KEY EVENTS AND DATES

9th October 1832

Andrew was born at Hardenburn, Parish of Roberton. This information came from Andrew's marriage certificate on which we are told of his date of birth but also that it had not been registered. His mother was Jane Deans (later known as Jeannie).

1841 Census

The Census records that Andrew, then aged 8, lived with his Aunties, Agnes Deans (aged 25) and Christian Deans (aged 20) ad his Uncle, Peter Deans (also aged 20) in Hardenburn, Parish of Roberton. There is also an unknown person residing with them aged 5 months.

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1851 Census

The Census records that Andrew, then aged 18, lived in Melrose - the name of the street or place he lived in, is illegible, but judging by the number of people residing there, it may be a lodging house. There are no relatives of Andrew living there, as far as I can judge. Andrew was described as a Porter and as a Merchant (Grocer). He is shown as having been born in Roberton.

View the full record here.

28th December 1855

Andrew Married Elizabeth Murray at Brougham Place, Hawick according to the rites of the United Reform Church. He was aged 23 and his occupation was Coal Agent. The marriage certificate actually described him as "Andrew Deans (commonly called Smith)". He lived in Dickson Street, Parish of Wilton in Hawick. His mother was Jane Deans an Agricultural Labourer. Elizabeth was aged 28 and her 'present' address was given as Brougham Place, Hawick, but her 'usual' address was Courthill, Parish of Wilton. Courthill was a farm on the northern outskirts of Hawick.

1st November 1857

Andrew's twin daughters Helen and Jane were born at 11.15 p.m. and 11.45 p.m. respectively at Weensland, Hawick. Andrew was present and he advised the Registrar of their births. At that time Andrew was employed as a Wool Scourer.

1861 Census

The Census records that Andrew, aged 28 lived with his wife, Elizabeth (33) at the 2nd House in the Village of Weensland, Hawick. He was employed as a Woolen Cloth Scourer. His place of birth was given as Roberton, Selkirkshire. Living there with them was their daughter Helen, aged 3. Given no mention of Helen's twin sister Jane, it seems likely that she died in infancy, but I have yet to see the record.

7th September 1863

Andrew had another daughter, Agnes, born this day in Weensland, Hawick Parish. At the time Andrew was employed as a Groom.

1865/67

From Census details we know Andrew had a son called William born in this period in Innerleithen, Peebleshire.

1871 Census

The Census records that Andrew, aged 38 lived with his wife, Elizabeth (43) in Eskbank. (For some reason I haven't taken a full transcript of the census entry, so don't have the town, but presume it to be Dalkeith.) He was employed as a Gardener. His place of birth was given as Roberton, Roxburghshire. Living there with them were their children Helen, aged 13 a scholar, Agnes aged 7 and William aged 3.

1872/73

From Census details we know Andrew had a son called Robert born in this period in Dalkeith.

1881 Census

The Census records that Andrew aged 49, lived at Ormisbank Cottage in Dalkeith. He was employed as a "Gardener Domestic Servant and was shown as having been born in Roberton. Also living there were his wife, Elizabeth (53) and his children Agnes (17), William (15) and Robert (8).

1891 Census

The census shows that Andrew, now aged 58 still lived at Ormisbank Cottage, Eskbank. He was still employed as a Gardener. By then only his wife Elizabeth (62) and his daughter Agnes (27) lived at the same address.

1891 - 1893

At some point during this period I'm speculating that Andrew's mother Jeannie moved in with him. We have a photo, showing her with Andrew his wife and daughter outside of Eskbank cottage. We know she wasn't living at Eskbank cottage as at the time of the 1891 Census and it couldn't have been later than 1893 as Andrew's wife died that year.

23rd February 1893

Andrew's wife Elizabeth died at Ormisbank Cottage, Eskbank, Dalkeith. Andrew had been present at her death and reported it to the Registrar.

30th December 1900

Andrew's mother Jean Deans died at Ormisbank Cottage, Eskbank, Dalkeith. She was aged 90 and her occupation was shown as Housekeeper. I wonder if she was keeping house for Andrew after his wife's death in 1893?

1901 Census

Andrew is recorded as living in Ormisbank Cottage, Waverley Road, Dalkeith. He was aged 68 and his place of birth is shown as Roberton, Roxburghshire. He was a widower and his occupation was "Gardener (Domestic)". Also living there were his daughter, Agnes (34) and his grandchildren Andrew Sutter (15), Robert Sutter (7) and Elizabeth Sutter (4); all children of his daughter Helen Smith (Sutter), who at this time was a patient in Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

27th May 1901

Andrew died at 2.23 p.m. at Ormisbank Cottage, Eskbank, Dalkeith. He was aged 68 and was a widower. The cause of death was Aortie Disease of the Heart. His death was informed by his son William Smith, who had been present. His occupation was recorded as Gardener. Although 68 was relatively old in these days, it was not overly so. It is attempting to wonder if his death was in any way affected by the recent death of his mother.