Death of James Watterson 1871-1881 Glasgow

[Peggy13]

James Watterson, Private 42nd Foot, son of Leonard Watterson and Jane McLaren, married Ann Nelson Jan 29, 1869 in Glasgow. They had a daughter Helen Elizabeth Oct 14, 1870 in Glasgow. On the 1871 census, Ann, a staymaker says she is married though James is not with her. Her daughter Helen aka Ellen is with her, also her nephew Thomas Nielson/Nelson age 8. In 1881, Ann says she is a widow, and is still  living with Ellen and nephew Thomas. I have never found the death of James. In 1890, Ellen/Helen dies, and she says her father James, soldier, is deceased. Witness is her cousin Thomas.
I have never found the birth of James either, abt 1838 in Scotland, likely Glasgow, or his brother David abt 1836, brother William abt 1841 or his younger brother Leonard 1851-1853. David and James are on the 1851 census, but William presumably died, and Leonard born after 1851 census.
Did James really die or did he abandon the family?
Thanks for any help.

[capricorn]

If he was a serving soldier, this could possibly be his death.
I know spelling of his name is slightly different, but would be worth a look

WATERSTON
JAMES
37
1876
020/MR 114
Marine Return

[ShaunJ]

That James Waterston death is not military - it's a death at sea ("Marine Return" is the clue). He was master of the ship Perthshire.

[Peggy13]

Thank you capricorn and ShaunJ. I had looked at that record before and the age is exactly right to be James Watterson. But it says he was a master mariner which is not a soldier. Also says he was accidently shot (writing is faded but pretty sure that is what it says). There is also an mark beside his name and when I look at the bottom of the page that mark means he died at Montreal - I wonder if they mean Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Also says he was from  Ardrossan and I don't think my James was from there. I am uncertain about this death but the time frame is correct.

[capricorn]

That James Waterston death is not military - it's a death at sea ("Marine Return" is the clue). He was master of the ship Perthshire.

Ah Ok, thankyou for enlightening me

[ShaunJ]

James Watterson's army records seem not to have survived. He doesn't appear in the 1871 army index, and I can't see him on the 1871 census. The 42nd was based in Aldershot at that time.

There is a soldier named James Watterson in Edinburgh in the 1871 census, born circa 1839 in England, but I think that he was in the 90th regiment.

[Kloumann]

There was another brother, Edward, who died age 4, in 1846, Glasgow. There are no church records for the births of any of the children. Both parents were from Ireland. The eldest son, John, was born in Belfast. Died 1897, Calton, MMN McLaren

Added:

A Leonard Waterson married a Jane McLernon, Armagh, 1830. Could be them?

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L94F-MCTX?cc=3460239&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AWG7Y-DHN2

[Kloumann]

On Findmypast, there are records for a James Waterson, born 1838, enlisted 1860, Newry, Co Down.

[Kloumann]

Father Leonard, remarried to a Rachel Martin in Ireland, 1860. He is listed as a widower & she a widow. Her maiden name was Watterson, daughter of a John Watterson.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1860/09594/5479233.pdf

They are in Glasgow on the 1861 census with Lenney, age 8 & William, age 3. Leonard is a furniture salesman. He is 50 & she is 30.
Added:
Rachael died, age 38, Glasgow, 1869.

Added:

I believe they had a son, Richard, who died, age 14, in Calton, 1878.