Walter Turnbull

BMDB data

     Walter Turnbull was born cir. Sep 1763 at Dykehead, Par. of Kirkandrews on Esk, CUL, ENG, which year fits his age at death and is within the timeframe from the rounding in the 1841 census (75 could be between 75 and 79).^1,3,4,5 He was baptized on 30 Sep 1763 at Canonbie, DFS, SCT; James Turnbul and his wife in Dykehead, Eng, had a son bap. Walter.¹
     Walter Turnbull married Mary Telford on 24 Dec 1800 at Nicol Forest, CUL, ENG, Walter 24. IGI has Walter TURNBULL to Mary TELFRID.^6,7
     Walter Turnbull died on 30 Nov 1842 at Megsmire, Nichol Forest, CUL, ENG; cert. shows Walter as 80, agricultural labourer, cod old age, inf. Revd J Hallifax of Catlowdy, Nicholforest; Reg. 4th Dec (George pointed out that the Rev also witnessed Walter's will (written about 6 weeks earlier).^3,2,8

Census/Where lived/Occupations

     Walter Turnbull appeared on the census of 1841 at Pleaknow, Nichol Forest Upper, Kirkandrews Upon Esk, CUL, ENG, as TURNBULL: Walter 75 ag lab; Mary 30; Elizabeth 25; William 2 (NB enumerators were instructed to round ages down to the nearest multiple of 5).^5,4 He appeared on the census of 7 Jun 1841 at Pleaknow, Nichol Forest Upper, Kirkandrews Upon Esk, CUL, ENG, next door to Robert Turnbull and Wilhelmina UnknownSurname.^9,10

Wills/bequests

     Walter Turnbull left a will on 13 Oct 1842 Megsmire, Nichol Forest, Kirkandrews on Esk, CUL, ENG, 1/6th share of his Peat Moss to each of 5 sons with the 3 dtrs sharing a 1/6th.
Transcript:
I Walter TURNBULL of Megsmire in the Township of Nicholforest Parish of Kirkandrews on Esk Yeoman being advanced in age but of sound mind memory and understanding do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following and first I order all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses to be paid by my executors hereinafter named as is hereinafter directed in this my will I give and bequeath to my daughters Mary and Elizabeth all the remainder of my household furniture and all my beding (sic) linen and other household goods to be equally as possible divided between them so soon as possible after my decease and I hereby order and direct that the said furniture shall not be sold to pay debts funeral and testamentary expenses. I also give and devise the kitchen of the house I now reside in and one sixth part or share of the land of my said freehold estate called Megsmire which at this time is in my own occupation to my three daughters viz Isabella Mary and Elizabeth and also give and devise them one sixth part or share of the peat moss allotted to my said estate on the enclosure of Liddal Common all which house land and peat moss I hereby devise to them their heirs and assigns for ever as tenants in common whereby each may sell or dispose of their own share but not as joint tenants where the survivor would take the whole. But in case any of my said daughters should die in my life time their share of real and personal property shall go to their surviving sister or sisters their heirs and assigns for ever.
I give and devise to my son James and his heirs and assigns for ever all that house or length of timber on the East End of my farm buildings which was formerly occupied by my late sister Mary and also bequeath him one half of the length of timber used as a byre adjoining the said house and I also give and devise to my said son James one sixth part or share of my said estate called Megs Mire and also one sixth part of my said peat moss all which houses land and peat moss I devise to him and his heirs and assigns for ever. I give and devise to my son Edward and his heirs and assigns for ever the house or room at the west end of my farm buildings and also devise to him one sixth part or share of my said estate and also give and devise to him one sixth share of my said peat moss. I give and devise to my son Walter and his heirs and assigns for ever one sixth part or share of my said estate called Megsmire and one sixth part or share of my said peat moss. I also give and devise to my son Henry and to his heirs and assigns for ever one sixth part or share of my said estate called Megs mire and also devise him one sixth part or share of my said peat moss all which above names lands and peat moss are at this time in my own occupation. I also give and devise to my son Robert and his heirs and assigns one sixth share of my said estate and one sixth share of my said Peat moss and I also hereby order and direct that that as soon as convenient after my decease a majority in value to their bequests of my said children shall appoint a surveyor to set out into six shares all my said estate and also set out into six share all my said peat moss and shall also set out into cart and foot roads on my said estate called Megsmire in the most convenient places so as to give access to my said children to get to their respective shares the cart roads not to exceed eight foot in breadth and the foot roads not to exceed two foot and the said surveyor shall also set out the said peat moss in six equal shares in the most convenient manner for the use of my said children their heirs and assigns and their getting access to the said peat moss and hereby order and direct that should any of my said three daughters or any of my five above named sons be disposed to sell their share of land or peat moss that they shall sell it to their brothers or sisters if they will give as much or it as any other purchaser. And lastly I give and bequeath all the residue of my personal property consisting of principally of a cow some horses and husbandry and dairy utensils and the crop in my land and all the remainder of my personal property I may die possessed of in equal shares to my sons Walter and Henry but hereby order and direct that such bequest of residue shall be subject to the payment of my debts funeral and testamentary expenses and I hereby appoint my said sons Walter and Henry joint executors of this my last will and testament and hereby revoking all wills by me before made I do declare this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of October in the year of our lord one thousand eight hund (sic) and forty two.
Walter Turnbull his x mark and seal. Signed sealed published and declared by Walter TURNBULL the above names testator as and for his last will and testament in our presence who in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request have set our names as witnesses this 13th day of October 1842 John Dodgson of Roanstrees John Hallifax B.A.Clerk.² His estate was probated on 10 Jun 1843 Carlisle, CUL, ENG; effects under £20.²

All the other info

     Walter Turnbull the son of James and Betty (Bell) born Dykehead 1763 and Walter Turnbull married Margaret Murray (at Canonbie) at Dykehead, Par. of Kirkandrews on Esk, CUL, ENG, in 1797 are possibly the same person (but only if Walter then remarried Mary).¹¹
     Walter Turnbull married to Betty Dixon/Dickson and Walter Turnbull of an age and place to be his son, and married to Mary Telford at Nichol Forest, CUL, ENG, cir. 1800 were possibly related but the gap between known children is a bit tight for him to really fit here, even if there has to be a relationship of some sort. The younger Walter lived Megs Mire, Nichol Forest, and descendants moved to Roxburghshire (Eckford, Kelso, Ancrum) with some becoming successful sawmillers.¹² He may or may not be the W TURNBULL shown on the 1810 plan of Liddal Common enclosure in 1810 Liddal Common, CUL, ENG.
     Ever since I read Walter's will I was convinced that he had to belong in my TURNBULL family somewhere, but couldn't find a convincing spot to place him.
George has just sent me a copy of Walter's death cert, which gives him as 80, making him age at least 5 years since the 1841 census the prior year!
Since reading the will back in 1994 more effort has been given to finding assorted baptisms and the family of James TURNBULL and Betty BELL had been added into the extended TURNBULL family. Their son Walter had been baptised over the border in Canonbie in 1763, which is a great fit for this newfound age for the Walter married to Mary Telford.
This, coupled with the naming pattern of Walter and Mary's children indicating that IF they followed the Scottish naming pattern, despite hedging their bets as to which side of the border they lived or wanted to be churched, Walter's parents could indeed be a James and Elizabeth.
And we know from his will that Walter had a sister Mary, which also fits. QED in my book.^13,3