A big thank you to everyone who helped me with this...I thought maybe you'd be interested to know how James 'something' Davie fits into my story...it's taken a while to get to this point and I'm still very curious as to how Robert ends up a spirt merchant but that's for another time....
Jen
Ann Robb was born in the parish of Glenisla in1821 to James Robb and Janet Clark. On the 1841 census Ann is working for David and Catherine Davie, as a farm servant, at West Brae in the parish of Airlie.
In 1844 Ann gave birth at 'Shandrew' in Glenisla (her parent's house as of the 1841 census) to a wee boy called Alexander. Alexander was, as far as I can tell, always known as Alexander Fearn. Robert Fearn 'shoemaker' is listed as the 'reputed' father on Alexander's marriage and death certificates. His baptism record does not list a father.
On the 1851 census Alexander is showing, age 7, living at 'Shank' in Glenisla. He is living with (whom I take to be) his grandmother's brother - Charles Clark age 75. At this time his mother Ann is working as a farm servant at the McNicoll farm at 'Easter Cammock', Glenisla.
In 1854 Ann Robb marries the widower James Ogilvie in Oathlaw. Ann dies in 1881 at Newhills, Aberdeenshire.
In 1861, at the age 16, Alexander is working as an agricultural labourer in Kingoldrum. In 1868, at age 23 he marries Euphemia Stirling in Kirriemuir. They have a son born in 1873 called James Ogilvie Fearn he is father to Ann Wilson Fearn. (my grandmother)
So James Ogilvie Fearn gets his name from Alexander's stepfather James Ogilvie and his 'reputed' father Robert Fearn.
Thought it would be useful to find a connection between Robert Fearn and Ann Robb.
Robert Fearn was born about 1825 in Lintrathern to Ann Gall and James Fearn both Robert and James are listed as shoemakers on the 1841 census.
In 1848 Robert marries Helen Taylor in Kirriemuir. On the 1851 census they are living in Kirriemuir along with their daughter Ann Gall Fearn age 2. By the 1861 census the family have moved and are living at 86 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. Robert is still listed as a shoemaker and the family has grown and includes Ann now age 12, Betty (Elizabeth) age 8 and David age 6.
Helen Talyor dies sometime before the census of 1871. On the 1871 census Robert (transcribed Feron) Fearn is living in the Milton district of Glasgow still showing as a shoemaker. He is now age 46 and listed as a boarder. As far as I can see the two daughters are living together, also in the Milton district, working as machinists (birth places transcribed as 'Kerruminer, Forfarshire). The son David may be back in Kirriemuir training to become a carpenter.
In 1876 Robert marries Joanna Falconer - a second marriage for both of them. On the marriage certificate Robert is still showing as a shoemaker and both he and Joanna are living at 20 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.
On the 1881 census Robert and Joanna are living at 127 Chapel Street, Airdrie, Lanarkshire where he now describes himself as a Sprirt Merchant. Robert outlives Joanna and dies January 1891 still living at 127 Chapel Street, Airdrie. His death certificate lists both this wives and his parents and is signed by his younger brother William.
Still no connection between Robb and Fearn accept that Glenisla and Lintrathen parishes are adjoining. The only possible linkage was a witness to the 2nd marriage which took place in Glasgow. A James Mc Laren Davie signs as witness to the marriage.
There's a James McLaren Davie showing on the 81 census living at Chapel Street, Alyth in Perthshire. Birth place listed as Brae of Airlie, Forfarshire, occupation 'writer' (solicitor in Scotland) born about 1852.
Turns out James McLaren Davie was born August 1851 to David and Catherine Davie at West Brae in Airlie, the very place Ann Robb was working in 1841. Catherine Davie (nee Salter) was born in Alyth, Perthshire. James is on the 1861 census at West Brae, Airlie with his parents. I can't find him in 71 but by 1881 he is living in Alyth with his wife Marion (possibly nee Robertson). By 1891 he is without his wife, still showing as a writer and boarding at Blythswood, Glasgow. This is either a connection or the most unlikey coincident!
