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Note: In 1850 when James was a year old a book describing rambles around Glasgow was published by a Hugh MacDonald and he gave his impression of Grahamston when he alighted from the Glasgow train, "a clean and tidy-looking suburb of Barrhead, nestling finely at the base of the Fereneze Braes, and overlooking a picturesque sweep of the murmuring Levern." So it would appear that it was quite a pleasant place to stay for the baby James. The area was, by this time, known as Barrhead and our rambler seems to be quite impressed,
"The village consists principally of one street, running from east to west, and about half-a- mile in length, with a number of irregular and struggling offshoots. The houses are for the most part plain two-storeyed edifices, without the slightest pretensions to architectural elegance. They have generally a snug, comfortable look, however, and in the rear of the majority we were pleased to observe a well-stocked kailyard, with abundance of curly-headed greens, and a proportionate quantity of leeks and onions. Many of the shops would not discredit Glasgow or Paisley."
"We observe several shops for the sale of books and periodicals, and we learn that for many years a Mechanics' Institution has maintained a comparatively vigorous and healthy existence in the village."
"There are no lack of public-houses of high and low degree in the village, most of which look as if they did a pretty fair stroke of business."
"On a Saturday night, of course, there is occasionally a spree; but the stong infusion of pugnacious Irish blood among the population, will easily account for this fact; while the absence of a proper police force leaves riotously inclined parties in a great measure to the freedom of their own will. The navvies, indeed, who are the principal offenders in this respect, and who revel inthe Donnybrook license accorded to them, are not unfrequently heard to apostrophize the village affectionately, as "Sweet little Barrhead! where there's never a jail nor police-office." The quiet and orderly inhabitants, however, who fortunately form an overwhelming majority, are doubtless tempted occasionally to wish that they had either a "jail or a police-office" among them, for the purpose of keeping these mischief-loving vagabonds in due subordination. It is said that midnight rows have become much less frequent since the establishment of a Roman Catholic priest in the locality a few years since. If this is really the case, it is but fair that his reverence should receive due credit as a peacemaker."
It would be interesting to hear his observations of the town today.
In 1881 census Boarder was Hugh Livingstone from Dunfermline, Fife, engine fitter
James Jack described as labourer in 1881
Death certificate has him as a shoemaker.
1901 on Mary Jack's marriage certificate he is down as a shoemaker.
1891 Census
At home are James and Maggie along with Thomas, William, Mary, Sarah, John and James jnr. The property is still described as Jack's Land and has six other tenants namely Robert and Catherine Robertson (he was a carter) and the four individuals of the McAndrew family.
1901 Census
There are no Jacks mentioned in 17 Graham Street in the census. Four families occupied the property, the Coughbroughs, Fregusons, Browns and McAndrews. It looks as though on the death of Thomas Jack in 1896 that for a while anyway the Jacks rented the house out. What is difficult to determine is where John, Sarah, James and Mary stayed at this time. 19 Graham Street was occupied by Lizzie and nephew Henry.
At this time the Jacks stayed in 87 Main Street, Barrhead. Living there were sons Thomas, John, Sarah, James. Along with them were staying Arthur Renfrew and James' daughter Mary who had married Arthur who was a blacksmith in Neilston. At this time they had a daughter named Margaret.
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