James Miller Veitch, Philosopher, Astronomer, of Inchbonny

Born and died in Inchbonny, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire. Son of William Veitch and Isabel Miller, husband of Betty Robson and father of:
Agnes Veitch 1804 – 1870
William Veitch 1805 – 1888
James Veitch 1808 – 1879
Ann Veitch 1810 – 1881
Isabel Veitch 1812 – 1812
John Veitch 1814 – 1831
Betty Veitch 1818 – 1912
Optician in Jedburgh.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79824705/james-miller-veitch

Telescope maker

A number of telescopes and microscopes made by James Veitch (1771 -1838) are held by National Museums Scotland.

Barometer:

The barometer has silvered registered plates marked with Veitch's name at the top of the scale. It also has an abundance of weather descriptions. It is marked on the left from 27 to 31 inches, and : 'Very / Set Fair / FAIR / Change / RAIN / Much Rain / Great' and on the right, which contains the vernier for reading fractions off the scale: 'Dry / Set Frost / FROST/ -able / SNOW / Much Snow / Storm'. The barometer has a boxwood and leather cistern, covered by a hollow hemispherical wooden cover. The adjustment screw may be a later addition.

James Veitch set up in business initially as a ploughwright. However, his passion for astronomy led him to making telescopes, at first only for himself and like-minded friends. One of these was David Brewster (1781-1868), later to become an eminent figure in the Scottish, and later, European scientific community. Brewster brought his old friend and mentor many commissions for telescopes, and by 1821, Veitch had almost abandoned ploughmaking for instruments. Five years later, this trade was superseded by weights and measures work, when the old local Scottish standards were replaced by the Imperial system.

Among the philosophers who are merely mentioned in the lecture are Sir David Brewster, who had died very shortly before,James Veitch of Inchbonny,and John Gibson,Kelso,both of whom were conspicuous for their attainments in Natural Philosophy and Mechanics

Jedburgh is also associated with names eminent in literature; not, however, to speak of these, we may mention that half a mile to the south of Jedburgh resided James Veitch, a self-taught inventive and mechanical genius—a valued friend of Sir Walter Scott, and to whose knowledge and practical experience Sir David Brewster was much indebted for early help and training.

Mrs. Somerville was also in her youth intimately acquainted with Veitch, and it is with evident delight that she mentions the Jedburgh worthy in her "Connection of the Physical Sciences" as the first to discover the great comet of 1811. On the occasion of the visit of the celebrated Dr. Wollaston to Jedburgh, Mrs. Somerville introduced him to Veitch, and also in later years he made the acquaintance of Professor Sedgwick, and corresponded with other scientific notabilities.

Jedburgh is also associated with names eminent in literature; not, however, to speak of these, we may mention that half a mile to the south of Jedburgh resided James Veitch, a self-taught inventive and mechanical genius—a valued friend of Sir Walter Scott, and to whose knowledge and practical experience Sir David Brewster was much indebted for early help and training. Mrs. Somerville was also in her youth intimately acquainted with Veitch, and it is with evident delight that she mentions the Jedburgh worthy in her "Connection of the Physical Sciences" as the first to discover the great comet of 1811. On the occasion of the visit of the celebrated Dr. Wollaston to Jedburgh, Mrs. Somerville introduced him to Veitch, and also in later years he made the acquaintance of Professor Sedgwick, and corresponded with other scientific notabilities.

https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1976JBAA...87...44M