James Dickson (1867 - 1942)

Born 9 Feb 1867 in Johnshaven, Kincardineshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Joann Alexander (Blues) Dickson — married 28 Sep 1888 in Johnshaven, Kincardine, Scotland

Descendants

Died 28 Dec 1942 at age 75 in Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Joelle Gilbert [send private message]

Biography

James Dickson born on 9 Feb 1867.^[1] son of James Dickson & Mary Beattie, in Benholm, Kincardine, Scotland. He was called James after his father and a brother who was born and died in 1866, the year before his birth.^[2] In compliance with the Vacination Acts, he was vaccinated on the 17 June 1868.^[3]

In 1871, he was four living at the Square, Johnshaven / Benholm, Kincardineshire, Scotland with his parents and siblings. ^{[4] [5]}

By 1881 census the family had moved to Mid Street, Johnshaven, Kincardineshire, Scotland. By that time he was listed as a 14 year old scholar (the Education (Scotland) Act 1872 made it compulsory for children aged 5-13 to be given education)^[6][7]

He married Joann Alexander Blues, daughter of Joseph Blues and Elizabeth Alexander on the 28 September 1888 at the Templar’s Hall, Johnshaven. The witnesses were James Coull and Maggie Blues. .^[8]

They had the following children:

1. Walter Dickson
2. James Dickson
3. Joseph Blues Dickson
4. Mary Beattie (Dickson) Cargill
5. Elizabeth Alexander (Dickson) Begg
6. Annie Ford Melville (Dickson) Falconer
7. Robert Dickson
8. Hannah McNab (Dickson) Kennedy
9. William Blues Dickson
10. Jane Christie (Jean) Myles formerly Dickson

James Dickson was a Fisherman. He was also a Naval Reserve Man, for 5 years between 1899 and 1903 (no; I.3172 ) and was awarded the long service medal.The reverse of the medal has Edward VII.^[9] He attended drill on the ship “Clyde” yearly in the months of October to November, and qualified as a Naval Reserve on the 3 November 1900, 7 October 1901, 18 October 1902 and 19 October 1903. He earned a retainer for his work as a Naval reserve a payment of about £1. 1s 6d paid about a twice during his drill training on the Clyde. ^[10]

In the 1901 census James (age 35), Whitefisherman, was on Back St, Benholm, Kincardineshire.^[11][12]

In the 1911 census he is living at 58 Mid Street., Benholm, Kincardine. He is 44 and still living as a White Fisherman. Aged 44. Family listed as Mary age 16 Hemp Spinner, Lizzie age 14 Hemp Spinner, Annie age 13 Hemp Spinner, Robert age 10, Hannah age 8 and Jane age 2.^[13]

On the 21 December 1920 James was part of the crew of the lifeboat James Marsh which rescued the crew of the Danish three-masted barquentine Fredenburg of Korsor which had been wrecked in St Cyrus Bay, Kincardineshire, Scotland. On the way back from the rescue, at the entrance of Johnshaven harbour three men were lost by drowning when the lifeboat capsized.^[14]

The Scotsman 16 August 1921 and Mearns Leader 14 October 1921 recorded James as one of the twelve awarded a silver cup by the Danish Consul on behalf of His Majesty the King of Denmark for the rescue if the crew of the Fredenburg. ^[15]The cups are inscribed-

"Awarded by the Royal Danish Goverment in

Recognition of bravery and self-sacrifice


on occassion of the rescue of the

crew of the schooner "Fredenzborg" of Korsor, 


wrecked in St. Cyrus Bay, 21:12:20"

On the Valuation Roll for Benholm 1922-1923 James Dickson is listed on entry 255 as being the tenant of a store in the Square, Johnshaven, Kincardineshire, Scotland, and tenant of May Cottage in New Road, Johnshaven, Kincardineshire, Scotland. The store was used for the storing the nets and related items.

He passed away in 28 December 1942, age 75, at the Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, Scotland. ^[16][17]. He was buried at Johnshaven Cemetery.

During his life he had two nicknames that locals called him “Clunker” after the ships he admired and “Domino King”. ^[18]

Appendix

Physical Description

Height: 5 foot ¾ .^[19]

Complexion: Fair. ^[20]

Eyes: Grey. ^[21]

Scars/Marks: Scar on the left side of neck.^[22]

Research Notes

Need to find list in research file of full dates for boat registration. 1898 owned "Maggie"ME689 1906 marine reg. owned "Ann & Isabella" ME23, "Success" ME303 and "Maggie" ME170.

Sources

1. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 28 June 2022), James Dickson birth registered 1867 in Benholm; citing Ref 253/ 7.
2. ↑ "Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950". Ancestry Record 60143 #5900181 (accessed 10 June 2022).
3. ↑ Date was on his birth certificate. The Vaccinaton Act (1863) which extended compulsory vaccination for Scotland and Ireland and the Vaccination. If a parent failed to vaccinate their child they could be convicted and fined. The Vaccination Act of 1867 extended the penalties for failure to vaccinate your child.
4. ↑ "1871 Scotland Census". Parish: Benholm; ED: 3; Page: 23; Line: 10; Roll: CSSCT1871_45; Registration Number: 253; Household schedule number: 148; Roll: CSSCT1871_45. Ancestry Record 1104 #2879998 (accessed 10 June 2022). James Dickson (4) son in household of James Dickson (38) in Square in Benholm registration district. Born in Benholm, Kincardinshire.

   James Dickson, Head M 38 Whitefisher born St Cyrus.

   Mary Dickson, Wife F 30 born Benholm,

   Susan Dickson, Daughter F 10 born Benholm,

   Robert Dickson, Son M 8 born Benholm.

   James Dickson, Son M 4 born Benholm.

   Margret Dickson, Daughter, F 10 Mo born Benholm.

5. ↑ "Scotland Census, 1871," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 28 June 2022), James Dickson (4) in Benholm registration district in Kincardineshire, Scotland; citing Ref 253/ 3/ 23.
6. ↑ "1881 Scotland Census". Parish: Benholm; ED: 3; Page: 14; Line: 3; Roll: cssct1881_71; Registration Number: 253; Household schedule number: 91. Ancestry Record 1119 #3276688 (accessed 10 June 2022).

   James Dickson, Head, M, 48, White Fisher, born St Cyrus.

   Mary Dickson, Wife F 40 born Benholm,

   Susan Dickson, Daughter, F, 20 Domestic Duties, born Benholm

   Robert Dickson, Son, M 18, White Fisher born Benholm.

   James Dickson, Son, M, 14 Scholar born Benholm.

   Margaret Dickson, Daughter, F, 10, Scholar born Benholm,

   Mary Ann Dickson, Daughter, F, 5, Scholar born Benholm.

   Rosalind F Dickson, Daughter, F, 2 born Benholm.

7. ↑ "Scotland Census, 1881," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 28 June 2022), James Dickson (14) in Benholm registration district in Kincardineshire, Scotland; citing Ref 253/ 3/ 14.
8. ↑ Scotlands People Statutory Register, Marriage, James Dickson and Joann Blues 1888 Ref: 253/2 District Benholm. Printout of certificate in Joelle A.M.Gilbert’s Family Archive.
9. ↑ Medal in my possession.
10. ↑ Quite a few Johnshaven men were Naval Reserves and some of them were relatives. It was a good and regular source of money when your main occupation’s earnings can be precarious.
11. ↑ "1901 Scotland Census". Parish: Benholm; ED: 4; Page: 19; Line: 17; Roll: CSSCT1901_81; Registration Number: 253; Household schedule number: 103; Roll: CSSCT1901_81. Ancestry Record 1101 #3424421 (accessed 10 June 2022). Back Street, Johnshaven, Kincardineshire, Scotland.

    James Dickson Head M 35 Whitefisherman Benholm,

    Joan Dickson Wife F 30 Benholm.

    James Dickson Son M 9 Scholar Benholm.

    Mary Dickson Daur (daughter) F 7 Scholar Benholm.

    Elisabeth Dickson Daur (daughter) F 4 Benholm.

    Annie Dickson Daur (daughter) F 3 Benholm.

    Robert Dickson Son M 2 Weeks Benholm.

12. ↑ "Scotland Census, 1901," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 28 June 2022), James Dicksen (35) in Benholm registration district in Kincardineshire, Scotland; citing Ref 253/ 4/ 19.
13. ↑ "Scotland Census, 1911," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 28 June 2022), James Dickson (44) in Benholm registration district in Kincardineshire, Scotland; citing Ref 253/ 4/ 7.

    James Dickson Head M 44 Whitefisherman Benholm,

    Mary Dickson Daur (daughter) F 16 Hemp Spinner Benholm.

    Lizzie Dickson Daur (daughter) F 14 Hemp Spinner Benholm.

    Annie Dickson Daur (daughter) F 13 Hemp Spinner Benholm.

    Robert Dickson Son M 10 Benholm

    Hannah Dickson Daur (daughter) F 8 Benholm

    Jane Dickson Daur (daughter) F 2 Benholm

14. ↑ Mearns Leader dated 24 December 1920.
15. ↑ It was the first time that cups had been awarded to an entire crew.
16. ↑ Death certificate of James Dickson died Aberdeen, 28 December 1942.
17. ↑ "Statutory Register of Deaths," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 28 June 2022), James Dickson death registered 1942 in Aberdeen Northern District (age 75); citing Ref 168/1 1483.
18. ↑ Confirmed by grandchildren
19. ↑ Naval Reserve Log BT 164/14/282 pg 1b from The National Archives, Kew, England
20. ↑ Naval Reserve Log BT 164/14/282 pg 1b from The National Archives, Kew, England
21. ↑ Naval Reserve Log BT 164/14/282 pg 1b from The National Archives, Kew, England
22. ↑ Naval Reserve Log BT 164/14/282 pg 1b from The National Archives, Kew, England