William McCreath (1802-1879), who farmed at Forehill by Ayr, married Margaret Crichton (1802-1879). Forehill was a farm of 80 arable acres, requiring the employment of two labourers. Interestingly, in the 1861 Census at Forehill, is listed a William Crichton, brother-in-law of William, the family head. William Crichton was a Foreman Grain Merchant.
William and Margaret had fourteen children:
James McCreath (i) (1830-1837) Died age 7.
William McCreath (1831-1858) A Banker’s Clerk. Unmarried. Died, age 26, at Forehill on 13 July 1858. Buried at Alloway Churchyard.
John McCreath (1834-1840) Died age 6.
Thomas McCreath (1836-1875). Unmarried. Grain Merchant (earlier a Steam Boat Agent’s Clerk). The stone in Alloway Kirk records his place of death as Alexandria, Egypt. His nephew, John Barr, was part-owner of a Cotton business in Egypt.
James McCreath (ii) (1838-1855) Unmarried. Drowned in Calcutta in 1855.
Robert McCreath (1839-1894) Farmer at Forehill. Unmarried. Died, age 55, on 2 November 1894.
Christina McCreath (1841-??) Married John Barr.
John McCreath (1843-1902) Farmer at Comlongan Mains. Unmarried.
Margaret McCreath (1844-1917) Married Thomas William Glen.
Henry McCreath (1846-1916) Married Agnes Isabella Miller.
Andrew S. McCreath (1849-1930) Married Eliza Berghaus. Emigrated to USA
Jane Ballantine McCreath (1852-1941) Unmarried. Died, age 89, on 19 July 1941 at Ayr.
David McCreath (1853-1939). Married Jane Kirkwood Campbell.
James McCreath (iii) (1857-1939) A farmer. Unmarried. Died, age 83, on 7 April 1939 at Dumfries.