James Paterson 1775-12/6/1861.

We last week omitted to notice the passing away of a patriarch from among us by the death of Mr. James Paterson, the father and father-in-law of the partners of the firm of James Paterson and Co., merchants here. Mr. Paterson was one of the oldest inhabitants of Edinburgh. He carried on the business of a watchmaker in the Lawn Market for more than half a century; and was highly respected for his skill and integrity as a tradesman, and for his liberal and independent principles as a citizen. During the agitation of those public questions which for a series of years preceded and had for their object Parliamentary and Burgh Reform, Mr. Paterson was a member of the Town Council of Edinburgh, as deacon of the corporation of hammermen, in which capacity he took an active part in the struggle for freedom from the close burgh system that then prevailed; and so well acquitted himself that his brethren of the corporation, in testimony of their approbation of his upright and honourable conduct, presented him with a piece of plate. Mr. Paterson was also respected as a humble and devout Christian. He was a member of Lady Glenorchy's church for nearly sixty years, during the latter twenty of which he held the office of an elder, and on his departure for this colony was presented with a handsome memorial of the congregation's esteem. Being a man of warm affection, he yearned to rejoin the members of his family who had emigrated to this colony, which he did about three years ago, after he had reached the patriarchal age of eighty years. On the 5th inst., having been previously in the enjoyment of good health, he had a shock of apoplexy, and on the 12th died in peace. The large company that followed his remains to the grave manifested the high esteem in which he was held among ourselves. And what is rather remarkable in this distant land, he was accompanied to his last resting-place and laid in the grave by two sons, one son-in-law, one nephew, and six grandchildren.  -Otago Witness, 29/6/1861.

Southern cemetery, Dunedin.