updated February 2023

Isabella Corson and James Martin

The earliest record I have found of Isabella Corson was in the 1841 census for Balmaghie, Isabella (age 15) was living and working in Urogh, Balmaghie with her brother William (age 14).

The old parish marriage / banns record gives the date that Isabella married James Martin in Urr, ages and parents are not recorded.

I have found Isabella and James Martin's family recorded in the 1861, 1871, 1891 and 1901 census's for Parton, ages given in these census's vary.

The best indication I can find for Isabella's year of birth is her death certificate which gives her age as 79 in 1901. This death certificate records Isabella's parents as William Corson - dyker and Grace Corson M.S. Gourley, her husband is James Martin - Shepherd. Isabella died in Little Boreland in the parish of Parton.

Based on the age in her death certificate, I have taken Isabella's year of birth to be 1822.

Isabella and James Martin are significant in my family history because their daughter, Jane, married Alexander Chisholm. Jane and Alexander were my great grandparents.

Gravestone inscriptions in Parton Cemetery from http://www.kirkyards.co.uk/parton

• Grave #8.
  In loving memory of James Martin, who died at Auchenhay, Borgue, 20th March 1905, aged 81 years.
  Isabella Corson, his wife, who died at Little Boreland, Parton, 22nd May 1901, aged 79 years.
  Isabella Martin, their granddaughter who died in the Middlesex Hospital, London, 22-1-39, aged 60.
• Grave #38.
  In loving memory of James Martin, who died 11th March 1919, aged 57.
  And Agnes his wife, who died 24th May 1915, aged 53.
• Grave #168.
  In loving memory of Jane Martin, wife of Alex'r Chisholm, who died at Cruchie, 1st June 1927, aged 68 years.
  Also the above Alexander Chisholm, who died at Castle Douglas Hospital, 23rd Jan'y 1931, aged 70 years.
  Also their daughter, Isabella, widow of James Ferguson, Arduaine, Oban, died at Drumlane, Laurieston, 29th Dec. 1960.

Gravestone inscription in Buittle Cemetery from http://www.kirkyards.co.uk/buittle

• Grave #359.
  In memory of John Moffat, my husband who died at Craignair Hill Cottage, 1st September 1912, aged 50 years.
  Isabella Martin, his wife, who died at Castle Douglas, 23rd May 1930, aged 76 years.

DNA matches from ancestry.co.uk

I have a DNA match with a descendant of William Corson and his wife Agnes McVane which can only have come from William Corson and Grace Gourley through their daughter Isabella and her brother William.
William Corson and Grace Gourley are the great(x3) grandparents of both matches.

I also have a DNA matches with descendants of Joseph George Martin and Isabella Martin. These matches are not shared with the previous match, and so can only have come from James Martin through Joseph and Isabella to their sister Jane.
James Martin and Isabella Corson are the great(x2) grandparents of two of these matches and great(x3) of the other.

Close Note

www.mcskimming.org.uk/chisholm/JamesMartin.html