Hello,
I have just found this thread on Google and this is my first post, so I hope this works out. We have been in touch directly in the past and I thank you for your help. I would like to refer to your first post in this thread.
I too, am still trying to fathom out where John BURGESS and Jean SPALDING came from. With so many gaps in the local parish records for this area of Scotland, it is an uphill battle. The 1745 uprising and the problems over Covenanters during this period make records scarce. With old books like the 'Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae' coming online there is some hope that a lead may be found.
I tend to agree with you that there is a very strong likelihood that Jean Spalding is the granddaughter of Rev. Samuel Spalding and Elizabeth Brown, of Dullarg, by his eldest son Samuel, or other unknown son (if any), given that Dullarg is a pretty small community and its association with the Spaldings. But we still need that missing proof.
It is a pity Alexander Spalding of Holm's daughter, Jean, baptised in 1748 married James Fraser in 1769 in Edinburgh, as she seemed the most likely candidate!
John BURGESS's origin has been much harder to track down.
There is one thing I am curious about and that is why you are unsure of Samuel BURGESS (ca 1779-) being a brother of James (ca 1782-1856) and John (1784-bef 1876). (The latter dates from Canadian Censuses). James in his letter to his brother John in Canada dated 2 Jan 1835 says "Brother Samuel I understand, happened with sore misfortune, getting his house all burned and a good deal of his furniture,..." He is mentioned again in the letter from John to James on 28 Jan 1841, and as you pointed out indicating his "bow"(beau?) brother Samuel was most unfortunate (with broken leg) and untrustworthy. John also indicated his willingness to help Samuel's wife Euphemia.
Regarding the immigration of John Burgess and Jean McDougal and family they left Canada in 1826. Georgina was the last child born in Scotland, bapt. 10 Mar 1826 in Balmaclellan.
Here is the entry
Source Bibliography:DOBSON, DAVID. Directory of Scottish Settlers in North America, 1625-1825. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. Volume 2. 1984. 216p.
Page: 18
"Name: John Burgess Born in Scotland in 1785
Year: 1826
Place: Canada
Family Members: Wife Jean McDowal b. 1792;
Child William b. 1809; Child Gordon b. 1811 Child Jane b. 1814; Child John b.1816; Child James b. 1819; Child Mary b. 1820; Child Thomas b. 1823; Child Georgina b.1826;
From Kirkcudbrightshire to Canada in 1826
Source Publication Code: 1640.2
Primary Immigrant: Burgess, John"
Also William Burgess (1789-1823) who was the first to travel to the New World, died in New York on 31 May 1823.
BURGESS, William, d.31 May 1823. From Kells parish, Kirkcudbrightshire. To New York and d. there. (DGH 9 July, 1823) [Dumfries and Galloway Herald and Advertiser]
A Dictionary of Scottish Emigrants to the USA Vol 2
Compiled and Edited by Donald Whyte F.H.G., F.S.G., F.S.A.Scot.
Magna Carta Book Company Baltimore, Maryland, USA 1986
I hope this helps.
Des 362
