James Robertson (1829 - 1915)

Born 12 Sep 1829 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom

Husband of Isabella (Fraser) Robertson — married 4 Oct 1852 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 27 Dec 1915 at age 86 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Biography

James was born on 12 September 1829 in Edinburgh^[1] and was baptised at Edinburgh Parish Church on 20 October 1829,^[2] the son of James and Margaret. He was the eldest of seven children (6 boys & 1 girl) and indeed may have been the reason for his parent’s marriage in late January 1829 (or perhaps he just came a bit early!).

Church

In 1843, many members of the established church of Scotland became so disgruntled at the states interference in the church that they broke away to form the Free Church of Scotland. James' parents (and therefore the children) formed part of the Free High Church in Edinburgh under Dr Gordon. However James was never a passive member of the church and was in his time a deacon and then an elder of the church. He saw the present building (always part of the College buildings but now no longer a church) erected at the head of the Mound and opened in 1850.

Marriage and Family

James married Isabella Fraser, the daughter of a dairyman, on 4 October 1852 at Edinburgh Parish Church,^[3] having already had a son (James) in August. The couple went on to have two more sons and four daughters. He seemed particularly proud of his eldest son James who followed him into the jewellery trade and was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Queen's Rifle Volunteer Brigade and it must therefore have been a heavy blow when he died soon after 1900. His other two sons, Robert and John William, appeared to have been more of a disappointment to him and his will reflects his opinion that they may have run up a few debts between them. His wife Isabella died in November 1879 at only 45 years of age of a heart attack and the family story was that it was thought that one of the reasons may have been the behaviour of John William who had joined the Merchant Navy the previous year at only 14.

Working Life

James followed his father (who was a goldsmith) into the jewellery trade and became the 'son' above the shop door. His father died of debility from paralysis in 1873 which meant that he probably took over the business about ten years earlier. He carried on his business in shops both in Princes Street and St James Square.

Political Life^[4]

James was very involved in public life and in the late 1870s, early 1880s, he was the Moderator of the Edinburgh High Constables which stood him in good stead for what was to follow.

Very often in the late 19th Century, council elections were not contested as people were elected to serve on the Council in the interests of their constituents and not as members of a party. Unusually in November 1882, two of the wards in Edinburgh were contested. In one of them, St Luke's, there was disagreement over the appointment of the Lord Provortship. James was persuaded to stand for Councillor. James stood for the opposition of the use of steam on Tramways and for Treasurer Harrison for the Lord Provortship. He was obviously not against alcohol as the Temperence Party came out in favour of his opponent!

This was also the first election where ladies had the opportunity to vote and they were first at the polling booth. In a close contest, James won the Council seat with 459 votes to his opponents 407.

During his time as a Councillor he served on the Lord Provost's Committee, the Law Committee, the Treasurer's Committee, the Trinity Hospital Committee and the Gas Committee. However the role where he really distinguished himself was as Convenor of the Parks Committee and it was this that did most to earn his election to the position of Bailie in 1895. In 1897 he was promoted to fourth Bailie and as such would have had to preside over the Burgh Court. He would have also had to witness hangings as part of his role. In 1899 he retired as Bailie and on the redistribution of wards in 1900, he was defeated in St Andrew's Ward.

James died at the age of 85 at 4 Fingal Place, the home of his two unmarried daughters, on 27 December 1915 and was buried in the Grange Cemetery on the 30 December 1915.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Parish Baptism Register, Scottish National Archives ref. 685(1)/56
2. ↑ Parish Baptism Register, Scottish National Archives ref. 685(1)/56
3. ↑ Parish Marriage Register, Scottish National Archives
4. ↑ Much of this part of the biography has been gleaned from the Edinburgh Evening News, among other papers
5. ↑ Cemetery Record, Scotland's People