Introduction / Westray Grays / Early Gray Families / John Gray and Barbara Beaton / Mary Gray and Thomas Logie

James Logie and Ann Hewison

James Logie was the son of Thomas Logie and his wife Mary Gray, and was born in Westray on 14th April 1842.

James was living with his parents and sister at Skail, Westray, at the time of the 1861 census; he was 18 years old, and no occupation was given for him.

He married Ann Balfour Hewison (born about 1841, daughter of William Hewison and Margaret Kirkness) in Westray on 31st March 1871. The marriage record gives James's usual residence as Skaill. However, in the 1871 census only 10 days later, James and Ann were living in Pierowall, Westray, with Ann's brother John Hewison and his family. James's occupation was "preacher", and Ann was Post Mistress.

By the time of the 1881 census James had become Post Master, and the couple were living with Ann's sister Amelia at the Post Office in Pierowall. There is no sign that the couple had any children.

From at least 1893-1913 James served as Registrar for Westray. Among many others, he signed the Death registrations of his sister-in-law Jane Hewison in 1893, and of his brother Archibald Logie in 1913, but he had retired by the time his wife Ann died in 1917. In the census of 1901 his occupation is given as "Postmaster and Inspector of the Poor".

Ann died on 2nd February 1917 at "Old Postoffice House", Westray. James died at Westbreck, Aikerness, Westray, less than a year later, on 17th January 1918. Their gravestone reads:

In Loving Remembrance Of Amelia Hewison Who Fell Asleep 4th Feby 1892 Aged 52 Years Ann Balfour Hewison Who Fell Asleep 2nd Feby 1917 Aged 75 Years Also James Logie Husband of Ann B Hewison Who Fell Asleep 17th Jany 1918 Aged 75 Years