Family of James Smith - Montrose. Died July 13 1865

[Jso27]

Hi,

Looking for some assistance on finding the family of James Smith - Retired Naval Surgeon. You good people helped me out with his service record.
He dies aged 65 in Montrose. Though census 1851 & 1861 have birth dates of  1799 & 1797 in Montrose?
Parents are James Smith - Linen Manufacturer & Elizabeth Wilson.
 I assume being a Linen Manufacturer wld be a reputable career but can't find anymore info?

[Wendy2305]

Hi according to Scotland People a James Smith married Elizabeth Wilson at Montrose 22 May 1803 and they appear to have 10 children up to 1819 all baptized Montrose no James though he could have been born before they were married

[Wendy2305]

There are also 2 wills
James Sr 6 May 1851 Manufacturer Montrose
James surgeon in the Royal Navy 9 SEP 1865

[Wendy2305]

In the MI book for Montrose Parish church there is a transcription of the grave of James Smith and Elizabeth Wilson it reads
1812 weavers shuttle by Jas Smith weaver here w(ife) Eliza Wilson, imo s(on) Wm 12.7.1811 - months also (James------
West side their s(on) David 2.9.1858, 52 s(on) Chas 10.11.1839 20 said Jas Smith 16.9.1846 92 s(on) Thos 25.10.1849 34 said Elis Wilson 6.3.1855 80

[Forfarian]

Though census 1851 & 1861 have birth dates of  1799 & 1797 in Montrose?

No, they don't.

The census never lists a year of birth. It lists the age people said they were on the day of the census.

Unfortunately there are several web sites which, when transcribing or indexing the census, (mis)calculate the year of birth by subtracting the claimed age from the year of the census. Even when the age is accurate (which is often not the case), this calculation gives a wrong answer three times out of four, because the census is held around the end of March, which is only a quarter of the way through the year, and three quarters of people will not have had their birthday yet in that year.

Obviously James Smith, or whoever gave his details to the census enumerators and the registrar, was not really sure exactly when he was born.

[Jso27]

Thanks for the bits of info guys.
I've downloaded the Will of James Smith Senior.
Who is indeed a Linen Manufacturer but is married to an Elizabeth Stewart not Wilson.
Have a 16th July 1815 marriage on that front.
The will doesn't mention any bequests to sons.  Multiple nephews & nieces & business contacts only.
Bit stumped on this one

[Wendy2305]

According to freecen there's 2 James Smith's with probable wives callled Elizabeth in Montrose in 1841 yours is probably the one living in Market Street with Elizabeth and possible daughter Elizabeth the will belonging to the James Smith will be the other one
The James Smith in Market Street was not born in Angus and was 85 years old approximately which would fit with the grave in reply 3 there's a death of Elizabeth Smith age 80 other name Wilson in Dundee 1855 age 80 which would also fit as she died in 1855 it should list her husband's name her children and their age also her parents

[Wendy2305]

Elizabeth is possibly still in Market Street on her own in 1851 age 76 so born c 1775 in Farnell
Possible birth in Farnell in 1775 parents James Wilson and Jean Ross