George Stevenson

(1814-1884)

(sorry folks - just had to add the tune - its the Old Grey Mare - suitable for the horse keeper)

George Stevenson was born 17^th July 1814 and christened 14^th August 1814 in Cumbernauld, Dumbartonshire, and died 21^st June 1884 at Back Sandon Street, Liverpool. He may have married Margaret in Ireland. She was born about 1827 in Ireland, and died 16 June 1902 and was buried at Anfield Cemetery on the 19th June 1902. Margaret was born in Ireland according to the census. George was still living at Park farm on 22^nd June 1840.

I suspect that Margaret was actually Margaret Mitchell owing to their son Charles having Mitchell as a middle name. It does not show up as a name in the Stevenson line so far.

George was buried in section 13 grave 1339, which is a public grave, at Anfield Cemetery, on the 24^th June 1884. This explains why his wife was not buried with him and there will be no grave stone. See Anfield Cemetery

Nothing more was known about George until a legal document was found stating that he was in May Street, Belfast, Ireland sometime before 1848. It has now been discovered that the family were in No 5 Newington, Liverpool by 19th March 1863 but do not show on 1861 census so they must have moved within these 2 years. By 1881 he was living at 80 Wood Street, Liverpool and was a Foreman, Livery Stables.

Map of May Street.

Interestingly there is a family history centre at 18 May Street, Belfast today!

There is a photograph of Margaret Stevenson in the Photo Album

Family Tree

This is the family of George form what is known so far.

George has been found on the 1871 census at Liverpool (11/07/2008) He was at 80 Woodford Street and was a horse keeper. His wife and some children are with him; Robert, age 18 is also a horse keeper. Aeneas is aged 16, Mary aged, 12, Charles aged, 11, Colin aged 10, all were born in Ireland. Family information has George as a Veterinary Surgeon. This has now been found to be inaccurate but it is apparent why. He was working as a foreman to a veterinary surgeon who also had a livery stables at 78-80 Wood Street, Liverpool.

The new information on George - I found in Gore's Directory, that a Thomas Lloyd was at nos. 3-5 Newington in 1865. He was a Livery Stable Keeper and this must have been whom George was working for when he came over from Belfast. George did not get a mention in the directory until later when he was at Wood Street. He must have gained a promotion to a foreman and was then entered in the directory. In 1865 at Wood Street, a veterinary surgeon was at nos. 78-80 Wood Street. His name was Bretherton. In 1872 George Bretherton had a horse and carriage repository at 78-80 Wood Street as well as a being a veterinary surgeon. Also in 1872, George Stevenson is listed as a foreman, veterinary surgeon, 80 Wood Street. In 1880 John Bridge was the veterinary surgeon at 78-80 Wood Street.

This must explain where the 'Chinese whispers' have come from. He was thought to be a horse dealer but this could have originally been due to somebody saying he dealt with horses and became a horse dealer which now meant something entirely different! Obviously the mistake about being a vet was probably down to someone saying he worked 'for a vet' and ended up 'as a vet'. There will be more entries in Gore's directory for other years but there was no real point in going through every one. Some near 1902 might have shown Margaret's sons as being in charge but time was against my looking these up.

In 1871 George's daughter Margaret is living at 84 Woodford Street and she is unmarried and aged 23. She is a Provision dealer and was also born in Ireland. William, George and Thomas are not with the family.

In 1881 the family were at 80 Wood Street and in 1891 only the mother was there, however, she had some lodgers living with her in 1901. She would have died sometime after 1901.

The first picture shows the sign for Wood Street. The second is a picture looking up the narrow street. The third picture, according to the numbers, will be opposite where number 80 was. If this is accurate and the buildings have not been re-numbered drastically, then this should be buildings that would have been there when George lived across the road. It shows the style of the area at that time.

Wood Street 1848-1864

1871 Census - 80 Wood Street, Liverpool

As I suspect that Margaret was actually Margaret Mitchell owing to their son Charles having Mitchell as a middle name, it is possible that Mary Mitchell was her sister. On searching the 1871 index, this person is listed as 'Matey' Mitchell and a male. It could be from Matty (Matthew) Mitchell and would be a brother. Either way, I believe this is Margaret's sibling.

1881 Census- 80 Wood Street, Liverpool

1891 Census - 80 Wood Street, Liverpool

1901 census Parish of Liverpool - 80 Wood Street

Pages from Gore's Directory showing, from left to right, 1872-George at 80 Wood Street: George Bretherton, Veterinary Surgeon at 80 Wood Street in 1872: Veterinary Surgeons in 1880: Wood Street in 1880: George in 1881.

George and Margaret had the following Children:-

William Stevenson died unmarried. Or at least he was thought to have died unmarried and presumably without issue. It is now known to be untrue.

I have no date of birth for William but he would definitely have been the first born son. Due to the Scottish naming tradition the first son is always named after the paternal grandfather, which in this case, is William.

New information has been found by Thomas Stevenson which may prove that the legal document is wrong! I have added the 'potential' family for William click here.

Margaret Stevenson was born about 1848, Belfast, Ireland.

George Stevenson was probably born in Ireland. He also at 1112 Third Avenue, New York. by 1911.

Thomas James Stevenson, born about 1851, Ireland.

Robert Stevenson was born about 1853, Ireland. He registered his father's death in 1884 and his residence was Back Sandon Street, Liverpool. He was at 80 Wood Street, Liverpool and worked as a car driver in 1881. 

Ænæs Stevenson was born about 1855, Ireland. He, also, died after 1881 and was unmarried. He was at 80 Wood Street, Liverpool and worked as a car driver in 1881. There is no death listed under any sort of mis-spelling for him in England.

Mary Elison Stevenson was born about 1859, Belfast, Ireland.

Charles Mitchell Stevenson was born about 1860, Belfast, Ireland and died about 23rd February 1942.

Colin Stevenson was born about 1861, Ireland. He was residing with his parents at 80 Wood Street, Liverpool and was working as a Horse Keeper in 1881. By 7 July 1911 his last known address was 1112 Third Avenue, New York.

It would seem that George and his family must have moved to Liverpool between 1861 and 1871. Liverpool being a direct shipping route from Belfast.

Some information for the family can be found at www.smilodon.plus.com/WarMems/wick.html