John Galt is perhaps the most well-known of those buried in Inverkip Street Cemetery, Greenock. A plaque on the cemetery gates highlights his importance there.
Three flat stones mark the Galt family plot. The first stone marks the burial place of John
Galt (1750-1817) and his wife Jean Thomson (1746-1820). John Galt (1779-1839), writer, explorer and
founder of the city of Guelph in Canada is added on at the end - almost as an
afterthought. The wording reads:-
"Here are deposited the remains of John Galt, formerly shipmaster, and afterwards merchant in Greenock. He died 6th August 1817 in the 67th year of his age having uniformly enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him. Also Jean Thomson his spouse who died 18th July 1826 in the 80th year of her age. Also John Galt their son who died on the 11th April 1839 in his 60th year, author of The Annals of the Parish etc etc."
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Galt's parents, John Galt and Jean Thomson were married in Irvine in Ayrshire in 1776. Their son John was born in 1779 at Irvine. The family moved to Greenock when John was 10 years old. As a shipmaster, his father found it more convenient and probably more financially rewarding to sail from Greenock. He was connected with trade to the West Indies. John Galt (senior) built a house with a garden at the northwest corner of Westburn Street and West Blackhall Street in Greenock. There's a plaque on the wall where the house once stood. At that time the area would have been much quieter, and not as built up as it was later to become.
John and Agnes Galt had four children – John was the eldest born in 1779, Agnes born in 1781, James born in 1783 and Thomas born in 1785. John Galt described his parents -
"My father was one of the best, as he was one of the
handsomest men, but he was of an easy nature.
My mother was however a very singular person possessing a masculine
strength of character with great natural humour."
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His mother seems to have been a strong woman with her easy-going husband being away at sea for much of the time. She had educated John at home when they lived in Irvine. He had many memories of those days which he wrote about in his autobiography.
The third gravestone marks the burying place of John Galt's sister Agnes Galt (1781-1855) and reads -
“This stone is erected in affectionate remembrance by Agnes
Galt, widow of Robert Andrew Macfie, late merchant in Greenock who died 28th
October 1811 esteemed by those who knew him best. Surviving all parents, brothers, husband and
children, during a long pilgrimage throughout which upheld by Christian hope
she bore with patience, much bodily suffering and zealously sought the kingdom
of God on earth. This old disciple
finished her course in peace 30th April 1855 and was buried here. Phil III, 20.21.”
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Agnes Galt married Robert Andrew Macfie in Greenock in 1806. Robert was a grocer and merchant in Greenock, son of Robert Macfie sugar refiner and his wife Mary Andrew (he was one of 11 children). He died in 1811 and is buried here. Agnes Galt Macfie died at 7 Brougham Street in Greenock in 1855. She is buried here with her husband. She had outlived all her family as the gravestone poignantly mentions.
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The middle stone marks the burying place of the three children of Agnes and Robert Macfie. Their son, Robert Andrew and daughters Mary and Jane Thomson died relatively young. The stone reads:-
“Robert Andrew McFie, fell asleep in Jesus 28 October 1824 in the 17th year of his age and Mary, his sister 13th May 1826 having just copleted her 15th year. Both died in faith with joyful hopes of a blessed immortality. Also their sister Jane Thomson Macfie who departed this life with longing desire to be with Christ. She died 5th September 1831 age 22 years. The Saints in early life removed in sweeter accents sing and blessed the swiftness of the flight that bore them to their King.”
John Galt's widow and three sons all settled in Canada and became important figures in the history of that country. It seems fitting that Galt himself should be buried with the people who had most to do with the nurturing of his genius in his early life. Around him in Inverkip Street Cemetery, Greenock are the graves of many of those well known to him during his years living in Greenock.
