Introduction / Families / Drever / William Drever and Barbara Shearer

John Drever and Jean Harcus

John Drever (c. 4th October 1815) was the fourth of the eight children known to William Drever and Barbara Shearer. He may have been born in Westray as he appears under the IGI for Westray and Papa Westray yet his place of birth in the Westray censuses is given as Eday. This could well be Pharay, coming under the district of Eday and Pharay. Certainly the family moved to Westray at around this time.

He was at Whitlet with the family in 1841 when his occupation was given as fisherman. By 1851, the family were at nearby Stencro where he was to spend the rest of his days.

John had married Jean Harcus (c. 28th August 1816) on 7th January 1842. She was the daughter of Sinclair Harcus and Marion Drever. John is described in the 1851 census as being a farmer of 4.5 acres. Their two children had been born and were with them at this time:

• Mary Drever b. 21st February 1844. She died on 14th December 1902 at Links, Rapness. She never married.

• Barbara Drever b. 5th December 1849. She died on 30th March 1927 at Garden Cottage, Pierowall. She also didn’t marry.

Jean Harcus died at Stencro on 5th May 1892 and John Harcus two years later on 14th May 1894.