Alexander (McPherson) MacPherson (abt. 1834 - 1913)

Born about 20 May 1834 in Gairloch, Ross-shire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Ann (Ballantyne) MacPherson — married 1866 in Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 14 Jun 1913 at about age 79 in Swan Bay, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Parentage and baptism

Alexander McPherson was born in 1834. He was the son of bootmaker, Alexander McPherson (abt.1800–1844) and his wife, Isabella Mcintyre (abt.1812–1886). He was born in the parish of Gairloch in Ross-shire, Scotland, and was baptised there on 20 May 1834.^[1][2]

Note that the entry in the baptismal register records his parents as Alexander McPherson and Annabella (rather than Isabella) McIntyre, who were living in Strath Gairloch. The name Annabella also appears as his mother's given name on his death record.^[3]

Although not entirely conclusive, the assertion that Alexander's mother was Isabella Mcintyre is based on the following:

• The only marriage record in the parish of Gairloch which fits his parents' surnames is the marriage between Alexander McPherson and Isabella Mcintyre.^[4]
• The four women named Annabella McPherson in the parish on the first available census (in 1841) do not appear to be plausible matches. None of them have a child named Alexander aged around seven years old in the household with them on cenus night.
• His older brother, John McPherson (1831–1883), also settled in New South Wales in Australia. His death record gives his mother's given name as Isabella.^[5]

Early life and emigration

He was recorded living with his parents in West Mial in Strath Gairloch on the 1841 census.^[6] His father died on 8 August 1844.^[7]

His whereabouts on the 1851 census of Scotland (when he would have been around 17 years old) have not been found, which may be because he had already emigrated to Australia, as alluded to in his obituary.^[8]

He married Anne Ballantyne in the Shoalhaven area in 1866,^[9] and went to his selection at Swan Bay soon afterwards. They had a large family together.

Death and burial

He died on 14 June 1913,^[3] and was buried at Coraki Cemetery in Coraki in New South Wales.^[10] The inscription on his gravestone reads:

"Sacred / to the memory of / ALEXANDER MACPHERSON, / Swan Bay. / A native of Gairloch, Ross-shire / Scotland. / Who died June 14th 1913. / Aged 79 years. / He giveth His beloved sleep. // Also ANNIE, beloved wife of the above. / Died 28th May, 1933. Aged 90 years. / She sleepeth. // In / Loving Memory / of / ALEXANDER FRANCIS, / dearly loved and / youngest son of / ALEXANDER and ANNIE / MACPHERSON, / who departed this life / 3rd December 1911 / aged 27 years. / 'Our loved one at rest.'"

Obituaries

"A Mid-Richmond Pioneer Gone."^[8]

Mr. Alexander McPherson, senr., of Swan Bay, a very old and respected resident of this river, and formerly proprietor of Gairloch, the last private owned sugar mill on the Richmond, passed away suddenly on Saturday. The body was brought by boat to Coraki, where it was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery alongside that of deceased's son, Alexander, who died some short time ago. The deceased leaves two sons and eight daughters. An exceptionally large concourse of friends followed the remains to the graveside, several going from Lismore.

Our Coraki correspondent wrote lost night :— Coraki and district mourns the passing of a worthy old pioneer in the person of Mr. Alex. McPherson, of Swan Bay. Born in Gairloch, Scotland, some 70 years ago, deceased came to Australia as a little lad, and, with his parents, settled on the Shoalhaven. Early in the 60's Mr. McPherson came to the Richmond, selected on the rich flats at Swan Bay, and has resided there ever since. He was one of the pioneers of the Mid-Richmond, and, during a residence of close upon 50 years at Swan Bay, has always been recognised as one of the most progressive producers in the district. Many years ago, when the sugar-cane boom was at its height, he established a large sugar mill on his farm, but, like all similar enterprises of that period, the venture almost involved the plucky owner in financial disaster, and the mill, which in its ruins now stands as a monumental evidence of competition with stronger forces, had to close down in 1904. The advent of dairying, however, soon placed Mr. McPherson and other sugar planters of that period in "Easy-street."

For some years past the old gentleman had lived a retired life, and up till a year ago enjoyed the best of health. The death of his youngest son, however, seems to have preyed upon his mind, and for months past he was unable to leave his home. The end came peacefully on Saturday, in the presence of members of the family circle. The funeral took place yesterday at Coraki, in the presence, of a remarkably large concourse of people, a special steamer having travelled from Woodburn for the occasion. Included in the cortege were numerous old hands who had known the deceased for a period approaching 50 years. Great sympathy ls expressed for the family in their bereavement. The surviving sons are Messrs. O. H. and J. W. McPherson, both of Swan Bay.

"Notes."^[11]

Mr. Alexander McPherson, an old resident and leading dairy farmer in the Swan Bay district, died last week, aged 79. He engaged in dairying pursuits on a large scale, and built up a fine herd, principally of Ayrshires, his estate being one of the finest holdings in the district. He was held in the highest esteem by all classes.

Research Notes

Alexander's cousin, Duncan McPherson, also came out to Australia from Gairloch with his parents and had property in the Richmond area.^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ “Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms, 1553–1854,” database and images, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk : accessed 23 December 2020), image, entry for Alexander McPherson, baptised 20 May 1834 at Gairloch, Ross-shire, citing reference no 066/ 20 110.
2. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQ7M-RG4 : accessed 26 December 2020), Alexander Mc Pherson, 1834.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Death registration: NSW BDM 6219/1913 MCPHERSON, ALEXANDER, father: ALEXANDER, mother: ANNABELLA, district: BALLINA
4. ↑ “Old Parish Registers, Marriages and Banns, 1553–1854,” database and images, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk : accessed 23 December 2020), image, entry for Alexander Mcpherson and Isabella Mcintyre, married 28 October 1830, at Gairloch, Ross and Cromarty, citing reference no 066/ 20 157.
5. ↑ New South Wales Government, “Deaths,” database (https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/lifelink/familyhistory/search/deaths : accessed 25 December 2020), citing John McPherson, Lismore District, 1883, parents’ names Alexander and Isabella, registration number 11463/1883. Note that whilst his parents’ names, his father’s occupation and his county of birth are consistent on the death record, his stated age of 48 years is an underestimate.
6. ↑ “Census Returns, 1841 onwards,” database and images, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk : accessed 23 December 2020), image, entry for Alexander McPherson, aged 7 years, enumerated 6 June 1841 at Gairloch, Ross and Cromarty, citing reference no 066/ 5/ 11.
7. ↑ GravestonePhotos.com, database with images (https://www.gravestonephotos.com : accessed 23 December 2020), image, gravestone of Alexander McPherson, died 1844, aged 44 years, citing Gairloch, Highland, Scotland, grave #266601.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} “A Mid-Richmond Pioneer Gone,” Northern Star (Lismore, New South Wales, Australia), 17 June 1913, page 4, column 5; image copy, National Library of Australia, Trove (http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72413728 : accessed 26 December 2020).
9. ↑ NSW BDM: Marriage 3078/1866, MCPHERSON, ALEXANDER, BALLANTYRE, ANN, district: SHOALHAVEN
10. ↑ Ancestry, Find a Grave, database with images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 December 2020), memorial page for Alexander MacPherson, 1834–1913, Coraki Cemetery, Coraki, New South Wales, Australia, Find A Grave: Memorial #184144372.
11. ↑ “Notes,” The Land (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia), volume 3, number 126, 2 June 1913, page 4, column 6; image copy, National Library of Australia, Trove (http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102942953 : accessed 26 December 2020).
12. ↑ “Another Pioneer Gone,” Northern Star (Lismore, New South Wales, Australia), 2 June 1913, page 2, column 2; image copy, National Library of Australia, Trove (http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72411931 : accessed 26 December 2020).

See also:

• “FamilySearch Family Tree.” FamilySearch International (https://www.familysearch.org), database, entry for Alexander McPherson, abt.1834–1913, citing person id M9B8-95H.

Acknowledgements:

• This record created by Kathleen (Watson) Cobcroft.
• Additional research by David Dobie.