Introduction / Families / Hourston / David Hourston and Christian Drever / Jean Hourston and George Leslie / Jean Leslie and Lawrence Stout

Jemima Stout and William Burgher

Jemima Stout (b. 5th May 1857) was a daughter of Lawrence Stout and Jane Leslie. She was with the family at Braeside, Westray and married William Burgher (b. 26th July 1855) on 23rd December 1878 in North Leith.

The marriage register describes Jemima and William as first cousins. William was the son of John Burgher and Mary Leslie of Tafts, Westray.

Both William and his elder brother, George Burgher (b. 1853) were seaman. William is recorded as the captain of the SS Normand from 1883. This was a 235ft vessel of 1,191 tones built in Port Sunderland in 1877. It was based in South Shields.

The SS Normand sailed from Newport for Bilbao on 28th February 1897 with William as captain and his brother as first mate and foundered with all hands lost.

The story was reported in the Orkney Herald of 17th March 1897.

Supposed Loss Of A Shields Steamer – Orkney And Shetland Seamen On Board – Grave fears are entertained for the safety of the steamer Normand, of South Shields, which sailed from Newport to Bilbao with a cargo of coal on February 28, and has not been heard of since. In ordinary course she should have reached Bilbao three days afterwards, but it is thought she was caught in a gale and foundered with all hands. The vessel carried a crew of 17, of whom the following belong to Scotland:- Capt Wm Burgher, native of Rapness, Westray, Orkney; G B Burgher, first mate, native of Westray, Orkney; William Johnston, second mate, native of Kirkcudright; James Leask, carpenter, native of Orkney; R Pearson, A.B., native of Shetland; Thomas Leslie, boatswain, native of Westray, Orkney; Joseph Stile, cook and steward, native of Peterhead; James Laurenson, A.B., native of Shetland. Orkney Herald, 17th March 1897

William’s younger brother, James Burgher (Burgess) (b. 15th August 1857) married Tomima Burgar from Pharay.

It is not known what happened to Jemima.