Page:The Stephenson Family (1906).pdf/14

 oldest, and Henry, born 1745, was the youngest son. One account is that Henry Stephenson reared six sons. Robert, the date of whose birth is not known, nor is there any record to be found by which the date of his birth can be ascertained, was the oldest. The names of the next four sons of Henry Stephenson are not known, nor the dates of their birth. But the sixth son of Henry Stephenson was born at Bloody Laws and baptized February 27, 1745, in Oxnam church. The family were Presbyterians. The son, Henry, remained in Scotland. He was a tailor. From circumstances it is indicated that Robert, Henry's oldest son, was born about the year 1723. Another account is that Henry Stephenson reared four sons and two daughters. This account makes Robert the oldest, and Henry the youngest of the sons of Henry Stephenson of Ricalton, Scotland. This account makes Robert the oldest son and gives the date of Henry's baptism the same as the other account. But it says there were two sisters and four brothers, and it gives their names and the dates of their births except in the case of Robert. This account makes Jane, the second child, born 1736. It is generally believed the first account is the correct one. There is also an account of a John Stephenson, who reared a family about the same time and in the same county. The names of John's children are common to the Stephenson name then and now. He most likely was a brother to Henry.

There has been much search made in Ayrshire and Roxburgh Counties, Scotland, the former home of the Stephensons, for the history of the ancestors of George Stephenson, since he became celebrated as the builder and promoter of the first locomotive engine and railroad in the world. But meager results have followed