John Craig (abt. 1798 - 1879)

Born about 1798 in North Inch, Perth. Perthshire, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Janet (Stratton) Old — married 23 Mar 1818 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Descendants

Died 18 Oct 1879 at about age 81 in Fisherrow, Inveresk with Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Biography

No record of the birth of John Craig has yet been found. According to census reports, he was born around 1798 at Perth, with the 1851 census giving his place of birth as North Inch, Perth. ^[1]

According to his Statutory Death Register entry, John Craig's parents were James Craig, Fisherman and Jane Gray. ^[2]

Shoemakers' Close

Cartouche bearing a grotesque head and shoemaker’s knife (the family emblem)

On 23 March 1818 in Canongate parish, John Craig, Tailer, Shoemaker's Close, Canongate, Calder's Lodging, 2nd Story, and Janet Straiton, Pleasance, Edinburgh, daughter of the late Charles Straiton, Nailer, gave up their names for marriage. Certified by Alexander Sutherland, Shoemaker Weir's Close, Edinburgh and Richard Marshall, Tailor, Shoemaker's Close, Edinburgh. ^[3]

John Craig and Janet Straiton had at least five children:

Agnes Craig, born 1819 in Edinburgh, named after her maternal grandmother, Agnes Wilson.

John Craig, born 1826 at West Linton, Peebleshire, named after his father.

Janet Stratton Craig born 1830 at West Linton, Peebleshire, named after her mother.

Jane Craig, born 1833 at Nine Mile Burn, Penicuik, Midlothian, named after her paternal grandmother, Jean Gray.

At the census of 06 June 1841, John Craig is aged 41, a Tailor, and living with a presumed wife "Marion", daughters Janet and Jane and an, Alexander Fackney, aged 29, Lime Quarrier, at Carlops in West Linton, Peebleshire. Initially, it might appear that his wife Janet Straiton has died and that her husband had remarried. However, as Janet Craig is with her family it would appear that either she was absent in 1841, or that there was an error and "Marion" was actually Janet. There is a Marion in the next household in the schedule and it may be that the name was added twice in error. ^[4]

At the census of 30 March 1851, John Craig is aged 52, a Tailor Master and living at Carlops, (West) Linton, Peebleshire with his wife Janet, aged 51 and three boarders, Jane McKay aged 12, Henry McGregor aged 10 and Alexander Faikney, aged 60 Stone Quarrier. ^[5]

At the census of 07 April 1861, John Craig is aged 62, a Tailor, and and living at Carlops, (West) Linton, Peebleshire with his wife, Janet Straiton aged 61, their son John, aged 23, Agricultural Labourer and Alexander Fachney, Lodger, Labourer. ^[6]

At the census of 02 April 1871, John Craig is described as aged 73, a widower, and living at Thornton Cottage, Carrington, Midlothian, Scotland with his daughter Agnes Craig, Mrs Bertram, aged 52 and son-in-law John Bertram aged 50. ^[7]

John Craig died on 18 October 1879 at "Police Station and Fisherrow", Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. He was described as aged 82, a Tailor (Retired) and the widower of Janet Stratton. His parents were described as James Craig, Fisherman (deceased) and Jane Gray, (deceased). The cause of death was described as debility due to old age and there was no regular medical attendant. The death was registered by Agnes Bertram, daughter, who was present, at West Linton on 20 October 1879. ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871 Scottish Census Records
2. ↑ Statutory Death Register
3. ↑ Old Parish Register of Banns & Marriages
4. ↑ 1841 Scottish Census Records
5. ↑ 1851 Scottish Census Records
6. ↑ 1861 Scottish Census Records
7. ↑ 1871 Scottish Census Records
8. ↑ Statutory Death Register