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

William Harcus and Elizabeth Brown Work

William Harcus was born about 1846, the fifth known child and older son of William Harcus and Isabella Benston. The family was living at Allan Hall, Eday, but by 1861 they had moved to Shapinsay. Although Williaam was not with his family at Roadside in 1861, he moved to Shapinsay at some point. He married there on 29th October 1868, Elizabeth Brown Work of Lochside. Elizabeth was a the daughter of John Work and Elizabeth Williamson, born 13th April 1841 and baptised the following 13th May on Shapinsay. William and Elizabeth had two children:

• William Harcus, b. 3rd Oct 1869 and d. 17th Sept 1896, age 26. He was a fisherman.

• Elizabeth Harcus, b. 16th Sept 1873 and d. 28th July 1901, age 27

William and Elizabeth lived at Redbanks, Shapinsay for several years and William was a crofter and fisherman. By 1891 the family had moved to Elizabeth's childhood home of Lochend where they lived through at least 1901. The Shapinsay kirkyard has three gravestones with inscriptions regarding this family:

"Erected in memory of William Harcus who died 17th Sept 1896, aged 26 years. Oh, we miss him and how sadly bleeding hears alone can tell. Earth has lost him, Heaven hath gained him. Jesus hath done all things well."

"Erected in memory of Elizabeth Harcus who died 28th July 1901, aged 27 years. Brighter, fairer far than living - with no trace of woe or pain. Robed in everlasting beauty we shall meet her once again"

"Erected by William Harcus in memory of his beloved wife Elizabeth Brown Work who died at Redbanks 29th April 1926, aged 85 years. The above William Harcus who died 9th Feb 1930, aged 84 years."