Mary Heron

Mary Heron was the eldest daughter of John Heron, a watchmaker and silversmith in Greenock and Janet Laurie. She was born in 1798 and had 7 brothers and 4 sisters. She married James Steel, who had also grown up in Greenock, in 1825, when he moved to Glasgow with the Clyde Shipping Company. They lived in York Street near the Broomielaw docks and raised 8 sons, although one died in 1854 aged 21. Two sons joined their father in a lighterage and towage company, while three went to India and two to Australia. Mary's husband died in 1858 and she died of heart disease in 1871, soon after her son Thomas returned to Glasgow to marry. They are buried at the Necropolis in Glasgow.

Mary with sons, John, Octavius, Thomas and Robert - Jan 1871