Wilhelmina Couston was born in Leith on 29 November 1830. Her father William, a merchant in Leith died leaving a pregnant wife, Jean and four daughters in addition to Wilhelmina: Margaret (b. 1825), Agnes (b. 1827), Janet (b. 1828), and Jane (b. 1833), their posthumous child. All of Wilhemina’s sisters were noted as ‘Too young to by any profession’ on her application form. William left debts and Jean was unable to support her young family: she worked as a dressmaker and as a ‘lady’s nurse’ when she was able. Jean Adie came from Dunfermline which is where the family resided at the time of Wilhelmina’s application.
Circumstances shewing that the Child is destitute and a proper object of the Charity, }
The late M.r Couston was a merchant in Leith, but failed in his circumstances a few weeks before his death in January 1833. He had on his failure, made over his property to M.r James Taylor Merchant in Leith, as Trustee to his Creditors, who sold every thing belonging to the Family. His Widow then went to Dunfermline to reside with her Brother in Law M.r Williamson, who was a Manufacturer there, but who sometime ago gave up business; and M.rs Couston’s continuing to reside there is uncertain. M.rs Couston does what she can to maintain her Family as a Dressmaker; but from being much occupied in attending to her children, is necessarily prevented from dedicating her whole time to her needle.
David Couston, Merchant in Leith, the Brother of the deceased, gives occasional assistance to his Brother’s family, and has, since his death, always had one of his Daughters living in his house, and who is educated with his own family; but from having a family of his own, he cannot take more of them than one.
David Couston acted as Wilhemina’s cautioner.
Wilhelmina was admitted to the school in 1837 but appeared in the 1841 Census with her mother at 16/2 Fettes Row along with her sisters Margaret and Agnes.
She married, ‘according to the forms of the Church of Scotland’, David Paterson of 6 Bristo Place, a commercial traveller, on 9 October 1857, from 6 Windmill Street, giving her profession as ‘Dressmaker’. The couple had six children: David Couston (1860-1851, born at 50 George Street, Edinburgh); Janet (b. 1862); Wilhelmina (b. 1867); William (1868-1949); John (b. 1870); and Alfred (b. 1873).
The 1871 found the family at 35 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh with David as a ‘Provision Merchant’ and their daughter Janet aged 9 as a ‘Scholar’. Wilhelmina’s mother was also with them as was a ‘General Domestic’ servant called Mary Mercer aged 15 who was born in London.
Wilhelmina died on 30 December 1897 at 13 Pitt Street, Edinburgh.
application
