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Richard
I think I might have found a trail for James Lane.
Charles Henry Lane, B 1846 Herne Hill, (son of James Lane and Elizabeth Horsburgh); 1851 census, Herne Hill with parents and siblings; 1861, Herne Hill with Uncle James Horsburgh McDonald and siblings; 1871, Herne Hill occupation teacher, with Uncle James and brother John McDonald Lane; 1881 Wellington College, occupation assistant schoolmaster. After that I had no trace of him, but I have just found a record of his death and funeral in the Reading Mercury Sat 6 Dec 1884. (via findmypast). The account is very detailed and full of Victorian relish for sentimentality and funeral pomp.
He was the Bursar of Wellington College and died 29th Nov 1884, funeral Mon 1st Dec, Funeral procession 250 yards long, list of mourners, hymns sung at the service in Crowthorne, "Dead March" in Saul as coffin carried to the grave which was lined with green moss and white chrysanthemums and description of the coffin(polished oak with massive brass handles).
The interesting thing is that the leading mourners were "deceased's father and two nephews", the two nephews could have been Clayton Arbuthnot Lane who was 16, and his brother ,Frank McDonald Lane who was 14.
I checked the National Probate Calendar (ancestry) which has Charles Henry Lane, late of Wellington College, probate granted to James Lane of Torrington in the county of Devon , Gentleman, the Father and next of kin!
This suggests that James Lane was alive in 1884, but where he had been and why were his children living with Uncle James H McDonald?
This might be a massive red herring but all the evidence seems to fit, so good luck.
Ellen

Richard
I am a Horsburgh, but not a direct descendent of Captain James Horsburgh. My 3x Gt Grandfather Lock Horsburgh was Captain James' 2nd cousiin. Both were descended from William Horsburgh 1672-1754 Shoemaker of Crail. I sometimes get diverted of my direct line when I spot something interesting.
I suppose that Elizabeth lane's death certificate might show if her husband was still alive if she was described as a wife or widow. I've just taken a quick look at the Post Office Directory for 1855 which shows Lane, James esq in Herne Hill, so it would appear that he was alive in 1855. Unfortunately there don't seem to be any directories for the later 1850's on the Historical Directories site.

Ellen

Hary/Rob
The problem tracing Mary Flett may be because she was born Mary Wilson 05/03/1855 in Portknockie to unmarried mother Margaret Wilson domestic servant Macduff.
Margaret Wilson didn't marry John Flett until23/10/1857 in Portknockie.

In 1861 John and Margaret were in Caithness with 2 younger daughters but Mary was recorded as Mary Wilson with her maternal grandmother Helen Wilson(nee Falconer). and uncle Joseph Wilson at 16 Portknockie.
In 1871 Mary was Mary Flett, domestic servant unengaged at 10 Portknockie with great aunt Margaret Falconer (recorded as sister).

So John may not be Mary's birth father although she did name one of her sons after him.



John Flett may have had good reasons to leave Banff, I have seen him involved in 2 court cases on involving debts regarding his fishing boat and in 1881 one being fined for failing to educate 3 of his children (George, Isabella and Joseph). Also I believe there was a reduction in the fish in the Moray Firth at this time.
Mary Flett married in 1876, John and Margaret were still in Banff in 1881 and must have moved to Pittenweem in the following years as John died in Pittenweem in 1889.
Ellen

Hi Rob
Yes I am descended from th Pittenweem Horsburgh's. My grandfather Andrew Horsburgh was a son of Robert Horsburgh and Mary Flett. Robert was a grandson of the first Lock Horsburgh. There are many many fishermen, seamen and fish traders on this line.
Horsburgh lighthouse was built by subscription from the merchants of the Anglo Chinese trade in gratitude for Horsburgh's accurate charts making voyages safer (and hence more profitable). I can't help but wonder if any of the money for the lighthouse came from the opium trade?

Ellen

Hi Rob
James Horsburgh's eldest daughter Jane Frances married her first cousin James Horsburgh McDonald 13/01/1835 at St Giles, Camberwell. He was in the Bengal Artillery and ended as a Lieut Colonel.  They were childless but may have had custody of sister Elizabeth's 7 children after her death 14/06/1855 "at the home of her brother in law Lieut Col McDonald". I don't know what happened to her husband James Lane who was a solicitor but the Lane children seem to have had strong connections with India and the army. One of her descendents was William Horsburgh Lane, Lieut Col in Indian Army then after retirement archaeologist, author and Loch Ness monster hunter (honestly).
James Horsburgh junior was a clergyman and had 5 children, his descendents were clergymen, teachers , authors and one was a missionary to China.
This family is quite interesting to research it makes a change from ag labs and fishermen.
I hope this is of use to you.
Ellen