Can we picture George, the forester?
George Buchan remains a mystery. We find only one direct record of him, although it appears twice - his burial record dated 7 April 1818. He is recorded in both the Parish of Borthwick, where I feel he died, and the Parish of Newbattle where he was buried according to the Borthwick record. But neither record mentions his age nor cause of death. At this time such information might have been given, and was given for others on the page containing George. Also found in the Newbattle Parish Kirk accounts is payment for the hire of the parish mortcloth which would drape either his body or coffin prior to burial. It cost 6 shillings and 5 pence, the usual price for an adult. Excerpt from Geo. Buchan Newlandrig Recorded on his children's baptism Every other record of him is some-one else's. First we find him as the father of three sons being baptised in Borthwick. The top of the page says: "The following Register of children not being given in regularly, as under, and the dates o...