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"William Neilson married about 1765, Jean Stewart of Erskine, great grand daughter of John Miller. William Neilson was one of the first of the company to leave Scotland. The parents of his wife were opposed to her coming to America and had even persuaded her to remain with thern. She accompanied him to Glasgow to see him off, but when the time for parting came, her affection for her husband prevailed, and she cast her lot with his. They sailed on the brig Jean for Portsmouth, N. H. The vessel was old and out of repair; it was only by good fortune and constant care, in which his skill as a carpenter was often called into service, that it was kept afloat on what proved to be its last voyage, and they made harbor one day ahead of a great storm.
Mrs. Nelson was short and thickset, a great worker. She was born in Erskine parish in 1737. and died in Ryegate, Sept. 15, 1825. William died Jan. 23, 1831; buried at Ryegate Corner. By steady industry, enterprise and good management he accumulated a very large property, estimated at his death to be between eighty and one hundred thousand dollars, a vast sum in those days, making him the richest man who ever lived in Ryegate. His will, drawn up by Mordecai Hale of Barnet, was contested by some of his heirs, and considerable money was spent in the resulting litigation. William and Jean Nelson had 7 children and 72 grand children. Twenty-eight of the latter were grand sons, and 42 were grand daughters. Ten died in infancy or childhood." [1]
Jean Stewart Neilson died 23 Jan 1831 and is buried in the Blue Mountain Cemetery, Ryegate Corner, Caledonia, Vermont. Find A Grave: Memorial #69629823 23 Aug 2019. (Headstone engraving appears to be on the reverse of her husband's - ? RHSeale)
If the notes in Ryegate History regarding her great grandfather being John Miller through a daughter named Isabel are accurate, Jean's lineage may be as follows:
Jean Stuart, ch. Jun 1737 in Cathcart, Renfrewshire, Scotland, daughter of John Stuart and Agnes Cochran.[2]
Jean's mother may be Agnes Cochrane, ch. 28 May 1704 in Abbey, Renfrewshire, Scotland, daughter of Hew Cochrane[3]
Hew Cochrane m. Isobell Millar 8 Nov 1711 in Abbey, Renfrewshire, Scotland[4] This is where the theory may break down as this marriage date is after the christening of their presumed daughter Agnes. A FamilySearch tree addresses this by assigning a previous wife to Hew (and different mother to Agnes), Martha Kerr.[5] They married 11 Aug 1691 in Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, Scotland.[6]
Hew may be the son of Hew Cochran and Margaret Cochran, ch. 27 Sep 1674 in Kilbarchan.[7] Parents may have married 13 Nov 1673, again in Kilbarchan[8]
However, while not universally applied, note traditional Scottish naming pattern:
This more strongly suggests that Jean was Jean Stewart ch. 3 Feb 1740 in Erskine, daughter of Robert Stewart and Mary Simson.[9][10] A Miller connection has not yet been found for this family.
See also:
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