Richard (Ritchie) Reynolds was born about 1848, either in Airdrie or Antrim, to Ellen Connelly (c1826 - 1896) and Patrick Reynolds (c1826 - 1882). [See Section RS-5-1 for family background.]
Mary Lafferty was born on February 23, 1855 in Omoa Town, District of Shotts, to Ellen Allan (or Allen) (c1838 - 1919) and James Lafferty (c1819 - 1868). [See Section LY-5-1 for family background.]
They had the following children (that I know of) —
Patrick born in 1874 in Windyedge, Cleland, married Ellen Leonard in 1896 and died in 1961. Ellen born in 1877 in Newarthill, married Bernard Carty in 1895 and may have moved to Fauldhouse. Mary born in 1880 in Omoa Square, Cleland, married John Kennedy in 1901 and emigrated to the USA in 1913. Jane (1) born in 1883 in Omoa Square, Cleland and died in 1884. Richard born in 1885 in Springbank, Shotts, married Margaret Dunne in 1912 and died in 1945. Jane (2) born in 1888 in Ladylands, Shotts, married James McLachlan and died in 1976. Agnes born in 1890 in Ladylands, Shotts, married Thomas Conner and died in 19xx. Sarah born in 1892 in Dykehead, married John Sweeney in 1921 and died in 1973. Catherine born in 1895 at Rosehall Cottage, Shotts, married Stanley Wilson and died in 1966.
1873 On Tuesday, June 17, Ritchie and Mary were married by Fr. James Milne at Newarthill after Banns according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered No.43 at Holytown on June 21.
Ritchie was a Bachelor, gave his age as 23 (I think he was nearer 25), occupation Coal Miner and his usual residence as Omoa Foundry which is a different place from Omoa Square being in the Holytown District in the 1871 and 1881 censuses, and probably the place named as Omoa just east of Newarthill on today's map. His parents are recorded as Patrick Reynolds, Coalminer, and Ellen Reynolds, m.s. Connelly.
Mary was a Spinster aged 18, occupation Domestic Servant, resident at Metal Row, Newarthill. Her parents are recorded as James Lafferty, Coalminer, (deceased), and Ellen Lafferty now Nichol, m.s. Allen. [She married John McNichol and the census returns of 1871 and 1881 show her as Helen McNicol but she appears as Mrs Nichol on the marriage certificates of the four of her other five children that I have found, and in the Census of 1891 when Mr. McNicol was not present.]
The witnesses were James McGaghey and Elisabeth McGaghy (sic).
I don't know which church they were married in. The present parish at Newarthill, St. Teresa's, dates from 1956 (according to the Western Catholic Calendar). However, none of the birth registrations of their children give the place of the marriage as Newarthill. Two give Bothwell, the Established Church parish for the area, the last two give Holytown, the district which included Newarthill but the other five (of the first six) have Mossend where the Church of the Holy Family was established in 1868. Which leaves an interesting problem - Mossend is in Bothwell District, not Holytown.
It is interesting that the bride, groom and both witnesses made their marks rather than signing the marriage documents. I might guess that a childhood in Ireland had offered Ritchie rather less in the way of educational opportunity than was available to his siblings in Scotland, but I don't know how to account for Mary as she was a scholar according to the census of 1861.
Tradition has it that the Laffertys were a Protestant family and Mary became a Catholic before marriage. I have checked the Old Parish Registers for Cambusnethan for 1854 and there is no record of a Lafferty marriage in the Established Church. However, Ellen married Mr. (Mc)Nichol in the Established Church in 1870 and Mary's siblings married in various Protestant denominations.
It is alleged that Mary ruled her family with a hand of iron, no mention of any velvet glove!
1874 Patrick (Paddy) was born at 4h0m a.m. on Thursday, December 17 at Windyedge, Shotts Parish [about a mile north of Cleland] to Richard Reynolds, Coal Miner and Mary Reynolds m.s. Lafferty who were married in 1873 June at Mossend, Bothwell. His birth was registered No.9 at Shotts on January 4, 1875 by Richard Reynolds, "his X mark", Father, Present.
Paddy married Ellen Leonard on October 1, 1896 at Stane.
1877 Helen (Ellen) was born at 4h0m a.m. on Thursday, August 16 at Mosshall, Newarthill, Parish of Bothwell to Richard Reynolds, Coalminer and Mary Reynolds m.s. Lafferty who married on 1873 June 17 at Mossend, Bothwell. Her birth was registered No.342 at Holytown on September 3 by Richard Reynolds, "his X mark", Father.
Mosshall was a fertile place in 1877. In addition to Ellen, Catherine Reynolds was born on June 12 to Patrick and Sarah (nee Carroll) and on September 3, Ann Kelly was born to Jane (nee Reynolds) and Robert. Ann and Ellen were registered on the same day with Ann getting No.341. Three cousins in three months.
Ellen married Bernard Carty on February 15, 1895 at Stane.
1880 Mary was born at 10h0m p.m. on Friday, March 26 at Omoa Square to Richard Reynolds, Coalminer and Mary Reynolds m.s. Lafferty who married on 1873 July [sic] 17 at Mossend, Bothwell. Her birth was registered No.27 at Cleland, West District of Shotts on April 15 by Richard Reynolds, "his X mark", Father.
Mary married John Kennedy on October 31, 1901 at Stane.
1881 April 3 The family were living at 35 Omoa Square in a house in which one room had one or more windows.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Richard Reynolds Head Mar. 32 Coal Miner Lanarkshire, Airdrie Mary do. Wife Mar. 26 do., Shotts Patrick do. Son 6 Scholar do., Shotts Ellen do. Daur. 3 do., Bothwell Mary do. Daur. 1 do., Shotts Ritchie's parents Paddy and Ellen were living at No.71 with four of his siblings and his brother Patrick was at No.95 with his wife Sarah and three children.
1883 Jane was born at 6h0m a.m. on Sunday, February 25 at 35 Omoa Square, Shotts Parish to Richard Reynolds, Coalminer and Mary Reynolds m.s. Lafferty who were married 1873 June 17 at Mossend, Bothwell Parish. Her birth was registered No.21 at Cleland, West District of Shotts on March 14 by Richard Reynolds, "his X mark", Father.
1884 Sadly, Jane died at 7h30m a.m. on Monday, December 15 at Wyndedge, Shotts Parish, aged 1 year 9 months, of Bronchitis after 4 days, as certified by James Duncan, MBCM. Her parents are recorded as Richard Reynolds, Coalminer and Mary Reynolds m.s. Lafferty. Her death was registered No.42 at Cleland, West District of Shotts on the same day by Richard Reynolds, "his X mark", Father, Present.
1885 Richard (Dick) was born at 6h0m a.m. on Monday, August 24 at Springbank, Shotts to Richard Reynolds, Coal Miner and Mary Reynolds m.s. Lafferty who married in July 1873 at Bothwell. His birth was registered No.78 at Shotts (Middle District) on Monday, September 14 by Richard Reynolds, "his X mark", Father, Present.
One slight problem with this registration is that family tradition has it that Dick was born on the 23rd.
Dick married Margaret (Peg) Mary Dunne on June 29, 1912 at St Patrick's, Shotts.
1888 A second Jane (Jeannie) was born at 5h0m a.m. on Thursday, May 31 at Ladylands, Shotts to Richard Reynolds, Coal Miner and Mary Reynolds m.s. Lafferty who married on 1873 June 17 at Mossend, Bothwell. Her birth was registered No.56 at Shotts (Middle District) on June 19 by Richard Reynolds, "his X mark", Father, Present.
Ladylands was just north of Hartwood Station.
Jeannie married James McLachlan and they had five children James (Doddy), Mary (Moppy), Richard (Dick), Alec and Anna. After James died, Jeannie lived in Viewpark then in Uddingston and died there on June 6, 1976.
1890 Agnes (Aggie) was born at 8h30m p.m. on Tuesday, August 12 at Ladylands, Shotts to Richard Reynolds, Coal Miner and Mary Reynolds m.s. Lafferty who married on 1872 July 18 at Bothwell [day, month and year all out by one]. Her birth was registered No.70 at Shotts (Middle District) on August 30 by Richard Reynolds, "his X mark", Father.
Aggie married Thomas (Tam) Conner, lived in Shotts and had two children, Agnes (Nannie) and May.
1891 5th April The family were living in a one-roomed house at 3 Omoa Square. The household is listed as:
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Richard Reynolds Head Mar 43 Coal Miner Lanarkshire, Airdrie Mary Wife Mar 36 do., Cleland Patrick Son Unm 16 Coal Miner do., Newarthill Helen Daur Unm 13 Scholar do., Cleland Mary Daur 11 do. do., Cleland Richard Son 5 do. do., Cleland Jane Daur 2 do., Shotts Agnes Daur 7 mo do., Shotts There is a bit of confusion in the birth places here, it was Ellen who was born in Newarthill, not Patrick, he was born at Windyedge, Cleland. Dick was born at Shotts.
1892 Sarah was born at 11h0m a.m. on Thursday, October 25 at Woodhead Brig House, Dykehead, Shotts [that's what the register says] to Richard Reynolds, Coal Miner and Mary Reynolds m.s. Lafferty who married on 1873 June at Holytown. Her birth was registered No.148 at Stane, Cambusnethan in the District of Calderhead on November 9 by Richard Reynolds, "his X mark", Father, Present.
She married John Sweeney, they lived in Shotts and had three children, William, Richard (Dick) and John. She died in Shotts on January 16, 1973 and was buried in Stane Cemetery after Requiem Mass in St. Patrick's, Shotts.
1895 On Friday, February 15, Ellen married Bernard Carty at the R. C. Chapel, Stane, Cambusnethan after Banns according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered No. 13 at Stane (District of Calderhead) on February 18.
Ellen was a Spinster, aged 17, occupation Farm Servant and her usual residence was the Water Wheel, Rosehall, Shotts. Her parents are recorded as Richard Reynolds, Coal Miner and Mary Reynolds, m.s. Laferty.
Bernard was a Bachelor, gave his age as 19, occupation Coal Miner and usual residence as Torbothie, Cambusnethan. His parents were Francis Carty, Coal Miner and Maggie Carty, M.S. McAffery.
The celebrant was Peter Forbes and the witnesses were John Carty and Mary Reynolds.
This seems to be Bernard's family in the 1881 Census, living at Flat Row, Shotts.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Francis CARTY Head M 49 Coal Miner Ireland Margaret CARTY Wife M 32 Shotts John CARTY Son 12 Scholar Shotts James CARTY Son 10 Scholar Shotts Margaret CARTY Daur 8 Scholar Shotts Bernard CARTY Son 6 Scholar Shotts Mary CARTY Daur 3 Shotts Francis CARTY Son 1 Shotts Joseph SMITH Lodger U 23 Coal Miner England John WATKINSON Lodger U 34 Coal Miner England At some point, Ellen and Bernard are believed to have lived in Fauldhouse.
1895 Catherine (Katie) was born at 5h0m a.m. on Saturday, February 23 at Roshall Cottage [otherwise known as The Water Wheel], Shotts to Richard Reynolds, Coal Miner and Mary Reynolds m.s. Lafferty who married on 1873 July 17 [wrong month again] at Holytown. Her birth was registered No.42 at Stane, Calderhead District on March 14 by Richard Reynolds, "his X mark", Father, Present.
She married Stanley Wilson, an Englishman who may have been in Scotland with the army, and they settled in England, at one time in Morpeth, Northumberland and in 1939 they were at Kinsley, West Yorkshire where they had (a greenhouse and) children Molly, Kathleen, Margaret, Frank, Agnes and Joan.
One of the girls (possibly Joan) became a headmistress later in life.
Katie died on November 26, 1966.
1896 On Thursday, October 1, Patrick (Paddy) married Ellen Leonard at the R. C. Chapel, Stane after Banns according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered No.21 at Stane (District of Calderhead) on October 3.
Paddy was a Bachelor, 21 years old, occupation Coal Miner and usual residence as Hawkwood Burn, Shotts. This suggests that he was not living at home as Ellen was married from the Water Wheel the previous year and the family were allegedly living at the Water Wheel when Dick left school about 1898. His parents are recorded as Richard Reynolds, Coal Miner and Mary Reynolds m.s. Lafferty.
Ellen was a Spinster, 20 years old, occupation Domestic Servant living at High Street, Shotts Iron Works. Her parents are recorded as Philip Lenard [yes, the spelling is different], Coal Miner and Mary Lenard m.s. Morris.
The celebrant was Hugh Kelly and the witnesses were Thomas Conlin and Ellen Shields.
Paddy and Ellen lived in Shotts and had a large family. Paddy died in the mid 60's in Shotts.
I failed to find Ellen in the 1881 Census (when she would have been about 5 years of age) but the following could be her parents at 214 Garngad Rd, Glasgow
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Philip LENNARD Head M 44 Farm Labourer Ireland Mary LENNARD Wife M 44 Ireland
1898 Dick left school and went down the pit next day.
1901 March 31 The family were living in half of Rosehall Cottage with two windowed rooms.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Richard Reynolds Head Mar 53 Coal Miner Lanarksh., Shotts Mary [Lafferty] Wife Mar 46 do., do. Richard do. Son S 15 do. do. do., do. Jane do. Daur 12 Scholar do., do. Agnes do. Daur 10 do. do., do. Sarah do. Daur 8 do. do., do. Katie do. Daur 6 do. do., do. The other half of Rosehall Cottage was occupied by Thomas (age 28, coal miner, born in Bothwell parish) and Annie Conlin (age 25, born in Shotts parish) with Thomas's mother Margaret (a widow, age 64, born in Ireland). They also had two windowed rooms. The Waterwheel was a different building comprising five houses each with one windowed room.
We know that Patrick and Ellen are married which leaves just Mary missing from the family. Since she gave her occupation as Domestic Servant when she married in October, I suspect she was "living in" with her employer.
1901 On Thursday, October 31, Mary married John Kennedy at the RC Chapel, Stane, Calderhead District. [See Section KD-7-1 for further information.]
1912 On Saturday, June 29, Dick married Margaret (Peg) Mary Dunne at St Patrick's, Shotts. [See Section RS-7-1 for further information.]
1917 At 9h5m p.m. on Thursday, April 12, Ritchie died at 93 Stane Place, Stane, allegedly aged 62 but more likely 69, of sudden heart failure (examined after death) as certified by John McWilliam MB, ChB. His death was registered No.48 at Stane (District of Calderhead) the following day by Richard Reynolds, Son, whose address at that time was 55 Main Street, Shotts.
Ritchie is recorded as being a General Labourer, married to Mary Lafferty and his parents were Patrick Reynolds, Coal Miner, and Ellen Reynolds, m.s. O'Neill, both deceased. Oddly enough, O'Neil was the surname of Ellen's mother Sarah, her own surname was Connelly.
Ritchie was buried on April 14 in Stane Cemetery, Section B, Lair 593. He is recorded in the cemetery records as a labourer, living in Stane, aged 62, married, son of Patrick Reynolds and Ellen O'Neill. The grave was opened to a depth of 6ft 6 for a fee of 8/-.
1932 At 11h30m a.m. on Friday, January 29, Mary died at 2 Torbothie Road, aged 76, of a cerebral haemorrhage, as certified by W. F. Edson, MB. Her death was registered No.10 at Shotts (District of Calderhead) the same day by Patrick Reynolds, Son, who gave his address as 28 Jordan Terrace, Shotts.
Mary is recorded as Widow of Richard Reynolds, Coal Miner, and her parents as James Lafferty, Coal Miner, and Ellen Lafferty, m.s. Allan, both deceased.
Mary was buried with Ritchie on February 1 in Stane Cemetery. She is recorded in the cemetery records as a housewife of 2 Torbothie Road, Shotts, aged 77, a widow, daughter of James Lafferty and Helen Allan. The grave was opened to a depth of 5ft for a fee of 8/-.
I have noticed that this certificate and Mary's marriage certificate both give her mother's name as Ellen while all references in a Lafferty/(Mc)Nicol context have it as Helen.
And another interesting thing, Mary is the only one of her generation whose age is consistent across all certificates and census returns. Would I be right in thinking that she had her head securely screwed on?
Also buried in Lair 593 are:-
Agnes Reynolds, daughter of Patrick Reynolds and Helen Leonard, aged 1 9/12 years, buried on August 10, 1917.
Mary Ann Wilson, daughter of Patrick Reynolds and Ellen Leonard, aged 32 years, buried on October 12, 1935.
Helen Reynolds Wilson, daughter of William Wilson and Mary Ann Reynolds (daughter of Patrick Reynolds and Ellen Leonard), aged 14 days, buried on October 16, 1935.