Looking for information about my great great grandfather James Smith, born c.1775 "in the Edinburgh area." He married Patience Austin at London on 20 Nov 1808, and from 1809 until 1835 lived at Aberdeen, where he was for many years “Gardener to P. Milne Esq, Union Street" then about 1820-21 went into business for himself as a gardener, nurseryman and seedsman. He and his family left Aberdeen for Canada in 1835. I have tentatively identified James Smith's employer to have been Patrick Milne Esq. of Crimonmogate, a wealthy businessman and politician, who died on 16 May 1820, i.e. about the time that James Smith started his own business.  A short biography of James Smith, most likely contributed late in life by his son (my great grandfather) George, but with several factual errors, says that James was one of three brothers, and he was the only one of them to emigrate to Canada. James Smith named his first son William. He called the farm (and nursery) he started in Canada "Newington Farm" which supports the idea that he came from Edinburgh. On the assumption that James' father's name was William Smith, I was able to find a couple of possible baptisms from St Cuthberet's parish c.1775, one of them being son of a Gardener named William Smith. The baptism record reads Register of Baptisms in 1776 (at St. Cuthbert's) March 2nd Smith William Gardener at Causeway Side and Margaret Laing his spouse had a Son Born Saturday the 24th Ult. name James Witt John Smith Wright at Cassour Mills and Robert Cleghorn Inn Keeper Bristo Street The record of the marriage of William Smith and Margaret Laing reads as follows: O.P.R. Marriages Edinburgh Sab: 30 Dec. 1770 William Smith Gardener and Margaret Leing Daugh of the Deceasd. John Laing farmer in the parish of Ellon now both in Lady Yesters Kirk parish. William and Margaret had three sons; the others were Alexander (1773) and Thomas (1778). Does anyone recognize any of the above names? My transcription of the address of the witness John Smith "Cassour Mills" sounds wrong (and I could not find any reference to such a place). I found on an old map of Edinbugh that there was indeed a Nursery located on Causeway Side which was founded in 1770 by Peter Lawson, so many of the facts seem to fit, but there is still far too much conjecture for me to be able to say I am on the right track. Peter Smith Vienna, Austria   __________________________________________________________________ Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! http://www.flickr.com/gift/

IS there a chance that's Canonmills? Judy On 6 Oct 2008, at 13:20, Peter Smith wrote: > Cassour Mills