1861 James A Smith born Demerara, died aged 17 in Inverallan, Scotland

[Calleva]

1861 Census for Cromdale, Inverallan and Advie, Easter Dreggie shows

James Alexander Smith
Aged 17
Retired Scholar
Birthplace Demerara British Subject

He died 30/8/1861
Easter Dreggie
Inverallan

The Census shows him with other Smith family members and the informant of his death was John Smith, cousin. His parents, both deceased are given as Alexander, House Carpenter, and Sarah Smith.

I’d welcome any more information on James, particularly about his birth in Demerara, which I discover was on the northern coast of South America with a history of colonialisation at times turbulent now part of modern Guyana.

I was also intrigued that he was described in the Census as ‘ Retired Scholar’ - perhaps he had to finish school but was unable to progress through illness; the cause of his death was phthisis ‘some time’.

Incidentally I’d never realised before where Demerara sugar came from!

Many thanks.
Stuart

[Milliepede]

His parents, both deceased are given as Alexander, House Carpenter, and Sarah Smith.

Have you got them on an earlier census with James? 

If he was born abroad then his parents (and him) should be on a returning passenger list which may have some info as to why he was there.

[Milliepede]

This could be him in 1851 with Smith family as transcribed

John Smith 61 head
Margaret 54 wife
John 25 son
Marjory 20 dau
Alexander 17 son
Ann 15 dau
Alexander 7 ne scholar born America
Isabella Mcgregor 4 great grandchild (grandchild)

Have you found deaths for his parents?  I wonder where they died.

[Calleva]

Thank you very much Milliepede for this information which is of huge interest. I think it is extremely likely that you have found him in the 1851 Census possibly with other family members which I will research further.

I haven’t been able to track down any details concerning the deaths of his parents yet but will persist.

It will be interesting it see if TNA have any records for Demerara and I’ll get in touch with them. I’ll also look at what information may be on SP.

Will report back, many thanks again.
Stuart

[mckha489]

Official Gazette of British Guiana
01 June 1907

Mentions property to James Alexander Smith 29th June 1861

Many notices from previous years too.
I think, I have only glanced through the long notice, that it is to do with acquisition of unclaimed/unused? land by a plantation.

Found another mention where this man still seems to be alive. So that’s a shame.

[mckha489]

Globe
21 August 1851

[mckha489]

Some Smiths on this list

https://sites.rootsweb.com/~nyggbs/Transcriptions/LisaB/DeathsTrans2015.pdf

[Neale1961]

The 1851 census shows Alexander Smith as nephew to John Smith
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a14cfa8f4040b9d6ed4300f/alexander-smith-1851-inverness-shire-abrnthy-kincrd-alvie-1844-?locale=en
From this I have assumed that your Alexander’s father (Alexander) was the brother of John Smith

The uncle - John Smith married Margaret Cameron abt 1820
He died 18 May 1860. Burial Inverallan cemetery
On his death cert - Parents John Smith (farmer) and Jessie McPherson

Baptism records – Kingussie
John Smith - 8 Mar 1789 - Parents John Smith & Janet McPherson
Alexander Smith - 23 June 1800 - Parents John Smith & Janet McPherson

John Smith and Janet macPherson were married in Kingussie on 26 Feb 1786

[mckha489]

Looks like the Smith late Crown surveyor was John M. Smith

Morning Chronicle
18 May 1854

So is that the same John Smith who is the uncle in 1851?
It can’t be because John M Smith had lately died.