Middle – Row 1 – 5 – Kikwood/Kirkwood/Young

Transcription

Erected by JOHN KIKWOOD (NB should have been Kirkwood as below but leave as original spelling) in memory of ELIZABETH YOUNG his  wife who died 16 Jany 1839 aged 53 years. Also of JAMES their son who died 24 November 1817 aged 1 year. And JAMES son who died 18 October 1828 aged 1 year. Also of the above JOHN KIRKWOOD who died 11 December 1853 aged 79 years.

Commentary

The 1851 census shows a John Kirkwood living in Coldstream with his 25 year old daughter Elizabeth.  His occupation is shown as a Chelsea Pensioner and he was born in 1774 in Melrose. John’s army discharge papers show that he enlisted in the Berwickshire Militia in March 1803.  He was discharged after serving 26 years, 1 year as a Corporal and 25 years as a Sergeant.  The records also show that John was 5’10 ½” tall; he had brown hair and blue eyes.