Thread: John Neilson living in New York in 1847

I'm hoping someone can help me with this one ...



I have a relative John Neilson b. 9 Oct 1818 in Blairgowrie, Perthshire who emigrated to the US before the 1841 Scottish Census was called as there is no record for him then - or in later years.



However, I have discovered that he was provided for in his father's Extract, Disposition & Settlement (Last Will & Testament) of 1847 and then in 1885 an entry in the Trust Disposition & Deed of Settlement ofhis (rather wealthier) sister Cecilia shows that she directed her Trustees to:

"... set aside and invest in their own names the sum of £500 out of the Trust Estate under their charge and to pay and account for the whole interest and other annual profits arising therefrom to John Neilson, Baker, Brooklyn, New York, during his life and at his death to pay and divide the capital sum to and among his children then alive, the capital sum to and among his children then alive equally share and share alike ..."

£500 sterling from 1885 is worth around £38,700 or US$72,110 today!



I don't think he was married when he emigrated - although I'm prepared to stand corrected - but I'd like to find out WHEN he emigrated ... WHEN, WHERE & IF he married ... DETAILS of any issue ... and anything else that comes to light for him.

Hi Chiad Fhear,



Have you any idea of his occupation in 1847 .

Hi Starlight ... Nice to hear from you again



I'm afraid I have no more than what you see for John plus his parents and grandparents. His grandfather was a Wright (joiner) and his father an Excise Officer.



Had he appeared on the 1841 Census I would have been able to determine his occupation from it.



The reference to him as a 'Baker' in his sister's Will is the best I can do

Hi Chiad Fhear,



I haven't forgotten about you. I have found a John Nelson, a baker in New York and born in Scotland. There is also a John Neil but he is a carpet designer. I cannot find a John Neilson born around the right time. There is one John Neilson on the passenger lists born around the right time but he would have been in Scotland still in 1841. I will get back to you.

Thanks Starlight.



John's Father's 'Disposition and Settlement' of 1847 reads:

"I James Neilson formerly of the Excise in Scotland now residing at Gowan Brae, Blairgowrie, considering it to be a duty incumbent on me for the welfare of my family to settle my affairs in the event of my death, and that my sons Alexander and John have already received from me what I consider will be equal to the shares of what I have to leave to the others of my family ..."

As I said earlier, I couldn't find John on the 1841 Census but then he 'appeared' here and again in his sister Cecilia's Will as being in New York, so I assumed, perhaps wrongly, that he'd emigrated 'across the pond' before 1841.



Regards

Hi Chiad Fhear,



I cannot find another one near the right date of birth. He is a joiner , but if he is the right one should be on the 1841 & 1851 census.



John Neilson

Arrival Date:12 Aug 1851

Estimated Birth Year:abt 1817

Age:34

Gender:Male

Port of Departure:Glasgow, Scotland

Destination:United States of America

Place of Origin:Scotland

Ethnicity/Race*/Nationality:Scottish (Scotish)

Ship Name:American Lass

Port of Arrival:New York

Port Arrival State:New York

Port Arrival Country:United States





William Neilson/25/Ploughman/Scotland

Ellen Neilson/23/

William Hunter/27/Merchant/



John Neilson/34/Joiner/Scotland

Agnes Neilson/29/ "

Agnes Neilson/7/ "

Thomas Neilson/6/ "

Mary Neilson/4/ "

Samuel Neilson/3/ "

James Neilson/10 Months/ "



If you think this could be the right John let me know and I will try tracing them on the census.

I'm not sure Starlight. I need to look harder for Census returns I think.

Thanks anyway.