Margaret Peter

MARGARET PETER (aka MARGARET PETERS)

Margaret Peter is the daughter of Thomas Peter of Crossbasket, and his wife, Marion Bogle. She was born on 28 April 1761, probably at Carddarroch in Cadder, Lanarkshire, Scotland, for her baptism was registered at Cadder on 6 May 1761 Cadder Baptismal Records Her baptismal record reads as follows: "May 6 Margaret lawful daughter to Thomas Peter younger of Crossbasket born 28 Aprill" [Registrar General for Scotland, New Register House, Edinburgh, Cadder Baptisms, 1743-1819, reference OPR.626/2].

Minor Child

Margaret Peter was a minor child at the time of her father's death in January 1774. She and her sisters, Isobel and Jean, gave up their father's testament dative [National Archives of Scotland, Register House, Edinburgh, Commissariot Records of Glasgow, Register of Testaments, the Testament Dative of Thomas Peter of Crossbasket, registered 26 September 1774, reference CC9/7/69 pages 574-82].

Death

According to Robert Reid, Margaret Peter died in February 1788. He says: "To the best of my recollection the first wife of John Gordon, Esq., of Aitkenhead, was Miss Peter of Crossbasket". As evidence he cites the Glasgow Mercury of 20 February 1788: "Friday last died Mrs. Margaret Peter, spouse of John Gordon, Esq., merchant in this city" Robert Reid, Glasgow Past and Present by Senex in three volumes (David Robertson and Co., Glasgow, MDCCCLXXXIV), volume iii, page 296

Burial

The burial record of Margaret Peter reads as follows: "1788. Feb: 19 Margaret Peters, Mrs J Gordon, (age) 22 (cause of death) cramp in stomach (where buried) Alex. Gordon's Lair l. side". It is supposed, therefore, that she was buried in the lair belonging to her father-in-law, Alexander Gordon, in the Ramshorn Churchyard [Registrar General for Scotland, New Register House, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Ramshorn & Blackfriars Deaths, 1788-1808, reference OPR.644/60].

Marriage

Margaret Peter married John Gordon of Aitkenhead in 1787. The request for marriage proclamation was booked at Glasgow in Lanarkshire, Scotland, on 18 April 1784 Glasgow Marriage Records The record of the marriage booking reads as follows: "John Gordon Mercht in Glasgow & Margt Peter l d of the destt Thos Peter Esq of Crossbasket" [Registrar General for Scotland, New Register House, Edinburgh, Glasgow Marriages, 1765-85, reference OPR.644/26].

Children

Margaret Peter and John Gordon of Aitkenhead had at least one child, a daughter named Marion. She was born in Glasgow on 5 May 1787 Glasgow Baptismal Records