Cabinet maker /Undertaker

[frances]

I have been looking at the DC for James Murray Laing. James died just 7 months old in 1856. His father Alexander Laing is described as a Cabinet-Maker (Journeyman). The death was reg by James's cousin and the burial place is given an Calton Burial Ground (As certified by Alexander Laing Undertaker) My question is could James's father Alexander also be the undertaker ?

Any thought would be welcome.

Frances

[SarahND]

Yes, cabinet makers were often also undertakers-- they made coffins as well as cabinets! One of my great great grandfathers was a cabinet maker, undertaker, mayor and justice of the peace of a small town in Ohio. Start making cabinets and you never know where it will take you!

All the best,
Sarah

[Currie]

Hello Frances and Sarah,

Unless it took the cabinet maker to a small town in Kansas called Dodge City, where he would have been too busy undertaking to have much spare time for any other undertakings.

I think upholsterer would have been another sideline, although nothing to do with holsters.

I had a look in the 1856 Glasgow Directory but couldn’t find Alexander Laing listed.
http://archive.org/stream/postofficeann ... 1/mode/2up

All the best,
Alan

[Russell]

Hi Alan

Calton Burial Ground was /is in Edinburgh and was used by the South Leith parish.
Your cabinetmaker/joiner wouldn't need an upholsterer's skills for Kilbarchan coffins. A description I found was 'plain deal plank' so no internal comfort for the deceased
In the mid 1800's in what was a small village we had at least four joiners who also were proud of their coffin making skills.

Russell

[Currie]

Thanks Russell,

Wikipedia promised me faithfully that Calton was in Glasgow, which I suppose it is, except for what’s in Edinburgh.

Getting back to directories, I checked the 1856-57 Edinburgh and Leith, and Undertaking doesn’t even rate as a profession. It just says “See Cabinetmakers and Wrights” http://archive.org/stream/postofficeedi ... 4/mode/2up

For Cabinetmakers it has ”Cabinetmakers and Upholsterers” and Wrights are just “Wrights”. Still no luck with him there.

The Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh, Scotland), Wednesday, April 11, 1860, has a report about a fire in premises occupied by Mr Laing, Cabinetmaker, at Hyndford’s Close, High Street. Mrs. Laing snatched the baby from a burning bed. Any connection?

All the best,
Alan

[Falkyrn]

Alan (and Wikipedia) are correct the Calton to which he referred is now a district in the East End of Glasgow and has its own burial ground in Abercromby Street.

Originally set up as an independent weavers village was eventually incorporated into Glasgow as the City expanded its borders it once had quite a militant history (The Calton Martyrs)

Unfortunately there is also a Calton in the east of the country and possibly the one required if the finding of the name Laing in the High Street is any connection.

[Currie]

The one in Hyndford’s Close in 1860 was an Alexander Laing.
http://archive.org/stream/postofficeedi ... 4/mode/2up

Alan

[frances]

Thanks all for replies. Alan, this is indeed the same Alexander Laing. Place of death is given as Hyndlands Close. I can't make out the Cause of Death. Little James was seen by a doctor on the 16th December and he died one day later .

Can I see a copy of the report of the fire on line ?

Frances

[AndrewP]

I can't make out the Cause of Death. Little James was seen by a doctor on the 16th December and he died one day later .

Hi Frances,

I read the cause of death as Variola. Googling that makes it look like another name for smallpox.

All the best,

AndrewP

[joette]

My great-grandfather not only made his own coffin he also carved his own tombstone-all the details except for the date of death-he actually made it for his baby daughter.It was toppled in the 1968 storm & for a time was against the wall in Old Kilpatrick churchyard but then disappeared.The cost of repairing it was outwith the family budget at the time.