Marion Aitken

Other Events:

• _UID: 00260623ED5E4B688863C777E078FA17DFF6
• Residence: 1901, Ballencrief Nursery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 5 Mar 1915; Clerkess
• Residence: 5 Mar 1915, Ballencrief Nursery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
• emmigration: 28 May 1915, 23 James Nisbet Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Notes:

Marion and Robert had a large family in the USA.

emmigration:
Departed onboard the "Cameronia" for New York

Marion married Robert Swan Blair on 5 Mar 1915 in Ballencrief Nursery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland. Robert (son of James Blair and Maragret Swan) was born on 3 Aug 1891 in Bathgate Junction, Kirkliston, West Lothian, Scotland; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Her sister Jessie was her bridesmaid. His best-man was James W. Smith

1. James Robert Blair was born on 11 Aug 1915 in Alabama, USA; died on 2 Jun 1995.
2. Marion Aitken Blair was born on 21 Sep 1917 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio, USA; died on 3 Apr 2004 in Munroe Regional Medical Centre, Ocala, FL, USA.
3. Rev Peter Aitken Blair was born on 17 Jul 1919 in Ballencrief Nursery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 17 Apr 2008 in USA.
4. Margaret Jean Blair was born on 17 Sep 1922; died in Jan 1998.
5. Living
6. Living
7. John Aitken Blair was born on 21 Nov 1927 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA; died on 23 Apr 2013 in USA.
8. Living

Other Events:

• _UID: 59B874A067D54A48BD354B78C34F669CBC0D
• Residence: 1861, Mounteerie, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1871; carter
• Residence: 1871, Mounteerie, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1901; nurseryman
• Residence: 1901, Ballencrief Nursery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 4 Oct 1917, Bughtknowes Farm, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 17 Aug 1921, Ballencrief Nursery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland

Notes:

Most of the information I have on Peter is from a write up in the local newspaper after his death. He did most of his training, as a gardener, at Wallhouse and held posts at Tyninghame Gardens, the home of the Earl of Haddington, and other posts.

He set up his own business, as a nursery gardener, at Morningside, Edinburgh in about 1887. Aproximately 10 years later he moved to Ballencrief nursery where he continued until his death.
He was famous for his growing of Alpines. It was said that "Amongst his Alpines, Peter was at home. He handled them and looked on them as a lover looks on the charms of his mistress." He won many medals at all the big shows. The Kirkton Public Bowling Greens, Bathgate, were laid out by him. Regularly asked to be a judge at local shows. Peter was a very quiet and modest man.

James Aitken Smith, in 2006, remembers his house at Ballencrief Nursery and described it thus; "The house at Ballencrieff Nursery looks , from the gate, back to front as the back of the house is facing you. The original intention had been to have the entrance on the hill road, where the gate of 'Sunniside' now is. Instead the present entrance on the Gateshields road was opened. The house had a scullery , large kitchen with 2 built-in beds, 2 bedrooms and large lounge, 'The big room'. Half of the loft was an attic which was where the boys slept. The rest was open space. The toilet was a dry closet and water came from a spring on the hill above, to an outside tap, which had branches to the greenhouse and washouse. Cooking was on a range in the kitchen. It had the usual oven on one side of the fire, but on the other was a boiler which had to be filled with pails carried from the outside. At least it had a tap which meant there was a supply of hot water for face, hand and dish washing. Baths were had in the washouse. Lighting was by oil lampalthough for as long as I knew the house it was the more advanced Tilley lamp which has a mantle and uses paraffin vapourised under pressure.
He grew many different plants. The one most associated with his name was the Gentian, especially Gentian Acaulis, the spring flowering blue trumpet variety.
In a catalogue he was advertising small Gentian Acaulis at 9d in 3" pots. However the rarer Acualis Alba was 7/6d. This would equate to about 30 pounds at todays prices.
Peter showed his wares at not only local shows like Linlithgow, and Falkirk, but also nationally at Waverly Market, Edinburgh, and Kelvin Hall, Glasgow.
His other big interest was fiddle and Scots music. being an accomplished violin player and along with his pianist daughter, Bethia, many a Saturday evening parlor concert was held.

Peter married Janet Laurie Russell on 3 Sep 1885 in Hilderston Hill, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland. Janet (daughter of George Burns Russell and Janet Stein) was born on 3 May 1856 in Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 13 Jun 1934 in Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland; was buried in 1934 in Bathgate Paulville Cemetery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _UID: 2B309A9961E54FF2A774FC3F42E7A08ABEBA
• Residence: 1861, 3 Glebiside, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1881, Hilderston Hill Farm, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 3 Sep 1885; domestic servant
• Residence: 1901, Ballencrief Nursery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 17 Aug 1921, Ballencrief Nursery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland

Notes:

Janet and Peter had three of their sons killed in the Great War, (WWI).

Notes:

Married:
Witnesses at the wedding of Peter Aitken and Janet Russell were John Pender and Janet Roberts

Other Events:

• _UID: 06305AB1FF5B419C8D3F4E13A4EB2B81E078
• Occupation: 1841; Ag Lab
• Residence: 1841, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1851; labourer
• Residence: 1851, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1856; Agricultural Labourer
• Occupation: 1861; agricultural labourer
• Residence: 1861, Mounteerie, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1862; Builder
• Occupation: 1871; mason
• Residence: 1871, Mounteerie, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1881; Dyker
• Residence: 1881, Hilderston Hill House, Torphicen, West Lothian Scotland
• Occupation: 1884; Dyker
• Occupation: 1 Sep 1918; farmer, deceased

Notes:

Her first child was born illegitimate. The father was James Aitken of Silvermines farm, her cousin who she eventually married. "James confession was a masterpiece of avoidance; 'I hereby acknowledge to have had carnal connection with Marion Aitken, Torphichen, daughter of Peter Aitken there about the time she must have got with the child of which she was lately delivered.'
Things worked out , however as the couple married a couple of years later but not before making the same mistake again when their second child was born on what appears to be their wedding day. The wedding cost 2/6.

The family is supposed to have moved, at about 1854, from Silvermine Farm to Montaree, also known as Mount Eerie or Mounteerie or Montearie, also probably as Windy Wa's (Walls), because he became bankrupt.

Informant of the death of James Aitken was his son Peter Aitken

"James Aitken died 16 June 1884 aged 69, wife Marion Aitken died 6 November 1885 aged 70, daughter Catherine died 25 November 1849 aged 14 , daughter Jane died 10 May 1876 aged 32."

------ From Source Attached To: Occupation ------
Death Cert, Cit. Date: 10 May 2019.
-----------------------------------------------

James married Marion Aitken on 24 Sep 1837 in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland. Marion (daughter of Peter Aitken and Janet Pearson) was born on 4 Sep 1815 in Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland; was christened on 25 Sep 1815 in Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 6 Nov 1885 in Hilderston Hill House, Torphicen, West Lothian Scotland; was buried in 1885 in Torphichen Churchyard, West Lothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _UID: D354BBCAA9BD473ABDAC45265E7CCA3E4929
• Residence: 1841, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1851, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1861, Mounteerie, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1871, Mounteerie, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1881, Hilderston Hill House, Torphicen, West Lothian Scotland

Notes:

Name: Marion Aitken
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 4 Sep 1815
Baptism Date: 25 Sep 1815
Baptism Place: Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland
Father: Peter Aitken
Mother: Janet Pearson
FHL Film Number: 1066638 Reference ID: - 2:17HBSTQ
informant of the death of Marion Aitken was her son Peter Aitken

Notes:

Married:
Name: James Aitken
Gender: Male
Marriage Date: 24 Sep 1837
Marriage Place: Torphichen,West Lothian,Scotland
Spouse: Marion Aitken
FHL Film Number: 1066638

Name: Marion Aitken
Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 24 Sep 1837
Marriage Place: Torphichen,West Lothian,Scotland
Spouse: James Aitken
FHL Film Number: 1066638

The banns for James Aitken and Marion Aitken were read both in Linlithgow and at Torphichen

Other Events:

• _UID: 8B6F7ACCDDA94941926E1DC2E9481CD34F8C
• Occupation: 3 May 1856; farmer

George married Janet Stein. Janet was born about 1826; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _UID: 9051077617294110A020268E9004B4BE690C

Other Events:

• _UID: 2C88A443A33E4CBB95988683D5DF0038A59C
• Occupation: 11 Nov 1798; Farmer
• Residence: 8 Oct 1803, Tartraven Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 21 Apr 1879; farmer (deceased)

Notes:

The lease of Wester Tartraven Farm was granted to John in 1802, at a rent of 35 pounds. This lease was renewed for 20 years in 1820. This then takes us to 1840 when John died. There are no records as to who leased it from 1840 until 1847 when records show John's son, Robert, in possession.

------ From Source Attached To: Occupation ------
Death Cert, Cit. Date: 29 Dec 2012.
-----------------------------------------------

John married Elizabeth Donaldson on 11 Nov 1798 in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland. Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas Donaldson and Catherine Arbuckle) was born about 1777 in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 31 Jan 1857 in Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland; was buried in 1857 in Torphichen Churchyard, West Lothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _UID: 178EE266F41A4FF289B2660A33BD80EA411B
• Residence: 8 Oct 1803, Tartraven Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1841, Tartraven Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1851, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1851; domestic servant

Notes:

Informant of death of Elizabeth Donaldson was son Peter Aitken

Notes:

Married:
Name: John Aiken
Gender: Male
Marriage Date: 11 Nov 1798
Marriage Place: Linlithgow,West Lothian,Scotland
Spouse: Elisabeth Donaldson
FHL Film Number: 102990

Name: Elisabeth Donaldson
Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 11 Nov 1798
Marriage Place: Linlithgow,West Lothian,Scotland
Spouse: John Aitken
FHL Film Number: 102990

Other Events:

• _UID: 74DA5E471C4D4801B9A3A2A6A6922734DC54
• Occupation: 1841; Agricultural Labourer
• Residence: 1841, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1851; Labourer
• Residence: 1851, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1856, 6 Bowyett, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1861; Limestone Miner
• Residence: 1861, 6 Bowyett, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1871; Dyker
• Residence: 1871, Bowyett, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 23 Aug 1875, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland; Stone Dyker
• Residence: 23 Aug 1875, Bishopry Cottage, 7 Bowyett, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland

Notes:

On 17 Jul.1814 Peter paid for the banns to be read. "Proclamation of Peter Aitken, in this parish (Torphichen) and Janet Pearson, in Linlithgow, twice in one day".

In 1832 he paid 6/8 for the use of the "best mortcloth used to the deceased Marion Liddell", his mother-in-law.

On the 1st Dec 1837, he was absolved by the Kirk Session at Torphichen, of the sin of drunkenness, using profane language and riotous behaviour but not before having held out for quite a while against the Session.
The following comes from the research of Graham Marshall, with great thanks.
" Peter was charged with the offences when he went to the minister, in Feb 1833, to arrange to have his son Robert baptised. The minister took the opportunity to report him to the Session ' in consequence of certain complaints as to the repeated instances of drunkenness as of late'.
Peter Aitken initially refused to play their games which led to the Session appointing a committee comprising the Minister, the Session Clerk and four Elders to sort him out.
Thus it was that Peter appeared before this Church Court in Torphichen on 25th March 1833 charged with one specific instance of his alleged offences and that on the night of New Years Day he had been in widow Arthur's house 'in a state of intoxication and of then or there having uttered profane oaths and of having conducted himself both in the said house and about the door in a riotous manner.'
He admitted that he had been in the house but denied that he had been intoxicated or uttered profane oaths or behaved in a riotous manner. The Session then called witnesses to prove their case.
First came widow Arthur (Agnes Walker widow of the late Thomas Arthur) who remembered Peter Aitken coming to her house about ten or eleven o'clock and that while he had been drinking he was in control of himself. It appears he sent her for a bottle of whisky and that she had brought him half a bottle and was sent for and found another, there is no mention of where she found them.
It seems the company were willing to share Peter's first bottle of whisky but not so the second, referred to in the Session Minutes as 'spirits in a bottle'. He appararntly tried to persuade Norman McQueen to take a drink but there was something about it that persuaded Norman to throw it on the back of the fire which displeased Peter Aitken who threatened to ' pit him up in the reek'.
There seems to have been a scuffle after that but there was conflicting evidence from the widow Arthur and others as to exactly what happened. John Brodie and Norman McQueen seemed to be involved asn so it seems was Peter. There seems to have been an attempt to take the disagreement outside which resulted in Norman being pulled into the house and Peter, being outside, hammering on the door to be let back in. John Brodie clearly had remained inside since he, it was claimed, had gone to the door and asked if they wanted him. It sounds as if William Aitken was also outside although the evidence hardly mentions him. Peter apparently answered 'No it was old Nany and young Nanny and Mary and that them to put them in the dam.'
The second witness, Paul McFail refused to take the oath so the proceedings were postponed until the following day to hear more witnesses; Agnes Arthur the widow's daughter, John Marshall and Margaret, his daughter.
Agnes seemed clearer than her mother about who was in their house on New Year's night. She told how Mary Gunn, Norman McQueen one of their lodgers, John Brodie another lodger and her mother were there when Peter Aitken came in with William Aitken (possibly his brother) but supported her mother's view that he was not drunk. She was also clearer about who left, listing Peter Aitken, William Aitken, Paul McFail and John Brodie. She, her mother and Mary Gunn then went to bed, however she later said she had been in bed all of the time and couldn't see all that happened. It seems that John Marshall came in towards the end of the incident and had the poker taken to him by Agnes who had risen from her bed to clear the house. His testimony added a touch of farce when he claimed to remember meeting Peter Aitken and going with him to James Aitken's (probably another brother) house then on to Philip Gunn's house but that he could not remember being in widow Arthur's house. His daughter Maggie cleared that one up when she told how she had collected her father from there and took him home.
There is something ironic in the choice of date to hear the evidence for the defence - April first.
Peter went first and he admitted using intemperate language but not fighting or being drunk. He called Philip Gunn who described Peter Aitken as 'except for himself, the soberest man in the company in his house on the night of the 1st of January'.
The evidence seemed to have little effect on the Session Committee who referred it to the Presbytery who met two days later at Linlithgow where Peter argued that the evidence given for and against him was contradictory. But did acknowledge that he 'had in face of much provocation spoken one unguarded word for which he was sorry and resolved to be on his guard'. But that was not enough for the Presbyters who 'resolved without a vote to appoint a committee of three to examine the extract minutes of the Kirk Session of Torphichen and report to next meeting of Presbytery what facts appeared to them to be substantiated by the evidence.'
The committee reported back in three weeks with a neat summary of what they saw as the evidence. They were 'clearly of the opinion that the evidence proves that Peter Aitken had been drinking freely in the house of Philip Gunn, that he came with others to the house of Widow Arthur and sent for whisky. But it does not seem proved that Peter Aitken was very much intoxicated; that it seems true that Peter Aitken did then use profane language and behaved in a riotous manner in the Widow Arthur's house and after outside of her door demanding admittance and that the witnesses brought by Peter Aitken do not in any respect rebut the evidence on the part of the prosecution.'
The Presbytery agreed with the findings and referred it back to the Session for action who in their turn referred it to the Minister, His success in dealing with Peter Aitken was complete. He took only another two an a half years to persuade Peter to apologise to session. Whether Robert and his sister " (Roobert and Catherin children of Peter who were born in this time)" were then baptised is not recorded but normal service was resumed with the baptism of the next child, Mary Ann in 1938."

In the 1861 census two grandchildren, William aged 5 and John aged 7 months were living with Peter and Janet
In the 1871 census, grandchild William aged 18 was living with Peter and Janet

His daughter-in-law, AINNIE Aitken, reported his death.


Residence:
In 1856 the family resided at 6 Bowyett in the parish of Torphichen, along with William Aitken the illegitimate son of their daughter Janet and Andrew Cape

Peter married Janet Pearson on 17 Jul 1814 in Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland. Janet (daughter of John Pearson and Marion Liddell) was born in 1792 in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland; was christened on 11 May 1794 in Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 9 Jul 1888 in Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland; was buried in 1888 in Torphichen Churchyard, West Lothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _UID: 2A35A9C662254443BD0CC49B09F7FB717084
• Residence: 1841, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1861, 6 Bowyett, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1871, Bowyett, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1881, Bow Yett, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland

Notes:

John Aitken was the informant on his mother's death certificate, in 1888.

Notes:

Married:
Banns were called at Torphichen and once at Linlithgow. i.e. Torphichen where Peter was residing and Linlithgow parish where Janet resided.

Name: Peter Aitken
Gender: Male
Marriage Date: 17 Jul 1814
Marriage Place: Torphichen,West Lothian,Scotland
Spouse: Janet Pierson
FHL Film Number: 1066638


Name: Janet Pierson
Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 17 Jul 1814
Marriage Place: Torphichen,West Lothian,Scotland
Spouse: Peter Aitken
FHL Film Number: 1066638