James Telfer (1796–1863)

Role: Older brother of the immigrant Francis Telfer — stayed in Scotland
Born: ~1796 (exact date unknown) — Castleton, Roxburghshire, Scotland
Died: 9 December 1863 (aged ~67) — Falside, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Buried: Southdean Churchyard, Southdean, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Occupation: Farmer

> "In Memory of James Telfer who died at Falside 9th Decr. 1863 aged 67 years." — Headstone inscription, Southdean Churchyard

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Family

| Relation | Name |
|----------|------|
| Father | James Telfer (1761–1845) |
| Mother | Betty Hutton (1774–1853) |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Beattie (1803–1891) |
| Brother | Francis Telfer (1809–1895) — immigrant to South Australia |
| Brother | Robert Telfer (1803–) |
| Brother | John Telfer (1805–1839) |
| Brother | William Telfer (1811–1881) |
| Sister | Isobel Telfer (1798–1875) |
| Sister | Margaret Telfer (1802–1884) |
| Sister | Adam Telfer (1799–) |

Children (with Elizabeth Beattie)

| Child | Born | Died | Notes |
|-------|------|------|-------|
| James Telfer | 3 Sep 1828 (Liddesdale) | 6 Jul 1913 (Port Lincoln SA) | Emigrated to South Australia. Buried Happy Valley Cemetery. |
| Elizabeth "Betty" Telfer | ~1832 (Roxburghshire) | 17 Feb 1896 (Norwood SA) | Married John Charles Dillon (1827–1906). |
| Margaret Telfer | ~1829 (Roxburghshire) | | Listed in 1841 census, Shaw, Jedburgh. |
| Jean Telfer | | | Listed on headstone only. |
| Robert Telfer (1835-1907) | 1835 (Roxburghshire) | 14 Jan 1907 (Mount Gambier SA) | Emigrated to South Australia. Married Susan Burton Telfer (1844–1924). Buried Lake Terrace Cemetery, Mount Gambier. |
| John Telfer (1840-1913) | ~1840 (Roxburghshire) | 5 Jan 1913 (Tantanoola SA) | Emigrated to South Australia. Married (1) Martha Allen, (2) Martha Henstridge. 15 children. Buried Tantanoola Cemetery. |
| Adam Telfer (1842-1925) | ~1842 (Roxburghshire) | 12 Jan 1925 (Mitcham SA) | Emigrated to South Australia. Married Margaret Dougal Telfer. Adam Francis Telfer (1842–1925) |
| Isabella Telfer | ~1837 (Roxburghshire) | | Listed in 1841 census. Not previously in vault. |
| Agnes Telfer | ~1848 | | Per vault records. |

Note on children count: The headstone inscription at Southdean Churchyard lists seven children by name (Elizabeth, James, Margaret, Jean, Robert, John, Adam). The 1841 Scotland Census adds Isabella (age ~4 in 1841). Vault records suggest up to 11 children total — the remaining may have died in infancy.

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Life Summary

James Telfer was born about 1796 in Castleton parish, Roxburghshire (Liddesdale), the first child of James Telfer (1761–1845) and Betty Hutton. He was the older brother of Francis Telfer (1809–1895), who emigrated to South Australia in 1838.

He married Elizabeth Beattie, daughter of the Beattie family of Castleton, Roxburghshire. Together they lived in the Castleton/Jedburgh area of the Scottish Borders, where James worked as a farmer.

Unlike his brother Francis, James never emigrated to Australia. He remained in Scotland his entire life, living at Falside in the Scottish Borders. The 1841 Scotland Census shows the family at Shaw, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, with the surname recorded as "Telford" (a common spelling variant).

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Timeline

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| ~1796 | Born, Castleton, Roxburghshire, Scotland |
| ~1826 | Married Elizabeth Beattie |
| 3 Sep 1828 | Son James born at Liddesdale |
| ~1832 | Daughter Elizabeth ("Betty") born |
| ~1829 | Daughter Margaret born |
| ~1834 | Son Robert born |
| ~1837 | Daughter Isabella born |
| ~1840 | Son John born |
| ~1842 | Son Adam born |
| 1841 | Census recorded at Shaw, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire (surname Telford) |
| 9 Dec 1863 | Died at Falside, Scottish Borders, aged ~67 |
| | Buried at Southdean Churchyard |

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Newspaper References

• 1841 Scotland Census: Household at Shaw, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire. Recorded as James Telford (40), Elizabeth Telford (30), Margaret (12), James (11), Betty (9), Robert (7), Isabella (4), John (1). Surname variant Telford used.

- Source: FindMyPast Transcription (via WikiTree)

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Notes

• James is the older brother of immigrant Francis Telfer (1809–1895). Both are sons of James Telfer (1761–1845) and Betty Hutton.


• The family surname appears as "Telford" in the 1841 census — this transcription variant is very common for Border families.


• James's headstone lists 7 children, but the 1841 census includes Isabella (not on headstone) and vault records suggest up to 11. Several children may have died in infancy and were not inscribed.


• His son James Telfer (1829–1913) emigrated to Port Lincoln, South Australia — creating the South Australian branch of this line.


• Daughter Elizabeth Telfer (1832–1896) married John Charles Dillon at the residence of her uncle Francis Telfer at Chain of Ponds, South Australia — confirming the family connection across generations.

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Photos

> Headstone at Southdean Churchyard, Scottish Borders. Inscription lists James, his wife Elizabeth Beattie, and seven children.
> Source: FindAGrave — James Telfer — accessed 24 May 2026

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Sources

• Find a Grave: James Telfer — memorial 179710779, Southdean Churchyard. Includes headstone photo with full inscription. Accessed 24 May 2026.


• WikiTree: James Telfer (abt.1796–1863) — confirms parents James Telfer and Betty Hutton, spouse Elizabeth Beattie, children James and Elizabeth. Accessed 24 May 2026.


• FindAGrave — James Telfer (1761–1845) — parents memorial, lists children including James and Francis. Accessed 24 May 2026.


• 1841 Scotland Census via FindMyPast (cited by WikiTree Telfer-150). Accessed 24 May 2026.

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Links

• Francis Telfer (1809–1895) — younger brother, emigrated to SA


• James Telfer (1829–1913) — son, emigrated to Port Lincoln SA


• Adam Francis Telfer (1842–1925) — son, emigrated to Mitcham SA


• John Telfer (1840–1913) — son, emigrated to Tantanoola SA


• Robert Telfer (1835–1907) — son, emigrated to Mount Gambier SA


• Elizabeth Beattie Telfer (1832–1896) — daughter, married John Charles Dillon


• Elizabeth Beattie (1802–1891) — wife


• Family Tree