Archibald Watson

1816 - 1873  (57 years)

• Name	Archibald Watson
  Born	1816	, Scotland   [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  Gender	Male
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/134834677
  Occupation	1861	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Moulder
  Residence	1861	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Free Church
  Occupation	1871	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Moulder
  Residence	1871	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Ayr
  Residence	1871	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Presbyterian
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-131714
  Died	2 Dec 1873	Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 2, 6, 7]
  	Cause: burnt to death
  Buried	Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 2, 4]
  Person ID	I131714	Generations
  Last Modified	6 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	Archibald Watson,   b. Abt 1780, of, Scotland ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Mother	Margaret,   b. Abt 1780, of, Scotland ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Family ID	F30789	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Janet Gibb,   b. CA 1811, Of, Glasgow, , Lanark, Scotland ,   d. 16 Dec 1854  (Age ~ 43 years)
  Children	1. James Gibb Watson,   b. 15 Nov 1841, Glasgow, , Lanark, Scotland ,   d. 24 Jun 1915, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 73 years)
  Last Modified	7 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F15130	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Christina Scott,   b. 1829, , Scotland ,   d. 15 May 1901, Cedar Falls, Black Hawk, Iowa, United States  (Age 72 years)
  Children	1. Margaret N. "Maggie" Watson,   b. 14 Jul 1857, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 13 Nov 1914  (Age 57 years)   2. Mary Ann Watson,   b. CALC 16 Sep 1859, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 2 Nov 1877, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 18 years)   3. George Cadule Watson,   b. 1861, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 11 Nov 1910, Parkersburg, Butler, Iowa, USA  (Age 49 years)   4. Janet Gibb "Jennett" Watson,   b. 6 Mar 1864, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 30 Jul 1945, Paris, Brant County, Ontario, Canada  (Age 81 years)   5. William Archibald Watson,   b. 15 Jan 1867, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 15 Mar 1948, Regina, , Saskatchewan, Canada  (Age 81 years)   6. Elizabeth Scott Watson,   b. CALC 18 May 1869, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 18 Mar 1875, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 5 years)   7. Harriet McKallor "Hattie" Watson,   b. CALC 4 Jun 1873, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 20 Mar 1878, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 4 years)
  Last Modified	7 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F32618	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• 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 ______________________________ 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

  
  

• Sources

  [S890] Funeral Card - - Waterloo Historical Society - photocopies, "funeral card of Archibald Watson," 4 Dec 1873. [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link . Sacred/ to the memory of/ Archibald Watson/ who Perished/ at the BurnIng of/ Nithville Mills Ayr/ 2nd Dec'r 1873/ aged 56 years [S1778] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1861, Div 2 Page 17. [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link . [Front/East] Sacred/ to the memory of/ Archibald Watson/ who Perished/ at the BurnIng of/ Nithville Mills Ayr/ 2nd Dec'r 1873/ aged 56 years [Right/North] In/ memory of/ Christina Scott/ wife of/ Archibald Watson/ who died/ 15th May 1901/ In Her 72nd year [Left/South] Mary Ann/ second Dau'r of/ Archibald & Christina Watson/ died Nov'r 2nd 1877: / aged 18 years/ 1 Mo. & 17 days/ Elizabeth Scott/ their Third Dau'r/ died Mar. 18th 1875,/ aged 5 years,/ 11 Mo's & 18 days/ Hattie McKellar/ their Fourth Dau'r/ died Mar. 20th 1878: / Aged 4 Y's 9 M's & 16 Days. [S355] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1871, Sect. 2 page 12. [S564] Census - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - 1891, pg 34. [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link . Name: Archibald Watson Gender: Male Birth Year: abt 1817 Birth Place: Scotland Age at Death: 56 Death Date: 2 Dec 1873 Death Place: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 1816 - , Scotland Occupation - Moulder - 1861 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Free Church - 1861 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Moulder - 1871 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Ayr - 1871 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyterian - 1871 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: burnt to death - 2 Dec 1873 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth