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and this has been a good day --- Ii now know how to spell and pronounce Arboath, plus a language and geography lesson all in one.  thanks so much.

So, if Burn is Scots for river, what implication does that have for the surname Burns?  Any?  Not much?

Thanks again.

Joan

Thanks, Goldie,  for the interesting links.  I think I am going to have to dig deeper into his childhood, if I can.  Not sure whether he was raised in Abroath where his mother was raised, or in Dundee, where he was born.  I really appreciated your help.

Joan

I have been transcribing my 3x great grandfather's diary (the diary of James Peter McPherson, Springdale, Wisconsin - 1850-1900).  He was born in Dundee(1815), to Peter McPherson, who died before his son's birth; and to Elizabeth Spink.  She was the daughter of John Spink, seaman from Abroath, and she had a brother James who was witness in the marriage record.

Apparently, Elizabeth kept her maiden name, as I found her and James Peter in the 1841 Census in Dundee.  James Peter McPherson, her son, was working at a flax dresser in the Dundee mills at the time.  He and his new bride, Mary Burns emigrated to
America the next year.

My 3x great grandfather had great penmanship, and in America, he was the letter writer for his village, as well as Justice of the Peace, and engaged in local government and politics.

My question is:  How did a young man, who lost his father before birth, lived with a single mom who was a daughter of a seaman, acquire such an educational background.  Family oral history indicates that he was "greatly self taught."

As I go thru his diary and papers, this questions keeps popping into my head. I am quite interested in the educational opportunities of the time.   Any help?

Recently I received a copy of a birth/baptismal record of my 3x great-grandfather William Gibson Burns (1801), from the Oldham Local Studies and Archives, which was greatly appreciated.   The names of my 4x great grandparents finally surfaced: Joseph Burn and his wife Mary, of the Bent.  I am curious as to where or what "the Bent" refers.  Googling hasn't been very successful.  Anyone have any idea as to what this phase meant?

Ian,

Thank you for your help.  You provided a world on information  ---and so quickly.  This uncle or my gg grandmother has be talked about often, but no real information other than DOB, and name, and of course, being an eminent minster.

Thanks again.
Joan