William Harper at Turfgate
Unless otherwise stated - all parish register entries are for Birse Parish Registers (entries in italics)
William Harper at Turfgate was the informant on his brother James Harper's death certificate (Birse #3 dated 1894) yet no baptism entry can be found for William Harper with parents James Harper and Margaret Sievewright.
James Harper married Margaret Sievewright in Birse
June 7 1795 Contracted James Harper and Margaret Sivewright both in this parish and after regular proclamations and no objections made married June 21st.
On the 1797-1798 List of Inhabitants for Birse the family are residing at the Murlys with their son Robert aged under 7.
By 1812 the family at attending the Miltown diet (which may include Murly) and are given as James Harper married to Margaret Sievewright with 6 children, the last 3 under 7. Robert, John, Eliz, Jean, James, Margaret and Isabel.
Parish Register entries for the children of James Harper and Margaret Sievewright are as follows:
June 3 1796: James Harper in Dubston a son baptised named Robert. Witnesses Robt Harper and Fras Birss. (This may be the correct parish register entry, but because the family are at Dubston caution should be taken. There are several James Harpers in Birse at this time)
July 4 1798: James Harper in Murly had a son baptised named John. Witnesses the congregation.
May 11 1800: James Harper in Murly had a daughter baptised named Elizabeth. Witnesses the congregation. Elizabeth died 30 Oct 1866 at Arntillyhard aged 67 years. Cause of death was unknown and her brother William was the informant on the certificate. (Birse #17)
February 28 1802: James Harper in Murly had a daughter baptised Jean. Witnesses Al & David Harper.
December 22 1805: James Harper in Murly had a son baptised named James. Witnesses the congregation. (Spouse of Elizabeth Harper)
October 24 1807: James Harper in Murly had a daughter baptised named Margaret. Witnesses Andrew Coutts and Alexr Harper.
December 3 1809: James Harper in Mid Murly had a daughter baptised named Isabel. Witnesses the congregation.
Said day (10 May) 1812: James Harper in Arntilly-hard had a child baptised named George. Witnesses Alexr Harper and Jo Birss in said place
Margaret Sievewright died between 1815 and 1819 as James is given as a widower on the 1819 List of Inhabitants.
James remarried in 1820: Said day (December 3) Contracted James Harper widower Arntilly with Ann Harper daughter of James Harper there and after regular proclamation of marriage banns without objections were married thereafter on 21st inst before witnesses.
James and Ann Harper had the following children:
March 20 1822: James Harper in Arntillyhard and his wife Ann Harper had a child baptised named Ann. Alexr Raywer and Wm Merchant as before mentioned and others witnesses.
April 14 1825: James Harper in Arntillyhard and his wife Anne Harper had a son baptised named Archibald. Witnesses John Harper shoemaker and Alexander Harper in Arntillys.
August 4 1827: James Harper in Arntilly and his wife Anne Harper had a child baptised named Margaret. Witnesses viz; James Harper tailor there and his wife.
September 1830: James Harper Arntilly and his wife Anne Harper had a child baptised named ---------- before James Harper tailor and John Harper farmer in said place.
James Harper died 10 June 1859 at Arntillyhard aged 85 years. His son William was the informant on the certificate. Parents are given as Robert Harper and Jane Middleton both deceased. (Birse #10).
Ann Harper, widow of James Harper died at Bridgend Birse on 3 Jan 1888 aged 87 years. Her son William Harper residing at Turfgate was the informant on the certificate. Her parents are given as James Harper and Elsie Skinner. (Birse #1)
1841 census Birse: Residing at Arntillyhard District 5 page 5
James Harper aged 65 farmer born in County
Ann Harper aged 40 born in County
William Harper aged 7 born in County
James Harper aged 75 Tailor born in County (Nota: father of Ann Harper)
1851 census Birse: Residing at Arntillyhard District 4 page 6
James Harper Head Mar 70 farmer 20 acres employing 2 labs ABD Birse
Ann Harper wife Mar 50 ABD Birse
Alexander Harper son Un 22 employed on farm ABD Birse **
Francis Harper son Un 20 ag lab ABD Birse **
William Harper son Un 17 employed on the farm ABD Birse
Elizabeth Harper dau Un 50 formerly house servant ABD Birse ^^
Isabel Harper g'dau 2 ABD Birse
Jane Coutts servant Un 12 house servant ABD Birse
** no baptism can be found to date
^^ daughter by first marriage with Margaret Sievewright
1861 census Birse: Residing at Arntillyhard District 2 page 9
Ann Harper Head widow aged 60 farmer's widow ABD Birse
William Harper son un 26 ag lab ABD Birse
1871 census Birse: Residing at Arntillyhard District 2 page 11
Ann Harper Head widow 70 farmer's widow ABD Birse
William Harper head mar 36 ag ABD Birse
Ann Helen Harper wife 22 ABD Lumphanan
William Harper son 1 ABD Birse
Margaret Harper dau 1 month ABD Birse
William Harper married Ann Helen Duncan in Lumphanan 27 March 1869 (IGI). He died at Turfgate Birse on 4 January 1917 aged 82 years. Parents given on the certificate were James Harper and Ann Helen Duncan (the Duncan has been crossed out as this was his wife and the surname Harper inserted) (Birse #1)
Birse Kirkyard
In memory of JOHN HARPER d. Arntilyhard Apr 1845 aged 46, his wife JANE BURNETT d. Sawmill, Finzean Mar 1879 aged 72. WILLIAM HARPER Turfgate, Birse d. Jan 1917 aged 82, ANNIE HELEN DUNCAN his wife d. there May 1932 aged 84.
Thanks to Mairi Southall for certificate information on this webpage.
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