Helen Manson

     
     Helen Manson was born cir. Aug 1791 in Cogill, Watten, CAI, SCT.³ She was christened on 12 Aug 1791 in the Par. of Watten, CAI, SCT; Entry reads: 1791 Aug 12, James Manson and Christian Georgeson, Coghill had a daughter baptised named Helen Wit: John Laird, Alexr ___, Coghill.³ She and Alexander Smith were definitely not married as the baptism of their son John points out. In addition the Watten Kirk Sessions show the following entries:
Jan 4th 1819 Session met and constated(?) Helen Manson in Cogill summoned to this diet as being with child & gave up Alexander Smith in Auchentoft as the father of the child which she is pregnant being exhorted was dis?ed to attend the session this day seignight and the officer was appointed to summons the said Alexander Smith to attend said Diet
Jan 11th: Session met & constitued comp'd Alexander Smith son of William Smith in Auchentoft & confessed himself the father of Helen Manson's child, he was appointed to ?? before the Congretation on Sabbath ?coms ?a? week & Helen Manson on sabbath first & both required to attend on these days for that purpose. Closed with Prayer.
Agreeable to the appointment of the Kirk Session of Wattin; the said Alexdr Smith & Helen Manson appeared before the Congregational was seriously rebuked & seriously exhorted to Repentance.^1,4
     Helen Manson died on 14 Sep 1859 in Catchery, Watten, CAI, SCT, at age 68; cert extract includes: aged 68, single, pauper, inf John Smith son (who gave his grandmother's name as Christian Johnston, not Georgeson).¹ She was buried in the Watten churchyard, Watten, CAI, SCT.¹
     Helen was also known as Ellen.⁵ In 1819 Helen Manson was living at Cogle, Watten, CAI, SCT, (but spelt Cogill in OPR).^6,4 She appeared on the census of 7 Jun 1841 in Watten, CAI, SCT, in the household of David Manson.⁵ Helen Manson appeared on the census of 30 Mar 1851 at Catchery, Par. of Watten, CAI, SCT, as mother of John Smith.^7,8
     Although Helen's dth cert shows her mother as Christian Johnston, I believe this is an error on the informant's part. This is corroborated by there being no references on the igi to any couple named James Manson and Christian Johnston marrying or having children in Scotland, and the only Helen of anywhere near the right age with father James, is this one, d/o Christian Georgeson. Her presence in 1841 in the household of David, known to be the son of James and Christian also supports this theory, as do subsequent census records showing son John with his autn Christian Manson.⁹