Biographical notes

John Allan (b. 1733) is the only parent given for John Allan (b. 1760) in the Barr OPR. More information is found on the gravestone that he erected for his parents and daughter Margaret in Barr Kirkyard and which records his own death in 1832. The inscription on this reads

quote : In memory of Jean McCeahie in Barr spouse to John Allan Shoemaker who died 24 Feb 1802 aged 81 years. John Allan died 30th Dec. 1807 aged 74. And Margaret Allan died August 1813 aged 4 years. Also John Allan the erecter of this stone who died 13th Feb 1832 aged 77 years.

The age of 77 given for John is at 5 years variance with the entry for his birth in the OPR. Margaret is inferred to have been his daughter and her death in 1813 at the age of 4, can be linked with a birth entry in the Barr OPR for a Margaret Allan born on 12.11.1809. This entry names the mother (John Allan's inferred wife) as Ann Stewart which in turn matches other Barr OPR entries for John and Ann's wedding and the birth of their other children.