James Rodger

 Born on December 25th 1837 according to the Rodger Family Bible.

Source: New Register House, Edinburgh.

Source: New Register House, Edinburgh.
 

1. Robert Rodger (Colliery Blacksmith) was born on 24th May and christened on 10th June 1832 in Fenwick and married on the 19th of June 1863 in Kilmarnock to Margaret Robertson Clark. Margaret Clark was born on the 23rd of June and christened on the 4th of July 1841 in Stewarton to John Clark and Jean Begg.   Margaret  was 10 years younger than Robert Rodger.

Births in the Parish of Fenwick in the County of Ayr - Film 1041376 OPR 592/3 Page 669.
Robert son to Robert Roger and Marian Stewart at Easter Broadmofs born 24th May 1832 and baptized on the 10 June by the Revd. Mr. Crosbie.
 

• Elizabeth Jane Rodger was born on the 25th of October 1863 in Kilmarnock.
• Robert Rodger (Slater) was born on the 19th of October 1865 in Riccarton.
• Marion Rodger was born on the 29th of March 1868 in Kilmarnock.
• Sarah Kirkland Rodger was born on the 27th of December 1870 in Kilmaurs.
• Margaret Rodger was born in 1879 in Irvine.
  
  
2. Andrew Rodger (Farm Servant, Carter) was born on 13th September and christened on 29th September 1833 in Fenwick and married on the 31st of December 1861 in Dundonald to Janet Wallace.  Janet may have been born on the 20th of March 1838 in Irvine to Hugh Wallace and Janet MacAllister.  Andrew and Janet are buried in the Old Kirk Cemetery in Irvine.

Births in the Parish of Fenwick in the County of Ayr - Film 1041376 OPR 592/3 Page 672.
Andrew son to Robert Roger and Marian Stewart at Balgramill born 13th September and baptized on the 29 said Month by the Revd. Dr. Laurie Junior.
 

• Janet Rodger was born on the 6th of May 1862 in Stewarton.
• Robert Rodger (Carter) was born on the 12th of July 1864 in Kilwinning.
• Hugh Rodger (Carter) was born on the 4th of January 1867 in Kilwinning.
• John Rodger was born on the 21st of June 1869 in Irvine.
• Marian Rodger was born on the 6th of September 1871 in Irvine.
• Mary Rodger was born on the 13th of February 1874 in Irvine.
• Andrew Rodger was born in 1876 in Irvine.
• Angus Wallace Rodger was born in 1879 in Irvine.
  
  
3. Lockhart Rodger was born on 13th December 1835 in Fenwick.  A Lockhart S. Rodger died in 1900 in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada.  No idea yet if this is the same person.

Births in the Parish of Fenwick in the County of Ayr - Film 1041376 OPR 592/3 Page 678.
Lockhart Rodger son to Robert Roger and Marian Stewart in Linnbrae parish of Stewarton born the 13 December 1835 and baptized by the Revd. Mr. Crosbie.
 

4. James Rodger (Spirit Labourer - Muchart Railway, Fireman Gas Works, Gas Manager) was born on December 4th 1837 and christened on 31st January 1838 in Fenwick, and married on the 25th of November 1864 in Stewarton to Ann Mackie.
   
   
5. John Wylie Rodger was born on 5th April and christened on 26th April 1840 in Fenwick.

Births in the Parish of Fenwick in the County of Ayr - Film 1041376 OPR 592/3 Page 686.
John Wyllie son to Robert Roger and Marian Stewart in Easter Broadmoss born 5th April and baptized on the 26 said month by the Reverend Mr. Ferguson.
 

6. Jean Wylie "Jane" "Jeanie" Rodger was born on the 3rd August and christened on the 14th August 1842 in Stewarton and married on the 21st of June 1861 in Stewarton to William Walker (Carter). Jeanie Rodger died on the 2nd of June 1912 in Kilwinning at age 68.  William Walker was a Carter, and was born on the 4th of May 1836 in Stewarton to John Walker and Jesse Mitchell.  He died on the 17th of November 1910 in Kilwinning at age 73.  Both are buried in Kilwinning cemetery (see below).

Births in Stewarton in the County of Ayr - Film 1041470 OPR 616/4 Page 817.
Jean Wylie daughter to Robert Rodger, Labourer, in Wardlaw, and, Marion Stewart his Spouse. Born 3rd curt.
 

• Marion Wyllie Walker was born on the 3rd of August 1861 in Stewarton.
• John Walker (Quarryman) was born in 1862/63 in Stewarton.
• Robert Walker (Carter) was born on the 13th or 30th of January 1865 in Kilwinning.
• William Walker (Coal Pitheadman) was born on the 25th of January 1867 in Kilwinning and married in 1889 in Beith to Martha McKillop (Dairymaid).  Martha may have been born on the 29th of August 1866 in Irvine to John McKillop and Margaret Millar.  William died on the 2nd of July 1936 at Sunnyside, aged 69.  Martha died on the 15th of October 1935 at Sunnyside, aged 69.  Both are buried in Kilwinning cemetery (see below).
• Jessie Walker was born on the 16th of December 1869 in Kilwinning.
• Andrew Walker was born on the 17th of February 1872 in Kilwinning. (twin)
• Thomas "Auld Tam" Walker was born on the 17th of February 1872 in Kilwinning. (twin)
• Jane Walker was born on the 11th of May 1874 in Kilwinning.
• Annie Walker was born in 1876 in Kilwinning and married in 1901 to John Pirrie.
  • John Walker was born on the 9th of December 1899 in Kilwinning.  John had a garage at the top of Tammy Dale's Road in Kilwinning.
• Mary Walker was born in 1879 in Kilwinning.

Epitaph on gravestone in Kilwinning Cemetery (Source: John Walker, descendant)

"In loving memory of our dear mother Martha McKillop died at Sunnyside, 15 Oct. 1935 aged 69 Also our dear father William Walker died at Sunnyside 2nd July 1936 aged 69 Also our grandfather William Walker died 17th November 1910 aged 73 Also our grandmother Jeanie Roger [sic] died 2nd June 1912 aged 68."

7. Marion Rodger was born on the 23rd August and christened on the 1st September 1844 in Stewarton and married on the 31st of December 1867 in Stewarton to Mungo Kennedy (Shot Firer, Wood Sawyer).  Marion died in Kilwinning in 1877, possibly giving birth to young Mungo.  Mungo Kennedy was born on the 10th of October 1845 in Maybole to James Kennedy (Watchmaker, Journeyman) and Elizabeth Tannoch.   In 1878 in Kilbirnie, Mungo takes a new wife, Annie Cumming.   Annie was born in 1848/49 in Kilbirnie

"Mungo was a shot firer at one of the mines in Maybole. There was an accident and as a result of this accident Mungo was blinded. The Earl of Carrick (directly or indirectly) made sure that Mungo received a large amount of compensation. With this compensation money Mungo built Chamberlain Cottage in Kilbirnie, the cottage next door and the tenement block next to Chamberlain Cottage. He also had a shop built a little way down the road (on the way into Kilbirnie itself).  When I was in Kilbirnie with my wife (about 3 years ago) the name Kennedy could just been seen (although very faded) above the shop."  from Duncan Skillen, descendant.

Births in Stewarton in the County of Ayr - Film 1041470 OPR 616/4 Page 828.
Marion daughter to Robert Rodger Labourer, in Auchintiber of Kilwinning, and Marion Stewart his Spouse. Born 23rd August and Baptised 1st September 1844.
 

• James Kennedy was born on the 4th of September 1868 in Kilwinning.
• Marion Stewart Kennedy was born on the 20th of April 1870 in Kilwinning and was married in 1894 in Kilbirnie to Robert Seggie.  Her husband won a military cross in the First World War. He was a sapper, and had an underground fire fight with the opposition which he won.  There were two Robert Seggie's born in Kilbirnie, one in 1865 and another in 1871.
• Elizabeth Kennedy was born on the 8th of March 1872 in Kilwinning and was married in 1892 in Kilbirnie to Robert Shaw.  Robert Shaw (1871-1952) was born on the 24th of January 1871 in Kilbirnie to John Shaw (died 1923)and Margaret McDonald.
• Marion Shaw was born in 1893 in Kilbirnie and married in 1915 in Kilbirnie to John Skillen of Kilbirnie.  Marion died in 1954 and John around 1964.  John was the son of Hugh Skillen (1855-1915) and Hellen H. Dougan (Died 1915).  
• Hugh Skillen was born on the 22nd of August 1915 in Kilbirnie and married in 1941 to Jean Whyte.  Hugh went to Spier's School and Glasgow University.  During World War II, he was a member of the MI6 team at Bletchley Park, where Germany's Enigma codes were broken. Hugh died on the 4th of January 2004, aged 88 years.
• Robert Skillen was born in 1917 in Kilbirnie and was married to Molly Guy.
• Betty Skillen was born in 1919 in Kilbirnie and later moved to Australia.
• Others unknown.
• Robert Kennedy was born on the 24th of December 1873 in Kilwinning.
• Agnes Kennedy was born in 1875/76 in Kilwinning to Annie, Mungo's second wife, and was married around 1905 to E. Smyth.
• Mungo Kennedy was born in 1877 in Kilwinning.  A Mungo Kennedy married an Isabella Jamieson in Kilbirnie in 1908.
• David Kennedy was born in Kilwinning or Kilbirnie, around 1882 to Annie, Mungo's second wife, and was married around 1905 to ____ Ramage.
  
8. Henry Rodger (Agricultural Labourer, General Labourer) was born on 31st August and christened on 20th September 1846 in Stewarton and married on the 31st of December 1872 in Stewarton to Mary Ann Auld. Henry is the third member of the family to get married on the 31st of December. What is going on here? Worked as farm labourer in Stewarton in 1861. Witness at brother James's wedding in 1864. Signed his father's (Robert Rodger's) death certificate in 1875. Henry and his younger brother, Alexander, married sisters. Mary Ann Auld was born in Stewarton in 1844/45 to Robert Auld and Isabella Young.  Robert was born on the 20th of September 1813 in Galston and died on the 14th of March 1887 in Stewarton.  His wife, Isabella, was born on the 26th of May 1816 in Prestonpans and died in 1891 in Stewarton.
   
   Births in Stewarton in the County of Ayr - Film 1041470 OPR 616/4 Page 835.
Henry, son of Robert Rodger, labourer in Bloak, and Marion Stewart, his spouse, was born 31st Aug & bapt. 20th Sept. 1846.
 
• Isabella Rodger was born on the 16th of April 1873 in Irvine.
• Robert Rodger was born on the 28th of June 1874 in Stewarton.
• Alexander Rodger was born in 1875 in Stewarton.
• Mary Ann Rodger was born in 1877 in Stewarton and was married on the 15th of June 1897 in Irvine to Matthew Kirkland.
  • Ann Kirkland was born in 1907 and married Andrew Gray.
• Marion Rodger was born in 1879 in Stewarton.
  
  
9. Alexander Rodger (Farm Servant) was born on the 5th September and christened on 23rd September 1849 in Stewarton and married in 1876 in Stewarton to Margaret Taylor Auld. Alexander and his elder brother, Henry, married sisters. Margret Taylor Auld was born in Stewarton in 1842/43 to Robert Auld and Isabella Young.  Robert was born on the 20th of September 1813 in Galston and died on the 14th of March 1887 in Stewarton.  His wife, Isabella, was born on the 26th of May 1816 in Prestonpans and died in 1891 in Stewarton.
   
   Births in Stewarton in the County of Ayr - Film 1041470 OPR 616/4 Page 845.
Alexander, son of Robert Rodger, Labourer in Bloak, & Marion Stewart, his spouse, was born 5th bapt. 23rd September, 1849.
 
• Robert Rodger was born in 1880 in Stewarton.
  
  
10. William Rodger (Biscuit Salesman, Carter) was born on the 4th November and christened on 7th December 1851 in Stewarton and married on the 29th of June 1876 in the High Church Manse, Paisley  to Jessie Stewart (Warehouse Worker) of Beith.  They lived at 24 Caledonia Street, Paisley at the time of the marriage.  Jessie was born in 1851/52 in Beith to Duncan Stewart (Farm Servant) and Isabella Blair.  William died in Paisley in 1904.  Jessie died in Erskine in 1931.
    
    Births in Stewarton in the County of Ayr - Film 1041470 OPR 616/4 Page 853.
William, Son of Robert Rodger, Labourer and Marion Stewart, his Spouse, was born 4th Novr. & bapt. 7th Decr. 1851.

• Robert Rodger was born in 1877 in Beith, Ayrshire.  Robert emigrated to Australia in 1912/13.
• Marion Rodger was born in 1883.
• Jessie Rodger was born in 1885.
• Mary Rodger was born in 1888.
• Jane Rodger was born in 1893.

<<<< See Andrew Rodger's brothers and sisters >>>>
 

Wardlaw
 

1851 Census - Stewarton, Ayrshire - Film 1042411 ED 1 Page 2.

Bloak Village
 

1851 Census - Stewarton, Ayrshire - Film 1042411 ED 6 Page 3.

Lochside

James's elder brother Andrew.
 

1861 Census James is a Ploughman at Muirhead Farm in Irvine.  Head of household is Jean Craig age 60.

1861 Census - Stewarton, Ayrshire - LDS Film 0103807 ED 4 Page 5.

James's family.

Sandholes (Next to North Gates), Stewarton.
 

1861 Census - Stewarton, Ayrshire - LDS Film 0103807 ED 4 Page 6.

James's brother Henry is working in a neighbouring farm.

Crofsgates (Next to North Gates and Sandholes), Stewarton.
 

1871 Census - Stevenston/Saltcoats, Ayrshire - Film 0103966 ED7 Page 8

Countess Street
 

1871 Census - Stewarton, Ayrshire - Film 0103966 ED 4 Page 1.

Auchinharvie Castle

James's younger brother Alexander.
 

1881 Census - Kilmarnock, Ayrshire - Film 0203602 597 ED 23 Page 37

19 Langlands St. - 2 rooms with one or more windows.

Daughters Robina and Jessie have both died. Robina died only two days before the birth of Andrew.
 

James's son Robert is no longer at home. From the 1881 Census Index, he appears to be in Kilmaurs.

Robert Rodger 14 Kilmaurs. Farm Servant for John Smith. Born Stewarton. 598 ED5 Pg6 Film 0203603.

1881 Census - FHL Film 0203599 GRO Ref Volume 595 EnumDist 11 Page 19.

Haysholm, Irvine, Ayrshire.

James' elder brother Robert is in Irvine with his family.
 

1881 Census - FHL Film 0203599 GRO Ref Volume 595 EnumDist 4 Page 34.

9 East Bank Road, Irvine, Ayrshire.

James's elder brother Andrew has also moved to Irvine with his family.
 

1881 Census - FHL Film 0203603 GRO Ref Volume 599 EnumDist 9 Page 2.

Lylestone Row, Kilwinning, Ayrshire.

James's younger sister Jane Wyllie. Daughter Marion has presumably left home. Sons William and Thomas are missing.
 

1881 Census - FHL Film 0203603 GRO Ref Volume 599 EnumDist 7 Page 10.

Bullerholes, Kilwinning, Ayrshire.

James's younger sister Marion's family. It looks as if Marion has died and her husband Mungo has remarried, to Annie from Kilbirnie. Son Robert is also missing.
 

1881 Census - Stewarton, Ayrshire - Film 0203609 ED 11 Page 14.

James's younger brother Henry.
 

1881 Census - FHL Film 0203603 GRO Ref Volume 598 EnumDist 1 Page 25.

Busbie Cottages, Kilmaurs, Ayrshire.

James's younger brother Alexander Rodger.
 

1881 Census - FHL Film 0203672 GRO Ref Volume 644-11 EnumDist 90 Page 9.

128 Naburn Street, Govan, Lanarkshire.

James's younger brother William Rodger.
 

1891 Census - Loudoun, Ayrshire - Film 0220222 ED 13 Page 10.

New Gas Works, (probably between 15 & 23 Main Street) Newmilns - 3 rooms with one or more windows.
 

1891 Census - Loudoun, Ayrshire - Film 0220222 ED 13 Page 22.

7 Hillside Pl., Newmilns.
 

1891 Census - Loudoun, Ayrshire - Film 0220222 ED 11 Page 18.

Gasworks, (probably in Back St.), Newmilns - 3 rooms with 1 or more windows.

The Young family were not related but were close friends of the Rodger family.  William later became the gasworks manager and married Annie Murray.
 

1891 Census - Beith, Ayrshire.

Drumbuie, Barmill, Beith.

James's nephew William Walker.
 

• Linnbrae, Fenwick, Ayrshire, Scotland. 1837-1840 (birth)
• Wardlaw, Stewarton. 1841
• Stewarton, Ayrshire. 1842-1850
• Bloak Village, Stewarton. 1851
• Neilston. 1864
• Stewarton. 1864 (marriage)
• Stewarton. 1866-1869
• Countess Street, Stevenston/Saltcoats. 1871-1874
• 20 Braeside, Kilmarnock. 1877
• 19 Langlands Street, Kilmarnock. 1881
• New Gasworks, Main Street, Newmilns. 1891
• 12 Greenlodge Terrace, Bridgeton, Glasgow. 1914 (death)

• Farm Servant.
• Spirit Labourer.
• Muchart Railway.
• Fireman.
• Gasworks Manager.

Daughters Robina and Jessie both died. Robina died only two days before the birth of son Andrew.

When he was old he appeared to have hallucinations. He said to Andrew Rodger, his son, "Onnery, I canna get peace for all they black faces around my bed." Andrew Rodger told him to pass his bonnet around and they'll soon disappear. James said it worked!

James let all the town tramps sleep in the shed at the gasworks in Newmilns. His wife, Ann Mackie, fed them but wouldn't let them near the house.

Part of his duties were to dispose of the dead dogs that were found in the streets. He used to store them in a shed before burial or burning in the gasworks furnace. Got a great scare one day when he went to the shed, and one of the dogs walked out.

One day on a walk he met one of the local gentry who told James that he had been suffering from constipation. In a posh voice he told James proudly, "I had a passage this morning, accompanied by a heavy rebound."!!

Another day on a walk on a beautiful spring day, James was sitting by the roadside. Another walker stopped and said, "Good morning Mr. Rodger.  What a great day.  Sun shining.  Flowers blooming. Birds singing." James replied, "If it wasnie fur they damn't craws, I wud hear what ye wur sayin."!

Other descendants:

Duncan Skillen of Farnham, Surrey  (duncan@skillen.org.uk)
    Robert Rodger (1809) and Marion Stewart
    Marion Rodger (1844) and Mungo Kennedy
    Elizabeth Kennedy (1872) and Robert Shaw
    Marion Shaw (~1894) and John Skillen
    Hugh Skillen (1915) and Jean Whyte

John Walker of Nova Scotia ( jiw@hotmail.com )
    Robert Rodger (1809) and Marion Stewart
    Jean Wylie "Jane" Rodger (1842) and William Walker
    Annie Walker (1876)
    John Walker (1899)

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