This is one of the largest families in the study, with 136 descendants born bearing the Brymer surname identified – 63 males and 73 females. The head of the line is Alexander CUTHILL,[i] illegitimate son of Helen CUTHILL. He was being called Alexander BRIMER two years later in the 1861 census[ii] but eventually settled on Alexander BRYMER – apparently after his reputed father, James BRYMER.
Which James BRYMER is not known. However, given the age of Helen CUTHILL, the year of Alexander’s birth and the area, the most likely candidate is the son of George BRYMER and Ann McLAREN (Family T), who was born in Auchterhouse and lived in Tealing, both in Angus.
The first generation of this tree was able to be identified because it was noted on the baptismal record of Agnes BRYMER born 1799, that she was named after her Grandmother Agnes SPANKIE.[iii] This is an important reminder that although a one name study focuses on the males, it is important not to ignore the female children or vital clues may be missed.
It has not been possible to trace James after the 1851 census. His family have yet to be fully researched – there are no living descendants bearing the Brymer surname within the UK. However, many of the descendants took the surname BREMNER so it may well be possible in the future to find other living relatives in this branch to test this hypothesis.
Alexander Cuthill BRYMER is largely responsible for the long-term viability of his branch, having 16 children with two wives, nine of whom were boys. All bar one of his sons, who died as an infant, went on to have children of their own resulting in 35 living male descendants currently. Of these 35, two are now living in Australia, four are below the age of eighteen and one is the son of a female Brymer leaving 28 men eligible to take part in the first stage of the DNA study.
Gravestone of Alexander Cuthill BRYMER in Tealing Churchyard
This branch started in Angus and has largely remained there and in the neighbouring counties. They worked mainly in agricultural and rural jobs later diversifying into building and driving lorries, cranes and buses before more recent increased social mobility and opportunities expanded employment options.
[i] Births (CR) Scotland. Inverkeillor, Angus. 22 February 1859. CUTHILL, Alexander. 369/01 0018. http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk : accessed 16 May 2016.
[ii] Census. 1861. Scotland. Kinnell, Angus. 296/00 001/00 004. http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk : accessed 16 May 2016.
[iii] Baptisms (OPR) Scotland. Dundee, Angus. 28 August 1799. BRYMER, Agnes. 282/00 0080 0350. http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk : accessed 17 June 2016.
Brimer-Brymer database last updated at 2016-07-02 00:29:43 with 4028 census records and 2856 individuals