1807-1885 Robert Gray and Helen Francis Crosby

[1dave]

1833 Robert Married Helen FRANCIS in 1833, and died in 1885. She died in 1882. We have a lot of information on their lives, and the lives of their children, finding them in the Lanarkshire Census
of 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, and 1881, and the LDS Church Records of Lesmahagow Branch.
They were taking in and caring for their grand children and great grand children until their
deaths. Robert earned a living as a Damask Hand Loom Weaver, carrying his finished goods on his back every weekend to Strathhaven and other nearby markets on the weekends to sell.



The LDS Lanark Branch records show that Robert Crosby of Kirkfieldbank born 1 Oct 1807 was baptized on the 11 Nov 1844, cut off 4 Aug 1848, re-baptized 11 Nov 1848, ordained a Teacher 24 May 1845, and baptized again 18 May 1861.
Mrs Ellenar Crosby of Carlisle, Cumberland England was baptized 11 Nov 1844, and again (Helen this time) 27 Jan 1868 by Robert Crosby
Miss Eliza Crosby born 9 Aug 1828 in Kirkfieldbank was baptized 11 Nov 1844 cut off 2 Mar 1851
Robert Crosbie Jr born 22 July 1834 in Hazelbank was baptized 10 July 1845 and cut off in 1855
Miss Agnes Crosbie born 1 April 1832 was baptized 10 July 1845 cut off 8 Dec 1850
John Crosbie born 12 Nov 1830 was baptized 10 July 1845 re-baptized 8 Feb 1860
Josiah Crosby born 18 Jul 1843 was baptized 18 May 1861, cut off 20 Dec 1868
Harriet Crosby born 23 Dec 1848 in Hazelbank was baptized 18 May 1868
Gavin Crosby born 2 Feb 1857 in Hazelbank was baptized 27 Jan 1868 by Robert Crosby
Robert Crosby born 17 June 1858 in Hazelbank was baptized 3 Mar 1868 by Robert Crosby
George Crosbie born Dec 1843 in Kirkfieldbank was baptized 11 Mar 1868 by Robert Crosby
Catherine Crosbie born 24 Feb 1839 in Carluke was baptized 11 Mar 1868 by Robert Crosbie
John Neilson of Carmichael was baptized 12 Mar 1868 by Robert Crosbie
Agnes Neilson born 1 Apr 1832 in Lesmahagow was baptized 12 Mar 1868 by Robert Crosbie
Elizabeth Neilson baptized 17 May 1868 by Jas Craig
James Neilson baptized 17 May 1868 by Jas Craig.
Helen Crosbie born 20 Sep 1847 in Auchenheath was baptized 1878 by Nicol Hood.
William Nielson Riggside born Feb 1868, blessed 12 Mar 1868, died 15 Aug 1860 of bold hive.


By 1861 the population of the parish of Lesmahagow had reached 9258, of which over 40% were new comers; Lesmahagow was easily the most populous parish in Upperyard. At that time Kirkmuirhill was quite small (though it did count as a village in the census) with some 370 inhabitants; Auchenheath (or Auchinheath as it was usually written) on the other hand boasted well over 700.

Although the bulk- of the employment in the area was in industries such as mining, quarrying, tile making, and working on the newly arrived railway, the area was essentially agricultural. Farms ranged from small 10 acre holdings to large units of several hundred acres, all at this time highly labor intensive. There was also a good deal of fruit grown with it’s demand for seasonal workers The new railhead at Blackwood was a boon to local farmers and fruit growers who could supply more easily the seemingly inexhaustible demands of northern Lanarkshire and Glasgow with fresh milk, meat and fruit. Hiring Fairs were held twice a year in Lesmahagow, and some idea of the value placed on agricultural workers can be had from the bargains struck:
married ploughmen £ 26 - £ 29 per year plus perks
dairymaids £ 7 - £ 8 per year
outdoor workers or “wee women” £ 4/10 - £ 5/ 10







Robert and Helen Francis Crosbie’s Children are:
1. Elizabeth b. 9 Aug 1829 in Kirkfieldbank. Sp = John Roberton m. 1 Dec 1852
2. John Francis b. 12 Nov 1830 in Kirkfieldbank. Sp = Katherine Ludlow or Catherine Laidlow, m.
3 Dec 1857
3. Agnes b. 1 Apr 1833 in Kirkfieldbank, Sp = Robert Phillip, Gavin Andrew, John Nielson m.
3 Apr 1857
4. Robert b. 11 Jul 1835 in Kirkfieldbank, Sp = Jane Rose Baxter m. 1858
5. Margaret Gray b. 9 Feb 1837 in Kirkfieldbank, Sp = Thomas Jeffery m.
6. George Francis b. 11 May 1839 in Kirkfieldbank, Sp = Margaret Prentice
(NOTE: George’s baptismal date of 16 Apr 1843 has caused some to think there were 2 Georges.)
7. Josiah b. 4 Jun 1842 in Kirkfieldbank, Sp = Mary Waldie m. 22 Oct 1869
8. Harriot (twin) b. 4 Jun 1842 in Kirkfieldbank, died bef. 1849
9. James Francis b. 6 Dec 1847 in Hazelbank, Sp = Ellen (Helen) Aird m. 7 Mar 1867
10. Harriot b. 23 Dec 1849 in Hazelbank, Sp = John Baxter
11. Ellen (Helen) b. 31 Jan 1851 in Hazelbank, Sp = William Cleland

[*Marjorie]

Child No. 5 Margaret Gray could not of married Thomas Jeffery. If she had lived she would of married at 11 years old at time of this marriage. She died before June 1841. This child drowned in the River Clyde.