Temple Village Midlothian

[dmckscott]

Hi Archie, I am very impressed with your knowledge of the Temple area, one of my ancesters John Cranston married Mary Dick in 1764 in Borthwick. John's parents were John Cranston and Alison Clark, there is a marriage in Borthwick in1712 for John Cranstoun and Alison Clark, there are births and a death for Cranstoun before 1721 but after 1725 births and deaths in the name of Cranston, my problem is are they all the same family, the three burials in Temple from the burial records are
Janet Cranstone jun1719. unnamed Cranston child nov1726 and Thomas Cranston sep1728 all give father's name as John. It would be great if you could shed some light on this and if there are any gravestones in any name variant of Cranston. thank you very much
regards
donald

[Templar75]

Hi Donald,

               unfortunately there are no stones in Temple burial ground for your ancestors, you have stated that they are buried in Temple I suppose that's what it has on the records you have, this is misleading. What you will find is they are possibly buried in Borthwick and Bortwick comes under the Parish of Temple, the Parish was vast.

If you don't live locally contact Dr. Ken Bogle at the Loanhead study centre via email he may be able to help you, this centre is also the home of the Recording Angels who may have covered the Borthwick Church.

Sorry for not being very helpful.

Best Regards.

Archie.

[dmckscott]

Hi Archie,  Thank you for your speedy reply

regards

donald

[TempleDrysdale]

Hi Archie:

Good to catch up on the goings on on this site. You seem to mention "working on the wall" sometime last year. I am hoping to hear if "the" Drysdale Tombstone has been reserected. It pains me to think it has been laying in the dirt now since 2009!

The Drysdales seem to disappear from the Temple Census for 1861. However, James Drysdale and his extended family were indeed there. Although not noted in the census index, I found them in the actual census records residing in the house next to the schoolhouse. I believe this is a house once occupied by James Brown his father-in-law and it seems James D. and family moved there after being at Carrington Mill in 1851. Alexander, the oldest son, later lives at the same location with his family. James is listed as a "contractor", several sons are "carters".

Hope you are keeping well.

[TempleDrysdale]

The second son of James Drysdale named James Drysdale married a Isabella Johnstone in 1856 in Edinburgh. At that time, he was a ploughman living at St. Clemments (sic?) hall in Musselburgh. I have later leaned he emigrated to New Zealand, but was a widower by then according to my source.

James is listed as being 26. I have a birth record for him for 1822. So something does not add up.

There is no mistake on the names of his parents James Drysdale and Mary Brown. James (the father) is listed as Mill Proprietor. (Likely still at Carrrington Mills.)

[BrettWells]

Hi Archie,

First post to this site which I came across as I researched the story around my 6x grandfather Richard Cornwall who was killed in 1825 in the Hitchener and Hunter Gunpowder factory explosion.

My understanding is that Richard came up from England in 1794 to join the business alongside his wife Mary Cornwall (Knight).  I have been very grateful to see the commemorative headstone erected in his memory.  His daughter Elizabeth married my 5X Grandfather Thomas Gray.

I have two questions which I am hoping you may be able to shed some light on.

(1) I cannot find a death record on Scotland's People for Richard Cornwall.  Is it possible that as there was very little left of him after the explosion that death could not be certified i.e. no body to certify as dead? Any other reason you can think of?

(2) I am finding it hard to come by much information on Thomas Gray other than he was born in Dalkeith around 1791 and that he was an army pensioner, as well as working in a tile works and as a general labourer.  He appears to be a army pensioner by the time he marries Elizabeth in Borthwick on 15/08/1823.  Are you able to shed any light?

Many thanks in advance,
Brett Wells

[Templar75]

Hi Brett,

            I would have thought the death would be down as " Death by Explosion " but you could be correct that there was nothing to find, but there are various factors we look at the Crown at the time around 1797 increased the costs of registering B.M.D. so many people did not register them, then of course damage of some kind where they are unreadable and Fire.

All born in Dalkeith.

Thomas Gray, I think below is Thomas and his family but please let me know if I am wrong.

Euphan Gray born 9 March 1786 - Isobel Gray born 7 June 1789 - Thomas Gray born 17 Sept 1792 - Andrew born 19 March 1794 - Ann Gray born 1795 - Margaret Gray born 21 June 1799 -  John Gray born 2 June 1801 - Robert Gray born 18 July 1802.

If he was an Army Pensioner you would need to know the Regiment, when he joined and Army number.

Best regards.

Archie.

Parents : Andrew Gray and Margaret Allen married 2 July 1784 at Dalkeith.

[BrettWells]

Hi Brett,

            I would have thought the death would be down as " Death by Explosion " but you could be correct that there was nothing to find, but there are various factors we look at the Crown at the time around 1797 increased the costs of registering B.M.D. so many people did not register them, then of course damage of some kind where they are unreadable and Fire.

All born in Dalkeith.

Thomas Gray, I think below is Thomas and his family but please let me know if I am wrong.

Euphan Gray born 9 March 1786 - Isobel Gray born 7 June 1789 - Thomas Gray born 17 Sept 1792 - Andrew born 19 March 1794 - Ann Gray born 1795 - Margaret Gray born 21 June 1799 -  John Gray born 2 June 1801 - Robert Gray born 18 July 1802.

If he was an Army Pensioner you would need to know the Regiment, when he joined and Army number.

Best regards.

Archie.

Parents : Andrew Gray and Margaret Allen married 2 July 1784 at Dalkeith.

Hi Archie,  thanks for this.  It appears that there is a little more of a mystery around Thomas Gray.  I have a confirmed death certificate in 1885 for Thomas (died Dalkeith) which is signed by his son Richard Gray of 41 Lochend Road, Leith which lists his parents as Lewis Gray (Valet) and Charlotte Strachan.  I can find no record of either of these anywhere - birth / marriage / death. Clearly no record of Thomas Gray having been born to them too.

I had found the birth entry you mention but the death cert has thrown me.

Regards,
Brett

[Templar75]

Hi Brett,

             what made you think he was born in Dalkeith please.

Regards.

Archie.