Mary (Gillespie) Carlyle (abt. 1727 - 1797)

Born about 1727 in Dryfesdale, Dumfriesshire, Scotland

Descendants

Died 10 Jan 1797 at about age 70 in Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, Scotland

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Biography

Various published references detail that she had a harsh life with an oft-absent husband, who provided only minimally for her and their six children. She and her family suffered extreme privations as a result, as documented in Thomas Carlyle's "Reminiscences" and in "Carlyle Country" by JM Sloan.

We do know that her sister was Elizabeth Gillispie. They both might have been from Dryfesdale, now incorporated into Lockerbie.

A later Carlyle family history reference, compiled by Anna Munro Hurley in 1961, claimed that Mary Gillespie (and thus, it would seem, Elizabeth) was "the daughter of a merchant in Dumfries."

Mary and Thomas Sr. are buried in the Pennersaughs Burial Ground, Kirkpatrick-Flemming, Dumfries, Scotland.

Carlyle family history reference, compiled by Anna Munro Hurley in 1961, claimed that Mary Gillespie (and thus, it would seem her sister, Elizabeth) was "the daughter of a merchant in Dumfries."

Inscription: Here lyes John Carlyle in Burrance who died 11th March 1727 age 40 years also Thomas Carlyle his son who died in Ecclefechan 16th January 1806 age 84 years also Mary Gilespy his spouse who died the same place January 10th 1797 age 70 years also John Carlyle, mason, in Ecclefechan their son he died October 12th 1801 age 47 years also Thomas Carlyle son of the above Thomas Carlyle, he died at Mainhill 9th June 1816 age 40 years.

Sources

• Thomas Carlyle's "Reminiscences" and in "Carlyle Country" by JM Sloan
• Reminiscences - A Carlyle Collection, Vol.1, Page 21. Book by Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), published 1887 in London and New York by MacMillan & Co. Free eBook available here: [1]