William Miller (1810 - 1872), Author of 'Wee Willie Winkie'

William Miller was born in Glasgow c1810, son of Stephen Miller and Margaret Roy.

Very little is known about his early life although various publications state that he intended to become a doctor/surgeon but due to ill-health, his ambitions never came to fruition.

In the 1841 Scotland Census, he is listed age 30 as living at Glasgow -

East Russell Street

(district of St. James),

 with his wife Isabella and infant son Stephen.

His occupation is listed as ‘Turner’ and wife Isabella’s as Cotton Winder.

Isabella’s maiden surname was Mackay and it appears that quite a few members of the Mackay and Sutherland Families were also living at the same address, or perhaps if not exactly the same address, certainly must have been ‘next-door’ as they all appear listed together on the same Census Page.

(No relationships are listed on the 1841 Census.)

1841/42 saw the first publication of ‘Wee Willie Winkie’
within ‘Whistle-binkie: Stories for the Fireside’.

By 1851, William appears in the Census as age 40 years old, a Wood Sawyer
living at 139 High Street (district of St. Paul), Glasgow.
The Head of the Household (from a transcription) is Sarah ‘McCroy’, age 56 from Inverness.
William and Isabella are listed as Sarah’s nephew and neice, so possibly ‘McCroy’ is a mistranscription of Mackay and is part of the same family all listed together in East Russell Street 10 years previous?
Son Stephen, listed as 13 years old, an apprentice Wood Turner appears to be living with his 68 year old grandmother Sarah Mackay at 103 Graeme Sreet, Glasgow.
Once again, various members of the Mackay Sutherland Families are all living together

If the numbering on High Street has remained consistent, number 139 is just south of the junction
of Ingram Street and High Street.

This area has now mostly been re-developed (as ‘Merchant City’), but a few of the tenements still exist.

The ‘Virtual Mitchell’ has a collection of photographs of High Street ,
Stevenson Street which was originally East Russell Street and  Renfield Streethttp://www.mitchelllibrary.org/virtualmitchell/index.php

The 1861 Census shows William, wife Isabella and son Stephen living at 19 Salamanca Street
(Salamanca Streetwas in the Parkhead district of Glasgow, but no longer exists)

Head of Household: William Miller, age 50, Wood Turner

Wife Isabella, age 45

Son Stephen, age 23, Wood Engraver employing 2 apprentices.

Unfortunately, William & Isabella are proving more difficult to find in 1871 than their son Stephen
who had married and was living at 52 Renfield Sreet, Glasgow.

(52 Renfield Street is/was at the junction with West Regent Street
and is now ‘under’ the Odeon Cinema)

The 1871 Census has the following:

Head of Household: Stephen Miller, age 33, Wood Engraver employing 7 men

Wife: Isabella age 33

Daughters: Elizabeth age 5, Isabella Mackay age 3 and Jessie Cousins Miller age 1

(The family appears to have around a dozen servants)

William Miller son of Stephen Miller, Master Coppersmith and Margaret Roy

Died on the 20^th August 1872 aged 62 years at 21 Windsor Street
(district of Milton), Glasgow.

The registration of his death shows the cause was Spinal Paralysis and Bed Sores.

He is shown as ‘married’ to Isabella Mackay, so presumably Isabella was still alive at the time.

The informant of his death was his son Stephen.

William was buried in Tollcross Churchyard and according to popular opinion,
this was within the Family Lair although there has been speculation
that he was buried in a ‘Pauper’s Grave’ (Common Ground).

No stone exists in the Churchyard bearing the name of Miller.



The red arrow on the above aerial view marks the original entrance to the churchyard
and the tenements in the background line Tollcross Road.

Some years after William’s death, his memorial in the Glasgow Necropolis was erected
by friends and admirers and was funded by public subscription.

A bronze plaque was erected on a wall of Tennants Brewery
suggesting that William’s Family home was at
4 Ark Lane, in Dennistoun – the site on which the brewery had been built,
but unless this street was later re-named,
or he lived there prior to 1841 – no census return lists this address.

The memorial is located in Section 'Lambda'
and it's location is marked in the above aerial view of the Necropolis by the red arrow.

"Wee Willie Winkie rins through the toon,

Up stairs an' doon stairs in his nicht-gown,

Tirlin' at the window, crying at the lock,

"Are the weans in their bed, for it's now ten o'clock?"

Hey, Willie Winkie, are ye comin' ben?

The cat's singin grey thrums to the sleepin hen,

The dog's speldert on the floor and disna gie a cheep,

But here's a waukrife laddie, that wunna fa' asleep.

Onything but sleep, you rogue, glow'ring like the moon,

Rattling in an airn jug wi' an airn spoon,

Rumblin', tumblin' roon about, crawin' like a cock,

Skirlin like a kenna-what, waukenin' sleepin' fock.

Hey Willie Winkie, the wean's in a creel,

Wamblin' aff a bodie's knee like a verra eel,

Ruggin' at the cat's lug and raveling a' her thrums-

Hey Willie Winkie – see there he comes.

Wearit is the mither that has a stoorie wean,

A wee, stumpie, stousie, that canna rin his lane,

That has a battle aye wi' sleep afore he'll close an e'e-

But a kiss frae aff his rosy lips gies strength anew to me."

What happened to his widow Isabella remains a mystery …..

There is, however, an Isabella Miller of the correct age, place of birth, occupation etc., listed in the 1881 Census as an inmate of the City Parish Poor House, but this obviously may be sheer co-incidence.

www.memento-mori.co.uk

Robertson Family

Dr. Duncan Robertson is documented to have purchased, for just under two thousand pounds, the seventy acre Broomage Estate at Larbert. The estate had an existing six bedroomed mansion house which he extended by adding a lodge and two wings and re-named ‘Carronvale’. Much of the interior was furnished with mahogany which is said to have been sourced from his plantation in Jamaica.

Duncan married Susan Anne (or Anna) Jane Stewart, daughter of Colonel Robert Stewart of Fincastle in Callander in November 1818 and the couple had three children at Larbert:

Duncan Stewart Robertson, born 17^th September 1819, christened 27^th September 1819

Robert Robertson, born 13^th October 1820, christened 2^nd November 1820

James Peter Robertson, born 26^th January 1822, christened 15^th February 1822

The above birth, christening and marriage details were sourced from the IGI (www.familysearch.org) but all were submitted entries, so no verification will be found in the Parish Records.

However, Duncan’s date of birth matches the inscription on the Plaque in the Robertson Family Enclosure in Larbert Old Parish Churchyard and is also verified in the following newspaper clipping from The Edinburgh Annual Register for 1808-26, Volume 12, Page 520. (17^th September 1818 – Birth of a son and heir).

Duncan Senior died on 12^th February 1824.

Son Robert Robertson’s date of birth is unfortunately not listed. The inscription shows his date of death as 17^th  February 1824, but a notice in the Edinburgh Advertiser (issue 27^th February 1824, Page 135) lists the 19^th February. Whichever the date, it was only around a week after his father.

On the death of their father, eldest son Duncan Stewart Robertson inherited Carronvale whilst another estate, Roehill in Perthshire, went to younger son James Peter Robertson.

Carronvale was advertised ‘for rent’ in 1826 and again in 1827.

The Stirling Journal of 2^nd March 1826 advertised the house and it as described as follows:

"Modern, containing a dining room, drawing room, parlour, library, and a number of bedrooms, and other conveniences, all in the best order, having been lately painted and thoroughly repaired. The offices were large and complete and the Garden contained up-wards of a Scots Acre, well enclosed with Birch Walls, and completely stocked with Fruit Trees in full bearing."

The brothers both served in the army and it was when serving in India, that Duncan met his future wife Hariette Anne Mary Ogilvy, youngest daughter of Hon. Col. Donald Ogilvie of Clova and Maria Morley.

(Hariette was born c1818)

Duncan & Hariette married in September 1844 and had 2 children:

Julia Cecelia Ogilvy Robertson, born 20^th October, 1845

Donald Ogilvy Morley Robertson, born 21^st June 1847

(Both at Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian)

Both births are listed on the IGI (extracted entries from Parish Registers) and are again verified on Plaques in Larbert Old Parish Churchyard.



Two years after the birth of his son Donald Ogilvy Morley Robertson, Duncan Stewart Robertson was left a widower with two very small children after wife Harriette’s death on 23^rd April 1849.

Duncan himself died 7 years later on 20^th October 1856 age 37.



The whereabouts of Duncan at the time of the 1841 and the 1851 Census is unknown, but his two children, Julia and Donald were living at Balnaboch in Glenprosen, County of Angus with 2 Aunts:

(Balnaboch being the home of the Ogilvy Family)

30^th- 31^st March 1851

Dorothea Maria Ogilvy, age 25 Daughter of Hon. Col. Ogilvy, Landed Proprietor (himself* being absent), born Kirriemuir, Forfarshire

Clementina Julia Ogilvy, age 23 Daughter of Hon. Col. Ogilvy, Landed Proprietor (himself* being absent), born Kirriemuir, Forfarshire

*Himself being Dorothea and Clementina’s father, Donald Ogilvy. Their mother was Maria Morley, so they were the sisters of Duncan Stewart Robertson’s wife Harriette.

Julia C. O. Robertson, Grand-Daughter, age 5, born Edinburgh

Donald Robertson, Grand-Child, age 3, born Edinburgh

Dorothea Maria Ogilvy (of Clova) was an author and amongst her work

was a book of Poems published c1873.

She was born in c1826, died in 1895 and is buried in Cortachy Kirkyard.

Clementina Julia Ogilvy was born c1828 , married Kenneth Bruce Stuart , c1855, died 12^th August 1857 and is buried in St. Cuthbert’s Churchyard, Edinburgh although her place of burial is unverified.

Duncan Stewart Robertson age 36, died of Broncho-Pneumonia at The Manse, Lochmaben,

Dumfriess-shire on 20^th October 1856 where he was temporarily resident,

but whose last domicle was in the West Indies.

There is no occupation listed on the registration – only that he was a widower.

His parents were Duncan Robertson, M.D. & Susan Ann Jane Liddell

(formerly Robertson), maiden name Stewart.

His death was registered by Rev. Thomas Liddell, his step-father.

Susan Ann Jane Robertson (nee Stewart), Duncan’s mother married Rev. Thomas Liddell

on 16^th November 1835.

The Death Registration shows his place of burial was Larbert Churchyard.

Carronvale was sold by his trustees to John Bell Sherriff in April 1857.

Presumably the proceeds would be split between his 2 children, Donald and Julia.

In 1861, 15 year old Julia is listed as a Boarder in Clifton, Bristol, England - perhaps a boarding school?

The other individuals listed were:

Maria Pines, age 48, School Mistress, born Wiltshire

Amelia Learmonth, Boarder, age 64, Holder of Dividends, born Middlesex

Charlotte Condreux, Boarder, age 26, French Governess, born France

Helen E. Harley, Boarder, age 16, Scholar, born

Julia Robertson, Boarder, age 15, Scholar, born Edinburgh, Scotland

In 1871, 25 year old Julia is listed as a Visitor

(visiting with the lady who had been her School Mistress ten years previously)

at 1 ‘Freemantle’? Villas in Clifton, Bristol, England.

The other individuals listed were:

Maria Pines, age 58, School Mistress, born Wiltshire

Emily Harwar, Boarder, age 30, Goverrness, born London

6 Female Boarders, all Scholars.

Julia Robertson, Visitor, age 25, Annuitant, born Scotland

By 1881, 35 year old Julia is listed as a Church Worker,

living at  8 Ellenbro? Crescent, Weston Super Mare in Somerset, England.

The other individuals listed were:

Isaac Penruddock, age 70, Clergyman, born Bath, Somerset

Eliza Penruddock, age 54, wife, born Dublin

Elizabeth Penruddock, age 30, Daughter, born Ahton Keynes, Wiltshire

Julia Robertson, Visitor, age 35, Church Worker, born Scotland

1891 finds, 45 year old Julia is back in Scotland.

On the 1891 Census listed as living at ‘Winfield’, Whitsome, Berwickshire with 2 servants,

‘Living on Private Means’

1901 finds, 55 year old Julia has returned to England,

and on the 1901 Census she is living with 2 servants at 8 Arundell Terrace,

Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset,  again listed as ‘Living on Own Means’

Julia Cecelia Ogilvy Robertson died age 66 on the 12^th November 1911.

Her death was registered at Axbridge district, Somerset (October - December Quarter)

Donald Ogilvy Morley Robertson is more difficult to follow

as he doesn’t seem to appear on the 1861 Cencus.

According to the information on the Plaque in the Robertson Enclosure in Larbert Old Parish Churchyard he married ‘Alice’.

At the time of the 1871 Cencus, Donald (age 23) and Alice M. L. (age 22)

were living at 29 Longford Street, Pancras/Marylebone, London.

His occupation is listed as ‘Writer of Guide Books

Donald’s place of birth is Edinburgh, Scotland, Alice’s as Frome, Somerset.’

By the 3^rd/4^th April 1881, when the next Census was taken,

the couple were living in Witham, Frome, Somerset.

Donald is listed as age 34 and a Gentleman of Independent Means

His wife is listed as Louisa. (Perhaps Louisa was one of Alice’s middle names?)



The couple appear not to have had any children and although listed on the Larbert Plaques,

both are buried at Witham, Somerset.

The Robertson Family Enclosure in Larbert Old Parish Churchyard, Stirlingshire.

James Peter Robertson, born at Larbert on 26^th January 1822, younger brother of Duncan Stewart Robertson and youngest son of Dr. Duncan Robertson and Susan Anne (or Anna) Jane Stewart spent most of his life in military service.

He attended Edinburgh Military Academy where he studied military drawing and surveying and it was whilst at Edinburgh, he received a commission and was gazetted to the 31^st Regiment in 1842.

His service took him to Asia, South Asia and India as well as serving throughout the Indian Mutiny
and Crimean War.

His book ‘Personal Adventures and Anecdotes of an Old Officer’ was published in 1906

and was dedicated to the Rt. Hon. R. B. Haldane, M.P., Secretary of State for War

“In grateful remembrance of the life-long friendship that existed between the author

and his noble-hearted and worth father, the late Robert Haldane of Cloaden.”

James was 81 years old when the portrait below was painted.

Lieutenant Colonel, James Peter Robertson, C.B., J.P.  died at his home at Callander Lodge,

Callander on Friday, February 25^th 1916 age 94 years.

His Death Registration shows that he was the widower of Louisa Churchill.

(Louisa is believed to have died c1910)

Obituaries appear in:

 The Glasgow Herald of  February 28^th, 1916 (Page 6)

The Falkirk Herald of 4^th March 1916

A well as being an Indian Mutiny and Crimean War Veteran,
he was a Justice of the Peace for Perthshire

and at the time, the oldest Freemason in Scotland.

The Falkirk Herald also adds that he was a “keen sportsman both with rod and gun” and “at the age of 85 he could take a twenty-mile run on his bicycle without undue fatigue.”

It is unknown if James is buried in the Family Enclosure at Larbert

as there are no existing Burial Records for the Churchyard.

www.memento-mori.co.uk

George Smith

There are numerous cast-iron grave markers in the Larbert Old Churchyard and although most of them are in a very poor condition, there are a few which have survived remarkably well.

Most of these are thought to have been produced by the Sun Foundry which specialised in producing iron-work for cemeteries. The most popular appears to have been in the style of an arched cast-iron frame with a sandstone or marble inset, so George Smith’s obelisk is considered to be very rare.

            

The above 3 photographs show how quickly nature can take over!

The obelisk sits within a fenced-off area and is possibly considered dangerous, so whether there were additional insets it is impossible to say.

The one remaining inset is in very good condition.

The Monumental Inscription is as follows:

"Erected to the memory of

GEORGE SMITH

Who died 6th July 1833 aged 43 years

And his beloved wife

ELIZABETH WILSON

Who died 30th July 1871 aged 81 years

Also their children

LAWRENCE and MARGARET

Who died in infancy

And ELLEN

Who died 10th March 1839 aged 21 years"

It is unknown what, or if there is any relationship between this George Smith

and the famous George Smith of the Sun Foundry, founded 1858.

The above 3 photographs illustrate some of the styles (and conditions) of the cast-iron markers.

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The Sherriff Family, Part 2

The following information, again in the form of a 'Time-Line' is the most straightforward way

of tracking John Bell Sherriff, son of George Serriff & Margaret Bell.

In 1883, George Sherriff  married Catherine Jane Nimmo, daughter of Alexander Nimmo of Howkerse, in the Parish of Bothkennar and of Westbank, Falkirk, Lieutenant-Colonel, Stirlingshire Volunteers.

1891 Scotland Census– George Sherriff, age 35,

living at the Temperance Hotel, Larbert, Occupation: Distiller

(Also living there was his wife Catherine Jane, age 29, born Falkirk, daughter Flora  age 3

and son John George Sherriff age 7 months, both born in Falkirk)

1896 George inherited the Estate of Carronvale on the death of his father John Bell Sherriff.

1901 Scotland Census–living at Carronvale House are George & Catherine Jane’s children

(Daughter Flora, age 13. son John George age 10, daughter Edith Mary age 8,

Alexander Nimmo age 6, Christopher Bell age 5 and son George age 2)

The whereabouts of the parents at the time of the 1901 Census is unknown

Their children:

Helen Russell Sherriff, born 18^th March 1885, died 8^th February 1886 (11 months)

Flora Sherriff, born c1888, died …………? (married Andrew McDowall*)

John George Sherriff, born 24^th August 1890, KIA 25^th April 1915 (age 24)

Alexander Nimmo Sherriff, born 13^th August 1894, KIA 1^st November 1914 (age 20)

Edith Mary Sherriff, born 25^th July 1892, died 4^th March 1940 (age..) married Rheinhart De Kat**

*Andrew McDowall (husband of Flora Sherriff), Lieutenant, 2^nd Lowland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery resided at Girstingwood, Kircudbright at the time their Ante-Nuptial Contract was drawn up at Edinburgh on 16^th September 1915.

**Rheinhart De Kat (husband of Edith Mary Sherriff) was a Traveller for the Polak Frutal Works Co., Amersfoort, Netherlands at the time their Ante-Nuptial Contract was drawn up in Edinburgh on 11^th April 1922. He was domiciled at 5 Van Nagell Straat, Zwolle, Kingdom of Netherlands.

Their marriage took place in Australia.

In memory of GEORGE SHERRIFF of Carronvale, Born 24^th March 1856 died 10^th November 1908

HELEN RUSSEL his daughter born 18^th March 1885 died 8^th February 1886

ALEXANDER NIMMO his second son, 2^nd Lieut., Northhamptonshire Regiment

Born 13^th August 1894 killed in action near Ypres 1^st November 1914 and buried in a wood near Hooge

JOHN GEORGE his eldest son, Lieut. 7^th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Born 24^th August 1890 killed in action in Flanders 25^th April 1915 and buried in a field near St. Julien

Both sons were killed in the Great War, the following details are extracted from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database:

Name: SHERRIFF, ALEXANDER NIMMO

Initials: A N

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Regiment/Service: Northamptonshire Regiment

Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Age: 20

Date of Death: 30/10/1914

Additional information: Son of George and Catherine J. Sherriff, of Carronvale, Larbert, Stirlingshire.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 43 and 45.

Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

Name: SHERRIFF, JOHN GEORGE

Initials: J G

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Lieutenant

Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Unit Text: 7th Bn.

Age: 24

Date of Death: 26/04/1915

Additional information: Son of George and Catherine J. Sherriff, of Carronvale, Larbert, Stirlingshire.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 42 and 44.

Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

Both brothers are listed on Larbert's Civic War Memorial

During the First World War, the Officers of the 8^th Battalion Scottish Rifles (Cameronians)

were billeted in the stables of the Carronvale Estate. Carronvale House.

Catherine Jane Sherriff nee Nimmo, (George’s wife) born 24^th September 1861,

died 16^th February 1936 (age 74) was the last of the family to live at Carronvale.

In memory of CATHERINE JANE NIMMO wife of George Sherriff

Born 24^th September 1861 died 16^th February 1936

Their youngest daughter EDITH MARY SHERRIFF wife of Rheinhart De Kat,

Born 25^th July 1892 died 4^th March 1940

After Catherine Jane’s death the house was sold in to the Prudential Insurance Company and was used by them for the storage of records during the Second World War later being sold on to the Boy’s Brigade and is Scottish Headquaters & the National Training Centre for the B.B’s.

 

Permission was kindly granted by the Boys’ Brigade to photograph the building (September 2011).

Carronvale House is Category ‘A’ Listed (Up-graded from Category ‘B’ to ‘A’ 8^th April 1993)

The British Listed Buildings online database describes Carronvale House as follows: “Extensively remodelled country house 1897, Sir John Burnet, architect, but incorporating walls of earlier house (18th century with 2 added wings in 1820s). Large 2-storey house with neo-Georgian details, planned around small internal court. Harled with ashlar dressings, modern red felt tiled roof. Entrance front, near symmetrical, 5-bay; central door, pilastered and consoled, (1897), 2 flanking windows with circa 1820 delicately carved consoled cornices. 2 wider advanced wings with canted ground floor windows, centre lights with curvilinear rail over casements, bipartite above, additional single storey projection to W. All other windows sash and case with 15-pane glazing. To E and W of main front set back bays with elaborately pilastered and decorated ashlar 1st floor facades. To W elevation ground floor verandah.

To E lower service court (now altered) Interior: finely executed woodwork throughout:

main front rooms with stained glass panels of castles.
Outer hall, marble floor and bold plain chimneypiece with columned overmantel: decorative Renaissance detail screen and internal porch. Panelled stair hall, stair with wine glass balusters, coved ceiling to upper landing supported on cherub consoles, screens at either end of landing, stained glass Art Nouveau stair window. Drawing Room, marble chimneypiece with overmantel incorporating cherubs and swags, deep frieze, plaster panelled ceiling, Former Library, 3 French windows with coloured glass, chimneypiece and overmantel, coved ceiling. Dining Room, elaborate chimneypiece with timber details rising to timber joisted ceiling. Simple but consistent detail in 1st floor rooms (2 amalgamated to front of house). Extensive walls (formerly part of walled garden and stable range to N and E.)”

Unfortunately, anyone wishing to visit some of these graves might be disappointed as the following photograph shows ......

all the Plaques and Stones are completely overgrown

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