Margaret HOPE

Margaret married Edward FAIRBAIRN on 27 Jul 1711 in Stichill, Roxburghshire, Scotland. Edward (son of James FAIRBAIRN and Bessie DICKSON) was born before 20 Aug 1676 in Stichill, Roxburghshire, Scotland; died in DEAD. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married John YELLOWLEES on 6 Jan 1737 in Stichill, Roxburghshire, Scotland. John (son of Thomas YELLOWLEES and Janet YOUL) was born on 2 Nov 1701 in Mellerstain, Gordon, Berwickshire, Scotland; died on 12 May 1773 in Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 20 Jun 1712, Stichill, Roxburghshire, Scotland

Notes:

Buried St Nicholas Old Kirk, Dalkeith
About this time a family of the name of Yellowlees, evidently of the Mellerstain stock, lived at Cowdenknowes, near Earlston. A daughter of this household, Elizabeth Yellowlees, was married to Robert Wilson, who was descended from a major of the foot, who had settled at Smailholm in the reign of Queen Anne. She (Elizabeth Yellowlees), was grandmother of Samuel Smiles, the eminent author of several standard works.

Elizabeth married Robert WILSON in 1770. Robert (son of Thomas WILSON) was born in 1746 in Mellerstain, Gordon, Berwickshire, Scotland; died on 5 Dec 1790 in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland; was buried on 8 Dec 1790 in St Nicholas Old Kirk, Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 17 Nov 1747, Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 9 Feb 1777, Mellerstain, Gordon, Berwickshire, Scotland

Notes:

Blacksmith, Riccarton Smithy above Kingscavil near Linlithgow.
Buried St Michaels, Linlithgow

Falkirk Herald 9th October 1869

The Late Mr John Wilson

The death of this gentleman was noticed in the obituary of last Thursday’s paper. He was born in February 1777, and died 30th September 1869, being nearly 93 years of age. He came to Riccarton, in this parish, in 1800, to commence, business as a country blacksmith for that district. Shortly after his coming there he married a wife from near his native place, by whom, he had four sons and six daughters, seven of who survived him; and having through them forty-one grandchildren, and forty-eight great grandchildren. His beloved and much esteemed wife died in 1842, and he has survived her for the long space of 27 years. Up to within the last few years he carried on the same business in the same place, but his latter days he spent , happy and comfortable with his son in law Mr. John Bennie, Farmer, Parkley. During his stay at Riccarton, he witnessed many changes in the neighbourhood, and was always much respected and highly esteemed by newcomers, as well as by old customers and neighbours. He was naturally cheerful in his disposition, affable and kind in his manner and honest and upright in all his dealings. In general knowledge he was well stocked, and in religious knowledge he was far above his position, having got as he himself said a “fire side training” (which we fear was common in his young days than in the present) shortly after he got settled in the place of his adoption he joined the East Associate Congregation. From his Christian deportment and religious knowledge, the members of the congregation called him to the office of the eldership, and he was ordained on the 30th December 1824, along with two other gentlemen, one of whom still survives. Up to within the last two or three years, he most diligently and conscientiously discharged the duties of his office, whether these were the delicate ones of church government or discipline, sick or death, bed visitations, and in last he was pleasant, and we trust, profitable to not a few. His style of prayer was practised in his early days, simple, yet sublime, and clothed in rich Bible language. In addressing a meeting in the church or in a member’s house, he far excelled. From his extreme knowledge of Bible history, clear and distinct views of Gospel doctrine and Christian duty, all of which he expounded and enforced in a manner well fitted to instruct and edify. He also took a very active part in the management of the congregation, and now that he is called away from us to give an account of his stewardship. We have good ground for cherishing the hope that he has done so with joy, and has had the glorious salutation tendered to him” Well done, good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of your Lord”

Communicated

John married Helen DENHOLM on 14 May 1801 in Currie, Midlothian, Scotland. Helen (daughter of George DENHOLM and Mary GLASGOW) was born before 10 Mar 1776 in Currie, Midlothian, Scotland; died on 25 Jan 1842 in Riccarton, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland; was buried in St Michaels, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married Alison Waddle on 24 Jun 1800. Alison was born in 1776; died on 3 Oct 1823. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married Christina MacIntosh on 9 Jan 1825. Christina was born in 1794; died on 23 Jul 1848. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Elizabeth Grieve on 8 Dec 1809. Elizabeth was born in 1784; died on 2 Dec 1871. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Janet married Samuel Smiles on 22 Sep 1809 in Lasswade, Midlothian, Scotland. Samuel was born in UNKNOWN; died in Jan 1832. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]