Biographical notes

Wallace Allan (1848-1931) in his family reminiscences (dated 1930), notes that John was a Shoemaker

He is listed in the 1851 Census living at High Street East, Irvine. John Allan Head (64), Shoemaker Journeyman, born Wigtownshire - Stranraer. His wife Jean (50), born Ayrshire - Kilmaurs. His son Francis (24, unmarried), Shoemaker Journeyman, born Ayrshire - Irvine

By the 1861 Census, John had died (probably before Civil registration in 1855 as no statutory record of his death has been found). Jane (or Jean) Allan is recorded as a Widow, aged 60, born Kilmaurs Ayrshire, a Housekeeper living with her widowed niece Agnes Baillie (38), Worsted Weaver, born Kilmaurs, and her daughter Jane aged 8 (also born Kilmaurs).

Above information enabled location of Jean's death certificate, died 27 May 1863 (aged 62). Father John Templeton (Customer weaver), mother Sarah Montgomery, Husband John Allan (Shoemaker) deceased.