Hellen (Gray) Johnston (abt. 1838 - 1916)

Born about 1838 in Newhills, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Wife of David Johnstone — married 21 Nov 1859 in Newhills, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 16 Feb 1916 at about age 78 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Biography

Helen Gray was born in 1838. At the time of birth her parents were farm servants. Her mother Ann Pirie was 21 and her father Alexander Gray was 45.They never married. Helen was raised by her mother. The 2 lived with Ann’s parents most of Helens’ childhood. Helen was 21 when she married 31 year old widower David Johnston in Newhills, Aberdeenshire on Nov. 20, 1859. The couple had 8 children in 18 years. In the 1901 census Helen and David were living at Berryhill, Fetteresso, Kincardineshire. David was 73 and Helen was 62. Their daughter Elizabeth Low (nee Johnston) age 40 was the widow of David Low. In 1901, she along with her 2 daughters were living with her parents, Helen and David. At that time, Helen Low (my maternal grandmother) was 8 years old and her sister Ann Low was 11. Helen Gray passed away in Aberdeenshire on Feb.16,1916 at the age of 78. Several of the couple’s offspring left Scotland. Some emigrated to Ont. Canada and others took up residence in Buffalo, New York.

Sources

* 1. Scotland Register of Marriages Nov 20, 1859 Ref# 3576

* 2. Feb 16, 1916 Scotland Statutory Death Cert. #168 /030107