Thomson family in Edinburgh

[Shazzersj]

When Agnes Thomson married Hugh Fraser, tailor, in Edinburgh in 1846 she gave her father as John Thomson writer.  My understanding of the term writer is a solicitor. 

All through the census she states she was born in Edinburgh.  She died in 1905 in Hopeman Duffus and her son gave her parents as John Thomson, writer and ------- Thomson m.s. Dunbar.  She was 80 years of age (born c1825)

I believe the Dunbar connection to be right, since both her daughter and granddaughter bear the middle name Dunbar. 

One would think if John Thomson was a writer there would be some trace of him, but no luck after 20 years of research thus far. 

I have searched parish registers, Scotlands People and various other sources but without luck. 

Interesting part of Agnes Thomson story is after her marriage her name became Agnes Farquharson Galbraith Thomson or Fraser. 

Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on Mysterious Agnes. 

Sharon in Oz. 

[wivenhoe]

"... her name became Agnes Farquharson Galbraith Thomson or Fraser."

Can you expand on this please. When and where do you see Agnes identified with these names? 

Is this your family?

Census 1851 at Forsyths Close Moray
FRASER Hugh                 29yrs    tailor employ 13 men           b. Duffus Morayshire
FRASER Agne                 28yrs                                              b. Edinburgh
FRASER Ann Dunbar         4yrs                                              b. Elgin, Morayshire
FRASER Christina             3yrs                                              b. Elgin, Morayshire
FRASER John Alexr           1yr                                               b. Elgin, Morayshire
FRASER William               16yrs       brother                           b. Duffus Morayshire
MERRIAM William             22yrs       lodger workman sailor     b. Elgin, Morayshire
McKIMMIE William            16yrs       lodger apprentice            b. Duffus, Morayshire
McKIMMIE Thomas           13yrs       lodger apprentice            b. Duffus, Morayshire
GRANT Grace                   18yrs       servant                          b. Elgin, Morayshire

[Shazzersj]

Yes, that is my family. 

For some reason Agnes Fraser nee Thomson began to call herself Agnes Farquharson Gilbraith Thomson on the baptisms of the children.  Ann Dunbar Fraser was chr 28 Feb 1847 in Elgin, Christina was baptised in 1848 Elgin, Agnes in 1852 in Elgin, Margaret Armour Fraser born 1855 (just noticed that it says she was the 6th child of Agnes, I only have 5) Hugh Thomson Fraser born 1857 and Williamina Hardie Fraser born born 1859 all have their mother titled Agnes Farquharson Gilbraith Thomson.  I have always wondered about this.  Census entries just have Agnes and it is just Agnes on her death certificate in 1905. 

Again another enigma her funeral notice:
From Elgin Courant 1st August 1905
The Funeral of AGNES MUIR THOMSON, Widow of Hugh Fraser, Elgin, takes placed today (Tuesday) from Hopeman, to the Cemetery of Elgin, the remains arriving at Bishopmill about one o'clock pm.

Her husband Hugh Fraser was a very successful tailor in Elgin, yet there is no trace of a headstone for anyone in the Elgin cemetery.  Mind you I was told there was a lot of land slippage in this area which may account for it. 

I would love to solve this mystery, both the parentage of Agnes and the reason for the other names. 

[Forfarian]

have you tried the street directories at https://digital.nls.uk/directories/ ? I had a quick look and in 1819-1820 there is a John Thomson, writer, 3 Parliament Square.

Does the marriage record say that Agnes' father was deceased?

[Shazzersj]

That is brilliant thank you. The marriage doesn’t say he was deceased but that is the first instance I have had that he actually existed. 

[Forfarian]

That is brilliant thank you. The marriage doesn’t say he was deceased but that is the first instance I have had that he actually existed. 

It's not 100% conclusive, but usually the Edinburgh parish register does say 'daughter of the deceased/umquhill/late ....' if her father is deceased.

[Kay99]

I wonder if this death might be relevant 

The Scotsman August 13, 1836
At his house 2 Hamilton Place, Newington on 10th inst John Thomson Esq Writer

Kay

[Forfarian]

The 1835-1836 Post Office directory lists John Thomson, writer, 13 St James Square, but he is not listed in 1836-1837 or in Pigott's directory of 1837.

[Kay99]

There is a  Inventory / Trust Disposition / Settlement dated 7/9/1836 on Scotlands People  for John Thomson - Messenger at Arms, residing in No.2 Hamilton Place in Newington of Edinburgh  if it is relevant

Kay