The tragic death of Richard Jamieson - Carsphairn

[Russell]

I just wanted to share a recent success with everyone!

My wife had a great aunt Janet (Jessie) Roan who married an older man – Farmer Richard Jamieson in Carsphairn. Although not in my wife’s direct family line, we followed the family to get clues for some of Jessie’s siblings. Tragedy followed poor Richard. His death certificate told of him drowning in the river Doon and not being found until six months later. We naturally wanted to know more so, on a recent visit to Kirkcudbrightshire we visited Carsphairn and called in at the Heritage Centre there.
We had a lovely reception and when we expressed our interest they arranged for us to visit the farm which Richard had worked. The current farmers family are also involved in local history and were able to fill in the history of poor Richard.

He had gone to Dalmellington late in December 1869, in his gig to employ another ploughman. On his way back on a wild stormy night he disappeared and could not be found. His pony and gig were found standing patiently in the river. Foul play was suspected but I think it was probably one too many for the road and his pony was spooked by the storm!
His body was found six months later 4 miles downstream from the scene with wallet and papers intact so accidental death was recorded by the Procurator on the RCE.
Richard must have been a prudent man as he had arranged for a house to be built in the village so that his wife and family would be provided for should anything happen – as it did!
Jessie ran the farm for another seven years before selling up and moving to Jamison House which still stands in the village. The tallest house in the village!
We now have his Inventory and Will from SP which shows him as a prudent, but socially involved man, who used his wealth (he left thousands!) to help others.
But first and foremost he arranged for his family. His children’s education was of ‘a standard as befits their station’.

What he left us was a wealth of information about life in the 1870’s as a well established pillar of the community rather than the vague information about our usual shepherds and ‘ag labs’.
His family lair is walled and fenced and obviously intended to show the families status within the community. Unfortunately the inscriptions have been badly eroded so that the family history is difficult to make out.

But Ssshh!!– We still have to view the parish records to see what they said about his liaison with a much younger woman – and pregnant too !

We feel most fortunate that we can pay visits in person to the significant places in our family tree and capture some of the atmosphere of the place and put relatives into the context. When a group of enthusiasts can lend their efforts to enhancing the visit further what more could a genealogy addict ask for?

Russell

[Liz Turner]

Hi Russell

Your story is great! One of the things I like best about family history in actually finding out how people really lived in their communities and how they got on (or not!) together.

Cheers!

Liz

[delmarco]

Russell:

What a great story,so sad however about his demise, I hope you will up date us, on the girlfriend, im simply on the edge of my chair!!

I echo the comments above, I love hearing about the facts and such, but the anecdotes of everyday life, (and not so everyday, as in your rellies case) really puts a heartwarming spin on this genealogy stuff!!


Regards,
Karen

[DavidWW]

Russell

Quite simply, just "Wow"

But it just goes to show what can be found from the various records.

David