John Stuart
(30/06/1831-23/12/1919)
Photograp and details courtesy of Bob Cunningham
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John Stuart was born in Cromdale, Morayshire on the 30th of June 1831 to Christina Warren and
reputedly William Stuart.
At the age of 24 on the 27th July 1855 he married a local girl Isabella Grant who was already 6 months pregnant with their daughter Isabella.
Isabella was born on the 13th September of the same year. Two sons were to follow in quick succession. James on the 8th August 1857 and Thomas on the 3rd July 1859.
The last birth proved a difficult one as 2 months later Isabella succumbed to what was known as 'child bed fever' or 'puerperal fever' now known as septicemia due to poor hygiene at the birth.
Isabella finally died at Cromdale on the 27th of September 1859 aged just 28.
Eight years later on the 7th January 1867 John married his second wife, Christina McRae who was originally from Dingwall in Ross and Cromerty. He was 45 and she, 29. Once again the bride was 6 months pregnant!
John and Christina went on to have 11 childrem in total the last being born when Christina was around 50 years old.
John lived to see the first world war, finally dying two days before Christmas day in 1919, almost 10 years before Chistina.
He was obviously well respected in the community, or at least by his employers as his obituaries would testify.
Even on his death the spelling of the surname was variable.
Obituaries
"Strathspey News" - published this obituary of him on Saturday 27th December 1919:
Mr JOHN STEWART - The death on Tuesday of Mr John Stewart, Greengate, was not unexpected. Mr Stewart, who was 88 years of age, had been in very indifferent health for some time. All his life he had been in the employment of the Seafield Estates, first as a forester, then as a rabbit trapper, and latterly as watcher of the Castle (Grant) water of the Spey. In this capacity from the time the management issued permits he came much in touch with fishers who found him a faithful servant but courteous in the exercise of his not always pleasant duty. He had remarkable eyesight and when on the river he could 'spot' a fisher at a distance which surprised many who boasted of perfect vision. He was interred in Inverallan Churchyard on Friday
The rival newspaper the Strathspey Herald had three references
"DEATH: STUART - At Greengate, Grantown , on December 23rd, John Stuart, in his 89th year - deeply regretted"
(1/1/1920, page 2 column 1)
"AN OLD SERVANT - A trusty, faithful servant was Mr John Stuart, who has spent the whole of his long life of 89 years on the Seafield Estate. He was in turn forester, trapper and river watcher. His death occurred on Tuesday last week. In his eightieth year he could be seen daily patrolling the river bank with erect figure and the alert step of the man who had lived the healthy outdoor life. As river watcher, Mr Stuart performed his duties courteously, but with a single minded desire to protect the interests of his employers "
(1/1/19920 page 2 column 4)
"Mrs STUART and Family return sincere thanks for all expressions of sympathy extended to them in their recent bereavement. Greengate.