Sunday, 1 July 2007

Isabella MURRAY & George MATHESON

Isabella MURRAY
[c1848-9/2/1925]
married
George MATHESON
[c1845-1/3/1931]
Isabella was born in Hertfordshire, England, daughter of Walter Murray and Elspet Macintosh. Her father was born at Rhemusaig but later moved to Fourpenny Farm, Dornoch, where Isabella was brought up. George Kennedy Matheson, carpenter, is the son of Alexander Matheson and Helen Sutherland. George and Isabella married on 26 December 1872 at Dornoch.

In 1881 at the census George and Isabella were in Dornoch with their children. They were still living in Castle Street, Dornoch in 1891 and 1901. Isabella Murray died at Dornoch on 9 February 1925. 'Our readers will regret to learn of the death of Mrs. Matheson, wife of our respected townsman, Mr. George Matheson, Castle Street. The late Mrs. Matheson got ill about three weeks ago and passed away on Monday night. She resided in Dornoch practically all her long life and endeared herself to a wide circle of friends amongst whom she will be sadly missed. To her husband and family we extend our sympathy in their sore bereavement. The funeral took place on Wednesday and was largely attended” (NT 12/2/1925).

George and Isabella had the following children:
MARY KENNEDY MATHESON 10 March 1875, Clashmore, Dornoch [died 11 September 1951 Dornoch] – 1881 census with parents – 1891 census with parents – 1901 census at home with parents, a teacher in Rearquhar school
GEORGE MATHESON born 23 July 1877, Dornoch – 1881 census with parents – 1891 census with parents – 1901 census at home with parents
ELSPET MATHESON born circa 1879 Dornoch – 1881 census with parents
HELEN MATHESON (Nellie), born 12 May 1882 Dornoch – 1891 census with parents – 1901 census at home with parents - Nellie, a spinster, stayed at home and looked after her parents until their deaths
WALTER MATHESON born 9 September 1885, Dornoch [died 13 November 1916, France] – 1891 census with parents – 1901 census at home with parents - Walter Matheson fought and died in France during World War One as Private Walter Matheson, 241331, 5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders - Walter is commemorated by name on Pier 15, Face C of the Thiepval Memorial, Picardy, France. This memorial commemorates by names 72,000 British soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of the Somme. This battle began at 7.28am precisely on 1 July 1916 when 17 mines were exploded under the German front line. Exactly two minutes later 60,000 soldiers weighed down with heavy packs, gas masks, rifles and bayonets staggered out of their trenches and over the top! By the end of that dreadful day 21,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers lay dead in the poppy fields of northern France. Another 40,000 men were wounded. By the time the battle ended in November 420,000 British soldiers had died. At a service in Thiepval in 1996 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the battle the Reverend William Scott said "Never had so many men walked so confidently to a certain death".
ALEXANDER MATHESON (Sandy) born 18 May 1888, Dornoch [died 22 January 1945 Dornoch] – 1891 census with parents – 1901 census at home with parents - badly wounded in World War One

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