SURNAME ALSO DOCUMENTED AS STAUNTON until assimilated into the Scottish archives as Stanton
WESTPORT, COUNTY MAYOTHE OCTOGON, WESTPORT
Our direct line Edward Stanton born 1822 and Margaret or Peggy Grady born the same year or thereabouts.
Edward Staunton was the son of Walter Stanton and Honor Green. The family resided in the town of Westport or neighbouring village and they would have had many children. Edward however is our direct line and he married Margaret Grady on 19th January 1844 in the Aughaval RC diocese of Taum in Westport in County Mayo. Witnesses were Patrick Grady [brother of Honor] and Maria Stanton [sister of Edward]. Walter was a crofter and we estimate his birth 1780-1790 or thereabouts.
Peggy Grady’s parents were Patrick Grady and Annie McGuire.
There were a few branches of this particular family who landed on our shores and who settled in the Edinburgh of the 1850s. Edward arrived as did cousins with the same name and their children all had the same names. Confusing indeed.
between 1851-1853
On their arrival in Edinburgh with their son Andrew Edward and Margaret found themselves amongst the Irish and Italian community in the Grassmarket, Cowgate and High Street areas of the City. At this time in Edinburgh there were thousands and thousands of Immigrants arriving escaping famine not only from abroad but also from the North of Scotland with the infamous Highland Clearances.
THE COWGATE, EDINBURGH,
The Stanton family were farmers in Ireland and it must have been very difficult at first for Edward to find work. Although there were many Stanton and Staunton entries in the 1851 Scottish census there was no trace of this family. By 1861 however they found a wee house in 5 North Gray’s Close and we find them here in the census of 1861.
1861
1861 with four of their children, Andrew, Ann, Anna and Margaret. There were twin boys born in April 1961 but both died age 2 days. This census is the best indication as to when they arrived in Scotland between 1852 and 1853 and where their children were born. So Ann was 10 and born in Edinburgh. She would have been born therefore just after the 1851 Census was done. Their room looks like it had no windows but this could have been a clerical error. 5 North Gray’s Close was an address they would reside for twenty or so years. They had another son Patrick who was born in Ireland c 1852 who does not appear to be with them here but appears in the next census.
1871
The 1871 census shows the family at the same address. Still a. bit of confusion about their ages. Son Patrick who was also born in Ireland in the year 1852 was now residing with them. again his age is probably incorrect Both he and his dad labourers. One window showing now in this census. The next page of the census does show us the rest of the family. Ann age 16 who was a fish hawker, Margaret age 9 and Mary age 5.DENIS MADIGAN STANTON standing in what was North Gray’s Close, in Edinburgh’s Old Town. He is wearing the County Mayo Kilt
The Stanton lived at 5 North Gray’s Close for many years. You can see clearly at nearby South Gray’s Close the residence of Edward Joseph Hannan the Rector and Clergyman of St. Patrick’s RC Church. The Close is actually separated by the High Street itself, one half North, one half South
1881
The census information not kind to us for 1881 as we can only find son Andrew with his new wife Maria Whelahan
1891
Just shortly before his death the voting rolls show him at 27 New Street, nearby.
Peggy Grady’s death. DOB inaccurate. Showing her parents as Patrick Grady, Mason and her mum as Ann Maguire, both deceased. Edward Stanton signature is an x mark
Edward’s death, also with the wrong age.
CHILDREN of Edward Staunton or Stanton and Peggy or Margaret Grady
Andrew Stanton 1847-1901. Andrew married Maria Whelahan. They had a large family.
Photograph of Andrew and Maria with six of their ten children
PATRICK STANTON 1852-1909
Son Patrick whose date of birth fluctuates between 1851 and 1855 married Sarah McKay at 36 Blackfriar’s Place, Edinburgh, according to the Terms of the Catholic Church. They had ten or more children, including twins, of whom six died in infancy. Surviving children were Bernard 1888-1962. He married Davina Williamson. Edward 1895-1939. He married Maria Clark Harris Fallon. Patrick 1892-1953 – no further information. Mary 1895- unknown. She married William Tollins
ANNIE STANTON 1855-1893
Married in St. Patrick’s R.C. Church in the Cowgate, Edinburgh
Annie died age 38 of Phthisis or TB. They had one daughter Mary 1873 of which I have no further information
1861 CENSUS and already a stick seller
MARGARET STANTON 1857-1902
Stanton Brannan marriage in St. Patrick’s RC Cowgate, They had a large family of whom their descendants live in and around Edinburgh today 2021.
Margaret also died of pulmonary TB age only 37.
Margaret before her death
TWINS – JOHN and EDWARD 1861-1861 – they died only 2 days old
Twin boys died
CATHERINE STAUNTON 1862-1863
Catherine was recorded as Staunton
One of the closes off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. The closes were generally tighter than this one.Edinburgh’s Royal Mile or High Street. There are numerous closes which run off this famous street and this is where the population of Edinburgh were crammed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_closes_on_the_Royal_MileThis is a typical close tall and dark and damp
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