James Cairns 1806 - 1877

Owned by Liz Hardie
Last updated: Oct 30, 2017

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 1837, including:

  • John Cairns - born 1832 ; married Agnes Simpson in 1855 ; died 1907
  • James Cairns - born 1834 ; married first Catherine Bell in 1865 and then Agnes Gardner in 1875 ; died 1876

Just one year after Janet's death - on 7 July 1838 - James married for a second time to Mary Gray. Little is know about Mary, however census records indicated that she was born around 1814 in Kilmadock or Doune, Perthshire, her parents are unknown at this point.

Mary was four months pregnant at the time of her marriage and was already the mother to one child

  • Elizabeth Dobson born 1837 ; married Daniel McLaren 1861 ; died  

James and Mary went on to have seven daughters over the next 12 years, including: 

  • Janet Morison Cairns - born 1838 ; died 1859
  • Isabella Cairns - born 1841 ; died
  • Mary Gray Cairns - born 1842 ; married John Lawton ; died
  • Helen Cairns - born 1844 ; died
  • Jean Cairns - born 1846 ; died
  • Anne Cairns - born 1848 ; died
  • Catherine Cairns - born 1851 ; died before 1861

The family lived in Tillicoultry where James worked as a woollen warper. Based on census, and death records we know that they were living

  • 1841 - Ures Wynd - including children - James (7) ; Janet Morison (2) and Isabella (5 mths)
    • NB in 1841 the eldest son John is living with his grandparents James and Janet Paterson - at Anchinbaird Farm in Clackmannan
  • 1851 - West of Burn - including children - Janet Morrison (12) ; Isabella (10) ; Mary Gray (8) ; Helen (6) ; Jean (4) ; Ann (2) ; Catherine (1 mth) ; and stepdaughter - Elizabeth Dobson (14) 
    • NB in 1851 both sones - John and James - are living with their grandfather James Paterson - at Anchinbaird Farm in Clackmannan
  • 1861 - Woodside House - including children - Mary Gray (17) ; Helen (15) ; Jean (13) ; Ann (11) 
  • 1871 - Woodside house - including children - Isabella (10) ; Jean (4) ; Ann (2) ; Catherine (1 mth) ; and granddaughters - Mary Anne Cairns (3) and Margaret Miller (2)
  • 1877 - Woodside House - recorded as carser
  • 1881 - 1 Woodside Cottage - Mary (64) ; Mary Gray Cairns (35) ; Mary C Lawnton (15)
  • 1891 - Woodside - recorded as cavins -  Mary (72) ; Mary Gray Cairns (45) ; Mary C Lawnton (25)
  • 1892 - Woodside 

On 2 July 1847 the couples first 5 children - Janet, Isabella, Mary Gray, Helen and Jean - were baptised at their house in Tillicoultry

In 1855 his son John emigrates to New York, with his wife where he lives in New York, Massachusetts before settling in North Carolina

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

Mary Gray Cairns was born on 17 Nov 1865 to Mary Gray CairnsÂ