th Day of October 1790, in the Parish of Keith.

The record reads as follows:

"James lawful son to Al. Smith and Mary McDonald in the Brae of Glen Garrick was born
and baptized this day. Witnesses James and Agnes Longmoor at Brae and Mary Adamston
at Crosburn".

Timeline For John Imlah~



John Imlah and Margaret Watt

Peter Imlah and Mary Wilson’s son, John, was born in the parish of Methlick in October 1840 and baptised there on Sunday 25^th October. The family was probably living at Petty, Fyvie, at the time, and Mary may have gone to her parents’ home to have her first child.

The entry in the Methlick register reads:

25^th Oct^r

Peter Imlah in the parish of Fyvie had a child  baptized & named John before Witnesses William Mason in Chapelton & George Wilson in Braclay

The 1841 census shows John, aged eight months, living with his parents at Petty, Fyvie.
The 1851 census shows John with his parents at Whitebog of Culsh, New Deer. He is at school.
The 1861 census shows John at the farm of Little Millbrex, Fyvie, working as a ploughman for his cousin, James Imlay.

The 1871 census shows John working as a farm servant at Wester Greenskares, Gamrie.  On Tuesday 16^th May that year he had twins, Barbara and William, born at Backhill of Clenterty. Their mother was Barbara Donaldson, a crofter’s daughter. John and Barbara appeared before the Gamrie kirk session on Sunday 7^th May and were admonished. They appeared again on Sunday 4^th June. Both were admonished again and John was dismissed from church discipline as it was his ‘first lapse in fornication’. As this was Barbara’s second child, she was dismissed under censure and ordered to appear again on the first Sunday of July. However, nothing further appears in the minutes.

 On Monday 5^th July 1875  he had a daughter, Ann, born at Overbrae, New Byth. Her mother was Margaret Bain, a domestic servant. Margaret later married William Inglis, a general labourer.

On Thursday 29^th June 1876 John had another daughter, Jessie, born at 33 High Street, New Pitsligo, Tyrie. Her mother was Jessie Milne, a domestic servant. When he signed the birth certificate John gave his address as Millbrae, New Deer. Jessie Milne later married Alexander Milne, a crofter.

On Saturday 5^th August 1876 John had yet another daughter, Helen Georgina, born at Hill of Cook, New Byth. Her mother was Jane Bowie, a domestic servant. John again gave his address as Millbrae of Ironside, New Deer.

On Tuesday 4^th January 1881 John had a daughter, Lizzie Jane, born at West Mosstown, Lonmay. Her mother was Helen Mackie, a domestic servant. This time John’s name did not appear on the birth certificate. On Saturday 4^th December 1880 Helen, of Dartfield, Lonmay, had appeared before the New Deer kirk session and accused John Imlah, late of ‘Blairmaud’ (perhaps Blairmormond, Lonmay), now at Uppertown, Invernettie, Peterhead, of being the father. John was cited to attend the session on Tuesday 29^th March, but did not turn up. Helen brought a letter from him which seemed to deny guilt. On Sunday 2^nd October Helen brought a letter from John admitting paternity and on Saturday 10^th December, “after suitable admonition she was restored to Church privileges”. At no time did John appear before the session.

When his father died, John took on the croft at Millbrae of Ironside. The 1885-1886 valuation roll shows him as  tenant of the croft and house and also as tenant of another house there occupied by his sister Isabella and her husband, Alexander Kindness. The annual rent is £6. The landlord was James Dingwall Fordyce of Culsh, tutor-at-law of Alexander Dingwall Fordyce.

The 1891 census shows John Imlah as a crofter at Bridgefoot of Ironside, New Deer. The house has three rooms with a window. The rest of the household consists of his mother, Mary Wilson, who is described as an annuitant, and Maggie Smith, aged 17, a general domestic servant. Maggie Smith was John’s niece, the daughter of Cummin Smith and Mary Imlah.

The 1895-1896 valuation roll shows John as tenant of the “Croft and house, Millbrae”, and as tenant of the neighbouring house occupied by his widowed sister, Isabella. The rent is £6 0/6^d a year, including the value of £1 for Isabella’s house. The landlord was Alexander Dingwall Fordyce.
The 1901 census shows John at Bridgefoot, Ironside. The house has four rooms with a window. He is described as a crofter and forester’s labourer. The rest of the household consists of his sister, Isabella, who is his housekeeper, and her daughter, Williamina, who is at school.

By 1905 John was renting a croft and house at Weetingshill, New Deer, from Alexander Dingwall Fordyce. The valuation roll for 1905-1906 gives the rent as £8 1/4^d.

John Imlah married Margaret Watt at the Congregational manse, New Deer, on Saturday 27^th May 1905. The witnesses at the wedding were David Will and Jeannie Rae. Margaret, from Upper Weetingshill, was the daughter of Alexander Watt, farmer, and his wife, Margaret Ironside. Margaret, aged 57, was the widow of James Pyper. This was John's first Marriage, though he had 6 children at the time of this marriage, he never married any of the children's mothers.

The 1911 census shows John ‘Imlay’ at Weetingshill Croft. The house has four rooms with a window. John is described as a crofter. The rest of the household consists of his wife, Margaret, a native of New Deer, and John’s brother-in-law, Cummin Smith, who is described as a general labourer. Cummin is listed as a boarder.

The 1915-1916 valuation roll gives the rent of the croft and house at Weetingshill as £7 1/4^d.

Margaret Watt died at Weetingshill on Thursday 31^st May 1917, aged 75. The cause of death was chronic nephritis. The death was registered by a friend, P. Crighton, who lived at 1 Main Street, New Deer. He was probably Peter Crighton, the bank agent.

John Imlah died at the Royal Asylum, Aberdeen, on Wednesday 26^th December 1917, aged 77. The cause of death was chronic heart disease and bronchitis. The death was registered by William Morrice, the Asylum’s house steward. He described John as a former crofter and gave his usual residence as Weetingshill. He gave his age, wrongly, as 76.
John made a will on 19^th April 1917 nominating Alexander Horne, clothier, and Peter Crighton, bank agent, both New Deer, as executors. The value of his estate was £1,045 0/8^d.