The History and Genealogy of the Dobson Family

When I started researching my family tree I was totally ignorant of the Dobson connection. A name never mentioned within my family only in 1867 my keen-grandfather, Robert Morrison married Isabella Dobson.

9th great-grandad Robert Robertson (c.1590-?)
Born: Scotland
Marriage: Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Monarch: James VI, 1567–1625
Event: The North Berwick witch trials begin

The North Berwick witch trials

At that place isn't too much information virtually Robert other than he fathered a son, Alexander, recorded on 1st Dec 1611 at Canongate, Edinburgh, Midlothian. I have his birth record which shows Alexander Robertson (Dobson) so I can only assume Alexander was given his mother's surname.

8th bully-grandfather Alexander Robertson Dobsone (1611-?)
Born: Scotland
Matrimony: Unknown
Spouse: Katherine Thomson
Monarch: Charles I, 1625-1649
Consequence: St John Ogilvie, a Banffshire-built-in Jesuit priest, was hanged for refusing to renounce the supremacy of the Pope. He was the but Roman Cosmic martyr in Scotland and was canonised in 1976.

Alexander and Katherine produced three sons and ii daughters all built-in and/or baptised in Whittingehame in East Lothian. Katherine was built-in in 1618 at Prestonpans, E Lothian and baptised there on Monday, 8th October. Her parents were John Thomson (1593-?) and Margaret Chauslie (1593-?).

Isabella Dobsoun – 1629
James Dobsoune – 8th July 1632
Thomas Dobson – 26th Apr 1635
William Dobsone – 24th December 1637
Katharin Dobson – Jan 1640

Whittingehame is situated between the Lammermuir Hills and the Firth of Along, about halfway betwixt Haddington and Dunbar, 19 miles to the east of Edinburgh.

7th nifty-granddad William Dobsone (1637-?)
Built-in: Whittingehame, East Lothian
Marriage: Tuesday, 19th June 1666
Spouse: Agnes Wood (1637-?)
Monarch: Charles 2, 1649-1651
Consequence: Great Fire of Glasgow (17th July 1652), destroying nigh one third of the city.

In 1637 William, my 7th great granddad was born. He was christened on 24th December 1637. In 1666 (at the time of The Bang-up Burn of London and one year after the Groovy Plague) anile 28 he married Agnes Wood from Tranent, East Lothian. They married in Haddington, East Lothian. Her parents are unknown.

In 1650 William may have witnessed the Battle of Dunbar between Cromwell's Parliamentarians and Scots that were loyal to the new monarch, Charles II.

William and Agnes produced 1 son, Alexander.

Battle of Dunbar by Graham Turner

6th smashing-grandpa Alexander Dobson (1667-?)
Born: Haddington, E Lothian
Marriage: Thursday, 22nd May 1692
Spouse: Isobell Logan (c.1667-?)
Monarch: William Ii, 1689-1702
Event: Philip van der Straten, a Fleming, was granted Scots naturalisation in 1672 and gear up a factory in Kelso, thus starting the Border woollen industry.

Alexander was born on Fri, 29th April 1667 and christened on 5th May. Witnessed by Thomas Koddie and John Woods.

Aged 25 he married Isobell Logan from Tranent, E Lothian on Thursday, 22nd May 1692 at Stenton, East Lothian. Isobell's parents were William Logan (1635-?) and Elizabeth Robertson (1647-?) both of Tranent. Her grandparents were William Logan (1608-?) and Janet Lyne (1612-?) also from Tranent.

Alexander and Isobell produced vii children, all born and/or baptised in Whittingehame.

James – 30th March 1695
Alison – 22nd November 1696
William – 30th January 1698
Patrick – 11th October 1701
Margaret – 27th Feb 1704
Alexander – 11th July 1708
Robert – 28th September 1712

5th great-grandfather William Dobson (1698-1761)
Built-in: Whittingehame
Wedlock: 1717
Spouse: Isabel Veitch (1704-1747)
Monarch: William II, 1689-1702
Consequence: The Royal Bank of Scotland was formed (1727) from a company of debenture holders.

Anile nineteen William married Isabel Veitch, aged xiii, from Ashkirk, Roxburghshire in 1717 at Galashiels. Isabel'due south parents were James Veitch (1660-?) and Elspeth Stuart or Stavert (1674-?).

In Scotland during these times females could ally from the historic period of 12 (notwithstanding 14 for boys).

He no longer had to worry near going to war against a neighbouring nation following the union of England and Scotland (Acts of Union 1706-1707).

William and Isabel produced eight children.

William was born on 22nd April in 1716 at Galashiels, Selkirkshire. He married Jane Pringle and they produced three children. William (1748-?), Elizabeth (1750-?) and George (1754-1755).

George was born on 22nd February in 1718 at Galashiels. He married Helen Blaikie (1713-?) from nearby Kelso on 20th October in 1738 at Galashiels. They had one son, William, who lived for simply vi months (1739-1740). Her parents were Thomas Blaikie (c.1680-?) and Helen Cornet (c. 1680-?).

John was born on 21st April 1720 at Galashiels. He married Janet Heslope (c.1714-?) at Dalkeith, Edinburgh on 19th April in 1735. She also was from Galashiels.

Unknown Dobson was born on 2nd September 1722 and every bit he was unnamed I assume he died in childbirth.

James Dobson was born on 22nd January in 1727 at Galashiels. He married Agnes Veitch at Traquair, Peeblesshire on ninth February 1750.

Now, here'due south a tale: I spent hours on this Veitch/Veatch/Vetch puzzle as James' father also married a Veitch. It turns out that James's mother, Isabel, and Agnes'south male parent, Walter, were brother and sister making this a marriage of kickoff cousins (and doubling all data for preceding generations).

4th great-grandfather Alexander Dobson (1732-?)
Built-in: Galashiels, Selkirkshire/Roxburghshire
Marriage: Fri, 2nd May 1760
Spouse: Elizabeth Aitchison (1731-?)
Monarch: George 2, 1727-1760
Effect: Jacobite rising of 1745: Charles Edward Stuart ("Bonnie Prince Charlie") with his Jacobite forces occupies Stirling.

Alexander was built-in on Mon, 4th August in Galashiels and baptised at that place two days afterwards.

He married Elizabeth likewise from Galashiels. Her parents were Simon Aitchison (1705-?) and Helen Tait (1701-?).

They produced three boys and a girl, all born and/or baptised in Galashiels.

William – 15th May 1761
Simon – 28th February 1763
George – 24th November 1765
Helen – 6th May 1770

He was born in the same yr as when the British regime was administered by Robert Walpole, the start prime minister. Alexander and Elizabeth would have witnessed England defeating the Scots in 1746 under Stuart Pretender Prince Charles at Culloden Moor. Information technology was the last battle fought on British soil.

3rd great-grandfather George Dobson (1765-c.1862)
Born: Galashiels
Marriage: 1793
Spouse: Jane Jamieson (1777-1864)
Monarch: George III, 1760-1820
Event: Adam Smith publishes The Wealth of Nations.

George was born on Sun, 24th November in 1765 at the aforementioned time as James Watt who invented the steam engine. George was a weaver.

He would have been aware of the news that in 1787 The Constitution of the United States was signed.

In Galashiels during 1793 George married Jean (Jane) Jamieson (1777-1855) from Darnick, Melrose, Roxburghshire. Her parents James Jamieson (1748-?) and Margaret Burn (1750-?). She had ane blood brother and 2 sisters.

George and Jean had iv children.

William was born in Galashiels in 1800 and died at Ladhope Depository financial institution on 15th July in 1864 of Apoplexy. He married Isabella Hardie (1802-1880). They produced x children betwixt 1826 and 1845.

James was born in Galashiels on 28th November in 1802. He married Isabella Purves (1801-1892) from Eckford. They produced four children. James died at Bank Street, Galashiels on 28th May in 1855. He was a woolen weaver.

Janet was born effectually 1805. She married Ewen Wanless (1806-1864) from Berwickshire in 1830. They produced v children. Janet died in Kelso on 22nd Baronial in 1862.

George junior was built-in in 1807.

In 1841 the family lived at Dunsdale Haugh in Selkirk where he was working as a wool spinner maybe at Roberts of Selkirk, renowned for their fine Scottish tweeds.

By 1851 George and family have moved 5 miles away to Ladhope Banking concern, Galashiels where he is working as a Yarn/Wool Worker.

In 1861 he is a Foreman at a woollen factory and living at 4 Overhaugh Street a mere ½ mile from Ladhope Bank with his wife, daughter Jessie, aged 16 and her son James Dalgleish, 9 months.

George'south death certificate in 1864 records he is back at Ladhope Bank and his occupation is a Machine Manager. Five months afterwards Jessie married James Freer (1841-1914) in Ladhope.

3rd bang-up-uncle George Dobson (c.1807-1881)

George junior was built-in in Galashiels. He was married to Marion Sanderson (1810-1886) from Innerleithen, Peebleshire in 1842. They had three children. George (1842-1887),William (1846-1928), both born in Galashiels and Margaret (1851-1919) born in Leslie in Fifeshire.

By 1851 George is a foreman at a woollen manufactory and living at Rothes Factory, Kinglasse, Fife with his married woman and family. He is employed past David Dobie & Son at Rothes Wool mill.

In 1861 the family are living at Sparrow Mill Cottage, Kinglasse. George is Foreman at a woollen mill. William has moved out.

Another decade later in 1871 the family unit take moved to 3 Bridge Street, Melrose and George is recorded as a mill worker.

He died aged 73 at 68 High Buckholmside in Ladhope in 1881 on 31st December at 5.30pm of Apoplexy. His son William recorded his death.

Death extracts George and Marion Dobson

1st cousin 3xremoved William Dobson

In 1861, aged just xv, George's son, William, left domicile and took upwards a position as a draper's assistant at Miss Readdie's store at Kinglassie. He boarded at her home at 12 Burleigh Street, Kirkcaldy.

10 years subsequently he is now boarding at 163 Crown Street in Govan (Glasgow) with the Porteous family. He is at present a draper.

By 1880 he has met and married Jessie Immature (1852-1925) at Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire on Wednesday, 11th August.

Inside one yr they are living at nearby Ladhope in Melrose where the census of the time records William's occupation every bit draper employing 3 males and six females.

They had two girls, Maggie (1882-1965) and Marion (1884-1944), both born in Ladhope.

By 1886 William has a store at 34 Fountain Place in nearby Loanhead located south of Edinburgh where he operated his business until 1891. The holding is now The Mayflower pub.

The Mayflower pub

In 1891 the family are living at Hawthorn Gardens, Loanhead.

A few years later William has moved his drapers shop a few hundred yards up the route to 46 Clerk Street which today is the concern of Ane to One Beauty Therapy.

Around 1896 the family move abode to Gowanlea, The Loan in Loanhead, a property previously occupied past a James Wilson. The whole family were still living at that place in 1901.

Business is expert for William as in 1900 he caused the premises at 113-115 Clerk Street and presumably the goodwill of James Crook's business concern who was also a draper. William remained at these premises until at to the lowest degree 1908 trading as Wm Dobson & Co.

William died at 11pm on fourth March in 1928 at St Michael's, Townsend Place in Kirkcaldy of cerebral bleeding. Marian S Dobson, his daughter, registered his decease.

2nd great-grandfather James Dobson (1802-1855)
Born: Galashiels
Spousal relationship: Fri, 1st December 1837
Spouse: Isabella Purves
Monarch: George III, 1820-1830
Consequence: The Scotsman newspaper first published (1817)

James married Isabella (1801-1892) who was built-in in Eckford, Roxburghshire to John Purves (1785-1892), a subcontract steward and Jane Leithead (?-1892). The wedding ceremony took place at Melrose (Galashiels) on 1st December 1837.

They lived in Galashiels at Bank Street and George worked as a weaver.

James and Isabella produced iv girls, all built-in in Galashiels whilst living at Bank Street.

Jane born 10th February 1838 and baptised on the 14th. She married David Wilson (1839-1869) a blacksmith (journeyman) from Midlothian who died of Typhoid. They had a daughter Alison (1868-1874).

Isabella was born on 6th April 1840 followed by Mary on tertiary March 1842. Mary died anile 16 of pulmonary consumption.

Margaret was born on 11th February 1844 and died in Ohio, U.s.. She married William Haldane (1846-1907) in Galashiels on 25 March 1873 before emigrating to the USA where she lived until her expiry in Ohio on 10th January 1929. They produced four girls and ii boys.

James died an accidental death (concussion of the encephalon) on 28th May 1855 at Banking concern Street and was cached in Galashiels graveyard leaving his widow and 3 daughters living at 30 Bank Street.

In 1871 George'south widow is living at xix Greenbank Street, Galashiels together with widowed girl Jane, Margaret and granddaughter Alison (Alice) Wilson.

By 1881 Isabella's granddaughter has died of croup at 22 Greenbank Street on twelfth January 1874 and her girl Jane lives with her at 21 Greenbank Street. Ten years subsequently is situation is the aforementioned.

On 26th January 1892 Isabella died at 21 Greenbank Street. Her decease was registered by son-in-law Robert Morrison of Southward Primary Street, Stenhousemuir.

Bang-up-grandmother Isabella Dobson (1840-1931)
Built-in: Galashiels
Matrimony: Friday, 28th June 1867
Spouse: Robert Morrison (1841-1919)
Monarch: Victoria, 1837-1901
Events: Collapse of the City of Glasgow Bank (1878)

Isabella was born on 6th April in 1840 at Galashiels and had one brother and three sisters. Robert (1842-?), Mary (1842-1857), Jane (1838-1925), Margaret (1844-1929). From birth Isabella had been brought up in Depository financial institution Street and in 1861 she is living at 30 Bank Street in Galashiels and working every bit a woollen power loom weaver. She lives at home with her parents and sisters Jane and Margaret.

Six years later she married Robert Morrison (1841-1919) from Larbert at Green Banking company Street, Galashiels on 28th June in 1867.

They produced seven children.

Isabella "Bella" was built-in on 16th March 1868 at Greenbank Street. Death unknown.

Archibald was born in Galashiels on 21st June 1869. He died in Arbroath on 24th April 1950.

James was born on 29th April 1871 at 30 Croft Street, Galashiels. He died on 26th April 1950 at 18 Meeks Road, Falkirk.

Robert was built-in on tertiary December 1873 at Larbert, Stirlingshire and died of cerebral haemorrhage on 27th August 1944 at 414 Main Street, Stenhousemuir.

Philip was born on 25th Feb 1877 in Larbert and died on 11th February 1959 at 10 Mill Street, Montrose.

George was built-in in 1879 at Rotherham, South Yorkshire. His decease is unknown.

John was born on 1st September 1882 at Bonnybridge, Falkirk, Stirlingshire. He died on 10th April 1960 at 41 Chief Street, Stenhousemuir. In 1871 Isabella and Robert are living at 33 Croft Street, Galashiels with Bella and Archibald. Ten years after they are living at 126 High Street, Westward Bromwich, Staffordshire where Robert is an iron foundry managing director.

By 1891 the family unit have moved back to Scotland and are living at Moir Villa, South Road, Larbert. In that location is no sign of Bella who would be 23.

In 1901 the family are still at Moir Villa. Bella is still not around and Archibald is married to Helen Blackie Steel (1876-1966) and living at 29 Kerr Street, Glasgow.

Isabella died at Mitchells Land in Stenhousemuir at 11.59pm on 15th September in 1931 of arteriosclerosis. Son, Robert, registered the expiry.

Dobson

Alexander Robertson (Dobson) 1 Dec 1611 Birth