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Janet CRAIG (b 1806)

Janet Craig is my paternal great-great-great-grandmother.

Janet Craig's parentage and birth date and location are all uncertain. There is not much to work with. The 1841 Census reported that she was age 35 on 05 Apr 1841, suggesting a birth year of 1805/6. The 1851 Census reported that she was born in Neilston Parish and was 42 years old in March of that year, suggesting the year of her birth was 1808/9. Her son, William (b c1828), reported on her death registration that his mother's father was William Craig, footman. He provided no name for her mother. He also reported in November 1868 that she was age 62, again suggesting a birth year as early as 1806. The only Old Parish Registers record of a birth for Janet Craig to William Craig that would be even modestly compatible is that of Janet Craig born on 13 Jun 1806 to William Craig and Mary McEllen and recorded in Abbey Parish of Paisley. The parents William Craig and Mary McEllen had only two children recorded in the parish registers of Scotland, William born in 1802 and Janet born in 1806.

If the names of children in this family were to follow the traditional pattern--first son named after father's father, second son named after mother's father, third son after the father, first daughter named after mother's mother, second daughter named after father's mother, third daughter named after the mother--there are some problems with the names of Janet's children. A first son William would be appropriate. It could suggest that husband William's father's name was William, which is certainly possible, and if the proposed parents of Janet (b 1806) are correct, all three naming requirements for sons would be met with this first son named William. But the first daughter would have been named Mary, not Janet, and the name Mary did not appear in this generation. It did, however, appear in later generations. And where did the name Susan come from? William (b c1807)'s mother? Then there are two children who have names suggestive of other relatives, perhaps an Agnes McGregor and a Matthew Fleming. There are, alas, a number of paths that could be followed and probably none would provide more confidence about Janet's parents or date of birth.

The first firm information about Janet is the Neilston Parish record of her marriage to William Stuart on 08 Aug 1828. Banns were issued on 25 July of that year and a 3/6 contribution to the poor was paid. Both William and Janet were said to be residing in Grahamston and in the Neilston parish. William's occupation was given as cotton spinner.

Janet bore at least six children. Their first child, William, was very likely born sometime in the same year of the couple's marriage, though the Neilston Parish record contradicts that conclusion by recording daughter Janet's birth in 1829 as the couple's first child. That Janet was their first child is almost certainly untrue. A daughter, Susan, was born in 1831, a daughter, Agnes McGregor, in 1834, a son, Matthew Fleming, in 1836, and another son, Alexander, in 1841. I suspect that Alexander did not live long. His death was not recorded in the parish register but he does not appear in the 1851 Census.

Between the birth of daughter Janet in March 1829 and the birth of daughter Susan in April 1831, the family moved from Neilston Parish in Renfrewshire to Old Kilpatrick in Dunbartonshire, a distance of approximately 15 miles but across the Clyde River. Between 1755 and 1821 the spinning and weaving industries led to a three-fold increase in the population of Old Kilpatrick. What prompted the move will never be known but there are many Stewarts represented in the parish birth registry as well as names that will appear in later generations, including Little or Liddell and Law. The family appeared in the 1841 Census of the Parish of Old Kilpatrick living on New Street in Duntocher.

Between the birth of Alexander in 1841 and the 30 Mar 1851 Census, the family moved back across the Clyde. In 1851, they were living at 29 New Sneddon Street in Paisley. Only Susan, Agnes and Matthew were still living at home. William, Janet and Alexander were missing from the household. Husband William was still listed as a cotton spinner. He died at home only two years later of asthma.

I have been unable to find an 1861 Census record certain to be Janet Craig Stewart. Son William was in Glasgow in 1861 and Janet did not appear in the listing of his household. I don't know if daughter Janet was still living. Susan was married and living in Paisley and Janet did not appear in her household either. Agnes married in 1855 but I can find no trace of either Agnes or her husband Thomas Murdoch in 1861 in Scotland. Thomas was Irish and it is possible that this family moved back to Belfast, but I have found no records to support that theory. Matthew was married and living with his wife in Greenock in 1861. Janet did not appear in his household either. The 1861 Census does, however, record a Janet Craig, age 54, a shawl weaver, living on her own at 12 Cotton Street in Paisley. Perhaps this is our Janet.

Janet's death in 1868 provides some insight into her years as a widow, and her end was tragic--tragic enough to make the Glasgow Herald newspaper on 10 Nov 1868. Fatal Accident--On Saturday evening, a hawker named Janet Craig or Stewart, while under the influence of liquor, accidentally fell down a wooden stair leading to her dwelling at 10 Hamilton Street and received severe injuries. She was removed to her house in an insensible state where she was attended by Dr Shortridge, but the unfortunate woman died on Sunday afternoon from the effects of the injuries she received. Deceased was about 60 years of age. The address was in Greenock. The date of death was 08 Nov 1868 according to the registration in Middle Parish, Greenock. The cause of death was first recorded as accidental--coma, but the record was amended to read "concussion of the brain by falling down a stair." Son William was the informant for the registration. He gave her age as 62 and named her father as William Craig, footman. No mother's name was recorded. Son William gave his address as Cowcaddens, Glasgow.

Sources and Notes:

Birth of Janet Craig to William Craig and Mary McEllen: Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1806/Births/559/30/359. The record reads as follows: Janet, d[aughter] l[awful] to William Craig & Mary McEllan, born 13th bap[tized] 22nd June 1806. Note: There is very little to support this as Janet Craig, wife of William Stewart, but it is possible.

1828 Proclamation of Banns for William Stuart (b c1806) and Janet Craig: Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1828/Marriages/572/50/70. Content: The marriage register of Neilston Parish (Renfrewshire), Proclamations in 1828 reads: William Stuart, cotton spinner, Neilston, and Janet Craig, residing at Grahamston both in this parish, gave in their names for proclamation in order to marriage 25 July and gave to the poor 3/6.

1828 Marriage Record for William Stuart (b c1806) and Janet Craig: Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1828/Marriages/572/50/70. Content: An entry in the 1828 marriage registry for Neilston Parish (Renfrewshire) reads: William Stuart, Cotton Spinner, Neilston and Janet Craig residing at Grahamston in the Parish of Neislton [were married] at Grahamston 08 Aug 1828 by Revd Walter Blair, Minr.

1841 Scotland Census, Household of William Stuart (b c1806): Citation: National Records of Scotland. Census 1841/501/00 008/00 031. Content: The 1841 Scotland Census of the Parish of Old Kilpatrick [Dunbartonshire], Duntocher, New Street on 06 Jun 1841 shows a household composed of (1) William Stewart, male, age 35, cotton spinner, born I[reland] (sic), (2) Janet Stewart, female, age 35, [no occupation], born in Scotland but not in Dunbartonshire, (3) William Stewart, male, age 17, cotton piecer, born in Scotland but not in Dunbartonshire, (4) Janet Stewart, female, age 14, cotton framer, born in Scotland but not in Dunbartonshire, (5) Susan Stewart, age 12, cotton framer, born in Dumbartonshire, (6) Agnes Stewart, age 8, born in Dumbartonshire, (7) Matthew Stewart, male, age 5, born in Dumbartonshire, (8) Alexander Stewart, male, age 4 months, born in Dumbartonshire. [Note: The place of birth for William Stuart, head of household, is almost certainly a simple enumerator error. It follows a household in which all members were born in Ireland.] Note: Robina Lonie and her son James lived next door.

Birth of Son William Stewart: I have not been able to find an official record of William's birth, but it was almost certainly in Neilston Parish (Renfrewshire) Scotland about 1826.

1829 Birth Registration for Janet Stuart: Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1829/Births/572/40/177. Content: The 1829 Old Parish Register of Neilston Parish [Renfrewshire] (page 255) reads: 1829, William Stuart and Janet Craig, spouses, Neilston/Cotton-spinner and of this parish had their 1st child being a daughter born on 23 Mar and bapt 17 May following, named Janet.

1831 Birth Registration for Susan Stewart: Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1831/Births/501/40/154. Content: An Old Parish Register from the county of Dumbarton, parish of Old Kilpatrick, [Scotland] (p 227) records the name Susan Stewart with the entry Susan, daughter lawful of William Stewart, Spinner at ?Glenbract?, and Janet Craig, his wife, Born 25 April, Bapt June, 1831.

1834 Birth Registration for Agnes McGregor Stewart: Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1834/Births/501/40/202. Content: An Old Parish Register from the county of Dumbarton, parish of Old Kilpatrick, [Scotland] records the name Agnes McGregor with the entry Agnes McGregor, daughter lawful of William Stewart, Cotton Spinner, Duntocher, and Janet Craig, his wife, Born 7th July Bapt 1st Aug 1834 by Revd M Barclay..

1836 Birth Registration for Matthew Fleming Stewart: Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1836/Births/572/40/222. Content: An Old Parish Register from the county of Dumbarton, parish of Old Kilpatrick, [Scotland] records the name Matthew Fleming Stewart with the entry Matthew Fleming, son lawful of William Stewart, Spinner at Duntocher, and Janet Craig, his wife, born 16th May, bapt 17th July 1836 by Revd Matthew Barclay..

1849 Marriage Registration for William Stewart (b 1826) and Isabelle Little: Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1849/Marriages/572/50/322. Content: The Old Parish Register for Neilston Parish, Renfrewshire, Scotland for 1849 (p 336) reads Stewart and Little, William Stewart, Cotton Spinner, Barrhead, and Isabella Little, there in this parish were booked for proclamation of Banns 14th December and being regularly proclaimed and no objection offered were married aat Barrhead the 31st Day of Dec 1849 by the Rev Andrew McEwan, Minster of Levern Churh.

1853 Marriage Registration for Susan Stewart (b c1831) and John Paterson: Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1853/Marriages/572/2 40 291 Paisley Middle) page 291 of 313. Content: The 1853 record reads: [Running Number:] 840, [Date of Entry:] March 26, [Male Name:] John Paterson, age 19, calico printer, High Parish, 2 Orr Street, [Female Name:] Susan Stewart, age 21, Middle Parish, 29 New Sneddon, [Number of days proclaimed:] 3, [Days of Proclamation:] 20 Mar, 27 Mar, 03 Apr, [Fee:] 1 [shilling]. [There is no entry for date of Marriage or by whom married].

1855 Marriage Registration for Agnes Stewart (b 1863) and Thomas Murdoch: Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1855/Marriages/573/1 129. Content: The record reads December Thirtyfirst ?1855? at ?56 Canal? Street, Paisley, Marriage (after Banns) was solemized between us according to the Rites and Cermonies of the Established Church of Scotland. [Groom] Thomas Murdoch (his mark), Alexander Rennison, witness, [Current Residence:] 9 Cotton Street, Paisley, [Usual Residence:] 9 Cotton Street, Paisley, age 24, boilermaker (journeyman), widower, 2nd marriage, 1 living child, born July 11th 1827 at Belfast, Ireland, parents: George Mudoch (spirit dealer) and Susanna Murdoch, maiden name, Vance (deceased), [Bride] Agnes Stewart (her mark), Alexander Rennison, witness, [Current Residence:] 4 Cotton Street, Paisley, [Usual Residence:] 4 Cotton Street, Paisley, age 22, millworker, spinster, born May 8th 1833 in the parish of Kilpatrick, parents: William Stewart (cotton spinner, deceased) and Janet Stewart maiden name Craig. Signed Alexander Rennison, Minr of St George's. John Paterson, witness. Lewis W Ranison, witness.

1857 Marriage Registration for Matthew Stewart (b 1836) and Jane Kirk: Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1857/Marriages/573/3/19. Content: The Parish of Middle Church, Burgh of Paisley record reads: 27 Mar 1857, 5 Albion Street, Paisley married after banns of the Church of Scotland. [Groom] Matthew Stewart, age 21, 6 Albion Street, Paisley, cotton spinner, bachelor, parents: William Stewart (cotton spinner, deceased) and Janet Stewart maiden name Craig. [Bride] Jane Kirk, age 22, 5 Albion Street, Paisley, spinster, parents: John Kirk (joiner) and Jane Kirk maiden name Lindsay (deceased). Mathew signed. Jane made a mark witnessed by Andrew Patison and James Kirk. Marriage performed by James Aitken, Minr North Church. James Kirk, witness, John Kirk, witness. Registered 30 Mar 1857.

Birth of Son Alexander Stewart: The only reference to Alexander appears in the 1841 Census where he was recorded to be a male, 4 months old. I cannot find any official record of his birth or of his death. He may simply be an enumerator error, but I suspect he existed but died before his tenth birthday.

1853 Death Registration for Willlam Stuart (b c1806): Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1853/Deaths/559/100/258. Content: The Abbey Parish (Paisley, Renfrewshire) death registry record dated 23 Nov 1853 names William Stewart, 29 New Sneddon Street, [there is no occupation or place of birth recorded], [cause of death:] asthma, [age:] 49y.

1861 Scotland Census, Household of Janet Craig (bc 1806): Citation: National Records of Scotland, 1861 Census, 550/1 16/14, page 14 of 19. Content: The 1861 Scotland Census of Abbey Parish, Paisley, [Renfrewshire], 12 Cotton Street on 07 Apr 1861, page 14, schedule number 72, lists a household (of one person): (1) Janet Craig, head, widow, age 54, shawl sewer, born Ayrshire, Kilmarnock, one room with one or more windows. Note: This may well be Janet Craig Stewart. The age is roughly correct. The Cotton Sreet address is a familar one for events involving members of her family. Her daughter Agnes was living at 4 Cotton Street at the time of her marriage in 1855. The occupation is reasonable. The fact that she appears to have been known as Janet Craig at the time of her death in Greenock gives me even more confidence that this may well be Janet Craig Stewart. The place of birth is almost certainly not our Janet's place of birth and I can find no births to a William Craig in Ayrshire in the yeas 1800 to 1810.

1868 Death Registration for Janet [Craig] Stewart (b c1806): Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1868/Deaths/564/1/266. Content: The record of 1868 Deaths in the Middle Parish of Greenock, County of Renfrew, (p 89) reads as follows: Janet Stewart, (widow of William Stewart, Cotton Spinner), [died] 1868 8 Nov 5h pm, 110 Hamilton Street, Greenock. Female, age 62 years. [Father:] William Craig, Footman (dec). Accidental--Coma as cert by A D Stewart MC. Informant: William Stuart [signed], son, [Address:] Cowcaddens, Glasgow. Registered 1868 9 Nov at Greenock. Robert Cambell, Reg. There is a marginal note referencing Sec Reg of Cor Entr Vol 1, p 106, dated 18 Nov 1868.

1868 Corrected Entry of Death Registration for Janet Craig Stewart (b c1806): Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1868 Register of Corrected Entries for the Middle Parish of Greenock in the County of Renfrew, p 106. Content: The entry reads as follows: The following Report of result of a Recognition has been received touching the death of Janet Craig or Stewart Registered under No 266 in the Register Book of Deaths for the year 1868. Name, Age & Sex: Janet Craig or Stewart, 62 yrs, Female. When & Where Died: 1868 November 8th, 10 Hamilton Street, Greenock. Cause of death: Concussion of the brain by falling down a stair. Dr Shortridge attended deceased before her death.

1868 Glasgow Herald (10 Nov 1868) Report of the Death of Janet Craig Stewart: Citation: The Glasgow Herald, 10 Nov 1868, page 6, column 5, heading: Greenock. Content: Fatal Accident--On Saturday evening, a hawker named Janet Craig or Stewart, while under the influence of liquor, accidentally fell down a wooden stair leading to her dwelling at 10 Hamilton Street and received severe injuries. She was removed to her house in an insensible state, where she was attended by Dr Shortridge, but the unfortunate woman died on Sunday afternoon from the effects of the injuries she received. Deceased was about 60 years of age.