Robert Smith 1842-1923

He was born on 10 February 1842, in Gladsmuir, East Lothian the son of James Smith and Catherine Hogg.

On 31 December 1863 Robert Smith married Eleanora Brash at Portobello, Edinburgh. He was a coal miner of Macmerry, Gladsmuir and Eleanora a provisions shop keeper, living in Portobello. Robert gave his father's name as John Smith, a farmer, however his death certificate confirms his father as James and occupation as miner; his mother's name is correct in both instances. Eleanor's father was Andrew Brash a SSC (solicitor supreme court) and mother Sarah Affleck Gray. By 1871 they were living at the Iron Works, Gladsmuir and Robert was an ironstone miner and in 1881 a coal miner.

Eleanora died of tuberculosis on 18 April 1883 at West Pans, Musselburgh.

On 1 Jun 1887 in the parish of Stenton, East Lothian, Robert married Agnes Murray, a farm servant of Meiklerig, Stenton, East Lothian. Agnes was the daughter of Agnes Skeldon and John Murray (reputed), born at Old Hamstocks, East Lothian.

The 1891 census shows Agnes and their children to be living at Church Officer's home, Whittingham while Robert is a coal miner, boarding with his sister's family in the Old Iron Works, Gladsmuir.

By 1901 Robert and his family had moved to Polmont, Stirlingshire and Robert is a coal miner.

Agnes died on 20 January 1909 aged 60 at Park View, Polmont Station, Stirlingshire. Robert was now an engine keeper at the steel works.

Robert died on 17 January 1923 aged 80. He was a night watchman living at Dunbarton Road, Dalmuir, Dunbartonshire.

Children of Robert Smith and Eleanora Brash:-

  1. Eliza Smith born 25 October 1864 Merryfield, Gladsmuir. Died 10 November 1864
  2. Catherine Hogg Smith born 5 August 1865, New Winton, Pencaitland (IGI)

    On 18 March 1897 at Edinburgh she married Edward Gaines, an insurance agent, son of William Gaines, a platelayer and Jane Crosbie. Edward died in 1934 at Portobello aged 79 and Catherine in 1942 in Edinburgh.

    Children:-

    • Eleanor Brash Gaines born 29 November 1897 in Edinburgh

      She lived for many years in Joppa, did not marry and died in 1971 in Edinburgh

    • William Gaines born 22 October 1899 in Edinburgh

      He was a merchant seaman in both world wars. On 8 February 1927 in Edinburgh he married Christina Smith Laidlaw. William was a radio officer on board the tanker Horomya when he died on 8 October 1957. Christina died in 1982 in Edinburgh.

  3. Eliza Gray Smith born 26 November 1867, New Winton, Pencaitland

    In 1881 she was a farm worker and in 1891 a domestic servant in Edinburgh

    In 1897 at Edinburgh she married John Macartney Bone. He was born in Dunbar, East Lothian on 13 January 1865, the son of Euphemia Bone. John was a steam crane man and builder, later becoming an electric crane man. Eliza was involved with the protestant, low church, Oxford Group. She let out rooms to medical students and her daughter qualified as a doctor but her son suffered from multiple sclerosis. Eliza died of a stroke in 1928. Children:-

    • Eleanor Brash Bone 1902-1990

      Eleanor qualified as a doctor in 1925 at Edinburgh. In 1926 in Aden she married Dr Patrick William Robertson Petrie. They had two sons. Eleanor worked as a doctor in Aden before the war and during the war when her husband was in Yemen she was in Jamaica with their children, working as a doctor. In August 1945 Eleanor and the children sail from Glasgow for Aden. Patrick died in 1986 and Eleanor in 1990 both in Dunfermline, Fife.

    • John Bone 1904-1943
  4. James Smith born 17 May 1870 Penston, Gladsmuir
  5. Wilhamina Agnes Brash Smith born 4 July 1872, Iron Works, Gladsmuir

    She did not marry but became the housekeeper to her niece Eleanor Petrie. She died on 14 February 1961 in Edinburgh

  6. Isabella Smith born 4 October 1874 Ormiston

    In 1901 she was housekeeper to her uncle William Brash in Edinburgh. The 1935 and 1940 valuation rolls show her to be the proprietor and occupier of 84 Orchard Road, Edinburgh.

  7. Sarah Affleck Smith born 8 July 1877 Gladsmuir

    She died in Gladsmuir in 1878

  8. Andrew Brash Smith born 1 March 1879 Ironworks, Gladsmuir

    He has his own page.

Known children of Robert and Agnes:-

  1. Mary Trotter Smith born 10 September 1887 Macmerry, Glasmuir

    On 24 February 1911, at Glasgow, Mary, a domestic servant of Polmont, married John Cameron Sharpe. He was a railway shunter of Polmont the son of Daniel Sharpe, an iron burner and Jane Kennedy. Mary died on 20 November 1951 at Polmont

  2. George William Smith born 4 November 1890 Garden Cottage, Whittingehame

    In 1914 George married Margaret Gardner at Falkirk. He was a railway ticket examiner when in May 1920 he sailed with his wife and her sister Agnes Maybin Gardner aboard SS Colmbia to New York. Margaret's parents followed a month later. They set up home in Arkansas City, Cowley, Kansas where George became a miller.