Shona
20-11-12, 18:21
These questions relate to my earlier posting today on the 1 x great grandparent thread.
In 1866, Duncan McIsaac, had a son, Malcolm, with Janet (Jeanie/Jennie) Sheddan.
I have a copy of legal papers from the National Archives of Scotland relating to Malcolm:
'Janet Sheddan, residing at Charlotteton, Killean and Kilkenzie, v Duncan McIsaac, farm servant, residing at Barlea, 1866, action for affiliation and aliment.'
The papers summon Duncan McIsaac to appear in court in order to establish aliment in respect of the costs of the birth and to provide for the child until the child is aged seven. The sum Duncan is asked to pay is £1 10s a quarter.
In 1871, Malcolm McIsaac is living with his grandmother, great-aunt and family, although he is described as 'cousin'.
Paisley farm, Killean
Mary McCaffer, 64, head, retired farmer
Neil McCaffer, 26, son, ag lab
Margaret McCaffer, 22, daughter, teamster (?)
Catherine McCuaig, 12, grand daughter, scholar
Mary McIsaac, 63, sister, shepherd's wife*
Malcolm McIsaac, 5, cousin
* She is actually widowed at this time.
Janet is with her father and young stepmother at the farm of Charlotteton in 1871. She is single. Janet, died at the age of 29 in 1876. She is described as single.
When Malcolm later married, his parents were decribed as Duncan McIsaac and Janet nee Sheddan (deceased).
I have several questions relating to Malcolm and his parents:
1) I haven't found a birth record for Malcolm under the name McIsaac or Sheddan (and variants) in the area. As Janet was the daughter of a fairly well-off farmer from Ayrshire, could she have been sent away for the birth of her illegitimate son? I have looked elsewhere, but no luck tracking down a birth.
2) In spite of legal papers summoning Duncan to appear in court regarding maintenance, did this go through? How can I find out? Malcolm is not with his mother in 1871, but with his father's family, which implies that the court case may not have gone ahead.
3) How does £1 10s a quarter relate to the average agricultural labourer's wage in the 1860s and 1870s.
4) Did Duncan run away to America to avoid paying aliment, as I was told by older members of my family when I was a young lass. I can't find any record of this, although Duncan's obit in the local papers says he did go to America. One of my late great-uncles told me he had the idea Duncan was quite young when he went to America.
5) Was Malcolm 'saving face' when he implies his father and mother were married?
I have pondered over this questions for some time and would appreciate any hints, views, opinions, etc, please.
In 1866, Duncan McIsaac, had a son, Malcolm, with Janet (Jeanie/Jennie) Sheddan.
I have a copy of legal papers from the National Archives of Scotland relating to Malcolm:
'Janet Sheddan, residing at Charlotteton, Killean and Kilkenzie, v Duncan McIsaac, farm servant, residing at Barlea, 1866, action for affiliation and aliment.'
The papers summon Duncan McIsaac to appear in court in order to establish aliment in respect of the costs of the birth and to provide for the child until the child is aged seven. The sum Duncan is asked to pay is £1 10s a quarter.
In 1871, Malcolm McIsaac is living with his grandmother, great-aunt and family, although he is described as 'cousin'.
Paisley farm, Killean
Mary McCaffer, 64, head, retired farmer
Neil McCaffer, 26, son, ag lab
Margaret McCaffer, 22, daughter, teamster (?)
Catherine McCuaig, 12, grand daughter, scholar
Mary McIsaac, 63, sister, shepherd's wife*
Malcolm McIsaac, 5, cousin
* She is actually widowed at this time.
Janet is with her father and young stepmother at the farm of Charlotteton in 1871. She is single. Janet, died at the age of 29 in 1876. She is described as single.
When Malcolm later married, his parents were decribed as Duncan McIsaac and Janet nee Sheddan (deceased).
I have several questions relating to Malcolm and his parents:
1) I haven't found a birth record for Malcolm under the name McIsaac or Sheddan (and variants) in the area. As Janet was the daughter of a fairly well-off farmer from Ayrshire, could she have been sent away for the birth of her illegitimate son? I have looked elsewhere, but no luck tracking down a birth.
2) In spite of legal papers summoning Duncan to appear in court regarding maintenance, did this go through? How can I find out? Malcolm is not with his mother in 1871, but with his father's family, which implies that the court case may not have gone ahead.
3) How does £1 10s a quarter relate to the average agricultural labourer's wage in the 1860s and 1870s.
4) Did Duncan run away to America to avoid paying aliment, as I was told by older members of my family when I was a young lass. I can't find any record of this, although Duncan's obit in the local papers says he did go to America. One of my late great-uncles told me he had the idea Duncan was quite young when he went to America.
5) Was Malcolm 'saving face' when he implies his father and mother were married?
I have pondered over this questions for some time and would appreciate any hints, views, opinions, etc, please.