BOB   McCARTHY

FIRST GENERATION

(1) - James Workman, a butcher by trade, was born 22 Oct 1815 in West Kilbride, Ayrshire (parents Hugh Workman born circa 1794 in West Kilbride, Scotland and Catherine Shaw).

(2) - Elizabeth Adam, fourth daughter of Alexander Adam and Mary Woodside, was born in Kilbride, Scotland 7 Sept 1826.

- Married in West Kilbride 20 Oct 1850, James lost his life on 25 Oct 1872. His wife, Elizabeth was executed on 19 March 1873.

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SECOND GENERATION

Before Elizabeth Adams' marriage to James Workman, James fathered a child with Janet Fleck.

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Mary Workman (born 30 Aug 1873 in West Kilbride). illegitimate daughter of Janet Fleck, lived in

the home of her father until her marriage 12 Jan 1859 in West Kilbride to James Skirving who died

in Moore, Lambton County on 23 July 1871.  Mary remarried 11 Feb 1873 to Andrew Miller.

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(1) - Katherine Elizabeth Shaw Workman (born 31 Jan1858, West Kilbride, Scotland - died circa 1922 Regina, Saskatchewan)

- 1861 Canadian census shows Katherine living with parents in St Mary's, Ontario,

- 1871 census for St Mary's, Perth County, shows James and Elizabeth Workman, Katherine age 12 and Hugh, age 6.

- 1871 census for Moore, Lambton County, shows Elizabeth Workman, age 50, Catherine Elizabeth Workman, age 13, Hugh Alexander Workman age 7, all living in same house as James Skirving, Mary Skirving and their daughter Catherine Elizabeth, age 2.

It appears that Elizabeth and her two children left James Workman in St Mary's at sometime during 1871, He later joined them in Lambton County. By September of 1872, James, Elizabeth and Hugh were living separately from the Skirvings and their daughter. Why Catherine Elizabeth Workman, age 13, stayed with the Skirving family at that time is unknown.

- 1881 census for Moore, Lambton County shows Catherine Workman, age 23, living in the same residence as Andrew Miller, 53, Mary Miller, 42, Mary Miller, 18, and Hortence Miller, age 6 months. By August of that year, Catherine had married in  Moore town to a cabinetmaker, John Robertson, (born Ontario Jul 1854-died 23 Jul 1922 at Port McNicoll, Ont).

(2) - Hugh Alexander Workman, born about 1864, likely in St. Mary's, Ontario, shows in 1871 censuses as shown above. About 9 years of age at the time of the death of both of his parents, his story after that is unknown. He may have died young, changed his name, been adopted.

If anyone knows, I would appreciate any information available.

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THIRD GENERATION- children of Katherine and John Robertson, grand-children of Elizabeth Workman

Their family included at least 7 children, all born in Woodstock, Ontario.

(1) - James Harold Robertson, (8 Sep 1883-20 Jan 1942 Regina, Sask.) shows in the 1901 Canadian census as a printer. He and his wife, Florence Maud ?, are shown as living in Regina, Saskatchewan in the 1911, 1916 and 1921 census. No children are listed. His mother Catherine probably moved there after 1921 since she is shown as resting in the Regina Cemetery, interred 20 Jan 1942. Other burials in the same site include James Harold 20 Jan 1942 and Florence 23 Oct 1923.

(2) - John Kirkland Robertson, (29 Oct 1885,-15 Mar 1902) buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Owen Sound.

(3) - Bessie Isabel Robertson, (21 Nov 1887-23 Feb 1974 Los Angeles) married in Ontario 2 Aug 1911 to Frederick Middleton Hughes, a bank manager. The family moved to the USA, entering through Portal, North Dakota Sep 1923, ending up in the Los Angeles, California area where Bessie died 23 Feb 1974. She had become a naturalized US citizen at age 53 in May of 1941.

(4) - Kathleen Marie Robertson (27 Jan 1891-9 Apr 1983 Port Colborne) married John Duncan McPhee (21 Jan 1884-2 Dec 1953) in Owen Sound on 16 Jun 1915. Her husband, a medical doctor and MPP in the Ontario Legislature for 10 years (1943-1953) died in 1953 and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery at Midland, Simcoe Co., Ontario. Her father, John Robertson died 23 Jul 1922 in Port McNicoll, and is buried here as well.  Kathleen's name is also on the stone, but without dates.

Kathleen and John had one son, Reginald who predeceased his mother. Reginald and his wife, Edith ?, had three children, John, Edward and Stuart. Edith, her 3 children and their grandmother, Kathleen McPhee all were living in Port Colborne in 1972 (shown on voter  list).

(5) - Hugh Francis Murray Robertson, (16 May 1893-after 1925) According to 1921 Census, living as a lodger in the Isaac Blondin household, in Port McNicoll, occupation "Checker" in the railway industry. Hugh married Esther Louise Lee 1 Aug 1925, Toronto, Ontario. At that time, he was shown as a baker, living at Port McNicoll, Simcoe County, Ontario.

(6) - Peter Allan Robertson, (5 Jul 1896-after 1917) a school teacher in Owen Sound, was drafted into the Canadian military on 11 Nov 1917. At the time, he showed his next of kin as his mother, living at 77 Grange Avenue in Toronto.

(7) - Clarence Adam Robertson, (13 Jul 1900-?)  

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FOURTH GENERATION - great-grand-children of Elizabeth Workman

 

          children of Bessie Isabel Robertson and Frederick Middleton Hughes

Bessie and Frederick Hughes had 3 children

- 1940 US census shows Fred M Hughes, age 54, Bessie I Hughes, wife, age 51 and Jack S Hughes, age 18, son in Los Angeles County, California.

- Los Angeles, California records show 3 marriages showing parents Fred Hughes and Bessie I Robertson.

(1) - Kathleen Elizabeth Hughes, (1914 Canada - 28 Oct 1987, California), at age 20, marry 14 Sep 1934 to Anthony Radice, (6 Mar 1906 Buffalo-29 Dec 2003 Calif).

(2) - Helen Alice Hughes, (b 1917 Canada) marry 25 Feb 1939 to George Gordon Fellows (b 1914 - died 1988, CA). The 1940 US Census shows him as a truck driver, her as a waitress, both living with his step-father Lloyd C Dill and wife Beatrice. A later City Directory shows the two of them living at 339 1/2 West 49th, George now a chauffeur.

(3) - John S. Hughes, (b 1922 Canada - ?), marry 24 Sep 1949 to Gustine Talkington Duggan (b 1921 - d 2009 CA). At time of marriage, John was a fireman living at 2206 Louella Ave, LA. His wife was an elementary teacher at South School, Hermosa, California.

 

          children of Kathleen Marie Robertson and John D McPhee

Kathleen and John D McPhee had one child

(1) Reginald McPhee (after 1915 - ?) married Edith ? and they had 3 children

may be family shown in 1972 Port Colborne voter's list shows on Ost Avenue - Reginald  McPhee retired, Edith McPhee, Stuart McPhee - labourer, John McPhee - production manager, Mrs. Kathleen McPhee - retired.,

 

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As indicated elsewhere, CASE 666 has been written to make others more aware about this story and to try to get the Canadian Government and/or legal system to review this travesty of justice that resulted in the unnecessary and unwarranted hanging of Elizabeth Workman.

 

Should anyone be able to provide more information that might lead to identifying living descendants of Elizabeth Workman, my efforts could be on his/her/their behalf.

 

If you can help with any information, please contact me by e-mail

 

Bob McCarthy