Ann Dupong (circa 1839 - 1914)
Ann was the daughter of James Dupong and Isabella Nisbet.
She was born circa 1839 in County Down, Ireland.
She died 30 May 1914 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Since very little was known about Ann, the long-held family theory was that she met Captain Joseph Scott while he was cruising around when in the Mercantile Marines, stopped in Ireland and swept Ann off her feet, carried her back to Scotland where they married on 12 October 1860 at the Holy Trinity Chapel, Ayr, Scotland.
Recently uncovered census records however place Ann in Scotland by the 1851 census. She was a 13 year-old living with her parents, James and Isabella, and siblings Martha (age 20), Sarah (age 17), Charles (age 11) and James (8) on Content St., Newton-on-Ayr, Scotland. All of the children had been born in Ireland. Her father James was employed as a "Labourer Agr" (Agricultural Labourer), Martha, Sarah and Ann were all working as Hand Sewers.
Two older brothers were found living nearby. Hugh (b. abt. 1828, Rathfriland, County Down, Ireland) was also living on Content St. with his wife Christina Jarvis and their young children David (age 4) and Isabella (age 3 weeks). Peter (b. abt. 1832, County Down, Ireland) was living on Elba St. with his wife Mary Jane Aitken and their young sons James (age 3) and Charles (age 9 months). Hugh and Peter were both employed as Coal Miners.
By 1861 Ann was married and living with her husband and 2 month old son Thomas at Guntous Land, Elba St., St Quivox, Ayr, Scotland. Her parents and siblings Martha (age 25), Charles Stark (age 17) and James (age 14), were living at 243 High St., Ayr. Her father was employed as a "Genral Labrour".
Ann and Joseph appear to have travelled to Ireland sometime between the birth of their son John in 1867 and their son Joseph in 1873. Their daughter Annie was born in Ireland circa 1869 and the family cannot be located in the 1871 Scottish census.
Ann's father James died of pneumonia on 6 April 1871 at 234 High Street, Ayr. Her mother Isabella died 24 May 1881 in Ayr.
In the 1881 we find Ann and children Annie (age 20), Hugh (age 12) and William (age 11) living at 6 Gordon Place, Ayr, Scotland. Her husband Joseph is not listed. The theory is that he was away for the night of the census, likely working on one of his ships.
In 1891 Ann and Joseph were living at 8 Octavia St., Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Scotland with children Craig (age 24) and William (age 21).
The trouble tracking down the "Damn Dupongs" as we lovingly refer to them, is that the surname is very commonly mispelled. Depo, Depong, Depont and Depaunque are some of the more common variations. Depel, Depant, Depone and Dapoug are some of the more unusual spellings but nothing should be ruled out when it comes to tracking this family down!
In total Ann and Joseph had nine children Tom , Isabella , Isabella , John , Annie , Joe , Craig , Hugh (Faddy) , and William .
When Ann died on 30 May 1914 in Glasgow her cause of death was listed as Senile Cerebral Degeneration. Her death certificate was signed by her daughter Annie Martin. Ann is laid to rest in Greenock Cemetery with her husband Captain Joseph Scott and their two small daughters, both named Isabella.