David FINLAYSON

1845 - 1913  (67 years)

• Name	David FINLAYSON
  Nickname	the second
  Born	25 Nov 1845	Craigton Cottage, Knockbain, Inverness, Scotland, UK   [1, 2]
  	The family bible has the birth day as 17th rather than 25th. And the bible has the birth-place as "Craigton (near Inverness)".
  Gender	Male
  Public positions	In July 1882, David Finlayson and Donald Gordon nominated for the election as auditor and counsellor respectively, for the Dalkey District Council. (ref: South Australian Weekly Chronicle, 1st July 1882, p1) We need to check whether they were actually elected.
  General event	At the time of the 1881 census, David was a 15 year old student living with his parents and 18 year old sister (Margaret). All his other siblings, including his twin sister Carry, were not at home. The part of Craigton Cottage which the Finlayson were living had 5 rooms which had windows. The other, larger part of complex, with 10 rooms with windows, had been occupied by the Fraser household for several decades. The two households would have had a lot to do with each other. The children would have grown up together. There were five children in the care of their widowed mother. The Frasers must have have been quite well off:- * The father had died a few years before, but he had been a captain in the Royal Navy. * One of the boys was a student in Kings College in London * The widow's brother (who was in this household) was in the Bengal Civil Service * There were 3 domestic servants.
  General event	Biography : David was born in 1845 in Craigton Cottage, Knockbain, Rosshire (ref : family bible which also states that he was born in 'Craigton (near Inverness)'.
  General event	Father : Mundia has O.H. Finlayson as the father of David Finlayson - but this is probably not correct. David's father is believed to be David (senior).
  General event	Obituary : 21st June 1913, page 41d
  General event	Other relatives : There are indications of other people who are related to David, but their exact relationship is not clear :- * Colin FINLAYSON : Comment : I read somewhere (I can't remember where) that a brother, Colin, migrated with David, but the list of passengers on the 'Adamant' only has David. * Unknown female (ref : David's letter to Ruby 1901) : Comment : David stayed with an 'aunty and uncle Alick' at 8 Southside Place in 1901. He did not say what her given name was. In writing to his daughter Ruby he might have referred to his sister (ie Margaret) or brother (ie Alick) as 'aunt' or 'uncle' because that is their relationship to his daughter, from her point of view - just as, in his letter, he referred to Ruby's mother as 'mother' rather 'my wife' or by the name he would have called her, Mary. Otherwise the aunty might have been the wife of his father's brother (in which case her surname would have been Finlayson) or his mother's brother xxxxxor father - her surname might or xxxxx * Alexander ('Alick')- See above. He might have been David's brother, or his mother's brother or father's brother - or an in-law * Frederick - Ruby refers to cousin Fred on the back of a photo of in 1951. This might have been Fred Saltmarsh because Ruby had a cousin Fred - Frederick Saltmarsh who was the son of Mary's brother Frederick and his wife Margaret Moar - this Fred would have been 43 years old in 1951. But we discount him it is unlikely that anyone on Mary's side of the family would have been interested in visiting the Finlaysons in Inverness. More likely, he might have been a Finlayson but we have little information about any of David's nephews (ie sons of David's siblings)
  Notes for biography	Obituary: The Late Mr David Finlayson: The late Mr. David Finlayson, an old and highly-esteemed resident of Owen district, died at Balaklava on Monday morning, June 9, at the age of 67, after a long and painful illness. Deceased was born at Craighton Cottage, Parish of Nock-Kain. Roshire, November 17, 1845. He arrived in South Australia on October 15, 1865, in the ship ''Adamant." He proceeded to Alma, where he was engaged as shop assistant. He soon commenced business on his own account at Alma at what was known as "The Old Corner". A part of the old building still remains as a land mark. A few years later he opened up business in Owen, then known as the Dalkey Scrub, where he had to cut his way into the unknown town. He remained in business in Owen 25 years, when he retired. He was a resident of Owen for 32 years. He took a great interest in things pertaining to the town. He was, in the earlier days, a recognised medical man, and used to treat the whole district with homoeopathic medicines. For some time he engaged in farming pursuits. He was a staunch member of the Church of Christ. The internment took place at the Owen Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon, June 11, where a large concourse of friends assembled to pay the last tribute of respect. His first wife predeceased him some years ago. About four years ago he married Miss Ellis, of Adelaide, and afterwards lived in retirement at Unley and Glenelg. During the last six months he had resided at Balaklava. Deceased has left a widow, three sons?Messrs. Everard, Raymond, and Oliver?and four daughters?Mesdames Fisher (Melbourne), McDonald (Adelaide), J. Dillon, and James Gordon (Owen). (Wooroora Producer, Balaklava, 19th June 1913, p3)
  Immigration	Migration : David migrated from Scotland on the 'Adamant' which arrived in Adelaide on 15th October 1865.
  Occupation	Occupation : * Gardener in Scotland * Assisted in the Alma store * Had his own store * Storekeeper at Baker's Corner, about half-way between the Alma township and Hamley Bridge * 1909 - David and Donald were in business together. ?Finlayson & Gordon ? The house for farmers? requisites, ironmongery, groceries, crockery, fancy goods and confectionary etc? (Kapunda Herald, 27th Aug 1909, p3) * Storekeeper at Owen.
  Residence	Residences : * 1861 census ? Craigton Cottage * Migrated in 1865 * Alma in 1866 * Owen in 1880 * Hyde Park??? in 1911
  Died	10 Jun 1913	Owen, SA, Australia   [3]
  Person ID	I356	Alexander & Jessie
  Last Modified	30 May 2018

  
  

  Father	David FINLAYSON,   b. 1 Dec 1811, Dochmaluag, Fodderty, Scotland, UK ,   d. 2 Dec 1862, Craigton Cottage, North Kessock, Scotland  (Age 51 years)
  Mother	Marjory McLennan 'May' MCKENZIE,   b. 1806, Knockbain, Ross Shire, Scotland, UK ,   d. 8 Apr 1866, Craigton Cottage, Knockbain, Ross Shire, Scotland, UK  (Age 60 years)
  Married	12 Dec 1834	Knockbain, Scotland
  Family ID	F313	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Mary Ann SALTMARSH,   b. 26 Sept 1850, Mt Pleasant, SA, Australia ,   d. 7 May 1904, Inverness House, Owen  (Age 53 years)
  Married	23 Aug 1871	Lake Plains, SA
  	Residence of Henry Saltmarsh, Lake Plains.
  Wedding	MARRIED. Finlayson-Saltmarsh: On the 23rd August, at the residence of the bride's parents, by licence, by the Rev. R. Woolcock, Mr. D. Finlayson, of Alma, to Mary, second daughter of Mr. Henry Saltmarsh, Lake Plains. (source: South Australian Advertiser, Adelaide, 28th August 1871, p4)
  Children	+ 1. Florence May FINLAYSON,   b. 1 Oct 1872, Alma ,   d. 1959, Henley Beach, SA, Australia  (Age 86 years) + 2. Everard Cuthbert FINLAYSON,   b. 26 May 1874, Alma ,   d. 1953, Pyneham, SA, Australia  (Age 78 years) + 3. Ethel Caroline FINLAYSON,   b. 2 Sep 1875, Alma Plains, SA, Australia ,   d. 1955, Edwardstown???, SA  (Age 79 years)   4. Raymond John FINLAYSON,   b. 9 Aug 1877, Alma, SA, Australia + 5. Oliver Hamilton FINLAYSON,   b. 14 Jul 1879, Alma, SA, Australia ,   d. 11 Jul 1950??   6. Eveline Fanny FINLAYSON,   b. 21 Jul 1881, Alma-Owen ,   d. 4 Dec 1893, Owen  (Age 12 years) + 7. Marie Annie FINLAYSON,   b. 26 Mar 1883, Alma-Owen ,   d. 1972  (Age 88 years) + 8. Ruby Jubiletta FINLAYSON,   b. 9 Jul 1887, Owen, SA, Australia ,   d. 29 May 1978, Calvary Hospital, Lenah Valley, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia  (Age 90 years)
  Last Modified	11 Aug 2018
  Family ID	F119	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Fanny ELLIS,   b. 20 Nov 1859, Meadows South, SA, Australia ,   d. 1937, Rose Park, SA, Australia  (Age 77 years)
  Married	27 Oct 1909	the residence of Samuel Hamlyn, Unley Park (ref : David’s Bible)   [1]
  Children	Children : David and Fanny did not have any children.
  Last Modified	11 Jun 2018
  Family ID	F1	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		David Finlayson and Mary, nee Saltmarsh - early photo
  		Craigton Cottage in North Kessock This is the birthplace of David Finlayson.
  		David Finlayson
  		Finlaysons at Owen in 1893 Colin Semmler stated that the photo was taken about 1893 and they were David 48 yrs, Raymond 16, Ruby 5, Mary 43, Marie 10, Eveline 12, Ethel 18 and Oliver 14 yrs. For some reason, the two eldest children, Everard 19 and Florence 21, were absent at that time. The family are dressed up for a special occasion - what might this event be?
  		Finlaysons at Owen about 1898.jpg Uncertain identity as follows. Back row (left to right) - probably Oliver (or Raymond), David, Raymond (or Oliver) & Everard. Front row - probably Marie, Ruby, Mary, Ethel (or Florence) & Florence (or Ethel). The lattice indicates that this photo was taken in the same place as the other big family photo taken about 5 years earlier (1893) - probably in front of the family house in Owen. The family are dressed up for a special occasion - what might this event be?
  		David Finlayson
  		Sunday school teachers at a picnic about 1905 - including David Finlayson and someone named McLachlan. * This might have been with the Owen Church of Christ. * The caption with this photo was "Amongst the teachers are: Mr A Rodgers, Mr D Mclachlan, Pastor Finlayson, Mrs J Laurie, Mr S Grant, Mr W Rodger and Mrs Pitman". * It is most likely that Pastor' Finlayson was David Finlayson because he was a key figure in church activities. He was 60 years old in 1905. Or it could have been one of his three sons who were in their late 20s at that time. * Who was 'Mr D Mclachlan'? Could it have been James McLachlan who also very active in this church - but he died in 1904. James had an older brother, Duncan, but we have no indications he migrated from Scotland to South Australia. Or could it have been James's only son by the same name? James jnr would have been 34 years old and was the Distict Clerk in Owen in 1905.

  
  

  Documents » Slide Show		David Finlayson & Mary Saltmarsh - marriage on 23rd Aug 1871 at Henry's residence David Finlayson and Mary Saltmarsh married on 23rd Aug 1871 in the residence of Henry Saltmarsh. He was 25 years old [c1846], bachelor, store keeper living in Alma, son of David Finlayson. She was 20 years old [c1851], spinster living in Lake Plains, daughter of Henry Saltmarsh. The officiating minister was Richard Woolcock. The witnesses were Arch Cruickshank, farmer of Alma, and S McAlister, surgeon of Langhorne.
  		David Finlayson - born 25th Nov 1845 in Knockbain David Finlayson cottage of Craigton and his spouse May McKenzie had a son born who was baptized and named David NRS OPR births 073/20114 Knockbain page 114 of 230
  		Finlayson family bible DAVID FINLAYSON * Birth: At Craigton, near Inverness, Rosshire, Scotland on 17th November 1845 * Migration: Arrived in South Australia per ship "Adamant" on 15th Oct 1865 * Baptism: Immersed and received into fellowship of the Church of Christ at Alma on 2nd December 1866. * First marriage: On 23 Aug 1871 to Miss Mary Saltmarsh (died 7th May 1904) * Children: Raymond, Oliver, Everard, Florence, Maria, Ruby & Ethel * Second marriage: To Fanny Ellis (born at the Meadows South on 20th November 1859) - marriage on 27th Oct 1909 in Thornber St Unley Park (residence of S T Hamilyn - Fanny's brother-in-law) * Baptism of Fanny: Immersed on Friday 27th January 1911 and received into fellowship Church of Christ Park St Unley on following Lordsday. * Death of David: At Balaklava South Australia on 10th June 1913 - interred Owen Cemetery.
  		Census 1851 - Finlayson household in Craigton Cottage.jpg FINLAYSON household * David Finlayson, head, 37 yrs [c1814], gardener, born Fodderty * May Finlayson, wife, 44 yrs [c1807], born Knockbain * Roderick Finlayson, son, 15 yrs [c1836], scholar, born Knockbain * William Finlayson, son, 13 yrs [c1838], scholar, born Knockbain * Margaret Finlayson, daughter, 8 yrs [c1843], scholar, born Knockbain * David Finlayson, son, 5 yrs [c1846], born Knockbain * Carry Finlayson, daughter, 5 yrs [ERROR - should be Caroline aged 2 yrs c1849], born in Knockbain * Jane Beaton, house servant, 16 yrs [c1835], born Inverness * Note that John E, who would have been 14 years old [c1837], was not home at the time of the census. Maybe he was away, perhaps at boarding school?, for education which later led him to become a teacher. FRASER household * John Fraser, head, 58 yrs [c1793], Captain ret on 1/2 pay, born Inverness * Catherine C Fraser, 36 yrs [c1815], born Knockbain * James Fraser, son, 8 yrs [c1843], scholar, born Knockbain * John Edwards Fraser, son, 6 yrs [c1845], scholar, born Knockbain * Millicent Mary Fraser, daughter, 4 yrs [1847], at home, born Knockbain * Caroline M Fraser, daughter, 5 months [c1851], born Knockbain * Margaret McIntosh, house servant, 46 yrs [c1805], unmarried, born Suffolk Yarmouth * Jessie Grant, house servant, 35 yrs [c1816], unmarried, born Inverness Ardersier??? * Sally Harper, house servant, 26 yrs [c1825], unmarried, born Cromarty * Nanny Denoon, house servant, 48 yrs [c1803], unmarried, born Inverness
  		Census 1861 - Finlayson & Fraser households in Craigton Cottage - part 1 (see also part 2).pdf FINLAYSON household (part of Craigton Cottage with 5 windows) * David Finlayson, head, 47 yrs [c1814] gardener, born Fodderty * Marjory Finlayson, wife, 56 yrs [c1805], born Knockbain * Margaret Finlayson, daughter, 18 yrs [c1843], unmarried, born Knockbain (from the second part of the census) * David Finlayson, son 15 yrs [c1846], scholar, born Knockbain (from the second part of the census) * Caroline E F McK Finlayson, 12 yrs [c1849], scholar, born in Knockbain (from the second part of the census) * Note: The older boys, Roderick 25 ys, John 24 yrs & William 22 yrs, would have left home by 1861. They should show up within another household for this census - or maybe some migrated? FRASER household (section of Craigton Cottage with 10 windows) * Catherine Charles Fraser, head, 46 yrs [c1815], widow of Capt in Royal Navy, born Knockbain * John E Fraser, son, 16 yrs [c1845], student in Kings College London, born Inverness * Millicent May Fraser, daughter, 14 yrs [c1847], scholar, born Knockbain * Carolina McK Fraser, daughter, 10 yrs [c1851], scholar, born Knockbain * Roderick Willm Fraser, son, 7 yrs [c1854], born, born Knockbain * Affleck??? Alen Fraser, son, 5 yrs [c1856], born Edinburgh * Robert G Fraser, son, 2 yrs [c1859], born Knockbain * Jane McKenzie, aunt, 70 yrs [c1791], lady, born Contin * Roderick McK Edwards, brother, 35 yrs [c1826], HM Bengal Civil Service, born Inverness * Jane Grant, domestic servant, 45 yrs [c1816], unmarried, Arderseir * Isabella McIvor, domestic servant, 26 yrs [c1835], unmarried, Ross-shire Strathconnan??? * Margaret McIntosh, domestic servant, 51 yrs [c1810], unmarried, Yarmouth, England
  		Census 1861 - FINLAYSON household in Craigton Cottage - part 2 See part 1 for details
  		David Finlayson's letter to his daughter, Ruby, while he was visiting Scotland - in 1901
  		Adamant - voyage from London to Adelaide in 1865 David Finlayson was a 20 year old [c1845], labourer, travelling without family.
  		Alma Church of Christ
  		Dalkey Church of Christ Mentions of Donald Gordon, Jame McLauchan and David Finayson
  		Evangelistic Union of Churches of Christ in SA - Dec 1883

  
  

  Our places

  0.04 - Craigton Cottage Three places called Craigton Cottage were associated with the Finlaysons:- * North Kessock - where the Finlayson family lived for several decades (1840s, 1850s & 1860s), and where David was born in 1845. It is now called Croft Downie. * 8 Southside Place in Inverness - and where one of David's siblings lived in the 1890s & 1900s - and where David visited in 1901. * Park Street, Hyde Park in Adelaide - where David lived for a short time in 1911. (Don Gordon - updated in May 2019)

  
  

  Stories

  2.40 - David FINLAYSON and Mary, nee SALTMARSH David was born in 1845 in Craigton Cottage near Inverness. When he was 19 years old, he migrated to South Australia and settled in Alma. Mary was born in 1850 in Mt Pleasant in South Australia. They were married in 1871 and they had eight children. Their youngest child was Ruby born in 1887 - she married James Gordon. The Finlaysons were initially living in Alma and moved to Owen in 1880. David had the local store and was prominent in local community life, particularly with the Churches of Christ. (Biography by Don Gordon - updated June 2019)

  
  

• Sources

  [S53] David Finlayson's Bible. [S11] Old Parochial Register, Birth record attached to this profile. [S18] Gravestone.