Peasants to Puddles
My Family History - By Nicky Rowberry

The Gemmells

Jean Gemmell was one of my 4xgreat grandmothers. She was born at Glendouran in Crawfordjohn, Lanarkshire in 1787, the 6th child of William Gemmell and Jean Ballantyne (or Bannatyne, or Bannatain).

Jean's parents, William Gemmell and Jean Bannatain had married in Crawfordjohn in 1775. At their marriage William was said to be from Crawfordjohn, but Jean was said to be from Robert - probably meaning nearby Roberton. I've not found a likely birth for William Gemmell yet, but Jean Bannatain is probably the one born in Wiston and Roberton in 1750 to John Bannatain and Mary Liddell.

William & Jean Gemmell has at least 8 children including my 4xgreat grandmother Jean. Their first born son was called John Gemmell which, if they followed the Scottish naming pattern that was prevalent at the time, would suggest William's father was called John. Most of William and Jean's children seemed to have survived to adulthood and can be seen in the family tree below. According to his daughter's death certificate, William Gemmell was a lead smelter. Lead mining was a major industry in the area at the time. William Gemmell died in Crawfordjohn in 1817 at which point he was said to be 69, suggesting a birth date around 1748. His wife Jean Bannatain died in 1825. Sadly there doesn't seem to be a surviving gravestone for them.

The family tree below summarises what I know about the Gemmell family. It is hopefully reasonably accurate, but if you spot any errors, or any relatives, please feel free to E-mail me

Please click on one of the red links on the tree to move to a different page.

If any of the above is of further interest, please feel free to contact me at: n.rowberry@btinternet.com

© Nicky Rowberry 2026

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Peasants to Puddles - My Family History. By Nicky Rowberry