Introduction / Barbara Allan / Westray Allans / Marion Allan and James Harcus / Elizabeth Harcus and Robert Groat / Mary Groat and David Drever

David Drever and Barbara Groat

David Drever was born 6th January 1859, son of Mary Groat and David Drever. Barbara Groat was born 21st April 1861, daughter of Stewart Gullion Groat and Ann Drummond. Mary Groat and Stewart Gullion Groat were siblings, children of Robert Groat and Elizabeth Harcus. David and Barbara were therefore first cousins, and they were married 20th January 1886 at Hammer, Pharay. They had four children, all born in Kirkwall:

• David Drever, b. 24th Nov 1886, who immigrated to the US about 1911, heading for Chicago, but ended up on Los Angeles. He died in Los Angeles 10th July 1949.

• John S. Drever, b. about 1887

• James Drever, b. 23rd Feb 1889 who immigrated to the US with his brother David and settled in Los Angeles. He died there, three days following his brother David's death, on 13th July 1949. It is said they were buried on the same day.

• Mary Drever, b. about 1892 who immigrated to the US at age 19 in 1912

Barbara was a domestic servant in St. Ola before her marriage. In 1881 she was with the James Sinclair family at Glenorkney. In 1891 she and David were at Bridge Street, Close No. 9 with their (then) three children. David died 3rd October 1893, only age 34, at Kirkwall pier as a result of an accident. In 1901 Barbara was a charwoman living at 2 Thwart Close with David, James and Mary. John was not with the family. According to her sister Ann's immigration records, Barbara was living in Leith in 1911. In 1912 Barbara emigrated from Scotland through Ellis Island, New York with her daughter Mary, going to Los Angeles to join David and James who had preceded them. (Barbara's sister Ann had also immigrated to Los Angeles in 1911.) In 1920, David, James and their mother were all in Los Angeles. David was a clerk in a retail store and James was a salesman. Barbara died in Los Angeles 14th November 1944.