by Dr Jean Barclay David Paton is a somewhat neglected member of the famous Paton family of artists, sculptors and designers but according to his friend, Dr. Ebenezer Henderson, astronomer and historian of Dunfermline, he was a `great mechanical genius` (1). David was born in Dunfermline on September 9th 1766 to John Paton, weaver of Damside Street, and his wife Agnes Deans and baptised at the Dunfermline Associate (Secession) Church, Queen Anne Street, a few days later (2). David grew up to become a hand-loom weaver like his father but throughout his long life found additional ways of earning a living. In 1791, aged 26, David married Margaret Waller at Queen Anne Street Church and they had one daughter Elizabeth, and three sons, John, Joseph and David, who was born in 1800 in Collier Row, now Bruce Street (3). David`s wife, Margaret, died in 1803 or early 1804, aged only 34, leaving four young children, and in December 1804 David married Catherine Nisbet of Carnock, with whom he had two daughters, Mary and Agnes, and a son Neil (4). David probably did fairly well as a weaver at first as in March 1792 he was able to purchase from the Town a small yard `below the walls` (now Canmore Street). In September 1794 David, aged 28, was admitted into the incorporation of weavers and ten years later, in a time of hardship, he was one of ten weavers to frame a petition to the local MP for the repeal of a recent Corn Bill which had raised duties on corn and hence the price of bread…
Lassodie Police Station and Officers Stationed There
By George Robertson, FSAScot. Whilst researching my articles “The Lost Village of Lassodie” and “A Childhood in Lassodie”, I did not come across any reference to there being a Police Station, or Police Officers who were stationed in the village. However, this changed recently when I came across an article about the village written by the late Police Inspector William Brown who, along with his wife, carried out research on Fife Constabulary, including its Police Stations. This was subsequently published on the website of the Fife Branch of the Retired Police Officers Association Scotland, under the title “The History of Fife Constabulary” which, in book form, had been presented by Inspector Brown to Fife Constabulary, it now being in the care of Fife Police Museum at Glenrothes Police Station. William Brown’s article on Lassodie is very short consisting of two paragraphs and the information on Police being stationed in the village is noted in the second paragraph, and reads as follows – “In October 1871 the Police Committee recommended the placement of a Police Constable at Lassodie by arrangements with Lassodie Colliery and this came into being. During the following years the community here increased and it became a thriving area with its own Church, School and Public House. Between 1921 and 1930 this area was policed by P.C. Thomas Davidson, later promoted to Sergeant. In the 1930’s the population and mining work began to decrease and eventually in 1935, the…
A Slave Owner in Carnock
by Dr Jean Barclay In 1779 a Carnock widow, Janet Kirk or Boswell, compiled this receipt for the sale of three slaves in Jamaica whom she inherited from her son. A few details about Janet and what little is known about the slaves can be found at the end: `I Janet Kirk an Indweller in the village and parish of Carnock, parish thereof in the County of ffife North Britain, widow of Andrew Boswell weaver in Carnock aforsaid, and sole Heir and Executrix of the also deceased ffrancis Boswell procreate betwixt the said umqull (late) Andw my husband and me, Grant me by these presents instantly to have Received from Malcolm Laing Esqr of the Island of Jamaica, my attorney there (by the hands of Gilbert Meason Esqr of Edinr Bankers) the sum of One hundred and fifty pounds Stg as the price of three negroes sold by the said Malcolm Laing Esqr to James Nasmyth Esqr named Sandy, Robinhood, and Cudjoe, which were the property of the said ffrancis Boswell my Son, deceased, Therefore will ye me to have Exonered (exonerate) and Discharged as I hereby Exoner, acquit and Discharge the said Malcolm Laing Esq (his heirs Exetrs (executors), and administrators of the forsaid sum of One hundred and ffifty pounds sterling as the price of said three negroes, and I hereby Bind and Oblige myself, my Heirs, Exetrs and Successors, to warrant this Discharge as a sufficient Exoneration of the premisses (sic) at all hands and against all deadly as law will, Consenting to the registration hereof, in…
Provost Daniel Alexander Fraser
by George Beattie Daniel Alexander Fraser was born on 19th June, 1874, at Monastery Street, Dunfermline, the younger son of Alexander Fraser and his wife, Catherine. His career was spent in the family firm of Fraser and Carmichael, the large Dunfermline firm whose interests included milling, wholesale and retail grocery, brewing and the City Hotel. He was also a renowned Provost of Dunfermline. In 1904, he married Beatrice Mitchell, the daughter of Michael Mitchell, Farmer. Daniel Fraser’s lengthy obituary in the Dunfermline Press of 31st July, 1937, centred mainly on his contribution to municipal affairs in his home town, with which he had been involved for several years. He was elected a member of the Town Council in 1920 and quickly showed his business efficiency as Convenor of the Gas Committee. Four years later he was elevated to the rank of Chief Magistrate, or Provost, and occupied that position for three years. If his colleagues’ desires had been fulfilled he would have undertaken another term of office. When his intention to retire was announced, practically all the members of Council signed a requisition expressing “their high appreciation of the manner in which he conducted the business of the Council and earnestly desiring him to stand for re-election”. The reason why he did not accede to this request was that he felt the strain of the duties devolved upon him, particularly on public and ceremonial occasions. Mr Fraser’s Provost-ship was marked by business…
The Millers of Bridge Street
Printers, Booksellers, Bookbinders and Stationers, 1780-1883 by Dr Jean Barclay The early 19th century saw a revolution in the art of printing as the wooden hand presses with moveable type that had been in use since Gutenberg and Caxton`s time in the 15th century gradually became mechanised. Then wooden presses were replaced by iron `screw` presses like the Stanhope press of 1800 which could print 480 pages an hour. By the mid-19th century hand presses were being replaced by steam-powered rotary presses allowing printing to be done on an industrial scale. Lithographic printing in which a flat stone or metal plate was used with grease applied to images to attract the ink while the rest was ink-repellent, enabled complex illustrations to be reproduced. These developments boosted the printing industry. At the end of the first 300 years of printing there were 39 printing towns in Scotland but in the 19th century another168 were added. Among a new generation of printers were the Millers of Haddington, Dunbar and Dunfermline and John Miller and his son, John, printers, booksellers, bookbinders and stationers, were a familiar presence in Dunfermline for nearly 60 years. John Miller, After a water colour by Henry Gilbert John Miller senior was born in Dunbar in September 1780 to John Miller and Mary Deans, who only survived the birth by a few hours. His father died when he was nine and he was brought up by his half-brother George, a printer and bookseller in Dunbar and Haddington….