The first Stout on Fair Isle

Various meanings have been attached to the name Stout most commonly “brave, bold, firm, determined also obstinate, and uncompromising. Physically or materially strong, sturdy, vigorous, staunch and enduring.”

It would be not a stretch to say that these qualities are required to live and survive on Fair Isle.

Thomas Stout

Born in 1700 birthplace: unknown. Thomas was a teacher, his occupation is why he comes to Fair Isle. After he moved to the island he was living on the Shivra Croft. It is unclear if Thomas had an existing connection to the island. Although Thomas is the first recorded Stout on Fair Isle, Stout’s were living on Orkney and Shetland.

Thomas marries Elizabeth Cradlie born on Shirva. He lives through the Jacobite Uprising and the last of the Stuart dynasty on the English throne.

Some family trees have his death year as 1779 in Lancashire, England. Certainly, the record exists but has no tangible connection passed the name. In all likelihood, Thomas Stout died on Fair Isle.

Thomas and Elizabeth had 2 children

1717 - Thomas Stout

1720 - Magnus Stout

3 independent records have Magnus Stouts Birth in 1720 Leogh Croft, Fair isle and Death in 1825. If true this makes Magnus the eldest person in the family tree. He marries Mary Brown and they have 6 children. Surveys of the island by various lairds and land owners recorded that the island had inhabitants over 100 years old.

“The 32 families present in 1791 comprised 106 males and 114 females and included two individuals who were reputedly more than 100 years old.”

Valerie M Thom (Fair Isle an Island Saga) Published 1984

In 2018 ‘North Isles Family History’ removed Magnus Stout’s death date and replaced it with ‘Unknown’. A Magnus was born in 1771 and 1787. Records could have been confused and the 1825 date could apply to one of these men.

Thomas and Magnus will seed the main population of Stouts on Fair Isle. Thomas Stout will follow in his father’s steps and become the Islands Schoolmaster.

Thomas Stout Married Margaret Dunnet in 1736. They had 5 children

1735 - James Stout

1739 - Elizabeth Stout

1741 - Marion Stout

1744 - Elspet Stout

1756 - Thomas Stout

Magnus and Mary had 4 children

1756 - George Stout

1760 - Laurence Stout

1770 - Marion Stout

1780 - Jean Stout

Laurence Stout has conflicting records. Some documents state he is born in 1760 and others in 1770. Given the age of his parents, 1760 is the most likely. Records state he is born in Westray, Orkney. It is more likely that the records for Fair Isle were held by the land owner in Orkney.

It wasn’t uncommon for islanders to move between Orkney and Shetland, for women to travel at this time it would typically be for a family relocation.

By 1770

Laurence’s

sister Marion’s birth is registered on Fair Isle. Laurance marries Marjory Williamson in 1785, His elder brother William also marries a member of the Williamson family.

Laurence and Marjory have 8 children.

1787 - Magnus Stout

1789 - George Stout

1790 - Thomas Stout

1791 - James Stout

1793 - Jean Stout

1795 - Mary Stout

1806 - James Stout

1806 - Agnes Stout

George Stout born on Busta married Jocobina Wilson in 1815 and had 5 children.

1816 - Mary Stout

1820 - Esther Stout

1822 - George Stout

1824 - James Stout

1829 - Diane Stout

George Stout married Janet (Jessie) Williamson in 1850 and had 11 children. The birth of all 11 children and the death of George is registered on the Busta Croft. Busta, Shivra and Springfield will be one of the main residences for the Stout family until they leave the island.

Around this time (1860) the Island will see its first mass emigration to Canada. The emigration to New Brunswick is well documented.

“A transport from Fair Isle to Kirkwall, From there the steamer took the party of 65 adults and 70 children south to Leith, Edinburgh, where they were put on the train to Glasgow.”

“Five weeks later they landed safely in St Johns, New Brunswick. According to contemporary reports they arrived ‘all in good health and spirits’, but for people who had seldom, if ever, been off the isle before, and had never visited a big city or seen a train, it must have been a traumatic journey.”

Valerie M Thom (Fair Isle an Island Saga) Published 1984

George and Jessie’s 7th child William Stout is the grandfather of Rita Deans. Born in 1866 William will live through one of the hardest recorded times on the island.

“The 1890’s became another decade of misfortune, of poor crops, low fish prices and disasters at sea.”

“Early in 1899, the islanders lost two of their yoals, which were smashed to pieces when trying to come ashore in storm conditions. The crews just managed to escape. A third boat was severely damaged. As a result of these accidents, the poor conditions and the meagre rewards, life on the Isle was becoming intolerable.”

Emigration from Fair Isle by Jerry Eunson edited by George Stout