Abram was born illegitimate and baptised in Sorn Parish, Ayrshire, on the 5th of July 1780. The OPR entry relating to this event is important, as it is probably the earliest Yeudall record of birth, death or marriage in Scotland. It confirms that his parents were Abram 'Eudal' and 'Isbell' Mitchell.

The full OPR entry, which is thus effectively the foundational writ for the Yeudall dynasty in Ayrshire, runs as follows:

'July 5 Was Baptized Abram Yeudal procreat Betwixt Abram Eudal Soldier in fornication and Isbell Mitchell The child was presented in Baptizm by William Mitchell the childs Grandfather'

Abram junior was living in Galston at least by 1801, as he is listed in the 1801 census under the category of 'The men between the ages of 17 and 30, married or two children under ten'. He was designated as a wright.

Owing to the gaps in the Galston OPR, no record of Abram's marriage to Martha Allan appears to have been preserved, but it would seem from the evidence of the 1801 census that it took place in that year at the latest. Certainly, their first daughter, Anne, who was born in 1804, was described in the relevant OPR entry as 'lawful'.

Abram and Martha had at least six sons and five daughters between 1804 and 1826.

The OPR entries for his various children born between 1804 and 1826 consistently designate him as a wright. He was recalled as a 'Joiner (Master) (Deceased)' on the death certificate of his son, William Yeudall.

In 1811, he was living at the Laigh Kirkyard, again designated as a wright, and the household consisted of three males and two females.

By 1821, there were six males and three females.

In 1831, he was at Pye Lane, and in the household were five males, two of them over twenty, and five females.

He appears in the 1841 census as resident with his family in Pye Lane, on this occasion listed as Abraham.

The entry runs:

Abraham Yeudall, 61, joiner
Martha Yeudall, 60
Isabella, 22
Janet, 16
Thomas, 14

Abram was entered as aged 70 in the 1851 census. His place of birth was entered as Sorn. He was then resident at 25, Church Lane, Galston (previously known as Pie or Pye Lane). He was a widower, and entered as a joiner. He was living with his daughter, Janet, who was unmarried, a dressmaker, 26 years of age, and born at Galston.

Abram Yeudall died on the 14th June 1857, at five past eight in the morning, at Church Lane, Galston. His age was entered as 77. Cause of death was 'disease of heart', as certified by J. Grant Kirkwood, a surgeon who had seen him on the previous day. The informant was William Yeudall, his son, who was present. Abram was designated as a wright, and as a widower.

Forebears

Abram Yeudall's parents were Abram Yewdall and Isabella Mitchell, and his maternal grandfather was William Mitchell of Sorn, Ayrshire.