Person:William Spalding (7)

William was born about 1821 in Larkhall (parish of Dalserf). In the 1841 census William a coal miner was living with his parents at London Street, Larkhall. He subsequently became an aerated water manufacturer and bottler. In 1859 he was recorded as a widower of Townhead Street, Hamilton, occupation aerated water manufacturer and bottler. He was also described as a bottler in his death certificate. In Mary Spalding's (b1863) birth certificate he was described as a spirit dealer. In his son William's death certificate William was described as a Hotel Proprietor.

   William married Helen Cunningham around 1845.  They had twin children William and Helen born in 1846.  It is possible that Helen Cunningham died at birth or not long after the twins.  Neither William or Helen (presumably deceased) have been found in the 1851 census and the twin children William and Helen are living with their grandparents.  In 1859 William had an illegitimate son, Andrew to Margaret Phail, in Dalserf.  This child only survived 5 months.

   On 17 May 1859, William, aged 38, of 42 Townshead Street, Hamilton, a Bottler and widow married Mary Neilson, of 44 Church Street, Hamilton.  She was 24 years old, a domestic servant and spinster.  William's parents were Peter Spalding, labourer and Mary Thomson.  Mary's parents were William Neilson, contractor, and Jane Horne.  The witnesses were Alexander Thomson and Alexander Muir.

   William stayed in Hamilton and had at least eight more children.  His first two children from his first marriage stayed in Dalserf with their Spalding grandparents until at least 1861.  In the 1861 census William and Mary and family were living at Townhead Street, Hamilton as a bottler.  In 1871 they were living in Blackinell Lane, Hamilton as an aeroated water manufacturer and bottler.

   According to his daughter, Helen's, death certificate William and Helen Cunningham were married. William was also listed as a widower when he married Mary Neilson in 1859.  In William's death certificate his brother Thomas reports that he was married to Mary Neilson and formerly to Mary (sic) Cuningham.

   Glasgow Herald - Monday 1 May 1871
   HAMILTON - Alleged Assault on a wife. - At the same diet, Wm. Spalding, bottler, Hamilton, was charged with an aggravated assault committed upon his wife in their own house, by striking her with his fists, knocking her down, and kicking her on the head and face to the great effusion of blood and serious injury.  Mr Archibald, writer, Hamilton, conducted the defence.  The jury, after a quarter of an hour's deliberation, returned a verdict of not proven.

   Glasgow Herald - 5 October 1871
   Alarming fire at Hamilton - a house sublet to William Spalding, bottler who used it for storing hay was burnt with a loss of 100 pounds.

   Death: Scotland GRO 1876 SPALDING WILLIAM M aged 56, LARKHALL LANARK 638/01 0138
   William died of congested lungs on 12 December 1876.

   Will Reference
   Spalding William 01/03/1877 Bottler, Hamilton, d. 12/12/1876 at Larkhall, testate Inventory Glasgow Sheriff Court Inventories SC36/48/81

   Will: William Spalding, bottler in Hamilton died at Larkhall 12 December 1876.  The executors were Thomas Spalding, grocer in Larkhall, George Spalding, grocer and Hugh Maxwell, miner Carfin, Motherwell.  Stated before Thomas Duncan JP Lanarkshire.  The will mentions his wife Mary Neilson (or Spalding) and children Andrew, John, Thomas and Alexander.  (Note: William had no recorded child called John but did have son Peter who was not mentioned.  This could have been a transcription error or Peter could also have gone by the name John)

   It is interesting to note that three of William's children migrated to Australia:
   Peter Spalding migrated to Queensland in about 1874.
   William and Ann Spalding and family migrated to Sydney in 1883.
   Thomas and Christina Spalding and family migrated to Sydney in 1924.