James Glencairn Burns

Life and family James was born at the family home in what is now Burns Street, Dumfries, on 12 August 1794 as recorded in the family register in the Burns family Bible. The family had moved from Ellisland Farm to the 'Stinking Vennel' in Dumfries on 11 November 1791. In late spring 1793 they made the move to a larger house in Millhole Brae (Burns Street), where James's mother lived for the remainder of her life following his father's death in 1796.

James's siblings were Robert Burns Junior (b. 3 March 1788); Jean (b. 3 March 1788); William Nicol (b. 9 April 1791); Elizabeth Riddell (b. 21 November 1792); Francis Wallace (b. 1789) and Maxwell (b. 25 July 1796). Short lived un-named twin girls (b. 3 March 1788).

Education Educated at Dumfries Grammar School, James later studied at a Charity school, The Bluecoat School, Christ's Hospital, Horsham. His admission papers to Christ's Hospital survive and reveal that he was accepted because his father had died about three years before. James went to Christ's Hospital from 1802 to 1809, entering at the age of eight, "his mother having been left with a family of four children and without sufficient means for their support". The admission papers to the charity school had to be certified by a minister, along with a completed petition by the parent and a copy of the baptism entry and marriage entry of the parents.

Career

Once James had completed his education at Christ's Hospital, he had to be 'discharged' and in James's case this was carried out by Sir James Shaw. James Shaw, when Sheriff of London, arranged for James to become a cadet in India in the military service of the Honourable East India Company.

A rare letter written by James's mother in 1804, probably to Maria Riddell, was found by chance in New York in 2009 that records this assistance from James Shaw, a relative, to Francis Wallace as well. Shaw was born at Riccarton in Ayrshire, the son of John Shaw, whose family had farmed the area of Mosshead for over 300 years. Shaw was a nephew of Gilbert Burns through his wife Jean Breckenridge.

The Marchioness of Hastings and Sir John Reid also assisted James's career. James joined the East India Company's Service as a cadet aged 16 in the 15th Bengal Native Infantry. Another letter to Lady Hastings on 16 July 1818 was written in a more positive tone, indicating that Jean had met with the marchioness in Dumfries and suggesting that matters had been put right.

Indeed in 1818 he was promoted to the Indian Commissariat and was able to assist his mother to the tune of £150 per year that was a very welcome assistance. Eventually he was unable to afford this and his brother William took over and gave the same sum per annum.

James was involved in the third Mahratta War and the Nepal War as well as the capture of the Lamba Fort. in Meerut, in 1818. They had children Jeanie Isabella and Robert who died in childhood and a daughter Sarah, born in Neemuch on 2 November 1821. Sarah Robinson Burns, James's wife, died in 1821 at Neemuch, India, just three years after their 1818 marriage, shortly after Sarah Elizabeth Maitland Tombs, their second daughter, was born. Sarah and Annie are buried under an ornate headstone at Charlton Kings churchyard in Cheltenham.

Retirement Retiring in 1839 James moved from India and lived in London for four years. His second wife Mary Becket, who he had married in 1828 at Nasirabad in India, Their aunt Isabella Burns was also in attendance. They sadly refused to meet Robert, their nephew, their father's natural son by Elizabeth 'Betty' Burns at the festival.

On 15 August 1844 James and his brother William Nicol were entertained in the Kings Arms Hotel, High Street, Irvine by the Irvine Burns Club.

In 1831 James was a guest of Sir Walter Scott at Abbotsford House

Paintings and photographs exist of James Glencairn, one taken by David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson calotype, 1843-1848.

James had been in poor health for some years and suffered from rheumatism. and, as stated, her son Robert Thomson was rejected upon trying to greet his father's sons, his uncles, at the Ayr Festival.

Correspondence Robert Burns, James's father, wrote to Mrs Frances Dunlop in September 1794 saying "Apropos, the other day, Mrs Burns presented me with my fourth son, whom I have christened James Glencairn; in grateful memory of my lamented patron. I shall make all my children's names, altars of gratitude."

On 7 July 1796 Robert Burns wrote to Alexander Cunningham "... Mrs Burns threatens in a week or two to add one more to my Paternal charge, which, if of the right gender, I intend shall be introduced to the world by the respectable designation of Alexr Cunningham Burns. My last was James Glencairn, so you can have no objection to the company of Nobility." Jean Armour and her five year old grand-daughter Sarah Burns, daughter of James Glencairn Burns. On 16 July 1818 Jean wrote to James, enclosing a silver watch as an engagement present, kindly taken to India by Lady Hastings. She expressed her original reservations at his engagement announcement but went on to say "I believe you have maturely considered it and from the account you gave me of the objects of your choice, I can have no objections – I am thankful that she possesses such affections as you describe, you deserve a good wife and I trust you will not be disappointed [sic] in each other – remember in the married state there is much to bear and much to forbear."