JOHN MCWILLIAMS - MARY MATHERS

JOHN MCWILLIAMS parents are presently unknown.

According to his son Thomas' death certificate, John was a 'Cotton Weaver'. Thomas' death certificate also gives his father's name as 'Williams' - but this is probably an error.

Family legend has it that the McWilliams came from Ireland, descended from an Irish princess who fled from her family with her lover. The accuracy of this account has yet to be confirmed...

MARY MATHERS was born in County Armagh, Ireland, about 1778.

Daughter of JOSEPH MATHER, Gardener, and MARY HODGE. (Ref. her death certificate, GROS Ref. 1855, 627, 21)

Mary is in Culloch Burn, Cambuslang on the 1841 census, under her maiden name. Her occupation is Cotton Winder.

Children:

  1. Thomas McWilliam(s), born in Rutherglen and baptised on the 5th of April, 1807. (OPR Ref. 654/1, FR197)

    Married Margaret Thom, daughter of John Thom and Janet Lindsay. Listed on his mother's death certificate.

  2. John McWilliams, born in Rutherglen and baptised on the 12th of March, 1809 (OPR Ref. 654/1, FR201)

    John is listed on his mother's death certificate.

  3. William McWilliams, born in Rutherglen and baptised on the 17th of November, 1810 (OPR Ref. 654/1, FR206)

    William is not listed on his mother's death certificate.

  4. Agnes McWilliams, born in Rutherglen and baptised on the 25th of October, 1812 (OPR Ref 654/1, FR211)

    5. Presumably died young; a later child was also named Agnes.

  5. James McWilliams, born in Rutherglen and baptised on the 13th of March, 1814 (OPR Ref. 654/1, FR214)

    James is listed on his mother's death certificate, but his age is given as 34. This puts his year of birth at 1821. James was married to Janet Adamson (b. Lightburn c.1820). His occupation was "Puddler". They had at least five children, three of whom died in infancy.

  6. Mary McWilliams, born in Cambuslang and baptised on the 13th of March, 1816 (OPR Ref. 627/1, FR122)

    Mary is listed on her mother's death certificate as "dec at 38 in 1849". This puts her year of birth at 1811. She is with her mother in Culloch Burn on the 1841 census. Her occupation is Hand Loom Weaver Cotton.

  7. Elizabeth McWilliams, born in Cambuslang on the 4th of September 1818. (OPR Ref. 627/1, FR126)

    OPR index has her mother's name as Mary MELLIS. Elizabeth is listed on her mother's death certificate. She is with her mother in Culloch Burn on the 1841 census. Her occupation is Dress Maker.

  8. Alexander McWilliams, born in Cambuslang and baptised on the 4th of March, 1821 (OPR Ref. 627/2, FR251)

    9. Presumably died young; a later child is also named Alexander.

  9. Jane McWilliams, born in Cambuslang and baptised on the 17th of November, 1823 (OPR Ref. 627/2, FR256)

    Jane is listed on her mother's death certificate, but her age is given as 30. This puts her year of birth at 1825.

  10. Alexander McWilliams, born in Rutherglen and baptised on the 12th of January, 1825 (OPR Ref. 654/3, FR477)

    Alexander is listed on his mother's death certificate, but his age is given as 32. This puts his year of birth at 1823.

  11. Agnes McWilliams, born in Cambuslang and baptised on the 22nd of June, 1828 (OPR Ref. 627/2, FR264)

    Agnes is not listed on her mother's death certificate, but this may be due to lack of space!

John is believed to have died in Cambuslang in 1832. There is a mortcloth record for 'John McWilliam', died of cholera, dated 7th September 1832.

Mary appears to have remarried at some point, to William Allan, a Cotton Weaver. The OPR index has an entry for William Allan and Mary Mather in Cambuslang on the 27th of September 1834. (OPR Ref. 627/2, FR356) It is unlikely that there were any children from this marriage.

William Allan died before 1855. He may have died before 1841 - he is not with Mary on the 1841 census.

Mary died a pauper in lodgings at Bushyhill, Cambuslang, on the 13th of April 1855. Her death certificate gives her maiden name as MATHER, and her previously married name as MCWILLIAM. She was buried in Cambuslang Churchyard.