William Caldwell was born on Tuesday, the 16th of November 1773, and baptised at Kilwinning on the following Sabbath, the 21st. The OPR entry runs -

'Willm Caldwell Son to John Caldwell and Marg^t Watt in Kilwinning was Born on Tuesday Nov 16^th and Bap^t on Sabbath Nov^r 21^st.'

The intended marriage of William Caldwell and Elisabeth Breckenridge was recorded at Kilwinning on the 23rd of May 1800. The OPR entry ran:

'W^m Caldwell & Elis^th Breckenridge - W^m Caldwell and Elisabeth Breckenridge both in this parish gave in their names upon Friday May 23^rd.'

Isabella Caldwell's death certificate designates William as a carrier (goods). Note however that on the OPR entries for the birth of his children John in 1803, Anne in 1806, and Isobel / Isabella in 1808, he was designated as a weaver. It may therefore be that he is the weaver of the same name, who is referred to in the 1801 Militia List for Galston.

At some time during or following Isabella's birth in 1808, the family appears to have removed from Galston to Newmilns, as indicated by the OPR entry relating to the birth and baptism of their son William, dated the 14th and 28th of October 1810 respectively; James who was born on the 7th and baptised on the 22nd of November 1812; and George, born on the 19th and baptised on the 27th of August 1815. William Caldwell's occupation at this time was entered by the word 'Post', presumably indicating that he was a postman or courier.

William Caldwell was still living, at the home of William Yeudall and Isabella Caldwell in Galston, at the time of the 1841 census. His age was given as 70, from which it may be inferred that he was born c. 1770. Owing to the inherent limitations of the 1841 census, all that can be inferred from this source is that he was born somewhere in Ayrshire.

The date of William Caldwell's birth at Kilwinning is consistent with William's inclusion in the 1801 Galston militia list, which tends to suggest that he was born some time after 1770 (the year indicated by the 1841 census), as the list bears to include the young men of the parish who were between 17 and 30 on the 21st of August 1801. The match, although uncertain, does seem quite plausible.

The extensive information that is available concerning William Caldwell's pedigree, as outlined below, is due to the diligent efforts of Anne Lynch of British Columbia. Anne can be contacted directly at aelynch@shaw.ca.

Forebears

William's parents were John Caldwell and Margaret Watt.

The genealogy of William Caldwell can be summarised as follows:

Brothers and Sisters

William Caldwell had two known sisters, and probably a brother too, all younger.

Mary was born at Kilwinning on the 17th of December 1775 and baptised on the 20th:

'Mary Daughter to John Caldwell & Marg^t Watt in Killw^g was born on Sabbath Decr 17th & baptized on Wednesday Decr 20th'

Janet was born on the 29th of (February? - this is hard to read) and baptised on the 1st March 1780, also at Kilwinning. She was married to John Jack at Largs in 1813, and died at 8, Wilson Street, Largs, on the 24th of March 1864. The causes of death were given as neuralgia, debility, exhaustion and one other which is illegible. Her son John Jack signed the certificate as informant.

Hugh was born on the 4th of February 1794 and baptised on the 23rd, at Neilston, Renfrewshire, apparently indicating that his parents had removed there.

The relevant OPR entry reads:

'Neilston

Baptisms in 1794

Caldwell   John Caldwell and Margaret Watt spouses in Barrhead had a son born feby the fourth and Baptised the twenty and third named - - Hugh'