|
The
Aimer Family
William Aimer & Katharine Gordon |
Thomas Aimer & Susanna Miln |Captain James Aimer & Margaret Smith The Aimer Family of New Zealand
Ancestry Chart Memorial Inscriptions for the Barry Churchyard
During a period of relative peace between Scotland and England, the status of Dundee as a royal burgh was reconfirmed (in The Great Charter of Charles I, dated 14 September 1641). However, with the outbreak of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in 1644, Dundee began to suffer at the hands of nobles loyal to the King. The Royalist James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose besieged Dundee in April 1645. On 1 September 1651, during the Third English Civil War), the English Parliamentarians invaded Scotland. General Monck, commander of Cromwell's forces in Scotland, captured Dundee. His troops pillaged the royal burgh, destroying much of it and killing up to 2,000 of the 12,000 inhabitants. John Graham, 1st Viscount Dundee raised the Stuart standard on Dundee Law in 1689. For this early contribution to the Jacobite uprising, Graham quickly earned the name Bonnie Dundee. - from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Dundee
Dundee - A Town in the Shire of Angus, so called from Dun, which in our old Language signifies a Hill, and Tay the Name of a River, it being situated at the Foot of a Hill on the North side of the River Tay, not far from its Entry into the Ocean. It stands on a most pleasant Plain, and is adorned with excellent Buildings of all sorts. It hath two Churches, a high Steeple, a Harbour for Ships of Burthen, and a considerable Traffick with Strangers, whence the Inhabitants are generally rich, and those who fall into Decay have a large Hospital provided for them. Of old this Town gave the Title of Earl, and Dignity of Constable to the Chief of the Scrimgers, but of late it gave the Title of Viscount to the Lord Dundee; who was killed by their Majesties, King William and Queen Mary's Forces, at the Battle of Gillicrankie. - Robert Sibbald in Theatrum Scotiae
Note: The Barry OPR's for birth begin in 1704, those for Panbride in 1693 and those for Arbirlot in 1632. It is possible that the Aimers were living in Barry prior to 1704 and registered the births in Panbride and in Arbirlot prior to 1693. William Aimer's father may have been David Aimers. David Aimers had at least two children: Williame born Oct 8, 1665, and a daughter Elspet born March 13, 1667. Both births were registered in Arbirlot Parish. - from Scotland's People OPR William Aimer and Katharine (Cathrain) Gordon had at least eight children: THOMAS (born June 26, 1696, in Panbride); Katharine (born Oct 10, 1697, in Panbride); Anna (born Feb 22, 1699, in Panbride); Margaret (born Sept 1, 1701, in Panbride); Katharine (born March 6, 1703, in Panbride); William (born Sept 12, 1704, in Barry); James (born Aug 5, 1706, in Barry); and Jean (born June 9, 1708, in Barry). - from Scotland's People OPR Please note that Carnoustie was in the Parish of Panbride until 1704.
A William Aimer died on Nov 3, 1723, in Barry.
Margaret Aimer married David Lowson on July 12, 1728. They had at least one child: Isobel (born Oct 17, 1736, in Arbirlot).
James Aimer (wright or carpenter, joiner) married Margaret Smith on March 24, 1730, in Barry. - from Scotland's People OPR This James Aimer and Margaret Smith should not be confused with Thomas' son James who also married a Margaret Smith (see below). James Aimer and Margaret Smith may have had at least one child: Jean (born Nov 21, 1731, in Barry).
Jean Aimer (daughter of James Aimer and Margaret Smith) married David Milne (in Parish of Panbride) in Barry on Dec 31, 1757. They may have had at least one child: Jean.
The Lands of Carnoustie The lands of Carnoustie remained in the ownership of the Fernie family until the end of the 16th century. In 1595 they had passed into the hands of Mitchell Downie and Margaret Fernie who sold them to Robert Bultie, Burgess of Dundee for the sum of 5,000 merks. They then came into the possession of the Alexander family, probably around the beginning of 17th century, and documents dating to the middle of that century mention a village of Carnoustie. The estate was then sold to Patrick Lyon of Strathmore around 1680, and remained in that family's ownership, passing through marriage to James Milne, a wealthy shipmaster from Montrose around 1752. The Barry Parish register attests to a small but thriving community based largely on linen weaving existing on the land that became Carnoustie at least from the early 18th century (before then, the place of residence is not listed in the records). Around a fifth of the births registered in the parish in the mid-18th century are listed as being in the Carnoustie estate. The stimulus that triggered the expansion of the town was undoubtedly the sudden increase in demand for linen from around 1760, caused by the population explosion of the mid-18th century. Handloom weaving was a relatively easy trade to learn and, at that time, a fairly prosperous career. In 1792 on his return from India, Major William Phillips, former valet to the Earl of Panmure, purchased Carnoustie estate from James Milne for £5,000. Phillips most likely recognised the potential of the local industry when he offered portions of the land for feu in 1797. The first person to take up a feu was Thomas Lowson, a local loom wright, who rented 2 acres (8,100 m2) of land near the new road that had been recently been marked out by David Gardyne of Ravensby. Over the next few years, more and more people settled in the immediate area. The venture proved profitable and Phillips sold the property in 1808 to George Kinloch for £11,000. In the Papers of the Maule Family, Earls of Dalhousie, Panmure Estate and Household Papers (National Archives of Scotland # GD45/18/1950) for the parish of Panbride and barony of Panmure, it is indicated under "Title" that: Tacks (14) to James Nairn, James Broun, James Mitchell, Andrew Mill, James Stroak, John Ogilvie, William Broun senr., and junior, Mr. Andrew Fitchet, schoolmaster at Panbride, Alexander Jaffarson, David Balbirny, James Aimer, Robert Mill and William Mitchel of parts of the lands of Balwissy. More specifically, it states (GD45/18/1934 - dated Oct 23, 1758): Tack to Thomas Aimer in Panbride of a fourth of the lands of West Townend thereof in the parish and barony thereof.
Margaret Aimer & Captain Alexander Hanton | Captain James Aimer & Margaret Smith Susanna Milne's father was Thomas Milne. A Thomas Milne married Agnes Constable in Dundee on May 16, 1706. Another Thomas Milne was born on April 16, 1707 in Rescobie but only the father's name of Thomas was given on the OPR. Thomas Milne and his wife (mother not identified on OPR) had at least three children born in Barry: Alexander (born Nov 30, 1709); Susanna (born Nov 30, 1711); and Joan (or Jean, born Jan 29, 1714). - from Scotland's People OPR Thomas Milne's (the father of Susanna) parents may have been Thomas Milne (of Muirtoun) and Hellen Wedderburn. Thomas Milne Sr.'s parents may have been Alexander Milne, Magister and Burgess, and Agnes Fletcher. Alexander's father was also Alexander Milne, Baillie of Dundee (born 1583, son of Thomas Milne and Margaret Spalding) and his mother was Elizabeth Fletcher (daughter of Andrew Fletcher, Dundee). - From "The Wedderburn book. A history of the Wedderburns in the counties of Berwick and Forfar, 1296-1896, v.1" Thomas Aimer and Susanna Miln were married on Dec 21, 1732, in Carnoustie, and had at least eight children: Isabell (born Nov 11, 1733); Susanna (born June 12, 1735); Barbara (born Oct 26, 1737); Thomas (born May 16, 1741); Margaret (born Feb 20, 1746); Isobel (born Sept 3, 1749); JAMES (born Feb 15, 1751) and Jannet (born May 2, 1754), all in Carnoustie. Thomas Aimer's occupation was "wright".
Note the house of "Miln Esq." on the West side of the map.
Margaret Aimer & Alexander Hanton Margaret Aimer (Emmer or Emer) (daughter of Thomas Aimer & Susanna Milne) married Alexander Hanton (Shipmaster) on Feb 16, 1772, in Dundee. They had at least six children (born in Dundee): Margaret (born Feb 1, 1775 in Dundee); Ann (Nov 8, 1777); Rachel and Isabell (twins born May 31, 1788, and died a few days after their birth); Elizabeth (born Oct 1, 1783); and Margaret (born Aug 27, 1786). - Scotland's People Margaret (born 1786) was named for Margaret Smith (James' wife). Elizabeth is named after Elizabeth Aimer, aunt (Margaret must have had another sister). Captain Alexander Hanton Alexander Hanton may have been the captain of the "Glasgow Packet". There was also a Hanton (and an Aimer) who captained the "Peggy" at different times. The Captain Aimer of the Peggy was not James Aimer who was captain of the Diamond. The other Captain Aimer may be Thomas.
Sealock Shipping, Sailed
Shipping, Grangemouth
Captain James Aimer We are sorry to say, that Captain James Aimers, of the Diamond, had the misfortune to fall overboard last Sunday, at the entrance of the Cattegate; notwithstanding every effort made by the mate and ship's company to save him, he was drowned in their sight. - from Caledonian Mercury, Thursday 10 May 1792 The Kattegat is the area of sea to the east of the Danish peninsula. Margaret Aimer may have died in Dundee on June 14, 1792. - Scotland's People
Captain Thomas (?) Aimer
Sound Intelligence, Sailed
Outwards
Sound Intelligence, Sailed Homewards
Note the Diamond, Keillor, from Petersburgh for Dundee
The Brigantine Called the Peggy of Dundee
Sound Intelligence, Passed
Upward
The Aurora, Sime, Struck on Anholt Reef the 4th inst. and is gone to Copenhagen to repair
Margaret Hanton (daughter of Margaret Aimer and Alexander Hanton, Shipmaster) married John Sime (son of James Sime, Shipmaster, and Mary Bell born on Jan 28, 1779, in Perth) on Jan 7, 1805, in Dundee and the marriage was also recorded in Perth Jan 8, 1805. They had at least five children (all born in Perth): Margaret (born March 27, 1806); Chesterfield (born Aug 13, 1807); Mary Bell (born May 25, 1809); Janet (born April 3, 1811); and James (born July 10, 1812). - Scotland's People Chesterfield Syme & Peter Dargie | Mary Bell Syme & John Gray James Sime, of Trinity House, Dundee, 1795 [Trinity House Dundee Papers] ; master of Aurora of Dundee, 1798 [Aberdeen Journal #2665] "James Sime, the late master of Aurora" On 23 December (1798), Anacréon, Captain Blankman, captured the brigantine Aurora, in the North Sea while she was sailing from Riga to Lisbon. The French took Aurora into North Bergen. James Sime, the late master of Aurora, reported in February 1799 that while he was in Bergen, the crew of Anacréon blackened her sails with coal dust to disguise her as a collier. He described her as a brig of 15 guns and with a crew of 100 men. He also reported that another privateer, the cutter-rigged Perseverance, of ten guns and 45 men, had left to cruise the North Sea the day after Anacréon left.[6] - WikipediaOf Naval Events
James Sime, Shipmaster, St. Clement's Lane
The Diamond was operating out of Dundee in 1809.
Mary Bell Syme (daughter of Margaret Hanton and John Sime) married John Gray on Oct 4, 1836, in Biggar, Lanarkshire. They had at least seven children (all born in Biggar): Margaret Hanton Gray (born Sept 22, 1837); Andrew (born Feb 3, 1839); Helen Hamilton (born Oct 4, 1840); Mary (born Sept 11, 1842); John (Sept 25, 1844); Janet (born Dec 5, 1846); and Jessie (born June 17, 1849). - Scotland's People
Chesterfield Syme & Peter Dargie Chesterfield Syme (daughter of Margaret Hanton and John Syme) married Peter Dargie (son of Robert Dargie and Isabel Brown) on Dec 9, 1838, in Penninghame, Wigtown, Scotland. They had at least three children (all born in Wigtown, Wigtownshire): Margaret Hanton Dargie (born about 1840); Robert (born Oct 22, 1843); and James (born Oct 10, 1845). - Scotland's People
1861
Scotland Census - Biggar, Lanarkshireshire
1861 Scotland Census - Newton
Stewart, Penninghame, Wigtownshire
Peter Dargie is a bank agent and J.P. Margaret Hanton Gray (daughter of Mary Bell Syme and John Gray) married Archibald Horn (son of William Horn and Margaret Lyall) in Lanark on Aug 20, 1861. They had at least two children: William (born July 8, 1862, in Edinburgh) and Archibald John (born and died in 1864).
Archibald Horn (bank clerk and husband of Margaret Hanton Gray) died on Feb 7, 1864, at the age of 27. Mr. Ewing, brother-in-law, was the informant.
1871 Scotland Census - Lanark,
Lanarkshire
Mary Bell Syme (daughter of Margaret Hanton and John Sime) died in Lanark on Oct 25, 1880, and is buried in the Lanark Churchyard. She was 71. William Horn, grandson, was the informant. 868 (On N wall) John Gray rector Grammar School 12.1.1881 80, w Mary Bell Syme 25.10.1880 71, chn Janet 12.3.1849 2, Helen Hamilton 1.4.1859 18, Jessie 5.5.1864 15, Arthur d at sea 23.8.1877 25, gs Archd John Horn 9.6.1864 4m db here - from Karen Trainor, Lanarkshire
Chesterfield Syme (daughter of Margaret Hanton and John Syme and widow of Peter Dargie, bank agent) died on Nov 16, 1895, in St. Mary, Dundee at the age of 88.
1901 Scotland Census -
Edinburgh Robertson
Memorial
William Horn is a "Law Agent (solicitor)". Margaret F. Gray is a "niece".
Margaret Hanton Gray (daughter of Mary Bell Syme and John Gray and widow of Archibald Horn) died on March 5, 1911, in Morningside, Edinburgh, at the age of 73. William Horn, son, was the informant.
On the marriage record for James Aimer and Margaret Smith his name is recorded as Emmers The marriage record in the OPR reads: James Emmers, sailor, and Margaret Smith, daughter of the deceased Peter Smith, both in this parish contracted July 31 and married August 6, 1784. Children's names and birth dates are confirmed from the family bible in possession of Simon Aimer, New Zealand. They were also confirmed in the OPR in Dundee. We only located two children in the OPR. Family history passed down through the Aimer family in New Zealand (Simon Aimer) states that an Aimer ancestor was hanged for piracy in Scotland. - Glenda Waugh Margaret Smith's parents were Peter (or Patrick?) Smith (weaver and rigmaker) and Elizabeth Yeaman and they had at least seven children: MARGARET (born Jan 24, 1752); Elizabeth (born July 4, 1754); Peter, George, Isabell (born Sept 23, 1750); Alexander (born May 23, 1756); Agnes (born Feb 19, 1758); and Patrick (born Sept 16, 1759). Peter Smith's father was John Smith. Elizabeth Yeaman's parents are unknown but she had three siblings: Isabell, Patrick and Jean. - OPR, Dundee James Aimer and Margaret Smith had at least three children: Elizabeth (born May 25, 1785); GEORGE (born Feb 3, 1787, in Dundee) and James (born Sept 10, 1788).
Captain Aimer, owner of his own ship Diamond
James Aimer (Shipmaster) "was Capt. Aimer, owner of his own ship 'Diamond' was born in the big white house of Barry near Carnoustie - his father was there", according to a letter written to Edmund Aimer (George and Margaret's grandson) by probably either George Aimer (born 1817) or Elizabeth Sanderson Aimer (born 1819). Captain James Aimer sailed the Diamond from Dundee, across the North Sea, through the Kattegat Straits and into the Baltic to Riga and St. Petersburgh and into the Mediterranean as far as Gallipoli. There was another Captain Aimer (unknown relationship) of the "Peggy" (of Dundee) around the same time (1785-1800) and who also sailed a number of times to St. Petersburgh. - British Newspaper Archives The Caledonian Mercury
Sound
Shipping, Passed the Sound
Passed the
Sound
We are Sorry to Say...
We are sorry to say, that Captain James Aimers, of the Diamond, had the misfortune to fall overboard last Sunday, at the entrance of the Cattegate; notwithstanding every effort made by the mate and ship's company to save him, he was drowned in their sight. - from Caledonian Mercury, Thursday 10 May 1792 The Kattegat is the area of sea to the east of the Danish peninsula. Another Diamond "The Bonnie Ship the Diamond" was written about the first whaling voyage to the Greenland Sea in 1812, when Captain Gibbons, a member of the family that owned part of the Aberdeen whaling fleet, commanded the vessel. She was commissioned in Quebec in 1801 and ended her days crushed by the ice in 1819, when the crew stayed late in the season to augment their catch and became trapped by the advancing winter. The men were saved by crossing the ice to board a sister ship. (Peter Hall, notes 'Folk Songs of North-East Scotland') The Bonnie Ship Diamond The Diamond is a ship, my lads, for the
Davis Strait she's bound, So it's cheer up, my lads, let
your hearts never fail, Along the quay at Peterheid the
lassies stand aroon', Here's a health to The
Resolution, likewise The Eliza Swan, It'll be a bricht both day and
nicht when the Greenland lads come hame, Footnote - By 1820, Peterhead, The Blue Toun, was the principal whaling port in Britain and by the end of the century it also had Scotland's third largest herring fleet. The 1801 Dundee Census recorded a James Aimers in a household in Dundee with 2 males and 1 female. - from Friends of Dundee City Archives In "An Historical Account of Peterhead" by James Arbuthnot, 1815, there is mention of the Diamond (weight of 75 tons) with owner and Master identified as Thomas Darg. The Eliza is listed and The Resolution is listed and mentioned: "Of the 164 whales brought home in 1814, one vessel, the Resolution, had 44". There was also a Diamond that was operating out of Dundee in 1809.
During the War of 1812 Lloyd's Marine List - April 6, 1813
Lloyd's Marine List - April 30, 1813
Family history passed down through the Aimer family in New Zealand (Simon Aimer) states that an Aimer ancestor was hanged for piracy in Scotland. - Glenda Waugh
Margaret Smith Aimer & Charles Christie George Aimer, Jr. & Helen Stewart | George Aimer, Jr. & Mary Stewart | George Aimer, Jr. & Grace Govan Chesterfield Sime Aimer & Robert Russell DNA: We have an Ancestry.com DNA match with lizzie_f_bradley with common ancestors George Aimer and Margaret Scott through George Aimer, Jr. and Helen Stewart through Edmund Aimer and Annie Elizabeth Feek. We also have another Ancestry.com DNA match with "noranddot" who goes through Margaret Aimer and Charles Christie. Her grandfather was George Glen Dickinson Leask.
Margaret Scott's parents may have been John Scott and Isabel Thomson. The letter written to Edmund Aimer states, "My Grandmother (by mothers' side) was born at Fowlis out from Dundee was married to John Scott, Farmer & Factor Blairgowrie. Resided at one time in Castle of Newton afterwards in Maryfield" (in Dundee?). George and Margaret's daughter Isabella Scott Aimer was named after Margaret's mother (Isabella or perhaps Isabel Scott).
Newton castle is said to be haunted by a Green Lady, a common apparition and folklore motif in many Scottish castles and fortified homes. There are a number of stories to explain the Green Lady's origin, one story suggests that she is the phantom of Lady Jean Drummond, who unwisely fell in love with one of the Blair's of Ardblair - with whom the Drummond family were often feuding. Inevitably their true love had to be abandoned due to a fresh violent and bloody feud, and she committed suicide by drowning herself in one of the nearby lochs. Another story suggests that a Lady at the castle wished to gain the affections of a certain man, and went to the local wise woman for some magical advice. She was informed that she would have to wear green - the colour of the fairies - and spend a long night waiting at the Corbie Stane (a nearby standing stone). Unfortunately she died before her affections could be gratified, and she now haunts the castle in grief wearing the green dress she wore in her quest for love. The apparition is thought to be the strongest at Halloween, a time when the denizens of the otherworlds could walk abroad in our realm. It was during the night of Halloween that her gravestone was said to turn three times around. - From Mysterious Britain and Ireland
A John Scott and an Isabel Thomson (of Parish of Inchtower) were married on Aug 9, 1789, in the Parish of Fowlis. They had at least two children: David (born Sept 12, 1790, in Fowlis Easter); MARGARET (born on Feb 19, 1792, in Fowlis Easter); and possibly a third, James (born Aug 10, 1800, in St. Andrews and St. Leonards). There was a John Scott that died in Blairgowrie on Sept 26, 1830 and an Isabel Scott that died in Fowlis on Feb 15, 1834, at the age of 67. - from Scotland's People OPR There was also an Isabella Scott (widow, age 70) listed in the 1841 Scotland Census living at Ladyfield, Liff and Benvie (about 2 km from the town of Fowlis).
George Aimer and Margaret Scott were married November 16, 1810, in Dundee, Scotland. They had five children: Margaret (born December 2, 1812), Isabella (born May 5, 1814), George (born February 28, 1817, in a house in Wellgate), Elizabeth (born June 14, 1819) and CHESTERFIELD (born August 12, 1821).
* from Glenda Waugh & Howff Cemetery Records (Friends of Dundee City Archives) Chesterfield was named after Chesterfield Sime, daughter of John Sime (son of James Syme, Shipmaster, and Mary Bell) and Margaret Hanton. John Syme was a merchant in Perth and later a bank manager in Dundee. Margaret Hanton's father was Alexander Hanton, a shipmaster in Dundee, and her mother was Margaret Emmer (Aimer). Janet Syme (daughter of James Syme and Mary Bell) married James Hay Robertson and also named a daughter Chesterfield (born May 30, 1807).
In The Dundee Directory for
1818, George Aimer was listed as a "grocer".
James Aimer, wright, may be George's brother.
In the Dundee Directory for 1820,
George Aimer was listed as "grocer, spirit dealer".
George Aimer, Spirit Dealer, free Burgess of the Burgh of Dundee, November 6, 1822
George Aimer died of on Sept 20, 1824, at the age of 37 and is buried in the Howff Cemetery in Dundee.
Margaret Smith Aimer & Charles Christie Margaret Smith Aimer married Charles Christie on Dec 3, 1832, in Dundee. They had two children: Margaret Aymer Christie (born Oct 11, 1833 in Montrose); and Charles (born Jan 19, 1835, in Montrose, and died Dec 5, 1839).
Isabella Aimer died of "consumption" (tuberculosis) on June 28, 1834, and is buried in the Howff Cemetery, Dundee. - From Friends of Dundee City Archive, Howff Graveyard of Dundee, Initial A, 2008
1841
Scotland Census - Meadow Close, Dundee, Angus
Alexander Aimer's father was James Aimer, Wright. Alexander (flaxdresser) was married to Margaret Fraser (daughter of Alexander Fraser and Margaret Douglas) on Dec 20, 1836. He died Dec 14, 1877 (the name of Alexander's mother is incorrect - Margaret Douglas was his mother-in-law). Thomas Thomson (son-in-law was the informant). Thomas Thomson and Margaret Aimer were married in 1860 (Scotland's People). Margaret Fraser died on April 1, 1891 (Scotland's People).
1841
Scotland Census - Broughty Ferry, Monifieth, Angus
Margaret Kinmond was a ladies seminary teacher.
Chesterfield Sime Aimer married Robert Russell (born in Glasgow August 28, 1819) on Nov 6, 1843, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Dundee. They are the grandparents of Captain Robert Russell (born December 9, 1882). Chesterfield Sime Aimer & Robert Russell
Margaret Smith Aimer died of "consumption" (tuberculosis) on Sept 30, 1847, and was buried in the Old Howff Cemetery. She was the wife of Charles Christie, Spirit Dealer. - From Friends of Dundee City Archive, Howff Graveyard of Dundee, Initial A, 2008
Margaret Aimer Christie & Alexander Leask Margaret Aymer Christie (daughter of Margaret Smith Aimer and Charles Christie) married Alexander Leask (marine engineer and son of Alexander Leask and Elizabeth Ritchie born about 1836 in Dundee) on June 13, 1857, in Stracathro, Forfar. They had at least seven children: Alexander Ritchie (born April 26, 1858, in Dundee); Charles Christie (born Oct 7, 1859 in Wester Mill, Rattray, Perthshire); George Glen Dickinson (born May 22, 1861, in London, England); Margaret Elizabeth Aimer (born about 1865 in England); twins Anna Maria Stewart and William Edward Baxter (born Aug 22, 1866, in Dundee); and Edmund Aimer (born Nov 23, 1867, in Dundee).
Alexander Ritchie Leask & Matilda Symers
Alexander Ritchie Leask is my great great grandfather, he
married Matilda Symers ( Matilda died in 1911) and had Ronald
Symers Leask born approx 1889 and Marguerite Symers Leask born
1897, Ronald died in the 1950's having served as a gunner in the
first world war. Marguerite married a Philip Septimore Thomas (
both died around 1974) and had Phyllis Marguerite Thomas who
married (a few times!!) - but had Diana Marguerite Davis ( still
alive) who is my mother. Family Group Sheet for Alexander Ritchie Leask & Matilda Symers
Margaret Leask & James Fairweather
Margaret E. A. Leask (daughter of Margaret Aimer Christie and Alexander Leask) married James C. Fairweather (son of William Fairweather and Mary Gilchrist) on Dec 24, 1888, in London, England. They had three children: Edmund Victor (born Oct 5, 1889, in Dundee, died Oct 29, 1956, in Toronto, Ontario); Mabel Gilchrist (born Jan 5, 1891, in Dundee); and Douglas Mitchell (born June 18, 1900, in Carnoustie). - From Fairweather Family Tree on ancestry.com Mabel Gilchrist Fairweather & William James Rutledge | Douglas Mitchell Fairweather & Kathleen Marguerite Stewart Mitchell
1891
Scotland Census - Dundee, Angus
Elizabeth Sanderson Aimer died on Dec 30, 1897 in St. Andrews, Dundee at the age of 78. The Last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Sanderson Aimer
"... to divide the residue of my said means and estate equally between Robert Russell, Mechanic, Dundee and John Russell, Joiner, Dundee my nephews and Elizabeth Russell my niece and with regard to the share of revenue bequeathed to my said niece Elizabeth Russell I direct the said John Proctor... to hold the same in Trust for her and to expend the same for her behoof..."
1901
Scotland Census - Barry, Angus
James C. Fairweather and his son Edmund arrived from Glasgow into Montreal, Quebec aboard the Lakonia on Sept 27, 1905.
Margaret, Mabel and Douglas Mitchell Fairweather emigrated from Glasgow, Scotland to Quebec, Canada, aboard the Corinthian. They arrived into Montreal, Quebec on June 19, 1906.
Edmund Aimer Leask & Constance Ruth Metcalf Edmund Aimer Leask (son of Margaret Aimer Christie and Alexander Leask) married Constance Ruth Metcalf (daughter of William Alexander Metcalf and Jessie ?) on May 11, 1909, in Portobello, Edinburgh. They had four children: Harold Metcalf (born June 20, 1910); Alexander Ritchie (born Sept 5, 1911); Henry Henderson (born Aug 8, 1912); and Malcolm Christie (born Sept 19, 1915). Harold, Alexander and Henry were killed May 14, 1943, with the sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship AHS Centaur.
1911 Census of Canada - Montreal, Quebec
James, Marg, Mable and Mitchell Fairweather
Edmund Victor Fairweather Edmund Fairweather (bookkeeper) enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on Jan 7, 1916, in Windsor, Ontario and served in the Canadian Infantry 99th Battalion. His "present address" was Brush St., Detroit, Michigan. His Attestation Paper indicates that he had served 3 years with the Victoria Rifles in Montreal. According to his service record, Edmund Fairweather arrived in England (from Halidax, Nova Scotia) aboard the SS Olympic on June 8, 1916, and served in France with the Number 39 Field Hospital in Le Havre, the Number 10 Canadian Field Ambulance, Number 50 Casualty Clearing Station and Number 20 General Field Hospital in Camiers from about Jan 1 to Nov 12, 1917, and in the 1st Eastern General Hospital in Cambridge, England, later in 1917. Service File for Edmund Fairweather
Canadian Infantry 99th Battalion
From 1916 to 1917, Olympic was chartered by the Canadian Government to transport troops from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Britain.[58] In 1917 she gained 6-inch guns and was painted with a "dazzle" camouflage scheme to make it more difficult for observers to estimate her speed and heading. Her dazzle colours were brown, dark blue, light blue, and white. Her many visits to Halifax Harbour carrying Canadian troops safely overseas, and back home after the war at Pier 2, made her a favourite symbol in the City of Halifax. Noted Group of Seven artist Arthur Lismer made several paintings of her in Halifax. A large dance hall, "Olympic Gardens" was also named in her honour. After the United States declared war on Germany in 1917, Olympic also transported thousands of U.S. troops to Britain.[59] - from RMS Olympic, WikipediaEdmund Fairweather
Stewart reports that the 99th Infantry Battalion was organized on December 22, 1915 with a strength of 825 and disbanded on September 15, 1920. Stewart also reports that the unit was broken up and absorbed by the 4th Reserve Battalion to provide reinforcements for the Canadians Corps in the field. Both Meek and Love report that the 99th was absorbed by the 35th Battalion and Stewart notes the 35th was absorbed into the 4th Reserve Battalion. Love does note that the 4th Reserve Battalion did have a Western Ontario affiliation and that it trained the 35th and 99th. Men of the 4th Reserve Battalion later found themselves in the 1st, 18th and 47th Infantry Battalions in France.
The Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit (it was not a vehicle), manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Most Field Ambulances came under command of a Division, and each had special responsibility for the care of casualties of one of the Brigades of the Division. The theoretical capacity of the Field Ambulance was 150 casualties, but in battle many wouldneed to deal with very much greater numbers. The Field Ambulance was responsible for establishing and operating a number of points along the casualty evacuation chain, from the Bearer Relay Posts which were up to 600 yards behind the Regimental Aid Posts in the front line, taking casualties rearwards through an Advanced Dressing Station (ADS) to the Main Dressing Station (MDS). It also provided a Walking Wounded Collecting Station, as well as various rest areas and local sick rooms. The Field Ambulances would usually establish 1 ADS per Brigade, and 1 MDS for the Division.
The Casualty Clearing Station was part of the casualty evacuation chain, further back from the front line than the Aid Posts and Field Ambulances. It was manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps, with attached Royal Engineers and men of the Army Service Corps. The job of the CCS was to treat a man sufficiently for his return to duty or, in most cases, to enable him to be evacuated to a Base Hospital. It was not a place for a long-term stay. CCS's were generally located on or near railway lines, to facilitate movement of casualties from the battlefield and on to the hospitals. Although they were quite large, CCS's moved quite frequently, especially in the wake of the great German attacks in the spring of 1918 and the victorious Allied advance in the summer and autumn of that year. Many CCS moved into Belgium and Germany with the army of occupation in 1919 too. The locations of wartime CCSs can often be identified today from the cluster of military cemeteries that surrounded them.The Base Hospital was part of the casualty evacuation chain, further back from the front line than the Casualty Clearing Stations. They were manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps, with attached Royal Engineers and men of the Army Service Corps. In the theatre of war in France and Flanders, the British hospitals were generally located near the coast. They needed to be close to a railway line, in order for casualties to arrive (although some also came by canal barge); they also needed to be near a port where men could be evacuated for longer-term treatment in Britain. There were two types of Base Hospital, known as Stationary and General Hospitals. They were large facilities, often centred on some pre-war buildings such as seaside hotels. The hospitals grew hugely in number and scale throughout the war. Most of the hospitals moved very rarely until the larger movements of the armies in 1918. Some hospitals moved into the Rhine bridgehead in Germany and many were operating in France well into 1919. Most hospitals were assisted by voluntary organisations, most notably the British Red Cross .- The Long, Long Trail
1921 Census of Canada -
Montreal, Quebec
Douglas Mitchell Fairweather & Kathleen Marguerite Stewart Mitchell Douglas Mitchell Fairweather married Kathleen Marguerite Stewart Mitchell on Sept 20, 1930, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. - From Fairweather Family Tree on ancestry.com
"My mother was pregnant with me at the time. She was ill and
Dad's brothers, Harold, Alexander and Henry implored for dad to
go home and look after my mother on compassionate leave. Dad
didn't know that they were on the ship...the attack broke the
Geneva "Yeah, it was Mum's ill health, actually [that saved him] Mum was six months pregnant with my eldest brother. So Dad's brothers implored the colonel of the unit to have Dad sent to Sydney on compassionate leave. That separated the brothers." Ted Leask
Sydney Morning Herald, May 19, 1943
Attestation Form - Harold Metcalf Leask |
Attestation
Form - Alexander Leask |
Attestation Form -
Henry Leask
Statement by
the Prime Minister
LOSS OF
AUSTRALIAN HOSPITAL
SHIP "CENTAUR"
It is with the
deepest regret that
the Commonwealth
Government has
learned of the loss
of the Australian
hospital ship
"CENTAUR" and and I
know that the news
will come also as a
profound shock to
the Australian
people. The attack
which took place
within a few miles
of the Queensland
coast bears all the
marks of wantonness
and deliberation.
Not only will it
stir our people into
a more acute
realisation of the
type of enemy
against whom we are
fighting, but I am
confident also have
this deed will shock
the conscience of
the whole civilised
world and
demonstrate to all
who may have had any
lingering doubts the
unscrupulous and
barbarous methods by
which the Japanese
conduct warfare.
To the next of
kin of those who are
lost the Government
and nation extend
heartfelt sympathy,
which is the deeper
since these persons
were non-combatants
engaged on an errand
of mercy and were by
all the laws of
warfare immune from
attack.
The full
circumstances of the
sinking of the
"CENTAUR" are as
follows ---
The "CENTAUR" was
at 4 o'clock in the
morning of Friday,
14 May a short
distance off the
Queensland coast.
The weather was fine
and clear and the
visibility good. The
ship was brightly
illuminated in
accordance with the
Hague Convention.
Illuminations in
addition to the
usual navigation
lights consisted of
red crosses on each
side of the hull,
red crosses on each
side of the funnel,
a large red cross
directed upwards on
the poop and rows of
brilliant bright
lights along the
side of the hull to
illuminate the
characteristic green
painted band - in
this case 5 feet
wide - which
encircles hospital
ships. On board the
"CENTAUR" at the
time were 332
persons, consisting
solely of the ship's
crew and medical
personnel, including
12 nurses. There
were no wounded on
board. In all there
were only 64
survivors including
one nurse. Remaining
268 persons,
including members of
the ship's crew,
nurses and other
medical personnel,
lost their lives.
Notice of
intention to use the
"CENTAUR" as a
hospital ship,
together with
particulars of her
dimensions, markings
and appearance, was
communicated by the
Commonwealth
Government to the
Axis powers early
this year in the
case of Japan on
February 5th. In
addition full
publicity including
photographs of the
ship was given to
the press and
particulars were
broadcast in news
from Australian
Radio Stations.
There is
therefore no reason
to suppose that the
Japanese government
and the Japanese
naval authorities
were not fully
acquainted with the
existence and
purposes of this
vessel. In all the
circumstances the
Commonwealth
Government is bound
to regard the
sinking of the
Centaur as an
entirely inexcusable
act undertaken in
violation of a
convention to which
Japan is a party and
of all the
principles of common
humanity. An
immediate and strong
protest in these
terms is being
addressed to the
Japanese Government,
and the country may
feel confident that
the Government will
do its utmost to
established right of
redress and ensure
that the war
criminals
responsible for this
dastardly act are
brought to justice.
No. 69P Canberra,
18 May 1943.
Douglas Mitchell Fairweather died in Montreal on Jan 3, 1951, at the age of 50. - From Fairweather Family Tree on ancestry.com
George Aimer, Jr. & Helen Stewart George Aimer Jr. married Helen Stewart (born February 23, 1812, and daughter of Thomas Stewart, Glover) on August 26, 1839, in a house in James Park, Dundee. They had five children: Jean Aimer (b. June, 22, 1840, in Dundee, d. Feb 3, 1905, in Aberdeen), George Aimer (b. June 9, 1842, in Monifieth, d. Nov 23, 1875, in Edinburgh), Thomas Stewart Aimer (b. April 19, 1845, in Dundee, d. Jan 7, 1852, in Dundee), William Paul Aimer (b. April 8, 1849, in Dundee, d. April 29, 1849, in Dundee), and Edmond Baxter Aimer (b. May 19, 1856, in Dundee, d. March 26, 1936, in New Zealand). Jean Aimer & James Stark | George Aimer & Mary Cowan Kennedy | Edmund Baxter Aimer & Annie Elizabeth Feek In the 1841 Scotland Census, George Aimer, Jr. was living with Helen Stewart, their daughter Jena and Helen's sister Mary at Hawkhill, Angus.
1841
Scotland Census - Hawkhill, Dundee, Angus
In the Dundee Post Office Directory for 1845, under Broughty Ferry Directory, there is a George Aimer listed as a clerk, Dundee and Arbroath Railway Station, Gray Street.
Mr. George Aimer
In 1851, George Aimer, Jr., Merchant, was listed in the Dundee Lockit Book 1851
Scotland Census - Liff and Benvie, Angus
Margaret (Aymer) Christie is George Aimer's neice. After her mother Margaret's death in 1847 (she's buried in the Howff Cemetery), she was raised by her uncle George and Aunt Helen. Her father (a grocer and sometimes spirit dealer) had died in Montrose in 1845.
Helen Stewart died sometime in 1856. George Aimer, Jr. married Helen's sister Mary Stewart on Aug 18, 1863, in West Hackney, London and Surry, England.
George Aimer, Esq. of Easter Newport was identified as one of the "Gentry and People of Independent Means" in Forgan Parish in the 1861 Parochial Directory for Fife and Kinross. http://www.fifefhs.org/Records/Directory/forgan.htm Jean Aimer married James Stark (son of William Stark and Isabella Young) on April 27, 1865, in St. Andrews & St. Leonard, Fife. They had one child: William Aylmer Stark (born about 1869). William Aylmer Stark married Lizzie Arabella Rothwell, in Sept, 1899, in Berkshire, England.
George Aimer & Mary Cowan Kennedy George Aimer (law clerk) (son of George Aimer and Helen Stewart) married Mary Cowan Kennedy (daughter of John Kennedy and Isabella Robertson) on Sept 10, 1867. They had one child: George born June 8, 1869 in Glasgow and died Oct 25, 1943, in Edinburgh. George Aimer (son of George Aimer & Helen Stewart)
George Aimer, Jr.'s son George worked as a Law Clerk and was indicted for Forgery in 1870.
 Courtesy National Archives of Scotland
1871
Scotland Census -
Perth Burgh, Perthshire
1871
Scotland Census -
Coatbridge, Old Monkland, Lanarkshire
1871
Scotland Census - Dundee, Forfarshire
Apparently, Edmund Aimer left for New Zealand during this "scandal" in the Aimer family. The New Zealand side of the family says, "We always knew that something happened in Scotland that disappointed George II (the father of the forger) very much that had to do with George III (the forger). It also caused a big falling out between Edmund and his father (either caused by Edmund's decision to go as far away from home as possible, or causing it). There was hardly any contact between Edmund and his father after he moved to New Zealand except for money sent for the birth of each of his 13 children and a large chunk of money when the father died. This seems to solve the reason for Edmund's move to New Zealand." 1881
Scotland Census - Edinburgh Newington
In 1901 and 1911 George Aimer
was a patient in the West House, Royal Edinburgh Asylum. The Aimer Family of New Zealand Edmund Baxter Aimer & Annie Elizabeth Feek Edmund Aimer married Annie Elizabeth Feek on July 25, 1882, in Auchland, New Zealand. They had thirteen children: Mabel Mahala Tautari (Aug 30, 1883 - Feb 24, 1954); Eva Maud (1884-1884); George Edmund Vernon (March 31, 1886 - June 24, 1916); Grace Stewart (June 17, 1888 - Feb 9, 1987); Kenneth Walter (Feb 10, 1890 - Jan 30, 1960); Laura Jean Hinemoa Ena (Feb 7, 1893 - Sept 28, 1974); Alexander Govan (Aug 24, 1894 - Oct 31, 1924); Hilda Maud (June 15, 1896 - Sept 22, 1977); Armorald Zillah (June 13, 1898 - Aug 19, 1975); Roderick William (Nov 8, 1900 - April 11, 1973); Annie Linda (June 26, 1903 - ?); Inez Elizabeth (Feb 14, 1907 - July 20, 1997); and Malcolm Stewart (Oct 31, 1910 - June 17, 1939).
Mabel Mahala Yauturi
Aimer & Hugh Dobbie | Grace Stewart Aimer & William John
Abbot
George Edmund Vernon Aimer "George Vernon Aimer, who had pleaded guilty in the lower Court to a charge of breaking and entering the premises of his employers, Messrs Cahill and Co., and stealing the sum of £53 17s 2d, was brought up for sentence. Mr. Reed, who appeared on behalf of the prisoner, said that the latter, who was only 16 years of age, had hitherto borne the best of characters and had been led astray by a man much older than himself. For two years or more he had had money constantly passing through his hands, and he had always acted honestly prior to the present affair. The case was one which the Probation Act was evidently intended to meet, and as the report of the probation officer was favourable, he asked that the prisoner be given the benefit of the Act. Detective McIlveney stated that the prisoner had hitherto been of good character, by far as he could gather by inquiries. The Rev Hugh Kelly said he had known the prisoner for about a year as a lad of good character, steady habits, and one who was greatly attached to his home. Many of his associates were personally known t witness as members of his church. John Robertson, manager of the City Council's abattoirs, said he had known the prisoner for nearly four years, for three years of which time witness saw him daily. Witness had frequently entrusted the prisoner with commissions involving the charge of money, and had always found him honest. The father of the prisoner was also called. His Honor said he did not think the Probation Act was intended to apply to all first offenders. In each case the surrounding circumstances had to be taken into account. The present case appeared to be a particularly bad one. It was not a case in which the prisoner had acted upon a sudden impulse, as it had been shown that the crime had been deliberately planned and carried out by means of a false key. The prisoner was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. His Honor said that, at the trial of Thomas Andrew Conn (who had been committed for trial in connection with the same matter) if it was shown that he (His Honor) was wrong, in his view of Aimer's case, he would be one of the first to remedy the matter. (NZH 24 Feb 1903) " - from Avondale and World War I
First World War
New Zealand Defence Force, Personnel Records Alexander Govan Aimer | Kenneth Walter Aimer | George Edmund Vernon Aimer
George Edmund Vernon Aimer
According to the early rolls for Avondale School, Vernon, Grace and Kenneth Aimer attended standards classes at Avondale School from March 1897 to June 1899, children of Edmund Baxter Aimer and Annie Elizabeth née Feek. The Aimers were living at the Hokianga in 1884, Dargaville c.1888, then Drury by 1895. They must have spent a couple of years here, before moving on to the city and Parnell. Vernon Aimer was a clerk for Cahill & Co from when he was around 14 years old. At the age of 16, he came into strife with a youthful indiscretion when he was found guilty of breaking and entering his employers’ premises in 1903, and served a 12 month sentence. From that low point though he bounced right back. AN AIRMAN'S DEATH Lieutenant George Vernon Aimer, a member of the Royal Flying Corps, who was accidentally killed whilst flying near London on June 22, was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs C B [sic] Aimer, of St. Stephen’s Avenue, Parnell. He was born in Hokianga in 1886, and was educated in Auckland. For a time he was employed in the Government Forestry Department at Rotorua, subsequently taking a position in Fiji. Shortly after returning to Auckland, in 1910, he entered the service of the Bank of New Zealand as correspondence clerk, a position he held for about five years. In August of last year he obtained extended leave of absence, and proceeded to England for health reasons. After a short time in hospital he offered his services to the War Office, but they were not accepted, owing to the state of his health. Lieutenant Aimer then studied aviation, and after qualifying for his pilot's certificate, was appointed an instructor at the London Provincial Aviation Co.'s School. Later he again offered his services to the military authorities, and was given a commission in the Royal Flying Corps. Since then he had been through a course of instruction in army work at Oxford, and it is believed was receiving further training at one of the War Office's aerodromes when he met with the unfortunate accident which resulted in his death. When in Auckland the late lieutenant was very popular in athletic circles, and had at different times, over a period of eight years, been a member of the St. George's Rowing Club, part of which time he was captain. A brother, Trooper Alexander Goven Aimer, left for the front with the thirteenth reinforcements. - NZ Herald 24 June 1916- from Avondales School's Marble Roll of Honour, Timespanner.blogspot.ca
Kenneth Walter Aimer
Sergeant Kenneth Walter Aimer was
wounded at Passchendaele on
Oct 4, 1917. Grierson, Aimer and Draffin
Grierson, Aimer and Draffin were an influential Auckland practice that is best known for their winning entries in the Wellington Citizen’s War Memorial (Cenotaph) and Auckland War Memorial Museum design competitions. The partnership was formed in 1922 by Hugh Cresswell Grierson (1886-1953), Kenneth Walter Aimer (1891-1960) and Keith Draffin. .. Kenneth Walter Aimer was educated at Auckland Teachers' Training College and Auckland University College. He served in the Auckland Infantry Regiment and was wounded at Passchendaele. He became a registered architect in 1918, and traveled to England to continue his studies. Grierson, Aimer and Draffin won the New Zealand Institute of Architects gold medal for the Auckland War Memorial Museum in 1929 and went onto design a number of buildings in a stripped Classical, and later an Art Deco style. Their work includes the Parnell Public Library, Auckland (1923), Wellington Citizens War memorial (1929) and the former South British Insurance Company building in Auckland (1927 – 28). The practice dissolved in 1932 and Draffin went on to design the Wellington branch of the South British Insurance Company (1936). He was president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects in 1951-2. - from Grierson, Aimer and Draffin, 1922-1932
Edmund Baxter Aimer Edmund Baxter Aimer died on March 25, 1936, and is buried in the Otahuhu Public Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand.
Annie Eizabeth Feek Annie Elizabeth Feek died on Nov 10, 1945, and is buried in the Otahuhu Public Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand.
George Aimer, Jr. married Grace Govan on Feb 13, 1868, in St. Andrews 1871
Scotland Census - St. Andrews, Fife
George Aimer, Jr.'s son George (the alleged cheque forger) died at Chalmers Hospital, St. Giles District, Edinburgh, on Nov 23, 1875. Cause of death was "brain tumor".
1881
Scotland Census - St. Andrews, Fife
1881 Distribution of Surname Aimer 1891
Scotland Census - St. Andrews and St. Leonards, Fife
1901
Scotland Census - St. Andrews and St. Leonards, Fife
9 Hope St. St. Andrews Modern Photo Grace Govan died on June 24, 1903, in St.
Andrews, at the age of 74.
George Aimer's Last Will &
Testament George Aimer IV, notary public (son of George Aimer and Mary Kennedy), died on Oct 25, 1943, in Morningside, Edinburgh, at the age of 74. Scotscraig House
Chesterfield Sime Aimer & Robert Russell ©
waughfamily.ca |
