Just a wee note about a legal connection!
Herman's daughter, Ottilie married a John McLaren who was an Advocate, in 1868. He became a High Court Judge and, therefore a Lord, and she, a Lady. From googling, I note that their daughter, Ottilie, became a Sculptor and trained by Rodin!
I had a nosey (my nose was bothering me!) at Herman's and August/a/e's wills and Herman's DC. Herman died in Helensburgh with the DC just saying married but not who to. The Informant was the Doctor who certified his death - odd!
His Will left everything to his wife or, whom failing, his children with a list of people to help his wife as executrix.
August/a/e's Will is quite strange. She left everything to her 2nd daughter, Mathilde, "in acknowledgement of her unremitting and tender care for her invalided parents". Then "To my equally beloved eldest daughter and her respected husband, John McLaren, Advocate, I leave a Mother's blessing and heartfelt thanks for all their considerate actions of kindness and love, by which my last year's of life were made to pass more comfortably than they otherwise could have done." I thought this a strange sentence for a will which was written 9 years before she actually died but maybe she thought she was at death's door.
The next bit is quite strange too - "I shall die in the hope that moral as well as bodily strength may be given to all the members of our family circle to work out for themselves such a life of usefulness as will keep their memory respected by all with whom they come in contact during their earthly pilgrimage.
No note of any witnesses to the Will although apparently signed by her but a note that their was an envelope with "My Will" written on it. The Will was docquetted in the usual way by Mathilde (her 2nd daughter) and then witnessed by her brother-in-law, John McLaren as a JP (haven't checked when he became a Lord). I would have thought that strange for him to witness when he is mentioned in Will??
Anyway, perhaps again no help at all but interesting documents.
