Introduction / Barbara Allan / Westray Allans / Marion Allan and James Harcus / William Harcus and Isabella Benston

Mary Harcus and John Shearer

Mary Harcus was born on Eday about 1833, the oldest child of William Harcus and Isabella Benston. On 21st November 1860 she married John Shearer of Quoyfaulds, Eday, son of George Shearer and Helen Reid, who was born about 1836. Mary was a servant at Greentofts, Eday at the time of her marriage. John and Mary had three children:

• John Shearer, b. about 1861 on Eday. No birth record has been found for John, and he has not been located in the 1881 or later census records. At the time of his parents deaths in the mid 1880s he was living at Hollister, Orphir.

• Mary Shearer, b. 30th Jan 1866 on Shapinsay

• David Shearer, b. 6th Oct 1871 on Shapinsay

John and Mary were living at Quoyfaulds in 1861, however, they later moved to Cott Brae, Shapinsay where they were through at least 1881. John was a master shoemaker. In the early 1880s they moved to Bridge Street in Kirkwall. John died there on 20th December 1883, age 47. Mary died there a year and a half later, on 26th July 1885. Their son John reported both deaths. It is not known what became of their children.