Five years after working as a farm servant in New Cumnock Anne McCrae/McCray had moved 25 miles north to Dreghorn where she met and married William Houston in 1856. Neither William nor Anne seemed to be in employment at the time of their marriage and they both gave their age as 19. At the time of the birth of their first child (Adam Spencer Houston, b 25 Feb 1857) the couple were living 20 miles north in Benstone, near Johnstone, Renfrewshire. William was working as an engine stoker at the colliery. Four years later in the 1861 Census the family, with additional 11 month old daughter, were living at Benston Pit, Paisley and William was described as a pit engine keeper.