Agnes (McDonald) Forsyth (abt. 1822 - 1898)

Born about 1822 in Isle of Mull, Argyll, Scotland, United Kingdom

Wife of James Forsyth — married Aug 1841 in New Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Descendants

Died 17 Sep 1898 at about age 76 in California, Stirlingshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Marsha Richardson [send private message]

Biography

We learn from Agnes' death certificate that she was 76 years old when she died, so born about 1822. Also, we learn she is the daughter of Neil McDonald and Sarah McDonald McDonald. ^[1]

Although one record indicates she was born elsewhere and in 1826, most census records say she was born in Mull, Argyll, Scotland, United Kingdom about 1822.

In the 1841 census Agnes McDonald was living with her future husband and his family. Her occupation was given as F.S. (Family Servant). Her estimated birth was 1826 and she was shown as born in Lanarkshire, Scotland. They are living in Clarkston, Lanark, Scotland. My guess is this information was given by her employer or another servant. Based on other sources she would have been 19 years old and born in Mull, Argyll, Scotland,^[2]

James and Agnes were married in May 1841, Airdrie or New Monkland.^{[3] [4]}

Children for James and Agnes

1. Matthew Forsyth, born 15 March and baptized 5 April 1842 in Clarkston Parish. ^[5]
2. Sarah Forsyth, born 11 and baptized 21 December 1843in Airdrie,^[6]
3. Peter Forsyth born 1844 (another researcher found this on IGI, but not found with family in 1851 census.
4. Neil McDonald Forsyth, born 5 January and baptized 1 February 1846^[7]
5. Robert Forsyth, born 1848. Robert is found with family in the 1851 census.
6. Archibald Forsyth, born on 4 June and baptized 14 July 1850, In Airdrie or New Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland. His parents were James Forsyth and Agnes McDonald. ^[8]
7. Helen Forsyth, born 4 May and baptized 27 May 1852 ^[9]
8. Agnes Forsyth, born 1855 Birth Record not located yet, but is with the family in the 1861 census.
9. James (Jimmy) Forsyth, born 1856
10. Margaret (Maggie) Forsyth was born September 1858 in the parish of Muirvonside. ^[10]
11. Donald Forsyth, born 1863 no birth record found yet, but with the family in the 1871 census.
12. Lillias Forsyth was born April 1866 in Parish of Muiravonside, Stirling, Scotland.^[11]

On the night of 30 March 1851, when the census was taken, we find James and Agnes with 5 children living in New Monkland, Watson, Lanarkshire. He is a coal miner. It shows Agnes as being born in Argyle Kilfinechan, (several places in Argyle that are simular in spelling)^{[12] [13]}

In the 1861 Census Agnes is found with her husband and children in Muiravonside, Stirlingshire Scotland. Her estimated birth year is 1822 and she was said to have been born in Ayr, Ayr. ^[14]

In the 1871 census, Agnes is shown as Almes. She is living with her husband, children, and her brother, Donald. They are living in Muiravonside at the Glebad Farm in Stirlingshire. and her birth year and place is shown as 1821 Mull, Argyllshire. ^[15]

In the 1881 Census, Agnes is living with her children and her birth date is 1822, born in Mull, Argyleshire. They lived at Glenhead Farm ^[16]

In the 1891 Census, Agnes is living with some of her children, Says she was born in Mull, Argyle about 1822 and still living in Muiravonadise, Stirlingshire at Glenhead Farm. ^[17]

Reference to the Glenhead Farm is found in The Falkirk Herald 4, Aug 1897 as part of an investigation of a Muiravonadie farmer who was convicted of assaulting a domestic servant. Doesn't mention the Forsyths at the farm, but many Forsyths found in the pages. ^[18]

Agnes died at the age of 76 on 17 September 1898 5:50 PM in California, Polmont, Stirlingshire, Scotland. She was the widow of James Forsyth, a coal miner, and a daughter of Neil McDonald, a farmer, and Sarah McDonald who were both deceased. She died of endocarditis and general dementia. Her son Robert Forsyth was present at her death.^[1]

Research Notes for parents of Agnes

Her parents were known to be Neil and Sarah McDonald, Possible both born with that surname. In 1821 we know they were in Mull, Argyll and that Neil was a farmer.

I know she had a brother, Donald, born about 1831 in Mull. He is on the 1871 census with Agnes.

(1841) I find a Neil who was born about 1780 (60) and was a crofter in the 1841 census in Tyree, Argil and a Sarah is with him born about 1800 (40). ^[19] With them is Archi 20, John 7

(1851) Found this Sarah who is 48 with 24 year old Mary. This could be the mary born 1829.^[20]

(1861) I find Sarah 61 years old in the 1861 census. she is a pauper born in Kilfinchen, Argy. No Neil, but he would have been 80 now, so likly died. This Sarah is living in Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon, Argyil at 6th Balevulin. She was born in Kilfinichen, Argyll. ^[21]

Possible siblings

^[22]

1. Nancy 1808, (unlikely due to age of the suspected mother)
2. James 1813, (unlikely due to age of the suspected mother)
3. Angus 1821 (found evidence he immigrated to US 1854), Mary 1829,
4. Donald 1831 (no birth record, but he is living with Agnes in 1871)
5. Euphema 1833# Merron 1834.

Theory of who Agnes' Parents Were

My theory is the Sarah and Neil found in the 1841 census are the parents of Agnes. Neil probably died before the 1851 census where Sarah is found with her daughter, Mary. Then Sarah is found in the 1861 census alone and a pauper. Shows her as "unmarried" rather than a widow but not sure if that is significant.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Death Registration: "Statutory Register of Deaths," database
   National Records of Scotland, Ref: 487/86
   ScotlandsPeople (accessed 28 June 2023)
   Agnes Forsyth death registered 1898 in Polmont (age 76, mother's maiden name McDonald).
2. ↑ 1841 Census, Parish: Clarkston; ED: 6b; Page: 27; Line: 1410, Ancestry.com, database, [ https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/490796:1004?ssrc=pt&tid=116192035&pid=370152058480 1841 Census] : accessed 24, August 2021
3. ↑ Old Parish Records, Scotlandspeople, online images, record 651 70 288, OPR Marraige $ : Accessed 24 August 2021
4. ↑ Scotland, Select Marriages, 1561-1910, Ancestry.com, database, FHL Film #1066601, 0102960 Marriages$ : Accessed 24, August 2021
5. ↑ OPR Births, Scotlandspeople, online images, Birth$ : Accessed 4 September 2021
6. ↑ OPR Births, Scotlandspeople, online images, no 651/ 60 375,Births$ : Accessed 4 September 2021
7. ↑ OPR Births, Scotlandspeople, online images, rec # 651 60 411, Birth$ : accessed 4 September 2021
8. ↑ Old Parish Birth Records, Scotlandspeople, Digital images. Record number 651 60 500 (Airdrie or New Monkland, parents James Forsyth, a minor and Agnes McDonald, born 4 June baptized 14 July 1850.Birth Record $: Accessed 24 August 2021
9. ↑ OPR Births, Scotlandspeople, online images, Birth$ : Accessed 4 September 2021
10. ↑ Staturotry Registers Births, Scotlandspeople, online images, Birth$
11. ↑ Statutory Registers Birth, Scotlandspeople, online images, no 486 47, [1]: Accessed 4, September 2021
12. ↑ 1851 Scotland Census, Parish: New Monkland; ED: 11; Page: 22; Line: 1; Roll: CSSCT1851_170; Year: 1851,Ancestry.com, database,(born in Airdrie, Lanark, Coal miner, living in Watson, wife and children 1851Census $ : accessed 24 August 2021
13. ↑ 1851 Scottish Census, Scotlandspeople, Rec # 651/ 19/ 22 page 22, 1851 Census $
14. ↑ 1861 Census, Parish: Muiravonside; ED: 3; Page: 13; Line: 2; Roll: CSSCT1861_65, Ancestry.com, 1861 Census : Accessed 24, August 2021
15. ↑ 1871 Census, Parish: Muiravonside; ED: 3; Page: 10; Line: 11; Roll: CSSCT1871_84, Ancestry.com, database, 1871 Census : Accessed 24, August 2021
16. ↑ 1881 Census, Parish: Muiravonside; ED: 3; Page: 22; Line: 7; Roll: cssct1881_138, Ancestry.com, database, 1881 Census : Accessed 24 August 1821
17. ↑ 1891 Census, Parish: Muiravonside; ED: 3; Page: 19; Line: 2; Roll: CSSCT1891_152, Ancestry.com, database,1891 Census : Accessed 24, August 2021
18. ↑ Leask, David, Muiravonside Parish, Thew Way It Was, an online book, David Leask's Maddiston Pages
19. ↑ 1841 Census, Scotlandspeople, images, 1841 Census for parents
20. ↑ Ancestry 1851 Census : accessed 2021
21. ↑ 1861 census : accessed 29 August 2021 1861 Census $ : Accessed 29 Aug 2021
22. ↑ FamilySearch Index:accessed 2021