The Village, General Prison Perth (1800's)

[MichaelLyke]

Hi all,

I have managed to find an ancestors marriage certificate and another's death certificate that both refer to a place named as 'The Village, General Prison Perth'.

1869 relative residing in Dundee was married at The Village.
1889 relative died at The Village.

I did find an old map reference and to be honest the prison itself sounds pretty grim with some of the names of the wings & buildings.
https://www.scottishindexes.com/institutions/29.aspx

However, I cannot find any reference anywhere to 'The Village' and wondered if anybody could enlighten me?

Really appreciated, thank you!
Warmest - Michael

[CaroleW]

What was your ancestors occupation

[MichaelLyke]

Hi,

The 1869 marriage:
James Gellatly / Margaret Burden Married: 26/11/1869 General Prison, Perth.
At time of marriage he was 27yr’s, Seaman, living at Exchange Street, Dundee. Father was John Gellatly, Mason (deceased) & mother Lily Gellatly (Kirk) (deceased).
She was 23yr’s, Domestic Servant, living at Kemback

The 1889 death:
Catherine Burden, dies The Village, General Prison Perth. Cause of death malignant decease of the leg, 5 months. Aged 80 yr’s.

[Rosinish]

Can you please check 'Seaman, living at Exchange Street, Dundee' was not his 'Usual Residence'?

I had initially thought 'The Village' may have been the area where the staff accommodation was which is seen on the map.

Annie

[MichaelLyke]

Hi Annie,

Occupation: Mariner RNR (Royal Navy Reserve), Seaman on marriage records and French/dyer silk cleaner while in Perth from census records.

Michael

[Rosinish]

If the marriage doesn't show either as 'Usual Residence' then I'm at a loss as to why they would marry in a prison?

Annie

[MichaelLyke]

Yes, I have to agree, me too.
Baffled at this one.
I'm trying to attach the screen shot but not sure if it will go through.
One of lifes' little mysteries I'd say.
Thank you.

[Rosinish]

It only says General Prison no 'Village' but they had a Chapel, he may have known someone there?

Perth Harbour is close to the Prison.

Annie

[MichaelLyke]

Okay, so, his mother died at The Village 20yrs later, 1889.
1881 census she lived with her husband at Pomarium Street, St Leonards Parish, Perth, a stones throw from the General Prison.
His father/her husband died at Pomarium 1886 from senile decay. Assuming this was a medical condition and not worthy of putting him in prison for, I have to deduct from this they simply lived/worked in the area close to the prison and there was may be a small community known as The Village that maybe served the prison needs.
Perhaps after her husbands death she had to move out of the home and lived at 'The Village' until she passed away.

I have tried to attach a screenshot from her death certificate.

Michael