Hi again Nicola
I see your problem! Been struggling to find James jnr prior to his 1874 marraige.
I do have a very likely candidate for James Senior though. I believe, as you mentioned above that James Barron and Jane Paterson did not marry. (although I can not trace young James under Paterson either so far

) There is a
possible for Jane in 1851:
Jessie Paterson, 24 (c 1827), Marnoch, Banffshire, working as a house servant at Craigneen, Boyndie, Banffshire.
Back to James senior. If indeed James and Jane/Jessie did not marry, this I believe is the most likely candidate for James:
1851, at Haddo, Methlick, Aberdeenshire
James Barron, 26 (c 1825), Farm Lab, b. Gamrie, Banffshire.
If this is him, he is relatively easy to trace
1841 - he is at Crook of Ness Street, Gamrie, Banffshire, age 18 (c 1823), a coopers apprentice, with parents Robert and Margaret, and siblings, Isabella,10, Margaret 8, Andrew 4, Robert 2 and Bathia 1.
It may be coincidence, but there are some Patersons also living in Crook of Ness Street, George, 15 a fisherman, Ann 10, with an Ann Lyal, 30 a spinster.
He married Christian Dufftown/Dufton/Duftan, 04 June 1853 at Huntly, Aberdeenshire.
1861 - he is at Deveron Street, Huntly, Aberdeenshire with wife Christian and children Alexander & Theodore (twins) (b. 16 Mar 1853 @ Huntly), Margaret, b. 12 Feb 1856 @ Huntly, Robert, b. 29 Jan 1858 @ Huntly, Andrew (6 months) (Ander there was a later child, Isabella, 11 Mar 1862). James is now a Flesher.
He died 20 June 1905 at 24 Deveron Street, Huntly age 86 (c 1819). there is a note of his death in the Courant newspaper 30 June 1905. Page 5 Col 6. see
http://libindx.moray.gov.uk/mainmenu.aspAll of which is all very well - but we still have to tie him in to James jnr and Jane Paterson!!
Have another hour to spare so will have another rummage around before I have to go out.
Cheers
Ellen.