Catherine Irvine was born at Prestonpans, East Lothian, on 12 June 1827. Her application of 1834 is one of several that shows the devastation of Edinburgh’s first cholera epidemic in 1832. [See also Jane Lauder]. Catherine’s mother Catherine (Kitty) Maclean and her children were left destitute when father George suddenly died of cholera.
Circumstances of the Childs Parents. The late George Irvine, was a Coach Proprietor, and drove his own Coach for nine Years, between Edin.r and Prestonpans, but, owing to his becoming security for a Friend, he failed – Afterwards he followed the same business, in Company with John Croal between Edin.r and Dumfries.
On the 25.th Sept.r 1832, Cholera being then raging in Dumfries, he drove his Coach there as usual in perfect health, was seized with this Malignant disease, and fell a victim to it in a few hours – Leaving a Widow and five Children destitute. – Mr.s Irvine has for a Year and a half, endeavoured to support her family by letting Lodgings &c &c. – but misfortune having pursued her, furniture and cloathes were seized for Rent, and She with her family fled to the House of Refuge[1] – her friends have taken her Eldest Child (a Boy) – her Eldest Girl is gone to Service, and three female Children are to be provided for – the Child had been only three Weeks in the House of Refuge, which is not a suitable situation for a well educated Child.
Catherine was admitted to John Watson’s Institution in 1834.
[1] ‘From 1834, the House of Refuge was based in Queensberry House, in the Canongate, which had previously been a private house, military barracks and fever hospital.’ (https://queensberryhousetrust.org/about, accessed 4 December 2025.
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