ISABELLA WITHER, M.S. BRYSON (1886 - 1967)

Birth

According to her Birth Record, Isabella Bryson was born at 11:45 p.m. on the 18th of October 1886 in Newtown, Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire, Scotland to James Bryson, coalminer, and his wife Mary Bryson, maiden surname Duncan. James was present when registering his daughter's birth on the 4th of November at Lesmahagow.

Marriage

As per her Marriage Record, Isabella married George Wither on the 27th of September 1907, at Devonburn, Lesmahagow. George's profession is cited as coalminer and Isabella's as domestic servant. George's residence at the time was Auchenheath, Lesmahagow and Isabella's was Devonburn, Lesmahagow. Their marriage was registered at Lesmahagow on the 28th of September.

1891 Census

Isabella Bryson (aged 4) appears in the 1891 Census for Newtown, Lesmahagow. Her father, coalminer James Bryson (aged 34) is listed as head of household with wife Mary (aged 32) and Isabella's siblings Janet (aged 10), Donald (aged 8), William (7), George (6), Mary (3), Jane (1) and James (1 month old).

1901 Census

An Isabella Bryson (aged 14) appears in the 1901 Census for Lesmahagow, living in Eastwood Farm, her occupation being cited as Domestic. Herein the head of household's name is James Ballantyne (aged 73). It may be purely coincidental, but Isabella's maternal grandmother's maiden name was also Ballantyne; possibly he is a relation of Isabella's. [Until proven otherwise, the Isabella Bryson who appears in this census is treated as the same person.]

1911 Census

Isabella is cited in the 1911 Census for Lesmahagow, taken on the 2nd of April 1911, which shows coal miner George Wither (aged 26) as head of household at 54 Kirkmuirhill, Blackwood, Lesmahagow with wife Isabella (aged 24) and children Mary (aged 3), Jessie [Jeanie] (aged 2) and son Peter (aged under 1 month) [NB: This document is incorrectly catalogued, showing surname Wethers instead of Wither.]

1962 Electoral Roll

According to the Electoral Roll of 1962, Isabella was living at 958 Tollcross Road, Tollcross, Glasgow with her daughter Jean Dowd. This was Isabella's final residence.

Death

Isabella's died, aged 80, of bronchopneumonia, myocardial degeneration and arterio sclerosis, at 4:30 p.m. on the 19th of May 1967, at Coathill Hospital in Coatbridge, and was buried on the 22nd of May 1967, at lair F117 next to husband George in Lesmahagow Cemetery on Strathaven Road, South Lanarkshire.