ROBERT STRUTHERS - ANN WILSON

ROBERT STRUTHERS was born at Side Farm, Avondale, about 1834. He was the second son to be named Robert; the first died in infancy. No entry can be found for the second birth in the OPR indexes.

Son of Robert Struthers and Sarah Wilson.

Robert is at West Side on the 1841 and 1861 census. He does not appear to be in the 1851 census index for Avondale.

ANN WILSON was born at Redding Farm, Avondale, on the 17th of October, 1844. (OPR Ref. 621/4, FR602)

Daughter of John Wilson and Agnes Young.

Ann is at Redding on the 1851 census.

Robert and Ann were married at Redding on the 2nd of June, 1868. (GROS Ref. 1868, 621, 24)

Witnessed by Andrew Struthers and John Wilson.

Officiated by Robert Reid Rae, Minister of Avondale.

Robert and Ann are at Side on the 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 census.

Children:

  1. Robert Struthers, born at Side on the 23rd of March, 1869. (GROS Ref. 1869, 621, 47)

    Robert is at Side on the 1891 census. His occupation is Shepherd. He married Isabella Cochran Pate (b. Strathaven c.1870), daughter of James Pate and Barbara McLanachan, at Allarstocks Farm, East Kilbride, on the 15th of January 1896. Robert was then working as a Farmer at Arkland Farm, Penpont, Dumfriesshire. Robert died at Arkland on the 9th of November 1924.

  2. John Struthers, born at Side on the 16th of November, 1871. (GROS Ref. 1871, 621, 173)

    John is at Side on the 1891 census. His occupation is Elementary Schoolteacher. He married Mary McCowan (b. Neilston c.1871) of Holehouse, Neilston, also a Teacher, although at that time John was employed as a Tailor. Mary was the daughter of Provision Merchant David McCowan and Ann McIntyre. They were married at Holehouse on the 28th of June 1895, and are living at 14 Percy Street, Govan, on the 1901 census. John's occupation is again a 'Teacher', so the occupation given on his marriage certificate may be an error. John spent many years in Japan; the following biography of him was obtained from the Asiatic Society of Japan:

    JOHN STRUTHERS, M.A., B.Sc., M.B.E., was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1871, graduated from Glasgow University, and lectured in agricultural chemistry at the Glasgow Agricultural College before coming to Japan to a commercial position as manager for the Chilean Nitrate of Soda interests in the Far East. In addition to nine years on the council, he held the onerous position of treasurer for fourteen years between 1913 and 1936, a grand total of twenty-three years as an officer. Struthers' colleague in the Chilean Nitrate Company, N.K. ROSCOE, also an Englishman, was treasurer of the Society from 1922 and 1930. On his return to London, Roscoe became, around the years 1935-1937, advisors to the Japanese Embassy.

    This colleague N.K. Roscoe was his son-in-law - married to his daughter Ann.

    No record of John's death has been found in the statutory records of Scotland, but his widow died at 11 Summerside Street, Leith, on the 12th of January 1959, and her death certificate gives John's occupation as Agricultural Scientist.

  3. GAVIN STRUTHERS, born at Side on the 27th of July, 1873. (GROS Ref. 1873, 621, 105)

    Gavin is at Side on the 1891 census. His occupation is Ploughman. He married Isabella Morrison Craig, daughter of Alexander Craig and Jane Fleming.

  4. Agnes Young Struthers, born at Side on the 8th of November, 1875. (GROS Ref. 1875, 621, 151)

    Agnes is at Side on the 1901 census. She married William Scott (b.c.1878) of Dalfram, Muirkirk, son of William Scott and Agnes Davidson, at Side on the 23rd of December 1903. Agnes died at 2 Whitelees Road, Lanark, on the 29th of August 1950.

  5. Sarah Struthers, born at Side on the 1st of January, 1878. (GROS Ref. 1878, 621, 4)

    Sarah is at Side on the 1901 census. She married John Craig (b.c.1874) of Guelt, Old Cumnock, son of John Craig and Margaret Craig, at Side on the 9th of July 1902. Sarah died at Netherholm, Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire, on the 17th of April 1953. Her death certificate gives a middle name of 'Wilson'.

Robert died at Side on the 30th of March, 1908.

Ann died at 91 Kirk Street, Strathaven, on the 4th of December, 1913.

Robert and Ann are buried in Strathaven cemetery.