David Napier by David Napier and David Bell: Note 4
4. FRANCIS SMITH
Mr. Napier was married in Glasgow in 1814 to Marion Smith, whose likeness is shown at page 76. His father-in-law, Francis Smith, had engine works at Camlachie, but appears to have resided at Rutherglen, where, at his death, he left some heritable property. His burgess ticket reads as follows:
"At Rutherglen, the fifth day of May, seventeen hundred and seventy-five years.
The which day in presence of Gabriel Gray Esqr present Provost of Rutherglen compeared Mr Francis Smith, Engineer at Camlachie, who was admitted and made Burgess Freeman and Guild Brother of the said Burgh, and received into the haill Priviledges, Libertys, and Immunitys of the same for services done and to be done by him to the said Burgh. And he has given his oath de fideli as use is.
Extracted by
JAMES MARSHALL, Clk."
One of Mr. Smith's sons, Francis, acted as David Napier's factor when he left Glasgow; and another, David Adam Smith, with his brother-in-law James Rodger as partner, carried on for many years the business of Smith and Rodger, engineers and shipbuilders. Their engine works were at first in Hyde Park Street, afterwards at St. James's Foundry, Broomielaw, immediately west of Tod and McGregor’s premises. Their Middleton shipyard at Govan was, after Mr. Rodger's death, occupied by Mr. John Dobie; and on his death was acquired by the London and Glasgow Engineering and Iron Shipbuilding Company Limited.
Mrs. Rodger (Janet Smith), the last survivor of Francis Smith's family, died at Glasgow, 31st August 1891, aged eighty-seven years.