Introduction / Westray Allans / Marion Allan and James Harcus

Elizabeth Harcus and Robert Groat

Elizabeth Harcus, born on Westray to James Harcus and Marion Allan was baptised on 16th February 1806, and soon thereafter her family moved to the parish of Eday, probably to the island of Pharay. There Elizabeth married, on 28th March 1828, Robert Groat, son of Robert Groat and Janet Guthrie. Robert was baptised on 27th August 1803 in Eday Parish. Elizabeth and Robert had seven children:

• Mary Groat, b. 24th Feb 1829, c. 29th Mar 1829, who married David Drever

• Robert Groat, b. 16th Feb 1831, c. 8th Mar 1831, who married Margaret Harcus, a first cousin

• Stewart Gullion Groat, b. 30th Dec 1833, c. 21st May 1834, who married Ann Drummond

• Jane Groat, b. 29th Dec 1836, c. 17th Oct 1837, who died at Benston Hall, Eday, where she was a servant, on 10th July 1864, at age 27

• James Groat, b. 12th Jan 1839, c. 7th Apr 1839, who married Mary Drummond

• John Groat, b. 6th Dec 1841, c. 6th Feb 1842 and drowned in Fersness Sound on 16th Sept 1857, at age 15. John was a fisherman.

• Agnes Groat, b. about 1847, who drowned in Pharay Sound 26th May 1880 at age 33 when she was swept away by the tide. Her body was not recovered. Agnes lived at Lakequoy and was an agricultural labourer.

(The Drummonds who married Stewart Groat and James Groat were sisters.)

Robert and Elizabeth (Betsy) lived at Lakequoy, Pharay where Robert was a crofter. Betsy died there on 22nd February 1867 at age 60. Robert died the following year, on 30th March, age 66.