James Watson b. 1777 Scottish Borders - Who are his parents?

[Forfarian]

On his marriage record in 1800 it says that he was of that parish, but he only had to live there 3 weeks for that to be recorded.

Where did you get that idea from?

[DonM]

There were 11 James Watson's baptized in Scotland in 1777
There were 14 James Watson's baptized in Scotland in 1774

There will be several born who are not baptized therefore no records; and there will be many other records lost.  And then, he could be from Northern England which opens up a larger can of worms.

A Sergeant Major was a full time profession they did not hold another job.  The only time would be if he lost this position or if the Militia was disbanded and there was no other position in another Militia available.

The Fife Militia was not disbanded during this period, he couldn't "quit" and run off to Roxborough without obtaining a release.  And...there was no such thing as the Kelso Militia.  Kelso is in Roxborough. 

James born in 1802 was the son of a Weaver not a Sergeant Major. Then in Feb 1803 a newborn child was buried a newborn child and an Anne died in April of the same year.  https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

If you really want to know who Sergeant Major James Watson was you need to acquire his records with the Roxborough Militia.  Since many records for the Militia are held (if they exist), locally I would suggest you contact http://www.bordersfhs.org.uk

Don

[Forfarian]

And at the risk of being picky, you'll get on better if you spell it Roxburgh not Roxborough.

'-borough' is the English spelling; in Scotland it's always '-burgh' - Edinburgh, Helensburgh, Fraserburgh, Maryburgh, Roxburgh ....

[DonM]

It's ok Forfarian, I'm 6-5" and have big shoulders.  I was reading the reports from the Fornication Department of the Cupar Presbytery looking for Watson's but found too many relatives and acquired a headache. 

But then in 1800 I found a John Watson who was accused as being the father of a child by an unnamed female claiming that he, her servant did this to her.  My mind was envisioning raised eyebrows by the Committee and the smirk on the accused face as he instantly climbed the ladder out of servitude.  And then I pressed send.

So forgive me for the typo's and being shire less.  I promise I will try harder next time.

Don

[iregurl]

A Sergeant Major was a full time profession they did not hold another job.  The only time would be if he lost this position or if the Militia was disbanded and there was no other position in another Militia available.

The Fife Militia was not disbanded during this period, he couldn't "quit" and run off to Roxborough without obtaining a release.  And...there was no such thing as the Kelso Militia.  Kelso is in Roxborough. 

James born in 1802 was the son of a Weaver not a Sergeant Major. Then in Feb 1803 a newborn child was buried a newborn child and an Anne died in April of the same year.  https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

If you really want to know who Sergeant Major James Watson was you need to acquire his records with the Roxborough Militia.  Since many records for the Militia are held (if they exist), locally I would suggest you contact http://www.bordersfhs.org.uk

Don

Hi Don,

On the Proclamation of James Watson and Anne Duncan marriage, his occupation is listed as Sargent of "Cupar Volunteers"

I finally had time to really take a look at the birth records of James and Anne's children. 

In 1802, James was listed as a Weaver on the baptism of James
In 1804 his occupation was not listed on the baptism of John Rutherford
In 1806 his occupation was not listed on the baptism of Margaret
In 1809 his occupation was Sargent Major in the Roxburh Local Militia on the baptism of William
In 1814 his occupation was listed as Sargent in the Roxburgh Local Militia on the baptism of Andrew

Considering the Napoleonic War was from 1803 to 1815,  I'm assuming maybe he had left the Cupar Militia, but later either volunteered or was recalled when they needed more men to strengthen the army.

[iregurl]

I just wanted to share a bit about breaking through this brick wall.

I have some exciting news to share! Today, I was looking through the member resources of the Fife Family History Society, and I came across a paper written by David Thomson called Loyal Tay Fencibles. Within this paper, he shares the people who enlisted in this Militia group from Fife.

I am happy to share that I found my ancestor, Sergeant Major James Watson, who signed up when he was 17 years old in 1794. It listed his place of birth. The first hard evidence of a specific location where he was born. It confirms he was born in 1777 in Cupar, Fife.

(I've attached the extract below.)

This lines up with his parents being James Watson and Margaret Malcom, as many of us have hypothesized for years.

I also found that they had two more children:
John Watson b. 12 Nov 1775 in Cupar.
William Watson b. 13 Apr 1783 in Cupar.

James Watson is the middle son b. 17 Aug 1777 in Cupar.

It is thrilling to finally have this confirmation, and I look forward to tracing the Watsons of Jedburgh family line back another generation.