Sharing our Links to the Past
by Wally and Frances Gray

#M17 MORRISON, Margaret

Born: 17 Feb 1812 Southend, Argyll, Scotland
Died: 13 Mar 1880 Mt. Palatine, Putnam, Illinois

Father: Donald Morrison #M34 (abt 1781-?)
Mother: Mary Currie #M35 (Jan 1784-22 Aug 1846)

Married: 22 Sep 1842 in Urbana, Champagne, Ohio, to John McNabb III  #M16. They had eight children

Children: See listing in John McNabb III.

Margaret Morrison was born at South End, near Campbeltown, Argyllshire, in the southern tip of Kintyre, Scotland. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in South End.When she immigrated to America, her minister, the Rev. Donald Kelley (known as "Kelley of Cambelton") gave her a church letter to take to her new church in America.

Margaret immigrated from Scotland to Ohio in 1837 with her brothers John and Archibald Morrison. She was pregnant at the time of her immigration and gave birth to a daughter, Mary, in Ohio, born in 1838. For awhile, Margaret, her daughter and her brothers resided in Erie county, then in Clark county, and finally in Champaign county, near Urbana. This is where Margaret met and married John McNabb, then of Victory. The daughter Mary was made a part of the new couple's family and was always considered as such. (Mary was married to Erin Wilson. In the will of Robert Drysdale McNabb, son of John and margaret McNabb, he states that Mary is his sister and that like his father, she should be cared for.)

Joh, Margaret and Mary followed Margaret's brothers to Mt. Palatine, Putnam County, Illinois. Margaret joined the Presbyterian Church at Granville. However, being a strong abolitionist, she withdrew and joined the Congregational Church. When a branch of that church was started at Mt. Palatine, she became one of its most devout and faithful members, remaining so throughout her life.

Margaret's brother, John Morrison, became a prominent member of the community. He was on a committee of five to raise money to build the Congregational Church. He was named a ruling elder. Margaret, along with John Morrison and his wife, were made members of the council to raise the money. John Morrison was also mentioned as "the Scotch farmer-supervisor of Hope township" in La Salle County. Nothing is known of Archibald except that he died July 6, 1887, and was buried in the Morrison cemetery in La Salle County just east of Mt. Palatine, Putnam, Illinois. margaret's sister, Marbara Morrison, also came to America since she is buried in the Hoyle Cemetery near Mt. Palatine. She was born February 9, 1828, in Argyll, and died January 8, 1845, in Illinois.

A total of twelve children of Margaret's parents are mentioned in Scottish Church Records from the year 1806 until 1828. It is possible that one of more of these children are of other parents since there are many Donald Morrisons mentioned in the Scottish Church Records, not all of them listing a wife's name.

Margaret died of pleuro pneumonia complicated with sub-acute inflammation of the stomach. She was 68.

SOURCES:

    1. Scottish Church Records, listed as Margrat. Family History Library film #1041076.
    2. Letter from Nettie Laughlin McNabb dated 21 Mar 1942 to Elsie Lundquist McNabb: "Margaret Morrison was born at Camelton, Scotland (highlands) Feb 20 1812. Came to U.S. with her brother John in 1838." Nettie is the daughter-in-law of Margaret.
    3. Tombstone information under biography of husband John McNabb III.
    4. Newspaper clipping provided by Reva McNabb (daughter of George Daniel McNabb and Hattie Belle Jolliffe.) Says died March 13, 1880, aged 68 years and 25 days and calls her Marguerite. Gives information on her immigration with her two brothers and her church affiliations as cited in biography of Margaret above. Continues: "Her remains were buried in her brother John Morrison's family grave yard on the 15th, the funeral services being conducted in the Church by Dr. Robinson, and the attendance was very large." Gives cause of death as cited above. (Either her remains were removed   to the Brookside Cemetery, or the tombstone there is informational only.)
    5. Mount Palatine Memories, Putnam County Historical Society, August 1989: On p. 14 Margaret McNabb is mentioned as member of Congregational Church of Tonica. The church was organized on 7 Feb 1869. Also listed as members were her brother John Morrison and wife and sister (George Gurnea and wife.)
    6. Obituary notice of John Morrison McNabb (son of John and Margaret McNabb) says: "He was of good Scotch parentage, they having come to this country in the early part of the last century [19th century.] His father [John McNabb] was born near Glasgow, while his mother [Margaret Morrison McNabb] was born at South End, near Campbellton, in the south of Scotland."
    7. Alternate birth date: In Tracings, her birth date is 20 Feb 1811 and death as 30 Apr 1880. Since the death date is incorrect, I believe that the birth date is also incorrect.
    8. Marriage date: Date provided by James McNabb Bumgarner. Lewis Wabel, Jr. (cited in tjhe John McNabb III biography) says: "Soon thereafter, the couple accompanied the Morrison family to Illinois." In Records of the Olden Times by Spencer Ellsworth, it says on page 661, "He [John McNabb] came to Putnam County in 1838 and married Margaret Morrison in that year, a country woman of his, by whom he has had six children.. . ." This information is incorrect both as to marriage place and date as well as number of children.
    9.Margaret's obituary mentions two brothers. Nettie Laughlin McNabb mentions only one. However, we have the burial of Archie Morrison, born in Argyle, Scotland, May 19, 1816, and died July 6, 1887. He is buried in the Morrison family cemetery. John was christened on March 31, 1814, and Archibald was born on May 19, 1816, both in Southend. John was married twice. His wives: Mary J., died March 5, 1862 at age 30; and Mary Moody, died July 15, 1888 at age 67. Both are buried at the Morrison family cemetery.

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