This old photo sent to us by Joan Colmer a descendant of Abigail Anne Montgomery who married James McGregor. Second photo is taken at Lulworth Cove, a beautiful coastal village in Dorset.

Details as supplied by Joan Colmer of Sydney:-

JAMES McGREGOR was b.25.12.1847 at Inverness Scotland to John McGregor, grocer of Scotland. Son James was member of the Grand Lodge of Scotland - Lodge Argyll Dunoon, Edinburgh in 1872. James McGregor was a coastguardsman. He m.23.12.1876 W.Wittering to Abigail Annie Montgomery b.30.7.1854 to John Montgomery, Coastguardsman and Jane Down.

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE - James McGregor age 28 m.23.12.1876 Abigail Anne Montgomery age 22 at Parish of W.Wittering, Sussex. James was bachelor, coastguardsman, while Anne was spinster, both residing at West Wittering. James was son/o John McGregor, grocer, while Abigail was dau/o John Montgomery, named as Pensioner. They were married by banns with witnesses John Montgomery (Jane had died) and Alice Wells ? Both James and Abigail signed their names.

Son JOHN THOMAS McGREGOR (listed under) b.25.5.1879 New Forest in sub-district Hawley, Southampton. A.A.McGregor (mother) was then residing at Needs Oar, Beaulieu. His birth was registered 2.7.1879. Marriage details of John Thomas McGregor at Parish Church in Parish of Alverstoke, Southampton - John Thomas McGregor age 24 married Ada Florence Sparshott age 21. John was bachelor, seaman in R.N. At the time of marriage John and Ada lived 10 Brune Terrace, Alverstoke. Ada was daughter of Edward Thomas Sparshott, foreman for R.E. John was son/o James McGregor, now pensioner R.N. They m.26.12.1903 in Parish Church after Banns, witnesses being Edward Thomas Sparshott and Lizzie McGregor. Both John and Ada signed their names.

Lennox Christian McGREGOR born 1883 (1901 census & St.Catherine's House indexes.

Francis Gertrude McGREGOR born 1886 (St.Catherine's House indexes)

Jane McGREGOR born 1891 (St.Catherine's House Indexes)

Collingwood Hugh McGREGOR b.1.9.1892 at Coastguard Station, Langney Westham R.S.D. to James & Anne (Montgomery)McGregor. James was, at that time, Chief Officer in Charge (Mariner). James McGregor was informant and from Coastguard Station, Langney, Westham. The birth was registered 10.11.1892 Eastbourne, sub district of Westham, Sussex.

Rob born 1897 - showed up on the 1901 census aged 4 years and born at Lancing, Sussex. Joan said her father came to Australia in 1914 and told her, that his father came from a large family but he could not remember all the names. However, he did remember Max and Rob. Rob would have been older than Joan's father.Of course he would have been a grandson. Thankyou Joan.

Issue to James and Abigail Anne McGregor

1. Elizabeth A.McGregor born Westhampnett.

2. John Thomas McGregor b.1879 Needs, Ore. (gr.father/o Joan.Colmer) - served on H.M.S."Adamant".

3. James Grant McGregor b.1881 - served on H.M.S. "Encounter"

4. Albert William McGregor b.1885 - wounded/died 1916 France.

5. Nigel James McGregor b.1888. (Seems all boys born in Needs, Ore, Beaulieu, Hants) - served on H.M.S."Agamemnon"

6. Collingwood Hugh McGregor b.1892 Coastguard Station, Langley, Westham, and served in the 4th Sussex Regiment.

7. Francis G. McGregor.

8. Maxwell McGregor served on H.M.S. "New Zealand" Other issue unknown. Her husband James had served his country for forty-two years. Abigail Anne McGregor had six sons in active service, a son in law and thirty nephews, one of whom was on H.M.S."Good Hope".

In Memory of Corporal Albert William McGREGOR - 2nd Bn., Royal Sussex Regiment., who d.9.9.1916 (Saturday) age 32. Corporal McGregor was son/o Mrs.A.A.McGregor, 22 Hudson Road, Southsea, Portsmouth. Remembered with honour - Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France. Inscription "Their name Liveth For Evermore". In care of Commonwealth War Graves Comm. Web Page:- http://yard.ccta.gov.uk/cwgc/register.nsf/wwwcreateservicecertificate?openagent&553503

The 1881 Census :- Dwelling Rd.No.3, Milford Hants. Daughter Elizabeth McGregor born W.Wittering age 3. Son John Thomas McGregor b.1879 at Beaulieu.

NAVY LIST -1892-1894 resided at Langley, Hants 1895-1902 resided at Lancing, West Sussex. A Pensioner R.N. at time of sons marriage 1903.

From "DAILY SKETCH" news c.1916 A MOTHER & HER SONS - Children 7 sons. 4 daughters. 32 nephews - all at war. The captions under the photo of Abigail Anne McGregor and her 6 sons reads thus - A Southsea woman, Mrs.McGregor is proud of her fighting family. She has 6 sons on active service and also a son in law and thirty nephews, one of whom was lost in HMS."Good Hope". Her husband can count to his credit forty two years of service. The sons are John Thomas McGregor - HMS "Adamant", Nigel McGregor HMS "Agamemnon", Maxwell McGregor - HMS "New Zealand", Albert McGregor - Royal Sussex Regiment - wounded. James Grant McGregor - HMS "Encounter", Collingwood McGregor 4th Sussex Regiment.

Honour Board GRAND LODGE of GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND - A Master Mason of Argyll/Dunoon Chapter. This is a certificate from Joan Colmer who states that James McGregor was member of Lodge. The date of registration was 1872 and signed by James McGregor.

JOHN & JANE MONTGOMERY who m.14.5.1832 at Stoke Damerel had 9 children as far as we can ascertain in 2000. Thomas was ancestor of Matt Birrell while Abigail was ancestor of Joan Colmer . Issue to John & Jane:-

1. Thomas Down Montgomery b.28.10.1838 Seaford ( Not on 1851 Lulworth census)

2. Mary Jane Montgomery b.6.9.1840 Seaford.

3. Catherine Montgomery b.18.9.1842 Seaford

4. Maria Montgomery b.11.8.1844 Seaford

5. John Hutchins Montgomery b.6.12.1846 Seaford

6. William Henry Montgomery b.15.3.1849 Seaford

7. Abigail Ann Montgomery b.30.7.1854 West Wittering (stationed at Chichester or Newhaven) Found 2000. Abigail m.23.12.1876 James McGregor, coastguardsman b.1849 SCT.

8. Rosa Montgomery b.1.3.1857 West Wittering

9.. Elizabeth Montgomery born West Wittering - married William Redman

We are thankful to Joan for her interest and detail.

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GO INSTEAD WHERE

THERE IS NO PATH

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