Agnes Durie

Agnes Durie, daughter of George Durie and Mary "Elisabeth" Taylor, was born about 1830 in Inveresk, Midlothian, Scotland. She was the second child of five—James Durie (born 1824), Agnes Durie, Elizabeth Durie (born 1834), John Durie (born 1836), and Robert Durie (born 1839). Agnes is the 3rd great-aunt of my husband with their nearest common relatives being her parents. 

I am unable to find her parents in the 1841 Scotland census but did find Agnes and her four siblings listed at the top of a census page, living on High Street in Inveresk and Musselburgh, Midlothian, Glasgow, Scotland. I found a George Durie living at Inveresk and Musselburgh, but he was at the top of the census page vs. the bottom and his wife Elisabeth was not with him.

1841 Scotland census (click to enlarge)

In 1851, Agnes and her family lived at 230 Holm Street in the Barony Parish of County Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Scotland. Agnes (21) worked as a milliner. Her father was enumerated with the occupation of “no business,” her brother John (15) worked as a junior clerk, and brother Robert (12) was a scholar. A 26-year-old male named James McEwing lived in the home as a lodger. He worked as a bookkeeper.

1851 Scotland census (click to enlarge)

Agnes’ father George died of apoplexy at 53 Cadogan Street in the Blythswood District of Glasgow, Scotland at the age of 70 on February 10, 1857. The death register shows that he had worked as a cotton storekeeper. George was buried at Southern Necropolis Cemetery in Glasgow.

Death register for George Durie (click to enlarge)

In 1861, Agnes was living with her widowed mother and brothers John and Robert on Cadogan Street in Blythswood. Agnes worked as a milliner, her mother Elizabeth as a housekeeper, brother John was a clerk, and Robert a muslin warehouseman.

1861 Scotland census (click to enlarge)

Agnes’ mother died at the same location as her father on July 13, 1865 at age 69. Her cause of death was recorded as old age.

Death register for Elizabeth Durie (click to enlarge)

In 1871, Agnes lived with her sister Elizabeth Durie Morris and nieces Elizabeth, Ann, and Susan in the Govan Parish of Glasgow, Scotland. Agnes worked as a dressmaker, Elizabeth a seamstress, and Anne was a scholar. 

1871 Scotland census (click to enlarge)

In 1881, Agnes lived with her sister Elizabeth and nieces Elizabeth “Lizzie” and Susan in the Barony Parish of St. Vincent, Glasgow, Scotland. Agnes, who worked as a dressmaker, was the head of the household. Her sister Elizabeth held the occupation of a “ladies cap maker.” Her niece Elizabeth was a mantle maker and Susan was responsible for household duties, however, it is not known if that meant in the home or elsewhere.

1881 Scotland census (click to enlarge)

The 1883 and 1884 electoral registers record Agnes living at 30 Breadalbane Street in Glasgow as a tenant and occupant. 

In 1891, Agnes still lived with her sister Elizabeth and nieces Elizabeth and Susan in the Barony Parish of St. Vincent, Glasgow, Scotland. The tables had turned and Agnes’ sister was now the head of the household. All four worked, probably together, making white muslin caps. 

1891 Scotland census (click to enlarge)

Agnes died at 11:30 a.m. of bronchial asthma and heart failure on August 22, 1900 at 30 West Clyde Street in Helensburgh, Row Parish, County of Dunbartonshire, Scotland. Her niece Elizabeth, daughter of her sister Elizabeth, was the informant on her death certificate. At the time of her death, Agnes lived with her niece at 30 Breadalbane Street in Glasgow. Agnes’ final resting place is unknown to me.

1891 Scotland census (click to enlarge)

References

• Agnes Durie, Census 622/87/2, National Records of Scotland, 1851. 
• Agnes Durie, Census 644/6 12/22, National Records of Scotland, 1861.
• Agnes Durie, Census 644/931/15, p. 15, National Records of Scotland, 1881.
• Agnes Durie, Statutory registers Deaths 503/109, National Records of Scotland, 1900.
• Elizabeth Durie, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/6 358, National Records of Scotland, 1865.
• Elizabeth Morris, Census 644/932/16, p. 16, National Records of Scotland, 1891.
• George Durie, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/6 86, National Records of Scotland, 1857.
• Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, Electoral Registers, 1857–1962 for Agnes Durie, List of Female Municipal Voters, Burgh of Glasgow, 1882–1883.
• James Durie, Census 689/12/7, National Records of Scotland, 1841.
• Robert Durie, Census 622/87/3, National Records of Scotland, 1851. 
• Susan Morris, Census 646/123/3, National Records of Scotland, 1871.