John Speirs (1816)

Born 25 Nov 1816 in Abbey, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

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Biography

John Speirs was born on 25 November 1816 in Renfrewshire, the son of James Speirs 22 and Mary Irvine 21. He was baptised as John Speir on 12 January 1817

His parents had married in 1812 when his father was a soldier. It is possible that he had an older sibling or even 2 whilst his father was on deployment, but records have not been located. When he was born, his father had left the army, was back in Johnstone Paisley Renfrewshire working as a weaver.

His sister Margaret Robertson was born on 11 June 1819 in Houston, Renfrewshire, when John was 2 years old.

John was born in a time of industrialisation, hardship and poverty. When he was just 3 his father was involved in the Radical uprising. He was subsequently locked in the Paisley tollbooth tower with 4 other men for 4 months awaiting a trial for high treason. He was found not guilty of the charge.

His brother James Grant Sanford Jack was born on 23 September 1821 in Paisley, Renfrewshire, when John was 4 years old. His brother was named after his father’s trial.

His brother William was born in 1830 in Scotland when John was 14 years old.

His brother David was born in 1832 in Renfrewshire when John was 16 years old.

His father James passed away on 4 October 1856 in Paisley, Renfrewshire, at the age of 62.

Unable to locate further records of John Speirs. It may be likely that as did his brother, he moved out for the area to England Ireland or further afield.

Sources

• Scotland Church registers - Old parish registers - Births and Baptisms SPEIR JOHN JAMES SPEIR/MARY IRVEN FR1231 (FR1231) M 12/01/1817 559 30 / 517 ABBEY Renfrewshire. 12/01/1817 SPEIR, JOHN (Old Parish Registers Births 559/ 30 517 Abbey) Page 517 of 593 [1]