William Mearns II was the son of William Mearns I and Jean Tennant. William Mearns I was born in March 6, 1747 in Ochiltree, Ayrshire, Scotland. Jean Tennant was born in May 5, 1756 in Ochitree, Ayrshire, Scotland. William Mearns II was born on October 31, 1785 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. The Mearns family were members of the Presbyterian Church.
William Mearns II married Margaret Findlay in 1826, in Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland. Margaret’s nickname was Maggie, thoughout her life. Margaret was born on May 18, 1810 in Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland. William Mearns II and Margaret Findlay were the parents of nine children, that we know of. The Mearns family moved from Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland to Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois, in the USA in 1854.
The first child born to this couple stayed in Scotland, when the family moved. The second child born to William Mearns II and Margaret Findlay was James Mearns. He and his father moved to the USA first, to buy land and get a home ready for the rest of the family to arrive from Scotland. When Margaret got on a ship for the USA, she had no idea, what was in store for her. Margaret and the youngest seven members of her family, got on a ship, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean. They got on another ship and headed south to the Gulf of Mexico. When they landed in New Orleans; then, they got on a riverboat to head up the Mississippi River. They were almost to the Port of St. Louis, where they were planning to disembark. That morning, Margaret Findlay was found died. The trip was too much for her. At the time, it was unlawful to dock with a dead body on board. This was, because of the possibility of disease. The crew wrapped Margaret’s body in a sheet, said a prayer, then threw her overboard, down the Mississippi River. When the riverboat docked, William and James were shocked to find, that Margaret was gone, and there was no body to bury.
William Mearns II and Margaret Findlay’s first child was William Mearns III. He was born on August 20, 1830 in
Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. William stayed in Scotland, when the rest of the family moved to the USA. He was christened on September 5, 1830 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. William married; but we don’t know her name. He died in Scotland. We have no further information about the life, death or burial of William Mearns III.
James Mearns was the second child born to William Mearns II and Margaret Findlay. He was born on August 14, 1832 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. James was christened on August 26, 1832 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. James was named for his great grandfather, James Findlay. He married his wife in Illinois, but we don’t have her name. We do know, that they were the parents of children. We have no other details of James Mearns’ life, death or burial.
The third child born to William Mearns II and Margaret Findlay was Jean Mearns. She was born on August 31, 1834 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. Jean was christened on September 14, 1834 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. Jean was named for her paternal grandmother, Jean Tennant. She married a man named Paul. We don’t know, if that was his first or last name. We don’t know, if they were the parents, of any children. We have no additional record of the life, death or burial of Jean Mearns.
William Mearns II and Margaret Findlay’s fourth born child was Mary Mearns. She was born on July 1, 1836 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. Mary was christened on July 10, 1836 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. She married James Reid Gibson in Illinois. We don’t have a date for their marriage. One of their children was Samuel Albert Gibson. Mary died in November of 1898 in McCune, Crawford, County, Kansas. We have no further information of Mary Mearns’ life, death or burial.
George Mearns was the fifth child born to William Mearns II and Margaret Findlay. He was named after his paternal great grandfather, George Mearns. He was born on July 6, 1838, in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. George was christened on July 22, 1838 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. We don’t know who he married; or if he and his wife were the parents of any children. We have no other record of George’s life, death or burial.
The sixth child born to William Mearns II and Margaret Findlay was Elizabeth Mearns. She was born on January 1, 1841 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. Elizabeth was christened on January 21, 1841. As a child, she was called Lizzie. Elizabeth was named after her Aunt, Elizabeth Mearns. Elizabeth was a very beautiful and very tall red head. She married Robert Stuart Coulter on October 25, 1864 in Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois. Robert and Elizabeth were the parents of sixth children. Elizabeth died on November 23, 1926 in Berkeley, Alameda County, California. She was buried at the Garden of Memories, Salinas, Monterey County, California. Elizabeth was eighty five years old, when she died. Elizabeth Mearns outlived her husband, Robert by thirty eight years.
William Mearns II and Margaret Findlay’s seventh child was Robert Mearns. He was named for his uncle, Robert Mearns. He was born on March 30, 1843 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. Robert was christened on April 16, 1843 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. He was called Robby, as a youth. We don’t know who, Robert married or when. We don’t know, if they were the parents, of any children, We have no additional information of Robert’s life, death or burial.
Martha Mearns was the eighth child born to William Mearns II and Margaret Findlay. Martha’s nickname was Patsy, as a child. She was named for her Aunt Martha Mearns. Martha was born on March 3, 1848 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. Martha was christened on April 9, 1848 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. We don’t know who, Martha married or when. We have no other details of Martha’s life, death, or burial.
The ninth child born to William Mearns II and Margaret Findlay was Margaret Mearns. Margaret Mearns was named for her mother, Margaret Findlay. As a child, Margaret was called Maggie. She was born April 8, 1850 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. Margaret Mearns was christened on April 21, 1850 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. We don’t know, who she married, or when. We have no further details of Margaret’s life, death or burial.
William Mearns II died before 1850 near Sparta, Washington County, Illinois. He was buried near Sparta, Washington County, Illionis. We don’t know exactly when he died. We know, he outlived his wife, Margaret Findlay, by a few years. Margaret died in 1854. James, the oldest of the children in the USA, was, then the head of the family.