Robert Craig (1762)

Born 3 Jun 1762 in South Hillies, Dundonald, Ayrshire

Husband of Ann Kennedy — married 7 Dec 1783 in Beith, Ayr, Scotland

Descendants

Biography

This biography was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import.^[1] It's a rough draft and needs to be edited.

Census

Census:

Date: 1851

Place: High Broadstones, Beith, Ayrshire

Census:

Date: 1841

Place: Broadstones, Beith, Ayrshire

Occupation

Occupation: Lime Merchant

Note

Note: #N185

PHOTO

PHOTO @M448@

Object

Object: @M448@

Object: @M449@

Object: @M450@

Object: @M451@

Object: @M452@

Sources

1. ↑ Craig-4118 was created by David Craig through the import of CRAIG-2015_2015-07-25_01.ged on Jul 25, 2015. This comment and citation can be deleted after the biography has been edited and primary sources are included.

Notes

Note N185Roberts DOB (rather its his christening date) is taken from the LDS and SRO records. Robert was born in Dundonald on 3 June 1762. This is also confirmed by the 1851 census records (see below). Parents Robert Craig and Mareon Dick confirmed through LDS and SRO records. The SRO extract under "Register of Baptisms Anno 1762" reads "Robert son to Robert Craig and Mareon Dick Spouses at South Hillies was baptised there the 3rd June 1762 years by Mr. Walker ."

Robert was blind in later life.

SRO records confirm that Robert Craig married Ann Kennedy on 7th December 1783, in Beith. Both were from the Beith Parish. The extract from the records is attached. Unfortunately it gives no other data on the couple. It reads "Robert Craig and Ann Kennedy both of this Parish, Dec 7"

LDS records confirm that Robert Craig married Ann Kennedy in Beith on 7th December 1783, and that there were 7 (recorded) children of the marriage, all born in Beith - Margaret (1784), Robert (1788), William (1789), Margaret II (1792), Margaret III (1794), David (1797) and James (1799). It is presumed at present that the two older Margarets died young but this is to be proven. Margaret (I) may never have existed as she does not appear on the SRO records - only the LDS records.

Robert was a Lime Merchant by profession. This is clearly stated on census documents.

An 1828 map of Beith and the surrounding area clearly shows the lime kilns and quarries at Broadstones.

Pigots 1837 Ayrshire directory lists Robert Craig as a Lime Burner, Broadstones. This is confirmed to be this Robert Craig, who would have been ABOUT 77 (years old) at the time.

The 1841 census finds Robert at Broadstones, Beith, aged 75. (NOTE - AGES OF THOSE ABOVE 15 WERE ROUNDED DOWN TO THE NEAREST 5 YEARS FOR THE 1841 CENSUS, SO THIS IS CONSISTANT). He is described as a Lime Merchant, born in Ayrshire. Also present are wife Ann (75), plus fellow Craigs David (35), Margaret (12), and Ann (15) (female servant), plus two male servants. David may be their son David who would have been 43 or so at the time. Exactly which Craigs the others are remains unclear.

The 1851 census finds Robert Craig aged 89 years living with son David (and three servants) at High Broadstones, Beith. This makes his date of birth 1761 plus or minus a year. Robert is listed as Head of Household, and a Widower. The census data confirms Robert's occupation as "Retired Lime Merchant", and that he was blind at the time of census. The census also confirms that he was born in Dundonald, Ayrshire (between Kilmarnock and Troon in South Ayrshire). Also in the house, as well as son David, are two male Carters (presumably to transport the lime) and a female house servant.

The only Robert Craig born in Dundonald between 1760 and 1762 was born on 3 June 1762, to parents Robert Craig and Mareon Dick. The SRO extract under "Register of Baptisms Anno 1762" reads "Robert son to Robert Craig and Mareon Dick Spouses at South Hillies was baptised there the 3rd June 1762 years by Mr. Walker ."

Following info provided by Elsie Broughton, Canada :

According to (Elsie's husband) George Craigs 1970 family history, William Craig's father "had Limestone quarries on a farm at East Langside, Gateside, Beith. His son William carried on the work." Although George had noted that William's father was called David, William's father is now known to be Robert Craig. This has been confirmed by son William's death certificate, and also through LDS records.

Son William's death certificate also confirms that his parents were Robert Craig and Ann Kennedy.

More on the limestone deposits is written under William Craig, Robert's son.

The following is taken from George Craigs family history, (July 1970):

"I understand that the Craig family originally came from the Paisley area.........and opened up the quarries on the Trearne Estate, the quarries being limestone and the lime kilns are still to be seen on a farm bordering Gateside to the west. The headquarters established by (Robert) Craig were at the farm of Langside and a drift immediately opposite the farm was opened and limestone was blasted out - this drift was at least 8 feet high, 600 yards long, and 6 or more feet wide."

"(Robert) Craig died and his son William Craig carried on."

"All the Craigs mentioned are buried in the Head Street cemetery in Beith. This Cemetery and Church attached have been abandoned, but the Books and Records must be in existence some where in Beith. The graves of all the Craigs are not marked by head stones. "