William Davidson – Balfour

The death certificate of William Davidson residing at Balfour and dated 4 September 1861 (Birse #12) gives his parents as James Davidson and Isobel Walker.  The informant on the certificate was his son James.  Going by the dates on the death certificate and census records this would be the William Davidson born in the Forest of Birse on the 7 August 1777.  “James Davidson in Forest of Birse a son William.  Witnesses the congregation.” 

The question is then raised as to who the mother of William Davidson was because the Lists of Inhabitants for Birse starting 12 years later gives the spouse of James Davidson as Isobel Begg.  Did James Davidson marry twice? (1) Isobel Walker and (2) Isobel Begg, or did his son James confuse the surname of his paternal grandmother with that of the spouse of his father?

Banns for the marriage of James Davidson and Helen Begg were called in Birse in 1801.  “Contracted William Davidson and Helen Begg both in this parish and after regular proclamations and no objections made married 17th March.”

William Davidson and Helen Begg had the following children: 

• James baptised 19 April 1802 in the Forest of Birse, “William Davidson in Forest of Birse had a son baptised named James.  Witnesses James Mitchell and Jas Davidson” died 8 Nov 1877 at Balfour, Birse.  James married Margaret Anderson in Dec 1840 “(6^th) Contracted James Davidson farmer in Balfour in Birse with Margaret Anderson in Aboyne and after proclamation of banns they were married.”  Margaret Anderson died at Balfour, Birse on 25 August 1889 aged 73

        James Davidson and Margaret Anderson had the following children:

• 1846 Sept 15 James Davidson in Balfour and his wife Margt Anderson had a son baptised named William.  William Davidson Glenchatt and his sister Sara Witnesses.

• 1848 May 27 James Davidson in Balfour and his wife Margaret Anderson had a child baptised named Alexander.  Witnesses William Davidson in Balfour and Charles Jolly in Kinminity.

• Helen 17 July 1849 Birse (IGI)

• 1852 Jany 19 James Davidson in Balfour and his wife Margaret Anderson had a daughter baptised named Jane.

• 1854 May 25 James Davidson and his wife Margt Anderson in Balfour had a daughter baptised named Margaret.

• James born 25 July 1855 Birse d: 31 July 1931 Aboyne

• John born 26 February 1857 Birse (Birse #3)

• Sarah born 21 April 1860 Birse and died 9 Feb 1863 Balfour (Birse #2)

• George born 22 August 1863 Birse and died 31 January 1886

• Isabel baptised 28 August 1803 in the Forest of Birse “William Davidson in Forest of Birse had a daughter baptised named Isobel.  Witnesses James Mitchel and James Davidson.”  Isabel married Alexander Harper on 11^th February 1830  “ 24^th January 1830 Contracted Isabel Davidson and Alexr Harper both in this parish and after regular proclamation of marriage banns and no objections offered were thereafter married on 11th February before witnesses.”

        Isabel Davidson and Alexander Harper had the following children:

• 1830 Decr 31 Alexander Harper Farmer Bridgend and his wife Isabel Davidson had a child baptised named Sarah.  Witnesses Wm Davidson in Balfour and Jno Middleton in Midstrath.

• 1831 June 8  Alexander Harper in Bridgend and his wife Isabel Davidson had a child baptised named Jane.  Witnesses Robert Harper farmer in Milltown and William Mitchell servant at Bridgend and others.

• 1835 Aug 4  Alexander Harper in Bridgend and his wife Isabel Davidson had a child baptised and named Helen;  witnesses William Davidson in Balfour and Robt Harper in Milltown.

• 1837 Jan 30  Alexander Harper in Bridgend and his wife Isabel Davidson had a child baptised named Anne; witnesses William Davidson and Anne Davidson both in Balfour.

• 1839 Feb 15  Alexander Harper Bridgend and his wife Isabel Davidson had a child baptised named Isabel; witnesses Wm Dinnie and Jas Ritchie

• William baptised 15 May 1805 in the Forest of Birse “William Davidson Forest a son William.  Witnesses the congregation.”

• Sarah baptised 28 July 1808 Forest of Birse, "William Davidson in Forest of Birse had a child baptised named Sarah.  Witnesses James Davidson and Peter Ewan" and died 31 December 1882 Marywell, Birse.  Sarah married William Dinnie on 24 February 1831 in Birse. “February 6 Contracted William Dinnie in Marywell and Sarah Davidson in Balfour both in this parish and after regular proclamation of marriage banns and no objections offered were thereafter married 24^th curt before witnesses.”  William Dinnie died 11 February 1886 at Marywell aged 74.

        Sarah Davidson and William Dinnie had the following children:

• 1831 Dec 27 William Dinnie in Marywell and his wife Sarah Davidson had a son baptised named Alexander.  Witnesses Jno Smart and Alexr Dinnie both in Marywell.

• 1834 May 31 William Dinnie in Marywell and his wife Sarah Davidson had twins baptised named William and Helen; witnesses Willm Davidson in Balfour and Alexr Dinnie in Marywell

• 1847 Oct 20 William Dinnie and his wife Sarah Davidson in Marywell had a child baptised James before witnesses James Findlay and William Hendry Wester Clune.

• Ann baptised 9 April 1812 Forest of Birse, “William Davidson in the Forest had a child baptised named Ann before witnesses viz James Davidson and his son Peter Davidson in Oldy Warran” and died 4 October 1893 at Moss side, Corsindae, Midmar. (Midmar #7).  Ann married David Littlejohn “1842 Feby 20 Contracted David Littlejohn with Anne Davidson both in Birse and after proclamation were married by GS”.  David was the son of Peter Littlejohn and Janet Burnett (not confirmed).  He died 23 June 1888 at Westerton Durris. Kincardineshire.

          Children of Ann Davidson and David Littlejohn

• 1843 Sep 8 David Littlejohn farmer in Oldywarren and his wife Anne Davidson had a son baptised William

• 1845 Dec 8 David Littlejohn in Glenchatt and his wife Anne Davidson had a child baptised named Helen.  Witnesses William Davidson and his wife in Glencatt.

• 1847 Nov 12 David Littlejohn and his wife Anne Davidson in Glencatt had a son baptised named David.  Witnesses Charles Jolly in Kinminity and James Davidson Balfour.

• 1851 Aug 19 David Littlejohn Oldywarran and his wife Anne Davidson had a son baptised named Alexander.

• 1853 Apr 28 David Littlejohn and his wife Anne Davidson in Glencatt had a son baptised named Hugh.

• Helen baptised 6 Dec 1813 Forest of Birse died 3 February 1881 (Birse #3) at Kinminity Birse.  “William Davidson in the Forest had a daughter baptised named Helen.  Peter Davidson in Oldywarran and James Bowman in the Forest witnesses.”   Helen married Charles Jolly “1837 Dec 3  Contracted Charles Jolly with Helen Davidson both in this parish and after proclamation of marriage bans and no objections offered were thereafter married on the 14^th current before witnesses.”

William Davidson married (2) Ann Walker at Birse in 1850.  “After they had been contracted and after their matrimonial banns had been publicly intimated in the parish Church of Birse were married on the --- of May, William Davidson widower in Balfour in this parish and Ann Walker in the parish of Aboyne.”

        William Davidson and Ann Walker had the following child:

• 1851 Oct 15 William Davidson Snr and his wife Jane Walker in Balfour had a daughter baptised named Jane. (It is noted that the spouse of William Davidson is given as Jane instead of Ann Walker.)

In Birse Kirkyard

• Erected by WILLIAM DAVIDSON farmer in Balfour in memory of his spouse HELEN BEGG d. 22 Feb 1846 aged 69; said WILLIAM DAVIDSON was interred here 4 Sept 1861 aged 85. 

• In memory of JAMES DAVIDSON farmer Balfour d. 8 Nov 1877 aged 76; his dau SARAH ANN d. 9 Feb 1863 aged 2yrs 10months.  His wife MARGARET ANDERSON d. 25 Aug 1889 aged 73.  His son JAMES D. Aboyne 31 July 1931 aged 76: his dau HELEN d. there 3 Dec 1932 aged 82. 

• ,In loving remembrance of GEORGE DAVIDSON d. suddenly 31 Jan 1886 aged 22; ALEXANDER DAVIDSON d. Aboyne 13 Dec 1924 aged 76. 

• In memory of SARAH DAVIDSON wife of WILLIAM DINNIE Senr farmer Marywell, Birse d. 31 Dec 1882 aged 74; said WILLIAM DINNIE farmer there d 11 Feb 1886 aged 83.  Their son WILLIAM farmer there husband of ELIZABETH McKENZIE d. 1 May 1890 aged 55.  Above ELIZABETH McKENZIE his wife d Aberdeen 1 July 1907 aged 71.  Their dau SARAH JANE d. 1 May 1910 aged 41. 

• Erected by the widow and family in loving memory of DAVID LITTLEJOHN late farmer Westerton, Durris d. 23 June 1888 aged 80.  His wife ANN DAVIDSON d. 4 Oct 1893 aged 81. 

• Erected by CHARLES JOLLY in memory of his father DAVID JOLLY d. Kinminity 2 Aug 1833 aged 78, his spouse ISABEL FINDLAY d. 4 Apr 1847 aged 82.  Their dau. ANN d. in infancy.  Above CHARLES JOLLY d. 11 May 1859 aged 58 and was interred here.  His wife HELEN DAVIDSON d. 3 Feb 1881 aged 67. 

Census Entries for William Davidson

1841 census for Birse: Residing at Balfour (District 7 page 10)

DAVIDSON William 64 farmer Yes  

DAVIDSON Helen 64 Yes 

DAVIDSON Ann 25 Yes  

HARPER Helen 5 Yes         

HARPER Ann 4 Yes           

1851 census Birse:  Residing at Balfour (District 1 page 2)

DAVIDSON William Head Mar 74 Retired farmer ABD Birse

DAVIDSON Ann wife Mar 38 farmer's wife ABD Aboyne

1861 census for Birse: Residing at Balfour (District 1 page 4)

DAVIDSON William Head Mar 84 Fundholder ABD Birse

DAVIDSON Ann Wife Mar 48 ABD Aboyne

DAVIDSON Jane Dau 9 Scholar ABD Birse

Census Entries for James Davidson

1841 census Birse: Residing at Balfour (District 7 page 10/11)

DAVIDSON James 35 Farmer Yes    

DAVIDSON Margaret 25 Yes           

AITKEN George 25 Ag lab Yes        

BOWMAN James 20 Ag lab Yes     

ROSS Agnes 25 FS Yes     

FIDDES Jane 15 FS Yes     

BEGG Peter 15 Ag lab Yes 

COUTTS William 12 Ag lab Yes

COUTTS James 25 wood sawer Yes

1851 census Birse: Residing at Balfour farm (District 1 page 2)

DAVIDSON James Head Mar 49 Farmer 80a emp 6men 2 women ABD Birse

DAVIDSON Margaret wife Mar 33 farmer's wife ABD Aboyne

DAVIDSON William son 4 scholar ABD Birse              

DAVIDSON Alexander son 2 ABD Birse

DAVIDSON Helen dau 1 ABD Birse               

BEGG Peter servt Un 24 ag lab ABD Birse                      

BAIN George servt Un 21 ag lab ABD Birse  

YOUNG James servt Un 16 ag lab ABD Birse                

MICHIE Joseph servt Un 33 ag lab ABD Birse             

ROSS Christian servt Un 20 house servant ABD Birse

PENNY Catherine servt Un 16 house servant ABD Birse            

1861 census Birse: Residing at Balfour (District 1 page 4)

DAVIDSON James Head Mar 59 Farmer of 110 acres ABD Birse               

DAVIDSON Margaret Wife Mar 42 ABD Aboyne       

DAVIDSON William Son    14 Scholar ABD Birse        

DAVIDSON Alexander Son 12 Scholar ABD Birse

DAVIDSON James Son 6 Scholar ABD Birse

DAVIDSON John Son 5 Scholar ABD Birse

DAVIDSON Ellen Dau 11 Scholar ABD Birse

DAVIDSON Jane Dau 10 Scholar ABD Birse 

DAVIDSON Margaret Dau 9 Scholar ABD Birse          

DAVIDSON Sarah Dau 1 ABD Birse               

CATTANACH James Servant Un 29 Ploughman ABD Birse

DOWNIE Duncan Servant Un 21 Ploughman ABD Glenmuick 

DINNIE Jonathan Servant Un 20 Ploughman ABD Birse             

MASSON Margaret Servant Un 25 Dairymaid ABD Lumphanan               

COLLIE Isabel Servant Un 20 Domestic Servant ABD Birse       

1881 census Birse:  Residing at Balfour Mains Farm House (District 1 page 4)

DAVIDSON Alexander Head Un 32 Joint farmer of 119 arable acres ABD Birse

DAVIDSON James Brother Un 24 Joint farmer of 119 arable acres ABD Birse

DAVIDSON Margaret Mother Widow 63 farmer’s mother ABD Aboyne

DAVIDSON Hellen Sister Un 31 farmer’s sister ABD Birse

DAVIDSON Margaret Sister Un 27 farmer’s sister ABD Birse

SHEPHERD Alexander Servt. Un 18 farm servant KCD Strachan

Census entries for David Littlejohn

1851 census Birse:  Residing at Traciebrae (District 5 page 7)

LITTLEJOHN David Head Mar 43 farmer 30a 4 labs      ABD Birse

LITTLEJOHN Ann wife Mar 39 farmer's wife ABD Birse

LITTLEJOHN William son 7 scholar ABD Birse            

LITTLEJOHN Helen dau 5 farmer's dau ABD Birse

LITTLEJOHN David son 3 farmer's son ABD Birse

BAIN Isobel servant Un 42 In dom servant ABD Birse               

ESSON George servant Un 23 farm labourer ABD Birse

BURNETT David servant Un 15 shepherd ABD Birse 

MICHIE William servant Un 14 cattle boy ABD Birse 

Unless otherwise stated all entries are from Birse Parish Registers. 

Looking for your Davidson ancestors?  See the "Links" page for the website of Clan Davidson.