I have looked for Hugh STEWART’s death in the online ScotlandsPeople indexes without success. If he chose to end his misery and an unidentified body washed up on shore how was that death recorded in the indexes?
If you think you might be able to help, here is what we know about Hugh:
Hugh STEWART was born about August of 1846 in Port Ellen, Kildalton, the son of tinsmith John STEWART and Mary McCAIG. He has been found on all census records 1851-1881. No baptism has been found. At age 17 (in 1864) he enlisted into the British Army at Greenock giving age and place of birth. He was medically discharged 1876 (tuberculosis). Upon discharge he was going to Calton, Glasgow where siblings were living.
Hugh gave his occupation as Mason’s labourer on his marriage and on most census records.
Hugh STEWART married Catherine McEWING in Campbeltown December 1, 1885. Their son Robert McEwing Stewart was born in 1886. Mother Catherine Stewart was the informant on the registration. Both Catherine and son Robert (her only child) used the McEwing surname the remainder of their lives. Catherine is shown as unmarried on the census in 1891 and married in 1901. I have not yet found her in the 1911 census although I have tried. She spent the remainder of her life near her McEwing family in Machrihanish near Campbeltown. On her death registration in 1921 the informant (her brother) said that Catherine Stewart was married. I don’t think the McEwing family knew if Hugh Stewart was dead or alive. He was never spoken of and his son never met him.
Having been discharged in 1876 due to his T.B. he may not have lived much beyond the marriage December 1, 1885.
Hugh Stewart’s siblings appear in Glasgow Poor Law records in the 1870s and 1880s. Although the information contained was valuable it does not refer to a relative named Hugh Stewart.
Hugh is my friend’s grandfather. I’d like to be able to help my friend complete her grandfather’s story. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Donna Fraser
Canada
