Catherine Gray

BMDB data

     Catherine Gray was born cir. Sep 1785 at Toftingall, Par. of Watten, CAI, SCT.² She was baptized on 11 Sep 1785 in the Par. of Watten, CAI, SCT; entry reads: 11 Sep 1785 Donald Gray in Toftingall and Janet Sutherland his spouse had a child baptized named Kathrine wit: David Gray and John Smith both in Toftingall (David is possibly the s/o John Gray and Margaret Fowler, which could point towards a relationship between the two GRAY families).^4,5,2,6,7 Some sources believe Catherine Gray was born cir. 1791 at Watten, CAI, SCT, Catherine seems to have decided to get younger between the 1851 and 1861 censuses, and stuck to that thereafter, and certainly her h/stone implies a birth year of 1791.^8,3,7,9
     Catherine Gray married John Bain, son of male Bain ?Donald, on 3 Oct 1806 in the Par. of Watten, CAI, SCT, Halkirk OPR entry reads: John Bain in Westerdale and Catharine Gray there married 12 December (1806 Halkirk, this being the day before the baptism of son Donald). However, the Watten OPR entry reads: 14 Sep 1806 John Bain in Acavrole of this parish and Katherine Gray in Westerdale of the Parish of Halkirk were contracted in order to marriage and after the usual proclamations and no objections offered, their marriage was solemnized 3 Oct 1806. (I assume the minister got the places the wrong way round).^{10,7,11,9,12,13}
     Catherine Gray died on 8 Jan 1865 at Sth Dunn, Watten, CAI, SCT; Dist of Wattin (sic) cert #1 reads: Catherine Gray, Widow of John Bain, pensioner, died 3am, 74 yrs. Father Donald Grey (sic), farmer, dec., mother Janet, m.s. Sutherland, of natural decay, no medical attendant, informant James Bain, son, present, X his mark. Registered Watten, 13th January.^14,7,15,9 She was buried with John Bain in the Ballachly Cem., Par. of Latheron, CAI, SCT, H/stone reads: Erected by Alex^r Bain, Melbourne in memory of his beloved parents John Bain, Clashcriby Forse who died 17th Jun 1853 Aged 72 years. Catherine Gray who died 8th Jan 1865 aged 74 Years Also his brother James Bain who died 1st Mar 1879 Aged 54 years. Also his sister Jane Bain who died 10th Mar 1845 aged 15 years. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. In 1994 the cemetery was particularly overgrown. It is a remote location, a stone walled enclosure in the middle of a farm. My friend managed to get my wheelchair up to the gate from where I could see the grave directly inside. It is next door to a grave that is noted in the MI booklet as "This grave never to be opened".^9,15,7

Census/Where lived/Occupations

     Catherine appeared on the census of 7 Jun 1841 at Clashscribie, Par. of Latheron, CAI, SCT, with John Bain, as John, head 55 farmer, wife Catherine, 55; Elizabeth 20; Alexander 13; Jane 9 (NB instructions to the enumerators for this census were to round ages to the nearest multiple of 5, children tended to have their ages accurately recorded - or at least as accurate as such things can be. These instructions were not always followed).^4,5
     The census of 30 Mar 1851 showed Catherine with her husband John, their dtr Jane at Clashscribie, Par. of Latheron, CAI, SCT, household enumerated as Bain: John 67 b Latheron, farmer & pensioner; wife Catherine, 60 b Watten; dtr Jane, 20, hse servant b Latheron. The next schedule was for son James and family, and the one after that for son Donald and family.^8,16
     The census of 7 Apr 1861 showed Catherine in the household of her son James and his wife Helen Bain, and their daughters Catherine, Johanna, Hannah, Alexandrina and Betsy at Clashscribie, Par. of Latheron, CAI, SCT, enumerated as James BAIN, farmer, 41 b Latheron Par., Helen, 40 b Bower Par. Children: Catherine, 15, b Wick Par, Johan 9, Hannah 6, Alexandrina 4, Betsy 1 all b Latheron Par. Also John 10mths, and sister Jean 30, both b Latheron Par. Mother: Catherine GRAY, 73 widow b Watten Parish.
(it is assumed that John is the son of Jean).¹⁷
     Catherine Gray and John Bain lived at Clashscrebie Mor, Par. of Latheron, CAI, SCT, rather than Clashscrebie beg which was 1/2 mile away based on Stemster hill and very small with room for just one family. The family living there were MacLeods. Mor was on the right side of Rangag where Helen (grddtr) was when christened and Brae Rangag just over the top. The croft was relatively large due to alterations - there was an extension built on to it, and it could hold at least three families if pushed.¹⁸

All the other info

     Catherine Gray and Donald Gray at Westerdale, Par. of Halkirk, CAI, SCT, in Dec 1806 were possibly related, as Donald Gray was a witness to the baptism of Catherine's eldest son Donald Bain.¹⁹
     Catherine Gray also went by the name of Kate according to dtr Jean's dth cert.²⁰
     A group photo of 15 women, taken Wick, is believed to be a group of descendants of John and Catherine. Does anyone recognise any of the faces?²¹