Thomas A Lawther — the earliest one, the son of Theophilus — married Isabel McDougall. When I was researching the Lawthers and found the 1880 Census listing for their household in Wilmington, I began to learn about the McDougalls.

In 1880, Thomas Lawther, age 31, has not yet married and is living in Wilmington with his parents, MG and TR Lawther, in a household that includes 8 other people — Mary operated a boarding house. Among the 8 boarders were: Robt McDougles, age 60, occupation RR moulder and Bella McDougles, age 24 [implies 1856 birth, erroneously]. Bella and Robert were both born in Scotland, as were 2 of the other boarders. The obvious conclusion to draw was that Robert was Bella“s father, but that evidence alone wasn“t conclusive.

The obituary for Mrs. T A Lawther (Bella) in August, 1912 says that she was 62 years old [implies 1850 birth], was born in Scotland, came to this country while a child, lived in Columbia, SC for a number of years and had lived in Wilmington about 35 years [implies 1877 arrival in Wilmington]. She was survived by two daughters (Mrs. I M Craig and Miss Mary Lawther) and one son (Mr. T A Lawther). Her tombstone says that she was born 5 Sep 1848 and died 30 Aug 1912.

I now know that Isabella was born in Johnstone, Paisley Abbey, Renfrewshire, Scotland (near Glasgow). She came to America as a child with her parents and they settled in Columbia, SC in the early 1850“s. Then, after her mother died in 1872, she relocated with her father, later to be joined by her brother, to Wilmington. She and her father took up residence in the boarding house of Mary G Lawther where Mary’s 31-year old bachelor son was still living at home. The rest, as they say, is history.

It is quite curious that the 1880 Census says Bella McDougles is 24, suggesting an 1856 birth when I have found church records from Scotland showing it to be 1847. I think this lady didn't like to tell her age and I wonder what age Thomas A thought his bride was when he married her in 1880.

I wonder if the story is she was born 1847, came to America in 1856 -- hence had been here 24 years at time of 1880 Census, lived in Columbia until about 1876, then moved to Wilmington.

A local newspaper clipping dated 19 Dec 1880 says that TA Lawther of Petersburg, VA married Miss JS McDougall of Columbia, SC. I think in both cases had they said ”recently from” - rather than ”of”, the clipping would have been more accurate and her name was Isabel, so I think it should have said I S McDougall.

I also found their actual marriage application and certificate on microfilm. It is dated 9 Dec 1880 for their marriage 16 Dec 1880. It says he is age 32 and she 24. A witness to their marriage was James McDougall (her brother as known from those Census listings). James actually signs his name and uses the spelling McDougall and that is the spelling I have gone with for this family despite the many variations I have seen in many different records about family members.

Isabel’s age on her marriage certificate is consistent with what was said in the 1880 Census, but I had already noticed the inconsistency with what was implied by other documents. Later I would learn that the most accurate statement of her correct age was in the 1860 Census. Isabel was, in fact, born 5 Dec 1847 so she was 33 (barely) at the time of her marriage, not 24 as stated. I wonder when she confessed to her husband that she was 9 years older than she had been telling him.

From the Bill Reaves collection at NHCL, we know that Isabella was the sister of James McDougall, who was 63 when he died in 1910 and who it is said came to America at the age of 3. It further says that he had been in Wilmington for 23 years, implying that he came in 1887, some years after his father and sister apparently. I have also found the Voter Registration for James McDougall in 1902 and he says he is 56 and his ancestor Robert voted in 1867 in SC.

Isabella said in the 1910 Census that she had had 4 children of which 3 then survived. The fourth was stillborn 23 Mar 1882 and is buried in Oakdale.

Thomas came to Wilmington as a young man, not yet married, in about 1870 with his parents. His mother ran a boarding house and by 1880, two Scots recently from SC took up residence there -- Isabella Sharp McDougall and her father. Thomas married Isabella later that year. His career was that of railroad engineer and he was a highly respected ”Captain• upon his death.

He registers to vote in 1902, saying he is 53 and descended from T R Lawther who voted in 1867 in Virgina.