Robert Hogg was the father of an illegitimate son, Peter, by Janet Finlayson in 1794 in Larbert. The Kirk Session records refer to him as 'Robert Hog(g), a married man, farmer in Dunipace'.
My mother told me that Robert Hogg was related to James Hogg, the 'Ettrick Shepherd'. I have heard the same story from a distant cousin. We are descended from Peter Hogg by his first wife Janet Yorkston. The distant cousin is descended from Peter Hogg by his second wife Margaret Russell, whom he married in 1826. So the story must go back at least 150 years.
There is also a suggestion that the original Hogg came from the Borders to Larbert to work at the Carron Iron Works, which started production in 1760. This came from the obituary of Peter's grandson Thomas, who died in 1934:
"Mr Hogg's family had a long connection with the Larbert area and the iron-foundry trade: one of his family came to Carron Co from Selkirk in 1765, and connection has been maintained with the area and the trade ever since." I have had a look at the staff records of the Carron Iron Works, but found nothing useful so far.
If so, how did he come to be a farmer? Or was the farmer his son? How does this relate to the statement that the family had maintained a connection with the (iron) trade, if Robert was a farmer?
On the other hand, a Robert Hogg and Jean Allan had a son Robert in Larbert, baptised 25 March 1758. This is
before the establishment of the Carron Iron Works, and to complicate things further, they appear to have had a son born in Edinburgh in 1773, where Robert was a carter. So is this Robert Hog(g) relevant, or is he a red herring?
Any suggestions as to how I might establish the identity of 'Robert Hogg, married man, farmer in Dunipace'?
Previous related topic
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=101484 - now trying to home in on Robert Hog(g).