Jean Beveridge
Jean Beveridge
Parents
- Father – Beveridge (born illegitimate)
- Mother – Mary Harper
Birth
Jean Beveridge was born in 1817 in Tough, Aberdeenshire. This is as yet undocumented but known from other sources. The death certificate states her reputed father was a Beveridge.
Siblings
- It is not known as to whether Jean had siblings
Marriage
John Allanach married Jean Beveridge, date unknown.
Children
John and Jean had eight children.
- John Allanach (born 1841)
- Agnes Allanach (born 1845)
- Francis Allanach (born 1845)
- James Allanach (born 1849)
- Alexander Allanach (born 1851)
- George Allanach (born 1857)
- Jean Allanach (born 1857)
- Penelope Allanach (born 1861)
Death
Jean Allanach died on 13 August 1891 when she was 74 years old.
Life Story
1841
Jean is living in Craignagour with mother-in-law Isabel (50), husband John (25), brothers-in-law Francis and William, sister-in-law Mary , and Jean and John’s first son John aged five months.
1843
Jean is living in Craigengour and has a daughter with husband John, a daughter named Agnes (extract from OP Register Strathdon and Corgarff p93 of 179). Note this states ‘first child’ but on John’s headstone, another ‘John Allanach’ is stated as being buried with him, having died in 1844 at the age of three.
1848
Jean is living in Craigengower and has a third child with husband John, a son named James (extract from OP Register Strathdon and Corgarff ( p114 of 179)
1851
Jean resides at Dykehead, Alford with husband John, daughter Agnes, son Francis, son James, mother Isabel and a newborn son.
1861
Jean resides at Borrowston Brae in Alford with husband John, daughter Agnes (17), son Francis (15), son James (12), son Alexander (10) and daughter Jean (4)
1871
Jean resides at Droughsburn with husband John, daughter Penelope (9), and granddaughter Isabella (4). Neighbour Helen Farris (68) is a ‘stocking knitter).
Interesting to note is that famous botanist John Duncan is a boarder. You can read more about John here at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s website. There is also a biography of John written by friend William Jolly shortly after he died in 1883. It contains numerous references to John and Jean Allanach and their family and gives us fascinating glimpses into their daily lives, much more than anyone would expect for simple tenant farmers from the 1800s. You can read more about John Duncan and his life with the Allanachs here.
The book is especially kind to Jean and gives this insight from 1877 :
“We were welcomed by Mrs. Allanach, a striking-looking old dame, with abundant traces in face and figure of the tall, handsome and good-looking woman of earlier life, though now bent with rheumatism and needing a staff. The house was kept sweetly clean, both “but and ben,” [In the kitchen and the better room, for there are but two in such cottages. The words are derived from be-out and be-in, the better room being reckoned the inmost one or sanctuary.] by the youngest daughter, a growing pretty girl, active and bright-smiling, who bade fair to reproduce her mother’s youth.
We sat in the cheerful kitchen chatting for some time with the vigorous old lady, who is a splendid talker in first-rate Scotch, while the young housekeeper prepared a meal for us in “the best room.” Mrs. Allanach told me that the last year had made a “terrible odds ” on John, and that he was now not like the same man, as if natural decay were rapidly beginning to tell upon him. She was sorry I had not seen and known him in his more active years. At length, John and I retired to “the other end,” where a homely but substantial meal was neatly laid down on a snowy cloth, consisting chiefly of the home produce of the field and the byre. We did full justice to the viands after our appetising walk, seasoning our rustic meal with “smooth discourse and joyous thought.”
1881
The 1881 census shows Jean continuing to reside at Droughsburn, but without John who has now passed. Her occupation is listed as ‘nurse’ which could either relate to John Duncan for whom she cares for, or the pauper children, including James Soutter Robertson.
1891
Jean (Jane) dies of ‘cardiac dropsy’ on December 16th 1891 at 6:30am at the Porter’s Lodge, Kingsford, Alford, near her home in Droughsburn.
