Fifth Generation

16. James (The Laird) HERRIOT+¹⁶ was born on 21 Apr 1821 in Herriot Bank, Whitsome.. He was baptized on 20 May 1821 in Whitsome & Hilton.. He died of heart failure on 2 Jul 1872 in Leetside. He was Farmer Herriot Bank (owner) & Leetside (tenant), Whitsome, succeeding father.. He was educated in locality. He was living in Leetside, Whitsome.. He was ?presbyterian.. Of farming stock with his older sister & two younger brothers.
Inherited Herriot Bank (hence "The Laird") & also farmed Leetside ( as a tenant).

A larger than life personality locally.

Before marrying was best Man to neighbouring farmer of Winfield ,John Clay,who became the national founder of what is now the NFU. Biography of J.Clay mentions children going to school in Ayton with Herriots and Allans in a noddy,an ancient springless carriage. Schoolmaster Trotter there ultimately became famous headmaster of Edinburgh Academy. This was a first time that Herriots' education was better than local, perhaps thanks to John Clay's influence, and was reflected in their chosen callings. (J. Clay b. 1825, m. Patricia 1850, children;John b.1852,Janet b.1852,Ann Wilson b. 1854,Patricia b. 1856,Charles b. 1860,Agnes b. 1861)

Marriage to Margaret Elphinstone was conducted by Rev Alexander Christison of Foulden:Witnesses were Margaret Sibbald (?cousin of Bride) & John Tait.

Leetside farm still exists. Herriot Bank farm recently grew shrubs,plants,strawberries etc. and has since been broken up (sold up piecemeal).

Was only 6 years old when father died at ripe age.

I have copies of documents incl his Will. Of his 10 children none of the girls married!

James (The Laird) HERRIOT+ and Margaret Elphinstone ROBERTSON+ were married on 23 Jan 1855 in Preston Kirk, secondly Whitsome.. Margaret Elphinstone ROBERTSON+¹⁷ (daughter of John ROBERTSON, Rev and Margaret SIBBALD) was baptized on 12 Jan 1835 in Coldingham. She was born in 1835 in Whitsome & Hilton, Berwickshire. She was buried in 1914 in Whitsome. She died on 10 Jul 1914 in Tweedsmuir, Chirnside. Only daughter of Rev John Roberson minister of Whitsome & wife Margaret Sibbald .

Mother was dead by time of marriage,but another Margaret Sibbald & a Mr Tait were witnesses of marriage.

A "portrait" of her hangs at bottom of my The Garden House stairs and discourages any licentiousness!

Colonel A Tower Robertson becomes involved in family affairs after World War I . Obviously a relation of Margaret's, possibly a nephew. He lived in Ravensdowne, Berwick.
Unmarried.

Her children were all better educated, whether due to her influence or that of nationally famous neighbour John Clay, wiyh whose family they were educated. James (The Laird) HERRIOT+ and Margaret Elphinstone ROBERTSON+ had the following children:

+31	i.	David(3) HERRIOT+.
32	ii.	John (Jack) HERRIOT+ was born in 1857 in Leetside, Whitsome. He was buried in Nov 1916 in Salonica (Lembet Rd) Mil. Cemetry, grave 699, Greece. He died on 25 Nov 1916 in 5 Canadian Hospital, Salonica (pneumonia,malaria). He was in Agricultural Services. He was educated in Ayton. He was living in ?Duns. He was ?presbyterian. Obituary refers to his having been "closely connected with agriculture over the county" and "identified with politics, being Secretary and Agent of Berwickshire Unionist Association". He held the Medal of the Ellem Fishing Club. Played cricket for Berwick under pseudonym T.B. Scott. Died in Salonica while serving at the age of 59 with the Royal Army Service Corps, Mechanical Transport Company.
33	iii.	Margaret Catherine HERRIOT ARRC was born in 1859 in Leetside, Whitsome. She was baptized in 1859 in probably Whitsome & Hilton. She was buried in 1943 in Whitsome. She died on 18 Oct 1943 in Edinburgh. She was Assistant Lady Suprintendent, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. She was living in 2 Inverleith Terrace, Edinburgh. She was ?presbyterian.
+34	iv.	James(2) HERRIOT+.
35	v.	William HERRIOT was born in 1862 in Leetside, Whitsome. He was baptized in 1862 in probably Swinton & Hilton. He died in 1926 in Chalmers Hospital, Edinburgh. He was buried in 1926 in Whitsome. He was educated in Ayton. He was ?prebyterian.
36	vi.	Isabella Jane (Nain) HERRIOT+ was born in 1863 in Leetside, Whitsome. She died on 19 Oct 1937 in Nursing Home, Edinburgh. She was buried 21.19.1937 in Warriston Cemetery, Edinburgh. She was Housewife. She was ?prebyterian. She was the housekeeper of the sisters .
37	vii.	Elphinstone Margaret HERRIOT was born in 1865 in Leetside, Whitsome. She died on 15 Nov 1929 in Nursing Home, Edinburgh. She was buried on 18 Nov 1929 in Warriston Cemetery, Edinburgh. She was Sister Royal Infirmary, Matron Southfield Sanatorium, Liberton in Edinburgh. She was baptized in probably Swinton & Hilton. She was living in 2 Inverleith Terrace, Edinburgh. She was probably presbyterian.
38	viii.	Charles(5) HERRIOT was born in 1867 in Leetside, Whitsome. He was christened in 1867 in probably Swnton & Hilton. He died on 15 Feb 1903 in Somerset Hosp., Cape Town (After Accident). He was buried in 1903 in Cape Yown. He was living in 1903 in 84 Loop Street, Cape Town. He was educated in Ayton. He emigrated pre1903 from UK to South Africa, Cape Town. He was probably Presbyterian.
+39	ix.	Thomas Grierson HERRIOT+.
40	x.	Unknown HERRIOT was born in 1872 in Leetside, Whitsome.. He died in 1872 in Leetside, Whitsome on birth.