James Fairbairn and Jane Anderson

James Fairbairn was born on the 25 October 1793 in Oldhamstocks, East Lothian. He married Jane (Jessie) Anderson, daughter of John Anderson and Elizabeth Donaldson on 2 December 1816 at Cockburnspath, Berwickshire. She was born on the 15 April 1798. They had 8 children in total, 7 boys and 1 girl.

Jane Fairbairn, born 17 February 1820 in Cockburnspath, died 22 October 1885 at Cove, Cockburnspath. She married Robert Mathison on 7 October 1845 at Lamberton Toll, Berwickshire. He was born in 1820, and died 12 August 1853 in North America. They had 4 children, Janet - Jane's step-child (1846), ? (1846), George (1849) and James (1851). 

James Fairbairn, born 13 February 1822 in Cockburnspath, died 27 October 1870, lost at sea at Coldingham, Berwickshire*. He married Jessie Paterson on 16 May 1845 in Cockburnspath. She was born in 1819/20, and died on 19 March 1884 in Cockburnspath. They had 7 children, Thomas** (1857), Mary (1846), James (1847), John Shaw** (1850), Jane (1852), Joan (1853/54) and Janet (1860).

  Notes:- *James drowned in the sea near St. Abbs Head, along with his crew on the boat

  'Follow Me' which was believed to have accidently capsized and sunk in a gale. Included

  in the crew were his brother David, Uncle Walter, nephew James and cousin Paul. James

  and his brother David were married to sisters.

  ** Thomas and John Shaw were both drowned on Black Friday, Thomas on the 'Reknown'

  and John Shaw on the 'Snowdon.'

Thomas Fairbairn, born 16 April 1826 in Cockburnspath, died 15 November 1893 Edinburgh. He married Jane Bamburgh on 12 June 1856 in Edinburgh. She was born 1829/30 in Dunfermline, Fife and died on 4 February 1909 in Edinburgh. They had 8 children, Ann (1856), Jane (1858), James (1859), Margaret (1861), Isabella (1864), Janet (1866), Thomas (1868) and David (1874). 

David Fairbairn, born 27 November 1828 in Cockburnspath, died 27 October 1870, lost at sea at Coldingham, Berwickshire*. He married Joan Paterson in 1853 at Lamberton Toll, Berwickshire. She was born 1821/22 in Dunbar, East Lothian, and died 13 February 1885 at The Terrace, Eyemouth, Berwickshire. They had 6 children, Mary (1854), James* (1855), David (1858), Thomas** (1860), Andrew Paterson (1863) and Paul (1865).

  Notes:- *David and his son James drowned alongside James Fairbairn mentioned

  above on the boat 'Follow Me.'  

  **Thomas drowned on Black Friday on the 'Florida. 

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William Fairbairn, born 7 January 1832 in Cockburnspath, died 18 November 1893 at Cockburnspath. He married Margaret Grant on 28 October 1859 in Cockburnspath. She was born in 1831/32 in Coldingham, Berwickshire and died 22 Spetember 1896. They had 3 children, John McGregor Buchanan (1863), Janet Spence (1867) and Jane (1869.)

Paul Fairbairn, born 7 September 1835 in Cockburnspath, died 11 October 1864, in the sea off Eyemouth, Berwickshire. He married Julia Paterson on 1 October 1858 in Cockburnspath. She was born in 1841 in Cockburnspath and died on 5 March 1909 in Renton Terrace, Eyemouth, Berwickshire. They had 4 children, Joan (1859), James (1861), John (1863) and Jane (1864).

  Notes:- Julia Paterson's mother Joan married David Fairbairn (above). This made David

  Fairbairn, Julia's brother-in-law as well as her step-father.

George Fairbairn, born 20 May 1839 in Cockburnspath, died 9 July 1876. He married Georgiana Pringle on 14 June 1872. She was born on 1848 in Oldhamstocks, East Lothian and died on 1 April 1873 at Cove, Cockburnspath. They had 1 child, James Pringle, who himself died aged 13. George then married Mary Laing. She was born on 22 March 1846 in Cockburnspath and died in 16 June 1916. They had 1 child, Magdalene Hall (1875/76). 

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Census Return for 1841 Cockburnspath Parish - Cove

Census Return for 1851 Cockburnspath - Cove Village

Census Return for 1861 - Cove

Census Return for 1871 - Cove

James Fairbairn died on 19 January 1875 (aged 81 yrs) at Cove, Cockburnspath of old age.

Jane Anderson died on 17 January 1872 (aged 73yrs) at Cove, Cockburnspath, of a sore throat and general debility.

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