1746.—CONGRATULATION TO THE DUKE OF CUMERLAND,
&C.—“10th February, 1746: Which day
the baillies laid before the council a letter,
dated the 6th current, from Thomas
Allan, signed by order of the annual committee,
representing that a quorum of the annual committee
having met that day, they thought it necessary
that such of the members of the committee who are
not at a great distance from the place, viz., Ed,
should meet there, on the 13th current,
to concert what measures were necessary to be
taken for the welfare of the burrows at this
juncture, and particularly to name a deputation of
their number to wait upon his royall highness the
Duke of Cumberland, and in the name of the royall
burrows to congratulate his highness upon his
arrival in this country, and his success against
the rebels, and for expecting that the council
will send a member duly instructed to meet that
day for thee purposes, which letter being read and
considered by the council, They appoint and
commissionat the Clerk, in name of the toun
council, to go to Edward and wait on ye annual
committee of burrows ye said thirteenth Feb.
current for the end fords appoint ye baillies in
yr name to unite along with him.” (Burgh
Records.)
MILLER’S PAINTING OF DUNFERMLINE.—This is a very
fine painting of Dunfermline, taken from the West
Park of Pittencreiff; supposed to be the second
view ever taken. On the extreme right of the view
is the Monastery, the roofless Palace Wall, the
Queen’s House, and Steeple of the Church; the left
being iflled up with the backs of the houses in
St. Catherine’s Wynd, Kirkgate, and Collier Row
(Bruce Street), with a mass of trees in the
foreground. In the centre rises the Tower Hill,
with the fragment of the west wall of Canmore’s
Tower on its top; and at the foot of the hill, the
upper arch of the Tower Bridge. This view, from a
copper-plate engraving, fronts page 69 of Fernie’s
Hist. Dunf., and is entitled, “View of Dunfermline
form the West Park of Pittencrieff; from a
painting by Miller in 1746, in possession of Mr.
Beveridge, Edinburgh.” The painting is 32 inches
by 29. It was in the possession of the late Mr.
Thomas Beveridge, S.S.C., Edinburgh, from 1810
till his decease, in 1859. Shortly after his
death, at the sale of his effects, it was sold to
the late Mr. Matheson of her Majesty’s Board of
Works. The engraving of this view in Fernie’s
Hist. of Dunf. is very fine and tolerably
accurate.
ANCIENT SOCIETY OF GARDENERS.—Francis, Earl of
Moray, elected Chancellor of the Society. (Abrid.
Hist. Soc. Gardeners.)
BOUFIE’S BRAE, at the back of the dam, first
mentioned this year. (Gardeners’ Records.)
THE TOWN AND THE KIRK CLOCK.—It will be seen from
the following Town Council Note, that “the Auld
Kirk clock” was finished and placed in the steeple
in March, 1746. “29th March, 1746:
Which day the baillies acquainted the council that
Mr. Andrew Dickie, watchmaker, informed them that
the new clock made by him to the town, in virtue
of the contract betwixt the town and himm, is now
place in the Church Steeple, and tha he says it
goes, and that he is demanding twenty pounds four
shillings and sixpence sterling as the half of the
price of the clock already due, with three pounds
eleven shillings sterling as the price of making
and gilding the dyall plate yr of, with seven
shillings sterling as the expence of carriage of
the dyall plate from Edinburgh to the ferry payd
out by him.—Which being considered by the council,
they warrand and impower John Knox, treasurer, to
pay Mr. Dickie the several sums, extending in
whole to twenty four pounds two shillings and
sixpence sterling; but order the sontract to be
kept, that so Mr. Dickie may fulfill the
obligations of presentable by him. As also the
council order said John Knox to give Mr. Dickie’s
servent a crown of drink money.—the same day the
council agreed with Robert Meldrum, officer, to
pay him half-a-crown for his due and regular and
dayly rolling up the said new clock for half of a
year, commencing this day, and for oyleing ye same
during that space.” (Burgh Records.) This “clock
disbursement came hard upon the town so soon after
the highland insurgent payment. The winder of the
clock, however, was not overpaid.” From a Note
appended to Mr. Dickie’s Letter of this date, it
appears that there was a great number of people
all round about, gazing on the dial-hands being
fixed. When this was done, and the hands set to
the time, a loud and ringing huzzah arose from the
multitude of lookesr-on.
DOCTOR OF THE GRAMMAAR SCHOOL.—Between 17th
March and 30th April, 1746, there are
several minutes relative to the doctorship and the
new doctor; but these are too long for insertion.
CLOSE OF THE REBELLION—Congratulatory Address.—“11th
June, 1746: Which day the council agreed to send
a congratulery address to his Majesty on the happy
success of his army, under the command of his
royall highness, the Duke of Cumberland, against
the rebels at the late battle near Culloden, And
orderd the Clerk to write out the same, and when
signed by the baillies, appoint ym to transmit the
same to Mr. Erskine, our member of parliament, to
present ye same to his Majesty.” (Burgh Records.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Lord Charles Hay of Blansh
re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records, 29th
Sept., 1746.)
1747.—HERITABLE JURISDICTION BILL—A Sheriff for
Dunfermline.—“16th March, 1747: Which
day the council caused read a printed copy of the
bill depending before the parliament for
abolishing jurisdictions, and therefore the
council ordered the baillies to write to the
Marques of Tweedddale, Lord Charles Hay, and Mr.
Erskine of Grange, that they would be pleased to
use yr interest to get one of the Sheriff Courts
to sit in this place as being most Centricall for
the liedges.” (Burgh Records.)
THE EARL OF ELGIN AND KINCARDINE.—“The Earl of
Kincardine died in 1747, and the title lapsed to
his nearest of kin, the Earl of Elgin, who
henceforth bore the double title, viz., The Earl
or Elgin or Kincardine.” (Heralds’ Office;
Newspapers, &c., of 1747.)
THE BREACH—Burghers and Anti-Burghers.—An old
MS. paper notifies that “a great disturbance and
commotion took place this year among the
congregations of the Burgher Kirk in Scotland
regarding ‘the Burgess Oath.’ A small party of
members seceded from Ralph Erskine’s Kirk,
Dunfermline, and formed themselves into a new
congregation, in conjunction with the Carniehill
members, and they were known as Antiburghers, The
often met for worship near Gillanderston toll,
with other members from Torrieburn, Carniehill,”
&c. It would appear, from a Note, that the
Dunfermline Antiburghers were for upwards of
twenty years a very small body, numbering about 80
or 100 members. Somewhere about their thirtieth
anniversary they got a new start, and greatly
increased in numbers, so much so, that they were
enabled to build a kirk for themselves in
Dunfermline. “The were served by itinerant
preachers previous to this year in Dunfermline.
In Carniehill they had a regular minister, to
which place the Dunfermline worshippers often
went.” In Dunfermline, it appears, “they had
worship in a large room in the Queen’s House, at
the Steeple, and at other times in some large room
in the town.” (See An. Dunf. date 1789, 1820,
1861, &c.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE,--Lord Charles Hay of
Blansh re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records, 28th
Sept., 1747.)
ADMITTED A BURGESS BY PAYMENT IN CASH AND BY A
BILL.—Alexander Paul, residenter in Dunfermline,
petitioned the council to be admitted a burgess,
offering to pay five pounds Scots in cash, and “ye
remainder payable by him and Baillie Miller on yr
conjunct Bill.” The council agreed to the terms.
(Bur. Rec., Dec. 19, 1747.)
1748.—A SHERIFF-COURT FOR DUNFERMLINE.—“5th
March, 1748: Which day the council commissionat
Bailllie Wilson, senior, to go to Edinburgh in
name of yr toun, and wait on Mr. Peter Haldane and
Captain George Haldane his son, member of
parliament, by his letter to ye toun desires to
get Mr. Peter’s advice to his in relation to
getting a Sheriff or regality court to sit here as
ye toun wrote to said Captain Haldane.” (Burgh
Records.)
DUNFERMLINE REGALITY, &c.—An Act of Parliament
abolished all heritable jurisdictions in 1748, but
compensations were granted to all who had a legal
interest in them. John, Marquis of Tweeddale,
heritable hailie, &c., of the regality of
Dunfermline, estimated the value of his holding at
£8000 ster., for which he received £2672 7s. in
compensation; and his clerk, William Black, the
sum of £500. The Marquis of Tweeddale still
receives the fees or salaries belonging to the
offices of heritable baillie, mayor and serjeant,
but all the Courts of the Regality, Judges, &c.,
were then for ever abolished. (Vide Histories of
Dunfermline.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Lord Charles Hay of Blansh
re-elected Provost, Oct. 1st. (Burgh
Records.)
COAL PICKS TO BE USED.—“The council order twelve
additional coal mine picks to be made for ye touns
use for carrying forward ye touns stone mine, yr
being necessary use for them,” (Bur. Records, 10th
December.)
1749.—THE BRITISH LINEN COMPANY AND WEAVING.—This
year “the British Linen Company sent an agent to
Dunfermline to employ as many looms as could be
procured in weaving table linen; and it has been
surmised that the looms then belonging to the town
weavers did not exceed 400.” (Fernie’s Hist.
Dunf. p. 55, &c.)
HALY BLUID ACRE TO BE LET.—“The council warrand
and authorize the baillies, or any one of them, in
name of the toun, to sett the Haly blood acre, and
such of the Deals of the Dawsdean whose tacks are
out, and that by public roup, by tuck of drum,
eight days before the Roup.” (Burgh Records, 10th
March.)
THE DUNFERMLINE REGALITY COURT held its last
sitting in February, 1749, “after having ruled and
given law to the district for six centuries or
so.” (MS.)
FEU-DUTIES AND KINDS, DUNFERMLINE.—The Marquis of
Tweeddale obtained by char5ter a prorogation for
27 years of these duties. The tack-duty during
these 27 years is said to have amounted to £5
11s.1d. only (June, 1749)!
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Lord Charles Hay of Blansh
was re-elected Provost 2d October. (Burgh
Records.)
THE TOWER HILL, and Colonel Forbes of
Pittencrieff.—Colonel Forbes, being proprietor of
the Tower Hill, wished to have possession of it;
but, as the burgh had a lease of it, he addressed
a letter to the Town Council. The following note
from the Burgh Records shows the affirmative
result:--“16 Dec. 1749: The council resumed and
took under consideration a letter directed to them
by Collonel Arthur Forbes of Pittencrieff, dated
the 16th of May last, bearing, that the
council might please to know that the most
honourable the Marquis of Tweedale had been
pleased to add to the Excambion Betwixt his
Lordship and him, The Tower Hill pertaining to his
Lordship and now to him by the said addition, but
as the said Tower hill was in the Towns Tack,
along with the Milns from his Lordship, the said
Collonel Forbes thereby offers to take a subset of
the said Tower Hill during the Touns Tack or
possession, and to pay yearly rent thereof as
Newtrall Men should determine. As he was
intending to ornament it, which would add a
Beautie to the Toun, as the said letter bears:
And the council also considering that the said
Collonal fforbes hath agreed to grant a Right and
Disposition To the Magistrates, Council and
Community, and whole Burgesses and Inhabitants of
this Burgh To the Washing place in the Tower Burn,
on the North side of the said Tower Hill, with
free ish and Entrie thereto and liberty and
priviledge to the Burgesses and Inhabitants to lay
down their Cloath and yearn, &c., the time of
washing thereof on Both sides of the said Tower
burn, providing the Council would Grant the desire
of his letter, And after full Reasoning upon the
affair, it was put to a vote—Grant the desire of
the letter or not—and carried by a good majority,
Grant the desire of the Letter;” and therefore a
Subsett was granted to the Colonel during their
tack, &c.
CANDLE WORKS “were established, this year, in
Dunfermline, by John Henderson, which gave
employment to a number of persons.” (MS. Note.)
1750.—A SCHOOL IN THE QUEEN’S HOUSE.—This year,
Mr. Arthur Martin (an Episcopalian) had a school
in one of the apartments of Queen Ann of Denmark’s
House, which he is said to have taught with great
success. (Histories of Dunfermline.)
CARTS AND MIDDENS ON THE STREETS, &c.—“26 May,
1750: The council Recommend it of New, To the
Baillies to put in Execution the former Acts of
Council Against Carts and Middings standing on the
Streets; And also appoints the Baillies To order
the Touns Scaffinger to keep Redd the holes for
receiving the water off the Tower Bridge.” (Burgh
Records.)
HORSE HIRERS.—“The council taking to their
consideration that the horse hirers in this place
are oppressive to the Liedges by Demanding
Extravigant hyres for Carriages, &c. They
therefore appoint the Two Baillies, the Dean of
Gild, the Conveener, Deacon Kirk and Deacon
Buntine as a committee of council, To meet and
make up a scheme anent the said hirers to be laid
before Council for their Consideration and
approbation, and joins Baillie Wilson (Elder) to
the above committee.” (Burgh Records; for “Table
of Regulations’ for the “hyrers’ charges in
future, &c., see Burgh Records, date 25th
April, 1752.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Lord Charles Hay of Blansh
re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records, 1st
Oct., 1750.)
FASHIONABLE PARTS OF THE TOWN.—A MS. Note states
that “the Fashionable parts of the town in 1750
were the Kirkgate, Maygate and St. Catherine’s
Wynd.”
1751.—WEAVING.—It was customary about this period
for the weaving tradesmen to work during the
winter months at ticks and checks, and during the
summer months at table-linen. (Mer. Hist.)
DANCING-SCHOOL.—“The first known dancing-school in
Dunfermline was opened in a room of the
Queens-house this year, at 10s. a quarter, and was
pretty well attended.” (MS. Note.)
THE NETHERGATE REMOVED.—According to Old Notes,
the archway in the south-west corner of the Abbey
wall (foot of Gibb Street) had for some time been
in a very ruinous state, and was removed early in
1751.
REPORT ON THE ROOF OF THE TOLBOOTH.—“16th
July, 1751: This day Baillie Morison reported to
the council That he had Attended at the visitation
of the Roof of the Tolbooth By Robert Aitken and
Thomas Noble, Slater, and David Henderson, Wright,
and that it was all their opinions That the timber
roof of the said Tolbooth was very good, being of
Oak, But that the Slates were altogether in
Disrepair; And also it was their opinion that it
be a Right thing to thatch the foreside of the
Tolbooth with Scailzie and Repair the Back side
thereof with the slates, as above” [mentioned.]
(Burgh Records.)—“9th Aug., 1751:
Deacon Henderson reported that he went to Leith
and took of 3500 scailzie for the Tolbooth at
Twenty Six pounds Scots, and gave a Draught to the
merchant upon the treasurer. Also, he reported
that he had taken off 160 deals for the said work,
at 12s. 6d. per Deall, from Baillie Wilson in
Edinburgh, Which the council approves of.”
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Lord Charles Hay of
Blansh re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records, 30th
Sept., 1751.)
TWO FEMALE THIEVES to be Whipped Through the Town
by the Stirling Hangman.—“1st Oct.,
1751: Which day the council Authorized and hereby
Authorize, the two Baillies in name of the TounTo
give Receipt to the Magistrates and Town Council
of Stirling for their Hangman in order to Scourge
Margaret Kilpatrick and Grizell Ferguson thro this
toun on Friday Next for theft and Resett of Theft,
agreeable to a Sentence of the Baillies of this
burgh on 20th of Sept. Last; And
further, the council order Alexander Robertson,
Andrew Rolland, and Thomas Fisher, three of the
touns Militia, along with Robert Meldrum, officer,
to Repair to Stirling on Wednesday first, and
bring the hangman here on Thursday thereafter, As
the magistrates and council of Stirling have
already agreed to send him on Receipt as above
mentioned. And after the Sentence shall be
Execute, the council order Robert Alice, Thomas
Hoggan, and Robert Henderson, other three of the
touns militia, with David Christie, to take him
Back Again, and Deliver him safe to the Toun of
Stirling.” (Burgh Records.)
ANTI-BURGHERS.—It would appear from an old MS.
document the “the Anti-Burghers of Dunfermline had
got tired of attending worship at Carniehill ilka
Sabbath, in the barn there, and resolved to have a
meeting-house built in the town. They applied to
their Presbytery in Kirkcaldy. The application
was refused.” (An. Dunf. 1747, 1749.)
NORTH QUEENSFERRY ROAD OBSTRUCTED.—“14th
Dec., 1751: The council hearing that the tenant
or possessor of the lands of Castle Land hill,
near N. Queensferry, had obstructed the King’s
High Way there by casting a ditch across the road
to shut it up, An instrument of interruption
ordered to be served on the offender.” (Burgh
Records.)
PROCURATOR-FISCAL DISMISSED.—The “Procurator” had
been long “remiss in duty” by “reason of Old
Age.” James Alexander was appointed in his
stead. (Burgh Records.)
1752.—CUSTOM PUT ON COAL CARTS, &c.—“11th
Jan., 1752: The council, this day, taking into
their consideration that Several Country people
Who caw coals from Baldridge Coal hill to the Sea
and otherways to the leigh of Dunfermline, doe not
take the Newraw street with these carriages, But
traverse the high street of the burgh yreith,
particularly the Coallieraw Street [Bruce Street],
whereby the Streets are very much damnified. The
Council therefore in order to prevent such a
practice for the future, Authorized and hereby
Authorize the Touns Customer to Exact Customs from
all and Sundry persons whatsoever who shall after
munday first Caw these Coals through the Streets
of Dunfermline, Except from such as caw them doun
the Newraw and Back Street [Queen Ann Street]
leading thereto. Appoints the customs for each
back load to be sixpennies Scots, and for each
cart of Coals Ninepennies Scots, And this to be
intimated by Placards on the Church doors here on
Sabbath first That none may pretend ignorance.”
(Burgh Records.)
PROCURATOR-FISCAL DISMISSED.—The “Procurator” had
been long “remiss in duty” by “reason of Old
Age.” James Alexander was appointed in his
stead. (Burgh Records.)
1752.—CUSTOM PUT ON COAL CARTS, &c.—“11th
Jan., 1752: The council, this day taking into
their consideration that several country people
who caw coals from Baldridge Coal hill to the sea
and otherways to the leigh of Dunfermline, doe not
take the Newraw street with these carriages, but
traverse the high street of the burgh yrwith,
particularly the Coallieraw Street [Bruce Street],
whereby the streets are very much damnified. The
council therefore in order to prevent such a
practice for the future, authorized and hereby
authorize the Touns Cuctomer to Exact Cyntoms from
all and Sundry persons whatsoever who shall after
munday first caw these coals through the Streets
of Dunfermline, except from such as caw them doun
the Newraw and Back Street [Queen Ann Street]
leading thereto. Appoints the customs for each
back load to be Sixpennies Scots, and for each
cart of Coals Ninepennies Scots, and this to be
intimated by placards on the Church doors here on
Sabbath first that none may pretend ignorance.”
(Burgh Records.)
LAGAT’S HOUSE TO BE PURCHASED AND A NEW STREET
FORMED.—“2d May, 1752: Which day
Baillie Wilson represented to the council that
James Legat, Baxter burges of Dunfermline, was now
about to expose to sale by public Roup his
Tenement and Yeard opposite to and immediately on
the South Side of the Mercate Cross; Which, being
considered by the Council, they were unanimously
of opinion that the Toun should purchase the same
if it could be got Reasonablem in order to serve
for a Street Southwards from the Cross [Guildhall
Street], which would be a Great Ornament to the
Toun. Orders were given to Bailie Scotland and
William Dickie to bid for the subjects, and buy
them if at a Reasonable price.” (Burgh Records.)
On 16th May, the subjects were
“purchased by the Toun on Wednesday last for 1250
Merks Scots money, and the council approved of the
purchase.” Shortly afterwards David Wilson’s
yard, on the south of Legat’s old house, was
purchased to get the street extended farther to
the south.
DYE HOUSE built by David Turnbull, dean of gild,
and dyer in Dunfermline, on ground “by east the
Baxter’s Nether Miln, in front of Frater Hall.’’
(Burgh Records, 9th May.)
REV. THOMAS GILLESPIE—Relief Church.—The following
noted refer to the rise and formation of the
Relief Church:--On the 23d of May, 1752, the
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland deposed
the Rev. Thomas Gillespie from his Charge of
Carnock Parish for insubordination. He retired to
Dunfermline and formed a congregation there, under
the designation of the Relief Church. (The first
Relief Church in Scotland.) His congregation was
partly formed by many of his old hearers from
Carnock, and many in Dunfermline. It would
appear, from an Old MS. Note, that “at this period
Mr. Gillespie’s congregation met in the barn used
by the Rev. Ralph Erskine (1737-1741.) Shortly
afterwards a Relief Kirk was built on the site of
the barn for the congregation.” (An. Dunf. 1774,
1775.)
CAIRNEY-HILL KIRK BUILT (Antiburgher).—The members
of the Antiburgher meeting, who had for some years
previous worshipped in a barn in Cairneyhill,
“found themselves financially strong enough to
erect a meeting-house for their use.” (Kirk
Record and MS. Note.)
SIX PUBLIC LAMPS ORDERED.—“16th June,
1752: This day, the council, after a full
communing, were of opinion that it would be a
Right good thind, and very convenient and
Serviceable for the Inhabitants, and ornamentall
to the burgh to have Lamps or Lights Sett up and
fixed at different places of the Toun Where
proper, for furnishing Light to the Inhabitants in
Dark Nights, and they therefore agree that these
should be provided: And hereby Authorize the
person who shall hereafter be chosen by the
council as member to the burrows (at the Ensuing
Convention) to purchase Six Lamps for tha5t
purpose to the best advantage.” “25 July: Bailie
Wilson reported to the council his buying the Six
Street Lamps for Twelve Shillings Sterling the
piece, which is approved of, and the two Bailiis,
Dean of Gild, Conveener, and Treasurer are
appointed to see the lamps place at proper
places,” (Burgh Records.)
THE “NEW STYLE” INTRODUCED.—By Act of Parliament,
the 3rd September of 1752 was reckoned
as the 14th September. Of this the
Town Council take no notice in the Records!
PRIORY LANE (anciently known as the Abbey Road,
and afterwards as The Common Vennel) “ began to be
built in 1752. (MS. Note.)
STREET LAMPS—Where they are to be Place, &c.—“16th
Sept. 1752: Baillie Wilson Reported that the Six
Street Lamps are now come over and Ready to be
placed up. One of them being seen by the Council,
They declared their satisfaction therewith; And
after some communing amongst the Councill, They
were unanimously of opinion that these Six will
never answer the purpose, or give satisfaction to
the Inhabitants, and therefore the Council order
other Six to be provided, and appoints the
Committee of Council formerly named to oversee and
order these Lamps to be put up at the following
places, viz., at John Buntine’s house, one; one at
ye Clerk’s stair; one at the East Corner of
Baillie Wilson, Stationer, his house; one upon the
South-East corner of the house possest by John
Anderson, Skinner, at the Cross; one at the East
Port; one in the Collieraw, at the house possest
by James Blaikiter; one at the East End of the
Maygate; one in the Collieraw, So as to afford
light to the Rottenraw; one at Thomas Anderson’s,
one at the Crosswind head; one at the flesh
Mercate Tenement; one at or about Trumpeter’s
Land.”
“CLOCK SMITH” (Clockmaker.)—Previous to the year
1752, clocks were made and repaired in Dunfermline
by Adam Stevenson, smith. Andrew Dickie,
clockmaker, was the first who commenced business
in Dunfermline as a clock and watchmaker (in
1752). MS. Note.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMINE.—“The honourable Sir Peter
Halket of Pitfirran, Baronet, elected Provost.
(Burgh Rec. 2d Oct., 1752.)
A DEAN OF GILD COURT Proposed to be Legally
Established—“7th Oct., 1752: Which day
the Magistrates and Town Council of Dunfermline
took under their consideration how great a loss it
was to the Inhabitants of this burgh, and others
of his Majesties Leidges, the there was not a
Legally Established Dean of Gild Court or Council
here To Administrate Justice to the Leidges in
Terms of the Laws of the Land. It was therefore
agreed that a Dean of Gild Court be established in
this burgh, after the form and practice of the
City of Edinburgh; and that the Court or Council
of the Dean of Gild of this burgh, in all time
coming, consists of seven members,” &c. (Burgh
Records.)
“HUMAN ATTIRE.”—A quaint Old MS. Note informs us
that “the dress of the men in the town and
district was very plain and homespun. Beginning
at the tap, it was covered with a large broad
bonnet; then came a gravit; then a terrible big
slouching coat, decorated with great buttons,
coming down below the knees; then a large pull of
a waist coat; then came the gun-mouthed breeks,
tied at the knees.” Below “were rig and furrow
stockings; then came the well-roomed shoon, held
together by either buckles or clasps; then came
the six-feet long walking-stick.” The women “wore
plain gowns and short-gowns, plaids and wrappers;
mutches, with great spread borders, sometimes
decorated with notes of ribbons, adorned the
head. During week-days the poorer sort of females
wore the short-gown, wrapper, and bauchels.”
REMOVAL OF THE OLD MARKET CROSS.—The following
minute is taken from the Burgh Records of this
year:--
Council of the Burgh of Dunfermline,
holden within the Tolbooth thereof, upon the 18th
day of Oct., 1752.
Sederunt—
John Wilson,
baillie John
Mackie, Treasurer
Alex. Miller
baillie
William Steedman, Smith
John Morison, Dean of Gild
Thomas Baxter
William Dickie,
Treasurer
James Turnbull
John
Grahame
Gavin Love
David
Turnbull
Robert Wallwood
William Bonnar, Deacon
Wright
John Wilson
Which Day the Council, after a full Communing Ss
to the Situation and Bulk of the Mercate Cross of
the burgh, Were of opinion that it was a Great
Incumberance on the Street, and had a bad Aspect,
Especially since James Legate’s house was taken
down, and thereby a New Street opened
Southward.—The Council therefore order the said
Cross to be taken doun, and in Lieu thereof ordain
a Large Stone to be Laid where the said Cross
presently stands flat with the Ground, and a Cross
to be Cut out upon it, At which all public
intimation and publications are an shall be made
in time Coming, As they have been in use to be
made at the said Mercate Cross now to be taken
down. And the council Appoint a proper post to be
fixed up at some proper place thereabout, for
public advertisements, and the Like to be affixed
thereon, And Appoint the Two Baillies, the Dean of
Gild, and Conveener, to Employ Men to take doun
the said Cross, &c., and to oversee the same
done.”
After being removed, the shaft or pillar was built
into the corner of the adjacent house, to “paste
public notices on it.” (See An. Dunf. date 1868.)
Such was the end of the Market Cross of
Dunfermline. All antiquaries have regretted the
removal of these old crosses. Sir Walter Scott’s
lines in “Marmion” may be transferred to this
place without much alteration:--
“Dunfermline Cross—a pillar’d stone—
Rose on a turret octagon;
But now is razed that monument
Whence royal edicts rang,
And voice of Scotland’s law was sent
In
glorious trumpet clang.”
A FEMALE SORCERER.—“The celebrated and notorious
Peggie Pearson, the Witch, known through the haill
toun and countryside,” died, it is thought, about
the end of this year. “The old woman lived in a
house at the east end of the horsmarket,” and it
appears that “the best of the toun went to her to
get their fortunes spaed.” She generally lay in
her bed when she told fortunes, while her
“extraordiner unearthlie big black cat kept sentry
on her bed-cod.” This was the last of the genuine
Dunfermline witches.
THE EAST AND CROSSWYND PORTS TO BE REMOVED.—At the
sitting of the Council, viz., “8th Oct,
1752,” it was ordered that “the Remains of the Old
Ports at the East port adjoining William Bonnar’s
house, and that at the head of the Crosswynd,
adjoining to the house presently possest by James
Inglis, To be Taken down.” (Burgh Rec.; see also
dates 1327, 1488, 1585, 1735, 1745, 1786.)
Probably the remains of these ports were
“fragmental,” and likewise “incumbered ye
streets.” The south pillar of the East Port,
connected with an old house, remained until 1787,
when this last vestige of “the principal Port of
Dunfermline” was removed. This port is mentioned
in the Burgh Records as early as the 1488, when it
is mentioned as the “east yet,” ie., the East
Gate. (See An. Dunf. date 1488.)
DEATH OF THE REV. RALPH ERSKINE.—The Rev. Ralph
Erskine, minister of the Secession Church,
Dunfermline, “died of a virulent fever, after al
illness of eight days,” on 6th
November, 1752, in the sixty eighth year of his
age and the forth second of his ministry. Twenty
seven of these years he officiated in the
Established Church, Dunfermline, and the last
fifteen in his meeting house there. “His mortal
remains were interred in the Churchyard of
Dunfermline, on Thursday, Nov. 9th, in
the presence of a vast concourse of spectators,
deeply and justly lamenting the loss of so
valuable minister.”
In an account of the life of this eminent
minister, prefixed to an edition of his works
published in 1794, his character is summed up as
follows:--
“He was a man who possessed not only a
very extraordinary degree of the most valuable
natural gifts and endowments, such as
cheerfulness, good nature, modesty, and gratitude,
uniting in him; but remarkable for genuine piety,
a heavenly disposition of mind and well acquainted
with vital religion and practical godliness. Yea,
in him centered all the ornaments of the the
minister and amiable qualities of the Christian,
without the least affectation or smallest
appearance of vanity. He was a shining instance
of the truth and amiableness of Christianity, and
an exemplary pattern of spiritual mindedness and
sincere devotion.”
The following is a free translation of the Latin
inscription on his tombstone:--
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
R A L P H E R S K I N E ,
WHO DIED ON THE 6TH DAY OF NEVEMBER,
1752, IN THE 68TH YEAR
OF
HIS AGE.
____________________
HERE LIES THE DUST OF A MAN OF UNTAINTED PIETY;
HIS FLOCK HE INSTRUCTED WITH UNIFORM FIDELITY;
HE
FIRMLY OPPOSED THE CORRUPTIONS AND FAULTS OF THE
CLERGY OF HIS AGE.
TO
BYE-PATHS HE TURNED NOT ASIDE,
BUT
REVERENCED THE LAW OF GOD.
The Rev. Ralph Erskine was the author of a large
number of works, especially sermons. Many of
them, at the earnest request of his congregation,
were published during his life time. “His works
have gone through numerous editions, and his name
continues to be well known of the Continent of
America and other lands.”
An
Old Notes states that this eminent divine lived
and died in a house down a close leading from the
south side of the High Street to the junction of
Maygate with Abbot Street. His house is an old
one; the date 1607 is on the “lintel-stone” of the
door. The too-fall on the west side of this house
is said to have been his library; and here it was
where the Associate Brethren held their celebrated
meeting with Rev. George Whitefield.
