Jessie Wilson Kirby

Jessie in 1959 aged about 60

JESSIE WILSON KIRBY was born on the 1st of June 1899 in 1 Barassie Street, Troon at 11.30 AM (Ref 590/2 74),

She was the eighth of nine known children born to John Kirby and Elizabeth Taylor of Troon. Her birth was registered by her father John on the 20th of June 1899 and his occupation is recorded as a seaman. It is not known who Jessie was named after as neither Jessie or Wilson are obviously apparent family names. The number of children born to John and Elizabeth probably meant they were running out of names. At the time of her birth she had two or perhaps three sisters living, Lucy Elizabeth Kirby, perhaps aged 10, and Elizabeth Taylor Kirby aged 6 and Christina Kirby aged 4 and Mary Kirby aged 2. On the 22nd of July 1901 a brother was born, James Parker Kirby. Sadly James died in September 1901 barely two months old of pneumonia.

However, the biggest change in Jessie's life would be the death of her mother Elizabeth Taylor on the 11th of December 1901 of heart disease, mistral steurosis and regurgitation. Jessie would have only been two years old.

What happened to all the children after this point is not certain although it is claimed that their Auntie Christina, presumably one of the Taylor Family, looked after them. This information came from Betty McTurk. However John Kirby seems to have distanced himself from them. He went to marry Jane Miller on the 31st of July 1903. Jane knew John had children but seems to be unaware they were living in Scotland, almost under her nose.

Currently little is known about Jessie although it is believed she worked in large houses in the Perth Area. She was a very generous woman, pretty with reddish auburn hair. She looked after and was very close to Harry Kirby in his younger days. In fact the sisters were all very close despite being more separated as time went on.

Jessie had a daughter, when she was 35, Jessie Boles Gralton who was born on the 1st of July 1934  to James Gralton. There had been some family controversy over their relationship. James was a Tramcar conductor

However it was some time before they were able to get married. They were living at 113 Montrose Street, Glasgow. On the 12th of September 1941 Jessie married James Gralton at the Barony Church, Glasgow. James was the son of  James Gralton and Jane Whyte. He was born 28 October 1907 in 30 Pleasance, Edinburgh. 5h AM Ref 1907 685/5 908. Witnesses to the marriage were Robert A Thomson and Christina Thomson, 5 High Road, Whitletts, Ayr, Jessie's sister and brother in law. In 1941, during wartime, she was employed as a canteen worker.

On their marriage certificate her name is shown as Jessie Wilson, formerly Jessie Wilson Kirby. Her father is shown as John Kirby , Seaman, Merchant service and mother Elizabeth Taylor.

When his daughter got married James was a lift Attendant and subsequently was employed as a Thread agency messenger.

She sufferered from Asthma. She had no knowledge of her father John Kirby, who she knew only to be a Seaman.

Jessie died on the 10th August 1965 at 113 Montrose Street, Glasgow. The cause of death was Acute Cardiac failure. Bronchitis and Emphysema. Her age is incorrectly shown on the death certificate as 61 as she would have been 66. Her death reported by Robert McNeill,  Son in Law on the 11th of August 1965.

She was buried at Riddrie Park Cemetery, Glasgow on Friday the 13th August 1965.

Photo taken in 1959 at Jessie's daughters wedding

From left to right Harry Kirby, Chrissie Kirby, Jessie Wilson Kirby, James Galton