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William STUART (b 1852)

William Stuart is my paternal great-grandfather.

William Stuart was born on 10 November 1852 in Barrhead, Renfrewshire. The record of his birth and baptism on 12 December 1852 appears in the records of Neilston Parish. He was the second child and first son born to William Stewart and Isabella Little. His older sister, Janet, was born almost exactly two years earlier on 18 November 1850.

Although born in Barrhead, William lived in Glasgow from the time he was three. His father, a Barrhead cotton spinner, became a constable for the Glasgow Police Force in the summer of 1855. After the move to Glasgow, William lived with his parents in the Cowcaddens area of central Glasgow until his marriage in 1879. From 1855, until his brother Alfred's birth in 1864, he lived with his family in a tenement at 64 Maitland Street. After 1864, and until he left home, the family occupied similar quarters at 62 Stewart Street, only blocks away from the Maitland Street address.

The 1871 Census suggests that William, at 18, was already working--in a butcher's shop as a flesher. Three years later in early 1874, he was working as a shopkeeper in a spirits merchant's shop. Perhaps with his father's influence, he became a policeman in 1874. William was given a probationary appointment in the Glasgow Police on 4 March 1874. He was 21 years of age, 5' 8-1/2" tall and a "former shop man." He was assigned to Company E later in the same month, and, only a few months later on 11 May 1874, he was promoted to 4th class constable and given wages of 23 shillings a week. About a year later, on 18 May 1875, he was promoted to 3rd class constable and his wages were raised to 24 shillings. Promotions came with regularity on the anniversaries of his first promotion. On 4 June 1877, he reached the rank of 1st class.

On 25 June 1874, William married Mary McHardie at the Cowcaddens Free Church. Gabriel Kerr, minister of the church, performed the ceremony according to rites of the Free Church of Scotland. His wife Mary was working as a domestic servant at the time of their marriage. The circumstances under which the couple met are unknown. George Hall, no doubt a friend of William's who lived upstairs at 62 Stewart Street, and Susan McHardie, Mary's sister, served as witnesses to the marriage. The couple began a family straight away. Their first child, a son born prematurely in November of 1874, did not survive. The next nine of the couple's ten children all lived to adulthood.

William and Mary moved with regularity during the period of William's employment with the Glasgow Police. They were first assigned to housing at 21 Maitland Street. When the couple had two children at home, they were moved to 59 Milton Street. In 1878, they were domiciled at 4 Cambridge Lane. In 1880, they were at 59 Milton Street and then, in 1882, at 59 Maitland Street.

It would be interesting to know when William first recognized that he would not be satisfied with a career in the police force. His record on the force was good, though not without its setbacks. He was demoted to 2nd class on 14 February 1878, one day after throwing a boot at the head of another constable. Three days after his demotion he had to be admonished for having failed to report that he was sick. At a time when it was not at all uncommon for police constables to be regularly drunk or derelict, there are only three negative notes on William's record. In addition to these two lapses, he had also to be admonished in 1875 for being absent without leave. All of these notes to the record occur within his first four years of service. In 1882, as he neared the end of his years with the force, he was given a reward of 10 shillings and 6 pence for stopping a runaway horse. Something, however, had persuaded William that he needed to make a change. He left his job as police constable on 22 March 1884, shortly after marking his tenth year of service.

From a career standpoint, the next ten years were a period of transition. Only the outlines of the period are visible in the record of his children's births. Daughter Susan was born on 28 July 1884, and William told the clerk that he was a railway porter. Presumably, the family lost the quarters provided by his position as constable. They had moved from Maitland Street to 43 Cameron Street. Two years later in May of 1886, when daughter Mary was born, he gave his occupation as commercial traveler, and it was that work that occupied him for the better part of ten years and at least until after his son Alfred's birth in November of 1891. In 1886, the family had moved, yet again, this time to 72 Well Road (now Trossachs Street), just between Maryhill and Garscube Road. The Well Road address was only a short distance from the flat on Raeberry Street that would serve as the family home for many years to come. They made the move to 20 Raeberry Street sometime before daughter Victoria's birth in October of 1890.

Between November of 1891 and the start of 1895, William acquired the hardware store at 18 Raeberry Street. He was listed in the Glasgow Directory for 1894-1895 as "Wm. Stewart, hardware merchant, 18 Raeberry Street; ho[me] 20 do." This was the goal that William had worked for since leaving the police force. He now had his own store, and he would continue to manage it until retiring sometime shortly after 1920. The Glasgow Directory entries continued until 1920-1921. The hardware store, just north of the Great Western Road and just to the east off Maryhill Road north of St. George's Cross, was still operating in 1971, but by 2001, the building housing both the store and the neighboring flat had been razed to promote urban renewal.

The flat at 20 Raeberry Street was a settled home for many years. Daughters Helen and Isabella were both married there, Helen in 1901 and Isabella in 1903. If we presume that Susan was living with her parents at the time of her marriage in 1908, then he had moved the family from Raeberry Street to 29 Well Road toward the middle of the first decade. Sometime before 1911, he moved everyone yet again, this time to 30 Simpson Street, only a few blocks away. In 1911, he appeared in the census at 30 Simpson Street. His wife Mary was absent form the household, but daughter Mary (age 24), daughter Victoria (age 21) and son Alfred (age 19) were at home with him. By 1915, he had moved yet again, this time only a few houses away, to 24 Simpson Street. They remained settled at 24 Simpson Street for almost ten years.

In an undated letter sent sometime after 1920 but probably by 1922, William wrote to his grandsons concerning his retirement:

I wasn't keeping well for some time, so I sold of[f] my shop at the beginning of this year. So I intend to have a good holiday, and after that I will, if keeping well, start business again. Your grandmother was needing a holiday also, so when the good weather comes on we will take it easy and have a good time.

Whether William actually did take up yet another career may remain a mystery, but it seems reasonable to conclude that he did. His son Alfred gave his father's occupation as confectioner on two separate occasions in the early 1930's.

In this same letter, William encouraged his young grandsons whom he had never met. He sent them stamps he had taken from cards sent to him by his sons Bill and Alfred during their tour of Belgium and France during World War I. He also challenged them to pay attention to their studies. After reporting that he was pleased to hear they were doing well in school he wrote the following:

Well, stick to your lessons. Learn as much as you can. In these go-ahead days, you will require as much education as you can get. I see you were having quite a long trip to Chicago. America is a big country and you never know your luck. Perhaps some of the two of you might be President yet. What do you say to that?

I am glad to hear that your Mother is keeping well. And when you leave the school and get a good job you will be able to help your mother and pay her back for what she has done for you. If your father had been spared to you, he would be, as he always was, proud of you both. So carry on.

... Trusting this finds you and Mother all as well as I wish you, I Remain Your Affectionate Grandfather, William Stuart.

In 1924, William gave a little bit of insight into his life at home in a letter to his daughter-in-law, Mary Higgins Stuart in Rochester, New York. He wrote to her to thank her for the hospitality she had shown to his sister, Mary Little Stuart, who had made the grand tour of relatives in the United States and Canada earlier in the year. He mentions having asked his son Bill for a pair of earphones. He writes the following:

It is only a home made receiving set I have, but with a good pair of phones, it will be all right, and it helps to spend a cold night in the house. ... I was listening to the Westinghouse Works Brass Band the other night but the condition of the weather between here and Pittsburgh wasn't suitable for broadcasting. However, the Glasgow station says they will be experimenting soon again. I could make out the Pittsburgh Band playing a scotch air and a French horn and a baritone trying to sing but I hope I will have better luck next time and hear them distinct.

I will close down now but I wish to send you all a hearty vote of thanks for the kind way you treated Aunt Mary. ... I Remain Your Affectionate Father, William Stuart.

William moved the family yet again later in the 1920s. Again, the move was to the west, further from the central city. With Mary his wife and son Alfred who had returned home after serving in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in World War I, William moved to Kelvinside Avenue, probably in 1925. They remained there until William's death.

William died in hospital (presumably Stobhill General Hospital) on Balornock Road at 9:20 p.m. on 03 October 1932. He was 79 years old. The cause of death was recorded as senility, cerebral hemorrhage, and hemiplegia. The location of his burial is unknown.

Mary moved to Clydebank a year later presumably to be closer to her daughter, Susan. She lived in Clydebank until her death in 1940.

Sources:

1852 Birth Registration for William Stewart (b 1852): Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1852/Births/572/40/499. Content: The Old Parish Register for Neilston Parish (Renfrewshire) Scotland (p 107) reads: William Stewart and Isablla Little, spouses Barrhead, had their 2nd [child] amd first son born on the 16th Nov and baptized on the 12th December, named William.

1861 Scotland Census, Household of William Stewart (b c1826): Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1861/Census/644/7/15/6. Content: The 1861 Scotland Census of Glasgow Barony Parish, Milton District, Glasgow (Lanarkshire), 64 Maitlan Street on 07 Apr 1861 shows a household composed of (1) Wm Stewart, head, male, age 37, police constable, born Barrhead, Renfrewshire, (2) Isabella Stewart, wife, female, age 35, born Barrhead, Renfrewshire, (3) Wm Stewart, son, male, age 10, scholar, born Barrhead, Renfrewshire, (4) Ino Stewart, son, male, age 8, scholar, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, (5) Albert Stewart, son, male, age 6, scholar, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, (6) Janet Stewart, daughter, female, age 4, born Barrhead, Renfrewshire, (7) Isabella Stewart, daughter, female, age 2, born Barrhead, Renfrewshire, (8) Robert Law, boarder, male, age 22, unmarried, railway porter, born Barrhead, Renfrewshire, (9) Ino McNab, boarder, male, age 35, unmarried, railway porter, born Pottafion, Argyleshire.

1871 Scotland Census, Household of William Stuart (b c1826): Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1871/Census/644/7/59/3. [Note: The surname on this record has been entered into the index as Stevert.] Content: The 1871 Scotland Census of Milton District, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, 62 Stewart Street on 02 Apr 1871 shows a household composed of (1) William Stuart, head, married, male, age 45, police constable, born Paisley, Renfrewshire (sic), (2) Isabella Stuart, wife, married, female, age 43, born Barrhead, Renfrewshire. (3) Janet Stuart, daughter, unmarried, female, age 21, machinest, born Barrhead, Renfrewshire, (4) William Stuart, son, unmarried, male, age 18, flesher, born Barrhead, Renfrewshire, (5) John Stuart, son, unmarried, male, age 14, brassfounder's apprentice, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, (6) Albert Stuart, son, unmarried, male, age 12, scholar, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, (7) Mary Stuart, daughter, unmarried, female, age 11, scholar, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, (8) Alfred Stuart, son, male, age 7, scholar, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, (9) James Stuart, son, male, age 5, scholar, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire.

1874 Marriage Registration, William Stuart and Mary McHardie: Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1874/Marriages/644/7/248. Content: Statutory registers of Marriages. 1874. District of Milton, Burgh of Glasgow. [Marriage:] 1874, Twentyfifth June at 43 West Milton Street, Glasgow, After banns posted according to the rules of the Free Church of Scotland. [Groom:] William Stuart, [signed], Spirits Merchant's Salesman, age 21, Bachelor, usual residence 62 Stewart Street, Glasgow. Father: William Stewart, Day Police Constable. Mother: Isabella Stewart m.s. Little. [Bride:] Mary McHardie, [signed], Domestic Servant, Spinster, age 17, ususal residence: 35 Findlay Street, Glasgow, Father: William McHardie, Iron Founders Pattern Maker (deceased). Mother: Helen McHardie m.s. Malcolm. [Minister:] Gabriel Kerr, [signed], Minister of Cowcaddens Free Church. [Witnesses:] George Hall, Susan McHardie. Registered June 27, 1874 at Glasgow.

Glasgow Police Force Service Record for William Stewart (b 1852): Citation: Mitchell Library, Glasgow. Registry, City of Glasgow Police Force, page 83, Entry 165, Divsion: E, Division No: 23. Content: The initial entry identified William Stewart, shopman, age 21, height 5' 8-1/2", place of birth: Barrhead, Renfrew[shire]. Entries: (1) 04 Mar 1874, appointed probationary contable. (2) 30 Mar 1874, transferred to E division. (3) 11 May 1874, promoted to 4th class constable, wage: 23/. (4) 18 May 1875, promoted to 3rd class constable, wage: 24/. (5) 22 May 1876, promoted to 2nd class constable, wage: 25/. (6) 04 Jun 1877, promoted to 1st class constable, wage: 26/. (7) 14 Feb 1878, reduced to 2nd class constable, wage: 25/. (8) 16 Aug 1978, promoted to 1st class constable, wage: 26/. (9) 27 Dec 1880, promoted to merit class, wage: 27/, (10) 22 Mar 1884, Resigned. [The reduction in rank in Feb 1878 was the result of "throwing a boot heel at a constable." He receibed an reward of 10/6 on 23 Dec 1882 when he stopped a runaway horse.]

1881 Scotland Census, Household of William Stuart (b c1826): Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1881/Census/644/8/60/3.. Content: The 1881 Scotland Census of Milton, Glasgow (Lanarkshire) on 03 Apr 1881 shows a home at 62 Stewart Street with a household composed of (1) Wm Stuart, male, married, head of household, age 55, day constable, born in Renfrewshire, (2) Isabella Stuart, female, married, age 54, wife, [no occupation], born in Renfrewshire, (3) Wm Stuart, male, married, age 29, son, day constable, born in Renfrewshire, (4) Albert Stuart, son, male, age 22, unmarried, umbrella maker, born in Glasgow, (5) Mary Stuart, daughter, female, age 18, warehouse girl, born in Glasgow, (6) Alfred Stuart, son, male, age 16, umbrella maker, born in Glasgow, (7) James Stuart, son, male, age 14, telegraph messenger, born in Glasgow. Note: William was already married but was found in his parent's home on the night of the 1881 Census.

1891 Scotland Census, Household of William Stewart (b 1852): Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1891/Census/644/9/87/0/2/002. Content: The 1891 Scotland Census of Barony, Kelvinside, Glasgow (Lanarkshire) on 05 Apr 1891 shows a flat (shcedule 10) at 20 Raeberry Street with a household composed of (1) William Stewart, head of household, married, male, age 38, a self-employed commercial traveller, born in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, (2) Mary Stewart, wife, married, female, age 35, born in Glasgow, (3) Helen Stewart, daughter, female age 15, employed shop girl (hardware), born in Glasgow, (4) Isabella Stewart, daughter, female age 13, scholar, born in Glasgow, (5) William Stewart, son, male, age 11, scholar, born in Glasgow, (6) John Stewart, son, male age 8, scholar, born in Glasgow, (7) Susan Stewart, daughter, female, age 6, scholar, born in Glasgow, (7) Mary Stewart, daughte, female, age 5 years, scholar, born in Glasgow, (8) Albert Stewart, son,male, age 3, born in Glasgow, (9) Victoria Stewart, daughter, female, age 6 mos, born in Glasgow.

1901 Scotland Census, Household of William Stewart (b 1852): Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1901/Census/644/9/84/11. Content: The 1901 Scotland Census of Barony, Kelvinside, Glasgow (Lanarkshire) Scotland on 31 Mar 1901 shows a flat of 3 rooms at 20 Raeberry Street with a household composed of (1) William Stewart, head, married, age 49, hardware merchant, employer, born Renfrewshire, (2) Helen Stewart, daughter, single, age 26, hardware assistant, worker, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (3) Isabella Stewart, daughter, single, age 22, hardware assistant, worker, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (4) William Stewart, son, single, age 20, Picture Frame Maker, worker, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (5) John Stewart, son, single, age 18, Pastry Baker, worker, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (6) Susan Stewart, daughter, single, age 16, in school, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (7) Mary Stewart, daughter, single, age 15, in school, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (8) Albert Stewart, son, single, age 12, in school, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (9) Victoria Stewart, daughter, single, age 10, in school, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (10) Alfred Stewart, son, single, age 8, in school, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow.

1911 Scotland Census, Household of William Stewart (b 1852): Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1911/Census/644/13 12/35 page 35 of 41. Content: The 1911 Scotland Census of Kelvinside, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, 30 Simpson Street, shows (schedule no. 256) a household composed of (1) William Stewart, head, male, age 58, married, hardware merchant, born Renfrew, Barrhead, (2) Mary Stewart. daughter, female, age 24, single, dressmaker (worker), born Lanark, Glasgow, (3) Victoria Stewart, daughter, female, age 21, single, at home, , born Lanark, Glasgow), (4) Alfred Stewart, son, male, age 19, single, stockman in aerated water works (worker), born Lanark, Glasgow.

1921 Scotland Census, Household of William Stewart (b 1852): Citation: National Records of Scotland. 1921/Census/644/13 43/ 15) Page 15 of 27. Content: The 1921 Scotland Census of Burgh of Glasgow on 19 Jun 1921 shows household 123 at 24 Simpson Street composed of (1) William Stewart, head, age 69 yrs, 8 mos, male, married, born Renfrew[shire], Barrhead, retired, (2) Mary McH Stewart, wife, age 64 yrs, 6 mos, female, married, born Lanark[shire], Glasgow, H[ousehold] D[uties], and (3) Alfred Stewart, son, age 29 yrs, 7 mos, male, single, born Lanark[shire], Glasgow, asylum attendant, wage, Royal Gartnavel Asylum.

Glasgow Voter Rolls, Entries for William Stuart (b 1852): Citation: Mitchell Library, Glasgow. Register of Persons Qualified to Vote in Parliamentary and Local Government Elections. Content: Records show William, Mary, and Alfred Stuart at 24 Simspon Street in 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924 (Alfred was missing in this year). In 1925, 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931 all three were listed at 59 Kelvinside Ave. At William's death in 1932, his address was given as 61 Kelvinside Ave.

1932 Death Registration, William Stuart (b 1852): Citation: National Records of Scotland. 1932/Deaths/644/6/1410. Content: The 1932 Registry of Deaths for Springburn, Glasgow shows that William Stuart, male, age 49 years, confectioner (master), married to Mary McHardie, died on 1932 October 3rd at 9h 20m pm at 133 Balornock Road, Glasgow [resumably Stobhill General Hospital]. Usual residence: 61 Kelvinside Ave. Glasgow. Cause of Death: Senility, cerebral haemorrhage, hemipligia as cert by W R Parker. Father: WIlliam Stuart, Police Constable (deceased). Mother: Isabella Stuart m.s. Little (deceased). Informant: Alfred Stuart, son, 61 Kelvinside Ave, Glasgow. Registered: 1932, Oct 4th at Glasgow.

Reference is made to two letters written by William Stuart. The first is undated but written about 1922 to William's grandsons (by his son John) in Rochester, New York. The second is dated 27 Feb 1924 and is addressed to Mary Higgins Stuart, his daughter-in-law (by son John). The author has facsimile copies of both.