John Jamieson's place of birth is recorded as Barnhill, Roxburghshire in 1911 ( thanks Trish).
In 1851 there is a Jamieson family living at Barnhills, Ancrum, Roxburghshire. Head is James Jamieson age 42, a widower, occ Farm Labourer and a number of his children are listed including Isabella age 22 born Morebattle.
In 1859 an Isabella Jamieson married William Ballantyne in Hume, Roxburghshire and in 1861 the couple are living at Hinds House, Nenthorn, Berwickshire with baby daughter Jessie.
In 1861 we find James Jamieson above living at Todrig, Hume, Berwick. He is shown as age 54 and some of the children listed on the 1851 census are still with him, but there is an additional 'son' John Jamieson age 9 born Ancrum ( remember James was already a widower in 1851!).
In 1871 a number of the children from 1851/1861 are living together at Bassendean, Westruther, Berwickshire. With them is their nephew John Jamieson, age 17, born Ancrum. Also another nephew Robert Smith, age 11 who is listed in the 1861 Hume census as a grandson of James Jamieson.
In 1871 Isabella and William Ballantyne are living in Northam, Roxburghshire with 10 year old daughter Jessie.
My feeling is that John was the illegitimate son of Isabella Jamieson and that when she married he was taken in by the extended family - first by his grandfather and then by his aunts and uncles.
Isobel