View source for Rutherford , Archibald Dodd

Archibald and his wife, Annie were residents of [[1 Percy Terrace]] in 1911. Archibald was born at Black Burn Head, Tarset in 1838. He was the son of James of Emblehope, a shepherd and his wife Elizabeth. His father died when Archibald was about ten years old, but his mother took responsibility for the farm. In 1851 besides raising five children – Elizabeth (15), Archibald (12), Jane Ann (8), Jannit (4) and James Robert (1) – was employing three shepherds. When he was twenty-two Archibald was working at Emblehope for his mother as a shepherd. In the first quarter of 1863 he married Ann Potts, the daughter of a Bellingham shoemaker. Most records show Ann(ie) as having been born in Wark but more exactly her birthplace was Blinkbonny halfway between Wark and Bellingham in 1842. There was a complete change of employment for Archibald since in 1871 he was a general merchant in Lanhead. In 1871 there were four children – Mary Jane (7), Elizabeth (5), James (2) and Annie J (10 months). They were even able to employ Elizabeth Charlton as a domestic servant. Whatever happened to the Lanehead shop isn’t known because in 1881 Archibald was at Sandybrae, Capheaton working as a shepherd. Since 1871 there had been two daughters added to the family – Janet (c 1872) and Hannah (c 1875). The family moved to Percy Cottage, Bellingham where in 1891 Archibald is listed as a grocer but also as a farmer. Elizabeth and Janet were listed in the household but given no occupation so presumably were helping in the shop, whilst Hannah was working somewhere as a domestic servant. The children had all left home in Percy Cottage by 1901 but Archibald and Annie were still looking after the shop. They were also looking after grandson, Archibald Rutherford aged 7 and two general domestic servants – Catherine Mason (19 and Thomas Davidson (15). Archibald and Annie retired and moved to [[1 Percy Terrace]]. On census night 1911, Archibald, although married is logged as being the sole inhabitant. A search shows that Annie was staying with Robert and Mary Little. It may be significant that Robert had been a shoemaker, that Mary had been born in Blinkbonny and that a sick nurse was also present. Archibald died on 2 April 1913 and was interred in Bellingham Cemetery on 5 April. Probate for Archibald Dodd Rutherford of [[1 Percy Terrace]], retired provision dealer was granted to Annie his widow and James Robert Rutherford, a builder. Effects £1,832 10s. Annie died on 22 June 1916. The headstone is also a memorial to Archibald’s sister, Catherine who died in Bellingham on 10 November 1900, aged 67. More poignantly it also records the death of Archibald and Annie’s grandson, Private Archibald Rutherford who was killed in action on September 13 1916, aged twenty-three.
[[Category:People]]