Joshua Tait of Langrigg (1734 – 1800)

Unfortunately, I do not know much about Joshua himself (my husband’s maternal 4th great-grandfather), except that he was born lived, had 9 children and died on the family farm, Langrigg in Whitsome, Berwickshire, Scotland. He owned horses and had a hearth at some point during his 66 years.

He was born around 1734, the son of James Tait and Elizabeth Gair and was baptised on 4^th February 1734 at the local parish kirk, in Whitsome and Hilton.

I have not found a record of Joshua’s marriage, perhaps he did not get married! But the mother of all his children was recorded as Jenate (Janet) Johnston. She born around 1739 and baptised on 16 Jun 1739 at Saint Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh, Scotland. This church in Edinburgh is very popular, people seem travel some distance to be baptised or married at Saint Cuthbert’s.

Joshua Tait and Jenete Johnston had the following children (more about their lives in further posts):

James Tait born in 1764 – James sadly died 1^st October 1764 only 7 weeks old and is buried in the same grave as his parents. No burial record found, just transcription of grave stone.

George Tait born in 1765

Elizabeth Tait born about 1767

James Tait born in Jul 1769 (name reused as often happened when a child died young) – husband’s 3rd great-grandfather.

Agnes Tait born on 24 Jun 1771

Thomas Tait born in Feb 1776

William Tait born in Mar 1778

Joseph Tait born in 1780 – Joseph sadly in died 24^th February 1792 at aged 12 and is buried in the same grave as his parents, although the only record I can find of Joseph is the grave transcription.

Peter Tait born in 1781

In 1772 Joshua is recorded as having paid tax on land at Langrigg,

and in 1798 he is recorded as having paid a Horse Tax.

Joshua died on 8^th August 1800 aged 66 years. He is buried Whitsome old Kirkyard. No burial record found, just transcription of grave stone.

Transcription

In memory of James Tait of Longridge who died February 1, 1766 aged 82 years.

Also of Elizabeth Gair who died 6 June 1787 aged 94 years.

Joseph Tait of Longridge died 7 August 1800 aged 66 years.

Wife Jenat Johnston died 18 March 1811 aged 72 years.

Son James Tait died 1 October 1764 aged 7 weeks.

Son Joseph Tait died 24 February 1792 aged 12 years

 

Think error in transcription, Joseph should read Joshua.

 

Interestingly it is backing on to the grave for Jenat’s family, the Johnstons.

There is a website dedicated to sharing research on the village of Whitsome, it has some interesting information including a section on the Tait family

https://lroberts.home.xs4all.nl/whitsome%201%20place%20study/farms/langrigg/page4.html