Introduction / Margaret Gray and Thomas Reid

Ann Meil Reid and John Irvine

Ann Meil Reid, the second daughter born to Thomas Reid and Margaret Gray, was born the 15th of November 1828, and was baptized the following 30th of November in Eday. Ann was living in her parents' household on Calfsound in 1841 and 1851. Her father was a fisherman and crofter. On the 12th of November 1857, Ann married John Irvine, an Eday native, at her family home of Gravesend. Her younger brother William was married the same day.

Ann Reid and John Irvine had four children, all born on Eday:

• John Irvine, born 31 March 1859. By 1881 John had moved to Kirkwall where he was a 22-year old servant in the household of Charles Ritchie, at "Birstone" (Berstane). It is not known what became of John after 1881

• Thomas Irvine, born about 1861

• William Irvine, born 28 December 1862

• Margaret Work Irvine, born 20 November 1865 and died 4 November 1866.

Ann's husband John was born the 27th of August 1827 to John Irvine and Margaret Work.

In 1861, the Irvine family, including their two oldest children, were living with Ann's parents and brother Thomas at Gravesend. John Irvine was a fisherman. John passed away in Eday in 1867, before his 40th birthday. In 1871, Ann and her three sons were living at Croyhouse (described in the census as Harry), and Ann's occupation was given as "labourer in fish."

On the 16th of October 1873, in Eday, Ann married widower William Peace, a native of Stronsay. William was the son of Richard Peace and Margaret Tulloch. He had married Mary Gullion 6 February 1845. William was also a fisherman. By 1881, William and Ann were living in Kirkwall at Dunkirk. Several other families were living at the same location, including others who were also fishermen from Eday.

In 1891, Ann and William were still in Kirkwall, at 34 Shore Street and had taken in two 17-year old young men from Eday as boarders. They also stayed for a time on Stronsay. In 1901, Ann was at the home of her stepson Charles Peace at Mounthouly, Eday. Ann died in Kirkwall the 29th of February 1915. At the time of her death, she was a widow and her residence was 16 Clay Loan.