and 1881 shows Fintry
No it doesn't - it shows Balfron - she is indexed as Hellan Edmonds and has 3 of her children living with her who show on earlier censuses
This is not the same Helen Edmond. See my earlier post above. This is Helen MacFarlane, widow of another of the numerous Peter Edmonds. The 1851 Census lists in Dunmore Street, Balfron Peter Edmond, 53, joiner; wife Helen, 32; daughter Helen, 4; son Peter, 2; son Daniel, 3 months. There is a baptism of their son Daniel MacFarlane Edmond in Balfron on 14 December 1851, which seems to be a year out as there is also a baptism of Daniel McFarland Edmond in the Associate Congregation on 5 January 1851. Helen McFarlane or Edmond died in Bonhill in 1898, aged 80. Peter Edmond, 85, died in Balfron in 1878. It would not surprise me if this Peter Edmond turned out to be a brother of Thomas Edmond, husband of Elizabeth Ewing, but in relation to Helen Davie, this family is a red herring.
However - there is another 1881 entry matching Fintry shown as Mrs Peter Edmond b 1817 who is living with son Thomas b 1844 Balfron.
The 1851 for Helen & Peter does not include a son Thomas b 1844.
No. It wouldn't. The census
never gives a date of birth. The 1851 census lists Thomas, aged 9 (if accurate, DoB 1841/1842), with Peter and Helen in Hillhead, Balfron. The 1881 lists Thomas, aged 37 (if accurate, DoB 1843/1844). A two-year discrepancy in an age in the census isn't unheard of.
It also lists Ellen D McLeod, 14, born Fintry. Helen Davie McLeod Edmond, illegitimate daughter of Agnes Edmond, was born on 6 January 1868 in Fintry. So her age in the 1881 census is a year out, but with given names Helen Davie, there can hardly be any doubt that she is Helen Davie's granddaughter and therefore that 'Mrs Peter Edmond' is Helen Davie.
Peter, son of Thomas Edmond and Janet Moir, was born in Bonhill on 21 October 1871. Thomas Edmond and Janet Moir were married in Bonhill on 30 December 1870. Janet Moir or Edmond died in Bonhill in 1879, aged 29. If futher proof is needed, the marriage certificate of Thomas Edmond will name his parents as Peter Edmond (deceased) and Helen Edmond, maiden surname Davie.
You say husband Peter died 1859 but Helen & Peter appear on the 1861 - Peter is aged 60
Do we have 2 different families here?
Yes!!