Person Sheet
NameWilliam Aird 
, 1607, M
, 1607, MBirthabt 1783, of Straiton, Ayrshire, Scotland
Death1860-10-19, Montreal, Canada East
OccupationShoemaker
Fatherunknown Aird , 6123, M
Motherunknown ...?... , 6124, F
Spouses
1Mary Hunter, 1608, F
Birth1782-07-01, Mossend, Kirkmichael, Ayrshire, Scotland
Death1863-04-19, Montreal, Canada East
FatherDavid Hunter of Mossend , 1609, M (~1744-1819)
MotherIsabell (Isobell) Anderson , 1599, F (1748-)
Marriage1806-11-14, Kirkmichael, Ayrshire, Scotland
Notes for William Aird
Was living in Straiton Parish at time of marriage. May have been born in Kilmarnock parish. Marriage also registered in Straiton on 1806-11-14.
Marriage registration for 1806 reads:
“William Aird in parish of Straiton and Mary Hunter in this parish Booked in order to Marriage and Married Novr 14th By the Rev Mr. David Kennedy of Straiton.”
Came to Canada in 1829 on the sail-ship “George Cannon” arriving at Quebec.
William and Mary are buried in the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal, Canada. The death registration of St. Andrews Presbyterian in Montreal reads:
“Burial Wm Aird. William Aird aged about sevety Seven Years, of Montreal, Shoemaker died on the nineteeth and was buried on the twenty first day a October One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixy in the presence of us the undersigned. James Kerr officiating for Mr. Alex (illegible) DD (illegible). William (illegible). Mary Hunter Aird. Thos Aird.”
The ship George Cannon was wrecked on Absecon Beach in New Jersey in 1830.
Google Books has a copy of Absegami: Annals Eyren Haven and Atlantic City 1609 to 1904 by Alfred M. Heston written in 1904. On pages 187-188 it has the following:
"1830- In the winter of the same year (1830) the ship "George Cannon," from Liverpool, with a cargo of dry-goods and hardware, came ashore. The boxes of dry-goods were thrown overboard and soon lined the strand. The off-shore people scented the prey and came in crowds, eager for the spoils. Then began the most exciting game of hide-and-seek ever known on the seaborad. Cupidity and rapacity crushed out all sense of honor. Neighbor robbed neighbor. Holes were made in the hills and the boxes buried, but while the party who had hidden was gone to seek another, somebody would dig it out and convey it to another place of concealment. The night was bitter cold, and two men, who started for a house at Cedar Grove, perished on the hills near by.*"
[As a footnote]"*Mrs. Robert B. Leeds, of this city, has in her possession, a calico lining for a bedquilt which possesses special interest. It is a part of the wreckage from the George Cannon, which struck on the beach near where one of the piers now stands. The Cannon had an assorted cargo, part of which was thrown overboard. The vessel got off and was being taken into the Inilet when it struck again on the north side of the channel and went to pieces, a total wreck. It was a packet ship from England. The wreckage was a bonanza to people along the shore, who secured parts of it. The relic which Mrs. Leeds has is well preeserved, and is a fine sample of old fashioned print and design. The first double-barrel guns ever seen in this locality are said to have appeared along the shore soon after the wreck of this vessel."
In an attempt to trace this family, Montreal Directories were examined.
The first available Montreal Directory, 1842-43 lists William and John Aird, shoemakers, at St. Dominique near Lagauchetiere street. This was probably him and his son John. The same entry appears in the 1843-44 Directory
In 1844-45, William Aird Sen. and William Aird Jun., shoemakers, appears at 55 St. Dominique street. John Aird, shoemaker, appears at 5 Woodyard street. For the first time, another Aird appears in the Directory: David Aird, dray man, is at 13 Salaberry street.
The 1845-46 Directory still,lists the two William Aird sen. and jun., shoemakers at 55 St. Dominique. Also listed is R. Aird, shoemaker, 15 St. Genevieve street, in rear. John AIrd, shoemaker is still at 5 Woodyard. No relationship to Wiliam is known for R (for Robert?) or John Aird.
1847 lists Ronald Aird, brush maker 57 Bleury street; David Aird, tavern, 8 St. Mary street; Geo. Aird, house, 6 Fournier street; Wm. Aird, shoemaker, Lagauchetiere near St. Dominique street.
1848 lists James Aird, carter Durham near Lagauchetiere street; David Aird, tavern, 10 St. Mary street; Geo. Aird, house 7 Woodyard street; Wm. Aird, shoemaker, 55 St. Dominique street.
1849 lists David Aird, tavern, 10 St. Mary; Geo. Aird, 7 Woodyard; Wm. Aird, shoemaker, 44 St. Mary; Mrs. Aird, seamstress, 20 St. Maurice; John Aird, bootmaker, 108 St. Lawrence.
1850 lists James Aird, carter, Durham near St. Catherine; David Aird, carter, Lagauchetiere near St. Constance; John Aird at same address as James, Wm. Aird, shoemaker, 14 St. Paul.
1852 (no 1851) lists David Aird, tavern, 10 St. Mary; James Aird, carter, Durham near St. Catherine; David Aird, carter, Lagauchetiere near St. Constance; John Aird same address; Wm, Aird, shoemaker 14 St. Paul.
1853 has same listings as 1852.
1854 lists Mrs. Aird, seamstress, St. Genevieve, in rear; John Aird, contractor, St. Francis near the Barracks William Aird, shoemaker, 112 St. Mary; John Aird, carter, Durham near Dorchester.
1855-56 and 1856-57 lists just William Aird, shoemaker at 183 St. Mary; and James Aird, carter, 5 Rose.
1857-58 has the same as the 1855-56 directory, with the addition of John Aird, tavern, 5 Water.
1858-59 is same as 1857-58 directory.
1859-60 lists James Aird, book-keeper at St. Lawrence Hall, Great St. James; James Aird, carter, 5 Rose; John Aird, tavern, 5 Water; and William Aird, shoemaker, 183 St. Mary.
1860-61 has the same entries as 1859-60, with the addition of William Aird, blacksmith, west of R.R.
1861-62 is same as 1860-61. WIlliam Aird, Shoemaker appears, last in the 1861-62 Montreal Directory at 183 St. Mary.
The Directory, 1862-63 shows for the only time, at the same address as William Aird was in the previous directories a Thomas Aird, shoemaker, 183 St. Mary. Thomas Aird does not appear in earlier or later directories. Also, an additional Aird: Robert Aird, gardener is listed at St. Catherine Road.
Death noted in 1861 census of person in family who died in 1860. Cause of death “old age.”
May also have had a son Robert Aird. See reference ID=5848).
Marriage registration for 1806 reads:
“William Aird in parish of Straiton and Mary Hunter in this parish Booked in order to Marriage and Married Novr 14th By the Rev Mr. David Kennedy of Straiton.”
Came to Canada in 1829 on the sail-ship “George Cannon” arriving at Quebec.
William and Mary are buried in the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal, Canada. The death registration of St. Andrews Presbyterian in Montreal reads:
“Burial Wm Aird. William Aird aged about sevety Seven Years, of Montreal, Shoemaker died on the nineteeth and was buried on the twenty first day a October One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixy in the presence of us the undersigned. James Kerr officiating for Mr. Alex (illegible) DD (illegible). William (illegible). Mary Hunter Aird. Thos Aird.”
The ship George Cannon was wrecked on Absecon Beach in New Jersey in 1830.
Google Books has a copy of Absegami: Annals Eyren Haven and Atlantic City 1609 to 1904 by Alfred M. Heston written in 1904. On pages 187-188 it has the following:
"1830- In the winter of the same year (1830) the ship "George Cannon," from Liverpool, with a cargo of dry-goods and hardware, came ashore. The boxes of dry-goods were thrown overboard and soon lined the strand. The off-shore people scented the prey and came in crowds, eager for the spoils. Then began the most exciting game of hide-and-seek ever known on the seaborad. Cupidity and rapacity crushed out all sense of honor. Neighbor robbed neighbor. Holes were made in the hills and the boxes buried, but while the party who had hidden was gone to seek another, somebody would dig it out and convey it to another place of concealment. The night was bitter cold, and two men, who started for a house at Cedar Grove, perished on the hills near by.*"
[As a footnote]"*Mrs. Robert B. Leeds, of this city, has in her possession, a calico lining for a bedquilt which possesses special interest. It is a part of the wreckage from the George Cannon, which struck on the beach near where one of the piers now stands. The Cannon had an assorted cargo, part of which was thrown overboard. The vessel got off and was being taken into the Inilet when it struck again on the north side of the channel and went to pieces, a total wreck. It was a packet ship from England. The wreckage was a bonanza to people along the shore, who secured parts of it. The relic which Mrs. Leeds has is well preeserved, and is a fine sample of old fashioned print and design. The first double-barrel guns ever seen in this locality are said to have appeared along the shore soon after the wreck of this vessel."
In an attempt to trace this family, Montreal Directories were examined.
The first available Montreal Directory, 1842-43 lists William and John Aird, shoemakers, at St. Dominique near Lagauchetiere street. This was probably him and his son John. The same entry appears in the 1843-44 Directory
In 1844-45, William Aird Sen. and William Aird Jun., shoemakers, appears at 55 St. Dominique street. John Aird, shoemaker, appears at 5 Woodyard street. For the first time, another Aird appears in the Directory: David Aird, dray man, is at 13 Salaberry street.
The 1845-46 Directory still,lists the two William Aird sen. and jun., shoemakers at 55 St. Dominique. Also listed is R. Aird, shoemaker, 15 St. Genevieve street, in rear. John AIrd, shoemaker is still at 5 Woodyard. No relationship to Wiliam is known for R (for Robert?) or John Aird.
1847 lists Ronald Aird, brush maker 57 Bleury street; David Aird, tavern, 8 St. Mary street; Geo. Aird, house, 6 Fournier street; Wm. Aird, shoemaker, Lagauchetiere near St. Dominique street.
1848 lists James Aird, carter Durham near Lagauchetiere street; David Aird, tavern, 10 St. Mary street; Geo. Aird, house 7 Woodyard street; Wm. Aird, shoemaker, 55 St. Dominique street.
1849 lists David Aird, tavern, 10 St. Mary; Geo. Aird, 7 Woodyard; Wm. Aird, shoemaker, 44 St. Mary; Mrs. Aird, seamstress, 20 St. Maurice; John Aird, bootmaker, 108 St. Lawrence.
1850 lists James Aird, carter, Durham near St. Catherine; David Aird, carter, Lagauchetiere near St. Constance; John Aird at same address as James, Wm. Aird, shoemaker, 14 St. Paul.
1852 (no 1851) lists David Aird, tavern, 10 St. Mary; James Aird, carter, Durham near St. Catherine; David Aird, carter, Lagauchetiere near St. Constance; John Aird same address; Wm, Aird, shoemaker 14 St. Paul.
1853 has same listings as 1852.
1854 lists Mrs. Aird, seamstress, St. Genevieve, in rear; John Aird, contractor, St. Francis near the Barracks William Aird, shoemaker, 112 St. Mary; John Aird, carter, Durham near Dorchester.
1855-56 and 1856-57 lists just William Aird, shoemaker at 183 St. Mary; and James Aird, carter, 5 Rose.
1857-58 has the same as the 1855-56 directory, with the addition of John Aird, tavern, 5 Water.
1858-59 is same as 1857-58 directory.
1859-60 lists James Aird, book-keeper at St. Lawrence Hall, Great St. James; James Aird, carter, 5 Rose; John Aird, tavern, 5 Water; and William Aird, shoemaker, 183 St. Mary.
1860-61 has the same entries as 1859-60, with the addition of William Aird, blacksmith, west of R.R.
1861-62 is same as 1860-61. WIlliam Aird, Shoemaker appears, last in the 1861-62 Montreal Directory at 183 St. Mary.
The Directory, 1862-63 shows for the only time, at the same address as William Aird was in the previous directories a Thomas Aird, shoemaker, 183 St. Mary. Thomas Aird does not appear in earlier or later directories. Also, an additional Aird: Robert Aird, gardener is listed at St. Catherine Road.
Death noted in 1861 census of person in family who died in 1860. Cause of death “old age.”
May also have had a son Robert Aird. See reference ID=5848).
Notes for Mary (Spouse 1)
Baptised 4 July 1782 by the Reverend John Ramsay, Minister, Kirkmichael. Registration read: Mary Daughter to David Hunter in Mosend. Born July 1st and Baptised 4th by the Rev. Mr. John Ramsay, Mintr of Kirkml.”
The following letter to Mary were found on the internet site of Susan Markanen at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~smarkanen/letter1.htm, 2003.
“- found inside an envelope addressed to Kate Dalgleish in Thorold postmarked Edinburgh Sept 26 1887:”
Dear Aunt Mary,
I received your letter with the news of Uncle William's death and of the death of your son William. It was a severe trial one(?) on the back of another you are now within a month or two of compleating your 80th year, born in Wee Mossend(?) in the summer of 1782 I may now state that all your Sisters are widows as well as yourself Andrew Hunter died in August 1860 and John Conner died 9 months ago only Aunt Janet's man John Kerr is still alive yet and Elisabeth Borrowman is still with her son James in Roaston and able to come to church frequently my??? is almost ??? these several years by past my sister Bell and I live together by ourselves and has done these 5 or 6 years our brother David is Governor of Cuninghame Poor House at Irvine his first wife Elis Smith's old and last daughter Agnes was married on Archibald Drummond had two children and they are left orphans as she died this time twelvemonth her husband died 5 years ago their grandfather John Drummond left them by his will £100 each ?? only other sister alive Agnes still lives in Kilmarnock her old Son is a Schoolmaster, her younger (son is)? a ???, her daughter is married on a Carpet Weaver (Aunt)? Nelley lives with her Children now with one now with another all her daughters are married and has family at present she lives near Girvan Aunt Agness Hogg(?) lives in Kilmarnock these many years her children are there also, all married but the youngest son(?) and younges Daughter Aunt Grace still lives in Dailly village Aunt Janet and husband reside at Montetour(?) both frail Aunt Bell (twenty months younger than yourself) has Red Cheeks and seems to attend her customers as she still keeps a small grocery and at church almost every Sunday her daughter Bell lives with her also her son Joseph is a Bacholer like myself and ?? with her her son Andrew lives in the House with her he has two grown up Daughters one a Dressmaker I need not write any thing of a public nature. how that weaving trade is Dull to the brink of a Stand State and all conected with the cotton trade: very much suffering is patiently borne by the workers. I may rather tell you of your old acquaintance who are dead and gone first your Daughter Mary's old Master Captain McDermiot(?) in Aransow is Still alive and lives in Ayr but your cousins Joseph Hunter John Hunter and Andrew Hunter and your Second Cousin (Jim?) Hunter ?rochain and his Sister Mary all died with in the past year exept Joe &? Andw who died a little before. I am going to send this to my brother with a wish that he may add a few lines on next page. I shall be very glad to hear (how?) you all get on. Tell Mrs Mc? that her brothers in law Thomas & John are both very frail but not bedfast.
Your Nephew John Hunter
Cuninghame Combination
Poor House near Irvine
Dear Aunt Mary
You cannot expect me to give you any news regarding Kirk michael as it is now 26 years since I left it, and I am now like yourself little aquainted in that quarter after my wife Elira? Smith died I went to Glasgow and after 12 years I married my present [wife], a very excellent woman, from Stirlingshire, I have had my ups + downs. Yet on the whole I have been very lucky regarding worldly affairs, Poor Houses in Scotland 30 years ago was scarce, no so now, this one was erected about 6 years ago, it stands near to the Eglinton Gates, it is for 12 parishes and the Building cost £15 000 My wife and myself has the charge, we have a good ???. But a good dale of responsibility.
I would like very well if any of your family would write me + let me know when David your son died and if (James?) is living, and let me know about Mary + Margaret. I was about 18 years ago almost ready to go to Canada with the full intention to see you all, but ???. I have lately been at Kirkmichael placing a tombstone in memory of my Father, Mother, sisters, wife and children, who has now (all?) passed away. Such is the changing scenes(?), such is life, trusting this will reach you + that you are in ordnary(?) keeping, your convenent(?) Please let me have a few line Remember me to Mary + Margaret.
Your affectionate nephew,
D Hunter
The following letter to Mary were found on the internet site of Susan Markanen at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~smarkanen/letter1.htm, 2003.
“- found inside an envelope addressed to Kate Dalgleish in Thorold postmarked Edinburgh Sept 26 1887:”
Dear Aunt Mary,
I received your letter with the news of Uncle William's death and of the death of your son William. It was a severe trial one(?) on the back of another you are now within a month or two of compleating your 80th year, born in Wee Mossend(?) in the summer of 1782 I may now state that all your Sisters are widows as well as yourself Andrew Hunter died in August 1860 and John Conner died 9 months ago only Aunt Janet's man John Kerr is still alive yet and Elisabeth Borrowman is still with her son James in Roaston and able to come to church frequently my??? is almost ??? these several years by past my sister Bell and I live together by ourselves and has done these 5 or 6 years our brother David is Governor of Cuninghame Poor House at Irvine his first wife Elis Smith's old and last daughter Agnes was married on Archibald Drummond had two children and they are left orphans as she died this time twelvemonth her husband died 5 years ago their grandfather John Drummond left them by his will £100 each ?? only other sister alive Agnes still lives in Kilmarnock her old Son is a Schoolmaster, her younger (son is)? a ???, her daughter is married on a Carpet Weaver (Aunt)? Nelley lives with her Children now with one now with another all her daughters are married and has family at present she lives near Girvan Aunt Agness Hogg(?) lives in Kilmarnock these many years her children are there also, all married but the youngest son(?) and younges Daughter Aunt Grace still lives in Dailly village Aunt Janet and husband reside at Montetour(?) both frail Aunt Bell (twenty months younger than yourself) has Red Cheeks and seems to attend her customers as she still keeps a small grocery and at church almost every Sunday her daughter Bell lives with her also her son Joseph is a Bacholer like myself and ?? with her her son Andrew lives in the House with her he has two grown up Daughters one a Dressmaker I need not write any thing of a public nature. how that weaving trade is Dull to the brink of a Stand State and all conected with the cotton trade: very much suffering is patiently borne by the workers. I may rather tell you of your old acquaintance who are dead and gone first your Daughter Mary's old Master Captain McDermiot(?) in Aransow is Still alive and lives in Ayr but your cousins Joseph Hunter John Hunter and Andrew Hunter and your Second Cousin (Jim?) Hunter ?rochain and his Sister Mary all died with in the past year exept Joe &? Andw who died a little before. I am going to send this to my brother with a wish that he may add a few lines on next page. I shall be very glad to hear (how?) you all get on. Tell Mrs Mc? that her brothers in law Thomas & John are both very frail but not bedfast.
Your Nephew John Hunter
Cuninghame Combination
Poor House near Irvine
Dear Aunt Mary
You cannot expect me to give you any news regarding Kirk michael as it is now 26 years since I left it, and I am now like yourself little aquainted in that quarter after my wife Elira? Smith died I went to Glasgow and after 12 years I married my present [wife], a very excellent woman, from Stirlingshire, I have had my ups + downs. Yet on the whole I have been very lucky regarding worldly affairs, Poor Houses in Scotland 30 years ago was scarce, no so now, this one was erected about 6 years ago, it stands near to the Eglinton Gates, it is for 12 parishes and the Building cost £15 000 My wife and myself has the charge, we have a good ???. But a good dale of responsibility.
I would like very well if any of your family would write me + let me know when David your son died and if (James?) is living, and let me know about Mary + Margaret. I was about 18 years ago almost ready to go to Canada with the full intention to see you all, but ???. I have lately been at Kirkmichael placing a tombstone in memory of my Father, Mother, sisters, wife and children, who has now (all?) passed away. Such is the changing scenes(?), such is life, trusting this will reach you + that you are in ordnary(?) keeping, your convenent(?) Please let me have a few line Remember me to Mary + Margaret.
Your affectionate nephew,
D Hunter