ALEXANDER BAXTER of Muswellhill

[KGarrad]

Slight problem?

No death on FreeBMD for an Alexander Baxter in 1917?!

[avm228]

Slight problem?

No death on FreeBMD for an Alexander Baxter in 1917?!

Alexander Laing Baxter and family were in Scotland until at least the 1881 census, and the OP's reference to Elderslie suggests at least some of the family stayed in Scotland, so perhaps he died there?

[Fransmoi]

His nephew  used to stay with him in London on his way to and from business in Spain .His uncle Baxter did not have middle names and the memory of the picture arriving in Elderslie, Scotland is from the son of that nephew who says it was post war.One more tiny clue was his involvement with supplying Bell ? taxi meters - perhaps imported from Sweden.His 1917 home was a substantial one and I'd hoped to find a will/probate but am stuck with neither place nor dates.
His sisters were close to the nephew but there is no memory of the brother back in Scotland.They were all a chatter that their mature brother had married a much younger woman !
Thanks folks,
Fransmoi.

[avm228]

The marriage at reply #5 was to a significantly younger woman. Mary Agnes Merrylees was born in Islington in 1884. Her family later moved to the Hornsey area near where Alexander Baxter lived, and electoral rolls show that her parents lived next door to Alexander and Mary Agnes in Crescent Road, Crouch End after their marriage (1935-1936).

[Fransmoi]

Yes I liked the look of this one myself but the family member is quite sure of the post war period .The Swedish taximeter link has yielded a possible in the Highgate 1911 census but of no use since we already  know his 1917 address .I will try for the marriage you mention as it will show his Scottish parents if correct.What a team !
Fransmoi.

[avm228]

The suggested death of Alexander at reply #3 with corresponding grant of probate at reply #4 is in 1937, so only shortly before the war. It's perfectly possible I would think that the estate, albeit not a huge estate, took some time to administer thereafter (especially given the intervention of the war) and the distribution of chattels may have taken place over some years.

[Fransmoi]

The marriage certificate arived today confirming his marriage to Mary Agnes Merrylees on 20 July 1929 at the Presbyterian Church ,Regent Square , St Pancras.
He was by then 56 yrs old  the widowed son of forester  Alexander Laing Baxter and the manager of a taxi meter company residing 245 Grays Inn Rd.
His new bride is 45 years of age from 6 Coolhurst Rd, Crouchend and the daughter of Thomas Merrylees retired banker.
The witnesses were Mary B Merrylees and James Forrest.
All the above points to his death being 28 Jan 1937 at Hornsey Central Hospital his home address being 3 Crescent Rd, Hornsey and the probate gives his widow as Mary Agnes. She was to die 2 years later.
So the post war memory may be faulty unless the picture came from her estate later . Now to find the will and his first wife ........!
Thank you Roots chatters 

[jennifer c]

I would put my money on Elllen Elizabeth Porteous married Mar qtr 1912 Edmonton died Sept qtr 1926 aged 55 Edmonton

In Muswell Hill on Census before marriage and single.

jennifer