Patrick Moran/Alison Gribbon

You posted your message almost 5 years ago and I'm just seeing it today.  My husband is directly descended from Maurice Morrin as well.  Have you managed to find any further details on his father and mother, Patrick Morrin and Alison Gribbon?  I have tried various ways and websites and haven't been successful so far.

Yours truly,

Catherine Morrin

Thanks for your message and good to hear from you.  I don't have anything more on Maurice, Patrick or Alison Morrin, although I did find the thread here about Sarah Wallis, William Smith and Carbeth Guthrie. I'm certain that this is the origin of naming for Sarah Wallis Smith Morrin (my G grandmother) and Sarah Wallace (change of spelling) Smith Morrin Thomson (my grandmother).  As I'm sure you are aware, Maurice was a coachman in Strathblane when Sarah was born - probably at Carbeth Guthrie estate.  However, although possible, I don't think this is strong evidence that he was originally from Sarah Wallis's home in Maryborough, Cork.

I do continue to look out for additional information, ever hopeful that something will emerge that will enable us to find out where Patrick and Alison were based.  I know more about my 6 other great great grandparents - easier as they were all born in Scotland!

Which of Maurice's children is your husband descended from? And where are you now?

Best wishes

Callum

Hello, Callum,

So nice to hear back from you.  That thread speculating about Sarah Wallis Smith Morrin's name was created by me - I'm not sure if it was identified that way.  I'm glad you agree with my speculation that this is likely where her name came from.  Yes, we were aware Maurice was a coachman in Strathblane.  My husband is descended from Maurice and Marion's son, Peter, through Peter's son Andrew [Hendry].  There are 4 family members buried in the same lair in Whitburn so we paid to have a wedge stone placed on the site of Maurice's burial (plus 3 of his grandchildren who are buried there with him) - see photo. Below that photo is a photo of a newspaper article I found from 1867.  

Did you know that Maurice worked as a lodging house keeper in the 1880s and 1890s?  

We are situated near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  Where are you?  Are you on Facebook? (I am.)

Yours truly,

Catherine Morrin

I also have the following newspaper article from January 1867:

Hi Catherine

Thanks for your message.

I was born and raised in Edinburgh but spent most of my working life in and around Loughborough in England. My wife and I are back in Scotland, living near Peebles, south of Edinburgh.  Our younger daughter is currently living, working and snowboarding in Banff, Alberta, so not too far from you!

I speculate that, after Marrion's death in 1865, the Morrins went through a difficult time - there is the assault by Maurice in 1867, then you are probably aware that in 1871, Peter was in a "Reformatory School". It was here (I think) that Peter met Thomas Thomson, leading to Thomas meeting and marrying Sarah Wallis Smith Morrin. I did know that Maurice kept a lodginghouse which at least sometimes was inhabited by Irish labourers. In 1891, the tables were turned and Maurice was the victim of an assault.

I have one very grainy picture of Sarah Wallis Smith Morrin - pictured with her large family. My grandmother Sarah is the smallest child.  Do you have any pictures of Peter?

I am on Facebook - should be easy to find, there are not many Callum Orr!

Best wishes

Callum

Hi, Callum

We do not have a picture of Peter.  We knew that he met Thomas Thomson at the Reformatory School.  We have wondered, often, if that's where at least two of the family members were given a middle name of Thomson, including my father-in-law, Thomas Thomson Morrin.  Did you know that Maurice had remarried?  We don't know where he was between the 1867 assault and 1891, but at some point he married a Mary McKellar.  I did not know about the 1891 assault.  Can you tell us more information about that, please.  

As well, if you are ok with it, please send me the photo of Sarah Wallis Smith Morrin.  If you would prefer to send it to our email, it is:  scmorrin@telus.net.  Thanks.

Banff is lovely at any time of year but, for snowboarders, I'm sure it's a dream come true!  Has your youngest daughter ever been to Whistler, B.C.  That's actually only 2 hours drive from us whereas we would have a 13 to 15 hour drive to get to Banff.

I will look for you on Facebook and send a friend request. 

Best wishes and Merry Christmas.

Catherine Morrin

P.S.  My husband, the true Morrin, is named Stephen

P.S.  I see you attached the newspaper article and the Thomson family with names.  I missed that initially as attachments aren't overly obvious.  Thank you.  Too bad they mispelled Maurice's surname but it really couldn't be anyone else.

Catherine Morrin

That photo is fabulous to have, despite its graininess.  Since your grandmother, Sarah, was born in 1893, I would date the photo at around 1900.

Catherine

I found both the assaulter, James Fouley, and the other man who was assaulted, James Quin, in 1891 census.  It's interesting that the assault was April 2, 1891; the census was April 5 and 6, 1891, and James Fouley is listed as a prisoner in police cell.  You may have seen that census result but in case you haven't I've attached it.  James Quin was a lodger at Maurice's lodging house.

Cathy

I am a relative of Alex Thomson. He would be my 3rd great grand father I believe.