Joseph Watson born Aberdeen 1809

[MonicaL]

How about this 1841 census entry for James with family in Montrose:

George Christie 40 Linen P L W b. Angus
Margt Christie 35
James Christie 20 Linen P L W b. Scotland
Christina Christa 15 Linen P L W b. Angus
John Christa 15
Margt Christa 14
Andrew Christa 13
George Christa 11
David Christa 9
Alex Christa 7
William Christa 5

Address: Market Street, Montrose

Only James above seems to show as born outside of the county of Angus. Limited info always on the 1841. Relationships withing the household not included.

The Margaret above seems too young to also be mother to Joseph perhaps who you have born c. 1810.  Unless the Margaret above is a second/further wife to George? Ages in 1841 were also supposed to be rounded down to the nearest 5yrs for everyone over 15.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Getting potentially more complicated and distant with names here!

Think the George above in 1841, if James' father, was on to a next marriage to a Margaret Cobb.

Marriage likely this one https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTKM-C8S

Most of the children's birth/christenings, starting with Christina's such as here https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XBDR-6L4 are on FamilySearch in Montrose.

All needs more work though before we can think we are on the right line...

Monica

[MonicaL]

....a George Christie though I am a little doubtful as to whether the son Joseph Christie knew his grandfather`s name correctly as he did not know his grandmother`s at all. He gave George Christie`s occupation as store keeper.

For the George we have found in Montrose, I like the look of his occupation in 1861:

George Christie 62 Provision Dealer b. Arbroath, Forfarshire
Mary Ann Christie 18 daughter
Robert Christie 16 son

Address: 39 E Castle St, Montrose

Maybe George's death cert (potentially in 1870 Montrose) would provide more details on possible first marriage? Sometimes first spouses are named on death certs.

From other people's research, this birth is given as being George's https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XBC3-JZR  James for father's name would fit with Scottish naming pattern. Need to verify this info though.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Now I have found his will which gives tantalising clues but they have not helped me either. After legacies to his grandchildren he left these:

"to Janet Aikin of Woodside Aberdeen granddaughter of Mrs Robbie £300

A chunky amount to have left in those times (approx £18k - www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency/results.asp#mid) . More than to his half brother, James. Have you seen this 1891 census entry:

Janet Robbie 81 [Sup by Fame] as trascribed b. Aberdeen
Janet Aiken 19, grandchild, domestic servant b. Woodside

Address: 205 Barron St, Woodside/Aberdeen Old Marchar

1881:

Alexander Robbie 72 Causeway Stone Dresser b. Cruden Aberdeenshire
Janet Robbie 71 b. Aberdeen
Elizabeth Campbell 19 boarder
Janet Gerrie 18 boarder

Address: Barron St, Old Marchar

Maybe this for their marriage and the first real clue to the WATSON surname hopefully. https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTJW-1VQ

Monica

[Forfarian]

Looks like the family of George Christie and Margaret Cobb:

Christina, 4 January 1824    
John Melvill, 16 July 1825
Margaret Thomson, 16 April 1827
Andrew, 16 April 1829
George , 4 August 1831
David, 12 September 1833
Alexander, 3 July 1835

There is an MI in Montrose Parish Kirkyard which has been transcribed as
1836 by Geo Christie & Margt Cobb to mo Helen Gow 25.10.1806 43, fa Jas Christie 11.6.1835 68, bro Wm 25.10.1822 27

James Christie and Helen Gow were married in 1792, banns recorded in both Arbroath and Montrose. Children
Jean, 19 March 1793
James, 14 March 1795
William, 7 January 1797
George, 19 December 1798
Helen, 15 February 1801
Ann, 12 October 1802
John, 15 April 1804
Andrew, 14 February 1806    
all born Arbroath except Andrew, born Montrose. Not that it helps you with Joseph Watson.

[MonicaL]

The list I thought was quite comprehensive for George and Margaret's children (no gaps really in the early years). Gives some hope that the James in 1841 is his son. Maybe he was quite a bit younger that James' mother?

Need more info! I am hopeful that the Robbie side might give some clues as to possible WATSON father's name for Joseph....maybe!

Monica

[MonicaL]

A lot of daughters for Janet Watson/Robbie! 10 girls and 1 boy (Alexander) from what I can see. This for example is 1861:

Alexander Robbie 52 Cunseway (causeway?) Shoe (stone?) Dresser (transcription!) b. Cruden
Janet Robbie 51 b. Old Marchar
Janet Robbie 30
Margaret Robbie 28
Barbra Robbie 21
Mary Ann Robbie 18
Jean Robbie 14
Harriet Robbie 11
Charlotte Robbie 9
Emma Robbie 7

Address: 235 Barron St, Old Marchar

I am hopeful (optimistic  ) that Janet Watson/Robbie might be a sister maybe to Joseph. Just wondering why Janet's grandchild Janet who received Joseph's bequest of £300...is still likely working in 1901:

Alex Catto 49 builder joiner b. Aberdeen
Charlotte Catto 49 b. Aberdeen
Janet Aiken 29 niece domestic servant b. aberdeen

Address: 488 Gt Northern Rd, Aberdeen Woodside

Why was it only Janet Aiken that received a bequest by Joseph, apart form James Christie? Why, why, whys??? 

Monica

[sheeptaurus]

Wow. Thank you so much for all your help. It`s such a nuisance I have to do some work!!! I have not had time to digest everything yet.

But here`s some info I do have:
I`ve rechecked James Christie`s death 1896 cert - it does say widower of Helen Scott though I could still read it as Leeth. Father George occupation ".....store keeper" I think.
Checked 1851 census for James and Helen - I still think it says born  Aberdeenshire Aberdeen but it could  perhaps be Maude?
Many thanks for the David Findlay Christie birth - I have started using Familysearch more lately but had not found that- I checked Scotspeople - he died 1860 age  1.

Joseph Watson wrote his will in 1893 so Mrs Robbie had died by then - perhaps Janet Aikin or her mother had been to London or something?? perhaps he knew she needed the money?? Whilst it was a goodly sum he left £53,992  which was millions then- as my aunt asked me where did it all go?! He was a builder in London, very lucrative it seems and I do not know that that figure includes all the property he left which would be worth a fortune today! 

And thanks for the MI that seems to be ours.

Going to see what more I can find.
Many thanks

[sheeptaurus]

George Christie died 10 April 1870 Montrose Angus.
Married to Margaret Dingwell
Linen Factory Powerloom Overseer
Parents James Christie dec. sawyer and Margaret Gow
Residence Townhead, Montrose
Informant son Andrew Christie
Age 72


Just got this from the death cert -hope it may be of use to someone else.