THE SYMINGTONS OF MONKSHEAD 

PROBABLE NEAR RELATIVES OF WILLIAM SYMINGTON (1764-1831)

When William Symington was born in 1764 there would have been an extended Symington family living in the Leadhills region. The Reverend James Symington of Leadhills (born in 1842) officiated at the opening of the Symington Monument at Leadhills in 1891 and claimed to be related (see my Notes on the Parentage of William Symington). He and his immediate family had an intimate association with the ancient farm at Monkshead near Douglas. However, Rev. Symington was not a descendant of the inventor. He was a grandson of William Symington and Grizzy Weir of Leadhills. His father, Rev. James Symington of Muirkirk, was born at Leadhills in 1787. The relationship claimed by Reverend James with the inventor implies that William Symington, husband of Grizzy Weir, who was a contemporary of William Symington the inventor, was a close relative, perhaps a nephew or cousin. 

MONKSHEAD LINEAGE

The lineage of the Symington family at Monkshead is chronicled by Rev. Henry Paton in his seminal work the Genealogy of the Symington Family which was published in 1908 for private circulation. He has recorded references from the Register of Retours, Lanark Testaments and Records of Sasines. Inevitably, because of the paucity of early entries, a complete and unbroken lineage of the Symingtons of Monkshead has not been ascertained. 

The following extracts from Paton’s Genealogy which relate to the Monkshead lineage are in chronological order and are recorded in italics, with my comments in parentheses. An understanding of these records requires a definition of terms as follows: 

For Monkshead the variations in spelling are considerable. The following would relate to Monkshead: Polmukishead, Over Muckshead, Over Muikshead, Mukhead, Nether Polmuckishead, Nether Muchisheid, Muickshead, Nether Muckshead, Nether Munkshead and Monkshead itself. 

Clare constat (precept of): a writ granted by a subject superior for entering in a property an heir, whose right clearly appears (clare constat) from documents

Infeftment: the act of investing a new owner with legal possession of property.

Merk: unit of Scottish currency worth 2/3 scots pound.

Retour of Service: an extract of the return made to a court of chancery on a brieve (writ directing a judge) of inquest 

Sasines: records or deeds of transfer of ownership, primarily of lands and buildings, mortgages and of rights and assets associated with land.

Testament dative: document drawn up by the Commissary Court to appoint executors of the deceased’s estates; includes an inventory of assets.

Testator: one who makes or leaves a will.

Tocher: dowry 

Wadset: a right by which lands are impignorated (pledged or pawned) by the proprietor to his creditor in security of his debt 

Wadsetter: a creditor to whom a wadset is made

PATON REFERENCES

The first reference in Paton's work to link the Symington family with Monkshead (“Polmukishead”) is in the Register of Retours dated 26 September 1605: Retour of the Service of John Symington of that ilk as heir to his great-grandfather, William Symington of that ilk, in the keeping of the Castle of Douglas and office of bailiary of the lordship thereof, with the lands of Heissilheid, Kenok, Little Blantagart and Polmukishead, in the lordship of Douglas, Lanarkshire.

Particular Register of Sasines, Lanarkshire, Vol. ii: Sasine, dated 5th January, 1622, of Andrew Symonton in Cambis, on a Charter by John Symonton, younger of that Ilk, and Jean Cunningham, his spouse, in the lands of over Polmuckisheid, extending to a merk land, in the lordship and parish of Douglas. The Charter is dated at Hassilsyde, 5th January, 1622; among the witnesses being John Symonton in Cambis; registered 12th January, 1622.

Part. Reg. Sasines, Lanarkshire, Vol. ii: Sasine, dated 5th January, 1622, of John Symington, Senior in Cambis, in the lands of Nether Polmukisheid, extending to two merks of land, on a Charter by John Symington, fiar of that Ilk. In the Precept of Sasine James Symington, “my brother german,” and Andrew Symington in Cambis, are named as bailies; registered 12th January, 1622. 

Part. Reg. Sasines, Lanarkshire, Vol. iii: Sasine, dated 12th June, 1635, of Andrew Symington, eldest son of John Symington of Nether Muckishead, and Jean Stevenson, eldest daughter of James Stevenson in Hessilsyde, his future spouse, in the half of his lands of Muckishead, for fulfilment of their marriage contract, dated at Douglas 16th May last; registered 29th June, 1635.

Lanark Testaments, Vol. iii: Testament dative of John Symington, younger in Over Muckishead, in the parish of Douglas, who died in May, 1635, given up by Andrew Symington, his father, in behalf of Elizabeth, Marion, Agnes, and Jonet Symingtons, lawful children of the defunct, and Marion Crawfurd, his spouse. The estate is valued to £167, and there were debts due to him of £146, 7s. 4d. (Hence John Symington, died May 1635: son of Andrew Symington, husband of Marion Crawfurd, issue Elizabeth, Marion, Agnes and Jonet-he appears to be the first cousin of John Symington of Nether Polmuckishead.)

Lanark Testaments Vol. iv: Testament dative of Bessie Beg, spouse of Andrew Symington in Over Muikshead, in the parish of Douglas, who died in November, 1627, given up by the said Andrew Symington, as executive dative to her. No inventory given; confirmed 16th March, 1639

Part. Reg. Sasines, Lanarkshire, Vol. i: Sasine, dated 16th April, 1656, of Andrew Symington, son and heir of John Symington, (died before 1622; husband of Jean Cunningham) elder in Cambis, in the lands of Nether Polmuckisheid, on a Precept of Clare Constat, By William Stewart of Heislesyde, to him as heir foresaid. The lands are held under reversion for 2000 merks, the wadset being from the now deceased John Symington, fear of that ilk, and Jean Cunningham, his spouse, to the said John Symington, elder in Cambes, deceased; dated 16thand 17th November, 1621; registered 18th April, 1656.

Lanark Testaments, Vol. vi: Testament dative of Andrew Symington, in Nether Muchisheid, in the parish of Douglas, who died in November, 1660, given up by Jean Stevinson, his widow. (John Symington his eldest lawful son) The estate is valued to £337, 6s.8d. with £26, 13s. 4d. of debts due to him. He was due £58, including his rent to the laird of Heissilsyde; confirmed 2nd November, 1661; John Symington, eldest son of the defunct, cautioner.

Lanark Testaments, Vol. vii: Testament dative of Jean Stevinsone, widow of Andrew Symington in Muickshead, in the parish of Douglas, who died in February, 1665, given up by John Symington, son of the defunct.   

Lanark Testaments, Vol. xii: Testament dative of John Symington in Nether Muckshead, in the parish of Douglas, who died in November last, (1684) given up by Marion Stevenson, his widow. 

Register of Retours dated 2 April, 1695: Retour of the Service of John Symington as heir of Andrew Symington of Nether Polmuckishead, his grandfather, in the lands of Nether Polmuckishead, in the parish of Douglas and shire of Lanark.

Lanark Testaments, Vol. xiv: Testament testamentar of Thomas Symington, (second husband of Marion Stevenson) in Nether Munckshead, in the parish of Douglas, who died in August, 1704, given up by himself, when he nominates John Symington in Munckshead, his stepson, to be his sole executor for behoof of Grissel and Christian, lawful daughters to the defunct. (Testament dated Nether Munckshead, 18 August, 1704.)

TEXT EXTRACT FROM PATON’S GENEALOGY:

WILLIAM SYMINGTON, Tutor of Symington, obtained the lands of Hardington and had two sons, John and William. John married Jean Carmichael and had a daughter, Marion, who became the wife of Nicol Gibson in Edinburgh, and a son, Robert, who in 1614 is called grandson and heir of William Symington of Hardington. He married Grizel Carmichael, daughter of William Carmichael of Reidmyre, and was settled in Edinburgh in 1632. The Tutor’s younger son, William, was for a time in Hardington, and had a son, John. He was probably the John Symington in Cambis, [1] who obtained a wadset of Polmukished from the Laird of Symington in 1621, and to whom reference will be made later.

MONKSHEAD.

REVERTING to JOHN SYMINGTON in Cambis, who was probably the grandson of WILLIAM SYMINGTON, Tutor of Symington, we find that in 1621 he obtained a wadset of the lands of Nether Polmuckishead, in the lord-­ship of Douglas, from Archibald Stewart of Heislesyde, with concurrence of John Symington, younger of that Ilk, and in the following year, as bailie of John Symington, younger of that Ilk, he gave sasine of the lands of Over Polmuckishead to an Andrew Symington in Cambis, [2] probably his brother, who had acquired those lands by a wadset also. John Symington, who after this is styled of Nether Polmuckishead, had issue, a son, with two daughters, Janet and Elizabeth, each of whom married a gentleman of the name of Wilson, and had issue. 

The son was: - ANDREW SYMINGTON, who, on 12th June, 1635, in view of his marriage (Contract dated 16th May) with Jean Stevenson, daughter of James Stevenson in Heislesyde, was infeft by his father in the half of his lands of Nether Polmuckishead. John Symington was dead in 1656, when Andrew was infeft in the whole of these lands, on a precept of clare constat by William Stewart of Heislesyde, son of the original wadsetter, and to this sasine there appears as a witness: -­

JOHN SYMINGTON, lawful son of the said Andrew. He is called wadsetter of Monkshead, in 1697. He married Marion Stevenson, and died about 1695, and in 1697 his daughter Marion was married to Robert Green-­shiels, third lawful son of the deceased John Greenshields, wadsetter in Broomside, of which marriage there was issue. Her tocher was five hundred merks, and was guaranteed by Thomas Symington in Monkshead, who had married her mother. He had also a son, John, who served himself heir on 2nd April, 1695, to Andrew Symington of Nether Polmuckishead, his grandfather, and succeeded his father in Monkshead.

JOHN SYMINGTON of Monkshead, [3] the son, married Margaret Weir [4] and had several children- John, born 1702; Christian, 1714; Archibald, 1717; and Francis, 1718 (Parish Register of Douglas); probably also others not there recorded, and among these James Symington of Munkshead (who in 1740 married Janet Tod, and had issue-John, born 1741; James, 1742; and Mary, 1744), and doubtless also a son Andrew, born between 1702 and 1714

In Summary, the Symingtons of Monkshead descend from William, Tutor of Symington, who had two sons, John and William. The Tutor’s grandson, John Symington of Cambis, [5] son of William, inherited title to the lands of Nether Polmuckishead in 1621. Thereafter he was known as John Symington of Nether Polmuckishead. John died before 1656.

John had a brother, Andrew who also obtained title to these lands. Another probable brother was James. 

John Symington of Nether Polmuckishead married Jean Cunningham and had children, Andrew, Janet and Elizabeth. The two daughters each married a man with the surname Wilson and each had issue.

Andrew Symington, son of John Symington of Nether Polmuckishead, married Jean Stevenson on 16th May 1635 and became the new land owner in 1656. Andrew died in November 1660. Jean Stevenson died in February, 1665.

Andrew Symington and Jean Stevenson had a son John (“wadsetter of Monkshead”), who assumed title to the lands of Monkshead.  He married Marion Stevenson and died in November, 1684. (His widow later married Thomas Symington of Monkshead).

John Symington, son of John Symington and Marion Stevenson, became heir to his grandfather Andrew in Nether Polmuckishead and to his father John in Monkshead on 2nd April, 1695.  

John Symington of Monkshead married Margaret Weir.  

The children of John Symington and Margaret Weir recorded in the Douglas Old Parish Register were John, born 1702, Christian, 1714, Archibald, 1717 and Francis, born 1718.

This ancient ancestry of the Symingtons at Monkshead, as defined by Paton, needs to be reconciled with the more recent lineage, outlined below, which can be traced from Old Parochial Records, Census Returns and contemporary sources. [6]

The progenitors of the current pedigree were William Symington and Grizzy Weir who were resident in Leadhills in the late eighteenth century and who were to become the incumbent farmers at Monkshead. 

INDEX TO PARTICULAR REGISTER OF SASINES for Sheriffdom of Lanark

Index Number 66 Volume I, 1618-1720 Edinburgh, HMSO 1971 (Symington: see pages 252-253)

Index Number 68 Volume II, 1721-1780 HMSO 1973 (Symington: see pages 213-214)

WILLIAM SYMINGTON and GRIZZY WEIR 

(From Old Parochial Records)

William Symington of Monkshead Farm died on 25th May 1829. [7] His wife, Grizel Weir died on 13th November 1857.

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM SYMINGTON AND GRIZZY WEIR: 

(Leadhills O.P.R. 635/1)

1787 JAMES, lawful son to William Symington and Grizzy Weir born 19th June and baptized 21st Currt. by the... Mr Williamson, Wanlockhead

1796 JOHN, l. s. to William Symington and Grizzy Weir was born 4th May 1796 and baptized 8th Currt. by Mr. Henderson.

1798 WILLIAM AND MARY, twin brother and sister and lawful children to William Symington and Grizel Weir b. and baptized 11 March 1798 by Mr Lang

MARY SYMINGTON, born 1798, daughter of William Symington and Grizzy Weir, married Adam Williamson, merchant, of Leith [8] [9]

Rev. JAMES SYMINGTON, minister of Muirkirk, born 1787 

(O.P.R. Muirkirk 607/3)

1836  Revd. James Symington of this parish and Mary Gordon of the Barony parish of Glasgow were regularly proclaimed in this Parish Church in order to marriage and married at 85 Bath St. Glasgow on 18th Oct. by the Rev. Alexander Stewart of Douglas

(Note 1846 John Symington [10] and Mary Stevenson both of this parish were legally proclaimed married at Muirkirk by Rev. Mr. Symington 4 Sept. 1846 (page 59))

Children of Rev. JAMES SYMINGTON and MARY GORDON

(all born in Muirkirk):

1837   ELIZABETH baptized l0th December 1837 in Muirkirk

Married Rev. William Smith 5th June 1860 at Glespinside, Douglas. (Issue: Mary Gordon b.1861, Margaret Rankin b.1864 (married Rev. A. Galloway 17 June 1885 in Douglas manse), Thomas b.1865, Elisabeth Symington b. l871 and James b.1873

1839    WILLIAM Revd. James Symington and Mary Gordon, spouse, a son born 21 Aug. and baptized by the Revd. Alexander Stewart of Douglas on the Sabbath the 15th day of September 1839 named William.

William Married Jean Gillespie Paterson on 13th December 1865 in Douglas. (Issue: James Gordon born 1869 died 19 September 1870 in Douglas). [11]

Jean Gillespie (Paterson) Symington died at Keith Cottage, Inverness on 22nd July, 1872. [11]  

William Symington of Monkshead, born 1839, died at Monkshead on 24th August 1870 from an infected wound on the abdomen. [12]

1841   GRACE Rev. James Symington and Mary Gordon, spouse, a daughter, born 12 Feb. and baptized by the Rev. Mr. Bannatyne of Old Cumnock 21 March named Grace (page 124). Grace married John G. Scott on 2 December 1874. Her daughter Mary Scott married Dr. Matthew Aikman in 1904 at Glasgow. Her uncle Rev. James Symington of Leadhills officiated.

1842   JAMES Rev. James Symington and Mary Gordon, spouse, a son born 26 Sept and baptized in the Church named James (page 136) Became a Minister in Crawford (Leadhills). See below.

1844   JOHN Rev. James Symington and Mary Gordon, spouse, a son born at Muirkirk manse [13] on 10 Oct. and baptized in the church by Rev. Mr. Chrystal of Auchenbeck Dec. 14 1844 named John  Farmer at Monkshead (1881, 1891 Censuses)

1847 CAMPBELL Revd. James Symington and Mary Gordon, spouse, a son, born 9th March and baptized by the Rev. Mr. Chrystal of Auchenlich on May 4 named Campbell Symington (page 163)

[1] Also R.S.42 XI.79

[2] Also R.S.40 IIA 50, 51

[3] Also R.S. 42 II.123 (husband of Margaret Weir)

[4] Also R.S. 40 IIIB.62

[5] Also John Symington, in Cambes. Elder, R.S.40 IIA; R.S.41 I.129

[6] Notably, in a family tree, traced by J Gerald Symington, father of Sheila Wall

[7] Inventory SC/36/48/22

[8] Inventory of Estate of Grizel Weir Symington

[9] See the will of her father William SC36/51/8

[10] Grandson of William Symington (1764-1831)

[11] Recorded living at 85 George Street, Edinburgh on 25th February 1871.

[12] Greenock Advertiser 27 August 1870 page 4

[13] Birth notice, Galloway Advertiser 14 October 1852

REV. JAMES SYMINGTON OF MUIRKIRK 1787-1852

James Symington was born at Leadhills on 19 June 1787, the eldest son of William Symington and Grizzy Weir.  

He married Mary Gordon on 30 July 1803; she died 13 November 1884.

Rev. James Symington was appointed to the church and parish of Muirkirk in 1832. [1]

He was a charismatic orator, described by Reverend Mearns  as "an evangelical and earnest preacher." [2]

Rev. James Symington of Muirkirk Parish died at the Muirkirk Manse on 5th October 1852 having been the minister of the parish for more than twenty years. His monument in the graveyard of the Muirkirk Parish Church reads:

IN MEMORY OF THE REV. JAMES SYMINGTON BORN AT LEADHILLS 19TH JUNE 1787 DIED AT THE MANSE OF MUIRKIRK 5TH OCT. 1852 AGED 65 YEARS HAVING BEEN UPWARDS OF TWENTY YEARS MINISTER OF THE PARISH.ERECTED BY A NUMBER OF HIS FRIENDS IN TESTIMONY OF THE RESPECT FOR HIM AS A MOST EARNEST AND FAITHFUL PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.

“Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”  “For the Lord himself shall descend from  heaven with a shout with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” I Thess. IV. I4. I6.  

[1] Perthshire Courier 8 March 1832 Page 2

[2] Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald 31 March 1966 page 3

REV. JAMES SYMINGTON MINISTER OF LEADHILLS

Rev. James Symington M.A. was born at Muirkirk in 1842. Educated at Glasgow Academy and Glasgow University, he was ordained in the Presbytery of Dunbar on 18th February 1869. He was transferred to Leadhills on 25th July 1878, [1] where he was Parish Minister for nearly forty years. He married Sceva Jane Grubb, fourth daughter of Rev. T.H. Grubb, at Tenby on 12th January 1887. Sceva died in Tenby on 10 June 1897. He married Elizabeth Renny on 23rd December 1903 at Glasgow. He retired to The Grange, Hunter Street, Kirn where he died on 23 September, 1921. [2] His second wife Elizabeth lived on at The Grange until she died on 8 December 1939 aged 69.

CHILDREN OF REV. JAMES SYMINGTON AND SCEVA GRUBB

Mary born at 1889 Tenby, South Wales [3] 

Norah Erskine born 9 February 1890 at Leadhills; married Samuel Hamill

James Gerald Purcell born at Leadhills 20 August 1893; died 18 December 1990

A Stillborn son was born on 6 October 1887 [4]

[1] Scott, Reverend Hew, Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae: The Succession of Scottish Ministers in the Church of Scotland from the Reformation, Synods of Lothian and Tweeddale. Page 402, Volume 1, 1914 Edition

[2] The informant on his death certificate was Gerald Symington of 31 Grosvenor Road, Richmond, Surrey

[3] Mary and Norah attended the Ministers’ Daughters College Edinburgh (which became Erskine College). Their schooling was paid for by their uncle Campbell who had moved to Detroit and had done well. Mary nursed at Gallipoli. She had a dreadful temper.

[4] Tenby Observer 10 November 1887 page 5

Cake tray “Presented to Sceva Symington as a token of respect by members of the congregation and friends 9th January 1891” [1] 

HERALD, 14 January 1891: LEADHILLS PARISH CHURCH.-At the annual soiree in connection with the Leadhills Parish Church, the building was crowded, and a most enjoyable evening was spent, in the course of which the minister, the Rev. Mr Symington, was presented with a purse of sovereigns, and Mrs Symington with a silver cake basket, as a mark of esteem in which they are held in the parish.  Rev. James Symington was highly regarded within the Leadhills community. A popular minister of the Free Church of Scotland, he is remembered as a gregarious man who would enliven a social gathering. He was a liberal thinker who did not espouse fundamentalism. In 1885 the elders of the established Church at Leadhills criticized him for a sermon which they alleged “denied the belief in an eternal hell.” The elders accused him of “heresy” and proposed that the communion service be postponed but he stood his ground and remained in office at Leadhills until 1917. [2]    

[1] Presentation recorded also in the Cumnock News 16 January 1891

[2] Harvey, W.S., Lead and Labour. Chapter12. Unpublished document.   

Memorial in Dunoon Cemetery to Rev. James Symington of Leadhills

This impressive obelisk mirrors the memorial to William Symington at Leadhills

MONKSHEAD FARM

Rev. James Symington, foreground, at Monkshead Farm with his wife and children Mary and Norah in the background. Mary Donaldson, wife of John Symington is by the sundial. An annotation by J. Gerald Symington on the back of the photograph confirms the presence of John Symington, brother of Rev. James, presumably the man to right of picture. The photograph would date from the  mid 1890’s, as judged by the age of the girls. James Symington had the sundial moved to The Grange, Hunter Street, Kirn but it was stolen around the time of the Second World War.

Monkshead Farm, a significant Symington site, now sadly derelict, deserted and overgrown with nettle, yet still a highly atmospheric place.

OS Map reference Grid reference NSNS 76153019 E 277226 N 630193

William Symington, the husband of Grizzy Weir and father of the Reverend James Symington of Muirkirk, lived at Leadhills between the years 1787 and 1798, but by the early nineteenth century he would become the incumbent farmer at Monkshead which was an ancient seat of the Symington family. Situated high above the Monks burn, Monkshead farm lies about two miles to the west of the town of Douglas, beyond Hazelside. By implication, William, husband of Grizzy, had an ancestral connection with Monkshead. The farm would have been passed down from his father. In his will, dated Monkshead 1826, he named his son Reverend James Symington (of Muirkirk) as his sole executor and principal beneficiary. Also named are his wife Grizel, daughter Mary who had married Adam Williamson, a merchant of Leith, and son John. Grandsons of William and Grizzy Symington were William (1839-1870), Reverend James Symington of Leadhills (1842-1921) and John (born 1844), the last Symington to farm at Monkshead. William farmed at Monkshead but died relatively young, presumably from complications of alcoholism, if the diagnosis of “Delirium Tremens” specified on the death certificate was correct.

The above photograph, circa 1895, records Rev. James Symington together with his brother John and their wives at Monkshead Farm. 

The renewed association with Monkshead of this generation of Symingtons, descended from William Symington and Grizzy Weir of Leadhills, is intriguing. Symingtons were well documented to be farming at Monkshead from the early seventeenth century. The ongoing relationship with Monkshead suggests that these Symingtons from Leadhills had derived from an ancient ancestry which had ties to Monkshead. The relationship which Rev. James Symington claimed to have with the William Symington the engineer would therefore also link William Symington the inventor with the original Symingtons of Douglas and Monkshead.

The Burying ground of Symingtons of Monkshead is to be found at a gravesite in the Cemetery of St. Brides Church, Douglas. [1]

[1] Scott, S.A., 1977 The Upper Ward of Lanarkshire Monumental Inscriptions: Pre1855, page198. Site 115 

In his encyclopaedic work published in 1864, The Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, Irving emphasized the traditional occupancy of Monkshead by the Symington family in reporting “There is a farmer in Monkshead called Symington, whose ancestors have been tenants in the same farm for some hundreds of years” [1]

The censuses of 1881 and 1891 confirm John Symington, brother of Rev. James Symington of Leadhills, as the incumbent farmer at Monkshead. In 1881 he was unmarried, a farmer of 1400 acres grazing and employer of two men and two women. By 1891 he has a wife, Mary, aged 42 years and born in Glasgow. No children are recorded. There is no Symington at Monkshead in the 1901 census. 

IN SUMMARY 

Assuming the relationship claimed by the Reverend James Symington of Leadhills indeed existed (there is no reason to think otherwise), the forebears of William Symington the engineer and inventor would have derived from or were closely related to the Symingtons of Monkshead. In my Notes on the Parentage of William Symington, I argued that the parents of William Symington were John Symington and Grissel Dixon. William was born in Leadhills in 1764 and his putative parents were also at Wanlockhead in 1757 and later in New Cumnock in 1759 and 1761. These towns are not far from Douglas. Although John Symington may have derived from these nearby regions, the relationship claimed by the Reverend James Symington would tend to link the father of the inventor more directly with the Symingtons of Monkshead Farm near Douglas. At first sight the link is tenuous: the documentary evidence is limited. A  succinct note written on an invitation to the unveiling of the Symington monument at Leadhills reads“claims relationship.” The comment is clearly attributed to Rev. James Symington of Leadhills; plain and unambiguous, this simple statement directly affirms a relationship between William Symington the engineer and the Symingtons of Monkshead. Furthermore, John Jeffrey, a descendant of William Symington's daughter Elizabeth Rankine had written to the Scotsman, protesting against the "undue prominence which is given to Henry Bell" on the centenary of the launching of the Comet in 1912. Rev. James Symington supported John Jeffery in a letter to the Falkirk Herald dated 31 August 1912 in which he again affirmed "I also belong to the Symington tree." [2]

[1] Irving, G.V. and Murray, A., The Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, 1864. Volume iii, page 181. This reference would relate to William Symington (1839-1870), brother of John, and of Reverend James Symington.

[2] Falkirk Herald 7 September 1912 page 7

A SYNOPSIS OF MONKSHEAD SYMINGTON LINEAGE 

I. FROM PATON’S GENEALOGY

William Symington, Tutor of Symington, the Progenitor of the Monkshead Lineage.

Issue: two sons, John and William

John Symington of Nether Polmuckishead (1621): son of William, younger son of William, Tutor of Symington; dead by 1656.

Issue: Andrew, Janet, Elizabeth

Andrew Symington: married 1635 Jean Stevenson

Issue: John

John Symington, son of Andrew: married Marion Stevenson (from Hasleside); died circa 1695

Issue: John, Marion

John Symington succeeded to Monkshead 1695; married Margaret Weir

Issue: John, born 1702, Christian 1714, Archibald, 1717, Francis 1740 (issue: stillborn child march 24, 1792) and possibly James Symington of Monkshead, who married Janet Tod 1740 (issue John 1741, James 1742 and Mary 1744).

The above lineage, derived from Paton, is clearly incomplete:

Note in 1700, the baptismal record of Marion, the lawful Daughter of James Syminton in Munkshead, who is overlooked in the above lineage. 

Records of the issue of John Symington and Margaret Weir span the years 1702 to 1740 yet only four births are reported.

**The following require further investigation:

*From Lanark Testaments:

Andrew Symington (died 1627) and spouse Bessie Beg.  

II. FROM OLD PAROCHIAL AND CENSUS RECORDS FOR DOUGLAS

William Symington and Grizzy Weir (died 13th November, 1857)

Issue (all born at Leadhills):

James born 19th June, 1787 

John born 4th May, 1796 

William and Mary born 11th March, 1798 

Rev. James Symington of Muirkirk: born 19th June, 1787; died 5th October, 1852; married 18th October 1836 to Mary Gordon.

Issue (all born at Muirkirk): 

Elizabeth born 1837; married 5th June 1860 to William Smith.

William born 21st August, 1839; died at Monkshead 24th August, 1870; married 13th    December, 1865 to Jean Gillespie Paterson (who died at Inverness 22nd July, 1872).

Grace born 12th February 1841

 James born 26th September 1842 see below

 John born 10th October 1844; married Mary Donaldson.

Campbell born 9th March 1847

Rev. James Symington of Leadhills: born Muirkirk 1842 ; married (1) Sceva Grubb (2) Elizabeth Renny

Issue (with Sceva Grubb):

Mary born Tenby 1889

Norah born Leadhills 1890

James Gerald born Leadhills 1893; married Mabel Gifford. Issue Sheila, Isobel

*The following Monkshead Symingtons from Old Parochial Records for Douglas require further investigation:

1700, February 21, Marion, lawful daughter to James Syminton in Munkshead, was this day baptized.

1734, August 15, John, son lawful to John Symington in Monkshead, and Marion Thomson, his spouse, was this day baptized.

1741, June, John, lawful son to James Symington of Monkshead, and Janet Tod, his spouse, was this day baptized.

1742, February 1, James, lawful son to James Symington in Monkshead, and Jane Tod, his spouse, was this day born, and baptized shortly after.

(Also Mary, baptized September 26, 1744)

1755, May 2, James, lawful son to William Symington and Anne McIndley in Over Monkshead.

1758, March 5, Ann, lawful daughter to William Symington and Ann McKindlay, his spouse, in Monkshead, was this day baptized.

1761, February 27, James Symington and Anne McKinlay, had this child baptized named Christian. 

1766, November 13, William, lawful son to John Symington and Marion McKindlay in Monksfoot, was this day baptized.

1767, February 22, William, lawful son to William Symington and Ann McKindlay in Hardrig, was this day baptized.

1769, February 5, Agnes, lawful daughter to John Symington in Monksfoot, and Marion McKinly, spouse, was this day baptized. 

1769, May 8, George, lawful son to William Symington in Hillhead of Hardridge, and Ann McKindlay, his spouse, was this day baptized.

1771, August 27, Helen, daughter to John Symington in Carmacoup, and Marion McKindley, his spouse, was born.

1773, September 15, Jean, lawful daughter to John Symington in Carmacoup, and Marion McKindley, his spouse, was born.

1776, July 27, Marion, lawful daughter to John Symington in Carmacoup, and Marion McKindley, his spouse, was born.

MONKSHEAD SYMINGTON FAMILY TREE 

The following lineage is derived from a tree transcribed by J. Gerald Symington.  The authorship of the original version is uncertain but it was clearly produced to illustrate the Paton Genealogy and the early generations prior to William Symington and Grizzy Weir are precisely as recorded by Paton.     

William Symington of Hardington Tutor of Symington

William Symington of Hardington 

John Symington in Cambis and Nether Polmukishead died before 1656 

Andrew Symington (died 1661) of Nether Polmukishead=Jean Stevenson m.1635 (died 1665)

John Symington Wadsetter of Monkshead=Marion Stevenson died 1684

John Symington of Monkshead=Margaret Weir

1. John Symington born 1702

2.*James Symington of Monkshead=Janet Tod

3. Christian born 1714

4. Archibald born 1717

5. Francis born 1718

6. Andrew Symington of Sandiland Shields =Margaret Sandilands

2.*James Symington of Monkshead=Janet Tod                                                                     

i. **John (born 1741) Cousin of Walter Symington and grandfather of Walter Symington of Crowhill and Nice

ii. James (born 1742) 

iii. Mary (born 1744)

**John Symington is assumed to be the immediate forebear of ***William Symington who married Grizzy Weir.

***William Symington=Grizel Weir (died 1857)

1. Rev. James Symington (born 1787) of Muirkirk=Mary Gordon (m.1836)

i. Eliza (b.1837) =Rev. William Smith of Douglas (m.1860) Issue William=Joan Hutchison, Mary Gordon, Margaret Rankin=Rev. Alex Galloway of Minto (son Lt. Gen. Alexander Galloway), Thomas=Ellen Meek, Elizabeth, James

ii. William (b.1839 died1870) =Jeanie Gillespie Paterson (1865) Issue James died infancy

iii. Grace (b.1841) =John Scott Issue Jean Gordon, Margaret Elizabeth, Mary=Dr. Aikman

iv. Rev. James Symington of Leadhills (b.1842)=Sceva Grubb Issue Mary, Norah Erskine, James Gerald Purcell=Mabel Gifford

v. John (b.1844) =Mary Donaldson No issue

vi. Campbell, Detroit U.S.A. (b.1847) =Addie Macbean Issue …, Mary Gordon died 3 years, Campbell, Adelaide

2. John Symington (born 1796) =Janet

i. William went to U.S.A.

3. Mary (born 1798) =Adam Williamson of Portobello

i. Adam

ii. John

iii. Grace

iv. Margaret

v. James

CANADIAN DESCENDANTS OF THE MONKSHEAD SYMINGTONS

THE FAMILY OF JOHN SYMINGTON, SON OF  WILLIAM SYMINGTON AND GRIZZY WEIR

There is a branch of the Symington family in Ontario who appear to be descended from the Symingtons of Monkshead farm, near Douglas. Their lineage can be traced through John Symington, the second son of William Symington and Grizzy Weir.  John Symington was born in Leadhills on 4 May 1796. He was baptized at Crawford on 8 May and was the younger brother of Rev. James Symington of Muirkirk. He became a farmer at Monkshead Lower. [1] John Symington married Janet Weir in Falkirk on 9 February 1836. Janet Weir was the daughter of John Weir and Helen Blackwood who were from the Larbert parish. William Symington, born in 1837, was the only child of John Symington and Janet Weir. The 1841 Census which was taken on 6 June  has John Symington's mother Griszel living with them, aged 75. The Douglas Parish records reveal the death of John Symington, aged 44, on 4 July 1841.

A notice recording the untimely demise of William Symington, formerly of Douglas and Falkirk, appeared in the Falkirk Herald on 8 April 1869 and reads as follows:

FATAL ACCIDENT TO A FALKIRK GENTLEMAN IN CANADA. - The following is from the Canadian Free Press of February 26:- “We regret having to record the sudden death of Mr Symington residing two or three miles east of Port Stanley, under the following circumstances:- On Monday the 22d instant Mr Symington had been to the saw-mill for a load of lumber, and on his way home had in the evening reached the corner of his own farm. It would appear that one of the runners of the sleigh had got into the ditch, and in attempting to regain the middle of the road, the sleigh with its load was upset, crushing the poor man underneath it. From the weight of green lumber lying over his chest, it is probable that death was instantaneous. The horses had become disengaged and found their way home. Their appearance without the master led the family and servants to see that something was wrong, and they had to go but a little way when they found the body as above stated, life being extinct. Mr Symington was a man in the prime of life, highly respected, and leaves a wife and three young children to mourn his untimely end. On the 23d, an inquest was held on the remains by Dr Gustin of St Thomas, when the verdict returned ‘that William Symington, of the township of Yarmouth, on the 22d day of February, 1869, came to his death by the upsetting of a sleigh loaded with lumber, which lumber and sleigh fell upon deceased, thereby causing his death.’ ” [Mr Symington, we may state, was a native of Bainsford, Falkirk, and a number of his relatives are still resident in the district.] [2]

As yet it is unclear exactly when William Symington emigrated to Canada. In 1851 he was living in Falkirk with his widowed mother Janet. The 1861 Canada Census has him living in Yarmouth as a single man, together with his mother. His occupation is recorded as “yeoman” (a self-sufficient land owner) and his religion was Free Church of Scotland. In 1862, William married Elizabeth (or Eliza) Smith at Torwood Hall, West Flambro, on 21 October 1862. [3]  Elizabeth was the fourth surviving daughter of Hugh Smith and Mary Clyde of Grahamston, Falkirk. William and Eliza had three children, Helen, Graham and Mary, all born in Ontario. Helen was born on 21 May 1865; she died on 24 October 1899 and was unmarried. Graham was born in Ontario on 6 May 1867; he married Bell Tomlinson in 1889. The Canada Census taken in June 1911 records his occupation as “engineer”. He was employed with the railways and was a Presbyterian. He died, aged 52, on 17 October 1918. His wife died on 3 June 1945 aged 75. The third child was Mary, born in about 1868. The 1881 Canada census has the three orphaned teenage siblings living together in Toronto.

Janet Symington died at Port Stanley on 1 August 1870 at 67 years of age. Her brother, Alexander Weir of Yarmouth, was one of her executors. [4]

William Symington, his mother Janet, daughter Helen and son Graham are all buried in the St. Thomas cemetery, Elgin County, Ontario.

[1] 1841 Scotland Census

[2] Also reported in The Globe 25 February 1869 page 2

[3] Stirling Observer 20 November 1862 page 4

[4] Court Records, Elgin County, Ontario.

APPENDIX CENSUS RECORDS 

1841 CENSUS DOUGLAS

Book 1 page 7

Townhead

John Symington 50 Cotton hand weaver

Margaret Symington 40

Mary 20, Marion 15

Book 2 page 9

Slidery Brae

Thomas Symington 67

Helen Symington 63

Book 3 page 9

Thomas McKinlay 30 farmer

James Symington 16

Book 3 page 10

Crofthead

John Symington 40 Agricultural labourer (not born in the county)

Ann Symington 45, William 11 (not born in county), John 5, Robert 1, Helen 10, Grace 7 

Book 4 page 3

Monks head upper

John Adamson 45 Agricultural labourer

Lower Monkshead

John Symington 45 Farmer (born in county)

Janet 35 (not born in county)

William 4

Grizel Symington 75 (not born in county)

Mary McGladrie 20

Book 4 page 5

Red Hill

Household of Mary Brown 45

Thomas Symington 5

Robert Symington 4 months

1851 CENSUS DOUGLAS

Book 1 page 17

76 Main Street

Crossburn House

Jane Symington 22 single Housemaid born Muirkirk

Book 1 page 18

82 Friar Street

Jean Symington 78 head Widow Pauper born Douglas

Book 2 page 11

Weavers yards

John Symington head 64 Agricultural labourer born Carmichael 

Margaret Symington 53 born Douglas

Walter Symington 28 Hand Loom Weaver born Douglas

Book 3 page 2

Munkshead

Grace Symington head widow 85 Housekeeper born Stirlingshire Alva 

Book 4 page 1

Crofthead

Ann McKinlay head widow 56 Shepherd’s widow born Douglas

John Symington son 15

Book 4 page 2

Townhead

Helen Symington servant single 19 born Douglas  

1861 CENSUS INDEX DOUGLAS [1]

2019 William Symington          21        born Muirkirk             book 1 page2

2020 Ann Symington                66                Douglas               book 4 page 3

2021 John Symington                74                Carmichael          book 4 page 7

2022 Margaret Symington         62                Douglas               book 4 page 7

2023 Grace Symington              20                Muirkirk              book 5 page 1

2024 Walter Symington            38                Douglas               book 5 page 15

2025 Janet Symington               37                Carmichael          //          //          

2026 Grace Symington              4                   Douglas              //          //

2027 John Symington                1                      //                      //          //

2028 Grace Symington              25                    //                      book 6 page 1

2029 Mary Symington               57                 Glasgow             book 7 page 5

1861 CENSUS DOUGLAS

Enumeration Division 1 page 2

Monkshead

William Symington Head Unm. 21 Farmer of 1200 acres Employer of 3m 2f born Ayrshire Muirkirk Number of rooms with one or more windows 6

John Gale M 28 ploughman

Jane White U 20 Dairy maid

Janet Kerr U 14 Domestic servant

Owen Muller U 17 Labourer

Enumeration Division 4 page 3

Braehead

Anne Symington Head 66 Widow of a shepherd born Douglas

Enumeration Division 4 page 7

Townhead

John Symington Head M 74 Chelsea Pensioner born Carmichael One room house

Margaret Symington Wife 62 born Douglas

Enumeration Division 5 page 1

Crosburn House

Rev. William Smith Head M 29 Asst. Minister of Douglas born Old Monkland House 9 rooms

Elizabeth Smith Wife 23 born Muirkirk

Elizabeth Smith Dau 2 mo born Douglas Visitor

Jane Smith Sister Unm 40 born Old Monkland Visitor

Grace Symington Sister in law Unm 20 born Old Monkland

Enumeration Division 5 page 15

Walter Symington Head M 38 Grocer born Douglas House 4 rooms

Janet Symington Wife 37 born Carluke

Grace Symington Dau 4 born Douglas 

John Symington Son 1 born Douglas

Enumeration Division 6 page 1

Gateside House (James Gillespie, farmer, head)

Grace Symington Unm 25 Domestic servant born Douglas

Enumeration Division 7 page 5

Glespinside

Mary Symington Head 57 Widow of an Established Church Minister born Glasgow House 5 rooms

Jean Haddow 19 Domestic servant

Jean Davidson 15 Domestic servant

1871 CENSUS HAMILTON

Bellevue Terrace

Mary Symington  Head  Widow  67  Annuitant born Glasgow

John Symington    Son   Unm.      26 Manufacturer born Muirkirk

Campbell Symington Son Unm.   24  Commission Agent born Muirkirk

1871 CENSUS DOUGLAS

Monkshead

Jean G. Symington  Head  Widow  28  Farmer’s wife

Together with a 17 year old domestic servant and a 12 year old orphan boy

1881 CENSUS LEADHILLS,

Manse

James Symington           38 years           Unm.   B. Ayrshire, Muirkirk

Agnes Moffat                43 yrs              Unm.   Servant

John Williamson [2]           39 yrs  gamekeeper     b. Leadhills

Ellen                       w.    37                                b. Hutton         

1851 CENSUS MUIRKIRK

Book 1 page 1

James Symington 62

Mary Symington 47

William Symington 11

Grace Symington 9

James Symington 7

John Symington 6

Campbell Symington 4

Book 1 page 32

William Symington 34

Mary Symington 42

George Symington 9

Alexander Symington 7

William Symington 5

Book 4 page 15

Janet Symington 61

Thomas Symington 29

1861 CENSUS MUIRKIRK

Enumeration division 1 page 19

Main Street

George Symington Head 19 Coalminer born Muirkirk

Agnes Symington Wife 22                             do

Elizabeth Dau 6 mo                                         do

Enumeration division 2 page 9

Main Street

Mary Lees Widow 84 born Auchen…

David Son 48 Lead miner born Muirkirk

George Son 41 Unm Lead miner born Muirkirk

David Russell 23 Grandson 23 Unm Lead miner born Muirkirk

Margaret Yuille Granddaughter 21 born Glasgow

Alexander Symington 17 Grandson Lead miner born Muirkirk

Enumeration division 2 page 18

Glasgow Road

Thomas Symington Head 39 Coal Miner born Muirkirk

Agnes Symington Wife 30 born Colmonell

[1] Gerrity, D. F., An Index to the District of Douglas 2001

[2] See my Notes on the Parentage of William Symington