WILLIAM McNAY
By 1857, William McNay and his brother, George, were living in North Street,
Bo地ess and were both working in the nearby Bo地ess Pottery.
In 1860, William had moved to the Braehead area but by the following year,
had moved yet again, to a house in the east end of Bo地ess.
William was now a Commercial Traveller for the pottery.
In 1866 at the age of 31, he married Margaret Marshall, the half-sister of
pottery owner, John Marshall. The following entry is recorded in the Marriage
Register:
On the Ninth day of October at Richmond House (right), Bo地ess after Banns
According to the Forms of the United Presbyterian Church Scotland.
William and Margaret began their married life in Rockville Cottage (below),
Panbrae Road, Bo地ess and their first child, Margaret McNay, was born there
in November 1868.
William was now an Earthenware Manufacturer having been made a partner in
the Bo地ess Pottery following his marriage.
Their second child, John McNay, was born in July 1870, also in Rockville.
The expanding family were outgrowing their home and by the time their third
child was born, William Marshall McNay in March 1872, they had moved next
door to Clifton Cottage.
George Alexander McNay was born in September 1873 & Charles George
McNay in August 1875.
Their last child, Mary Elizabeth McNay, was born in November 1878. By now,
their Clifton Cottage was known as Clifton Villa.
William died at Clifton Villa on 24th March 1880, age 44, as a result of Locomotor Ataxia (syphilis of the spinal cord).
His widow, Margaret, died on 18th December 1920.
Obituary from Bo'ness Journal, Saturday March 27th, 1880
After a prolonged illness this highly respected gentleman breathed his last at Clifton Cottage, on Wednesday evening at a quarter past
ten o団lock.
Mr McNay, along with the late John Marshall, Esq., of Richmond House, his brother-in-law, took an active and intelligent part in
everything pertaining to the welfare of the town and harbour, devoting much of his time to local affairs.
After the retirement of Mr Marshall, Mr McNay was unanimously elected their chairman, and while occupying that position did some
very useful work - particularly in connection with the dock and water schemes, in which he took much interest. The last of these
schemes he saw completed, and the first progressing favourably.
In November last he felt his health declining, and on the advice of his medical advisors he retired from the Trust, hoping to return to it if
restored to health.
For a time it seemed as if he would rally, but about two months ago he got worse; and while there have been times when his friends
fondly hoped they saw better symptoms he gradually sank, and calmly passed away, as we have said, on Wednesday evening last.
It is not much to say that Bo地ess feels a heavy loss in the death of Mr McNay. As a partner in one of our largest industries (the
pottery) his presence will be much missed.
As a genial, kind-hearted citizen, a straight-forward and intelligent magistrate his death will be a severe blow; and no one who has ever
come in contact with him as a friend and neighbour, but will regret his loss.
Mr McNay was in the very prime of life, and leaves a widow and young family.
Mr McNay was a member and one of the managers of the U.P. Church, and his loss will be much felt by the members of that body.
Much sympathy has been excited for his widow in her present circumstances, Mrs McNay being at present prostrated with illness.
Death of Wm. McNay, Esq, J.P.