For some time now a couple of people researching the Cunninghams have had details of 2 generations further back than Edward Cunningham marrying Janet Hill. Another 2 of us (one of them me) have been a bit sceptical about the relationship.
However, now that the OPRs are on line we think we now have sufficient evidence to claim them as ours!!!
What do you think of this?
Our Helen Aitken born 6 Aug 1720 in Kirkliston, who marries John Cunningham born 7 Jan 1715 in Kirkliston, has parents, Thomas Aitken (Aikoun according to the OPR) and Agnus (Agnes) Bishop. One of the witnesses to the christening was Peter Bishop.
Now, there is a Patrick (which is interchangeable with Peter) Bishop b 12 Sep 1686 in Kirkliston and he has, amongst others, a sister Agnes Bishop b 18 Dec 1692 in Kirkliston. Their parents are Elspeth Bell and John Bishop. So it appears that Agnes Bishop’s brother, Patrick/Peter was the witness to Helen Aitken’s christening.
Next, Janet Hill b 18 Feb 1683 in Kirkliston married Edward Cunningham b abt 1680. A Janet Hill (amongst others) is born on that day to Janet Bell and John Hill. Fortunately Archibald Cunningham born 19 Oct 1766 had the good sense to name his 3rd daughter Janet Hill Cunningham after his grandmother, Janet Hill (1683)
Next, phew, A Janet (Jennet) Bell (1659) and Elspeth Bell (1666) (amongst others) are children of John Bell of Abercorn. Unfortunately the mother’s name is not shown, but a marriage of John Bell and Elspeth Ramsay shows on 27 Jan 1653 in Abercorn.
The only twist in the tale is that apart from Elspeth Bell being born in Abercorn to John Bell in 1666, there was also an Elspeth Bell born in Abercorn to Thomas Bell in 1669. From the dates of the children’s births, it would appear that John and Thomas are of a similar age and I would suspect they are brothers.
So the Elspeth Bell we have found who marries John Bishop, could be John’s daughter or perhaps his niece or no relation at all, which I doubt. I think Abercorn was too small a place, especially in those days, for there not to be a connection. However we have only found one Janet (Jennet) Bell (1659) whose father is John Bell.
Lastly in the West Lothian MIs we have a John Bell who died 16 Feb 1701, aged 78 and his wife Eliz Ramsay who died 4 Sep 1678 aged 46 and eight children, unnamed. He was a tenant in Halltornsyke. A Hawthornsyke has been found on a current map of the area, beside Abercorn. See http://www.streetmap.co.uk/ Just type in Abercorn Church and you’ll get it. So John was born c 1623 and Elspeth was born c. 1632.
This pair would be our gggggggg grandparents!!!
What do you think?
Jean
PS Any one else's observations are more than welcome
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