John Jr. was born at Crail, Scotland, about six miles north of Pittenween where his wife-to-be was born. He attended school at Crail until he took up a trade.
1829-1836: John Jr. served seven years at the trade of ship building. We judge that these were the apprentice years since he made long voyages both before and after marriage serving as ship's carpenter. He lived in Glasgow for several years, working at his trade and from there, moved to Liverpool, England in 1851, where he came with his family to New Orleans in a sailing vessel, making the voyage in two months, landing in November.
September 1851: Immigration on The Osborne with Captain Howell in charge; a sail boat requiring two months to make the passage from Liverpool to New Orleans. His purpose in coming to the United States was to take up land in the west for farming. But landing in early winter, he decided to stay in New Orleans until Spring. He joined with Alexander Gordon, whom he had known in Liverpool and who had come with his family to New Orleans in the same ship. Together, they began building a small coast vessel. They expected to finish the vessel and sell it by spring in time to go west for the spring clearing.
John Jr. fell ill before the vessel was finished: it had been launched, but not outfitted. He died 17 April 1853 of what was then called "brain fever" at the Marine Hospital in New Orleans and was buried in the Seaman's Cemetery connected therewith. The hospital and cemetery were both moved into the city many years later and the grave, not being marked, was probably lost.
