Robert (Glasgow) Glasgow of Montgreenan

Biography of Sir Robert Glasgow of Mountgreenan
Robert Glasgow of Mountgreenan (1747-1827) was a prominent figure in the history of the Glasgow area, known for his significant contributions to the community and the legacy he left behind.
Early Life and Business Ventures
Robert Glasgow was baptised in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland, on 18 October 1747. Kilbirnie Parish, Church of Scotland, "Old Parish Registers Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland (ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk) : viewed 30 Dec 2025), Robert Glasgow 18 Oct 1747, son of Robert Glasgow and Margarat Allan; citing Ref 10 / 116, parish 596: Robert laul son to Robert Glasgow of Puddevenholm & Margaret Allan Oct 18. He was the third but eldest surviving son and heir of Dr. Robert Glasgow of Puddevenholm and Margaret Allan. Like many sons of the gentry class of his time, Robert journeyed to the British West Indies as a young man where he was determined to make his fortune. He lived for some years on the island of Saint Vincent and was remarkably successful in his business enterprises, albeit through the use of the enslaved population of the island. He eventually established a shipping company based in Saint Vincent which took part in the triangular trade of carrying British textiles and other manufactured goods to African ports, slaves to the West Indies and Americas, and sugar, tobacco or cotton back to Britain. https://web.archive.org/web/20050924143852/http://montgreenanhotel.com/welcome_history.asp 
Family
While living in Saint Vincent, Robert is known to have had three natural children by at least two different women of African descent:
#John Glasgow.
#Amelia Glasgow, born c.1781, daughter of Rosalie Labroad.
#Anne Glasgow, born c.1784, daughter of Annie Swann.
Robert brought his daughters back to Scotland and, on 23 February 1802 in Dunlop, Ayrshire, he married Rachel Dunlop, daughter of John Dunlop of Dunlop (or, of that Ilk). Dunlop Parish, Church of Scotland, "Old Parish Registers Banns and Marriages," database, National Records of Scotland (ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk) : viewed 30 Dec 2025), marriage of Robert Glasgow and Rachel Dunlop, 23 Feb 1802; citing Ref No: 20 / 211, parish 591: 20 Feb 1802 Robert Montgomery Esq. of Montgreenan in the parish of Irvine and Miss Rachel Dunlop in this parish gave in their names for proclamation in order to marriage and were married the 23rd same month. They had no surviving issue, but built a life in the Glasgow and Ayrshire areas. https://aanhsorg.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/gazetteer-of-ayrshire.pdf 
Acquisitions and Legacy
Robert Glasgow expanded his estate by purchasing the lands of Fergushill from the McVicar family around 1800. He had also acquired the sugar plantations of Mt. Greenan and Sans Souci while in St Vincent. Robert left his various estatee to his youngest daughter Anne, who was now married to Mr. Robert Robertson of Prenderguest. The estates were settled on herself, her husband and their heirs, with the stipulation that they use the surname of Glasgow. This daughter, Mrs. Robertson Glasgow, resided in Pau, France, after the death of her husband. Her eldest survivng son and heir, Robert Robertson Glasgow, Esq., served as the Sheriff Substitute at Paisley, was married, and had a family. 
Montgreenan Mansion
In 1817, Robert Glasgow commissioned the construction of a Georgian mansion on his estate, which included architectural features designed by Alexander 'Greek' Thompson. This building, known as Montgreenan Mansion, was the home of the Viscounts Weir until 1982, when it was sold and converted into a hotel. The building is Category A listed by Historic Scotland. The modern house of Mountgreenan is located about three miles from Kilwinning. The original seat was located on a small knoll in a pleasant valley by the side of the Lugton, about half a mile north from the current mansion. Today, the building is used as a school or academy for boys, under the charge of Mr. Wilson from Glasgow. The school can accommodate forty boys within the house, and it is reportedly in a thriving state and highly regarded. 
Last Will and Testament of Dr. Robert Glasgow
Robert Glasgow passed away at Montgreenan House on 19 April 1827. By an earlier trust settlement, he had left sums of money to both his son (who was now deceased, without legitimate issue) and elder daughter, and also his brother James's natural sons, Robert and James. However, it is believed the bequests to his nephews was later successfully challenged in court. 
Biography of Robert Robertson Glasgow
Robert Robertson Glasgow, the beneficiary under the will of his father-in-law Dr. Robert Glasgow, changed his name to Glasgow as per the will's provision. The eldest son of Alexander Robertson of Gunsgreen House, Eyemouth, Robert Robertson succeeded his father in 1804. He married Anne Glasgow, the natural daughter and heir of Robert Glasgow, inheriting the sugar plantations of Mt Greenan and Sans Souci in St Vincent in 1828. He submitted claims for compensation for these plantations. Robert graduated in Medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1797 and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1802. He and Anne had four surviving children: Robert, Philadelphia Jane, Anne, and Charlotte Marie Cecilia. In 1841, Robert Glasgow, then aged 65 and of independent means, was living at Holly Walk, Leamington Priors, with his family and several servants. His eldest son, also Robert, was the father of Wilhelmina, who was one year old at the time. The baptism record of Charlotte in Edinburgh on 20/07/1828 states that she was born in Rome on 22/11/1827. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/27300 
Research Notes
Robert is stated in some tertiary sources to have held the title "Sir" but this is erroneous.
Sources
*Sir Robert Glasgow on wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Robert_Glasgow)

== Biography of Sir Robert Glasgow of Mountgreenan ==
{{One Name Study|name=Glasgow}}
{{Notables Sticker}}

Robert Glasgow of Mountgreenan (1747-1827) was a prominent figure in the history of the Glasgow area, known for his significant contributions to the community and the legacy he left behind.

=== Early Life and Business Ventures ===
Robert Glasgow was baptised in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland, on 18 October 1747.<ref>Kilbirnie Parish, Church of Scotland, "Old Parish Registers Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland ([https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk ScotlandsPeople] : viewed 30 Dec 2025), Robert Glasgow 18 Oct 1747, son of Robert Glasgow and Margarat Allan; citing Ref 10 / 116, parish 596: Robert laul son to Robert Glasgow of Puddevenholm & Margaret Allan Oct 18.</ref> He was the third but eldest surviving son and heir of Dr. Robert Glasgow of Puddevenholm and Margaret Allan. Like many sons of the gentry class of his time, Robert journeyed to the British West Indies as a young man where he was determined to make his fortune. He lived for some years on the island of Saint Vincent and was remarkably successful in his business enterprises, albeit through the use of the enslaved population of the island. He eventually established a shipping company based in Saint Vincent which took part in the triangular trade of carrying British textiles and other manufactured goods to African ports, slaves to the West Indies and Americas, and sugar, tobacco or cotton back to Britain.<ref name=hotel>https://web.archive.org/web/20050924143852/http://montgreenanhotel.com/welcome_history.asp</ref>  

=== Family  ===
While living in Saint Vincent, Robert is known to have had three natural children by at least two different women of African descent:
#[[Glasgow-2952|John Glasgow]].
#[[Glasgow-3789|Amelia Glasgow]], born c.1781, daughter of Rosalie Labroad.
#[[Glasgow-2874|Anne Glasgow]], born c.1784, daughter of Annie Swann.
Robert brought his daughters back to Scotland and, on 23 February 1802 in Dunlop, Ayrshire, he married [[Dunlop-2189|Rachel Dunlop]], daughter of John Dunlop of Dunlop (or, of that Ilk).<ref>Dunlop Parish, Church of Scotland, "Old Parish Registers Banns and Marriages," database, National Records of Scotland ([https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk ScotlandsPeople] : viewed 30 Dec 2025), marriage of Robert Glasgow and Rachel Dunlop, 23 Feb 1802; citing Ref No: 20 / 211, parish 591: 20 Feb 1802 Robert Montgomery Esq. of Montgreenan in the parish of Irvine and Miss Rachel Dunlop in this parish gave in their names for proclamation in order to marriage and were married the 23rd same month.</ref> They had no surviving issue, but built a life in the Glasgow and Ayrshire areas.<ref name=gazeteer>https://aanhsorg.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/gazetteer-of-ayrshire.pdf</ref>

=== Acquisitions and Legacy ===
Robert Glasgow expanded his estate by purchasing the lands of Fergushill from the McVicar family around 1800. He had also acquired the sugar plantations of Mt. Greenan and Sans Souci while in St Vincent. Robert left his various estatee to his youngest daughter Anne, who was now married to Mr. Robert Robertson of Prenderguest. The estates were settled on herself, her husband and their heirs, with the stipulation that they use the surname of Glasgow. This daughter, Mrs. Robertson Glasgow, resided in Pau, France, after the death of her husband. Her eldest survivng son and heir, Robert Robertson Glasgow, Esq., served as the Sheriff Substitute at Paisley, was married, and had a family.<ref name=gazeteer/>

=== Montgreenan Mansion ===
In 1817, Robert Glasgow commissioned the construction of a Georgian mansion on his estate, which included architectural features designed by Alexander 'Greek' Thompson. This building, known as Montgreenan Mansion, was the home of the Viscounts Weir until 1982, when it was sold and converted into a hotel. The building is Category A listed by Historic Scotland.<ref name=hotel/> The modern house of Mountgreenan is located about three miles from Kilwinning. The original seat was located on a small knoll in a pleasant valley by the side of the Lugton, about half a mile north from the current mansion. Today, the building is used as a school or academy for boys, under the charge of Mr. Wilson from Glasgow. The school can accommodate forty boys within the house, and it is reportedly in a thriving state and highly regarded.<ref name=gazeteer/>

=== Last Will and Testament of Dr. Robert Glasgow ===
Robert Glasgow passed away at Montgreenan House on 19 April 1827. By an earlier trust settlement, he had left sums of money to both his son (who was now deceased, without legitimate issue) and elder daughter, and also his brother James's natural sons, Robert and James. However, it is believed the bequests to his nephews was later successfully challenged in court.<ref name=gazeteer/>

=== Biography of Robert Robertson Glasgow ===
Robert Robertson Glasgow, the beneficiary under the will of his father-in-law Dr. Robert Glasgow, changed his name to Glasgow as per the will's provision. The eldest son of Alexander Robertson of Gunsgreen House, Eyemouth, Robert Robertson succeeded his father in 1804. He married Anne Glasgow, the natural daughter and heir of Robert Glasgow, inheriting the sugar plantations of Mt Greenan and Sans Souci in St Vincent in 1828. He submitted claims for compensation for these plantations. Robert graduated in Medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1797 and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1802. He and Anne had four surviving children: Robert, Philadelphia Jane, Anne, and Charlotte Marie Cecilia. In 1841, Robert Glasgow, then aged 65 and of independent means, was living at Holly Walk, Leamington Priors, with his family and several servants. His eldest son, also Robert, was the father of Wilhelmina, who was one year old at the time. The baptism record of Charlotte in Edinburgh on 20/07/1828 states that she was born in Rome on 22/11/1827.<ref>https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/27300</ref>

== Research Notes ==
Robert is stated in some tertiary sources to have held the title "Sir" but this is erroneous.

== Sources ==
<references />

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Robert_Glasgow  Sir Robert Glasgow on wikipedia]