Robert Corbet, Jeweller and Watch-Maker

A ‘couldn’t resist’ moment …….!

One of the joys of working on Scottish family history is when an 1855 birth,
marriage or death is discovered as the registration documents for these events
usually contain a huge amount of information.

In 1854, an Act of Parliament was passed to initiate a new standardised system
to replace that of the existing Church of Scotland Parish Registration
and on January 1^st, 1855 this now compulsory registration began.

So, when finding that all important year inscribed on a gravestone,
my curiosity always gets the better of me!

In Glasgow Cathedral ‘New’ Burial Gound, I came across a stone erected to the memory
of members of the Corbet Family.
The inscription lists three generations and mentions the fact that
two of them (father and son) were involved in the watch-making/jewellery business.

The second name inscribed on the stone is that of Robert Corbet, Watchmaker,

who died 5^th May 1854 aged 62 years and by downloading the registration of his death,

all the information gleaned enabled a reasonably comprehensive précis of at least

4 further generations of the family.

Robert Corbet was born in Gladsmuir Parish, East Lothian,
4^th February and christened 11^th February 1770
to parents Robert Corbet and Marion White (IGI Batch No. C11708-4).

Only one sibling is listed on the same source – an elder sister Mary,
born 16^th July 1767 also in Gladsmuir.

(No marriage has been found for their parents).

On 19^th May 1791 at Canongate, Edinburgh Robert married
Jane (or Jean) Morrison, daughter of Henry Morrison. (IGI Batch No. M19500-2)

The couple went on to have the following 15 children,

all of whom are listed on his 1855 death registration.

It is also noted on the document that Jane Morrison his wife had pre-deceased him.

His occupation is listed as having been Head Porter (formerly) in Glasgow Union Bank
and crucially, that although  he was born in Gladsmuir, he had been some years in Falkirk.*

(*Actual number of  years on certificate are illegible, but information cross-checks with the 1851 Census)

The above notice appeared in the Glasgow Herald newspaper

Robert Corbet & Jean Morrison’s children:

Robert born 3^rd March, christened 9^th March 1792, Falkirk (IGI Batch No. C11970-0)

Mother Jean ‘Maison’

Henry born 28^th July, christened 28^th July 1793, Edinburgh (IGI Batch No. C11999-7)

Sarah born 30^th January, christened 8^th February 1795, Edinburgh (IGI Batch No. C11999-7)

Alexander born 2^nd November, christened 20^th November 1796, Edinburgh (IGI Batch No. C11999-8)

John (1) born 15^th May, christened 15^th May 1798, Edinburgh (IGI Batch No. C11999-8)

Elizabeth (Roble) born 8^th May 1800, Edinburgh (IGI Batch No. C11999-8)

George born 5^th July, christened 11^th August 1801 Edinburgh (IGI Batch No. C11999-8)

Marion born 10^th, christened 22^nd May 1803, Carmichael, Lanarkshire (IGI Batch No, C11630-2)

William (1)

Jane (or Jean) born 25^th November 1807, Glasgow (IGI Batch No. C11974-1)

Thomas born 1^st February 1810, Glasgow (IGI Batch No. C11974-1)

John (2)

James born c1810

Janet born 12^th March 1811, Glasgow (IGI Batch No. C11974-1)

William (2) born 23^rd February 1806, Glasgow (IGI Batch No. C11974-1)

Robert Corbet, (born 1792) eldest son of  Robert Corbet  and Jean Morrison

married Mary Bell at Glasgow, 18^th June 1822 (M11967-3)

Their Children:

Isabella Corbet, born 13^th January 1825, Glasgow (C11974-6)

Robert Corbet, born c1827, Lanarkshire*

George Cabell Corbet, born 4^th December 1829, Glasgow (C11975-8)

Margaret Corbett, born 9^th September 1836, Glasgow (C11974-9)

*The only Robert Corbet son of Robert Corbet to be found in the IGI

was born 30^th September 1827 at Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire,

But …. the mother is listed as Janet Steven?

Note: The following census information has been sources from transcriptions, so may not be wholly accurate.

1841 Cencus

Stockwell Street, Glasgow

(St. Enochs)

Robert Corbet, Watchman, age 45, born c1801, Scotland  (c1792)

Mary Corbet, age 40, born c1799, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Isabella Corbet, age 15, born c1825, Lanarkshire, Scotland (born 13^th January 1825)

Robert Corbet, age 14, born c1827, Lanarkshire, Scotland

1851 Census

22 Argyle Street, Glasgow

(Glasgow St. David)

Robert Corbet, Head of Household, Watchmaker, age 59, born c1792, Falkirk, Stirlingshire

(D.C. confirms he was not born Falkirk)

Mary Corbet, Wife, age 53, born c1799, Glasgow

Isabella Corbet, Daughter, age 26, born c1825, Glasgow

Robert Corbet, Son, Mechanical Dentist, age 24, born c1827, Glasgow

Robert Corbet died of Bronchitis on 10^th and was buried on 10^th May 1854

in Glasgow Cathedral ‘New’ Burial ground.

His occupation in the register in listed as Watchmaker of 22 Argyle Street.

His widow and daughter Isabella are listed on the 1861 Census at

342 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow

Both are listed as Milliners.

His son Robert, born c1827, although listed as a Mechanical Dentist on the 1851 Census,

Appears to have change occupation and followed his father in the Jewellery/Watch-Making trade.

The above listing is contained within the Book ‘Old Scottish Clockmakers’

The above advert appears in the 1856/57 Post Office Directory.

Advert image courtesy or Robert Pool, Glasgow.

Robert Corbet, (born 1827) eldest  (surviving) son of  Robert Corbet and Mary Bell

married Harriet McGregor at Glasgow, 18^th June 1857 (M11933-1)

Their Children:

Margaret Corbet, born 21^st March 1859, Tradeston, Glasgow (C 11933-1)

Robert Corbet, born 16^th March 1861, Hutchesontown, Glasgow (C 11934 – 1)

Mary Bell Corbet, born 13^th October 1862, Hutchesontown, Glasgow (C11934-1)

Harriet Corbet, born 26^th December 1864, Tradeston, Glasgow (C 11933-1)

Jemima Isabella Corbet, 31^st May 1866, Tradeston, Glasgow (C11933-1)

Alexander McGregor Corbet, born 28^th June 1868, Tradeston, Glasgow (C11933-1)

Isabella Corbet, born 26^th November 1869, Cathcart, Renfrewshire (C11560-1)

Elsie Jane Corbet, born 30^th August 1873, Cathcart, Renvrewshire (C 11560 -1)

The children listed on the Monumental Inscription are those of Robert Corbet and Harriet McGregor

 

ROBERT, son of Robert Corbet, Jeweller, who died 6^th September 1861 aged 6 months

JEMIMA who died 10^th October 1866 aged 4 months

HARRIET who died 2^nd January 1869 aged 4 years

ALEXANDER McGREGOR who died 10^th January 1869 aged 6 months

MARY BELL who died 17^th August 1877 in her 15^th year

1861 Census

227 Upper Crown Street, Hutchesontown, Glasgow

Robert Corbet, Head of Household, Watchmaker employing 2 Apprentices,

age 34, born c1827, Glasgow Lanarkshire

Harriet Corbett, Wife, age 27, born c1834, Glasgow, Lanarkshire

Margaret Corbett, Daughter, age 2, born c1859, Glasgow

Robert Corbet, Son, age 1 month, born c1861, Glasgow

Ten years later, in 1871, it appears that the family were possibly on holiday at Ardrossan on the Ayrshire coast

as not only are Robert and Harriet and their children listed,

but also Robert’s mother Mary and his sister Isabella.

1871 Census

Larchmont, Ardrossan, Ayshire

Jane Anderson, Head of Household, ‘Lets Coast House’?, age 65, born c1806

Ann Anderson, Sister, Asistant, age 75, born c1796

Mary Corbet, Visitor, Jeweller’s Mother, age 70, born c1801, Glasgow, Lanarkshire

Isabella Corbet, Visitor age 45, born c1826, Glasgow

Robert Corbet, Visitor, Jeweller age 44, born c1827, Glasgow

Harriet Corbet, Visitor, Jeweller’s wife, age 37, born c1834, Glasgow

Margaret Corbet, Visitor, scholar, age 12, born c1859, Glasgow

Mary Corbet, Visitor, scholar, age 9 born c1859, Glasgow

Isabella Corbet, Visitor, age 5, born c1866, Glasgow

1881 Census

112 Ardgowan Street, Glasgow

(Kinning Park)

Mary Corbet, Head, of Household, Annuitant, age 80, born c1801, Glasgow, Lanarkshire

Isabella Corbet, Daughter, Housekeeper, age 56, born c1825, Glasgow, Lanarkshire

1881 Census

115 Victoria Road, Cathcart, Renfrewshire

Robert Corbet, Head of Household, Watchmaker & Jeweller,
emp. 1 man & 1 boy, age 54, born c1847, Glasgow

Harriet Corbet, Wife, age 47, born c1834, Glasgow

Margaret S. Corbet, Daughter, Not in School, age 22, born c1859, Glasgow

Isabella Corbet, Daughter, Not in School, age 11, born c1870, Crosshill, Renfrewshire

Elsie Jane Corbet, Daughter, Not in Shool, age 7, born c1874, Crosshill, Renfrewshire

1891 Census

115 Victoria Road, Cathcart, Renfrewshire

Robert Corbet, Head of Household, Watchmaker & Jeweller, age 64, born c1827, Glasgow

Harriet Corbet, Wife, age 57, born c1834, Glasgow

Isabella Corbet, Daughter, Artist, age 21, born c1870, Glasgow

Elsie Jane Corbet, Daughter, Pupil Teacher age 17, born c1874, Glasgow

1901 Census

5 Mansionhouse Road, Cathcart, Renfrewshire

Robert Corbet, Head of Household, Retired Watchmaker, age 74, born c1827, Glasgow

Harriet Corbet, Wife, age 67, born c1834, Glasgow

Isabella Corbet, Daughter, age 31, born c1870, Glasgow

Elsie Jane Corbet, Daughter, Teacher English, age 27, born c1874, Glasgow

Mary Corbet (nee Bell), widow of Robert Corbet died aged 90 years

between January 1^st and April 6^th 1891* at Kinning Park, Glasgow

(Source: SP Index)

*5/6^th April 1891 was the dates on which the Census was carried out

1891 Census: Visiting with The Bertram Family at

Laurel Street , Partick

Isabella Corbet, Visitor, age 66, born c1825, Glasgow, Lanarkshire

1901 Census: At

112 Ardgowan Street, Glasgow

(Glasgow Kinning Park)

Isabella Corbet, Head, of Household, Living on own means, age 76, born c1825, Glasgow, Lanarkshire.

Glasgow Cathedral 'New' Burial Ground

with the Royal Infirmary towering above.

http://www.memento-mori.co.uk/

The Ure Family, Calenderers

The grandeur of Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary somewhat overshadows the burial place of

Walter Ure, Calenderer, his wife and family.

Rather than a monument or gravestone, the inscription appears to have been carved on the existing West Perimeter Wall of the ‘New’ Cathedral Burying Ground situated directly behind the infirmary.

The actual lair number is unknown, but will be ‘somewhere’ between 3 - 34.

The inscription on the plaque bears the names of 8 individuals and reads as follows:

The Family Burying Ground of Walter Ure, Calender Master, Glasgow

Interred here

ANN URE died 20^th February 1797

ANN URE died 30^th December 1800

JANET URE died 8^th April 1808

WALTER URE died 19^th October 1813

WALTER URE died 22^nd May 1817

JANET COLQUHOUN spouse of Walter Ure died 21^st February 1821

SUTHERLAND URE died 4^th March 1821

ROBERT URE died 4^th July 1840

This would appear to be Walter Ure, his wife Janet Colquhoun and possibly their children, but

on searching the IGI (www.familysearch.org) it seems that this may not quite be the case …..

Janet Colquhoun was born in Govan (Parish), Glasgow

28^th May and christened on 9^th June 1774 (C11646-4)

Daughter of Sutherland Colquhoun and Mary Copland

Who married on 26^th October 1767 at Cathcart, Renfrewshire. (M11560-2)

Janet Colquhoun married Walter Ure at Glasgow on 10^th November 1794. (M11974-3)

The others listed on the inscription (except Sutherland Ure) remain a mystery.

No corresponding births have been found, so they may perhaps have been stillborn children,

infants who died before christening/baptism could take place

or they may have be Walter Ure’s siblings.

(Births alone were not usually registered, only when a subsequent christening/baptism took place

were they entered into the Parish Register.)

Walter & Janet’s children whose births were registered (with corresponding IGI Batch Nos):

Mary Ure, born 30^th July 1795, Glasgow (C 11946-7)

Ann Ure

Margaret Ure, born 23^rd April 1798, Glasgow (C 11974-3)

Ann Ure, born 14^th December 1799, Glasgow (C11974-4) [Possibly Ann (2) on inscription]

Helen Ure, born 4^th July 1801, Glasgow (C11974-1)

James Ure, born 20^th September 1805, Glasgow (C11974-1)

Elisabeth Ure, born 1^st December 1807, Glasgow (C11974-1)

Janet Ure

Janet Ure, born 7^th January 1810, Glasgow (C11974-1)

Sutherland Ure (born 11^th November 1811)

Walter Ure

Walter Ure

Robert Ure

The names inserted with no other details are those from the MI
and have been classed as infants.

(apart from Robert Ure whose death is 20 years after the death of Sutherland Ure

Sutherland is known to have been born in 1811 and died in 1821.)

Sutherland Ure (probably named after his maternal grandfather Sutherland Colquhoun)

was born at Glasgow11^th November 1811 (Source: S.P. Index)

Presuming that all these named were their children,

Walter & Janet appear to have at least 13 offspring!)



The above image is an entry in The Glasgow Directory (17^th Edition)

July 1815 – February 1817

(Directory contains a list of Merchants, Manufacturers, Traders etc., in the City & Suburbs of Glasgow)

The next obvious step – check the early Census Returns!

There were no Walter Ures to be found listed on the 1841 Census of the correct age to be the ‘correct’ Walter,

however, the following brought forth some strong co-incidences ….

(based on transcriptions, not images, so may not be wholly accurate)

1841 Census

Dunoon Kirn Shore, Dunoon & Kilmun, Argyll, 6^th June 1841

Catherine Miller, Independent, age 69, born c1772, Scotland (John’s Ure’s Mother-in-law)

John Ure, Calenderer, age 44, born c1797, Scotland

Catherine Ure, age 38, born c1803, Scotland

Walter Ure, Son, age 14, born c1827, Scotland

Catherine Ure, age 12, born c1829, Scotland (28^th February 1828, Glasgow, C11974-7)

Janet Ure, born 9^th February 1830, Glasgow C11967-1,

Christina (or Christian) Ure, age 9, born c1832, Scotland (10^th March 1832, Glasgow, C11974-8)

Mary (Copland) Ure, age 7, born c1834, Scotland (3^rd March 1834, Glasgow, C11974-8)

James Ure, age 5, born c1836, Scotland

John Ure, age 1, born c1840, Scotland

(The actual dates of birth were sourced from the IGI - Batch Nos.included above)

John, age 44, Calenderer, born ‘around’ the same time as Walter

and obviously not only sharing the Ure surname, but the also having the same occupation
and in turn, calling one his eldest son Walter.

No substantiating evidence has been found to definitely link Walter Ure to this John Ure.

On checking the IGI, John may have been the son of Walter Ure and Margaret Ferguson,

Born 3^rd June 1798, Glasgow (C11968).

John Ure married Catherine Miller at Glasgow 21^st August 1825 (M11967-3)

(Catherine’s father is listed on the IGI as James Miller and from the information on the 1841 Census,
her mother would have been Catherine)

Only a few of the births of their children have been sought but they appear to have at least 10.

1851 Census

114 North Montrose Street,

Glasgow (Glasgow St. Mungo), 30^th/31^st March 1851

John Ure, Head of Household, Calenderer & Packer, age 54, born c1797, Glasgow

Catherine Ure, Wife, age 48, born c1803, Glasgow

Walter Ure, Son, Calenderer & Packer, age 24, born c1827, Glasgow

Catherine Ure, Daughter, At Home, age 21, born c1830, Glasgow

Christina Ure, Daughter, At Home, age 18, born c1833, Glasgow

Mary Ure, Daughter, At. Home, age 16, born c1835, Glasgow

James Ure, Son, At School, age 15, born c1836, Glasgow

John Ure, Son, At School, age 11, born c1840, Glasgow

William Ure, Son, At School, age 9, born c1842, Glasgow

Thomas Ure, Son, At School, age 6, born c1845, Glasgow

Janet Ure, Daughter, At School, age 5, born c1846, Glasgow
(born 31^st October 1845, Glasgow, C11975-2)

The above notice appeared in both the Edinburgh Gazette & the London Gazette.

1861 Census

114 Montrose Street, Glasgow

(Glasgow Inner High), 7^th/8^th April 1861

John Ure, Head of Household, Retired Calenderer, age 64, born c1797, Glasgow

Catherine Ure, Wife, age 59, born c1802, Glasgow

Walter Ure, Son, Retired Calenderer, age 34, born c1827, Glasgow

Catherine Ure, Daughter, age 33, born c1828, Glasgow

Christina Ure, age 29, born c1832, Glasgow

Mary Ure, Daughter, age 27, born c1834, Glasgow

John Ure, Son, Commercial Clerk, age 21, born c1840, Glasgow

William Ure, Son, Commercial Clerk, age 19, born c1842, Glasgow

Janet Ure, Daughter, Scholar, age 15, born c1846, Glasgow

Note that both John and his son Walter are listed as ‘retired’ calenderers.

The following view is towards the eastern part of the ‘New’ Burial Ground.

Glasgow Cathedral

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James Young (Captain & Adjutant)

The marriage of George Young, Farmer and Isabella/Isobel Mitchell

was registered at Glasgow on the 17^th October 1813.

The couple had 3 known children, all born at Rutherglen:

James, born 18^th September 1815,

David born 6^th March 1818 and Margaret born 7^th March 1821

James, the eldest son enlisted into the 79^th (Cameron Highlanders) Regiment on the 27^th May, 1831 when he was around 16 years of age giving his occupation as ‘Nailer’ (which was later to become his nickname).

His army career saw him rising through the ranks to finally become Captain and Adjutant.

He served throughout the Crimean War receiving the Crimean Medal (with three clasps),

the Turkish Crimea Medal and was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour

by the French Government.

c1852

His regiment served in the Indian Mutiny from 1857

During 1858 he was invalided home later being awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal

(with Clasp for Lucknow.)

It was after his return to Scotland that he married Frances Leigh Cormack

on 2^nd February 1859 at Fettes Row, Edinburgh.

The couple’s Marriage Registration lists James as a widower, aged 42

and a Lieutenant in the 79^th Highlanders.

Frances is listed as aged 27, spinster and daughter of William Cormack, Farmer

and Catherine Sinclair.

Nothing is known about his first marriage although research suggests that his first wife

may have been Jane Wilson, daughter of Charles Wilson,

the marriage taking place at Bombay, India on 25^th January 1847.

James and Frances went on to have 4 (known) children:

George, born January, died 2^nd February 1860 (age 4 days)

James, born March 1861

Isabella, born 1864

Frances Leigh, born 1865

On the 1861 Census for Stirling, the family is listed as living at 9 Forth Place, Stirling.
.

James Young, age 45, Head of Household, born Rutherglen, Lanarkshire,

Occupation: Returned Captain from the army, now Adjutant, Stirlingshire Rifle Volunteers

Fanny L. Young, age 31, Wife, born Cannisbay, Caithness

James Young, age 1 month, Son, born Stirling.

Sadly, Frances died on the 28^th of October 1865, shortly after the birth of  daughter Frances.

Frances was buried in Section W of  Mar Cemetery in Stirling.

(It is unknown whether infant son George is also interred there,

but is listed on the stone’s inscription)



It is possible James remained in Stirling

but the family are proving difficult to locate on the 1871 Census.

On 11^th December 1872, James married his third wife, Margarer Moyes Burr

at 18 Merkland Terrace, Hillhead (or Partick), Glasgow, the bride’s home.

He was now 57 years old and was listed as a widower and Captain & Adjutant

of Stirlingshire Rifle Volunteeers, living at 23 Albert Place, Stirling.

Margaret is listed as age 44, daughter of Alexander Burr, Commission Agent

and Margaret MacGibbon.

This third marriage was also destined to be short as nine months later,

on the 14^th August 1873, James died at East Wemyss in the Kingdom of Fife.

On his Death Registration, his domicil was listed at Stirling,

the informant to the Registrar being a Medical Attendant.

His cause of death is listed as Disease of the Liver.

He was buried in Mar Cemetery beside his second wife Frances.

Mar Cemetery, Stirling.

“Stirling—Funeral of Captain and Adjutant Young.  Yesterday, the remains of Captain Young, Adjutant of the Stirlingshire Rifle Volunteers, whose death occurred at East Wemyss, Fifeshire, on Thursday, were interred, with military honours, in Stirling Cemetery.  The cortege left the residence of the deceased officer shortly after half-past two o’clock in the following order:-- Firing party of 100 men, under command of Captain Galbraith, 1^st S.R.V.; pipers; the band of the battalion; the coffin, borne by six men, and covered with the Union Jack; Captain Nimmo, 3^rd S.R.V.; Captain Wilson, 9^th S.R.V.; Captain Wilson, 9^th S.R.V.; Captain Turnbull, 11^th S.R.V.; and Captain and Adjutant Chalmers, Clackmannanshire R.V.—officiating as pall-bearers; the relatives and friends; Volunteers, of whom there were upwards of 300; the drill instructors of the battalion; the officers of the battalion; staff sergeants of the Highland Borderer’s Militia; detachments of the 21^st, 72^nd, and 91^st Regiments, Stirling Castle.  Great numbers of spectators lined the way taken by the procession, and the cemetery was quite filled.  On arriving at the grave, a short service was engaged in by Rev. Mr. Stephen, assistant to Rev. Dr. Alexander, of whose church the deceased was a member.  After the coffin had been lowered into the grave, three volleys were fired, the band playing between the volleys the “Old Hundred”.  The volunteers were then reformed, and proceeded to the High School square, where they were dismissed.  Among those who attended to pay a last tribute of respect to the deceased were Sir C.R.G.  Maitland, M.P. for Mid-Lothian; Sheriff-Substitute Sconce; Colonel Hope, C.B., 58^th Brigade Depot, Stirling; the officers of the regiment in Stirling Castle, &c.”

His widow Margaret appears to have reverted back to her maiden name and was listed

as such on the 1881 Census as follows:

Living at 1 Roseberry Terrace, Glasgow

James Burr, age 54, Head of Household, born Edinburgh, Commission Agent

Margaret Burr, age 53, Sister, born Edinburgh, Annuitant

Grace Burr, age 51, Sister, born Edinburgh

With the Burr siblings were Margaret’s step-children:

James Young, age 20, Boarder, born Stirling, House Factor’s Clerk

Isabella Young, age 17, born Stirling, Apprentice Milliner

Frances Leigh Young age 15, the youngest daughter, was found as a pupil

At Fulford Field Boarding School in Yorkshire.

Captain James Young left an estate valued at approximately two thousand pounds not including a one thousand pound trust fund which he had set up for his widow Margaret pursuant to a contract of  marriage.

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The Scotsman Newspaper of 20^th August 1873 carries an Obituary.