Introduction / Families / Hourston

David Hourston and Christian Drever

David Hourston and Christian Drever are known to have had three children born in Pharay who subsequently married and had descendents:

• Jean Hourston, born about 1791 who married George Leslie

• David Hourston, born 18th November 1795. It is likely that he is the David Hourston who married Janet Miller and stayed at Wellhouse in Eday at the time of the 1841 census and on to 1881 although the record of his death in 1886 indicates that his mother was unknown.

• Barbara Hourston, baptised 6th October 1798 who married Edward Spence

There is some confusion regarding a number of David Hourstons in Pharay and Eday consequently it is difficult to say when David Hourston snr died or where he lived.

Certainly there was a David Hourston at Crowbar in Eday according to a rental of 1822 and for a few years subsequently. There was also a David Hourston at Wellhouse from a rental of 1824 and there is a period of overlap of a few years.

Edward Spence, son in law of David Hourston snr, was at Crowbar at the time of the 1841 census with two David Hourstons at Wellhouse, whom it might be expected were father and son.

If this assumption is correct, Christian Drever must have died some time previously as the wife of David Hourston snr is named Janet. This could be Janet Harcus who married a David Hourston on 20th May 1821.

David is thought to have died prior to 1851.