John Edgar was born in 1840 to William Edgar and Jane Colvin in Kirkcudbright,[1] [2] Scotland.[3]
In the 1841 Scotland Census, the Edgar family of William, Jane, John and his older sister, Agnes, are found at Chipperkyle in the Scottish Parish of Kirkpatrick Durham.[2]
By 1851, the family had moved to Laygate Lane, South Shields, England where his father was listed as Farm Steward for the influential James Stevenson. [3] [4] John and his siblings are listed as "Scholars" - very possibly at the Jarrow Chemical Company's Schools (later known as the Barnes School.) [4]
In 1855, John's father died.[5] John "quit school and helped his mother run a small dairy." [6]
He served a five years apprenticeship with Mr. John Fenwick, draper, of King Street. [4] At the age of 19 (c. 1859), John Edgar went to London and entered a wholesale house in Cheapside. [4]
Family tradition has it that John "served in the Queen's Army for a time." [6] In fact, he was an active member of the Volunteer Force from its formation in 1859.[4]
In the 1861 census, John Edgar, Draper's Assistant, is found in the household of Michael Graham, Draper, on Cornwallis St., Westoe, South Shields. His mother, Jane Edgar, widow, Cow Keeper, is enumerated in Durham, South Shields at the Old Poor House with John's siblings: Agnes, Dairymaid; James, Draper's Asst; Thomas, Gardener; and Isabella and William, Scholars.
In January of 1865, the Shields Daily Gazette published an advertisement stating that "John Edgar INTENDS on opening shop at 18 Green Street[4], South Shields with a large and well selected STOCK of New DRAPERY GOODS." That spring, ads for the shop detailed bonnets, hats, ribbons, flowers, shawls, mantles, fancy dresses, prints, crinolines, stays, bracelets and falls "And every other description of Drapery, in the Newest Styles and at the lowest Market Rate."
On the 3rd of February 1866, the marriage occurred at Laygate Presbyterian Church of Mr. John Edgar, draper, to Anne, third daughter of Mr. Alex. Peters, farmer, South Bradieston, Kincardineshire.
In May of 1867, their first child, a son, Arthur, was born. In March of 1869, a daughter, Edith, was born and in 1870 Harold.
John Edgar placed an advertisement in June of 1870 requesting "persons to put in a shop front in the old post-office, 35 Market Place[4], South Shields." His shop would continue in that prime location until the family embarked for Texas in 1880.
On Saturday, 24 September 1870 a Serious Gas Explosion took place in the dwelling-house of Mr. John Edgar, draper, Charlotte Street, South Shields. "The results were of a very serious nature, the house being so much damaged that it is feared it will have to be wholly rebuilt."
The 1871 Census finds the Edgar family living at 11 Victoria Terrace, Westoe, South Shields: John Edgar, Draper, and his wife, Ann (both born in Scotland) and their children, Arthur (3), Edith (2) and baby Harold (4 mos) all born in Durham, South Shields.
Around this time, John Edgar also became an agent for Sewing Machines, Knitting Machines, Wringers, Mangles and Washing Machines 'to be seen and tested at 35 Market Place.' One ad states that 'a prejudice against [washing machines] still exists, but is fast disappearing.' [7]
The family continued to grow with the birth of Amy in 1873 and Stanley in 1875.
In 1875, John Edgar, Draper, is still listed at Victoria Terrace as a candidate for the Election of Guardians [of the Poor] who is included among those who object to the expenditure of patching up the present Workhouse and are in favour of a new site. By 1877, John Edgar is listed at Seafield Terrace again being nominated for the Guardians.
"A Mr. Handley of South Shields bought land north of Austin, Texas, U.S.A. and talked of the promises the new world held to Grandfather until he decided to leave England and try his luck in Texas." [6]
In March of 1880, "MR JOHN HART has pleasure in announcing that he has been honoured with instructions by Mr. John Edgar, who is leaving the country, to SELL BY PUBLIC AUCTION, in the shop, 35 Market Place, South Shields, the whole of his choice and valuable collection of OIL PAINTINGS, WATER COLOUR DRAWINGS, and ENGRAVINGS."
On the 14th of July, an ad ran in the Shields Daily Gazette for A Great Sale of Mr. John Edgar's Drapery Stock including KID GLOVES, Nearly 3,000 yards of Pure American CALICO, An immense Stock of HABERDASHERY, Sewing Machines and Kilting Machines.
Sale of Modern and Useful Furniture in South Shields:
"Mr John Edgar, who is leaving the country will SELL, Tuesday, July 20th at his residence, 2 Seafield Terrace, the whole of the FURNISHINGS a Nine-roomed House. Included in the details is a Sideboard and Bookcase combined. Fenders, Coal Box, Spanish Chair, Rocking Chair, Walnut Cheffonier with Mirror and Marble Top: Cottage Piano, Three-fold Screen. with coloured pictures; Gas Chandeliers and Brackets, full size Bath heated with Gas, rocking-horse, Iron Safe by Taunton, extra good quality; Pembroke Table, 8 Days' Clock, Washing and Mangling Machine, a very good one ; Linoleums and Canvasses, Delf Rack, Meat Screen, and all the usual Kitchen Furniture and Utensils. A quantity of BOOKS of various kinds. Greenhouse Plants, Ferns, Water Tank, Flower Pots, Gas Heating Apparatus, &c., &c. will be Sold."
A public auction of property was held at the Golden Lion hotel including five properties of John Edgar's among these were
- The SHOP and OFFICES in the best position in the Market Place;
- The FREEHOLD DWELLING HOUSE, 2 Seafield Terrace, containing 9 rooms, six of which command a splendid view of the entrance to the Harbour, of the Piers, Public Park, Tynemouth Castle and Priory; and
- All those excellent FREEHOLD PREMISES, situated at the corner of Palmerston and Havelock Streets, consisting of large Shop with cellars and nine Dwelling Rooms, now in the occupation of the Lifeboat Co-operative Society and others.
29 Jul 1880 - Durham Rifle Volunteers Presentation To Captain Edgar
About 150 Volunteers assembled at their drill hall, Ocean Road,
where Captain Edgar put the men through a variety of battalion movements for his last time. He was then presented with a Martini-Henri rifle of the most modern design. In accepting the gift, Capt. Edgar said "He was going to a foreign country where the population was only partially civilised, and he might have occasion to use the weapon. He hoped, however, that he never have occasion to use it against a human being. He never held a high position as a marksman." He was also presented with a photograph of the members in a neat Oxford frame. Captain Edgar, in receiving this gift, [said] "Every time he looked upon the picture it would bring back recollections of the many. pleasant hours he had spent amongst them."
31 Jul 1880 - Farewell Dinner
The dinner was served in the Assembly Room of the Golden Lion Hotel, King Street, South Shields. Upon the removal of the cloth, the Chairman proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts. Ald. Glover then noted with regard to Mr Edgar's departure, that he was sorry to see good neighbour, good citizen, and good tradesman leaving the town. He believed that Edgar carried with him the good wishes thousands of the inhabitants of South Shields. Captain Graham, 3rd D.R.V., suitably responded to the toast. He was proud to say that the corps in South Shields was a very efficient one, and he was exceedingly sorry that in parting with Capt. Edgar they would lose one their best officers.Mr J, M. Moore (Town Clerk) proposed the toast of the evening, "Mr John Edgar and Family." He knew Mr Edgar's career as a councillor and as a guardian. But almost greater than that were his relations as a tradesman and commercialman. Mr Edgar had performed those duties not only with ability, but with a strong determination to do that which was right and which was admirable.
Mr Moore concluded by asking Mr Edgar's acceptance of the Address which had been beautifully illuminated and elegantly bound in Morocco by Mr Algernon Percy, of Newcastle, and afterwards read by Mr T. Binks.
Chairman of the New Workhouse Committee
member of the Town Council[6],
South Shields and Westoe Burial Board[6],
Master Mason of St. Hilda's Lodge twenty-first degree[6]
Captain of the Durham Rifle Volunteers[6]
18 Aug 1880, Port of New York, screw steamer SS Roxburgh Castle of the Red Cross Line from Newcastle & Dundee: Passengers' List:...
John Edgar - 40 - Male Gent;
Andrew " - 38 - " " [?!];
Arthur " - 13 - " " ;
Edith " - 11 - female child;
Harbold " - 9 - male child;
Amy " - 7 - female " ;
Stanly " - 5 - male "
31 Aug 1880 - From South Shields To Texas - I. Across the Atlantic
22 Sep 1880 - II. Experiences in New York, Arrival At Texas
27 Oct 1880 - III. My Opinion of Texas
ranch at Duvall on the I. & G.N. railroad
1904 - of Elmdale Ranch, Austin, Texas
Burial Walnut Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA
Connections to Super Bowl halftime show performers: John is 26 degrees from Prince Nelson, 22 degrees from Dan Aykroyd, 18 degrees from Garth Brooks, 26 degrees from Chubby Checker, 23 degrees from Ella Fitzgerald, 20 degrees from Dusty Hill, 33 degrees from Whitney Houston, 20 degrees from Mick Jagger, 22 degrees from Paul McCartney, 16 degrees from Tom Petty, 17 degrees from Chris Stapleton and 25 degrees from Shania Twain on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.