Edingburgh Grassmarket
Great-grandfather – Paternal father’s line of Williamson Family
When David James Williamson was born on 22 September 1857, in Edinburgh, Midlothian, his father, David, was 31 and his mother, Mary, was 31. He married Jemima Ritchie on 19 September 1879, in Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire. They had 12 children in 22 years. He died on 12 April 1921, in Newhills, Aberdeenshire, at the age of 63.
David James Williamson was born on 22 September 1857, at 45 Bristow Street in Edinburgh, Midlothian to Mary Fallside, age 31, and David Williamson, age 31.
David James Williamson’s Ancestor Fan Chart showing three generations
Childhood in Edinburgh
In 1857 David was living with his mother, father and siblings Rachel and Margaret, at 45 Bristow Street in Edinburgh. One year later, in 1858, his sister Mary Ann was born. By 1861 the family had moved to 59 Bristow Street, Edinburgh where his brother was born when David James was 4 years old. According to the 1871 Scotland Census, David now aged thirteen, was working as a teacher.
Siblings of David James Williamson
- Rachael Williamson [b.1854]
- Margaret Williamson [b.1855]
- Mary Ann Williamson [b.1858]
- George Williamson [b.1861]
David James Williamson married Jemima Ritchie on 19 September 1879, at Borrowmuirhil in Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, when he was 21 years old.
Scotland and Teaching
David James Williamson followed his passion for teaching during his entire lifetime; he started teaching in Edinburgh before moving in the late 1870’s to Newhills, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. At that time, David was Schoolmaster in “The Old School” at Newhills, which stood opposite the Four Mile Inn on what used to be Harthill, on land held in feudal tenure since 1809. He was mentioned by former pupils as a “hie chap”, a disciplinarian who had much criticism if a capable boy hadn’t had his sums done in a given time. His wife, Jemima Williamson accompanied on the piano for the singing lessons.
The Old Schoolhouse in Midlothian, similar to the house occupied by David Williamson and his family.
Children of David James Williamson and Jemima Ritchie
Twelve children were born to David and Jemima Williamson at the Schoolhouse, Kingswells, Scotland during a period of 22 years from 1881 to 1903:
Our direct ancestor, Reginald George Williamson, was born on 19 October 1890 in Schoolhouse, Kingswells, Newhills, Scotland and passed away on 21 April 1956, at Northmead, New South Wales, Australia – Reginald George Williamson 1890–1956
David James Williamson was Schoolmaster at “The Schoolhouse”, Kingswells, Parish of Newhills, when he suffered from apoplexy and died in April 1921. The Value of his Estate, was £125:12: 3.