Robert Struthers – Ann Wilson

Robert Struthers, born in Avondale, Lanarkshire c. 1834Year of birth estimated from census returns and marriage and death certificates, son of Robert Struthers and Sarah Wilson.National Records of Scotland, 1908 Deaths, 621/20

Robert is at West Side Farm, Avondale on the 1841¹ and 1861² Census. This was his probable place of birth. In 1851 he is possibly at Eastfield Farm, Galston, Ayrshire, employed as a Farm Servant.³

Ann Wilson, born at Redding Farm, Avondale on 17 October 1844National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Records, 1844 621/40/151, daughter of John Wilson and Agnes Young.National Records of Scotland, 1913 Deaths, 621/63

Ann is at Redding Farm on the 1851⁴ and 1861⁵ Census.

Robert and Ann were married at Redding Farm on 2 June 1868.National Records of Scotland, 1868 Marriages, 621/24

Officiated by Robert Reid Rae, Minister of Avondale.

Witnessed by Andrew Struthers and John Wilson.

Robert and Ann are at Side Farm on the 1871⁶, 1881⁷, 1891⁸ and 1901⁹ census.

Ann, now widowed, is in Kirk Street, Strathaven on the 1911 Census.¹⁰

CHILDREN

Robert Struthers, born at Side Farm on 23 March 1869.National Records of Scotland, 1869 Births, 621/47

Robert is at Side Farm on the 1871, 1881 and 1891 Census, latterly employed as a Shepherd.

Robert married Isabella Cochran Pate (b. Strathaven, Lanarkshire on 20 March 1870¹¹), daughter of James Pate and Barbara McLanachan, at Allarstocks Farm, East Kilbride on 15 January 1896. Robert was then working as a Farmer at Arkland Farm, Penpont, Dumfriesshire.¹²

Robert and Isabella are at Arkland Farm on the 1901¹³ and 1911¹⁴ Census.

Robert died at Arkland Farm on 9 November 1924, age 55.¹⁵

Isabella died at Arkland Farm on 23 May 1942, age 72.¹⁶

John Struthers, born at Side Farm on 16 November 1871.National Records of Scotland, 1871 Births, 621/173

John is at Side Farm on the 1881 and 1891 Census, latterly employed as an Elementary Schoolteacher.

John married Mary McCowan (b. Neilston, Renfrewshire on 17 October 1870¹⁷), daughter of David McCowan and Ann McIntyre, at Holehouse, Neilston on 28 June 1895. Mary was also a Teacher; her father was a Grocer.¹⁸

John and Mary are at 14 Percy Street, Govan, Lanarkshire on the 1901 Census.¹⁹

John and Mary spent many years in Japan; one of their sons, Robert, was born in Tokyo in 1911. The following biography of John was obtained from the Asiatic Society of Japan:²⁰

JOHN STRUTHERS, M.A., B.Sc., M.B.E., was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1871, graduated from Glasgow University, and lectured in agricultural chemistry at the Glasgow Agricultural College before coming to Japan to a commercial position as manager for the Chilean Nitrate of Soda interests in the Far East. In addition to nine years on the council, he held the onerous position of treasurer for fourteen years between 1913 and 1936, a grand total of twenty-three years as an officer. Struthers’ colleague in the Chilean Nitrate Company, N.K. ROSCOE, an Englishman, was treasurer of the Society from 1922 and 1930. On his return to London, Roscoe became, around the years 1935-1937, advisor to the Japanese Embassy.

Asiatic Society of Japan

The above mentioned N.K. (Norman Keith) Roscoe was John’s son-in-law, married to his daughter Annie. During the Second World War he worked with the Japanese section of the codebreakers at Bletchley Park.²¹

John and Mary are living at 39 Manor Way, Croydon, Surrey on the 1939 England and Wales Register. John’s occupation is Retired Agricultural Chemist.

John died at Croydon University Hospital on 1 April 1947, age 74. His usual address is given as 39 Manor Way, Croydon.

Mary died at 11 Summerside Street, Leith, Midlothian on 12 January 1959, age 88.²²

Gavin Struthers, born at Side Farm on 27 July 1873.National Records of Scotland, 1873 Births, 621/105

Gavin is at Side Farm on the 1881 and 1891 Census, latterly as a ‘Farmers Son/Ploughman’.

Gavin married Isabella Morrison Craig (b. Bankend Farm, Avondale on 27 April 1876²³), daughter of Alexander Craig and Jane Fleming, at Bankend Farm on 8 November 1898.²⁴

Gavin and Isabella are at High Glenmuir Farm, Auchinleck, Ayrshire on the 1901 Census²⁵ and at South Halls Farm, Avondale on the 1911 Census²⁶.

Isabella died at North Halls Farm, Avondale on 2 March 1948, age 71.²⁷

Gavin died at North Halls Farm, Avondale on 7 August 1956, age 83.²⁸

Agnes Young Struthers, born at Side Farm on 8 November 1875.National Records of Scotland, 1875 Births, 621/151

Agnes is at Side Farm on the 1881, 1891 and 1901 Census.

Agnes married William Scott (b. Avondale, Lanarkshire c.1870²⁹), son of William Scott and Agnes Davidson, at Side Farm on 23 December 1903.³⁰ William was then at Dalfram Farm, Muirkirk, Ayrshire, but in 1901 he had been employed at Side Farm as a Ploughman.

Agnes and William are at Dalfram Farm on the 1911 Census.³¹

Agnes died at 2 Whitelees Road, Lanark on 29 August 1950.³²

Sarah Wilson Struthers, born at Side Farm on 1 January 1878.National Records of Scotland, 1878 Births, 621/4

Sarah is at Side Farm on the 1881, 1891 and 1901 Census.

Sarah married John Craig of Guelt Farm, Old Cumnock, Ayrshire (b. Avondale, Lanarkshire c.1874³³), son of John Craig and Margaret Craig, at Side Farm on 9 July 1902.³⁴

Sarah and John are at Guelt Farm on the 1911 Census.³⁵

Sarah died at Netherholm, Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire on 17 April 1953.³⁶

DEATHS

Robert died at Side Farm on 30 March 1908, age 74.³⁷

Ann died at 91 Kirk Street, Strathaven on 4 December 1913, age 69.³⁸

REFERENCES