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Lindsy Hilson, Public Library, Kelso
IN the evening of
Tuesday, 20th March, 1906, there was a large and representative
gathering in the Sheriff Court Room, County Buildings, Jedburgh—Provost
Hilson presiding—to do honour to Mr J. Lindsay Hilson 011 the occasion
of his leaving the town, and publicly to recognise the services he has
rendered to his native place. When it was known that Mr Hilson had
decided to remove to Kelso, it was resolved that some public recognition
should be made of his worth, and accordingly, under the auspices of the
Ramblers9 Club and of the Public Library Committee, a subscription list
was opened, the result being that there was a very cordial endorsement
of the wishes and effort of the joint committees appointed for this
purpose—a proof of the great esteem in which Mr Hilson is held in the
place of his birth. In addition to the substantial presentation on the
evening in question, a handsome illuminated address—the workmanship of
Mr Robert Wal-die, Glencairn—was also given him at the same meeting,
couched in these terms: —
To James Lindsay Hilson, Esq., Ex-Librarian of Jedburgh Public Library.
Sir,—On the occasion of your resigning the lib-rarianship of the
Carnegie Institute, here, in order that you may accept a similar
appointment at Kelso, we, the undersigned, representing respectively the
members of the Public Library Committee and Jedburgh Ramblers’ Club,
request your acceptance of this address, as also a purse of sovereigns.
You have acted as librarian for six years, since the new premises,
gifted by Dr Andrew Carnegie, were formally opened in May, 1900. During
this period you have with unremitting care and attention performed the
duties of your office, and have in the most conscientious manner striven
to extend the benefits of the institution. As a result of your
supervision the library is now left in all its departments in a high
state of efficiency and usefulness, as has been cordially attested by
the members of Committee. They have also to acknowledge that owing to
your initiative the library has become the repository of many valuable
relics connected with the local history of the burgh and district, in
addition to the portraits which now adorn its walls. These form a unique
and interesting collection in themselves, recalling as they do the names
and personalities of many who in former days were prominent and
distinguished iu the town and county.
The Ramblers’ Club, now over 150 in number, also desires to recognise
very gratefully the manner in which you have acted as secretary and
treasurer for the last six years. Thanks to your excellent organising,
numerous enjoyable excursions have been made to different parts with
great pleasure and comfort to the members, who are well awure that the
success of the Club has been largely due to your methodical and
energetic management of its affairs, and they therefore join very
heartily in this public testimonial. It remains to-add that there are
many other subscribers, animated in an equal degree by deep appreciation
of the services which you have rendered to the community in these and
other capacities.
On behalf of the foregoing we desire to express our warmest good wishes
for the welfare of yourself, Mrs Hilson, and Miss Bessie Hilson.
Oliver Hilson, J.P., Provost,
Chairman of Jedburgh Public Library Committee.
William Blair, M.D.,
President of Jedburgh Ramblers’ Club.
Mr Lindsay Hilson, whose name is well-known all over the South of
Scotland, was born in Jedburgh in the year 1855. He was the son of Mr
William Hilson, manufacturer, —latterly of Abbey Grove, Jedburgh,—who
for some time was Provost of the town. The house which saw his birth,
No. 30 Canongate, is redolent with traditional memories. Here it was
that John Rutherford, laird of Lady-field or Ladfield, whose sympathies
and arms had been with the Jacobites in the rising of 1715, remained hid
for three weeks in a wall-press in order to escape the search for him
after the failure of that ill-advised insurrection. This property came
into the possession of the Hilsons in the year 1803. Mr Lindsay Hilson
is descended from an enterprising family who, towards the end of the
eighteenth century, commenced the manufacturing of tweed in the town,
thus giving employment to a large number of the inhabitants. For this
purpose they had rented to them the Waulk Mill (now Canongate Mill),
which they afterwards purchased. The commodious liouNe in Canongate
where Mr Lindsay Hilson first saw the light served as the family
residence and also as a warehouse, fn 1862 the old firm of James Hilson
<fe Sons was dissolved ; Mr Hilson’s father and uncle leaving it and
commencing a manufacturing business at Bongate Mill, under the title of
Messrs John & William Hilson, while the Canongate firm continued under
the altered title of Messrs George Hilson At Son, the chief partner
being the grand-uncle of the subject of our sketch. Of the Bongate firm
Mr William Hilson was latterly the sole partner, Mr Lindsay Hilson being
manager. This continued until 1893, when—his father having retired—Mr
Liudsay
Hilson carried on the business with a partner. Hitherto the business had
been conducted in the retail trade, but under the new partnership
business was transacted on wholesale lines. In a few years, however, the
firm had to be dissolved, on acoount of the prevalent depression in the
tweed trade.
Mr Hilson received his education first at the Nest Academy, Jedburgh,
under Dr Fyfe, and afterwards at a private school in Picardy Place,
Edinburgh—one of his class-mates at the latter place of instruction
being Lord Sal-vesen. In the early seventies, while yet in his ’teens,
Mr Hilson served his apprenticeship as a manufacturer in Selkirk, and
afterwards completed his education in this sphere in his father’s mill
at Jedburgh. From the period of his return to his native town Mr Hil-son
has taken an enthusiastic interest in almost all its various
organisations, holding office in not a few of the different Institutions
and Associations. Of the Jedburgh Christian Fellowship Union, which
celebrated its semijubilee last year, he was an ardent supporter, being
one of the original members of committee. From the same year (1880) h&
conducted the Band of Hope, which held its meetings first in the Infant
School (which, through the great kindness of the late Lord Lothian, they
were granted rent, coal, and gas free), and afterwards in the Home
Mission Hall—being closely associated in this and other philanthropic
work with the late Mr John Telfer, afterwards President of the Edinburgh
Borderers’ Union. Of this for several years he was the indefatigable
President, sparing himself no pains to provide interesting and varied
programmes for the meetings. In all that he undertakes, indeed, Mr
Hilson*s principle is:
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it wvth thy might.” For some
time, also, he was connected with the Jedburgh Gospel Temperance Union.
In the welfare of the Free Church Mr Hilsoai was deeply interested, and
whenever possible he promoted the interests of the Jedburgh Abbey United
Free Church, of which he was a member. On more than one occasion he has
been asked to become an elder of this church, but has not seen his way
to consent.
Mr Hilson early recognised the value of literary societies for the
improvement of youth, and took a corresponding interest in them. Of the
Jedburgh Literary Association, in the days of its greatest vigour, he
was a member, and for some time acted as its treasurer. He was also a
member of the Mutual Improvement. Association. The Jedburgh Musical
Association likewise owes much to him. He early enrolled as a member,
and was appointed to the office of secretary. For some time, owing to
want of interest in its objects (from which it is also at present
suffering), it was allowed to remain dormant; but about ten years ago,
chiefly through Mr Hilson’s exertions, it was resuscitated, and under
his secretaryship flourished for a time, giving successful performances
of the works of the great composers. He resigned office in 1899.
On account of the great interest he took in the town’s affairs, Mr
Hilson was elected a member of the Town Council in 1882, and acted as a
Councillor for about eleven years, when, to the great regret of the
constituency, he saw fit to retire. During his period of office he was
Convener of the Finance Committee. On one occasion his name was put
forward to fill a vacancy as Bailie, but he found a successful opponent
in the late Provost Sword (a sketch of whom Mr Hilson wrote to the
Border Magazine four years ago), who was then appointed to that office.
Mr Hilson also served as a member of the Parish Council from 1904 to
1906.
In politics Mr Hilson has always taken a keen and active interest; He
identified himself with the Jedburgh Liberal Association, and acted as
election agent in Jedburgh for Mr Craig-Sellar when he successfully
contested the Haddington District of Burghs in 1882. He was chosen by
the Jedburgh Liberal Association to represent them at Birmingham on the
oocasion of the celebrations held there in connection with Mr Bright’s
twenty-five years’ association with the city. Mr Hilson was also a
member of the Roxburghshire Liberal Association, of which for some time
he acted as secretary. When the split in the parties on the Home Rule
question occurred, he espoused the interests of the Liberal Unionist
party, to which he has adhered ever since.
Due prominence must be given to Mr Hilson’s part as a man of letters. To
the Border Magazine he has contributed articles on “The Late Provost
Sword,” “Rev. John Poison, Jedburgh,” “An interesting Border Centenary,”
“Hexham Abbey,” and “Burns’ Border Tours”; while among the articles
written to “Notes and ‘Queries” by him, “The Great Seal of Scotland,”
“The Convention of Royal Burghs,” “The Hazel Pear,” in addition to
numerous “notes,” may be mentioned. Readers of the “Scotsman” are
familiar with the initials “J. L. H.,” which have appeared under
numerous articles; the number of these that the present writer has
preserved has showed him, on a glance through them, that to enumerate
them would be to overlap the limits assigned to this article. “His
literary tastes, his wide knowledge of books,” says the late editor of
that paper—Dr C. A. Cooper—writing four years ago, “the energy with
which he has sought to further the interests and the usefulness of the
Jedburgh Public Library, have compelled my admiration.” To the local
prints Mr Hilson is a prolific contributor. The number of contributions
to the “Jedburgh Gazette,” for example, is beyond calculation, and would
fill volumes. To that newspaper he has contributed the following series
of articles: —“Here and There” (16), “The Associations of an Old Coach
Road” (6), and “Yesterdays in a Royal Burgh” (10), in addition to
articles of one, two, and three instalments too numerous to mention. It
is to be regretted, indeed, that Mr Hilson, who has such facility with
the pen, and who has so vast an amount of information at his command,
has not attempted to publish the substance of his vast local knowledge
in book form, but perhaps he may at some future time be persuaded to do
so.
On the platform Mr Lindsay Hilson is in a natural element, equally as
chairman as when acting as lecturer. In the latter capacity he has
frequently appeared, his subjects dealing chiefly with local history. To
the Edinburgh Borderers’ Union, of which he is a devoted member, he
lectured nearly three years ago on “Here and There in the Border
District,” while he has not infrequently appeared before the Jedburgh
Literary Association and other societies. At the invitation of the
members of committee, he proposed the toast of the evening at the annual
supper of the Jedburgh. Burns Club on 25th January last.
It is, however, in connection with the Jedburgh Ramblers’ Club that Mr
Hilson has done most work of this nature. When this Club was instituted
in 1897 he was appointed vice-president, while three years later he was
prevailed upon to accept office as hon. secretary and treasurer. Under
his fostering care the Society has flourished, the interesting summer
outings and winter meetings being largely due to his energy and
forethought. It speaks greatly to his credit that the Club have exerted
themselves to prevail upon him to oontinue in office for another year,
although he has now removed to the neighbouring town of Kelso. In
addition to lecturing to the Ramblers at one of their winter meetings,
Mr Hilson has acted as guide and supplied papers for their excursions to
Makerstoun and Littledean Tower (1901), Penielheugh (1902), Cavers
(1903), Ancrum (1904), and Bemersyde (1905). The well-illustrated
“Transactions” of this Club, issued yearly, owe much to Mr Hilson’s care
and initiative.
In the management of the Mechanics’ Institute Library, which became
defunct ten years ago, Mr Lindsay Hilson was a Director. When this
lapsed, owing to the opening of the Public Library, he was given a place
on the Committee of the new Library. In 1900, when, the Public Library
was removed to the present site in Castlegate, Mr Hilson was appointed
librarian, a duty to which, since he found it congenial employment, he
has given his whole time and unremitting attention, thus gaining for him
the highest approbation from all connected with the institution. His
many friends and admirers would have liked to see him in a sphere in
which he would find adequate scope for his various faculties and
excellent qualities, and he nearly found an opening for so doing when
the secretaryship of the Edinburgh Philosophical Institution became
vacant some three years ago. When the vacancy was being considered Mr
Hilson was on the short leet of five out of over 200 applicants, and
narrowly missed the appointment. For the Jedburgh Public Library Mr
Hilson has done much, and the interesting reports he issues every year
give proofs of the progress of the work under his hand, as well as of
his literary ability. He instituted a Book Club in connection with the
Library, which has been very successful and helpful to the Institute.
When referring to Library work on the Borders at the annual social
meeting of the Edinburgh Borderers’ Union in December, 1902, Dr Hew
Morrison made special allusion to Mr Hilson’s. qualities as a librarian.
“In Jedburgh,” he said, “remarkably good work is being done, because
there they have Mr Lindsay Hilson, who is enthusiastic in Library work,
and who is always keen that the young people of the town should take
full advantage of the stores of books available to them.” To the
reeidenter, and also to the visitor, the Library at Jedburgh has been
rendered especially attractive by Mr Hilson, who has made every
endeavour to obtain photographs of all the prominent persons connected
in any way with the town. In this he has been eminently successful, and
these photographs now adorn the walls of the Reading Room, Lending
Library, Reference Room, as well as the staircase. In praise of this
unique and interesting feature a visitor to Jedburgh wrote to the
“Scotsman” a month ago, showing how much Jedburgh is in advance of even
the largest of our Public Libraries in initiative.
It was with much regret that his friends in Jedburgh heard, about ten
weeks ago, that Mr Hilson had been preferred to the librarianship of
Kelso Public Library, whither he removed in the beginning of April. What
is Jedburgh’s loss is Kelso’s gain, and the Library Committee-of the
latter place are to be congratulated on their diplomacy in securing the
services of Mr Hilson. KoIbo Public Library is a new building—occupying
a good site in Bowmont Street, facing Union Street,:—and has been gifted
by Dr Andrew Carnegie to the town. On the-ground floor are the
oommodious Reading Room, to the front, and the Reference Room and
Lending Library to the back—the latter having a book capacity of 14,000
volumes. On the flat above is the librarian’s house. The opening
ceremony took plaoe on 16th Mayr 1906, Provost Crichton-Smith presiding.
In the unavoidable absence of Dr Carnegie, Dr Hew Morrison declared the
Library open and handed it over for the benefit of the public. In the
afternoon a luncheon was held in the Cross Keys Hotel, at which the
toast of “The Library” was proposed by Sir George Douglas, Bart.
In his married life Mr Hilson has been very happy, and he looks forward
to 29th March next, when he anticipates holding his silver wedding. He
married Miss Mary Lindsay whence the name “Lindsay”—grand-daughter of
John Kennedy, the friend of Burns. Their daughter, Miss Bessie Hilson,
is a musician of more than average skill, who for some time was organist
of the Abbey United Free Church, Jedburgh-. Their Jedburgh home, Kenmore
Bank, is a commodious house, picturesquely situated on the right bank of
the “sylvan Jed,” and having a fine view of the venerable Abbey.
Mr Hilson’s many excellent qualities are so well known to readers of the
Border Magazine that they need only to be referred to in order to be
recognised and acknowledged. He is a gentleman who hae gained the esteem
and confidence of all who know him. Thoroughness, promptitude, and
initiative are qualities which he has in a high degree, while his
generous mind and kind disposition gain for him friends wherever he
goes. Of this a striking example is provided in the gratuitous work he
does in collecting and distributing literature among the occupants of
the various signal-boxes on the line and of the lighthouses on the
coast, so as to enable them to spend more cheerfully and more profitably
the long, dark winter nights.
During the year 1903—as I notice from the local prints,—Mr Hilson, in
addition to those sent to the lighthouses along the neighbouring coast,
despatched some two hundred parcels of literature to various railway
signal-cabins— especially those in the quieter spots. The collection and
despatching of such an amount of magazines and books represents a great
deal of work. May he long be spared to carry on this and other
beneficent work to which he putk his hands. |
