Data on the Wighton line in Perth are somewhat sparse, at least compared to the Dundee line. We have evidence of four distinct generations living in Perth from 1550 - 1660 approximately. They may have stemmed from the one parent - Andrew Wychtoun, estimated birth in 1542. He had two Wychtoun children in 1570 and 1571, gender and names unknown. Patrike Wigtone and William Wighton were born in the 1590s and it is tempting to ascribe their parenthood to the unnamed Wychtouns. Patrike had two children - Johne in 1622 and Isabell in 1628. William had a daughter, Elspet in 1626.

Naturally, we can't forget that Beatrix Wichtane was mentioned twice in church records - once in 1619 for being a skald and another in 1624 for starching gentlemen's ruffles. Given the impossibility that a true-born Wighton woman could ever have a skaldish nature, we have to assume that she was the widow of one of the unnamed Wychtouns. She probably developed the nasty nature after losing her husband. What woman wouldn't turn sour on life after such a loss?

There were no records of any Wightons born or married in Perth from 1660 to 1730. It's possible that the Wightons who lived in Perth in the early 1600s fell victim to either the Royalist attacks in the 1640s or to the plague that swept the area in the same decade.

As Perth's fortunes began to improve after the Union in 1707, Wightons gradually reappeared in the city. Between 1750 and 1800, 12 marriages produced 11 children. These new city dwellers would have come from the surrounding area, either attracted by Perth's growing economy and/or forced off their lands by the Lowland Clearances. The trickle of Wightons into the city (a trickle compared to what was happening in Dundee) slowed after 1800. There'd be only 7 more marriages and 9 children with most of those being recorded in the early part of the century.

The Meigle line of the Wighton family was in Perth from about 1885 to 1895. John Murray Wighton was working at the Perth Prison during this period. His wife, Amy Louisa Wighton, bore three children - Harry Latta, Ella Burns, and Amy Louisa. John Murray Wighton was active in local politics and was a prime mover behind the Perth Parliament which served as a debating venue for working men. Through his link to his great grandmother, a Murray, he became a frequent guest of the Murray family in nearby Scone Palace, including the wedding of the Viscount Stormont's daughter. John Murray Wighton and his family moved at some point after 1900 when John was transferred to another prison. Harry Wighton returned to work in the Perth area for a number of years and was secretary to the local professional soccer club.

Sources

ScotlandsPeople Database: http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/

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