I have just got back to family research after a break and thought it would be good to post an update on this thread.
douglasp1950 is indeed an ancestor of James Davidson and had managed, through his extensive research, to put some vital clues together. The big clue was this one:
"DAVIDSON -January 2, at his residence, Mahe Seychelles, Mauritius, James, the dearly beloved husband of M. J. Davidson, brother of Mrs. Cocks, Castlereagh-street; Mrs S D Wood, Bathurst; and George Davidson, Honolulu; also the eldest son of the late James Davidson, of Sydney, leaving an affectionate wife, family, and relatives to mourn their loss; deeply regretted by all who know him.
Sydney Morning Herald 27 Feb 1882."
If anyone else is ever searching for the same James Davidson, here is what all the collated documents & data indicate about this man:
Baptised 15 Nov 1800 Laurenkirk, Kincardineshire, parents George Davidson & Isabell Croll
Arrives in Australia bet 1828-1833. He is not anywhere in earlier censuses/data in OZ. Most probable arrival in Sydney is in Jul 1829 per Ionia (from Hobart)
The mother of his first known child in Australia, Mary Ann McGuire, arrived in OZ in August 1832 on the Red Rover.
1834. James working for/in the counting house of Dawes, Gore & Co in Sydney.
1834. Jun birth of daughter Martha Davidson, bap Aug. Parents listed James & Mary Ann. James' occupation: clerk.
1835-36. James has deserted Mary Ann and daughter, Martha,and she is ferociously chasing James for money. In Oct 1836 The judge recommended that James had better make some compensation. Sometime after 1836 (but before 1849) both Mary Ann and her daughter, Martha, went back to Ireland. (Note: In Nov 1849 Martha Davidson arrives back in Sydney as an assisted immigrant/female orphan. Mother Mary Ann residing in Dublin. Father listed as James Davidson. Martha subsequently has a child with Thomas Spence and 8 children with Archibald Parker - all in NSW.
1835-1842. James living Castlereagh Street. Working at Hughes & Hosking (including Albion Mill), variously listed as a clerk, chief clerk, managing clerk, merchant, book keeper, accountant. He also purchases property at Portland both with John Hosking and by himself. Possibly purchased property in New Zealand as well
1835. Second daughter, Jessie Davidson born and baptised in March (Sydney). Mother is Ann(e) Kelly. Father listed James Davidson, clerk.
1838. Third daughter, Mary Jane Davidson born Apr and baptised in Sep (Sydney), by Rev J McGarvie. Parents listed as James Davidson and Ann Kelly. James' occupation: clerk. The abode "Sydney now Port Philip(Geelong)". Between 1838-1851 Jessie & Mary Jane were shipped back to live with their paternal grandparents in Scotland. Following death of both grandparents, both girls travelled back to Australia on the Commodore Perry, arriving May 1856 - father listed as dead and mother listed as Ann Jones, residing in Sydney. Jessie subsequently marries a John Cocks in 1857 and Mary Jane marries a Samuel Duncan Wood in 1860. Between 1840-1862 their mother, Ann Kelly, had been busy procreating with "judge" James Donnithorne - one son James Donnithorne (b. 1841, d. 1918) and one daughter Anna (b. 1845, d 1876 Tas). Then Ann Kelly marries a Samuel Jones in 1847 and has further children - William Jones (b. 1847 - d before 1860), Edmund Jones (b. 1850, d. 1875), Isabella Jones (b. 1854, d. 1862).
1839. First son, James Virtue Davidson baptised in Feb at Scots Church. Mother listed as Esther Virtue but no mention of father. James Virtue Davidson goes on to have four children in the Seychelles (mother listed as Mary Jane Piper) before he, himself dies in the Seychelles in 1882.
1842. Second son, George Wiseman Davidson, b Sep, bap Oct. Parents listed as James & Esther Davidson. George went back to Scotland - found in 1861 census living with his second cousin (long story but excellent detective work by douglasp1950), then moved to Hawaii and finally died 1907 Clifton Hill Victoria. Note: who Esther Virtue was, what happened to her etc is not yet known.
1843-1845. James Davidson continued to reside in Castlereagh street, at least until 1845. Working for Hughes and Hosking up until, at least 1843. Spends a fair bit of time in court as witness for court case (Bank of Australasia vs Hughes & Hosking)
Bef 1851. James travels to Calcutta India and dies there in April 1851. Scottish newspaper death notice in Jun 1851. His will mentions his two sons only.
So thank you one and all on this thread. All the clues posted helped with the "dot joining" and resulted in douglasp1950 and myself making contact.
cocksie
