(Pearl) Margaret Law Pearl Swan

Robert Law married Margaret Hunter at St George’s Church in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh on December 21 1843. He is listed as a ‘Flesher’ of 153 Rose Street and her address is 198 Rose Street. The 1851 Census has them living at 198 Rose Street with three daughters - Margaret, Annie and Bessie.

The Law family Bible states that from 135 Rose Street they "Left Edinburgh Scotland on March 25th 1853 to reside on the Farm of Screggan King's County Ireland in Partnership"

According to Griffith's Valuation for Offaly (1853-54) Robert Law with partner James Wilson held land totaling 531 acres in the townlands of Screggan, Cloghanbane and Heath that included 7 houses.

The family Bible goes on to tell that they "Left Screggan to reside on the farm of Gloster December 14th 1859 - on our own account"

The next seven children were born in Ireland. Except for Elizabeth (Bessie) Law, who returned to Edinburgh, and Samuel Kelly Law, who moved to Colorado, all lived out their lives in Ireland. Robert himself died in 1865.

On July 18 1889 Bessie married James Swan from Kettle in Fife. The ceremony was at 51 Minto Strret Edinburgh – the home of her uncle James Hunter. The marriage was performed by his son Reverend Peter Hay Hunter and witnessed by a daughter Alice.

Bessie Law’s older sister Annie married Robert McComas in Birr Co Offaly in 1880. They were my great grandparents.

James Swan was the son of blacksmith Thomas Swan and Mary Anderson. The 1861 Census has seven year old James living in Kettle with his aunt and uncle, Ann Ross Anderson and John Beveridge. James’ younger siblings are still living with his natural parents.

James and Bessie Swan lived in Kirkcaldy and had three children; John Beveridge Swan born 1890; Margaret Law Pearl Swan (Pearl) born 1892 and Mary Anderson Cora Swan (Cora) born 1893.

John Beveridge Swan’s son and grandson bore the same name.

Pearl and Cora never married. Pearl was blind from early in life – possibly from birth – and attended the Royal Blind Asylum school in Edinburgh.