Alexander McLellan Gordon born Newmarket Street Dumfries

[Gadget]

Penpont seems a bit far from Thornhill    I think he was a ploughman in 1861 which is a big change to a draper.


Added - says born Ruthwell, which again is a fair way from Thornhill.

[kall]

It's only about 2 miles Gadget. They are both in Dumfriesshire

[Millmoor]

This will not answer your conundrum but Welsh Newspapers Online (National Library of Wales) are very good - a search for David McLellan there produces a number of hits including his death notice. Worth a look.

William

[Gadget]

Yep - I looked at an old map of parish boundaries!  Drove through it last year so should have realised as we were staying close to Thornhill.

But it says he was born Ruthwell and in 1861 he was a ploughman so a bit doubtful that he became a draper 

Is there a will for him in S Wales?

[Gadget]

This will not answer your conundrum but Welsh Newspapers Online (National Library of Wales) are very good - a search for David McLellan there produces a number of hits including his death notice. Worth a look.

William

Young William seems a handful 

[Millmoor]

My gg grandfather's brother  Alexander Kennedy went from being a dyker to a travelling photographer in the 1860's - so unexpected changes of occupation can happen! (His obituary states it was the result of being out in all weathers and getting severe sciatica that prompted the change).

The Taunton marriage would give his father's name. Cannot see a Somerset parish record for the marriage. There are baptism records on FindMyPast for their children.

William

[Gadget]

had a good look around for any baptisms

Elizabeth Gibson, bpt Tinwald 1844

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYMD-XHZ

Thornhill is parish of  Morton, I think

The newspaper report does describe him as a 'travelling draper' so Taunton is quite possible.

[Gadget]

Just wondering about how Alexander (1860) would have known his reputed father (as described on marriage cert of 1882) was a Master Draper. Either via letters, etc. or from some other means - maybe financial support during his apprenticeship as a tailor. 

[Gadget]

It might be worth having a look for Thomas Milligan, witness on the 1882 marriage.