James Stewart, Seaman, 1840-1860

[acorn baby]

I am looking for my ancestor James Stewart, a seaman based in and around Dundee.

He was born c.1824 to George Stewart (harbour porter) and Margery Baxter. I have his SECOND marriage, 25 Apr 1856, to Mary Hunter in Dundee. Both were living in the Seagate in Dundee, he a widowed Seaman (both parents deceased), she a Seamstress originally from Cupar Angus.

I am trying to fill in the gap from birth to this marriage. He must have married first time c.1844 (aged 20) and i know he was living in Cupar angus with this wife when he survived a shipwreck and she died from a gas leak (as the legend tells). Please see the attached story and image. I can only assume that he would take some time to grieve before remarrying, so i would expect to find the death of his wife and the shipwreck somewhere in the region of 1845-53.

I would like to confirm the name of his first wife and the date of their marriage. I also wish to track down the ship that was wrecked and anything else about his life as a seaman in general.

If anybody can help me I would really appreciate it. I have spent the best part of a year trying to track down anything I can, but have come up empty.

If anyone shares this ancestor with me, I have a lot of info on his daughter Elizabeth Stewart born 5 Aug 1859 and her family (the Wilsons).

[fifer1947]

Do you have his death certificate?  In Scotland it should give the names of both wives.

[ev]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat  

The Dundee Howff records has -
May Baxter(Stewart) burial 22nd May 1835 , age 49 , born Monifieth , wife of George Stewart , porter

James Stewart(if I have the right one) might have been born a bit before 1824 , age 60 on the 1881 Census   (daughter Sarah Stewart aged 18 in 1881 ? )

The IGI has children for a George Stewart and May Baxter in Dundee c1820

ev

[fifer1947]

Just to add there is a James Stewart married 1842 in Dundee to an Isabella Hunter.  

Could this be a sister to Mary?

[Gali]

You can search for the records of merchant seamen on the pay per view site findmypast.co.uk ... just had a look for 'james stewart' born 1824 plus or minus 2 years, born in Dundee, there are three records there which might be worth purchasing. 
http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/merchant-navy-seamen

[Annette7]

James Stewart died 8th February 1891 at 9.30 am.    The handwriting on his death certificate is absolutely abysmal.  Looks like is 1st wife was a Margaret but her surname begins with a B and vaguely looks like Blloriell.  (Even Mary Hunter is hard to decipher.  Handwriting really is atrocious - copy is clear enough it's just the writing that's at fault).

James himself was actually recorded at his baptism as James Bowman Stewart - born 28/3/1818, bp.5/4/1818 Dundee, son of George Stewart and May Baxter (none of the baptisms show George's wife as Margery - name given as May.)

I think that this is probably his 1st marriage:

James Stewart married Margaret Burness 3/1/1840 Dundee.

Annette

[Gali]

SP has an 1855 death cert for a Margaret Stewart, aged 38, born Brechin, father James Burness, maltman, deceased, mother Margaret ms Mitchell, deceased.  Married to James Stewart, seaman, absent.  One child, Margaret, aged 11.  Living at Tindals Wynd.  Cause of death, dropsy.  Next of kin, Andrew Stephen, step brother. 

Looks like could be them on 1851 census, lodgers at 4, Small's Lane. 

[acorn baby]

Thank you all so much for your help. i cannot believe how quickly fresh eyes find things!! i will be busy tonight!

[acorn baby]

James Stewart died 8th February 1891 at 9.30 am.    The handwriting on his death certificate is absolutely abysmal.  Looks like is 1st wife was a Margaret but her surname begins with a B and vaguely looks like Blloriell.  (Even Mary Hunter is hard to decipher.  Handwriting really is atrocious - copy is clear enough it's just the writing that's at fault).

James himself was actually recorded at his baptism as James Bowman Stewart - born 28/3/1818, bp.5/4/1818 Dundee, son of George Stewart and May Baxter (none of the baptisms show George's wife as Margery - name given as May.)

I think that this is probably his 1st marriage:

James Stewart married Margaret Burness 3/1/1840 Dundee.

Annette

wow annette, where did you find all that??