The farmers in Carbrain, Seafar and Greenside farms must have done a double-take when it was announced that land would be available for development in Greenfaulds. Apart from a few cottages around the area there was very little else. But the railway came through in 1848 and as happened almost everywhere else, when the railway came, so did industry, jobs and the building of new homes. The railway required workers and so did the new Fireclay works established alongside the railway – and Greenfaulds soon offered “rare inducements for country residences”.
Residents of Greenfaulds and Cumbernauld Station from 1841.
You’ll note that most of these people were incomers. It’s clear that many of the houses built in Greenfaulds were not occupied by individual families. Several families shared the address so they must have been designed as apartments with shared entrances – tenement style.
1841 Census
It appears the only people in Greenfaulds in 1841 were Farmers, originally from Lesmahagow – Gavin Sandilands (30) and his wife Ellison (25). Also recorded are Cecilia Clelland (20); Allan Ireland (15) and John Thomson (15), both agricultural labourers.
1851 Census
In the 1851 census several families are recorded as living in Greenfaulds. Patric Keef aged 49 lived there with his wife Rachell (38) and children John (9) and Andrew (1). Patric was from Ireland and worked as a quarry labourer. He would have lived close to the quarry at Kilbouie (Kilbowie), towards Luggiebank and may have worked there. There was another quarry in Glencryan.
Malchom Mccallum (48) originally from New Monkland worked as a Hand Loom Weaver (cotton). Married Agnes Syme (b. 1810) in Slamannan on 5th March 1826. Other residents at the time were Margaret McCuegen (36), Agnes Mccallum (23), William Spence (2 Mo), Janet Mccallum (19), Malchom Mccallum (13), Joseph Mccallum (10), John Mccallum (3), James McQuegen (2). Young Malcolm was born in Slamannan in 1838 and he also worked as a Hand Loom Weaver (cotton)
James Mccallum (40) was from Shotts and was Hand Loom Weaver (cotton). Also at the address were Mirvon Mccallum (48), Malchom Mccallum (13), James Mccallum (6).
James Mcwilliam (49) came from Ireland and was an Agricultural Labourer. He lived there with his wife and daughter, Bathia Mcwilliam (25), Matilda Mcwilliam (2)
1853 Post Office Directories
Walter Bannerman of Miller and Bannerman, 321 Bath St, Glasgow. Married to Mary and listed in the PO Directories from 1853 as being associated with Greenfaulds.
Miller and Bannerman were joiners, trunk, and packing-box makers
1871 Census
John Ure (58) was from Glasgow and was married to Barbara Holmes (40). He was a master Baker. Family: Barbra Holmes (mother-in-law – 65 was a stocking knitter), Marrion Bell (20) born in Islay and was a domestic servant, John Ure (20), worked as a warehouse labourer. He became a commission agent in Perth; George Wm Ure (12), James Ure (8), Margaret Lena Ure (5), later moved to Perth; Arthur Anderson Ure (3), became a clerk in Perth. All children were born in Partick, Glasgow so in 1871 they were newcomers.
1881 Census
Alexander Bowie (63) was married to Isabella Bowie (60) and they farmed 20 acres at Greenfaulds Farm. Alexander was from Forres. Also resident at the time of the census, Alexander Bowie (29), Olive Young (11), a servant girl perhaps.
Charles James Kerr (34) was from Edinburgh and living with wife Janet Dick Kerr (36) at Greenfaulds House. He worked as a timber merchant. Also resident: Jane Rankine (19), Elizabeth Duncan (16), Charles White (14)*, Margaret Kerr (14), Charles James Kerr (12), Thomas William Kerr (10), Helen Elizabeth Kerr (7), George Dick Kerr (5), Janet Maud Kerr (4), Alexander T Kerr (2).
* Charles White was born in Cumbernauld and was working here as a domestic servant.
James Pryde (44) teacher at Greenfaulds School. From Leven, Fife. Married to Maria Pryde (39).
John Ure (28) lived at Greenfaulds Villa and was a Commission Merchant. Also there, Barbra Young Ure (48), Mary Ure (?), (19), Arthur A Ure (12). These dates don’t quite add up as in the 1881 census John should have been aged 30 and Barbra 50.
1889 Directory of Scotland – described as Gentry. By this time the community near the Station had become quite vibrant. There were regular Concerts in the new Southern District School (1886) and nearby Hall
Robert Henderson, Baville, Cumbernauld Station
William Murray, Baville, Cumbernauld Station
William Johnstone, Greenfaulds Villa, Cumbernauld Station
Charles James Kerr JP, Greenfaulds House, Cumbernauld Station
James Kerr, Bellevue, Greenfaulds
Mr Noah Smith, Davenport House, Cumbernauld Station
David Simpson, Greenfaulds Villa, Cumbernauld Station
Andrew Whitecross, Double Villa, Cumbernauld Station
William Wardrop, Double Villa, Cumbernauld Station
William Baird, Greenfaulds Villa, Cumbernauld Station
William Young, Laurel Bank House, Cumbernauld Station
William Whitecross, Double Villa, Cumbernauld Station
1891 census
William Johnston (40), from Sorn, Ayrshire lived at Greenfaulds Villa. He was a Commission agent. He was married to Mary S S Johnston (40). Also there: Thomas Johnston (4m), Alexander Miller (34)*, Jessie A Wood (17), Elizabeth Stewart (15), Mary McK Johnston (12), William Johnston (10), David S Johnston (8), Marion A W Johnston (5), Bessie Johnston (4), Agnes W Johnston (2)
* Alexander Miller was a law clerk visiting from Old Cumnock, Ayrshire.
Donald McDougall (22) from Glasgow lived at Greenfaulds Cottage and worked as a Draper’s Assistant. Also there: Margaret McDougall (32), John Sellers (26), Susan Senpey (14)
Andrew Whitecross (68), from Dunbar, Haddingtonshire, married to Barbara Whitecross (77), lived at Greenfaulds Double Villa
1896 Directory of Scotland
Matthew Murphy – Greenfaulds Villa
1901 census
Henry Cameron (21) was from Kilsyth and worked as a blacksmith on Greenfaulds Farm. His mother was Maggie Cameron (52). He lived there with Eliza (14) and William (12)
Archibald J H Somerville (48) was from Bothwell and married to Florence A Somerville (46) and lived at Greenfaulds House. He worked as a Commission Agent (woollens). Also there Christina Sharp (50), Mary E T Somerville (11), Cicely F T Somerville (8)
Forrest Place 1901 Census
Forrest Place, located behind the Post Office at the crossroads and opposite the Southern District Hall.
Samuel Cairns (56) a fire-clay worker and wife Janet Marshall from Ayrshire. Son William (18) also a fire-clay worker; Robert (16) a letter carrier; Martha (14); Janet (9). News reports reveal that Samuel died on 4th Oct 1921.
William Walker (45) painter, and wife Mary Walker (36). Childern: William S Walker (18) Apprentice Painter, Matilda Walker (15) Apprentice Dressmaker, Ellen M Walker (13), James Walker (11), John Walker (8), Archibald Walker (7), Thomas L Walker (4)
Hugh MacIlroy (54), from New Monkland, Blacken Mill Carter, wife Jean (58) from Slamannan; Jeannie (27) Dressmaker; Thomas (13) both born in New Monkland
Lilias McGregor (87) formerly a domestic servant. Born in Cambuslang
Mary Aitken (78) formerly a domestic servant. Born in Torphichen, Linlithgow
John Gault (37) Fire-clay Pipe Maker, born in New Monkland. Married to Sarah (37) from Ireland. Children: Margaret (4), born in New Monkland; Robert (2) born in New Kilpatrick.
Peter Scott (47) (my great grandfather) born in Slamannan, Kiln Fireman at Fireclay Works. Married to Lizzie Aitken (46) born in New Monkland. Children: Mary (24) born in Denny, worked as a Hosiery Machinist; Jessie (18), (my grandmother), born in Denny; Lizzie (10) born in Dunipace. Lizzie Aitken (Scott) died at Forrest Place on 1st Nov 1921
John Maxwell (22) born in Glasgow and a boarder in Forrest Place. Worked as a Fire-clay Blockmaker. Later married Mary Scott and worked as a Railway Level Crossing Gatekeeper. They were my mother’s Uncle and Aunt. John died at Norwood in 1946.
Thomas White (21) my grandfather, born in Biggar and a boarder at Forrest Place. He worked as a Railway Signalman. He married Jessie Scott and they had 4 children – Betty, Nessie, Jessie and Winnie. Jessie Scott died from cancer in Nov 1924, two months after my mother was born. Tom White (Whyte) had a grocery business in Masonic Place and later had a motor hire business. He ran a bus based on a Model T Ford chassis and gave it the name Easy Osie. He died at Millview, Cumbernauld Station, in 1950.
Ivy Cottage – listed along with Forrest Place in 1901).
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(I recently made contact with two men who remember Tom White when they were boys.
David Boyle: Can remember Tom White bus took pupils to Croy station to get a train to go to Lenzie academy. On a Saturday night he picked up to go to first house pictures at Kilsyth. On way back picked up Croy men to have a drink in Cumbernauld then back to Kilsyth with a full load for the second house. Pick up first house punters back to Cumbernauld then pick up pub punters for Croy and on to Kilsyth. Pick up second house punters back to Cumbernauld. Great service never late. Well done Easy Osie. Hand pump horn – we used to say “here comes Tam White”.
David Boyle: Duncan Whyte remember being crammed on coming back to Cumbernauld after the second house pictures? Boys had to get out and push up the Smithstone Brae – slipping clutch. No fare refunded. Memories!
Duncan Whyte: He never left anyone, crammed everyone on. Always had a cigar.)
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Frank Leckie (41) a fire-clay pipe finisher from England, married to Mary (40) from Hamilton. Their son Thomas (17) was a shipping Clerk.
Masonic Place, Cumbernauld Station – 1901. This building was located adjacent to the Station. It was three stories with the ground floor given over to small retail units and the upper floors were living accommodation. A few years later a granary was built next to the railway and the owner, Robert Stirling, later built the cottage called Millview.
John Clark (50) a railway carter with wife Mary (49). Children: Maggie Clark (16) Dressmaker, William (11), George (6); Annie (4), Alice (11 months)
Alexander Clark (23) a fire-clay Trap-maker, wife Sarah. Children: Mary (3) and John (1)
1908 PO Directory
P Robertson Macarthur, traveller with Watson and Middleton, Rowanlea, Greenfaulds
Masonic Place, Cumbernauld Station – 1911
John Major (39) from Ireland, Caster in Chemical Works. Wife Helen (35) from Lanark, married 1896, had 11 children, two living – Rose (14); William (under one month).
Thomas White (31), my grandfather, working as a grocer (had been a railway signalman). Married 1909 to Jessie Scott (28). Children: Elizabeth (2); Agnes (5 months)
George Maxwell (34) Coal merchant, married to Maggie (27); William (9 months)
James Scott (33) born Stirling, Grain merchant storeman. Married 10 years to Elizabeth (30) born Lanark; John (8), Mary (7), Elizabeth (4), William (2)
Joseph Penman (57), stockbrokers clerk, married to Emma born in Germany (49)
Agnes Spence (37) born Wales. Children: David (11) born Lanark, Jessie (8) born Dunoon; Agnes (6) born Cumbernauld
Millview, Cumbernauld Station – 1911
Robert Stirling (39) born Lanark, grain miller and grain merchant. Wife, Mary (36) from Lanark. Children: Helen (11); Grace (9); Mary (7); Robert (6); Agnes (4); David (1)
Robert Stirling applied for planning permission to build Millview in 1903, the same year that the grain mill was built. In 1911 the grain mill burned to the ground, probably a wooden construction. The Kirkintilloch Gazette reported on the 11th August as follows: The buildings, which were comparatively new, being erected about eight years ago, were equipped for an extensive business, and consisted of three large blocks, comprising lorry and cart shed, engine shed, and general store in one block; machinery for hay cutting and for bruising and grinding graininess another; and there were also hay loft. offices, and stables.