William Mortimer 1851

William Mortimer was born on 22 July 1791 and baptized on 25 July 1791, at Keith Banffshire, the son of Arthur Mortimer, a handloom woollen weaver of the Mill of Keith, and of Jean (later Jane) Mortimer nee Crombie. He had several siblings including Christian born 27 Dec 1793 baptized 2 Jan 1794, Anne born 20 Oct 1796 baptized 9 Nov 1796, and James born around 1797.

Arthur Mortimer (known as William Arthur Mortimer in the Banff OPR at time of Williams birth) was from Tarves near Oldmeldrum. He married Jean Crombie of the parish of Echt on 20 October 1782 at Echt. Presumably they settled at Hatton of Fintray, near Dyce, hence the statement that he was from Fintray, on Ann Mortimers' death certificate. They must a little later have moved to Keith.

William Mortimer married Isabel(la) Ross (the daughter of David Ross, a farmer, and of Christian Ross nee Graham) in Aberdeen on 1 December 1830. They had at least one child, Andrew. David Ross had married Christian Graham at Alness, Ross & Cromarty on either 12 Dec 1799 or 12 Dec 1800. Isabella died on 14 September 1859, aged 52, at 5 Forbes Street Aberdeen. Her death was certified by a brother, Andrew Ross, who was then a flesher living at 156 George Street, having moved to Aberdeen from Easter Ross, Rossshire.

In the 1861 census William Mortimer is described as living at Ruthrieston Road, which I believe to be, the then existing small part of the present day Allenvale Road. In the Aberdeen Directory for 1852/3 William Mortimer is listed as a Hosier and Girth Manufacturer at 11 St. Nicholas Street, and this was the business address for many years. In the 1858-9 directory his home address Outseats, Pitmuxton is also confirmed.

Surname	First name(s)	Relation	Sex	Age	Occupation	Where Born
Mortimer	William	Head, widower	M	69	Woolen Manufacturer	Banffshire, Keith
Mortimer	Andrew	Son, unm	M	17	Woolen Hosier	Aberdeenshire, St Nicholas
Mortimer	Ann	Sister, unm.	F	65	Housekeeper	Banffshire, Keith
Mortimer	Arthur	Nephew, unm	M	14	Scholar	Aberdeenshire, St Nicholas
Robertson	Elspet	Servant, unm	F	26	Domestic Servant	Banffshire, Fordyce

William Mortimer moved from Outseats in 1865. His home is listed as at 5 Crown Street in 1866/7. Andrew Mortimer died in 1869, aged 26, in Aberdeen. In 1869 William Mortimers' address is listed as Exchange Court, Union Street. The 1871 census has this as 36 Union Street Exchange, Aberdeen, and indeed the directory confirms that the address was between 35 and 37 Union Street. The residents there were:

Surname	First name(s)	Relation	Sex	Age	Occupation	Where Born
Mortimer	William	Head, widower	M	78	Late Merchant	Banffshire, Keith
Mortimer	James	Brother, unmar	M	74	Late Merchant	Banffshire, Keith
Mortimer	Arthur	Nephew, unmar	M	24	Merchant Hosier	Aberdeen
Mortimer	Ann	Sister, Unm	F	76	Spinster	Banffshire, Keith
Robertson	Elspet	Servant, Unm	F	36	Servant	Banffshire, Portsoy

Ann Mortimer moved to Cuparstone Lodge, Cuparstone Place (off Great Western Road, Aberdeen), where she died on 28 February 1876, aged 82. Her death was certified by James Mortimer, who was her grandnephew. William also had moved again, and died, at 7 Ashley Place, Aberdeen, at the good age of 86, on 4 May 1878. The certificate confirms his death to be a result of of old age and debility for several years, together with a tumour of the neck. The certificate also confirms him to be a retired hosier, and the widower of Isabella Ross. The death was notified by his grandson, James R Mortimer, of the same address, James having also, presumably, moved again. Arthur Mortimer also quickly moved from Union Street Exchange, as by the issue of the 1871/2 directory he was resident at 21 Golden Square, and by the following year 1872/3 he had moved yet again, this time to Bay View, Spital.

William Mortimers will and Testament are available for downloading on Scotlands People, Aberdeen Sheriff Court Wills and Inventories ref SC1/37/82 and SC1/36/83 respectively