James Troup

James Troup was born on 3 July 1850 in Skelton, Yorkshire, England. He was the son of Robert Troup and Jane Robertson. James Troup was baptized on 2 August 1850 at Skelton Old Church, Skelton, Yorkshire, England.

James Troup appeared on the census of 1851 at Skelton, Yorkshire, England, in the household of his father.¹

James Troup appeared on the census of 1861 at Skelton, Yorkshire, England, in the household of his father.²

James Troup appeared on the census of 1871 at Skelton, Yorkshire, England, in the household of his father; he was shown as an ironstone miner.³ The mines were in the Cleveland Hills and supplied ore for Middlesbrough blast furnaces. About this time he became interested in the temperance movement and, helped by Mr. W. Lapsley of Redcar, started publically speaking against the evils of drink. At first this was confined to his own area, but later spread throughout the north of England. In 1881 he was appointed full-time Temperance Missioner based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was "well known for his earnestness and vigour of address."

James Troup appeared on the census of 1881 at Westgate, Northumberland, England, as a boarder in the household of John Howie; his occupation was given as Agent of Band of Hope Union.⁴

James Troup married Annie Mary Smith, daughter of Thomas Smith, on 12 September 1882 at the Friends Meeting House, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, England.⁵

James Troup and Annie Mary Smith resided at Newcastle, Yorkshire, England.

James Troup died on 29 June 1898 in Craighouse, Edinburgh, Scotland, at age 47. He had a large funeral and was buried in Elswick Cemetery, Newcastle. His lengthy graveside eulogies all commented on his untiring work for the temperance movement throughout the North.⁶ (an unknown value.)⁷

This information about James Troup is from the histories of the Troup and Robertson families compiled in 2001 and 2003 by Margaret Elizabeth Troupe of Stockton-on-Tees, England, unless otherwise noted.