Walter Fairbairn

     
     Walter Fairbairn was born on 14 Nov 1837 in Dalton, DFS, SCT, (place from 1861 & 1901 census which agree year).^4,5,1,6 He was christened on 22 Nov 1837 in the Par. of Ecclefachan, DFS, SCT; s/o Archibald Fairbairn, born 14 Nov.⁵ Some sources believe Walter Fairbairn was born cir. 1838 ROX, SCT, but this is only on two census records (1841 and 1881), all the rest show Dumfries, or just Scotland.²
     Walter Fairbairn married Elizabeth Chappel on 25 Dec 1867 in West Ham, London, ENG, date from dtr Agnes' birth cert, where the place was transcribed as Louden. (The only Louden that came up on a search on streetmap.co.uk was in hill in Cornwall.) A guess that it might be London was confirmed by searching St Cath's marriages, where it was indexed as Folio 4a Page 40, Walter Fairbairn to Eliza. Chappel.^7,1,8,2
     Walter Fairbairn died on 5 Dec 1904 at New Bongate, Jedburgh, ROX, SCT, at age 67; Dist 792 #60 cert reads: Walter Fairbairn widower of Eliz Chappel, died aged 67 at New Bongate, Jedburgh, of bronchial pthisis of 6 mths duration, s/o Archibald Fairbairn, shepherd, dec, and Elizabeth m.s. Henderson (sic, should be Howd or Hood) Inf. son Walter Fairbairn.³
     Walter Fairbairn and Helen Fairbairn were possibly related, as father/dtr, given that Helen's birth was registered Mile End, and no other Fairbairn registrations appear there over this time period.⁹ Walter Fairbairn appeared on the census of 7 Jun 1841 at Walkersknow, Par. of Jedburgh, ROX, SCT, in the household of Archibald Fairbairn and Betty Fairbairn.¹⁰ Walter Fairbairn appeared on the census of 30 Mar 1851 at Walkersnow, Jedburgh, ROX, SCT, in the household of Archibald and Elizabeth Fairbairn as son of Archibald.⁶ Walter Fairbairn was a carpenter (journeyman) in Apr 1861 of 10 Bongate, Jedburgh, ROX, SCT.⁴ He appeared on the census of 7 Apr 1861 at 10 Bongate, Jedburgh, ROX, SCT, in the household of Archibald Fairbairn and Betty Fairbairn as son of Archibald.⁴
     Walter Fairbairn was the informant for the death of Archibald Fairbairn on 4 Nov 1867 at Hartrigge Lodge, Jedburgh, ROX, SCT.¹¹
     Walter and Eliza Fairbairn appeared on the census of 7 Apr 1871 at 13 Sidney Sq, Mile End Old Town, London, LND, ENG, as FAIRBURN: Walter head, 33 joiner b SCT; wife Eliza 24 b Benden(?) Essex; Sons: Archibald C 2 ; Walter 1mth, both b Stepney, MDX.¹²
     Walter and Elizabeth Fairbairn appeared on the census of 3 Apr 1881 at 69 Maplin St, Mile End Old Town, London, MDX, ENG, as FAIRBAIRN: Walter, 43, grocer and cheesemonger, wife Elizabeth, 34 both b Roxburgh SCT with children: Archibald, 12; Walter, 10; both b ROX, SCT; Henry, 7 b Stepney, MDX; all scholars; Elizabeth 2 b Bow, MDX. Serv: Emily Lewis 16 b Bow, MDX. (Which is an intersting blend of fact and fiction. Walter should show as b. Dumfries, and the occupation is rather a drastic change from the joiner he was in 1861 and 1901, but naming pattern of children, and proximity to what looks like brother Archibald fits, and the 1891 census clinches the id).^2,13
     Walter Fairbairn was the informant for the death of his mother Betty Fairbairn on 24 Feb 1890 at 9 Old Bongate, Jedburgh, ROX, SCT.^14,3,15
     Walter Fairbairn appeared on the census of 5 Apr 1891 at 21 New Bongate, Jedburgh, ROX, SCT, with Eliza Fairbairn, enumerated as FAIRBAIRN: Walter, 53 head mar, joiner and cartwright (employer) b Dalton, Dumfrieshire; wife Eliza b ENG; Children: Henry ?17? joiner apprentice (worker) b ENG; Agnes H 7 scholar b Jedburgh.¹⁶
     Walter Fairbairn appeared on the census of 31 Mar 1901 at 21 New Bongate, Jedburgh, ROX, SCT, enumerated as Walter F. 63 (index has 63, looks more like 68 but 63 matches birth info), widower, head, joiner and cartwright, working on own acc., b Dalton, DFS. Dtr Agnes Hannah F, 17, unm, b Jedburgh, ROX, housekeeper, working at home.¹ Walter Fairbairn was shown as a cartwright, deceased in Jan 1905 when dtr Agnes married.¹⁷