Laura Katherine Aitken, B.A.

Other Events:

• _UID: 4EECBCFDCBB3403590C424DA31B08EAF56FC
• Residence: 31 Mar 1901, Newcastle, Northumberland, New Brunswick, Canada
• Residence: 1 Jun 1911, Newcastle, Northumberland, New Brunswick, Canada
• Residence: 26 Apr 1926, Bowlands, Stow, Scotland
• emmigration: 19 Jun 1954, Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland
• Residence: 19 Jun 1954, Bowlands, Stow, Scotland

Notes:

Laura was educated at Trafalgar School in Montreal and the University of Toronto where she obtained her BA.
During WW1 she was an Ambulance Driver.

Residence:
Arrived Southampton onboard the "Arianza" from Rio De Janiero

emmigration:
Departed on board the "Empress Of Scotland" for Montreal, Canada

Laura married Douglas Monro Ramsay on 9 Dec 1925 in Chelsea, London, England. Douglas (son of William Ramsay and Helen Anderson Reid) was born on 18 Jun 1878 in York, Ontario, Canada; died on 7 Aug 1951 in Bowland House, Galashiels, Scotland; was buried in Old Kirkyard of Stow, Scottish Borders, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Alan Douglas Munro Ramsay was born on 13 Oct 1926 in Chelsea, London, England; died on 15 Aug 1993 in 53 Wingate Crescent, Dunbar, Scotland; was cremated on 18 Aug 1993 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Other Events:

• _UID: 30737058DC56492BAA844AD2F1B72DDE0E97
• Residence: 1841, Parkhead, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1851; student
• Residence: 1851, 11/1 West Adam St, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
• Immigration: 29 Oct 1864, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Occupation: 19 Apr 1870; minister
• Occupation: 1871; clergyman
• Residence: 1871, Vaughan, York, Ontatio, Canada
• Immigration: 30 Nov 1874, New York, New York, USA
• Occupation: 30 Nov 1874; clergyman
• Occupation: 26 May 1879; minister, St Andrew & St Paul Church
• Residence: 26 May 1879, Maple, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1881; clergyman
• Residence: 1881, Newcastle, Northumberland, New Brunswick, Canada
• Occupation: 23 Apr 1891; clergyman
• Residence: 23 Apr 1891, Newcastle, Northumberland, New Brunswick, Canada
• Occupation: 31 Mar 1901; presbyterian minister
• Residence: 31 Mar 1901, Newcastle, Northumberland, New Brunswick, Canada
• Occupation: 29 Mar 1905; presbyterian minister
• Occupation: 1 Jun 1911; Minister (Retired)
• Residence: 1 Jun 1911, Newcastle, Northumberland, New Brunswick, Canada
• Occupation: 6 Jul 1921; minister, deceased

Notes:

Between 1842 and 1850 he attended Bathgate Academy.
After graduating from there he attended Edinburgh University, to study Arts, from 1850 to 1854.
For the following four years he studied Divinity until he was licensed to preach the gospel, in the Church of Scotland, on 21 Sep. 1858.
On 2 Aug 1864 he was appointed to be minister of the Church of Scotland at Coburg, Toronto, Canada.
Sailing for the USA, in October 1864, on-board the ship "Canada" he arrived in Boston, MA, on a Saturday having taken 14 days to sail from the UK. The next three days were spent in Boston, sightseeing.
He obviously liked his food and drink making special comment of this in a letter to a friend, in March 1865.
He also had an eye for the ladies of which he commented in the same letter.
From Boston he travelled to Coburg, via Niagara Falls and Toronto, in November 1864.
The church at Coburg fell under the control of Toronto.
When he arrived at Coburg, William encountered considerable difficulties. The previous minister, the Church Officers and the congregation at Coburg had transferred their allegiances to the Free Church of Scotland. The Church Officers refused to open the church for him and so litigation was taken.
William could not afford servants so he brought out his sister Ann to look after him.
Before the year was out he was offered the Parish of Vaughan in Maple. Here he stayed for 15 years.
Soon after the move he met Jane Noble, when she was 18.
According to William "she was like a little Dresden doll."

In 1879 William received the call from St James Church, Newcastle, NB.
Newcastle was one of the best-endowed churches in New Brunswick. The post carried an annual salary of $1200.00, a free house and the use of a Glebe Lot.
Candidates, for the position of Minister, had to conduct a divine service whereupon the congregation would vote on slips of paper as to who would be their minister. William won with 129 votes. The next closest candidate received 10 votes. The Glebe Lot became the site of the Sinclair ice rink, built by Lord Beaverbrook.

William and his family were counted in the 1881 Census of Newcastle, NB.
William remained the Minister of St James for 23 years.

Beaverbrook donated a grand pipe organ to the church at a cost of $6000.00. It bears a brass plaque "IN MEMORY OF THE REV. WILLIAM AITKEN." He also later paid for the organ to be fitted with an electro-pneumatic action, so the organ did not need to be pumped by hand. Perhaps remembering when he was the one that used to have to do the pumping of the old organ. He also donated eleven new church bells to the church.

'The Rev. William certainly looked the part with his grim expression and long white beard. Beaverbrook was later to say that "When my father stood up to read the Scriptures and to preach it was as if God Almighty was speaking." His congregation found him reserved but he was well respected especially for his sermons. Sometimes he preached anti-Catholic sermons; sometimes he mocked the Baptist doctrine of total submission. Once, in his fervour, he beat the sides of the pulpit with such emphasis that a section fell off. He preached hell and damnation with a Calvinistic fervour.'
A.J.P.Taylor

Orthodox Presbyterian standards were maintained at home, prayers, no cards etc. But he was indulgent towards dancing. He played chess but more surprisingly he played with the local Roman Catholic priest.
He continued to live in Newcastle, apart from holidays paid for by his son, until he died.

His monumental inscription, at St Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Maple, Ontario, reads "Aitken. In loving Memory of Rev. William Aitken, Minister of St. Andrew's and St. Paul's Churches, Vaughan, for 15 years. Born Linlithgowshire, Scotland, Died Newcastle, New Brunswick, Dec. 13th, 1913. And his wife, Jane Noble, born Maple, Ontario, died Newcastle, England, Aug. 6th, 1927. Katie, third daughter of Rev. William Aitken, died Dec. 13th, 1881, aged 7 years and 2 months."

Beaverbrook is quoted as saying; "Looking back, it is difficult to recollect any evidence of warmth in the relations of my parents and yet there is no occasion when a quarrel comes to my memory. My mother invariably spoke of her husband and to him as Mr Aitken. And I cannot recall any time when my mother was called Jane. One recollection of them, however, always remains clearly before me. An interesting ceremony was performed before church on Sunday morning. My father's collar was buttoned by my mother and his bands were carefully adjusted. He always managed to button his collar on other days, so the ceremony must have had some emotional meaning rather after the manner of the loving wife who buckles on the soldier's sword when he is about to go into battle."
"My Early Life" by Lord Beaverbrook

The Reverend retired and went on holiday to Florida, at his son's expense, but continued to live in Newcastle until he died. His monumental inscription, at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Maple, Ontario, #103, reads "Aitken. In loving Memory of Rev. William Aitken, Minister of St. Andrew's and St. Paul's Churches, Vaughan, for 15 years. Born Linlithgowshire, Scotland, Died Newcastle, New Brunswick, Dec. 13th, 1913. And his wife, Jane Noble, born Maple, Ontario, died Newcastle, England, Aug. 6th, 1927. Katie, third daughter of Rev. William Aitken, died Dec. 13th, 1881, aged 7 yrs. and 2 mos."

Immigration:
Arrived onboard the Bolivia from Glasgow

William married Jane Noble on 8 May 1867 in Vaughan, York, Ontatio, Canada. Jane (daughter of Joseph Vaughan Noble and Sarah McQuarrie) was born on 8 May 1846 in Ontario, Canada; died on 6 Aug 1927 in Newcastle, Northumberland, England; was buried in St Andrew. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _UID: 4A522F3D7B0F40B88036724380B2D93E3EF5
• Residence: 26 May 1879, Maple, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 31 Mar 1901, Newcastle, Northumberland, New Brunswick, Canada
• Residence: 1 Jun 1911, Newcastle, Northumberland, New Brunswick, Canada

Notes:

Lord Beaverbrook maintained that "it was his Celtic strain that he inherited from his Irish mother , that gave him the side that 'gets up and dances'." However Jane was not born in Ireland, according to Beaverbrook's biography, she was born in Ontario, Canada. His biography gives her being born about 1843 however the 1881 Census says she was 32 in 1881 which would make her born about 1849. Her parents were Irish, having emigrated from County Tyrone in the 1840's.

Jane's marriage was undemonstrative but she was devoted to her husband.
Jean McLintock, daughter of Jane and William was quoted as saying "Mama was the stronger character."

"As the wife of the minister of St James she was automatically one of the town's leading citizens, and she played her full part, arranging sewing parties at the manse, giving tea parties on the lawn in summer, and organising dances in the double parlour. She was a good cook. Everyone who knew her regarded her as an efficient manager running the house and family, ambitious for her children and standing no nonsense from the congregation. Her response to whispered disapproval about dancing in the manse was to hold a special dance and send out printed invitations."
A.J.P.Taylor.
On a trip to Scotland Jane travelled from Canada, Quebec, to Southampton on board the Canadian Pacific ship "Empress of Scotland" in Oct 1924. She travelled 1st Class with her daughter Anne. The shipping documents give their contact address as the Stafford Hotel, St James's Place, London.
She survived her husband by 14 years and she wore widows weeds until the day she died. According to Beaverbrook's biography she died Jun 1927. Burke's Peerage gives her date of death as 6 Aug 1927. According to the OCFA she was buried at St Andrews Presbyterian Cemetery Maple, Vaughan, York County, ONT.

Notes:

Married:
Name Jane Noble
Spouse Rev. William Aitken
Mother Sarah Macquarry
Father Joseph
Birth 1846 - Vaughan Township
Marriage 8 May 1867 - York
Residence Vaughan Township

Other Events:

• _UID: 2585986671ED4F8FA233890C23280722C24C
• Occupation: 1841; Lime Burner
• Residence: 1841, Parkhead, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1851; Farmer (97 acres)
• Residence: 1851, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 1861; Limeburner & Farmer Of 90 Acres Employing 2 Men
• Residence: 1861, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Occupation: 13Mar 1862; farmer
• Occupation: 1871; Farmer Of 93 Ac Employing 1 Man & 1 Boy
• Residence: 1871, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland

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.
In 1832 he must already have been a man of property.
The "List of the Electors of the County of Linlithgow" was produced in 1858. This listing states that "in 1832, 1837 and 1838, that Robert Aitken, Lime-burner, of Silver-Mine, Torphichen, Bathgate, was a tenant occupier".
Who one actually voted for was recorded. In 1832 Robert voted for Sir A. Hope and in 1837 he voted for Captain Hope, in 1838 he voted for Mr Charles Hope.
It is not surprising that Robert had voted that way. The land he leased, for farming and his lime burning business, was owned by the Hope family, the Hope's of Hopetoun, Earls of Linlithgow.
Robert's father held the lease of Wester Tartraven and the Limecraig of Silvermine until 1840.
I cannot find any record of who held the lease between 1840 and 1847, it was our Robert, according to Burke's Peerage.
In 1844 he bought a house in Bathgate. Then in 1845 he bought the grounds and buildings on the east side of Engine Street and the south side of North Street.
1847 must have been a momentous year for Robert and Ann.
That year, Robert, acquired more properties in Bathgate.
He signed a lease, for 18 years, for Silvermines farm.
His wife, Ann, also acquired property in Bathgate in 1847. So she must have been a woman of some substance as well.
Robert, Ann and their daughter Catherine all joined Torphichen Church.

Cemetery: Bathgate, Glasgow Road Cemetery
Interment Number: 2537
Date of Interment: Tuesday, 20 Oct 1874
Time: 3pm
Name: Robert Aitken
Occupation: Farmer
Residence: Silver Mines
Date of death: 17 Oct 1874
Age: 69
Cause of Death: Dropsy
How conveyed to grave: Hearse
Ground: Private
Compartment: B
Lair Number: 71
Depth: 5 feet
Charge: 5/-
Other info: two spaces No. 71 & 72

Robert married Ann Henderson on 3 Oct 1828 in Torphichen, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland. Ann (daughter of Robert Henderson and Janet Jeffrey) was born on 3 Oct 1809 in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 18 Jun 1880 in Wester Tartraven, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland; was buried on 21 Jun 1880 in Glasgow Rd Cemetery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _UID: A787A0237BC54AA29F33EEB11B18923C8F2B
• Residence: 1841, Parkhead, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1851, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1861, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
• Residence: 1871, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland

Notes:

Name: Ann Anderson
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 3 Oct 1809
Birth Place: Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
Father: Robert Anderson
Mother: Jaffrey
FHL Film Number: 102976, 1066612, 0102975

In 1847 Ann acquired property in Bathgate so she must have been a person of some substance.
Robert, Ann and their daughter Catherine all joined Torphichen Church.
In "The County Directory of Scotland" for 1875 it shows Mrs Aitken, & Robert's wife Ann, as being the farmers of Silvermines Farm.
The informant of the death of Ann Henderson was her son James Aitken

Other Events:

• _UID: FA84238247B04B80B9BBE94433D367A79A9B

Joseph married Sarah McQuarrie. Sarah and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _UID: FEE6958E771F4FCB9004D792C632788EB284

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: E0FE0F7FAFB04F4F94D0788BDA5B06455069

Robert married Janet Jeffrey. Janet and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _UID: 332D2B8610F246B0B6C954ECC8376F88BEFB