Ancestors of Doug and Sheila Soutar

Notes


130. James Anderson

The only information about this couple is to be found under their daughter Helen's name.


132. Andrew Gillespie

No further information.


134. James Smith

No further information.


136. Finlay Ferguson and Betty Baxter

Earlier generations are difficult to find any information about. The only source where anything has been found is the Old Parish Registers and the information therein is sparse. One interesting point, however is the marriage of John's parents'. This appears in the Parish of Inchture in Perthshire where in 1786 we see Finlay Ferguson and his wife Elizabeth (or Betty) Baxter being summonsed before the Session and questioned about their marriage. The record of this meeting is:

"Finlay Ferguson and Elizabeth Baxter produced a certificate that they were married in Edinburgh the 25th September in a clandestine manner and were declared married persons in the presence of the session. This Edinburgh marriage is not recorded in I.G.I., O.P.R.I. or the Edinburgh Register of Marriages and the term "clandestine" may simply mean that they had been married in one of the churches which had broken away from the Church of Scotland, usually over the issue of patronage. The fact that they could produce a certificate makes this the most likely explanation. Other, perfectly legal, marriages existed in Scotland at that time, and for long after. One example is "Habit and Repute" - the reputation of being married along with cohabitation. Another is "handfasting" - a contract of marriage made by a symbolic joining of hands. Each of these constitutes an irregular marriage but no certificate would available.


138. Peter Mitchell and Janet Smitton

In preparation.


144. David Robbie

Parents listed are only "possibles"
Was a weaver at Clepington in 1803.


146. Alexander Greig

Stone quarrier


148. James Deuchars and Isobel Henry

In preparation.


150. William Millar and Jane Lindsay

In preparation.


152. John Duncan and Elizabeth Smith

The marriage of John and Elizabeth does not seem to have been recorded.

The earliest information about them is in 1787 with the birth of their first child, John. All of their family were born at “Coultrie” (or Coultra) in the parish of Balmerino. This name means the place of the colls or hazels.

The records do not record John’s occupation although, since Coultra is a little inland it seems likely that he would be a smallholder and/or weaver rather than a fisherman.

The following is a complete list of the births registered to John and Elizabeth:

Balmerino (409/2)

Year	Born 	Bapt	Name	

1787		Sept 4	Duncan, John, son of Jno Duncan and Elizabeth Smith Coultrie.

1788		Dec 22	Duncan, George, son of Jno Duncan and Elizabeth Smith Coultrie.

1790		Nov 20	Duncan, James, son of Jno Duncan and Elizabeth Smith Coultrie.

1792		June 5	Duncan, Alexander son of Jno Duncan and Elizabeth Smith Coultrie.

1793		Dec 12	Duncan Elizabeth, daur. of Jno Duncan and Elizabeth Smith Coultrie.

1795		Sept 29	Duncan, William, son of Jno Duncan and Elizabeth Smith Coultrie.

1798		Dec 6	Duncan, Alexander, son of Jno Duncan and Elizabeth Smith Coultrie.

1800		July 23	Duncan, Isobel, daur. of Jno Duncan and Elizabeth Smith Coultrie.

1802		June 6	Duncan, David, son of Jno Duncan and Elizabeth Smith Coultrie.

1805		Apr 28	Duncan, Robert, son of Jno Duncan and Elizabeth Smith Coultrie.

1807	May 28	June 11	Duncan, Helen Watson, daur. of Jno Duncan and Elizabeth Smith Coultrie.
No other information about this couple exists until John’s death is recorded on the stone in Balmerino churchyard, the inscription being:

no. 69 John Duncan late tennant Coultrie 2.2.1802 w Elizabeth Smith, chn Alex, Eliz inf.


154. James Henderson and Elizabeth Anderson

In preparation.


180. Thomas Stark

Farmer, Balmitchell, east of Slamannan, afterwards Craigieburn (where he died in1810), a large farm three miles south west of Falkirk.


182. Hill

Farmer.


184. John Hamilton

John Hamilton Janet Spiers

There is little information about John and Janet in normal genealogy sources. The only mention of them is in Old Parish Registers is in Falkirk parish at their wedding on 15th December 1763. FR2358:

"John Hamilton in the parish of Cumbernauld and Janet Spiers in this parish."

There are also death certificates for two of their sons, Alex and John:

In Cumbernauld Churchyard there is a stone which does not impart much information:

1811 John Hamilton Janet Spiers.

However a lucky guess that John, possibly in Righead might have married the girl next door in Lochgreen (where the family were called Speirs) led to the discovery, in Calendar House of the following. (Punctuation and spelling as in the original).

The following is quoted from:
Genealogical Schemes
(prepared chiefly in the years 1880-84)
shewing the Descendants, as far as is known, of
William Spiers
Farmer on the estate of Castlecary in the
parish of Falkirk in the county of Stirling
in Scotland,
more particularly, of his sons
William Spiers, who bought the estate of Lochgreen, parish of Falkirk,
and
Alexander Spiers, farmer, parish of Falkirk.

Scheme. First his children and grandchildren.

William Speirs
A
Descendants of Robert Speirs of Lochgreen:
R.S's family, John Speirs family, J. Henderson's family,
J. Russell's family, A. Spiers's family.

B
Descendants of William Hay of Arnsbog:
WH's family, J Christison's family, J. Mackie's family,
J Stobo's family, J. Andersons family, M. Anderson's family.

C
Descendants of David Speirs of Burnhouse.
DS's family, John Spier's family, Alex Jack's family.

Revd. Robert Spiers

D
Family of Rev. Alexr Speirs, par. Min. of Kirkcaldy.
E
Family of Rev Dr. David Swan, par. minr. Scourie
DS's family, Rev. R Swan's family.

Alexander Spiers

F
Descendants of John Russell, farmer, parish of Falkirk.
JR's family, Wm. Dickson's family, Wm Russell's family,
Geo. Leishman's family, John Gentles's family, Ebt Russell's family.

G
Descendants of John Hamilton, farmer, Righead.
JH's family, Jas. Hay's family, A. Hamilton's family, Wm. Hamilton's family, Jas. Hamilton's family.
H Descendants of Alexr Spiers, farmer, Dykebraes.
AS's family, Alex Spiers family.

I
Descendants of James Danskin farmer Hawkiedub.
JD's family, Geo. Danskin's family.

Grand total of descendants: dead 770, living 1200.

Page G1
Family of John Hamilton, died before 1815, farmer, Righead, parish of Falkirk, Stirlingshire, and his wife Janet Speirs (married about 1763), died about 1780-90, daughter of Alexander Spiers, probably a farmer in Falkirk parish, and (probably) Jean Grindlay.

Mary Hamilton; born about 1765, died at Harecraigs, parish of Denny, about 1849; after her father died she kept house for her brother James at Greenrig near Slamannan (not far from Righead), till he married; she then went to her sister Mrs Hay's. When 80, she was still able to go with the butter etc. to Falkirk six miles off, and shear corn in the afternoon. Unmarried.
Jean Hamilton; (?was she older than Mary), born about 1767, died about 1852-3 in a house on Banknock farm; married James Hay, died at Haircraigs in 1837, farmer, Bandomnie till 1817, then Haircraigs which he had bought, and on it built a house; son of James Hay, farmer Muirhead near Loanfoot, south west from Craigieburn (east of Loch Green), afterwards, probably Bandomnie, west of Loch Green, and Chrisian Mirk. (for their family and descendants see page G2)
John Hamilton; born at Righead about 1769 or 70, died at Greenhill 27th February 1859, farmer, Righead till he was an old man; married Margaret Russell, predeceased him, (daughter of ……. Russell, farmer the Drum, north east Loch Green, and sister of Thomas Russell, Bowrig, north east of Cumbernauld). His father left him a farm on Banknock, parish of Denny. He bought the farm called "Above the Wood" or Lower Greenhill, and latterly staid there. He was ordained an Elder in Dennyloanhead Secession Church 26 th Septr. 1830, (they had no family).
Alexander Hamilton; (named after his mother's father), born about 1772, died at Banknock 16th April 1863; learned to be a mason; was a small farmer at the Braes, Banknock, was afterwards for some years at Righead after his brother John left Righead, but returned to the Braes; married Janet Paul, born about 1790, died at West Banknock 15th Febr. 1855, daughter of William Paul, farmer, parish of Dunipace, and Janet Ewing. He was ordained an Elder in the Antiburger Secession Church (now U.P.) at Dennyloanhead 13 June 1810, and was 53 years an Elder there. (for their family and descendants see page G3.).
William Hamilton; (after mother's brother), born about 1774, died August 1862 at "Above the Wood"; farmer Threshbush (Rashbush) near Righead, for a time; he and his brother James had Jawhills and Rowantreehill (on the east of Fannyside Loch) between them, but he disposed of his interest to his brother James. He bought Forrester Quarter, north west of Loch Green, and staid there a short time. He also bought Yellow Knowe and Shankend the portion of "The Arns" that was bequeathed by William Russell to his daughter Agnes (Mrs Robert Speirs of Loch Green)'s son. When his brother John died he went to Lower Greenhill (left him by his Brother John's will), and staid there the last few years of his life. He married Christian Hay, died in childbed about a year after marriage, his sister Jean's husband's sister; married again Mary Stark daughter of Thomas Stark, farmer, Balmitchell, east of Slamannan, afterwards Craigieburn (where he died in 1810), a large farm three miles South west of Falkirk and Janet Clark. (for their family and descendants see page G4).
James Hamilton; (after father's brother, farmer, Birdestone, west of Campsie), the youngest born about 1777, died about 1849, (72 years old), at "The Feus"; farmer;Wester Greenrig (east of Fannyside Lochs) parish of Slamannan; married Janet Miller, born about 1797, died about 1848 at "The Feus" (9 months before him), daughter of …..Miller, farmer, Summerhill, near Condorrat; He had to sell his farm and went to stay at The Feus of Glenhead in the parish of Cumbernauld, (east of The Arns and of Righead). (for their family and Descendants see page G5 ).

Page G2

Family and descendants of James Hay, died 1837, farmer, Bandomnie till 1817, afterwards Haircraigs, parish of Denny, both in Stirlingshire, and his wife Jean Hamilton, born about 1767 died about 1852-3, daughter of John Hamilton, farmer, Righead, parish of Falkirk, and Janet Spiers.

Janet Hay (m.m.), born 5th Jany 1805, died at Cumbernauld 1st Jany 1882; married 23 May 1823 John Cuthill, born about 1796, died 29th Nov. 1872, farmer and Laird of Banknock near Denny (ordained an Elder in Dennyloanhead Secession Church 12 March 1837), son of William Cuthill, farmer Dullatur, afterwards Banknock, which he had bought and Helen Ingles, and grandson of William Cuthell, Headswood, who was ordained an Elder in Dennyloanhead Secession Church 19th Augt. 1752. Their family:
Jean Cuthill (after m.m.), born 6th and baptized 31st October 1824, married 1849 her mother's cousin Alexander Hamilton, farmer, Righead. For their family see under husband's name page G3.
Helen Cuthill (f.m.), born 20th Nov. and baptized 17th Dec 1826, married 1853 Robert Chalmers born 20th Nov. 1823, bapt. 21 Dec; farmer Leysbent west of Denny; son of James Chalmers, farmer, Blaefaulds near Denny and Agnes Chalmers (dr. of Thomas Chalmers, farmer, West Borland, near Denny, afterwards Blaefaulds). Their family were: James Chalmers (f.f.), born 6th and baptized 29th October 1854. John Chalmers (m.f.), born 4th August 1856 died 3rd August 1881, Engineer in Keamers Janet Hay Chalmers (m.m.), born 1st Feby. '63? died at Cumbernauld 14 Feb 1870, Agnes Chalmers (f.m.), born 27 Aug 1865, died at Leysbent 6th Jany. 1876, Helen Chalmers (m.), born 30th March 1867, Robert Chalmers (f.), born 14th Feby. 1869, Janet Hay Chalmers (m.m.), born 10th June 1871, Jane Chalmers (m.s.), born 6th Sept 1873.

Janet Cuthill; (m.), born 7th October and baptized 9th Nov. 1828, died at Banknock after a long illness 23rd January 1855, unmarried.

Elizabeth Cuthill, born 25th January 1831: married Thomas Laing, farmer, Canada; son of James Laing, farmer, Middle Banknock, and Margaret Russell. Their family were: Janet Laing (m.m.), born July 1863, Margaret Laing (f.m.), born about 1865, James Laing (f.f.), born about 1868, Elizabeth Laing (m.) born abt. 1870, John Laing (m.f.), born abt. March 1873.

Mary Cuthill, born 9th March 1833; married 10th Feby. 1865 Thomas Chalmers, born 29th May 1825 bapt. 12 June, died from an accident 16th April 1878, grocer Cumbernauld, brother of her sister Helen's husband. She is still a grocer at Cumbernauld. Their family: James Chalmers (f.f.), born 8th July 1869, Janet Hay Chalmers (m.m., born 9th Oct 1871. John Cuthill Chalmers (m.f.), born 11th March 1874, Agnes Chalmers (f.m.), born 9th or 11th Nov 1876.

William Cuthill, (f.f.), born 23 Aug 1835 succeded his father as laird of Banknock, and has Wellstrand Engine Works, Denny; unmarried.

James Cuthill (m.f.), born 14th Dec 1837; farmer, Township of Grays Carronbrook Post Office, Canada md. Robina Connell, daughter of ……Connell, distiller, afterwards farmer, now retired, and Margaret Duncan, died. Their family: John Cuthill (f.f.), born about 1870. Margaret Cuthill (m.m.), born abt. 1882.
John Cuthill (f.), born 11th Jan 1840, died 29th November 1882, farmer Canada; married Dickson Arbuckle, daughter of Alexander Arbuckle, farmer, Wester Banknock, and ….. Dickson (of Slamannan). Their family: John Cuthill (f.f.&f)Alexander Cuthill (m.f.), Jane Cuthill, William Cuthill (f.b.) Jessie Cuthill (f.m.) …. Cuthill - she died a week old.

Christian Cuthill, born 28th May 1842; unmarried

Margaret Cuthill, born 9th April 1845; unmarried,

Catherine Cuthill, born 6th March 1848; married James Chalmers, farmer, Osliebrae, near Stewarton, Ayrshire, a cousin of her sisters Helen and Mary's husbands. Their family: Janet Chalmers (m.m.) , born abt. '76-7,Robert Chalmers born abt 1882.

James Hay (f.f.), born about 1809, died 13th January 1868; ordained minister of Secession Church, Inverary 24th June 1838, transferred to Govan (where he had formerly been a Missionary) in 1843 and inducted there 28th June 1847; married Margaret Ross, died about 1867. Their family:
Isabella Hay, born about 1842; deaf and dumb she stays with her sister.

Jane Hay, (f.m.), born about 1844; married Revd. John McCorkindale minister of the Established Church. Lochgoilhead. Their family: Margaret McCorkindale (m.m.), Janet McCorkindale, John McCorkindale, James McCorkindale, (m.f.), Jane McCorkindale (m.), Isabella McCorkindale (m.s.), a daughter that died a girl, perhaps another child that died.

Mary Hay, died 4 or 5 years old.

James Hay, (f.f &f.), deaf and dumb; learned to be a draughtsman with Napier Shipbuilder, Govan; he is now in San Fransisco or perhaps some other place in America; unmarried.

Page G3.
The Family and descendants of Alexander Hamilton, mason, farmer, parish of Denny, born about 1772, died 16th April 1863, (son of John Hamilton; farmer, Rigghead, parish of Falkirk, and Janet Speirs) and his wife Janet Paul.

John Hamilton (f.f.), born about 1806, died in his own house and property at Parkfoot, Dennyloanhead 14th February 1882; Miller, was a while at Allow, was a miller on his own account near Bonnybridge, and afterwards at Castlecary; was afterwards a vitualler at Parkfoot latterly retired married Janet Thomson, did not live long. dr of a farmer near Denny or north of it; married again June Turnbull, dr of George Turnbull, draper and clothier, latterly in Cumbernauld and June Lawrence; died not long after she was born. She stays at Parkfoot near Dennyloanhead. (no family).

Janet Hamilton, (after m.m, f.m. & m.), born about 1808; m? James Kirk, died, baker St Ninians near Stirling. She stays with her son the minister in Edinburgh. Their family:
Thomas Kirk (f.f), ordained minister of Maisondieu Lane U.P. Church, Brechin 22 April 1868, translated to Haymarket U.P. Church (a recently formed congregation), Edinburgh 1873: unmarried.
Alexander Kirk (m.f.) died; was in a bank in Edinburgh; unmarried.
Mary Kirk, stays with her brother Rev T Kirk. unmarried.
Jessie Kirk, died in India; married Rev John Traill, missionary of U.P. Church, Jeypore, son of a crofter near Brechin (with whom the family stays). Their family consisted of a son that died a boy, twins Jane Hamilton Traill and Henrietta Fraser Traill born abt. 1871, twins Jessie Traill and Helen Traill born abt. 1874 and Alexander Traill.
James Kirk (f) died early in St Ninians a young lad; was learning to be a baker
Other children, names and order of birth not known; that died young.
William Hamilton (m.f.), born about 1810; a miller, now farmer Johnston, Rock County, Wisconsin, U.S.; married Isabella McLay dr of John McLay, farmer, Arn Gibbon, near Kippen and Janet Yuill. Their family:
Jessie Yuill Hamilton (m.m.) unmarried, John McLay Yuill (m.f.) at home,
Isabella Monteith McGregor Hamilton. at home.
Alexander Hamilton (f), born about 1812; farmer, Righead (east of Cumbernauld) parish of Falkirk, ordained an elder in Dennyloanhead U.P. Church 17 April 1853; married 9th February 1849. his cousin's daughter Jean Cuthill (m.m.), born 6th October 1824 dr. of John Cuthill, farmer, Banknock and Janet Hay - (see preceding page). Family:
Janet Hamilton (m.m, f.m, m.) born 9th and baptized 11th Decr. 1849: md. James Forrester, died 20 Jany.1882; dairyman, Langloan, Coatbridge son of Joseph Forrester, Bandomnie and Janet Stark.. Their family: Jane Forrester (m.m.), born 28th April 1877. Joseph Forrester (f.f.), born 25 Jan 1879. Janet Forrester (f.m.), born about Nov. 1880, died 15th April 1881.
Jean Hamilton (m.), born 28 June 1851; married Thomas Miller, Bankhead, Denny, son of James Miller, farmer, now retired and staying at Bankhead and Janet Hay, died. Their family were: Jane Miller (m.m.), born 2 Feby 1879, Janet Miller (f.m.) born abt Oct 1880 died May 1883, James Miller (f.f.), born 12 June 1882.
Helen Hamilton (m.sis.), born 20 Aug 1853.
Alexander Hamilton (f.f & f.), born 14 Aug 1855, farming with his father.
Mary Hamilton (f.s. & m.s.), born 20 Jul 1857.
John Hamilton, (m.f.), born 19th July 1859, cabinet maker, Coatbridge, now with his sister at the dairy, Mrs Forrester.
William Hamilton (f.b.m.b.), born 6 July 1861; learning to be a joiner, Cumbernauld.
James Hamilton (f.b.& m.b.), born 1st Feby. 1864; studying for the ministry.
Robert Hamilton (f.b.), born 27 July 1867.

Mary Hamilton (f.s.), born about 1814, died 15th February 1870; married 31st July 1838 William Henderson, born about 1813, died 22nd July 1877, cabinet maker, 48 Broad Street, Stirling; son of William Henderson (died in the house that he was born in), joiner, Greenloaning, and Margaret Burden. Their family:
Janet Paul Henderson (m.m.), born 17 Sept. 1839; md. July 1860 James Sutherland, engineer, Dundee, now in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire. Their family were: John Sutherland, died 8 months old, William Sutherland(m.f.), died 4 months old, Ernest Sutherland, Noel Sutherland, Mary Sutherland (m.m.) died 13 months old, Charles Sutherland, died abt. 1880.
William Henderson (f.f &f.), born 23 rd. Augt. 1841, died at Motherwell. Ontario, Canada 9th April 1877; was with Ace & Co., Stationers, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow; md. Mary Milne. She is now in Chicago, ild. Their family were: Annabella Henderson, died 8 months old, William Henderson, (f.f & f.), died a few weeks old.
Margaret Burden Henderson (f.m.), born 6th Dec 1843; md. Robert Anderson, was out in India, now in London in a mercantile house. Their family were: Mary Henderson (m.m.), Robert Anderson, William Anderson (m.f.), died 13 months old, John Anderson, Walter Anderson, three children younger.
Mary Henderson (m.), born 27th July 1846, died 3rd or 4th November 1849.
Jane Allen Henderson, born 22nd Sept 1848, married 1 June 1857 Peter Campsie, plumber & gasfitter, Athlone, Ireland. Their family were: Mary Campsie (m.m.), born 1st Oct. 1877. Robert Watson Campsie (after the minister who baptized him) born August 1879, Jane ……. Campsie (f.m.), b. 10 Aug 1881.
Mary Ann Maitland Henderson, born 3rd January 1851, stays with her brother Alexr.
Alexander Hamilton Henderson (m.f.) born 16th July 1853; piano tuner, 134 Annfield Street, Denniston, Glasgow, unmarried.
James Hamilton (f.b.), born about 1817, died a young man before 1857, was serving with his father's brother John at Greenhill; was ordained an elder in Dennyloanhead U.P. Church 17th April 1853; unmarried.
Jane Hamilton (f.s.), born about 1819; married John Laing, died, brewer, Stirling, married again William Muirhead, farmer, Pirnhall, near Stirling (a widower)- (No family).
David Hamilton, born 10th May and baptized 10th June 1821; was a hotel keeper in Melbourne; is now in Flinders, Victoria; married twice in Australia. Eva Hamilton (of the first marriage), unmarried.
Robert Hamilton, born 31st May and baptized 27th June 1824 minister of churches at Fullarton & Avonbank, both near Motherwell Post Office, Ontario, Canada West, md. Agnes Sommerville, dr. of James? Sommerville, railway contractor, Larbert. Their family:
Alexander Hamilton (f.f.); studying for the ministry. James Sommerville Hamilton; a student, Margaret Hamilton; has visited Scotland, John Hamilton; died infant, Robert Hamilton (f.), Jessie Hamilton (f.m.), William Hamilton (f.b.).
Thomas Hamilton, born 10th Octr. and baptized 12th Novr.1826; miller, Dunblane, aftr. Craigforth near Stirling, now farmer and miller Kilmahog by Callander since abt. 1863; md. Jean Kay. Their family:
Alexander Hamilton (f.f.), born about 1853 in Commercial Bank, Stirling, md. 31st Dec. 1880 Annie Taylor, only child of James Taylor, land steward, Auld House, Buchanan, by Drymen. They had Thomas Hamilton (f.f.), born abt. January and died abt. July 1882. And another child.
Duncan Hamilton, born about 1855; miller with his father.
Janet Hamilton and Jane Hamilton (twins) born about 1859, Janet died about 1867, Jane is at home.
Margaret Hamilton, died before her father; unmarried.

Page G4.

Family and descendants of William Hamilton, born about 1774, died August 1862, farmer, parish of Falkirk, (son of John Hamilton, farmer, Righead, parish of Falkirk and Janet Spiers), and his second wife, Mary Stark..

Janet Hamilton (m.m.& f.m.), born about 1813, died about 1850; married James Forrester died abt. 1837, 5 months after her, in the Edinburgh Infirmary, blacksmith, Bonnybridge; son of George Forrester, smith, Bonnybridge and Mary Gilchrist (whose folk were foresters about Castlecary). Their family:
George Forrester, (f.f.), born abt. 1837 died abt. 1866, cloth merchant Airdrie; married Mary Bryce, died. She married again Andrew Lawrence, web agent Airdrie. Their family: James Forrester, (f.f.) at sea, Janet Forrester, in service at Partick, Mary Forrester (m), died a girl, Margaret Forrester died a girl.
William Forrester, (m.f.), born about 1839; innkeeper, Harthill; married Margaret Farmer, died 1865 (2 children); married again Margaret Imrie Baillie, born 22nd March and baptized 12th May 1844, dr. of William Baillie, died, farmer, Garbethill, afterwards Bankside west from Denny and Elizabeth M…… and grand dr. of William Baillie, farmer Blacksyke? or Fannyside & Christian Neilson. Their family: Margaret Forrester, at home, Janet (Jessie) Forrester (f.f.), at home, Elizabeth Forrester (m.m.), James Forrester (f.f.), Christina Forrester (m.s.) died 5 months old, Mary Forrester (m.s.), Annie Forrester (m.m.s.), Jane Forrester (m.s.), William Forrester (f.),George Forrester (f.b.)
Mary Hamilton, (m), born Oct 1815 at Threshbush; married John Stark (f.f.), born 1805, died 8th Nov. 1876; farmer, Greenhill near Slamannan after from 1851 Woodburn near Falkirk, son of Thomas Stark, proprietor of Wester Greenhill, and Catherine Main, and grandson of John Stark, farmer, Greenhill, and Margaret Stark (cousins?), and of David Main, farmer, The Lodge, near Slamannan. Their family:
Thomas Stark, (f.f.), born 21st Oct and baptized 24 Nov 1839, died about January 1849.
Mary Stark (m.m.), born 23rd October 1841, bapt .21st Nov. Keeps house for her brother William,
Catherine Stark (f.m.), born 22nd Nov and baptized 13th Dec 1843; died about 1848,
William Stark (m.f.), born 24th Dec 1845, baptized 14th Jan 1846; farmer, Middlefield, near Falkirk; unmarried,
John Stark (f.), born about 1848, died about 1849, 18 months old,
Thomas Stark (f.f.), born 11th Febry. 1850?; farmer, Woodburn.
John Stark (f.), born about 1852, died about Feb or March 1853,
Jane Stark (f.s.), born 24th October 1854; stays at Woodburn,
James Stark (after father's half uncle Revd Jas Stark, Ailon near Berwick), born 4th June 1857, died about 1864.
Jean Hamilton, (f.s.), died an infant.
John Hamilton, (f.f.), died about August 1862, about a week before his father, farmer, Threshbush on Castlecary Estate, parish of Falkirk; married Margaret Gilles, dr. of John Gilles, farmer, Highland Dykes, east from Bonnybridge on the road to Larbert and Jean Taylor. Their family:
William Hamilton (f.f.), born about 1847, died 10th March 1881 at Seebegs, unmarried.
John Hamilton (m.f.& f.); small farmer, Forrester Quarter, near Greenhill; unmarried,
James Hamilton, clerk in Simpsons warehouse, corner of Argyle St. & Jamaica St., Glasgow; unmarried.
Jane Hamilton (m.m.).
Mary Stark Hamilton (f.m.), born 21st July 1857, died at Longcroftstone 31st January 1881.
Alexander Hamilton; born about 1859. Died 10th Oct 1878.
Henry Hamilton; was a pupil teacher, now, since beginning of 1883, in an office in Glasgow.

Page G5
Family and descendants of James Hamilton, born about 1777, died about 1849, farmer, Wester Greenrig. Parish of Slamannan, afterwards stayed at The Feus; Glenhead, parish of Cumbernauld, (the youngest son of John Hamilton, farmer, Righead, parish of Falkirk, and Janet Spiers) and his wife Janet Miller, born about 1797, died abt. 1848, daughter of James Miller, farmer and laird of The Myvol, a farm in Monklands parish.

John Hamilton (f.f.& m.f.); funeral undertaker, Ashtabula(?) County Ohio, United States of America; married Isabella Bissett of Airdrie. Their family: Three daughters.
Janet Hamilton (m. & f.m.), born 6th April 1824, died 8th Sept 1873, married 15th April 1850 Robert Anderson (f.b & m.b.), born 2nd Augt. 1822, dairyman and contractor 1857-1874, carter till 1876, Coatbridge, now retired staying in Baird Street; son of Thomas Anderson, born 2nd June 1795, farmer, Langdale, parish of New Monkland afterwards dairyman and mineral borer, 1851-55, dairyman till'57 Airdrie, and Agnes Shaw born abt.1797, died 4th Jan 1840. Their family:
Thomas Anderson (f.f.), born 8th March 1853, died 26th Decr. 1854,
Thomas Anderson (f.f.), born 27th June 1855, died 19th Febr 1856,
Elizabeth Anderson, born 27 April 1858; married 17th February 1879 James McCulloch, brickbuilder, Motherwell, son of David McCulloch, brickburner, now contractor, Mossend, and Elizabeth Service. Their family: Janet Hamilton Anderson McCulloch (m.m.) born 8th Oct 1880.
Janet Anderson (m.m & m), born 27th July 1860; md. 9th Aug 1882 Robert Thomson, clerk in Caledonian Ry Cos offices, Edinburgh, son of William Thomson, Railway Plate Layer, Biggar(?), and Janet Fleming. Their family: William Thomson (f.f.), born 18th Augt. '83.
Agnes Shaw Anderson (f.m.), born 21st January 1863; at home with her father.
Robert James Anderson (f. & m.f.), born 3rd Febr. 1869, died 8th Sept. 1879.
James Hamilton, (f.), born abt. 1826, was about a year a small, farmer at Threaprig N.W. of Slamannan, went to America about 1850, farmer, married abt. 1848 Agnes Buchanan, daughter of John Buchanan, baker, Kilsyth. Their family:
A son (James?), born abt 1849,
A daughter born on the passage out abt. 1850,
A daughter, (Janet?) born in America.
William Hamilton, born 24th August 1828, wrought as a linen scutcher, or lint clover, and in summer time cut hay etc. at the Feus; farmer, Wester Greenrig 1860-68, Garbethill 1868-71, Arns 1871-74, Garbethill again 1874-78, now a farmer Garbethill including Auld Shield, Shank, parish of Cumbernauld; married 12th Dec 1851 Margaret Braid, born 1st May 1826, daughter of John Braid, died abt 1837, farm-labourer and weaver, Croy farm, farmforeman, Church of Muir farm, parish of St. Ninians, and Mary Leckie, (died Decr. 1857), and grand dr.of John Braid, farmer, Auchenbee, parish of Cumbernauld, and of Andrew Leckie, farmer, Garrick, parish of Gargunnock near Kippen. Their family:
Mary Hamilton (m.m.), born at The Feus of Glenhead 23rd January 1853,
James Hamilton (f.f.), born at Glenhead Old House 5th Dec 1854, and baptized 14th January 1855,
Janet Hamilton (f.m.), born 2nd Jan 1858,
John Hamilton (m.f.) born at West Greenrig near Slamannan, but in the parish of Falkirk, 29th Sept 1860,
Margaret Hamilton (m.), born 13th Feb 1863,
William Hamilton (f.), born at Garbethill old house 30th October 1869.
Mary Hamilton, born about 1830, died end of 1854, married about 1853 her sister Janet's husband's brother John Shaw Anderson (m.b.), born April 1826; carter, Airdrie; he married again about 1856 Barbara Paterson. Their family:
A child, died about 2 hours old, 1854 about June (?).
Jean Hamilton, (f.s.), born about 1833, died 23rd March 1882, married abt. 1850 William Russell, Carter Carron Iron works, staid at Stenhousemuir, whose mother was of Auld Shields near Garbethill. They imigrated to Australia about 1852 or '53 and lived at a place about 20 miles from Melbourne. Their family:
Henry Russell, born abt. 1850 (or'51); Australia; married.
James Russell, (m.f.), born abt. 3 weeks before they went out and died not long after they arrived.
A daughter, (Janet?), born about 1854,
James Russell, (m.f.), born abt 1856, labourer.
A son (William?), born about 1862, died March 1882
A daughter, born about 1856, keeps her father's house.
Margaret Hamilton, born abt Novr. 1837, at Wester Greenrig; married Finlay Kerr, born abt 1835, died at 4 Prussia St., 11th July 1873; Carter in Saucel Distillery, Paisley; son of Alexander Kerr, small farmer, Daldunnet, abt. two miles from Aberfoyle Inn, and Margaret Graham, living at Daldunnet. She stays at 36 Causewayside Street, Paisley, and keeps boarders. Their family:
Janet Kerr (m.m.), born 26th Dec. 1857 (or '56), died April 1877 (or '76). Unmarried.
Margaret Kerr (m.), born 24th Augt. 1859, died 4th Nov. 1882; married 15th April 1880 William Connal. They went out to America abt July 1880, but returned abt the end of the year as she had taken a severe cold. He went out again towards the end of the following year (1881). He works in Horsman & Sons' Fringe Factory, Philadelphia. U.S. (No child)
Alexander Kerr (f.f.), born 17th April 1861; mason, Paisley; married Janet Sim, dr.
of …..Sim, baker, High Street, Paisley. They stay in the High Street at the top of Lady Lane. They have an infant born abt end of Nov. 1883
Mary Kerr (f.s & m.s.),,born 18th July 1864; works in Clarks Thread Works.
Finlay Kerr (f.), born 5th Jan 1866 clerk in the Abbey Parochial Board Office.
James Kerr (f.b. & m.b.), born 26th Dec 1868; is with …..McKellar, grocer, Causewayside St.
John Kerr (f.b. & m.b.), born abt. Augt. 1870, died abt. Oct 1870.
Twins; John Kerr (f.b. & m.b.) and Jane Kerr (m.s.) born abt 20th Dec 1871. John died abt March 1872 and Jane abt. April 1872.


188. William Cuthill and Helen Ingles

William and Helen were married on 19th June 1791. She was thirty-two and he forty-six.

William was the second and oldest surviving son of William Cuthell and Christian Russell of Headswood, Denny, Stirlingshire.

Helen was the youngest daughter of William Inglis & Elizabeth Hogg from Cupar, Fife.

There are more than fifty miles between Denny and Cupar so how, in those days of poor communications, did they meet? The couple's gt-gt-grandson, Bill Cuthill, an Australian, claimed that they met at the Falkirk Tryst. This was a great fair where cattle, sheep and horses were sold. It was held in autumn where the town of Stenhousemuir now stands. The Tryst was more than simply a market; it had swings, roundabouts, mountebanks (Sellers of quack medicines in public places) and all that would make a good day (or several days and nights) out. It seems very plausible that Helen may have, on occasion, come from Fife with her family for such an event and been swept off her feet by William, some fourteen years her senior. Indeed if the timing of the Tryst, the wedding and the births of the first two children is taken into account, it is probable that they met in the autumn of 1790!

After the wedding, the couple initially lived and worked at Dullatur on the Antonine wall in a farm, which William had been renting prior to his marriage. In the next three-and-a-half years, three children were born. The first was Alexander (the record of whose birth has not been found), then William, who was born in Cumbernauld on 8th May 1792. Then came Elizabeth, born at Dullatur on 16th December 1794, just a few days before William and Helen completed the purchase of Easter Ballenknock, now known as East Banknock. The Sasine Abridgement for this purchase is given below and the full Sasine appears as [Appendix I]

Dec 15 1794
2850
William Cuthill, tenant, Dollater, seised, Dec 9 1794,- in Easter Ballenknock, par. Denny; on disp by Francis Watson, merchant, Falkirk, Apr 24 1794;- and Helen Inglis, his spouse, seised, eod die, in liferent of said lands, propris manibus of the said William Cuthill.
P.R.33.300

The purchase had not gone through easily. The property had been rouped, (auctioned) and William's offer of £413 had been rejected in favour of a higher offer of £420. The person who had offered the £420, was, however, unable to find caution, (pronounced kayshun and meaning a guarantor) for the purchase and so reneged on the deal. The document in [Appendix II], part of the Articles of Roup, explains the whole situation.

After the move to Easter Ballenknock, two further children were born there, John on 7th March 1796 and James on 30 June 1798. The record of these births is given below.
O.P.R. Denny (476).
Date                           Child                       Parents                          Witnesses
1796
March 7th                      John                      William Cuthil                   James Hillas
                                                                                         Thomas Gentles 
1798, June
James Cuthil lawful son of William Cuthill and Helen Ingles in Banknock was baptized; who was born on the tenth currt.

Note that, although the births were recorded in Denny Church, the family were in fact members of Dennyloanhead Secession Church.

Over the next years, little is known about the couple except that there are records of William being involved in a considerable number of transactions involving land transfers. A selection of the relevant Sasine Abridgments is given in [Appendix III] A more complete record of these transactions could be compiled but this would require many hours of work at the National Archives of Scotland.

The only other piece of factual information is that William, in 1812, when his daughter, Elizabeth married Thomas Russell, was recorded as being a "post carrier". What exactly a post carrier did in those days is unclear. We know from the 1794 Sasine that William could not write his own name so he could hardly have read addresses to make deliveries in the way they are done today. It is possible that post was delivered by instructing the post carrier verbally to "Take this to…..". On the other hand William seems to have been wealthy enough to employ others to carry out deliveries so perhaps his role was purely supervisory.

Helen carried out the usual activities of a farmer’s wife including the making of the blanket pictured in the scrapbook. Once the men-folk had sheared the sheep, the wool was cleaned and spun by the women. The yarn was then sent to the local weaver who produced the blanket ready to be embroidered. The farmer’s wife of course, dyed the threads on the farm. The close-up shows that the back of the blanket is as well sewn as the front. This blanket must have been something special as it had been rarely if ever used. In a later generation, it was said that one member of the family read to the others as they sewed.

William died on the 6th of July 1819 and by the 25th of the same month the sasine in [Appendix IV] had been drawn up, giving Helen lifetime use of the property but ensuring that it passed to their son, John on her death. On the 6th August1825, Helen and John were back at the lawyers for a Confirmation (Appendix V) of the 1794 Sasine. The reason for this seems to lie in the old Scots system of land ownership. At one time, the only way a vassal could divest himself of land was to resign it to the feu superior. In time, however, this changed and transfers "a me val de me", a sort of sub-feu, came to be accepted. This form of transfer avoided the need, for the time being at least, to pay the feu superior a 'composition'. The document in [Appendix V] makes the 1794 sasine of Easter Banknock (which was, "a me val de me") "public" by obtaining 'charter of confirmation' from the superior. As Helen died on 25th August 1825, this confirmation may have been sought in anticipation of her death

The deaths of William and Helen are recorded on a gravestone erected in Denny churchyard by their son. The stone is now deteriorating and the inscriptions, particularly on the diamond shaped, bronze lozenges are difficult to read. The stone is dated 1833 and records events in the family which are not recorded elsewhere. The inscriptions are:
Lozenges, from the left:
First: Elizabeth Cuthell (rest illegible).
Second: Robert Cuthell Tinsmith 2 Aug 1853 35 years.
Third: William Cuthell, MA, Student of Divinity 17 Dec. 1839 23 years.
Fourth: Illegible.
Left panel:
Sacred to the memory of William Cuthell of Banknock who died 6th July 1819 aged seventy three years and of his spouse Helen Inglis who died 21st October 1825 aged sixty seven years.
Right panel:
To the memory of Margaret Inglis who died 29th July 1830 aged seventy seven years. Also Jean & Janet Cuthell who died in infancy.
Centre Panel:
Erected by William Cuthell Merchant Denny who died 3rd Oct. 1868 aged 76 years



1794 Sasine

Banknock sasine of 1794.

Appendix I

Appendix I

In the name of God amen. Know all men by this present public Instrument That upon the Ninth …. day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and ninety four and of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith the thirty fifth year In presence of me Notary Public and the witnesses afterwards subscribing Compeared personally William Cuthill Tenant in Dollater and passed with us and David Liddel Mason at Woodhead Bailie in that part specially Constituted by virtue of the precept of Sasine after insert to the Ground of the Lands and others after mentioned Having and Holding in his hands a Disposition of the date aftermentioned made and granted by Francis Watson Merchant in Falkirk to and in favour of the said William Cuthill Whereby he for the Causes therin specified Sold alienated and Disponed from him and his heirs and Successors to and in favour of the said William Cuthill his heirs and assignees whomever heritably and irredemably All and Whole that five Shilling land of the old Extent of Easter Ballenknock with houses Biggings Yeards tofts crofts mosses muirs meadows Outfields Infields pastures and hail other priviledges and pertinents thereat All lying within the Parish of Denny and County of Stirling, together with all right title and Interest Claims of right property and possession puetory or possessory which he his predecessors and authors heirs and successors have or could anyway Claim or pretend thereto in time coming As the same Containing Obligement to Infeft a me val de me procuratory of resignation Clause of absolute warrandices Assignation to the writs and evidences and rents mails and duties of the said Subjects precept of Sasine before mentioned after insert and sundry other Clauses in itself more fully beirs Which Disposition contains as said is the said William Cuthill presented to the said David Liddel Baillie foresaid desiring and requiring him to proceed to the due Execution of His office by Giving Sasine in terms thereof Which desire the said Baillie having found good and reasonable he received the said Disposition into his hands and delivered the same to me Notary Public to be read and published in the presence of the witnesses which I accordingly did and have herein inserted the said precept of Sasine whereof the tenor follows vizt: “Moreover to the effect the said William Cuthill and his foresaids may be infeft and seized in the said Lands and others foresaid I hereby Desire and require you, and each of you my Baillies in that part hereby specially Constituted That upon my signe thereof ye pass to the Ground of the said Land and there give and deliver to the said William Cuthill and his foresaids heritable state and Sasine actual real and Corporal possesion of All and Whole the said Five Shilling land of and extent of Easter Ballenknock with the pertinents upon and desired as aforesaid And that by delivery to the said William Cuthill or his foresaid or to his or their certeurs attorney or attornies in his or their names Bearers hereof of Earth and Stone of and upon the ground of the said Lands and all other Symbols usual and requisite And this in no way ye leave undone Which to do I Comend to your Jointly and Severally my full power by this my precept of Sasine directed to you for that effect In witness whereof I have subscribed these presents written upon this and two preceeding pages of paper dated stamped Conform to Law by Thomas McFee Clerk to James Henderson writer Falkirk Att Falkirk the twenty fourth day of April seventeen hundred and ninety four years Before these witnesses the said James Henderson and Thomas McFee frequends Francis Watson James Henderson Witness and Thomas McFee Witness.” After reading and publishing of which Disposition and precept of Sasine above inserts therin Contained the said David Liddel as Baillie foresaid in virtue of the office of Baillery thereby Committed to him Gave and Delivered Heritable state and Sasine actual real and Corporal posession to the said William Cuthill of All and Whole the said Five Shilling land of old extent of Easter Ballenknock with the pertinents lying and described as aforesaid And that by delivery to him of Earth and Stone of and upon the Ground of the foresaid Lands and all other Symbols requisite and necessary conform to and in terms of the said Disposition and precept of Sasine above insert therin Contained in all points Whereupon and upon all and Sundry the premises the said William Cuthill asked and took Instruments in the hands of me Notary Public Subscribing and immediately thereafter the said William Cuthill being thus vested and seized in the fee of the said Lands and others Gave and Delivered ex propris manibus to Helen Inglis his spouse during all her days of her lifetime if she survive him lifereal State and Sasine actual real and Corporal possession of All and Whole the said Five Shilling land of the Old Extent of Easter Ballenknock with the pertinents and that by delivery to Alexander Marshall weaver at Meurdhead as attourney for and in her name and behalf of Earth and Stone of the Ground of the same and other Symbols necessary Whereupon the said Alexander Marshall attorney foresaid also asked and took Instruments in the hands of me Notary Public Subscribing These things were so done upon the Ground of the said lands and others between the hours of one and two in the afternoon of the day month year of God and Kings reign respectively first before written Before and in the presence of James Dalrymple Merchant in Falkirk and James Young Changekeeper at Parkfoot witnesses to the premisses specially called and required And in Testimony of the liferent right so granted by the said William Cuthill to the said Helen Inglis he hath Subscribed this instrument of the date above written in presence of me Notary Public and the witnesses above Designed and hereto with me subscribing.

James Dalrymple Witness

James Young Witness

At Stirling the Fifteenth day of December one thousand seven hundred and Ninety Four years. The sasine above written being presented by Colin Dawson writer in Stirling Is Registered on the Three hundred and Three hundred and first leaves of the Twelfth Book of the next particular Register of Sasines Reversions and others kept at Stirling for the Shires of Stirling and Clackmannan and Stewarty of Monteith By
JN Mackillop.

William Cuthell
                           X


I James Henderson authorized as notary public of Edinburgh make witness in this place by all singular acts of Parliament set before at the second session to have seen, known and heard by all particular principles set before and brought forward accurately I have marked and noted the signing by hand of the document in this public instrument faithfully signed and executed. The testimony is completed in good faith and is a true witness as required.
Jura fidesque

James Henderson N.P.


Roup

Part of Articles of Roup

Appendix II

Know All Men by these presents that I Francis Watson Merchant in Falkirk heritable Proprietor of the Lands and others after Disponed Considering that by Articles of Roup dated the Twentieth day of March last I having exposed to Sale the Lands of Easter Ballenknock with the pertinents underwritten at which Sale Compeared James Shearer of Haggs of Bankier who offered for the said Land Four hundred and Twenty pounds Sterling and being the last and highest offerer was preferred to the purchase by Mr. James Aitken Writer in Falkirk Judge of the said Roup upon his fulfilling the purchasers part of the said Conditions which he obliged himself to do And Whereas by the Fourth article of said Conditions of Roup it is Expressely conditioned That the highest and last offerer should be obliged within ten days after the day of the Roup to grant Bond for the price offered by him with a Sufficient Cautioner to the satisfaction of the Exposer payable at the term of Whitsunday first with a fifth part thereof of penalty and annual rent in case of failure and which Bond should be so Granted under the penalty of one fifth more of the price offered in case of not Granting the Same And of the purchaser showing face in Granting the said Bond he should over and above forfeit his interest in the said purchase and it should be optional to me either to hold the said Lands houses and others myself or of new to Expose the same to Sale or to Declare the same to belong to the next and immediate offerer and in case intimation of the said failure to find caution should be made to the immediate preceeding offeror he should be deemed the purchaser and should be obliged within the like Space of Ten days after such intimation to grant Bond for the price offered by him with a sufficient cautioner in terms of said articles under the like penalty and forfieture and so forth through the whole course of the offerors And the said James Shearer having failed to find caution to terms of said articles And intimation having been made to William Cuthill Tenent in Dollater of his said failure the purchase Devolved upon him as the next and immediate preceeding offeror who signed his offer at the price of Four Hundred and Thirteen Pounds Sterling being the price offered by him for the said Lands And Seeing that the said William Cuthill has of equal date with these presents Granted Bill and Bond for the price offered by him with a Sufficient Cautioner payable against the Term of Whitsunday first with interest thereof from the term of Martinmas last during the not payment whereof I hereby Grant the Recipe renouncing all objections in the Contrary and Discharge the said William Cuthill thereof forever Therefore Will ye me to have Sold alienated and Disponed as I by these presents Sell alienate and Dispone from me my Heirs and Successors to and in favour of the said William Cuthill and his heirs and assignees whomsoever heritably and irredeemable All and Whole that five Shilling Land of old extent of Easter Ballenknock with houses Biggings Yarrds Tofts Crofts Mosses Muirs outfields Infields pastures and hail other privileges and pertinents thereof as presently possessed by John Fleeming and James Bryson all lying within the Parish of Denny and County of Stirling together with all right title and Interest Claim of Right Property and possession petitory or possessory which I my predecessors and authors heirs and Successors have had of can anyway Claim or pretend thereto in time coming In which Lands and others above Disponed I Bind and Oblige myself and my forsaids to infeft and Seize the said William Cuthill and his forsaids upon their own Charges and Expenses and that by two several infeftments and manners of Holding and thereof to be holden of me and my forsaids in fee Blanch for payment for payment of a Penny Scots in name of Blanch Farm at the Term of Whitsunday yearly if asked only and

Francis Watson


Page Second
the other of said Infeftments to be holden from me of and under my immediate lawfull Superiors thereof in the same manner that I my predecessors and authors held hold or might have holden the same without these others by Resignations or Confirmations or both the one without prejudice to the other And for Completing the said Infeftment by resignation I hereby Make and Constitute
and each of them my lawfull and irrevocable Procurators for me and in my Name to Resign and Surrender as I by these presents Resign, Surrender Upgive Overgive and Deliver All and Whole the five shilling Land of old Extent of Easter Ballenknock with the pertinents all lying and Described as in the Dispositive Clause of these presents together with all right title and interest Claim of right property and possessions petitory or possessory which I my predesessors and authors heirs and Successors have or can pretend hereto In the hands of my said Superiors or of their Commissioners in their name having power to receive resignations and thereupon to Grant new Infeftments In favour and for new Infeftment of the same to be made given and granted to the said William Cuthill and his heirs and assignees heritably irredemably in due and Competent form Acts instruments and Documents thereupon to ask and take and generally every other thing thereanent to do which I could do myself if personally present of which to the office of Procuratory in Such cases as known to belong Ratifying hereby and Confirming whatever my said Procurators shall lawfully do or cause to be done in the premisses in virtue hereof Which Lands and others disponed with this Right and Disposition of the same and Infeftment to follow hereon I Bind and oblige myself and my forsaids to warrant to the said William Cuthill and his forsaids to be free of all burdens and incumbrances and grounds of eviction whatever at all hands and against all Deewty And further I hereby make and Constitute the said William Cuthill and his forsaids my lawfill Cessioners and Assignees not only in and to the whole writs and evidents rights titles and Securities of the said lands and others made and Granted in favours of me my predecessors and authors and whole clauses therein contained with all that has followed or may be competent to follow thereon forever But also in and to the rents mails and Duties of the said Lands and others due and payable for and furth thereof from and since the term of Martinmas last which is hereby Declared to be the Term of his entry to the said Subjects and in all time coming Surrogatory hereby and Substituting the said William Cuthill and his foresaids in my full right and place of the premisses for assignations above written I Bind and oblige me to warrant as follows vist. In so far as concerns the writs and Evidents at all hands and against all Deewty And in so far as concerns the rents mails Duties from my own proper facts and Deeds only And further I hereby oblige me my heirs and Successors to free and relieve the said William Cuthill and his forsaids of all feu duties less Minister Stipend and other public Burdens exigible furth of said subjects at and preceeding the said term of Martinmas last the Said William Cuthill and his forsaids being bound to free and relieve me and my foresaids of the same thereafter in all time coming And having herewith Delivered up to the

Francis Watson


Page Third
said William Cuthill the title Deeds of said Subjects I consent to the Registration hereof in the Books of Council and Session or others competent to remain for preservation and all Executors requisite pass hereon in form as Effeirs I constitute
My Procurators &
Moreover to the Effect the said William Cuthill and his forsaids may be infeft and Seized i n the said lands and others forsaid I hereby Desire and Require you
And each of you my Baillies in that part hereby Specially Constituted That upon sight hereof ye pass to the Ground of the said Lands and there Give and Deliver to the said William Cuthill and his forsaids heritable State and Sasine actual real and Corporal possession of All and Whole the said Five shilling Land of old Extent of Easter Ballenknock with the pertinents lying and Described as aforesaid And that by Delivery to the said William Cuthill or his foresaids or to his or their certain Attourney or Attournies in his or their names Bearers hereof of Earth and Stone and upon the Ground of the said lands and all the other Symbols usual and Commit to you Jointly and Severally my full power by this my precepe of Sasine Directed to you for their Effect in witnes whereof I have subscribed these presents written upon this and the two preceeding pages of paper duly stamped conform to Law by Thomas Moffat Clerk to James Henderson Writer in Falkirk Att Falkirk the twenty fourth day of April Seventeen hundred and ninety four years Before these witnesses the said James Henderson and Thomas Moffat

Francis Watson


James Henderson Witness
Thos Moffat Witness

A selection of entries from Sasine Abridements Appendix III

A selection of entries from Sasine Abridements

Appendix III

Mar 31 1803

4522

James Marshall, son of John Marshall Conniepark seised Feb 12 1803-in 1 rood 1 fall and 27 ell of land of Haggs of North Garngrew, par Denny; on feu con. between him and William Cuthell of Banknock Feb 12 1803.

4523 (similar)

Apr 1 1808

5761

Matthew Hay, sometime changekeeper in Haggs of Bankier and William Hay his Son, seised in liferent and fee respectively Feb 27 1808;- in 1 rood of lands of Haggs of north Garngrew, par. Denny;- on feu con, between the said …… …… and William Cuthill of Banknock, May 17 1799, and Mary Thomson spouse of the said Matthew Hay seised, eod die, in liferent of the said subject, propris manibus of him for himself, and as attorney for the said William Hay.

P.R. 43.209

Apr 22 1808

5780

William Cuthill, portioner, Banknock, seised Mar 1 1808 in a 3s 9d land of Wester Maillings of Denny par. Denny; in security of £100;- on a bond by John Cuthill of Woodhead January 1 1795.

P.R. 43.245

2856 Janet Hay spouse of John Cuthill of Middle Banknock. James Hay of Haircraigs her father – Dec 8 1838 PR 196.234

9266 …..Helen Inglis relicit and John his son… Elizabeth, sister of John. Also 5977, 6032, 6023, 6121, 7502, 8648. 1830 – 1840

  1. Dec 8th 1838

Wm. Hay workman Banknock as heir to John Hay there his brother seized Oct 13 1838 in the pro indiviso half of a piece of ground consisting of 1 rood 3 falls & 21 ells being part of the lands of North Garngrew par Denny:- on PR.CL.Con by William Cuthill merchant Denny Oct 13 1838 PR 196.231


Appendix IV

Sasine of twenty-first July 1819

Appendix IV

In the name of God Amen. Know all Men by this present public Instrument of Sasine That upon the Twenty first day of July in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and Nineteen and of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King Defender of the Faith the fifty ninth year In presence of me Notary Public and witnesses subscribing Compeared personally Helen Inglis widow of William Cuthill Portioner of Banknock and John Cuthill youngest son in life of the said William Cuthill and passed with us and John Kidston Nailer in Denny Bailie in that part specially constituted by virtue of the Precept of Sasine after inserted to the ground of the subjects after mentioned Having and Holding in their hands a principal Disposition and Settlement of the date underwritten and containing the said Precept of Sasine Made and Granted by the said William Cuthill to and in favour of the said Helen Inglis and John Cuthill Whereby for the causes therein specified the said William Cuthill with the special advice and consent of the said Helen Inglis his spouse inter alia Gave Granted and Disponed it and in favour of the said Helen Inglis his Spouse in liferent for her liferent use only and to the said John Cuthill his heirs and assignees whomsoever in fee heritably and irredeemably All and Whole the Five shilling land of old extent of Easter Banknock with houses biggings yards tofts crofts mosses muirs meadows outfields infields pasture and haill other privileges and pertinents thereof as then possessed by the said William Cuthill himself all lying within the parish of Denny and County of Stirling Bounded and particularly described in manner mentioned in the original rights and infeftments thereof Together with the Tiends of the same But with and under the burden of payment making by the said John Cuthill and his foresaids to Elizabeth Cuthill daughter of the said William Cuthill of the sum of Three Hundred Pounds Sterling payable at the first term of Whitsunday or Martinmas happening Four years after the decease of the said William Cuthill and his said spouse and Survivor of them and the legal interest thereof from the first term of Whitsunday or Martinmas happening after the decease of the said William Cuthill and his said spouse and Survivor of them till payment and which sums of principal and interest were thereon declared a real burden affecting said subjects As the said Disposition and Settlement containing the said Precept of Sasine and sundry other clauses in itself more fully bears Which Disposition and Settlement containing as said is the said Helen Inglis and John Cuthill presented to the said John Kidston Baillie foresaid and desired him to proceed to the execution of the office of Balliary thereby committed to him by giving Sasine to the said Helen Inglis and John Cuthill of the foresaid subjects for their respective rights of liferent and fee as above mentioned in terms of the said Disposition and Settlement and Precept of Sasine therein contained Which desire the said John Kidston Baillie foresaid finding to be just and reasonable he received the said Disposition and settlement into his hands and delivered the same to me the said Notary Public to be read and published to the witnesses present which I did accordingly and of which Precept of Sasine therein contained the tenor follows vizt: “Attour to
and each of you jointly and severally my Baillies in that part specially constituted That on sight hereof ye pass to the ground of the said respective subjects and there Give and deliver heritable State and Sasine actual real and corporal possession to the said William Cuthill my Son and his forsaids in fee of All and Whole the respective Subjects above disponed to him lying bounded and described as aforesaid with the tiends and pertinents And also that ye give and deliver heritable and liferent State and Sasine actual real and corporal possession to the said Helen Inglis my spouse in liferent for her liferent use allenarly and to the said John Cuthill my son and his foresaids in fee of All and Whole the subjects above disponed to them with the Teinds and pertinents lying bounded and described as aforesaid and that by delivery to the said Helen Inglis and to the said William Cuthill and John Cuthill and their forsaids or to their certain attorney or attornies in their names bearers hereof of Earth and Stone of and upon the ground of the said lands with a handful of grass or corn for the said tiends and other symbols necessary and usual But always with and under the provisions before written all which are hereby declared to be real burdens affecting said subjects and are appointed to be engrossed in the infeftments to follow hereon and this in nowise ye leave undone which to do this my Precept of Sasine shall be to you a sufficient warrant In witness whereof I have subscribed these presents written upon this and the two preceding pages of Stamped paper by George Liddle Apprentice to William Storie Writer in Falkirk along with the said Helen Inglis my spouse in testimony of her approbation of the premisses at Falkirk the Tenth day of February Eighteen hundred and fourteen years Before these witnesses the said William Storie and George Liddle/ Signed by William Cuthill Helen Inglis Wm. Storie Witness Geo. Liddle Witness.” After reading and publishing of which Disposition and Settlement and Precept of Sasine therein contained and above inserted the said John Kidston Bailie foresaid by virtue thereof and of the Office of Bailliary thereby committed to him Gave and Delivered heritable and liferent State and Sasine actual real and corporal possession to the said Helen Inglis in liferent for her liferent use allenarly and to the said John Cuthill in fee of All and Whole the subjects above mentioned conveyed to them by the foresaid Disposition and Settlement with the Teinds and pertinents lying bounded and described as aforesaid and that by delivery to the said Helen Inglis and John Cuthill of Earth and Stone of and upon the ground of the said lands with a handful of grass for the said tiends and other symbols necessary and usual But always with and under the provision before written conform to the said Disposition and Settlement and Precept of Sasine therein contained and above inserted in all points Whereupon and upon all and Sundry the premisses the said Helen Inglis and John Cuthill asked and took Instruments in the hands of me the said Notary Public These things were so acted and done upon the ground of the said subjects betwixt the hours of two and three o’Clock afternoon of the day month year of God and King’s reign first above written Before and in presence of William Muirhead residing in Denny and John Kincaid Weaver in Denny Witnesses required to the premisses and hereto with me Subscribing

Incorrupta Fides
Wm. Storie N.P.

I William as clerk of the Edinburgh actuarial court admitted by act of Parliament. I have officially sent out and dispatched with witnesses present and hereby confirm their names I have said, seen, known and heard their names and know them not to be different. I have prepared, furthermore this public instrument, and indicate and recognize my usual, accustomed signature. I write below the names and testimony as required all signed and sent forward.

Wm Muirhead Witness
Jn. Kincaid Witness



At Stirling the nineteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and nineteen years The Sasine above written being presented by James Buchanan writer in Stirling Is Registered on the one hundred and forty seventh 148th 149th 150th and one hundred and fifty first leaves of the Twentieth Book of the New particular Register of Sasines Reversions and others kept at Stirling for the Shires of Stirling and Clackmannan and the Stewarty of Monteith by
R.O. Henderson


Confirmation of 1794 Sasine

Appendix V

Appendix V Be it known to all Men by this present charter That I the Honourable Charles Fleming of Biggar and Cumbernauld immediate lawful Superior of the Lands and others underwritten, have ratified and approved, and for me my heirs and successors perpetually confirmed to and in favour of my Lovites Helen Inglis, Widow of William Cuthill Portioner of Banknock, in liferent for her liferent use only and to John Cuthill and his heirs and assignees whomsoever in fee, heritably and irredeemably all and whole that five shilling Land of the old extent of Easter Ballenknock with houses biggings yards tofts crofts mosses muirs meadows outfields infields pastures pasturages and hail other privileges and pretinents as they were possessed at one time by Robert Bryson and lately by the said deceased William Cuthill and these as principal lands all lying within the Parish of Denny and County of Stirling Bounded and particularly described in manner mentioned in the original rights and Infeftments thereof: as also all and hail the Lands of Middle Thomaston called ane twelve shilling and three pence land of old extent with houses, biggings, and yards and haile ther parts and pendicles as at one time belonging to Thomas Heugh Merchant in Falkirk on real security and warrandice of the forsaid principal Lands. Together with the writs after named of the subjects above specified vizt: A Disposition dated the sixth day of August one thousand seven hundred and seventy made and granted by Andrew Adam Senior Portioner of Falkirk to and in favour of Christian Adam his youngest lawful daughter, spouse of John Watson, Keelman, Falkirk of inter alia all and whole the said five shilling lands of old extent of Easter Ballenknock and pertinents as for principal and of all and whole the said warrandice lands of middle Thomaston all as above confirmed and described with the Instrument of Sasine following hereon in favour of Francis Watson as heir to Christian Adam above designed, his mother of the said lands. Dated the sixth and recorded in the Particular Register of Sasines Reversions &c kept at Stirling the Thirty first day of December one thousand seven hundred and seventy six years. As also a Disposition dated the twenty fourth day of April one thousand seven hundred and ninety four years, made and granted by the said Francis Watson, Merchant in Falkirk to and in favoour of William Cuthill tenant in Dallater of all and whole the said five shilling Land and pertinents of Easter Ballenknock, with Instrument of Sasine following thereon in favour of the said William Cuthill dated the ninth and recorded in the Particular Register of Sasines Reversions &c kept at Stirling the fifteenth day of December one thousand seven hundred and ninety four years; And a Disposition and Settlement dated the tenth day of February one thousand eight hundred and fourteen years made and granted by the said William Cuthill with the Special advice and consent of Helen Inglis his Spouse of inter alia all and whole the said five shilling land and pertinents to and in favour of the said Helen Inglis in liferent and to the said John Cuthill in fee, under the real burden of making payment to Elizabeth Cuthill daughter of the said William Cuthill of
C. Fleming.

Page Second
of the sum of Three hundred pounds sterling payable at the first term of Whitsunday or Martinmas happening four years after the decease of the said William Cuthill and his spouse and survivor of them, and the legal interest thereof from the first term of Whitsunday or Martinmas happening after the said decease till payment; with the Instrument of Sasine following thereon in favour of the said Helen Inglis and John Cuthill dated the twenty first day of July, and recorded in the Particular Register of Sasines, Reversions &c at Sirling the nineteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and nineteen years, or of whatever other date tenor or contents the said several writs may be in the whole heads articles, clauses tenor and contents of the same, with all that has followed or may be competent to follow thereupon. and I hereby will and grant and for myself my heirs and successors decern and ordain that the present confirmation is and shall be as valid and effectual and as of great force strength and effect as if the writs hereby confirmed had been word for word engrossed herein, or as if the present confirmation had been made and granted before the taking of the said Infeftment: Whereanent and with all other objections defects and imperfection which can anywise be proposed against the validity of the said writs hereby confirmed, or this confirmation thereof, I have dispensed and with these presents for me and my forsaids dispense for ever. To be holden the said Lands and others above mentioned with the pertinents by the said John Cuthill and his forsaids of me and my forsaids immediate lawful Superior thereof in feu farm fee and heritage for ever by all the righteous meiths and marches thereof, as the same may be in length and breadth, with free ish and entry thereto and all and sundry parts pendicles and pertinents thereof freely and quietly without any impediment or obstacle whatever Paying therefore yearly the said John Cuthill and his forsaids to me the honourable Charles Fleming and my forsaids of the sum of one pound Scots money of yearly feu duty at two terms in the year Whitsunday and Martinmas by
C. Fleming.

Page Third
by equal portions and doubling the said feu duty the first year of the entry of each heir to the said Lands as use is of feu farm answering at the Courts of the Barony of Cumbernauld and paying and performing all other duties and services which are payable and prestable furth of the said lands by the antient rights and Infeftments therereof. Saving and reserving always my own right, and the right of all others, as accords of the law. And I consent to the Registration hereof in the Books of Council and Session, therin to remain for preservation and for that purpose Constitute
my Procurators. In witness whereof These presents written upon this and the two preceding pages of Stamped Vellum by George Graham Harvey Apprentice to Alexander Campbell Jr and Alexander Barlas Writers in Glasgow, declaring that the said word “land” inserted betwixt the twentieth and twentyfirst lines counting from the top of the first page hereof also written by the said George Graham Harvey was inserted before subscription, Are Subscribed At Cumbernauld the sixth day of August Eighteen hundred and twentyfive years before these witnesses, the said Alexander Campbell Senior and John Tennant his Clerk.
C. Fleming.
Alex Campbell 	Witness
John Tennent 	Witness.


James Soutar

According to "The Surnames of Scotland" by George Black, New York, the name is from the occupation of shoemaker or cobbler (Middle English Soutere from Old Norse Sutare).

It has been claimed that the name came to the Perth and Angus areas when sons of Adam Johnston, Baron of Johnston in Annandale came to the area and assumed the name Soutar. An act of Parliament later allowed their descendants to resume their former name.

The following, from "The Acts of Parliament of Scotland" volume VII, page 467 gives some details:

Edinburgh 21st day of August 1663. (King Charles II:-) for changing the name of Soutar of late used by some of the name of Johnstoun.

The estates of Parliament haveing heard a supplication presented unto them be Mr David Johnstoun alias Souter Student in Divinity for himselff and in the name and behalff of his remanant kinsmen of that name within the Sherreffdome of Pearth and Fforfar Mentioning that the petitioners predecessor and his brother of the Surname of Johnstoun in the year 1460 (as they are informed) came from Annandale to Scone in Perthshire, upon some discontent, and ther attendit the ouner of that place for a long time, and assumed to themselffs the Surname of Souter that thereby they should not be noticed for the tyme;
One of the breither dyeing without issue, The other surviveing, for his good deportment, wes maried to a Gentlewoman from which marriage procedit diverse honest men who are growin into considerable families whairof the petitioners are decendit And being desireous that they may be restored to their true and antient sirname of Johnstoun Therefor humbly craveing they may be empowered to alter their surname and that in all time coming they may be designed after the surname of Johnstoun As the supplication bears;
Which being taken into consideration The Kings Maiestie with the advice and consent of his estates of Parliament Doth heirby allow the supplicants to take the Surname of Johnstoun, and that they and their posterity be designed and called in all timecoming after the surname of Johnstoun Notwithstanding of their former designation be the name of Souter;
And declares that this change shall noways preindge them nor their airs and successors in any manner of way of the benefite of any writs or securitys wherin any of them are designed by the name of Souter.

This branch of the Soutars, now extinct, were burgesses and members of the Glovers Incorporation in Perth. There is a stone to the family in Greyfriars Graveyard, Perth.


65. (2) Helen Anderson

On Helen's side, one further generation can be added from information in O.P.R's:

Perth, Meigle 1760 June 14th James Anderson and Jannet Simpson both this parish

Many of these people were likely to be closely involved with the land in one way or another. The main crops in the area were oats, barley, peas and flax, (in a good year a lippie* of lint-seed could give a yield of a stone of dressed flax). Turnips and hay were also grown as winter-feed for cattle. Young cattle were raised and either sold to drovers or fed up then taken to Falkirk to "meet the English merchants". Potatoes, although introduced only within the last 20 years, were grown in large quantities.

*Note:
4 lippies = 1 peck
4 pecks = 1 bushel

As 1 bushel = 8 gallons and 1 gallon = 4.5 litres,

1 peck = 9 litres and 1 lippie =2.5 litres.

1 stone = 14 lbs or 6.36 kg


66. George Gillespie

All known information about this couple is to be found in the notes about their daughter, Janet.


68. John Ferguson

Ancestors of William Ferguson

William's parents were John Ferguson and Margaret Mitchell. They were married on 06th April 1819 at Coupar Angus. "Proclaimed and married March 6th John Ferguson, molecatcher and Margaret Mitchell. Both this parish".

She was nineteen and he twenty-seven. Over the next fifteen years nine births are recorded to the couple, only four of these children survived into adulthood. Margaret died in 1839 when the youngest child, Robert, was only six and John re-married three years later, his new bride being Janet Inches. Only the names are recorded in the OPR with no further information. The 1841 census shows that John has changed his occupation, becoming a grocer in Coupar Angus.

1841Census Dist. 279 Book 3 Page 5

Barlatch or George Street

Ferguson John 45 grocer Y Ferguson William 15 molecatcher Y Ferguson Alexander 15 LHLW Y Ferguson Helen 14 female servant N Ferguson John 10 Y Ferguson Robert 8 Y

The ages for adults in the 1841 census were rounded down to the nearest five years and a "Y" indicates Yes, born in the Scotland. An "N" indicates, No born furth of Scotland.

Who is the female servant, Helen Ferguson? Is she a relation? She was born outwith Scotland so that seems unlikely. Was she mistakenly listed as a Ferguson by the enumerator? No answers are likely to be found to these questions.

The 1851 census at Dist. 279 book 3 gives:

Barlatch Street

Ferguson John h m 58 General grocer Perth, Perth Ferguson Janet w m 48 Perth, Coupar Angus Ferguson John s u 20 Miller Wright (apprentice) Perth, Coupar Angus Ferguson Robert s u 18 HLW Perth Coupar Angus

The 1860 edition of Slaters Directory shows us that John's shop was in George Street but no other information is given. The Valuation Rolls show that both house and shop were in Barlatch Street (the old name for George Street)

In the 1861 census at Dist. 272 Book 5 Page 9 living in a house which has three rooms with windows and is situated in George Street are:

Ferguson John h m 58 Merchant (grocer) Perth, Perth Ferguson Janet w m 59 Perth, Coupar Angus

John died on 2nd July 1862 and the death was recorded in the Dundee Advertiser. In those days intimations were not listed alphabetically, as they are now. They began with the address of the deceased or at least in indication of the address, followed by the date of death then the name of the deceased. They were inserted, presumably, in the order they were submitted to the paper. The notices in the edition of 4th July1862 are shown below.

Confirmation and Inventory is to be found at: Sc 49/31/74 02.07.1862 folio 260

I Scotland

1 Cash £3-3-1 2 Household furniture, shop goods & fittings and his Apparel as per appraisement by James Anderson, LicensedAppraisers at Berryhillock dated 11 July 1862 Vis: 1 Household furniture £19-15-6 2 Shop fittings £ 1-10-0 3 Shop goods £74 - 3-3 £95-8-9 3 Deposit Account at Coupar Angus branch of Union Bank of Scotland. £383-00-8 4 Interest receipt at ditto dated 17 Feb 1862 with interest. £161-6-6 £642-18-6 5 Debts due to the deceased by the parties aftermentioned. Vis:
David Luke Tullybackart 3- 11 - 1/2 John Somerville Hallyburton 1- 8 - 9 John Bruce Mason, Presinct 4- 13 - 1/2 John Hume Barlatch 1- 18-111/2 Peter Myles Baldowrie 3 - 6- 41/2 R Brodie Halliburton 10 -11- 0 Mr Irons Station Agent, Coupar Angus - 8- 4 Hugh Lawson Ledcrieff 7- 8- 11/2 James Myles Denhead 5- 9- 6 Charles Burns Ashley Cottage 1- 4- 41/2 Mrs Fawns Barlatch -14- 61/2 John Adams Barlatch - 5- 3 James Whilson of Islapark - 2- 0 John Mitchell Hay Street -10- 5 Andrew Robertson Ley - 2-111/2 Andrew Dargie Washington 1- 0- 0 James McNabb Washington 1- 2- 4 Peter Duncan Barlatch - 3- 51/2 David Cramond Couttie - 1- 71/2 David Cochrane blacksmith, Coupar Angus - 6- 0 John McLeish Athole Street - 2- 9 James Cameron Arthurstone - 2- 6 George Fleming Balbrogie -6-10 Mrs McKay Keithock -3- 8 Mrs Maudsley Keithock -3- 8 Helen Dysart Barlatch -4- 7 William Donaldson Commonsby -3- 0 £45-15-1 Total £688-14-0

No estate in England of Ireland
The executors were "Peter Ferguson, manufacturer, Coupar Angus William Ferguson manufacturer there and Thomas Inches Gas Manager Coupar Angus"

John's bequests were: Margaret Ferguson, eldest daughter of his son Peter £5. Elizabeth Ferguson second daughter of his son William £5. To his brother William Ferguson, resident in Forfar, he left £10 and his body clothes.

Furniture and effects, still in existence which were brought Janet Inches or Ferguson when they married were to be delivered to her and John expressed his desire that his wife should continue in business and left her one third of his estate (this to include the shop fittings and stock). The remainder he left to the children of his first mariage.

Finally after John's death on 2nd August 1862, Janet is left alone in the family home at George Street: 1871 Census Dist 279 Book 4 Page 7

Ferguson Janet h widr 67 Merchant (grocer) Perth , Coupar Angus.


70. Alexander McKenzie and Elizabeth Miller


Nothing definite is known about Alexander McKenzie and Elizabeth Miller. In the book about their grandson, "Sir James McKenzie, M.D. 1853-1925" it is speculated that the family originated in Ross-Shire, came south into Perthshire after the '46 and settled at Stanley about 7 miles north of Scone. Here, the author says, their son, Robert (i.e. Sir James's father), was born at Derrymill Farm.


72. John Robbie and Margaret Greig

John Robbie and Margaret Greig were married in September 1820. The event is recorded in the Parish of Rescobie on 09th September "Margaret Greig, parish of Murroes and John Robbie this parish" and also in the parish of Murroes on 17 Sept 1820.

Shortly after the wedding, John and Margaret settled in Maryton (or Balmuckety feus) south east of Kirriemuir. Sandra Affleck in "A Little Red Town" explains that "Gilbert Meason was one of those responsible and helpful landowners who offered some of his land for the creation of houses-cum-workshops for weavers.…..In the early 1820's, therefore, the little communities, or "colonies", of Maryton and Ellenorton appeared, named after the two Meason daughters." Maryton still exists in 2000 but Ellernorton was at sometime re-named after the Biblical Padanaram. Prior to 1820, the Kirriemuir district had, from 1817, been affected by a period of great poverty and in 1819 was badly affected by typhus fever, which was said to have "spread like the plague". (In 1819 the church paid for 38 coffins). By the time the Robbies arrived, however, things must have been improving as a Provident Bank opened in the town in May 1824 and gained sixty customers who deposited a total of £118-5-7.

The birth of John and Margaret's first child, Jean in late 1820 is not recorded but Elspeth (1822), Ann (1824), Alexander (1826), and John (1828) are all recorded as born in Kirriemuir or more precisely at Balmuckety.
Andrew (1832) was born at Millton of Ogilvie. Margaret (1834), David, (1836) and Mary (1837) were born at Holemill, parish of Glamis.

Holemill was a large mill, built into the side of a small valley below the mill dam. It had three floors, the nature of the site allowing easy access by ramp to each floor.

By the 1841 census the family have returned to Milton again. Perhaps when they were there before, John had been an apprentice and now he was the miller.

Glamis 289 dist. 3 page 8
Millton

Robbie John		40	millar		y
Robbie Margaret		40			n
Robbie Andrew		  9			y
Robbie Margaret		  7			y
Robbie David		  5			y
Robbie Mary		  3			y

Also in the same district, of Glamis 289 dist 4 page 2 is what appears to be a daughter of the family:

West Denon

Robbie Ann		17			y	(no occupation given)

Three years later, by 1844, at the birth of Janet, the family is at Kincreish mill in the Parish of Inverarity and Methy. Some of the information given about this parish in the First or "Old" Statistical Account in January 1835 was:

"The nearest market-town to Inverarity is Forfar, four miles distant. A turnpike-road from Forfar to Dundee passes through the parish, for four miles. Two public coaches travel on the road daily, one from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, the other from Brechin to Dundee".

The population was estimated to consist of:
Under 15 years 500
15-30 years 140
30-50 years 120
50-70 years 46
upwards of 70 years 20

The number of families in the parish was 176. Of these, 81 were chiefly employed in agriculture and 52 in trade, manufactures or handicrafts.

The first census after the Robbies arrived in the parish was in 1851 and the relevant entries are:

1851 Inverarity and Methy 292 book 1

Cuttiehaugh

Robbie John	h  m  55	oatmeal millar employing 1 journeyman	Forfar, Tannadice
                                                   and 1 apr.		
Robbie Margaret	w  m  50						Perth, Clunie	
Robbie Andrew	s  u  17	miller (journeyman)			Forfar, Glammiss
Robbie Margaret	d  u  15	millers daughter				Forfar, Glammiss
Robbie David	s     13	miller (ap)				Forfar Inverarity
Robbie Janet	d      6	scholar			  		Forfar, Inverarity
Smart Margaret	g-dau  8	scholar					Forfar, Glammis

By 1861, John and Margaret had moved to Benvie and census records for 1861 and 1871 for them are recorded with information about them. After John's death in 1873, Margaret moved into Dundee where she died nearly five years later.

The following contain some information gathered about the children of John Robbie and Margaret Greig:

John Robbie Agnes Russell

John had been missing from his parents' home in the 1871 census and was not in the immediate vicinity either. As he married in Edinburgh a few years later, it is likely that he was apprenticed to a gardener in that area. He married Agnes Russell, a widow with twin daughters, on 03 July 1874. He was the gardener and she an assistant housekeeper at 13 Moray Street, Leith Walk.where they both lived and were they were married. This, presumably, is where they were employed. According to their grave stone in The Western Necropolis, Dundee, (Balgay Cemetery as it is commonly known) an infant daughter died in Edinburgh. Finding this daughter's birth and death certificates would help to track the family's movements.

By 1881 John and his family were living at Gardeners Lodge, Craigsanquhar near Leuchars in Fife where John was gardener.

445 Dist 4 page 29

Robbie John h m 29 gardener (domestic servant) Forfar, Inverighty Robbie Agnes w m 31 wife West Calder, Edin. Robbie Marion d 10 scholar Edinburgh, Edinburgh Robbie Rosia d 10 scholar Edinburgh, Edinburgh Robbie Charlotte d 6 scholar Edinburgh, Edinburgh Robbie Andrew s 8mo Fife, Leuchars

By 1891 John, now 39, was back in Benvie area, staying in Grey Lodge and working at Grey House as gardener and domestic servant. Two of the daughters, Rose (20) and Charlotte (16), both of whom had been born in Edinburgh, were working as jute weavers although where they worked is not known but it would most likely be in Lochee, where the nearest jute works were situated.

Three other children, Andrew (10) Betsy (9) and John (7) had been born in Leuchars. The youngest, William (4) had been born after the family came to Benvie.

1891 Census Liff & Benvie 301 dist. 1 page 1.

Grey Lodge

Robbie	John	h  m	39	Gardener, domestic serv.		Forfar, Inverarity	
Robbie	Agnes	w  m	42	Wife				West Calder	
Robbie	Rose	d  un	20	Jute weaver			Edinburgh	
Robbie	Charlotte	d  un	16	Jute weaver			Edinburgh
Robbie	Andrew	s	10					Fife, Craigsanquhar
Robbie	Betsy	d	  9					Fife, Craigsanquhar
Robbie	John	s	  7					Fife, Craigsanquhar
Robbie	William	s	  4					Forfar, Liff
Two rooms with windows

The enumerator for the district at this census was none other than John Robbie who covered an area including Gray Lodge, Gray Walk, Benvie, Flockloans, Ladyfield, Balruddery, Gray House, Kirkton of Liff, Village of Liff, (including the manse, the inn and the school) and Loch of Liff.

Marion, who was missing from the family home on the night of the census, was in service at 17 Strawberry Bank, Dundee with Joseph Ainslie, a retired accountant and his niece-housekeeper, Jemima McKay. (282/1 dist. 21, page 1.)

In later years, John set up in business for himself with a market garden in Ancrum Road, Dundee. The family lived in the cottage at the corner of Ancrum Road and what is now Peel Street but what was then an un-named lane. John is recorded on the voters roll as having a market garden and byre in nearby Rose Lane.

The whole family was musical and at one time formed a dance band. Rose (Robina) and Bet later taught music. In their later years these two lived in Monifieth where they died in 1958 as the result of a gassing tragedy which was reported in the Dundee Courier on Friday 20 June:

Sisters gassed at Monifieth
Two elderly sisters were found gassed in their home at 23 Well Street, Monifieth yesterday morning. Miss Robina Robbie (80) was dead and her sister, Miss Elizabeth Robbie (78) was taken to Dundee Royal Infirmary with severe gas poisoning. Late last night she was still unconscious and seriously ill.

Mrs Ann Allan, who lives next door saw a paper in the letter box and a milk bottle at the door about eleven o'clock. She received no reply to her knocking.

Mrs Allan told the "Courier": "The woman next door to the Robbies, Mrs Petrie, is in the habit of looking in to see how they are every morning, but she is on holiday just now."

Mrs Allan had the key for the back gate and at the back of the house noticed a strong smell of gas. She could not get in and for phoned the police.

Through window
Entering by the front window they found the Misses Robbie lying on the kitchen floor with gas escaping from the cooker.

Miss Elizabeth was a music teacher and the couple had lived in Well Street for about 30 years. There is a brother in Blairgowrie and another in Canada. The one in Canada was home last year.*

*There were in fact two brothers in Canada.

In 1901 or 1902, Agnes and John's son, Andrew emigrated to Canada, establishing himself in Montreal. His family is detailed in the chart on page 512. His brother, John followed him from Lochee to Canada in 1904. John was employed by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway when he arrived in Montreal and was transferred west to Rivers Man in 1908, moving to Edmonton later in 1908.

Andrew never returned to Scotland but John returned while serving in the 49th Edmonton, Alberta, Battalion as an infantryman during the Great War. He became reacquainted with Jessie Warden of Panmure Street, Monifieth, and when the war ended they married and settled in Edmonton and had two children, Jean and Ian. Ian was killed fighting with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the second world war. During his posting in Britain he had visited his parent's city several times.

John Robbie died in 1974, surviving his wife by 24 years. During his latter years, when Daughter, Jean would ask him if he would like a nap he would reply "I'll go if the gang is going". A phrase which she did not understand until she found that the family had lived at Knapp Mill at one time.

Charlotte, who was the last surviving member of John & Agnes's family still in Britain, died 19th March 1946.


Jean Robbie and Henry Jack

Jean married Henry Jack, an event which is recorded at Monikie 06 Dec 1844 and at Liff & Benvie 23 Nov 1844.

1881 census Fowlis Easter 356 dist. 1 page 1.

Jacks Henry h m 58 miller and farmer of 60 acres arable employs
3 men, 1 boy & 2 girls Forfar, Liff & Benvie Jacks Jane w m 60 Forfar, Murroes Jacks Henry s u 27 farmers son Forfar, Liff Jacks Jane d u 19 farmers daughter Perth, Fowlis Easter Jacks George s u 16 farmers son Perth, Fowlis Easter Murray Jeannie gr dau 4 Forfar, Dundee Kay Mary serv u 17 general servant domestic Forfar, Muroes

A stone against the east wall of Fowlis Easter Churchyard reads:

Front

Sacred to the memory of
Henry Jack
Tennant for 41 years of
The Mill of Fowlis
And elder for 36 years of the
United parishes of Lundie and Fowlis
Who died at Mill of Fowlis
On 25 Dec 1897 aged 75 years
A man greatly beloved
Also of
Jean Robbie wife of Henry Jack
Who died 31 Dec 1899 aged 79 years
Also their daughter
Jane Jack
Who died 22 July 1904 aged 42 years
Also of Elizabeth Gilchrist
Wife of Henry Bell Jack
Who died 30 Nov 1973 aged 85 years

North of stone
Died at Menzieshill and interred here
Peter Bell Jack aged 15 years and 5 months
son of Henry Jack and
Helen Buchannan Bell
The above Helen Buchannan Bell
Died 8 Feb 1916 aged 54 years
And the above Hendry Jack
Died 16 June 1924 aged 71 years
Also their son
Hendry Bell Jack
Died 8 June 1931 aged 45 years
And their daughter Ellen Buchannan Jack
Died 28 Feb 1936 aged 46 years.

An adjacent stone is that of the Bell family.


Alexander Robbie and Helen Thain

Alexander married Helen Thain on 31 Dec 1849 in Dundee. They had the following family:

Helen (place and date of birth not known).
Joan b 25 Dec 1856 Dundee (mother Helen Anderson Thain),
John McLean b 19 Dec 1860 Dundee (mother Helen Robertson Thain).
John McLean b 04 Sept 1863 Dundee (mother HelenAnderson Thain).
Jean Greig b 10 Apr 1867 Dundee (mother Helen Anderson Thain).

In the 1851 census for Dundee Bk 37 page 38 they are at:

128 Mid Street

Robbie Alex	h  m	25	bootmaker				Forfar, Kirrymuir
Robbie Robertson	w  m	27					Forfar, Dundee
Robbie Helen	d  	6mo.					Forfar, Dundee

In the Lockit Book of the Cordiner Craft of Dundee held (in Oct 1997) by J M Hardie of Edward Parker & Co. Unit 4 Coldside Road Dundee DD3 8DF is recorded:

"At Dundee 29th day September 1859.
Alexander Langlands being Deacon -
Alexander Robbie, son of John Robbie Miller, Benvie presented himself before a meeting of the incorporation and after a specimen of his work was inspected he was admitted a Free Master of The Cordiners Incorporation of Dundee".

Also noted on 16 May 1904 "Alexander Robbie Mann son of John E Mann admitted".
It was not uncommon for members of the Incorporation to name children after other members and that appears to be the case here, confirmed by an entry from the 1891 census.

1881 census Dundee 282/1 dist. 1 pg. 35
13 Park Entry

Robbie 	Helen	h  wid    58	partner of  Robbie & Mann bootmakers			Forfar, Dundee
Robbie	Joan	d  u	 24	saleswoman					Forfar, Dundee
Robbie	Jane	d  	 13	scholar						Forfar, Dundee


David Robbie and Elizabeth Small

David married Elizabeth Small 17 Dec 1858 at Inverarity. They had the following family:

Margaret b 21 Mar 1860 Inverarity mother Elizabeth Small
Ann b 06 Dec 1861 Inverarity mother Elizabeth Small
James b 08 Jan 1864 Inverarity mother Elizabeth Small
George b 02 Mar 1866 Inverarity & Methy mother Betsy Small
Jemima b 28 May 1868 Mains & Strathmartine mother Elisabeth Small
Catherine Morgan b 23 Jun 1870 Mains & Strathmartine mother Betsy Small
Alexander b 18 Jun 1872 Mains & Strathmartine mother Betsy Small
David b 23 Aug 1874 Dundee mother Betsy Small


1861 Inverarity 292 dist 1 page 5

Robbie David		h  m	24	meal miller		Forfar, Glamis
Robbie Betty		w  m	22	wife			Forfar, Inverarity
Robbie Margaret		d	 1				Forfar, Inverarity

1871 Mains book 2 page 40
New Mill of Mains

Robbie	David		h  m	34	meal miller		Forfar,  Glamis
Robbie	Betsy		w  m	32				Forfar, Inverarity
Robbie	Margaret		d 	10	scholar			Forfar, Inverarity
Robbie	Ann	 	d	  8	scholar			Forfar, Inverarity
Robbie	James		s	  7	scholar			Forfar, Inverarity
Robbie	George		s	  5	scholar			Forfar, Inverarity
Robbie	Catherine	d	9mo					Forfar, Inverarity
Black	Eliza		serv.	14	general servant		Fife, Ferryport on Craig
					domestic
4 children at school, 3 rooms with windows.


1881 Dundee 282/4 Dist. 18a Page 3

31 Dura St.

Robbie	David		h  m	45	sugar grinder			Forfar, Glamis
Robbie	Betsy		w  m	43					Forfar, Inverarity	
Robbie	Margaret		d  u	21	flax weaver	   		Forfar, Inverarity
Robbie	Ann		d  u	19	jute weaver		         Forfar, Inverarity	
Robbie	George		s  u	15	message boy			Forfar, Inverarity
Robbie	Catherine	         d  u	10					Forfar, Mains


74. George Deuchars and Janet Miller

George Deuchars born 24 April at Mosside of Bridgetown, Kinnettles married Jannet Millar, the record of whose birth has not been found. George was described at various times later as a joiner, a wright, a cart wright and plough wright and a millwright. Many years later, George's grandson James Robbie told his grand-daughter, Hilda Soutar or Allan, that George, as part of his work, would, on occasion, walk, carrying his tools, from Inverarity to Benvie (some twelve miles as the crow flies). The connection may have been Strathmore Estates, which owned property in both places.

1841 Census Inverarity 292 dist 4 page 3.

Inverighty

Deuchars George		35	wright		y
Deuchars Janet		29			y
Deuchars Jane		11			y
Deuchars Charlotte		10			y
Deuchars William	       	 8			y
Deuchars Helen		 5			y
Deuchars Georgina	       	 2			y

Nearby also at Inverighty (292, dist 4 page 5) was a Deuchars James, 74, labourer. This could be George's father but as no record of his father's birth has been found this cannot be confirmed. (A James Deuchars was born at Glamis to John Deuchars on 06 May 1767).

1851 Census Angus, Inverarity 292 dist. 1 page 4

Roadside

Deuchars George		h  m  	45	cart and plough wright			Forfar, Kinnetles
					employing 1 app.
Deuchars Janet		w  m 	39						Forfar, Murroes
Deuchars Jane		d  u	21	handloom weaver (brown linen)		Forfar, Inverarity 
Deuchars Charlotte		d  u 	20	general house servant			Forfar, Inverarity
Deuchars William	         s  u	18	wright app.				Forfar, Inverarity
Deuchars Helen		d  	15	scholar					Forfar, Inverarity
Deuchars Georgina	      	d	12	scholar					Forfar, Inverarity
Smith Charlotte	    	g dau	 2						Forfar, Inverarity


1861 Census. Angus, Inverarity 292 dist.1 page 4

Roadside Inverighty

Allan Alexander h m 33 ag lab Fife, Not.Known. Allan Jane w m 30 ag lab's wife Forfar, Inverarity Allan Margaret d 1 Forfar, Inverarity


1861 Census. Angus, Inverarity 292 dist.1 page 4

Roadside Inverarity

Deuchars George h m 56 millwright (master) Forfar, Kinnettles Deuchars Janet w m 51 millwrights wife Forfar, Murroes Edward Jane g-dau 8 scholar Forfar, Inverarity 1 room with window

1871 Census Inverarity 292 dist. 1 page 4/5

Address illegible

Deuchars George h m 67 millwright (master) Forfar, Kinnettles Deuchars Jane w m 61 Forfar, Murroes Clark Henry g-son 11 scholar Forfar, Inverarity Deuchars David Brother widr 73 teacher (retired) Forfar, Kirriemuir

David is recorded as lunatic

1881 Census Angus, Inverarity 292 dist. 1 page 3

Roadside Cottage

Deuchars George		h  m 	78	joiner (out of employment)	Forfar, Kinnettles
Deuchars Jannet		w  m	70				Forfar, Murroes

George is recorded as being blind.

Notes.

In Archives at Glamis Castle there is a reference in the Accounts of the Factor for the period 11th Nov 1863 - 14 Nov 1874 of George Deuchars - Home and Land - No arrears. Money rent £16:12:0d. Interest on advances for building and draining £2:4:8d. Total rent crop 1864 £18:16:8d. Arrears outstanding 11th Nov 1865 £12:13:11d. (arrears by Nov 1866 had risen to £21:10;7d).

Also noted in Glamis Archives is "John Deuchars his discharged accompt of slates anno 1768 and Mr Lyons order £4:1:0d." This may or may not have any family connection but possibly linked with it is the following from Liff Kirk Session Minutes:

Saturday November 26 1719 The session met and being duly constituted by prayer the minister represented that in obedience to his appointment he had seen to the reparation of the quier - east loft and other things decaying in the church and that he had employed one John Deuchars wright in the parish of Benvie to the same, and also that the said John was to wait on the session to give his account, the session having heard and considered the same and finding everything honoustly done were satisfied : and decided that the said John might be called upon the said John being called compeared and gave in the following account of his work done be him in the church (viz) primo ye quier sufficiently furnished with communion tables all new; the east loft furnished, with seats raised; the lantorn altered; the west loft amended; the seat of repentance made knew; the church stiles made sufficient with new doors and Balgay's seat rectified, Ordering the quier windows, going to Dundie for timber to make up the said pieces of work. the session having heard and considered the said account desired of the minister to enquire at him what he would take for the whole of his work be the lump; and withall that he might be easie as possible in regard as it was the poors money whereupon the minister (illegible) and the session (illegible) the said John after reasoning on the pieces of work, they unanimously agreed to give him thirty pund Scots withall the said John was satisfied: the session not having money at present to give him for his work, and the said John not being able to want it, the minister in the face of session promised to give it to him tomorrow or once this week without fail of what was in his hands belonging to the session and report accordingly at the next meeting. The minutes of the next meeting make no mention of John or his payment!


The Teachers Record, Tannadice, which (in 1998) is in Angus Folk Museum, contains the following, which may or may not be relevant to the family:

1775 Charles Hendrey Jan 12th
1754 Decr. 8 David Hendrey
1755 George Deuchar payed
1755 June 21 George Deuchar - Never removed
Nov 8 George Deuchar
1758 George Deuchar June 8
1758 Nov 1st ditto
1760 Oct John Hendrie
Robert Hendrie
1761 Nov 17 John Hendrie
Robert Hendrie
Dec 7 David Hendrie
1762 John Hendrie
Robert Hendrie
1780 Eliz. Hendrie

Also in the notebook are the following, now curious, conversion factors:

Scots Paris and Amsterdam ounces are to the English Troy ounce 95 to 96.
The Scots Paris or Amsterdam grain is to the English Troy ounce as 19 to 23.
The Scots £ to the English Avoirdupoice as 38 to 35.
The Scots firlot wheat measure is to the English Winchester bushel as 100,000 to 99,042.
The wheat firlot is to the bear firlot as 211/4 to 31.
The Scots Ell is to the English yard as 31/10 to 3.
The old Scots foot is to the English foot as 186 to 185.
The Scots pint contains 103,421 cubic inches.


76. John Duncan and Catherine Henderson

The first five of the following events were recorded in Fife, Balmerino (409)

1818
Novr. 29th  	Duncan &            John Duncan & Catherine Henderson 
	         Henderson           both of this parish.

1818 FR 470
Birth Bapt.
Augt. 1 John, son to John Duncan and Catherine Henderson, Coutrie

(There is no date given for baptism as there is in most of the later births. Perhaps because the parents weren't married?)

02 May 1821
Elizabeth, daughter of John Duncan & Catherine Henderson Coultra. born 2 May, bapt 13 May.

23 Mar 1823
James, son of John Duncan & Catherine Henderson, Balmerino. born 9th, bapt Mar 23

12 Jun 1825 FR518
Andrew, son of John Duncan and Catherine Henderson, Norham born May 28 bapt June 12

The next two births took place in Ferry-Port-on-Craig (now Newport) in Fife.

18 Dec 1826
Born 18th: George son of John Duncan & Catherine Henderson and bapt Dec 31st.

28 Sept 1828
Sept 17th: born David son of John Duncan & Catherine Henderson and baptized Sept 28th

By the time of the next recorded birth, the family are back in Balmerino

07 Apr 1833
Alexander, son of John Duncan weaver, Newbiggin & Catherine Henderson his wife born Mar 24th bapt Apr 7th.

30 Apr 1836
William son of John Duncan weaver, Newbiggin & Catherine Henderson his wife. born Apr 13th bapt Apr 30th.


26 Dec 1839
Catherine, daughter of John Duncan, weaver, Littlegracy and Catherine Henderson his wife. born Dec 26 bapt Jan 12.

Normally the next piece of information about the family would be found in the 1841 Census, unfortunately, this census has been lost so that we have to wait until 1851 to see them at Feus of Kirkton, Balmerino.
The Enumerator in 1851 obviously did not approve of people falsifying their ages as he appended the following note: "some of the schedules contained errors in the ages of the persons named which I have corrected from the parish records". The same enumerator also recorded some interesting occupations for example, "Superintendent of cows" and quite simply, "Idiot". Balmerino, Fife (409) Book 1 page 3

			
Feus of Kirkton	
Duncan John	      h	m	63	HLW linen	               Fife, Balmerino
Duncan Catherine	      w	m	56	Weavers wife	      Fife, Kilmany
Duncan William	      s		14	HLW linen	               Fife, Balmerino
Duncan Catherine	      d		11	scholar	               Fife, Balmerino

By 1861 little has changed: 1861 Balmerino (409) Book 2 page 6 sch 37 Kirkton

Duncan John h m 74 weaver (linen) Fife, Balmerino Duncan Catherine w m 65 Fife, Kilmany Duncan Catherine d u 21 weaver (linen) Fife, Balmerino Fowler George g-son 9 scholar Fife, Balmerino 1 room with a window, 1scholar.

John died in 1867, the cause being given as Apoplexy. This had lasted a few days. Catherine continued to live on her own.

1871 409 book3 page 9

sch 53	
Duncan Catherine	h	wid	75		Fife, Kilmany		3 rooms

In the final census in which Catherine appears she is living at Norham, on the shore at Balmerino with George Duncan aged 29, who is presumably a grandson.

1881 Norham, Balmerino

Duncan George 	                   h	m	29	Salmon fisher  	Fife, Balmerino	
Duncan(m.s Henderson) Catherine	mo	widr	86		         Fife, Kilmany		



Death 1869 409 Balmerino No.1

John Duncan 1869 M 81 John Duncan Apoplexy John Duncan H.L.weaver June 24th farmer a few days son married to 10h 45m. p.m. (deceased) cert by John present Catherine Kirkton Elizabeth Stuart Physician Henderson Balmerino Duncan and surgeon M.S. Smith Newburgh (deceased)
Death 1888 Balmerino (409) No. 5

Catherine Duncan F 94 1888 Unknown. James Henderson George Duncan Widow of John July 23rd. No medical agricultural labourer son. Duncan, linen weaver 1888 attendant (deceased) Kirkton Elizabeth Henderson Balmerino M.S. Anderson (deceased). Registered at Gauldry.


78. John Johnston and Janet Harley

The first mention of John and Janet is in the Old Parish Registers for Gretna, Dumfries:

O.P.R. Dumfries, Gretna FR284 14 Nov 1808
William a naturel child; son to John Johnston now residing in Balmerino & Janet Harley in Blaaklees

It is likely that the Kirk Session would have censured Jenny (as she was known) for having a child out of wedlock. So far, no search has been made in Gretna Session records for such a censure . Repeated searches have been made in all parts of Scotland for the record of a later marriage between Jenny and John but none has ever been found. It is quite possible that they never married formally and only became married by "habit and repute". (Habitus et reputatus, held and reputed. In civil law the reputation of being married coupled with cohabitation, constitutes an irregular marriage).

Their next child, Grace, was born in Balmerino:

O.P.R. Fife, Balmerino (409) FR 462 30 June. 1810
Johnston, Grace dau. of Jn. Johnston & Janet Harley Boilinghouse

George, their third child was born John Johnston and Janet Harley

O.P.R. Dumfries, Graitney FR300 29 Jan 1812
George son to Johnston & Jenny Harley was baptized born 24th inst.

From around this time John, who had worked in the Tay and sometimes the Forth since about 1808, went to work in the Murray Frith area as well. The rest of their children were born in Balmerino where the clerk used a tabular method of recording:

1813. FR 465
Birth	Bapt	Name
2 Dec		Johnston 		Sarah dau. of Jn. Johnston & Janet Harley Boilinghouse

1816 FR 468 April 24 Johnston Janet, daur of John Johnston and Janet Harley, Boilinghouse.

1818 FR 470 May 24 Johnston Elizabeth dau. of Mr. John Johnston and Janet Harley, Boilinghouse.

About this time John gained experience on the coast of Ireland, the river Bann, Lough Foyle and rivers and the river Bush.

1820 FR 473 and FR 504 21 May 9 June Johnston Catherine, dau. of Mr. John Johnston & Janet Harley, Boilinghouse
1822 FR 516 6 May 22 May Johnston John Little, son to John Johnston and Janet Harley.

(John Little was possibly named after the master to whom John had been apprenticed as a salmon fisher on the Solway in 1799 although the Rentals of Naughton Estate in 1813 list Messrs Littles as paying rent of £72 for Boilinghouse. Could this be the same Little? If so it might explain John's move from the Solway to the Tay).

1824 FR 518
May 4 	May 10	Johnston		Robert, son of John Johnston and Janet Harley, Boilinghouse
There are several interesting points about these entries. First, the last five children were all born in late April or in May. It is not known if the fact that Tay salmon-fishing season finished on 25 August had any bearing on this! Second, on occasion, John is referred to as "Mr." in the parish registers. No one else is referred to in this way. One reason for this could have been that John had at some time matriculated at a university. Indeed Archie Duncan, Professor of History at Glasgow University, regarded this as almost certain. Despite much searching, no record confirming this could be found and it now seems that the "title" was simply recognition of his standing in the community. Thirdly, only the three youngest children appear to have been baptized. It appears that John and Jenny conformed to the conventions of the day as he grew in stature in the community.

In May 1824, John gave evidence to The Select Committee on Salmon Fisheries of the UK. This appears to have been an early example of concern for the environment and much of the questioning was aimed at discovering the life history of the salmon. John's answers however reveal a great deal about him and his work. Most the following has been gleaned from the report of this committee.

In establishing John's credentials, the Committee asked:
Be so good as to state what the fisheries are in which you are at present concerned? - Upon the Tay, on the North side there are, in the frith of Tay, the town of Dundee fishery, Mr. Mylne of Mylnefield's fishery, Mr. Paterson of Castle Huntly's, Mr. Hunter of Seaside's fisheries: then on the south side of the Tay there are Lord Dundas and Mr. Wedderburn of Wedderburn and Birk Hills fishings, the Hon. Archibald Stewart of Balmerino, Mrs. Morrison of Naughton and Mr. Wedderburn's fishings of Wormit: then in the Murray frith there are the property of the Earl of Seafield, along the coast of Banff shire, Sir James Gordon's, on the same coast, Mrs. Stewart of Tannachie, Mr. Young's of Burghead: and on the north side of the frith, part of the Marquis of Stafford's fishings.

Other questions revealed that John had been employed to survey "the friths of Cromarty, Dornock, and Beauly or Inverness" and had, for his own information, surveyed the "sea coast of east Scotland with reference to salmon fishery".

Throughout the proceedings, John appeared to be very confident and not at all in awe of the Committee. For example:
Can you state the produce now at those stations where the stake nets were formerly placed? - I can state the produce of all those with which I am connected.
State the produce as far as you can? - It must be from my books; I have not the memorandum upon me; I will prepare a statement from my books, and deliver it to the Committee.
Similarly, on another occasion:
You have fished in September and October in the North of Scotland, can you furnish any statement showing the produce of your fishery during these months? - I can furnish a statement by giving me time: I have accounts of them in London. (This last seems to imply that John had premises in London).
When asked about fishing out of season, John had no hesitation in naming the Earl of Kinoul and the Earl of Breadalbane as two who, maintaining that they had the right to fish during close season, broke the law.

Some idea of John's business is gained when, on the second day of his evidence, he was asked:
Be so good to state whether, in your opinion, stake nets, if generally established, would furnish employment to a considerable number of persons along the coast? - Yes, to a great number of men, besides women and children; the men would be employed to erect the nets and keep them in repair; the women and children would be employed in the weaving or working of the nets. There would also be a number of coopers employed making boxes and kits; there would be ropemakers employed making the cordage and twine, carpenters employed building and repairing boats, and so on; women would be employed washing the fish when they are kitted; carters would be employed to drive the ice when it could be had. I have paid above 7,000l. a year for rent and these purposes.
(A kitt is a circular tub or box. £7000 in 1824 would be worth about £350,000 in 2001).

State the number of persons who were actually employed at one time at the stake net fishery on the Tay, with which you were connected? - To the best of my recollection, we had above 100 men employed in the fishings with which I was connected, at one time on the Tay, besides other places, and we had from four to six coopers constantly; above 20 women and children, besides ropemakers, who were employed. There were above 100 fishermen.

What proportion did that number bear to the whole persons employed in the stake net fishery of the Tay? - It would not be half the number, to the best of my recollection; they would be double. (It is unclear what John is saying here. He appears to be musing as he speaks, saying that he wouldn't have employed half of those employed on the Tay, perhaps the number others employed would be double what he employed. If this is the correct interpretation, he must have employed somewhere between one third and one half.)

On other occasions John talks of receiving and in some cases personally bringing cargoes of salmon from as far afield as Ireland to Balmerino then forwarding them to London. How they were preserved is not clear, although the name of his house "Boilinghouse" may give a clue. At other times he makes it clear that he does not think it possible to preserve salmon in ice for several weeks. "It gets into a bad and soft state; I have never done it myself; I should prefer not to keep it one week; it depends on people's tastes". When talking about fish caught out of season, he says "They are generally kippered, sometimes salted, or sold as fresh fish in the country wherever they could be sold; sometimes put into kits and the fish sent to London". He also states that fish can be kept for two or three weeks and sold as fresh fish "but the fish will be soft and of inferior quality".

John Ross Jnr. In "Curing and Preserving Fish in Scotland and Its Islands" says that pickling in brine seems to have been the most common method used on the Tay as it was less labour intensive than kippering or smoking. The fish would be headed, gutted, packed in barrels and topped up with brine.

The method of transporting fish from Ireland to Balmerino is not clear but, on one occasion, when he talks of up to 20,000 fish being brought to London he says "They come by smacks from the east of Scotland". A.R.B. Haldane in "The Great Fishmonger of the Tay" says that the voyage from the Tay to London might take as little as 60 hours with good winds and on the other hand easterly gales might prevent boats leaving the Tay for days. In this case, the boats would return to port where the fish would be boiled or cured in salt and vinegar.

John's career was brought to a sudden end when he died on 23dr October 1829 aged forty-four. This event is recorded in the burial register at Balmerino:

Balmerino Death Reg. 1829

Octr	28	Johnstone		John Johnstone Boilinghouse was buried.
The Fife Herald on November 5 1829 (No. 400) carried an announcement:

"Died on the 23rd ultimo, Mr. John Johnston, salmon fisher, Balmerino".

This too must be an indication of his standing as such announcements were rare for all but people of some social standing.

John, Janet and other members of the family are commemorated on a gravestone in Balmerino New Cemetery.

No. 73 1811 Wm Rome, w Eliz Johnston 27.8.1811 (21): John Johnston b 6.6.1785 d 23 10.1829, w Janet Harley b18.6.1780. d 21.11.1862.
da Grace J or McEwan b 30. 6.1810 d 22.6.1884.
da Sarah J or Duncan b 2.12.1813 d 19.1.1895 (w of John Duncan) b 1.8.1819 d 7.5.1890.

no. 69 John Duncan late tennant Coultrie 2.2.1802 w Elizabeth Smith, chn Alex, Eliz inf.

no 62 (resting against wall) Wm Rome, w Eliz Johnston 27.8.21.

There is also no.70 may or may not be related: 1845 John Duncan shoemaker, Gauldry 5.7.1840 ( 65), w Eliz Paton 14.7.1838 (56).

After John's death, Janet, who had long enjoyed a great reputation for skill in bone setting continued in this art. People are said to have come to her from far and near and after her death in 1862 the art continued to be practised by her daughter Sarah.
The census for Balmerino for 1841 has been lost so the next known mention of the family is on the occasion of Grace's marriage in 1844:

 Augst. 31	McEwan	                   Henry McEwan, Aberdeen & Grace Johnston gave up their names 
                 & Johnstone                  for proclamation in  order to marriage: they were regularly
                                               proclaimed & no objections offered. 
                                               Married at Norham Sept 1844.
Norham is the house at the shore Balmerino where the family was to remain until well into the 20th century.

Following this wedding, nothing more is known about Janet and her family until the census of 1851.

Census 1851 Balmerino, District 409 book 3 page 1

Norham	
Johnston Janet		wid	68	Has as much land as keeps 	Dumfries
					a cow.			
Hutton	Betsy	serv.	un	12	Cow herd FS.		Fife, Balmerino

Ten years further on and Janet is living with her unmarried son, George

Census 1861 Balmerino (409) book3 page 1 Johnston George h un 49 Salmon fisher Dumfries, Gretna Johnston Janet mother wid 80 Dumfries, Gretna Duncan Janet niece 13 Fife, Balmerino Duncan George nephew 10 scholar Fife, Balmerino
Janet apparently remained there until November 1862 when she died:

Death 1862 Balmerino (409) No. 17

Janet Johnston F 83 1862 Bronchitis William Harley George Johnston Widow Nov. 21 10 days (deceased) son. Norham Dropsy of the Sarah Harley Pericardium (deceased) 8 days M.S. Forsyth (deceased)


Note. A brief piece of information claiming to be about John is to be found in the 1899 edition of "Balmerino and Its Abbey" by Rev. J Campbell, which, at page 595 says:

"About thirty years ago 'Boat of Balmerino'- a small packet which sailed every Friday to Dundee and carried merchandise and passengers to-and-fro sank in Dundee harbour during a storm and was never replaced. It was owned and sailed by Mr. Johnstone, who lived at the houses on the shore called Norham".

Everything about this appears to be wrong and it probably refers to John's son-in-law (see John Duncan and Janet Johnston).


80. James Neilson and Mary Campbell

The wedding of James and Mary is recorded in both St Ninians, Stirling and in Larbert, Stirling:

O.P.R. Stirling, St Ninians. 488/5 FR 1910
1776 December 15th James Nelson in this parish and Mary Campbell in the parish of Larbert gave in their names in order to marriage.

Also: O.P.R. Stirling, Larbert 14 Dec 1776 485/1 FR298
Dec 14 1776
James Neilson in parish of St Nians and Mary Campbell in this gave up their names for proclamation.

O.P.R. Stirling, St. Ninians Fr1375.
1st March 1793 Parents: James Nielson Mary Campbell. Children: William. Witnesses:Relief . Residence:Throsk

James was recorded, on his son's death certificate, as a farmer. He might be the James Neilson listed in the O.P.R.I. born to Thomas Neilson and Janet Gibson in St Ninians parish on 1st June 1755 FR 1117.


82. John Horn(e) and Jane Alexander

Marriage: John Horn & Jean Alexander,
Glasgow 1792 644/1 FR 2941
29 January 1792

Horn	John Horn, carter in Glasw: & Jean Alexander residenter
 in Whitburn Parish.
also Whitburn 673/2/32 FR460 (given in the form of accounts)
1792 		Charge Coll.  							0-7-0 
January 15	Proclamation dues from Jo. Horn in Glasgow and Jean Alexr this parish	0-2-6
		Mortcloth dues for the corps of Jas son to Jas Wilson in Whitburn	0-7-6

Birth: Agnes Horn Glasgow 27 Feb 1802 644/1/20 FR 1899
Horn   	John Horn carter and Jean Alexander, L daughter: Agnes, bo:27 witn: William Smith, Thomas                                      Whitton

Bothwell 625/1 FR 346 Horn: Jane lawful daughter of John Horn (Two words illegible. Second looks a bit like Wallacetoun) and his spouse Jane Alexander born 16 Aug and baptized 15 Sept 1805.

Other births to the couple are:
Birth William Horn, 12 Feb 1792 Whitburn West Lothian FR 72
Birth Alexander Horn, 20 Sept 1798 Glasgow LKS FR 1806
Birth Mary Horn, 15 Jan 1796 Glasgow LKS FR 1732

John was a gardener on his daughter Jane's death cert.


84. John Wilson and Jean Thomson

John and Jean were married in 1821. The marriage is recorded in two places, Dalziel and Hamilton:

O.P.R. Lanark , Dalzeil. 639/2 FR261
18 Dec 1821 John Wilson of Hamilton and Jean Thomson in this parish were proclaimed and were married 18th ditto.

And at
Lanark, Hamilton 647/5 FFR1149

1821John Wilson and Jean Thomson both this parish for one day  Wilson
16 Dec. Thomson

The only other information uncovered so far is in the 1851 census by which time, John is dead and Jean is living with her son, John and two "visitors" who were probably boarders taken to make ends meet.

1851 District 651 (formerly 642) book 13 page 3 sch 9.


Moffat Hamlet, Clarkston.
Thomson Jean		h	u	48	laundress	   LKS, New Monklands	
Wilson	John		s	u	24	paper maker  LKS, New Monklands
Aitken	James		visitor	u	78	paper maker   Mid Lothian, Kirknewton
Walker	Alexander	         visitor	u	50	paper maker   Mid Lothian, Currie

In view of the fact that Jean had been married, the assumption must be that that the enumerator asked "are you married" he was told "no" and he did not check whether she was a widow.

Laundresss would probably have been a "suitable" occupation for a widow. Indeed in some areas widows were given a mangle by the parish to enable them to make a living by "taking in" mangling.


86. William Lindsay and Janet Douglas

Research into William and Janet, who were Isabella Lindsay's parents proved difficult when using her marriage certificate alone as it named only her father and gave even that name incorrectly. Later, Isabella's 1904 death certificate was found to list both her parents, i.e. William Lindsay, coal miner and Janet Douglas. The information was supplied by one of Isabella's daughters, also called Isabella. It is hard to imagine why this daughter could supply both names, correctly as it turns out, when her mother who was presumably present at her own marriage, did not appear to know them nearly fifty years earlier.

The names were confirmed by looking at Isabella's children from her first marriage. They included a Thomas Douglas Baird and a William Lindsay Baird as well as an Alexander Baird. (See drop line chart page 615).

William and Janet were married on 2nd March 1816 at Cambusnethan and the O.P.R's record that they had seven children:

23 Jan 1817 Cambusnethan FR 219
Wm Lindsay son to William Lindsay at Stewarton & Janet Douglas his spouse was born on the 23 Jan and bapt 9th Feb.

10 Dec 1820 Cambusnethan FR 571
Catherine Lindsay daughter to William Lindsay at Stewarton & Janet Douglas his spouse was born 10th and bapt 3rd Dec.

5 Oct 1823 Cambusnethan FR 577
Isobel Lindsay daughter to William Lindsay at Stewarton & Janet Douglas his spouse was born 30 Sept bapt 15 Oct Her third child.

30 Nov 1829 Cambusnethan FR587 James Lindsay son to William Lindsay at Croftfoot & Janet Douglas his spouse was born 30 Nov bapt 13 Dec Her fifth child.

8 Jan 1832 Cambusnethan FR589 John Lindsay son to William Lindsay at Croftfoot & Janet Douglas his spouse was born 8th Jan bapt 22 Jan Her sixth child.

O.P.R. Clarkston New Monklands 561/6 FR1439 20 July 1834:
Lindsay Janet Douglas L: daughter of William Lindsay collier in Clarkston and Janet Douglas was born 28 July and bapt. 10 Aug 1834.

No post-1855 death record has been found for either William or Janet so it is probably safe to assume that they both died prior to this. Despite searching the 1841 and 1851 censuses for both Old and New Monklands it has not proved possible to find them there either. Assuming that they were about twenty when they married, deaths prior to 1841 would mean they had both died by their early forties. This reflects life expectancy at that time particularly in view of the fact that they were a mining family.

Prior to 1799 records show that many miners had been little more than slaves, they could not legally leave their employment without the written permission of their employer. If the mine they worked in was sold they could be sold with it and were listed in inventories along with horses and stocks of timber. Their children were drawn into servitude by 'arling' at their christening. That is a gift was given by the employers to the parents at the time of the baby's christening in return for a promise on the child's behalf that he would be brought up a miner.

The man was the hewer of coal while his wife was the bearer who carried the coal from the coal face to the bottom of the stairs then up to the surface. During a working day of ten hours or more a woman would carry nearly two tonnes to the surface. Children followed their parents into the mines at around six years of age thus whole families could be enslaved. Unlike slaves, however, miners were paid and the fact that wages rose throughout the eighteenth century shows that masters could not have had complete control, as they would surely have reduced wages as much as possible.

After the 1799 Act abolished serfdom many miners remained trapped by the 'truck ' system whereby they were allowed credit in the overpriced Company stores until payday when a paper transaction paid off their debt but left little or nothing over. This forced them to go into debt again before next payday, rendering them unable to save or to shop around for cheaper goods or to leave their employment.

T C Smout in " A History of the Scottish People" says "There are signs that for Scottish coal miners as a whole the decades between 1790 and 1810 represented a peak in their standard of living which they did not approach again until after 1850". Janet and William were married in 1816 but there is no way of telling whether collier William was affected by any of the above. What we do know is that conditions underground would still have been dreadful. Most hewers suffered from silicosis or 'black-spit' which made them invalids by the time they were forty. The only support when they could no longer work was from the parish, which gave only a pittance. Accidents were commonplace, roof falls and explosions caused by the use of naked candles went almost unremarked. No records of these events were kept centrally until 1855.

As mentioned before, research into Isabella Lindsay's parents started badly. On Isabella and John's marriage certificate names both of John's parents are given but no mother is named for Isabella although her father was said to be James Lindsay, collier. Following this slim clue, led to a death certificate for a possible father who was about the correct age and had the correct occupation i.e. collier or more specifically pit brusher. A pit brusher did not, as might be imagined, keep the pit tidy by brushing and cleaning up but was the person who constructed roads in the pit out of stone and possibly also did some work on stone supports for the roof. This certificate has nothing to do with the family being researched but is included as it helps illustrate the conditions in the mines at the time.


1875 Old Monklands Mid 652/2 No. 287

James Lindsay M 65 1875 David Lindsay Accident Mary Pit brusher July 4th Army pensioner 6 days Lindsay married to Mary 4h 15 m p.m. (deceased) cert by daughter Ann Stevenson 12 Waddells Agnes Lindsay J Farquason present Land, Whifflet M.S. Barbour (deceased)


See Reg. of corrected entries vol. 2 page 82 date July 20 1875:

The following report the result of a precognition has been received touching the death of James Lindsay registered under No.287 in the register book of death for the year 1875.

Name, age and sex	 Where and when died		Cause of death

James Lindsay 1875 July 4th. about Severe injuries on the face and about 65 years 4h 0m pm in the house back and also internally male in Waddels Land received 24th last in No.7 Coal Whifflet within the parish pit Whifflet by a fall from the of Old Monkland occupied roof. by the deceased.
- Dr Farquhason Coatbridge attended on the deceased till the time of his death. Procurator Fiscal's Office Airdrie 14 July 1875 Cert by Thomas Clark 1875 July 20 at Coatbridge. James Mitchell Magistrate. 12 May 1876


It would be ironic if the roof fall had been caused by a fault in supports he himself had built for the roof.


88. James Forrester and Ann Scott

James, the son of William Forrester and Margaret Henderson could not have been more than sixteen and Ann Scott, daughter of John Scott and Elizabeth Hay no more than fifteen when their first child was born. No record of their marriage is known to exist. The births of all their children are recorded in 1837 in the parish of Cumbernauld:

Cumbernauld 495/3 FR 593
1 Jan 1812 Forrester, James & Ann Scott Tollpark had a child born & baptized after named William.
15 Aug 1816 Forrester, James & Ann Scott Tollpark had a child born & baptized after named John
1 April 1821 Forrester, James & Ann Scott Tollpark had a child born & baptized after named Joseph
16 Aug 1826 Forrester, James & Ann Scott Tollpark had a child born & baptized after named James
24 Sept 1828 Forrester, James & Ann Scott Tollpark had a child born & baptized after named Eilzabeth
28 Oct 1830 Forrester, James & Ann Scott Tollpark had a child born & baptized after named Ann
1 Jan 1832 Forrester, James & Ann Scott Tollpark had a child born & baptized after named Alexander
28 Oct 1835 Forrester, James & Ann Scott Tollpark had a child born & baptized after named David
20 Nov 1837 Forrester, James & Ann Scott Tollpark had a child born & baptized after named Hugh.

Tollpark farm is now part of the site of Cumbernauld Airport. Nothing remains of the farm buildings.

The 1841 census shows that the whole family has survived childhood - quite an achievement in those days.


1841 495 dist 7 page 7
Tollpark
Forrester James 47 farmer y Forrester Jean 46 y Forrester John 27 y Forrester Joseph 20 y Forrester James 15 y Forrester Elizabeth 13 y Forrester Ann 11 y Forrester Alexander 9 y Forrester David 7 y Forrester Hugh 4 y

In 1841 the ages of those over fifteen should have been rounded down to the nearest fife years. This does not appear to have been adhered to in this case.
By 1851 there is something of a mystery! Who is the twenty-six year old George? He did not appear among the births or in the 1841 census but is clearly named on this one occasion as a son of James and Ann:

1851 census 398 (under 495) Bk 3 Page 20

Tollpark farm.
Forrester	James		h  m	56	farmer of 40 acres	         DNB, Cumbernauld
Forrester	Ann		w  u	55				STI, Denny
Forrester	George		s  u	26	farmers son		DNB, Cumbernauld
Forrester	James		s  u	24	farmers son		DNB, Cumbernauld
Forrester	Ann		d  u	20	farmers daughter		DNB, Cumbernauld
Forrester	Alexander	         s  u	18	farmers son		DNB, Cumbernauld
Forrester	David		s  u	16	farmers son		DNB, Cumbernauld
Forrester	Hugh		s  u	13	farmers son		DNB, Cumbernauld

Tollpark farm had 3 rooms with windows at this time.

Ten years later again, and James senior has retired from the farm and he and Ann are living nearby at Faulds Cottage where there is one inhabited house and one uninhabited.


1861 495 book 7 page 2
Faulds Cottage Forrester James h m 67 retd. farmer DNB, Cumbernauld Forrester Ann w m 66 wife STI, Denny Forrester Ann g-dau u 10 scholar DNB, Cumbernauld

Son James now appears to have taken over the farm although his age is incorrect:
1861 census Dist495 Book7 page2
Tollpark farm
Forrester James h m 24 farmer 50 acres DNB, Cumbernauld Forrester Elizabeth w m 25 farmers wife LKS Airdrie Forrester James s u 2 farmers son DNB, Cumbernauld Forrester William s u 1mo farmers son DNB, Cumbernauld Forrester Hugh serv u 21 ploughman DNB, Cumbernauld Yule Helen serv u 18 domestic servant LKS, Airdrie Bryson William serv u 13 labourer DNB, Cumbernauld

3 rooms with windows

When carrying out the census, the enumerator visited properties in the following order: Inn smiddy, Faulds Cottage, Faulds Toll Bar, Toll Park Farm. So far no sufficiently detailed map has been found to see the route taken.

By the 1871 census, James and Ann have moved into Cumbernauld village. The address is not given but the house they are occupying is on one side of the United Presbyterian Church while the manse is on the other.


1871 Census 495 book 8 pg 1 Forrester James h m 76 retired farmer DNB, Cumbernauld Forrester Ann w m 75 retired farmers wife STI Denny
1 rm with window

Ann died just over three years after the 1871 census at the age of seventy-eight. After this James survived more than six years, dying at the age of eighty-six.


Death: Cumbernauld (495) No. 42

Ann Forrester F 78 1874 John Scott old age and John Forrester married to Aug 9th. weaver general debility son James Forrester 9h p.m. (deceased) 3 years late farmer at Elizabeth Scott as cert. by Cumbernauld M.S. Hay David Coutts Physician.

Registered Aug 14 Cumbernauld.

Death: Cumbernauld (495) No. 4

James Forrester M 86 1881 William senile decay Joseph Forrester portioner Jan.9th. Forrester son widower of Cumbernauld farmer (deceased) Hole farm Ann Scott …… Forrester Cumbernauld M.S. …… (deceased)


No inventory or confirmation has been found for Ann but James left estate valued at £87-2s-3d (worth around £4300 in 2001) and the confirmation is given below:
1881 Feb 12 Inventory of James Forrester, sometime residing at Parkhead, afterwards farmer at Tollpark, thereafter at Abronhill cottage, latterly residing an Cumbernauld, who died 9 Jan 1881 at Cumbernauld. Testament given at Dumbarton, by Joseph Forrester, farmer, Hole, Cumbernauld executor named in will or deed dated 29 Dec. 1858 and recorded in court books of Dumbarton 12 Feb 1881.

Two references to James have been found in the Register of Sasines:

29	Jan 21 1881
Not. Instrument. Trustees of the late James Forrester, sometime residing at Parkhead, thereafter farmer, Tollpark, thereafter residing at Abronhill cottage and latterly in Main Street, Cumbernauld - of part of a tenement and steading of ground described in the original title deeds as consisting of a fore dwelling house and barn and stable contiguous thereto on the North, and yard, bounded on the South by the High Street, in town and parish of Cumbernauld; - on Gen. Trust Disp. & settl., dated 29th Dec. 1858 by said James Forrester; and another writ, with warrant of registration thereon, on behalf of the trustees.
                                                                                  140.86
180	July 17 1846
James Forrester, farmer, Toll Park near Cumbernauld, Seised - in 20 falls of ground with dwelling house thereon part of the lands of Longcroft par. Of Denny.; on disp & Settl by William Forrester tenant, Parkhead, with consent of Margaret Henderson, his spouse to trustees, Mar 14. 16. 1812 & disp. & Assig. By them, Sept 14. 27 1818.
(Willliam Forrester and Margaret Henderson were James’s parents)


90. Ebenezer Stark and Jean Hill

Apart from censuses, no concrete information has been unearthed about this couple. The 1841 census finds them at Rashbush. This farm (also known as Threshbush) lay between the farms of Rigghead and Bandomnie. It does not appear on the map which was surveyed in the 1860's but is nevertheless mentioned as late as 1888 when other branches of the family were occupying it. (See Alex Hamilton and Jean Cuthill)

1841 Census Dist. 479 book 18 page 4

						
Rashbush Stark Ebenezer 60 farmer y Stark Jean 40 y Stark Jane 22 y Stark Jannet 20 y Stark John 10 y Stark Agnes 8 y Stark Elizabeth 5 y

By 1851 the family were in Bandomnie which they were to occupy for many years:

1851 Census Dist. 479 book 1 page 6.

Bandomnie
Stark	Ebenr.		h  m	70	Farmer 70 acres		STI, Denny
Stark	Jean		w  m	60				STI, Denny
Stark	Jean		d   u	30	Employed at home		STI, Denny
Stark	Mary		d   u	26	Employed at home		STI, Denny
Stark	Margaret	         d   u	22	Employed at home		STI, Denny
Stark	John		s   u	20	Employed on the farm	STI, Denny
Stark	Agness		d   u	18	Employed at home		STI, Denny
Stark	Elizabeth	         d   u	15				STI, Denny
Anderson  John	      serv   u	12	farm lab			LKS	

By 1861 the size of Bandomnie had increased from 70 acres to 120 acres, perhaps reflecting the incorporation of at least part of neighbouring Rashbush.

1861 census Dist. 479/2 book 11 page 4.

Bandomnie
Stark Ebenezer		h   m	80	farmer of 120 acres		STI, Falkirk
Stark Jean		w   m	70					STI, Falkirk
Stark Jean		d	39	domestic servant			STI, Falkirk
Stark Mary		d	33	domestic servant			STI, Falkirk
Stark John		s	28	ploughman			         STI, Falkirk
Stark Agnes		d	23	domestic servant			STI, Falkirk
Stark Elizabeth		d	21	domestic servant			STI, Falkirk
Hutton William	      serv  	19	farm servant			LKS Barony
5 rooms with windows

Ebenezer died in 1865 and son John took over the farm. At the census in 1871, Jean, aged 79, is living with John and his family.

1871 Census 479 book 11 page 3

Bandomnie
Stark John		h  m	38	farmer				STI, Falkirk
Stark Isabella		w  m	34	farmers wife			STI, Denny	
Stark Isabella		d 	 6	farmers daughter			STI, Falkirk	
Stark Jane	    mother  w	79	farmers daughter			STI, Falkirk	
Lothian Mark	      serv  u	24	farm servant			Linlithgow	
Sneddon	 Richard	      serv  u	13	farm servant			LKS, Airdrie	
Binnie Agness	      serv  u	21	farm servant			STI, Falkirk	
Welsh Ellin	      serv  u	16	general domestic			STI, Denny	
4 rooms with windows.

Jean died at the beginning of December in the same year.
Inventory and Confirmation for Ebenezer:

Ebenezer Stark farmer at Bandomnie
1 cash									£   40-00-00
2 Crop, stock, furniture etc.						£  440-17-06
3 Commercial Bank								£  418-02-04
                “								£  413-01-10
	    “								£  201-15-01
  Clydesdale Bank								£  259-16-02
  	    “								£  101-10-07
	    “								£  100-12-01
4 Loan to John Spiers							£   11-12-01
									£ 1987-14-02
									
Executor John Stark sometime at Rashbush now at Bandomnie only son.
Legacies: Wife: £20 held for alimentary ease.
£12 p.a. to unmarried daughters.
Janet, wife of Joseph Forrester, Holebrae. Margaret, wife of James Wyllie, Abronhill. Elizabeth Stark, wife of John Spiers, Burnhouse, £30 each.
Mary and Agnes Stark, £200 each plus their choice of a cow from the byre. (eldest to choose first) plus all the furniture west of the kitchen.
John is the only son and gets the tack of the farm of Bandomnie.
£10 to U.P.Church Cumbernauld.


92. Alexander Hamilton and Janet Paul

Alex. and Jean were married on Friday 29th November 1805:

O.P.R. Denny Parish 476/1 1805
Nov 1st Alexander Hamilton servent Bankhead and Janet Paul lawful daughter of William Paul.

The next information we have about this couple is the births of their children in the same parish. The earliest found in O.P.R's is that of William:

FR320 30th December 1810
William Hamilton lawful son to Alexander Hamilton and Janet Paul, Banknock was born on August 2nd last.

Prior to this, however, John had been born on 25 Jan 1807 (see Stirling, Falkirk FR CH2 v20) and Janet circa 1808. A complete list of their family is given on Janet's 1855 death certificate.

Most of the children were away from home by the time of the 1841 census. John became a farm servant at Castlecary, Janet married James Kerr, a baker in St Ninians parish, William emigrated to Australia, Mary married William Henderson, a wright in Stirling. Robert became a minister and went to Canada, David emigrated to Australia, James emigrated to Canada, Jean married John Laing of Stirling and Thomas became a miller in Dunblane and subsequently in Kilmahog near Callendar.

Although the family lived at West Banknock from at least 1810, the first usable census (1841) finds them at Righead, the farm on which Alex. himself had been born and which his son, Alex. later occupied for many years. (Notice that in this instance, all the males are listed first followed by the females then the female servant).

1841 495 book 18 page 3
Righead

Hamilton	Alexander			60	farmer		y
Hamilton	Alexander			25			y
Hamilton	Thomas			12		         y
Hamilton	Jane			40			y
Hamilton	Margaret			 8			y	
McClay	Janet			12	FS		y

The Statistical Account of 1841 describes the parish of Denny as having a post office with an annual revenue of about £300 (£14000 now), ten miles of turnpike road with, in winter, 22 public carriages passing and re-passing each day. It also had a parish school where the teacher was paid £34: 4s: 41/2d (£1600 in present day terms) annually and nine other schools. There was a library and about fourteen Societies, including The Banknock Friendly Society. Apart from the Established Parish Church there were two Dissenting chapels, one being at Denny Loanhead, the church to which the Hamilton's belonged. It is described as "among the oldest and strongest in point of wealth, in the Secession Church". From 1831 Denny Loanhead Church had a Congregational Library with 500 volumes and dues of 1s. 6d. per quarter ( £3.50 now).

By 1951 the family are in their accustomed place at Banknock with only Margaret, the youngest still at home.

1851 census Denny, Haggs 476 book 7 page3
Banknock

Hamilton Alex		h  m	78	Farmer of 15 acres land	Stirling, Denny	
Hamilton Janet		w  m	61				Stirling, St. Ninians
Hamilton Margaret	         d  u	19				Stirling, Denny	

Nearly four years later, Janet died of ascites (also known as Dropsy or Hydropsy which was fluid retention, probably caused by kidney failure or heart disease) which she had suffered from for twelve months.

Alexander erected a stone, the remains of which are in Dennyloanhead Churchyard and which is inscribed:

MDCCCLVI
Erected by
Alexander Hamilton Banknock
In memory of
Janet Paul his spouse
who died 13th February 1855
aged 64 years
also of
James Hamilton their son
who died 13 November 1855
Aged years.

The stone is badly eroded particularly at the last line where the number is probably 37

In view of the ages given in the 1851 census, Alex's death certificate and in his obituary the age given in the 1861census below is probably wrong.

1861 Census Denny, Haggs 476 book 7 page 1
Banknock

Hamilton Alexander	h  m 	80	retd. farmer		Stirling, Falkirk
Hamilton Margaret	d  u	24	teacher			Stirling, Denny

In 1862, following Margaret's death Alex wrote a codicil to his will, recalling a legacy of £100 made to her. Thereafter Alex remained at Banknock until his death in April 1863. A family tale says that Alex, when aged over ninety, had never seen Glasgow. To remedy this, he set out and walked the eighteen miles there. He looked at Glasgow and the dirty water of the Clyde and was not impressed so turned and walked back home!

It has been suggested that he may not have completed the whole walk at one time but had perhaps stayed with friends and relatives on the way. Whatever the truth, it is said that he died shortly after completing this feat.


The following obituary was published:

IN MEMORIAM

We have to record this week the death of Mr Alex. Hamilton, of Banknock in the parish of Denny, at the ripe old age of 921/2 years. The deceased was born at Rigghead, in the parish of Falkirk and was the son of Mr John Hamilton. He was a remnant of a very few of the original anti-burgers belonging to the Dennyloanhead United Presbyterian Church. In 1810 he was ordained an elder in the Secession, and since then up to the date of his death, discharged the duties connected therewith with distinguished earnestness and discretion. He was, what every elder ought to be, a regular attender of all the meetings of the kirk session, and he devoted a great deal of time to visitation and administering comfort both to the sick and the dying. Although seldom an advocate for innovations on what were generally understood at that time to be the orthodox principles of public worship, he witnessed the introduction and subsequent establishment of simultaneous communion, paraphrase singing, and other religious rites. These he was wont to describe as "hameward made things".
During his long eldership of fifty-three years, he say under the ministry of four different clergymen vis. The Rev. Mr Walker, Dr Stark, Dr Edmond (now of Islington, London), and the present incumbent, the Rev. Mr Stevenson, by all of whom he was justly esteemed. Three years ago his jubilee was in the manse of Dennyloanhead. When the deceased gentleman was presented by the Moderator, in the name of the kirk session, with a Family Bible, Psalm Book and Church Bible. At one time the Hamiltons were very strong in the session at Dennyloanhead, as many as many as four of them being members at the same period. Mr Hamilton had three brothers and two sisters, and, as will be gathered from the following, which is a complete list of there names and ages at their death, longevity seemingly has run in the family: - Mary aged 84 years: Jean aged 85 years: John aged 881/2 years; William, aged 871/2 years; James aged 72 years; and Alexander, she subject of our notice, 921/2 years-united ages 5071/2 years. Last Sabbath Mr Stevenson, feelingly alluded to the death of Mr Hamilton and paid a tribute of respect to his memory.
It is interesting to note that Mr Ernest W Sutherland, F.C.T.L., M.R.S.T. organist and choirmaster of Erskine Church, Falkirk is a great-grandson of Mr Alex Hamilton.

His sons, John, Alex, Robert and Thomas were appointed executors in Alex's will:

Sc 67/36/46 p550
Alexander Hamilton residing at Banknock in the parish of Denny, County of Stirling.
Died at Banknock 16 April 1863.

1. Household furniture, bed and table linen napery & other effects 
belonging to the deceased conform to the Inventory & Valuations 
thereof  by David Black licensed valuator, Falkirk dated 20th May 1863.
								 	 £17-12s-6d
2. Rents due to the deceased current at the date of death as under. John Dunshire £ 4 - 0 - 0 Ro. Jarvie £ 9 - 15 - 0 James Shaws £ 12 - 0 - 0 £ 25 - 15 - 0 3. Interest on rents from 15th May 1863 to date of death hereto.£ 0 - 8 - 2
Total estate situated in Scotland £43 15 - 8

(In 2001 this would be worth around £2100 plus the property detailed below).

Affidavit…..John Hamilton sometime farm servant at Seabegs now at Banknock eldest son of the deceased, Executor nominated along with Alexander Hamilton, farmer Righead, Castlecary, Robert Hamilton, minister in Canada West, Thomas Hamilton, miller, Dunblane.

Give grant & dispone to and in favour of John Hamilton farm servant at Seabegs and Alex Hamilton farmer Righead Castlecary both my sons equally between them share and share alike and to the heirs of their separate bodies upon failing to survive John Hamilton and Alexander Hamilton to their separate heirs and assignees of John Hamilton and Alexander Hamilton 2s 3d land of old extent in Banknock with houses, yards, tofts, crofts, outsets, pasturages. infields, outfields, mosses, muirs, longerines privileges, parts and pendicles together with the liberty and priveliges of the common muirs lying adjacent to the said lands according to old extent of the said lands pro rata all lying within the Barony of Herbert As also all and whole the 3s 10d land of old extent of Banknock as a part of the 5s land of old extent anciently belonging to Robert Stark with houses, buildings, yards, mosses, muirs, meadows, pasturages grass, pendicles and whole pertinents there of being part of the £2 land of Banknock lying within the Barony and lordship of Cumbernauld Parish of Denny and Sherifdom of Stirling reserving to the superior of the haill foresaid lands the coal within the ground thereof with all liberties and privileges for working, winning and transporting the same as mentioned in the original rights and Infeftments of the said lands which lands above disponed were purchased by the late John Hamilton my father from the trustees of the creditors of Alexander Bryson of Banknock and in the manner of the said Alexander Hamilton do hereby with and under the same burdens and others after written Give Grant and Assign and Dispone to and in favour of Robert Hamilton minister Canada West and Thomas Hamilton Miller Dunblane both my sons equally between them share and share alike and to the heirs whom failing to survive the above heritably and irredeemably all and whole First all and haill that part of the lands of Wester Banknock being a thirty penny mail of land of old extent with the land thereof and houses biggins yards grass and whole pertinents and privileges of the same bounded in the north by lands which belonged to the deceased John Boyd on the east by the lands which belonged to the now deceased Alexander Adam on the south by the lands belonging to James Paterson and the deceased Thomas Russell's heirs on the west by the lands which belonged to the deceased John Martin together also with the seats in Denny Church and lairs in Denny Church Yard belonging to the said lands lying there the said subjects in the Barony of South Herbertshire parish of Denny and (second) all and whole of that part of the lands of Banknock called Calfward and Brae with the haill pertinents of the same lying in the Barony of South Herbertshire of Denny together with the whole parts pendicles privileges and pertinents belonging to the said lands But declaring always as it is hereby expressly provided and declared that the lands and others with the pertinents above specified are hereby disposed with and under the burden of the said John Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton, Robert Hamilton, Thomas Hamilton and their foresaids jointly and severally and the real burden on the lands and others before disposed of making payment equally among them share and share alike at the first term of Whitsunday or Martinmas happening 6 months after my decease with interest thereon at the rate of 3% per annum till paid of the following sums of money viz. First to Janet Hamilton my daughter, wife of James Kirk Baker Saint Ninians of the sum of £50. Second to Mary Hamilton also my daughter wife of William Henderson Wright Stirling of the sum of £50 . Third to Jean Hamilton also my daughter wife of John Laing residing in Broad Street Stirling of the like sum of £50. Fourth to Margaret Hamilton, my youngest daughter residing with me at Wester Banknock of the sum of £100 and Fifth to David Hamilton my son presently in Australia of the sum of £150 But providing and declaring that this latter sum of £150 payable to the said David Hamilton shall not be payable to him if he does not make a claim within two years from the date of my decease. Declaring that in the event of any of my daughters and son David dying and leaving lawful issue such issue shall be entitled equally among them to the legacy bequeathed to their pre-deceasing parent the children of David Hamilton claiming within the period foresaid and further the said Alexander Hamilton do clearly give grant assign and dispose to and in favour of the said John Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton, Robert Hamilton, Thomas Hamilton equally between them share and share alike and to their respective heirs and assignees whosoever Heritably and irredeemably by all and sundry after lands and heritages goods and gear debts and source of money and in general the whole Estate and Effects heritable and moveable real and personal of whatever kind or denomination or wheresoever situated presently belonging or which shall pertain and belong to me at the time of my death with the whole vouchers and instructions thereof and writs and evidents of and concerning my said Estate and Effects heritable and moveable generally and particularly above conveyed with all that has followed or may be competent to follow thereon But declaring that these presents are granted in favour of my said Disposees under burden always of paying and the said John Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton, Robert Hamilton and Thomas Hamilton and their foresaids shall be bound as by acceptation thereof of the Bind and oblige themselves out of the said estate and effects generally above conveyed and in the event of the same being inadequate out of the heritable properties hereby specially disposed to pay equally between them and jointly and severally all my just and lawful debts, deathbed and funeral expenses including such of the legacies as are due by me under my brother John Hamilton's settlement which have not been already paid and discharged or consigned and also including the sum of £200 in a bond and disposition in security granted by me in favour of Miss Ann Bow residing in Denny over the subjects first above disposed to the said Robert Hamilton and Thomas Hamilton with the whole interest due thereon or such parts of said sums as may be due at the date of my death. Declaring that although paid legacies and Bond may be preferable burdens over any of the subjects above especially disposed yet it is my wish and the said John Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton, Robert Hamilton and Thomas Hamilton shall be bound as by acceptation - they bind and oblige themselves to pay said sums equally as above It being hereby declared that as I have already given advanced or paid on account of William Hamilton, my son presently in Australia more than I would otherwise have given him under this settlement I do hereby exclude him from participating in any part of my Estate heritable or moveable and which provisos before conceived in favour of my said sons and daughters and the sums which have already been paid to or on behalf of the said William Hamilton my son by me.

Codicil 1 made 10 Oct 1861:
Legacies in favour of daughters Janet, Mary, Jean: sufficient to be signed by themselves excluding husbands present and future.
Codicil 2 made 30 Aug 1862:
Daughter Margaret is deceased and legacy of £100 to her recalled.
The sum of £10 each to Janet Hamilton or Kirk, Mary Hamilton or Henderson, Jean Hamilton or Laing on top of the £50 legacy to each at the same term and in the same way as the original legacies were payable and said additional legacies shall form a burden on John Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton, Robert Hamilton and Thomas Hamilton and a real burden on the lands and others therein. Also bequeathed to son William the sum of £20 payable by John Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton, Robert Hamilton, Thomas Hamilton at the first term of Whitsun or Martinmas 6 months after the decease of Alexander Hamilton with interest thereon at the rate of 3% p.a. sons to guarantee payment. Revokes the legacy of £150 to David H - declared null & void. And in lieu leave & bequest to David H the sum of £100 guaranteed by sons John Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton, Robert Hamilton, Thomas Hamilton. Further declaring that the jus mariti and right of administration of the husbands of said daughters Janet, Mary, and Jean shall be excluded from the management of the additional legacies of £10….


94. John Cuthill and Janet Hay

Janet and John were married on Friday 23rd May 1823. The Old Parish Register says:

Denny (476/3) FR826 May 3rd 1823.

John Cuthill of Banknock and Janet Hay, daughter of James Hay of Muirhead gave in their names in order to marriage and were proclaimed on the three following sabbaths and married on twenty three curt.

John’s elder brother, William, who would normally, under Scots law, have inherited Easter Banknock when their father died in 1818, was already a successful business man in Denny so the property was passed to John who became “Laird of Banknock”. Ownership of any land by ordinary people was unusual at the time and led to Janet and John being referred to as “Laird Bodies”.

One interesting fact that has been passed down is that the couple’s wedding china had no handles on the cups. They were disappointed because this was old fashioned since handles were “coming in”. When they were first married they had a double saddle i.e. a normal saddle with a side-saddle behind. The fact that this snippet of information has been passed down may mean that this was unusual. They seemed to have had no form of wheeled transport.

John was ordained an Elder in Dennyloanhead Secession Church 12 March 1837.

The first child, Jean was born eighteen months after the wedding and the family continued to grow until by the census of 1841 there were seven children listed.

1841 Banknock 476 Book 8 page 3


Cuthill	John			40	Portioner farmer	y
Cuthill	Janet			30			y
Cuthill	Jean			16			y
Cuthill	Helen			14			y
Cuthill	Elisa			9			y
Cuthill	Mary			7			y
Cuthill	William			5			y
Cuthill	James			3			y
Cuthill	John			1			y
Daughter, Janet who had been born on 7th October 1828 is not listed with the family. She may have been staying with relatives.

The year following the census, Christina was born on 8th May, followed by Margaret on 1st April 1845 and Catherine on 6th March 1848.

The following year, the oldest daughter, Jean, was married to Alexander Hamilton. It was thought by the family that she had made “a good marriage”. The young couple were first cousins once removed, Jean being Alex’s cousin’s daughter. The banns were recorded at Denny, Stirlingshire on 20 January 1849.

By the next census the entry read:
1851 476	bk7	p2

Banknock Cuthill John h m 54 Farmer of 53 acres Stirling, Denny Cuthill Janet w m 46 Stirling, Denny Cuthill Helen d 24 Stirling, Denny Cuthill Janet d 22 Stirling, Denny Cuthill Mary d 18 Stirling, Denny Cuthill William s 15 Farmer Stirling, Denny Cuthill James s 13 Stirling, Denny Cuthill John s 10 Stirling, Denny Cuthill Christina d 8 Stirling, Denny Cuthill Margaret d 6 Stirling, Denny Cuthill Catherine d 3 Stirling, Denny

Nearby in another house at Banknock was Janet’s mother, Jean with her “niece” Elizabeth Cuthill. This should surely read granddaughter.

1851Denny (476) book7 page 1

Banknock				
Hay	Jean		h 	m	83	Annuitant		Stirling, Falkirk
Cuthell	Elizabeth		niece.	u	20			Stirling, Denny
Also in 1851 the Great Exhibition was held at The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London. John Cuthill and a neighbouring farmer went to see it, travelling in a covered waggon. John brought back what were probably penny cups, for the children.

Catherine Shearman (Catherine’s granddaughter) still has one of them although it is, unfortunately, cracked. 1853 was a year of mixed fortunes. Janet had a stillborn son on 29th April and the next of their children to marry was Helen who married Robert Chalmers on 21st November. Before the wedding, the family bought a lamp. This was considered very “up-market” as they had used only home made candles up to this time.

At weddings of the farming community in Scotland in the 19th century, brides did not wear white. She would have a silk dress in a dark colour as it was to be her “best dress” for years to come. Often the dress was made to be let out “in case needs be”. Helen’s dress was dark brown.

At the time of this wedding, crinolines were in fashion. The three youngest girls were so disappointed because they could not wear them. They cut themselves willow wands (which bend very easily), made holes in the hems of their petticoats and inserted the wands to make their own crinolines! Needless to say, they got into a lot of trouble for making holes in their new petticoats.

The next winter, 1854-55, the siege and fall of Sabastapo1 took place. Years later, Catherine told her granddaughter that, during a snowy spell, she and her brothers and sisters had snowballed a wall, pretending they were at the siege!

January 23rd 1855 saw the untimely death of twenty-six year old Janet. Janet had never been very well and always rode the two miles to Church on horseback while the others walked. This walk involved scrambling down in to the valley of the Kelvin and up the other side before the track joined the main road.

1860 saw another family wedding, that of Elizabeth, who married Thomas Laing on 27th April.

The census of 1861 shows John as being retired but since he is apparently still at work in 1871 there must be some mistake.



1861 Census Dist 476 book 8 page 2

Banknock farm
Cuthill John		h  m	64	retired			Stirling, Denny
Hay Janet			w  m	56				Stirling, Falkirk
Cuthill Mary		d  u 	28				Stirling, Denny
Cuthill William		s  u	25				Stirling, Denny
Cuthill James		s  u	23			  	Stirling, Denny
Cuthill Christina		d  u	18				Stirling, Denny
Cuthill Margaret		d  u	15				Stirling, Denny
Cuthill Catherine		d  u	13	scholar			Stirling, Denny
Six rooms with windows


At this time, wool from the sheep on the farm was still spun on the farm by the womenfolk then sent to the local weaver to make blankets. Janet and Jean also grew flax to be spun and woven into linen. The youngest daughter, Catherine, said that her mother boasted that “she never had a piece of cotton on her back”.

1865 saw the marriage of Mary to Thomas Chalmers, 1867 that of John to Margaret Arbuckle and 1869 that of James to Robina Connell. With only three of the children now at home, and Elizabeth, John and James in Canada, Catherine wrote the poem Titled "The Old Hearthstone" which is the only one of her poems to survive. It is printed in the appendix to this section.

Census year came round again the following year:

1871 census 476 dist 8 pg 1
Banknock farm Cuthell John h m 74 farmer of 63 acres STI, Denny Hay Janet w m 66 blank STI, Falkirk Cuthell Christina d u 28 blank STI, Denny Cuthell Maggie d u 25 blank STI, Denny Cuthell Catherine d u 23 blank STI, Denny 5 rm with windows


The 1872 Return of Owners of Land for the Stirling area records: John Cuthill, Banknock, Denny: 58 acres Gross Annual Value: £70-5s.Later the samr year, John died of peritonitis. He left a will, some details of which are given below:

Synopsis of Inventory. John Cuthill, portioner, Banknock died 20 Nov 1872.

1. Cash							        £  18
2. Household furniture, stock, implements, etc.			£123-17-01
3. Proportion of year’s rent letting to William Baillie. (£3 p.a.)     £    1-02-06
4. Surface damage due in connection with coal working on
    lands of Easter Banknock (est.)			                £    4-05-00
							         £147-04-07
This estate would be worth £6400 in 2002. John’s widow, Janet Hay or Cuthill is executor and the estate is to be distributed as follows:

Liferent to wife and all moveable effects (except threshing mill which goes with the land). Son James £135, son John £210, Jane (eldest daughter) £210, Ellen £110, Elizabeth £110, Mary £110, Christina, Margaret and Catherine - £150 each if unmarried. If they marry after their father’s death and during his wife’s lifetime, William is to borrow £40 for each for a marriage outfit and wife is to pay the interest. If they are married before their father’s death then they get £110 each.

Note William is not mentioned as a beneficiary. This is because he, as eldest son, would automatically inherit the whole of the heritable property i.e. land, minerals in the ground and buildings. This is recorded in Sasine Abridgements:

Feb 12 1873
1424

Not. Instrument. Janet Hay, widow of John Cuthill, portioner of Banknock, in her liferent use allenary and William Cuthill, engineer, Denny, in fee, - of the 5s land of Easter Banknock, with houses thereon in parish of Denny. with teinds, - on Disps. & Setts, dated 6 Mar 1871, by said John Cuthell, with consent of Janet Hay, with warrant of regn. thereon, on behalf of the said Janet Hay and William Cuthell.
39.156

Margaret, a dressmaker, and Christina, who was slightly simple, never married but Catherine married James Chalmers on 27th April 1876. Catherine’s dress was of clerical grey silk and was made by her sister, Margaret. As was usual, the minister came to the house to perform the ceremony. A meal followed and the couple went to their new home in the evening. Owing to the methods of photography in those days, no photo was taken on the day. Sometime during the next month the couple put on their wedding clothes and went to the photographer in the nearest town to have the photo taken. Catherine's wedding photo is included in the scrapbook.

The next census sees Janet living on her own in the Village of Cumbernauld:

1881 Cumbernauld Dumbarton 495 dist 8 pg 15
Main Street, Cumbernauld

Cuthill, Janet 		h  w	75	annuitant		Stirling, Denny


Janet survived a further eight years, dying in May 1899 at the age of seventy-six the cause of death being recorded as heart disease.

Death, Denny 1872 (476) No. 115
John Cuthill	M	76	1872		William Cuthill	peritonitis	Wm Cuthill 
Farmer				Nov 20th.		farmer				son
Married to 			Banknock		(deceased)
Janet Hay						Helen Cuthill
						M.S. Ingles
						(deceased) 	


Death,  Cumbernauld (495) 1882 No. 1
Janet Cuthill	F	76	1st. January	James Hay	   heart	   William Cuthill son
Widow of 				1882		farmer	   disease	Denny
John Cuthill			Main St.		(deceased)	
Farmer				Cumbernauld	Jane Hay
						M.S. Hamilton
						(deceased)
APPENDIX.

The Old Hearthstone by Catherine Cuthill, Banknock, Denny. 1870.

I sit alone, by the old hearthstone,
And my thoughts are wandering free,
And the days gone by, in a fancy’s eye
I think I clearly see.

In the days that are gone by this old hearthstone
Little pattering feet were at home,
But little they knew as the children grew,
Where those little feet would roam.

And the winter night, with its cheerful light,
Our memory long will keep.
The mother’s smile, and stories beguile,
Till the little ones fall asleep.

But the world at home too little has grown,
For some aspiring one,
And out he would go, the wide world to know
And leave the old hearthstone.

Hadst thou but known thou old hearthstone,
Many a sound of grief mightst hear,
The father’s prayer was whispered there,
There dropped the mother’s tear.

The eventful day when he went away
The wanderer when alone,
Will ne’er forget where last we met;
T’was by the old hearthstone.

And the parting kiss, a token this,
Of the love that was still to be.
To know no bound, save the grassy mound
When the eyes no longer see.

But oh, how lone is the old hearthstone,
How strange is the look of the place?
There is something there, ‘tis the vacant chair,
Reminds us of his face.

One trial is not alone in our lot
Is by experience seen.
But wounds will heal, though we cease not to feel
The place where the wounds have been.

So, one by one, away they have gone,
And there are only three,
Of the circle wide, who side by side,
Grew under the same roof tree.

But father is there in the old arm chair
Beside the old hearthstone,
And mother, the pride of the home fireside,
Sits in the spot well known.

But who can trace with an eager face,
The future that is in store
For the old hearthstone when we are gone,
And round it sit no more.

Will little ones come, and call this their home,
As if we had never been there?
Will the fire burn bright to give strangers light?
Who will fill the old armchair?

Will the roof-tree old that has kept out the cold,
And stood many a storm before,
And the dear old walls will they moulder and fall,
Like the friends which they shelter no more?


98. William Rea and Elizabeth Lindsay

The first mention of William and Elizabeth is in Dunnichen Old Parish Register:

17 May 1812 Dunnichen (283), Angus
William Rea in Forfar and Elizabeth Lindsay sometime in this parish unmarried persons had a child baptized Agnes.
After this there is nothing until 1818 when the Register at Kirkden notes the following:

16 February 1818 Kirkden (298), Angus.
William Rea gunner 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Artillery and Elizabeth Lindsay gave in the ir names for proclamation in order to Marriage. They were proclaimed accordingly and afterwards married.
There is then a nine-year gap until 1827 when the following appears in the Forfar Register:

29 July 1827 Forfar (288), Angus.
William Rea weaver and Elizabeth Lindsay his spouse had their fifth child born 24th and baptized 29th July named Mary Ann.
Then, nearly two years later:

11th April 1830 Forfar (288), Angus. FR 1460.
Rea: William Rea pensioner and Elizabeth Lindsay his spouse had their 6th child born 6th and baptized 11th April named Joseph.
On the same page, and three entries below, appears the following, which fills in some of the gaps.

William Rea, Royal Artillery and Elizabeth Lindsay, his spouse, had their daughter born at Scarborough 29th December 1821 baptized 15th January 1821, Janet.
(The baptism of Janet is also recorded in Scarborough at the Old Meeting House - Presbyterian or Independent Scarborough, Yorkshire, England.)

The above party had their son born at Woolwich 2nd and baptized 12th December 1818 named William.

The above party had their son born at North Shields 13th November and baptized 7th December 1823 named James.

The final child was Elizabeth:
11 Oct 1833 Forfar, Angus
William Rea pensioner and Elizabeth Lindsay had their seventh child born the 10th and baptized 11 October named Elizabeth.

It would appear that, after the birth of Agnes, William must have joined the Royal Artillery, returning six years later to marry Elizabeth. They then travelled on army postings among which were Scarborough, North Shields and Woolwich before William was discharged and they returned to Forfar sometime between 1823 and 1827.
The 1841 census for Forfar (288) book 10 page 8. Finds the family at Archies Park. (Note that “y” means yes, born in the county, “n” means no, not born in the county. “E” indicates born in England).

Archie’s Park

William Rae	54	H.L.W. Army P			y
Mrs Rae		53					y
William Rae jr.	22	tailor j.				n	E
James Rae		17					n	E
Mary Rae		13					y
Joseph Rae	11					y
Elizabeth Rae	 7					y

1851 census Forfar (288) book 13 page 12
Archie's Park
William Rea h m 64 pensioner R.A. Forfar, Forfar Elizabeth Rea w m 62 yarn winder Forfar, Othlaw Joseph Rea s u 20 HLW linen Forfar, Forfar Elizabeth Rea d u 17 scholar Forfar, Forfar


William and Elizabeth died within six months of each other in 1858:

Death, Forfar Dist 288 no. 45.


William Rea	1858	M  71	Alexander Rea	Disease of 	New cemy.   Joseph Rea
Linen hand	 March 1		crofter	 	heart and		Forfar	   son
loom weaver	11h30m p.m.	(deceased)   	general dropsy	as cert by	
(married) 	 Archies Park	Elspet Rea  	several years	Joseph Rea
		Forfar		maiden name	as cert by Alex	
				Cargill		Smith MD who
				(deceased)	saw the deceased	
						25 Feb 1858

Death, Forfar District 288 No. 148

Elizabeth Rea	1858	F  71	Alex. Lindsay	Disease of 	New Cemy.         Joseph Rea
Widow of a 	23 September	linen weaver	heart and		Forfar as            son 
linen weaver	Archies Park	(deceased)	lungs.		Cert. by 	          present
		Forfar		Elizabeth Lindsay			Joseph Rea	
				M.S. Doig				son.
				(deceased)

No tombstone is recorded in the available books of tombstone inscriptions.