Kilmacolm is a charming town located in the Gryffe Valley. Although it’s only a short distance from Port Glasgow and Greenock, which are situated along the south banks of the Clyde Estuary, Kilmacolm feels like a world away. The town’s cemetery is located on the northern outskirts and offers a beautiful view of the area. I have a personal connection to this cemetery, as my paternal grandmother and great-grandparents are laid to rest there. Close by is the grave of James Baxter. James died on October 9th at Dykefoot Farm, Kilmaclom, aged thirty-one, after battling influenza and pneumonia. Though weathered, the headstone is still legible.
James Baxter Jr was born at Burnbank Farm, Kilmacolm, on October 5th 1887, to James Sr, a farmer, and Elizabeth (nee Crawford). He was the couple’s eldest child. By the time the Census was taken in 1891, the family had grown with the arrival of James’ brother Robert.
A decade later, the Baxter Family still resided at Burnbank Farm. James, aged thirteen, was attending school. The family had grown again following the addition of John and Elizabeth Jr.
James still lived at Burnbank Farm in 1911, at age twenty-three. I could not find any record of James having served in the military following the outbreak of war. As a farmer, I expect he would have been obligated to remain at home and not voluntarily enlist. Moreover, he would have been excused from conscription following the 1916 Military Service Act.
On June 15th, 1917, James married Mary Black Laird in Kilmacolm. The couple eventually moved to Dykefoot Farm, where they remained for the remainder of their short marriage. I found no evidence of any offspring.
James Sr was present at his son’s death.
In 1921, Mary still lived at Dkyefoot Farm with her father, John. She married Matthew Stevenson on August 6th, 1922, in Kilmacolm. She survived James by nearly thirty years, dying in Paisley on October 7th, 1948. She was buried in Bishopton Cemetery.
Mary and James Sr were the executors of James’ estate, confirmation of which was granted in Greenock on December 3rd.
James was later joined in Kilmacolm Cemetery by his parents, sister, brother John and sister-in-law.
Sources: Ancestry, Find a Grave, Scotland’s People
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