2.Thomas STALEY. Born abt 1769 in Durham, England. Thomas died in Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland, on 18 Aug 1851; he was 82.3
Thomas is believed to have gone to Scotland for employment, he married there and settled in Muirkirk to raise a family and remained there for over 60 years, his wife Mary and three of his children predeceased him, he was to see the departure of some of his children overseas also some of his grandchildren with some of their children to Australia and America, in his later years two of his widowed daughters lived with him in the cottage at Muirkirk.
On 13 Jul 1787 when Thomas was 18, he married Mary RITCHIE in Leadhills, Lanarkshire, Scotland.3 Mary died on 13 Mar 1831 in Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland.3
They had the following children:
i.
Margaret.
Born on 10 Aug 1788 in Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland.3 Margaret died in Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1876; she was 87.4
Margaret is listed in the 1851 census as a widow aged 62, her occupation being: sewer of white seams, she was living with her father and her sister Fortune, in Muirkirk. Margaret was listed in the 1837 Ayrshire Directory by Pigot & Co. in Muirkirk under Shopkeepers and Traders as a Dressmaker, still in Muirkirk with Fortune in 1861 and alone in 1871.
On 9 Dec 1808 when Margaret was 20, she married John McGEE McGhee in Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland.5 John died on 25 Aug 1836 in Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland.3
ii.
Anne.
Born on 18 Mar 1791 in Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland.3 Anne died in Cork, Ireland, on 11 Oct 1842; she was 51.3
There is an Ann Greig in the 1841 Scottish Census aged 50 living alone, working as a Cotton Hand Loom Winder, on the same page as Fortune and her husband in Westmuir, Shettleston, Lanarkshire
On 28 Apr 1817 when Anne was 26, she married Thomas GREIG in Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland.6
iii.
Fortune.
Born on 18 Sep 1792 in Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland.3 Fortune died in Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland, in Oct 1863; she was 71.7
Fortune is listed in the 1851 census as married, aged 58, her occupation was: sewer and stocking weaver, she was with her father and her sister Margaret at Muirkirk. The 1861 Census has her still in Muirkirk with Margaret, married, aged 68, Stocking Netter, her Death Certificate says she was the widow of Patrick Jeffray, Weaver, there is a possible marriage in October 1833. Listed in the 1841 census with Patrick Jaffray born Ireland abt 1786, a Cotton H L Weaver, address Westmuir, Shettleston, Lanarkshire.
On 19 Jan 1821 when Fortune was 28, she first married Robert STEWART in Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland.8
Fortune second married Patrick JAFFRAY. Born abt 1786 in Ireland.