Joseph Coulter (1821 - 1887)

Joseph Coulter was my great grandfather. He was born in Magherally, Dromara, County Down, Ireland. There is some doubt concerning Joseph's date of birth.

The entry in the Statutory Register of Deaths gives his age at the date of his death as 66, records that he married first Ann Corbett and second Eliza Jane Barron, and that his parents were Hector Coulter (a farmer) and Ellen Logan.

If we are to believe that he died aged 66 would this would mean that he was born in about 1821 - but he married Anne Corbit in 1833. I cannot believe that he married Anne at the age of 12! It is more likely that his second wife Eliza, who registered his death either did not know or was unsure of his date of birth. What we can conclude is that he was born before 1821.

He died at 18 St James Terrace, Kinning Park, Glasgow, Scotland on the 26th April 1887.

Joseph married twice, firstly to Anne Corbit (Ann Corbett) and then to Elizabeth Jane Barron.

Joseph married Anne Corbett in the First Presbyterian Church of Dromara Parish in County Down on the 9th July 1833. (Source 1) (Source 2). Joseph and Anne had one male child:

1. William Coulter (1848 - 1904). Married Charlotte Coulter.

They may also have had a female child - Eliza Ann - who was born in Dromara Parish to a Joseph Coulter and Nancy Corbit on 15th October 1834. Nancy is a form of Ann.

First Presbyterian Church of Dromara. Built 1826.

Joseph married Elizabeth Jane Barron (known as Eliza) at Magherally, County Down on the 19th April 1851. Joseph and Eliza had 11 children:

1. Eliza Jane Coulter (1853 - ?)
2. Annie Coulter (1855 - 1919). Married James Coulter.
3. Thomas Coulter (1856 - ?). Married Margaret Hamilton.
4. Agnes Coulter (1859 - 1881)
5. Martha C Coulter (1861 - ?). Married Archibald Clark Buchanan.
6. Joseph Coulter (1863 - 1880)
7. Samuel Coulter (1865 - ?). Married Annie Ford.
8. Robina Coulter (1868 -1902). Married John Smith.
9. Robert William Heron Coulter (1871 - 1934). Married Maggie Drysdale.
10. John Alexander Hendry Coulter (1871 - 1872)
11. John Henry Coulter (1875 - 1947). Married Susanna Bell.

In 1861 Joseph was living with Eliza and sons William (14), Thomas (4) and daughters Eliza Jane (9), Annie (6), Agnes (2) and Martha (2 months) at 2 Newfield Lane, Govan, Glasgow. He was employed as a Labourer.

In 1971 Joseph was living at 38 St James Street (Front Landing), Kinning Park, Glasgow with Eliza, sons William (25), Thomas (14), Joseph (8), Samuel (6), and daughters Eliza (18), Ann (16), Agnes (12), Martha (10) and Robina (3). A Thomas Heron age 70 lodging with the family. Thomas was an Uncle of Eliza's. Joseph was employed as an Engine Keeper at a Steam Crane.

By 1881 the family had moved to 32 Tower Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow. Joseph had died in 1880. William had married.  The household comprised Eliza, sons Thomas (24), Samuel (16), John (6) and daughters Agnes (22), Martha (20), and Robina (12). Eliza's Uncle Thomas Heron, now 80, was still living with the family. Joseph was employed asa Getekeeper.

Sources:

I can provide transcripts for the following for Joseph.

1. Statutory Register of Deaths GROS Data 644/14 0221
2. Scottish Census: 1861, 1871, 1881.

I have also provided links to on line sources for Joseph's marriages.