Catherine Murdoch initially found work at Macnaught (1841 Census) home of her elder sister Jane and her husband, Ivie Campbell and then left the Waterhead Estate to join her father James Murdoch at Upper Pennyvenie, Dalmellington (1851 Census).
At the time of the 1841 Census the family of Robert and Mary Cooper and their 8 children were living at Upper Pennyvennie, while at the neighbouring farm of Clawfin, William (18) and Robert Cooper (15), presumably their sons, were working as farm servants. By the 1851 Census the Cooper family had moved to the neighbouring to Clawfin along with four of their grown-up family while son Robert (27) was lodging with a shepherd and his family at Dunaskin, to the northwest of the town of Dalmellington, whilst working as a labourer at the nearby furnaces
Catherine Murdoch had obviously become acquainted with Robert during her time at Upper Pennyvenie since the pair were married in July 1851 –
Robert Cooper and Catherine Murdoch both in this parish were regularly proclaimed this parish church on Sabbath 20th and 27th July 1851 in order to marriage –
Scotland’s People: Parish of Dalmellington, Banns & Marriages
The baptism record of their first child reads “Ann 1st child of Robert Cooper and his wife Catherine Murdoch born 21st. Dec 1851, and baptized 11 Jan 1852, by the Revd. Wm. Gilchrist.” Sadly, Ann died in infancy.
Soon after Robert and Catherine Cooper settled in Australia, where their next child was also named Ann.
Children of James Murdoch and Ann Fleming & their Spouses
NEW CUMNOCK HERITAGE 