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THE SCOTTISH CONNECTION


JAMES DRUCE (BORN 1834)

James was baptised at St John's Church on 24 October 1835 the same day as brothers John and Charles and sisters Emma and Ann. He was the fifth and youngest son of James and Sarah. His occupation was that of a hatter as evidenced by the 1851 Census.

James moved to Scotland in 1858/9, after marrying Charlotte McIlwee (b.1839 in Ireland) in Belfast on 28 April 1858.

James and Charlotte probably moved to Scotland because of the work situation. They had nine children, namely, Sarah (b.1859, d.1859), James (b.1860, D.1861), John (b.1862), Charlotte (b.1864) James (b.1866), Emma (b.1869, d.1872), Jane (b.1874), Charles (b.1876) and Elizabeth (b.1879, d.1883). All nine children were born in Glasgow.

The poor law documents are interesting. They show that James applied for relief 3 weeks before his death on 31 March 1879. After that Charlotte was continually in and out of the poorhouse, as well as receiving outside relief. The poor law record stops in March 1887. Their daughter Elizabeth died in the poorhouse, aged 4.

Charlotte seems to have turned to alcohol; it was often noted in her records that she had been drinking. She abandonded her youngest son Charles in 1886, and he was taken into the poorhouse until his sister Charlotte took him in. She died in 1888 of a "lacerated wound of leg".

At the time of the 1881 Census the records show Charlotte, a widow, living at 183 Aitkenhead Road, Govan, Lanark with six of her children.children. Particulars of the children are shown on the Census as follows:

John Druce - Occupation: Grate Fitter - Age: 19

Charlotte Druce - Occupation: French Polisher - Age: 17

James Druce - Occupation: Grate Fitter - Age: 15

Jane Druce - Occupation: Scholar - Age: 7

Charles Druce - Occupation: Scholar - Age: 5

Elizabeth Druce - Daughter - Age: 2.


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