The Family of John Sproule of Ardvarney West

Part 3 - John ‘Jack Roe’ Sproule of Curraghamulkin, the Record of his Death

Written by Larry McKay, a descendant of John Sproule

John Sproull of Ardvarney West was born about 1776 [1] to John “Jack Roe” Sproule of Curraghamulkin (aka of Cornear) and his second wife Elizabeth Edwards. John of Ardvarney first married Ann Edwards, daughter of Robert Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards [2], who were first cousins. Very little is known about Ann, including when she died, but it could have been 1820 or later. John of Ardvarney then married Mary Toner (sometime before 1823 in Ireland ), who accompanied John and his son Edward, from wife Ann Edwards, to Quebec, Canada in 1823.

The Grave of John Sproule of Ardvarney West,
picture from Landon Sproule

Mary was born about 1785 [1]. An Irish Catholic Parish record has surfaced for a Maria Toner baptism March 9/1787 in Dublin, parents Richard and Maria Toner. There is no proof this is the same person. John Sproule died November 26/1853 [3],[5]. The last record for Mary Toner was the 1851 Census for Canada East. It is unknown at this time what happened to Mary Toner. She doesn’t appear to be interred with husband John Sproule of Ardvarney. Perhaps she is interred in a Catholic cemetery in Quebec or it could be possible she returned to Ireland after John’s death. John Sproull of Ardvarney West is buried in plot #185  St. James Anglican Cemetery in Ormstown, Quebec, along with other family members.[5]

1851 Census of Canada West, Ancestry.com

Children of John Sproull of Ardvarney West and Ann Edwards:

1. John Sproule born about 1803, married Phoebe Porter in 1829 in Ireland. They lived in Ormstown, Quebec, Canada.
2. Edward Sproule was baptised on July 12/1805 in Ardvarney West, Magheraculmoney, Fermanagh, and was born to John Sproull of Ardvarney West and Ann Edwards. [6] He married Margaret Dundas in Quebec. She was born 18 Jan 1818 in Co. Fermanagh, Ireland to Moses Dundas and Margaret Steele. Edward came to Canada in 1823 with his father, step mother and possibly other family. Edward and Margaret had a family of twelve children. Edward died December 29/1892 in St. Stanislaus-DE-Kostka, Beauharnois, Quebec [3], [5] and wife Margaret died December 18/1901 in Ormstown, Quebec [3], [5]. They are interred in the family Plot #185 St. James Anglican Cemetery in Ormstown, Quebec [5].

3. Thomas Sproule was born 22 May 1808 in Ardvarney West. He was baptised in St. Marys Church, Ardess, Fermanagh
4. Joseph Lowden Sproule was baptised on January 14/1812 in Ardvarney West, Magheraculmoney, Fermanagh and was born to John Sproull of Ardvarney West and Ann Edwards ( 6 ). Joseph appears in the 1851 Census for Canada East with his father, brother Henry, step mother and step sister Matilda. In the 1861 Census for Canada East Joseph appears with his brother Edward and his family. Joseph died April 14/1877 [3], [5] and is interred in family Plot #185 St. James Anglican Cemetery in Ormstown, Quebec. [5]
5. Henry Frederick Sproule was baptised September 8/1816, and was born in Ardvarney West, Magheraculmoney, Fermanagh, to John Sproull of Ardvarney West and Ann Edwards [6]. Henry appears in the 1851 Census for Canada East with his father, brother Joseph, step mother and half sister Matilda. In the 1861 Census for Canada East Henry appears with his brother William and family. Henry and  brother William served in the militia with the Beauharnois Battalion a privates in 1838. Henry died February 13/1862 [3], [5] and is interred in family Plot #185 St. James Anglican  Cemetery in Ormstown, Quebec. [5]

6.          William Sproule was born in Ireland in 1818, according to the 1851 Census of Canada East, or 1820 according to Chateaguay Church records. His parentage was unsure until a Deed of Donation was found showing his father,  John Sproull of Ardvarney West, had given him land in Ormstown, Quebec.[7] The identity of his mother is still unclear (which is covered in another post on this blog ). William did not come to Canada with his family in 1823, but later, in 1835.[8] He married Mary Whelan in Quebec. She was born August 15/1824 in Ireland. Her parentage is unknown at this time. The 1911 Census of. Canada indicates that Mary Whelan arrived in Canada in 1847. U.S./Canada Passenger List Index verifies the arrival of Mary Whelan alone in Quebec in 1847. She appears in the 1851 Census for Canada East as Mary Whaling (Line 24), with her husband William Sproule and their 1 year old daughter Mary.[1] It may be coincidence, but in the previous household on Line 22 on the same page of the same census is a Jerry Whaling.[1] Church records show his name to be Jeremiah Whelan. William and Mary Sproule named one of their sons Jeremiah Sproule which may indicate some kind of relationship to Mary. William and  Mary Sproule had a family of nine children. William Sproule died December 1/1900 in Ormstown, Quebec at the age of 80 years.[3] Wife Mary died April 2/1913 in Ormstown, Quebec. [8]

Children of John Sproull of Ardvarney West and Mary Toner:

1.      Twins John and Mary Sproule were born to John Sproull of Ardvarney West and Mary Toner on March 21/1824 in Hemmingford, Quebec. They were baptized on March 23/1824 in Hemmingford, Quebec.[3] No further information is available.

2.       Margaret Sproule was born to John Sproull of Ardvarney West and Mary Toner March 26/1826. She married Alexander Craig Brown April 11/1856 in Ormstown, Quebec.[3] Alexander was born to William Brown and Mary Barr April 22/1820 in Quebec.[3] The birthdate on his gravestone doesn’t match his birthdate in church records. Alexander and Margaret had six children. Margaret Sproull Brown died March 9, 1912 in Howick, Quebec and husband Alexander Brown died March 11/1906.[3] They are interred in Georgetown Protestant Cemetery, Howick, Quebec. [9]

3.       Matilda Sproule was born to John Sproull of Ardvarney West and Mary Toner June 15/1828 in Hinchinbrook, Quebec. [3]She was baptized January 22/1829. [3] Matilda died June 8/1904 in Ormstown. [3] She is interred in family Plot #185 St. James Anglican Cemetery in Ormstown, Quebec.

Sources :

[1] 1851 Census of Canada East, Canada West, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, Ancestry.com

[2] The Father of Elizabeth Edwards, 2nd wife of John Sproule of Curraghmulkin,  Kate Tammemagi, Sproule Genealogy

[3]  ChateaguayValley Church Records, Southwestern Quebec Genealogical Resources, Huntingdon County and the Seigniories of Chateauguay and Beauharnois

[4] Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915, National Library of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Microfilm Number: Microfilm 09084 / 01; Ancestry.com

[5] St. James Cemetery, Ormstown, Qubec

[6]  St. Marys Church Ardess Records transcribed by George Armstrong; Ireland Genealogy Projects

[7] Deed of Donation, W F Lighthall, Notary (No. 250  to No. 449),  Châteauguay Valley Notary Records

[8] Huntingdon Gleaner 

[9] Georgetown Protestant Cemetery, Howick, Quebec

[10] 1861 Census of Canada, Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Census Returns For 1861; Roll: C-1274; Ancestry.com

[11]  Militia Pay Lists, Companies in the Beauharnois Battalion, Châteauguay County

More on the Family History of John Sproule of Ardvarney West and Ormstown

• The Sproules of Ardvarny House, County Fermanagh
  
• John ‘Jack Roe’ Sproule of Curraghamulkin, Part 1 - The Context
  
• Part 2 - John ‘Jack Roe’ Sproule of Curraghamulkin, Pieces of the Jigsaw
  
• Part 4 - John ‘Jack Roe’ Sproule of Curraghamulkin – and the Second Wife
  
• The Children of John ‘Jack Roe’ Sproule of Curraghamulkin and his Two Wives
  
• Part 6 – the Father of Elizabeth Edwards, 2nd wife of John Sproule of Curraghmulkin
  
• The Big Breakthough in Sproule DNA, Using the Mutation
  
• The Sproule Maize that is Altamullan – Fitting the Final Pieces
  
• Transcription of Deed Dated 24 Jan 1822 Edward Sproule to Lowther Brien
  

 

 

The Family of Robert Sproule of Kirlish and Jane Greer Part 2

 There are three of the younger generation in the Sproules of Kirlish grave in Lysky Graveyard. Two of these died in tragic accidents.

Robert William Arnold Sproule

The first is Robert William Arnold Sproule, son of John Sproule of Kirlish and his wife Elizabeth Arnold. The gravestone tells us that poor Robert ‘drowned while bathing’. Robert William Arnold Sproule was born on 15 June 1872 in Dergmoney, Drumragh, in the home of his Grandfather, Rev John Arnold.[1]

Birth record for Robert William Arnold Sproule,
irishgenealogy.ie

When Robert was just 14 years old, he lost his life whilst swimming at Mullaghmore on 23^rd June 1887. The death certificate records that an inquest was held on 24^th June, and this was determined to be accidental drowning of a schoolboy. The inquest was held in Tyrone, which indicates that this Mullaghmore was also in Tyrone.

Death record for Robert William Arnold Sproule 
irishgenealogy.ie

John Arnold Sproule

The second young man in the Kirlish grave in Lysky graveyard was John Arnold Sproule and there is some confusion as to who exactly he is. Find a Grave records him as the son of John Sproule and Elizabeth Arnold. However, John Arnold Sproule cannot possibly be the son of this couple, as their son was, in fact, John Irwin Sproule, born on 8 June 1877. This birth was also in the home of his grandfather Rev. John Arnold in Dergmoney, Drumragh.

The birth of the son of John Sproule and Elizabeth Arnold 
irishgenealogy.ie

Now this entry has no name, so how can we be sure that this is not John Arnold Sproule? Quite simply. When John Sproule of Kirlish who married Elizabeth Arnold died on 27 June 1919, his son was there with him. That son was John Irwin Sproule. (Irwin and Irvine are often interchanged)

The death record of John Sproule of Kirlish, husband of Elizabeth Arnold
irishgenealogy.ie

John Irwin Sproule was born on 8 June 1877, and he is the son of John Sproule and Elizabeth Arnold. By-the-way, John Irwin was also born at Dergmoney.  He was married on 21 April 1899 to Mary Jane McCrea, the daughter of William McCrea of Tullyard.

The marriage of John Irwin Sproule of Kirlish and Mary Jane McCrea
 irishgenealogy.ie

John Arnold Sproule was the eldest of their 5 children,  born on 9^th July 1900, in Newpark, Tyrone.

The birth of John Arnold Sproule irishgenealogy.ie

So John Arnold Sproule named on the gravestone is the grandson of John Sproule and Elizabeth Arnold, not their son as named on Find a Grave.

John Arnold Sproule had an accident on the road at Drumnaforbe, when he was riding his bicycle and he collided with a motor lorry. He received severe head injuries and did not recover. He died on 19 Apr 1924, aged 23.

The report of the death of John Arnold Sproule,
Londonderry Sentinel, Thursday 24 Apr 1924
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

Ann Alice Sproule

Ann Alice Sproule is the last child in this grave in Lysky. She is the daughter of Robert Sproule, son of Robert Sproule of Kirlish. Little Ann Alice died on 1 Mar 1870 aged just 8 years. It is her father, Robert Sproule, son of Robert of Kirlish, who is the mystery man.

Next post will look at this.

Note

[1] Rev Arnold Sproule had a house and one acre of land in Dergmoney Lower and this is recorded in PRONI Valuation book, VAL/12/B/41/36C (1867 - 1878) Dergmoney lower

The Family of Robert Sproule of Kirlish and Jane Greer Part 1

 The missing one is the son Robert. The other children of Robert Sproule of Kirlish are well known to those with an interest in this family. The mystery was the son Robert. Who was he? Where was he?

Many of the family of Robert Sproule of Kirlish are named on the family Gravestone which is in the grounds of the old Church at Lysky, in West Longfield. Well, it is actually within the walls of the old church – as is shown below. The Kirlish grave is number 108 below:

The Old Church at Lysky Graveyard
thanks to Sheena McClure

We can see on the gravestone that Robert Sproule of Kirlish died on 1 June 1845 aged 53 years.

Text on the Grave 108
in Lysky Graveyard

His death notice in the Londonderry Sentinel of that week included the information that Robert of Kirlish had many children and I know of at least 10 of them;

“On Sunday, the 1st inst., at Kirlish, Robert Sproule, Esq., aged 58, he has left a wife and large family.” Londonderry Sentinel 14 Jun 1845.

Robert’s mother Rebecca is in this grave too, and we learn from the gravestone that she died on 4 July 1850, at the ripe old age of 94.  

She was Rebecca Porter, daughter of Robert Porter, affluent merchant, postmaster and later Burgess in Strabane.[1][2] He was married to a Sproule, Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Sproule of Golan and two of his children had also married Sproules. So the children of Robert Sproule of Kirlish had Sproules on both sides of their family.  Robert Porter died in 1793 in Strabane, and he left £500 in his will to his daughter Rebecca Sproule, mother of this Robert Sproule of Kirlish. [4]

The land in Kirlish was leased by Joseph Sproule of Clover Hill when his son Robert was just a child. Joseph of Clover Hill, father of Robert of Kirlish, was a Curraghamulkin Sproule.  By the time the Tithe Applotment Tax was recorded in 1826, Robert had 26 acres in Kirlish and Joseph, his father, has 18 acres.

Robert is listed as owner of freehold land in Kirlish in 19 May 1829 to 12 June 1832 in the The Strabane Morning Post. The Freehold land was actually a measure of status at that time, as owning a piece of freehold land entitled you to a vote. Robert was known as  ‘Robert of Clover Hill’ in that list of freeholders.  He is also Robert of Clover Hill in a deed dated 11 Oct 1832. What this indicates is that Robert was not living in a house in Kirlish in this year, probably because his new Kirlish house was being built.

We don’t know when exactly Robert married Jane Greer, his wife who is buried there with him in the Kirlish grave. [6] However, we do know that their eldest son Edward, who died in Australia, was born in about 1816 according to his death record. He died on 15 Jun 1888 in Glenmaggie, Dawson, Victoria and his age is given as 72. So the marriage of his parents must have been about 1814 / 1815 ish.[7]

This is the other the mystery in this family, one I don’t know the answer to. Edward Sproule was the eldest son and heir to the Kirlish lands. Why did he go to live in Australia?  Edward was a farmer like his father.  Why was he not at home taking over the father’s lands?  I would love to know know the answer to this mystery.

I do know that it was John Sproule, younger brother of Edward, who took over the lands of his father. I also know that John travelled to Australia in 1855, a trip that was known to be temporary, he was definitely coming back. This is mentioned in a deed dated 31 Mar 1855 [8]. Is it possible that John went out to accompany his brother Edward on his journey to Australia, and to settle him in?  Or perhaps John travelled to Australia to try to bring Edward back? Hopefully the story of this Edward Sproule will emerge some day.

John Sproule is in this grave in Lysky, he died on 7 June 1919, aged 88. He is the only son of Robert of Kirlish and Jane Greer who is in this grave. With him is his grave is his wife Elizabeth or Bessie Arnold, she was the daughter of the Reverend John Arnold of Omagh. They were married on 21 April 1871, and they had 4 children that I know of.

Three daughters of the Kirlish family,  Marie, Rebecca and Anne Eliza are named on this gravestone in Lysky too. Marie died young at aged 20 in 1852. Rebecca, who died in 1879, and Ann, who died in 1887, were both single ladies living in Kirlish House. A fourth daughter, Jane, also died in Kirlish House on 15 Jun 1889, aged 75:

“Died June 15, at her brother’s residence, Kirlish House, Drumquin, JANE SPROULE, last surviving daughter of the late ROBERT SPROULE.” June 20 1898 Londonderry Journal

There are some grandchildren of Robert and Jane in this grave too, and we will look at them in the next post.

References

[1] Robert Porter as postmaster, London-Derry Journal, 26 March 1773, confirms that Robert Porter was the postmaster of Strabane in the mid-1770s; Porter was also the local agent for theJournal. PRONI D623/A/32/77

 

[2] Robert Porter made Burgess in Strabane in 1781 and confirmed by James, Earl of Abercorn in a letter to James Hamilton dated 4 June 1781, "Robert Porter is an old established trader in Strabane, and has very good pretensions to be the burgess" PRONI Ref; D623/A/24/109

[3]  Robert Porter was being considered as Burgess in Strabane in 1772. In a letter from James Hamilton to the Earl of Abercorn, the agent says, "Robert Porter was not in the former list; he is brother-in-law to Mr John Sproul, he is a considderable dealer. He is a Presbiterian."  17 April 1772 PRONI Ref; D623/A/40/24   

[4] Will of Robert Porter in PRONI Ref; T/564/146 

[5] Tithe Applotment West Longfield PRONI: FIN 5A/204/1 & 2

[6] JJ Elder Page 1 of his Sproule Family trees shows the wife of Robert Sproule of Kirlish as Greer 

[7] Death of Edward Sproule - “Name Edward Sproule Death Age72 Birth Date1816 Death Date Abt 1888 Death PlaceDawson, Victoria Registration Date1888 Registration Place Australia FatherRobert Mother Jane Greer Registration Number6017” Australia Death Index, 1787-1985, Ancestry.com

[8] Deed dated 31 Mar 1855 between Jane Sproule & John Sproule of Kirlish and Henry Echlin. Robert Sproule is standing in and has power of attorney for John Sproule, as John was , “then on his way to Australia”.  1855 11 224 Registry of Deeds, Familysearch.org 

 

 

[1][2]

Information for Clondermot Sproules

 This could well be a strong lead for one of the Clondermot families. We have a timeline that shows exactly when one particular Sproule family left this area. We have a William, son of Samuel Sproule leaving Ireland for America in 1772.

The family is in Mountcastle, Donaghedy, in north Tyrone.

In 1745 there was a Muster Roll of the Manor of Donelong. This is where they assess how many men are in this Manor who are capable of joining an army should it be needed.

In 1745 there was one Sproule, Samuel Sproul who had 1 musket. [1] 

Picture from the excellent Bready Ancestry Site

Now in 1772 we have a series of mentions of this Mountcastle family in the letters between the agent and the Landlord of this area.

In this we learn that William Sproul of Mountcastle has received letters from relations in America, encouraging him to go there. William Sproule of Mountcastle, a likely son of Samuel of Mountcastle, left Ireland in late 1772, or Jan 1773 for America. They were joining other members of the family there.

Here are the letters from PRONI with the reference of each letter.

James Hamilton, Strabane, to Earl of Abercorn, 5 May 1772

Daniel McMorriss of Gortmellan and William Sproul of Mt Castle, came to me some considerable time ago; Sproul told me he had letters from relations in America, encouraging him to bring over his family with him there, and that he agreed to sell his lease to McMorriss, who resolved fixing his son in it; I told them I would inform your Lordship of it, but it really escaped my memory, not did I think of it, till McMorriss called to know whither your Lordship had approved of it; neither of them were bad tenants, but McMorriss is the best'. He is uneasy about the arrears of John McCreirey of Burndenet; the rent is very large and he has not paid since 23rd July when he cleared the year 1768 rent. T2541/IA/1/10/68

James Hamilton, Strabane, to Earl of Abercorn, 28 August 1772

I will let John Hamilton know the reason that your Lordship does not consent to his purchaseing William Sproul's holding in Mountcastle. D623/A/40/59

James Hamilton, Strabane, to Earl of Abercorn, 8 December 1772

William Sproul of Mount Castle who first sold his farm to Daniel McMorriss (who gave it up upon not being able to pay the fine) and afterward to John Hamilton who your Lordship would not accept of as tenant, as he would not go immediately to live on it, has now sold it to Stephen Todd of Castlemellan, who purposes leaveing a son by a former wife in Castlemellan and removeing to Mountcastle; both Sproull and Todd came to tell me of it this day; they desired I should know from your Lordship whither it is a year or half a year's rent that is to be paid, if your Lordship consents to the bargin. D623/A/40/72

James, Earl of Abercorn, London, to James Hamilton, 5 January 1773

As you think George Leitch was a punctual payer of his rent, you will remit half the fine. And William Sproul's land in Mountcastle must pay but half a year's rent, because it was allowed to be sold, before the last regulation.

[1] Muster Roll & Account of Firearms, October 10, 1745, PRONI Ref: D623/A/27/63, transcribed by Tina Trook in Ulster Ancestry Facebook Page

Picture from Bready Ancestry, a must visit site for all Clondermot Sproules. 

Robert Sproule, son of Robert of Kirlish and Jane Greer – who he is NOT!

Find a Grave and I have a stormy relationship. In Ancestry we often find incorrect information and some, frankly, ludicrous details. We are used to this, accustomed to it, and so we always check everything we see on Ancestry. But not so on the Find a Grave website – for on this site, we have FACTS! There are gravestones, there are cemetery records to back up these facts.

We also know that it is real researchers who put up all of these precious records, volunteers from all over the world who do the hard work to gather these facts. They visit cemeteries, or they transcribe pages and pages of cemetery records. We know, and greatly appreciate, the hard work that goes into each and every one of these precious nuggets that is gathered and provided for us on  Find a Grave. 

We do not expect Find a Grave to simply reproduce Ancestry myths. But  Find a Grave has been infiltrated, and in among those carefully gathered facts, in amonst all that hard work, are purveyors of Ancestry myths.  I admit that this brings out the worst in me! Here is a typical example.

This is the grave entry for Robert Sproule Jr., son of Robert Sproule of Kirlish in  Find a Grave.   Find a Grave tells us that Robert Jr. is in Grave 108 of Lysky Cemetery near Omagh. And remember, people believe this:

 Find a Grave entry for Robert Sproule Jr. in Grave 108
Lysky Cemetery, 1 Jan 2022

At the bottom of this record is the inscription from Grave 108, that lists all of the members of the family of Robert Sproule of Kirlish and his wife Jane Greer who are in this grave[1].  This stone is real, and it lies flat in the grounds of Lysky Church.

 Find a Grave tells us that  Robert Sproule Jr., son of Robert of Kirlish and Jane Greer, is in this grave and that he died on 5 Jan 1878 aged 46-47. 

We can also see on the gravestone record that Jane, relic of the late Robert Sproule of Kirlish, also died on 5 Jan 1878.  Both mother, Jane, and son, Robert Sproule Jr., died on the same day, 5 Jan 1878.

BUT and it's a really big BUT. There is only one person recorded on that inscription as having died on 5 Jan 1878 - not two. There is only Jane, no Robert. 

If we look even more carefully, there is only one Robert recorded on the gravestone as being buried in this grave, not two. There is a daughter of son Robert named, she is Ann Alice Sproule who died in 1870, but no son Robert's death is recorded on this gravestone at all.

Maybe Robert Jr. is in a written record - not on the stone. Perhaps a volunteer found a church record and they knew that Robert was in that grave. Perhaps the  Find a Grave person had that information.

So we look on Irishgenealogy.ie, the Irish Government site, for the deaths of Jane Sproule of Kirlish and her son Robert. We find the record of Jane’s death;

Record of the death of Jane Sproule of Kirlish from Irishgenealogy.ie

Jane, wife of Robert Sproule of Kirlish, did indeed die on 5 Jan 1878 in Kirlish, aged 79.

Is there a record in Irishgenealogy.ie of her son Robert Sproule Jr.s death on the same day, aged 46-47? 

No.

Maybe he lived somewhere else. Let's look at other Robert Sproules who died in January 1878. Are there any?

No.

Is there a record of ANY Robert Sproule dying at ANY time in the year 1878?

Yes, there is one – he was 16 years old and the poor lad lived in Killen.

Maybe we should expand the search. We'll look at the years 1877 to 1879. Here we find 4 Robert Sproules who died in those years. Could any of these be our Robert, son of Robert of Kirlish, who was 46-47?

None of them, not one single Robert Sproule, was aged anywhere close to 46-47.

Now this is really astounding! Ancestry myths are usually the wrong person on the wrong tree. So this Robert Sproule would normally have been a real person placed incorrectly with the family of Kirlish. But this Robert Sproule didn't  exist. Somebody made him up. This  Find a Grave record is pure fiction.

I have no idea who created this fiction, and frankly I don’t care. But I do know the lady who put it up on  Find a Grave , Donna Lee Wall, and she has steadfastly refused to remove it.

Source given for  Find a Grave Entry of
Robert Sproule Jr. 3 Jan 2022

So now having got that off my chest, let’s look for the real family of Robert Sproule of Kirlish and Jane Greer. First question, did they have a son called Robert at all? Was there ever a Robert Sproule Jr of Kirlish?

Well, yes. Robert of Kirlish did indeed have a son called Robert, and I think I've found him. 

I actually found him years ago, but even I was put off the scent by the myths of the purveyor of Ancestry myths on  Find a Grave!

References:

Robert Sproule Jr.  Find a Grave entry 

Robert Sproule of Kirlish is recorded as having married a lady called Greer in page 1 of J.J. Elder's Sproule family tree. This gravestone gives her first name as Jane.