Furnace Keeper in Bothwell, Lanark

[lindarhead]

I'm trying to find a little background information on a William Stewart and his colleagues John and Samuel Wright. I have them on the 1841 census staying at the home of George Dalrymple at House No 8 Bothwell Holytown, in Lanarkshire. William, who is the main person I'm searching for information on was born in Ireland as were John & Sam Wright. William is age 25 , John and Sam are 25 & 20. William is recorded as a Smelting Furnace Keeper, John a Blacksmith J, Sam a Smelting furnace filler and George Dalrymple age 40 is also listed as Blacksmith J.

What I'm trying to find is where this Furnace/Blacksmiths may be and if there is any existing information on it or even photographs, and ultimately I'm trying to find where in Ireland William was born. He eventually migrated to America, in 1852, with his wife Margaret and their family.

But some background on his early life and his life in Scotland would be great. I believe he was in Old Monkland in 1831, but I don't have evidence of that.

If anyone could offer help and advise that would be great.

Many Thanks,

Linda Rhead

[LesleyB]

Hi Linda
And welcome to Talking Scot

If you have the original page of the 1841 downloaded from Scotlands People, you will be able to see the "header" page as well for no extra charge. This may (or may not!) help with identifying the Blacksmiths place of work if it is mentioned in the passing on the enumerator's route.

He eventually migrated to America, in 1852, with his wife Margaret and their family.

So he should still be in Scotland in 1851 for the census - that census should give you his age, perhaps more accurately as the ages in 1841 were rounded down by 5 years so you cannot be sure from the 1841 if he is aged 25 or anywhere inbetween that and 29. You may also be lucky and have something more than Ireland stated for the place of birth....but maybe not - it may still just say "Ireland" - worth checking though!

Do you have a copy of his marriage (if it exists)? What was Margaret's surname? Just sometimes there are further clues to be gleaned in a pre 1855 marriage record, and also maybe worth following up his death as info may have been given at that point too.

This site may also be of interest:
http://www.scottishmining.co.uk/9.html

A topographical dictionary of Scotland, Samuel Lewis, 1846
Holytown, lately a quoad sacra parish, in the parish of Bothwell, middle ward of the county of Lanark, 11 miles (E. by S.) from Glasgow; containing, with the villages of Chapelhall and Newarthill, 8169 inhabitants, of whom 900 are in the village of Holytown. This district is situated in a part of the county abounding with coal and ironstone, both of which are wrought to a very great extent. The collieries comprise all the various seams, and not less than from twenty to thirty are in operation; the ell coal, the nine feet, and the splint coal are found in abundance in the mines of Chapelhall. On the Woodhall estate, ironstone, of good quality, principally that called the black band, is plentiful ; and it is wrought at Calderbraes, near the village of Holytown, and at Greenside, near Newhouse. The Monkland Iron and Steel Company have extensive works near Chapelhall, in which are three blast-furnaces, making together about 1440 tons of pig-iron monthly, and six others producing 2880 tons : in the same establishment are mills and forges in which 400 tons of malleable iron are manufactured weekly. Some works at Cairnbroe, also, belonging to a firm, contain six blast-furnaces, yielding 600 tons of iron per week; and two more furnaces are in contemplation.

This might also be of interest:
http://www.answers.com/topic/blast-furnaces-early
And at:
http://www.shottshistorygroup.co.uk/1851-1855.htm
Church Yard Dues 1851
April 25, Agnes Logan, wife of James MacKinnon furnace keeper, Chapelhall, aged 52 years


Best wishes
Lesley

[SarahND]

Hi Linda and welcome,

Is this the family in 1851? They seem to have recently moved from Old Monkland to Kilbirnie. I would tend to doubt the Ancestry transcription of "Glee" Ironworks. All the googling I have done would suggest that it was Glengarnock Iron Works. Probably it was an abbreviation on the census page.

1851
14 Glee Ironworks, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire
William Stewart, 37, head, born Ireland, Furnace Keeper
Margret Stewart, 30, Wife, born Old Monkland, Lanark
Elisabeth Stewart, 8, Daughter, born Old Monkland, Lanark, scholar
Andrew Stewart, 4, Son, born Old Monkland, Lanark, Scholar
James Stewart, 4, Son, born Old Monkland, Lanark, Scholar
William Stewart, 2, Son, born Old Monkland, Lanark, Scholar
John Stewart, 4 Mo, Son, born Kilbirnie, Ayr
James Yael, 21, Relative, born Old Monkland, Ayr, Engine Driver

Assume that's them in Kansas in 1860 with the addition of wee Robert born in Ohio and William mistakenly noted as being born in Scotland

Regards,
Sarah

[lindarhead]

Thank you all for the replies re my Furnace Keeper post, I've only just seen it....I haven't got my profile set to recieve email alerts it seems when anyone replies to me..I am most sorry, you must think me dreadfully ignorant!..I'm not I promise you...

I'll go back and read all what's been written now I've replied.

Thank you again.

Linda