James Allan Deans JAD56

James Allan Deans is born in 1856 the son of Charles Deans and Jessie Allan. He appears along with his mother, father and siblings on the 1861, 1871 and 1881 censuses.

By 1871 at age 16 his profession is “Tinsmith” sometimes referred to as tinner, tinker or tinman.

The next time James Allan Deans appears on an official record is on a Military deserters list.

Date: 02 September 1879

Height: 5ft 4⅜

Name: James Deans Hair: Dark Brown

Place of desertion: Weedon Eyes: Grey

Regiment: Royal Artillery Marks and Remarks: None

Clothing: Regimental

Age: 23

From: Edinburgh

By 1881 he is living with his parents at 352 Castle Hill Boswells Close, Edinburgh working as a Tinsmith.

1885 The Scotsman - Thursday 10 December

Theft - At the Edinburgh Police Court yesterday James Allan Deans , a young man plead guilty of the theft of two smoke dispensers from a cellar of a tinsmith’s in the Cannongate. Judge Balie Anderson sentenced him to 15 days imprisonment.