James Runciman b. 13 Dec 1800 Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland d. 16 Dec 1871 Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland
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James Runciman

Male 1800 - 1871  (71 years)


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  • Name James Runciman  [1
    Born 13 Dec 1800  Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    Christened 30 Dec 1800  Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Gender Male 
    Reference Number 16766 
    Will 08 Jun 1858  Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5
    • At the time of writing the will, his youngest daugher was 2, and eldest son 18, but destined to die 6 years before his father, leaving the younger son to inherit Wantonwalls. The estate was to be divided unequally, sons to receive in the proportion of £3, the daughters in the proportion of £2. Specific property and relationships mentioned include:
      Second the whole heritable and moveable estate conveyed to me by Disposition by John Runciman Portioner of Earlston in my favor dated the 7th Jan 1850 and in particular All and Haill that dwelling House in Earlston yard thereof and little park together with the Rigg Park now thrown into one by taking away the division between them belonging to the said house and yard bounded by the Lands of Sarah Trotter and John Carter on the east, the burn called Broadburn on the south, the said burn and widow Sheill's Interest on the west and the King's High Street on the north parts thereof, as the same were formerly possessed by James Purves late of Purveshaugh and thereafter by Patrick Murray Chyraproy in Earlston* and thereafter by the deceased [PAGELINK:]11331;John Runciman[:PAGELINK] weaver in Earlstoun my Grandfather and [PAGELINK:]5539;David Runciman[:PAGELINK] also weaver there his father together with the tiends parsonage and vicarage of the said yards and parks: also all and haill that piece of ground called the yonder croft lying on the south side of the town of Earlstoun bounded by the meadow ground called the Spott of the Huls (?) on the east, the lands of John Carter on the south, the lands of Mr John Shiell on the west, and the lands of Barbara Tod on the north parts as the same were sometime possessed by Robert Pringle shoemaker in Earlstoun, But always with and under the burden and servitude of a high road through the said piece of ground in manner mentioned in the former titles thereof as also All and Whole that field or parcel of land in Earlstoun called Brigg's which sometime belonged to John Purves, Shoemaker in Earlsoun and John Purves Cousin of the said John Purves Shoemaker in Earlstoun lying below the Kelso Road leading from Earlstoun to Georgefield bounded by the Lands of George Baillie Esquire on the east the said road to Georgefield on the south the Huntpool lane and land which sometime belonged to Janet Lindsay on the west and the High Street of Earlstoun on the north parts with haill houses and yards thereto belonging being parts and portions of the lands which were by the Decreet of Divison of the Running lands of Earlstoun allocate and set apart to John Purves in two parcels whereof the Lands and others above described is one parcel all as sometime possessed by the said John Purves and his cottars - and:
      Fourth: All and Whole the sum of £200 sterling subject to the conditions and provisions specified in the Agreement after mentioned, to which sum I have right jure mariti on the death of Margaret Lauder or Wight widow of the late [PAGELINK:]41649;George Wight[:PAGELINK] farmer at Newbiggingwalls in virtue of an Agreement entered into between and amonst said Wiliam Wight, George Wight, farmer at Ormiston Mains, Thomas Wight formerly farmer at Newbiggingwalls, now at Midburn, Beatrice Wight or Jamieson, spouse of the said George Jamieson, [PAGELINK:]41639;Margaret[:Pagelink] Wight or Shiells (sic), spouse of [PAGELINK:]41638;James[:PAGELINK] Shiels (sic), farmer at Colmsliehill and Eliza Wight or Runciman my wife, children of the said George Wight, and the said George Jamieson, James Shiels and one for ourselves and as taking burden on us for our spouses dated the fourth and seventh days of Sept 1843;
      * it may be of interest to know that this Patrick Murray may well be the one referred to in the entry for Earlston in Groome's Ordnance Gazetteer, Scotland:
      "Its chief historical interest, however, centres in the memorials and traditions which connect it with Thomas the Rhymer, a stone embedded in the wall of the parish church bearing inscription, 'Auld Rhymer's race lies in this place'."
      'Thomas Rimor de Ercildun' appears as witness to a charter of Petrus de Haga to Dryburgh Abbey ... somewhere between 1260 and 1270; and a fragment of the 'Rhymer's Tower' still stands between the town and Leader Water. ...a MS ... supposed to be earlier than 1320, contains what was said to be one of his predictions, .. styled the 'Father of Scottish poetry'.. Seven years he tarried in Elfland, and then was permitted to revisit earth only on the condition that he should, when summoned, return to his mistress the queen.. (which happened of course) ... thenceforth to 'dree his weird' in Fairyland. ... Nor, though the voice of tradition predicts his return to earth, has he ever again been seen in the haunts of living men."
      Groome's continues: "His spirit, however, appears to have lingered in the tower he left, for his mantle was reputed to have descended on the shoulders of 'one Murray, a kind of herbalist, who, by dint of some knowledge of simples, the possession of a musical clock, an electrical machine, and a stuffed alligator, added to a supposed communication with Thomas, lived for many years in very good credit as a wizard So Sir Walter in his Scottish Minstrelsy; but Mr Robert Chambers in Popular Rhymes of Scotland, shows that his hearsay account refers to Mr Patrick Murray, an enlightened and respectable medical practitioner of good family connections, talents, and education, who in 1747, possessed, with other property, the Rhymer's Tower, and there pursued various studies of a philosophical kind, not very common in Scotland during the 18th Century".
    Rhymers Tower Earlston
    Rhymers Tower Earlston
    The Rhymer's Tower, Earlston, Nov 2005; Taken by Robert McC
    Will 27 Dec 1867  Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    • as a previously named executor, George Jamieson had since died, James is described as James Sheils Junior, farmer of Colmsliehill, son of James Shiels, The codicil also notes that the previously mentioned £200 owed him on the death of [PAGELINK:]41639;Margaret[:PAGELINK] Lauder or Wight had been paid since writing his original will (so I assume that his mother-in-law had died)
    Died 16 Dec 1871  Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    • cert reads: James Runciman, farmer married to Elizabeth Wight, died 2pm, aged 72 of a) small pox, vaccinated, 1 week, b) pleurisy, 2 days, cert by W B Robertson MD Lauder, s/o David Runciman, farmer and Janet m.s. Lockie, both dec., Inf. son George Runciman
    Will 08 Mar 1872  Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    • 8th Jun 1858, with codicil dated 27th Dec 1867||The 2 page document recorded the value of his inventory "to date of Oath, (23rd Feb 1872) situated in Scotland amounting in value to one thousand nine hundred and eighty eight pounds thirteen shillings and ten pence sterling"
    Buried Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    • the h/stone reading: Erected by James Runciman, farmer Wantonwalls imo David Runciman his son who died 8.7.1866 aged 26 also the above James Runciman who died at Wantonwalls 16.12.1871 aged 72 also Eliza Wight his wife who died there 24.12.1871 aged 56 also their dtr Elizabeth who died at 25 Comiston Rd, Edinburgh 7.7.1924 aged 68 Margaret Lauder eldest dtr widow of James Rae Fairlaw Reston who died at Comiston Rd 12.7.1929 aged 86 Janet Lockie who died at Comiston Rd 30.7.1929 aged 84. All three buried in Morningside Cem. Edinburgh
    Person ID I16766  Runciman Lineage 1a - Wanton Walls
    Last Modified 6 Feb 2016 

    Father David Runciman,   b. Abt Oct 1751, Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Jan 1825, ?Wanton Walls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 73 years) 
    Mother Janet Lockie,   b. Abt 1757, ?Earlston, Par. of Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 25 Sep 1830, ?Wanton Walls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 73 years) 
    Married 29 Oct 1785  Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [6, 7
    • this date/place apparently being recorded in the Earlston Kirk Session Minutes for Nov 26 as follows: "... compared before the Session David Runchiman and Janet Lockie both in this parish, and produced a Certificate of their Marriage dated at Edinburgh the Twenty Ninth Day of October Jajii (ie 1700) and Eighty Five and signed by James Wilson the Celebrator and John Wilson and Elizabeth Leslie and Agnes Bruce witnesses. They were rebuked for their Irregular Marriage and were admonished having adhered to One another as Man and Wife." the Kirk receiving a payment of 3/- on the same date
    Family ID F5  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Eliza Wight,   b. 28 Jan 1815, Lauder, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 Dec 1871, Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 56 years) 
    Married Est 1838  ?Earlston, Par. of Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Census 1861  Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [8
    • RUNCIMAN: James 60 Farmer Of 243 Employing 8 Labs b Lauder; wife Eliza 46 b Lauder; Children: David 21, Margaret 18, Janet 15, George 6, Elizabeth 5, James 1 mos all "farmer's son/dtr", b Lauder; Also John Beattie 25, Thomas Stewart 18, Geroge Ronaldson 17, Isabellia Kelly 19, Margaret Luthead 25
    Census 1871  Lauder, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [9
    • RUNCIMAN: James, 70, Elizabeth 56, Janet L 25, George W 16, Elizabeth J 15
    Children 
     1. David Runciman,   b. Abt 1840, ?Earlston, Par. of Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 08 Jul 1866, ?Wanton Walls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 26 years)
     2. Margaret Lauder Runciman,   b. 26 Dec 1842, Lauder, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Jul 1929, Comiston Rd (25), Edinburgh Morningside, Dist of Newington, Midlothian, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years)
     3. Janet Lockie Runciman,   b. Abt 1845, ?Earlston, Par. of Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Jul 1929, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 84 years)
     4. George Wight Runciman,   b. 23 Apr 1854, Lauder, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 05 Jan 1931, West Mains, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years)
     5. Elizabeth Runciman,   b. 29 Jan 1856, Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 07 Jul 1924, Comiston Rd (25), Edinburgh Morningside, Dist of Newington, Midlothian, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 68 years)
     6. James Wight Runciman,   b. Abt Jun 1860, Wantonwalls?, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 May 1861, Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 0 years)
    Last Modified 6 Mar 2016 
    Family ID F11  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 13 Dec 1800 - Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChristened - 30 Dec 1800 - Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - Est 1838 - ?Earlston, Par. of Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsWill - 08 Jun 1858 - Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 1861 - Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsWill - 27 Dec 1867 - Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 1871 - Lauder, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 16 Dec 1871 - Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsWill - 08 Mar 1872 - Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • Primarily included on this site to show where the family info about the [PAGELINK:]16604;"brother in London"[:PAGELINK] whose children were brought up at Wanton Walls fits into the family equation
    • The author, George Smith, quotes from the memoirs of "the venerable Dr Fairbairn of Newhaven": "John Wilson was one of a group of boys who received their early education at the parish school of Lauder, and most of whom proceeded together to the University of Edinburgh. .. [various names listed, incl.] [PAGELINK:]16755; James [:PAGELINK] and [PAGELINK:]41524;David[:PAGELINK] Runciman ... and others."
      "... There was one of our number (James Runciman) whom our teacher always characterised as the 'boy who never told a lie', and he used to associate John Wilson with him in this honourable distinction."
    • Runciman-213

  • Sources 
    1. [S699] MIs: BEW: Earlston - book, Borders FHS, (Borders FHS, Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland), #499 James RUNCIMAN and family, extracted Sep 2005.

    2. [S1597] FamilySearch Labs Record Search (LDS), Bith 13th Dec Bap. 30th Dec 1800 James s/o David RUNCIMAN & Janet LOCKIE, Earlston, Berwickshire, from Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950 batch C11736-2 film 1067895, rechecked Oct 2011.

    3. [S104] OPR Berwick, Scotland, RUNCIMAN Births 1538-1854, Scotlands People Index, (1538-1854), Birth/Bap.? 13 Dec 1800 James d/ David RUNCIMAN & Janet LOCKIE, Earlston, from RUNCIMAN births 1700 to 1820 Earlston, Berwickshire, index searched Oct 2005.

    4. [S2343] Will: RUNCIMAN, James 1858, 1867, 1872, (Will written Jun 1858 codicil Dec 1867 Inventory 23 Feb 1872 proved 8 Mar 1872), Scotlands People., Copy d/loaded Sep 2005.
      (SC60/41/24 dated 23rd Feb 1872 detailed inventory, and Trust Dispostion & Settlement of 8th Jun 1858 and codicil 27 Dec 1867 - 27pp in all)
      (SC60/44/6 dated 8th March 1872 confirmed appointment of executors)

    5. [S1956] EM Borders/CAI Corres:McCUTCHEON, Robert S.McCutcheon, Photo of The Rhymer's Tower, Earlston, rcvd Nov 2005.

    6. [S699] MIs: BEW: Earlston - book, Borders FHS, (Borders FHS, Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland), H/stone (#498 p71) David RUNCIMAN and Janet LOCKIE and family, re-checked Sep 2005.

    7. [S2567] RUNCIMAN Corres., David RUNCIMAN, Marr. 1785 David RUNCIMAN & Janet LOCKIE, Edin, (from the Earlston Kirk Session Minutes Nov 26), rcvd May 2007.

    8. [S205] Census: 1861 Scotland via Ancestry, (1861), Lauder, Berwickshire, Reg 748 ED 4 Pg 1, Sched. 2, hsehold of James & Eliza RUNCIMAN (indexed as KUNCIMAN), extracted Feb 2012.

    9. [S3010] CEN Index: Scotland, 1871 Census Lauder Dist 748 (ED6? Page 12?), extracted from index Sep 2005.