David Watson, Arbuthnott

[ron_dem]

David Watson was born in Fordoun 1782 to George Watson and Margaret Meldrum.  He was soldier in the Royal Artillery, he served in the war of 1812-1814 against the Americans where he served upon a ship in Halifiax, Nova Scotia harbour. He married Catherine Barclay of Marykirk in 1818 and they crofted at Hareden in Arbuthnott. He died in 1859 and left an estate of 90 pounds. I am descended from his oldest daughter Mary who married a Charles Stuart of Strachan. Any connections out there?

[JEANP]

Hello,

These are from the pre 1855 gravestone index for Arbuthnott:

Erected by family imo father david Watson farmer hareden Atbuthnott 1.05.1859 79  & mother Cath Barclay 16.11.1868 78

These are inscriptions from adjacent graves:
(1)Here lyes Margt Guthrie spouse to (J)ohn Barclay in Craighill who d 17.4.1730 51.

(2)Erected in 1885. Robt Watson crofter Cowford parish of Bervie b. 22.5.1791 d aged 85y, wife Helen Milne b. 18.11.1805 d aged 55y daughter Jane b 10.10.1838 d aged 14y, daughter Susan b 6.6.1836 d aged 82y , by sons. Robt Hector Watson b 3.8.1865 d aged 80y

(3)Erected by husband & family, david Watson 10.7.1923 60, mary Ann 1909 6y,Alex John 1915 19,Robt 1919 14, Nellie 26.3.1949 59, Helen Findlay Watson 12.3.1954 85

(4) John Watson 26.8.1901.64, wife Susan Milne 28.3.1928 81, ss (stepson?) Robt 22.8.1896 16, daughter Mary Ann 2.3.1944 59, george 18.6.1968 85, Alex 11.2.1974 86.

(5)Jane Watson d Bervie 10.2.1900 69, husband John Beattie.

I may be able to get photos if these stones are still around - let me know and I'll have a look.

Jean

[ron_dem]

Thank you Jean P.  I was fortunate enough to get pictures of the headstone of David Watson and his wife Catherine Barclay when I visited Arbuthnott in 1992. I will have to look to see if any of the others are related. Possibly John, the last in your list but the rest are too early and in Arbuthnott, where as David originated in Fordoun.  Your thoughtfulness is appreciated. Cheers, Ron

[Lindyloowho]

Hi:

Bit of a long shot but I'm trying to find where my John MELDRUM b circa 1765-70 may have originated from.  He married in Sunderland, Co. in 1790, but baptised all his children in the Scottish church.  He was a master mariner, and member of the Free Masons.  His children were Robert, John, Elizabeth, Isabelle and Alice. I believe he probably "came south" with his trade, but was born somewhere in Scotland.

The I.G.I. shows a John Meldrum born in Maryculter, Kincardine, in 1771, hence my search here, where I found your message containing Margaret Meldrum.  Do you have any further information on Margaret, or her family.

Many thanks, Linda