Introduction / Families / Cooper

Barbara Cooper and William Hewison

Barbara Cooper (b. abt. 1789, Pharay) is the only child known to William Cooper and Christy Fergus.

She married William Hewison of Westray there on 17th November 1811. William was the son of Thomas Hewison and Marion Thomson.

Barbara and William were at North Hammar, Westray in 1841 and 1851.

Barbara and William are only known to have had the one child:

• Margaret Hewison, born 14th March 1813 in Westray who married William Gray

It is noted that the household at North Hammar, Westray in 1841 included two Hourstons although neither of Barbara or William’s parents were Hourstons: Jennet Hourston (aged 70) and David Hourston (aged 65). The 1841 census unfortunately does not give the relationship to the head of the household and the ages of the adults is rounded down to the nearest multiple of five years. It is not known what became of these Hourstons or whether they had any connection with Pharay or the David Hourstons on Pharay or Eday.

The 1851 census gives William’s occupation as “under miller” while the register of deaths, five years later, give it as farmer.

Barbara died at Nearhouse, Westray on 6th April 1855 and William at North Hammar on 1st June 1856.