When Rev. Robert Charlton returned from England after the death of his first wife, he brought with him Sister Frances Smurthwaite whom (the family story goes) was there to take care of his two children, Bill and Bert. At some point, she and the Reverend were married but up until now, very little has been known about Sister Frances’ origins.
A break came this past week when my brother Bob found a single piece of paper which lifts the veil of secrecy on my father’s step-mother. According to a hand written note created by my father, the second Mrs. Charlton was born Frances McPherson October 16, 1864. Here is the note:
It reads:
Birth Certificate
Frances Charlton nee McPherson
Born October 16 – 1874
at Brandon Lane North, Brancepeth, Collery
Father – William McPherson
Mother – Margaret McPherson formerly Anderson
Birth Registered in Sub District of Saint Oswald, County of Durham, England
A quick check of Free BMD confirmed her birth in the third quarter of 1874. Cross checking that against Ancestry.co.uk records confirms this date and reveals the rest of her family of origin in the 1881 census. The index of the census is listed as follows:
1881 England Census
about Frances McPhersonName: Frances McPherson
Age: 6
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1875
Relation: Daughter
Father’s Name: William
Mother’s Name: Margaret
Gender: Female
Where born: Boyne Coll, Durham, EnglandCivil Parish: Brandon and Byshottles
County/Island: Durham
Country: EnglandStreet address: Office Row No 135
Occupation: ScholarRegistration district: Durham
Sub-registration district: St OswaldHousehold Members:
Name (Age)
Dorothy McPherson (3)
Frances McPherson (6)
John McPherson (8)
Margaret McPherson (47)
Martha McPherson (14)
Mary McPherson (12)
William McPherson (48) Coal Miner
What remains a mystery is when and where the marriage took place. It could have been in Newcastle where the two had been working at the Westgate Mission Hall or the couple could have waited until after the family moved back to Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, we don’t know where to look in England and Saskatchewan records for that time period have not yet been put on-line
At least now, we know that Frances Smurthwaite was born Frances McPherson.
Updates – see follow up posts:
At the beginning of this chapter, you write “Robert’s Father, William Browell Charlton is listed as an Association Secretary while Frances’ farther, William MacPherson, is listed as a deceased Coalminer.”
Is that a misspell or did they change their name to “Mc” from “Mac”? You may be aware that our uncle, Bill MacPherson’s family had a name change from McPherson to MacPherson. Beth learned of this after her father’s death. There is no information on whether it was accidental or intentional.
Again, a good question. Looking through various sources, it appears sometimes as Mc and sometimes as Mac. In one census Mc. In another Mac. On both of her marriage certificates, it is spelled Mac. In Dad’s notes, he spells it Mc.
I suppose the marriage certificates represent the most reliable sources so let’s say the correct spelling is MacPherson.
Armed with that assumption, I suppose I should revise my observations and page titles to conform with that standard. (Done)