Catherine Banks Life Story1793-1833

Catherine Banks

by Ray L Nelson

Pictures and documents added by Lois C. Berrett

Catherine is my Great Great Great Gramdmother

     Was born on Thursday the 26th of September 1793 in Huntershall, Liberton parish, Midlothian, Scotland. The daughter of John Banks and Catherine Flucker. They were colliers.

   

 Coal mining in Scotland was not a trade or profession. It was not organized in guilds or trade associations as other occupations had been since the middle ages. Since the coal lay in the ground that was owned by the lords and barons, coal mining developed as an extension of estate management. When Catharine was a little girl, the law in Scotland allowed that colliers could be arrested and charged with theft for removing themselves from the mine or property on which they worked. They were said to be "thirled" or legally staked to the land. They were essentially slaves unable to raise themselves from the status of their birth. They were "thirled" until the year 1797 when the law was finally changed. Catharine was only four. But, even though the law changed, their status did not and most colliers continued in the system just as slaves did in this country after the Civil War.

     On a beautiful Friday afternoon, the 10th of June 1814 Catherine married Edward Neilson, after the banns of the Church of Scotland. And like their forebearers before them they were soon toiling together to remove coal from the pits and raise a family. Their first born, Mary died before her first birthday and later a son, Ramsey, died only a few months old. Nevertheless, by the 1820s they were a thriving family of colliers. Their youngest son, Edward Banks was born in 1830.

     Catherine worked in the mines as a bearer. The system worked something like this. Edward was a coalhewer. He worked at the coalface and hewed the coal into pieces to be removed from the mine. Every hewer had a bearer. Most of the bearers were women. The bearer's job was to haul the coal pieces from the coalface to the surface. The bearers carried the coal in creels (made of soft woven material like a basket) on their backs and each creel was held in place by the means of a strap that went around the woman's head. She then hung a small metal lantern from the strap across her forehead (these were small open flame oil lamps) and this was the only light she had. She carried the creel weighing as much as 180 lbs. and routinely more than 100 lbs. through the mine, scaling ladders to get from one level to another and often moving through spaces knee deep in water with three feet of head room.

     These mines reached depths of 300 feet in Catherine's day. Depending on the depth they were working Catherine made 6 to 10 trips per day in the above manner. Edward and Catherine, hewer and bearer worked together as a team and were paid by the weight of coal that they delivered to the surface.

     Siblings at the mine entrance tended her children, where Catherine could check on them periodically as she made her rounds down into the mine. At age seven the children were expected to help out by sorting the coal to size as it was brought out of the mine and by age twelve they began working in the pits as bearers and helpers. By their teen years they were fully engaged at mining. Typically they worked twelve hours in the pits six days a week. Before 1843 they were not educated and mostly illiterate.

     Still despite what seems to us to be a dismal lot, they were fiercely proud of their collier status and they lived and worked in a tight nit community. They lived together in row houses at or near the mine entrance. They controlled everything that went on in those mines in a highly developed system, which is still inherent in coal mining today. They were frugal beyond any measure that remains with us. They often were deeply religious people, although they had a reputation among folks with higher social status for their fighting and cursing. They were at the bottom of the Scottish social and economic ladder.

     In 1822-25 and again in 1836-38, just as Catherine and Edward were raising their family there were deep economic depressions. This caused many of the mine owners (Scottish Lairds) to cut the wages in the pits forcing the colliers to change jobs or starve. They were free finally but only had choices when faced with starvation in harsh economic times. We know that they moved first, from Huntershall, Liberton back into Duddingston Parish to Joppa, where they may have been employed in the salt works. And then east into the Parish of Inveresk, first at Wallyford and finally Westpans.

     By 1840 when the Twelve Apostles and the first missionaries of the Restoration came to Great Britain these colliers were just into changing jobs, going from mine to mine often, seeking better conditions and wages and finally realizing what freedom could mean to them. The coincidence is striking. Catherine and Edward's children joined the church in 1847, which they heard about in street meetings. The very first baptism in the Neilson family was in June and all had joined the Church by October.

     There is no record of Edward joining the Church, in fact there is no evidence that he survived to 1847. In the absence of any record, most genealogists have estimated his death about 1855. There is no record of Catherine's death but we know that Edward married Margaret O'Neal which places Catherine's death between the birth of her youngest son Edward Banks, and the marriage. Most genealogists use the estimated date of 1833. What was recorded is that, after immigrating, her children performed vicarious ordinances for both Catherine and Edward at very early dates. Interestingly Catherine's LDS ordinances were performed by her children earlier than Edwards.

Few of us have toiled in our life as Catherine surely did.

Edward Neilson-Birth

Edward Neilson

Written by Ray L. Nelson

Pictures added by Lois C. Berrett

     Edward Neilson was born the 4th of August 1793 in the parish of Liberton, Midlothian, Scotland, the son of Hamilton Neilson and Jean McGill.  The family resided at Huntershall. 

A view of Duddingston Village from across the loch

     The Neilson family had resided in Duddingston parish, probably in the little village of Easter Duddingston for many generations.  They were colliers (the ancient term is coalhewer or the American term is coal miner).  We can be certain that they remained in that place because colliers in Scotland were thirled to the land on which they worked.  Thirled is an old legal term that means essentially "staked" or "pierced through".  Being thirled was a type of slavery in which the law allowed that they could be arrested and punished for removing themselves from the property or mine in which they worked.  For all practical purposes they were slaves.  The law thirling the colliers was passed by the Scottish Parliament because of the difficulty of attracting workers into the dangerous and dreary business of coal hewing.  We believe the Neilsons had been in Duddingston parish even longer than the records reveal.

     Both Duddingston and Liberton are parishes, which lie just to the east and southeast of Edinburgh respectively, and are contiguous to the city.  From the ancient main street (The Royal Mile) of Edinburgh, where the government buildings and Edinburgh Castle stand, it is about two miles to Duddingston and not more than three to Liberton.  These two parishes are adjacent to one another.

     All that leads us to the circumstance of our Edward's birth in Liberton.  Coal has been worked in this area from time beyond memory, but it began to be worked on an increasing scale as the industrial revolution raised the demand for coal.  Thirteen seams of coal have been found and worked in the parish of Duddingston, and these lie between layers of rock, clay and schist.  All these geological layers lie beneath the surface and decline at an angle of 45 degrees from the horizon towards the west. This declination making the mining of coal very difficult at best.  With the proximity of the ocean, and the fact that these parishes are in the valley of the Esk River, the challenge in removing the coal was underground water.  

Coal Miners in Scotland

     In 1763, the proprietor, James Hamilton, The Earl of Abercorn, began building a steam pump for that very purpose.  Before that time the Earl had let a contract with Mr. Biggar Woolmet to open a level (drainage tunnel or canal) with the sea and this level was eventually extended some 3 miles and connected to several other coal works.  In the past a chain and buckets device had been rigged for the elevation of the water from the coal pits. But after the completion of the above steam powered pump the mining effort was extended to a depth of 312 ft.  This pump was a steam driven, piston affair with the steam piston having a diameter of 66 inches and a stroke of 9 feet and could raise upwards of 500 gallons of water per minute when running at ten strokes per minute.

James Hamilton, 8th Earl of Abercorn

     Under these conditions the Neilsons worked along with about 270 other colliers at the Duddingston colliery.  Until, the 20th of March 1790, when the whole of it was flooded with water from the level, which entirely overcame the pump and rendered the entire operation useless.  The sudden increase in water was the result of pumping at the other collieries that used the same level as a drain.  The effect was a plethora of legal pleas, which, no doubt, sent the family of Hamilton Neilson and Jean McGill to Liberton. Remember they were legally thirled colliers.  They went where the Landlord agreed to send them.

     Thus, in 1793, the birth of Edward Neilson was recorded in the parish of Liberton, not Duddingston, as had been the case for his ancestors for at least two centuries.  But, this change was simply a harbinger of what would happen to the Neilson family in the 19th century as Edward grew up and entered the pits.

Daniel Cook and Lydia Churchill

Alicia recently added a comment to the History of Daniel Cook 1798-1875 entry.  I would like to address that comment here since I do not know how to get in touch with her other than the blog. Here is her comment:

Hi Lois:  Daniel Cook.(1798) is my 3rd great grandfather. Do you have his birth certificate or other vital records proving he is the son of Lydia Churchill and Daniel Cook? Do you have proof that Lydia and Daniel married? I have the 1851 Canadian census, but the Mayflower society doesn't use census records as proof unless they show family relationships - in other words, Census records after 1880 .

Daniel Cook 1798 was in Utah in the 1850 Utah Territorial Census.  Also appears in the 1856 Territorial Census, and the Utah 1860 and 1870 Census.  These census state his place of birth but not who his parents are.  His ordination to a High Priest record in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lists who his parents are.  

Also when he took out his endowment, the record shows that his parents are Daniel and Lydia.

The evidence of Daniel and Lydia's marriage is found in US and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900.

Found on Ancestry.com  

http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-g&gsfn=daniel&gsfn_x=XO&gsln=cook&gsln_x=NP_NN&msgdy=1796&cpxt=0&catBucket=rstp&uidh=252&msgdp=2&cp=12&mssng0=lydia&mssns0=churchill&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=269700&recoff=3+4+21+22&db=WorldMarr_ga&indiv=1&ml_rpos=1

Here is the transcript of that record:

Daniel Cook in the U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900

Name: Daniel Cook

Gender: Male

Birth Place: CA

Birth Year: 1760

Spouse Name: Lydia Churchill

Spouse

Birth Place: CA

Spouse Birth Year: 1778

Marriage

Year: 1796

Marriage State: ME

Number Pages: 1

Source Citation

Source number: 200.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: GRG

Source Information

Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

I also have a short history of Daniel and Lydia Cook.  I am not sure where this came from or how valid it is but I will include it here any way.

     Daniel Cook was born between 1760 and 1775 of Kingsclear, York, New Brunswick, Canada. He married Lydia Churchill April 1, 1796. He died about 1840. Lydia Churchill was born September 7, 1778 in Gage town, Queens, New Brunswick, Canada. She was still living in 1842.

       In going through the research recorded by the Daniel and Lydia Churchill Cook Family, we find that the Cook's were known as "Loyalists." Their neighbors scorned them, persecuted them and in many instances burned their homes and drove them into the wilderness to the north when the Revolutionary War ended. Because they were loyal to the King of England they were driven from their homes. In their haste to get away from persecution and death many of the Loyalists, whose cause was lost, had to live under conditions more befitting animals. It was reported that the boats going from the New York Harbor to New Brunswick were so overloaded that the passengers "pigged it on board." These were the words used to indicate that the boats were overcrowded and living conditions were deplorable.

       The Cook's got off the boat in St. Johns, New Brunswick. They remained LOYAL and suffered starvation and privation. Crops failed, bleak winters were survived only to pass through another "hungry year."

   

     I hope this is helpful to you, Alicia, and anyone else who may be interested

Max Kidd Proctor

Max Kidd Proctor

Talk given at funeral 17 February 1976

by Holger BC Tychsen

1912-1976

     The Latter-day saints understanding of  eternal marriage is one of the most important sources of comfort for one who has lost a companion and who feels worthy of having the marriage continue for eternity.  Then death is looked upon as a temporary separation, and one can look forward to being united with his loved ones.  While death is almost always an unwelcomed event, it is much more tolerable when one has the assurance of being reunited with his loved ones.

     We, no doubt, knew before we were born that we were coming into a world that would include joys and sorrows and comfort and pain, peace and hardship, health and sickness, success and disappointments.  We knew also some day we would die.  If we accepted the privilege of coming to this world with these risks involved, it is our duty now to accept with faith consequences that are beyond our control and take hope in the reunion that will surely come.

     In Alma 34:32 we read:  "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."

     In the life of Brother and Sister Proctor, perhaps 18 January 1973, was the greatest day of their lives.  They were married for time and eternity in the House of the Lord. I have known Brother Proctor during these last important years of his life.  He and his wife and companion have set an example for their children to love the Gospel and keep all of the Lord's commandments. 

Max and Dorothy at the Temple 18 Jan. 1973

Patrica Hawkins, Dorthy and Max, Shirley Fay Brough, Ethel Proctor Formo

     To Brother Proctor, his home and his family was his life.  A friend of ours has often commented to us of how special the Proctor home is.  When she was growing up, she lived in the same neighborhood.  It was to the Proctor home that that kids always went because it was so much fun and there was always things going on there.  Sometimes it was wall-to-wall kids but it was where they loved to be.  Dorothy and Max have shown that where there is heart room, there is house room.

     Our own children loved Max a great deal for the kindness that he always showed them.  He and Dorothy took them horseback riding and always had the time and took the effort to talk to them and show them that they really enjoyed their company.

     Max's home was always open to others and when I went to talk to him about temple work, he was always excited about the progress that was being made by the Elders and their wives.  He had been called to be over organizing and checking on the temple work done by the Elders in our ward.  Through his diligence and effort we went from very few endowments to our high of 53 in the month of January.  He was overjoyed with the success of this work.  He had a strong testimony of the Gospel and especially temple work.  I have been with Max in the temple when it hurt him to walk, when he wasn't able to wear his regular shoe, but he ever complained, but would smile and say he was fine.  He was where he wanted to be.  We enjoyed so much our many  temple excursions as a group not only because of the work that we were doing., but also because of the social ability of our brothers and sisters.  Age was never a barrier in the good times we have had together.

Max and his dog, Tippy

     Brother Proctor filled other church assignments with equal enthusiasm.  We often had to go as a quorum out to the welfare farm on various occasions.  At one time we had to pour some cement steps and he put in about 50 man hours on this job.  It was a great experience working along with him.  Everyone in our ward loved Brother Proctor, especially the Elders that he helped so much.

     As an example of how we could always count on Max to do everything he was called to do, he and his home teaching companion, Brother Glenn Pierce, visited their families every month without fail and always had their oral evaluations with me.  They were truly concerned about those people they were responsible for. Any time we needed a volunteer for collecting money for welfare banquets, Brother Proctor was always one of the first with his hand up.

     Brother and Sister Proctor were the perfect married couple.  They were always together and unified in the things they did.  They fit into any gathering and were always happy and fun to be with.  To them the Church and family came first.  It was wonderful to see the love and devotion, the kindness and tenderness that they had for one another.  Sister Proctor has often told us of the many ways that Max helped her on Relief Society Day with the projects that she was involved in.

     Brother Proctor was the father of seven children, one of whom passed away.  He was so proud of them and of the many accomplishments that they had.  You could feel the love that he had for them as he talked of their successes and experiences.  He would often speak of his joy in being a grandfather and we could feel of his young spirit as he talked of the good times he had when he visited his grandchildren.  his family are fine, upstanding citizens and they know of the good example their father has set for them to follow.  He has left an honorable name for his children, especially his sons to live up to.

     Max was generous with everything he had and especially with his time as his children and Dorothy know.  He was a hard worker and a good provider for his family.  Dorothy and Max were married during the depression years which were such dark and relentless years.  One story that we enjoyed hearing was how they rationed out sugar to the family during the War.  Each child had his cup of sugar which was to last during the week.  When it was gone, they were out of luck unless they could bargain with a brother or sister for some of theirs.  And there was some pretty good deals made for a little bit of sugar, especially by some that had a sweet tooth.

     Max and Dorothy have always had a garden which they enjoyed so much.  No one could grow things like they could.  They loved the hard work that went into the planting, weeding and harvesting.  He would always say to me, "How's your garden?" and thanks to the many suggestions he gave us we had a few successes.  They were always willing to share with us too, and we appreciated it so much.

     Max and Dorothy enjoyed the out-of-doors so much.  They go so much joy from riding their horses in the canyons with each other and with their family.  Their fishing trips and other outings brought much contentment into their lives.

Max  All-State Center 1930 

Chinook, Montana

     Brother Proctor loved sports, especially basketball.  He had the reputation of being a clean player.  He very seldom fouled.  He played in high school under Coach Sterling Harris.  In one game he held an all-stater from Jordan to no points.  He also played with the Tooele Merchants with such men as Burdette Bevan, Pug Warner, Sherman Lee, Max Anderson, Ray Howell and Ray Hill.  In 1956-57 he was coach of the First Ward M-Men team.  Richard Palmer, Don Proctor, Keith Obrone, Bob Colledge, Marte Christensen, and Bill Patton were his boys and they took seventh in the all-church tournament.  He also worked with Steve Hawkins, Gary Evans, David Stevens and others.  These boys admired and loved Max and they all played so well together.  Max and Dorothy went to all the games, sometimes into Salt Lake in the worst of snow storms.  I'm sure his boys can all recall many wonderful experiences as they think of these years that their dad worked so closely with them.

Montana State Champions 1930 Chinook, Montana

Max is 3 from left seated on bench

10th Grade Basketball team Malta, Montana

Max 4th from left, Walt Formo 5th from left

     Brother Max Proctor was a humble man; he never boasted.  He was companionable and cheerful with a refined sense of humor.  He loved a good story and could tell one.  I have never heard anything lewd come from his lips and I have never heard him say anything bad about anyone or run them down in anyway.  It was hard to be anything but happy around Brother Proctor and that is a choice characteristic to be able to make people around you happy to be there.

     Brother Max Proctor lived joyfully, abundantly, efficiently, but his life was not all on the surface.  There was a deep, strong currant running down through his very center which was dedicated to great and sober task of living a good life in the short time allotted him in this life.  He was and is a child of God.  He lived up to the great possibilities given him in this life and he is now able to progress even farther.  And he is making a place for you, Dorothy and for your family.  He left no great estate of wealth and fortune but he left a good name, his testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ, his love of the Church and his example of faithfulness in keeping the Lord's commandments, his wonderful family, and his love of his country.  So the greatest tribute we can pay at this time to Brother Max Proctor is that he was a good man and the Lord loved him as we do.

     Now you, as his children, have a duty to put you homes in order as Max did on 18 January 1973.  He set the example for all of us to follow, to love the Lord and try to keep his commandments.  If you have any doubt as to the truthfulness of the Gospel, my advice is to search the scriptures and get on your knees in prayer.  May we all do this.