Isobel Coutts
daughter of Thomas Coutts and Margaret Ross
Unless otherwise stated - all parish register entries are for Birse Parish Registers (entries in italics)
21 Nov 1790: Thomas Coutts in Wester Clune a daughter Isobel. witnesses: the congregation
Isobel/Isabella Coutts died 5th August 1872 at Whitehall in the Parish of Birse aged 87 years. She was given as the widow of James Ley, agricultural labourer and the daughter of Thomas Coutts, master shoemaker, deceased and Margaret Ross also deceased. The informant on her certificate was her grandson James Harper who was present at the time of her death. (Birse #9)
Birse 1871 census: Residing at Whitehill
James Harper Head mar 64 general merchant ABD Birse
Elizabeth Harper wife mar 54 merchant's wife ABD Birse
James Harper son un 18 servant ABD Birse
James Duncan Head mar 70 tailor KCD Laurencekirk
Isabella Duncan wife mar 68 tailor's wife KCD Laurencekirk
Isabella Ley Clark grand'dau un 8 scholar ABD Birse
Isabella Coutts Head widow 85 ABD Birse
Birse 1861 census: Residing Whitehill
James Harper Head mar 56 general merchant ABD Birse
Elizabeth Harper wife mar 45 ABD Birse
James Harper son un 8 scholar ABD Birse
James Duncan Head mar 60 tailor KCD Laurencekirk
Isobel Duncan wife mar 56 KCD Laurencekirk
Thomas Coutts head un 68 pauper former agricultural labourer ABD Birse
Isabella Coutts head widow 70 formerly dressmaker ABD Birse
Birse 1851 census - Residing Whitehill
James Harper Head Mar 42 general merchant ABD Birse
Elizabeth Harper wife mar 34 merchant's wife ABD Birse
Donald Adams servant un 24 tailor INV Kingussie
John Patterson lodger un 24 stone mason ABD Glenmuick
Isobell Coutts Head widow 60 dressmaker ABD Birse
Eliza Harper grand'dau un 6 ABD Kincardine O'Neil
Birse 1841 census - residing Woodside Whitehill
George Smart 20 merchant born in County
Isabel Coutts 45 sempstress born in County
Elizabeth Harper 20 sempstress born in County
Isobel Coutts married first:
December 5 1813: Contracted James Harper and Isobel Coutts both in this parish and after regular proclamations of banns and no objections made were married December 25th.
and had the following children:
June 27 1814: James Harper in Balnoard sqrwright and his wife Isabel Couts had a son baptised names James. Robt Harper in Balnoard and Hugh Harper in Balnaboth and Witnesses.
April 5 1816: James Harper in Balnoard and his wife Isabel Couts had a daughter baptised named Elizabeth. Fras Harper and Archd Harper in said town were witnesses.
Isobel Coutts married second:
June 13 1819: Said day Contracted James Ley and Isobel Coutts both in this parish and after proclamation of marriage banns and no objections offered were thereafter married 25th inst before witnesses.
and had the following child:
April 17th 1820: Isabel Couts relict of James Ley in Balnoard had a daughter baptised named Margaret. George Smart cartwright there and Hugh Harper in Balnaboth witnesses.
1815 List of Inhabitants (residing at Balnahard)
James Harper
Isab Coutts
Jas Jnr Harper (under 7)
This family is listed immediately after Robert Harper Snr and his spouse spouse Barbara Forbes. Is James Harper born 1791 one and the same as James Harper spouse of Isabel Coutts?
April 30 1791: Robert Harper in Balnahard a child named James. Witnesses Robert Forbes and Al Ross
1819 List of Inhabitants
Isabel Couts (widow)
Jas Harper (under 7)
E Harper (under 7)
1822 List of Inhabitants (Bankhead)
Isabel Couts (widow
Eliza Harper (under 7)
Margaret Harper (under 7) - this is probably Margaret Leys born 1820
1825 List of Inhabitants At Balnaboth diet (which more than likely includes Bankhead)
Isabel Couts (widow), Eliz Harper and Margaret Ley (u/7)
Children of Isobel Coutts
James :-
James Harper, wood labourer and widower of Mary Rae died on the 16th February 1884 at Banchory railway station. His usual residence is given as Inchmarlo. He was aged 68 years and his parents are given as James Harper, crofter (decd) and Isabella Coutts (decd). Cause was death was being run down by a railway train. The informant on his death certificate was Arthur Coutts his son-in-law. (Banchory Ternan #9)
A Corrected Entry states that James was run down by a railway train and that both his thigh bones and his left arm were broken. Cause of death was a shock to the nervous system. (Corrected entry #252 dated 25th July 1884).
Mary Rae died 23rd December 1879 at Bridgefoot of Invercannie, Banchory Ternan aged 63. Her parents are given as Matthew Rae farmer (decd) and Henrietta Rae m.s. Findlay (decd) The informant was her brother Francis Rae who resided at Roadside of Inchmarlo. (Banchory Ternan #54).
1861 census for Kincardine O'Neil residing at Drumfork
James Harper Head mar 46 farmer 14 acres ABD Birse
Mary Harper wife mar 44 farmer's wife ABD Kinc O'Neil
Isobel Harper dau un 23 farmer's dau ABD Kinc O'Neil
James Harper son un 15 scholar ABD Kinc O'Neil
Ann Harper dau 13 scholar ABD Kinc O'Neil
Mary Harper dau 11 scholar ABD Kinc O'Neil
Francis Harper son 9 scholar ABD Kinc O'Neil
Helen Harper dau 7 scholar ABD Kinc O'Neil
William Harper son 3 ABD Kinc O'Neil
Archibald Rae brother-in-law un 53 house carpenter ABD Kinc O'Neil
Other children which appear on the 1851 census where the family was also living at Drumfork are John (abt 1839) Fanny (abt 1841) Eliza (abt 1843) all born Kincardine O'Neil.
Elizabeth :-
Elizabeth Harper, married to James Harper grocer died 9th April 1887 at Whitehill aged 72 years. Her parents are given as an unnamed Harper, carpenter (decd) and Isabella Coutts (decd). The informant was her husband James. (Birse #9)
James Harper, postmaster and widower of Elizabeth Harper died 7th May 1894 at Whitehill. He was aged 88 years. His parents are given as James Harper, farmer (decd) and unnamed Seivewright (decd). Informant was his brother William Harper residing at Turfgate. (Birse #3)
Margaret (Ley) : -
No information has been found to date.
The connection between the family of James Duncan and Isobel Ley who were also residing at Whitehill in 1861 and 1871 is not clear. Perhaps Isobel (spouse of James) is related in some way to James Ley, 2nd husband of Isobel Coutts.
Isabella Ley married to James Duncan, tailor, died 13th July 1822 at 47 Rosemount Place Aberdeen aged about 79 years. Her parents are given as David Ley of independent means (decd) and Jane Wilson. The informant was her grandson son Geo Leo Duncan. (Old Machar #576)
James Duncan master tailor and widower of Isabella Ley died at the same place on 29 Mar 1833. He was aged 82 years. His parents are given as David Duncan, railway labourer (decd) and Isabella Ross (decd) His son George Duncan was the informant. (Old Machar #446).
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