Hector Murray & Isabella Munro

In 1825 Hector was born at Rhemusaig, Rogart, on 27th February, son of William Murray, miller, and Catherine Grant.  
in 1824 Isabella (Bell) was born on 27th September in Creich, daughter of Hugh Munro, blacksmith, and Janet Mackay (DC).
In 1849 Hector and Isabella married on 10 December in Creich (OPR). Isabella was living at Whiteface, Creich at that time.
Hector worked as a blacksmith and appears to have moved about quite a bit.  
In 1851 the family were at Spinnngdale, Creich. 
By 1861 they had moved to the Farm Manager’s House, Embo, Dornoch.  
In 1871 they were living at Oldtown, Brora, Clyne, in a three-roomed house. A granddaughter, Isabella Murray, one month old, born Dornoch, lived with the family – daughter of young Isabella Murray. 
In 1873 on 1st March, Hector died at Gordonbush, Strathbrora, Clyne (DC). His death certificate tells that he died from smallpox from which he suffered for eight days. He is buried at Ascoile, Strathbrora where a gravestone was erected by Isabella and his eight children.

The 1881 census shows Isabella at Fascally, Clyne, with children John and Alexander plus granddaughter Isabella, now 10 years old. 
The 1891 census shows Bell to be the keeper of the reading room at The Institute, Brora. She was assisted by her granddaughter Isabella.  
In 1901 Isabella was living alone in Sutherland Street, Brora. 
In 1907 Isabella, widow of Hector Murray, blacksmith, died at North Brora on 22nd December, aged 79 years (DC). George Robertson, who was married to Isabella’s granddaughter Isabella Murray, signed the death certificate.

They had the following children:
ISABELLA MURRAY, born circa 1850 Spinningdale – 1851 and 1861 census at home – in 1871 census she was living with parents, working as a nurse – also in 1871 Isabella gave birth to a daughter, Isabella who later married George Robertson – in 1874 Isabella senior married Alexander Stewart Morrison (MC) 
WILLIAM MURRAY, born circa 1853 Spinningdale, Creich – 1861 census at home – in 1888 married Ann Hossack (MC) 
JEMIMA MURRAY, born 23 December 1855 Embo Mains, Dornoch (BC) – 1861 and 71 census at home - in 1878 married Alexander Mackay (MC) 
HUGH MURRAY, born 28 April 1858 Embo Mains, Dornoch (IGI) – 1861 and 71 census at home – in 1881 Hugh appears to have been working as a farm servant at Rhives, Golspie – in 1888 married his first wife Margaret Cassells (MC)  
JOHN MURRAY, born 27 October 1860 Embo Mains, Dornoch (BC) – 1861, 71 and 81 census at home – in 1897 married Margaret Sutherland (MC) 
GEORGE MURRAY, born 18 October 1863 Embo Mains, Dornoch – 1871 census at home – 1881 census with his brother Walter at Major General William Tod Brown’s farm at Kilcolmkil, Clyne - Walter was employed as a cattle boy and George as a house lad - married Ellen Elizabeth Gower 
WALTER MURRAY, born 28 March 1866 Skelbo – 1871 census at home – ploughman – in 1881 he was recorded, with his brother George, at Major General William Tod Brown’s farm at Kilcolmkil, Clyne.  Walter was employed as a cattle boy and George as a house lad -  in 1891 married Jane MacGowan (MC) 
ALEXANDER MURRAY, born 4 December 1868 Littletown, Dornoch (IGI) – 1871 & 1881 census at home 

updated 18/03/2016