Chronological notes from Williams letters to his wife Katie

William Chalmers ((1817-1891) traveled to the US in search of farmland. The trip took about 4 months from late May to September of 1870. William wrote many letters to his wife, Catherine, who he called "my dearest Katie".

Here is a list of highlights. The complete letters are published as Letters on a Journey to the West and is included in the "blackbook" of Chalmers History that was published by John Chalmers in the mid 1970's

Date	Location	Location	notes
26-May
31-May	Liverpool	Diggies Hotel
3-Jun		Onboard City of Washington	On our way to Queenstown Island
4-Jun
7-Jun
14-Jun	arrived in NY Harbor	City Washington	Grand views of the Bay of New York
16-Jun	New York	European Hotel	Writing before boarding the train
			Left Thursday night on the New York & Hudson River Central Railway
18-Jun	Niagara		arrived at Niagara for layover between trains
19-Jun	Detroit	Burlington Quincy Railway	Burlington Quincy Railway
21-Jun	Omaha		Saw Red Cloud
27-Jun			4 weeks since leaving home. Heat of emigrant cars made travel unpleasant.
29-Jun	California		Noted Truckee river to Lake Tahoe (misspelled Lake as Tattoe)
4-Jul	San Francisco	Folsome St 16th Corner	Set out for Mr. Scott's farm to see son Alek. Alek have been working for Mr Scott as a farm hand.
			Alek & William went up the Napa Valley
			Stage coach to Calistoga
			Stage coach to Heralsburgh, the Senona Valley, through Santa Rosa & Retaluna
	Sail to Portland	Ship, Moses Tailor	Rough passage. Lost a paddle shaft and waited six hours for repairs.
13-Jul	Portland	American Exchange Hotel	From newspaper article - On his arrival here, Mr Chalmers made the acquaintance of Mr Jacob Stitzel, of the firm of Stitzel & Upton, Real Estate Agents
16-Jul	Portland to Salem	hired carriage	looking at farms for sale in the Willamette valley
17-Jul	Salem	Attended Methodist Church
18-Jul		hired a new team for the carriage	Linn Co, dined in Lebanon, returned to Albany
19-Jul			Crossed the Willamette (by ferry), saw farms, supped in McMinnville, then on toe Washington County
20-Jul	Washington County		Met with Benjamin Cornelius, bought farm of roughly 975 acres for $14,268
21-Jul	Portland	American Exchange Hotel	Arrived after 200 mile journey in a light carriage.
3-Aug			Planned to depart to return to Scotland. Alek will stay and work as farmhand for Mr Cornelius until October 1st with it is "time to enter the land"
	Farm included the following
		3 span (teams) of work horses
		4 yearling colts
		2 yr old colts
		3 cows
		3 calves
		2 yearling calves
		100 sheep
		40 hogs
		20 acres of June sown wheat
		Barn full of hay
		wagon
		ploughs and harrows

 

Part 2 - Summary of the trip from Scottish newspaper, Banffshire Journal, September 6th, 1870

After William returned to Scotland, the following article was published in the local newspaper - 

THE PRESS ON MR CHALMERS' LAND PURCHASE.

AN EXAMPLE FOR SCOTCH FARMERS. Our readers will learn with interest, and in some respects with regret, that Mr Chalmers, Oldwhat (his hometown), well known as a successful breeder of short-horns, and a most enterprising farmer, has made a purchase of land in the State of Oregon, and intends removing thither with his family. 

The Daily Bulletin of Portland, Oregon, of the 22d July last, thus refers to the purchase :-"Mr Chalmers left the old country on May 29th; crossed the continent by the Overland Railway, and came here by steamer from San Francisco, on the 15th of the current month. He is accompanied by one of his sons, a young man of about twenty years. On his arrival here, Mr Chalmers made the acquaintance of Mr Jacob Stitzel, of the firm of Stitzel & Upton, Real Estate Agents, and that gentleman provided a team suitable for the extended tour, and took Mr Chalmers and his son from this city, through Clackamas and Marion counties, on the east side of the Willamette river, to Albany, and from there to Lebanon, Brownsville, and other points in Linn county. 

Camron's collection

 Just a note about the great collection of records that Camron Dunn has assembled. He spent many, many long hours scanning and organizing content from the Chalmers, Dempster, and Anderson (George's side) families. 

I am pulling pictures and reference materials from Camron's collection. There will be links in some posts to interesting historical documents. 

If you don't already have access to this content, leave Camron a note in the comments to ask for more information.

Nan and Don at Breitenbush 1947

Don Nan Rob Meg Chalmers

Jim Don Nan Chalmers

Chalmers, Fowlie and Robb families - From Camron Dunn

 From Camron Dunn - 

Chalmers, Fowlie and Robb families

Chalmers family

Alexander Chalmers  married Ann Mackie 30th November 1811 in  Monquhitter, Aberdeenshire. 

According to LDS site their children were :- 
Margaret b. 30:8:1813 ch. 9:10:1813; 

Ann b.13:10:1815 ch. 20:10:1815;

William ch.19:12:1817;

James b.12:3:1822 ch. 23:3:1822 

John b. 24:10:1825 ch. 4:11:1825 - 

all born Old Whatt, New Deer. Due to the gap between the births of William and James there may have been others who died in infancy. A daughter, Alice, is mentioned in the Chalmers’ book, which also states they had 6 children between 1814 and 1825. Alice may have died shortly after her birth, so there may be no OPR record.
1841
Alexander Chalmers       55            Farmer
Ann            ……..           50
John     ……..                 15
William   ……               20
The 1841 census gave very little information and the enumerators were told to “round down” ages, so these were often incorrect. This is Alexander Chalmers and his wife Ann (Mackie). Daughters Margaret and Ann, and son James not with parents. Margaret had married Alexander Smith in May 1834. John was later a minister/missionary. He was sent to Hong Kong and Canton, China in 1853. He died 22nd November 1899. No info on Ann and James.
(Alexander Chalmers who married Ann Mackie, was christened 31:12:1781 Kepponshill, Monquhitter to William Chalmers and Margaret Watson. 

William Chalmers married Margaret Watson 4:4:1779 in Monquhitter. As well as Alexander their other children were :- Elisabeth ch. 24:2:1784 and John ch. 28:2:1786 both at Greeness, Monquhitter -  Kepponshill and Greeness possibly names of farms. According to the Chalmers’ book they had 6 children between 1779 and 1799, but the others’ births have not been found.
Going back another generation - this William was possibly ch. 8:12:1754, Methlick, son of Alexander Chalmers, and that Alexander was possibly ch. 15:9:1723, Methlick, son of John Chalmer (no “s” on Chalmer).
……………………………….........................................................................................................................
William Chalmers, son of Alexander Chalmers/Ann Mackie
New Deer Old Parish Register  1844 - Margaret Chalmers, natural daughter of William Chalmers and Jane Smith was born on the  --- day of --- 1844 and baptised on the 16th day of June. Witnessed by the Kirk Session. Perhaps  William did not know the exact date of his natural daughter’s birth, hence the gaps in the entry. Margaret was possibly brought up in her father’s home rather than her mother’s, as she appears in his house (after his marriage) in the  1851census. 
William Chalmers married Catherine Metcalf at Mains of Auchmunziel on 9th March 1845. Catherine Metcalf was born 8th July 1826 and christened on 9th July, in Turriff Parish, Aberdeenshire. She was the daughter of Francis Garden Metcalf and Helen Frater. (The Metcalfs had six children according to Mormon site).
William Chalmers and Catherine Metcalf had eleven children, all born at Old Whatt :- 
Helen b.27:8:1846; Alexander b. 7:4:1848; William b.16:1:1850; Francis b.18:11:1851;Catherine b.25:11:1853; John b. 22:10:1855; Ann Mackie b.6:7:1857; Mary b.21:1:1860; James M.P. b.13:6:1864; Mary b.5:10:1867 and Margaret Smith b. 31:8:1869. (Margaret was the first person to be buried in the Tualain Plains Scotch Church Cemetery. She died aged 6 years 9 months).

1851 Old What
Wm Chalmers           Head       Mar.            33    Farmer of 140 acres arable land, 80 of muir (moor)
Catherine  ….              Wife        …..              25                                                 b. Turriff
Margaret  ….             Dau         Unmar          7     At school
Helen  ….                      …..         …….           5      ………..
Alexander  ….             Son          ……             3
William  ……              …..          ……             1
Wm Brodie                  Serv         ……           29      Farm serv                            b. Strichen, Aberdeenshire
James Strachan            …..          …….           16     …..                                          Cramond,  …….
George Grant               …..           ……           15     …….                                       New Deer
James Duncan             ……         ……            13      ……..                                     Old Deer
Margaret Fraser           ……          …..            20      House servant                         Fraserburgh
Ann Glennie                …..         ……              12      ……  ……                             Tyrie    
It states that William employed 4 labourers and 2 women - these are the ones listed - some of them are very young. All children like William listed as being  born in New Deer.
Daughter, Margaret aged 7 is William’s natural daughter. In the Chalmers book it mentioned that one of William’s daughters was married to a Wm Stewart, merchant in New Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire.  I looked for a marriage of a female Chalmers to a Wm Stewart in Aberdeenshire and found some more info (see later).
1861 Old What, Overton
Wm Chalmers          Head        Mar            43    Farmer of 250 acres employing, 5 labourers +2 women 
Cathrine …..              Wife         …..              34     Farmer’s wife
Helen    ……              Dau          Unmar        14         ……    dau
Alexander  ….            Son           ……           13      Scholar
William    …..             ….            ……           11       ……..
Ann M …..                 Dau          …….             3
Mary   …..                   ….           …….            1
Robert Duguid            Serv         Mar             33     Ploughman                       b. Fyvie
James Murison            ……        Unmar         22      ………                                Rathen
James Fowlie              …..           …….          19     ……                                     New Deer
George Dunn              …..          Mar              53     Cattleman                             Strachan, Kincardineshire
John Burnet                ….           Unmar          16      …….                                   Tyrie
Jessie  …..                  ……         ……..          21     Domestic Servant                 ……    
Jane Noble                  …..        …….             23      ………..                               New Deer  
Daughters Margaret, 17 and Catherine, 7 and sons Francis, 9 and John, 5 not at home - Francis and Catherine visiting maternal grandparents (listed below). I still haven’t found John, aged 5 in 1861. Margaret is a servant in the Metcalf’s house. John re-appears in 1871 (see below). A James Fowlie from New Deer is one of the ploughmen - possibly a relative of Jane, whom William later married - there were lots of Fowlies in New Deer!   Strange to see the name George Dunn as one of the cattlemen - a bit uncanny since Chalmers and  Dunn were the surnames of Nanette and George. 
1861 Mains of Auchmunziell, New Deer
Francis Metcalf                Head              Mar           65       Farmer of 160acres           b. Gamrie, Banffshire
Hellen   …….                  Wife               …..            60                                                 b.  New Hills
James    …..                      Son               Unmar        29       Farmer’s son                     b.  New Deer
Mary   ……                      Dau               ……          21        ………   dau                         ……….
Francis Chalmers           Grandson      …..            9        Scholar                                 ………
Catherine  …….             Grand dau     …              7         ……..                                   ……..
James McLelan                 Serv               ….            21        Farm Servant                    b.  Fyvie
William Lamb                    …..              ……          28       …………….                      b.  Old Deer
Thomas Hepburn              ……             Mar            26        ………………..                b.  Rathen
Margaret Chalmers         ……           Unmar       16        Domestic Servant            b. Old Pitsligo
Elizabeth McGregor          ……            ……..         17       ………………..                 b.   Monquhitter
This is Catherine Metcalf’s parents’ farm (she married Wm Chalmers). Wm and Catherine’s two children, Francis and Catherine, must have been visiting/staying with their grandparents at the time of the census. William’s natural daughter, Margaret, must have gone to work for the Metcalfs. 
Death - 17th August 1864 at 9:09pm Oldwhat, New Deer, Mary Chalmers, aged 5 yrs (Wm Chalmers, farmer/Catherine Metcalfe). Causes - chronic inflammation of the bowels and heart (or head?); congestion of brain 3days. Death registered by John Wright, servant.
On 5th October 1867 at 8:00pm,  Oldwhat, another daughter called Mary was born to William and Catherine Chalmers.
Chalmers/Robb marriage :-
21st November 1865 at Oldwhat, New Deer, James Robb, 28, farmer, Nittenshead, Tyrie (Wm Robb, farmer/Ann Strachan) to Helen Chalmers, 19, Old What (Wm Chalmers, farmer/Catherine Metcalf). Witnesses - John Mitchell and James Metcalf. (On this marriage certificate, it states that Ann Strachan had been married before to someone with the surname of Birnie)
1871 census, Old What, New Deer
Wm Chalmers                Head          Mar             53        Farmer employing 7 labourers & 3 boys
Catherine ….                    Wife           …..              44        Farmer’s wife
Catherine ….                    Dau           Unmar          17        ………     daughter
John  …..                          Son             ……            15        ………… son
Ann M ….                        Dau            …….            13       ………… daughter            All born New Deer
James M P ….                   Son            ……              7        Scholar
Mary   …..                        Dau           …….              3
Margaret S ….                   …..           …….              1
James Mitchell                  Serv              …..           36        Farm Servant     
Son, Francis in US with brothers Alex and William. William snr had returned to Old Whatt, without sons, Alexander, William and Francis to “collect” the rest of the family. 
1871 Nitten’s Head, New Pitsligo, Tyrie
James Robb                 Head          Mar           34      Farmer of 98acres 40 arable               b. New Deer
Helen   …..                 Wife           …..           24                                                                      ……
Helen  ….                    Dau           Unmar         4                                                                  b.  Tyrie
William  …                  Son            ……           2                                                                          ….
Margaret Scott             Serv           …….        19        General Servant                                 b. New Deer
Mary Ann Walker        ….             ….            16          ……………….                                b. Tyrie 
James Shepherd           …..             ….           18         Farm  Servant                                    b. King Edward’s
James Michie                …..            ….           19          …………….                                        ………….         
This is Helen Chalmers and her husband and family. According to Mormon site they had Helen 22:9:1866; William 26:8:1868 and Catherine Ann 17:8:1872 - all born in New Pitsligo. In the Chalmers’ book, Catherine isn’t mentioned, but another son, James, is. Catherine may have died in USA. James was possibly born in 1875 in New Pitsligo (still to check).
2nd Chalmers/Robb marriage:-
1st February 1877 at Waulkmill, New Deer, Alexander Chalmers, 36, farmer, Oregon, US America (Wm Chalmers, farmer/Catherine Metcalfe) to Bella Robb, 35, farmer’s daughter, writing very unclear, but possibly of Ironside, (Wm Robb, farmer/Anne Strachan). Witnesses - G B Esselmont and Alex Irvine.


1880 US census - Columbia, Washington, Oregon
Wm. Chalmers        Head        62       Farmer                   b. Scotland
Catherine ……          Wife        54        Keeping House       
William  ……            Son         30        Farmer
Anne M. …..             Dau.         22       At home
James A. ….              Son          16        Works on farm
Mary  ….                   Dau.        12         At school
Charley Chamberlain                30         Works on farm     b. Michigan (Scottish parents)
Y. Burnard Ross                       21          ……………..       b. Oregon
Next entry:-
Frank Chalmers                Head          28            Farmer                      b. Scotland
Adilad ……….                     Wife          28            Keeping house           b. Canada (parents Irish)
1880 US census - Dairy, Washington, Oregon
Alexander Chalmers       Head       32      Farmer                b. Scotland
Isabella  ……………        Wife        27      Keeping house      ………..
Wm. Robb ……….            Son           1                                   b. Oregon
Anna Catherine ….            Dau.         4mths                                ……..
Alexander   Joss                                20                                   b. Scotland
Other children of Alexander Chalmers and Isabella (ms Robb) :- Alexander Jessamine; Christine Birnie (surname of  Isabella’s mother’s first husband): Isabel Strachan (Isabella’s mother’s maiden name): Helen Mary Ross (possibly the Ross name was because of the minister at the church the Chalmers co-founded at Tualatin Plains): Clara Esselmont (surname of husband of Isabella’s mother’s daughter from 1st marriage): and Earl John.
1881 census Tillymauld, Monquhitter, Aberdeenshire
Wm Chalmers            Visitor          Unmar        31           Farmer, Oregon, US           b. New Deer
Margaret Hay               Servant          …….          18            General domestic servant          Monquhitter 
James Leggat                 ……..            …….         20            Farm servant                             Macduff, Banff
George Rennie               ……..           …….          17             …………….                            Monquhitter
Mary Ross                     ………..       ……..         13            General domestic servant          Tyne, Aberdeen
Margaret Smith         Mother         Widowed    67           Farmer’s mother                      New Deer
Patrick Smith               Head              Unmar        36            Farmer 132 acres arable            King Edward’s
Wm Smith                    Servant          ……..         22            Farm Servant                             Fyvie, Aberdeen
William Chalmers had perhaps come to meet his future wife. It turned out that Margaret Smith (highlighted above) was Margaret Chalmers,  born 30:8:1813, daughter of Wm Chalmers and Ann Mackie, and therefore sister of  William Chalmers snr, the above William’s father - she was therefore this William’s aunt, so that’s why he was staying with at Tillymauld.
(Margaret Chalmers married Alexander Smith in 1834. They had 3 children :- Ann b. 15:8:1836; Alexander b. 25:9:1840 and Patrick b. 17:9:1844. The children were all born in King Edward’s (a district in Aberdeen I’d guess). There may have been others. On the census it states that Patrick employed 2 men, 2 girls and 1 boy - these would be the ones listed above.  The Agnes Smith who was visiting the Fowlie family in 1881 with her two small sons may have been a relative of these Smiths - all involved in planning the wedding ????? (see Fowlie info later)
Marriage - 16th June 1881 at Drymuir, New Deer, William Chalmers, 31, farmer, of Oregon, United States America (Wm Chalmers, farmer/Catherine Metcalfe) to Jane Fowlie, 25, of Drymuir, New Deer (John Fowlie, farmer/Jean Thomson, deceased). Witnesses - George Fowlie and Wm Stewart.     
1900 US census Dairy Precinct, Washington, Oregon :-Alexander Chalmers (b. 1848 Scotland),52, Farmer; Isabella J. Chalmers (b. 1853 Scotland) 47;William R.  (b. Oct 1878 Oregon) 21; Bella S.(b. Dec. 1885) 14; Hellen R. (b. Sep. 1888) 11;Clara E. (b. Dec. 1890)9; Earl J. (b. Feb. 1898) 2; Anna M. Robb, niece (b. May 1885) 15; Henry Ludwig , boarder (b. Sep. 1879) 20, Day Labourer.
It states Isabella Chalmers had had 8 children, all of whom were living - 5 at home in census.
1900 US census Multnomah, Portland City - 3 missing Chalmers children living in a Boarding House, owned  by Idelia M. Smith, 37, a widow. Anna Chalmers, 20 (b. Feb. 1885); Christine, 16 (b. Apr. 1884) and Alex J., 18 (b. Jan. 1882). Several other boarders and one female servant also in house. 
1900 US census Columbia and Mountain Precinct, Washington, Oregon  :- William Chalmers (b. 1850 Scotland; emigrated 1871)Farmer; Jane, wife, 45(b. July 1854, Scotland); Kate M. 16 (b. Feb. 1884); William M.14 (b. Apr. 1886); Margaret J. 10 (b. Aug. 1889); James M. 7 (b. June 1892); Isabel A. 4 (b. June 1895); and Joseph F. 2 (b. June 1897).
It states that Jane had had 7 children, 6 of whom were still living. Their son Joseph aged 19, died of ‘flu’ in 1918.
(James M. Chalmers married Margaret Hood Dempster)
1900 US census  - Francis Chalmers, 48 (b. Nov. 1851 Scotland); emigrated 1870; Farmer; Adaline, wife,48 (b. Oct. 1851 Canada); Walter A., son, 19 (b. Oct. 1880); Francis J., 14 (b. June 1885); Elizabeth C., daughter, 12 (b. Mar. 1888); Esther E., 8 (b. July 1891); William Robb, nephew, 30 (b. Aug. 1869 Scotland; emigrated 1880) Farm Labourer.
William Robb was the son of Helen Chalmers and James Robb. Adaline had had 5 children, 4 of whom were still living.    
 …………………………….........................................................................................................................................
Margaret Chalmers - illegitimate daughter of Wm Chalmers (see page 1)
30th November 1875 at The UP (possibly United Presbyterian) Manse, Whitehill, New Deer, William Stewart, 24, General Merchant (Master) of 61 High Street, New Pitsligo (David Stewart, Master Baker dec/Mary Harvey) to Margaret Taylor, 29, Merchant’s widow, of same address (Wm Chalmers, farmer/Jane Birnie, maiden name Smith). Witnesses - A M Irvine and James H Stewart.
Margaret’s mother had  obviously married a Mr Birnie at some time, so that may be why she was living with the Chalmers family. At the time of her marriage to Wm. Stewart, Margaret was a widow - she had previously been  married  to Wm Taylor (Wm was a popular name!!!!). 
Margaret’s first marriage - on 2nd December 1872, Church of Tyrie, William Taylor, 35, merchant, New Pitsligo, Tyrie (Wm Taylor, merchant/Sophia Wilson) to Margaret Chalmers, 25, farmer’s daughter, New Pitsligo, Tyrie (Wm Chalmers, farmer/Jane Smith). Witnesses - George Diak and Fraser Ogsten .
Births :- 20th April 1873 at 6:15am 61 High Street, New Pitsligo, Maggie Taylor (Wm Taylor, general merchant/Maggie Chalmers). Birth registered by father, Wm Taylor, present.
1st February 1875 at 1:00pm 61 High Street, New Pitsligo, Wilhelmina Taylor (Wm Taylor, general merchant, deceased/Margaret Chalmers). Birth registered by mother.
Death :- 13th October 1874 at 00:05am, 61 High street, New Pitsligo, Tyrie, William Taylor, aged 40, general merchant, married to Margaret Chalmers. (Wm Taylor, general merchant/Sophia Wilson, both deceased). Cause - phthisis 7 years. Death registered by Samuel Taylor, brother, of 62 High St, New Pitsligo, not present at death.
1881 census - 61 High Street, New Pitsligo
 
Wm Stewart          Head                 Mar         29      General Mrechant(Master)      b. Aldford, Aberdeenshire                                                                  
Margaret ….       Wife                 …..           35                                                          Tyrie,
Jane Chalmers    Step -daughter Unmar   10       Scholar                                        St Nicholas, Aberdeen
Margaret Taylor    ……….            ……         8      …….                                             Tyrie
Wilhelmina …      ………             …….         6      …….                                              ….
William Stewart    Son                   ……         4                                                              …..
James  …..             …..                  ……          1                                                              ….
Mary McCombie   Servant            …….       18     Domestic Servant                           Rathen       
Jane Chalmers born 23rd November 1870, St Nicholas (District), Aberdeen to Margaret Chalmers, therefore her illegitimate daughter.
1891 census -61 High Street, New Pitsligo    
Wm Stewart                   Head                Mar              39     General Merchant and Inspector
Margaret  ….               Wife                ….                45
James   ….                     Son                 Unmar           11      Scholar
Mary  ….                       Dau                 …….              9       ……..
Harvey  …                     Son                  ……               6      ……..
Jessie A. ….                  Dau                 ……                4
Lily   …..                       ….                   ……               1
Wilhelmina Taylor        Wife’s dau         ….              16
Mary Murray                 Servant               ….             31       Domestic Servant         b. Tyrie
All birth places as before - “new additions” also born Tyrie. Margaret’s daughter, Jane, possibly married by 1891. Son William, aged 14  not listed - could have died or have been working elsewhere.
1901 - Douglas Arms Hotel, Banchory Ternan, Kincardineshire
Wm. Stewart                  Head            Mar.            48          Hotel Keeper
Margaret …..               Wife            ……            53
Mary Harvey ….            Dau             Unmar         18           Hotel Keeper’s daughter
Harvey  …..                    Son               ….             16           Apprentice Warehouseman
Jessie Ann ….                 Dau                ……         14            Scholar
Lily     …..                      …..                ……          11             …….
Wilhelmina Taylor         Step-dau        …..            25
Elizabeth McLaren        Visitor          Widow        38          Manageress of Hotel       b. Kildrummy
Harriet Pigeon                  ……           …….          40          Hospital Nurse                b. England
Alexander Morrison      Servant        Unmar          21          Barman                           b. Alness    
Mary         ……..            ……             ……           31          Cook                               b. Turriff
Elizabeth Lowe              ……              ……           21          Waitress                         b. Old Deer  
Death - 29th March 1905 at 7:00pm Douglas Arms Hotel, High Street, Banchory Ternan, Kincardineshire, Margaret Stewart, aged 57, married to Wm Stewart, Hotel Keeper, previously widow of Wm Taylor, General Merchant (Wm Chalmers, farmer, reputed father, deceased/Jane Smith, domestic servant, afterwards married to Wm Birnie, farmer, deceased). Causes - morbus cordia 6yrs; apoplexy 8 mths; nephritis 6 mths. Death registered by Wm Stewart, widower, present.
……………………………….....................................................................................................................
Fowlie family
1841 Oldmaud, New Deer   - parents of Jane Fowlie who married Wm Chalmers
John Fowlie      25      Crofter
Jane   ……         20
John    …..           2
George ….           1
 
John Fowlie and Jean Thomson were married on 17th March 1838 in New Deer. On the Mormon website it estimates John’s birth as c.1814 and gives his death as 25th June 1891 and Jean’s birth as c.1818 and death as 28th June 1875. 
Their children are listed as:-John b. 22:1:1839 ch. 31:1:1839; George b.6:5:1840 ch 15:5:1840; John and Alexander b.27:11:1841 ch. 23:12:1841; James b.6:1:1845 ch. 10:2:1845; Agnes b.9:8:1846 ch.17:8:1846; Francis b. 21:4:1848 ch. 2:5:1848; Benjamin b. 1:7:1849 ch. 14:7:1849; Mary b. 10:5:1851 ch. 23:6:1851; Joseph b. 14:11:1852 ch. 30:11:1852; Jean b. 16:7:1854 ch. 21:7:1854; Margaret b. 22:12:1855; Isabella b. 2:4:1857;Walter b. 30:12:1859 - quite a large family !!!
The first son is named John and then it appears there are twins born in 1841 and one is named John. This is possibly an error. 
1851 census  Drymuir, New Deer
John Fowlie           Head       Mar            37      Farmer of 29 acres
Jean   ……             Wife        …..            32
John   …..               Son        Unmar        12       At home
George ….              …..         ……          10       Scholar
Alexander  …         …..         …….           9        ……..                       All born New Deer
William    …           ……       ……..          8        ……..
James   …..             …..         ……..          7         …….
Agnes   ……          Dau         ……            5         …….
Francis   …..          Son         …….            3
Benjamin  …          …..         …….            1
Margaret Stirling   Serv        …..              18     House Servant           b. Old Deer  

1861  census  Drymuir, New Deer 
John Fowlie      Head         Mar.            47            Farmer of 39acres                             
Jean   ……        Wife         …..              43            Farmer’s wife                                       
John   …..          Son            Unmar       22              ………..  son 
Alexander ..      ….              ……          19              …………….
Agnes  …..        Dau            ….             14             Scholar                               All born in New Deer
Benjamin  …     Son            ……          11              …..
Mary  ….           Dau           ……          10              ……..
Joseph  …          Son            …….           8              ……..
Jean   …..          Dau           …….           7               ………
Margaret   ….    …..             ……..         5              
Isabella    …      …..              ……          3
Walter ….          Son               …..          1    
Only one John appears on the census so probably a mistake re “twins” according to his age. The census was taken in  early April. Sons George, William and Francis are missing  - George may have been married by then or died and Francis possibly died as all the others were at home. William re-appears in 1871. 

1871 census,  Drymuir, New Deer
John Fowlie               Head           Mar.          57     Farmer of 38 acres of pasture
Jane   ….                   Wife            …               51      Farmer’s wife
John  ….                    Son            Unmar          32      ……… son
William  …                ….              …….           28      …………..
Joseph …..                 …..             …….           18       ………..                                  All born New Deer
Jean  …..                  Dau               ……          17      …….     daughter  
Margaret  …             ……             ……..          16     ………………
Isabella …..               …….           ……..          15     …………………
James    ……           Grandson      ……            13       Scholar
John White                ………          ….              4   
Son William aged 28,  not at home in 1861 but has re-appeared! No birth found for him c1843/44.
Haven’t found birth for grandson, James, but John White (Fowlie) was born  11:1:1867, New Deer to Agnes Fowlie, so probably her illegitimate child. She had perhaps married so he stayed with grandparents.
Death- 28th June 1875 at 0hrs 28mins pm Drymuir, New Deer, Jane Fowlie, aged 57, married to John Fowlie, farmer (George Thomson, farmer/Jean Mitchell both deceased). Causes - cancer of breast 10mths; cancer of kidney (time unknown). Registered by John Fowlie, husband, present.
(From the above death certificate the names of Jane’s parents are found.  George Thomson married Jean Mitchell 31:8:1815 New Deer. Children listed on Mormon site - Elspet b. 20:11:1816 ; George b.22:11:1819 ch. 23:11:1819;James b.14:6:1821; John b. 24:5:1823 and a male child ch 6:7;1834 - all New Deer. Apart from the first daughter, no other daughters’ births are given. This was often the case - only male births listed in OPRs !!!)
1881 census, Drymuir, New Deer
John Fowlie            Head                Widowed          66          Farmer of 43 acres
Maggie  ….             Dau                 Unmar                24           Farmer’s daughter
Jane  ….                   …..                …….                  26            ……………..
Agnes Smith            Visitor             Mar                    34           Merchant’s wife
Alexander ….           …….              Unmar                  3                                                    b. Aberdeen
Thomas    ….            ……..             …….                  11mths                                               ……..
John Whyte              Grandson         Unmar               14            Scholar                             b. New Deer  
16th June 1881 - marriage of Jane Fowlie to William Chalmers
1891 census, Maud, New Deer
John Fowlie           Head       Widower         77        Retired farmer
Margaret Porter       Serv         Unmar             29        Housemaid/Domestic servant         b. Monquhitter
Mary Simpson        Visitor       Mar                39         Farmer’s wife
Mary Simpson like John Fowlie was born in New Deer.
Death - 25th June 1891 at 1:35pm Maud Village, John Fowlie, farmer, widower of Jane Thomson, aged 77 (George Fowlie, crofter/Mary Beaton, both deceased). Cause - heart disease, 3 years. Registered by son, John Fowlie, present.
                                             
No marriage/births have been found for George Fowlie and Mary Beaton - the names may be incorrect as children often gave the wrong names for their grandparents. Another reason could be that they weren’t married and John could have been illegitimate, and so his birth would not be written in the OPR.                                                
1881 Drymuir, New Deer
John Fowlie jnr          Head       Mar            42      Agricultural labourer
John   ……                   Son         Unmar           3
Ann   ……                   Wife        Mar              25                                              b. Drumblade, Aberdeenshire
Georgina  …                Dau         Unmar            5       Scholar
This is John Fowlie snr’s son and therefore brother of Jane Fowlie. He married Ann Sim on 28th January 1875 in New Deer. 
1891 Drymuir, New Deer
John Fowlie               Head        Mar                 52       Farmer
Ann   …..                    Wife          …..                  36       Farmer’s wife
Georgina  ….               Dau         Unmar              15       …….      Dau        Children all born New Deer
John     ….                   Son          ……                 13      Scholar
Alexander  ….             ……        ……                   9     …….
Deaths - 2nd September 1894 at 1:30am Drymuir, John Fowlie, farmer, married to Ann Sim, aged 55 (John Fowlie, farmer/Janet Thomson, both deceased). Causes - pneumonia left 14 days; gangrene of lungs and exhaustion 1 mth. Death registered by Joseph Fowlie, brother.
 
26th March 1937 at 5:30am Drymuir, New Deer, John Fowlie, single, farmer, aged 59 (John Fowlie, farmer deceased/Ann Sim). Causes - acute pulmonary phthisis; haemoptysis; exhaustion. Death registered by James George Fowlie, brother.
The latter John is the one aged 13 in the 1891 census. Although not close relatives they are descendants of John Fowlie and Janet Thomson who were Jane Fowlie’s parents. The family must have continued to farm at Drymuir from at least 1851 if not before.
………………………………............................................................................................................................
Robb Family -  Helen Chalmers married James Robb and Alex Chalmers married Isabella Robb
On Helen’s marriage certificate it states that James Robb’s mother had been married before to someone called Birnie. I found that she’d married a George Birnie on 18th August 1833. They had one daughter called Georgiana. George Birnie must have died, as Ann Strachan married Wm Robb snr on 3rd March 1836. They had 9 children that I’ve found!
Georgiana Birnie aged 18 appeared on the 1851 census at Waukmill with the Robb family, but for some reason she was listed as a house servant!! In 1857 Georgiana married Peter Esslemont - they had 6 children I think. One of them, George Birnie Esslemont was a witness at the marriage of Alex Chalmers to Bella Robb. 
In the 1861 census there was a Susan Center, 18, a servant to the Robbs at Waukmill, Ironside- possibly a relation of John Center  with whom Alex. Chalmers  went to US.
When I was looking at information about farmers’ unions in connection with Robert Dempster, I found a mention of the Esslemont family in Aberdeen - I think they owned a department store.
Family of William Robb and Ann Strachan:-
James   b.8:12:1836 ch. 8:1:1837    married Helen Chalmers
William b. 19:9:1838 ch. 21:10:1838                
George b. 28:3:1840 ch. 26:4:1840
David b. 1:2:1842 ch. 13:3:1842
Christian b. 21:10:1843 ch. 26:11:1843 (female)
Alexander b. 21:11:1845 ch. 11:1:1846
Adam Lind (possibly Lindsay??) b. 12:10:1847 ch. 28:11:1847
Joseph b. 8:4:1849 ch. 3:6:1849
Isabella b. 26:1:1853 ch. 17:4:1853   married Alexander Chalmers
All born New Deer.
1841 - Lands of Ironside
Wm. Robb             27         Farmer
Ann  ……              23
James ….                4
Wm. …..                  2
George  ….              1
John Buchan           27     Farm Servant
Robert Park            14     …………..
James Lillie            14     ………….
John Henderson      12     ………….
Isabel Tiernan        20      House Servant
Margaret Birnie      11     ……………..            ?possibly a relative of Mrs Robb’s first husband.
1851 - Waukmill
Wm. Robb             Head          Mar.       46      Farmer of 109 acres employing 2 labourers       b. New Deer
Ann   …..               Wife          ……       42                                                                                     Old Deer
G. Ann Birnie      Step -dau     Unmar    18      House Servant                                                        Strichen 
James   Robb         Son             …….     14      Scholar                                                                   New Deer
Wm. …..                …..            …….      12     …….                                                                        ……
George  …..          …..             …….      11     ……..                                                                       …….
David   ….             ……           ….           8      ………                                                                     ……..
Christian ….          Dau            ……        6      ……..                                                                       ………
Alexander  ….       Son            ……        4                                                                                       ……
Adam L. ….          …..             ……        3                                                                                       ……
Joseph …..            Son             ……        1                                                                                       …..
Wm. S. Scott        Servant        ……      18     Farm Servant                                                             ……
Wm. Fowlie        …….             ….        14      Cattle Herd                                                                 ……
Marjory Craigie   …….           …….      22     House Servant                                                            ……
Janet Scott           ……             ……      17      ……….                                                                    …….
G. Ann Birnie is  the Georgiana mentioned on previous page and daughter of Ann Robb from her first marriage. Wm Fowlie may be a relative of Jane Fowlie who married Wm. Chalmers.
1861 - Walkmill, Ironside
Wm. Robb                Head            Mar.                56     Farmer of 103 acres
Ann   …..                  Wife            …..                  51
James  ….                  Son             Unmar.            24
George  Robb            Son             Unmar.            21
David    …..               …..              ……               19
Christian  …..            Dau.            …….               17
Alexander  ….           Son               ……              15       Scholar  
Adam L. ….               …..              …….              13       ………
Joseph ….                  …..               ……..            11      ………
Isabel   ….                   …..              ……..             8       …….
Elizabeth Murray       Servant             ……          22      Domestic Servant        b. Tyrie
Susan Center              ………      …….              18      ……………..               b. King Edward’s (Aberdeen)
1871 - Ironside
Wm. Robb          Head        Mar.      65       Joint Farmer of 109 acres
Ann   …..            Wife        …..        61 
Isabella  ….        Dau.        Unmar.   18
George Robb         Head        Mar.          31     Joint Farmer of 109 acres
Ellen  …..              Wife        ….             35                                                                       b. Kildrummy
David   ….            Brother    Unmar.      29      Farmer’s brother
Jessie Bruce          Servant      ……        31      Farm servant                                             b. Pitsligo 
James Bange ??      ……        ……         21        ………..                                                    …….  
John Ebrick           ……         …….        17        ………                                                    b. Strichen    
Other Robb children probably married and moved from home. Son George obviously helping father with running of farm, along with brother, David.
1881 - Ironside
Wm. Robb              Head        Mar.         76        Retired Farmer
Ann  …..                Wife         …..           71
Isabella Ironside     Niece      Unmar.       56     General Servant         b.  New Deer  
Isabella Ironside b. 30:1:1825, daughter of Alexander Ironside and Frances Robb (William Robb’s sister). There appears to have been several “Ironsides” in the area, so possibly farm belonged to them originally or they were perhaps local landowners???
At some time after 1881 - possibly in 1884 when William and Catherine Chalmers returned to Oregon after visiting New Deer for their 39th wedding anniversary - William Robb snr. went with them to Oregon. His wife, Ann Strachan, had died on 17th October, 1881 :-
Death - Anna Robb, aged 72 years, married to William Robb, farmer died 17th October 1881 at 12 noon, Waulkmill of Ironside, New Deer (James Strachan, farmer/Ann Stephen). Causes - cerebral haemorrhage; paralysis 1yr 3mths. Death registered by George A Robb, son, present.