Normally in my 52 ancestors in 52 weeks blog I feature an ancestor who has made a mark in my tree or who has done something of note. Sadly, in the late 1800's a lot of children died young and failed to achieve adulthood. As a result, the chances of being remembered nearly 150 years later is pretty remote and their life is usually forgotten. I am taking the opportunity to write about, and remember, two young sisters, Jessie McTear and Jessie Agness McTear, from over 100 years ago who died, never being able to fulfill their potential. I have already written about Janet Dalrymple (W17) who came south over the border into England so that her husband, James McTear, could take up work in the iron furnaces of Whitehaven. Their fourth child was born on 1st May 1880 at 16 Charles Street, Whitehaven. They named her Jessie, after Janet's mother. As often happened in those days, she sadly died on 13th January 1883 aged just 2 years 8 months at 16 Gores Buildings, Preston Quarter, Whitehaven. Her cause of death was given as capillary bronchitus which is a grave form of the disease with similar symptoms to suffocation. Even today, death usually follows. The death of young Jessie must have been tragic for the parents, more so because Janet was already three months pregnant with another child at the time of Jessie's death. Rather than name the new baby, who was also a girl, something totally different, they decided to name her Jessie Agness. Possibly this time 'Jessie', after their child who had recently died, and Agness after James' mother. Having given birth to five other children, Janet died of a form of tuberculosis in 1890, leaving James to bring up a young family alone, John (my 2 x great grandfather who married and moved out a month after his mother died), Margaret (the oldest sister aged 14), Thomas (aged 13 - who I haven't traced so could have died) and 6 year old Jessie Agness. Jessie Agness faired very slightly better than Jessie in that she survived until she was almost 11. Her whole life was spent at the same address at Gores Buildings and she died on 23rd June 1894 of the wasting disease, tabes mesenterica. This is an illness of children caused by drinking milk from cows infected with tuberculosis. Now uncommon as milk is pasteurised. So, two children who died long before their time. Remembered now because of the internet and our interest in the past. | "Tears In Heaven" Would you know my name If I saw you in heaven? Would it be the same If I saw you in heaven? I must be strong And carry on, 'Cause I know I don't belong Here in heaven. Would you hold my hand If I saw you in heaven? Would you help me stand If I saw you in heaven? I'll find my way Through night and day, 'Cause I know I just can't stay Here in heaven. Time can bring you down, Time can bend your knees. Time can break your heart, Have you begging please, begging please. Beyond the door, There's peace I'm sure, And I know there'll be no more Tears in heaven. Would you know my name If I saw you in heaven? Would it be the same If I saw you in heaven? I must be strong And carry on, 'Cause I know I don't belong Here in heaven. Lyrics by Eric Clapton & Will Jennings |
POSTSCRIPT
You would have thought that was that as far as the name Jessie and Jessie Agness was concerned, but no. Their sister, Margaret, married James McQuilliam in 1894 and the following year they named their first born Jessie Agness, presumably in memory of the previous Jessies. What a lovely thing to do. This Jessie Agness faired much better than the other two, living until, what was then, the ripe old age of 65.
You would have thought that was that as far as the name Jessie and Jessie Agness was concerned, but no. Their sister, Margaret, married James McQuilliam in 1894 and the following year they named their first born Jessie Agness, presumably in memory of the previous Jessies. What a lovely thing to do. This Jessie Agness faired much better than the other two, living until, what was then, the ripe old age of 65.