Ebenezer Davidson, Norham, Northumberland - Lookup Assistance Please

[catherineh]

Can anyone assist with more information about my 4x great grandfather Ebenezer Davidson. I have hit a brick wall when trying to go back any further on this line, and would appreciate assistance in finding anything about his father/parents.

I thought a marriage record would help, and have found his marriage to Margaret Home (or Hume) in Jan 1794, but see that it has been recorded in both England (Norham, Northumberland) and Scotland (Coldstream, Berwick). I believe this is the same marriage, but wondered why it would be recorded in two different places/registers. Was this common?

Would the parish register(s) have any more detail - perhaps names of both fathers?? 

The family were in Norham after the marriage, and their children were born/baptised there.

Any assistance would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[AMBLY]

I would say, that Banns were called in both the Bride's and the Groom's Parish - as was the particularly Scottish custom - you will find many Scottish marriages recorded 'twice' and the actual marriage after banns, was usually in the Bride's Parish.

I see in 1841 in Norham, that Ebenezer is recorded as N = Not born in County (as it was then, Durham), and Margaret is recorded as born S = Scotland. Both recorded as age 70.

What were the names and birth years, of their children? There may be Scottish a pattern conformity if Margaret was Scottish by 'tribe' (as opposed to being born there because her parents happened to be there at the time - which could occur for example, if her father was Army, stationed in Berwick).

Cheers
AMBLY

[catherineh]

Thanks Ambly

The two 'marriages' were confusing, but having Banns read in both places makes sense.

If anyone is able to confirm where the actual marriage took place, that would be quite helpful (and may give us a clue as to the fathers and their occupations).

Children of the marriage were:
Agnes - born 1794
George - born 1798 died 1801
John - born 1800
Mary - born 1803
George - born 1805
Robert - born 1807
Alexander - born 1808 died 1810
Alexander - born 1811

Thanks
Catherine

[ciderdrinker]

Hello
If he died before 1851 this could be his death
Ebenezer Davidson Berwick on Tweed Mar 1845 age 77 25 10.

So born 1768.
Does that help?

Scots people would be the place to go but the Library computer I'm on is blocking it as violent and pornographic.

On familysearch Margaret Home is the daughter of James baptised Coldstream 13.4.1772 born 2nd April.So Coldstream is her parish.
Ciderdrinker

[Jomot]

Another member has been researching this family and the marriage was found to be in Coldstream:

"Marriage announced at Norham:  Abenezer (sic) Davidson, Schoolmaster of Norham and Margaret Hume of the parish of Coldstream in Scotland were married at Coldstream 4 Jan 1794"

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=738587.0

[tedster45]

Hi Catherineh,

I have only joined RootsChat today and I live in Coldstream. I have looked up the marriage in Old Parish Records on Scotland's People and can confirm the marriage on 4th Jan 1794.  Not much more info really, other than they are both shown "of this Parish" and the comment "irregurlarly".

Quote :- "Bear in mind that 'irregular' marriages, by exchange of promises before witnesses, by betrothal and consummation, or by cohabitation and repute, were forms of marriage recognised by Scots Law, yet may have taken place without any official record of the event."

Hope this helps

Terry

[catherineh]

Thanks to all who have assisted me with this search, you've all given me leads and things to think about. 

Thanks too, Terry for looking up the Coldstream marriage for me ... it certainly helps, and I've learned something new about 'irregular' marriages.  Fascinating!

Of course, it now makes me wonder if there was a 'church' marriage in Norham?  Is anyone able to check this for me please?

We also have Ebenezer's death in 1845, so this would fit with a birth around 1768-70.  We are still trying to locate a birth/baptism record - perhaps this will give his father's name?

The search goes on ... 

[Jomot]

The LDS film no for the marriage at Norham is 2193523, Item 18, page 121, which is Norham Presbyterian Church, Baptisms 1753-1854, so I'm not sure how a marriage would be on that film

I can't see that those records are online, but you should be able to order a copy from the records office:

http://www.experiencewoodhorn.com/archive.BUR~P~10



   

[c-side]

I can look but there won't be a marriage at a Presbyterian church in England in 1794 - it was against the law.  The only place for marriage was the Church of England church - exceptions only for Quakers and Jews.  This is why Presbyterians hopped over the border to marry.

I think that is why the marriage was announced at Norham - to let their fellow church goers know about it.

Christine