The History of Brechin to 1864

CHURCH STREET, HAVING MECHANICS’ HALL IN THE DISTANCE

ORIGINAL PREFACE
PUBLISHED IN 1839.

“ALTHOUGH THE PUBLICATION WILL HAVE NO PRETENSIONS TO RANK WITH HISTORY, ACCORDING TO THE PROPER INTERPRETATION OF THAT WORD, YET, FOR WANT OF A BETTER NAME, THE PUBLISHERS PROPOSE TO STYLE THE WORE ‘THE HISTORY OF BRECHIN.’ ”

PROSPECTUS.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

When this book was originally written in 1838, the Author was immersed in business, and could not bestow time on verifying all the statements in it by reference to authorities. He has now more leisure, and has employed it in examining every authority he could find bearing on the statements made. He cannot hope to be free from error; but he trusts this enlarged edition will be found to contain fewer mistakes than the previous publication. He meant to have quoted his authorities, and the manuscript was prepared with that view, but as it was found to be troublesome in the printing, and of little moment to the general reader, the references are only given in particular cases. The list of Bishops, however, in the Appendix, is supported by references to the authorities, warranting the insertion of their names in that compilation. The original publication was no source of emolument to the Author—the reverse; but it brought him the acquaintance of noblemen and of gentlemen, with whom he has had much pleasant intercourse. He has now and formerly been greatly indebted to many parties for hints and information; and while he feels it impossible to select particular individuals, he finds it would be tedious to give a list of the whole, and he therefore confines himself to tendering general thanks to his numerous friends, and to living authors from whom he has freely borrowed when he found anything in their works to answer his purpose, as some of them had borrowed from him previously.

The first volume of the records of the Town Council commences with Lam Deo, and the Author of this book desires to finish his labours in the same spirit, for he cannot be too thankful that after having completed his seventieth year he is enabled to finish this work.

Clerk Street, Brechin,
3rd July 1867.

Brechin in Autumn

CONTENTS

Chapter I. The History of Brechin to the Year 1260
Chapter II. The History of Brechin from 1260 TO 1560
Chapter III. The History of Brechin from 1560 TO 1600
Chapter IV. The History of Brechin from 1600 TO 1670
Chapter V. The History of Brechin from 1670 TO 1700
Chapter VI. The History of Brechin from 1700 TO 1727
Chapter VII. The History of Brechin from 1727 TO 1760
Chapter VIII. The History of Brechin from 1760 TO 1800
Chapter IX. The History of Brechin from 1800 TO 1838
Chapter X. The History of Brechin from 1888 TO 1864 inclusive
Chapter XI. The Church, Steeples and Round Tower of Brechin
Chapter XII. Brechin in 1864

Brechin Golf Club, Angus

APPENDIXES.

Appendix I. Charter of William I
Appendix II. Inquiry into the Origin of the word "Brechin"
Appendix III. List of the Bishops of the See of Brechin
Appendix IV. Extracts from the Account of Walter Jameson, Church Master of Brechin 1084
Appendix V. Census 1841-1851-1861
Appendix VI. Inventory of Articles found in the Round Tower, 1842
Appendix VII. Letter by Mr Black to William Hackett, Esq. regarding explorations in the Round Tower
Appendix VIII. List of the Town Council of Brechin
Appendix IX. Tables of Wages and Prices of Oatmeal compared

LIST OF WOODCUTS.

I. High Street of Brechin
II. Views of Maisondieu Chapel
III. The Cathedral from the East
IV. The Cathedral from the North
V. Ground Plan of the Cathedral
VI. The Cathedral from the West
VII. Doorway of Round Tower
VIII. Carved Stone

The Brechin Almanac and Directory 1892 (pdf)
The Brechin Almanac and Directory 1914 (pdf)

Historical Guide Brechin and Neighbourhood
By Walter Coutts (1889) (pdf)

Registrum Episcopatues Brehinensis
By Patrick Chalmers of Aldbar in two volumes
Volume 1 | Volume 2

The above two volume set is mostly in Latin but there is an excellent Preface and also a good wee biography of the author. Some of the texts are also in Scots.

Photographic View Album of Brechin and District (pdf)