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Hello again, reporting back that I have finally sighted both Wills/testaments of James Richardson, merchant formerly of Riddan who died Hightae in 1732:

RICHARDSON   JAMES   17/11/1732   LATE MERCHANT IN RIDDAN   TESTAMENT DATIVE AND INVENTORY   DUMFRIES COMMISSARY COURT   CC5/6/9 (2 pages)

RICHARDSON   JAMES   02/11/1733   LATE MERCHANT IN RIDDAN   EIK   DUMFRIES COMMISSARY COURT   CC5/6/10

I am not at all sure that he belongs to us. His next of kin were nephews John and James Smith. His belongings consisted of hair and chimney cases and a few pounds.

Perhaps this information might be of use to another family? Or maybe someone else might have more information

Hello all, I'm so thrilled with responses! Monica, I think there are definitely two people: James AND John. I am keen to establish their relationship too and trying not to jump to the conclusion that they might be brothers. The James Richardson, native of Hightae and merchant of Reading, who died in 1726 and bequeathed money for schooling, is another very interesting possibility for us to investigate somehow. There is possibly of Thomas Richardson and William Richardson as well but they may be further removed ie a cousin.
From the will and subsequent court rulings of John Richardson’s “estate”, I know that Catherine Richardson and James Richardson were married before 1757. The other daughters of John Richardson and Mary Kennedy are:  Jean Richardson who married Robert Wilson of Hazliebrae, Mary Richardson who married Matthew Rae merchant in Ecclefechan,  Jannet Richardson who married John Moffat kindly tenant in Hightae, Violet Richardson (my line) who married John Kennedy portioner of Hightae and Ann Richardson.
Brigau – thanks for looking up births for James and Catherine in Dumfries. I have not found them in the Lochmaben fiche. My family didn’t strictly adhere to Scottish naming patterns.  Also, RIDDAN could be READING? A good lead.

Hi brigau. Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I have seen the first two wills and believe they both relate to the John Richardson I am seeking. It was from this information that I got his wife's name. John Richardson seems to have been a very popular name in Hightae! I wonder if or how James Richardson might be related.  Since our John Richardson had only daughters, I do not believe John Richardson 1809 to be a direct descendant. Hopefully someone out there might know more.

Hi Ron. I can't answer the question regarding MIs maybe someone else out there would know.
Before I visited Dumfries a couple of years ago, I enquired about Hastings graves through the cemetery office (by email). They were unable to help because they only keep a burial book. There is no double reference by surname. If you have time to wait, they trawl through their records for you.
However, I popped in to the cemeteries to find relatives including Hastings at Thornhill. I found quite a few of the Hastings graves, all in the old part of the cemetery. Good luck in your search. 

Good morning Barbara! I am still around ... Margaret, New Zealand