Monday, 2 December 2024

#On This Day - 2nd December

On this day in 1893 my great aunt, Janet MacFarlane (nee Jackson) died in Foxbar, Renfrewshire, Scotland. She was the sister to my grandfather on my father's side.  In this year the Independent Labour Party was founded in Bradford.

She was born on 1 Feb 1860 in Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, Scotland and was the daughter of Robert Jackson (1833- ) and Helen Telfer (c. 1834-1904).

Janet, like many members of the Jackson family, was involved in the weaving industry. Initially, the Jacksons worked from their homes, but as industrialization progressed, they moved closer to Paisley. This shift marked a big change in their lives, from home-based weaving to factory work with large looms and mechanization. 

Janet's life was filled with both happiness and sadness. She married William MacFarlane in April 1893, and they had a daughter later that year. Sadly, Janet died from puerperal fever just six days after giving birth, on December 2, 1893. It's hard to imagine the grief and heavy burden William faced as he was left to care for their newborn daughter alone

Janet's personal life was one of joy and tragedy. She married William MacFarlane in April 1893, and together they welcomed their daughter later in the year. Sadly, Janet passed away just six days after giving birth, on December 2, 1893, due to puerperal fever. It is difficult to imagine the grief and overwhelming responsibilities that William faced as he was left to raise their newborn daughter alone.

On this same day in 1893, the Royal Navy's first destroyer, HMS Havock, was undergoing sea trials in England, marking a pivotal moment in naval history. The HMS Havock was launched in August 1893 and commissioned in January 1894, and it helped show the significant advancements in naval history.

In addition 2nd December holds other remarkable milestones. For instance, on this day in 1972, the first permanent artificial heart transplant was performed, a groundbreaking surgery that took seven hours. More recently, on December 2, 2020, the UK legalized the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, a critical step in combating the global pandemic.


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