This ancestor of mine is Janet Stewart's father; (Janet was married to Thomas Roger (5)). As can be read on Janet Stewart's page, there was, for some time, a lot of uncertainty surrounding Janet's parents' names. Her father variously being referred to not only as John, but also Alexander and William and her mother as Margaret, Janet and Jessie. However, my investigatory work, described on Janet's page, proved conclusively that her father was called John Stewart and her mother, Margaret Watson.

Working from that, the first thing I looked for was a record of a marriage between John Stewart and Margaret Watson. I found it immediately and it took place in Lyne, Peeblesshire, the same place where Janet had been born.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to find either John's Birth or Death records. From the 1841 Censuses we can say that he must have been born between 1809 and 1811 and according to the 1851 Census, he was born in Carnwath, Lanarkshire, but there is no corresponding record. As far as his death is concerned he must have died between 1851 and 1854, as he was alive at the time of the 1851 Census, but deceased by he time his daughter, Jane(t), married Alex Drummond in 1854.

KEY EVENTS AND DATES

Birth - 1809 to 1811

According to the ages ascribed to John in the 1841 and 1851 Censuses, John must have been born in this period in Carnwath, Lanarkshire. No record has been found though.

Marriage - 17th May 1830

John Married Margaret Watson in the parish of Lyne and Megget in Peeblesshire. There is no further information on the record.

View record.

3rd October 1830

John's son, James Stewart, was born in Lyne and Megget, Peebles. His mother was recorded as Margaret Watson.

View the record.

8th October 1832

John's daughter, Sarah Stewart, was born in Lyne and Megget, Peebles. Her mother was recorded as Margaret Watson.

View the record.

23rd October 1834

John's daughter, Janet Stewart, was born in Lyne and Megget, Peebles. Her mother was recorded as Margaret Watson.

View the record.

14th December 1838

John's daughter, Christina Stewart, was born in Lyne and Megget, Peebles. Her mother was recorded as Margaret Watson.

View the record.

1841 Census

The Census records John, aged 30 and his wife, also aged 30 living at Slatehole, Stobo, Peeblesshire. John's occupation is Carpenter. John's place of birth is only given as Scotland but 'not in this County, i.e. not in Peeblesshire. Margaret and their children are all recorded as having been born in Peeblesshire, Scotland. John and Margaret's children living there were - James, aged 10, Sarah and Janet, both aged 5 and Christian (a common variant of Christina), aged 3.

View record.

1851 Census

The Census records John, aged 41, living at Alter Stone, Stobo, Peeblesshire. He is described as a widower and his occupation as Agricultural Labourer, (a bit of a come down from Carpenter). His place of birth was given as Carnwath, Lanarkshire. Living with him were his daughters Janet, aged 16 and Christina, aged 13 and described as a Scholar.

View record.

Death - 1851 to 1854

As John was alive at the 1851 Census, but deceased when his daughter, Jane(t) married Alexander Drummond in 1854, John must have died during this period. No record has been found though.

26th December 1854

John's daughter, Jane(t) married Alexander Drummond in Leith. Both were living at 30 Citadel, North Leith, although Alexander was described as a Seaman and probably lived away from home much of the time. Jane's father's name was given as John Stewart, deceased and his occupation as "Farm Servant, Peebles". However, her mother's name was not recorded.