Branch No. 14

Branch 14 Captain: Ian Latta, Ryedale House, Old Carlisle Road, Moffat DG10 9QJ Scotland.  No e-mail available.

Send any updates to Ian.
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LAST NUMBER USED: 13
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                                                      JOHN LATTA

    Born abt. 1760 in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland?; m. Margaret Ronald.  She was born abt. 1764 in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland.  Children:

Latta, Janet
Birth : 24 MAY 1785 Old Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland C116102 FHL Film 1041402
Gender: Female
Latta, Robert
Birth : 27 JUN 1787 Old Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland FHL Film 1041402
Gender: Male
Latta, Margaret
Birth : 20 SEP 1792 Old Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland C116102 FHL Film 1041402
Gender: Female
LATTA, John
LATTA, Anne

 

                                                         Thomas Latta

    b. abt. 1756 in Dundonald, Ayr, Scotland; m. Jean Dean.  She was born abt. 1760 in Dundonald, Ayr, Scotland.  Children:

LATTA, Robert
Birth : ABT 8 MAY 1781 Dundonald, Ayr, Scotland C115904
Gender: Male
LATTA, Margaret
Birth : ABT 16 MAR 1783 Dundonald, Ayr, Scotland C115904
Gender: Female
LATTA, Anne
Birth : 23 JUN 1785 Dundonald, Ayr, Scotland C115904
Gender: Female
 

                                              1 JOHN (1?) LATTA
     Born near Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland and removed to Old Cumnoch, Scotland.  Had at
least one son:
2    ROBERT (2).

The History of Old Cumnock: [p. 314-316] COVENANT OF HOUSEHOLDERS REGARDING THE METHOD OF CONDUCTING FUNERALS. We, subscribers, being in or near the village of Cumnock, taking into our serious consideration that, by the present method of conducting burials among us, much time is misspent and money thrown away, and that by entertainments given at many of them the Living are injured and the Dead in many cases dishonoured; and being convinced that a reform is necessary, have agreed and do by our respective subscriptions hereto annexed agree, bind and obligee ourselves to the Rules or Articles following, viz....not to exceed three glasses of wine....that the fines raised and collected from Delinquents shall be applied for purchasing coffins and towards the necessary expense of interring the Poor in the village....witness our respective subscriptions at Cumnock, the 5th day of May, in the year 1800.....Among the 82 signatures attached to this document, the following names occur:-....John Latta, Thomas Latta.

The McCowans of Ayrshire: Births in Old Cumnoch: William Latta McCowan (illeg.) March 5, 1804, to Mary Latta and William McCowan. 

Dailey Report of Sick on Board the Emigt. Ship Minerva, Jan. 24, 1838: John Latta, age 24, Date of Illness: Jan. 11; condition - dangerous. [condition Feb. 9: no improvement] When Dr Stuart sent his daily report on 24 February he had no new cases and only seven people sick, one of whom was John Latta, ill since 11 January and clearly dying. Tuesday 6 March 1838, Sydney Gazette page 2: The Quarantine Station – Spring Cove We have letters from the Quarantine Station to the 5thinstant. A letter written on Saturday says:- “I am sorry to inform you that another of our number has gone to his long home. The deceased a Mr. John Latta, from Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, was a young man of remarkably strong constitution. Latta was a currier (dresser of leather) to trade; he was unmarried, but he has left attached comrade behind him to lament his loss. 

                                           2 ROBERT (2) LATTA
     John (1).  Born at Bridgend, Old Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, about 1788.  Married
Margaret Ferguson.  Children:
3    WILLIAM (3) b. abt. 1819; d. abt. 1900.
5    ROBERT (3) died young.
6    JOHN (3) born about 1826; d. about 1910.

13    JANE (3) b. abt. 1818

The History of Old Cumnock: Rev. Thomas Miller (1767-1819) [p. 126] He died with the love of Cumnock in his heart.  The week after he reached Edinburgh, he was visited by Mr. Robert Latta, the well-known carrier in those old days between our town and the capital.  He was not very well and said, "I can't talk to you to-day, Robert, come back next week and tell me about Cumnock."  Next week Dr. Miller was dead." A little while before his death, the blind of his room was drawn up and he look out.  All he said was, "Ah, this isn't Cumnock." So passed away the oldest minister who ever laboured in our parish."

                                         3 WILLIAM (3) LATTA
     Robert (2) John (1).  Born at Darmalloch, Old Cumnoch, Ayrshire, Scotland in 1819.
Died in 1900.  Married Margaret Allan, daughter of William and Helen (Simpson) Allan of
Darmalloch.  Children:
4     JOHN "Sir John" (4) b. May 9, 1867 at Old Cumnock, Ayr, Scotland.
7     WILLIAM (4) b. at Darmalloch, Scotland.  In 1930 director of firm of Lawther, Latta &
Co., London, England.
8     ANDREW GIBSON "Sir Andrew" (4) b. abt. 1875 at Darmalloch, Ayrshire, Scotland.  Created Knight of the British Empire in 1921.  Conferred on him for voluntary services rendered in the Ministry of Shipping and Assistant Director of the Ship Management Branch, 1918-1921.  Ship owner.  Director of Lawther, Latta  & Co. Ltd.  Billiter Buildings, London, England.  Single in 1930.  Educated at Hamilton Academy.  Address (1930) Braid Ave. Edinburg, Scotland.  Clubs: Reform and Royal Automobile.
9     ROBERT (4) eldest son.  Born at Darmalloch, Ayrshire, Scotland in 1860.  In 1930 lived
at Craigadam, Dalbeattie, N.B.

___    MARGARET (4) b. abt. 1865.

___    HELEN (4) b. abt. 1863.

___    THOMAS (4) b. abt. 1871.

____    EUPHEMIA (4) b. abt. 1873.

____    ALISON (4) b. abt. 1879.

                                           4 "Sir" JOHN (4) LATTA
     William (3) Robert (2) John (1).  Born at Darmalloch, Ayrshire, Scotland May 9, 1867.
Married Ada May Short, daughter of John Young Short, J.P. of Ashbrooke Hall, Sunderland on March 17, 1896.  He was created First Baronet February 9, 1920.  Arms: Sa. on role Arg.  A lymphad sail furled on the first: in base two crescents of the second.  Crest: In front of an oak tree fructed pro:er. a crescent Arg. Motte: Dum Vivi Vireo.  Senior partner of Lawyer, Latta & Co. ship owners and merchants, Billiter Buildings, E.C.3.  Educated Ayr Academy.  Chairman Nitrate Producers Steamship Co. Ltd.; Include amongst those chosen for presentation to King Edward VII, November 1904, in recognition of services during South African war.  Rendered services in connection with sea transport in Great European war.  Address (1930) 12 Portman Square, London, W. 1 T: Mayfair 4597 and 4060.  Clubs: Cath of London, Wellington, Ranelaigh, Hurlingham. 

Ada was born on 14 May 1875, the daughter of John Young Short and Mary Ada Smart, at Sunderland. Lady Latta is pictured here on 30 May 1923, at one of the peaks of her rise into society. Her husband had been knighted three years previously for his services to the country during the Boer War and the First World War, and she was making use of the Lord Chamberlain's court regulations to present her recently-engaged daughter. In contrast to the simple lines of her daughter's dress with its restrained design which would have drawn attention to her daughter's innocence and youth, Lady Latta's dress was much more heavily embroidered. Lady Latta also wore an extra row of pearls and a Cartier-style sapphire and diamond kokoshnik tiara. A rather severely-posed portrait of Lady Latta from this session was published in The Tatler ten days later. © Russell Harris, Image courtesy of V & A Museum, London.

Ada May Short Latta

http://members.cox.net/ghgraham/johnlatta1867.html

Children:

___    INFANT DAUGHTER (5) b. 1896 in Hamstead, London; died in infancy.
10     CECIL (5) b. February 26, 1903.  Educated at Eaton and Magladen College, Oxford. Remained single.
11     SYBIL MAY (5) b. abt. 1897 in Hamstead, London; m. Maj. Phillip Alexander Francis Spence of Oatley Hall, Brackley, Northamptonshire, Late of the Black Watch. June 23, 1923.
12     ADA MARY (5) b. abt. 1899 at Hamstead, London; m. Domte de. Crameyel (Maurice Paul Richard Fontaine), Count Henri Urbain Chevreau d'Antraigues, of 87 Avenue Kleber, Paris, France, son and heir of the 6th Marquis de Crameyel.  Title given by Louis XV 1773.  Child: Comte Guy Francois Phillipe, b. June 20, 1925.

Ada Mary Latta

OBITUARY - Latta, Sir John: Latta Crescent in Cumnock was named after Sir John Latta (shipowner, merchant and benefactor) who was born on 9 May 1867 in Old Cumnock, the son of William Latta and Margaret Allan. He married Ada May Short in 1896.  Sir John Latta, 2st Bart, of Portman Square, London, was knighted on 9 February 1920.  Sir John was born outside Cumnock at Darmalloch Farm, and gained his wealth through his shipping company.  At his death on 5 December 1946, Sir John was Chairman of Lawther, Latta & Co., shipowners and merchants. The Title became extinct with his death, as his son Cecil did not survive him.  The following obituary appeared in the Cumnock Chronicle on 13th  December 1946.

The Late Sir John Latta, BT, Cumnock's benefactor

“Sir John Latta, the Scottish shipowner, died in London yesterday at the age of 79. Sir John, who was the chairman of Lawther, Latta & Co. Ltd. first went into the shipping industry in 1883 and soon afterwards introduced steamships into the nitrate trade. As chairman of the Nitrate Producers’ Steamship Company, he managed his own fleet. He was an individualist, always deplored State concern with merchants shipping, and was a strong believer in free trade”.

The above brief notice in Saturday’s “Glasgow Herald” was the first intimation local folks generally had of the passing of one of Cumnock’s most distinguished sons.

Sir John was born at Darmalloch Farm and had his early schooling in Cumnock before proceeding to Ayr Academy and then to the Greenock firm of Craig and Scott. We hope to refer more fully to his subsequent career in the commercial world of the metropolis in our next issue. At this moment, we recall with grateful thanks his many benefactions to our town and district. His personal identity with the Academy Dux Medal and Sports Championship awards each year; his handsome contribution annually to the funds of the Old Folk’s Parties in Cumnock and other nearby areas; and his noble encouragement to the Cumnock War Work Party when they first set out in earnest to make a really outstanding effort, are all remembered with gratitude – and these are but a few of the media which Sir John selected as an avenue for his public-spirited generosity. To his wife and family, Sir Andrew Latta, K.B.E., and Sir John’s other brothers and sisters, we extend the community’s sincere sympathy.

http://www.e-ayrshire.co.uk/local/clmg/vpage.asp?s=10&p=54

SIR JOHN LATTA (1867-1946)

John Latta was born on 9 th May 1867, the son of William Latta J.P. and Margaret Allan, of Darmalloch Farm, Old Cumnock, Ayrshire. He had his early schooling in Cumnock before proceeding to Ayr Academy and then to the Greenock firm of Craig and Scott. John, who was the chairman of Lawther, Latta & Co. Ltd., ship owners and merchants, at his death, first went into the shipping industry in 1883 and soon afterwards introduced steamships into the nitrate trade. As chairman of the Nitrate Producers' Steamship Company, he managed his own fleet. He was an individualist, always deplored State concern with merchants shipping, and was a strong believer in free trade.

In 1896, John Latta married Ada May, daughter of the late J. Y. Short, of Ashbrooke Hall, Sunderland . Thus he formed an alliance with the family of shipbuilders, Short Brothers Ltd., Sunderland , who built most of the large cargo carriers with which the steamship company engaged in general trading. In November 1904, he was one of the British ship owners presented to King Edward VII in recognition of their services to their country. The company's fleet was also of the utmost importance in the wars of 1914-18 and 1939-45, and at the end of the First World War his services were recognized by his being created a baronet. Sir John Latta, 1st Bart, of Portman Square , was knighted on 9 February 1920.

http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/comser/tourism/famous_industry.asp

Ayrshire Sheep Farms in 1923

Ayrshire - Parish of Auchinleck

Farm                Post Town        Occupier

Dalblair High    Cumnock            W. & R. Latta

Dalblair Low    Cumnock            W. & R. Latta

Glenmuirshaw High    Cumnock    R. &J. Latta

Glenmuirshaw    Cumnock    R. & J. Latta

Kyle Northside    Cumnock    R. & J. Latta

Kyle Southside    Cumnock    R. & J. Latta

Ayrshire - Parish of Cumnock

Craigshiel        New Cumnock    Messrs. Latta

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THIS IS THE END OF THE BRANCH.......................NOTES BELOW
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E-mail received January 7, 2005:         

Hi there Sue

My name is Alan Latta, I am 24 years old and I'm from Ayrshire, Scotland.  I was just bored at work and browsing the internet when I came upon your website.  I have no idea if this is of any use to you but I'll give you the family history as far as I am aware:

My Great Grandfather was from Saltcoats and owned a pub, I also know he had
a brother Robert. He had 3 sons and a daughter. The eldest My grandfather
William who died in 2002 aged 66. twin boys Robert and James, Robert now
dead due to alcohol problems, and a daughter Agnes (Nancy).  My grandfather also had 3 sons and a daughter. My dad Robert the eldest followed by Thomas, James and Karen.

As far as I am aware my family have always been from Saltcoats in Ayrshire,
however as my pappy is now dead I can't ask him for more info. I have no
idea if we are connected in anyway to you lot over the pond, but it would be
nice to think that we were. It's nice to have a history I think.

Anyway, let me know if this info is of any use to you and if you have any
questions I'll do my best to find out that information for you.  Thanks

Alan  -  twat_mccallister@hotmail.com

ps. don't know if it's a Scottish thing, but all of the Latta men have died
young due to heart problems. However, all joking aside, that really could be
down to alcohol and tobacco.


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Received 1/20/05

Folks;
        Here is an interesting entry from our new reader, Alan Latta from
Saltcoats.  Please let let me know if any connection is found.  If Sue is
listening, Br. #14 did have a "Carter" in their history.  Ian Latta has a
brass Plate, so inscribed.  There is also a town in Saskatchewan named
Govan, where Br. #13 were well established years ago.  (Keith's branch).
Alex.Latta. Br. #16.
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  ----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Latta" <twat_mccallister@hotmail.com>
To: <allatta@gambit.ab.ca>
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 5:14 AM
Subject: RE: Saltcoats Latta's


Alex,

Thanks for posting on that information, I look forward to receiving it.   I have an update on some information that may be of use to you, if not then sorry for bothering you.  The James Latta (1877) that I have listed. I have found his family in the 1881 census - resident at 11 Towers Street, Govan, Lanark.  He had 3 brothers: Thomas Campbell Latta (aged 5 in 1881) this is the Thomas who went to Canada. Alexander Latta (aged 9) and Allan Latta (aged
12) All of whom were born in Paisley, Renfrewshire.  He had a sister Margaret who died at age 7, the same year as the census, and another sister Cathernine Buchanan Latta aged 1 in 1881.  His father was called James Latta and he was a Baker, Jouneyman. His mother was called Mary Wilson Latta.  Using the website, Scotlandspeople.gov.uk I have managed to take it back further than this.  The father I mentioned there James Latta was born in 1847 and died in 1889. Through his death certificate I have managed to trace his parents:
An Allan Latta who married a Catherine Buchanan on 18/12/1821 in Pailsey  High.  I know that this father Allan Latta died in 1867 aged 71, registered in Tradeston, Glasgow. He must have be born in about 1796. I can find no record of his birth on this web site - nothing for Allan Latta at all apart from his death certificate and his marriage certificate. I was unable to view the marriage certificate, however have ordered it and should receive it within the next 2 weeks. I have his death certificate  which lists his parents, however it is very difficult to read, I am hoping that the marriage certificate will shed new light on this!  It looks on his death certificate as if his dad's name was William Latta (a Carter) and his mother was Janet Erskine, however that may not be correct. The death certificate was signed by a John Latta listed as his son, so James Latta (1847) must have had at least 1 brother.  I am at a loss at the moment as to how to take things back further. The marriage certificate will hopefully be legible and also list a place of birth and his parents' names.  If you have any suggestions or information then please let me know.  I thought that Latta was a fairly uncommon name, however back in those days there were hundreds of us - and what makes it even more complicated is the fact that most of them had the same bloody first names!!!  Still, hope this finds you in good health, and not too cold! 

Alan Latta (1980)