William Fisher hand loom weaver cotton, engine driver

Parents:

• Birth*: William Fisher hand loom weaver cotton, engine driver was born on 19 August 1811 at St Quivox & Newton, Ayrshire, Scotland, ; Fisher William lawful son of William Fisher and Agnes McWilliam born 19 & baptised 25 August 1811.^1,2
• He was the son of William Fisher nailer and Agness McWilliam.
• (Groom) Marriage*: William Fisher hand loom weaver cotton, engine driver married Marion McKenzie, daughter of Robert McKenzie and Marion Pollock, on 19 November 1836 at Monkton, Ayrshire, Scotland, ; Fisher and M.Kenzie : William Fisher and Marion Mackenzie, both in this parish, gave in their names to be proclaimed in order to marriage, 19th November 1836, and after being three times proclaimed, were married.³
• (Groom) Marriage*: William Fisher hand loom weaver cotton, engine driver married Elizabeth Hendry on 31 January 1851 at Monkton / Dundonald, Ayrshire, Scotland, ; Fisher & Hendrie William Fisher of this parish and Elizabeth Hendrie in the parish of Dundonald gave in their names to be proclaimed in order to marriage 11th Jan 1851, & after having been three times proclaimed were married by the Rev Mr Fleming of Troon on the 31st day thereafter.^4,5
• (Deceased) Death*: William Fisher hand loom weaver cotton, engine driver died on 16 September 1888 at 1 ... Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, , at age 77 1888 deaths in the district of Kinning Park in the County of Lanark; William Fisher engine keeper widower of 1st Marion McKenzie 2nd Elizabeth Hendry, 1888 September 16th 10h 30m am 1 ... Street Glasgow, m, 77 years, fath William Fisher nailmaker master (dec), moth Agnes Fisher ms McWilliam (dec), cerebral haemorrhage senile decay as cert by Will Gordon MRCM, signed Robert Fisher son 1 Bute Place Paisley, reg 1888 September 17th at Glasgow Jas Cameron assistant registrar.⁶

• Occupation*: William was Carpenter.
• (Witness) Memorial Inscription: He is commemorated on the headstone erected by Robert Mackenzie Fisher ship's carpenter, the Ayrshire Poet after 16 September 1888 at St Nicholas Churchyard, Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland, . Inscription reads by Robert McKenzie in memory of his father William Fisher d Sep 1888 aged 77; and his mother Marion McKenzie d Apr 1845 aged 32; also his g-father Robert McKenzie.⁷
  

  Headstone Prestwick St Nicholas

Census & Directory Entries

Head of Household	6 June 1841	He was listed in the 1841 census at Troon Harbour, Dundonald, Ayrshire, Scotland, . Wm Fisher, 25, labourer, Ayrshire (along with other labourers - John Weir, John McKenzie, Robert & Alex Cunningham.8,9
Head of Household	30 March 1851	He was listed as head of household along with spouse Elizabeth Hendry in the 1851 census at Kirk Street, Monkton, Ayrshire, Scotland, . William Fisher, head, mar, 39, hand loom weaver (cotton) Newton Ayrshire; Elizabeth Fisher, wife, mar, 34, weaver's wife, Ireland; also in the household were Robert Mackenzie Fisher ship's carpenter, the Ayrshire Poet, Agnes McKenzie Fisher kitchen maid and Jean Carson.10
Head of Household	7 April 1861	He was listed as head of household, along with spouse Elizabeth Hendry in the 1861 census at 6 Temple Hill Street, Dundonald, Ayrshire, Scotland, . William Fisher, head, mar, 49, labourer at harbour, Ayrshire, Ayr; Elizabeth Fisher, wife, mar, 44, Tyrone Ireland; 2 rooms with windows; John Gibson, lodger, inm, 40, labourer at harbour, Ayrshire Mauchline; Hugh Trimble, lodger, unm, 21, labourer at harbour, Tyrone Ireland; also in the household were Robert Mackenzie Fisher ship's carpenter, the Ayrshire Poet, William Fisher and Mary Fisher.11
Head of Household	2 April 1871	He was listed as head of household along with spouse Elizabeth Hendry in the 1871 census at 9 James Street, Govan, Lanarkshire, Scotland, . William Fisher, head, mar, 59, engine driver, Ayrshire Ayr; Elizabeth Fisher, wife, mar, 55, Ireland; 1 room with window; also in the household were William Fisher and Mary Fisher.12
Principal	3 April 1881	William Fisher hand loom weaver cotton, engine driver appeared in the 1881 census at 56 South Kinning Place, Govan, Lanarkshire, Scotland, . William Fisher, head, widower, 69, formerly enginekeeper, Ayr.13

Notes

• (Witness) Residence: William Fisher hand loom weaver cotton, engine driver lived at Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland, ; Today, Troon is most famous for its golfing associations and as a holiday resort, but owes its origins to coal and the railways.
  In the Second Statistical Account written in 1841 by The Rev. Alexander Willison, The Rev. James Fleming, Troon, and The Rev. David Wilson, Fullarton, the village of Troon in the parish of Dundonald is described as having a population of 1,409 souls that appears to have been a significant rise over the previous count in 1831. The reason is to be ascribed to general causes; but particularly of late years to the erection of the harbour … and the consequent increase of its trade; and also to its becoming a favourite place of resort for sea-bathing quarters.
  The Account describes the turnpike roads from Irvine to Ayr and Irvine to Dalmellington, along with the Kilmarnock to Troon road as the roads in every direction are good. Indeed there are few parishes of equal extent so well accommodated in this respect. … In addition to these, there are parish roads in every direction kept in tolerably good repair, and affording every requisite means of communication. The only thing that the mounted traveller has reason to complain of is the abundance of tolls; but as the toll seems to be indigenous to the county, let us pay and pass on; for in this case we fear there is very little hope of writing them down. The harbour for depth of water and readiness of entrance, is one of the best in the neighbourhood. … A wet dock is in the course of excavation from the solid rock. There are two dry docks. … The trade is chiefly in coal and timber. Timber was imported; coal exported via the Kilmarnock railway.
  The Account also notes the harbour has a good lighthouse supported from its own funds. A Church (of Scotland) was built in Troon in 1837 – previously the parishioners had to travel four or more miles which would have rendered anything like a regular attendance upon ordinances altogether impracticable. Elementary schooling was available at a cost of from 2s to 4s 6d per quarter.
  Commenting on the arrangements for poor relief, the writers say that the good old spirit of Scottish independence, which once spurned the kirk-box, as almost worse than starvation, is fast dying away, and that few indeed now think it any degradation to have their wants so supplied. This is surely a symptom of change not for the better, and as it is, from accounts, very generally manifested, we trust it will meet with due consideration from those whose special business it is to provide and legislate for the poor. So, are things much different today, one wonders?
  All in all, these gentlemen seem fairly pleased with the progress made since the First Statistical Account some 60 or so years previously. Referring to the parish as a whole they say the condition of all classes, even the poorest, has very much improved. … An entire new town and harbour have risen up at Troon; two railroads have been constructed; common roads have been formed, and all much repaired; what were little better than mud-walls have given place to substantial stone and lime, and in many places to elegant architecture. The comfortable, but unstable, thatch has been supplanted by slate; the fertility of the soil, by a better system of culture, has been inconceivably improved. Money with all ranks is much more abundant; and all these things tell upon the comfort, as we would hope upon the gratitude, of those who enjoy them.¹⁴