Stewarton & District Historical Society Archive
Chair of Museum Trustees and History Enquiries - Ian H MacDonald
17, Grange Terrace, Kilmarnock Tel 01563-524748, email ianhmac@aol.com
Welcome to Our Archive Page
Here you will find all articles previously published on the Stewarton and District Historical Society webpage. Please use the index to the right to help you find what you are looking for. For up-to-date news and events visit our main page.
The Mill That Gave The Millhouse Its Name
This view has changed quite a bit over the last hundred years. The view is looking away from the town towards 'Darlington'. The origins of this name are lost in the mists of time, with one theory being that it was where local folk went 'courting' - hence Darlington, or that it was from Old French - D'Arling toun. The road to Robertland and the schools would be on the right just before the bungalow and the Millhouse Hotel stands behind the Mill on the left.
This was the Corsehill Mill, which was a bean and corn mill, powered by water from the burn flowing down through what is now the Cuninghame Watt Park (the Corsehill Burn). The path in the park follows roughly the line of the mill lade, which carried the water to the mill. Two reminders of the bean mill are to be found at the Millhouse Hotel, with a plaque from the mill on the outside wall bearing the Cuninghame Y 'shakefork' and the motto -'Nae Mill Nae Meal'. In the garden also stands a sundial, the base of which was made from one of the millstones from the Bean Mill.
Let us not forget the cows either! They are Ayrshire cattle, sadly not seen so often today, but in the early days of the breed they were sometimes known as Dunlop cows, as it is believed that Dunlop of Dunlop, along with a few others brought in bulls from England which were reddish brown in colour and they were bred with the local cattle in the late 18th century to give the distinctive reddish brown markings which the breed bear to this day.
Main Street
Although we have listed the shops in Lainshaw Street before in the Archive, the photograph above is one of the oldest in the Society's collection. Going by the clothing worn, it must have been taken around 1900. The shops mentioned are Chalmers' followed by Kerr's. It would appear to be taken from the Cross looking up towards Avenue Square.
In the second picture below, we have an aerial view taken from the top of the bank on the corner of Avenue Square. This one was taken in the 1960's and is looking back towards the Cross.
It would look as if the buildings in picture one are on the left hand side in picture two. The building in the bottom right hand corner sits on the corner of Avenue Square, and although now a Financial Advisor's, was an ale house in Burns's time (the Buck's Head Inn).
Note how little traffic there was even about forty years ago - a cattle float, one lorry, a Morris |Minor van, a second van and three cars as far as the Cross - no need for Traffic Wardens then in The Good Old Days!
Auchinleck House
At first glance a picture of Auchinleck House, which was open to the public on September 4th may have nothing to do with Stewarton, but it does.
James Boswell, whose home this was, was the friend and biographer of Dr Johnson. He married his own cousin, who was Peggie Montgomerie of Lainshaw House (she had to sign a pre-nuptial agreement first - see below). They both were dressed in white for the wedding at Lainshaw. The Montgomeries were short of money, and were forced to sell Lainshaw. Boswell stepped in and used his legal experience to gain a delay in the sale of the estate, and eventually gained a higher price when it was sold to William Cuninghame, the Tobaco Lord. It is also worth noting another possible Stewarton connection in the signature of one of the witnesses - 'Paoli'.
"This is the marriage contract between James Boswell, Esquire, eldest son to the Right Honourable Alexander Boswell, Esquire, of Auchinleck, one of the Lords of Session and Justiciary in Scotland, and Miss Peggie Montgomerie, daughter to the late David Montgomerie of Lainshaw, Esquire.
The said parties do hereby agree that, in consideration of the sincerest mutual love and regard, they will, on or before the holy festival of Christmas next to come, be united to each other by marriage.
They solemnly engage to be faithful spouses, to bear with one another's faults, and to contribute as much as possible to each other's happiness in this world, hoping through the merits of their blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ, for eternal happiness in the world which is to come.
In faith of which, this paper, written by the said James Boswell, Esquire, is subscribed by him at London on the thirty-first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine, before these witnesses; Pascal Paoli, General of the Corsicans, and Samuel Johnson, Doctor of Laws, and author of The Rambler and other works.
James Boswell
Lo sottoscritto ho veduto, e sono stato presente quando il Signore Giacomo Boswell ha sottoscrito questo foglio.
Pasquale de Paoli
(I, the undersigned, was present and saw James Boswell, Esquire, subscribe this document.)
(Paoli did not come to Scotland for the marriage.)
And by the said Miss Peggie Montgomerie at Lainshaw, on the twenty-fifth of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine, before these witnesses; the Honourable Archibald Douglas of Douglas, Esquire, and the said James Boswell, Esquire.
Margaret Montgomerie
A. Douglas, Witness.
Belgian Refugees in Stewarton - World War One
The photograph is of Charles and Louis Vercammen, who were two of many Belgian refugees who fled to Britain during World War One. The family ended up in Glasgow, from where they were given accomodation at Montgreenan House near Stewarton by the Lord Provost of Glasgow. They later moved to Stewarton and lived in the Bridgend, while one of the daughters worked in Mackie's hosiery for a time. The father was a diamond cutter by trade, but managed to get a job in Johnnie Walker's. At the end of the war the family left Stewarton, but the youngest son (Maurice) was ill, and had to be left behind. His teacher (Mr Philip) visited him in hospital, and took him into his family home until the summer holidays, when he was then taken back to Belgium.
This a copy of a letter sent by the family to a friend in the district after they got back to Belgium:
(notice how they have picked up a few Scottish phrases - eg. 'greeting').
Lier, 17th February, 1919
Dear Lizzie Morrison,
Just a few words to let you know that we have had a safe but dreary voyage, my mother was sitting greeting half of the time. It took us 3.5 days to come over, and we had good weather all the road. Everything very dear here and we have not got a house - we are staying with our uncles and aunts and are not in our place yet. We have had a good lot of letters from Mr Philip letting us know everything about Maurice. My mother was not well a few days when we arrived, but is alright now, I think it was from a cold she got from the sea and with thinking about Maurice. We have every hope of his recovery.
Hoping you are getting on well and getting lots of work
From your Friend
Emile Vercammen
40, Begginhof(?) Street
Lier
David Dale
Stewarton's most famous son was probably David Dale, the founder of New Lanark, who, as well as having shares in mills in Blantyre, Spinningdale (Sutherland), etc., also lent money to help found Stanley Mills in Perthshire which have recently been restored. It is generally accepted that he was born in Stewarton, and his mother, Annie Blackwood, is buried in St Columba's Kirkyard. The mystery is where exactly was he born? According to local tales he was born on the site of The Granary in Rigg Street, but the family never owned this property.
According to the Title Deeds of The Granary, a Dispositon of May 30th., 1790, by John Brownlee to James McGowan states that:
'the yard formerly posest by William Dale, now belonging to David Dale, merchant in Glasgow, lies to the south' (this would put the Dale's yard around where the chip shop is to-day).
In 1807 another disposition calls it 'the yard now belonging to the heirs of the late David Dale, merchant in Glasgow...(i.e. his daughters).'
Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that he was born there - he could have been born at the Dale family farm, (Stacklawhill) or at his mother's family home. What we do know is that he was baptised in the Parish Church on January 6th 1739.
He later moved to Glasgow, and when he eventually died in Cambuslang he was a very rich man, but had no son to whom he could leave his fortune, only daughters.
Lainshaw Street Shops
Over the years many shops in Stewarton have changed hands while some have even been demolished.
One of the Society's Life Members, Florence Miller, sat down and tried to compile a list of Lainshaw Street shops over the last 100 years and came up with the following.
The Society would welcome any additions or corrections.
_____________________________________________
List of One-time Residents of Lainshaw Street
(starting at the cross and going down towards the mini-roundabout)
1. Hotel, Pub – Cochrane – several generations
a) 'Bel Jean
b) Robert Gibbie Gabriel Ramsey Anne
3. Grocer Shop - Cochrane
Jean (Mrs Ritchie); Cochrane Ritchie
Part Laundrette
Jenny A'Things
5. Skeoch – Willie; Jessie
'Bell Cochrane
Alex Nelson – Nan
Alex McMillan – Lorna
7. Dairy
D. McKinnon – Sadie – Jennie
Alex Nelson
Jim Forrest
9. Barber
Blair - Jim – Emigrated to New Zealand
Saidie
11. Blair – R.K. Highet
Jessie Highet; Agnes Highet
Kerr – Netta? – nurse; May; Bessie;
Matthew – killed in WWII; Janie
(went to Dean Café)
Mr & Mrs Simpson – Registrar
Jimmie Raeburn – Ian
Jim Mair – Jane (nee Lochhead)
Jean m. Charlie Rosamond
13. Shoemaker – Robert K. Highet
Janet Boyd – Grocer
15. Baker - David Stirrat - David; Jimmie; Annie; Kate
Jimmie Findlay
Oven Door
Stirrat
Smith – Jimmie; Duncan; Walter; Robert; Martha
McLaughlan – Barbara; Ada;
At Back – King – Jessie; Jean
19. Welfare – Buttercup
W. Smith
Young – General Stores
Boutique
21. Haberdashery
23. Mrs Orr – Jenny; Annie; Willie;
James Shields – William; John; Andrew; Jane; Dorothy
Agnes Dakers –Jessie Dakers – Wee Jeanie – housekeeper
25. Tailor – Sweet Shop – Plumber – Chemist – Painter
27. Nairn – tailor and dancing schoolmaster
John – cutter with Forsythe in Glasgow
Neil – tailor's business inTroon
Robert – tailor's business in Eaglesham
Tom – Kilmarnock – family emigrated to Canada
Jeanie - m. Gibson – Polly
m. David Kerr – Sarah; Jessie; John;Davina
Margaret m. John Barclay – Jimmie; May; Jenny; Peggy; Annie; Jean; John; Robert; Agnes; Florence
_________________________________________________
The photograph is of James Kerr's the drapers.
John Gillies Shields
John Gillies Shields is yet another of Stewarton's famous characters who is almost unknown in the district. He was born at Auchenharvie Toll on the Irvine to Glasgow road on the 18th of April, 1857, and left school at the age of nine. Despite this, he was a hard worker, and by 1881 he was farming Gateside Farm on the Loudoun Estate at Galston.
He is reputed to have been over six feet tall and to have weighed over twenty stones, and he was soon offered a job by the husband of the Countess of Loudoun under the estate factor at Donington Hall (covering some 5,000 acres). He accepted the offer and set off with his wife and young son for Isley Walton, which today lies not far from East Midlands Airport. He soon fell out with the estate factor, complained to Lord Donington, and was made estate factor himself.
When the Countess of Loudoun's husband died, John managed to raise enough money to buy the estate for himself, and then in 1899 he also purchased a local quarry. He fathered ten children, and in 1918 he purchased the lordship of the Manor of Isley Walton.
In 1929 he finally bought the 'Big Hoose', namely Donington Hall, and he also gave permission for a racing circuit to be laid out in the grounds which is still in use to-day. On his death in 1943 three elders from St Columba's Church attended his funeral in England, as he is believed to have donated the Church bell to St. Columba's Church. Not bad for a country 'lad o'pairts' from outside Stewarton!
Stewarton Railway
Until the mid nineteenth century the Stewarton railway station was at Cunninghamhead, on the road to Irvine (the old Kilmarnock - Beith line) and carts and carriages took passengers from the town to the station.
The work currently being done on the viaduct should give us a clue as to why there was no station. The landscape started to fall away on the topside of Stewarton and did not level out until after Lochridge House.
On 3rd August, 1868 the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the last arch of the railway viaduct across the Annick at Lainshaw, was performed by Brother Colonel Mure of Caldwell, the Right Worshipful Master of Mother Kilwinning Masonic Lodge, and Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire. In point of fact, the viaduct was practically finished by that time and Colonel Mure's job, as he himself said, was to lay "one of the last, if not the last stone, of one of the finest specimens of useful architecture in the West of Scotland." This stone has never been traced, as far as we know.The railway was opened a few years later, but two men were killed during its construction, one local and the other Irish and there is a memorial to them both in St Columba's Churchyard.
The photograph was taken at Stewarton station not long after it opened. It can be dated by the dress of the station staff and the size of the chimney on the locomotive, which strangely is an LMS engine, although the railway was the Glasgow, Paisley and Kilmarnock Joint Railway. The viaduct is a listed building and is featured in books of the Great Ayrshire Buildings of the Industrial Revolution. The current work may be a bit of a nuisance, but hopefully it will ensure that the viaduct stands for another 150 years.
Bonnet Making
Although bonnet making has been carried on in Stewarton since the late 16th century by hand, it was not mechanised until the nineteenth century when the Sims and the Mackies set up their mills in the town.
It was the Mackies who patented a machine for making bonnets, instead of the old method of men knitting them with a set of long piquet needles. The Mackies later waived their right to the patent in Stewarton to allow other companies to give employment in their mills.
The photograph shows the finishing process for the bonnets. The man is sitting on a stretching stool which was used to stretch the bonnets to the correct shape after knitting. The carding tool on his left shoulder was used to comb out the finished product and finally the large shears at the front were used to trim off any loose ends.
The Society would love to know where the picture was taken - there appears to be a motto of some kind behind him which includes the word 'ages' and a painting of trees. Any suggestions please?
Duncan Frederic Campbell
On a recent visit to the Black Watch Museum in Perth, a member came across a painting of Lt Col D. F. Cambell D.S.O. who was born in Canada, yet is buried in Kilmarnock Cemetery. Further research has shown that he lived in Stewarton, at Wardhead House (which is now Proven Engineering).
He is listed in the Book of Remembrance .of Trinity College Ontario as follows:
CAMPBELL, DUNCAN FREDERIC, D.S.O. M. P.
Late of Stewarton, Scotland, he was the son of the late Archibald Frederick Campbell,
Q. C., a Barrister in Toronto. He qualified there with a B.A. in 1898, then fought in the Boer War, during which he was awarded the D.S.O.
In World War One he was a Captain in the 3rd Reserve Batallion. Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), then became a Lt. Col. in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (The West Ridings).
He fought in France, where he was wounded three times. At the First Battle of Ypres he lost his left arm and was mentioned in Despatches for distinguished service by Lord French.
After recovering he returned to France in July,1916, but was blown up by a mine and died from an internal haemorrhage on September 4th, 1916, at Southwold. He was buried on September 9th 1916 at Kilmarnock Cemetery.
His wife was also Canadian, but what is not mentioned is how he came to be in Stewarton as it omits to mention the fact that he was also the M.P. for North Ayrshire. (The caption to the painting states that he is returning to the House of Commons.)
(The painting is reproduced by Kind Permission of Balhousie Castle, Perth, the Black Watch Regimental Museum.)
Members Meeting Update
One of the contributions at the 2011 members night concerned Lt Col Duncan Campbell. Further research by a member has shown that after the Boer War (he was present at the Relief of Ladysmith) he returned to Canada and married Annie Louise O'Reilly, then came back to Scotland and stood for parliament as a Conservative for Mid-Lanarkshire, and was heavily defeated. He then stood again for North Ayrshire in 1911 and got in by 271 votes. As a result, when he died of his injuries in World War One a plaque was erected in his memory in the Chamber of the House of Commons, along with all other M.P's who died in the Great War.
Further Update
Further to the item on Lt Col Campbell, M.P., his grave has now been traced in Kilmarnock cemetery, and his wife is also buried alongside him, despite the fact that they were both Canadians.
Sport In Stewarton
In Days gone by the adults and children of Stewarton were able to play the usual games such as football, etc., and curling as shown here. The 19th century Curling Pond was to be found on the 'back road' to Kilmarnock on the left-hand side of the road before High Peacockbank and behind the cottage at the roadside. (That is not the one shown here.) On the main road, between the Lochridge gates and the former Wardhead House (now Proven Engineering) there was a cricket pitch, while the town also had a small golf course with a wooden club house.
November 2010
One of the most common question the Society members are asked is, "What is the old ruin outside Stewarton on the road to Dunlop?" Many people, including the old Kilmarnock and Loudoun Council on one occasion, refer to it as Corsehill Castle - not so. It was in fact Ravenscraig Castle, or Ruinscrag, in the early 17th century and at that time it was said to have been the home of Sir Godfrey de Ros in the 13th century. His family also had other castles at Armsheugh near Girdle Toll and at Auldhill on the hill above Portencross.
So where was Corsehill Castle? It stood at the top of what is now Bowes Rigg. On the map, dated late 1700's, you can see that there used to be an Avenue of trees running directly off to the right of Avenue Square (the present Avenue Street is marked by a dotted line going off to the left as it had not yet been built.). If you follow this tree lined Avenue to come out opposite Ravenscraig Castle, but on the other side of the railway, you have some idea of where Corsehill Castle used to stand. Sadly the only remains would appear to be a stone sundial on an estate in Galloway (unless anyone digs up something interesting in their garden - if so, please let us know!)
Map - Copyright - National Archives of Scotland
October 2010
This picture is of William Downie, (Major Downie) – sailor, explorer and author of ‘Hunting for Gold’ in which he tells of his expeditions and hardships as a ‘49er tracing the illusive gold. He also founded the township of Downieville in California.
He was born in Glasgow in 1820, and died in 1893 on board a steamer in San Francisco. What has he got to do with Stewarton you may wonder??
Well, Margaret Downie, daughter of John Downie and Mary Bell, was born in Glasgow in 1815. She was a sister of ‘Major Downie’ and married Robert Kerr of Stewarton, a Bonnet Maker and their daughter, Mary was a ‘flowerer’ -(embroiderer). In 1841 they were living in Main Street, Stewarton and ten years later they had moved to the Avenue. So there we have it – a Stewarton lady whose relative founded a town in California!
September 2010
In September 1910, almost exactly 100 years ago, a memorial was unveiled in memory of Robert Burness and his son, John. These were the uncle of the poet and the poet's cousin who both lived in Stewarton. John also had another brother, William, as well as a sister, Frances, who married one of the Armour family from Mauchline.
They were clearly not a rich family as John, who lived in Main Street, was granted Parish Relief for a few years before his death. Legend has it that Uncle Robert worked on Robertland Estate, where there was a Robert Burns employed for a time. There are letters in existence which seem to prove this.
The inscription on the obelisk is now almost impossible to read due to moss growth and overhanging trees, but it reads as follows:-
"Erected by Stewarton Literary Society 24th September 1910 in memory of Robert Burns,
uncle of the National Poet, who died at Stewarton 3rd January 1789. Here also are
interred the remains of his eldest son, John, who died 17th February 1846."
A further inscription is in the words of the poet's father, William, in which he refers to his brother in Stewarton.
The obelisk is of Ballochmyle sandstone and was built by A & W Barclay, builders.
July 2010
Stewarton has some very interesting street names - have you ever wondered where they came from?
During World War Two it has been estimated that there could have been as many as 9,000 troops based in the town hence the names Lothian Road (Lothian and Border Horse) and Crusader Crescent (named after the Crusader tanks based at Lainshaw.)
Legend has it that there is still a 'cement road' in the town which was built to protect the
road from damage done by the tanks.
The picture is from the archives of the Tank Museum at Boivington.
For more on Stewarton's wartime history these links may be of interest:
BBC - WW2 People's War - Stewarton
June 2010
This picture has come into our possession all the way from Australia. The caption simply says, 'A Group of Stewarton men (and 2 ladies),' but we know that the man with the white beard in the front row is Robert Mackie (1823 - 1917), the founder of the famous bonnet-making firm. This means that the photo must have been taken before 1914.
What a mixture of outfits - all social classes - Does anyone recognise an ancestor in the picture please?
May 2010
This month's picture is and old photograph of Lainshaw Street, looking from the mini-roundabout at St Columba's Church and towards the Cross. The area was known for some reason as 'The Happy Land' while the large building on the right was known as 'The Happy Land Lodging House'.
The cottage on the right was just beyond the entrance to Toggle Cottage and is now 52 Lainshaw Street. There is a tradition in Stewarton that one of Robert Burns's relatives may have lived at No. 52 and had a workshop there.
April 2010
This month's picture was taken inside Sim's Bonnet (and knitwear) Factory (now demolished) and the lady on the right is Jenny Sim, the last owner of the mill.
March 2010
This photograph is of the Cairns Church around 1961 - stood where the flats are to-day, facing towards Springwell Place - yet another fine building lost to Stewarton
February 2010
This month's picture is much more recent, yet the buildings shown have almost all gone. The picture was taken near the Kirkford Bridge, (to the right) and the River Annick can be seen in the right hand corner.
The white three-storey building on the right stands on the site of the old gas works, and eventually became a hotel for a short time (the Fairmount). In the centre stands Sim's Yard. They were a local contractor who used to have a yard in the Main Street (where the deserted Social Work Office stands beyond John Knox Church) before moving to this site. These were the days when Stewarton had a Town Council, and in bad weather they could call on Sim's men and equipment to clear the streets and pavements (how times have changed!)
Beyond Sim's sheds can be seen Mackie's mills, which stood on the same side of Holm Street, and where they even made carpets for a time in the 19th century. In the distance on the top of the hill is the site of the present Stewarton Academy.
January 2010
The First Capitol Building, Richmond, Virginia
During the American War of Independence, the State of Virginia took control of most of the Glasgow Tobacco merchants' assets, including William Cuninghame of Lainshaw's various stores and his warehouse in Richmond, Virginia. When the first General Assembly met in Richmond on May 1st 1780, the legislature had to meet in these makeshift wooden buildings near the bottom of Shockoe Hill.
The property consisted of four lots, with a dwelling house, storehouse, warehouse and other structures. Thus it can be claimed that a Stewarton man's humble warehouse saw the beginning of the Commonwealth of Virginia, until they were able to build a proper Capitol Building. Until quite recently it was thought that no illustration of the original building existed, but the picture shown here was tracked down for Stewarton Historical Society by their friends in Virginia Historical Society.
December 2009
James Taylor Brown was an artist of exceptional ability ( 1869 to 1924). He specialised in scenes of the Ayrshire countryside but he was a man of moods. It has been said that when things were going well, he was of a cheerful disposition (see attached 'Returning from the Hunt').
Conversely when he was depressed he expressed himself in dark and sombre tones (e.g. his painting of Auchans Castle at Dundonald). During his lifetime his works were exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy, the Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts, and the Society of Scottish Artists in Edinburgh. Some years ago the Dick Institute mounted a fine exhibition of his works.
This picture represents a scene well known to Stewarton folk (albeit without the huntsman). It is a scene set on the back road to Kilmarnock, and on the left is the former smiddy, now a cottage restored by a local builder, behind which lay the Stewarton curling pond, and in the distance are the trees of High Peacockbank.
November 2009
The Town House, as it was originally called, was built around 1800 by the Cuninghame family. It overlooked the Market Square with space for market stalls on the ground floor. On the first floor there was provision for an education room and library. Behind the Town House there was a 'pen' where animals were kept before and after the markets. On late 18th century maps there was a gap for the animals to be led through, between the Town House and the row of houses in The Avenue, (this is now filled by the second doorway leading up to the Institute Upper Hall). In the mid 19th century the Cuninghames improved the 'Institute' and it was eventually sold to the Burgh Council in the early twentieth century. It is now up for sale, and its future seems uncertain.
October 2009
Have you ever visited the Dick Institute and wondered where the jaw bone of the whale came from? Well, Stewarton is the answer!
The Rorqual whale's name comes from a Norwegian word, and it was washed up on the Yorkshire coast in the 19th century. When it was cut up, the jaw bone ended up for some reason at Lainshaw House, and stood for many years at the side of the driveway (see illustration).
When World War Two broke out, Lainshaw Estate was taken over by the army (hence Crusader Crescent takes its name from the Crusader tanks and Lothian Road from the Lothian and Border Horse Regiment. As a result, the whale jaw bone was taken down for safe keeping and moved to the Dick Institute Museum where it has been ever since.
September 2009
Although it did not exist in Burns's day, the lands were owned by Sir James Hunter Blair, who was Lord Provost of Edinburgh and he met the poet when he visited the city. Not only that, but he employed a local estate supervisor at Robertland called Robert Burness - could this have been the poet's uncle?
Stewarton & District Historical Society Index
Browse The Society Archive
Browse Picture of The Month Archive
Browse Stewarton & District Historical Society News Archive
Browse Stewarton Family History Archive
Browse Stewarton School Days Photo Album
Index To Articles
David Dale, Robert Kerr and Downieville
First Capitol Building, Richmond, Virginia (The)
Glasgow Vennel - Not Just Burns
Golden Era of Scottish Buses (The)
Johnnie Walker: Born 1820 - Died 2009
Mill the gave Mill Street Its Name (The)
William Cuninghame - The Tobacco Lord
The Stewarton & District Historical Society are building an album of old school photos and the first entries are available to view here now.
Regular visitors to this website are to be congratulated on solving a mystery for the Society. Some time ago we advertised in the local papers and on stewartononline to try and find relatives of a Mr Browning from Dean Street who had served in the RAF during World War Two. Someone had found a diary which had belonged to him in a house in Stewarton. Recently we were contacted by a lady from Kilmarnock who was his niece, and she has been put in touch with the gentleman who found the diary and who had wanted to return it so someone in the family.
The Society have uncovered evidence to prove that there are three of Robert Burns's relatives buried in St Columba's Kirkyard, and not two as previously thought, since Uncle Robert's wife is also buried in the same Kirkyard as her husband.
The Society have also been in touch with a recent visitor to Ayrshire who turned out to be descended from the sister of Robert Burness who died in Stewarton. He was a fifth generation descendant of a nephew of the poet's Uncle Robert, and has kindly provided the Society with a Family Tree.
David Dale, Robert Kerr and Downieville
Also in April 2010, The Society have had an enquiry recently from a lady whose ancestor was Robert Kerr a bonnet maker, in Stewarton in 1851. She also claims to be connected to David Dale, but even more interesting is the fact that Mary Downie was living at the same address in Main Street in 1841. Her relative, William Downie, went to America and discovered large gold deposits in California and founded the town of Downieville there.
The things we never knew about Stewarton!
In April 2010, The Society acquired a booklet on 'The History of the Stewarton Mackies' which was purchased from Australia and should be of assistance to anyone having a 'Mackie' in their family tree.
Stewarton Historical Society were contacted from Kamloops in British Columbia recently from a lady who is researching her Family Tree. She is looking for relatives of the Yates family and has only lately uncovered a Stewarton link. He is Glen E. Yates who was born June 24, 1917 at Stewarton and the address they have for Isabella Rankin Yates is Brookwood Cottage, Stewarton. Any info as usual please to the usual e-mail address - ianhmac@aol.com
Stewarton & District Historical Society News Archive
Fairlie House and Its Owners
The speaker at the November meeting of the Historical Society was Mrs Liquorish, from Fairlie House at Gatehead, who was accompanied on this occasion by her husband. She gave a most fascinating illustrated talk on the history of the house, and its lands, from the early days when it was known as Little Dreghorn (the village area being known as Meikle Dreghorn). She also traced the owners of the estate over the centuries, including the Cuninghame-Fairlie family, who were given the title Barons of Robertland by King James VI ( a baron of Nova Scotia).
She went on to show plans of the house, along with pictures of the interior of the house as it is to-day. Her research had shown that it was designed by Henderson, who designed the bridges at Auldgirth, as well as Forteviot in Perthshire. He also submitted plans for the first North Bridge in Edinburgh, but he did not get the contract, which may be just as well, as the Mound on which it was being built consisted of rubble and the first bridge started to sink. She also included tales of some of the staff who had worked on the estate over the years to help bring the buildings alive.
Darvel Telephone Museum
The speaker at the October meeting of the Society was Mr Max Flemmich M.B.E., from the telephone museum at Darvel. He gave a most interesting talk, and also showed some of the items from the museum collection to the members. Going by the number of questions asked, the talk was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
'Swap Shop'
The Society were also represented at the recent Ayrshire Federation of Historical Societies 'Swap Shop' in Irvine, when the acting President, Miss Barclay, gave a report on the Syllabus and the preparations for opening the Museum in the Town House. It was suggested that the Federation might hold a meeting there next year.
Auld Killie
The opening meeting of the Historical Society was addressed by Mr Smillie, who presented a wonderful slide show on Auld Killie. He began by showing pictures of the procession and street decorations for George VI's coronation in 1937.
These were followed by a variety of slides of staff at Johnnie Walker's, and then a trip down the Clyde, beginning in Glasgow, and ending with the swimming pools at Saltcoats, Troon and Prestwick, again in the 1930's and through to the 1950's.
He admitted that his collection started when he was invited to take some items from a skip when a family were clearing a relative's house, and it grew from there as other people offered him pictures and memorabilia. The slides were supplemented with anecdotes of the people and places involved, many of them very humorous.
Buildings At Risk in Scotland
The April meeting of the Society was addressed by Mr A. Adamson who worked for the Scottish Civic Trust, but on the very week he came to speak in Stewarton they had been absorbed into the RCAHMS (Royal Commission for Ancient and Historic Monuments for Scotland).
He began his talk about Buildings at Risk in Scotland by showing a picture of the Stewarton Institute Hall, and then explained the reasons why buildings came to be at risk - corporate neglect, vandalism, water ingress, fire, and in one extreme case, dynamite!
He took the members on a tour around Scotland, including, nearer home, Auchinleck and Galston, and travelling as far north as the Orkneys and Shetlands. On a brighter note, he ended by quoting figures to show the high percentage of buildings on the At Risk register which had been saved for the nation, and which would probably have been lost otherwise.
The Golden Era of Scottish Buses
The March meeting of the Society was addressed by Mr Bill McGregor, former Head Teacher of James Hamilton Academy, who spoke about the 'Golden Era of Scottish Buses'. He was a welcome return speaker, and this time he concentrated mainly on the 1950's.
He began by speaking about the Corporation buses of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, etc. He then moved on to deal with the Western, Central and Eastern SMT (some photos were taken inside the Bus Station in Kilmarnock, evoking fond memories). This was followed by a move to the East Coast to talk about Alexanders (Fife, Midland and Northern) before returning to Ayrshire.
He then gave a detailed account of the Kilmarnock coaches which were used on the Glasgow to London route, and while one member thought she spotted a relative in one of the photographs, another said he had worked for Albion and helped build some of the buses. He finished by covering some of the smaller local companies, such as Youngs, the AA and A1,etc.
The City of Petra
The speaker at the February meeting of the Society was Ian Dickson from Irvine, who spoke about the Ancient City of Petra in Jordan.
Ian and his wife had spent two and a half days in the area, and even then he believed that it was not long enough. He was a former classics teacher, and was of the opinion that over half the city has still to be uncovered.
He took the members on a guided tour of the famous rose-coloured buildings such as the Treasury and the less well know ones such as the Monastery. The area is now a UNESCO Heritage Site, and is believed to be one of the greatest archaeological sites in the ancient world. This was evidenced by his wonderful photographs and the many questions that followed.
Members Night 2011
The January meeting of the Society was a Members' Night, at which members were invited to bring along stories or objects of interest.
The Society has had an enquiry from London regarding a funeral service held at Magbiehill Farm in the 1880's - the lady wanted to know if there were Quakers in Stewarton at that time - Can anyone help please? - if so please e-mail the President.
One of the contributions concerned Lt Col Duncan Campbell, see Picture of the Month for January 2011.
A Committee Member spoke about John Major, who lived in the 16th century and was vicar of Dunlop. He was also tutor to some of the great men of the Reformation, including John Knox, and his house can still be seen in the village.
The Past President spoke about the sinking of the Annie Jane, which had been carrying emigrants across the Atlantic in the nineteenth century. It had to turn back, and in bad weather it was wrecked off the island of Barra and over 300 men women and children were killed, and they were buried in a mass grave on the island.
The President showed a set of copies of Christmas Cards sent to Stewarton families by soldiers who had been based in the town during World War Two. A member also spoke about the Stewarton Rail Crash of 2009, which in time will no doubt become part of the town's history, while another showed a series of original documents relating to the family's farm, such as a Tak rental agreement and an Account Book (all in immaculate copper-plate writing!)
The evening ended with a showing of the titles of all the hit songs of World War Two, bringing back many memories, and many still popular to-day, such as White Christmas.
November 2010
The speaker at last month's Society meeting was Mr Ferguson from Dalgarven Mill on the Dalry Road outside Kilwinning. He gave an excellent illustrated talk on their Costume Collection which has been gathered over a number of years. They date from as early as the 18th and 19th century, and many of them had come from stately homes having a 'clean-out' and included servants' costumes and uniforms, while others have been donated by Museum visitors.
From the early 20th century he showed some of the Chinese robes and some had been authenticated as being Imperial Robes. Back in Britain he showed some of the Victorian wedding dresses from the Exhibition which has just ended, and then showed some of the Edwardian dresses and gentlemen's outfits.
He finished by giving details of the new building which has been constructed to accomodate the collections under proper environmental conditions.
October 2010
Last month's meeting took the form of a visit to Kilmarnock, when around twenty members of the Society enjoyed a visit to the new Burns Monument Centre in the Kay Park. The members were given a guided tour of the new building by the staff and after tea were guided through the research facilities.
Members were than allowed to carry out their own research, with some suprising results. One member found a large family photograph of her ancestors, and was able to name them, while another found evidence of a family surname in Stewarton as far back as the early 1700's (although it was almost impossible to read!)
The Society would like to thank all the staff who gave up their time and made the evening such a success.
September 2010
The Life of Robert Louis Stevenson
The opening meeting of the Historical Society was very well attended, with a total of seven new members joining, something of a record!
They were addressed by Mrs O'Donnell, from Irvine, who spoke about the life of Robert Louis Stevenson. She traced his early years, being brought up in the famous family of engineers and lighthouse builders in Edinburgh. She then outlined some of his most well-known works, as a novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer (e.g. Treasure Island, Kidnapped and the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde) and one of the members was able to supply details of one of his poems having been set to music by Alistair Macdonald and we have forwarded details of this to the speaker.
She also told of a tale she had learned of Stevenson making an 'official visit and inspection' to Turnberry Lighthouse. He arrived unannounced, and carried out the inspection, having learned from watching his father, and the keeper was none the wiser. After the tour, and having criticised the keeper on a few points, Stevenson was shocked to discover that the keeper had been in the middle of making a coffin for his young child who had just died.
The speaker then moved on to tell of his family life, his marriage to an American lady, Fanny Vandegrift Osbourne (1840–1914). She was born in Indianapolis, and had married at the age of seventeen, but her husband was unfaithful. She met Stevenson in France, but he was in poor health. They eventually married in America in 1880. It was this poor health that led him to Samoa culminating in his death in 1894.
May 2010
Johnnie Walker: Born 1820 - Died 2009
Following the AGM, Mr John Hall from Stewarton gave the members a talk about Johnnie Walker - as he put it - 'Born 1820 - Died 2009'. He explained the work of the different departments, and what work went on in Hill Street, and other parts of the town such as The Strand, etc.
He entertained the Society with many anecdotes of his experiences and showed many examples of bottles, and cases, (all empty!) and memorabilia, a few of which had been proven to be forgeries.
April 2010
The April meeting of the Stewarton & District Historical Society was addressed by Mrs MacLeod from the National Trust for Scotland, who spoke about the history of the village of Kilbarchan, and she then went on to explain how hand weaving was done at the cottage. She showed a sample of a blanket which she had designed and woven for the re-opening of Burns's Cottage.
March 2010
The March meeting of the Stewarton & District Historical Society was addressed by Mr Breingan from Ayr, who spoke about Scottish Bank Notes. It was a most interesting evening, as he began with the early founding of the Bank of Scotland around 1700, then showed examples of the notes issued by some of the smaller, less well known, Scottish banks.
He went on to outline the history of the some of the other banks, such as the Clydesdale Bank, the Commercial Bank, the British Linen Bank, (which stood where the Coffee Pot is now situated.)
In response to many questions he went on to explain some of the fascinating legal points regarding what constituted legal tender, and the legal position regarding Scottish bank notes.
Another interesting Stewarton link was that Mr Breingan had worked for the Clydesdale Bank alongside Mr John Campbell whose father John Campbell had put his signature on Clydesdale Bank bank-notes at one time, and Sir John was born and brought up in Stewarton.
February 2010
Glasgow Vennel - Not Just Burns
The speaker at the February meeting of the Society was Jill McColl from the North Ayrshire Archive Centre in Irvine who gave an illustrated talk about the Glasgow Vennel, where the Archive Centre is housed. The street contains the house where Burns lodged when he was learning flax dressing, and the heckling shed was restored, as was the whole street, some years ago. In addition, the street was the main route to Glasgow via Stewarton in the old days, despite the fact that two carts had hardly enough room to pass. Ms McColl ended by displaying some of the old books which are on display at the Archive Centre, including old maps, and a book of engravings of scenes from the Eglinton Tournament.
December 2009
William Cuninghame - The Tobacco Lord
The December meeting of 2009 was addressed by the Society's secretary, Ian Macdonald, who gave an illustrated talk about William Cuninghame of Lainshaw House.
He began by tracing the history of the Lainshaw Estate over the centuries, and how it came to be owned by William Cuninghame, thanks in part to the efforts of Boswell of Auchinleck, who had married into the family that owned the estate. He then traced the career of William in America and then back in Glasgow, and explained how the tobacco merchants made their money, partly by spreading their investments well beyond the tobacco trade and also by having several shareholders in each company.
The speaker then went on to give a summary of some of the other Glasgow merchants, and pointed to many of the streets named after them to this day. Using the records of Robinson, one of Cuninghame's Factors in America, Mr Macdonald showed how and where the American trade operated in Virginia, despite the American War of Indpendence. After briefly touching on the slave trade, he concluded by showing how Cuninghame managed to diversify during and after the War, even although his warehouse in Richmond was taken over to accomodate the very first State Assembly in Virginia.
November 2009
The speakers at the November meeting of the Society were Mr & Mrs A. Watt, from John Knox Church, who spoke about their Church bell. This proved to be a fascinating subject, as the bell had been out of commission for some time due to the deterioration of its wooden supports. Their research led them to a bell foundry in London, where the bell had originally been cast. It is one of only two foundries left in Britain, and is also the foundry which cast Big Ben. It also cast a replica of the Liberty Bell in America, and members were able to watch a film of this replica being cast, in exactly the same way as the John Knox bell had been made. The foundry were interested to learn that one of their bells still existed in Stewarton, and expressed surprise at its size, in comparison to the bell tower. Thanks to the company's expertise, and the church's fund raising, the bell is now back in position and ringing as well as when it was first cast.
October 2009
The October meeting of the Historical Society was addressed by Mr R. Laird, who was a lecturer at Auchincruive College for almost 40 years, as was his father before him. His family used to own East Bloakhillhead Farm for many years, as well as Lawthorn Farm at Irvine. He also traced his links to Auchenharvie Farm, and to Dunlops, and to other well known local families.
When Lawthorn was being developed as part of Irvine New Town, Mr Laird uncovered a mass of historical papers, which he is still working his way through. The papers gave a fascinating insight into farming in the area in the 19th century, and included such items as invitations to the opening of Irvine Town House and dinner at Eglinton Castle. There were also more everyday and personal items such as farm bills and rental agreements and even a honeymoon hotel receipt. Many of the most important records have been passed to the Ayrshire Archives, which have, by coincidence, recently been moved to Auchincruive.
September 2009
The opening meeting of the Society this season was addressed by local Burns enthusiast Jim Blades who spoke about the poet's life, as well as reciting the Twa Dugs.
Poetry Competition Winners 2009
See the winners of the Stewarton & District Historical Society poetry competition 2009 for Stewarton Primary Schools.