Roderick Chisholm 1771 - 1847

Roderick Chisholm (abt 1771 - 1847)

Roderick Chisholm was born about 1771, - we know this from his death certificate and the 1841 census. it has not been possible to identify where he was born - but we know it was not in Perth, or who his parent are, however - pending a first marriage - the most likely candidates are Murdoch Chisholm and Jean Hay.

He married Elizabeth MacPherson before 1806, the exact date or place is unknown. Elizabeth's death certificate identifies her parents as John MacPherson, and Ann MacPherson, and the 1851 census puts her place of birth as Inveravon, Banffshire with her year of birth approximate 1779. She is consistency noted as Betty in the childrens birth certificates, Elizabeth on census records, and is also recorded as Beatrix MacPherson on her death certificate.

We do know that in 1806 the couple were living in Perth, Perth where Roderick was working as a chaise driver for Duncan McDougall, Vinter.

Roderick and Elizabeth had at least 8 children (4 daughters and 4 sons).

/wiki/spaces/HFHW/pages/63209473 - born 2 April 1806 ; married James McFarlane 1836 ; died 1884
Ann Chisholm - born 1808 ; married ; died ?
Murdoch Chisholm - born 1809 ; married Margaret Harris ; died ?
John Chisholm - born 1811 ; died ?
Evan Chisholm - born 1813 ; married Mary Stone Beaumaris, Angelsey, Wales ; died 1881 Caenarvon, Wales
Barbara Hay Chisholm - born Sept 1815 ; Married John Berry ; died 16 Jun 1854 Leuchars, Fife
Roderick Chisholm - born 1818 ; died ? ;
- - potentially immigrated to Heatherton, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada... marrying Mary Big (1833 - 1900) ; dying 1863 ... children Catherine Chisholm ; Roderick Chisholm ; Colin Chisholm in
Jean Hay Chisholm - born 1820 ; died ? ;

Roderick continued his employ with Duncan McDougall until at least 1813 and that by 1815 - based on the baptism of his daughter Barbara Hay Chisholm - the family had relocated to Seggieden in Kinfauns, Perth were Roderick is working as a chaise driver for James Hay Esq.

Roderick continued his employ with the Hays family - in a variety of roles - until his death in 1847. We know that - from the Scottish Male head of Household Rolls - that by 1834 he was working as a coachman, and then in 1839 - after James Hay Esq death in 1838 - he became a porter for his son Capt. James Richardson-Hay

In the 1800s, a porter was a gatekeeper - rather than the current definition of someone who carries luggage - this is confirmed by the the 1841 census in which Roderick is recorded as Gatekeeper West Gate, Seggieden. At this time his wife Elizabeth and their daughter Jane are living with him.

Whilst there is no documented evidence of the fact, it is likely that as a long term family retainer, the gatekeeper position was likely a retirement position as reward for loyal service to the family.

Roderick passed away of frailty at Seggiden on 25 August 1845. He is buried at Kinfauns Cemetary on 28th of August.

After his death Elizabeth moved to a cottage at Burnfoot Seggieden where she was living as an Annuitant at the time of the 1851 census.

Elizabeth dies here on 8 January 1856 of paralysis - most likely a stroke - which she had experience for 3 days. Her death was informed by her son-in-law, James McFarlane. She was buried at Kinfauns Churchyard on 10 January 1856.

_{Seggieden house once stood on the banks of the Tay at Kinfauns but was demolished to allow the building of railway line to Dundee}

Roderick Chisholm (abt 1771 - 1847)

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