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DAVIDSON
" the son of David "
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
The Davidson Family Coat of Arms
The name Davidson has its roots in Scotland. Ancestors bearing this name can be traced back to between the 11th and 12th Centuries, the name first appearing in Medieval records at Perth.
Marygate, |
Ravensdowne, |
 Castlegate, Berwick as it is today |
 The Old Bridge which connects Tweedmouth to Berwick |
My earliest Davidson ancestors are to be found in Berwick-upon-Tweed,
Northumberland.
James Davidson born c.1767
married Mary Strother/Struther
9 September 1796
at
Golden Square Presbyterian Church
Berwick-upon-Tweed
James was a "Burgess", that is a mason by trade. In the early 1800's he
worked at Stobo Castle in Scotland which has a history spanning over 1000
years. Work on the present building began in 1805 and was completed in 1811.
The castle is now a luxurious health spa frequented by the rich and famous.
 |
 |
Two views of Stobo Castle
James died 4 September 1847
aged 80 years and he is buried with Mary, who died 16 March 1860 aged 88
years,
and their sons Roger (1) and William in St Mary's Churchyard Berwick upon
Tweed.
Cause of death for James and Mary was " old age ".
At the time of James' death they were living at Tweed Street in Berwick.
In 1851 Mary was living on Castlegate, Berwick with son James and his wife
Isabella and her death occurred at the home
of her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Thomas Marshall, on Drythropple
also Berwick.
The grave of James and Mary and children
Roger (1) and William
St Mary's Churchyard Berwick upon Tweed
They had nine children:
William
born 27 May 1797 and baptised 4 June 1797 at Golden Square Church.
William died at sea on 3 December 1813 aged 16 years.
..............................
Eleanor
born 22 March 1799 and baptised 31 March 1799 at Golden Square Church.
Married Cornelius Nesbitt and lived on Ravensdowne, Berwick. Cornelius was
born in 1777 at Berwick.
CHILDREN
Mary born 1835 at Berwick
Eleanor born 1837 at Berwick, died 1926 at York
..............................
Bridget-
also known as Delia -was born 10 May 1801 and baptised 1801 at Golden Square
Church.
She did not marry but lived with the family of Sir Cooliug Adley near the
river Thames in London.
Apparently Bridget was not without money and left a considerable amount to
Dr Careis Church at Berwick and the
remainder to various family members.
..............................
Roger (1)
born 29 August 1803 and baptised 31 August 1803 at Golden Square Church.
Roger died on the 2 September 1803.
..............................
George
born 14 July 1804 and baptised 15 July 1804 at Golden Square Church.
He married Ann Strother, his cousin. George was a "compositor" and they
lived on Castlegate, Berwick.
CHILDREN
1. Ann H born 1838 and in 1881 was unmarried
2. James born 1840 and married Eleanor Purvis on 19 December 1874 at Wallace
Green United Presbyterian Church in Berwick. James was a railway porter and
he died in 1878.
CHILDREN
1. George born 28 October 1875 and married Isabella Johnston on 2 February
1903 at
St Andrew's Church, Berwick. George was a Post Office Sorting Clerk and
Telegraphist and they lived at 6 Ivy Place, Berwick. George and Isabella had
a daughter, Ann Benzi Davidson, born in 1904.
2. William Purvis born in 1878
..............................
Roger (2)
born 19 April 1806 and baptised 27 April 1806. Married
Jean/Jane Bertram c.1832.
CLICK HERE FOR
MORE DETAILS ON ROGER AND HIS DESCENDANTS
..............................
James
born 15 October 1808 and baptised 23 October 1808 at Golden Square Church.
He married 1. Mary who died 15 February 1835 aged 23 years and 2. Isabella
who died 6 March 1869 aged 66 years.
James was a mason by trade. He died 21 August 1888.
James and Mary had two sons:
1. William died 9th January 1832 aged 3 months
2. Thomas died 4th March 1835 aged 2 months
The grave of James Davidson and family
St Mary's Churchyard, Berwick upon Tweed
..............................
Mary
born 11 March 1811 and baptised 24 March 1811 at Golden Square Church.
She married Thomas Marshall, a seaman, and they lived first at 8 Drythropple,
Berwick
and then Marine Cottage, Tweedmouth.
They had no children.
Thomas and Mary were quite wealthy.
..............................
Margaret
1814-1850, married to Leonard Hazelden and
my direct ancestor.
.
..............................
FOR INFORMATION ON THE STROTHER
AND HAZELDEN FAMILIES,
JUST CLICK ON THE LINKS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE
SEE LINKS PAGE FOR ALTERNATIVE DAVIDSON SITE
( courtesy of John Hanrahan - you will need Acrobat Reader installed to view
but you can get this for free by clicking on John's "Links" file. )