On the 1881 census the occupants of Harvieston House were Adam Weir, domestic servant, John Brown, coachman and farm servant, Margaret Henry, domestic servant, Agnes Henry, domestic servant, and Isabella Henry, domestic servant. The owners of the house were not in residence. On the 1891 census the occupants were Margaret Henry, housekeeper, Agnes Henry, laundry maid and Isabella Henry, housemaid. Again the owners are not in residence. Finally on the 1901 census the occupants are Margaret Henry, cook (domestic), Agnes Henry. housemaid , and Isabella Henry, tablemaid. Again no owners, but this time there is a note after Margaret Henry's name which reads 'Family absent'.
These three Henry ladies are sisters and my first cousins, three times removed. Their grandfather William Henry is my third great grandfather. On the 1861 census Margaret, the oldest sister was in service with G. C. T. Cranstoun, a paper manufacturer in Chirnside, Berwickshire. Would this be a relation of the George Cranston, Laird of Dewar, mentioned by Roy?
The Henry sisters were apparently well looked after as on their death certificates Margaret Henry and Isabella Henry are both described as annuitants despite a lifetime in domestic service. Margaret died in 1930, age 89, and Isabella also died in 1930, age 79. Agnes died in 1920, age 72, but she was described as 'formarly domestic servant' with no mention of annuitant on her death certificate.
Any comments on the continual absence of the owners of the house, and were they still Cranstouns at that time>