QUIGLEY, Frances

   Other names for Frances were SMITH, Fanny and TWEEDLY, Fanny.

  General Notes:

APPLICATION FOR PARISH RELIEF
An application for relief was made to the parish of Govan Combination by Fanny Tweedly on 29 November 1878 at 2 pm. Her residence was 66 Florence Street low left (McArdle). She was a widow aged 76 years, who had been married for 54 years, a Protestant, born in Ireland.

She was partially disabled by old age and worked within the home only. There were no children staying with her and therefore no earnings coming in. Four adult children, three of them married, were recorded. Fanny's husband had been a blacksmith, and had been dead for about 26 years. Her father, David Tweedlie, (sic), was 'a contractor' and he and her mother, Fanny Watson, were both dead.

The assistant inspector visited Fanny's home at 4 pm on 30 November 1878. He noted her residence as 66 Florence Street low left (McCarron) (sic). Her age was noted as 77 years and her birthplace as Londonderry, Ireland. She was Protestant and the daughter of David Tweedlie, gardener, and Fanny Wason (sic), both deceased. Fanny's husband, William, had died in America 32 years before, aged 45 years. Fanny's residences were summarised as follows:
present house Govan parish 4 months
in Liverpool, England 8 months
at 214 Thistle Street Govan parish 10 months
at 21 Caledonia Rd Govan parish 8 years
at 282 Crown Street Govan parish 8 years

Fanny was certified unfit from old age. The comments noted at the end said she was presently living with an acquaintance, for she has no home. The settlement was Govan Combination and the decision signed by Robert Davie. A note signed with his initials and dated 2 December 1878 said 'Wrote John and William'. The letter of reply from William was included with the application details. The transcription is to be found in William's Notes.

A medical certificate drafted on a special form was also included in the application file. Dr Menzies of 282 Cumberland Street had opened it on 29 November 1878 for Fanny Tweedlie (sic) or Smith of 86 (sic) Florence Street low left, aged 76 years, occupation domestic, and it was signed and dated 30 November 1878. In response to various basic questions answers were given as follows:
Is the applicant
in good health? No
able to work? No
What is the nature of the infirmity? Old Age
Is the applicant of unsound mind? No
Is applicant able to be removed from Poorhouse? Yes

The decision of the Committee was given on 17 December 1878 in succinct short statements:
Poor
no family
able
Not in
and signed J McC Chairman
In another part of that same page could be read
2/- a week AW write John ²

Frances married William SMITH Blacksmith, son of John SMITH Blacksmith and Agnes KERR, on 31 December 1824 in Neilston, Renfrewshire, Scotland.¹ (William SMITH Blacksmith was born about 1800 in Dunlop, Ayrshire, Scotland and died about 1850 in USA.)

  Marriage Notes:

In her parish relief application in 1878, there is recorded the information that Fanny had been married 54 years, had been married in Barrhead by Rev Mr Tait. She was a widow when this statement was made. ²