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Hi

I'm descended from James Longmuir (Glenbervie 1790 - ?) and Elspet Mason (? - ?).

I know that James Longmuir had an illegitimate child with Katharine Molyson as recorded in the Kirk Session for Arbuthnott.

December the Thirteenth (1807), The Kirk Session being called met and constituted compeared Katharine Molyson, an unmarried woman presently warding in the parish of Kineff but late servant to George Molyson Tenant in Cloak in this parish, and judicially confessed that she was with child to James Longmuir servant to the said George Molyson, and that the guilt was contracted in this parish. The said James Longmuir who attended the session at the same time being asked whether he judicially acknowledged himself the father of the child the said Katharine was pregnant with: answered in the affirmative and both the aforesaid persons having declared their willingness to submit to censure by appearing thrice several Sabbaths before the congregation, they were exhorted by the Minister and the said Katharine Molyson was defined to begin her public appearance next Sabbath.

Haven't had much luck tracing their daughter who was baptised Margaret.

Q1. Have found a burial for a James Longmuir in 1834 in Arbroath. Can anyone advise how I can research this further to determine whether or not this is my James Longmuir?

Q2. Have found a death certificate for a Christina Longmuir, widow of ? and daughter of George Mollison. Could this Christina Mollison / Longmuir be the same person? My gut feeling is yes. Died 1862 aged 70 meaning born 1792 so having illegitimate child at age 15 may not be out of the question albeit census records indicate she (Christina) was born circa 1784 which fits. Also have the inventory for Christina Mollison which sheds no light as to who she is, her nephew turns out to be totally unrelated. Any help in unravelling this one appreciated.

Thanks for the info. I’ve managed to find William Snr in the 1841 and 1851 Census Records at Don Village and North Broadford respectively. Have also managed to find William Jnr in the 1851 Census (Oyne) and also worked out that Margaret married James Black in 1848 and died in 1893. Nothing more on the rest of the family yet.

Now off to try some searching on Ancestry using birth years and Kincardine O Neil in the search box but not using a surname due to spelling variants. Might come up with something.
Noticed on Ancestry that someone has put up a private photograph of the family. Will get in touch with them to see if they can help me out with my search.

I don’t like using Scotlands People as it’s quite expensive which I found out to my cost when researching Smith ancestors. I often get through to Edinburgh and it works out a lot cheaper when I’ve got a lot to research.

Cheers
Pittyman67

Wish my line of Longmuirs was so easy to dig up some info on. I've been to the National Archives and didn't unearth anything. At one time I thought that James Longmuir who was married to Margaret Pithie may have been the son of John Longmuir and Ann Brand. Unfortunately this turned out not to be the case however I did keep a note of what I found:

Erected by James Longmuir and Margaret Pithie in memory of their family: Mary d. 28 Apr 1842 aged 19, James d. 26 Oct 1853 aged 24, Robert d. 17 Mar 1854 aged 16, David d. 5 July 1860 aged 29. Above James Longmuir late Blacksmith at Hillside d. 19 Nov 1873 aged 83; Margaret Pithie his wife d. 9 Mar 1875 aged 76. Ann Longmuir d. 14 Aug 1900 aged 73; Charles Longmuir d. 27 Oct 1907 aged 63. 9 Lines verse on back.

You should be able to get a copy of James Longmuirs Death Cert on Scotlands People. Notes his parents as being Alexander Longmuir and Mary Paul. Sorry haven't managed to come up with any more info.

Cheryl

Good to hear from you and even better to know that you have got as far as I have in identifying John Longmuir.

I have also managed to work out that John Longmuir who was married to Christian Patterson was the son of John Longmuir and Elizabeth Collie and was the father of the Revd John Longmuir who was prominent in the disruption of the Church of Scotland.

Regarding John Longmuir being born in Glenbervie he is the son of James Longmuir and Margaret Walker:

Kinneff and Catterline OPR (March 9th 1755) - James Longmuir in the Parish of Glenbervie and Margaret Walker in this Parish gave in their names in order to marriage and were married after due proclaimations.

Glenbervie OPR: (24th February 1770) - James Longmuir in Jacksbank had a son baptized John. Witnesses Andrew and James Walker both in Jacksbank. (Mother was Margaret Walker).

Would be interested about the John Longmuir from Benholm who you think died before all the children had been born as I would like to rule him out as a possibility. I know he is the son of Andrew Longmuir and Jean Skae but know nothing else. Any info appreciated however I don't think he is the son of James Longmuir and Rachel Rankin as they had 3 children, Elspet, David and Rachel. Elspet must have died very young.

1808 R.L. Erected by James Longmuir Taylor in Johnshaven in memory of his wife Rachel Rankine d. 20 Nov 1798 aged 63; they had issue as follows viz. David and Rachel. James Longmuir d. 27 Jan 1819 aged 77 (back) of David Longmuir & Margaret Watt’s family Helen d. 19 Jan 1813 in infancy; David d. Annoua Bay Jamaica 17 Sept 1825 aged 22; Helen d. Aberdeen 23 Nov 1834 aged 19 & is here interred; James d. St Thomas in the East, Jamaica 30 Sept 1836 aged 31; David Longmuir Inspector of Police, Aberdeen d. Aberdeen 16 Nov 1838 aged 60.

Interestingly, James Longmuir who maried Rachel Rankine is the brother of John Longmuir who married Elizabeth Collie and the brother of Andrew Longmuir who married Jean Skae.

Regards

Andy

Margaret, many thanks for the reply. I’d almost forgotten that I had a post on Roots Chat.

You are quite correct that there is a connection in the farms on the border of Glenbervie and Fordoun. John Longmuir was a sub-tenant at Drumsleed which isn’t all that far from Auchtochter and Knockburn. I also think that John Longmuir’s parents were James Longmuir and Margaret Walker who lived at Jacksbank which is also nearby. Funnily enough, just before reading your post, I had a drive round the area for inspiration and I’m still going round in circles.

Have never looked closely at Ann Brand however did come up with two possibilities – one born in Fordoun 1757 and another born in Fordoun 1760. I don’t know why but I always suspected that the latter was the one and you’ve come up with the same answer. I think that Anne Brand may have been Episcopalian as I found the birth of her son David Longmuir in Episcopalian records in ANESFHS. Unfortunately no other records however, John Longmuir and Anne Brand were married on 23rd October 1790 and I am descended from their first son James (named after James Longmuir and Margaret Walker – tradition of naming first son after father???) who was born on 24th November 1790 i.e. in fornication. I might manage to get down to Edinburgh one of these days to have a look at the Kirk session records to find out if there is anything recorded.

Can’t work out where you are based from your username. I’m in Pitmedden in Aberdeenshire just in case you are nearby.

Regards

Andy