Elisabeth (Mary) Taylor

Elisabeth (Mary) Taylor, daughter of James Taylor and Elizabeth Low, was born on October 23, 1797, in the parish of Saint Cuthberts, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. The congregation of Lady Glenorchie’s Chapel in Saint Cuthberts witnessed her baptism on November 6, 1797. Elisabeth is my husband’s 3rd great grandmother and their nearest common relative is her son, James.

Elisabeth had six siblings, all born in the parish of Saint Cuthberts: Helen Taylor (1788), James Taylor (1790), John Taylor (1791), James Taylor (1793), William Taylor (1795), and Isobell Taylor (1799). Her parents followed traditional Scottish naming patterns when naming their children. Their fourth child, born in 1793, was also named James. This choice was a way to honor the memory of their earlier son, James, who was born in 1790 and passed away on February 9, 1791. The first James likely died at home in Saint Cuthberts. The West Kirk Mortality Records Ledger from Saint Cuthberts Parish Church provides insights into James’s final resting place. Although the ledger is challenging to read, it appears that James was laid to rest north from Gilespis stone and east from the road, from the south ‘geat’ [possibly gate] to the east end of the Kirk. 

Birth register for Elizabeth (1797)

James in West Kirk Mortality Records Ledger,
Saint Cuthberts Parish Church (1791)

Elisabeth and George Durie, the son of William Durie and Mary Elizabeth Richardson, submitted their names for the Proclamation of Banns on January 16, 1820, in Inveresk, Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. Unlike the record below theirs, this entry does not specify a date of marriage. They likely married within days or weeks.

Marriage register for Elisabeth Taylor and George Durie (1820)

John Paul (relationship unknown) acted as the cautioner for Elisabeth, while William Durie, likely George’s father, stood in as the cautioner for George. A cautioner was responsible for vouching for the couple’s intentions and financial stability, ensuring that the marriage proceeded as planned. If the couple failed to fulfill their obligations, the cautioner could be held accountable. George worked as a weaver, while Elisabeth’s father, noted as deceased on the record, was a slater—a specialist in installing and repairing slate roofs.

Elisabeth and George were blessed with at least six children: William Durie, James Durie, Agnes Durie, Elizabeth Durie, John Durie, and Robert Durie. They welcomed their son William into the world on November 24, 1820. His baptism took place on Christmas Eve 1820 in the parishes of Inveresk and Musselburgh. The witnesses to this significant event were William Niel and John Paul. Unfortunately, this baptismal record is the only record I found for William. It is likely that he passed away during infancy. Meanwhile, George continued his work as a weaver.

Birth register for William Durie (1820)

Their son James, born April 26, 1824 in Inveresk, Midlothian, Scotland, was baptized on May 30. Once again, John Paul was one of the two witnesses. The other was John Proiidfoot.

Birth register for James Durie (1824)

I have been unable to locate a birth record for Agnes, Elizabeth, John, and Robert. Instead, I turned to census records and death registers to piece together their birth information. Agnes was likely born around 1828, Elizabeth was born approximately 1834, John arrived about 1836, and Robert around 1839. All these events occurred in Edinburgh, within the parishes of Inveresk and Musselburgh.

In the 1841 Scotland census, Elisabeth appeared as the last entry on page 6, residing in Inveresk and Musselburgh within Midlothian. Her five children were listed on page 7. The family lived on High Street. James, aged 16, worked as an apprentice although the specific trade remains unclear due to illegible handwriting. Interestingly, George was absent from the household; instead, I discovered him living and working as a tollkeeper at the West Pans Tollhouse in the same area. 

Elisabeth and the children in the Scotland census (1841)

 

George in the Scotland census (1841)

In 1851, Elisabeth and George were living together again, residing at 230 Holm Street in the parish of Barony in Glasgow. At age 65, George had retired from work. Their household included four of their children: Agnes (aged 21) and Elizabeth (aged 17) both worked as milliners, John (aged 15) held a position as a junior clerk, and Robert (aged 12) was pursuing his studies as a scholar. A 26-year-old male named James McEwing also lived with them as a lodger, working as a bookkeeper. 

Durie family in the Scotland census (1851)

By January 1856, Elisabeth and George had moved to a new home at 53 Cadogan Street in Blythswood, Scotland. Their daughter Elizabeth exchanged vows with John Morris there on January 31. John, a bachelor, was employed as a photographic artist, while Elizabeth, a spinster, continued her craft as a milliner. Their union, solemnized after banns, adhered to the customs of the United Presbyterian Church. John’s father, Joseph Morris was still living, while his mother, Ann Martin, was deceased. The ceremony was witnessed by Archibald Robertson and Agnes Durie. Meanwhile, George had transitioned into the role of a storekeeper. 

Marriage register for Elizabeth Durie and John Morris (1856)

After 37 years of marriage, Elisabeth’s husband, George, passed away on February 10, 1857, at their Cadogan Street home. His sudden passing was attributed to apoplexy, an abrupt loss of consciousness that led to his death after one day. At age 70, George worked as a cotton storekeeper. He was buried at Southern Necropolis Cemetery in Glasgow.

Death register for George Durie (1857)

In the year 1861, Elisabeth still resided in the Cadogan Street home in Blythswood. A housekeeper, she ensured the smooth functioning of the household. Elisabeth was enumerated as 63 years of age, a difference of two years from her age in the 1851 census. Her 27-year-old daughter, Agnes, shared the same roof. A milliner, Agnes made hats and bonnets. The household also included Elisabeth’s two sons: John and Robert. John, aged 25, held the position of a clerk to an engine smith, a skilled worker responsible for working with engines, particularly steam engines. Robert, the younger son at 22, pursued a different path working as a muslin warehouseman.

Durie family in the Scotland census (1861)

Elisabeth passed away at her home in Blythswood from old age on July 13, 1865. Her son John, who was present at the time of her passing, served as the informant on the death register. My mind suggests that Elisabeth might have been laid to rest beside George at the Southern Necropolis Cemetery in Glasgow, however, her name does not appear in the cemetery register.

Death register for Elisabeth Durie (1865)

While Elisabeth is consistently listed as her name, the 1902 death register for her son James introduces another possible name. There, she appears as Mary Durie, Ms. Taylor (Deceased)—a departure from the familiar Elisabeth. I share this piece of information because it is essential to consider this discrepancy for other researchers tracing her lineage. 

Death register for James Durie (1902)

References

• Agnes Durie, Census 622/87/2, National Records of Scotland, 1851.
• Agnes Durie, Census 644/6 12/22, National Records of Scotland, 1861.
• Apoplexy; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apoplexy. 
• Elisabeth Durie, Census 689/12/5, National Records of Scotland, 1841.
• Elizabeth Durie, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/6 358, National Records of Scotland, 1865.
• Elizabeth Durie, Statutory Registers Marriages 644/6 28, National Records of Scotland, 1856.
• Elizabeth Taylor, Old Parish Registers Births 685/2 St Cuthbert’s, National Records of Scotland, 1797.
• George Durie, Census 689/9/1, National Records of Scotland, 1841.
• George Durie, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/6 86, National Records of Scotland, 1857.
• George Dury, Old Parish Registers Marriages 689/Inveresk and Musselburgh, National Records of Scotland, 1820.
• Helen Taylor, Old Parish Registers Births 685/2 St Cuthbert’s, National Records of Scotland, 1788.
• Isobell Taylor, Old Parish Registers Births 685/2 St Cuthbert’s, National Records of Scotland, 1799.
• James Durie, Census 689/12/7, National Records of Scotland, 1841.
• James Durie, Old Parish Registers Births 689/Inveresk and Musselburgh, National Records of Scotland, 1824.
• James Durie, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/10 734, National Records of Scotland, 1902.
• James Taylor, Old Parish Registers Births 685/2 St Cuthbert’s, National Records of Scotland, 1790.
• James Taylor, Old Parish Registers Births 685/2 St Cuthbert’s, National Records of Scotland, 1793.
• James Taylor, Old Parish Registers Deaths 685/2 St Cuthbert’s, National Records of Scotland, 1791.
• John Taylor, Old Parish Registers Births 685/2 St Cuthbert’s, National Records of Scotland, 1791.
• Robert Durie, Census 622/87/3, National Records of Scotland, 1851.
• Slater, Dictionary of Old Occupations, Family Tree Researcher; https://www.familyresearcher.co.uk/glossary/Dictionary-of-Old-Occupations-jobs-beginning-S6.html#Slater.
• William Durie, Old Parish Registers Births 689/Inveresk and Musselburgh, National Records of Scotland, 1820.
• William Taylor, Old Parish Registers Births 685/2 St Cuthbert’s, National Records of Scotland, 1795.