Margaret (Wood) Napier (abt. 1830 - 1902)

Born about 1830 in Montrose, Angus, Scotland, United Kingdom [uncertain]

Wife of Andrew Napier — married 4 May 1851 in Dunnottar, Kincardineshire, Scotland

Descendants

Died 24 Dec 1902 at about age 72 in Gourdon, Kincardineshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Rob Reid [send private message]

Biography

It is fairly consistently stated that Margaret was born in Montrose; the only Old Parish Record fitting is of a Margaret born to Alexander Wood and Charlotte Nicol, 14 August 1830 OPR 312/100, Montrose). From her death certificate, however, her parents were stated to be David Wood, seaman, merchant service, and Helen Wood , nee McLean. The only birth record of a Margaret Wood to parents of this name was in Aberdeen: 09/02/1829 WOOD, MARGARET MCLEOD (Old Parish Registers Births 168/A 220 79 Aberdeen). I cannot resolve this with certainty.

However, the only recorded marriage of a David Wood and Helen McLean in that period's OPR is that of David, a merchant seaman, and Helen McLean who were married in Nigg, Kincardineshire on 24 November 1821(Old Parish Registers Marriages 266/ 40 303 Nigg). The following children were born to a David Wood and a Helen McLean: a son Alexander born in Nigg on 1 April 1822 to a whitefisher of South Loirston, this in the area of Cove in South Aberdeen. James Wood and Andrew Wood, both whitefishers were witnesses.

Then a David, in Nigg, 11 September 1823 to a whitefisher of South Loirston. James Wood and Andrew Wood, both whitefishers were witnesses. These are certainly the same parents. Then a George, 20 November 1825, in Aberdeen (to a labourer).

William 20 August 1827, Aberdeen, to a seaman, witnessed by Alexander Clark and Alexander Wood Margaret McLeod Wood, 9 February 1829, in Aberdeen, although on several censuses she was recorded as being born around 1829 in Montrose. I haven’t found a middle name of McLeod elsewhere. However, the witnesses once more included Alexander Clark!

Helen Wood, born around 1831 (no OP record), and stated to be born in Aberdeen or Findon, Kincardine. She married a William Watt and she died on 27 October 1914 at 6 Marketgate, Arbroath. Her death certificate gives the correct parents.

I cannot prove this is the correct family, but I think it probably is. Any help gratefully received!

Sources

• death certification; parish marriage record

• "Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XT5L-G5K : accessed 16 February 2016), Andrew Napier and Margaret Wood, 04 May 1851; citing Dunnottar,Kincardine,Scotland, reference ; FHL microfilm 993,311.

04/05/1851 WOOD, MARGARET (Old Parish Registers Marriages 255/ 30 297 Dunnottar)

1902 WOOD, MARGARET (Statutory registers Deaths 254/ 42)