Nathaniel Fergusons Family

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Belfast, Ireland
Surname/tag: Ferguson

Contents 1 The Life of Nathaniel Ferguson - Draper and Creditor 1.1 Family 2 Children 2.1 William Johnston Ferguson (eldest son) 2.2 John Ferguson 2.3 Henry Ferguson 2.4 Nathaniel Ferguson 2.5 Mary Agnes Ferguson 2.6 Eleanor Jane Ferguson 2.7 Margaret Ferguson 2.8 Matilda Ferguson 2.9 Annie Florence Ferguson 2.10 Elizabeth Florence Ferguson 3 Parents 3.1 Nathaniel Ferguson 4 Sources

The Life of Nathaniel Ferguson - Draper and Creditor

Nathaniel was a merchant in Belfast for many years, but had a tragic end with nearly all of his family dying within a few short years.

THIS DAY. Death of Mr. Nathaniel Ferguson. It is with regret that we have to announce the death, at an early hour this morning, of Mr. Nathaniel Ferguson, of Bridge Street. The event has been so sudden and unexpected that it has taken every one by surprise; but, upon reflection, there seems to be scarcely anything remarkable in it. The family afflictions which Mr. Ferguson suffered during the past year -- his children one by one going down to the grave--were calculated to deaden the stoutest heart, and they peculiarly affected a man of silent temperament and affections.

In fact, as these sorrows came on, one after another, they seemed to leave Mr. Ferguson the shadow of his former self. Among the shop keeping and drapery trade of Belfast the name of the deceased will be long remembered.

He formed one of a circle of smart, business people who are rapidly passing away. It may be said with truth that a man of more tact and shrewdness never conducted business in Bridge Street than Nathaniel Ferguson.

He was a financier of financiers; a bill discounter of bill discounters; a keen, watchful, and somewhat morose man of business. But, amidst the select school in which he mingled, it is admitted that, beneath that apparent external callousness, there lay a strata of kindliness and strong sympathy.

That Mr. Ferguson will be missed in the business society of Bridge Street is only giving expression to a general feeling among all who knew him. He was a shining light among a coterie of clever, tactish men, all of whom will deeply regret his demise.

Mr. Ferguson died at the age of forty-nine years. (Belfast Telegraph - Friday 29 September 1871, page 3)

Family

1. birth of a son 1 Jun 1853, 1 June 1853 Arthur Street, Belfast, Ireland (Belfast News-letter June 6, 1853, page1)
2. Unnamed Daughter born 21 Jul 1866 Bangor, Down, Ireland ^[1]
3. about 1861 Eleanor Jane Ferguson
4. birth of daughter Matilda Ferguson 17 Jan 1865, Ballymaccarret^[2]
5. unnamed daughter born 16 October 1867, Ballymacarret, County Down, Ireland ^[3]
6. death of son John Ferguson 16 May 1869, Mountpottinger, Belfast, Ireland ^[4]
7. birth of daughter Lizzie Ferguson 3 June 1869, Ballymaccaret, County Down, Ireland ^[5]
8. death of daughter Annie Florence Ferguson, aged 4, 21 January 1871, Mountpottinger, Belfast, Ireland
9. death of eldest daughter Mary Agnes Ferguson, 25 Sep 1871 ^[6]
10. death of son William Johnston Ferguson 31 October 1874, Belfast, Ireland ^[7]
11. death of son Nathaniel Ferguson, aged 18, 16 Sep 1875, Mountpottinger, Belfast, Ireland ^[8]

Children

William Johnston Ferguson (eldest son)

about 1852- 31 Oct 1874

• no birth record found
• FERGUSON--October 31, Mr. Wm. Johnston Ferguson eldest son of the late Mr. Nathaniel Ferguson, aged 22 years. (Ulster Examiner and Northern Star - Tuesday 03 November 1874, page 1)
• FERGUSON--October 31, Mr. Wm. Johnston Ferguson eldest son of the late Mr. Nathaniel Ferguson, aged 22 years. (Ulster Examiner and Northern Star - Tuesday 03 November 1874, page 1)
• FERGUSON William Johnston. Effects under £300. 18 November. The Will of William Johnston Ferguson late of Bridge-street Belfast County Antrim Woolen Draper deceased who died 31 October 1874 at Mountpottinger County Down was proved at Belfast by the oaths of Mary Agnes Ferguson of Bridge street Widow John M'Calmont of Mill street Linen Merchant and William Joseph Stokes of Upper Arthur street Linen Warehouse Manager all in Belfast and George Sinclair of Mountpottinger (Belfast) aforesaid Boot and Shoe Maker the executors. ^[9]

John Ferguson

about 1854 - 16 May 1869'

• no birth record found
• FERGUSON--May 16, at Mountpottinger, John, second son of Nathaniel Ferguson. His remains will be removed for Interment in Shankhill Burying-ground, on tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, at nine o'clock. Friends will please accept this intimation. (May 18, 1869, Belfast Newsletter, page 1)

Henry Ferguson

• June 26, at his father's residence, Henry, third son of Mr. Nathaniel Ferguson, Ballyrogan, near Newtownards. (Belfast Commercial Chronicle - Friday 29 June 1855, page 4) .... Not his child - he was already living on Bridge Street then

Nathaniel Ferguson

about 1857- 16 September 1875

• occupation - Draper's Assistant
• death 16 September 1875, Mountpottinger, Belfast, Ireland ^[8]
• cause of death: Consumption (6 months), George Sinclair present at death death certificate
• FERGUSON--Sept, 16, at his mother's residence, No. 2, Mountpottinger, Belfast, Nathaniel, son of the Intu Nathaniel Ferguson, Bridge Street, Belfast, aged 18 years. His remains will be removed from the above address for interment in Shankhill Burying ground, to-morrow (Saturday) morning, at ten o'clock. Friends will please accept this intimation. (Belfast Newsletter 17 Sep 1875, page 1)
• Ferguson Nathaniel. Effects under £200.21 January. Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Nathaniel Ferguson late of 2 Mountpottinger County Down Draper's Assistant a Bachelor deceased who died 16 September 1875 at same place were granted at Belfast to James Ferguson of Ballyalton (Newtownards) County Down Farmer Samuel Keatley of Belfast Antrim Gentleman and Robert M'Calmont of Mountpottinger Merchant the Executors of Mary Agnes Ferguson deceased the Mother of said deceased.

Mary Agnes Ferguson

about 1858- 25 Sep 1871

• known as Maggie
• cause of death: phthisis (Tuberculosis), death certificate ^[6]

Eleanor Jane Ferguson

1861 - 1937

• marriage to William Hoey 13 Nov 1882 University Road Church, Belfast, Ireland
• HOEY--FERGUSON--November 13 (18?), at University Road Church, by the Rev. William Hoey, father of the bridegroom, William Hoey, M.A., D. Lit, J.P., of H.M. Royal Civil Service, to Eleanor, eldest surviving daughter of the late Nathaniel Ferguson Esq., formerly of Mountpottinger. (Belfast Newsletter 28 Feb 1883, page 1)

Margaret Ferguson

about 1862- 20 Dec 1877

• 35 University Street, Belfast, Ireland
• cause of death: Phthisis (9 months certified), death certificate: (https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1878/020524/7202501.pdf)
• 22 December 1877, Shankill Cemetery, Shankill, Belfast, Ireland
• FERGUSON--At 35, University Street, Maggie, third daughter of the late Nathaniel Ferguson, Bridge Street, Belfast. Her remains will be removed for interment in Shankhill Burying-ground on this (Saturday) morning, the 22nd instant, at ten o'clock. Friends will please accept this intimation. (Northern Whig - Saturday 22 December 1877 (page 4))

Matilda Ferguson

17 Jan 1865

• inheritance from father Nathaniel Ferguson Oct 1871^[10]

Annie Florence Ferguson

1866 - 21 Jan 1871

• born about 1866
• no sources found for birth or death except the obituary, but could be one of the two unnamed children born in 1866 and 1867
• FERGUSON--January 21, at 6 Mountpottinger, Belfast, Annie Florence, daughter of Nathaniel Ferguson, aged 6 years.

Belfast Newsletter, 23 Jan 1871, page 1

Elizabeth Florence Ferguson

3 Jun 1869 - unknown

• known as Lizzie
• inheritance from father Oct 1871 ^[11]
• possible death in 1952 in Bangor, Down, Northern Ireland

Title : Miss Date of Death : 25 March 1952 Surname : Ferguson Date of Grant : 18 June 1956 Forename : Elizabeth Florence Reseal Date : Registry : Belfast Effects : Effects £287 7s 3d (https://apps.proni.gov.uk/WillsCalendar_IE/willsSearchResultsDetails.aspx)

Parents

Nathaniel Ferguson

• On the 14th inst., in the Presbyterian Church, Carnmoney, by Rev. Barkley, Mr. Nathaniel Ferguson, of Belfast, to Mary Agnes, second daughter of Mr. John Harper, Rushfield, Ballyclare. (Weekly Vindicator - Saturday 22 February 1851, page 3) and (Londonderry Standard - Thursday 20 February 1851 page 3) (https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1851/09404/5406614.pdf)
• Father Robert Ferguson, Farmer
• cause of death: apoplexy (unconsciousness usually caused by a stroke), death certificate: (https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1871/020759/7282942.pdf)
• burial at Shankill Graveyard, Shankill, Belfast, Ireland
• Probate (Part 1) - FERGUSON Nathaniel. Effects under 6,000. (Resworn under 7000) 30 October. Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Nathaniel Ferguson late of No. 6 Mountpottinger Ballymacarrett County Down Woolen Draper deceased who died 29 September 1871 at same place where granted at Belfast to Mary Agnes Ferguson of No. 6 Mountpottinger Ballymacarrett (Belfast) aforesaid the Widow of said deceased.
• Probate (Part 2), Ferguson Nathaniel. Effects unadministered under 600. 3 March 1876. Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Nathaniel Ferguson late of 6 Mountpottinger Ballymacarrett County Down Woolen Draper deceased who died 29 September 1871 at same place (left unadministered by Mary Agnes Ferguson the Widow) were granted at Belfast to James Ferguson of Ballyalton County Down Farmer Samuel Keatley of Belfast Gentlemen and Robert M'Calmonst of Mountpottinger Merchant the Curators of Eleanor Jane Ferguson Margaret Ferguson Matilda Ferguson and Elizabeth Florence Ferguson the Daughters of said deceased (Limited. Former Grant 30 October 1871.) (http://www.willcalendars.nationalarchives.ie/reels/cwa/005014892/005014892_00129.pdf)

Sources

1. ↑ "Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FR4Q-ZVF : 15 February 2020), Ferguson, 1866.
2. ↑ "Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F5PT-MXQ : 15 February 2020), Matilda Ferguson, 1865.
3. ↑ "Ireland Civil Registration, 1845-1913," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL34-92M1 : 16 March 2021), Ferguson, 16 Oct 1867; Birth; Belfast, Ireland; citing General Register Office, Southern Ireland; FHL microfilm 101,155.
4. ↑ "Ireland Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FR5P-NTB : 10 March 2018), DEATHS entry for John Ferguson; citing Belfast, 1869, vol. 6, p. 321, General Registry, Custom House, Dublin; FHL microfilm 101,584.
5. ↑ "Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F5VZ-HSC : 15 February 2020), Lizzie Ferguson
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} "Ireland Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FRTW-63G : 10 March 2018), DEATHS entry for Mary Agnes Ferguson; citing Belfast, 1871, vol. 16, p. 287, General Registry, Custom House, Dublin; FHL microfilm 101,585.
7. ↑ "Ireland Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FRBC-D6V : 10 March 2018), DEATHS entry for William Johnston Ferguson; citing Belfast, 1875, vol. 1, p. 409, General Registry, Custom House, Dublin; FHL microfilm 101,587.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} "Ireland Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FRBC-HNL : 10 March 2018), DEATHS entry for Nathaniel Ferguson; citing Belfast, 1875, vol. 11, p. 278, General Registry, Custom House, Dublin; FHL microfilm 101,587.
9. ↑ "Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ5W-79B : 13 March 2018), William Johnston Ferguson, 31 Oct 1874; citing 00112, 005014891, Principal Probate Registry, Dublin; 100,977.
10. ↑ "Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6M8-HXD
11. ↑ "Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6M8-HX6 : 13 March 2018), Elizabeth Florence Ferguson in entry for Nathaniel Ferguson, 29 Sep 1871; citing 00129, 005014892, Principal Probate Registry, Dublin; 100,978.