GEORGE SYMINGTON GENEALOGY NOTES

George Symington, elder brother of William Symington, is an elusive figure. He was an accomplished engineer in his own right but his memory is overshadowed by the achievements of his illustrious brother. 

George had been in the employment of the Scots Mines Company at Leadhills but was granted leave from 1 January 1776 to obtain further experience elsewhere as an "Engine Carpenter." He signed the agreement with Company overseers on 1st September 1775. [1] Oddly, George omitted the letter "t" in signing his surname. He then accepted an appointment with Boulton and Watt as an assistant in erecting their engine at Torryburn. Thereafter, he was employed as the engineer for the Wanlockhead Mining Company. George was involved in the erection of the 1779 Watt pumping engine at the Margaret Mine and with a replacement engine which was built in 1786. 

In 1786 a novel steam carriage was advertised in the Edinburgh Evening Courant: George is described as the joint inventor with William (see section on steam carriage).

He was registered as a member of the Wanlockhead curling Society.

There is no formal record of the birth of George or William but William Symington affirmed that he was born in Leadhills in 1764. As early as 1778 George Symington was employed as an engineer with the Wanlockhead mines, when he was involved in the construction of a Watt engine. Hence, he would not have been born after about 1758. Their father was a mechanic and mines supervisor at Leadhills. I have established to my own satisfaction that their parents were John Symington and Grissel Dixon. A sister, Margaret, was born in Leadhills in 1757 and she married a lead miner, John Williamson.

An entry in Carron Company letter books confirms that George Symington was at Falkirk with his brother William in June 1809. The Wanlockhead Mining Company had decided on a replacement engine for the Beltongrain mine which was to be made at Carron. It was recommended that "George and William Symington, now residing at Falkirk" should inspect the work.  

There is no subsequent record of George Symington. No death entry has come to light in Old Parochial Records and no tombstone inscription has been recorded in the Falkirk region [2] or elsewhere in Scotland. As yet no descendants of George Symington have announced their existence.

On the premise that there would be a greater prevalence of the forename George in his descendants or first order relatives, I have attempted to ascertain every George Symington recorded in parts of Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Ayrshire near to Leadhills and Wanlockhead, including the neighbouring parishes of Sanquhar and Muirkirk.

A search was made of Old Parochial and Census Records from these areas and also Falkirk for any George Symington born before 1764 and for possible descendants. Of particular interest is George Symington of Wanlockhead, husband of Barbara Walker. He had a son named George, born 1786, [3] who may be George Symington, resident of Muirkirk and husband of Janet Lees (see below). The relationship is uncertain because there is no statutory record post 1855 of the death in Scotland of any George Symington born in or about 1786 and no other record of him has been found. 

From Old Parochial Records for the period in question there is one other birth entry for a George Symington, a son of William Symington and Ann McKindlay, who was born in Douglas in 1769.  Furthermore, the 1841 Census for Muirkirk records George Symington, resident of Mount Pleasant and husband of Janet Lees, aged 70 years.  Hence, it appears that the husband of Janet was more probably George Symington, born in Douglas in 1769, son of William Symington and Ann McKindlay. 

FURTHER NOTES

A George Syminton (sic) married Janet Spark on 26 October 1783 at Ayton.

A George Symington married Mary Campbell in Glasgow in 1811. He was a millwright.

George Symington of Glasgow, engineer, married in St. Andrew's Church, Dublin, on 7 July 1834 to Hannah, only daughter of the late Mr. William Gosbie of Dublin. [4] 

1839 George Symington was killed at Westmuir colliery. His brains were dashed out when he fell to the bottom of the pit. He left a wife and children. [5] 

1847 George Symington, ironmonger of Paisley declared bankrupt. George Symington, iron merchant of High Street, Paisley, died on 5 October 1847.

His wife was Janet Gilmour. [6]

BIRTHS AND MARRIAGES

SANQUHAR O.P.R. BIRTHS

848/1

1786    George, son to George Symington and Barbara Walker, Wanlockhead on December 20 (page 28)

MUIRKIRK O.P.R. MARRIAGES

607/2

1815    George Symington and Janet Lees both of this parish were … proclaimed in this Parish Church in … to marriage and married on 10th June (page 2)

MUIRKIRK O.P.R. BIRTHS

607/2

1817    George Symington and Janet Lees, Nether Wedwoon, a son born 10 Oct. and baptized 19th. named William

1819    George Symington and Janet Lees of Langlichead [7] a son born 2 Oct. named George

607/3

1822    George Symington and Janet Lees of old School House a son born 20 Feb and baptized 24th. named Thomas

1841    George Symington, son of William Symington and Mary Lees.

1843    William Symington and Mary Lees a son born 3 July baptized 30 July named Alexander Lees

1845    William Symington and Mary Lees, spouse, Village, a son born 4 Jany &baptized 8 Feb. named William (page 156) 

1848    William Symington and Mary Lees, spouses, Village, a daughter born 16th Oct. and baptized on the 24th Dec. named Mary (page 172)

CENSUS RECORDS

1841 CENSUS MUIRKIRK PARISH

Enumeration district 6

Mount Pleasant

George Symington                  70                                Labourer          not born in county

Janet Lees                               55                                                         born in county

Thomas Symington                 14                                Coal miner

1851 CENSUS MUIRKIRK PARISH

Volume 4, page 15

Janet Symington                     61

Thomas Symington                 29

1851 CENSUS MUIRKIRK

Village Volume 1, pages 31, 32, no. 124

William Symington   Head     34        b. Muirkirk      Miner

Mary Symington        Wife     41        Do

George Symington      Son      9          Do                   Scholar

Alexander Symington Son     7           Do                   Do

William Symington     Son      5          Do                   Do

1861 CENSUS MUIRKIRK

George Symington                  19y      b. Muirkirk      Coalminer

Agnes                     wife          22y      b. Muirkirk

Elizabeth                                  6mo.    

1851 CENSUS OLD CUMNOCK PARISH

South of Town Head Volume 3, page 30

George Symington            Head            31        Miner        Born Muirkirk

Anne Symington               Wife             32                                  Cumnock

Jane Symington                 Dau               5                                   Auchinleck

George A Symington         Son               6m                                Cumnock  

GEORGE SYMINGTON AND JANET LEES

Putatively the son of William Symington and Ann McKindlay and born in Douglas in 1769, George Symington was a forester. He married Janet Lees in the Muirkirk Parish Church on 10 June 1815. Janet Lees was born at Muirkirk in 1780, daughter of Thomas Lees, Coal Contractor, and Elizabeth Pedine. She had an elder sister Mary, born 1773 and brother William, born 1776.  She died a widow at Glasgow Road, Muirkirk on 20 May, 1860 as a result of a fall. The informant on her death certificate was her nephew Thomas McMillan.

Issue

1. William Symington born 10 October 1817 (see below) 

2. George Symington born 2 October 1819

            Married (1) Elizabeth Wilson 31 Dec 1845 in Old Cumnock 

Issue Jean Symington born in Auchinleck 1846

            Married (2) Ann McKerrow 14 Dec 1849 in Auchinleck 

Issue George A. Symington born in Old Cumnock 1850 [8] married Elizabeth Gilfillan 

3. Thomas Symington born at Muirkirk 20 February 1822 died 30 April 1889 at Highburnhead, Muirkirk from Senile decay and chronic bronchitis. (See House of Tam Symington of old Muirkirk below)

Dwelling (1881 Census) Woodside Cottage, Muirkirk.  

Occupation Tea Merchant; Coal Miner

            Married (1) Agnes Murray 1860 in Muirkirk

            Married (2) Agnes Lowrie 1867 in Muirkirk

            No Issue

[1] Scots Mines Company Bargain Book No. 4 1773-1776 Page 159 1st September 1775 

[2] Mitchell, J.F. and Mitchell, Sheila, Monumental Inscriptions (pre1895) in East Stirlingshire. Scotland Genealogical Coy., 1972

[3] Baptised 20 December 1786 at Wanlockhead OPR 848/10 68 Sanquhar BDM

[4] Drogheda Journal 15 July 1834 page 4 and Tipperary Free Press 16 July 1834

[5] The Scotsman 2 January 1839 page 4

[6] SRO Wills and Testaments SC58/42/26

[7] Must be Wanlockhead

[8] No death entry in Statutory Register Scotland GRO for any George Symington born 1850

The cottage of Tam Symington, tea peddler, was the oldest house in Muirkirk when photographed circa 1890. The 1861 Census has Thomas (son of George Symington and Janet Lees) and Agnes Symington living in the Glasgow road.

WILLIAM SYMINGTON AND MARY LEES

Their marriage is not recorded in O.P.R. William was a coal miner and is assumed to be the son of George Symington and Janet Lees, above.

Issue

1. George Symington born 1841; in 1871, he was living in Main Street Muirkirk and in 1891 he was living at 27 Kames Row. He died on 22 March 1912 at 16 Kames Row No. 2, Muirkirk from “Chronic Gastritis and advanced age”. Buried in Muirkirk cemetery 

            Occupation Coal Miner

            Married 18 May1860 [1] Agnes McGladry [2] daughter of Robert McGladry, labourer, and Elizabeth Johnston; born circa 1836 died 11 June 1902 in Muirkirk at 16 No. 5 Kames Row, Muirkirk.

Issue (1) Elizabeth Symington born Village of Muirkirk 2 October 1860 died 30 March 1925 at 16 Kames Row No. 2, Muirkirk. Issue (i) Mary Symington (illegitimate) born Main Street Muirkirk 16 February 1877 (ii) Elizabeth died 13 January 1900 aged 12 (iii) George Symington born 1903 died 8 April 1907 at 16 Kames Row No. 2, Muirkirk. She married John Lancellos, coal miner. 

                     (2) William Symington born Village of Muirkirk 16 March 1862 died 1863

                     (3) Robert McGladrie Symington born Muirkirk 1864 died 1865

                     (4) Archibald McClean Symington born Muirkirk 23 February 1867

         (5) Robert McGladdery Symington born Muirkirk 1869 died 1870

         (6) William McGladderie Symington born Village of Muirkirk 5 October 1870 died 1870

         (7) Mary Lees Symington born Village of Muirkirk 2 January 1872

         (8) Sarah Symington born Village of Muirkirk 12 January 1873

         (9) Agnes McGladery Symington was born in the Village of Muirkirk 24 June 1874; she died on 19 May, 1903 from cellulitis and pleurisy at 47 Railway

Terrace, Muirkirk.[3] Married Cornelius Black, Coal Miner. Issue: (i) William Symington, illegitimate, died aged 6 weeks 9 June 1891 at 27 Kames Road, Muirkirk. (ii) Neil Black, the informant on death certificate of his grandfather, George Symington.

         (10) Jessie Symington born c.1876 died 11 August 1903 aged 27       

         (11) Janet Lees Symington born Main Street Muirkirk 20 June1876; interred Muirkirk 13 August 1903 (3/1079)         

         (12) George Symington born Bridge Street Muirkirk 24 August 1877 died 1878       

         (13) Hellen Symington born 1881

?George 2 died 8 April ?1908 aged 23 years

2. Alexander Lees Symington Coal miner. Born 1843; killed on the Caledonian Railway 20 September 1901. Usual residence High Biggars, 13 Milnivant New Road, Clydesdale

            Occupation Roadsman in Coalpit 

            Married Ann Govan 1865

            Issue (1) William Symington born Cambusnethan 1868 died 1944. Married Margaret Richmond, 1892. Address in 1901 30 Coltness Cottages, Mossend. Issue Alexander (1893-1916), Thomas Richmond (1894-1979), Janet Richmond (1896-1947), William (1898-1899), George (1911-1983), Annie Govan (1905), James Richmond (1899), Maggie Richmond (1908-1910).

                      (2) David Symington born 1873 at Cambusnethan; died at Hamilton’s Land, Overtown, Cambusnethan 11 December 1873 from “dentition”

                      (3) Mary Symington born 1876

                      (4) Alexander Symington Colliery Roadsman born 1874 died at Brigbrae, Mossend 17 December 1910 from acute bronchitis.

                      (5) Janet Symington born 1879

                      (6) Sarah Symington born 1881                         

3. William Symington agricultural labourer born 1846 in Muirkirk Village. There is no record of his death in Statutory Records after 1855. This family is not identified in the 1901 Scotland Census.  In 1881 he lived in Gate Lodge, Tarbolton and in 1891 at 133 Garrison Cottages, Cambusnethan.

Married Agnes Breckenridge (born c.1839 Sorn) 1867 in Stair, Ayrshire

Issue (1) Janet Todd Symington born 1868 in Stair

         (2) William Symington born 1870 in Stair

         (3) Matthew Breckenridge Symington born Tarbolton 1872 died 1878

         (4) Mary Symington born 1874 in Tarbolton

         (5) George Symington born 1878 in Tarbolton

4. Mary Symington born 1848 in Muirkirk Village, died young.       

George Symington of Wanlockhead, the husband of Barbara Walker, if not immediately related, is clearly at least a contemporary of William Symington the engineer: the date and location of the birth of their son George in 1786 raise the probability that he was indeed William’s elder brother. However, there was at least one other George Symington in the region at that time. Confirmation of the pedigree of George Symington and Barbara Walker and proof of the line of descent through Janet Lees may come ultimately from recording of family lineage by members of the families outlined above of George Symington and Janet Lees or William Symington and Mary Lees. As yet no descendants have come forth to claim descent from George Symington, brother of the inventor.       

From Old Parish Records, two possibly confounding relationships emerge: William Symington and Ann McKindlay of Douglas had a son George in 1769 who was therefore younger than, yet also contemporary with, George Symington of Wanlockhead. There is no certainty that he lived to adulthood but he could have become the spouse of Janet Lees. Contemporary with the marriage of George Symington and Janet Lees in Muirkirk, a George Symington married Mary Campbell in Glasgow in 1811 and had issue. [4] Hence the family of George Symington and Janet Lees outlined above may derive from the brother of the Inventor or perhaps from Ann McKindlay of Douglas. Likewise, the family of Mary Campbell of Glasgow may derive from George, brother of William or from an otherwise unrecorded George Symington but George, son of Ann McKindlay is excluded from that relationship by his youth. The main point in favour of an association between Janet Lees of Muirkirk and the brother of William the Inventor is the location of this family. More likely he would have fathered a son in Wanlockhead than would a resident of Douglas and George Symington, born Wanlockhead 1786, would more probably have remained in the locality than move from the family seat which centred on Sanquhar and the adjoining region of Ayrshire to marry and live in Glasgow. Overriding these considerations is the fact that the husband of Janet Lees was born circa 1770 (1841 Census Muirkirk) and since we have no further record of a George Symington born 1786, this man may have died young.

OPR INDEX MARRIAGES 1553-1854

6 Sep 1811      Symington George      Mary Campbell           Glasgow          

REGISTER OF BURIALS IN THE MUIRKIRK PAROCHIAL CEMETERY

1902    70 Janet Lees Symington 16 Kames Road No. 2 Muirkirk 27 Aug 13 3/1039 6ft

1907    30 George Symington 16 Kames Road No. 2 Muirkirk 23 March 10 3/1040 8ft

1912    18 George Symington 18 Kames Road No. 2 Muirkirk 70 Feb 25 3/1039 5ft

(Note a George Symington, a Steam Engine Fitter of Newcastle Upon Tyne; he was born in Bunkle in about 1828; his parents were James Symington born c.1796 and Elizabeth Brown and grandfather William Symington born c. 1769)

1891 CENSUS Newcastle-Upon -Tyne

George Symington age 61 Engine Fitter born Scotland, wife Isabella 51, William 29, James 27, Elizabeth 23, Margaret 15, Geor

[1] This date recorded in birth entry of William McGladderie Symington

[2] A range of different spellings is given in birth entries including McGladerie; McGladderie

[3] Muirkirk New Cemetery: Er Mrs Lancellos, IMO da Eliz 13.1.1900 12, Mo Agnes McCladrie 11.1.1902, 65, sis Agnes Symington Black 20.5.1903 28, sis Jessie Symington 11.8.1903 27, s Geo 8.4.1907 23, fa George Symington 22.3.1912 70…

[4] See Symington, Ian C., History of the Symington and Associated Families for The descendants of Mary Campbell 

GEORGE SYMINGTON ENGINE BUILDER

In 1776, Gilbert Meason, the managing partner of the Wanlockhead Mining Company, arranged in consultation with James Watt for George Symington to assist in the erection of an engine at Torryburn in Fifeshire. George was allowed leave from a position with the Scots Mining Company at Leadhills to gain experience as a mechanic or "engine carpenter":

Scots Mining Company, Leadhills, Day Books

Number 4 1773-1776 Page 159

Leadhills 1st September 1775

It is hereby agreed that in consideration of Geo. Symington going from this place in order to get further insight in his business as an Engine Carpenter for the space of two years from the first of Janry one thousand seven hundred and seventy six he shall be entitled to the profits arising from a miners bargain after paying the labourers wages that shall work the bargain for the said two years on the following conditions Viz That if the Company choose to employ him then his wages shall be fourteen pence per day or seven shillings per week during their pleasure but if he shal refuse to serve the Company on these terms he is not entitled to said profits, neither shal the Company refuse to pay him the same if he shal offer his service on the above conditions if they refuse to employ him.

George Symingon (l.s.)                                                          Willm. Newbigging

                                                                                                Robert Taylor

 At Wanlockhead, George Symington built two Boulton and Watt engines on the Margaret mine. The first engine had a 36 inch diameter cylinder and was commissioned in May 1779 under the supervision of William Murdoch (1754-1839). [1] In 1786 George Symington built a replacement engine with a 55 inch cylinder.

Watt made pointedly dismissive references to George Symington in his correspondence: [2]

James Watt to William Murdoch 3 June 1779

“It gives me great pleasure to learn you have succeeded so well and so much to Mr Meason’s satisfaction-I did not expect that the Engine could go on without some accident and it was very well that George had the mortification to have it happen on his hand I thought he was too confident of success, a proper degree of diffidence never hurts, however as you have got the victory I doubt not that you will use it with moderation and behave civilly towards him.”

Watt to Gilbert Meason 12 June 1779

“Symington’s principal fault seems to have been an over confidence in himself and possibly some kind of envy at Willm as being his countryman…

“Symmington (sic) … has manifested a great deal of ingenuity and abilities in what he has done, and in adhering to his directions I formerly sent he was not to blame, but he ought to have considered that Murdoch had an opportunity of knowing my mind of a later date than the directions and certainly would be foolish enough to controvert any orders without reason.”

However, In January 1781, (check date) Boulton wrote to Gilbert Meason he was "happy to hear the engine goes so well and that Symington takes such good care of it." (reference?)

[1] Downs-Rose, G., DRAINING THE WANLOCKHEAD LEAD MINES A Note on the Introduction and Use of Hydraulic Pumping Engines, Transactions of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society, THIRD SERIES. Volume LIX 1985 pages 70-81

[2] Griffiths, John, The Third Man page 95

WANLOCKHEAD CURLING SOCIETY

From the Journal of the Wanlockhead Curling Society, founded in 1777: [1]

Early members:

Member Number 76 Geo Symington (Members No. 75 Andw Symington; No. 102 Wm Symington; 134 James Symington). Consecutive entries suggest Andrew and George were closely related. Andrew was a mines manager and may have been George's uncle or brother.

29 February 1780 "Mr Symington" (presumably Andrew, the mines overseer) and Geo Symington were in a group appointed to oversee works on the Wanlockhead and Petersdyk dams.

At the annual meetings of the Society on December 12 1783 and 9 December 1784, George Symington was one of the members appointed to inspect the dams.

[1] Journal held in the Wanlockhead Library