James Devan

     James Devan, son of Hugh Devan and Agnes Tracey, was born circa 1843 in Inch, Wigtownshire.⁴

James was the eldest of seven children. His siblings were Arthur (b 1845), Hugh (b 1849), John (b 1853), Agnes (b 1855), Mary (b 1858) and Jessie Sophie Catharine (b 1860).

James Devan appeared in the 1851 census of Inch, Wigtownshire, at Kirminnoch Cothouse, in his parents' household.⁴

In 1860, James was a Farm Servant.³

James Devan married first Annie Boyd, daughter of James Boyd and Elizabeth Kerr, by Banns, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church on 9 October 1860 in Little Lochans, Inch, Wigtownshire. The marriage was conducted by Daniel Conway. Their witnesses were James Quinn and Margaret Quinn.^3,1,5,6

James Devan appeared in the 1861 census of Lochans, Inch, Wigtownshire, at Corner House, in the household of James Boyd and Elizabeth Kerr. He was described as a Ploughman.⁵

James registered the birth of his daughter Elizabeth Devan in 1861 in Parish of Inch. He gave his occupation then as Agricultural Labourer.⁷

James registered the birth of his son Thomas Devan in 1863 in Parish of Inch. He gave his occupation then as an Agricultural Labourer.⁸

James registered the birth of his son Hugh Devan in 1865 at Hanover Street in Stranraer. He gave his occupation then as a Railway Porter.^9,6

James registered the birth of his daughter Annie Devan in 1867 in Parish of Kelton. He gave his occupation then as a Pointsman.^10,6

James registered the birth of his son James Devan in 1869 at King Street in Parish of Kelton. He gave his occupation then as a Points Man.^11,12,6

James and Annie appeared in the 1871 census of Castle Douglas, Kelton, Kirkcudbrightshire, at King Street. Their children Elizabeth, Hugh, Annie and James were listed as living with them. James was described as a Points and Signal Man.¹²

James registered the birth of his daughter Agnes Devan in 1871 at King Street in Castle Douglas. He gave his occupation then as a Break's Man.^1,6

James registered the birth of his twin sons Thomas and John Devan in 1873 at 24 Hanover Square in Stranraer. He gave his occupation then as a Goods Guard.^13,6

James registered the birth of his son Charles Devan in 1875 at 24 Hanover Square in Stranraer. He gave his occupation then as a Labourer.^14,6

James registered the birth of his daughter Margaret Devan in 1879 at Hanover Square in Stranraer. He gave his occupation then as a Labourer.^15,6

James and Annie appeared in the 1881 census of Stranraer, Wigtownshire, at 24 Hanover Square. Their children Hugh, Annie, James, Agnes, Thomas, John, Charles and Margaret were listed as living with them. James was described as a General Labourer.⁶

James registered the birth of his son Arthur Devan in 1885 at 18 Greenvale Street in Stranraer. He gave his occupation then as a Telegraph Workman.^16,17

James and Annie appeared in the 1891 census of Kirkpatrick Juxta, Dumfriesshire, at Lochhouse Cottage. Their children Charles, Margaret and Arthur were listed as living with them. James was described as a Telegraph Labourer Foreman.¹⁷

James registered the death of Annie Boyd, in 1914 in Stranraer, Wigtownshire. His occupation was recorded then as a Telegraph Linesman.¹⁸

James Devan married second Jane Stewart Rice on 6 May 1919 at 50 Wellington Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire.¹⁹

James Devan died on 15 June 1920 in Sheddins, Cathcart, Lanarkshire, at Clark's Land. The cause of death was given as "senile degeneration" (old age) and "syncope" (implying a sudden demise).²