| 15 March 2017 | ||
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STEVENSON family tree STEVENSON family summary STEVENSON ancestor chart |
Dr Geoffrey Mann geoff.mann@btinternet.com home page |
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| 3 George Stevenson | 4 Alexander STEVENSON 1810-1846 |
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| spouse's records | m Jane RONALD 1834 |
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Alexander was born about 1810, but the first known record is in 1832 when he is listed in the Aberdeen directory as a cabinet maker.
In 1833 aged 23, he advertised an organ for sale in the Aberdeen Journal and the following year
he married Jane RONALD at Aberdeen, his occupation being organ builder and cabinet maker. Two daughters were born in Aberdeen, but by 1837, Alexander was in London with his family working for the firm of Gray & Davison building organs. Alexander worked on the organ soundboards which required skilled woodwork. The shop books of this firm list at least eight organs that Alexander worked on from 1840 until December 1845. They include Calcutta Cathedral, the RC cathedral at Nottingham, and the Wesleyan church at Burnley. Three sons were born in London during this time, but Alexander contracted TB and died in University College Hospital in 1846 aged only 36. His young pregnant widow, bore another child (Rebecca) in London before returning to Aberdeen with all except her eldest daughter who remained in London with relatives. Jane lived at first with her relation, James THIRD, then with her married daughter Robina DOWNIE. She died in 1878 in Govan with another married daughter Jane WALKER. |
| age Date AS JR |
EVENT |
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1810 1832 22 1833 23 8Feb1834 24 24 18Sep1834 24 24 1Dec1835 25 25 c1836 1837 27 27 Sep1840 30 30 6Jun1841 31 31 2Jan1845 35 35 23May1846 36 36 25Sep1846 36 30Mar1851 41 7Apr1861 51 2Apr1871 61 11Feb1878 68 |
born, place unknown listed as a cabinet maker in Aberdeen advertised an organ for sale at Aberdeen m at Aberdeen St Andrews, Alexander was a cabinet maker and organ builder dau Jane C at Aberdeen dau Robina C at St John's (Episcopal) Aberdeen; Alex was a cabinet maker of Union St moved to London son Alexander born in London son John born in London at Melton Crescent, Euston, London with 4 children Alexander was an organ builder son George Ogilvie born 8.30am at 22 Melton Place Alexander died at University College Hospital of TB dau Rebecca born at 22 Melton Crescent, London Jane at 164 Gallowgate Aberdeen with George & Rebecca, and James THIRD Jane at 164 Gallowgate Aberdeen with John & Rebecca Jane at 162 Gallowgate Aberdeen with married dau Robina and Rebecca's dau Jane Jane died at 82 Langlands Rd, Govan of bronchitis and pneumonia |
PRINCIPAL RECORDS
b=born m=married d=died
C=Christened B=Buried
BIRTH
Alexander was born c1809/10 from age on death certificate, 1810/11 from age at burial, and before Jun1811 from 1841 census. The 1841 London census gave "no" as place of birth, ie England but not MDX. . From his son George's marriage certificate, he had a second name James. Alexander James was therfore born c1810, probably in England. His baptism however has not been found and the names of his parents or siblings are not known. The negative results of various searches are described at the end of this page. Alexander married in the Scottish Episcopal Church. Records of this church do not seem to be so complete aor available and thisis possiblyn the reason no records of Alexander's birth have yet been found.
MARRIAGE
from register of Aberdeen St Andrews (Episcopelian) chapel
m 8Feb1834 Alexander STEVENSON otp [St.Nicholas] cabinet maker and organ builder& Jane RONALD otp [St.Nicholas] dau of James dec merchant, Montrose
married in chapel by banns with consent of parties by Bishop W Skinner DD;
wit: James THIRD cooper; John RONALD shipmaster in Aberdeen
DESCENDANTS
Jane C 18Sep1834 Aberdeen
Robina C 1Dec1835 St Johns Aberdeen
Alexander b c1837 London (from census)
John Charles b c1840 London (from census)
George Ogilvie b 2Jan1845 St Pancras
Rebecca b 25Sep1846 St Pancras
register of Aberdeen St Nicholas:
C 18Sep1834 Jane d Alexander STEVENSON, cabinet maker & his spouse Jane RONALD;witness: James MOIR, pianoforte maker; James CHIVAS, grocer; bap by Right Rev Bishop Skinner
register of Aberdeen St John's (Episcopal):
C 1Dec1835 Robina d Alexander STEPHENSON, cabinet maker of Union St & Jane RONALD his wifeC 1Dec1848 b2Jan1845 George s Alexander STEVENSON dec organ builder of London & Jane RONALD his wife;
registered in psh of St Pancras London
C 1Dec1848 b25Sep1846 Rebecca d Alexander STEVENSON dec organ builder of London & Jane RONALD his wife;
registered in St Pancras London
birth certificates:
Rebecca STEVENSON girl b25Sep1846 5am at 22 Melton Crescentfa: Alexander STEVENSON dec organ builder; mo: Jane STEVENSON nee RONALDS
r 13Nov1846 by J STEVENSON of 22 Melton Crescent at Somers Town, St Pancras, MDX
George STEVENSON boy b2Jan1845 8.30am at 22 Melton Place
father: Alexander STEVENSON organ builder; mother: Jane STEVENSON nee RONALD
r 6Feb1845 by A STEVENSON of 22 Melton Place at James Town, St Pancras, MDX
marriage certificates
m 24Dec1859 at 164 Gallowgate Aberdeen by Bishop of Aberdeen after banns according to Scotch Episcopal ChurchGeorge DOWNIE bch age 24, Emslie's Court, 26 Gallowgate Aberdeen, ships carpenter
Robina STEVENSON age 24, 164 Gallowgate, Aberdeen
fathers: William DOWNIE tin smith journeyman; Alexander STEVENSON dec organ builder
mothers: Elizabeth DOWNIE nee COWIE; Jane STEVENSON nee RONALDS; witness: William WALKER; John Charles STEVENSON
m 23Jun1860 at St Paul's Chapel, Gallowgate Aberdeen by Fred.W.B.Bouverie according to forms of English Episcopal Church
William WALKER bch age 27, 52 St Clements St Aberdeen, ships carpenter journeyman
Jane STEVENSON spr age 25, 164 Gallowgate, Aberdeen
fathers: Charles WALKER dec coal store keeper; Alexander STEVENSON dec organ builder
mothers: Margaret WALKER nee BEGG; Jane STEVENSON nee RONALDS; witness: P[?].URQUHART; William ROBERTSON
m 30Nov1866 at Christchurch Rotherhithe Surrey after banns
John Charles STEVENSON full bch shipwright 38 Keetons Rd & Isabella URQUHART full spr dressmaker 38 Keetons Rd
f: Alexander STEVENSON organ builder; Peter URQUHART shipwright; w: Stephen X SMITH, Susannah X SMITH
DEATH
certificate
Alexander STEPHENSON male age 36, organ builder [b1810]d 23May1846 at University College Hospital of acute phthisis 20 weeks
r 30May1846 by Richard Quain MD pad of University College Hospital at Tottenham, St Pancras, MDX
Jane STEVENSON wid of Alexander STEVENSON organ buider,journeyman
d 11Feb1878 11.40am at 82 Langlands Rd, Govan; cause: bronchitis chronic, some years; pneumonia 9 days
fa:James RONALD dec, hair dresser; mo: Jane RONALD dec, maiden surname FAIRLIE;
informant:Jane WALKER daughter, 353 Govan Rd
Census
1841 London, Melton Crescent, Euston Grove
HO107/685 Bk5 f19
Alex STEVENSON 30 1810 J organ builder n
Jane STEVENSON 25 1815 S
Jane STEVENSON 6 1834 S
Robina STEVENSON 4? 1836 S
John STEVENSON 7m 1840 y
Alexander STEVENSON 3 1837 y
Donald GRANT 21 1819 J organ builder S
1851 162 Gallowgate Aberdeen
William ANDERSON he mar 33 1818 hairdresser Lhanbride, Morayshire
Ann ANDERSON wi mar 36 1815 Huntly, ABD
James THIRD wr wdr 80 1771 cooper (journeyman) Rathen, ABD
162 Gallowgate
Jane STEVENSON he wid 40 1810 Montrose, Forfarshire
George STEVENSON so 5 1845 scholar England
Rebecca STEVENSON da 3 1847 scholar England
also at 162: FINNIGAN family from Ireland, James WISHART, 46, pauper from Slains
1851 James St, Peterhead ABD
Thomas CHEYNE he mar 60 1791 retd seaman Longside ABD
Elizabeth CHEYNE wi mar 55 1796 Longside ABD
Robert CHEYNE so unm 13 1838 errand boy Peterhead ABD
Alexr J STEPHENSON vi unm 13 1838 scholar London MDX
John C STEPHENSON vi 11 1840 scholar London MDX
1851 Poplar
Jane Stephenson niece, 16, nursemaid, b Scotland at home of John and Margaret RONALDS and family. John was "N E Surveyor"; in 1861 he was a master shipwright in Southampton where he died in July; probate <£2000 P&O ship surveyor formerly of Tynemouth1851 Old Machar, Aberdeen
Robina Stevenson, 15 b England was servant at Ferryhill Place to Ann Dunn, 49 b Bellie BanffOTHER RECORDS
Aberdeen Directory
1832/33 cabinet maker, 16 Long Acre1834/35 cabinet maker, 5 Prince's St
Organ for Sale
Click here for images of Alexanders advertisements in the Aberdeen JournalSEARCH for ALEXANDER'S BAPTISM
born in England?
The 1841 London census gave "no" as place of birth, ie England but not MDX. Jane and two children were "S" for Scotland, while two children born in London were "yes"; so enumerator knew the rules. Search of various indexes gave the following Alexanders born in England within 5 years of 1810 with later local records
C 20Apr1806 s Francis & Elizh. STEVENSON St.Botolph Without Aldgate, London
no further records of this Alexander, but parent's names were not used by Alexander-4
C 30Aug1807 s George STEPHENSON & Margaret BROWN All Saints, Newcastle, Northumberland
1851: Argyll St, Newcastle: age 43 wdr
m16Aug1852 Ann CLARK at Monkwearmouth father: George Stephenson
C 21May1809 s Theophs. & Mary STEPHENSON Samlesbury, Lancashire
Alexander born 1811 to these parents, implies this Alexander died
C 28Dec1810 s Robert & Hanah STEVENSON Todmorden, Yorkshire, Wesleyan
1841 Rochdale age 30 tailor; Rochdale is 9 miles from Todmorden
Leeds Intelligencer 10 Nov 1849
Alexander Stevenson, stone mason of Quarry Cottage Walsden left his home in a good
state of health with the intention of going to his work at Rochdale, where
he had been lately working, and was found nearly dead on the highway between
Walsden and Rochdale. He was conveyed home and expired immediately. [Walsden
a few miles from Todmorden]
C 17Feb1811 s James STEPHENSON & Junia_ TAYLOR Stanwix, Cumberland
1841: Etterby St, Stanwix, age 30, blacksmith
C 1Sep1811 s Alexander & Rose STEVENSON Maresfield, Sussex
1851: ag lab in Maresfield age 39
C 6Aug1815 s Theophlies & Mary STEPHENSON Samlesbury, Lancashire
B 20Feb1817 at Samlesbury, son of Theophilus & Mary
All except the first can be eliminated because the Alexander was either buried or found locally in later census. The parent's names of the first were not used by Alexabder-4 for his own children and it seems unlikely that this is the correct one
born in Scotland?
If Alexander were born in Scotland despite the 1841 census record, there are at least 20 Alexander Stevensons in the OPR baptised within a few years of 1810. Only half of these can be eliminated by finding them in later records, so this approach is not helpful.born in Aberdeen?
There is only one suitable baptism in the OPR in the county of Aberdeen and that was in Aberdeen itself in 1807 son of William Stephenson and Mary Cullen. The following records however show that this Alexander moved to Peterhead after his mother married again, and became a sailmaker like his step-father so cannot be Alexander-4
m 31Jan1802 William STEVENSON, sailor, & Mary CULLEN, both in PeterheadC 20Nov1807 Alexander s William STEPHENSON sailor & his spouse Mary CULLEN at St Nicholas Aberdeen
m 6Feb1813 Charles CHRISTIAN & Mary CULLEN at Peterhead
census 1841 Charles CHRISTIAN 60 sailmaker; Mary CHRISTIAN 64; Alexander STEVENSON 33; Peterhead
census 1851 Alexander STEVENSON 43 sailmaker; Mary STEVENSON mother 75; Peterhead
census 1861 Alexander STEVENSON 53 sailmaker, born Aberdeen; Peterhead
Peterhead connection?
After Alexander-4 died in London in 1846, his wife Jane left her eldest daughter in London with her RONALD relatives and took the other five back to Aberdeen. In 1851, the three youngest were living with her in Abereen, Robina was in service in Aberdeen, but the two young boys, Alexander and Charles, were in Peterhead with the CHEYNE fanily. Why were they sent so far from their mother? I can find no Peterhead connection to their mother's families (RONALD, THIRD or FAIRLIE), but there was an established STEVENSON family of boat builders in Peterhead just a few streets from where the two boys were staying.
Stevenson family of Peterhead
James Stevenson m Isabella 1786 PeterheadAlexander 1789, Isobel 1793, Moira Moir 1793 in Peterhead
Alexander Mackie m Jane Stevenson 1786 Longside
James 1788, Isobel 1789, Alexander 1790, Jane 1793, Elizabeth 1794, Margaret 1797, James 1797, Mary 1798 Susan 1800 all at Longside
Alexander Stevenson m Elisabeth Mackay 27Jun1819 at Peterhead;
Mary 1818, Margaret 1820, Marie Moir 1822, Alexander 1824, Elizabeth 1826, James 1828, Joh Gilchrist 1831, Isobel 1836, William Bruce 1838 all baptised in Peterhead
1841 census Back Gate St, Peterhead
Alexander STEVENSON 50 ship builderElisabeth STEVENSON 45
Alexander STEVENSON 15 ship carpenter
with 5 other children and one grandchild
1851 census Back Gate Peterhead
Alexr STEVENSON 61 ship carpenter b PeterheadElisabeth STEVENSON 56 b Longside
with 2 children
Back Gate is just a few streets from where the two boys Alexander (13) and John (11) were staying in 1851. John became a ship carpenter in London. Did he learn the trade in Peterhead with the other Stevenson family? No relationship between them can be established however and the only possibility might be if Alexander, the ship builder born 1789 in Peterhead had a son Alexander c1810 prior to his marriage in 1819.