Introduction / Families / Drever / William Drever and Barbara Shearer

Ann Drever and William Harcus

Ann Drever (b. 21st September 1812) was one of twins born on Pharay to William Drever and Barbara Shearer

The family moved to Westray around 1815 and on 14th April 1838, Ann married William Harcus. They had five children:

• Samuel Harcus c. 1st April 1839

• Mary Harcus c. 20th Jan 1841

• William Harcus b. 19th February 1844

• John Harcus b. 20th September 1849 who married Betsy Rendall

• George Harcus b. 7th September 1851 who married Catherine Rendall

The OPR clearly indicates the birth of a son Samuel about 1839 yet a son James is included in the 1841 census when the family were at Shorehouse.

1841
Shorehouse, Westray

	Age	Occupation	Born
William Hercus	30 years	Fisherman	Orkney
Ann Hercus	25 years		Orkney
James Hercus	2 years		Orkney
Mary Hercus	4 months		Orkney
Agnes Stout	8 years	Farm Servant	Orkney

A gravestone in the West Side cemetery, Westray bears an inscription indicating that William Harcus, espoused to Ann Draver, died 20th October 1851, age forty four. It is not known where the family were in 1851 but by 1861, Ann, widowed, was staying at Stoneyhall in Westray with her youngest sons, John and George.

She was to remain there for the rest of her life with John marrying and living there with his wife and family. Ann died on 30th September 1892. She was eighty.

Because William Harcus died before civil registration started in 1855, his parents are not known. His gravestone inscription indicates he was born about 1807. These dates are consistent with a William Harcus born to Sinclair Harcus and Marion Drever and christened in 1808. If Ann Drever’s husband is this person, he is the brother of Jean Harcus who married Ann’s brother, John Drever.