John Morrison was born on 12th April 1829 in Old Cumnock (according to all censuses) and baptised on 26th November 1829 in Kilmarnock, the natural son of Elizabeth Grier and John Morrison. Elizabeth went on to marry Donald or Daniel Stewart in 1833 in Kilmarnock.
John was living with the Stewarts in 1841 in Kilmarnock but by 1851 census he was an "equestrian" living in Paisley with his wife Mary McNab of Renton.
In December of 1852 he was charged with wife assault in Cullen, Banffshire and is a showman from Kilmarnock. She clearly forgave him as she paid his fine and they went on to have nine children together. (9 children according to his obituary. I've only found 8)
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| Published: 7th Dec 1852 Newspaper: Banffshire Journal and General Advertiser |
Their children were born all around the country; Kilmarnock, Ayr, Aberdeen, Golspie, Lossiemouth, Echt, Charlestown. Many of these are seaside places.
In 1861 census he is a shoemaker living in 34 Shuttle Lane Aberdeen with Mary and 4 children.
In 1871 census he is a photographer living in a caravan on South Green Dunfermline with Mary and 7 children.
In September 1877 he is a showman and shooting gallery proprietor from Dundee in trouble for setting up with out permission. Found guilty.
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| Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser - Friday 21 September 1877 |
Mary died in Dundee in 1878 and he married Sarah Stratton in 1880. This marriage was short lived. More later.
In 1881 he is back in Kilmarnock with his mother now the widow of William Richmond and half brother William Stewart. He is a joiner.
West George Lane, Kilmarnock
Elizabeth Richmond 79
John Morrison 51 son journeyman joiner
William Stewart 16 son
Ann Goudie 61 visitor
Meanwhile 3 of his children Jessie, Hugh and Helen are living with their stepmother Sarah in Dundee.
In 1885 he was in court again in Perthshire.
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| Dundee Courier Friday 10 April 1885 |
He was sinned against in 1885 when his second wife committed bigamy. His address was Euclid Crescent Dundee.
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| Dundee Evening Telegraph Tuesday 02 June 1885 |
In 1891 he is in a lodging house in Dundee. At 20 Bruce St Lodging House
He died of chronic bronchitis in October 1903 in Perth Poorhouse age 74, consistent with his birth record.
Reports of his death appear some weeks later and he is described as a centenarian born 1801 in New Cumnock. He performed at the coronation of George IV in 1821 before he was born! I wondered if this refers to his father who was described as a labourer in 1829 and a tile maker on John's death certificate. Interesting reading though. He was known as "Shooting Johnny"; a clown called Caldebratis; the original Ord.
Cumnock Connections tree
* His place of birth is consistently Old Cumnock in the censuses and his mother was from there.
Updated 19 Feb 2018
Occupation Pedlar age 67
It was reported in the Dundee Courier of Thursday 02 June 1892 that he was drunk and disorderly at the Model (lodging house) and he was fined 5 shillings or five days' (imprisonment)/
In 1895 he featured in a series of articles in the Caledonia magazine written by Donald J Jolly. I wasn't sure at first it was the same man as he claimed to be born on 7th April 1819 but his obituary ties in with some of his claims.
Caledonia
In 1895 he featured in a series of articles in the Caledonia magazine written by Donald J Jolly. I wasn't sure at first it was the same man as he claimed to be born on 7th April 1819 but his obituary ties in with some of his claims.
Caledonia
1901 at 97 Overgate St Lodging House (Patrick Rock's)
Occupation Pedlar age 75
He died of chronic bronchitis in October 1903 in Perth Poorhouse age 74, consistent with his birth record.
Reports of his death appear some weeks later and he is described as a centenarian born 1801 in New Cumnock. He performed at the coronation of George IV in 1821 before he was born! I wondered if this refers to his father who was described as a labourer in 1829 and a tile maker on John's death certificate. Interesting reading though. He was known as "Shooting Johnny"; a clown called Caldebratis; the original Ord.
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| Aberdeen Press and Journal - Friday 25 December 1903 |
Cumnock Connections tree
* His place of birth is consistently Old Cumnock in the censuses and his mother was from there.
Updated 19 Feb 2018
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