HENDRY

On the 20th May 1804 an Ebenezer Hendry of Alloa parish married a Margaret Donaldson of St. Ninians parish. This, at the moment, is the earliest definite record we have of our Hendry family.

One can assume that this Ebenezer Hendry was between twenty and thirty when he got married, which would make him born between 1774-1784. The births/baptisms of two Ebenezer Hendrys are recorded in the Parish Registers of Clackmannanshire during this period, one recorded in the Clackmannan parish register as born to Ebenezer Hendry and Janet Blackwood on 11th August 1776 , and one recorded in the Alloa Parish Register as born to John Hendry, a shoemaker, and Margaret Neil on 25th September 1782. As of this moment in time I have found no facts or evidence to link either of these Ebenezers to the one who subsequently married Margaret Donaldson. It is possible that neither are correct, and it was, in fact, some as yet unidentified Ebenezer Hendry.

If Margaret Donaldson's subsequent husband was one of these two Ebenezers, then best guess would be that she actually married Ebenezer, the son of John Hendry and Margaret Neil. This is solely based on the fact that Ebenezer Hendry and Margaret Donaldson's first son, traditionally called after the paternal grandfather, was named John. It must be stressed that this is speculation.

Ebenezer 1, as we will refer to him for reasons which will become obvious, and Margaret Donaldson had five known children. Their first child, the previously mentioned John, on 3rd March 1805, and the record of this in the Alloa parish register identifies Ebenezer's profession as "merchant".

Over the next ten years a further four children are recorded in the Alloa parish register as born to Ebenezer Hendry 1 and Margaret Donaldson, Peter born on 18th August 1806, Ebenezer 11, the next generation in our family history, born on 3rd March 1811, Margaret born on 23rd August 1812, and Mary born on 1st January 1815. A correspondent to the Alloa Advertiser, who wrote a series of articles in 1867 under the pseudonym "Cobblecrook", referring back to the Alloa of his childhood circa 1820, identifies Ebenezer 1, now a carter by trade, living in Mill Street, Alloa, between Mr. Forbes, a saddler, and John MacLean, also a carter.

An Extract from "Cobblecrooks" articles to the Alloa Advertiser. 

"Next to him resided Wm. Morrison, a shoemaker ; Blakeny Waddell, merchant, Tillicoultry ; David Duncanson, wright ; Effie Johnston, town crier, generally known as Effie Moses or Bell Effie ; ------ Forbes, Saddler ; EBENEZER HENDRY, CARTER, FATHER OF MR. HENDRY, STAR INN, STIRLING ; John MacLean, carter, ......."

Ebenezer 11, the son, would have grown up with his brothers and sisters amongst horses and carts, no doubt helping his father on occasion. It is therefore not surprising that we find him, in the early 1830's, driving the "Earl of Mar" stagecoach. This was listed in Slater's Directory of 1837 in the Alloa section as leaving the Tontine Hotel in Alloa every morning, except Sunday, at six o'clock for Glasgow, going over the Forth on the ferry at Alloa, and then via Dunmore, Falkirk and Dennyloanhead.

An Extract from the book "Alloa and its Environs" (P109).

The Earl of Mar Coach, in 1824, first started with passengers for Glasgow, running every morning from the Tontine Hotel (John Ewart, coachman, who was succeeded by Eben. Hendry), crossing at the ferry, and returning to Alloa in the evening.

On 22nd January 1838, shortly after the succession of the young Queen Victoria, Ebenezer 11 married Isabella Thomson, the daughter of Robert Thomson, a shoemaker, and Elizabeth Smart. An announcement of the happy occasion was carried in the Stirling Observer on 1st Feb 1838.  Six months later the Stirling Observer was carrying further news of Ebenezer 11, this time announcing that he had given up his job of driving the "Earl of Mar" stagecoach, and had taken over the running of the Star Inn. 

Announcement of Ebenezer11's accession to the Star Inn - from the Stirling Observer of 9th August 1838

STAR INN ---------------- Mr. E. Hendry (late driver of the Earl of Mar Coach, between Glasgow and Alloa), begs respectfully to inform the Public in general that he has succeeded Mr. Wilson in the above Inn, and from attention to business he hopes to merit a share of public Patronage. Commercial Gentlemen may rely on being accommodated in a superior and economical manner. Saddled Horses, Gigs, Droskies, and Chaises, on the shortest notice.

This inn was situated on the corner of Bakers Street and Friars Wynd in Stirling, and was previously run by a Mr. Wilson. (The building on this site was built in the 1890's and after the re-building was still a hostelry called the "Star".) The inn would seem to have been owned by the trustees of a Thomas Dawson, and, as in the later census of 1851 for the Star, Ebenezer and Isabella have a John and Agnes Dawson staying with them, recorded as relatives, it may well be that there was a family connection, probably through Isabella. It may well be that the tenancy came with the marriage.

What ever may have been the case, the switch in jobs proved a sensible one, for, with the increase in the canal network, and the advent of the railway, the writing was on the wall for the long distance stagecoach in Central Scotland. The book "Stagecoach to John O'Groats" refers to the "Earl of Mar" coach itself, and uses it as an example of the fate of the long distance stagecoach. It actually refers to the coach as owned by Mein's of 100 Trongate, Glasgow, and running from Glasgow to Tillicoultry, finishing at the Clackmannanshire Inn of "Pay the Day and Trust the Man" (should be Morn?) with the driver being a Lowrie MacLaren. This must refer to the period after 1837 as the itinerary does not agree with Slater's Directory of 1837 and Ebenezer 11 is no longer the driver. Whether Mein's had owned the stagecoach when Ebenezer 11 had driven it or not I do not know. The book goes on to say that by 1844, (only six years after Ebenezer 11 had given up driving it), the "Earl of Mar" had been reduced to running a short-haul route between the railhead at Castlecary and Stirling, and by 1845 even that was ended.

Ebenezer 11 and Isabella had their first child, Elizabeth, on 22nd November 1838, and their second, a son, Ebenezer, followed almost two years later on 17th September 1840. The family still have a note of these and subsequent children along with their parents marriage.  Who wrote the record is unknown but I suspect it was  Isabella, their mother.

The Note of Ebeneezer and Isabella's marriage plus their subsequent children

Ebenezer Hendry & Isabella Thomson Was married on the 22 January 1838 Elizabeth Hendry Born on 22th November 1838 Baptised by the Rev Mr Hislop of Doune Ebenezer Hendry was Born on 17th Sept 1840 Ebenezer Hendry Died on 16 August 1841 Robert Hendry born on 16th of September 1842 Baptised by the Rev Dr Beath on 9th October 1842 Ebenezer Hendry Born 21th August 1844 Baptised by the Rev Dr Beath on 9th October 1842 Robert Hendry Died on the 15 of May 1845 John Hendry Born on the 26 November 1846 Baptised by the Rev Dr Beath 13th December 1846 John Hendry Died on 18th June 1848 Alexander Hendry Born 22th January 1849 Baptised by the Rev Dr Beath on 11th February 1849 Margaret Hendry Born 4th February 1852 Baptised by the Rev Dr Beath 7th March Elizabeth Hendry died at 101 St Georges Road, Glasgow on 30th January 1860 Elizabeth Hendry was married on October 1859in Stirling and Died on January the 30 1860 Ebenezer Hendry married 17th January 7th December 1867 to Agnes  Williamson, Helensburgh Ebenezer Hendry Snr died on the 13th May 1874  Aged 66

For the census of 7th June 1841 we find Ebenezer 11, with his two young children living at the Star Inn. Whether the "Agnes Hendry" recorded is actually Isabella and a mistake by the enumerator, or whether Isabella was away and this Agnes was a relative of Ebenezer 11's is not known as relationships are not given in this census. There were also three male servants and three female servants employed at the Inn.

1841 Census (7th. June) Stirling (490) Book 8 Page 27

Star Inn, Baker Street, Stirling.

**In 1841 censuses all ages over 15 were rounded down to the nearest 5 - e.g.. 50 could be anything from 50 -> 54, and no relationships were given.

Sadly the baby Ebenezer in this census was to die two months later, on 16th August 1841, aged 11 months.

Over the next ten years Ebenezer 11 and Isabella had a further four children, Robert, born on 16th September 1842, another Ebenezer (111 and the next generation in our family history), born on 21st August 1844, John, born on 26th November 1846, and Alexander, born on 22nd January 1849. Sadly both Robert and John died in infancy, Robert on 15th. May 1845 aged 2 years and 8 months, and John on 18th June 1848, aged 19 months. (For further details where known of the children of Ebenezer 11 and Isabella - Click here). The children who died in infancy, Ebenezer, Robert, and John, were buried in a lair alongside Stirling East Parish Church. Unfortunately the headstone has fallen face-down, making the grave difficult to identify.

The fallen Hendry headstone in the Graveyard of Stirling East Parish Church.

Although these personal tragedies must have been a blow, some solace at least must have been gained from the success of Ebenezer's businesses. With the aforementioned increase in the canal and railway network, (especially the latter), the 1840's saw a great expansion in trade, and also the beginnings of what is now the Scottish tourist industry. Ebenezer ll, like many of his generation, seems to have grasped the opportunity with both hands, not only managing the Star Inn, but also running a coaching business in conjunction with it.

An Advert for Ebenezer 11's Coaching Business - from the Stirling Observer of 6th June 1844

On and after MONDAY the 10th June THE FORTH and CLYDE CANAL COACHES, will leave the STAR INN, Stirling, for GLASGOW, as follows - At Half-past Ten a.m. and a Quarter-past Three p.m. FARES, ---- Inside and Cabin, 3s. ; Inside and Steerage, 2s. 6d. Outside and Cabin, 2s. 6d. ; Outside and Steerage, 1s. 6d. CHAMPION to Crieff and Perth at Half-past One p.m. OMNIBUS to Alloa at a Quarter to Five p.m. AND A Splendid New OMNIBUS to Bridge of Allan at the following hours - At Seven, and Half-past Nine a.m. Quarter to Two, and Five p.m. Returning from Philp's Bridge of Allan Inn, at Quarter-past Eight, and Ten a.m. Half-past Two, and Eight p.m. Passengers are booked from Glasgow to Bridge of Allan, via Canal, at Nine a.m., and Twelve Noon, and from Bridge of Allan to Glasgow, at Ten a.m., and Half-past Two p.m. Fares for the whole distance - Cabin and Inside, 3s. 4d. ; Steerage and Outside, 2s. 1d. From Stirling to Bridge of Allan only 4d .-------- The proprietors of this Omnibus solicit the support and patronage of the Public, as this Omnibus is put on the road with no other "motive" than the accommodating of Visitors to Bridge of Allan; and the Proprietors beg also to state that the omnibus will convey Passengers to Stirling in time for the Coaches to the Eleven o'Clock Train to Edinburgh, and Eleven and Three to Glasgow, and will wait at the different places of arrival of the Coaches from the Trains leaving Edinburgh at Eleven and Glasgow at Half-past Seven, Eleven, and Three o'Clock; so that Passengers may take their seats, and have their luggage put on the Omnibus without any inconvenience. Parties leaving Stirling at Seven o'Clock a.m. will have fully three quarters of an hour at Bridge of Allan DRIVERS PAID BY THE PROPRIETORS E. HENDRY & CO. Star Inn and Canal Office 5th June 1844

In the Stirling Observer of 6th September 1844, as well as advertising the Forth and Clyde Canal Coaches which already ran from the Star, Ebenezer was advertising his own Omnibus to Bridge of Allan, connecting with the Edinburgh and Glasgow trains. It would seem that the coach and horses hire part of the Star Inn's business was Ebenezer 11's own, E. Hendry & Co., and was expanding.

Advert for the Forth and Clyde Canal Coaches which already ran from the Star, and Ebenezer's own Omnibus to Bridge of Allan - from the Stirling Observer of 6th September 1844

"BY OUR PROFESSION WE LIVE." ------------------------------ A Splendid NEW OMNIBUS to BRIDGE of ALLAN, isnow running daily from the Star Inn, Stirling, at thefollowing hours:---          At Seven, and Half-past Nine A.M.            Quarter to Two, and Five P.M. Returning from Bridge of Allen to Stirling, at        Quarter-past Eight, and Tem A.M.        Half-past Two, and Eight P.M.   Passengers are booked from Glasgow to Bridge of Allan, via Canal, at Nine A.M. and Twelve Noon, and from Philp's Bridge of Allan Inn, to Glasgow, at Ten A.M., and Half-past Two P.M. Fares for the whole distance -- Cabin and Inside, 3s. 4d. ; Steerage and Outside, 2s. 1d. From Stirling to Bridge or Allan only 4d. ---------------------------   The Proprietors of this Omnibus solicit the support and patronage of the Public, as it is put on the road with no other "motive" than the accommodating of Visitors to the Bridge of Allan. The Omnibus will carry Passengers to Stirling in time for the Coaches to the Eleven o'Clock Train to Edinburgh, and Eleven and Three o'Clock to Glasgow, and will wait at the different places of arrival of  Coaches from the Trains leaving Edinburgh at Eleven and Glasgow at Half-past Seven, Eleven, and Three P.M. ; so that Passengers may take their seats, and have their luggage put on the Omnibus without any inconvenience.                 DRIVER AND GUARD PAID BY THE PROPRIETORS E. HENDRY & CO                 STAR INN, STIRLING, 13th June, 1844.

For the census of 31st March 1851 Ebenezer and Isabella were once again recorded at the Star Inn. As well as their three children, three servants, and a guest, they had a John Dawson aged 17, a printer's apprentice and a Agnes Dawson aged 15, recorded as relatives, staying with them. As previously mentioned, the Star was owned by a Dawson family, and the suggestion that Ebenezer was helped in gaining the tenancy by kinship connections either of his own or, more likely, his wife's, is not unreasonable.

1851 Census (31st. March) Stirling ( ) Book Page

Star Inn, Baker Street, Stirling.

The fact that the "Star" was a reputable and popular establishment is borne out by a report in the Stirling Observer of 3rd June 1851 on a farewell dinner held there in honour of a Mr. Fenton which states : - "It is almost needless to add that the supper which was of a very superior kind, amply sustained the well known respectability of Mr. Hendry's establishment."

Ebenezer 11 and Isabella had their seventh and final child, Margaret, born on 4th February 1852.

Over the next few years Ebenezer's business seems to have been going well. Well enough, at least, to make him worth robbing, for the Stirling Observer of 19th April 1855 reports the sentencing of a James Wilson or Rennie to 9 months imprisonment the procurator fiscal, Mr. Sconce, for stealing silver plated carriage rods from one of Ebenezer's coaches!

Also in 1855 Ebenezer 11 was investing in the business as was noted by a reporter for the Stirling Observer, and confirmed by an announcement by Ebenezer 11 himself in the same paper.

Ebenezer 11's announcement of the"Improvements" to the Star Inn - from the Stirling Observer of July 1855

THE "STAR" ---------- TO COMMERCIAL GENTLEMEN AND VISITORS TO STIRLING. ---------------------- EBENEZER HENDRY has pleasure in stating that, for the greater accommodation of COMMERCIAL GENTLEMEN, and to render his hotel more worthy of their patronage, and that of their Families and the general Public, he has lately, at considerable expense, caused a large addition to be built to his Hotel. The accommodation in the "STAR" is such as to combine real comfort with economy ; and E.H. trusts, from the very extensive patronage which his many commercial and other friends have conferred upon him during the last seventeen years, that they will duly appreciate this effort, on his part, to meet the wishes of his numerous patrons. STAR HOTEL Stirling, July 1855

In November of the same year, Ebenezer 11 was advertising, in the Alloa Advertiser, a property for sale in Broad Street, Alloa. Whether this had been bought earlier, possibly as an investment, or had been inherited, possibly from his father is not known. Equally it is not known whether the James Hendry, mentioned in the advert, was a relative or not. One can surmise that the money being raised was to help pay for the improvements made to the "Star".

Advert fro the Alloa Advertiser of November 1855

HERITABLE PROPERTY IN ALLOA FOR SALE  ALL AND WHOLE, the just and equal half, pro indiviso, of the SUBJECTS situated on the West side of BROAD STREET, Alloa, belonging to Mr. EBENEZER HENDRY, Innkeeper in Stirling, and occupied by James Hendry and others. Rental, £40 ; Feu Duty, Four Merks Scots, or 4s. 4d. Sterling or thereby.  Offers to be lodged with, and information given by, JOHN WATSON, Writer, No. 7 Mar Street, Alloa, in whose hands are the title deeds of the property.   Alloa, 17th November 1855.

In the Stirling Observer of 31st July 1856 the Star receives mention as the venue for the Stirling Boating Club Dinner. Once again the dinner receives praise, being described as "excellent and substantial". The occasion itself seems to have been a success, with "toasts, sentiments, and songs enlivening the proceedings".

Meanwhile throughout this period of the mid and late 1850's Ebenezer 111 was receiving his education at the old Stirling High School in Cowanes Yard under the guidance of William Young and Duncan McDougall.

On the 11th October 1859, Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Ebenezer 11 and Isabella, married John Rogerson a merchant with Alexander Paton & Co., soft goods merchants. The marriage took place in Stirling, and the fact that one of the witnesses was an Alexander Paton, presumably of Alexander Paton & Co., suggests that John Rogerson was an important part of that firm, if not a partner.

Sadly, on 30th January 1860, after only three months of marriage, Elizabeth died of jaundice. She was living at the time at 101 St. Georges Road, Glasgow, and was buried in the Glasgow Necropolis on 2nd February.

Presumably as a result of this marriage that Ebenezer 111, her brother, was found a position with the same Alexander Paton & Co. in Glasgow, as an accounts clerk in or around 1860. He had attended St. Andrews University for a year after leaving school, but what he had studied and why he was only there for a year is not known.

For the census of 1861 Ebenezer 111, was staying with his parents, and his younger brother and sister, at the Star in Stirling. I am assuming as he is recorded as an "accountant's apprentice", that he had already taken up employment with Alexander Paton & Co. in Glasgow, but was at home, possibly for the Easter holiday.

1861 Census (8th April) Stirling ( ) Book Page

Star Inn, Baker Street, Stirling.

Between 1861 and 1867, whilst Ebenezer 11 continued the successful running of the "Star", Ebenezer 111 worked on at Alexander Paton's in Glasgow. He seems to have been the kind of young man who would have enjoyed the bachelor life, and was a great sportsman. It was during this time that he started playing for Clydesdale Cricket Club, whose ground at this point was in Kinning Park, on the site of what is now the Glasgow Rangers Football Club ground. Ebenezer 111 remained a member of Clydesdale Cricket Club until his death in 1914.

Clydesdale Cricket Club Cricket Match Report 1867

On 17th December 1867, Ebenezer 111 married Agnes Williamson, the daughter of Alexander Williamson, owner of the Queens Hotel in Helensburgh, and Jane Glen. In the 1840's and early 1850's Alexander Williamson had been running the Kings Arms Inn at 66 Trongate, Glasgow and it was there that Agnes was born on 6th October 1844. (SEE ON LINE WILLIAMSON FAMILY HISTORY)

The marriage took place in Helensburgh, and there are two items of note on the wedding certificate. Firstly Hugh Douglas Rogerson, the younger half-brother of the previously mentioned John Rogerson, and of a similar age as Ebenezer 111, was one of the witnesses. Secondly Ebenezer 11, the groom's father, is listed as having "no profession". This was because he seems to have left the "Star" sometime earlier in the year, and moved to Glasgow, latterly in St. Georges Square..

Ebenezer 111 and his new wife set up home at 256 Dumbarton Road, but Ebenezer 111 did not let marriage interrupt his sporting life playing not only cricket at Clydesdale, but also football. Reports of the time suggest that he was a regular and valued player in both sports.

On 10th June 1868 Ebenezer 11 bought the building at 54 Murray Place, Stirling, and in the November of the same year he opened it as the "Station Hotel". It is interesting that in an advert placed in the Stirling Press and Advertiser announcing the opening of his new hotel, Ebenezer 11 took the opportunity of refuting a rumour that he had accepted a sum of money from the incoming tenant of the "Star", a Mr Menzies, for the "goodwill of the business".

Announcement of the Opening of the Station Hotel, Stirling - from the Stirling Press & Advertiser of 20th November 1868

HENDRY’S STATION HOTEL ------- EBENEZER HENDRY for many years Landlord of the "Star Hotel", Stirling, respectfully intimates that, having purchased the property in Murray Place, situated at the head of the Road leading to the Stirling Railway Station, he has had it newly fitted-up as a FIRST CLASS HOTEL, where every attention will be paid to the comfort of TOURISTS, COMMERCIAL GENTLEMEN, and other VISITORS. DINNERS, SOUPS, STEAKS, &c, on the Shortest notice. WINES, SPIRITS, PORTERS, and ALES. E.H. takes this opportunity of correcting an erroneous statement, which has been circulated to the effect that he had disposed of the good-will of the business carried on by him in the "Star Hotel" to Mr. Menzies. There is no foundation in this. The business was neither offered for sale, nor did he receive any remuneration or equivalent therefor.

By 1871 Ebenezer 11 was no doubt making as much of a success of the "Station Hotel" as he had done of the "Star", except now as owner, not tenant. It is at his new hotel that we find him and his wife for the census of 3rd April 1871. Their youngest daughter Margaret, now 19, is still at home, and a Margaret Craig is amongst the guests. This Margaret Craig was an aunt of Agnes Williamson, Ebenezer 11's daughter-in-law.

1871 Census (3rd April) Stirling ( ) Book Page

Station Hotel, 54 Murray Place, Stirling.

Back in Glasgow, Ebenezer 111 was now the father of two children, Ebenezer 1V, born on 25th January 1869, and Jean Glen, born on 16th August 1870. At the time of the census of 3rd April 1871, he, his wife and two children, were staying with his in-laws at the Queens Hotel, Helensburgh, possibly for the Easter holidays. As can be seen in this census both Ebenezer and Agnes's first children were born in Helensburgh, not at home in Glasgow.

1871 Census (3rd April) Row (Rhu) (503) Book ? (last one before training ship)

Queens Hotel, East Clyde Street, Helensburgh.

Just over a year after this census Ebenezer 111 and Agnes had their third child, a second daughter, Isabella, born on 8th July 1872, but despite his growing family Ebenezer 111's sporting life seems to have continued unabated, and at the inaugural meeting of the Scottish Football Association he had the honour, along with another Clydesdale player William Gibb, to be voted onto the committee. Clydesdale also provided the President in Archie Campbell.

For 1873 Ebenezer 111 was created Honorary Secretary for Clydesdale Cricket Club, and the following year, on 21st March 1874, he was chosen to play for Clydesdale against Queens Park in the inaugural Scottish Football Association Cup Final. After an exciting match in front of 2,000 spectators the Clydesdale team were beaten 2 - 0.  A book titled Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches by David Drummond Bone published in 1890 contains some references to Ebenezer and Clydesdale amongst which is a resume of Ebenezer’s footballing skills – “Ebenezer Hendry. - Mr. Hendry was more of a cricketer than a football player, and made many fine scores for his side during the early years of his career. With the exception of Mr. Gardner and Mr. Anderson, all the members of the Clydesdale could play cricket, and it was more for the purpose of keeping members together during the winter months that the dribbling game was started on Kinning Park (the old home of the senior cricket club of Glasgow). Mr. Hendry was a slow tackler, and took too long to get on the ball, but when he got a fair chance, was a very neat kicker, and showed good judgment.”

Unfortunately, seven weeks after this event, on 13th May 1874, Ebenezer 11, aged 66, died of heart disease in Stirling. Ebenezer 111, remained in Glasgow until after the birth of his fourth child, Elizabeth, who was born on 30th May 1874, after which he left his job and his friends at Alexander Paton & Co., and returned to Stirling to help his mother in the running of the Station Hotel.

On the occasion of his leaving Alexander Paton & Co. Ebenezer 111 was presented with a elaborate punch-cup stand by his friends there. The base of this is still in the family. Once back in Stirling Ebenezer 111 set up home at 19 Princes Street.

On 27th January 1875, his youngest sister, Margaret, married Charles Hercules Reynolds, an engineer, the son of Charles Reynolds, a hotel keeper, and Charlotte Hauds. He was living at 6 Radnor Terrace, Sandyford, Glasgow, at the time, although the marriage took place in Stirling. John Rogerson crops up again as one of the witnesses, and it is possible that, with her father being dead, he gave the bride away. Amongst their wedding presents was a handsome family bible from Mr. and Mrs. McLuckie, which, for some reason, is in the possession of our family.

Sometime the following year a Mr. John Sutherland was laid up at the hotel as the result of some kind of accident, as, on the 31st January 1876, he sent a copy of the "Complete works of William Shakespeare" from London, inscribing the front page with - "To Mr. Ebenezer Hendry in remembrance of the kind attention shewn by him to one, whilst I was laid up by an accident at the Station Hotel, Stirling". This is also still in the family's possession.

By the end of 1877 Ebenezer 111's family had grown to six, with the addition of Alexander, born on 23rd February 1876, and Agnes, born on 9th December 1877.

1878 was a disastrous year for Ebenezer 111. On 6th August 1878 his younger brother, Alexander, aged 29, and as far as is known unmarried, committed suicide. A precognition found that he had taken his own life at the Station Hotel by "Suicidal Poisoning having swallowed an ounce or thereby of Laudanum". Why he should have taken his own life was not recorded and at this moment in time remains a mystery.

Eight weeks later, on 1st October 1878 the City of Glasgow Bank, in which Ebenezer 111 had one £100 share, went bankrupt.  It was found to have debts of £12,400,000 against assets of only £7,200,000, and as it was not a Limited Company, (not uncommon in those days), the Shareholders were personally responsible for this debt. This meant that not only was Ebenezer 111's £100 share worthless, but that he, along with the rest of the Shareholders would be held liable for £2,750, per £100 share held, a substantial sum of money in those days.

Extract from Page 18 of Volume 11 of the "Glasgow Scrapbooks" listing City of Glasgow Bank Shareholders

Ebenezer 111 did manage to raise the money and stay solvent, seemingly by borrowing against a trust set up by his late father. When the affairs of the Bank were settled some four years later, on 1st October 1882, he was one of only 254 out of the 1819 original shareholders to avoid bankruptcy.

Finally, on 9th December 1878, his mother, Isabella Thomson, died aged 71, according to her death certificate. The death certificate also records the fact that she had been paralysed for a month and one cannot help but wonder if the suicide of her younger son and the financial disaster that had beset her elder son were contributory factors in her demise.

The following year Ebenezer 111 and Agnes had their seventh child, a daughter Margaret, born on 8th September 1879. Her birth is recorded at 54 Murray Place, the Station Hotel itself, but some time after Margaret's birth the family seem to have taken up residence 52 Murray Place, next door to the hotel. Possibly Ebenezer 111's expanding family was taking up too many potentially paying rooms !! Certainly by the census of 1881, although Ebenezer 111 and Agnes are still listed at the Station Hotel, 54 Murray Place, the children, along with their nurse, are listed next door at 52 Murray Place.

1881 Census (3rd April) Stirling ( ) Book Page

Station Hotel, 54 Murray Place, Stirling.

NEXT DOOR

1881 Census (3rd April) Stirling ( ) Book Page

52 Murray Place, Stirling.

Eleven months after this census, on 8th February 1882, Ebenezer 111 and Agnes had their eighth child and third son, John Williamson Hendry, my Grandfather, who was born next door to the Station Hotel, at 52 Murray Place, Stirling.

Over the next five years Ebenezer 111's family continued to grow, with the births of Robert on 9th November 1883, Helen on 19th May 1885, and, lastly, Mary on 9th July 1887. The final score was 11 children, (4 boys and 7 girls), over 20 years.

1891 started inauspiciously with the sad death of Jean Glen, Agnes's mother, who died on 5th January, aged 70, in the Queens Hotel in Helensburgh.

In March 1891 Ebenezer 111 was elected president of the Albert Place Bowling Club. It would seem that since his return to Stirling from Glasgow, Ebenezer had continued to indulge his love of sport, being a member of Stirling Castle Curling Club, and Stirling County Cricket Club, as well as the Albert Place Bowling Club. He was also a regular spectator at Kings Park F.C.'s matches.

Report on the Annual Meeting of the Stirling Bowling Club from the Stirling Observer of 1st April 1891

BOWLING STIRLING CLUB.- The annual meeting of this club was held on Thursday night, when the following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year:- President, Mr E. Hendry ; vice-president, Mr R. Cairns ; secretary, Mr H. Robb ; treasurer, Mr R. Walker ; directors, Councillor W. Crawford, Messrs Thomas Wilson, W. Paton, Jas. Brown, T. Gentles, senior, H. M. Kirkwood, and Jas. Thomson. Councillor Crawford presided at the meeting, and the turnout of members was large.

During his time in Stirling Ebenezer never seems to have entertained ambitions in the sphere of local politics, although he was an elder in the Stirling East Parish church under the Rev J. P. Lang. His one foray into public affairs was sports related, of course, being to do with the provision of new swimming baths.

For the census of 3rd April 1891, Ebenezer 111 and Agnes were recorded as living, along with 9 of their 11 children, at the Station Hotel, 54 Murray Place, 52 Murray Place seemingly having been relinquished. Ebenezer 1V, and Isabella, who would have been aged 22 and 19 respectively, are not recorded and may have flown the nest by this time.

1891 Census (3rd April) Stirling ( ) Book Page

Station Hotel, 54 Murray Place, Stirling.

Sadly six months after this census, on 11th October 1891, Agnes Williamson, Ebenezer 111's wife, died of " a malignant disease in the abdomen", aged only 47.

To make matters worse the following month her father, Alexander Williamson died, aged 77, on 17th November 1891, in Helensburgh, only eleven months after the death of his wife, Jean Glen.

No doubt devastated and now a widower with 9 children, Ebenezer 111 decided to quit the hotel business and at the end of 1891 put the Station Hotel up for sale by "public roup", (auction).

Offer of the Station Hotel for sale from the Stirling Observer  of 30th December 1891

HOTEL AND HORSE AND CARRIAGE HIRING BUSINESS AND PREMISES FOR SALE --------- There will be exposed to Sale by Public Roup, within the Station Hotel, Murray Place, Stirling, on Friday 22nd January, 1892 at One O'clock p.m. The STATION HOTEL, Murray Place, Stirling, with the STABLING and HORSE and CARRIAGE PREMISES and other conveniences behind, also the GOODWILL of the BUSINESS. The Hotel, which is close to the Station, contains a number of Public Rooms and 10 Bedrooms. A large part of the Horse and Carriage Accommodation, which is very extensive, has been recently erected, and there is stabling for 32 horses. The business has been carried out by the present proprietor and his father for 23 years, and is well and favourably known to tourists, commercial gentlemen and the public. The proprietor is giving up the business in consequence of family bereavement. For further information, apply to Mr E. HENDRY, Station Hotel, Stirling ; or J. & J. MATTIE & MCLUCKIE, Writers, Stirling, who hold the Titles and Articles of Roup.

In January of 1892, with the sale by public roup having failed to produce a purchaser, Ebenezer sold the Station Hotel to Mr. James Lennox, proprietor of the Golden Lion Hotel for £5400.

Announcement of the Sale of the Station Hotel, Stirling - from the Stirling Press & Advertiser of January 1892

SALE OF THE STATION HOTEL.- Mr. Hendry's Station Hotel, which was exposed by public roup on Friday but which failed to find a purchaser, was sold privately on Tuesday to Mr. Lennox, Golden Lion Hotel, along with the goodwill of the business for £5400.

The Station Hotel in Stirling after its sale to James Lennox circa 1900??

With the Station Hotel sold Ebenezer took temporary residence at a large house called Beechwood (now council offices), in Newhouse, Stirling, possibly deciding what to do next.

Beechwood, Stirling, as it looks today

Despite the sad circumstances that occasioned it, Ebenezer 111 must have been heartened by the "Complimentary Dinner" held by his peers to mark the occasion of his retiral from the Station Hotel.

After about a year in residence at Beechwood, Ebenezer 111 moved with his family back to Glasgow, to become a partner with Gilmour & Co. Silk Merchants. He and his family took up residence at 284 Maxwell Drive, Pollokshields, on the south -side of Glasgow.

No doubt Jean Glen, his eldest daughter, would have been the mistress of the household, whilst her younger brothers and sisters continued their education, the girls attending Albert Road Academy, and John Williamson Hendry at least, attending Hutcheson's Academy. Ebenezer 111 meanwhile returned to Clydesdale Cricket Club, membership of which he had maintained during his time in Stirling, and in 1898, at the dinner to celebrate the Club's Jubilee, he was one of the croupiers.

At the time of the 1901 census the family were still resident at 284 Maxwell Drive, Pollokshields.

1901 Census (7th April)  Glasgow (644/13)  Book 35  Page 41/42

284 Maxwell Drive, Pollokshields, Glasgow

In 1907 Ebenezer 111 retired from business, and bought the Waverley Hotel, in Dumfries. The Hotel was purchased from Mrs. Cameron for £5200.  This was no doubt to provide for his eldest daughter, Jean Glen, who seems to have been "house-keeper" for him since the death of his wife, and Mary his youngest daughter.

A notice of the purchase of the Waverley Hotel by Ebenezer Hendry

SALE OF A DUMFRIES HOTEL.- We understand that the Waverley Hotel, Dumfries, has been sold by Mrs Cameron to Mr. Ebenezer Hendry, merchant, 284 Maxwell Street, Pollokshields, Glasgow, for £5200. Messrs J. Henderson & Sons, solicitos, Dumfries, were the agents fo the seller ; and Messrs Finlay, Smith & Fulton, solicitors, Glasgow, agents for the purchaser.

Of his children : -

His eldest and youngest daughters,  Jean and Mary White, lived with him in Dumfries and stayed on there after his death.  Ebenezer 1V, a grain merchant, married Margaret White Stevenson, from Kilmarnock, on 23rd March 1904, in Durban, Natal, South Africa.  Robert and Alexander went of to Canada.  Isabella became a house-keeper and remained a life long spinster. Agnes and Helen became teachers.  I believe Elizabeth married a Mr. Anderson and went of to India, returning on her husband's retirement to live in Croydon.  Margaret married Robert Hall Waddell, a traveller in tweed, and went to live in the borders.  John Williamson, (next generation in our family history), remained in Glasgow and became a solicitor.

In Dumfries Ebenezer 111 of course joined Dumfries Cricket Club, and settled down to his retirement. He died seven years later, on 2nd April 1914, at the Waverley Hotel, shortly after paying his 50th annual subscription to Clydesdale Cricket Club to which he had still retained his membership. The Stirling Observer carried an obituary. Ebenezer 111 was laid to rest in the family grave in Stirling alongside his father, mother, and wife. 

The second Hendry grave in the graveyard of the Stirling East Church.

In his will he named Jean Glen Hendry and Mary Hendry as his executors, leaving an estate valued at £773 18s. 2d. and the running of the Waveley Hotel passed to his eldest daughter Jean Glen Hendry.

A notice of the transfer of the license for the Waverley Hotel from Ebenezer Hendry to his daughter Jeannie Glen Hendry

WAVERLEY HOTEL LICENSE -- At a sitting of Dumfries Burgh Licensing Court yesterday Miss Jeanie G. Hendry was granted a transference of the license for the Waverley Hotel held by her late father. Baillie Smart, who presided, said the bench were satisfied that Miss Hendry would conduct the hotel in a very efficient and able manner..

By the time of his father's demise, John Williamson Hendry, had qualified as a solicitor through the profession. He was living in Pollokshields at 3 Nithsdale Place, and was, of course, a member of Clydesdale Cricket Club.

The first record of him practising his profession is his listing in the Glasgow Directory of 1911, practising law at 121 Bath Street. By 1912 he had moved to 191 West George Street, and by 1914 he had moved again, this time to 108 West Regent Street, and was listed as Hendry & Husband.

On 3rd July 1917, in the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow, John W. married a Robina Adam, the daughter of William Adam, a locomotive engineer, and Agnes Stewart. Robina was born on 6th December 1887 at 42 Garturk Street in Glasgow, but was orphaned, aged 11, after the death of her mother on 20th June 1899, her father having died some three years previously on 3rd April 1896. After a seemingly unhappy spell living with a married elder brother, the young Robina went to live with a elder sister, Jane Burns Adam. Jane Burns had married James MacGregor Gordon, a cashier, (and later director), with Caldwell, Young & Co., a firm of silk merchants. This seems to have been a much more successful arrangement as she seems to have been received with great kindness, and treated as one of the family. (SEE ADAM & STEWART FAMILY HISTORY) 

Whilst living in Pollokshields, Robina would have attended Albert Road Academy, along with the younger Hendry daughters, at least. It is also possible that Ebenezer Hendry (senior) and James MacGregor Gordon would have been acquainted through their common involvement in the silk trade, Ebenezer being a director of Gilmour & Co., silk merchants, during the 1890's.  (There is a prior if convoluted link between the families of John W. Hendry and Robina Adam.)

Of course at this time the Great War was raging in Europe and John Williamson Hendry was recorded on his marriage record as "Writer (Cadet Officer - Cadet Battalion)". It is unknown whether he was already a member of the Territorial force prior to the war or whether he had volunteered sometime after the outbreak. 

However by January 1918 he was a commissioned officer, 2nd Lieutenant, in the 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion H.L.I. and on 24th January 1918 he joined the regiment at Alnwick Camp, Potljze, near Passchendal , Belgium, on the Western front and was assigned to B Company. At this time the British army were increasingly short of officers as they suffered a higher casualty rate and this may be reflected in John W seeing active service despite being 36. After a fairly quite first few weeks the Battalion was moved back to the front near Passchendale where they remained seeing sporadic action throughout March.

By the 7th April the Battalion was in billets at Izel-les-Hameau awaiting a move to the south in support of troops who had been hard pressed containing a  German  assault in the Vimy Ridge \ Amiens areas. On the 10th April they set  of  but had gone no more than a couple of miles when they were ordered back  and  re-directed  to the north where the Germans had launched a fresh offensive  on the northern front around the Bassee Canal. The battalion was moved north and took up positions in the Bailleul \ Neuve Eglise area.

Over the  next  few  days it took part in some fierce fighting and seems to have played  a  major  role  in  stemming  the  German  advance  in  that  area. Unfortunately John W was wounded on the 13th April and it is assumed was taken to  the rear. By the time this particular phase of operations was completed on  20th  April 1918 with the battalion’s move to billets at Noordpeene the casualties list was - Killed: Officers 7, Other Ranks 60. Wounded: Officers 13, (including 2 at duty), Other Ranks 172. Missing: Other Ranks 154.

The previous information was extracted from "The War Diary of the 9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion Highland Light Infantry - 'the Glasgow Highlanders' 1914 to 1919" as transcribed by Alec Weir(WO 95 1347 and WO 95 2431.) and "Shoulder to Shoulder - The Glasgow Highlanders 9th. Bn. Highland Light Infantry 1914 -1918" by Colonel A. K. Reid, GB, CBE, DSO, MC, TD, DL. Both books can be found online at the Royal Highland Fusiliers website http://rhf.org.uk/rhf in the online books section. There is obviously a lot more detail in these sources.

I  suspect as a result of his wounds John W never returned to active service in France. On his recovery and the cessation of hostilities he resumed his law practice, and hopefully life settled down to normal domesticity.

Two years later, John and Robina had their one and only child, my father, James MacGregor Gordon Hendry, born 21st March 1919. He was named after the husband of Jane Burns, Robina's sister, as a mark of gratitude for taking Robina in as part of their family after Robina's mother's death, and the kindness shown to her.

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