John Hogg, Shipmaster, Montrose

[kiwiwilbur]

Kia ora tatou (Hello all) from New Zealand.

I am new to all this, but trying to get information on my 3xgreat grandfather John Hogg from Montrose. I have found records that he was born in Oct 1801, to Alexander Hogg and Margaret Croall.

He married Mary Bain (also of Montrose) in December 1835. They had one son Alexander Bain in 1838. But that is as far I get with information on John.

Mary and Alexander emigrated to New Zealand, and I have seen passenger lists with their names, but John is mysteriously absent, and I am struggling to find out what happened to him. A search of the parish death and burial records doesn't appear to contain a likely match.

Any good ideas on where else to look for more information?

Ngā mihi (Thanks)

[Forfarian]

Welcome to RootsChat

Deaths before the start of civil registration in 1855 are often hard to find. In particular the parish registers are very patchy. The idea was that once someone had died, the Kirk didn't need to concern itself any longer with the good of the soul, and they tended not to record what happened to the earthly remains. 

I've had a look at the booklet of gravestone inscriptions for Montrose, but John Hogg isn't listed.

It's possible that there might be a reference in the Kirk Session mortcloth records. THe mortcloth was a large piece of material that was draped over the coffin during the burial service. Parishes often had a selection of mortcloths, perhaps a plain one and a more elaborately embroidered one, and parishioners would hire one according to what they could afford. The income went into the funds for maintaining the poor of the parish. The Kirk Session accounts, if they have survived, will record receipt of mortcloth payments, and sometimes the name of the deceased person is mentioned. You can look at the Kirk Session records at Scotland's People www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk - there's no charge for this.

There might be a newspaper mention of him.

When did Mary and Alexander emigrate?

[Neale1961]

This looks to be the 1841 census for Alexander and his mother, - both living with Mary’s family
No sign of John Hogg - perhaps away at sea.

Census:   1841
County:   Angus (Forfarshire) (ANS)
District:   Brechin
House or Street Name:   Caldcoats
BAIN   James   M   45   Farmer   Born - Angus (Forfarshire)   
BAIN   Mary   F   45      Born - Angus (Forfarshire)   
BAIN   Georgina   F   20      Born - Angus (Forfarshire)   
BAIN / HOGG   Mary   F   25      Born - Angus (Forfarshire)   
HOGG   Alexander   M   3      Born - Angus (Forfarshire)   
STEWART   Jess   F   25   Female Servant   Born - Out of County   
FERGUSON   Margaret   F   20   Female Servant   Born - Out of County   
CARNEGIE   John   M   15   Ag Lab   Born - Angus (Forfarshire)   
LAING   William   M   12   Ag Lab   Born - Angus (Forfarshire)   


In 1851 census, Mary is recorded as a widow
Census:   1851
County:   Angus (Forfarshire) (ANS)
District:   Montrose
House or Street Name:   Hill Place
HOGG   Mary   Head   W   F   36      Born Maryton      
HOGG   Alexander   Son   U   M   13   Scholar   Born Montrose      

[Margow]

Death notice in the Dundee Courier, 11 October 1848

At St Petersburg. on the 25th ultimo, Captain John Hogg, of the brig Herald, of Montrose - deeply lamented.

[mckha489]

Could this be him?


Added…snap Margow.different paper

[kiwiwilbur]

Wow! Thank you all! I wasn't expecting to get results so quickly!

The census information is definitely the right family - When Alexander and Mary emigrated, James Bain was also with them. I had James and Mary as her parents.

The death notices also certainly look to be very likely. I had wondered if he was "lost at sea" at sea at somepoint.

[kiwiwilbur]

Mary and Alexander emigrated to New Zealand on the 'Chatham' in 1856. Arrived in Auckland on June 5th of that year I believe.

James Bain was with them also - that will be my next research attempt - what happened to the rest of Mary's family? The Census data indicated just one sister and her mother. I had some potential other siblings, but looking at their places of birth I am starting to think they are less likely matches and need to be removed from my tree. I'll come back here if I get stuck!

[Neale1961]

Good find Margow and mckha489

Some additional information for Mary Bain’s family …..

James BAIN and Mary WATSON – married 16 Dec 1809 Maryton Aungus

Children baptised in Maryton
•   Elizabeth Greenhill BAIN 5-1-1811
•   Mary BAIN 25-12-1813
•   Georgina Addison BAIN 18-6-1818
•   John BAIN 26-6-1822

(The names “Greenhill” and “Addison” given as second names to their children may well give you a link to the surnames of earlier generations of Bains &/or Watsons. )

1851 census Brechin (Angus) Address – Coldcoats
James Bain, Head, 69, born Maryton, Farmer of 100 Acres Employing 6 laborers
Mary Bain, wife, 67, born Brechin
Georgina Bain, 24, daughter, born Maryton, house servant

[MonicaL]

Can't see a Will entry for him on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk However, there is an Inventory entry for him:

John Hogg
8 / 4 / 1852
shipmaster in Montrose
Inventory
Forfar Sheriff Court
SC47/40/21

There is also this entry in the Wills & Testament section of SP (not clear what type of document it will be):

Alexander Hogg
9 / 3 / 1832
Shipmaster in Montrose
Forfar Sheriff Court   
SC47/40/8

Wondered if this could connect to John's father?

Monica