WELLWYND CHURCHYARD, AIRDRIE

[Graham_of_that_Ilk]

Hi, what would you like to know about Gartshore's. I am also from the line at Blairlinn back to Alexander about 1630. G

[Lynsay]

Hi Graham, Can trace things back to John Gartshore/Elizabeth Wood. Using their children's names do you think John father could have been Thomas?

[Anjanelson]

Hello Lodger,  I am an American interested in a photo of the Neilson and Smart stone you listed. I am the g-g-grandson of Thomas Neilson, b. 1773, and Margaret Smart, b. 1782. Their son Andrew, married to Elizabeth Grant immigrated to the U. S. in 1879 with their children, and here I am.  In mid-June I will be on a U.K. tour and have short stops in Edinburgh and Glasgow. I am trying to decide if a trip to Airdrie would be worthwhile.  Thank you for any information.

[Lodger]

Hello Anjanelson,

Welcome to Rootschat. I am on holiday and do not return home until Saturday, so I will send you the photograph as soon as I get back.
Kind regards,

Lodger

[Lodger]

Hello again Anjanelson,

Here is the stone you asked about, not too much information I'm afraid and, as you can see, it has been pushed over and is now very badly damaged by the weather. The inscription reads -
"The property of Thomas Neilson and Margaret Smart his wife and their children. 1850. Their son William died 26th August 1891 aged 7(?) years".

There is an entry in the plot owners book for Thomas Neilson, wright, Gartsherrie, 22nd June 1841.
If you can prove that this is the same Thomas Neilson it would help narrow things down, as the plots (he purchased a double plot) would either have been purchased shortly after his marriage or at the death of a family member. A wright was a sort of joiner/carpenter sort of tradesman. Gartsherrie would have been a village in those days.

[Anjanelson]

Lodger, thought you might like this info that goes with your Neilson/Smart stone photos.

Children of Thomas Neilson–1750
THOMAS NEILSON  was born 21 Feb 1773 in Throsk, St. Ninians, Scotland. He died in 1857 at the age of 84, and is buried in the Wellwynd church yard in Airdrie, Lanark.  He married MARGARET SMART on 24 Nov 1802 in St. Ninians parish.  She was born 23 Feb 1782 in Cowie, St. Ninians.  Thomas worked as a “wright,” today known as a carpenter.  The family moved to Gartsherrie, Lanarkshire before 1841.  Margaret died at 93 on 4 Mar 1875 at Albert Place in Coatbridge, where she was living with her daughter Agnes.
Children of THOMAS NEILSON and MARGARET SMART:
   i.   Thomas Neilson— b. 1803, d. 7 Apr 1857 in Gartsherrie.  Occupation was a joiner. 
   ii.   Agnes Neilson— b.  19 Sep 1805, d. 1885
   iii.   Mary Neilson— b. 30 Dec 1808, d.
   iv.   William Neilson— b. 1816, d.
   v.   Andrew Neilson—b. 16 Sep 1826, d. 25 Feb 1910 in Pennsylvania, USA
   vi.   Peter Drummond Neilson— b. 1829, d.
   vii.   Margaret Neilson— b. 1831, d.

[Lodger]

Here is a good view of how the churchyard used to look in Victorian times. The minister in the picture is the Rev Mr Paterson who was at Wellwynd from 1871 until 1889. This is the oldest and only surviving part of the burial ground. The part at the left side of the church has now gone, as is the corresponding area to the right of the building.

[Lodger]

Now the same area, taken from the steps of the church looking down.

[Anjanelson]

Lodger, I kindly thank you for the info you are sending.  I sent a previous thank you, but not sure you received it.  I just discovered the quick reply option; I am just learning this site.  I have previously seen the picture looking down, but was led to believe the churchyard has been cleaned up a bit.  Thank you again for the Neilson-Smart photos.