Hugh Heaney & Mary Ann Mulholland
Hugh Heaney and Mary Ann Mulholland first met in Renton, Dunbartonshire, Scotland.
Renton takes its name from Cecilia Renton after whom the modern sandstone, 'model' village was named in 1762. Dalquhurn Bleachworks in 1715 and Cordale Printworks in 1770 were responsible for attracting new industrial workers. At the north of the village stood the Place of Bonhill, a residence from 1642, to the South was Dalquhurn House. Two parallel north-south streets, Main Street and Back Street were first joined by Station Street, Stirling Street, Burns Street, Thimble Street, Market Street and Red Row. In late Victorian times, the village extended southwards to Leven Street, Alexander Street and John Street. Further expansion occurred in the 1930's as housing was built in the grounds of Cordale House. In the early 1960's the majority of the sandstone properties in the village were compulsory purchased by Dumbarton County Council, demolished and replaced by Dumbarton County Council with 1960's Brutalist-style concrete houses and flats.
The couple initially lived two streets away from each other. Hugh living in Burns Street while Mary Ann lived in Stirling Street. Mary Ann’s parents were William Mulholland and Mary Quin, Irish Farmers – They did not make the journey to Scotland with her. When she first arrived in Glasgow, she quickly found work as a Bleach Field Worker but it wasn’t long before the couple began living together.
Renton, Dumbartonshire
•1884 – 4th May - Mary Ann gives birth to the couple’s 1st illegitimate child, Alexander Heaney
•1885 – 8th October – Mary Ann gives birth to her 2nd illegitimate child Mary Jane Heaney – The child dies on 24th February 1887 from Hooping Cough.
•1885 – 23rd October – Mary Ann Mulholland & Hugh Heaney are wed at Tradeston Registry Office thus making both of their children legitimate by default.
•1887 – 19th May – Mary Ann gives birth to the couple's 3rd child Martha Heaney in Renton, Dunbartonshire. Mary Jane registered the birth - as she could neither read nor write the child was incorrectly registered as a male baby by the name of Matthew.
•1888 – 28th July – Mary Ann gives birth to the couple's 4th child Hugh Heaney Junior in Renton, Dunbartonshire
•1889 – 16th July – Mary Ann gives birth to the couple's 5th child Sarah Heaney in Renton, Dunbartonshire.
•1890 – Hugh Heaney Senior is badly hurt after a fall from a train in Dumbarton. He is hospitalised with a compound double fracture to the left forearm. He goes on to sue the rail company for damages.
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•1891 – 27th March – Mary Ann gives birth to the couple's 6th child Letitia Heaney at 42 Stirling Street, Renton, Dumbarton
•1891 – North British Rail settle out of court with Hugh Heaney and he is awarded £500 compensation for his injury.
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•1892 – 15th December – Mary Ann gives birth to the couple's 7th child Mary Heaney at 37 Stirling Street, Renton, Glasgow
•1896 – 24th February – Mary Ann gives birth to the couple's 8th Child Eliza Jane Heaney at 130 Glasgow Road, Hamilton, Lanarkshire. There are complications during the birth and Mary Ann is very ill. This holds up the registering of Eliza’s birth.
•1896 – 14th March – Mary Ann dies at the Combination Hospital in Hamilton, Lanarkshire from complications of childbirth. Her death certificate lists : Septicemia, Blood Poisoning, Puerperal Pyoemia During Childbirth as the cause of death. Her fathers name is incorrectly listed as Robert when in fact it was William.
On 23rd November 1890 Hugh Heaney Snr was involved in an altercation with a British Rail Porter. He was assaulted and thrown from a train, falling onto the rail tracks, which caused a compound double fracture of his left forearm. He sued North British Rail and settled out of court on the 24th June 1891 – Awarded a sum of £500. (£65k in today's money)
The sum of money awarded to Hugh gave the struggling family a new lease of life. They were, at last, able to afford good food and new clothes and soon after the money was received the family made plans to move to Hamilton, Lanarkshire. Life was on the up as the family posed for an expensive cabinet card photograph.
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However soon things would change. Baby Eliza Jane was born at home, 130 Glasgow Road, Greenfield, Hamilton on the 24th February 1896. The birth was a difficult one and Mary Ann suffered terribly. She was rushed to the Combination Hospital in Hamilton and remained there for 18 days before dying.
This 'Cabinet Card' was in my Grandmother's possession for many decades. Hugh Heaney with his wife Mary Ann Mulholland, Alexander and Martha at the back, Hugh at the front, Sarah in front of her father and Letitia on her mothers knee.