FINLAYSON, John "Ian An Saighdear" 

General Notes:

(scrapbook pictures for these notes are Here)

6th July 1812
The earliest mention of John (as of Dec 2004) is on a page with his Discharge papers received from Fiona Gaitley.

2 December 1812.
John's Discharge papers from the 77th Regiment signed 2 Dec. 1812 state that John enlisted at the age of nineteen years, served for four years and one hundred days and "in consequence of an amputated left arm at Rodrigo 19 (month?)1812, is considered unfit for further Service." The photocopy quality is poor and location of birth unclear.
John is described as about 20 (?)years, 5' 71/2" with dark hair, hazel eyes and fair complexion. He was by trade a labourer. A chart
with a "Statement of Service" gives the dates of 24 Aug (?) 1808 to 2 Dec 1812 as the time he was with the 77th Regiment.(FM064a)

FM064a FM064b FM064c

18 December 1812
On another page is a list of 'Invalid Soldiers' who were examined on 18 December 1812. John Finlayson appears on the list as age 23 having served 4 3/12 years with the regiment and having lost his left arm at Rodrigo under General Picton. The location of birth is unclear. (FM064d)

FM064d

OTHER

'The Gael Fares Forth' by McKenzie (Chapter XXII) tells of how John received a medal for his efforts with the 77th regiment, 34 years later.(FM045) Also see Obit FM057 (Source Unknown)
Photos of medal which is in the custody of Les Finlayson at present along with the two pronged table fork which he used to attach to his arm stump.

FM062d FM062e FM062f



POST MILITARY YEARS


1822 From Nova Scotia Land Grant Petitions
Item no. 2883 MFM no.:15799
Grantee: Matheson, Allan & Finlayson, John Year: 1822
Petition to Kempt: Petitioners, native of Scotland, ask land on the north side of Bouladerie Island. Allan Matheson is 38 years old, married, and has three children. John Finlayson is 31 years old, is married and has three children. He served four years in the 77th Regiment, and lost his left arm at the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo. Note: approved.(FM046)

FM046
1822 From Nova Scotia Land Grant Petitions
Item no. 2829 MFM no. 15798 Grantee: Finlayson, John 1822
Petition to Kempt: Petitioner wishes to resign a lot on Bouladerie for which he received a Ticket of Location. The original owner has returned to claim it. He asks in lieu a lot south-west of land owned by John Muggah & Sons on the N.W. side of Baddeck River. John Davis has relinquished his claim on this lot to petitioner. Note: Finlayson may have either lot, as Corbett, who claims the first, has no real right.(FM046) or at the following URL:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/databases/land/

1823, 1829, 1830 Baptism Records of the Travelling clergy
Documents births and baptisms for three of the children of John Finlayson and Christy Cameron of "Braddeck" - Mary Ann, (22 Dec 1823), Catharine (05 Jun 1829) and William (26 Sep 1830).
(FM044) or can be found at the following URL:
http://www.islandregister.com/stjohns/stjohnsindex.html (this will give you page for Mary Ann - go to later pages for the others)

FM044
1826 Dec 28
Official grant of lot 26 in Little Baddeck to John Finlayson. (FM066)

FM066

Map showing lot 26 in Little Baddeck. Also shows lot 20 owned by Duncan McKay believed to be the father of John (Black Jack) McKay who married John Finlayson's daughter, Mary Ann. (FM068)

FM068

John is buried in a pioneer cemetery near his property in Little Baddeck.
Headstone was supplied by Ross and Sandy Finlayson after visiting the grave in 1994 or 95. (photo at top of page)

Sept 1855 Obituary from the Peninsular War Echo, transcribed by Les Finlayson for the 1982 Waipu Reunion:



FM057