Langford Selly Cranstoun of Antigua
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Birth Announcement: Entry #520 in 1857 Register of Births in Parish of St. John: unnamed male child, complexion coloured, to John Duer CRANSTON, Planter, & Sarah Eliza CRANSTON, formerly Bell. Informant: John D. Cranston, Planter, residing at Union & Cookes. (Note: spelling of name, demonstrates how hard it is to create a family tree) Langford and Evelina had seven children, Edith Eliza Maud Cranstoun, Irene “Irenie” Evelina Cranstoun, Langford Duer Cranstoun, Arthur Herbert “Artie” Cranstoun, Alice Anne Louise Cranstoun, Mary Olive “Maisie” Cranstoun, and Florence Ethel “Florrie” Cranstoun. It would be easy to just leave his intro as above but I feel that there should be more of a statement made about my great grandfather Langford Selly Cranstoun. He was a planter born and raised, he would be of the age that he most likely had memories of his grandfather David Cranstoun and he probably knew the family history. He was a religious man from the letters he sent to my grandfather and what was written on his tombstone. He was a fair man allowing his children to leave Antigua to pursue their own lives, he was an Overseer of Cassada Gardens and owned his own plantations, Cochranes and Thomas’ in Bethesda, Antigua. Langford Selly Cranstoun lived during an interesting time of Antiguan history and witnessed worker uprisings and suffered through WWI knowing his eldest son was overseas and living with short supplies caused by the war. From all family stories he was terrified of the water, perhaps he had witnessed much destruction from hurricanes and saw the power of the ocean but he refused to let his children go near the ocean, which is very strange for someone living on an island. He was a loyal friend and remarkable brother to his sister, Mary Angelica, who lived her entire life with him. His children would go to school on a donkey cart. Each day they would be boarded beside the driver and off they’d go, once out of sight of the homestead the children would jump off and hop on the back to the cart, letting their feet dangle off the edge. I am told he would have been quite upset to learn of this behaviour from his children. Unfortunately he passed away at the early age 63 years old when three of his children were away from Antigua in Canada. His father John Duer Cranstoun was named after John Duer as his father David Cranstoun was the attorney and Plantation Manager for John Duer, that is understandable from the way people named their children back then. So little is known about John Duer Cranstoun, my great, great grandfather and I have not been able to trace and understand the Langford family, I wonder if there was any sort of relationship or friendship with John Duer Cranstoun and the Langford family, or even with his father David. I could be wrong but it just seems to be so coincidental that Langford Selly Cranstoun became the manager of Langford’s and Cassada Gardens and on page 470 of “The History Of The Island Of Antigua” is a picture of the Langford Family graveyard at Cassada Gardens. I wish I had known that when I was there, perhaps another time I will go back and search for it. In Langford Selly Cranstoun’s letters to my grandfather he mentions many family names, I have tried to explain the relationship to the best of my ability, but one needs to read history to get a better understanding than my explanation. His mention of the Camancho family, for example, one needs to understand what was happening back then. They had gone through WWI and prior to that times were quite difficult due to new treaties and Britain could now purchase cheaper sugar products from France, the British government was buying up plantations for pennies on the dollar. The Camancho family were Portuguese and they came in and started buying up plantations as well and they owned Cassada Gardens and Langford’s and eventually ended up owning Potter’s as well, so Langford Selly was close to the Camancho family. Evelina Cranstoun was wrong to put the blame on my grandfather for the family problems which arose after the death of Langford Selly Cranstoun, perhaps her remaining days could have been much different if she had maintained contact with him, again who really knows, I’m just saying he deserved no blame for the families problems. As I have said, Langford Selly Cranstoun grew up on plantations, he knew everything there was to know about the day today operation of a plantation and he was very good at running a plantation but because of the economic conditions which arose after his sudden death, I don’t think even he could have saved the family. We know that my grandfather’s brother Arthur remained in Antigua and ran the Diamond estate, was well liked, and had other positions. There has not been any discussion of him working the family estates from any family member, all discussions were about how great a guy he was. I think when I delved into his life and found the truth we found out what kind of guy he really was and I must wonder if his mother knew of his exploits, certainly family did not know, or want to know, they heard rumours but they really did not know and some were offended when I found the truth. Nevertheless, this is our family history, like it or not, family is family and we must forgive and move on and look to future generations to improve the lot of the Cranstoun family. Sure there will be more bumps in the road, there always are, but we are the Cranstoun family and we have a proud, rich, historical background from which we can move on to the future.
Back Row Standing: Edith, Arthur, Langford, Irene
Middle Row: Mary Angelica (Langford Selly's sister) Langford Selly, Evelina Front Row: Mary Olive, Alice, Florence Will of Langford Selly Cranstoun I Langford Selly Cranstoun of Cochranes Estate on the Island of Antigua, Planter, hereby revoke all former wills made by me and declare this is my last Will and Testament. I appoint my wife Evelina Cranstoun and my son Arthur Herbert Cranstoun and Alexander Percy Cowley to be Executors and Trustees of my will and guardians of my infant children, I direct that any just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be paid as soon as possible after my decease. I give and bequeath to Eugene Elvira Edwards the sum of ten pounds. (she was a long time family servant) I give and bequeath to my wife absolutely all articles of household domestic or personal use or ornaments belonging to me. I give and bequeath the piece or parcel of land situated on Cross Street purchased from Mary Joseph to my said wife absolutely. I give and devise my shares and interest of and in the property situated on High Street bounded on the West by the Defence Force Head Quarters to my wife and my seven children as tenants in common and in equal shares. (Irene Evelina, Langford Duer, Arthur Herbert, Edith Eliza, Alice Anne, Mary Olive and Florence Ethel my children.) I give devise my property on Nevis Street and Cross Street to my said wife and seven children, aforementioned, as tenants in common and in equal shares. I give and devise and bequeath my Plantations and Estates known as Cochranes and Thomas’ situated in the Parishes of Saint Paul and Saint Phillips to my said wife, my sister Mary Angelica Cranstoun and my seven aforementioned, children as tenants in common and in equal shares. I give devise and bequeath the rest and residue of my property whether real or personal whatsoever and whereinsoever unto my said wife and aforementioned seven children as tenants in common and in equal shares. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of September one thousand nine hundred and twenty. (Langford died one month after writing his Will) Witnesses: Samuel Lauchland Athill – clerk to the Attorney General, St. Mary’s Street, St. John’s, John Ambrose – See dispenser, Hospital, Antigua. In April 2014, I was to find out that Langford Selly Cranstoun owned an estate known as Potter’s, 77 acres which he sold at public auction prior to purchasing Thomas’s and Cochrane’s plantation’s in 1919. See Langford Selly Cranstoun's Plantations The very first question I was asked by the family when I met them in Antigua was, "Did I know the reason Duer had broken ties with the family?" My intial response was, "No, I'm meeting you for the first time and I know nothing about my grandfather's family." In 2014 I would find an answer to their question as a result of uncovering documents my aunt had taken from my grandfather's home. I know this because I was there and I saw her but I had know Idea of what she had until many, many years later. What I discovered was, to me, amazing and a very satisfying ending to what seemed like an unanswerable question. Letters Of Langford Selly Cranstoun There were four letters from Langford Selly Cranstoun to my grandfather Langford Duer Cranstoun and as I read them I understood everything in the letters, because I had done the research. I don’t think my cousin truly understands what she has in her possession and what she has really belongs in the Antigua museum as they are, in my opinion, part of the history of Antigua. Certainly they belong in the hands of someone who truly cares. The letters revealed that there were no hard feelings between my grandfather and his father, in fact the letters revealed a loving relationship and a father who had let his children, his son Langford and his daughter Alice, travel to Canada to find their way, missing them and wishing them to return but not pressuring them to change the course of their lives. The letters gave me an even greater appreciation of my great grandfather and I realized I had done the proper thing when I discovered his broken headstone and had it repaired. They wrote each other monthly, my grandfather would send Toronto papers to his father weekly and his father would send news from Antigua, then the letters to keep in touch. They were always addressed “My Dear Duer” and they were always signed “Your Loving Father”. My great grandfather had asked my grandfather to come home and he kept his eyes open for a position for him. He would write to him about positions he had found and perhaps this position would suit you or that position. He would send information on what each position would pay. My grandfather was seriously considering going back but with two children and a wife he had a lot to consider and delayed in providing an answer. He was in fact, torn between two loves. I was pleased to learn that my grandmother had corresponded with my great grandparents during the war and that they knew about their first grandchild Duer Selly Cranstoun, I know they would have been heartbroken to learn he left home never to return. I was also pleased to learn that they knew of the birth of their third granddaughter Vivian Eunice Cranstoun. I also knew that my grandfather’s sister Alice came to Canada to go to school and because I had thought there were family problems I often wondered if Alice and my grandfather were in touch. What I didn’t realize is that she worked and liked it here in Canada and was being promoted and didn’t want to go home. She was in contact with her brother and visited him often and sent word home about my grandfather’s health and his children. My great grandfather stated that he missed her and wished her home but he would not pressure her to come home. This is a synopsis of letters from 1920, the year my great grandfather died. He talks about the Abbott’s, Hall’s, Thibou’s, Comacho’s, reveals to my grandfather that his sister Edith is engaged, the prices of cane and molasses and more. The letters begin in 1918 when my grandfather has safely returned from the war his tells him that he has made plans to purchase Cochranes and Thomas’ and how much he paid for the properties and how he has agreed to pay off the mortgage. He tells of selling an estate at public auction that no one knew he owned, called “Potters”. I personally found this letter to be very moving. Other things I discovered from my aunt's papers were that my grandfather took out an insurance policy in 1914 and had to send it home for verification of his age. His father verified his age and it was certified by J.D. Harper, Justice Of The Peace...his uncle. This was great revelation as you will find out later. He had taken a Pitmans shorthand course and was proficient in shorthand and discovered a report card from a primary school dated 1903. Some final thoughts on my great grandfahter Langford Selly Cranstoun. One of the questions I have not been able to answer is where did the name Langford come from in the family? His father John Duer Cranstoun was named after John Duer as his father David Cranstoun was the attorney and Plantation Manager for John Duer, that is understandable from the way people named their children back then. So little is known about John Duer Cranstoun, my great, great grandfather and I have not been able to trace and understand the Langford family, I wonder if there was any sort of relationship or friendship with John Duer Cranstoun and the Langford family, or even with his father David. I could be wrong but it just seems to be so coincidental that Langford Selly Cranstoun became the manager of Langford’s and Cassada Gardens and on page 470 of “The History Of The Island Of Antigua” is a picture of the Langford Family graveyard at Cassada Gardens. I wish I had known that when I was there, perhaps another time I will go back and search for it. In Langford Selly Cranstoun’s letters to my grandfather he mentions many family names, I have tried to explain the relationship to the best of my ability, but one needs to read history to get a better understanding than my explanation. His mention of the Camancho family, for example, one needs to understand what was happening back then. They had gone through WWI and prior to that times were quite difficult due to new treaties and Britain could now purchase cheaper sugar products from France, the British government was buying up plantations for pennies on the dollar. The Camancho family were Portuguese and they came in and started buying up plantations as well and they owned Cassada Gardens and Langford’s and eventually ended up owning Potter’s as well, so Langford Selly was close to the Camancho family. Evelina Cranstoun was wrong to put the blame on my grandfather for the family problems which arose after the death of Langford Selly Cranstoun, perhaps her remaining days could have been much different if she had maintained contact with him, again who really knows, I’m just saying he deserved no blame for the families problems. Wife - Evelina Gibbons Harper
She comes from Montserrat's Georgian era historic capital city of Plymouth which was destroyed and two-thirds of the island's population was forced to flee because of an eruption of the previously dormant Soufriere Hills volcano that began on July 18, 1995. She came to Antigua with her brother and met Langford Selly Cranstoun and married him. Langford Selly Cranstoun, planter, marries Evelina Gibbons of Jolly Hill on Oct 5, 1887. Evelina's brother James Dudgeon Harper was the father of Elizabeth Sophia "Bessie" Harper, James opened Harper's Drug Store a landmark in St. John's Antigua for years. In fact when the Royal Bank of Canada opened its first office in Antigua it was in the Harper building. On my second visit to Antigua, I met the new owner of Harper's and he told me that when he took possession of the building there were many of "Bessie's" papers and books stored in the attic, not realizing what they were, they were thrown away. Evelina's Will states she is a widow of Gray's Hill, died September 1947, leaving an estate valued at $196.44. She leaves her piece of land on Cross Street to be sold and the proceeds plus any money in her account at the Antigua Savings Bank is to go to her grandchildren, Cynthia Cranstoun, Langford Cranstoun, Mildred Malone, Doreen Malone, Cranstoun Kelsick, Jane Kelsick, Alice Eileen Mercer, Edward Langford Mercer, Irene McIntosh, William McIntosh, Sybil McIntrosh, and Arthur McIntosh. A special note here, because of some family strife between Evelina and her son Langford Duer, his children are not recognized in her Will. Due to the times and conditions in Antigua Evelina died intestate, so her will was meaningless.
Irene “Irenie” Evelina Cranstoun (1891–1954) Irene Evelina "Irenie" Cranstoun married Walter Frederick Malone of St. Kitts, B.W.I. at Cassada Gardens Plantation in Antigua. After their marriage they left Antigua and moved to St. Kitts where Walter was a merchant owning his father's company S. D. Malone Ltd, unfortunately the times were not favourable and they eventually lost their business. Reports are Walter became very depressed when "Irenie" died and he was such a strong big man he was returned to a hospital in Antigua where he remained until he died. When the sugar industry in Antigua went in the dumper after her father died her mother Evelina Gibbons Harper Cranstoun went to live with Irene and Walter for a period of time. Children Of Irene Evelina "Irenie" Cranstoun Irene Evelina "Irenie" Cranstoun and Walter Frederick Malone had four children, a son and three daughters: • Muriel Aileen Malone (1916–1996) • Mildred Irene Malone (1918–2002) • Cecil Langford Malone (1920–2001) • Doreen Malone (1923–1984) Langford Duer Cranstoun (1892–1966) my grandfather Arthur Herbert “Artie” Cranstoun (1894–1932) Edith Eliza Maud Cranstoun (1896–?) Edith Eliza Maud Cranstoun was born 24 September 1896 and married Percival “Percy” Bennett Kelsick, born in 1892. Percival Bennett Kelsick was the Overseer at Bendals Estate. Edith and Percy, married April 29, 1920, and had five children: Arthur “Artie” Aubrey Kelsick, born December 7, 1933 and died in 2010, married on August 10, 1960 Peta Royer who was born May 10, 1935 in Dominca and they had a daughter named Lisa, who married and lives in Ontario and they have a daughter and a son. Peta told me “Artie” told her after two weeks of courtship he was going to marry her. She had a boyfriend at the time and had to go home and break up with him as she was infatuated with “Artie”. • Donald Kelsick who lives in London England, he was married to Gloria Janet Martin and they had three children: - Crystal Gail Kelsick - Lorraine Kelsick - Sonia Arlene Kelsick Donald Kelsick Donald and Gloria divorced and she moved to California remarried and died in 1990. Donald had another child in England named Gloria De Cambra Kelsick. June Lillian Maud Kelsick
When I did and sent her information on her mother's full name and told her I had contacted her brother Lawrence and was able to provide her with her family background, she was totally overwhelmed as she had left Antigua when she was 7 years old and had not returned and did not know about her family. Percy Cranstoun “Cran” Kelsick
• Robert Stephen Kelsick • Gail Kelsick
Gail married Michael, brother to Gary who married Gail’s cousin Diane. Michael and Gail have two children a son and a daughter. • Brian David Kelsick Percy also had a son with Delerise Barry named Gene Alexander born June 3, 1948 and died January 8, 2008. The son married Jazelle Junie Blake and they had two sons. When I met Jazelle and mentioned the name Handel Cranston she smiled and said she knew him as she worked with him at the Customs Office at the airport. Reginald Herbert Kelsick. Alice Anne Louise Cranstoun (1898–1982) Alice Anne Louise Cranstoun was the daughter of Langford Selly Cranstoun and Evelina Gibbons Harper. She left Antigua and arrived in Canada on May 29, 1918 for an eight week visit, she stayed and went to business school until October 1920. While she was in Toronto she lived at 674 Dundas St W in Toronto, Ontario, her brother Arthur Herbert “Artie” Cranstoun came to Canada in 1920 to go to school in Guelph, Ontario to become a veterinarian but their father died suddenly in October 1920 and both left to go back to Antigua. I know they visited with their brother Langford Duer Cranstoun while they were here, Langford Duer also returned to Antigua with them for the funeral. Alice Anne Louise Cranstoun married Arthur Edward Rawlings Mercer born 1893 in St. Kitts, B.W.I. in 1925 he was a Kittitian who had come over in 1920 to be chief clerk for D. Hope Ross. Arthur Edward Mercer was a merchant who owned the Kennsington Hotel and also ran a business known as Mercer & Co. in the building diagonally across the street, now Scotiabank, from the Harper building which the family later purchased in 1950 from "Bessie" Harper", Alice's cousin. The Kennsington Hotel was a "dry" hotel and soldiers during WWII would show up only to find out there was no bar there. Alice Anne Louise Mercer and her friend, daughter of Dr. Wynter, Sarah Adner Wynter bought the Harper's store and building in 1950 from "Bessie" Harper. When Arthur Edward Rawlings Mercer died in 1948 Alice and his daughter Alice Eileen "Bobbie" Mercer continued to run Mercer & Co. Alice Eileen “Bobby” Mercer married Trevor Cave from Barbados and they had three children. Alice Eileen “Bobby” Mercer's daughter, my cousin, related a story about Alice, her grandmother, who had died in her bed unbeknownst to my cousin who was away in England. When she returned, her mother offered her her grandmother’s room, my cousin had always loved her 4 poster bed and asked if granny died in that bed, her mother replied, “No”. My cousin remembered combing her grandmother’s long grey hair with the special texture 100 times every night. One morning she awoke in the bed and found a long grey hair, with that special texture, tied in a perfect bow around her toe. She screamed at her mother, “You lied to me, granny died in her bed”, and she never slept in it again. The bed was later rented out to a movie company for $200/day.
I Arthur Edward Mercer of the city of St. John on the Island of Antigua, merchant, hereby revoke all former wills made by me and declare that this is my last Will and Testament. I appoint my wife Alice Anne Louise Mercer and Samuel Lauchland Athill executors of my will. I device all that my lot of land situated at Princes Street in the Town of Bassiterre in the Island of St. Christopher to my mother Alice Mercer for life with remainder to my son Edward Langford Mercer and my daughter Alice Eileen Mercer in equal shares as tenants in common. I give and bequeath to my mother Alice Mercer my six hundred and fifty preferred shares numbered P1701 to P2350 in Mercer and Company Limited, for her sole use and benefit absolutely. I give and device and bequeath to my wife, the said, Alice Anne Louise Mercer all the residue my property subject to the payment by her of the following legacies that is to say: (1) To my mother, the said Alice Mercer, the sum of three hundred and fifty pounds. (2) To my son, the said Edward Langford Mercer, the sum of five hundred pounds. (3) To my daughter, the said Alice Eileen Mercer, the sum of five hundred pounds. (4) To my friend Samuel Lauchland Athill the sum of twenty-five pounds as a token of my appreciation of a friendship which has existed between us for more than twenty-five years. In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand to this my Will and Testament this thirteenth day of September one thousand nine hundred and forty-six. Witnesses: Cyril Dudley Kelsick, clerk, Ruby Kelsick, clerk. The Kelsicks were family through marriage and were civil servants in the city of St. John’s, Antigua. Arthur Edward Rawlings Mercer died on July 15, 1948 in St. John's, Antigua, British West Indies. In 1938 the Cranstoun in Antigua family fell on hard even times and Arthur Edward Rawlings Mercer was asked by the family to try settle the estate of Langford Selly Cranstoun. Letter Of Arthur Edward Mercer - 1938 (husband of Alice Cranstoun, Langford Duer's sister) My opinion has been asked with regard to the possibility of settling the estate of the late L. S. Cranstoun and allowing Mrs. P. B. Kelsick (nee Cranstoun) to realize her interest in it. A copy of Mr. Cranstoun’s will and certain information contained in paragraph 1 hereof have been furnished me, and from them I have ascertained the following facts: 1. L. S. Cranstoun died possesed of certain property which he left to his wife and seven children as equal shares.The At the time of his death Miss Mary Cranstoun owned the other half of the property in High St. and the other half of the house and land in Nevis and Cross Sts. - 230 pounds His bequests with regards to 10 pounds to Eugine Edwards, his property at the corner of High and Cross Streets and his interest in Cochrane’s and Thomas’s Estates need not be considered here as the first legacy was paid and the property at High and Cross Streets was sold and the proceeds used to pay Miss Mary Cranstoun for her half interest in the property and defray the debts and funeral expenses of the Testor, and Thomas’s and Cochrane’s Estates assigned to George W. Bennett Bryson & Co. Ltd. in settlement of a mortgage which they held on them, the amount which exceeded the value of the Estates at the time they were assigned. 2. Miss Mary Cranstoun was maintained soley by the Estate of L. S. Cranstoun from 1920 to 1933 when she died. It is obvious that her interest in the High Street land and the Nevis and Cross Streets property, valued at 230 pounds, was insufficient to pay for her support for thirteen years and it would appear Miss. Cranstoun died insolevent and therefore the provisions ofher will can have no effect. As she was maintained at the expense of the Estate it seems to me that the easiest way to dispose of her will is for all the beneficiaries under it to agree that her interest in the properties should revert to the Estate. 3. If this is agreed, all property is now owned by Mrs. Cranstoun, her six living children and the heirs of Arthur Cranstoun (deceased) in equal parts. Since the death of Mr. L. S. Cranstoun the property has increased in value, due to the repairs done to the houses and appreciation of land in High Street, and their present value is estimated at 750 pounds made up as follows: 4. I suggest that the High Street property be sold, the amount owed to Brown & Co., and legal expenses in connection with the settlement of the Estate paid from the proceeds of the sale, and Mrs. Kelsick paid 1/8 of the remainder plus 65 pounds in full settlement of her interest in the Estate. The difference (if any) between the amount realized for the High Street property on the one hand and the amount paid to Brown & Co., the legal expenses, and the amount paid to Mrs. Kelsick on the other, will be the property of the remaining owners of the property at Nevis and Cross Streets and may be disposed of asthey see fit. It will be noticed under this arrangement Mrs. Kelsick receives at 10 pound loss for her interest in the Estate than its estimated value, but it must be borne in mind that she receives her share in cash while the owners must take their chances of the Nevis Street property realizing less than its estimated value. 5. I have been informed that Duer Cranstoun received the sum of 100 pounds from the estate in 1920 and that no other member of the family (other than Mrs. Cranstoun) has received anything. In view of this fact he may be willing to renounce his rights to any further claim on the Estate, either free or for a smaller consideration than 1/8 the value of the Estate. If he is willing to do so his share would revert to the Estate and the amount paid to Mrs. Kelsick would be increased by 1/7 of his share. If however, he is unwilling to waive his claim on moral grounds I should not advise pressing the matter. 6. This does not purport to be more than a fair and “common sense” settlement of the estate. If the owners agree to settle on the basis I have suggested it will be necessary to employ a solicitor to execute a deed of setlement the cost of which is provided for in the fourth paragraph. A. E. Mercer - (Arthur Edward Mercer) In 1938, my grandfather Langford Duer Cranstoun has six children to provide for, his father gave him $150 in 1919 when he returned from the war to re-start his life and he received 100 pounds when he returned for two months for his funeral, leaving his wife and two children in Toronto, he'd signed off in 1925 on Cochranes and Thomas'. I think, from the letters from his father it is safe to say my grandfather loved his family and knew of their plight and let his share go.
Children Of Alice Anne Louise Cranstoun Alice Anne Louise Cranstoun and Arthur Edward Mercer had two children, a son, (cousin to my father who I was able to introduce each other to in 2012 and they never knew each other existed) and a daughter Alice Eileen "Bobbie" Mercer born August 29, 1929 in St. John's, Antigua, West Indies and who passed away on March 22, 1992 in St. John's, Antigua, West Indies. We are able to fill in the family tree further from this point on however as all children are living we will stop this branch here. The Mercer family has family links back to the island of St. Kitts to the Mallalieu, Semper, Wall, Matheson, and Malone families. Mary Olive “Maise” Cranstoun (1900–1991) Mary Olive "Maisie" Cranstoun married by licence to Leonard William McIntosh at Ebenezer Wesleyan Church in the Parish of St. John's, Antigua. Both were of full age. Leonard William McIntosh was a widower, an accountant, and resident in St. Thomas, USVI. Her brother, Arthur Herbert "Artie" Cranstoun was a witness. Besides Dr. Susan Lowes, Maisie's son, William, my father's cousin, was a major source in piecing together the Cranstoun family history in Antigua. William knew everyone and had photo's and family stories which were invaluable in finding out who we are. Mary Olive "Maisie" Cranstoun McIntosh died 3 December, 1991 in St. John's, Antigua, British West Indies and is buried along with her husband in the Cranstoun family plot in St. John's Cemetary in Antigua. In fact her headstone was the one that lead me in finding the grave of Langford Selly Cranstoun, her father. Children Of Mary Olive "Maisie" Cranstoun Mary Olive "Maisie" Cranstoun and Leonard William McIntosh had two sons, Leonard William and Arthur Herbert Cranstoun and two daughters, Alice Irene "Irenie" and Sybil Pauline. I have personally met William, Arthur and Sybil and have spoken to "Irenie" on the phone. All are married with children. We are able to fill in the family tree further from this point on however as all children are living we will stop this branch here. Leonard William McIntosh (senior) Leonard William McIntosh was married to Ilva Crook born 1899 - 1921 in Grenada, British West Indies. They had three daughters, Edith Rose, Elaine and Louise. Again we are able to fill in the family tree further from this point on however as all children are living we will stop this branch here. Leonard William McIntosh's father was MacDonald McIntosh and his mother was Rose McLeod. I can trace this part of the family back but seeing as this is the Cranstoun Family site, let's just leave it, knowwing the McIntosh and McLeod family history's are great as well. When my father became ill in late 2014 I was able locate some more family papers and the discovery was most shocking and made me wonder why I had spent the last few years searching for family, I had thought no one known about. Maisie's Letters After 4 years of research, two trips to Antigua, a trip to St. Kitts and Scotland I uncovered two letters from "Maisie" McIntosh addressed to my father proving he knew about his Antiguan family and as they showed "Maisie" knew my name and that I was attending university, the date had to be in the early 70's which they were, meaning I was in my twenties when these letters came. The question became why did my father not remember this correspondance, his memory of his past had always been pretty good when he recounted old stories, why was this story never told. I also asked Maisie's son William about the letters as they mentioned him by name. Both my father and William insisted they knew nothing about each other and the looks on their faces when I questioned them made me believe they really did not remember. Florence Ethel “Florrie Cranstoun (1902–?)
Florence Ethel "Florrie" Cranstoun married to Hugh Hamilton Bethell born in 1897 in Barbados. Florence Ethel Cranstoun, age 31, marries Hamilton Bethell, engineer at Bendals, age 36, on August 30, 1933 Florence Ethel "Florrie" Cranstoun and Hugh Hamilton Bethell had one daughter, Myrna Florence, the matriarch and prime source for family information, she knows everyone, in the Cranstoun family on Antigua, born 23 August, 1934 in Antigua, British West Indies. Hugh Hamilton Bethell, an engineer at Bendals, died as a result of lung desease from smoke inhilation when he helped put out a fire at Bendals. Myrna Florence Bethel Kelsick Myrna Florence Bethel married Cyril George Kelsick on 17 July, 1958. They had three sons. We are able to fill in the family tree further from this point on however as all children are living we will stop this branch here.
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Langford Selly Cranstoun was my great grandfather, son of John Duer Cranstoun born April 10, 1857 and was married to Evelina Gibbons Harper. I am curious about his headstone giving his birth date as 1856.
Evelina Gibbons Harper Cranstoun (1866-1947) my great grandmother was known as "Effie" was born on Montserrat was the wife of Langford Selly Cranstoun and she was the daughter of William Henry Harper and Ann Gibbons sister to James Dudgeon Harper who married Anna Constable Watkins and were parents to 
Irene Evelina "Irenie" Cranstoun was born in St. John's, Antigua, the eldest daughter of
Langford Selly Cranstoun and Evelina Gibbons Harper. 
Edith Eliza Maud Cranstoun was born in St. John's, Antigua, British West Indies, the second eldest daughter of Langford Selly Cranstoun and Evelina Gibbons Harper. 
June Lillian Maud Kelsick, (I had friended a new cousin on Facebook, in California who contacted his cousin JoAnne in California) I originally had her name as Jane, so I could not find any information on her. As it turned out JoAnne was the daughter of June Lillian Maud Kelsick who first married Tony Gonsalves and they had a son named Lawrence “Dimples” Gonsalves. When they divorced June married Allister Sinclair Benjamin and they had a daughter JoAnne and moved to California. June died in England on a visit to her one of her brothers. Lawrence stayed in Antigua, because JoAnne wasn’t sure of how to spell Gonsalves (it was provided to me as Gonzolas, I had to figure it out).
Percy Cranstoun “Cran” Kelsick was born in 1924 married his cousin Marjorie Eloise Kelsick and they had three children:
Alice Anne Louise Cranstoun was born September 23, 1898 at Cassada Gardens and married Arthur Edward Rawlings Mercer born November 17, 1894 on St. Kitts.
Will Of Arthur Edward Rawlings Mercer
Mary Olive "Maisie" Cranstoun was born 10 May, 1900 in St. John's, Antigua, British West Indies, the second youngest daughter of Langford Selly Cranstoun and Evelina Gibbons Harper. 
Florence Ethel "Florrie" Cranstoun was born in 1902 in St. John's, Antigua, British West Indies, the youngest daughter of Langford Selly Cranstoun and Evelina Gibbons Harper. 
