Robert Ferguson Duncan (1826/7 - 1884)

Robert Ferguson Duncan, the first child of Dunlop and Jean/Jenn Duncan (nee Ferguson) was born about 1826/7 [1], in Glasgow, Lanarkshire.

In 1841[2], aged 14, Robert resided with his father, step-mother, siblings and half-siblings at Back Street, Campbeltown, with him being listed as an indentured painter (most probably to his father).

According to the 1851 census, Robert and his brother John are listed as residing with their aunt Janet Scott and her son James (aged 14 years) at Sugarhouse Lane Greenock.  Robert is listed at being 24 and a painter.  Janet Scott’s husband is listed as being a Mate and away at sea.

Robert married Barbara McMichael on 9 September 1853 in Campbeltown.  Barbara, the daughter of John McMichael, was born in Islay, Argyleshire about 1824.  She was a couple of years older than Robert who was working as a painter at the time.

According to the Birth and Death Registers, Robert and Barbara had three children:-

• ·      Barbara Ferguson, born about 1854 and died on 26 November 1864 (aged 10 years) at Watt St, Greenock of ‘Scarlet Fever’[3],
• ·       Jessie Ann, born on 25 September 1856 at Regent St, Greenock[4] and died of ‘Kidney disease’ on 18 July 1883 in Gourock, Renfrewshire[5].   Jessie was single when she died and her usual residence was Ardgowan St West, Greenock, and
• ·      Hugh McMichael, born on 15 January 1859[6] but died on 31 October 1861 (aged 2 ¾ years) at Regent St, Greenock of ‘Enteritis’[7].

In 1861, at the time of the census, the family resided at Regent St, West Greenock.

At the 1871 census, Robert (45), Barbara (47) and daughter Jessie A (a scholar aged 14) resided at Watt St, Greenock West.  Robert was a Painter employing 3 men, 4 boys and a girl.

By the 1881 census, Robert, Barbara (aged 56) and daughter, Jessie Ann, aged 24, a Music Teacher, had moved to Ardgowan St, Greenock West.  Robert is listed in the census as a Master Painter, aged 54, possibly working for Duncan Colquoun, another Master Painter who lived at the same address and employed 5 men, 5 boys and a girl.

Robert died on 4 December 1884, aged 58, in Greenock West, Renfrew, and according to the Statutory Death Register he predeceased his wife, Barbara.

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[1] OPR 644/01 0040 Frame 6753

[2] Census Registration, District 507, Enumeration District 7 pg 9,

[3] Statutory Deaths 564/3X  0087

[4] Statutory Births 564/03 0677

[5] Statutory Deaths 567/02 0126

[6] Statutory Births 564/03 0073

[7] Statutory Deaths 564/03 0492