Born in 1828, James was the 4th born child of James and Marion and the 2nd son. Sadly, the older brother, John, would die and James would become the oldest surving son.
James was only 19 when he traveled with his parents to Otago, New Zealand. He would have helped his father initially before raising the capital required to buy a share in “Arkleston” farm.
James farmed in the Taieri area with his brothers and parents. He married Janet Crawford at Knox Church in Dunedin, on the 7 July 1864. As far as I can determine, there were no children. There are no records, either on wills or newspapers of the time, nor are there any records held on NZSG databases.
James would follow his father into farming and establish the ‘Arkleston’ farm at Taieri. The following is from an article about the farm published in 1882.
His death in 1887 had a profound effect on John, who was a leaseholder of half the farm and would have had to relinquish the lease. This event is borne out through the electoral rolls where after 1887, John’s address changes to Mosgiel Bush and he ceases to be a farmer, instead working as a farm labourer.
With James’ father’s passing, his widow, Janet, carried on farming at Arkleston until her death in 1905 when the farm was managed by her nephew James (son of David) for a couple of years and from January 1907, the farm was now in the hands of JC Renton, junior.
The farm was leased in 1906.
Further detail on leasing of farm and getting rid of the stock and implements etc.