Cambusnethan is currently a parish located in the middle ward of the Shire of Lanark.(3.7)It contains the village of Cambusnethan along with Bonkle, Chapel, Clydesdale-Rows, Coltness Ironworks, Morningside, Newmains, Overtown, Stane, and Wishaw
The Romans were known to have occupied this region, as evidenced by a road they built through the town of Wishaw, and a tumulus which stood until recent times in the vicinity of Garrion Bridge.
The parish received its name around the year 706 AD. It is believed to have been derived partly from the name of the Pictish King Nethan. King Nethan was the individual who welcomed Catholicism into Scotland. The other part, cambus, refers to the area enclosed by a bend in a river. In this case, it would refer to the River Clyde.
The barony of Cambusnethan (which no doubt encompassed the entire of the present parish) was granted to William Finnemund by King William the Lion in the Twelfth Century. A tradition handed down through the Baird clan states that King William the Lion was saved from being savaged by a wild boar by a man by the name of Baird, and that he was therefore rewarded with grants of land including those which were encompassed by Cambusnethan. But before the Bairds came to own the property, the name of Cambusnethan was used by certain others. The name was first mentioned in a charter by Thomas de Haya to the House of Soltre. Then, in 1296, the name of Cambusnethan was appended to the names of four individuals paying homage to King Edward I.
Legends aside, Robert the Bruce was the one to actually grant the barony to anyone. That was to the knight, Robert de Barde, then Sheriff of Lanark, and the grant took place in the year 1315. The mansion house that Sir Robert built upon the estate was roughly twenty feet square, and four stories tall. (It was said to be still standing in the year 1661 when it was demilished by Sir John Harper.) Upon Robert de Barde’s death, the property’s ownership went to Sir Alexander de Stewart of Darnley. Alexander had married Jean Baird, the heiress to the property, in 1360.
Cambusnethan came under the possession of the Sommervilles, with the marriage of Sir Thomas de Somerville of Carnwath to Jane Stewart, the heiress of the estates. The Barony was granted to Sir Thomas by King Robert III in July, 1391. As noted in the first chapter of this volume, the lands of Cambusnethan were held by the Sommervilles as a barony for six generations. The Laird of Lauchope purchased the lands of Crindledyke and Branchellburn when they, along with others, were being disposed of during the period that the Sommervilles held title to the barony.
It was in the parish of Cambusnethan, in the village of Wishaw, that the subject of this section, Robert Muirhead, took up residence.
John Muirhead, a son of Alexander Muirhead and Agnes Young, was born on 21 July, 1735.(3.8) He was the grandson of Alexander Muirhead and Marion Prentice, and the great-grandson of John Muirhead and Elizabeth Hamilton. John’s great2-grandparents were Alexander Muirhead and Eupham Jervey, and his great3-grandparents were James Muirhead, the 7th Laird of Lauchope and his wife, Janet Hamilton.
John Muirhead married Marion Forrest on 31 March, 1769 at Carluke, Scotland. They gave birth to two children: Robert, born on 13 February, 1770 at Knowes; and Barbara, born 1771.
Robert Muirhead, son of John and Marion Muirhead, was born at the village of Knowes. He married Sarah Gibb in 1789 at Wishaw, in the parish of Cambusnethan, in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Sarah was born circa 1775 at Wishaw. The couple took up residence in Wishaw, and raised a family of five children: Janet, born 01 February, 1795; Jean, born 21 August, 1796; William, born 04 March, 1799; Andrew, born in May, 1802; and David, born 08 January, 1811. Robert and Sarah both died circa 1852.
Janet Muirhead, daughter of Robert and Sarah Muirhead, married Daniel Dougal on 10 October, 1813 at Wishaw. One son was born to this union in the year 1815. Janet died on 05 January, 1870.
Jean Muirhead, daughter of Robert and Sarah Muirhead, married John Lyle on 01 April, 1815 at Wishaw. John was born in the year 1790. They gave birth to: Janet; David; Isabel; Robert; and William, born 27 August, 1815. John died on 22 July, 1860. Jean died on 14 July, 1873.
Janet Lyle, daughter of John and Jean Lyle, married ----- Allan. They gave birth to two children: George, born 1843; and Jean, born 1845.
William Lyle, son John and Jean Lyle, married Ann Geddes Strang. Ann was born on 23 June, 1813. The couple had one child: John, born on 20 March, 1842 at Wishawtown, in Cambusne-than Parish. William died on 10 December, 1885. Ann died on 08 February, 1893 at Glasgow.
John Lyle, son of William and Ann Lyle, married Janet Allan Marshall on 15 March, 1867 at Carluke. Janet was born circa 1845. John and Janet gave birth to: Marion Golder, born 15 June, 1867; Annie, born 1869; Ceclilia, born 1871; William, born 1875; Janet, born 1876; Gracie, born 1878; and Robert, born 1880. Janet died on 21 June, 1912 at Gunsgreen in West Calder. John died on 14 March, 1919 at Motherwell in Dalziel.
Marion Golder Lyle, daughter of John and Janet Lyle, married Alexander Ellis on 04 October, 1889 at Gunsgreen. Alexander was born on 17 April, 1862 at Haligate, Broxburn, Uphall. The couple gave birth to: Jessie, born 1889; William, born 1890; John, born 1893; Alexander, born 1895; Robert, born 1897; Mary, born 1900; and Richard, born 22 February, 1902. Alexander made a living as a barman. Marion died on 31 July, 1944 at Dalziel. Alexander died on 08 August, 1938 at Motherwell, Dalziel.
Richard Ellis, son of Alexander and Marion Elllis, married Alice Wright on 07 March, 1924 at Motherwell, Dalziel.Alice was born on 03 January, 1904 at Flemington, in Dalziel. Richard and Alice gave birth to: Alexander, born 07 November, 1926; Nan; John; and Lyle. Richard died on 23 February, 1994 at Conwy, Wales. Alice died on 04 February, 1992 at Carluke.
Alexander Ellis, son of Richard and Alice Ellis, married Jean Elizabeth Ford. They gave birth to: Richard John, Susan Laura, Robert Arthur, Lyle Alexander, Andrew Ford, Glen Wright, and Mandy Aileen. Alexander died on 26 March, 1980 at Preston, England.
Richard John Ellis, son of Alexander and Jean Ellis, was married twice. His first wife was Christine Bishop. His second wife was Lorraine. Richard and Christine gave birth to: Jayne and Anne.
Jayne Ellis, daughter of Richard and Christine Ellis, married Mark Spence. They gave birth to: Benjamin and Emily Anne.
Anne Ellis, daughter of Richard and Christine Ellis, married Simon Burdett. They had two daughters: Georgina and Alexandra.
Susan Laura Ellis, daughter of Alexander and Jean Ellis, was married twice. Her first husband was Jeffrey Stead. Her second husband was David Bretton. Susan and Jeffrey gave birth to: Celena.
Robert Arthur Ellis, son of Alexander and Jean Ellis, married Margaret -----. They gave birth to: Robin and Jamie.
Lyle Alexander Ellis, son of Alexander and Jean Ellis, married Sharon Venni. They gave birth to: Mark Alexander and Emma Louise.
Andrew Ford Ellis, son of Alexander and Jean Ellis, married married Lynne Ruth Morson. They gave birth to: Glen Alexander Lager and Lee Alec.
Glen Wright Ellis, son of Alexander and Jean Ellis, married Sharon Ballard. They gave birth to: Sarah Jane and Sophie.
Mandy Aileen Ellis, daughter of Alexander and Jean Ellis, married Keith Ball. They gave birth to: Charlotte Roseanne and Micheal George.
William Muirhead, son of Robert and Sarah Muirhead, married Charlotte Fraser between 1815 and 1819. Charlotte was born circa 1799 at Wishaw. She was a daughter of John Fraser and Janet Gilchrist. The couple had nine children: Alexander; Christina; James; Janet; Marion; Mary; Robert, born 23 May, 1822; David; and Jane, born 1831. William died on 24 January, 1872. Charlotte died on 25 September, 1875.
Janet Muirhead, daughter of William and Charlotte Muirhead, married Samuel Sillars on 26 June, 1855 at Dalziel, Scotland.
Robert Muirhead, son of William and Charlotte Muirhead, married Lydia Lithgow in 1845 at Wishaw. Lydia was born circa 1822 at Lanark, in Lanarkshire. Robert and Lydia gave birth to: Margaret, born 22 August, 1847; Charlotte, born 1850; Janet, born 30 June, 1853; David, born 26 October, 1855; William, born 14 January, 1858; Margaret, born 30 April, 1860; Robert, born 14 September, 1862; James, born 27 November, 1864; and Andrew, born 13 May, 1870. Lydia died on 09 February, 1886. Robert died on 11 March, 1900.
The descendants of David Muirhead, son of Robert and Lydia Muirhead will be discussed in the chapter titled, David Muirhead Of Illinois.
William Muirhead, son of Robert and Lydia Muirhead, married Jane McPhail. Jane was born in the year 1857 at Wishaw, in Lanarkshire. They gave birth to: Agnes, born 1877; Lydia, born 1881; Maggie, born 1889; William, born 1891; Jeanie, born 1896; and Jeanie’s twin, Janet.
James Muirhead, son of Robert and Lydia Muirhead, married Janet Inglis Stewart on 13 June, 1893 at Larkhall, Scotland. Janet, the daughter of James Stewart and Elizabeth Hamilton, was born on 24 August, 1863. The couple gave birth to: Janet; Lydia; Robert, born 17 June, 1894; James, born 1896 and died 1919; and Alexander, born 1897.
Janet Muirhead, daughter of James and Janet Muirhead, married Edward Ladd. She later married Peter Andreason.
The descendants of Robert Muirhead, son of James and Janet Muirhead will be discussed in the chapter titled, Robert Muirhead Of Australia.
Jane Muirhead, daughter of William and Charlotte Muirhead, married William Lochore on 31 January, 1868.
Andrew Muirhead, son of Robert and Sarah Muirhead, married Bethea Scott on 17 June, 1827 at Barony in Lanarkshire, Scotland. They gave birth to: Ellen, born 1830; Bethea Elizabeth, born May, 1832; William, born July, 1834; James M.; Samuel Davie, born March, 1836; Christina; and Isabella, born 1841.
The descendants of Ellen Muirhead, daughter of Andrew and Bethea Muirhead, and her husband, William Kellow will be discussed in the chapter titled, Ellen Kellow Of Maryland.
The descendants of Bethea Elizabeth Muirhead, daughter of Andrew and Bethea Muirhead, and her husband, Alexander G. Welsh, will be discussed in the chapter titled, Bethea Welsh Of Maryland.
The descendants of William Muirhead, son of Andrew and Bethea Muirhead, will be discussed in the chapter titled, William Muirhead Of Washington D.C..
James M. Muirhead, son of Andrew and Bethea Muirhead, married Annie Miller about the year 1870. They gave birth to: Andrew, born 17 January, 1880; James Garfield, born 21 December, 1881; Lucy, born 1884; Minnie Scott, born 1888; (2 unnamed children born circa 1890); and Frank, who died circa 1890. James and Annie both died in the year 1896.
James Garfield Muirhead, son of James M. and Annie Muirhead, married Alice Rattray. James died in 1956.
Lucy Muirhead, daughter of James M. and Annie Muirhead, married Jack Marston.
Minnie Scott Muirhead, daughter of James M. and Annie Muirhead, married Robert Alexander Owen. The couple gave birth to: Bethea Scott. Minnie died in 1963.
Christina Muirhead, daughter of Andrew and Bethea Muirhead, married Peter McKay. They gave birth to: William and Christina.
Christina McKay, daughter of Peter and Christina McKay, was married twice, first to Edward Parkinson and secondly to Fred Hite.
The descendants of Isabella Muirhead, daughter of Andrew and Bethea Muirhead, and her husband, Joseph S. Pogue will be discussed in the chapter titled, Isabella Pogue Of Maryland.
David Muirhead, son of Robert and Sarah Muirhead, married Marion Barr around the year 1829 at Wishaw, in Lanarkshire. Marion was a daughter of William Barr and Isabel Hart. She was born circa March, 1812 at Wishaw. David died on 27 June, 1850 at Wishaw. Marion died on 15 September, 1883 at Chapelhall, in the District of Holytown, in Bothwell, Scotland. She apparently married again after the death of David because her name at the time of her death was Marion Barr Muirhead Barrowman Boyd. David and Marion raised a family of thirteen children: John; Isabel, born circa 1829; Robert, born 1830; William, born 1834; Sarah, born 1825; Jane, born 1837; Jean (variously, Janet), born 1838 and died 10 March, 1848; David Barr, born 19 May, 1840; Marion, born 25 March, 1842 and died prior to 1850; Daniel David, born 31 January, 1844; Jean, born 16 September, 1846; Janet, born 01 January, 1849; and Marion, born 1850.
Isabel Muirhead, daughter of David and Marion Muirhead, married John Aitkins. They gave birth to a son: John.
The descendants of Robert Muirhead, son of David and Marion Muirhead will be discussed in the chapter titled, Robert Muirhead Of Kansas.
William Muirhead, son of David and Marion Muirhead, married Isabella Ronaldson on 06 June, 1857 at Wishaw, in Cambushethan Parish, Lanarkshire. William was a coal miner at the time of his marriage. The couple gave birth to one son: David, born on 25 May, 1859.
Jane Muirhead, daughter of David and Marion Muirhead, married William Nisbet on 03 July, 1857.
The descendants of David Barr Muirhead, son of David and Marion Muirhead will be discussed in the chapter titled, David Muirhead Of Nebraska.
The descendants of Daniel David Muirhead, son of David and Marion Muirhead will be discussed in the chapter titled, Daniel Muirhead Of Nebraska.
Marion Muirhead, daughter of David and Marion Muirhead, married Peter Addie on 14 July, 1869 at Chapelhall, in Holytown, Bothwell, Scotland. Peter was born in the year 1851. At the time that he married Marion, Peter was working as a spirit merchant. The couple gave birth to a daughter, whom they named Isabella Muirhead on 19 July, 1873. Isabella lived only a year and a half, dying on 01 December, 1874 from measles and bronchitis. The couple had another daughter on 05 March, 1875, and they gave her the same name of Isabella Muirhead. They also gave birth to two other daughters: Janet, born on 27 March, 1879; and Sarah Muirhead Barr, born on 24 October, 1881. Marion died on 14 May, 1893.
Janet Addie, daughter of Peter and Marion Addie, married William Barr on 25 July, 1902.
Sarah Muirhead Barr Addie, daughter of Peter and Marion Addie, married John Weir Louden on 23 October, 1903 at Chapelhall, Holytown, in Bothwell, Scotland. The couple gave birth to a son: Peter. Sarah died on 21 December, 1973 at Buckhaven.
3.7 The information on the history of Cambusnethan was derived from a number of sources, but primarily from the website, “The Barony Of Cambusnethan And The Barons Of Cambusnethan” maintained by Daniel S. Harrop, at the URL: http://danharrop.tripod.com/harrop/id4.htm.
3.8 The information for this section on the descendants of Robert Muirhead of Cambusnethan is derived primarily from the Muirhead Clan Society database (which, unfortunately, has been known to contain numerous errors). The serious researcher should corroborate the information with other sources.
