Roberton Family History

The Robertons

A Noted Lanarkshire Family

(continued)

Chryston, Cadder, Bothwell:

With regard to the history of the Bedlay Robertons, two very interesting volumes have been published: Chryston and Its Worthies” by G. H. M. McIsaac, issued in 1910, and “Old Country Houses of the Old Glasgow Gentry”, issued by McLehose, one edition in 1870 and one in 1878.  From McIsaac’s book it is clear there was no place of worship at Chryston before 1774.  Before that date the people attended church at Cadder, nearly five miles away.  It seems, however, that the Bedlay people had their own mausoleum in their garden, but this was taken down in 1870 and the stones were used to build the modern lodge.  What became of the bodies the author does not mention.

That no Roberton was buried in the churchyard at Chryston I took the trouble to ascertain.  Cadder churchyard may have been used as a burial place, but after a careful search I failed to find any evidence.  Many of the oldest  stones, however, are moss-covered and worn and are absolutely undecipherable, so in my opinion may be wrong.  The main burial ground for the Robertons is at Bothwell churchyard, but I rather think that applies only to the Earnock and Lauchope lines.

The work on “Country Houses”contains an article and photograph of Bedlay House, and also one of the adjoining Gartferry House which for many years was   ...........latter taken down not long since, and armorial bearings over the main entrance vanished with the house.  There certainly is a lot of interesting matter in the above-mentioned books, but judging from authoritative standards in the details, unfortunately, are not always accurate.

Again, in dealing with documents relating to the Robertons, I have encountered on great difficulty – the name is often misspelt Robertson.  Taking into consideration the length of time the family lived in Lanarkshire the name is comparatively uncommon, and the reason for this, perhaps, is that younger sons have been careless and have allowed themselves to be called Robertson.  In the register of burghers and guild brethren of Glasgow, it is recorded that Gershom Robertson was enrolled in 1747.  In the same list two of the Earnock family are given as Robertson of Earnock.  All three were Robertons as can easily be demonstrated.

To conclude, Lanarkshire has had no reason to be other than proud of the generations who traced their descent from Robertus de Villa Roberti, and from those who founded the houses of Lauchope, Earnock and Bedlay.

(This concludes the article originally appearing in the Hamilton Advertiser August 7, 1943)