John Houston was born in Kilbirnie (or Dalry), Ayrshire about 1847 to Mary Haney (or Hanny) (c1820 - 1881) and Cornelius Houston, Coal Miner (c1813 - 1870). [See Section HN-5-1 for family background.]
Catherine Murphy was born about 1853 in Dalry, Ayrshire to Susannah Rock (c1818 - ) and Michael Murphy (c1826 - ), Coal Miner. [See Section MP-5-1 for family background.]
1872 On Thursday, November 7, John Houston and Catherine Murphy were married at St. Paul's RC Church, Eastmuir. The marriage was registered No.59 at Shettleston on November 9.
John was a Bachelor, gave his age as 23, occupation Coal Miner and usual residence as Provanhall, Shettleston Parish. His parents are recorded as Cornelius Houston, Coal Miner (deceased) and Mary Houston m.s. Haney.
Catherine was a Spinster, gave her age as 21 [I think she was 19], occupation Winder and usual residence also Provanhall. [Her brother Arthur and family were in Provanhall in the 1871 census while she was still in Dalry.] Catherine's parents are recorded as Michael Murphy, Coal Miner (deceased) and Susannah Murphy m.s. Rock.
The celebrant was Fr. G. McBrearty, Cath. Clergyman and the witnesses were George Connolley and Catherine O'Hara. The bride, groom and both witnesses made their marks rather than signing their names.
The marriage is noted in the Register of Marriages in St Paul's.
1881 April 3 John and Catherine were living at 46 Main Street, Maryhill in a household which comprised —
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Daniel Malloy Head Mar 36 Pithead man Stirlingsh, Falkirk Jane do. Wife do. 29 Edinburghsh, Edinburgh Daniel do. Son 9 Scholar Lanarksh, Maryhill John Houston Boarder Mar 31 Coal Miner Ayrsh, Dalry James McCormick do. Unm 36 Ironstone do. do., Kilbirnie Catherine Houston do. Mar 29 Coal Miners Wife do., Dalry
1891 April 5 The family were now at 3 Squairs Court, Eastmuir, in the Village of Shettleston, in a house with one windowed room. [Squair's Court was between Nos.35 & 63 Eastmuir Street.]
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace John Houston Head Mar 39 Coal Miner Ayrshire, Dalry Catherine do. Wife Mar 37 do., do. Elizabeth do. Daur Unm 16 Bleacher do., do. John Murphy Boarder 11 Scholar do., do. I could find no evidence of an Elizabeth born to John and Catherine so indulged in a bit of lateral thinking and believe that both Elizabeth and John are the children of Catherine's sister Elizabeth. [See section MP-5-1 for further information]
1898 Elizabeth Houston married James Gribbin on Wednesday, April 13, at St Paul's RC Chapel, Shettleston. [See section GR-6-1 for further information]
1900 John Houston, Coal Miner, Married to Catherine Murphy, died at 6h20m a.m. on Sunday, July 1 at 2 Squairs Court, Eastmuir Street, Shettleston, age 42 years, of Cardiac Dilation, 1 year 3 months as certified by George Wilson, M.B.C.M. His parents are recorded as Cornelius Houston, Coal Miner and Mary Houston m.s. Hainey, both deceased. His death was registered No.217 at Shettleston on the following day by John Houston Murphy, Nephew, Present.
1901 March 31 At 2 Squires Court [single house], Shettleston in a house with one windowed room.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Catherine Houston Head Widow 45 Ayrshire, Dalry John Murphy Nephew S 21 Coal Miner do., do.