Robert Webster Coull 1879 – 1948

The family group above represents a span of about 17 years in the range of children’s ages, whereas the wider family age range amounts to 24 years. In this informal photo taken circa 1929 can be seen, left to right, Grandad Robert Coull with son Alexander on his knee, the trio of Ethel, Jimmy and Charlie, then Chrissie (or perhaps Isabella?), Lizzie, Ruby and Grannie Christina Coull.

Robert and Christina married in 1902. It is known that Robert visited America alone and spent a little time with older brother Alexander who had emigrated to USA by 1889, perhaps sounding out the possibility of following Alexander’s footsteps. However the matter was apparently settled by Christina rejecting that line of thought, being unwilling to emigrate.

Robert was a master stonemason to trade, known sometimes to ride a bicycle many miles in pursuit of work. His approach to fatherhood was to be firm but fair and loving with his children and, although clearly not financially well off, maintained disciplined standards in terms of cleanliness and respectability within the community – Sunday duties included polishing shoes and church attendance for the children (not certain that Robert and Christina were regulars at church though). The craft of stonemason may well have been influenced by seasonal conditions and supplementary work may have been engaged in when required.

The Coull surname probably originates in the NorthEast of Scotland and may well be a habitational name from Coull in Aberdeenshire, Angus and Banffshire where remnants of 13th-17th century Coull Castle (no family connection needless to say) can barely be seen today. There are however many Coull families to which we are to some extent related in NorthEast Scotland and along the coast where fishing and farming at one time were (and in some families’ cases still are) predominant occupations.

Family Members with Spouses

Robert & Christina Heritage – Spider Chart (click here to view)

Links to Robert and Christina’s children and grandchild sub-pages (click as required):-

Jessie Ann Coull (Janet) 1903-1977, b. Marnoch d. Keith
Christina Coull 1904-1904, b. Marnoch, d. Marnoch
Christina Coull (Chrissie) 1905-1965, b. Marnoch, d. Keith
Margaret Coull (Meg) 1908-1976, b. Marnoch, d. Aberdeen
Robina Coull 1910-1991, b. Marnoch, d. Keith
Charles Coull 1911-1999, b. 1911 Marnoch, d. 1999 Keith
Ethel Coull, 1914-2014, b. Rothiemay, d. 2014 Keith
Jeannie Coull 1916-1916, b. Knauchlands, Rothiemay, d. Rothiemay
Robert Coull (Bert) 1917-1988, b. Grange, d. Keith
Isabella Coull 1919-1936, b. Grange, d. Portsoy
James Coull (Jimmy) 1920-1985, b. Grange, d. Stirling
Elizabeth Coull (Lizzie) 1922-2007, b. Heather Bloom Cottage, Rothiemay, d. Elgin
Alexander Coull (Sandy) 1927-2013, b. Heather Bloom Cottage, Rothiemay, d. Elgin