Born:

12 January 1804 to Alexander Clement and Grizell Allan, fourth daughter and eleventh of 15 children, in Summerhill in the parish of Balmaclellan, Kircudbrightshire. Christened 'Rosina' at Balmaclellan Parish Church (Church of Scotland) on 14 Jan 1804, but called Rosanna by her husband. In parish register, father Alexander is said to be a 'farmer of Cubbox Muir'.

Life:

She was educated at Balmaclellan Parish School. 1817 age 13 went to Dudley Staffordshire to superintend the affairs of her brother John. Moved to London with her brother in 1822 and met James Charters Currie. Brother died in May 1823.

Age 20 married James Charters Currie (age 26) on 8 Apr 1824 at Church of St Dunstan, Stepney, Middlesex. Present at the wedding were Rosanna's brothers Jacob, Matthew and her sister Margaret Clement. Dined at the Crown and Sceptre Tavern, Greenwich. She was very delicate and slender at that point.

Had 15 children, 12 survived, though Rosanna (#1) only lived for 7 weeks - 9 boys and 3 girls - John Clement, James Charters, William, Alexander, Margaret, Matthew, McDowall, David, Rosanna, Rosanna, Archie and Allan, all except the last 3 christened at St Vincent Street Scotch Church, Stepney, London. Became very stout - nearly 17 stone - after all the confinements.

Lived in High Street, Deptford

1841 marked the beginning of her illness - started feeling palpitations around the time of son John Clement's enlisting into the merchant navy. In 1847 she was at Ramsgate for a holiday but had a "very uncomfortable landlady" and was now starting to feel pain on walking as well as the palpitations. In Oct 1848 Dr Hamilton Roe said that she was dropsical as well as disease of the heart ("2 complaints working one against the other"). Told JCC privately that she had 12 months to 3/4 years. Physician recommended that she go to Brighton. Progressive deterioration, unable to sleep, felt desperate for air. Diary relates how JCC used to wake up at night to find her sitting by the window reading the psalms. Shortly before death was able to lie down and sleep again - great comfort. (Much more about last months in the diary, please get in touch if you are interested)

Died:

4 Aug 1850 , aged 46, at High Street Deptford, Sunday 11 am, daughter Margaret and husband James were at home, called doctor, other children were at church. The children had to be called from church and all crowded sobbing round the bed. Same year as Sir Robert Peel "met with the accident", says James in his diary.

8 Aug 1850 Buried in Nunhead Cemetery (now in Southwark) grave 1734/162. Near to a beautiful weeping willow. Accompanied by sons William, Alexander, Matthew, McDowall, David, Archie and little Allan plus nephew John Boyd (son of JCC's sister Janet and Wm Boyd)

Sources:

James Charters Currie's Diary on the death of his wife and daughter 1850
Letters to and between James Charters Currie and Rosanna Currie (née Clement)and their children
British birth, baptism and marriage records
English census records
British cemetery records
Balmaclellan Parish Register