Armstrong bible, Kelso/Roxburghshire 1812-1923

[Cadoret]

Just found this forum, so thought it would be good to put what I have into the public domain as payback for all the help I've had from Rootschat members; as far as I know the bible was bought by my grandfather Adam Armstrong (born 9th December 1877). It's a lovely thing, leather bound, with large metal clasps and corner protectors, and has lots of illustrations.

Adam completed the bible entry, but there were also 2 sheets of paper in an envelope in the bible, written in pencil, probably by his father William Armstrong (born November 26 1847). Grandad was a GPO engineer, and great grandfather was a farm steward, so apart from the Helen Middle thing I think their information is probably accurate. Apologies for any transcription errors; feel free to contact me with any queries.

Information written in ink in ‘Family Events’ section of the Family bible;

"Greatgrandfather. William Armstrong & Hellen Middle ErrorSPAM REPORT THIS POST AS SPAM (Use 'Report to Moderator'). DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS IN THIS POST. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS PERSON.][sic*][/color] married 1812.
family.
William born July 17 1813.
Isabella, born March 17 1815.
John Born May 27 1817.
David, Born April 21 1819.
Agnes born March 4 1821 died at the age of 3 years.
Mary, born March 5 1823.
Robert, born February 271825.
Peter, born August 5 1827.
Adam, born December 25 1829.
Agnes, born July 26 1831.
Also 2 others died in infancy.
Died Helen Armstrong, wife of William Armstrong in childbed on September 1839.
William Armstrong married (second marriage) to Miss Margaret Smith, January 22 1841.
Greatgrandfather, William Armstrong died in Dec 21 1856.
Grandfather, Robert Armstrong, born February 27 1825.
Married to Isabella Cairns October 11 1847.
Family
William, born November 26 1847.
Margaret, born November 30 1849.
John, born February 2 1852.
Helen, born, Oct 2 1854.
George, born, January 20 1857, died at the age of 15 months.
Robert, born, February 25 1859.
Isabella, born, July 26 1862.
Father. William Armstrong born November 26 1847.
Married to Jane Broomfield June 4 1875.
Family
Robert, born, February 29th 1876.
Adam, born, December 9th 1877.
Mary Jane, born, October 1st1880.
Isabella born November 10th 1882.
Agnes born July 13th ______.
Joan Murray, born ______ died June 28th 86.
Helen Murray September 11th 1899
William born December 4th
Sister. Joan Murray died at Redden, Roxburghshire June 28 1886, buried at Sprouston.
Mother. Died December 8th at Baillieknowe, Roxburghshire 1912.      “      “       “
Father. Died April 20th 1921 at Baillieknowe, Roxburghshire.             “      “       “
Helen Murray Sister died, suddenly in Ward 25, Royal
Infirmary Edinburgh at 11.45 a/m on October 15th 1923.                  “      “       “

ErrorSPAM REPORT THIS POST AS SPAM (Use 'Report to Moderator'). DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS IN THIS POST. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS PERSON.]NB most of this was written in one sentence – carriage returns added for ease of reading.

Information written in pencil on 2 sheets of paper; [/color]

“William Armstrong & Hellen Middle ErrorSPAM REPORT THIS POST AS SPAM (Use 'Report to Moderator'). DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS IN THIS POST. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS PERSON.][sic*][/color]
Married the First Year of God 1812
Register of their Family
William Born July 17 1813
Isabella Born March 17 1815
John Born May 27 1817
David Born April 21 1819
Agnes Born March 4 1821
Died at the age of 3 years
Mary Born March 5 1823
Robert Born February 27 1825
Peter Born August 5 1827
Adam Born December 25 1829
Agnes Born July 26 1831
  Also 2 others died in infancy
  Died Hellen ErrorSPAM REPORT THIS POST AS SPAM (Use 'Report to Moderator'). DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS IN THIS POST. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS PERSON.][sic*][/color] Armstrong wife of William Armstrong
in childbed on September 1839
William Armstrong married second marriage
To Miss Margaret Smith January 22 1841

Robert Armstrong & Isabella Cairns Married October 11 Year of God 1847
Register of their family
William Born November 26 1847
Margaret Born November 30 1849
John Born February 2 1852
Hellen [sic] Born October 2 1854
George Born January 20 1857
Died at the age of 15 months
Robert Born February 25 1859
Isabella Born July 26 1862

Isabella Armstrong wife of Robert Armstrong
   Died 28 of June 1888
   Robert Armstrong Died 22 day of October 1898

My Grand Father William Armstrong
   Died in December 21 1856

William Arm Greatgrandfather William Armstrong & Helen Middle married
1812. Family William born July 17th 1813, Isabella Born March 17th 1815, John
Born May 27th 1817, David Born April 21st 1819, Agnes Born March 4th 21, Died at
the age of 3 years"

I can trace the line back from grandfather Adam using the family bible information, backed up by Adam’s birth certificate (showing parents), and a transcript of William’s marriage certificate (showing parents). But at that point there’s a gap in the documentary proof until an OPR copy I have of the William Armstrong=Helen Riddle* marriage.

The bible entries notes Robert Armstrong married Isabella Cairns 11th October 1847, an IGI record notes it was 15th October 1847 at Southdean, Roxburghshire, but I can’t find the marriage at scotlandspeople.gov.uk. Although this needs to be verified with an OPR record, it would be an extreme coincidence if there were 2 families with almost identical details i.e William Armstrong=Helen Riddle and William Armstrong=Helen Middle*, both with identical children details!

* The only reference to Helen Middle is by great grandfather William, probably copied into the bible by Grandfather Adam.

[loo]

I wonder if Middle/Riddle could in fact be Liddle/Liddel/Little , which is, as far as I have been able to figure out, quite a common name in Roxburghshire - as in Liddesdale, an area in Roxburgshire near Castleton - all Armstrong territory for sure.

[Cadoret]

Hi Loo, thanks for the suggestion, but my late mum recognised the name Helen Riddell, and I have a copy of the microfiche OPR marriage record, and the date/place matches the marriage as recorded by my great grandfather.

Have a great Christmas & Hogmanay,

Graeme

[castlebob]

Hello Cadoret,
Just noticed your impressive Bible records of Armstrongs. I have an interest in Armstrongs from both sides of the border, & wondered if you know of any of your line which links up with Kirkandrews Upon Esk Armstrongs in Cumbria?
I ask because I noticed your Adam Armstrong listed. I'm trying to find a proven birthplace for an Adam b1638, d1696. The burial of this Adam may be in one of the Castleton burial grounds as I've seen a ref which matches those dates.
If any of this rings any bells, it'd be good to compare notes.
Cheers
Bob

[Cadoret]

Hi Bob,

nothing re Kirkandrews, I'm afraid, but there are possible links to the Castleton area, as yet unclear & unproved.

My 3rd great grandfather was William Armstrong from Eckford, Roxburgh, but for some time I suspected his eldest son, also William, was none other than Sorbietrees - if you haven't heard about him let me know, it's an interesting story!

It turns out that he wasn't, but one of the reasons I thought he was, was that he had 2 weddings, 1 iln Kelso & the other in Newcastleton, as did Sorbietrees, and they were born the same year. There's another reason or 2 that escape me for the moment, but the all suggest that William senior might have originated in the Castleton area.

I'm too busy at the moment to do any research, but am hoping to go & visit family in the Borders again soon, and with details I recently got from William's will (from 1856!), I have some leads on his parentage I need to follow up in the borders history centre.

If I come up with anything I think you might find interesting I'll let you know.

bye for now,

Graeme

[castlebob]

Thanks Graeme,
I don't think I know of the story of William you refer to? If you find anything of interest, it'd be good to know - particularly Canonbie links, or Cumberland.
Cheers,
Bob

[Cadoret]

Hiya,

the link I found that started me off is http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/ARMSTRONG/2004-05/1084909834

In brief, William Armstrong (Sorbietrees, named after his family farm) was on his way home from market (I think), and he ran into a former maidservant in town. He later called on the vicarage where she worked - I think he was going to offer her a job - and when he knocked on the door, the reverend poked a gun out into the darkness & fired it. William was found dead the next day at the end of a trail of blood, and the Reverend Smith was put on trial for murder. Needless to say, he was a Reverend Minister, and William was a 'mere' farmer, so he was acquitted. My reading from the trial transcript is that the defense tried to besmirch William's character, and the jury fell for it; all local landowners, no doubt!

His widow died years later, after a long battle with the Laird (Roxburgh) who owned the farm they rented - it seems that he'd overcharged her for rent for many years. Needless to say she lost the case, lost the farm, and died in (New?) Castleton.

Apparently, they were well-known and liked both sides of the Border, and monuments were put up for them both on their deaths.

I think the Time transcript detailed the whole story, and the link I gave you has links to a few other interesting facts.

Bye now,

Graeme

[castlebob]

Fascinating & very sad, Graeme.
Thanks (& god luck with your searches)
Bob

[ewanarm]

Hi,

Don't now whether anyone is still following this thread but have just come across it and think that there might be a link to my family.

My ggg grandfather, William Armstrong, was born around 1813/1814 in Roxburghshire and the 1851 census has him in Berwickshire but states that he was born in Kelso. In 1841 he is listed as a ag lab in Yetholm. He is married to Susan (Susanna) Tait but I cannot find a marriage for them. They then moved to Co Durham in England and in later censuses he is listed as being born in Scotland.

I have a feeling that he is the William Armstrong listed here as being born on 17th July 1813 which would mean that William Armstrong and Helen Riddle were my gggg grandparents.

Was just wondering if anyone had any further information that might help me clarify things further.

Many thanks