Philip Colvin

Margaret Leslie and Patrick Colvin were married on 4 November 1857 in a Roman Catholic ceremony at Dalbeth, near Glasgow, Scotland. Just over one year later on 14 December 1858, the couple had a child which they named Philip, after Patrick's father. Philip was baptised soon after at St Paul's RC Church, Shettleston.

An extract from Philip's birth certificate.

Margaret and Patrick went on to have three more children; Catherine in 1865, Patrick in 1871 and Edward in 1873. Throughout this time the family lived at 13 Calton Street, Tollcross.

On 1 October 1875, Patrick Snr sadly died of 'cerebral congestion' at the family home. Margaret obviously remained close to her own family, as her brother Peter registered the death. Peter was my 3x Great Grandfather.

The Colvin family continued living at 13 Calton Street for decades after. The family appeared on the census at this address, and Philip was described as being an "imbecile from childhood".

Philip eventually ended up in Woodilee Asylum, Lenzie, Dunbartonshire, although he was now being described as a 'Lunatic'. Philip's mother Margaret died 30 November 1901 but by this time I presume he had been in the asylum for a number of years.

Philip Colvin died on 2 May 1910 in Woodilee Asylum of enteritis. He was 51 years old. Philip's parent's names were not recorded, but his usual residence was written as 13 Calton Street, Glasgow.

Philip's sister Catherine had died five years before in 1905, but his brothers Patrick and Edward both died in 1941.

The full extent of Philip's illness is not known, but he may have had learning difficulties or he could have been autistic. The term imbecile is no longer politically correct, and rightfully so. Thankfully mental health is now better understood, and there is not as much of a stigma attached to it.