LOCHHEAD, John ¹

   Cause of his death was intussusception of bowels over 2 days.

  General Notes:

The 1871 Census for Abbey parish, Paisley, recorded John Lochhead as the head of a household living at Station Lodge, Johnstone. His next door neighbours were a railway porter and the station master. Including himself there were eight persons in the household: John, his wife, Margaret, their three sons and two daughters, and Margaret's mother Margaret Barbour, a widow of 62 years of age, born in Lochwinnoch. John was recorded as having been born in Ireland. He worked as a carter and was recorded as 28 years of age.
Note: the GRO Index of Census lists this family as Lachhead, although it is clear in the text that it is Lochhead. They have been informed of this error and have agreed to correct it but the correction can take some time.

The 1881 census for Kilbarchan in Renfrewshire recorded John Lochhead, aged 39 years, as head of a household consisting of himself, his wife and their seven children, and one boarder. They lived at 4 Napier Street . John was a railway station master. His birthplace was recorded as Straiton, Ayrshire, contradicting the 1871 record. the family lived in a dwelling that had four windowed rooms.

In the 1892 marriage certificate of his son Alex, John Lochhead was recorded as a Railway Station Master. He was deceased.

When John Lochhead died in 1886, his death certificate recorded him as a stationmaster who was married to Margaret Barbour. His age was noted as 45 years. Only his father's name, Alexander Lochhead, a spirit merchant, was recorded.

  Research Notes:

DOUBT

Two areas of doubt about the basic facts of John Lochhead's life are the name of his mother, and the place of his birth.

An Alexander Lochhead and Jean MacMillan married in Stewarton, Ayrshire on 27 August 1841. Four children are on record as having been baptised at Stewarton in the 1840s to Alexander Lochhead and Jean McMillan: John (1843), Janet (1845), Alexander (1846) and Mary (born 1848 bapt, 1849). The John of this family fits John Lochhead: born 7 February 1843, baptised 5 March 1843. A propos, the mother is these children is variously recorded as McMillan, McMilland, McNillan, and sometimes as Jane.

This family is recorded in the 1851 census living in Kilwinning, Ayrshire. The father, Alexander's birthplace is recorded as Skipness, Argyle; the mother's as West Kilbride. He is 35 years old, she 34. He is a general labourer. The child John is aged 8 years. There is an older child aged 9 years, Robert, born in Stewarton.

In the 1861 census, the family is living in Kilwinning and Alexander, the father is 45 and a labourer at the colliery. The mother Jane is 42 years old. John Lochhead is 18 years of age and works as an engine keeper at the colliery.

In 1871 and 1881 Alexander and Jane Lochhead continue to live in Kilwinning where Alexander is a Carter at the coal work. The number of their children living with them dwindles to nothing.

This family to all intents and purposes looks as if it is John Lochhead's. The ages fit. The mention of Ayrshire as birthplace fits. Even the birthplace of his father in Argyll might explain the 'born Ireland' if his wife was unsure but he had a slightly different accent. Howver there is no sigh here of Catherine Williamson. had it not been in a marriage document it would be more easily dismissed. Did the minister get it wrong: Williamson/MacMillan? But Agnes/ Jane or Jean? Nor is there any hint of Alexander Lochhead being a spirit merchant, though there are others of that name who are of that trade.

Our doubts must remain, at least for the time being.

  Medical Notes:

I. Tomlin MRCS(London) LRCP(Edin) certified the cause of death.

John Lochhead, John's son, who was present where his father died, gave notice of his death before the registrar at Linwood on 29 April 1886.

John married Margaret BARBOUR, daughter of William BARBOUR and Margaret AITKEN, on 18 April 1862 in Park of Barnaigh, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland. (Margaret BARBOUR was born about 1837 in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland.)

  Marriage Notes:

The marriage was celebrated according to the forms of established Church of Scotland. The minister was William Graham. John Couperthwaite and Agnes Burns were witnesses.

John Lochhead was a bachelor of 20 years of age and Monaibrock [sic], Lohwinnoch. No trade or employment was ascribed to him.

Margaret Barbour was single and recorded as 25 years old. She lived at Park of Barnaigh, Lochwinnoch. No trade or employment was ascribed to her.

The marriage was recorded at Lochwinnoch on 19 April 1862.