James Stevenson Anderson

Parents:

• Birth*: James Stevenson Anderson was born in 1864 at Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland, .
• He was the son of William Anderson and Mary Stevenson.
• (Groom) Marriage*: James Stevenson Anderson married Jane Conway, daughter of Hugh Conway and Marion Ralstone, on 6 November 1895 at 34 Main Street, Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland, ; Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald 15 Nov 1895; Marriages; At 34 Main Street Beith, on the 6th inst., by the Rev T Wilson, James Anderson to Jane, youngest daughter of Hugh Conway, merchant.¹
• (Deceased) Death*: James Stevenson Anderson died on 11 February 1952 at Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland, .²
• (Erector) Memorial Inscription*: A Headstone was erected by James Stevenson Anderson in 1891 at Beith Cemetery, Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland, . Inscription reads Erected by James Anderson in memory of his father William Anderson, Builder, Beith who died 30th April 1891 aged 55 years
  and of his mother Mary Stevenson who died ... May [1911?] aged [78?] years
  and of his beloved wife Jane Conway who died 5th February 1948 aged 77 years
  The above James Anderson JP died 11th February 1952 in his 88th year.
  on the plinth :
  Also their daughter Mary Stevenson Anderson died 25th April 1974 aged 78 years.³
  

  Headstone Beith Cemetery James Anderson

  

  Headstone Beith Cemetery James Anderson (detail)

• (Witness) Newspaper Article: He was mentioned in a newspaper article about Hugh Conway in 1893. Ogilvie Free Church Vacancy - Induction Soiree - A social meeting of the congregation and friends of Ogilvie Free Church was held in the church last night to welcome their new pastor, the Rev. Henry F Henderson, who has just been inducted to the charge. The Church was crowded with and enthusiastic audience. The Rev. John Macpherson occupied the chair, and there were also on the platform Rev. H.F. Henderson, Rev. J.C. Sutherland, Glaston; Rev. J.T. Ferguson, Cupar; Rev. W. Patrick, Rev. A.C. Mackenzie, Rev, Jas. George, Park Place U.P. Church; and Rev. J.M. Campbell, Wallacetown Established Church, Dundee; Messers W. Henderson, Glasgow, brother of the new minister; O,J, Row, and W. Reid, Dunfermline; T. Mitchell, Hugh Conway, J Amderson, and H. Brown, Beith; D. Aird, Broughty Ferry; Dr Young, W.D. Latto, J.C. Robertson, J.G. Blakenry. J.C. Reid, D.P. bachelor, &c. After tea, purveyed by the Messers Lamb, Rev. Mr Macpherson made a few remarks. He said the "Ogilvie ship," when he took the temporary command of her, had gone forth on the voyage of discovery. They had a little breeze, but, for the most part they had very calm weather, and now they were about to set sail again under a new pastor to do business "in the great waters," and he wished them God-speed. (Applause.) Mr J.C. Robertson, convener of the Vacancy Committee, in the ... of a very appropriate speech, presented Mr Henderson with a handsome pu;pit gown, subscribed for by the ladies of the congregation. Mr Henderson donned the gown, and was received with loud and enthusiastic applause. He thanked the ladies for their gift, and the congregation for the splendid welcome they had given him that evening. (Applause.) In beginning his work in Ogilvie Church he would not endeavour to lay out a programme, but would rather allow time to present the opportunities for work. (Applause.) Mr J.C. Reid, one of the officebearers, presented the Rev. John Macphersaon with a silver tea kettle as a testimonial from the congregation for his services as interim moderator to the kirk session during the vacancy. Mr D.P. bachelor foloowed with a presentation to the Rev. R.M. Stephen, who had acted as assistant minister to the congregation for the last eight months. The testimonial consisted of a handsome "despatch box," on which was a suitable inscription, and a purse containing twenty sovereigns. Dr Young next presented Mr J.C. Robertson with a drawingroom cabinet as a testimonial from the congregation, through the Committee, for his services as convener of the Vacancy Committee. The proceedings, which were very enjoyable, were brought to a close with the usual votes of thanks abd the benediction.⁴
• (Witness) Birth: James Stevenson Anderson witnessed the birth of Annie Mackie Anderson on 7 January 1897 at Cumnock Street, Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland, ; 1897 births in the parish of Beith in the county of Ayr, ref 16; Annie Mackie Anderson; 1897 January Seventh 10h 1m pm Cummnock Street Beith; female, parents James Anderson builder master, Jane Anderson ms Conway m 1895 November 6th Beith; signed James Anderson father present; 18797 January 21st at Beith M Gilmour registrar.⁵
• (Witness) Birth: James Stevenson Anderson witnessed the birth of Mary Stevenson Anderson on 28 June 1898 at Cumnock Street, Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland, ; cert held; Mary Stevenson Anderson; James Anderson builder master, Jane Anderson ms Conway 1895 November 6th Beith; James Anderson father present.
• (Witness) Birth: James Stevenson Anderson witnessed the birth of William Hugh Anderson on 19 December 1904 at Cumnock Street, Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland, ; cert held; William Hugh Anderson; James Anderson builder master, Jane Anderson ms Conway 1895 November 6th Beith; James Anderson father present.
• Event-Misc*: James Stevenson Anderson and Jane Conway celebrated their Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald 9 Nov 1945; Golden Wedding; Anderson - Conway - At Main Street, Beith, on the 6th November 1895, by the Rev. Thos. Wilson, Free Church, Beith, Jane, younger daughter of the late Hugh Conway, grocer, to James Anderson, builder. Present address, Craigwell, Beith on 9 November 1945 at Craigwell, Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland, .⁶

Census & Directory Entries

Head of Household

31 March 1901

He was listed as head of household along with spouse Jane Conway in the 1901 census at Crummock Street, Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland, . James Stevenson Anderson, head, 37, stone mason & builder, Beith; Jane Anderson, wife, 30, Beith; also in the household were Annie Mackie Anderson and Mary Stevenson Anderson.7

Notes

• (Witness) Residence: James Stevenson Anderson lived at Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland, ; The name Beith is thought to derive from Birch, and the whole area was probably once covered with trees. According to the Reverend George Colville, minister in the parish of Beith writing in 1839 for the Statistical Account of the time describes the topographical appearance as slightly undulating throughout, and consequently does not present the varied features of hill and dale … He describes how it had been proposed to build the Ardrossan Canal and that this had been authorised by an act of Parliament in 1805, but having proved far more expensive than had been anticipated, was completed only between Glasgow and Johnstone. In 1825, an act was passed for forming a railway in its stead; but this was not done; and, in 1837, an act was passed for forming a great line of railway through the same valley, from Glasgow by Paisley and Irvine to Ayr, with a branch to Kilmarnock, – which undertaking has recently been commenced. It has been proposed to form a line of railway from Kilmarnock, by Cumnock, Dumfries, and Carlisle, to join the Liverpool railway at Preston, which, if carried into effect, would make this the great line of communication from London to Glasgow and the west coast. Describing the views from the highest point of the parish, Cuff Hill, he says the prospect is unrivalled in the district for extent, variety, and magnificence. To the south and west are visible the mountain ranges of Galloway and Carrick, the spacious estuary of the Clyde, the Craig of Ailsa, and the lift peaks of Arran; while, northward the horizon is bounded by the serrated ridges of Cowal and the wavy outline of the far receding hills of Perthshire, in advance of which, in proud pre-eminence, stand Ben Lomond, the monarch of the scene. The scenery inclosed by so noble a frame-work, especially when its varied features are boldly relieved by the rays of the declining sun, is well calculated to gladden the eye and exhilarate the heart of the spectator.
  He describes at length the quarrying of the main local minerals – limestone, and to a lesser extent coal. Turning to the climate and health of the population. The prevailing winds are from the south-west and north-east, which bring heavy rains. The people are on the whole as healthy as in any other parish in the district. He notes that several folk each year reached the age of 95 or over. On the other hand cholera had visited the area twice in recent years, the second in 1834 being most severe.
  On the subject of civil history there is detailed description of numerous antiquities and family histories of the Mures of Caldwell, the family of Ralston and Hugh Mongomerie of Braidstane.
  Agriculture was a large part of the economy with dairy products prevailing – The cheese is considered equal to the best Dunlop, and bears the highest price as such in Glasgow market. Industry and commerce included thread manufacture, flax spinning, flour milling, tanning and currying leather, bleachfields, and grain merchants. Mr Colville notes that the town is well lighted with gas. Weekly markets were held in the town of Beith on Fridays and numerous trades’ fairs at varying times over the year. Transport was by means of a daily coach from Ardrossan to Glasgow, which passes through Beith in the morning and returns on the evening. Carriers went at various weekly times to Paisley, Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Greenock, Saltcoats and Largs. The post office communications are very advantageous. There are two arrivals and departures daily, and a free delivery of letters twice a-day, and a penny-post daily to the neighbouring towns of Dalry, Kilbirnie and Lochwinnoch. There are four branches of Banks, the Commercial Bank of Scotland, the Glasgow Union, The British Linen Company, and the Paisley Commercial.
  Ecclesiastical history (understandably) consumes a large part of the account, but where another writer in another parish extolled the virtues of his new church building, this writer is thrilled with his church bell! The bell in the tower, one of the finest toned in the west country, was the gift of Robert Shedden Esq, Gower Street, London, a native of the parish …
  It is noted that there has been schooling available form some long time, records revealing that a schoolmaster was in post in 1644. The schools in the town, of which there were six, including the parish school, were responsible for the education of five hundred youngsters being nearly the tenth part of the population. Mr Colville also praises the work of the Sabbath evening schools of the time – … Mr Reid, with the assistance of two or three benevolent individuals, teaches gratuitously a school two evenings a week, which is of great benefit to a numerous portion of the poorer children, whose necessary employment prevents them from attending the day school.
  There is some discussion of benevolent societies instituted for affording relief to aged and indigent members, but these seem to have ceased through lack of funding.
  In conclusion, Mr Colville observes that since the last Statistical Account was written (in 1791), very considerable improvements have taken place in this parish. The roads, both turnpike and parochial, are in better order … the houses of the wealthier inhabitants are … more commodious and comfortable, but many of the weavers and labourers, and even the farmers, are meanly lodged. … All sorts of cloths, groceries, and butcher-meat can be got here as goods as in Glasgow … That the morals of the people are improved in proportion to their means and opportunity, it would perhaps be reckless to assert. Certainly there is no longer that reckless daring of the law which was characteristic of the place when it was a seat of smuggling; yet offences are too frequent, which are generally the results of excessive drinking … There has always been a due share of valour and patriotism in this place. At the Revolution, a company of volunteers was raised in defence of the King and constitution … During the war with Buonaparte, the Beith volunteers and local militia were always prompt and respectable; and individuals belonging to the place have fought with Abercrombie in Egypt, with Nelson at Trafalgar, and with Wellington at Waterloo.⁸
• Note for Web*: He was a JP, Inspector of the Poor & Registrar.