Adam Lawson Ayr /Gibraltar

[mags49]

Hi all….

I have the dreaded brickwall on my Tree 

My gr gr gr grandfather was Adam Lawson. I haven’t able to ascertain his birth/death. All I have is his marriage to Margaret Shand in 1840. No sign on him on 1841 census. They had 4 children (have the transcriptions for their parish register and on each Adam is listed as a seaman). I have copies of their subsequent census’ showing Margaret listed as widow. Makes me think he was lost at sea? Any hints welcomed and thanks in anticipation. (As a wee aside, Margaret was born in Gibraltar as her father was in 94th foot and other children born overseas - after looking into his army information I believe he was stationed at Ayr sometime. Margaret met Adam whilst the family lived in Ayr for a while?)

[GR2]

Is this him?

Adam Lawson, born Ayr 15th January 1815

Height 5 ft 4 1/2 inches

Hair dark brown

Eyes blue

Complexion brown

Scar on left cheek

Can write

First went to sea as an apprentice in 1834

Has not served in the Royal Navy or on foreign service

When unemployed resides in Ayr

[loobylooayr]

Hi Mags49 and welcome to Rootschat.

The couple marry on 5th September 1840 at Ayr ( as you will know but I'm posting the info for the benefit of other Rootschatters)

Where was Margaret and Adam on the 1851 Census, please? Or was Margaret already recorded as a widow at this time.
You mention 4 children to the couple -
please can we have their full names, including any middle names, their years of birth and the parish their births/baptisms are registered in.
All this might help us move your search forward.

Best

Looby

[MonicaL]

Welcome from me too 

This is the family in 1851 www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/59027c6ee9379091b122db8e/margt-lawson-1851-ayrshire-ayr-1817-?locale=en

Margaret Shand showing as widowed by now.

May have lost some early born children with a marriage in 1840? From elsewhere Margaret's parents given as Peter Shand and wife Margaret Simpson.

Couldn't find Margaret in 1841.

Monica

[mags49]

Is this him?

Adam Lawson, born Ayr 15th January 1815

Height 5 ft 4 1/2 inches

Hair dark brown

Eyes blue

Complexion brown

Scar on left cheek

Can write

First went to sea as an apprentice in 1834

Has not served in the Royal Navy or on foreign service

When unemployed resides in Ayr

That is very interesting!  In my head, I was thinking two options 1) a fisherman……2) a sailor/seaman like merchant navy (I’m a landlubber so have no knowledge about the sea etc).
Can I ask where the info came from? 
Thank you so much for your post 😁

[Neale1961]

Possibly Margaret Lawson in 1841 (Newton). In the previous dwelling there is another Lawson family which might be a connection?
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a1424f2f4040b9d6e0f6227/margaret-lawson-1841-ayrshire-st-quivox-1821-?locale=en

[mags49]

Possibly Margaret Lawson in 1841 (Newton). In the previous dwelling there is another Lawson family which might be a connection?
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a1424f2f4040b9d6e0f6227/margaret-lawson-1841-ayrshire-st-quivox-1821-?locale=en

Yes indeed! They’re quite a few Adam Lawson in the neighbourhood 

[MonicaL]

That looks very likely for Margaret in 1841

Monica

[GR2]

If it is the same Adam Lawson as in my earlier post, he was alive in June 1844 and on board the Ayr based vessel "James Dunlop". The ship made runs to Troon with ballast and to Liverpool with goods, so no rounding of the Horn for Adam.