James Cairns 1806 - 1877

James Cairns (1806 - 1877)

James Cairns was born on 16 August 1806 in Tillicoultry, Clackmannan. He was christened there on 24 August 1806. He was the third child and eldest son of John Cairns and Janet Morrison.

At the time of his birth the family were living in Westerton in Tillicoultry where John was working as a wright.

On 13 November 1830 James married Janet Paterson in Tillicoultry, Clackmannan. Janet born in Tillicoultry in 1810 and she was the second child and eldest daughter of James Paterson and Janet Ogilvie. 

James and Janet has two sons before Janet died in childbirth on Feb 9 1836, including:

• John Cairns - born 1832 ; married Agnes Simpson in 1855 ; died 1907
• James Cairns - born 1834 ; married Catherine Bell in 1865 ; died 1876

Just over two years after Janet's death on 7 July 1838 James married for a second time to Mary Gray. Mary was born in 1814 in Doune, Perthshire

Mary had already had a child Elizabeth Dobson

• Janet Morison Cairns - born 1838 ; died 1859
• Isabella Cairns- born 1841 ; died
• Mary Gray Cairns
• Helen Cairns
• Jean Cairns
• Anne Cairns
• Catherine Cairns

On 2 July 1847 the couple had their first 5 children baptised at their house in Tillicoultry

The family were living at Woodside in 

James died on 25 April 1877 at 6pm in the evening. He died from an asthma attack bought on by Pneumonia - from which he had been suffering for 8 days. His death was certified by D Farquarhson. His daughter and son-in-law - John Lawton - were present at the time of his death.

He was buried the next day in Tillicoultry