John Halket ²

  General Notes:

"HALKET - A surname generally considered to be derived from the old Norse Ha meaning "high" and Kettil, a private place or retreat. In ancient writings however, it is spelled HACET, HACAT and HAKET............

From the census records we know that William and Margaret's son John was born in Banff circa 1840. There is no indication however as to how or when John acquired the name Halket. It was most probably due to someone in the family achieving a measure of literacy and deciding the correct spelling of the name.

Information from family members indicates that John was only semi-literate and worked as a carter before joining the City of Glasgow Police. Family information also tells us that due to a maximum age limit, John reduced his age by five years when first joining the police force, thus accounting for the age discrepancy..........

John's diary (whereabouts now unknown) was a record of his time in the constabulary. The diary, according to family members was written in precise English and magnificent script. According to his sons, this was achieved by his giving a verbal report to the Sergeant, then copying from the Sergeant's book. He was apparently able to teach himself so well that he later became a Sergeant himself. John died of pneumonia complications as a result of getting wet when rescuing a family from a fire whilst on police duty.........."
[Wes Halket - c1997]

Based on John's age being given as 2 on the 1841 census of 6/6/1841 it seems likely that he was born before June 1839 and after May 1838. In 1851 his age is given as 11 and in 1861 as 20. 1871 has not been found and subsequent documents include the adjustment mentioned above. If the 1851 age is correct (and it is more likley than in 1861 when he was working out at a remote farm cottage) this would allow for his being born in about May 1839.

  Chronology:

He resided as at a house with his parents and brother in 1841 in High Street, MacDuff, Banff. ¹¹

He resided as a house with his parents and siblings in 1851 in Carny Street, MacDuff. ¹²

He worked as an Agricultural Labourer in 1861 and resided at Tipperty, Alvah, Banff. ¹³ (with father)

He worked as a Labourer in 1871 and resided at Gamrie, Banff. ¹⁴ (with his mother and siblings)

From 28 Aug 1872 to 7 Dec 1873 he was a Probationary Constable with the City Of Glasgow Police. ⁹

In 1875 at the time of daughter Jessie's birth he was a Lunatic Asylum Attendant living at the Glasgow Royal Asylum. ¹⁵

On 21 Oct 1876 he was a Police Constable (is then when he joined) living at 45 Shuttle St, Glasgow. According to Wes Halket he was with the Renfrewshire Constabulary from then until his death. ¹⁶

In 1877 at the time of his marriage he was a Police Constable living at 5 Kenton Terrace, CrossHill, Glasgow. ¹

In 1881 he was a Police Sergeant living at 3 Wellpark Place, Cathcart, Renfrew with wife and 5 children. ¹⁷

In 1891 he was a Sergeant of Police living at 136 Vermont St, Kinning Park with his wife and 9 of his children. ¹⁸

In 1897 at the time of his death he was described as a Police Sergeant living at 136 Vermont St, Kinning Park. ¹⁰

John married Janet Manson, daughter of Donald Manson and Christian Mackay, on 20 Apr 1877 in Glasgow.¹ (Janet Manson was born on 2 Jul 1855 in Newlands Of Wydaly, Parish Of Thurso, Caithness,^{9 19} died on 29 Jul 1927 in Blanch St, Brighton, Vic ^{9 20} and was buried on 30 Jul 1927 in Brighton Cemetery ²¹.)