Mary Ann Watson

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• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-136207
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbterian

Notes:

Died, At Ayr, on Friday, November 2nd, 1877, at 4 o'clock P.M., Mary Ann Watson, Second Daughter of the late Archibald Watson. Aged 18 Years, 2 Months and 16 Days. The Funeral Will take place on Sunday, 4th instant, at half-past 1 P.M., from her mother's residence, to the place of interment, Stanley Street Church Burying Ground. Ayr, November 3rd, 1877.


Waterloo Historical Society Death Notices Collection - photocopies

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/134834677
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-131714
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Moulder
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Moulder
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ayr
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Perished, In the Conflagration at Nithvale Mills on Tuesday, 2nd December, 1873, Archibald Watson, Aged 56 Years. Funeral Will take place on Friday, the 5th inst., at 2 o'clock, p.m. Ayr, Dec. 4th, 1873.


Waterloo Historical Society Death Notices Collection - photocopies

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AYR Loss of the Nithvale Mills by Fire
A MAN BURNED TO DEATH IN THE CONFLAGRATION
(From our own Correspondent)

Last Tuesday evening shortly after 9 o'clock a very destructive fire broke out here, involving the complete loss of Mr. Piper's flouring mills at Nithvale, and accompanied by one of the most appalling calamities that has ever occurred in the neighbourhood viz.: -the death of one of our best known and most respected citizens, Mr. Archibald Watson, brother of John Watson, Esq., and for upward of twenty years back foreman in this gentleman's moulding shop.

The fire, when first discovered by Mr. J. Piperhad burst out through the corner of one of the upper flats of the mill, and was apparently slight--so slight that Mr. P., seizing two pails of water rushed up with them expecting that he could easily distinguish it; but he had no sooner reached the top of the stairs than he was glad to return again, to avoid suffocation from smoke. By this time a number had collected and, the alarm having been given scores continued to pour in with the fire engine and its accompaniment. But a few minutes rendered it plainly manifest that with the headway which the fire had already made, all efforts to save the mill would be worse than useless, and so the hose were directed on the oat meal mill adjacent to save it.

The latter was saved, but in less than two and a half hours from the commencement of the fire the mill was a smouldering mass of ruins. Mr. Piper has the sympathy of the community in this serious loss--a loss which is double in its character, for the season's business has gone with the mill. The mill and contents not saved were worth about $12000, to meet which his insurance policies cover but $6000. Mr. P. is not, we believe, fully decided as to his future course, that is whether he will rebuild or not, but in the meantime he will fit up the Jedburgh Mills for present use.

First amongst those who arrived at the fire was the deceased Mr. Watson, who, with his wonted alacrity on such occasions, began immediately to remove valuables out of the burning building. In this several assisted, until the approaching flames obliged them to desist, and they turned their attention to the other minor structures around the outside. Mr. Watson, however, thought he could effect one entrance more and save one of the large window sashes of the mill. Everyone around him warned him not to attempt such a thing, but apparently confident of success, he seized a small hatchet, entered the doorway and soon appeared at an open window between the door and the one he wished to save. Here he stood for an instant, when he again was again entreated to come out. He refused, however, and passed on to the other, which he began to hammer lustily in order to loosen it from its fastenings. The noise having been heard outside by some persons who were unaware of the facts, they at once raised the cry "there is a man in the mill", and one of them thinking the knocking was caused by the man's efforts to extricate himself, got a long pole and with a blow broke in the window. Ere this, however, Mr. Watson, evidently finding he had already gone too far, had left the window and was making apparently for the door. The whole lower flat was then literally one blaze and long tongues of flame had begun to dart out through the doors and windows, thus preventing not only ingress to the mill, but even an approach to it from the outside of less than twenty feet. Again the unfortunate man was seen at the middle window making his way to the door. An instant afterwards he appeared at the door in a similar position and the people began to experience some sense of relief as they expected in a moment more to have him amongst them--but horror! he passes by without even noticing the opening and makes apparently for the densest portion of the flames. Again he stops, turns back, and again he is observed in the doorway, but this time only for an instant as he dashes wildly by toward the centre of the mill where he falls. All this was the work of probable not more than ten minutes from first to last.

Some ladies outside, who had seen the unfortunate man on his second appearance at the doorway gave vent to their feelings in a few unearthly shrieks and never will the writer forget the look of blank dismay, intensified by the glare of the fire, which depicted every countenance as the reports spread. "Archie Watson is burned to death?" One moment all were paralysed; the next, engine was playing vigorously on the fatal spot, in hopes of saving at least a part of the remains of our respected friend; but all to little purpose, for though an almost continuous steam was kept upon on it all night, the most diligent search afterwards revealed only a few small particles of bones so thoroughly calcined that the slightest pressure would reduce them to powder, a buckle and one or two buttons belonging to the deceased, all of which could readily be placed in a quart measure. And this was all that now remained of the man who, a few hours before was in the enjoyment of good health, strength and spirit, in the bosom of his family. We have seen death in repulsive forms; we have read or heard of it in many others, but rarely, within our recollection, have we known of a case so utterly barren of consolation or satisfaction of any kind, as the present one. An indulgent father, a kind husband, an excellent neighbor, and a warm-hearted and generous friend literally blotted out of existence in an hour--with nothing left to tell the tale but a handful of ashes--the thing seems too horrible to be realized. To say that the most profound sympathy exists for the bereaved family and friends would give but a very faint idea of the general feeling that prevails.

Nothing of so sad a nature has ever before occurred in our midst, and the village has been literally silenced with sorrow under the awful stroke.

Several theories are advanced with reference to the deceased's inability to extricate himself. He must undoubtedly have been unconscious when he gave over hammering the window sash, but we are inclined to think that, surrounded as he was by flames and inhaling as he must have done repeatedly, such quantities of carbonic acid he must have been stupefied considerably on his way to the door and this idea seems more probably from the fact that in proceeding towards the door he had to pass two large open windows at either of which he might have thrown himself out. He passed by these windows when he entered the mill. In fact, he stood in one of them: consequently he must have known of their existence and likewise that they were open. But on his return no notice apparently was taken of them although neither of them was over 4 feet from the floor. His aimless wandering from this time also renders it almost certain that he had been unconscious for some moments before he dropped.

THE FUNERAL.--The Funeral took place on Friday afternoon, and was very largely attended. Numbers from the country round, as well as from Galt and Paris, were present to pay the last mournful token of respect to the memory of one so well-known and so universally respected. As the people began to gather, the doors of the Methodist church32, opposite the late residence of the deceased, were opened and the people assembled there to await the procession to the cemetery. While here they were addressed briefly by Rev. Mr. Inglis. Rev. Mr. Thompson read a portion of Scripture and prayer was offered up by Rev. Mr. Knowles. In the house, Prayer was offered up by Rev. Mr. Ure, of Goderich, a cousin of the deceased.33 The procession then formed and marched to the cemetery in connection with Rev. Mr. Inglis' church: the relatives, with the remains, leading followed by the workmen in Mr. John Watson's foundry-fellow-workmen of the deceased--with the badge of mourning on their arms. After these came the general public-a long and mournful procession. At the grave prayer was again offered up by Rev. Mr. Ure, and on Sabbath the same gentleman preached the funeral sermon.


Dumfries Reformer, Galt, Ont., Wed. Dec 10, 1873, Vol. 12, #1293

Archibald — Christina Scott. Christina was born 1829, , Scotland; died 15 May 1901, Cedar Falls, Black Hawk, Iowa, United States; was buried 19 May 1901, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

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• Name: Christina Watson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-131716
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Residence: 1891, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian

Notes:

Died In Cedar Falls, Iowa, U.S., on Thursday, May 16th, 1901, Christina Scott, Widow of the late Archibald Watson, In her 72nd year. The Funeral Will take place on Sabbath, May 19th, at 2.30, P.M., from the residence of her son, Jas. G. Watson, corner of Bruce and Walter streets, Ayr, to the New Cemetery. Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation.

Funeral Card

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• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-117165

Archibald — Margaret. Margaret was born Abt 1780, of, Scotland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

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• Name: Margaret Watson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-58630