David Runciman

     David Runciman was christened on 29 Oct 1751 at Earlston, BEW, SCT.^2,1,5
     David Runciman married Janet Lockie on 29 Oct 1785 in Edinburgh, MLN, SCT, this date/place apparently being recorded in the Earlston Kirk Session Minutes for Nov 26 as follows: "... compared before the Session David Runchiman and Janet Lockie both in this parish, and produced a Certificate of their Marriage dated at Edinburgh the Twenty Ninth Day of October Jajii (ie 1700) and Eighty Five and signed by James Wilson the Celebrator and John Wilson and Elizabeth Leslie and Agnes Bruce witnesses. They were rebuked for their Irregular Marriage and were admonished having adhered to One another as Man and Wife." the Kirk receiving a payment of 3/- on the same date.^6,7
     David Runciman died on 16 Jan 1825 prob. at ?Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, BEW, SCT, at age 73; (despite what his h/stone says, he was in reality at least 74).⁸ He was buried with Janet Lockie at Earlston, BEW, SCT, h/stone #498 reading: Sacred to the memory of David Runciman farmer at Wantonwalls and portioner in Earlston who died 16.1.1825 in the 73rd yr of his age and of Janet Lockie his spouse who died 25.9.1830 also in her 73rd year. Isabella Runciman their dtr died 25.9.1866 Elizabeth Runciman their dtr died 8.10.1876 John Runciman their son who died 9.2.1877 aged 90 yrs.⁹
     David Runciman and William Runciman were possibly related, ?father/son? William's children's naming pattern indicates parents would be David and Janet, and approx age fits, sort of, if William only about 20 when married. If older, then no.¹⁰
     In 1793 at Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, BEW, SCT, Newspaper notice of farm to let:
Perhaps this is when the Runciman family took over the farm that was to remain in the family until 1989? They were certainly there by 1804 when son David was born.
The notice reads: "Farm in Berwickshire to let
To be LET, and entered to at Martinmas next as One Farm, THE FARMS OF WANTONWALLS & ELSINEUR, situated in the parish of Lauder, and within half a mile of the burgh town of Lauder. It is the intention of the proprietor immediately to make considerable improvements upon the above famrs, the particulars of which may be seen by applying to the wish of the tenant in building, inclosing, &c. Written offers for the above to be made to Baillie Edmonstone, Mr Sawers in Dunbar, or Mr Bowmaker, No. 25, Leicester Square, London. N.B. Other farms of large extent, on the same estate, may be looked at, and will be let in the course of the ensuing year."
The current Runciman family wre surprised to read the Elsineur part of the ad, but upon reflection, did identify a field in Wantonwalls that was called Elshinor.¹¹
     David Runciman and William Runciman at Lauder, BEW, SCT, bet 1815 - 1845 were possibly related as William has a dtr named Janet Lockie Runciman. But William, David's son is already accounted for, I think accurately, as tucked up in Earlston Cem, dying in 1825, so cannot have remarried this William's Mary Brown and had more children.¹²