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Monument Inscription
IN MEMORY
OF
ROBERT CLEWS
DIED 19TH AUGUST 1879
AND HIS WIFE
HELEN McLEAN
DIED 4TH FEBRUARY 1901
Family History
This three tiered stone topped with a cross is the only one of this design within the Mearns Kirkyard still standing.
Erected in memory of Robert Clews, it also commemorates his wife Helen McLean. Robert was born in the Mearns on 14th April, 1853 to James Clews, a ploughman by occupation, and his wife Janet Dunlop.
By 1878 Robert had left his rural surroundings to train in the nearby metropolis of Glasgow as a law clerk, and had also taken to courting a girl from that city called Helen McLean. He was living in lodgings at 17 Minerva St, which in those times was a good class area bordering on the west-end of Argyle St in Glasgow.
His courtship of Helen McLean was obviously successful, as it culminated in the couple being married on 7th June, 1878. The marriage took place at 5 Tillie St, Glasgow, possibly the manse of the officiating minister the Rev. John Lang of Barony Parish.
Where the couple set up home is unknown, but it does not appear that it was in the Mearns district.
The bride’s parents were John McLean, a tailor to trade, and Agnes McDonald.
Helen, at the time of her marriage, resided with her parents at 318 New City Road, Townhead, Glasgow.
Unfortunately the marriage was not to be lengthy one, as Robert within six months of the event was to contract tuberculosis. Perhaps in an effort to stave off the ravages of this condition, he returned to his parent’s home in the fermtoun of Netherplace, but to no avail. At 1.30am on 19th August, 1879 Robert was to pass away leaving a young wife to grieve over what their life might have been. There were no children of this union.
Helen Clews nee McLean, never remarried, but was also to die relatively young, aged only forty-eight years, at 6 Moss St, Paisley on 4th February, 1901. The cause of death was given as peritonitis and congestion of the brain. The death was reported by a nephew Robert Craig of Netherplace, Mearns.
The surname Clews is open to mis-spelling as it is shown on Robert Clew’s death certificate as Clues.