Peasants to Puddles
My Family History - By Nicky Rowberry

The Hoatsons

I have recently been fortunate enough to have been contacted by Claude Hoatson, who is a descendent of James Hoatson and Martha Robertson. Much of the information given on this page and on the tree below, has been kindly supplied by Claude. Claude has far more information on the Hoatsons than I do, so if you would like more details, please contact Claude directly by clicking here: E-mail Claude Hoatson


My 3 x great grandmother Jean (or Jane) Colthart married James Hoatson in 1848 in Crawfordjohn. James & Jane had at least 7 children together in Crawfordjohn.

They remained in Crawfordjohn their whole lives, although they seem to have moved about a bit within the parish. In 1858, when Robert Hoatson was born, the family were living at Gateside, but in 1881 they were at Crossknowe. In 1881 James was absent from home, presumably away on work, he was either a roadman or a drainer. In 1891 James was home and the family were described as living in Crawfordjohn Village. Their home was said to have "3 rooms with one or more windows", which probably wasn't bad for a poor family in those days. The table below gives a transcription of the 1891 census entry for the family.

The undermentioned Houses are situate within the Boundaries of the
Civil Parish of
Crawfordjohn		 Parish of
-		 School Board District of
Crawfordjohn		 Parliamentary Borough of
-		Parliamentary Division of
South Lanarkshire		Royal Burgh of
-
Municipal Burgh of
-		 Police Burgh of
- 		Burgh Ward of
-		 Town of
-		Village or Hamlet of
Crawfordjohn		Island Of
-
No. of Schedule Road, Street and Name of HouseName and Surname of each personRelation to Head of FamilyCondition as to Marriage AgeRank, Profession or OccupationWhere BornGaelic or
G & E		Whether
1. Deaf & Dumb
2.Blind
3.Lunatic		Rooms with 1 or more windows
1 The VillageJames HoatsonHeadMar 69RoadmanLanarkshire, Crawfordjohn  3
   Jane HoatsonWife" 71Roadman's Wife","   
  Jane T HoatsonDaurUnmar 38Housekeeper","   
   James H WatsonGrandson" 17Unemployed","   

Jean Hoatson died on 21st August 1895 in Crawfordjohn village, her son William Hoatson was with her at her death. She was already a widow by that time, James having died in 1893.

James & Jean Hoatson's gravestone in CrawfordjohnCrawfordjohn Chruchyard

Jean Colthart's brother William also married a Hoatson - Mary, James Hoatson's sister. James & Mary's parents were William Hoatson & Jane Thomson. I have yet to find a gravestone for William Hoatson, but Jean is buried in Crawfordjohn churchyard, along with several of her family. The photograph below shows to stone.

The family tree below summarises what I know about the Hoatson family. It is hopefully reasonably accurate, but if you spot any errors, or any relatives, please feel free to E-mail me

Please click on one of the red links on the tree to move to a different page.

Hoatson Family Tree Coltharts Coltharts Johnstones

If any of the above is of further interest, please feel free to contact me at: n.rowberry@btinternet.com

Peasants to Puddles - My Family History. By Nicky Rowberry