Peter Allan [1656]

  General Notes:

28 June 1859.A joiner.Lived at 21 North Albion Street where he married Mary Wilson.
1862 lived at 225 Crown Street,Glasgow.A victualler.

Background Notes
·225 Crown Street, Glasgow. Part of Glasgow Gorbals district. Workers were attracted to Glasgow by new industries and employment opportunities. Crown Street provided cheap accommodation and was typically used for short term employment, providing workers the opportunity to make money and return home. In the 1870s, the original Gorbals village was demolished by Glasgow Corporation and replaced with high-density tenements to cater for the increasing population. The Gorbals saw major regeneration in the 1970s. Crown Street remains with modern housing. (Mitchell Library, Glasgow)
·21 or 27 North Albion Street, Glasgow. House. (Visited April 2019. Street demolished. Site occupied by offices and University of Strathclyde.)
·28 North Albion Street, Glasgow. (Visited April 2019. Street demolished. Site occupied by offices and University of Strathclyde)
·Whitburn Wilson's School. On the death of Whitburn merchant James Wilson in 1816, he bequeathed funds to erect and sustain four schools in Whitburn, Stane, Harthill and Fauldhouse. The endowed schools were funded through James Wilson Trust. "To encourage and promote the religious instruction of the children in the parish by such means as may appear best to the trustees on the strongly expressed wishes of Mr Wilson in his Trust Deed. To give scholarships to deserving pupils whose parents declare themselves desirous but unable to keep them longer at school." (The Edinburgh Gazette, June 15, 1880)
In 1865 an extension was agreed to allow an extra 80 children to be enrolled. From 1872, the government took responsibility for education (1872 Scotland Act) and school boards took over the governance of parish schools. Wilson schools refused to accept the ruling, maintaining they were private schools funded with private income. However, in 1880 the school came under the jurisdiction of Torphichen School Board and Wilson's School was renamed Whitburn Public School. Lady Baillie's School closed in 1885 and all pupils transferred to Whitburn Public School. In 1967 Whitburn Primary School became an annexe for the new Whitedale Primary School. The annexe was closed in 1998 and the site used for housing.
Allan headstone, Whitburn (Blaeberryhill) Cemetery, Manse Road, Whitburn. "In memory of Agnes Allan, daughter of Peter and Mary Allan, Whitburn who died 24th August 1876, aged 4 years and 3 months. Peter Allan died 9th November 1881, aged 47 years. Mary Wilson, wife of the above Peter Allan, died 11th September 1915, aged 76 years. Margaret Gibson, wife of Robert Allan, died 10th December 1930, aged 68 years. Robert Allan died 21st August 1940, aged 80 years. For forty years factor on Polkemmet Estate. Elizabeth Allan, School Teacher, died 20th November 1941, aged 77 years. Mary Allan died 13th May 1949, aged 80 years." (Visited Whitburn Cemetery July 2020)
Allan headstone, Whitburn South Parish Church Cemetery, Manse Road, Whitburn. Gravestone records Peter Allan's father, mother and their children who died in their early years. "1859. Robert Allan, Whitburn. In memory of his children. John, born 19^th Novr 1832, died 1 July 1850: One died in infancy 1851: Isabella 17^th Novr 1843, died 20^th September 1855: Robert Allan, born 23^rd March 1804. Died 6 November 1877: Elizabeth Walker, his wife, born 24 December 1812. Died 21^st March 1878." (Visited Whitburn South Parish Church Cemetery, Whitburn July 2020)
Brother Robert Allan. Emigrated to New Zealand. (No further information.)
·Brother Henry Allan - At age 25 he left Whitburn and emigrated to New Zealand on Lady Edigia, sailing from Greenock for Ortago on 12 October 1860, via London 12 October 1860, arriving Otago 28 January 1861, after 104 days at sea. Henry Allan was an assisted passenger (assisted immigrants had their voyage subsidised by the Provincial Government for the purpose of being employed on their arrival) and was one of 22 carpenters on board.
·Lady Egidia was launched on 8 September 1860 at Ardrossan, one of the largest wooden migrant sailing vessels built in Scotland. The name Lady Egidia is that of a daughter of the Montgomeries of Eglinton Castle, Ayrshire. 438 passengers and 45 sailors embarked on her maiden voyage from Greenock to Otago, New Zealand, the largest number ever shipped to New Zealand. From passenger diaries the voyage was eventful with a number of severe storms, and measles and whooping cough prevalent amongst the passengers. 30 children died on the voyage, mainly from diarrhoea, along with two adults who had long-term medical conditions. Some families lost all their children. All were buried at sea. To help pass the time, a Sunday School, singing school and a rifle corps were set up. Fresh drinking water was an issue. Fiftieth anniversary celebrations of the voyage were held in Dunedin in 1911, and the centennial in 1961. (www.theshipslist.com/accounts/ladyegidia.shtml <http://www.theshipslist.com/accounts/ladyegidia.shtml>)
·Obituary: brother Henry Allan. "Whitburn Man Dies in New Zealand. Patriarch of the Allan Family. On December 30^th 1929, Mr Henry Allan of Newborough, Oamaru, died in his 93^rd year at the residence of his nephew, Mr Robert Allan, Calton Hill, Weston. The deceased never married.
Mr Robert Allan, grandfather of the present Allan family [Jeanie Allan's grandfather], the eldest of which is Mr R Allan, Halfway House, had a family of fourteen. Of these fourteen, no fewer than eight went abroad, seven to New Zealand and one to America. Henry whose death we record and his brother Robert, sons of the said Robert Allan were among the first emigrants from Whitburn. Following their lead, in due course, quite a colony of natives from the parish of Whitburn settled down in Otago, among them being Robert Lindsay, Longridge, James Brownlee, Michael Smart, Henry Walker and Peter Walker, to mention a few.
The following from the Oamaru Mail of 31^st December 1929 gives a description of the life and work of Henry Allan, the patriarch of the Allan family and the last survivor of his generation.
Death has removed one who was one of the pioneers of settlements in North Otago, and one of a small surviving number of the noble band, in the person of Mr Henry Allan, of Newborough, Oamaru. He received his final call at the residence of his nephew, Mr Robert Allan, Calton Hill, Weston. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 93^rd year, was born in 1837 at Whitburn, West Lothian, Scotland. He learned the trade of a carpenter, and as a young man migrated to New Zealand by the ship Lady Egidia, coming on to Oamaru. We cannot say exactly when that was, but it must have been little short of seventy years ago, for his name appears upon the first roll of the Borough of Oamaru which was printed in 1866, and he was the last survivor of the original burgesses.
He took up his trade as a carpenter, finding employment with Mr John Lemon, builder and contractor, who then had contracts for the erection of some of the largest buildings of the time. He followed his occupation for a number of years, but then the trade became slack, and Mr Allan turned to farming. He purchased a block of land from the Australian and New Zealand Land Company at White Rocks, giving to the farm the name of Calton Hill, after the district thus named in Edinburgh. To this he subsequently added an adjoining farm on the death of his neighbour, Mr Aikenhead.
Mr Allan was a very large grower of wheat and experienced the vicissitudes of the changing times when wheat problems fell and rose. He was also a grower of potatoes on a large scale, and related stories showing the precarious character of that enterprise, and how one year he received absolutely no return for his outlay upon labour.
But he prospered and continued farming until he imposed his retirement some twenty years ago, and he built a home at Newborough. Mr Allan pursued a quiet life, having no liking for the stress of pub life. His dominating interest was in the Church. He was one of the first members of St Paul's Church in 1863, and has maintained association with it. He was an elder for long years and died in office. He was also a lay member of the Oamaru Presbytery and one of its lay representatives to the Presbytery General Assembly of New Zealand on a number of occasions, occupying that position last year. He was a man of robust constitution and at the ripe age of four score years and ten still remained strong and vigorous. But of late he began to fail in a marked manner and was forced to keep to his bed. He was removed to his old home and his long agricultural industry, and there he passed away peacefully." (West Lothian Courier 7 March 1930; Oamaru Mail 31 December 1929)
(Henry Allan was one of the witnesses at the marriage of Peter Allan to Mary Wilson in Glasgow in 1859)



Peter Allan Will
·At Linlithgow 28th December 1881, in the presence of Archibald Davidson, Esquire, Sheriff of the Lothians, appeared Charles Allan, Solicitor, Bathgate, who gave in the Inventory of the Personal Estate of the deceased Peter Allan underwritten, craving that the source might be registered in the Register of Inventories, etc kept for the County of Linlithgow, which desire the said Sheriff judged reasonable , and ordained the same to be done accordingly, whereof the tenor follows:
Inventory of the personal estate, wheresoever situated, and of the money secured by Scottish Heritable Bonds, excluding executors, of Peter Allan, Joiner, in Whitburn in the County of Linlithgow, who died at Whitburn on 9^th November 1881….
Book debts due to the deceased by the following parties: William Storey, East Torphin; A Dickson, Hopetoun; Sir William Baillie, Polkemmet; Harry Lind, slater, Whitburn; The Heritors of Whitburn Parish; James Russell, Harthill; David Dewar, Blacklaws; Trustees of Wilson's Public School, Whitburn.
Bond and Disposition in security … granted by (brother) John Allan, baker in Whitburn, in favour of the deceased.
Funeral expenses: Dr Kirk for medical attendance; Female nurse; Medicines during illness; Undertaker for coffin; Funeral letters and postage; Grave digging; Funeral bread and wine.
At Bathgate, 27^th December 1881, in the presence of John Johnston, Esquire, of her Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Linlithgow, appeared Mrs Mary Wilson or Allan, residing at Whitburn, County of Linlithgow, widow and one of the executors of the deceased Peter Allan, Joiner in Whitburn, in the County of Linlithgow, who being solemnly sworn and examined, that the said Peter Allan died at Whitburn aforesaid, domiciled at Whitburn aforesaid, upon 9^th November 1881 and the deponent has entered upon the possession and management of the deceased's estate, as executor nominated by him, along with Robert Allan, Joiner in Whitburn, eldest son of the said deceased Peter Allan, James Flemington, junior, clothier in Whitburn and Thomas Geddes, commercial traveller, residing in Whitburn, in a Trust Disposition and Deed of Settlement by him….
I direct my said Trustees to hand over to my said son, Robert Allan, the business carried on by me and also the whole tools belonging to me without any payment, and in regard to the stock, I direct that the same shall be valued by competent persons and given to the said Robert Allan at such valuation if he wishes same, and if same is accepted by him, the price to be paid at such terms and by such instalments, as my said Trustees think reasonable, and I further authorise my said Trustees to give the said Robert Allan the lease of the shop and yard at a moderate yearly rent.
I give my said Trustees to my said wife Mary Wilson or Allan liferent use and enjoyment of the whole residue and remainder of my means and estate, heritable and moveable including my whole household furniture, table and bed linen, and to pay her the whole annual rents, profits and produce of my estate …
I direct my said Trustees to pay my said wife £20 for mournings for herself and family, declaring always that it is a condition of this provision in favour of my said wife, that she shall be bound to maintain, educate and upbring my three youngest children Elizabeth Allan, Henry Allan and Mary Allan until they are able to earn their own livelihood …
In witness … by William Allan, apprentice to Charles Allan, solicitor, in Bathgate.




Research notes
Newspaper archives searched under: "P Allan; Peter Allan; Mr P Allan"
Valuation Rolls. 1865-1877. Searched.
Scotsman Newspaper Archive. Searched.
Linlithgowshire Gazette. Searched via British Newspaper Archive.
West Lothian Courier. Searched via British Newspaper Archive.
Falkirk Herald. Searched via British Newspaper Archive.
Scotland's People Wills. Entry recorded.
Glasgow Electoral Register 1862-63. Entry in Fourth Ward in this volume only.
Hood, John. Old Whitburn and Blackburn. Stenlake Publishing, 2008. Various photographs.

Updated July 2020.

Peter Allan Timeline, Whitburn .

Peter Allan Timeline:

[1834] - Peter Allan born in village of Whitburn. Son of Robert Allan (Wright) and Elizabeth Allan (nee Walker). Brother to John Allan (age 2).

[1835] - Age 1. Brother Robert Allan born in village of Whitburn. Son of Robert Allan (Wright) and Elizabeth Allan (nee Walker). Brother to John Allan (age 3) and Peter Allan (age 1)

1836 - Age 2. Brother Henry Allan born in village of Whitburn. Son of Robert Allan (Wright) and Elizabeth Allan (nee Walker). Brother to John Allan (age 4), Peter Allan (age 2) and Robert Allan (age 1).

[1839] - Age 5. Brother James Allan born in village of Whitburn. Son of Robert Allan (Wright) and Elizabeth Allan (nee Walker). Brother to John Allan (age 7), Peter Allan (age 5), Robert Allan (age 4) and Henry Allan (age 3).

1841 - Age 7. Peter Allan residing in village of Whitburn with father Robert Allan (age 35, Wright), mother Elizabeth Allan (age 25), brother John Allan (age 8), brother Robert Allan (age 5), brother Henry Allan (age 4) and brother James Allan (age 11 months). (1841 Census - Parish of Whitburn)

[1841] - Age 7. Sister Agnes Allan born in village of Whitburn. Daughter of Robert Allan (Wright) and Elizabeth Allan (nee Walker). Sister to John Allan (age 9), Peter Allan (age 7), Robert Allan (age 6), Henry Allan (age 5) and James Allan (age 2).

[1842] - Age 8. Sister Margaret Allan born in village of Whitburn. Daughter of Robert Allan (Wright) and Elizabeth Allan (nee Walker). Sister to John Allan (age 11), Peter Allan (age 9), Robert Allan (age 8), Henry Allan (age 7), James Allan (age 4) and Agnes Allan (age 2).

17 November 1843 - Age 9. Sister Isabella Allan born in village of Whitburn. Daughter of Robert Allan (Wright) and Elizabeth Allan (nee Walker). Sister to John Allan (age 11), Peter Allan (age 9), Robert Allan (age 8), Henry Allan (age 7), James Allan (age 4), Agnes Allan (age 2) and Margaret Allan (age 1).

[1846] - Age 12. Brother Andrew Allan born in village of Whitburn. Son of Robert Allan (Wright) and Elizabeth Allan (nee Walker). Brother to John Allan (age 14), Peter Allan (age 12), Robert Allan (age 11), Henry Allan (age 10), James Allan (age 7), Agnes Allan (age 5), Margaret Allan (age 4) and Isabella Allan (age 3).

[1848] - Age 14. Brother Gavin Allan born in village of Whitburn. Son of Robert Allan (Wright) and Elizabeth Allan (nee Walker). Brother to John Allan (age 16), Peter Allan (age 14), Robert Allan (age 13), Henry Allan (age 12), James Allan (age 9), Agnes Allan (age 7), Margaret Allan (age 6), Isabella Allan (age 5) and Andrew Allan (age 2).

[1850] - Age 16. Sister Jane Allan born in village of Whitburn. Daughter of Robert Allan (Wright) and Elizabeth Allan (nee Walker). Sister to John Allan (age 18), Peter Allan (age 16), Robert Allan (age 15), Henry Allan (age 14), James Allan (age 11), Agnes Allan (age 9), Margaret Allan (age 8), Isabella Allan (age 7), Andrew Allan (age 4) and Gavin Allan (age 2).

1 July 1850 - Age 16. Brother John Allan died, age 18, in village of Whitburn. Buried in family grave at Whitburn South Parish Church Cemetery, Manse Road, Whitburn.
1851 - Age 17. Unnamed child died in infancy. Buried in family grave at Whitburn South Parish Church Cemetery, Manse Road, Whitburn.1851 - Age 17. Peter Allan (Apprentice Joiner) residing in village of Whitburn with father Robert Allan (Joiner employing 4 men, age 47), mother Elizabeth Allan (age 36), brother James Allan (age 12), sister Agnes Allan (age 10), sister Margaret Allan (Scholar, age 9), sister Isabella Allan (Scholar, age 7), brother Andrew Allan (Scholar, age 5), brother Gavin Allan (age 3) and sister Jane Allan (age 1). (1851 Census - Whitburn Ph)

20 September 1855 - Age 21. Sister Isabella Allan died, age 11, in village of Whitburn. Buried in family grave at Whitburn South Parish Church Cemetery, Manse Road, Whitburn.

29 June 1859 - Age 25. Peter Allan (Joiner) of Whitburn, married Mary Wilson (age 21) of 28 North Albion Street, Glasgow at 21 North Albion Street, Glasgow by Rev Archibald Lister, Minister at Greenhead Church, London Road, Glasgow. Mary Wilson, daughter of Robert Wilson (Road Surveyor) and Jane Wilson (nee Anderson). Brother Henry Allan and Mary's sister Margaret Wilson were the witnesses. (Marriage Certificate)

27 June 1860 - Age 26. Son Robert Allan born in village of Whitburn. Son of Peter Allan (Joiner Journeyman) and Mary Allan (nee Wilson). Father Peter Allan (not present) was the informant.

1861 - Age 27. Peter Allan (C arpenter, journeyman) residing at village of Whitburn with wife Mary Allan (age 22) and son Robert Allan (9 months). (1861 Census - Whitburn Ph)
- Age 27. Brother Henry Allan emigrated to New Zealand in October 1861. (West Lothian Courier 7 March 1930)

5 June 1862 - Age 28. Daughter Jeanie Anderson Allan born at 225 Crown Street, Glasgow in Hutchestown Ph. Daughter of Peter Allan (Joiner Journeyman) and Mary Allan (nee Wilson). Name recorded as Jane Allan on Birth Certificate. Sister of Robert Allan (age 2). Father Peter Allan was the informant.

1862 - Age 28. Peter Allan (Victualler), 225 Crown Street, Glasgow. Tenant and Occupier. (Electoral Register Glasgow Fourth Ward, 1862-1863)

1 January 1864 - Age 30. Daughter Elizabeth Allan born in the village of Whitburn, Linlithgowshire. Daughter of Peter Allan (Joiner Journeyman) and Mary Allan (nee Wilson). Sister of Robert Allan (age 4) and Jeanie Allan (age 2). Father Peter Allan (not present) was the informant.

June 1866 - Age 32. Peter Allan joiner for the erection of the New Hall, Whitburn. (Falkirk Herald 16 June 1866)

November 1866 - Age 32. "Accident. Mr Peter Allan, joiner from Whitburn, met with a rather serious accident on the morning of Tuesday last week. He was employed hewing a piece of wood with a hatchet at Fauldhouse New Church, for the joiner work for which he is contractor, when his hand slipped, and the hatchet falling with full force, completely amputated the forefinger of his left hand just below the knuckle joint." (Falkirk Herald 27 November 1866)

26 February 1867 - Age 33. Son Henry Allan born in village of Whitburn. Son of Peter Allan (Joiner Foreman) and Mary Allan (nee Wilson). Brother of Robert Allan (age 7), Jeanie Allan (age 5) and Elizabeth Allan (age 3). Father Peter Allan (present) was the informant.

28 October 1868 - Age 34. Daughter Mary Allan born in the village of Whitburn, Linlithgowshire. Daughter of Peter Allan (Master Joiner) and Mary Allan (nee Wilson). Sister of Robert Allan (age 8), Jeanie Allan (age 6), Elizabeth Allan (age 4) and Harry Allan (age 1). Father Peter Allan (present) was the informant.

1871 - Age 37. Peter Allan (House Carpenter) residing at Main Street, Whitburn with wife Mary Allan (age 32), son Robert Allan (Scholar, age 10), daughter Jeanie Allan (Scholar, age 8), daughter Elizabeth Allan (Scholar, age 7), son Henry Allan (age 4) and daughter Mary Allan (age 2). (1871 Census - Whitburn Ph)

March 1871 - Age 37. "The following have been elected to represent the ratepayers in the Parochial Board of Whitburn:- …, Peter Allan, joiner; …. (Falkirk Herald 9 March 1871)

21 November 1871 - Age 37. Daughter Agnes Allan born in village of Whitburn, Linlithgowshire. Daughter of Peter Allan (Master Joiner) and Mary Allan (nee Wilson). Sister to Robert Allan (age 10), Jeanie Allan (age 9), Elizabeth Allan (age 7), Harry Allan (age 4) and Mary Allan (age 3). Father Peter Allan (present) was the informant.
November 1875 - Age 41. Upper Flat, Whitburn Wilson's Public School. "The Committee Report to the Board that they find it impossible to get a suitable tenant from the upper flat of the school, also that rooms are used daily for classrooms and found to be a grand benefit to the school as such, that they have requested P Allan joiner to give them his opinion as to the best plan of action as to altering them, so as to make them more suitable for their purpose." (Whitburn Wilson's School Log Book 1875-1881)

13 January 1876 - Age 42. Upper Flat, Whitburn Wilson's Public School. "The Convener, finding from the joiner [Peter Allan] that the cost of converting the upper flat into a classroom would not exceed £110, did not think it necessary to consult the Board on the matter. The work has been completed in a satisfactory manner, and the classroom joiner [Peter Allan] a great benefit to the school." (Whitburn Wilson's School Log Book 1875-1881)

March 1876 - Age 42. Whitburn Parish School Board - Peter Allan nominated as representative on Whitburn Parish School Board. (Falkirk Herald 25 March 1876)

24 August 1876 - Age 42. Daughter Agnes Allan died, age 4, at Whitburn. Cause of death: Scarlet fever (6 days). Father Peter Allan, Whitburn was the informant. Buried in Whitburn Cemetery, Section C, Lair 6.

April 1877 - Age 43. "Opening of New Public Hall in Blackburn. The Public Hall, which has just been erected in the village and holds around 300 persons, was opened with a grand amateur concert …. Mr Peter Allan, Whitburn, had the joiner and carpenter work, … and it is but right to mention the contractors finished their work in a highly creditable manner." (Falkirk Herald 14 April 1877)

6 November 1877 - Age 43. Father Robert Allan (joiner) died, age 73, at Whitburn. Cause of death: Tumor (sic) of omentum (sheet of fatty tissue that stretches over the abdomen) 3 months. Peter Allan (present) was the informant. Buried in family grave at Whitburn South Parish Church Cemetery, Manse Road, Whitburn.

21 March 1878 - Age 44. Mother Elizabeth Allan (nee Walker) died, age 65, at Whitburn. Cause of death: Disease of the brain 3 years. Peter Allan was the informant. Buried in family grave at Whitburn South Parish Church Cemetery, Manse Road, Whitburn.

1879 - Age 45. "The Baillie Institute or Coffee House, opened in 1879, was managed by a representative committee, the first chairman of which was Mr Peter Allan, father of the present Secretary and Treasurer, Mr Robert Allan". (Linlithgowshire Gazette)

1881 - Age 47. Peter Allan (House Carpenter, Master) residing at Main Street, Whitburn with wife Mary Allan (age 42), daughter Jeanie Allan (Telegraphist, age 18), daughter Elizabeth Allan (Pupil Teacher, age 17), son Henry Allan (Scholar, age 14) and daughter Mary Allan (Scholar, age 12). (1881 Census - Whitburn Ph)

9 November 1881 - Age 47. Peter Allan (master joiner) died, age 47, at Main Street, Whitburn. Cause of death: malignant disease of pancreas. Son Robert Allan was the informant. Buried in family grave at Whitburn Cemetery, Manse Road, Whitburn.
Peter Allan Residence Timeline
·?-1861: Whitburn
1862: 225 Crown Street, Gorbals, Glasgow. (Visited April 2019. Property demolished. Site now part of modern housing development.)
·1863-1881: Main Street (South side), Whitburn. House. Possibly 14 East Main Street. (Visited August 2019. Property demolished. Site part of modern housing development.)

Peter married Mary Wilson [1933] [MRIN: 613] on 29 Jun 1859 in Glasgow. (Mary Wilson [1933] was born in 1839 in Campsie, Stirlingshire and died in 1915 in Whitburn, County Linlithgow, Scotland.)