The birth and baptism of ‘Elison’ Taylor, on 11^th and 20^th August 1815 respectively, were recorded in the Abbey (Paisley) Parish Register.

There is however an unresolved difficulty with regard to her age. She was entered as 33 at the time of the 1851 census and 40 in 1861, indicating a later year of birth. One possibility is that the ‘Elison’ who was born in 1815 was an elder sister of the same name, who died in infancy. Another potential explanation is that Alison was a few years older than her husband and that a few years were knocked off her age to avoid embarrassment.

Allison Taylor, wife of Archibald Baird, died on 19^th September 1870 at 8^h 15^m am, in the Quarter Parish of Hamilton. She was entered, (apparently inaccurately, although this is in line with the census information), as 49 years of age. The causes of death were certified as disease of heart, congestion of lungs, and dropsy, duration uncertain. The informant was James Shaw, a neighbour, of Quarter Iron Works.

Brothers & Sisters

Allison Taylor was the fourth of five known children. The others were Agnes, whose birth on 31^st July 1809 and christening on 13^th August were recorded in the Gorbals Parish Register (in which connection the mother’s maiden name was entered as ‘Fowlds’). James was born 26^th September 1811 and christened on 6^th October in Barony Parish (in which connection the mother’s maiden name was entered as ‘Folds’). The final two, registered in Abbey (Paisley), were Bethia, born 16^th May 1813 and christened on the 30^th, and John, born 16^th November 1817 and christened on the 30^th.

Paternal grandmother of Matthew Barr Baird