The Old Family
and how we got here
I estimate from other evidence in the photo that this is from 1910, give or take a couple of years, which would make Jane (or Jean) around 73 years old. She lived for another 9 years but senility had started to creep in by then. It's a wonderful photo, capturing the old-style dress which made women look older than they actually were, although we must remember that even 73 was well beyond the life expectancy of most of the population at that time.
Jane Gray is a rare example in my files of someone who has not only complete Birth, Marriage and Death records but an entry in every published census from 1841 to 1911. We therefore have a pretty good idea of where she lived her life and, in her case, it's not particularly widespread.
That household in 1901 sees her as the matriarch of a household of fourteen souls of all generations and branches of the family. Three pairs of grandchildren are there but only one pair has their parents with them. There must be a story or two but I don't don't know what they are (yet). I'm intrigued by the pair who were born in the USA but were still British citizens and here without their parents. It's possible that their parents are in the village but with no space for all the children so they've lodged them with their grandparents as happened with young James Paterson. If I have the time I'll investigate further.
Latest news - the power of the Internet has just thown up some new finds. Nicole Lawrie from Australia and Cara Swanson from the USA contacted me after they had found this website and Cara supplied me with a newspaper article which explains who the USA-born British citizens were (sons of William Patterson, the emigree son of James Paterson and Jane Gray) plus unseen photos of Jane and James as well as a hand-written letter from Jane to her son William in the States.
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Right-hand page -
“My Dear son and my dear boys I now give you a few lines to let you know I got your long looked for letter and was glad to see by it that you was all well and I hope by you get this letter you will be doing better. I was wearing (wearying?) so much for a letter to let me know how wee Willie was for he looked so bad that day he left and (undecipherable?) Oh how I miss them poor things I think they will miss their granny too but I hope they will get on well we think Willie it is the best thing for you to do as they will learn every thing and when you are at your work you do not know ……”
Left-hand page -
“Glasgow on Saturday …… a wee bit better but not much she will not stay any longer and I will send you the papers all right Wilys folk (Willy’s family) is leaving the Binns Mill at the term but it is not settled who is to get it till the end of this week Sandy is afraid he will have to leave they say John Morriss has a good chance for it there is a lot of folk in for it now John Morriss has got the Binns Mill and Davids house flat as he is not allowed to sublet the house now I will stop do not be long in writing as I worry very much they all join much love to you all and kiss the boys for me your wee loving Mother Jane Paterson”
It's wonderful to see something written by Jane. There is a real homely feel to what she has written and you can start to imagine what type of person she was from that short excerpt.