Argyll Arms and Rockburn Cottage

[thommoje]

 I am still searching for clues about Alexander Purdie and Mary Morrison who ran the Argyll Arms in Inverary from 1851.
            Alexander 1820, died young in 1854 and in the testament of the estate, mention is made of Rockburn Cottage where he obviously lived. Do either of these buildings survive today?
              As I live in Australia, it`s a bit difficult to pop over for a look. Mary must also have died young, I think.
               Any info. would be so welcome, Regards, Jean

[hume]

Could you tell us the age of Mary? I have found a 43-year-old Mary Purdie (other surnames: Morrison) dying in Lanark in 1892 so obviously not your's but we may be able to find her quicker with her birthdate. 

[thommoje]

  Hello Hume 24, Mary Morrison was born in Inverary on 23 March 1821 to John Morrison and Jean McAuslan.
                          She married Alexander Purdie on  6 April, 1846. Alexander would seem to have been the only child of Alexander Purdie, baker , harbour master , water baille and burger of Inverary who died in1822.
                            The thread peters out from there. Thanks for your help, Regards, Jean

[hume]

I must be missing something as I can't find anything in Argyllshire for Mary Purdie, birthdate 1821. I've even extended that by five years but still nothing.  Could it be that she moves with a relative, especially if Alexander predeceased her?

As you already have their marriage date, here's their two sons:

• ALEXANDER PURDIE
  Christening: 14 MAR 1847 Inveraray And Glenaray, Argyll, Scotland
• JOHN PURDIE
  Christening: 01 APR 1849 Inveraray And Glenaray, Argyll, Scotland

[thommoje]

  Hi Hume 24 , Alexander 1847 is my Grandfather and his brother John 1849.
                             I experienced the same problem. Mary just disappears off the radar.
                              Alexander and Mary were proprietors of the Argyll Arms from 1851. Alexander died in 1854 and his estate testament makes no mention of assets passing to Mary. This may or may not be significant.
                              In the 1851 Census, Janet Purdie ( formerly Greig) who is Alexander`s mother is living in the house wih young Alexander , aged 4. No mention of Mary or little John aged 2.
                              Both Alexander 1847 and John 1849 grew into manhood.
                               I imagine that John was with Mary on census night 1851 - but where are they?
                                Mary`s family of Morrisons were from Inverary also.
                                  She was a child of John Morrison ( fish curer and merchant) and Jean McAuslan - I believe from Dumbarton.
                                  Where is Mary?
                                  Thanks for trying to help, Regards, Jean

[Burrow Digger]

If Mary was a widow - wouldnt it make sense that she got married again - thereby changing her surname?
It was very common for widows to remarry fairly quickly - often within 12 months.
The men seemed to have this attitude that the women didnt know how look after themselves.

My 3x gt grandmother was widowed in 1839 and was remarried in 1840. It took me 5 years to find her and the kids in the 1841 census - because she had changed her name, and the kids surname was badly mistranscribed.

[thommoje]

  Hi Burrow Digger, You could well be correct.
          I do know that John Purdie 1849 lived to manhood so I guess I need to try harder to find him in the 1851 census and the 1861 for that matter. Will keep trying, Regards, Jean

[hume]

Have you got any of John's certificates, i.e. marriage or death? Sometimes (but not always) they will refer to the mother re-marrying after their husband's death. So on John's, it would be similar to:

Mary Purdie
afterwards ?
M.S. Morrison

[thommoje]

  Hi Hume 24, I know John did not marry - so no help there.
                      Most recent finding is in the 1901 census, living in his brother Alexander`s household - that of my mother and Grandfather.
                       Perhaps I could find his death certificate.
                       There are two possibilities on the 1851 census that I should look at - no credits at the moment.
                        Thanks again, Jean