Margaret Millar

Died 28th September 1849

 

Above and Below: Two tragic burial records at a time of many

In the obituaries in the Newcastle Courant, Margaret Millar was the wife of John Millar, baker. She died aged just 30.

She was born Margaret Anne Dixon, on 5th May 1819, to George and Mary Dixon of “Necessity”, in Hulne Park. George was a labourer, possibly in the Park, and therefore for the Duke of Northumberland. Another two children were born to the couple when living in Felton. They were Robert Dixon Millar b.20th August 1821 and Isabella born exactly a year later on 20th August 1822. All three children were baptised in Pottergate Chapel,Alnwick.

Margaret Anne Dixon married John Millar on 18th April 1847. Her father was now called Major Dixon, though still a labourer!  Johns father was another John, and a carpenter. Both bride and groom were living in Alnwick at the time, although John Millar Jnr was born in South Shields, Durham, in 1824, so 5 years younger than Margaret. By the time of the 1841 census, he was an apprentice baker working for Mr Robert Purvis, a Baker in Paikes Street.

There were too many Margaret Dixons age 20 on the 1841 census to know for sure, where she was then. After their marriage in 1847, however they lived in Clayport and John was a master bread baker.

On 4th August 1849, just before the Cholera outbreak in Alnwick their son, Thomas Finlay was born.

Happiness was short lived though, as Margaret Anne died on 28th September, leaving John with an eight week old baby to care for.
Margaret Anne Millar was buried in a mass grave at the rear of the Church, that day according to the Bishops Transcripts.

Sadly Thomas Finlay only lived another two weeks only, and died on 11th October 1849. He was not recorded as a Cholera victim but cholera was still raging in Alnwick, the last recorded victim dying on 23rd October. Perhaps the son was buried with his mother.

 

Poor John Millar, losing his wife and son in such circumstances. He carried on baking bread, living as a lodger first in Alnmouth , then in Bailiffgate before marrying again, to an Ann in 1890 but again his happiness was short lived, as he died the following year age 70.