The Heaneys, taken in Hamilton, Lanarkshire circa 1900. Mary Callaghan can be seen holding baby Edward.
Back row Left to Right Martha, Hugh Jnr, Hugh Snr, Letitia. Front row Left to Right Sarah, Eliza Jane and Mary (holding tennis racket)
June 1897, Hugh has been a widow for over a year and things are tough at home, He is called before the Hamilton Parish school board and reprimanded as the children are failing to attend class.
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Hugh is hopeful that a new wife and a new mother for the children will give them all the stability they crave. This new mother comes in the form of Mary Callaghan (her name incorrectly recorded on the marriage certificate as Mary Kellochan)
Mary was Irish and had also lived in Dumbarton for a time. Her parents, Edward Callaghan and Bridget Haughy originated from Armagh, Ireland but spent a lot of their time crossing the water to Scotland. The family would eventually settle in Govan Glasgow. Mary was one of six children.
She was a perfect fit for Hugh.
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However the marriage was destined to be a short one. The couple had one child together, Edward born 13th June 1899, at home, The Albert Buildings, Earnock, Hamilton.
On the 11th January 1901 Mary died giving birth to the couple’s second child. Sadly the child, which was never named, also died. Mary was only 34. Hugh was alone once more.
The Second Mrs Heaney - Mary Callaghan
Mary Callaghan was the daughter of Edward Callaghan. He was born 1834 in Armagh, Ireland, the son of Thomas Callaghan and Bridget Quigley. Edward was married twice. Firstly to Bridget Haughy with whom he had 6 children. Thomas born 16th Februrary 1866 in Dumbarton, Scotland, Mary born 5th May 1866 Armagh, Ireland, Ellen born 1868 Armagh, Ireland, Edward 16th November 1869 Newry, Ireland, Margaret born 1870 Ireland and Jane born 1972 also in Ireland.
In 1904 widower Hugh is living at 97 Albert Buildings, Burnbank, Hamilton with all of his children.
Scandal strikes locally when a then 17-year-old Martha announces that she has been having a relationship with George McKechnie, a local coal miner, and she is pregnant with his child.
William John McKechie is born at home, 77 Windsor Gardens on the 16th July 1904 and dies 7 months later of Measles. His grandfather Hugh signs the death certificate.
In 1906 Martha finds herself pregnant again – This time she is sent back to Stirling Street in Renton, Dunbartonshire to have the baby away from the prying eyes of neighbours. The baby Geanie is born on the 5th February 1907 – There is no father listed on the birth certificate.
In 1910 Martha announces that she is pregnant once more. Rachel Heaney is born 2nd January 1910. It’s around about this time that she begins a relationship with her cousin Alex. Alex’s father, Alexander, is Martha’s father’s brother.
In 1911 a fourth child Letitia, her first child to her cousin Alex is born.
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Click on each of the photographs below to learn more about each of Hugh Heaney's Children:
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Various Locations, Renton, Dunbartonshire
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