Stephenson Stevenson Genealogy

23 October 2011

 

 

 

 

STEVENSON family tree

STEVENSON family summary

STEVENSON ancestor chart

 

 

 

Dr Geoffrey Mann
geoff.mann@btinternet.com
home page

 

4 Alexander James STEVENSON c1810-1846

 


spouse’s records

m Jane RONALD 1834

 

 

 

 

 

The first record of Alexander is his advertising in the Aberdeen Journal of an organ for sale by lottery in 1833 when he was about 23.  The following year he married Jane RONALD at Aberdeen.  His occupation was organ builder and cabinet maker.

 

Two daughters were born in Aberdeen, but by 1837, the family was in London, where Alexander worked for the firm of Gray & Davison building organs.  Alexander worked on the organ soundboards.  The shop books of this firm list at least eight organs that Stevenson worked on from 1840 until December 1845 just 5 months before he died.  They include Calcutta Cathedral, the RC cathedral at Nottingham, and the Wesleyan church at Burnley.

 

At least 3 sons were born in London before Alexander contracted TB and died in University College Hospital in 1846 aged only 36.

 

His young widow, had another child (Rebecca) in London before returning to Aberdeen with her children, and baptised George and Rebecca at St Johns Aberdeen in December 1848.  She lived at first with her relation, James THIRD, at 164 Gallowgate (James was the widower of a Jane RONALD, either Jane's mother or aunt), then at 162 Gallowgate with her married daughter Robina DOWNIE.  She died in 1878 in Govan with another married daughter Jane WALKER.

 

 

 

 

EVENTS

C=Christened

 

           age

   DATE   GS IW

 

EVENT

    c1810     

     1832 22

19Apr1833 23 

     1834 24  

 8Feb1834 24 24

18Sep1834 24 24

 1Dec1835 25 25

    c1836 26 26

     1837 27 27

  Sep1840 30 30

 6Jun1841 31 31

 2Jan1845 35 35

 6Feb1845 35 35

23May1846 36 36

25Sep1846 -- 36

13Nov1846    36

    c1847    37

 1Dec1848    38

30Mar1851    41

 7Apr1861    51

 2Apr1871    61

11Feb1878    68

Alexander born

Alexander a cabinet maker of Long Acre Aberdeen

Alexander, organ builder in Aberdeen, witnessed marriage of Robina RONALD

Alexander a cabinet maker of Prince's St Aberdeen

m Jane RONALD, sister of Robina at Aberdeen St Andrews; Alexander a cabinet maker and organ builder

dau Jane C at Aberdeen  Alexander a cabinet maker; witness: James MOIR, pianoforte maker

dau Robina C at St John's (Episcopal) Aberdeen; Alexander a cabinet maker of Union St

moved to London to work for organ builders Gray & Davison in Euston St area

son Alexander born in London

son John Charles born in London

at Melton Crescent, Euston, London with Jane Robina Alexander and John; Alexander an organ builder

son George Ogilvie born 8.30am at 22 Melton Place; Alexander an organ builder

George's birth registered by Alexander

Alexander died at University College Hospital of TB

dau Rebecca born at 22 Melton Crescent, London

birth of Rebecca registered by J STEVENSON of 22 Melton Crescent

Jane returned to Aberdeen

George and Rebecca C at St John's Aberdeen

Jane at 164 Gallowgate Aberdeen with George & Rebecca

Jane at 164 Gallowgate Aberdeen with John & Rebecca

Jane at 162 Gallowgate Aberdeen with married dau Robina and Rebecca's daughter Jane

Jane died at Govan, Glasgow; near to her married dau Jane WALKER

 

 

PRINCIPAL RECORDS

b=born  m=married  d=died

C=Christened        B=Buried

BIRTH

 

The baptism of Alexander has not yet been found.  His second name James occurs only on son George's marriage certificate.  From age on death certificate he was born c1809/10; 1810/11 from age at burial, and before Jun1811 from census.  The 1841 London census gave "no" as place of birth, ie England but not MDX.  Jane and two children were "S" for Scotland, while two children born in London were "yes"; so enumerator knew what he was doing.  Alexander’s eldest son was Alexander, so Scottish naming pattern should mean father was Alexander; however naming patterns do not seem to have been followed by the Stevensons, and parents could be named John/Charles/George/James even Frederick/William (from George's son); first two daughters Jane and Robina were named after RONALD family; leaves only Rebecca as possible mother's name.

 

Search of IGI and other indexes gave the following Alexanders born in England within 5 years of 1810

 

C 30Aug1807 s George STEPHENSON & Margaret BROWN All Saints, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland

C 21May1809 s Theophs. & Mary STEPHENSON         Samlesbury, Lancashire

C 17Feb1811 s James STEPHENSON & Junia_ TAYLOR   Stanwix, Cumberland

C  1Sep1811 s Alexander & Rose STEVENSON         Maresfield, Sussex

 

C 20Apr1806 s Francis & Elizh. STEVENSON         St. Botolph Without Aldgate, London,

C 28Dec1810 s Robert & Hanah STEVENSON           Wesleyan, Todmorden, Yorkshire

C  6Aug1815 s Theophlies & Mary STEPHENSON       Samlesbury, Lancashire

 

The first four can be eliminated either because the parents had a later son named Alexander (Theoph & Mary) or because Alexander was found locally in later census.  The further history of the last three remains unknown, but none of the parents’ names were used by Alexander for his children

 

It is quite possible that Alexander was born in Scotland because of transcription error, or the Scottish town sounded like an English one.  There are many Alex.STEVENSONs born around 1810 in the Scottish OPR, but since he was an Episcopalian [formed 1705, and closer to Roman Catholics than Church of Scotland - Episcopalians and Catholics formed mainstay of Jacobite armies in rebellions of 1715 and 1745], his baptism may not be in the OPR.  Restricting choice to those C 1810/11:

 

b      1810 rel: Samuel Amos WOOLLEY at Irvine, Ayr (no parents listed)

C 10Feb1810 s Robert STEVENSON & Janet GARDENER at Dunlop, Ayr

b  9Jan1810 s Thomas STEVENSON & Isobell SELKIRK at Old Monkland, Lanark

C 20Oct1811 s Andrew STEVENSON & Jean BINNY at Brechin, Angus

C 26Jan1811 s Alexr. STEVENSEN & Margt. KERR at Dunlop, Ayr

C 12May1811 s John STEVENSON   & Margaret STEVENSON at Stewarton, Ayr

C 28May1811 s Thomas STEVENSON & Janet ARMOUR at Stewarton, Ayr

 

Only one possible baptism in Aberdeen:

 

C 20Nov1807 Alexander  s William STEPHENSON sailor & his spouse Mary CULLEN bap by Rev Mr Thomson  in presence of Geo MIDDLETON baker; James MORICE shipmaster        (from St Nicholas register)

 

parents were m at Peterhead, but no other children found in OPR parent search, nor any buried at Peterhead 1804-1808

 

m 31Jan1802 William STEVENSON, sailor, & Mary CULLEN, both in Peterhead

 

If Alexander were born Nov 1807 he would be 38 at death compared with 36 on certificate and 35 at burial. 2-3 years seems a lot on an age of 38, but is quite possible.  Alex's children were connected with the sea: one son was a ships carpenter, another a ships engineer; two daughters married ships carpenters.  This most straightforward ancestry therefore is at present the most probable.  The ancestry of Mary CULLEN might show common forenames

 

Best hope is to find Alexander’s apprenticeship, a parent or uncle's will or siblings who survived to 51 census, though the 1851 Aberdeen census was searched without a clear lead to follow

 

Son named George OGILVIE surely implies an OGILVIE ancestor, so OPR searched for STEVENSON/OGILVIE parents:

 

C 13Aug1772 James  s James OGILVIE & Margaret STEVENSON at Marnoch, Banff; also William C 28Jan1775

C 16Apr1815 James  s William STEVENSON & Agnes OGILVY at Dundee; no other children found

C  2Feb1828 George s James STEVENSON & Jean OGILVIE at Glasgow; also John 1822 Martha 1828

no son Alexander found to these parents

in 1851, Robina was a servant living next door to James & Mary OGILVIE 22/26 railway guard born Panbride, Forfar

 

no OGILVIE/STEVWENSON marriage found in England so far (London m index, Pallot index, various m indexes)

 

John STEVENSON & Jean STEVENSON m 16Feb1816 Brechin; had son James Ogilvy STEVENSON C 8Sep1826  Inverkeilor, Angus - no other children found in OPR parent search, but other children are known from 1851 census at 15Ann St, Aberdeen: David 1818, Jean 1822, both born Brechin, William 1831, Ann 1837 both born Aberdeen   William m Elizabeth SPUTER 1859 and Ann m Robert DOWNIE 1859 (according to forms of Scottish Congregational Church),. This is of interest since Alexander’s da Robina m George DOWNIE also in 1859;  However George DOWNIE of 26 Gallowgate was a ship carpenter son of William and Elizabeth COWIE while Robert DOWNIE was a tailor of 27 Spital son of George & Margaret so no DOWNIE connection.  Seems John STEVENSON born too early (1785) to be brother of Alexander, and m too late to be his father. Also all trades in this family are weaving or tailoring. Probably no connection despite the Ogilvy forename

 

Red Herring?

 

1871 Aberdeen census has William STEVENSON 56  (bc1815) enameller at 129 West North St with wife Annette and Lucy 25, Emma 21, Thomas 17, Charles 15, all born England. And at 116 West North St, William STEVENSON enameller 31 born England (presumably son of previous William) with wife Christine and family.  Elder William could be brother of Alexander.  1881 index has the younger William 41 born Clerkenwell ie c1840.  Birth certificate of this William obtained: b1Aug1839 at 25 Gt Sutton St, Clerkenwell; s William & Annette (formerly NEWNHAM).  Not found in Gt Sutton St in 1841.  William & Annette m cert obtained: m 9Nov1838 Islington parish church, both of Smith St and full age: William was the son of James, gentleman.  No children of Wm & Annette found in IGI CD; no C found in Islington index 1801-1825.  Several Williams son of James 1810/1815 listed, none also had Alexander. (best bet: Wm s James & Lucy C1815 Birmingham)   Only Charles as common name between Alexander's children and William's children so probably no connection. [Alexander Stevenson was apprenticed as an engraver to James Junod of St Anne’s Soho in 1779]

 

 

 

MARRIAGE

 

from Aberdeen St Andrew register

 

m 8Feb1834 Alexander STEVENSON otp{St.Nicholas} cabinet maker and organ builder

& Jane RONALD otp{St.Nicholas} da of James dec merchant, Montrose

married at Aberdeen St Andrews (Episcopelian) chapel by banns with consent of parties by Bishop W Skinner DD

w: James THIRD cooper; John RONALD shipmaster in Aberdeen

 

Alexander's m at St Andrew's chapel was also recorded in the St Nicholas parish register. (St Andrews was am episcopelian church in St Nicholas parish)

 

 

DESCENDANTS

 

Jane           b1834 Aberdeen m1860 Wm WALKER

Robina         b1835 Aberdeen m1859 Geo DOWNIE

Alexander      bc1837 London (from 1841 census) C not found; no further record - died young?

John Charles   b4q1840 London; C not found; wit Robina's m 1859; with mother in 1861 - ships carpenter

George Ogilvie b1845 St Pancras (certificate); see B3

Rebecca        b1846 St Pancras (certificate); with mo 1851 1861; illegitimate da Jane Rince C1870 St Nicholas Aberdeen

 

from register of St Nicholas, Aberdeen:

 

C 18Sep1834 Jane  d Alexander STEVENSON, cabinet maker & his spouse Jane RONALD; witness: James MOIR, pianoforte maker; James CHIVAS, grocer

baptised by Right Rev Bishop Skinner [Skinner was episcopelain minister, so baptism probably at episcopal church]

 

from register of St John’s Aberdeen (Episcopal)

 

C 1Dec1835            Robina  d Alexander STEPHENSON, cabinet maker of Union St & Jane RONALD his wife

C 1Dec1848 b 2Jan1845 George  s Alexander STEVENSON dec organ builder of London & Jane RONALD his wife;

                      registered in parish of St Pancras London

C 1Dec1848 b25Sep1846 Rebecca d Alexander STEVENSON dec organ builder of London & Jane RONALD his wife;

                      registered in St Pancras London

 

St Johns was an Episcopelian Church at Golden Square until 1851; these baptisms were also recorded in the St Nicholas parish register, St John's being in this parish

 

from GRO index of births

 

Alexander STEVENSON not found 1837-1840

John Charles STEVENSON b4q1840 registered at St Pancras

birth certificates:

Rebecca STEVENSON girl b25Sep1846 5am at 22 Melton Crescent; fa: Alexander STEVENSON dec organ builder; mo: Jane STEVENSON nee RONALDS

r 13Nov1846 by J STEVENSON of 22 Melton Crescent at Somers Town, St Pancras, MDX

 

George STEVENSON boy B 2Jan1845 8.30am at 22 Melton Place fa: Alexander STEVENSON organ builder; mo: Jane STEVENSON nee RONALD

r 6Feb1845 by A STEVENSON of 22 Melton Place at James Town, St Pancras, MDX

 

marriage certificates:

m 24Dec1859 at 164 Gallowgate Aberdeen by Bishop of Aberdeen after banns according to Scotch Episcopal Church

George DOWNIE bch age 24, Emslie's Court, 26 Gallowgate Aberdeen, ships carpenter

Robina STEVENSON age 24, 164 Gallowgate, Aberdeen

fathers: William DOWNIE tin smith journeyman; Alexander STEVENSON dec organ builder

mothers: Elizabeth DOWNIE nee COWIE; Jane STEVENSON nee RONALDS; witness: William WALKER; John Charles STEVENSON

 

m 23Jun1860 at St Pauls's Chapel, Gallowgate Aberdeen by Fred.W.B.Bouverie according to forms of English Episcopal Church

William WALKER bch age 27, 52 St Clements St Aberdeen, ships carpenter journeyman

Jane STEVENSON spr age 25, 164 Gallowgate, Aberdeen

fathers: Charles WALKER dec coal store keeper; Alexander STEVENSON dec organ builder

mothers: Margaret WALKER nee BEGG; Jane STEVENSON nee RONALDS; witness: P{?}.URQUHART; William ROBERTSON

 

DEATH

from St Pancras Euston Rd parish register:

 

B 31May1846 Alexander STEVENSON, Melton Place, age 35 [b 1811]

 

certificates

 

Alexander STEPHENSON male age 36, organ builder [b 1810]

d 23May1846 at University College Hospital of acute phthisis 20 weeks

r 30May1846 by Richard Quain MD pad of University College Hospital at Tottenham, St Pancras, MDX

 

Jane STEVENSON, widow of Alexander STEVENSON, organ builder journeyman, d 11Feb1878 11.40am at 82 Langlands Rd, Govan aged 68 [b1810]

parents: James RONALD, hair dresser deceased and Jane RONALD, formerly FAIRLIE deceased

cause: bronchitis chronic some years; pneumonia 9 days; informant Jane WALKER, daughter 353 Govan Rd Govan

 

CENSUS

 

1841 Melton Crescent, Euston Grove HO107/685 Bk5 f19

 

Alex       STEVENSON          30  1810    J organ builder                                 n

Jane       STEVENSON          25  1815                                                    S

Jane       STEVENSON          6   1834                                                    S

Robina     STEVENSON          4?  1836                                                    S

John       STEVENSON          7m  1840                                                    y

Alexander  STEVENSON          3   1837                                                    y

Donald     GRANT              21  1819    J organ builder                                 S

 

1851 164 Gallowgate Aberdeen

 

Jane       STEVENSON   he wid 40  1810                                                    Montrose, Forfarshire

George     STEVENSON   so     5   1845    scholar                                         England

Rebecca    STEVENSON   da     3   1847    scholar                                         England

 

1851 Aberdeen, Ferryhill Place Bk 55 OM27 p13

 

Ann        DUNN        he wid 49  1802    house proprietress                              Bellie Banff

Robina     STEVENSON   se unm 15  1836    house servant                                   England

 

1861    164 Gallowgate Aberdeen

 

Jane       STEVENSON   he wid 51  1809                                                    Montrose

John C     STEVENSON   so unm 20  1840    ship carpenter                                  England

Rebecca    STEVENSON   da unm 14  1846                                                    England

 

1871   162 Gallowgate Aberdeen

 

Jane           STEVENSON   he wid 61  1809                                                Montrose

Jane R         STEVENSON   gd     11m 1870                                                Aberdeen

Robina         DOWNIE+     wi mar 35  1835    ship carpenter's wife                       Aberdeen

George         DOWNIE      so unm 13  1857    roper                                       Aberdeen

Robina         DOWNIE      da unm 11  1859    scholar                                     Aberdeen

Jane Elizabeth DOWNIE      da     4   1866                                                Aberdeen

Rebecca        DOWNIE      da     1   1869                                                Aberdeen

 

OTHER

 

St Nicholas parish register

 

m 19Apr1833 George PATERSON commercial traveller & Robina RONALD dau of James RONALD dec merchant in Montrose by Rev William BROWNING minister of St Andrew’s church Aberdeen; wit: John RONALD shipmaster in Aberdeen and Alexr STEVENSON organ builder there

Aberdeen Directory

 

1832/33 Alexander STEVENSON cabinet maker, 16 Long Acre

1834/35 Alexander STEVENSON cabinet maker, 5 Prince's St

1835/36 1836/37 no corresponding entry

 

These entries are almost certainly relevant but no confirming evidence; no STEVENSON in Prince's St 1841 or 1851

 

From the Aberdeen Journal

 

The Aberdeen Journal (Aberdeen, Scotland), Wednesday, October 16, 1833; Issue 4475.

 

 

26th February 1834 The Aberdeen Journal

 

 

British Organ Archive

 

Letters from the assistant archivist David Wickens (1991) and from Rev Edmonds (1991) transcribed the following information from the shop books of the organ building firm of Gray & Davison who had premises in the Euston Road area:

 

STEVENSON worked on following organs:

 

         1842                                Calcutta Cathedral

13Apr1844                                Nottingham RC cathedral        Gt.Soundboard

 7May1844                                Bradford St James                   Gt,Soundboard

  6Jun1844                                Bedford chapel London           Soundboard     1m organ

between Jun & Sep 1844         a barrel & finger organ

   Mar1845                                Salford

 8Mar1845                                Dukinfeld St John, Cheshire    Gt.Soundboard

 8Aug1845                                Blind School                            Gt.Soundboard

12Aug1845                               Burnley Wesleyan                   Gt. & Sw.Soundboards

   Dec1845                                Cross St Chapel Manchester

 

According to Edmonds, the Blind School was in Liverpool, but Wickens equates it with the Blind Asylum in Southwark

 

The shop books are said to contain no personal information concerning the employees, but I have not looked at them myself

 

 

 

 

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