Scot Ancestor - Margaret Campbell Paton

OUR SCOT ANCESTOR -
MARGARET CAMPBELL PATON

�� In the Campbell household, in Edinburgh,Canongate, Midlothian, Scotland, arrived a wee Scot lass, named Margaret. It was August 18, 1812. Her parents were Thomas and Christian (Macintosh) Campbell. In the years to come, this girl was to keep the record of her life in her Cottage Bible, and in a second Family Bible, which records the great moments of her life and those of her family, the births, the marriages and the deaths. Being born in the capital of Scotland, with the great stone castle overlooking the city and its bay, she was raised in a family of Scotch Presbyterian background, going to school learning the proper way for a Scots girl to speak, to write, and to read.

�� A young man, Thomas Paton came into her life and in 1831, on Dec.30, they were married. She was 19 and he was 20. His home was in Perth shire, Scotland.� Their first child, James, was horn in Glasgow, June 13, 1833.� King James may have been the inspiration for their son's name.� Margaret's baby, James, died when he was only three years old.

�� The family moved to Lancashire, England, where Christian came to be in the family Oct. 23, 1835, but he lived only two years.� So Margaret and Thomas buried their second son, also.� Thomas Jr. came to their home next, Oct. 26, 1837. They had moved to Milnegavie, Scotland, by now.� Four years later William was born.� The family had moved again to Glasgow.� Here, April 5, 1841, William joined his parents and big brother Thomas.� The first baby daughter was named for her mother, Margaret.� It was a cold February day in Glasgow, 1843, the 26th.� She was lovely, the first daughter, with dark eyes and dark hair, the joy of her parents and brothers Tom and Will.�

�� Margaret and Thomas began to dream of life for their family in the New World and the (sic) crossed the Atlantic with Thomas, William, and Margaret. In the States, Margaret and Thomas' family grew with five more children: John Paton, born September 23, 1844, and Anna Hellen (Ellen) May 37, 1847, in Taunton, Rhode Island. Walter James Paton came to the family at Providence, R. I., Feb. 20, l849, and the family was in Belleville, N. J. When Jane (Jean) Janet came, Dec. 14, 1850, but again, Margaret was to bury two children: Jane, Oct. 25, 1854, and Robert Campbell, who lived only a short while: Nov. 8, 1852-April 20, 1854, both born in Belleville, N.J. and both died at Globe Village, Rhode Island.� Margaret had buried two children in Scotland, and two in the States.� Anna Helen was in Logan Co., Illinois, at Emden, when she died, Nov. 18, 1903, at 56

�� Sorrow met the family when the father, Thomas Paton, died in Fall River, Massachusetts, January 15, 1861 "� past 2 o'clock p.m." The New World gave of its earth for a resting place for the Scotsman, and Margaret faced a world as a widow, with children for whom she was responsible.�

�� Margaret Paton had become naturalized in April the 13th, 1880 and at 68, she homesteaded land near Galva, Kansas.� She paid $4 for the Final Receipt, and official papers are recorded in the Court House in McPherson, on, Kansas, of the deed of land made to her and signed with the facsimile of James A. Garfield. On Dec. 21, 1880, she sold the land to "Margaret Armstrong and husband," for $800, and they in turn also sold the 160 acres for $1,000.� The land is plotted and recorded: R. 2, T. 19, SW4 of Section 17. (For map showing location of Section 17, click here)

�� Margaret and Wm. D. Armstrong lived on the ranch where he was later to build a hotel and Livery stable. He later bought a farm, part of the Crane Ranch when it was sold.�

�� Harriet Margaret Platt was married to Daniel Carr Luse, 31 May 1880 (1881?) and she bore four children: Claude, Harriet Maude, Charles Wesley, and Bert. D. C. Luse was in business in Great Bend, Kansas.� Harriet and Maude became members of the Presbyterian Church in Great Bend in 1901. Harriet was quite active socially; the Great Bend Tribune published an account of her life.

�� Margaret Paton lived to be 80 years and eleven months old. Her burial is in McPherson, Kansas. Her grandson, Charles C. Platt, wrote about her:

DIED:

�� At her home in Galva, Kansas, July 23, 1893, Mrs. Margaret Paton aged eighty years and eleven months.� She was a moved member of the Presbyterian Church of Glava.� Mother Paton was of Scottish birth and inherited (in) a large degree the solidity of the Scottish race and especially in her religious views, a constant Bible reader, a wise counselor in all that pertained to the advancement of the kingdom of her Lord and Master in the community in which she lived.� When I look around I can but say, alas, who will be able amongst us to take up Mother Paton's mantel and take her place in the church circle, that death hath broken by taking her from us.

�� She was so gentle yet strong, so tender and loving that the entire community bowed in sorrow around her silent tomb in sympathy with her three sons and two daughters that were present to perform this last sad rite to one so dear.� God grant that the entire family may have grace continually given them to walk before God as she walked.

Grandma Is At Rest

�� Dear Grandma is at rest

Whose memory is so dear.

�� She often fondled on her breast

The ones who loved to hear

�� The precious words of Jesus

The words of Holy wit (writ?)

�� The words of Inspiration

Were her delight to read.

�� Yes Grandma is at rest

Her voice is hushed by death

�� Her spirit goes to God who gave it

Her body unto dust��

�� And oh how changed the home

There Grandma used to live,

�� Her steps no more resound

No voice of prayer is heard.

�� While Grandma is at rest

while death a change has made

�� While many heart are saddened

And many minds made grave

�� Dear Grandma is in Glory

Where she would not exchange

�� The life, and peace she now enjoys

In place of what she gave.

�� Dear Grandma is at rest

She's left this busy world

�� It's cares and strife and sin

With all its doubts and fears;

�� Her piety was known

Her walk on earth with Christ

�� Was Mixed with Holy aim

Good words, Good works, and trust.

�� Dear Grandma is at rest

Her memory is so dear

�� She loved the sacred page

And taught it far and near

�� Such Grand as now are scarce

Who teach the young to pray

�� And memorize the word of God

And give and sacrifice

�� And now Grandma farewell

But soon we'll meet again

�� Where parting is no more

Where purity, truth and joy prevail.

�� Where sin is overcome

Life's battles fought and won

�� We'll lay our armor down

And this sweet rest we'll gain

� Written August 15, 1893, in memory of my dear old Grandma Margaret Paton, Born at Edinburgh, Scotland, August 18, 1812.� Died at Galva, Kansas on July 24, 1893.

�� Chas. C. Platt

Her death Certificate indicates she "died of Congestion of Lungs after 4 days".

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