the only child of James and Jane Ormond Rattray was born at Old Bond STreet on the 18th December 1818 at 11.15 a.m. and was baptized by the Rev. D. Nicols in the Church now the Theistic Church. The following is a copy of the Baptismal Certificate:-
"A register of Births & Baptisms kept in the Scots Church Swallow Street London:-
She was therefore at the death of her mother left an orphan at the age of 6 years and three months and an heiress. Immediately desparate efforts were made to obtain the care of her but luckily her uncle by marriage John Johnson who had been at the house when her mother died was able to look after her interests. The action of Rattray v Prentice was commenced by Bill of Complaint dated the 16 April 1825 "Jane Rattray an infant 6 years and 4 months by John Johnson of Howden Dock near Newcastle on Tyne Block and Mast Maker husband of Ann Aunt of Jane Rattray her next friend" and one of the defendants was William Prentice one of her father's Executors. From the Master's papers in this suit and the Affidavits therewith much information has been obtained. The reference to these papers is Master Senior's Papers 12, 18 & 44.
In this suit the estates of her parents were ascertained and converted into Consols. Many disparaging statements were made as to John Johnson and the Wrights which were proved to be false and in fact the Court appointed her Aunt Ann Johnson guardian and she was also appointed Administratrix of her sister Jane Ormond Rattray's estate, the latter having died intestate.
Claims against James Rattray's Estate of the most bare-faced and extravagant nature were made and defeatd. Amongst these was one by Ann daughter of John Johnson for 2 yaers salary etc. she having been a shop assistant. This lady married a Thos. Wilkie Adams who had also been an employee and who started a similar business in James St. close by. As the Adams family were specifically excluded from taking any benefit in the funds settled on Jane Rattray's marriage in the event of her leaving no issue it must be assumed that she had - or thought she had - some cause of resentment against them.
On 9th April 1825 Jane Rattray was removed to John Johnson's house at Howden Dock. Her health "which at the time of leaving her Mother's house was very delicate" improved. The coach hire from London to Howden Dock was £5.10/- and "expenses of Coachmen, Guards and refreshments about £5" (Affidavit of John Johnson 7/2/26).
Before this it had been proposed to put her with:-
Jane Rattray went to School at Wallsend-on-Tyne as a boarder. The building was still standing in November 1905, though then boarded up and awaiting the house-breakers, when it was visited by her son Henry John Bergh and her grandson Francis Rattray Bergh.
When she went first, her cousin Mary Johnson went with her and stayed a week. This from Mary Johnson herself to Fras. Rattray Bergh in 1905 nearly 80 years afterwards. A relic of this period is a small sampler inscribed "An Orphan's gift" found in the Johnson Bible along with the sampler of her mother and given to the said F.R.Bergh by Mary Johnson who stated that Jane Rattray had worked it.
Note: This sampler, which is small and about 4" x 3" is framed and is now in the possession of R.F.B.
£200 p.a. was allowed for her maintenance and education.
"Paid for Silver Fork & Spoon and Prayer Book 34/6d.
"Pocket Money at 2/- a week
(Affidavit of John Johnson 27 Feby. 1826)
"Mrs Carter's school is attended by young ladies of the most respectable families, she being a person of great experience in the management and education of young persons having been formerly engaged as governess in families of distinction (inter alia) for five years with Sir Hedworth Williamson".
Mrs Carter's school at Newcastle where Jane Rattray for many years past has been educated is now broken up and no longer continued and finding no other in the neighbourhood she was placed at Miss Killick's Academy at West Brompton (Affidavit of Ann Johnson 1/3/1835. Master's Report 1st May 1835)
From the same Master's Report it appears that Wm. Prentice was then dead and £105 was authorized to be spent in the purchase of a frand piano. The sum allowed for maintenance etc. was also increased to £300 p.a. upon the following estimate of the annual expenditure:-
Board & Education at Miss Killicks ... £80
Washing ... 8.8.-
Music & the use of instruments ... 12.12.-
Drawing ... 12.12.-
Dancing ... 12.12.-
Books, Music, pens ink etc. about ... 40.
Extras for Servants, Seat in Church,
use of library and drawers,
cutting hair, etc. about ... 10.
Clothes, Books shoes and which
during last year amounted to about ... 40.
Board, Lodging, washing etc. during
Vacations, including Sea Bathing ... 25.4.-
Medical Attendance etc. about ... 10.
Pocket money ... 8.
Allowance for Board and wages of
extra servant to wait on and
attend the Plaintiff during
Vacations at 12/- a week ... 3.12.-
Expenses of tuning piano during
the Vacations ... 1.10.-
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£264.10.-
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These estimates never err on the side of being too little. As the Master allowed £300 it is to be hoped the pocket money was increased. Mrs Burns (in 1905) furnished some further particulars. She was a 1st cousin once removed and with her sister lived in the same house. Jane Rattray used to teach these sisters and was "very kind" to them.
Mrs Burns who was born in 1828, evidently had a great affection for Jane Rattray. She can remember Frederick Bergh's advent at the house and a gift of books etc. he made. She took H.J.Bergh and F.R.Bergh to the house and to the school in November 1905.
After the marriage Jane Rattray could have seen but little of her relatives but an active correspendence was kept up and also an exchange of presents. She used also to allow £400 a year to her aunt Ann Johnson until her own husband's death when she seems to have withdrawn herself and family from any intercourse with her own or husband's relatives.
As to her personal appearance Mrs Burns sates she was plain and until an operation was performed after her marriage her eyes were crooked - a defect which has shown itself in a slight degree in some of her descendants to the third generation. She was of a religious nature and kindly disposition but had a quick temper.
"She played well and was a goood French scholar and well read - being very fond of books - She could hem a handkerchief, marvelously finely and do pretty things with coloured silks. She had no sort of hobby that I can remember - cut herself off absolutely from all her kith and kin because of some real or famcied injury - and lived a very quiet life with and for her children. She had blue eyes and brown hair and Ialways remember her wearing it parted in the middle and making curls each side of her face as used to be the mode long ago" (Her son H.J.B. to F.R.B. 22/5/07.)
She died 9th June 1865 and was buried at St. George's Church, Ramsgate. F.R.B.
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