William Semple (1826-bef.1909)

SEE "Timeline" for chronological order of life events including any photos and documents as available; SEE "Media" for any documents and photos included from "Timeline" as available.

MEMORIAL: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=130246417

William Semple (a) was born on 7 September 1826 in Dalserf, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, a son of John Semple (1786-1860) and Margaret (McNair) Semple (1798-1866).

William is the brother of Margaret Semple (1820-?); Peter Semple (1822-1904); Robert Semple (1824-1916); Andrew Semple (1829-1902); Janet (Semple) McAlpine (1831-1896); Alexander Semple (1833-1905); Thomas Semple (1836-1898); Jean "Jane" Semple (c.1836-1874); James Semple (1840-1918) and Agnes Semple (1844-1919).

On 31 August 1845, William Semple married Janet Barr (c.1826-1909) in Stonehouse, Lanark, Scotland. Their 14 children are John Semple (1846-1922); Thomas Semple (1848-1858); William Semple (1849-?); Henry Barr Semple (1849-1918); Peter Semple (1852-1908); James Semple (1854-1911); Robert Semple (1855-1948); Isabella (Semple) Ralston (1857-1936); Thomas Semple (1859-1889); Margaret (Semple) Melvin (1861-1890); Janet (Semple) Marchbank (1863-1932); Jane (Semple) Marchbank (1865-1933); Agnes (Semple) Melvin (1867-1925) and Elizabeth (Semple) Hepburn (1869-1911).

William worked in the coal mines as an underground Colliery Manager. In 1891, he worked as a hawker, merchandise or food vendor, and living with the McCafferty family in Eastwood, East Renfrewshire, which lies about 26 km northwest of Dalserf, Scotland.

Before his widowed wife died in 1909, William Semple died, but the exact year and age is unverified. The inscription on the Semple family grave Memorial marker in Stonehouse reads: "SEMPLE – Erected by (son) Robert Semple...father William Semple, place and date of death unknown to me."

Footnotes: (a) Comment from his great, great grandson, John Semple, in 2014, "...the name William would have been shortened to 'Willie' but the Lanarkshire pronunciation would have been 'Wullie' with the U sounding as in up."

References: Family Researchers John Semple, Jim Semple, Jr. and Sarah (Semple) Brisk; Scotland Census, Scotland Marriages (1561-1910); SEE Documents, if available, under “Media” or “Timeline” events

Note: Overview arranged by family researcher Jim Semple, Jr., subject to additions & corrections.