GEORGE, William ¹

  General Notes:

That William was the son of Thomas George and Hannah Orr is a conclusion based on as yet circumstantial evidence. This couple are recorded as having a son, William, born in the late 80s or early 90s. This William fits that date, the names of his children coincide with that too. Finally, the family, from other evidence was disrupted by the 1798 events in Ireland, and William's birth in Ireland plus the birth of his children in Scotland fit that scenario too. William may be related to Samuel George, son of Moses George and Margaret Reid, and Robert George

The area where the family resided was described in the 1841 Census as 'Prestwick proper'. William was described there as being a 'Cotton Hand Loom Weaver'. He was the only member of his family to be born outside of Scotland - in Ireland. He was recorded as aged in the 40-44 years age range.

When his son, Thomas, died in April 1866, William was himself already dead.

In his daughter, Agnes' death certificate, William's occupation was given as 'muslin weaver'. Both he and his wife were then dead. ⁴

  Research Notes:

REED NOTES
A weaver sat upon his loom
ae dark December day
Sad thoughts o'ercast his face with gloom
an' slow he plied the lay.

Sad and slow the shots he threw
an' slow he trod the treadles
an' slow the harness-flow'rs they grew
as see-saw gaed the heddles.

Syne thought he on the wab o' life
how swift its shots are cast
how a' its flow'rs, or scant, or rife
are woven out at last.

He thought upon the warp an' woof
serv'd by a righteous han'
that maun be wrought to stan' the proof
o' mair than mortal man.

Fu' blithely now his arm he swang
an' fast he trod the treadles
an' fair the curtain flow'rs they sprang
as lichtly danced the heddles.
Thomas Bruce ^{5 6}

William married Mary CAMERON on 19 June 1818 in Monkton & Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland. (Mary CAMERON was born about 1801 in Ayrshire, Scotland ³ and died before 18 April 1866.)