ROBERT FISHER born about 1820, Portpatrick WIG SCT

[spades]

Hi everyone,

I have recently discovered that Robert FISHER, the son of William Fisher and Catherine MCGEE, emigrated to New Zealand, dying there in 1894.

In 1842 Robert married Agnes EWENS or EWINGS at Portpatrick. They had four children before Agnes’ death about 1850:

Catherine Fisher              born Stoneykirk parish about 1843
Rebecca Fisher         born Stoneykirk parish about 1845
Agnes Fisher         born Stoneykirk parish about 1847
Mansfield Ewings Fisher   born Kirkcowan parish about 1850. Died Inch parish 25 Dec 1858.

I do have two Census records for Robert:

1841 Census for Portpatrick, Wigtownshire.
Address: Colfin.
Catherine Mcgee   50   I       Yes
Robert FISHER      20   Ag. Lab.      Yes
Martha FISHER      20   F.S.       Yes

1851 Census for Inch, Wigtownshire.   
Address: Lochans Village.
Robert FISHER      Head   Widr   31 Ag. Lab.   b. Wig. Port Patrick
Catherine Fisher   Mother    Wid   69      b. Ireland
Catherine Fisher   Daur      8      b. Wig. Stoneykirk
Rebecca Fisher      Daur      6      b. Wig. Stoneykirk
Agnes Fisher      Daur      4      b. Wig. Stoneykirk
Mansfield Fisher   Son      1      b. Wig. Kirkcowan

Robert FISHER was at Inch in December 1858 when his son Mansfield died (he was buried in Inch churchyard on 27 December), but that is the last record I have of him until he turns up in Otago, New Zealand by 1867 (I haven’t found an emigration record).

Can anyone find out anything else about Robert’s life prior to his leaving Scotland?

I’m also interested in any information regarding his three daughters who I suspect remained in Scotland, and his wife Agnes, if possible.

Regards,

Spades

[suzilad]

Robert is still in Wigtownshire in 1861

High Boreland which is a farm in Inch Parish aged 41 farm labourer Wigtownshire
Catherine aged 18
Rebekah aged 16

If he was a widower in 1851 census looks like his wife Agnes died between 1850 after the birth of their son Mansfield and 1851
Must have gone sometime between 1861 and 1867


suzilad

[suzilad]

On 1871 census there is an Agnes Fisher born Stoneykirk aged 23 she is a dealer
and living at 25 St. Andrews Street Stranraer
also there is her son Peter born c 1869 Stranraer.

Looks like Rebecca had a son William on 4th April 1870 Stranraer
.

Of course this is a transcription you can confirm the information looking at the originals on Scotlands People.

suzilad

[suzilad]

Apologies if this info. is not flowing but this is what I have found.

Rebecca Fisher married William Allison 22 Dec 1873  Blysthwood Glasgow  she died in March 1893
at North Woodside Road Glasgow aged 48 father Robert Fisher a ploughman and mother Rebecca( I know her mother's name was Agnes but it does all seem to tie in ) m.s. Ewing both parents are dec. William was a shoemaker journeyman on her death cert and reg death.
This ties up with me finding Catherine on 1881 census born Stoneykirk at North Woodside Road Glasgow she was a laundress.
also staying there is a William Fisher whether this is her son or Rebeccas I am not sure as I for some reason can't get into back into family search

suzilad

[suzilad]

Agnes married James McEnally 12 May 1873 in Stranraer
she died 30 June 1883 in Stranraer

1881 Census   22 Hanover Street Stranraer
James McEnally aged 60 born in Ireland  a hawker
Agnes McEnally aged 33 born Stoneykirk Wigtownshire  Hawkers Wife
Peter McEnally aged 11 born Stranraer  c 1870 a Scholar
Mary  E McEnally aged 8 months born Stranraer


1881 Census for Rebecca and William Allison  7, West Bury Street Milton Glasgow.

William Allison b c 1844 Leswalt Wigtownshire shoemaker
Rebecca Allison is wife b c 1845 Stoneykirk Wigtownshire
Robert aged 13 born Stranraer a message boy
Maxwell aged 9 born Glasgow a scholar
Jane aged 7 born Glasgow a scholar
Rebecca aged 4 born in Glasgow
William aged 2 born in Glasgow.

and at the same address in 1891 7 Westbury Street Milton Glasgow
William aged 46 shoemaker born Leswalt Wigtownshire
Rebecca aged 46 born Stoneykirk Wigtownshire
Maxwell aged 19 an apprentice machinist  born Glasgow
Jane aged 17 French Polisher born Glasgow
Rebecca aged 14 scholar born Glasgow
William aged 12 scholar born Glasgow
Emily aged 9 scholar born Glasgow
Agnes aged 7 scholar born Glasgow
Frederick aged 5 scholar born Glasgow.


Catherine as far as I can find out never married but had a family

1891 Census  18 Hopehill Road Glasgow

Catherine  aged 48 born Stoneykirk Wigtownshire
William aged 24 son unmarried plumber born c 1867 Glasgow
Clara Bicknell (Fisher ) her daughter aged 19 born Glasgow
George Bicknell aged 21 Soldier (son in law )born in England.

Catherine also had a daughter Robina Fisher born c 1874 in Glasgow married Thomas Crawford c 1890 Glasgow and had a daughter Catherine Ann Fisher Crawford.

Hope this helps further your search.

suzilad

[spades]

Hi Suzilad,

Wow! Thanks a million for the treasure trove of information

The first thing to say is that it confirms my suspicion that Robert emigrated alone; the second is that he survived at least three of his children, perhaps all of them.

What made him leave his three daughters, all of whom were still unmarried and in their twenties, and travel to the far side of the world?

Thanks again, much appreciated.

Spades