Reg Nesbitts birthday in March 2007

Three first cousin Nesbitts From left: Reg Nesbitt, Beryl Muller and Brian Savage

Brian

The other child of Ann, and brother of Monica, is Brian Savage. Brian is pictured here with wife Anne and they have lived many years in Port Pirie South Australia. They have two children, a boy and a girl.

Monica

As described before, Ann Savage (nee Nesbitt) died the day after giving birth to twins, Monica and Brian. Here is a photo of Monica and her husband Max. They live in Melbourne Victoria and and have three daughters.

William Sarah and Ann in 1891 census

William junior married Catherine Myers on 28 August 1890. From this census it appears they took up residence with William's mother Ann.

1891 UK census Esther Nesbitt

Martin Nesbitt (b. 1860) married Esther Hartford on 11 September 1888. As you can see here by the census of 1891 (taken on April 5 of that year) she is living back with her mother Catherine Hartford. Both are widowed. Unfortunately we can't find how or when he died from the records currently available. Esther goes on to remarry in 1895.

William Nesbitt and family 1871 uk census

In the 1871 UK census everything must have been looking promising for William and Ann Nesbitt. They had 4 children, Martin, William, Peter and Andrew, from 11 to 5, and William had a job on the docks as a labourer. Unfortunately, he dies a year later, 27 April 1872. It must have been tough days for everyone in the family, in a time before pensions, and I wonder who they turned to.

Ann Nesbitt - Ageless?

Ann O'Donnell was married to William Nesbitt in 1857 so hopefully should appear in the 51 or 41 census. That is, of course, if she emigrated earlier than those dates. (Remembering of course that the Irish Famine began in 1845 and the worst years of famine were 48 and 49. By 1848 the population of Ireland decreased by more than 2 million to 6.5)

There are quite a few Ann O'Donnells so a definite age is vital. However, we have the following:

1857 - at marriage age indicates approximate DOB 1829 (might want to appear younger?)
1861 - census " 1824
1871 - census " 1825
1881 - census " 1828 (first census after husband died)
1891 - census " 1824
death - 1897 " 1832 (info provided by son, William)

So it leaves us with 3 records showing her as older from 28, 29, 32. And 3 showing her younger, 24, 24, and 25. Other clues to finding her in a census are her parents names, Michael and Bridget, and a Martin and Margaret O'Donnell as godparents to Peter Nesbitt.

Any truth in the rumour?

In the movie "forrest gump" the protagonist is at every major event that someone could possibly turn up to. I feel a bit like that when I start working on the family legends of our family of Nesbitts. I have spent a lot of time on research to see if they in fact are related but as yet all unsubstantiated. (I use "He" as a term for a generic Nesbitt) You might be able to add to the list:

• He was in the American Civil War.
• He worked on the Panama Canal.
• He was awarded a medal for rescuing someone in the Bay of Biscay (possibly William Jr)
• He rode with Captain Moonlite (an Australian bushranger, and yes there was a Nesbitt)
• He was shipwrecked off Ireland and then married a villager (apparently William Sr)
• Kathleen Nesbitt the actress was related (born in Chester near Liverpool in 1890s)
• He was awarded a Victoria Cross in South Africa (yes, Randolph Nesbitt, great reading)
• He was a great explorer with Stanley and Livingstone (Nesbitt I presume? Yes there was one there)

Christopher Nesbitt 3

This is the last of 3 pages of an article on uncle Christopher Nesbitt, born in Liverpool in 1897 and brother of my grandfather Peter Nesbitt and son of Peter Ignatius. They both worked for the Postmaster Generals Department for 4 decades.

Chris' exploits in the desert country of Inland Australia in his work ensuring the Overland Telegraph was working despite floods is mentioned here.

The image is a bit blurry but one day I will discover the art of fixing it....

Christopher Nesbitt 2

Christopher Nesbitt 1

Bobby and Terri Nesbitt

A snap of Bobbie in uniform during WW2 with Theresa (Terri)

Martin Nesbitt, son of Andrew

A snap of Martin Nesbitt. He worked on the Liverpool docks when he was younger, but this is him working in Goodlass Walls Paint factory in 1956.

Bobby Mary and Winnie

Bobby Mary and Winnie Nesbitt, children of Martin Nesbitt and grandchildren of Andrew.

Thanks to Cathy French for providing this group of photos

Billy Nesbitt

This is Billy Nesbitt son of William and Emily and who married Ellen. Thanks to Helen and Cathy who both forwarded this one.

Rita Price

Mary Ann (Nellie) Nesbitt was the daughter of Andrew and Mary Jane. She married James Price and apparently had three children, Donald, James and Rita. She then remarried a gentleman by the name of Willis. I am still trying to trace them. Any ideas?

Here is a photo of Rita who it is believed emigrated to New Zealand just after WW2 with a RNZAF airman by the name of Russell.

Hugh and Val Nesbitt taken recently

many thanks to Jonathon McCrone for passing on this group of photos

Jack and Betty taken in 1970

Some of James and Margarets family

Anthony Barbara Jack John and Hugh all pictured here about 1972. Presume they are listed from left and not sure of one on right.

A Nesbitt DNA

Here is a DNA 37 marker profile for an Adelaide Nesbitt. It was done several years ago using Family tree DNA. To date there are no direct matches with anyone, and the closest seems to be names such as Carter, Campbell, Peavey, Doty and Armbruster. Well, our family were mariners.!

Nesbitt Family chart

After many trials and tribulations I have managed to organise this chart which goes down to William and Anns grandchildren.
It is still a work in progress and I invite comments and suggested alterations at any time. I might add that despite being in the Navy for many years I do not have an eye for detail!

Peggy and Betty Nesbitt

Betty and Peggy Nesbitt as children.

Margaret Nesbitt

This is a photo of Margaret Nesbitt, (nee Boyle), wife of James, and daughter in law of Andrew.

I would be more than happy to post short biographies to go with the photos if family members would like to provide information.

Hugh and Margaret Nesbitt

This photo is of Hugh and Margaret with their grandparents the (James?) McArdles (?).

this group of photos provided by Peggy and Lee Furlong.

Betty James and Peggy

Betty, James and Peggy Nesbitt - children of James and Margaret (Boyle), and grandchildren to Andrew and Mary Jane.

I am still seeking information on Anthony and Ann Nesbitt if anyone can assist.

Zeiher family

Here is a photo taken about 20 years ago. Susannah on lap, my late wife Lynette, Felicity, Kimberley and on the far right is Melissa.

John Joseph NESBITT

Born 10 June 1923, 28 Menai St, baptised 16 June 1923, John Joseph Nesbitt, son of William & Emily Nesbitt (nee Reilly). Godparent Helen Nesbitt.

Who is Helen Nesbitt, his godmother?

Martin Nesbitt in the RN

Martin Nesbitt (b 1861) had a period of service in the Royal Navy. He was 5' 6", blue eyes, fair hair and ruddy complexion. He deserted ("run" - Naval term which I have seen before on yours truly's record of service!) and was punished with 90 days in Bodmin jail. Do a google search for Bodmin jail in Cornwall, now a tourist attraction. You will see that for a young man it must have been a terrifying experience.

From the archivist: Bill Johnson

At this time we have no prisoner records for the gaol, however, the record books for all prisoners after 1840 have recently been found in Exeter! The 23 volumes are now being catalogued by the Cornwall Records Office in Truro. They should become available for viewing in the next few months.

The service record contains a lot of information. Martin Nesbitt, born in Liverpool (my home town) on 26th January, 1861, joined the Navy on the 10th July 1877, with the rank of Boy 2nd Class. ( the £5 paid to him in Michaelmas 1877 was probably a joining award or gratuity). He served on 'Impregnable' until 25th July 1877 and then moved to 'Ganges'. He was promoted to Boy 1st Class on the 23rd October, 1878 and then things went bad. He ran away from his ship on the 21st December 1878 at Falmouth. He was found and sent to the 'Resistance' on the 19th June 1879 and moved back to 'Ganges' on the 29th June (For his Court-Martial?). The sentence was 90 days in gaol (probably at hard labour, though I don't recognise the abbreviations after the 90 days) and to be 'Discharged from the Service' as 'objectionable'. The other information on the record 'Date and Period of Engagement':- on reaching his 18th birthday he automatically started his 10 years of Navy Service. His service below the age of 18 did not count towards the 10 years. He received a gratuity of £2.10. 0d at Xmas 1878, when his adult service started. Whether this was paid before he ran away or when they caught him is not obvious!

Why Bodmin Gaol? From the 1860s the Navy had been sending Naval prisoners to the gaol from all over the South of England. In 1887, the gaol was separated into a Civil Prison and a separate Naval Prison. Naval prisoners returning to the Navy were in the Naval prison, while those 'discharged the service' were imprisoned in the Civil Prison. Serving Navymen were not allowed to meet or even see Navymen who were 'discharged the service'.

The civil prison closed in 1916, the prisoners and staff were needed for war service, and the Naval Prison closed in 1922.

William, Ann and Children summary

William and Anne NESBITT
Marriage of William NESBITT, Croston St, parents Henry & Jane (dead) to Anne O'Donnell, Croston St, parents Michael & Bridget of Croston St. Witnesses: James Hennessy of Croston St, & Jane Grant of Croston St, Minister: James Godwin St Patrick, Park Place, 16 Sep 1857
Ann NESBITT died 19 October 1897, of Bronchitis and senility, aged 65, at 42 Denbigh Street. Reported by son W. NESBITT of 53 Mill Road.
William NESBITT died 27 April 1872, aged 42, dock labourer, of 40 Denbigh street, of pneumonia, mark of witness wife Ann NESBITT
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No. 1 son Martin NESBITT
Martin NESBITT Born 16 Nov 1859, bapt 20 Nov 1859, (spelling was Martin Nassbet), son of William & Anne (nee O'Donnel). Godparents Edward Hoare [?]/Sloane[?] & Maria Edwards. (St Patricks)
11Sep 1888 marriage 40 Denbigh St, son of William NESBITT, to Esther Hartford of 11 Idris St, daughter of Antony Hartford. Witnesses: John O'Loughlin of 2 Tenterden St & Catherine Sheppard of 28 Paget St. St Alban's
By the census of 1891 he had died & his widow Esther was back living with her mother, Catherine Hartford (RG12/2904 folio 117 page 4) at 11 Idris St. No sign of a death in various records for Martin.
Esther has a baby - Born 14 June 1895, 11 Idris St, bap. 21 June 1895, Catherine Hartford, dau of Esther Hartford. Godparents Joseph & Alice Whelan. Then she remarries 11 July 1895 marriage of Christopher O'Rourke of 11 Idris St, son of Martin O'Rourke, to Esther Nesbit of 11 Idris St, relict [widow] of Martin Nesbit. witnesses: Joseph Whelan of 86 Athol St & Alice Whelan of 72 China St. St Alban's
What happened to Martin NESBITT?
He was in the Royal Navy for two years. One of the problems is that as a mariner he could easily slip in and out of countries without appearing on the passenger lists which might have helped track him down.
Maybe this is him in Western Australia"
Karrakata cemetery Western Australia - MARTIN NESBITT (aged 86) 30/05/1948 at COTTESLOE which might account why his brother Peter NESBITT came out and settled initially in Western Australia. This Martins wife is Annie who dies 9/2/58 RC aged 83. "loved Auntie of Jim and Maude Taylor grand auntie to Isobel Margaret and GGA to Caroline.
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No 2 son William NESBITT

William NESBITT of 40 Denbigh St, son of William NESBITT, married Sarah Myers of 74 Limekiln Lane, daughter of Thomas Myers. Marriaged 28 August 1890. Witnesses were Michael Hogan of 40 Denbigh St & Maria Ford of 20 Blundel St. (Our Lady of Reconciliation de la Salette)

William NESBITT's family emigrated to America onboard the Baltic and arrived at Ellis Island on 6 Feb 1911. At the time William had already arrived and was living at 62 First Street New Jersey . The family consisted of Sarah, his wife (age 40 yrs), and children Martin (10 yrs), Catherine (17 yrs) and Francis (7 yrs) who is listed as a male passenger. They are listed as being all born in Liverpool (Sarah is 5’ 7” Catherine Anne 5’ 6” with all having blue eyes and fair hair). They moved shortly after as Catherine Annie NESBITT is recorded as returning to the US on Aug 16 1912 onboard ADRIATIC with the familys address at 152 East 22nd street new york She was marked as "Possessing 90 pounds" a good sum for those times.
************
No 3 son Peter NESBITT
Born 13 May 1863, baptised 17 May 1863, Peter NESBIT, son of William & Anne Nesbit (nee O'Donnel). godparents Martin O'Donnell & Margaret O'Donnel (there is an entry in the index where a Martin O marries a Margaret O.. (St Patricks)
Peter NESBITT married Mary A. Toole at Christchurch, Everton in 1895.
What happened to Peter and Mary Anns children?
Peter NESBITT and Mary Ann Toole had seven children - 4 boys and 3 girls (according to Peter's death certificate. Only 3, Peter, Chris and Ann came over to Australia in 1906. I have details for a birth of a Roseann NESBITT who must have died. It is also possible that the story of a young boy being killed by a rock is one of those children.
:Births Mar 1898 NESBITT Christopher Salford
Births Dec 1899 NESBITT Peter Toxteth Park
Births Jun 1902 NESBITT Ann Toxteth Park
************
No. 4 son Andrew NESBITT
Born 28 June 1866 Paget St, bap 4 July 1866, Andrew NESBITT, son of William & Anne NESBITT (nee O'Donnell). godparent Honora Wood. (St Patricks)
(nb: Deaths Sep 1876 Wood Honora 34 W. Derby 8b 181 )
1901 census - Mary J. NESBITT (nee Fitzgerald) housekeeper + children William 10, Martin 9, James 4 & Mary A 1. + Thomas Fitzgerald 17 are at 24 Menai St. I think Andrew was just missed off this census - maybe away for the night - as Mary is described as "wife", not "head". Also, Thomas is described as brother-in-law, rather than brother. He is brother-in-law to the absent head (ie Andrew), but brother to Mary J.
Andrew apparently left home to work with William in the maritime world in the USA. After 7 years absence Mary Jane remarried. There is an Andrew Nesbit on Lusitania arriving Ellis Island in 1910 as a US citizen. Ship left from Liverpool. He is 43 and married
Born 3 Aug 1895, Dhadwell St, bap. 13 Aug 1895, Andrew Nesbit, son of Andrew & Mary Jane Nesbit (nee Fitzgerald). Godparents James Fitzgerald & Margaret Boyle. not in 1901 census. Maybe the one of our legend re rock thrown. (Andy)St Patricks
Born 9 Dec 1896, Railway St, bap 22 Dec 1896 James NESBITT, son of Antony & Mary Jane NESBITT (nee Fitzgerald). Godmother Anne Heaney. [You can see where a mistake was made at the baptism. When asked the father's name, Mary Jane has given the name of her own father, not that of the baby's father!]. St Patricks

Reg Nesbitt

"Uncle Reg" Nesbitt turns 80 on sun 25th March 2007. He is the son of Peter and Thelma. And like many in the family, found himself in "rig" at an early age. Reg is married to Val.

Jackie Nesbitt

John Christopher Nesbitt (Jackie) was the son of Christopher and Lottie Nesbitt. He was born in 1923 and died onboard HMAS PERTH in 1942. His service record, along with other Adelaide Nesbitts who fought in WW1 and WW2 can be found on the National Archives of Australia website www.naa.gov.au

Denbigh St Liverpool

This area of Liverpool has not only a strong Irish tradition but a Welsh one as well. William and Ann Nesbitt lived in this street for almost 40 years with their children. The name Denbigh is found in Wales, and an excellent insight into the area can be found at www.scottiepress.org. For a bigger and more recent map try "mapquest UK". I wonder if they had water views?

the Docks in 1849

1849 A WALK ROUND THE DOCKS
(Conditions of the dock labourers of Liverpool)
Liverpool Journal, December 1st, 1849.

A class ever willing to work hard when work is to be had, and who are hence, when in distress, entitled to the warmest sympathy. They are, “Who toil not, nether do they spin.” It will be difficult to awaken in their minds much interest in the, “Battle of life,”” which theses poor sons of toil have continually to wage.
The generic term, “dock Labourer,” applies to only a small amount of labourers employed here. The grand division into “operative porters” and “lumpers.” There are from 12,000 to 14,000 of the former and 3,000 of the latter. The lumpers province is simply to discharge or load vessels, the cargo being deposited on the dock quay, the porters province is to receive, weigh, and load off goods when so deposited, - his duty extends to their stowage in a warehouse and delivery to parties to whom they are designed. The porters are of a superior class, the majority being able on occasion to, “handle a pen.” Yet the wages scarcely differ, - maximum wages for both being, 3/6d a day. On a guinea a week a labourer and his family can in sobriety, subsist in comparative comfort, but alas, it is a petty minority who can boast constant employment, on average dock workers are employed an average, 2 days a week, earning only 7s a week. Many of course make more.
On Exchange Flags, clustered round or statuary proclaiming on monumental metal, the victories of our greatest naval hero’s, are daily standing or longing, a number of operative porters waiting for work. Labour is scarce and often the poor fellows return to a cheerless home, disheartened and without pence to procure the necessary meal.
I address, Charles CASSIDY, an elderly man, of Bent St, who had worked for, 30 yrs as a porter. He was formerly employed by, Messers COOK and BIGLANDS, “But I have not,” he said, “earned a days wage for the last 7 weeks. James LORIMER, an elderly man, 20 yrs a porter, replied, “”I’m altogether out now, I may say.” “Indeed,” cried an emaciated fellow at my elbow. “Many a fine fellow has died from want, I’m ashamed to go home, time after time, with nothing. Thomas SMITH had been a porter for 40 yrs. For the last 10 wks he had, had only 2 half days each week. Peter REGAN, of 20 court, Bond St, a porter for 24 yrs, says he used to make a guinea a week, working for different merchants and brokers. “For the last 2yrs,” he remarked, “I have not been with 5s a week, for the last 12 mths only half a crown a week.” “Yes,” said a bystander. “He understands all the different kinds of porterage and he has a wife and 3 children to keep.”
I turned my attention to the docks, and shall describe first the conditions of the labourers who are not porters. The loading and discharging of a vessel is contracted for by a Master lumper [stevedore]. He bargains with the Captains of the vessels [who the power of making the contract is invariably left] as to the sum for the work to be done and employs the lumpers to do it. Any a person having an interest with the Captain can act as stevedore, it was only necessary to employ an experienced, “Boss”, to superintend the operations.
10d per ton, [ a measure of 40 cubic ft] is the usual rate for stowing a ship, - chains and other heavy materials being put in by weight. This pays well, but by discharging a vessel scarcely any advantage can be made. Profits for the stevedores depend on the despatch, he can induce on those he employs, to get through the work, and when their utmost strength is exerted a variety of devices to attempt still more, this includes cruel goading.
“I have often,” said a Hercules of a man, “been so tired in an evening, that I could not lift my hand to my head.”
There are about 100 stevedores or Master lumpers of theses only 5 pay their men 3/6d a day, here I must note these men, Messers, Philip RILEY, John DURANT, Thomas PLUNKETT, James MC ANALLY and Daniel GRIBBIN. The rule is 3s, but often new and inexperienced hands, [“Grecians” they are called] from Ireland or elsewhere are picked up willing to work for less One lumper gives 18d I am told, “Oh but they are boys,” was interposed, “Never mind, “ was the response “they have to do men’s work.”
It has often happened a stevedore has taken a job for a less figure than it was possible could renumerate, drawn the money, and ran off without paying the poor labourers he has employed.
Abuses have been greatly abated by a sort of moral influence brought by placards, issued from the Dock Labourers Trade Union. Several of the stevedores keep public houses and beer shops, and pay on them. “The Grecians” are suited only for some kinds of work, such as, heaving of windlass, and their inexperience has filled the hospitals in the town, as a result of accidents.
A fact highly creditable is that, the American Captains pay the stevedores they employ, 3/6d a day, while the English vessels are discharged for less.
The, “Boss,” or foreman of a stevedore, a man well versed in the stowage of vessels gets 5/6d a day. There are more labourers who can earn twice this amount, known as, “corn-porter’s lumpers,” their duty consisted of bringing ashore sacks of grain, packed by other men working below in the hold, 2 allowed to each vessel. They work by piece and get 14d,[it was once 20d] for delivery on the quay of 100 bags of Indian corn. The sacks are heavy, and it takes the strength of an Ajax, to keep continually at work during the day. The sack fillers below get only 3s, and often on the worst terms, with the lumpers above who working by piece, keep a brisker demand, than they [probably short handed] are able to supply.
“Bushelling,” as it is termed is an unwholesome occupation, the dust gets in the lungs, and an old busheller is rarely to be met with.
Corn porter’s lumpers, to are very short lived, the exhausting character of the labour induces the desire for strong drinks and between drink and toil are soon killed off.
Other commodities are dealt with by piece work, block salt and coals are loaded for, 1d a ton.
The hours of a lumper are modified by the season, 6am-6pm, those working in bond have shorter hours, but are allowed 20mins for dinner. The operation of unloading cannot proceed after, Custom house, hours, and the Landing-waiters have left, but the men are nearly always kept in the hold, forwarding and loosening cargo for the next day.
It is common practice to load after dark, candles are not allowed below for safety reasons, in case of fire, but iron is material needing little care in stowage, as when thrown sets itself. Many an accident has occurred from this practice.
Each stevedore has an appointed place in or outside the dock walls, where he takes on men, it is pitiable to see on every occasion the vast numbers who are turned back.
Much that has been said illustrating the condition of the dock labourers applies in equal force to the operative porters. Their hours to are from 6am-6pm, and they are equally over worked, but their time is spent in warehouses and on the dock quays.
Before the system of Master porterage prevailed the poor fellows sought the bill of entry in the morning to learn what vessels had come in then hurried off to the office of the owner or consignee to sign on for work.
Now they are ignorant to what Master Porters may have got discharging vessels and so do not know in which way it will be best to move.
It is not my business to discuss the evils or benefits of Master porterage, but I must stress that all the operatives with whom I spoke deemed it had done them an injury and a great wrong. It had caused less labourers to be employed, and they argued the merchant had not gained.. Formerly where goods belonging to 5/6 different merchants arrived in a vessel he felt it in his interest to send 2/3 labourers to look after his property when it was delivered to the quay, the men were there for that purpose and if the goods didn’t turn up after 2/3 days they still got their wages. Now under the new scheme, he to whom the greatest of cargo belongs can claim to discharge the whole.
He employs a master porter for the purpose, his job is to get the work done in the quickest time and for the lowest cost. Here the merchants lose, hands employed by the master porters are inexperienced and goods are thrown on the quay, barrels are burst and great waste ensues.
The uninitiated would say portering needs little skill, experience tells a different tale. I frequently heard the remark that, if the merchants saw the reckless way the work was driven through and the amount of waste, the system would be extinguished.
How? I asked were the merchants not aware of it? “Bless your simplicity, “ was the unflattering response. “The majority of merchants are little more than old women!”
The porters are bound to the charges they make by a “book of rates” the following instances show how the merchant loses.
Oil have to be discharged for 1s each pipe under 12 cwt, if a merchant had 40, the cost of porterage would be £2, 4 men can easily discharge, 40 pipes a day, their wages would be 14s. The merchant loses 1/6d. The profits of the master porters are considerable. I heard of one who cleared £30 in 3 days. In the old days the £30 would have gladdened 30 families, now at the point of starvation, instead it enriches one man.
Cotton pays worse, I believe. Synonymous with the change of the porterage system, was the abolition of duty on cotton, which has no longer to go on the scales at the dock quay. The rapidity at which it has now been ascribed, very Improperly to the facilities to the master porter system. There are 50 middlemen as master porters, many merchants had licensed themselves for self – protection, preferring to discharge their own vessels. The petition for abolishing the system was signed by 370 merchant firms.
The wages of porters is small, but it is well know that the poor fellows pay a premium bribe to obtain a preference of work. They go to a warehouseman or Captain and offer 3-4s out of their wages for a weeks work.
This being the timber season, work is abundant in the Southern docks A porter in the discharge of timber gets 4s and 2 pints of ale a day. The work is laborious and the hours long. On the contary, owing to the easterly winds, there is little progress at the North docks and porters are idle. Cruel that the North East wind should act as a curfew in the labourers cottage and rob him of the ability to purchase fuel and food.
Inquired as to the wage as a porter, some men will not earn, £1 in 7 weeks.
How do they live?, I asked. “”Some have credit at a shop, wives take in washing and they strive to live on one meal a day.“I have not earned £3 in the last 3 mths,” said a respectful man, the same tale was uttered from many a mouth
I went at random to the house of a porter in Heaton St, Vauxhall Rd, a fine, sinewy, honest looking man, he had, had no work for 3 wks, and for the past 6 mths had only had, half time.
He had a wife and child and the wife was labouring from a chronic illness. The family exist by pawning wearing apparel.
The next house I entered was occupied by a corn – porter, [in both cases through a noble delicacy felt, I suppress the names]
The wages of a corn – porter is 3s a day, he has at the outside 3-4days a week. How do you live on 9s a week?. I inquired, “Aye but how do we live on 6s and 5 of us.” Says the good wife. “Well” said the lord of the mansion. “We just strive to live, we have not a shilling in the house, we trust a small shop, but if we don’t meet the bill on Saturday night we have no more credit.” They to had, had to pawn. The rent for the house was 3s-6d.
Everywhere the system of master porterage was condemned the operatives say they are driven to their tasks with a severity unknown before.
A person [name mentioned], once a rigger, master porter and stevedore, was very unpopular with the men. He pays low wages, a lumper told me, he worked for him some time ago, when he went for his pay to the office on Saturday night, he was given only 2s, If any man grumbled, he had a bully engaged at the pay table ready to knock him down.
All were in fear and apprehension, that any statements, made by them, might cause them to be victimised by their employers.
One poor fellow told me, he had given evidence as to a light being illegally used by a stevedore in stowing the cargo of the ill fated, OCEAN MONARCH, and he had not been able to obtain work for some time afterwards.
The fear of being consigned to starvation by the refusal of employment, induces slavish submission, and a system of petty terrorism prevails along the docks.
The dock labourers are not adverse to the Albert dock as it employs more workmen than any other.
They feel that in making the appointments, it would have been well, had fewer given to disregard gentlemen’s servants, and more to licensed porters of the town
It to seems a mockery that they should be charged a shilling for a license and then much of the work they are licensed to do be given to other parties, unlicensed and less competent than themselves. It would prove difficult for dock rating advocates to show what ever employment they afford, the docks constantly invite poverty into the town.
We have seen the wages of a dock labourer are 3s – 3/6d a day. But 2s, would appear munificent payment to a poor half-starved peasant in Ireland. It is true that the work is constant, but each one supposes that he will be more fortunate than his fellow, and hence the half – medicant migration continually pouring in.

Nesbitts in 1861

Martin is one year old in the 1861 census and William gives his birthplace as being Newport on the Isle of Wight.

William and Sarah in 1901

William and Sarah (Myers) were still 10 years from emigrating when they appeared in the 1901 census for the UK. Catherine Myers, Sarahs mother, was living with them as was daughter Catherine, a servant by the name of Harry Christy, and son Martin, having been born on April 1st 1901, managed to squeeze into the census by 1 week.

Chris and Peter Nesbitt

Christopher Nesbitt married Lottie Job in the early 1920s. Here is Chris on the left and brother Peter on the right hand side.

Ann Savage (nee Nesbitt)

Ann Nesbitt was the youngest child of Peter and Mary Ann. She married Jack Savage in 1929 and in December 1931 tragically died at home in Adelaide South Australia giving birth to twins Monica and Brian.

William and Ann marriage 1857

William and Annes marriage from the parish register. Note the full names of both parents which are not included in the government version.

Peter Nesbitt birth certificate

This is the birth certificate for Peter Nesbitt in 1863. Note his godparents of Martin and Margaret O'Donnell, both names that are repeated down the years

Peter Nesbitt and Mary Ann Toole 1895

The parish register record for the Marriage of Peter Nesbitt and Mary Ann Toole in 1995.

Denbigh Street

On the corner of Denbigh Street where William and Ann Nesbitt lived for many decades. A photo sent to me by Eileen Rennie who obtained it from council records. Apparently this estate was pulled down in the 1930s.

Peter John Nesbitt birth 1899

Peter Nesbitt, my grandfather, was born in Liverpool in 1899. No middle name given but always had John after that. The suburb is Toxteth but the family were moving around quite a bit at the time, with 4 children dying early between 1895 and 1906.

Peter Nesbitt death 1945

Peter Nesbitt, my great grandfather, was recorded as Peter Ignatius Nesbitt on his death certificate in 1945. This was the first mention of a middle name in any documents I have found. Note the number of children that he and Mary Ann Toole had together - 4 having died before they left Liverpool to emigrate to Australia. He fell from a mast according to legend and broke his back. From about 1913 or so he walked only with the aid of calipers.

Ann Nesbitt 1881 census

Ann Nesbitt and sons at Denbigh Street in the famous Scotland Road Area of Liverpool. Note the number of people with Irish heritage on the page.

1891 census Ann Nesbitt

In 1891 Anne Nesbit was living at 40 Denbigh Street Liverpool with her son William and his wife Sarah. For a while I had thought that she might have had a daughter Sarah as indicated on the form but it is a census enumerator error.

William Nesbitt marriage to Ann O'Donnell

William Nesbitt married Ann O'Donnell in September 1857.

Ann Nesbitt death certificate 1897

According to family legend, Ann Nesbitt was a clay pipe smoking, Gaelic speaking Irishwoman who met her husband William when he was shipwrecked off the coast of Ireland. She was born Ann ODonnell. This is her death certificate of 1897. For most of her married life she lived in Denbigh Street Liverpool. She was buried with William in Ford Cemetery in Liverpool .

William Nesbitt death certificate 1872

William Nesbitt died early in 1872. He left wife Ann with 4 young boys, the oldest Martin, aged 12, William, 10, Peter, 8, and the youngest Andrew, aged 6.