Biographical notes

The birth of William Kennedy Pettigrew, on the 13 October 1853, is recorded in the Glasgow Parish Register. He subsequently appears in the 1861 Census, aged 7, living with or visiting his grandparents William Pettigrew and Elizabeth Kennedy in Wallacetown, Ayr. No record of his parents have been located in the 1861 Census. One possible scenario is that he was brought up by his grandparents (he is listed with them in the 1861 Census). There is a photograph of William pictured with his grandmother taken in about 1866 (Ref. 2007.073)

The 1871 Census sees him aged 17 working as an Apprentice Gardener living in the Gardeners Bothy on the Ballochmyle House Estate, in the parish of Mauchline, Ayrshire. It may be significant that at this time his uncle, Andrew Pettigrew, was working as Head Gardener at Dumfries House in the adjacent parish of Auchinleck. A letter from Andrew Pettigrew to his future wife Agnes McLelland was written on the 23 January 1855 whilst staying with his brother William and his wife Margaret, at their lodgings in Glasgow. William Kennedy would have been just over 1 year old.

In the 1881 Census he is aged 27 and working as Under Gardener (Foreman) at Lanfine House, another mansion near Galston, Ayrshire. He is recorded as living in the 'Young Mens Lodge'.

On the 8 April 1884, at Alloa, Clackmannan, William married Mary Maxwell (age 36). The marriage certificate gives his profession as Gardener and his address is Tregayan (a substantial estate), Llangefin [inferred to be Llangefni], Anglesey, Wales. His age is given as 30 and his father is William Pettigrew (Shoemaker), and his mother Margaret is ascribed the maiden name of Kennedy rather than Mconomy.

The couple next appear in the 1891 England Census where William, aged 37, is working as Head Gardener at Rigmaden Park; a substantial estate in the parish of Masergh, near Lupton, Westmoreland. Mary's age is given as 36 which is at variance with that given on the marriage certificate.

In the 1901 Census the couple are visitors at the house of Margrate (sic) Houston (widow) and her daughter Janet at Alva, Clackmannan. William is described as a Gardener Domestic age 47 and his wife Mary is 54. This also gives Mary's place of birth as Alva, Clackmannan. There is no record of where William is working at this time.

Mary's death at 22 Elmbank Street, Ayr is recorded on the 21 September 1908. There is no evidence that William re-married.

The next record is on the death certificate of William's aunt, Jane Pettigrew, on the 1 April 1928. William was the informant with the relationship of nephew. His address is given as 20, York Street, Ayr.

The final record is William's own death certificate which records his death at 20, York Street Ayr on the 8 October 1942 aged 88. The details on the certificate confirm his identity. Profession is given as Gardener (Private) retired. His father William Pettigrew Shoemaker (Journeyman) deceased, his mother Margaret Pettigrew maiden name McCanoway (sic) [inferred as a mispelling of Mconomy], deceased.