Ancestry 

---

                        

McMath Genealogy

 

GEN I

William MCMATH was born in Scotland circa 1764. He was a Stocking Weaver in Portsburgh, Edinburgh and died in Scotland. He Married Janet PURDIE on the 27^th June 1783 at St. Cuthbert’s Church in Edinburgh. Janet was born on the 28^th August 1763, West Calder, Midlothian to Robert Purdie, Carrier and Mary Walker. William and Janet had the following four children:

  

GEN II

1. Robert MCMATH – Born on the 29^th Feb 1784 in Biggar Lanarkshire, Scotland. He married Janet SCOTT on the 8^th Aug 1819 in Arbroath, Angus. Robert was a Stocking Manufacturer and Spirits Dealer in Dundee and died on the 18^th Dec 1845 at Blackscroft, Dundee, Scotland.
   
   
2. William MCMATH– Born on the 10^th Feb 1786 in Glasgow, Scotland. He was a Mason by trade and married Helen DOIG on the 21^st May 1824 in Glasgow. William died on the 19^th Nov 1837 at St Vigeans, Angus aged 51 years.
   
   
3. Mary MCMATH – Born on the 24^th May 1789 in Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland. No other details are known about Mary.
   
   
4. John MCMATH– Born in 1795 in Scotland. He was a Stocking Maker by trade and married Janet ELLIOT circa 1820. He died on the 27^th Dec 1834 in Hawick, Roxboroughshire, Scotland, aged 39 years, and is buried at St Mary’s churchyard in Hawick. John and Janet’s third child Robert Elliott McMath moved to Australia and started the Australian branch of McMaths. John and Janet’s 2^nd child William went on to have children who started the Canadian and American branches of the family.

William is listed in the Edinburgh Post Office Directories as a Stocking Maker at Sciennes Street, Edinburgh for the years 1810 to 1822. After 1822 he disappears ....

Little is known about William and Janet McMath, but they both died before the census was taken in 1841.

 

GEN II

Robert MCMATH  - the oldest son of William MCMATH and Janet PURDIE was born on the 29^th Feb 1784 in Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He married Janet SCOTT on the 8^th Aug 1819 in Arbroath, Angus. Janet was born on the 8^th Oct 1786 in Wilton, Roxboroughshire to John Scott and Betty Martin. Robert was a Stocking Manufacturer and Spirits Dealer in Dundee, and they had the following four children:

 

 GEN III

1. Euphemia MCMATH – Born on the 23^rd Nov 1819 in Arbroath, Angus. She was baptised on the 15^th December in Arbroath and married John MILNE who was a Flax Dresser on the 11^th Nov 1837 in Glamis. Euphemia died on the 23^rd Aug 1861 from typhus fever at Blackscroft, Dundee aged 42 years, tragically her husband John died of typhus fever only 6 weeks later. They left 9 children. Their burial places are unknown.
   
   
2. William MCMATH – Born on the 13^th Oct 1821 in Arbroath, Angus. William was a Ships Carpenter, Ship Wright and Night Watchman by trade and married Margaret DAND on the 14^th Dec 1849 in Dundee. William died on the 6^th Jan 1902 at the Parochial Hospital in Dundee. He died of a cerebral haemorrhage and pneumonia aged 80 years. William was buried on the 8^th Jan 1902 at the Eastern Cemetery in Dundee, section FF, lair 298. He is buried with his wife Margaret who died on the 7^th May 1902.
   
   
3. John Scott MCMATH – Born on the 15^th Apr 1823 in Arbroath, Angus. John was a Spinning, Flax and Jute Mill Overseer, and later to become a Bakers Shopman. He married Ann MORTIMER on the 11^th Aug 1843 in Dundee. Ann was born on the 27^th May 1821 in Dundee.John died on the 12^th June 1896 in Dundee.
   
   
4. Janet / Jessie MCMATH – Born on the 30^th Dec 1824 in Arbroath, Angus. Janet was a Flax Spinner and Dressmaker and married James LAMOND, a Cloth Packer on the 26^th Aug 1853 in Dundee. Janet died on the 12^th Feb 1893 at Crescent Lane, Dundee. She died of chronic bronchitis aged 67 years. Janet was buried on the 15^th Feb 1893 in the Eastern Cemetery, Dundee, section D, lair 285. She is buried with her husband James who died in 1874.
   

Robert and Jannet lived in Arbroath and then moved to the Blackscroft area of  Dundee. On the 1841 census they are listed as living at Blackscroft Creighton’s Land, Dundee. Robert died at Blackscroft on the 18^th Dec 1845 of paralysis aged 64 years. He was buried on the 21 Dec 1845 at the New Howff Cemetery, Dundee, Plot 1356 Section A. Janet died at Blackscroft on the 31^st August 1853 from inflammation of the bowels aged 72 years. She was buried on the 4^th September 1853 at the New Howff Cemetery, Dundee, Plot 785, Section B.

Sadly the New Howff Cemetery was built on in the 1960’s and a car park now stands in its place.

January 1847 the Will & Testament of Robert McMath, Stocking Manufacturer & Spirits Dealer at Blackscroft, is read that he left Jannet £20 (in todays money).  Upon talking to a Scottish will expert, this was an inventory of Robert McMath’s estate. Robert died without making a will, and Janet was appointed by the court as executor. The inventory simply consists of Robert’s household furniture and possessions. This is unusual as the deceased mentions no debts or anything owing or owed, nor money invested in some form. Janet it would seem was in need of money.

 

GEN III

John Scott MCMATH– The third child and second son of Robert McMath and Jannet Scott was born on the 15^th Apr 1823 in Arbroath. John was a Spinning, Flax and Jute Mill Overseer, later to become a Bakers Shopman in partnership with his son William trading as “John McMath & Son“ at 6 Blackscroft, Dundee. He married Ann MORTIMER, Mill Spinner, daughter of William Mortimer and Ann Malcolm, on the 11^th Aug 1843 in Dundee. Ann was born on the 27^th May 1821 in Dundee. They had the following eleven children:

 

GEN IV

1. Janet MCMATH – Born on the 14^th Oct 1843 at Blackscroft, Dundee. Died in 1853. Her burial place in unknown – but suspected to be buried at the Howff Cemetery.
   
   
2. Ann MCMATH – Born on the 3^rd Sep 1845 at Blackscroft, Dundee. Died before 1851. Her death date and burial place are unknown - but suspected to be buried at the Howff Cemetery.
   
   
3. Euphemia MCMATH – Born on the 6^th June 1847 at Blackscroft, Dundee. Euphemia was a flax mill worker and married John BREMNER in 1877. She died in 1926 in Newcastle upon Tyne.
   
   
4. Robert MCMATH – Born on the 21^st July 1849 at Blackscroft, Dundee. Robert was a Power Loom Mechanic and married Jessie FYFE on the 6^th Aug 1874 in Forfar. He died on the 7^th Feb 1929 in Forfar, Angus.     See Fyfe Genealogy.
    
   
5. William Mortimer MCMATH – Born on the 2^nd June 1851 at Blackscroft, Dundee. William did not marry and was a Master Baker with his father trading as “John McMath & Son” at 6 Blackscroft, Dundee. William died in 1925 and is buried at the Eastern Cemetery, Dundee section FF, lair 1036 on the 9^th Sep 1925. He is buried with his father John and sister Elizabeth McMath.
   
   
6. John MCMATH – Born on the 3^rd Aug 1853 at Blackscroft, Dundee. John was an Iron Ship Builder and left for Australia when he was young. He did not marry and is believed to be lost at sea.
   
   
7. Mary MCMATH – Born on the 2^nd Aug 1855 at Blackscroft, Dundee. Mary died on the 11^th Sep 1859 at Blackscroft from water in the chest aged 4 years. The informant of her death was her aunt Euphemia Milne, and she is buried in the New Howff Cemetery in Dundee, Plot 378, Section B.
   
   
8. Elizabeth MCMATH – Born on the 3^rd Apr 1858 in Dundee. Elizabeth was a Shop Assistant, did not marry, and died on the 15^th January 1937 of myocardial degeneration (old age).  She was buried on the 19^th Jan 1937 aged 78 at the Eastern Cemetery, Dundee section FF, lair 1036. She is buried with her father John and her brother William McMath.
   
   
9. Margaret MCMATH – Born on the 29^th Aug 1860 at Blackscroft, Dundee. Jute Weaver.
   
   
10. Samuel Mortimer MCMATH – Born on the 22^nd Aug 1863 at Blackscroft,  Dundee. Samuel was a Van Driver and married Jemima KENNETH in 1897 in Dundee. Samuel died on the 27^th September 1930 of myocardial degeneration (old age) aged 67 years. He was buried on the 1^st Oct 1930 at the Eastern Cemetery, Dundee with his wife Jemima in section FF, lair 1037.
    
    
11. Mary Ann MCMATH – Born on the 9^th May 1866 at Blackscroft, Dundee.  Mary Ann was a Flax Spinner and married James MITCHELL in 1889. She died on the 10^th June 1939 of myocardial degeneration (old age) aged 73 years. She was buried on the 13^th June 1939 at the Eastern Cemetery in Dundee with her husband James in section FF, lair 478.
    
    

John and Ann lived in the Blackscroft area of Dundee for over 50 years. John and William’s Bakery business was declared bankrupt in February 1885. Ann died on the 23^rd Nov 1886 at 6 Blackscroft. She died of apoplexy (stroke) aged 65 years, and is buried with her sister Helen Mortimer and brother William Mortimer at the Eastern Cemetery in Dundee, section F, lair 114.

Blackscroft, Dundee

John died on the 12^th June 1896 at 48 Constable Street, Dundee. He died from cardiac disease aged 71 years, and is buried with his son William McMath and daughter Elizabeth McMath at the Eastern Cemetery in Dundee, section FF, lair 1036. John was buried on the 15^th June 1896.

 

GEN IV

Robert MCMATH – The fourth eldest child of John MCMATH and Ann MORTIMER was born on the 20^th July 1849 at Blackscroft, Dundee. Robert was a Jute Mill Worker, Power Loom Mechanic and an Iron Turner. He married Jessie FYFE, factory worker and daughter to George Fyfe, Linen Manufacturer, and Mary Doig, on the 6^th Aug 1874 in Forfar, Angus. Jessie was born in 1851 in Forfar, Angus.  They had the following children:

 

GEN V

1. Mary Ann MCMATH ( Nancy ) – Born on the 3^rd Nov 1875 at 7 Backwynd, Forfar. Mary Ann did not marry and was a Housekeeper, Nanny & Dressmaker. She died at 6 Canmore Street, Forfar on the 8^th Feb 1943. She died of a cerebral haemorrhage aged 67 years, and is buried at the Newmonthill Cemetery in Forfar, Plot A/488/1.



2. Euphemia MCMATH ( Phem ) – Born on the 1^st Nov 1877 at 7 Backwynd, Forfar. Euphemia did not marry and was a Teacher at the Forfar East Burgh School. She died on the 30^th June 1948 in Cheam, Surrey, aged 71 years, where she lived with her sister Isabel.



3. George Fyfe MCMATH – Born on the 7^th Nov 1879 at 17 Backwynd, Forfar. Carpenter & cabinet maker. Married Agnes GELLATLY on the 28^th July 1903 in Oakland, California. George died on the 22^nd June 1953 in Oakland, California aged 74 years.



4. Robert Fyfe MCMATH – Born on the 27^th March 1882 at 17 Backwynd, Forfar. Robert was a Solicitor – McMath & Co, 79 Regent Street, Glasgow. Married Mary WYPER in 1915, Lanark. In 1942 he was struck off as a solicitor and was given 3 years penal servitude. Robert died on the 2^nd July 1947 in Glasgow aged 65 years.



5. Isabel Barry Fyfe MCMATH ( Belle ) – TWIN - Born on the 14^th March 1886 at 17 Backwynd, Forfar. Headmistress at Lochgelly School. Married Forbes MASTERTON in 1915, Forfar. Forbes Masterton died in WW1 and Belle married again to Sidney MINNS. Belle died on the 17^th Apr 1978 in Cheam, Surrey aged 92 years, where she lived with her sister Euphemia.  TWIN



6. John Scott MCMATH – TWIN - Born on the 14^th March 1886 at 17 Backwynd, Forfar. John died on the 7^th Jan 1888 at 17 Backwynd,  Forfar. He died of measles with croupe aged 22 months. John Scott was buried at the Newmonthill Cemetery in Forfar, Plot A/488/1.



7. David Fyfe MCMATH – Born on the 24^th Oct 1889 at 17 Queen Street,  Forfar. Captain in the Royal Field Artillery 1914-1919. Minister at St David’s Church, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. Married Christina Jamieson CARGILL on the 6^th August 1915 in Forfar. David died on the 4^th Sep 1962 in Kirkintilloch aged 73 years.



8. Charles Milne Fyfe MCMATH – Born on the 29^th July 1893 at 17 Queen Street, Forfar. Shopkeeper. 2^nd Lieutenant Tank Corps 1915-1919 France. Charles married Jessie McKinnon and was a shopkeeper by trade. Charles died on the 16^th Jan 1941 in Droitwich aged 48 years, and was buried at the Newmonthill Cemetery in Forfar, Plot A/488/1

After their marriage in 1874, Robert & Jessie lived at 17 Backwynd, Forfar. The road name was then changed to Queen Street and they lived here for over 30 years. Robert died on the 7^th Feb 1929 at 6 Canmore Street, Forfar. He died of an aneurism of the aorta and angina aged 79 years. He is buried in the Newmonthill Cemetery, Forfar with his wife Jessie, Plot A/488/1.

McMath family in 1901

Top row, left to right - Mary Ann, Robert, George & David Bottom row - left to right -  Isabel, Robert McMath, Jessie McMath ( Fyfe ), Charles & Euphemia

Jessie died on the 23^rd Feb 1936 at 6 Canmore Street, Forfar. She died of a coronary thrombosis aged 85 years. She is buried at the Newmonthill cemetery in Forfar with her husband Robert.

 

GEN V

David Fyfe MCMATH– the seventh eldest child of Robert McMath and Jessie Fyfe. David Fyfe McMath was born on the 24^th Oct 1889 in Forfar and became a Minister at St David’s Church, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. He married Christina Jamieson CARGILL (Ina), daughter of Alexander Cargill, Master Builder, and Jane Callendar, on the 6^th August 1915 at Forfar. They had the following children:

 

GEN VI

1. Ian Forbes MACMATH – Born on the 3^rd July 1917 at Canmore Park, Forfar. Ian was a doctor and married Mary Jean BARRETT on the 1^st Sep 1947 at Dunblane Cathedral. Ian died on the 10^th June 2000 at Grantown on Spey aged 83 years.
   
   
2. Ronald Alexander MCMATH – Born on the 27th September 1919 at Sorn, Ayr. Ronald served with the Royal Artillery in the 2^nd World War and made Captain in 1946. Ronald was a solicitor - Wadell Paterson & McMath, Rutherglen and also the Burgh Prosecutor in Kirkintilloch. He married Margaret Banks. He died on the 1^st Jan 1974 at Rutherglen, Glasgow aged 55 years, and was buried at the Daldowie Crematorium.
   
   
3. Margaret Callandar Cargill MCMATH – Born on the 4th April 1922 at Sorn, Ayr. Margaret married Sydney LEIGHTON-SMITH on the 1^st June 1942 at St David’s Church, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, and was married by her father the Minister David Fyfe McMath. Margaret died on the 25^th Nov 1963 in Glasgow aged 41 years. Sidney died some time before, and their twin daughters Morag and Wendy were brought up by Margaret’s parents David & Christina McMath.
   

David went to school at the Forfar Academy, and later went on to St Andrew's University where he was awarded a Master of Arts in 1911, and a Batchelor of Divinity in 1914. He trained to be a Minister and was licensed by the Presbytery of Forfar in 1914. During WWI David was a Captain in the Royal Field Artillery 1914-1919. He joined the Gordon Highlanders in 1914 as a Combatant Officer and was awarded the Military Cross on the 31st July 1917.  In 1919 David was ordained and living at Kirkside House in Sorn, Ayrshire with his family. He was inducted to the charge of St David’s Church, Kirkintilloch in 1924, and was the Minister here for 36 years living at the Manse, Bellvue Road. Overall he was a Minster and Servant for 42 years, Baille at Kirkintillioch, and a member of the Town Council for 17 years,   “As an angler Mr McMath held the record for the heaviest salmon ever taken from the Forth ( 42 lbs ), and his skills at rug making was well known”. "One of the most eloquent and engaging preachers the burgh has ever seen "

Wedding of Christina Jamieson Cargill and David Fyfe McMath

David died on the 4th September 1962 at Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. Ina moved to Wiltshire and resided in an old peoples home in Semington, so she was near to her son Forbes ( who lived in Trowbridge at the time ). Ina died in 1977 and was interred at Haycombe Cemetery, Bath.

---

 

FYFE GENEALOGY

 

GEN I

John Fife ( birth unknown ), married Ann Torn on the 5^th June 1773 in Forfar. Ann was born on the 3^rd Feb 1754 in Forfar to James Torn. John was a Maltman by trade in Forfar and with Ann had the following ten children:

 

GEN II

1. James – born 19^th February 1777, Forfar.

2. Margaret – born 8^th February 1780, Forfar.

3. John – born 7^th December 1781, Forfar. Linen Manufacture. Married Elizabeth Milne in 1806, and died on the 18^th November 1845 in Forfar.

4. Archibald – born 28^th December 1784, Forfar. Died in 1789, Forfar.

5. Robert – born 4^th May 1786, Forfar, Died 12^th December 1825, Forfar.

6. Jannett – born 17^th June 1788, Forfar.

7. Alexander – born 19^th December 1790, Forfar.

8. Archibald – born 19^th December 1790, Forfar.

9. George – born 16^th November 1792, Forfar. Died 1794, Forfar.

10. George – born 2^nd December 1795, Forfar. Died 1834 in Edinburgh.

 

GEN II

John Fyfe was born on the 7^th December 1781 in Forfar to parents John Fife and Ann Torn. John was a Linen Manufacturer by trade and married Elizabeth Milne on the 13^th December 1806 in Forfar. Elizabeth was born on the 17^th November 1779 in Forfar to parents Robert Milne and Elizabeth Roch. John and Elizabeth had the following ten children:

 

GEN III

 

1. James – born 2^nd September 1807, Forfar. Died 7^th May 1810 in Tannadice.

2. Robert – born 2^nd September 1807, Forfar. Died 6^th March 1812, Tannadice.

3. Charles – born 5^th October 1809, Forfar. Died 25^th December 1869, Tannadice. Farmer of 460 acres at Nether Balgilo.

4. John – born 6^th May 1811, Forfar. Linen Manufacturer. Died 24^th November 1846, Tannadice.

5. Elizabeth – born 11^th March 1813, Forfar. Died 9^th March 1816, Tannadice.

6. Mary – born 11^th March 1813, Forfar. Died 5^th April 1818, Tannadice.

7. George – born 10^th March 1815, Fordar. Linen Manufacturer. Married Mary Doig in 1845, died in Forfar on the 28^th August 1878.

8. Isabella Barry  - born 25^th February 1820, Forfar. Died 18^th March 1907 at Milne Hall, Forfar.

9.  James – born 21^st November 1822, Forfar. Died 1^st March 1827, Tannadice.

10. Janet – born 4^th September 1816, Forfar. Died 24^th February 1857, Tannadice.

Five out of John and Elizabeth’s ten children died under the age of six. The age of the industrial revolution led to over crowding and a dramatic rise in infant mortality.

In 1841, John and Elizabeth were living with their family at Backwynd in Forfar. John was listed as a Linen Manufacturer.

Elizabeth died on the 2^nd June 1842 and is buried in Tannadice. John died on the 18^th November 1845, and is buried in Tannadice with his wife.

  

GEN III

George Fyfe was born on the 10^th March 1815 in Forfar, to parents John Fyfe and Elizabeth Milne. George was a Linen Manufacturer and Cattle Dealer by trade and married Mary Doig, Linen Hand Loom Weaver, on the 28^th December 1845 in Forfar. Mary was born on the 25^th April 1823 to parents Charles Doig & Mary Hay. George and Mary had the following 10 children:

 

GEN IV

1. John – born 1847, Backwynd, Forfar. John died on the 28^th May 1859 at 7 Backwynd, Forfar of Scarlatina. His father George was the informant. Buried at Newmonthill, Cemetery Forfar.

2. Charles – born 1849, Backwynd, Forfar. Charles died on the 26^th December 1867 at 7 Backwynd, Forfar of Pulmonary Consumption. His father was the informant. Buried at Newmonthill, Cemetery Forfar.

3. Jessie – born 1^st August 1851, Backwynd, Forfar. Jessie was a factory worker and married Robert McMath on the 6^th August 1874 in Forfar. Jessie died on the 23^rd Feb 1936 in Forfar.   See McMath Genealogy.

4. Elizabeth – born 1853, Backwynd, Forfar. Elizabeth died on the 7^th June 1856 at 7 Backwynd, Forfar of Pneumonia. Her father George was the informant. Buried at Newmonthill, Cemetery Forfar.

5. Robert – born 1855, Backwynd, Forfar. Law Clerk.

6. George – born 8^th May 1857, Backwynd, Forfar.

7. Isabella – born 22^nd October 1859, Backwynd, Forfar

8. Mary Ann – born 7^th April 1862, Backwynd, Forfar. Died 28^th April 1906 at Hownam Manse, Kelso. Buried at Newmonthill, Cemetery Forfar.

9. Thomas – born 20^th May 1864, Backwynd, Forfar. Died on the 13^th September 1865 at 7 Backwynd, Forfar of disease of the brain and convulsions. His father George was the informant. Buried at Newmonthill, Cemetery Forfar.

10. Elizabeth – born 24^th November 1866, Backwynd, Forfar. Died on the 27^th December 1869 at 7 Backwynd, Forfar from Scarlatina. Her father George was the informant.  Buried at Newmonthill, Cemetery Forfar.

Five out of ten of George and Mary’s children died at a young age, again due to the high mortality rate of this time.

For over 30 years George and Mary lived at 7 Backwynd in Forfar. George’s occupations included a Warper, Cow Feeder and a Tow & Flax Weaver.

George died on the 28^th August 1878 at 8 Backwynd, Forfar. He died of Bright’s Disease of the Kidneys aged 60 years. George is buried at the Newmonthill Cemetery in Forfar, Plot A/488/1 with his daughter Jessie Fyfe and many McMath family members. Mary lived with her daughter Jessie and Robert McMath at 17 Queen Street, living on private means. Mary died on the 19^th August 1908 at 13 New Road, Forfar, She died of a cerebral thrombosis aged 79 years and is buried with her husband at the Newmonthill Cemetery in Forfar, Plot A/488/1.

The gravestone at Newmonthill, Forfar reads as follows:

“George Fyfe, Manufacturer of Forfar, died 18^th August 1878 aged 62, also his children John, Betsy, Isabella, Thomas and Elizabeth who died in infancy. Also Charles who died 1869, George who died 1877, Marianne who died 1906 and his wife Mary Doig who died 29^th August 1908”.

---

We would love to hear from anybody who has any further information regarding our ancestors featured on the website, don't hesitate to contact us at   emily@macmath.net