Author: MUSTARD, James
Biography:
MUSTARD, James (b 1772: ancestry.co.uk)
The title page of his one book of verse identifies him as a weaver in Leith, Midlothian, Scotland. The book was published in 1809 but includes poems written over a number of years, including when he was serving with the Royal Leith Volunteers during the period of alarm in Scotland over a possible invasion by the French under Napoleon. James Mustard was one of four sons born in South Leith to Andrew Mustard and his wife Marian Grieve. They had married in Edinburgh on 19 June 1768 and James was born on 4 Nov. 1772. He married Elizabeth Barclay, to whom two of his poems are addressed, in South Leith on 24 Oct. 1800. The BL copy of his book has manuscript notes likely added by Mustard himself and identifying some of the poems as by his friend, Jamie Craig. Under the printed title of one poem, “Lines to a Young Gentleman,” is written “Soliciting him to procure the Author some other employment” and the poem is about the miserable working conditions of a weaver. On 20 Sept. 1809 James Mustard of South Leith enlisted with the 71st foot soldiers, second battalion. Nothing more is known. (ancestry.co.uk 18 July 2024) SR