MARGARET BENNETT 1861-1935?

[helachau]

Were there two Thomas Couper's, seamen?

FMP Crewlists
Thomas Coupar, born 1843 Dundee, role - Fireman, vessel - Pacha, from 3 Sep 1881-17 Oct 1881

Thomas S Couper, born 1844 Dundee, role - Master, vessel - Balgay, from 3 May 1881-15 Sep 1881

[elsinore]

I have had problems logging on today, hence the lack of response. Thanks to all of you who have added pieces to the puzzle. I'll post again when I have digested the info and tried to make sense of it!

Peter

[elsinore]

The evidence points to the Thomas Smith COUPAR who married Alexandrina BROWN in Dundee being the same Thomas Smith COUPAR who died as Margaret COOPER's 'husband' in Falkirk.

Birth
Thomas Smith COUPAR born 9th June 1846, baptised 28th June 1846 at Dundee to William COUPAR and Ann CAMPBELL.

Marriage
Thomas Smith COUPAR, 20, tenter, m. Alexandrina G BROWN, 18, power loom weaver, 9th May 1866 at Dundee. Address, Campersdown Court, Lochee. Thomas's parents William COUPAR, seaman and Ann COUPAR (nee CAMPBELL). Alexandrina's parents William Brown, wright and Alexandrina (nee Gordon).

Censuses
1871 Thomas and Alexandrina living at Bell Street, Dundee with daughter Alexandrina. Thomas is a seaman.

1881 Thomas and Alexandrina living at Coupar Street, Liff, Lochee with 5 children, Alexandrina, William, Ann, Lavinia and George. Thomas is a master mariner.

1891 Alexandrina living at Logie Street, Liff, Lochee with 6 children, William, George, Lavinia M, Frederick T S, Linneva G and Arthur. Thomas not present.

1901 Thomas S and Alexandrina G B, at Murray Place, 8 Logie Street, Liff, Lochee with 4 Children, Lavinia M McGill, Frederick S, Arthur B and Franklin G B. Thomas is a merchant seaman captain.

1911 Alexandrina living at 15 Ancrum Road, Liff, Dundee with 2 children, Lavinia and Franklin. Thomas not present.

Valuation Rolls
1905 Mrs Alexandrina Couper, wife, at 59 Logie Street, Dundee
1925 Mrs Alexandrina Coupar, widow, at 6 Muirton Road, Dundee
1930 Mrs Alexandrina Coupar, widow, at 6 Muirton Road, Dundee

1915 Thomas Cooper, seaman, at 28 Thistle Street, Falkirk
1920 Thomas Cooper, seaman, at 28 Thistle Street, Falkirk
1925 James (?) Cooper, seaman, at 28 Thistle Street, Falkirk
1930 Thomas Cooper, warehouseman, at 2 Thistle Street, Falkirk

Death
Thomas Smith COUPAR, seaman, 'married' to Margaret BENNET, 2nd February 1934 aged 87 at 2 Thistle Street, Falkirk. Parents William COUPAR and Ann (nee CAMPBELL)

Valuation Rolls
1935 Margaret COOPER, widow, at 2 Thistle Street, Falkirk

Death
Margaret COOPER, widow of Thomas Smith COOPER, 14th June 1935 aged 73 at 2 Thistle Street, Falkirk. Father Joseph BENNETT (deceased), mother Margaret BENNETT nee TAYLOR (deceased). Informant Janet VALENTINE, neighbour.

Death
Alexandrina Gordon BROWN, widow of Thomas COUPER, merchant seaman, 10th August 1936 aged 88 at 18 Ancrum Road, Lochee. Father William BROWN, joiner (deceased), mother Alexandrina BROWN nee GORDON (deceased). Informant, William BLACK, grandson and inmate.

Alexandrina is recorded as a widow on the VRs for 1925 and 1930 even though her husband only died in 1934.

The 1934 obituary for Thomas (#8) is correct in all respects except for him having no family. Perhaps it referred to his 'marriage' to Margaret?

The Intimation (#10) was made only two and a half years after Thomas and Alexandrina's marriage. It seems that an Intimation is a notice to the affected party of an intended change in financial obligation. I don't know if a legal document exists to support the Intimation or if it has any significance.

Unfortunately, none of the above confirms Margaret's true identity, although the lack of a marriage between her and Thomas probably means that she had assumed the name COOPER and really was Margaret BENNETT.

Peter