Greenock Family History
Chapter 4: Other Family Members
You will note from the attached that we have had numerous names repeated in the Greenock line. I will be presenting what we know about our direct line first and then will try to make the connections with ‘other family members’. It is difficult to write one’s findings without getting the names confused. I apologize in advance if some of this data seems garbled.
Joseph Greenock, b. 1773, d. abt. 1848
From IGI records – Joseph Greenock (born around 1773) married Elizabeth Callander on 5 February 1816 in Glasgow. These are parents to John Greenock. This John Greenock (grandfather to our Grandpa) was born around 1819 in Wexford or Cork, Ireland. I believe Joseph and Elizabeth also had at least two other sons: Robert and William. Grandpa mentioned the Peninsular War medal that was awarded to Joseph and listed the bars that indicated some of the campaigns Joseph fought in.
The book entitled ‘The Peninsular War, 1807-1814’ by Michael Glover reports that the 94th (also known as the Connaught Rangers) landed in February 1810 and re-embarked at the end of the war. The battles listed for the 94th are: Sabugal, 3 April 18ll; Fuentes de Onoro; El Bodon & Carpio, 25 September 1811; Cuidad Rodrigo; Badajoz; Salmanca; Vitoria; Nivelle, 10 November 1813; Orthez, and Toulouse. From the accounts I have read of this War – I think it should have been called ‘The War to End All Wars’. Vicious and cruel, with fighting done under very difficult circumstances. (It would be interesting to know how Joseph ended his military service, having served for such a long time and what his occupation was once he left the military.) Many wives followed the army. Don’t know if Joseph’s wife did. Don’t know why he ended up in Ireland. Many Irish/Scottish men joined the military, not because of great loyalty to the Crown, but because a bonus in the amount of about 23 pounds was offered just for enlisting. Grandpa tells us Joseph was a member of the 94th foot brigade. Sure wish he could have been a part of the 95th Rifles (the green jackets) as they are a better chronicled battalion.
John Greenock, b. 1819, d. 1893
John Greenock, our g-g grandfather. Robert Greenock’s father. Born around 1819 in Cork or Wexford possibly when his father was doing garrison duty in Ireland. John Greenock was a wounded veteran of the Carlist Uprising in Spain in 1836. He was serving with the BA legion of Spain, was wounded, and the ball (bullet) was extracted September 23, 1836. I will try to find a record of the pension reportedly given him from the Spanish Government from 1836 until his death in 1893. I wonder why he would have fought in this Uprising. To the best of our knowledge, he was not ‘military’. Wonder if his mother could be from Spain. His father Joseph did fight in the Peninsular War in Portugal and Spain. Maybe John felt some allegiance to this country. Grandpa Greenock stated in his narrative that there had been ‘a separation’ on Joseph Greenock’s part, but didn’t explain just what that was. I wonder if the separation could have been physical. Would there have been some antipathy toward Joseph for marrying someone other than a Scotsman?
Rebecca Durie, b. 1816, d.abt. 1875 (due to a fall)
Rebecca married John Greenock 15 November 1839 in Glasgow. Rebecca Durie, (Robert Greenock’s mother, our g-g- grandmother) – Rebecca’s parents names were Elizabeth Baird and John Durie. Elizabeth Baird and John Durie married in 1808. Their children: Isobella, b 16 July 1815; Rebecca, b 22 December 1816; Alexander, b 20 September 1818; William, b 22 August 1819; Edward, b 24 June 1821 and Christian Waterson, b 23 March 1823.
In the Proclamation listings for marriage (he was married in 1839 in Glasgow) John listed his occupation as shoemaker. In the 1852 Census of Glasgow/Barony, he listed his occupation as lamplighter (doesn’t that sound romantic?). In the Census of 1861 John said he as born in Ireland, listed his age as 42 (born abt. 1819). His wife Rebecca (Durie) Greenock listed her age as 43. The children listed were Elizabeth, age 20 – a steam loom weaver, Joseph age 18, cabinet maker; Robert, age 16 (my great grandpa), packing box maker; Jemina age 8, scholar , and Margaret age 3. Robert was a packing box maker until shortly before he left Scotland for America.
In 1841 Parish records of Lanark Barony Calton listed John Greenock and wife Rebecca Durie had a lawful daughter, their first child, named Elizabeth, born 9 March 1842 at Bell Street Calton. Robert and William Greenock were witnesses. John was 22 in 1841, Robert was 19 and living with Rebecca and John. John, Robert and William were shoemakers. In October of 1842 John Greenock, shoemaker, and Rebecca Durie had a lawful son, their 2nd child, named Joseph, born 19 October 1842 at Bell Street, Calton. Again Robert and William Greenock witnessed. April 1844 Parish records show John and Rebecca Durie Greenock had a lawful son, their 3rd child named Robert (my g-grandfather), born 24 April 1844 at Bell Street Calton. William and Robert Greenock again witnessed. In the 1841 census of Glasgow, both John and Robert indicated they had been born in Ireland.
In the 1881 census of Glasgow, we found John Greenock, now age 61, city lamp lighter, living at 131 Barrack Street, with wife Catherine, age 49, stepdaughters Catherine, Marion, Isabella and stepsons William and James Paton. My Grandpa referred to this marriage and stated it was his understanding that one of the stepsons assumed the name Greenock. John Greenock died in Glasgow at age 74 on 9 October 1893. His occupation was listed on the death cert as lamp lighter, pensioner – British Legion of Spain. At this time he was living at 705 Great Eastern Road. Wives were listed as Rebecca Drew (sp) and Catherine Paton. Father was Joseph Greenock (see above), shoemaker, and his mother was Elizabeth Callender. Cause of death was hemiplegia (paralysis of one lateral half of the body or part of it resulting from injury to the motor centers of the brain). Marion Paton, stepdaughter, provided information for this death cert.
By 1893, the children of his first marriage had either immigrated or were deceased. Elizabeth married William McEwan and immigrated to the United States in 1871. Joseph married Janet Black Douglas and immigrated to the U.S. in 1886. Jemima married William McKay and immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio around 1883-4. As you know, my great grandfather, Robert, immigrated to Chicago in 1879. I would doubt that any returned to Scotland for the funeral of their father, simply because of the logistics.
William Greenock, b. 1823, d. 1894
I feel very fortunate to have made a correspondence connection with Lindsay Greenock, from Glasgow, Scotland. He is a distant cousin and he has done extensive research on the Greenock family and has very generously shared what he found with me. There will be numerous references to Lindsay in this text. We both agree that our great great grandfathers William, John and Robert could be brothers. At this time we both are still working on documenting this.
William Greenock, boot and shoemaker (b 1823, d 1894) brother of great-great grandpa John? Lindsay said William’s parents were William Greenock and Jemima Callender. I believe this William Greenock was the one who sired 17 children. Lindsay also has been unable to go further back than this William, but we are both trying to document the relationship between William, John and Robert. James and Robert Greenock (who ended up in New Jersey in the late 1920s) were descendants of this William.
William Greenock, born about 1823, first married Hannah McGuire (or Thomson?) in 1845. Sired three children, Elizabeth, b. 1847; Agnes, b. 1849, and Anne, born 1850. William was re-married in Airdrie in 1853 to Sarah Lindsay after his first wife Hannah McGuire (or possible Thomson) died. Children of this union were William, b. 1855; Martha b. 1856; Janet, b.1857; Margaret, b. 1859; Joseph, b. 1863 (died 24 May 1869); Robert, b. 1863; Isabella, b. 1866; Mary b. 1866; John, born 1869 (died 31 May 1881); Sara, b. 1869; David Lindsay, b. 1870 and Andrew Sword, b. 1874. There could be more – I don’t have all the info as yet. My new-found cousin, and great source of Greenock information in Scotland, Lindsay David Greenock (born 1963, married Christine Bryson Morrison in 1988) is the son of David Anderson Lindsay Greenock and Agnes Miller Hain Lumsden. Grandson of David Lindsay (b. 1899, died 1979) and Marion Weire Sneddon. Great grandson of Robert Greenock and Isabella Stewart. Great, great grandson of William and Sarah Greenock.
The 1881 census of Glasgow found the Wiliam Greenock family living at 120 London Rd. William, age 58, shoemaker (employing many), born in Linlithglow. Wife, Sara, age 48, occupation Mason (/), born in Lanarkshire, Airdrie; William, 26, listed as mason weaver; Martha, age 24, cotton weaver; Jane, age 23, cotton weaver; maggie, age 26, thread packer; Joseph, age 20, chairmaker; Robert, age 15, engineer (apprentice); Sarah, age 12, scholar; John, age 11, scholar; and David, age 10, scholar. Wonder why none of the above children were working as shoemakers!
Robert Greenock, b 1822, d. 1872
Lindsay Greenock found a death cert at OPR in Glasgow for Robert Greenock where his parents were listed as Joseph Greenock and Elizabeth Callendar, same as our great-great John. Robert died of a general sebility abscess of the leg on the 14th of July 1872. He was living at 14 Bell Street at the time. I wonder if this could have been husband to Rebecca who was listed as a widow in the 1881 census of Glasgow. Need to ask Lindsay.
In the parish records for Linlithglow/West Lothian I found that a Robert Greenock had married Rebecca Scott on 18 July 1845. In 1851, we found census record for Robert Greenock, age 29, wife Rebecca, age 16, son Joseph 4 and daughter Jean, age 1. He listed his occupation as cordwainter and she as a boot binder. This was in Barony Lanark, Calton. Our John Greenock was also living in Lanark, Calton. In the 1881 census of Glasgow, we found Rebecca, age 54 (apparently a widow), steam loom weaver (born in Ireland) daughter Elizabeth, age 27, daughter Margaret, age 22, son Robert, age 20, living in Calton at 151 London Road. Don’t yet know what family line this Robert belongs to but I believe this Robert, John and William were brothers. We have not been able to prove this as yet.
I was able to find a pension record for a Joseph Greenock, who served with the 94th Foot for seven years and 4 days (from January 1808 till February 1815). Then in April of 1815 he joined the 25th regiment (could be the 25th Foot Regiment - names of regiments changed often) and he served until November of 1826 when he was pensioned (at age 37) because of varicose veins and exhaustion. This Joseph listed his birthplace as Linlithglow (now known as West Lothian - just outside of Edinburgh). He was born about 1782. He listed his occupation as shoemaker. In the parish records of Linlithglow, in 1796, I found a Joseph Greenock, shoemaker, and Helen Forgie married (irregular marriage). Their children, Ann, born 21 June 1795, Robert, born 24 January 1798; Agnes, born 14 May 1800; Helen, born 9 July 1803; Christian born 2 February 1806, Jacobina, born 21 August 1808 and Elizabeth born 20 October 1811. This Joseph died at age 63. There is a tombstone near Edinburgh for this family, as mentioned in my Grandpa’s correspondence, in Linlithgow Parish Churchyard, erected by a Robert Greenock of Edinburgh. Grandpa’s correspondence says that Joseph died 25 December 1825, age 63 years. Helen Forgie died 16 February 1839 age 65. Jacobina, sister to Robert died in November of 1824, aged 16 years. There is a headstone near the side entrance of the cathedral.
By the way, an ‘irregular’ marriage is one where bans were not listed in the church. There was a fee to do so, plus sometimes time was of the essence! Until 1940, irregular marriages, in the form of a declaration by the parties before witnesses, but not before an established clergyman, were perfectly legal, however, such marriages were frowned upon.
In the parish records, many listed their occupations as part of the militia or the Dragoons but the above Joseph I found in parish records listed his occupation as shoemaker. .
In the Parish Records, in 1750, I found a John Greenock, smith at the bridge, and Jean Robert (marriage proclamation). Also, 7 May 1752, John Greenock, smith at the bridge and Jean Robert had a daughter, Helen. Then in 1796 I found a marriage proclamation for John Greenock and a Margaret Davie. Maybe this John was a child of John, smith at the bridge and Jean!!
I also found a John Greenock in these same parish records. John Greenock, workman, married Jean Birrell in 1801. Two children, Henrietta, born 24 August 1802 and Jean, born 22 April 1806. THEN, as luck would have it, I found another reference to a John Greenock and wife Margaret Reid who had three children: Agnes, born 25 March 1787; Margaret, born 7 March 1790 and Jean, born 7 October 1792. I think this John married Margaret first , then Jean. Or perhaps there were two Johns. Perhaps there were two Josephs - both having served in the 94th foot!
More work needed on the above Joseph and John!
I think the above John and Joseph were like bros. Both John and Joseph purchased gravestones on 31 May 1815, unknown for whose grave! I do not know as yet how I can link the above mentioned Joseph or John to our lineage.
I have been corresponding with Bob Greenock - the Bob Greenock who Grandpa mentioned visited him during WWII when Bob was stationed at Navy Pier. Bob has an interesting story. He was born in Motherwell, Scotland and arrived at Ellis Island January 25, 1927, shortly after his sixth birthday. They were detained at Ellis for several days. His father, James Stewart Greenock had come to America to find work. He was a boilermaker by trade and after the general strike of all labor in 1926 he left his family and came to America. Unknown to him, his wife was pregnant with their third child. The child, Isabella was born and due to complications in the birth the mother, Janet Wilson Greenock died six days later. James immediately returned to Scotland on a 90 day visa, and returned to America with his children. Detained at Ellis Island, and because they separated males and females, the eldest daughter, Mary L. Greenock, who was about ten years old at the time, cared for her baby sister Isabella Janet. They then proceeded to Newark NJ where James married again to a lady named Marion Shields. Marion gave birth to twins, Elizabeth and Catherline on August 8, 1929. Bob's father is James Stewart Greenock, born 24 November 1887 in Glasgow, died in September of 1950 in Newark NJ. Bob's mother's name was Janet Marshal Wilson, born 17 October 1895 in Motherwell, Scotland, died 26 November 1926 in Motherwell. She is buried in Motherwell, and in 1996 Bob was able to visit the gravesite and place flowers there.
James Stewart Greenock served four years and forty-six days (World War I) in the British Army, First Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He was wounded and gassed in this conflict. He was awarded medals and they are now in possession of his son, Robert. Robert grew up in Kearny, NJ and enlisted in the U.S. Navy two months after Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to a sub-chaser and subsequently ended up in the South Pacific theatre of action. He managed to obtain a leave of 15 days and went back to NJ to marry his sweetheart, Virginia on 25 November 1943. For a time after the war he worked in the same gas manufacturing plant as his father. Later he changed his employment and for 28 years was employed in Sales and Marketing by the Gardner Denver Company headquartered in Quincy, IL. His work was in the international field, and he lived in several places: Maracaibo, Venezuela, then Santiago, Chile as well as several other countries! In 1963 he returned to corporate headquarters in Quincy, IL and retired in 1980. In 1983 Bob and Ginnie moved to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.
Robert and Virginia had three children: Elaine M., born 1946 in E. Orange NJ; David Stewart, born in 1948 - died in 1952 of nephrosis, and Laurel A., born in 1952 in Kearny, NJ. Laurel now lives in Bloomington, IL and Elaine lives in Los Gatos, CA.
Sarah Greenock - I obtained a death cert for her from San Francisco, CA. She was born in Scotland in 1891, died in CA in 1954. Listed her parents as William Greenock and Mary Anderson. William Greenock was a younger brother of Robert Greenock - paternal grandfather to the above Bob - (the William the shoemaker line). Sarah worked as a domestic and was living with her nephew, Matthew Kidd, at the time of her death. Matthew was a Marine Engineer by profession and served as an Officer in the British Royal Navy during the War. He immigrated to New Jersey about 1950, left shortly for Redwood City, CA and established a rooming house there. I would like to think that Matthew's lineage was from Captain Kidd!
I also found another John Greenock in the 1920 Census of Chicago. He and his wife Josephine were born in Lithuania about 1895. They were living at 10534 Elbrook Avenue. Have no clue as to whether or not this could be an off-shoot of our Scottish Greenocks.
I also found a dozen or so Greenocks in the Register of Testaments, Commissariot of Sterling, as far back as 1661 (Janet). The verbiage is confusing to me and I have not as yet found a reference that can help me with things such as ‘relict of’ (widow), ‘portioner’, etc. Many of the Greenocks listed were part of St. Ninians (I assume parish).
I would love to be able to track our Redpath family with that of James Redpath, but at this time have not been able to do so. He was born in Berwick on Tweed, Scotland, in 1833, eldest of 7 children. James Redpath was a journalist and editor. Emigrated to Michigan around 1850 and became associated with the New York Tribune in 1852, on invitation of Horace Greeley. Attracted wide attention for articles on the political troubles in Kansas, slavery in the southern states and his authorized biography of John Brown. In fact, one of the books Mr. Redpath published was called ‘Echoes of Harper’s Ferry.’ We all know what happened at Harper’s Ferry. He established the Redpath Lyceum bureau in Boston in 1868. He and his wife were credited with establishing the tradition that became known as Memorial (or Decoration) Day. Grandpa Greenock gives the wife credit for this, however, the biography (Life of James Redpath, written in 1926) I read said it was James Redpath. He was an abolitionist and reparationist, a crusader for freedom. Slave owners offered $10,000 reward for James Redpath – dead or alive! He had no children, died in New York on 10 Feb 1891 after being run over by a passing vehicle.
I found many Redpath authors listed at the Library of Congress in Washington DC. Most were religious writers.
Note to me: Need to treat the genetics – those that could be inherited, such as epilepsy (Granny Greenock), heart disease (most all of the Greenock men); down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, parkinsons – those things that have been visited on our family.
Previous: Chapter 3: John and Flora Rebman Greenock
Chapter 4: Other Family Members
You will note from the attached that we have had numerous names repeated in the Greenock line. I will be presenting what we know about our direct line first and then will try to make the connections with ‘other family members’. It is difficult to write one’s findings without getting the names confused. I apologize in advance if some of this data seems garbled.
Joseph Greenock, b. 1773, d. abt. 1848
From IGI records – Joseph Greenock (born around 1773) married Elizabeth Callander on 5 February 1816 in Glasgow. These are parents to John Greenock. This John Greenock (grandfather to our Grandpa) was born around 1819 in Wexford or Cork, Ireland. I believe Joseph and Elizabeth also had at least two other sons: Robert and William. Grandpa mentioned the Peninsular War medal that was awarded to Joseph and listed the bars that indicated some of the campaigns Joseph fought in.
The book entitled ‘The Peninsular War, 1807-1814’ by Michael Glover reports that the 94th (also known as the Connaught Rangers) landed in February 1810 and re-embarked at the end of the war. The battles listed for the 94th are: Sabugal, 3 April 18ll; Fuentes de Onoro; El Bodon & Carpio, 25 September 1811; Cuidad Rodrigo; Badajoz; Salmanca; Vitoria; Nivelle, 10 November 1813; Orthez, and Toulouse. From the accounts I have read of this War – I think it should have been called ‘The War to End All Wars’. Vicious and cruel, with fighting done under very difficult circumstances. (It would be interesting to know how Joseph ended his military service, having served for such a long time and what his occupation was once he left the military.) Many wives followed the army. Don’t know if Joseph’s wife did. Don’t know why he ended up in Ireland. Many Irish/Scottish men joined the military, not because of great loyalty to the Crown, but because a bonus in the amount of about 23 pounds was offered just for enlisting. Grandpa tells us Joseph was a member of the 94th foot brigade. Sure wish he could have been a part of the 95th Rifles (the green jackets) as they are a better chronicled battalion.
John Greenock, b. 1819, d. 1893
John Greenock, our g-g grandfather. Robert Greenock’s father. Born around 1819 in Cork or Wexford possibly when his father was doing garrison duty in Ireland. John Greenock was a wounded veteran of the Carlist Uprising in Spain in 1836. He was serving with the BA legion of Spain, was wounded, and the ball (bullet) was extracted September 23, 1836. I will try to find a record of the pension reportedly given him from the Spanish Government from 1836 until his death in 1893. I wonder why he would have fought in this Uprising. To the best of our knowledge, he was not ‘military’. Wonder if his mother could be from Spain. His father Joseph did fight in the Peninsular War in Portugal and Spain. Maybe John felt some allegiance to this country. Grandpa Greenock stated in his narrative that there had been ‘a separation’ on Joseph Greenock’s part, but didn’t explain just what that was. I wonder if the separation could have been physical. Would there have been some antipathy toward Joseph for marrying someone other than a Scotsman?
Rebecca Durie, b. 1816, d.abt. 1875 (due to a fall)
Rebecca married John Greenock 15 November 1839 in Glasgow. Rebecca Durie, (Robert Greenock’s mother, our g-g- grandmother) – Rebecca’s parents names were Elizabeth Baird and John Durie. Elizabeth Baird and John Durie married in 1808. Their children: Isobella, b 16 July 1815; Rebecca, b 22 December 1816; Alexander, b 20 September 1818; William, b 22 August 1819; Edward, b 24 June 1821 and Christian Waterson, b 23 March 1823.
In the Proclamation listings for marriage (he was married in 1839 in Glasgow) John listed his occupation as shoemaker. In the 1852 Census of Glasgow/Barony, he listed his occupation as lamplighter (doesn’t that sound romantic?). In the Census of 1861 John said he as born in Ireland, listed his age as 42 (born abt. 1819). His wife Rebecca (Durie) Greenock listed her age as 43. The children listed were Elizabeth, age 20 – a steam loom weaver, Joseph age 18, cabinet maker; Robert, age 16 (my great grandpa), packing box maker; Jemina age 8, scholar , and Margaret age 3. Robert was a packing box maker until shortly before he left Scotland for America.
In 1841 Parish records of Lanark Barony Calton listed John Greenock and wife Rebecca Durie had a lawful daughter, their first child, named Elizabeth, born 9 March 1842 at Bell Street Calton. Robert and William Greenock were witnesses. John was 22 in 1841, Robert was 19 and living with Rebecca and John. John, Robert and William were shoemakers. In October of 1842 John Greenock, shoemaker, and Rebecca Durie had a lawful son, their 2nd child, named Joseph, born 19 October 1842 at Bell Street, Calton. Again Robert and William Greenock witnessed. April 1844 Parish records show John and Rebecca Durie Greenock had a lawful son, their 3rd child named Robert (my g-grandfather), born 24 April 1844 at Bell Street Calton. William and Robert Greenock again witnessed. In the 1841 census of Glasgow, both John and Robert indicated they had been born in Ireland.
In the 1881 census of Glasgow, we found John Greenock, now age 61, city lamp lighter, living at 131 Barrack Street, with wife Catherine, age 49, stepdaughters Catherine, Marion, Isabella and stepsons William and James Paton. My Grandpa referred to this marriage and stated it was his understanding that one of the stepsons assumed the name Greenock. John Greenock died in Glasgow at age 74 on 9 October 1893. His occupation was listed on the death cert as lamp lighter, pensioner – British Legion of Spain. At this time he was living at 705 Great Eastern Road. Wives were listed as Rebecca Drew (sp) and Catherine Paton. Father was Joseph Greenock (see above), shoemaker, and his mother was Elizabeth Callender. Cause of death was hemiplegia (paralysis of one lateral half of the body or part of it resulting from injury to the motor centers of the brain). Marion Paton, stepdaughter, provided information for this death cert.
By 1893, the children of his first marriage had either immigrated or were deceased. Elizabeth married William McEwan and immigrated to the United States in 1871. Joseph married Janet Black Douglas and immigrated to the U.S. in 1886. Jemima married William McKay and immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio around 1883-4. As you know, my great grandfather, Robert, immigrated to Chicago in 1879. I would doubt that any returned to Scotland for the funeral of their father, simply because of the logistics.
William Greenock, b. 1823, d. 1894
I feel very fortunate to have made a correspondence connection with Lindsay Greenock, from Glasgow, Scotland. He is a distant cousin and he has done extensive research on the Greenock family and has very generously shared what he found with me. There will be numerous references to Lindsay in this text. We both agree that our great great grandfathers William, John and Robert could be brothers. At this time we both are still working on documenting this.
William Greenock, boot and shoemaker (b 1823, d 1894) brother of great-great grandpa John? Lindsay said William’s parents were William Greenock and Jemima Callender. I believe this William Greenock was the one who sired 17 children. Lindsay also has been unable to go further back than this William, but we are both trying to document the relationship between William, John and Robert. James and Robert Greenock (who ended up in New Jersey in the late 1920s) were descendants of this William.
William Greenock, born about 1823, first married Hannah McGuire (or Thomson?) in 1845. Sired three children, Elizabeth, b. 1847; Agnes, b. 1849, and Anne, born 1850. William was re-married in Airdrie in 1853 to Sarah Lindsay after his first wife Hannah McGuire (or possible Thomson) died. Children of this union were William, b. 1855; Martha b. 1856; Janet, b.1857; Margaret, b. 1859; Joseph, b. 1863 (died 24 May 1869); Robert, b. 1863; Isabella, b. 1866; Mary b. 1866; John, born 1869 (died 31 May 1881); Sara, b. 1869; David Lindsay, b. 1870 and Andrew Sword, b. 1874. There could be more – I don’t have all the info as yet. My new-found cousin, and great source of Greenock information in Scotland, Lindsay David Greenock (born 1963, married Christine Bryson Morrison in 1988) is the son of David Anderson Lindsay Greenock and Agnes Miller Hain Lumsden. Grandson of David Lindsay (b. 1899, died 1979) and Marion Weire Sneddon. Great grandson of Robert Greenock and Isabella Stewart. Great, great grandson of William and Sarah Greenock.
The 1881 census of Glasgow found the Wiliam Greenock family living at 120 London Rd. William, age 58, shoemaker (employing many), born in Linlithglow. Wife, Sara, age 48, occupation Mason (/), born in Lanarkshire, Airdrie; William, 26, listed as mason weaver; Martha, age 24, cotton weaver; Jane, age 23, cotton weaver; maggie, age 26, thread packer; Joseph, age 20, chairmaker; Robert, age 15, engineer (apprentice); Sarah, age 12, scholar; John, age 11, scholar; and David, age 10, scholar. Wonder why none of the above children were working as shoemakers!
Robert Greenock, b 1822, d. 1872
Lindsay Greenock found a death cert at OPR in Glasgow for Robert Greenock where his parents were listed as Joseph Greenock and Elizabeth Callendar, same as our great-great John. Robert died of a general sebility abscess of the leg on the 14th of July 1872. He was living at 14 Bell Street at the time. I wonder if this could have been husband to Rebecca who was listed as a widow in the 1881 census of Glasgow. Need to ask Lindsay.
In the parish records for Linlithglow/West Lothian I found that a Robert Greenock had married Rebecca Scott on 18 July 1845. In 1851, we found census record for Robert Greenock, age 29, wife Rebecca, age 16, son Joseph 4 and daughter Jean, age 1. He listed his occupation as cordwainter and she as a boot binder. This was in Barony Lanark, Calton. Our John Greenock was also living in Lanark, Calton. In the 1881 census of Glasgow, we found Rebecca, age 54 (apparently a widow), steam loom weaver (born in Ireland) daughter Elizabeth, age 27, daughter Margaret, age 22, son Robert, age 20, living in Calton at 151 London Road. Don’t yet know what family line this Robert belongs to but I believe this Robert, John and William were brothers. We have not been able to prove this as yet.
I was able to find a pension record for a Joseph Greenock, who served with the 94th Foot for seven years and 4 days (from January 1808 till February 1815). Then in April of 1815 he joined the 25th regiment (could be the 25th Foot Regiment - names of regiments changed often) and he served until November of 1826 when he was pensioned (at age 37) because of varicose veins and exhaustion. This Joseph listed his birthplace as Linlithglow (now known as West Lothian - just outside of Edinburgh). He was born about 1782. He listed his occupation as shoemaker. In the parish records of Linlithglow, in 1796, I found a Joseph Greenock, shoemaker, and Helen Forgie married (irregular marriage). Their children, Ann, born 21 June 1795, Robert, born 24 January 1798; Agnes, born 14 May 1800; Helen, born 9 July 1803; Christian born 2 February 1806, Jacobina, born 21 August 1808 and Elizabeth born 20 October 1811. This Joseph died at age 63. There is a tombstone near Edinburgh for this family, as mentioned in my Grandpa’s correspondence, in Linlithgow Parish Churchyard, erected by a Robert Greenock of Edinburgh. Grandpa’s correspondence says that Joseph died 25 December 1825, age 63 years. Helen Forgie died 16 February 1839 age 65. Jacobina, sister to Robert died in November of 1824, aged 16 years. There is a headstone near the side entrance of the cathedral.
By the way, an ‘irregular’ marriage is one where bans were not listed in the church. There was a fee to do so, plus sometimes time was of the essence! Until 1940, irregular marriages, in the form of a declaration by the parties before witnesses, but not before an established clergyman, were perfectly legal, however, such marriages were frowned upon.
In the parish records, many listed their occupations as part of the militia or the Dragoons but the above Joseph I found in parish records listed his occupation as shoemaker. .
In the Parish Records, in 1750, I found a John Greenock, smith at the bridge, and Jean Robert (marriage proclamation). Also, 7 May 1752, John Greenock, smith at the bridge and Jean Robert had a daughter, Helen. Then in 1796 I found a marriage proclamation for John Greenock and a Margaret Davie. Maybe this John was a child of John, smith at the bridge and Jean!!
I also found a John Greenock in these same parish records. John Greenock, workman, married Jean Birrell in 1801. Two children, Henrietta, born 24 August 1802 and Jean, born 22 April 1806. THEN, as luck would have it, I found another reference to a John Greenock and wife Margaret Reid who had three children: Agnes, born 25 March 1787; Margaret, born 7 March 1790 and Jean, born 7 October 1792. I think this John married Margaret first , then Jean. Or perhaps there were two Johns. Perhaps there were two Josephs - both having served in the 94th foot!
More work needed on the above Joseph and John!
I think the above John and Joseph were like bros. Both John and Joseph purchased gravestones on 31 May 1815, unknown for whose grave! I do not know as yet how I can link the above mentioned Joseph or John to our lineage.
I have been corresponding with Bob Greenock - the Bob Greenock who Grandpa mentioned visited him during WWII when Bob was stationed at Navy Pier. Bob has an interesting story. He was born in Motherwell, Scotland and arrived at Ellis Island January 25, 1927, shortly after his sixth birthday. They were detained at Ellis for several days. His father, James Stewart Greenock had come to America to find work. He was a boilermaker by trade and after the general strike of all labor in 1926 he left his family and came to America. Unknown to him, his wife was pregnant with their third child. The child, Isabella was born and due to complications in the birth the mother, Janet Wilson Greenock died six days later. James immediately returned to Scotland on a 90 day visa, and returned to America with his children. Detained at Ellis Island, and because they separated males and females, the eldest daughter, Mary L. Greenock, who was about ten years old at the time, cared for her baby sister Isabella Janet. They then proceeded to Newark NJ where James married again to a lady named Marion Shields. Marion gave birth to twins, Elizabeth and Catherline on August 8, 1929. Bob's father is James Stewart Greenock, born 24 November 1887 in Glasgow, died in September of 1950 in Newark NJ. Bob's mother's name was Janet Marshal Wilson, born 17 October 1895 in Motherwell, Scotland, died 26 November 1926 in Motherwell. She is buried in Motherwell, and in 1996 Bob was able to visit the gravesite and place flowers there.
James Stewart Greenock served four years and forty-six days (World War I) in the British Army, First Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He was wounded and gassed in this conflict. He was awarded medals and they are now in possession of his son, Robert. Robert grew up in Kearny, NJ and enlisted in the U.S. Navy two months after Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to a sub-chaser and subsequently ended up in the South Pacific theatre of action. He managed to obtain a leave of 15 days and went back to NJ to marry his sweetheart, Virginia on 25 November 1943. For a time after the war he worked in the same gas manufacturing plant as his father. Later he changed his employment and for 28 years was employed in Sales and Marketing by the Gardner Denver Company headquartered in Quincy, IL. His work was in the international field, and he lived in several places: Maracaibo, Venezuela, then Santiago, Chile as well as several other countries! In 1963 he returned to corporate headquarters in Quincy, IL and retired in 1980. In 1983 Bob and Ginnie moved to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.
Robert and Virginia had three children: Elaine M., born 1946 in E. Orange NJ; David Stewart, born in 1948 - died in 1952 of nephrosis, and Laurel A., born in 1952 in Kearny, NJ. Laurel now lives in Bloomington, IL and Elaine lives in Los Gatos, CA.
Sarah Greenock - I obtained a death cert for her from San Francisco, CA. She was born in Scotland in 1891, died in CA in 1954. Listed her parents as William Greenock and Mary Anderson. William Greenock was a younger brother of Robert Greenock - paternal grandfather to the above Bob - (the William the shoemaker line). Sarah worked as a domestic and was living with her nephew, Matthew Kidd, at the time of her death. Matthew was a Marine Engineer by profession and served as an Officer in the British Royal Navy during the War. He immigrated to New Jersey about 1950, left shortly for Redwood City, CA and established a rooming house there. I would like to think that Matthew's lineage was from Captain Kidd!
I also found another John Greenock in the 1920 Census of Chicago. He and his wife Josephine were born in Lithuania about 1895. They were living at 10534 Elbrook Avenue. Have no clue as to whether or not this could be an off-shoot of our Scottish Greenocks.
I also found a dozen or so Greenocks in the Register of Testaments, Commissariot of Sterling, as far back as 1661 (Janet). The verbiage is confusing to me and I have not as yet found a reference that can help me with things such as ‘relict of’ (widow), ‘portioner’, etc. Many of the Greenocks listed were part of St. Ninians (I assume parish).
I would love to be able to track our Redpath family with that of James Redpath, but at this time have not been able to do so. He was born in Berwick on Tweed, Scotland, in 1833, eldest of 7 children. James Redpath was a journalist and editor. Emigrated to Michigan around 1850 and became associated with the New York Tribune in 1852, on invitation of Horace Greeley. Attracted wide attention for articles on the political troubles in Kansas, slavery in the southern states and his authorized biography of John Brown. In fact, one of the books Mr. Redpath published was called ‘Echoes of Harper’s Ferry.’ We all know what happened at Harper’s Ferry. He established the Redpath Lyceum bureau in Boston in 1868. He and his wife were credited with establishing the tradition that became known as Memorial (or Decoration) Day. Grandpa Greenock gives the wife credit for this, however, the biography (Life of James Redpath, written in 1926) I read said it was James Redpath. He was an abolitionist and reparationist, a crusader for freedom. Slave owners offered $10,000 reward for James Redpath – dead or alive! He had no children, died in New York on 10 Feb 1891 after being run over by a passing vehicle.
I found many Redpath authors listed at the Library of Congress in Washington DC. Most were religious writers.
Note to me: Need to treat the genetics – those that could be inherited, such as epilepsy (Granny Greenock), heart disease (most all of the Greenock men); down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, parkinsons – those things that have been visited on our family.
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