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I am looking for any information on a Cockburn family that came from Kirkdale, Liverpool, England to Montreal, Quebec, Canada in the mid 1800's. John William
Cockburn, his wife Anne Clayton, children: Emmanuel James Cockburn; Richard Cockburn; William (Bill) Cockburn and Mary Cockburn (McClurg). John Williams
remarried a woman named Johanna and had four daughters, Annie Clayton; Kate (the letter writer);Nellie and Edna.
The following are two letters, that I transcribed, from one for John Williams children (Kate Cockburn) to her sister-in-law (Mary Olive Clarke Cockburn (wife of
Emmanuel Cockburn, mother of Ned Cockburn)). The information is obviously heirsay or it may just be a family "story", but any information will be greatly appreciated.
Be warned the letter is long and at times confusing. (The bracketed comments are mine.)
Thank you from your time.
Ed Robertson
eroberts@adga.ca
"Letter 1" (written after 1909)
Eastam England Mr. Whitehead, Whitehead's daughter married John Williams. Williams' daughter married Surgeon
Cockburn, officer of the 91st regiment. They had 9 sons, no daughters. Father (John Williams) was youngest son, the regiment was ordered to India, where father (John
Williams) was born. They returned to England and were again ordered to India. Took all sons but father (John Williams)and a young brother named James. They left
them with an Aunt named Johnstone.
The ship sank with the regiment and all were drowned. Father (John Williams) and uncle James were farmers and I presume knew nothing about the estate. The last
father (John Williams) heard about the estate was that a Squire was living on the Estate and paying rent for it. Some years ago Father (John Williams) put it into a
lawyers hand he got the will. Father (John Williams) had it and knew he was the heir. The Lawyer wanted 300 hundred dollars to pay the expenses to go over and settle
the will for us. When father(John Williams) died (11 Dec 1909) we knew that Emmanuel was the heir after Emmanuel comes your son Ned.
After father (John Williams) died Bill, my brother took the will and private papers the marriages and births are registered in England and does not matter. It would be
easy to find out about a British Surgeon of the 91st Regiment and also the fact about the drowning (Address) Chancery Court for British heirs London, England A
Suburb of London. (So far a researcher in England has found no record of a Cockburn doctoer in the military records)
First, Sir & Lady Whitehead of Eastam, England had 2 daughters - both got married. One of the daughters married John Williams (This John Williams is the surgeons
father) against her parents wishes and they cut her off the family estate with a shilling as was the custom in England in those days. Mrs. John Williams had a daughter
who married Dr. Cockburn, a surgeon in the 91st Regiment of the British Army. My father was youngest son and was named John Williams after his Grandfather.
Uncle James was an Artist.
Father(John Williams) learned shoe making because the surgeon, Dr. Cockburn, his wife and other sons were drowned either going to or coming from India. The
daughter to whom he left everything died without sons therefore according to English Law the other daughter, who married John Williams (against there wishes and was
cut off the family) having a daughter inherited the Estate and fortune and their daughter Mrs. Williams was my fathers mother - (unreadable passage) the parent being
drowned the matter was allowed to drop and nothing was ever done but it is there.
Chancery will never look for the heirs and it is worth looking up because after one hundred years it must be a big fortune (The genealogical pot-of-gold) - once Uncle
James spoke to father about claiming it then he said no let him keep his fortune and so there was no person to look after it. I hope I have made it plain. The Estate fell to
the last living son and his heirs and that was father (John Williams) so Emmanuel his eldest son comes first if he does not claim it before he dies then Bill will and it will
pass into Bill's family and right out of Emmanuels. Father was born and baptized John Williams after his others father, his mother was a Miss Williams a Welsh lady
Price 73cents Post Free H. Dougal & co., Law Agents 453 Straud,
London, England
Dougal's Complete Index Register to Next-of-Kin, &c. In Chancery.
"Letter 2"
June 3rd 1909
My dear Sister,
I thought I made it plain. I wrote in a hurry & was tired so I may not have made it clear. Father (John Williams) was born in India and brought up in England by and
Aunt named Johnstone. Grandfather was Surgeon of the 91st Regiment, therefore was an officer in the English Army. His regiment was ordered away to India. During
the time they were there Father was born and baptized and named John Williams after his Mothers father, his mother was a Miss Williams a Welsh lady. While Father
was a baby his fathers regiment went back to England. About one year afterwards the regiment was ordered to India again that time they left the two youngest with
their Aunt in England (Father & Uncle James)that ship never returned it sank with all on board Grampa, Grandma and all the boys were drowned. So Father was reared
by this Aunt. I will enclose the address of the firm in London who will send you a book giving full particulars about unclaimed Estates in Chancery. Send for it and that
will be the surest and best way. If there is anything in it you do not understand mail it to me and I will get all particulars & family history that may be required - I have
sent for a copy of the will so you can
send for the book and that will give us both. Uncle James died when we were children. About his children I do not know.
If you want to know anything just write to me and I will tell you. I am going to write a memorandum of all I know about the family and keep it safe. Nell and Annie join
me in love to Manuel - yourself and all the family. .( No copy of a will or family history other than these letter remain)
Your Affectionate
Sister Kate (Kathleen Cockburn)
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