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Facts and Events
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Scotland. Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950. (FamilySearch Record Search).
- ↑ An Alexander Napier, (Black-)Smith, was listed in Post Office annual directories in Leith at various addresses in the early 1800s. This could be this individual or his father.
He was listed at 69 Rotton Row every year from 1813 to 1820. In 1821 Rotten Row was renamed Water Lane; Alexander Napier appears at 16 Water Lane in 1821, 1824, every year from 1826 to 1833, 1835, 1837, 1838 and 1839.
The Directory then lists a Thomas Napier, Smith, at 16 Water Lane in 1840, who was then at 41 Water Lane in 1841, 1842 and 1843, at 39 Water Lane in 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848. In 1849, number 39 was occupied by James Napier, smith, who was also there in 1850 and 1851.
The 1841 census lists Thomas Napier, Blacksmith Journeyman (apprentice), living in Water Lane, age 25. He was living with another Blacksmith Journeyman, James Napier, age 20, a Ship Carpenter journeyman, Rob Napier, age 18, and a 'dependent', Ann Napier, age 50.
It also lists Alex's children Lilias, 7, and Alexander, 4, living with their mother Margaret, age 25, a "provision merchant".
The 1851 census lists James Napier, blacksmith living at 15 Water Lane. He was 34, born in South Leith and living with his wife Jane, age 22, also born in South Leith. The address jumps from 15 to 20 Water Lane so it is possible this is a transcription error and they were living at number 16.
Meanwhile, next door at 40 Water Lane was occupied by a Mrs Ann Napier, grocer, in 1845 and 1846, and then by Robert Napier, grocer & spirit dealer in 1847, 1848 and 1849.
[1]
James Napier, smith, died in 1863, age 49 and was buried in South Leith alongside his widow Jean, who died 1918 aged 83 and four children who all died in childhood. [2]
- Another Alexander Napier, smith or hammerman, died in Leith between 1775 & 1793, leaving three sons and three daughters and possibly 4-5 other children. [3]
- Alexander Napier, smith, was cited in a court case in May 1781: [4]
PETITION LODGED: 17 May 1781.
PETITIONER: James Thomson, merchant in Leith.
SITE: Leith, Kirkgate, east side.
PROPOSAL: Complaint about encroachment on his garden.
NOTES: The petitioner holds a tack or lease on a house and garden. His complaint is against Alexander Napier, smith, who has knocked a hole through a mutual wall into his garden in order to put out hot iron. In his answers, Napier explains that he has a tack on a small brick building from Hugh Morton, wright but that it is not big enough for his work, so occasionally he needs to have long pieces of iron protrude through the hole in the wall. This, he states cannot damage the bushes in any way and in any case, Mr. Morton gave the petitioner a liferent on the garden.
- Another case was cited in 1792:
WARRANT GRANTED: 6 September 1792 [no warrant, request for a drawing].
PETITION LODGED: 6 September 1792.
PETITIONER: Robert and Alexander Sherriff, merchants in Leith.
SITE: South Leith, bounded on the north and east by the public highway.
PROPOSAL: To demolish and rebuild parts of a large site.
NOTES: The property was disponed to the petitioners by the late George Penman, merchant in Edinburgh on 14 March 1782. The description mentions parts of a tenement that belonged to the deceased Alexander Chalmers, thereafter to Alexander Napier, son of Alexander Napier, merchant in Edinburgh. Cellars and two stories of lofts above a Close were repaired by the deceased William Beg Goodsire [and sold to?] Thomas beg of Atherney and then to the deceased John Penman, father of John [sic. George?] Penman merchant in Edinburgh. Alexander Simpson owned an adjoining tenement. The Court demanded a plan and elevation of the intended work.
- The Napier family - possibly the same - had held property in Rotten Row, South Leith, since the 1400s:
Papers of Napier Family
Country Code: GB. Rep Code: 234
Repository National Archives of Scotland
Ref No GD430/19
Title: Instrument of sasine in favour of Archibald Napier as heir of deceased John Napier, his father, of the following, in town of Leith on south side of Water of Leith, barony of Restalrig and sheriffdom of Edinburgh:
Date 30 September 1489
Description
1) a tenement bounded on south by Rottenrow;
2) an annual rent of 11s Scots from a land in Rottenrow;
3) an acre of land between land of Patrick Logan of Coatfield on west and land of Trinity College on east.
Witnesses: James Richardson, burgess of Edinburgh; Henry Gibson; William Bowman; Thomas Wood; Alexander Knightson; William Ferrie; John Brownlie; William Brand; and Robert Lamb, serjeant. Notary: Patrick Barry, clerk of St Andrews. Seal (good condition) appended of Simon Logan, bailie of Robert Logan, lord of Restalrig, who gave sasine.
Access Status Open
- Alexander Napier, smith in Leith, was mentioned in the following marriage record:
Hossack, John, Brewer's Servant in St Andrew parish, and Ann, same parish, daughter of deceased Alexander Napier, smith in Leith 22 March 1793. [5]
- A William Napier, merchant in Leith, fl. 1592 [6]
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