Mary Moffat married in to the Rodger line on my McKay side and as with most on that side, I have been able to find out a lot about her.

Regarding her marriage, it is interesting to note that although we have a record that clearly states "Thomas Roger and Mary Moffat", were proclaimed in West Linton, there is a record of another marriage which took place a few days later for a "Thomas Roger and M Moffat", also in West Linton. The two records do not appear to be related, although the proclamation took place in West Linton, it has a reference to "Thomas Roger in Traquair". As our Thomas was born in Gilmerton and lived in Liberton during his early married life, I cannot see where there could be a connection to Traquair.

KEY EVENTS AND DATES

Birth - 14th November 1809

Mary was born in West Linton, Peeblesshire. Her parents were John Moffat and Janet Farquharson. The actual entry in the Parish records, under the year of 1803, was:

Moffat & Farquharson -

Mary daughter of John Moffat & Janet Farqharson was born the 14th November

View the record.

Marriage - 6th February 1831

Mary married Thomas Rodger in West Linton, county of Peebles. The entry in the Parochial Register is in amongst a number of accounting entries and reads:

Proc'd Thos. Rodger & Mary Moffat

£. s. d. 4

It's interesting, although uncertain why, that the "d" in "Rodger" is crossed out three times.

View record.

1832/33

According to the Census records I have, Mary's daughter, Janet, would have been born in this period. I haven't yet searched for her birth record though.

1834/35

According to the Census records I have, Mary's daughter, Agnes, would have been born in this period. I haven't yet searched for her birth record though.

30th March 1836

Mary's son, Thomas Roger, was born in Burdiehouse, Liberton. The actual entry reads:

Roger  -

Thomas, Lawful son of Thomas Roger and Mary Moffat, was

born at Burdiehouse on the thirtieth March and baptised the

thirtieth April, one thousand eight hundred and thirty six before

these witnesses Jean Wilson and Mary Bell.

I wonder if Jean Wilson was related to the Peter Wilson who witnessed Thomas's and Mary's marriage.

1838/39

According to the Census records I have, Mary's daughter, Elizabeth, would have been born in this period. I haven't yet searched for her birth record though.

1841 Census

The Census records Mary to have been living at Silverfields in the Parish of St Cuthbert's, with her husband Thomas. Mary was aged 30, while Thomas, aged 35, was employed as a Labourer. Also living there were her children Janet (9), Agnes (7), Thomas (5), Elizabeth (2).

View the record.

1845/46

According to the Census records I have, Mary's son, William C, would have been born in this period. I haven't yet searched for his birth record though.

1849/50

According to the Census records I have, Mary's daughter, Mary Ann, would have been born in this period. I haven't yet searched for her birth record though.

1850

According to the Census records I have, Mary's son, John , would have been born in this period. I haven't yet searched for his birth record though.

1851 Census

The Census records Mary to have been living at 7 Silverfields in the Parish of St Cuthbert's, Leith, with her husband Thomas. Mary was aged 40, while Thomas was 47 and employed as a "Labourer, Grain". Also living there were her children Janet (18), Agnes (16), Thomas (14), Elizabeth (12), William C (4), Mary Ann (1) and John (9 months?). Mary's place of birth was recorded as Peebles, West Linton.

View the record.

1861 Census

The Census shows Mary to have been living at 55 Yardheads, Leith with her husband, Thomas. Mary was 51, while Thomas was aged 58 and was employed as a Loftman. Also living there were her children Thomas (25) also a Loftman, William C. (15) a Flour Miller, and Mary Ann (11) a Scholar. Mary's place of birth was recorded as Peebles, West Linton.

View the record.

27th June 1862

Mary's son, Thomas, married Janet Stewart at 70 Tolbooth Wynd, Leith. This was actually Janet's home address. (As a matter of interest, my Dad was born at 48 Tolbooth Wynd.) On the Certificate, Thomas's age is given as 27, although he was only 26. Thomas was employed as a Loftman and lived at 56 Yardheads, Leith. His parents were recorded as Thomas Roger, also a Loftman, and Mary Moffat - both still living.

1871 Census

Ten years on from the last Census and according to this year's Census, Thomas and Mary are still living at Yardheads, only they're in number 61 this time. Mary was then aged 61, while Thomas, still a Loftman, was 68. There are a number of curious things about this Census record, though. Firstly, Mary is described as "Mary Moffat alias Rodger" - I've never seen that kind of language before (or since). Secondly, her daughter, Mary, is recorded under her maiden name - Mary Ann Rodger" - even though she is down as married and that her husband George Lawrie and her son, George (2 months) are living there too. The third curious thing is that Mary's place of birth is not recorded as West Linton, as it is elsewhere, but as "Midlothian, Edinburgh". (Methinks we had an Enumerator who had maybe had a few too many on Census night?)

Also living with Thomas and Mary was a boarder from Ireland called John Milne, a Labourer in the Flour Mills.

View the record.

Death - 29th September 1876

Mary, died at 10.30 p.m. at 5 Yardheads, Leith. She was aged 70 and described as "married to Thomas Rogers, Loftman". She had died form "Cardiac Diseases" and her death was reported by her husband. Mary's parents were shown as John Moffat, a Wire Weaver and Janet Farquharson, both deceased.

View the record.

23rd January 1881

Mary's widower, Thomas Rogers (note the different spelling), died at 9.30 p.m. at 13 Wilkie Place, Leith. He was aged 76 and had been employed as a Loftman. His wife's name was recorded as Mary Moffat.