Book by: Galgano
Chapter 3: Samuel & Mary Crawford & children Robert, Charles, George & Marjory. Elgin, 1799 to 1881
3.Samuel & Mary Crawford Elgin, 1799 to 1881
We can only speculate on what took Samuel Crawford from Grantown to Elgin. Samuels mother-in-law was Marjory Anderson (ne Geddes) and she had been born in Cromdale. His father-in-law, Robert Andersons was a “baker” in Elgin. Perhaps on family visits to Cromdale, Samuel met Mary. As to how he became a merchant an grocer in Elgin remains a mystery. He is referred to as both, however we don’t know the nature of his business.
Elgin was founded as a town in the tenth century by Helgy, a general in the Norwegian Earl of Orkney’s army. Up till the 1820’s it was predominantly a town of one ¾ mile long street with alleys and “closes” running off it, alongside the River Lossie, some 7 miles inland. From 1820 there was little planning as the town grew dramatically on the south side. It is on a well-drained ridge protected on three sides by the River Lossie and with a natural defensive mound, “The Ladyhill”, where there was a fort at one time. The surrounding countryside was rich in game and became a favorite hunting ground of the early Scottish monarchs. In the twelfth century it was created a Royal burgh by David 1, brother of Edgar and Alexander and son of Malcolm Canmore (1124 - 1153) Prior to the Reformation Elgin was the principal seat of learning north of Aberdeen.
Alexander Stewart, the notorious Wolf of Badenoch, burned the town in 1390 and Alexander of the Isles repeated the exercise in 1402. Elgin grew steadily through the mediaeval period until by the seventeenth century it boasted many fine buildings reflecting the prosperity of its business and craftsmen. Towards the end of the eighteenth-century changes began which were to transform Elgin into a modern burgh. Between 1798 and 1830, three stone bridges were built across the River Lossie and gas was introduced in 1830, a piped water supply in 1845, and the railway in the late 1800's,
Samuel and Mary Crawford married in Elgin in 1798.
8th February 1798 Were married here by the Rev Mr William Gordon one of the Ministers of Elgin Samuel Crawford in the parish of Inverallen & Mary Anderson in this parish before a competent number of witnesses.
Samuel was recorded as a “merchant” in a number of documents, at a time when the town was growing and becoming more prosperous. Samuel Crawford was one of 703 men categorized as “Masters and workmen employed in retail trade and handicraft”, the largest occupational group in the parish. The other categories were “Farmers, cottars, and servants employed in agriculture” 365, “Master manufacturers” 6, “Capitalists, bankers, professional and educated men” 113, “Labourers” 151, “Retired tradesmen, superannuated labourers, and males diseased in body or mind” 77, “Female servants” 480. Manufacturing consisted of no more than grain mills, a carding mill for wool and a saw mill for timber. There was a tannery and brewery in the town and two distilleries.
As they settled into married life, Samuel became involved in a legal dispute that dragged on for several years. It appears as though he and four other tenants in the row of terraces in Frasers Close were sued for nonpayment of rent. They in turn appealed to the Dean of Guild to have the owner repair the roof and make it “wind and water tight”. If you read all the documents you are struck by the fact that legal language was as impenetrable then as now. What isn’t obvious is the living conditions. Four or five families, each of 6 or more living in separate dwellings similar to terrace houses but with probably just two rooms upstairs and two downstairs. If you look up the census records from 1841 onward, there were often 40 or so people living in these “closes”.
The Morayshire Farmer’s Club was founded in 1799 and through competitions for which they payed financial awards for the improvement in the breeding of horses and cattle and also for the improvement in methods of cropping, rotating crops, fertilizing and improving seeds. They also established an agricultural library “...which now contains a valuable collection of the best books on every branch of rural economy, and is yearly increased by every useful publication on agriculture, as soon as it comes off the press.”
An attempt to establish a newspaper took longer, and the Elgin Courier in 1827 only had a circulation of 300 and could not be sustained, but under new owners in the 1830’s became the Elgin Courant.
By the 1820’s the foundations were laid for a twenty year period between 1820 and 1840 when the old medieval town of Elgin was swept away and the first major addition to the town center, were the Assembly Rooms, built in 1821 by The Trinity Lodge of Freemasons, at the corner of High Street and North Street (just across the street from the Crawford’s in Fraser Close). Two years before that, in 1819, Dr Gray's Hospital was built on unused ground. The building is imposing with its columns and dome and standing at the head of fine gardens.
Dr Alexander Gray, a doctor who worked for and made his fortune with the East India Company endowed £26,000 for the provision of the hospital. In 1828 the new parish church of St Giles was built at a cost of £10,000. Lt. General Andrew Anderson, born in Elgin and who died in 1824, and also of the East India Company, bequeathed £70,000 to the town so that an institution could be provided for the welfare of the elderly poor people and for the education of the town’s orphaned children. The Anderson Institute was built in the east end of the town in 1832 with accommodation for 50 children and 10 elderly people. The Burgh Court-house was built in 1841, the elegant museum in 1842.
Andrew Anderson was another self-made man. He enlisted in the East India Company and worked his way up through the ranks, engaged in trade himself and made a fortune. Perhaps he was related to Mary and the residence at 51 South St was provided by him. Mary as a widow lived there with Marjory who was mentally retarded. Marjory continued to live there with another indigent woman Annie Watt (in her 40’s) and finally a nurse, Maggie Forrest in 1881. She died at that address some months after the census. Perhaps unbeknown to her, her great nephew James Crawford who had been born in Australia, was about to take up the position of schoolmaster at Hopeman, just a few miles away on the coast.
Samuel and Mary Crawford had four children. Robert Crawford was born in 1799, Charles Crawford in 1803, George Crawford in 1805 and Marjory Crawford in 1811.Like their father, they would have received a free education.
There were ten schools in the town, three of which were operated by The Elgin Academy. It is possible that the boys attended one of these. While Charles Crawford died in his teens and Marjory Crawford was mentally retarded and unlikely to have attended school, George Crawford became a school teacher and Robert Crawford was later recorded as a marine or mariner. They would have been taught English grammar and composition, arithmetic, geography, practical mathematics, French, Latin and Greek.
We do not know where the Crawfords lived while Samuel was alive, but it was probably in Fraser Close and their shop on High St. at around No. 174. I believe there business was a “grocers”.
As recorded above, Elgin was originally a main street around 3/4-mile long, with alleys or “Closes” between each main building. The street front buildings were substantial houses and shops or business premises. The alleys were just wide enough for a cart to pass through. Behind these buildings, the land was originally used for gardens. Over time, the gardens shrank as 1 1/2 and 2 story residences were built. These “closes” eventually housed as many as 20 families living in cramped rooms. Down the far side of the Close, there would be an open drain and around half way down a shared water tap. At the end of the close, a pigsty, privy (toilet) and midden (rubbish heap). The size of the houses diminished the further they were from High St., but the Close was cobbled.
The Crawford’s neighbours were gardeners, shoemakers, stone masons, household servants, grooms, gold & silver smiths and merchants. As such, we might expect that their Close was well maintained and not one that would have deteriorated into a slum like others did.
A considerable amount of smuggling took place in the creeks around the twin ports of Banff and MacDuff: at Redhyth, 2 miles from Portsoy, coals were landed, and at Cullen coals were imported, and tiles and bricks exported; and at Macduff grain and fish were exported, and again, coals came in illegally.
Merchants from Elgin financed much of this trade, and one of them sent these highly specific instructions regarding smuggling procedures in 1710: 'I have ventured to order Skipper Watt...to call at Caussie, and cruise betwixt that and Burgh Head, until you order boats to waite [for] him. He is to give the half of what I have of the same sort with his last cargo, to any having your order...The signal he makes will be all sails furled, except his main topsaile; and the boats you order to him are to lower their saile when within muskett shott, and then hoist it again; this, lease he should be surprised with catch-poles...'
By 1822, when Charles Crawford died at the age of 18, we believe Robert Crawford had moved to County Antrim, Belfast. There are two records of Charles Crawford’s death. One incorrectly gives his birth year as 1814 but both correctly give his death as 13th April 1822 and one states “Grandson of Robert Anderson and Marjory Geddes”, which again attests to the importance given to women’s maiden names in Scotland. As to how he died at the age of 18, we can only speculate. Perhaps an accident at work, or a disease such as influenza, smallpox, typhus or typhoid.
By the time of the 1841 Census, Mary Crawford (Anderson) was 60 and living at Frasers Close with Marjory Crawford (30) and George Crawford (35) Teacher. We can find no record of Samuel Crawford’s death.
George Crawford died in 1849 at 44 years of age, single and a school teacher.
George Crawford may have attended the last public hanging in Elgin. On 31st may 1834, William Noble was hanged for murder at the Tolbooth. It was recorded that the hanging was witnessed by “...a crowd of 500 drawn from many miles around and who behaved in a most quiet and becoming manner”. The Tollbooth was demolished in 1846 and a large fountain built in its place.
Mary Crawford (Anderson) died on 19th October 1863.
“At 51 South Street, Elgin on the 19th inst. MARY ANDERSON, relict of the late Mr. Samuel Crawford merchant, , Elgin aged eighty seven years.”
Marjory Crawford died in 1881 living at 51 South St with a nurse, Maggie Forrest.
After her death, the house became the home of the
Jamiesons.
JAMIESON, George. No. 277622, Pte., 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; born at 51, South Street, Elgin, 26th Jan., 1883; joined at Glasgow, July, 1915; served in France; killed at No. 2 Clearing Station, France, 25th Dec.,1917. Son of George Jamieson, Forres, and Margaret Brander or Jamieson. Occupation, forester.
Today (2008) 51 South St is Junners Toyshop.
Elgin Cathedral
Some badly judged local politics led to the burning of the Cathedral (and much of Elgin) in 1390, by the Wolf of Badenoch, Alexander Stewart, the younger son of Robert II. The Bishop of Elgin, Bishop Alexander Bur had caused him to be excommunicated for marital infidelity, and this was his way of getting even.
Charles and George Crawford were both buried in the Elgin Cathedral cemetery.
George was a very religious man and Russell's Morayshire register, and Elgin & Forres directory, for 1847 records his activities as a teacher and as the clerk for the Bible Society and Missionary Society.
The 1847 Register records George as living in Fraser’s Close along with three other men, two recorded as being “carters” and the other a “mason”.
Private School. Teacher George Crawford.
ELGIN & MORAYSHIRE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. RSTABLISHED IN 1818.
The object of this association is to collect funds for the support of the missions for propagating the Gospel in foreign countries, and during the twenty-eight years of its existence it has transmitted to various missionary societies for that purpose, £1056, 10s. 4d. sterling, chiefly contributed in small subscriptions from the middle or poorer classes. The sum annually collected is now about £50 sterling. President—Rear-Admiral Duff of Drummuir. directors. Rev. John Munro, Congregational minister Knockando* 156 Rev. John Pringle, United Secession minister, Elgin. „ Adam Lind, do. do. „ Thomas Stark, do. do. Forres. Committee of Management. John Russell, merchant George Kay, tailor John Findlay, shoemaker John M'Caskie, do. James Phimister, tailor Wm. Gillice, Eishopmill James Reid, DufTus. John Cobban, Nevvspynie Joseph Asher James Muil Joseph Collie John Batchen Alex. Allan, Bishopmill Wm. Souter, Foundry. Geo. Anderson, bookbinder Robert Bain, shoemaker James Gatherer, tailor Wm. Dingwall, weaver John M'Kellar, Bishopmill Alex. IJrquhart, builder Wm. Taylor, tinsmith Treasurer—Alex. Falconer, manufacturer, Elgin. Secretary/—Rev. N. M'Neil, Congregational minister, Elgin. Clerk—George Crawford, teacher.
ELGIN and MORAYSHIRE BIBLE SOCIETY,
President—Rear-Admiral Duff of Drummuir.
Vice-Presidents. Her. Alex. Gentle Alves; Rev. Alex. Topp, Elgin. Kevin John Allan, Garmouth. liev^. R. Dunbar, Pluscarden Eey. Alex. M'Watt, Rothes^ Rev, Wm. Talloch, Elgin. Kev. D. Waters, Burghead, Rev. Jas. Morrison, I'rquhart Wm. Grant Forsyth^j Esq.j Elgin. Committee. Thomas Ross Provost James Wilson George Findlay, Mosstowie Ji Burgess, Whitewreath J, Mitchell, Wester Aives J. Watson, Herapriggs Robert Oruickshanksj and Peter Macdonald, Elgin Joha fSntherland John Batchen Alexander Falconer James Gatherer James Smith, Bishopmili John Ritchie William Gillice, Bishopmili George Kay Alexander Urquh&rt
Treasurer—Alexander Sivewright.
Secretary—Rev. Adam Lind. Depositary —'WilWa.xa Stephen, merchant*
Clerk—George Crawford teacher.
These are the legal documents regarding Samuels dispute with his landlord:
Unto the Honorable The Dean
of Guild of the Burgh of Elgin
& his assessers
The petition of Samuel Crawford
Merchant in Elgin
Humbly Sheweth
That the petitioner took
from William Simpson in ------------
in November 1799 His house in Elgin
their possessed by Joseph Collie and
John Davnie as also the house and
shop lately possessed by James Cock
from the term of Whitsunday first
now last past for the yearly rent
of Seven pounds seven shillings Sterling
and the said William Simpson became
bound to make the whole wind and
water tight- That the petitioner entered
in consequence of this agreement to
the possession of the said houses –
That though the petitioner has re-
peatedly required the said William
Simpson to make the said house
& shop lately occupied by James
Cock wind and water tight in
Terms of his agreement Yet he
Refuses at least delays from
time to time to do so although
the said house has fallen into
such disrepair that it is quite
uninhabitable – This renders the
present application necessary
May it therefore please your
Honours to to consider this
Petition appoint workmen
to inspect the house above
mentioned and to report what
repairs will be necessary to
render the same habitable
wind and water tight and
thereafter to authorize the
petitioner to make the same and
to find the Expense thereof
a debt affecting the rents of
the said subjects and to
authorize the petitioner to
retain the same in his
hands of said rents
According to Justice
Sam Crawford
Elgin 19th December 1800 In presence
of Mr John Fortieath Dean of Guild
of the Burgh of Elgin
The Dean of Guild having considered this
petition appoints the same with this de-
liverance to be served on William Simpson
complained of and him to answer the
same within Three days after such service
& to lodge his answers in the hands of
the Clerk of Court and in the meantime
appoints Thomas Urquart Masson & James Sharp
coright in Elgin to inspect the house mentioned in
the petition and to report what repairs will
be necessary to make it habitableJohn Forteath
Upon nth 20th Day of Dec r 1800 YearsI Robert
-usser ----at command of the within Petition
And deliverance thereon which is ----- at
Elgin the 19th Dec r said year and by virtue
Thereof I lawfully served the same upon the
Within named & designed Mr Simpson &
Appointed him to answer the same within
Three days after service and to lodge his an-
swers----with Certification
This I did by delivering a full writing down
double of the said Petition and deliverance
whereon with a short Copy of Certification sub-
joined thereto into his own hands personally
apprehended before witnesses Alex Russel and
John Alves both resedenters in Elgin
Robert Russel
Alex RusselWitness
John AlvesWitness
Elgin Decr 1800 = Thyat no answers are lodged to this
Petition is certified by
Elgin 24th December 1800. In presence
of Mr John Forteith Dean of Guild of the Borough of Elgin
Having again considered this Petition and Report of the Workmen
appointed to inspect the house mentioned in the Petition Finds
that the repairs mentioned in said report are necessary to
make the same habitable and in respect no answers are
lodged to this Petition authorise the petitioner Samuel
Crawford to make the said Repairs and report the
accounts thereof to be cognosced by this Court and
--cernsJohn Forteath
Elgin 1800 Dec 22nd
By Apointment of the Dean of Guild we
Thos Urquart Masson & James Shatp wright
In Elgin having inspected the Dwelling
House & Shop mentioned in the Petition
Finds the Dwelling house in astate
Of repair but the shop is not habitable
Unless the whole house be Thatched –
Which would cost at present about
Two pound ten shillings --- owing to the
High price of straw -----
Thos Urquhart
James Sharp
For Mr Samule Craffor manufacturer Elgin
---Wm Simpson --------
Copy of Furthcoming
For
Mrs Branda
Elgin
By virtue of a lybelled Summons of Furthcoming raised
before the Magistrates of Elgin at the instance of James
Gow farmer in Elgin Peter Peach farmer there Alex.n
Clark Blacksmith there, and Joseph Colliexxxxx resid
ing there , bearing Date the Eighth Instant Alex.n Scott
officer lawfully Summon sworn and charge you
Margaret Brander residing in Elgin to compear
before the said Magistrate or Either of them within
the tollbooth of Elgin upon the twentieth day of Dec.n
Curt in the hour of cause to answer at the Instance
of the said pursuers in the action of Furthcoming
lybelled , That is to say to hear and see yourself Decerned
and ordained by Decred of Court to make forthcoming
paynment to the pursuers of the sum of fifty pounds
Sterling less or more Justly Due Resting owing on
a Debted by you to William Simpson farmer in
Nestossie or to any other person or persons for
His rise and xxx of either by bill bound lack
ticket award write promess x action agreement or
any other Maner of xxay whatsoever together with
all and Sundry Goods Gear and effects Corn, Cattle, horse
noxx sheep, Debts, and sums of money and Every
other thing in your Custody and Keeping pertaining
and belonging to the said William Simpson and
Anested in your hands upon the first day of
november last one thousand Eight hundred
years by Alex.n Scott an officer of Court by virtue
of a Deeneet Containing a Preiciept of Arrestment
obtained before the said Magistrates at the Instance
of the said pursuers upon the twenty second day
of March last At least as much of the Sums and
Subjects so arrested in your hands as will comp
letly Satisfy and be ……………
two shillings and four pence halfpenny Sterling being
the principal sum and interest contained in and Due
by a Bill Accepted by the said William Simpson xxx
and the pursuers Conjunctly and Seal.ie to this
true Blue Gardeners Society in Elgin Dated the
ninth day of March one thousand Seven hundred
and ninety Eight, and payable twelve months after
Date. Item Eight Shillings and five pence Stir
of Expence of Raising Dilegance on the said Bill
according to a state thereof produced in that
xxxx eess which bill was retired by the said pur xxx
xxx from the Drawers on the Eighteenth day of
March past one thousand eight hundred years
Although it had been accepted by them merily
To accommodate the said William Simpson as
Appeared from a letter of relief written and
Addressed by him to those shown in the said
Praeess , Items of th interest of the said principal sum and
anual rent and expence from the said Eighteenth day
of March and until payment Item of the Sum of Five
Shilings and sixpence Money forsaid as the fees of
Extracting the said dcerct, all the more fully
Contacted therein deducing these from forty one
Pounds sterling paid since the date of the said
Derect, as also the sum of
Sterling of Expence of Plea or Else to aledge xx
With Cewrtification this any copy I give you this
Day of December xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Declaration of Marg. Branda
In the process of
Furthcoming at the
Instan of Past xxxx
20yrs xxxx xx 20yrs
xxx Simpson
xxxxxxxxxxx Debtors
20th Decem 1800
In the process of Forthcoming at the instence
Of James Gow farmer in Elgin Peter peach
Farmer there Alex Clark Blacksmith there
And Joseph Collie farmer there against Marg Branda
Residing in Elginxxx this in whole handsarreass
]xxxx paid xxx and William Simpson farmer
in Elginxxxxx Debtor
20 December 1800 in presence ofxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Compeared Margaret Branda residing in Elgin widow of
John Branda Dyer there and Declared and acknowledges
That she presently possesses a dwelling house in Elgin belonging
To the principal debtor William Simpson at four pounds sterling
Of rent from Whitsunday last to Whitsunday next the one
Half will be at Whitsunday next – that two pounds sterling the
Rent for the half year preceeding Martinmass last is now due
and she is willing to pay the same to any person who shall
be found to have a Title thereto on a sufficient warrant and
discharge and that she was no other way debtor to the
Principal Debtor neither had she any effects of his in
her hands the time of thearreaxxxment laid on in her
hands which was the first day of November last
all which she declares to be truth
Margaret Brander
Alex Innes
Copy
Arrestment
For
Mrs Brander
Elgin
By Virtue of a Deerect obtained before the Magistrates of Elgin at
The instance of James Gower farmer in Elgin Peter Reach farmer there
Alex.n Clark Smith there and joseph Collie Sen.r residing there Dated
The twenty second day of March last against William Simpson
Farmer in Most xxx owie . I Aslex.n Scott officer in his Majestys name
and Authority and in name and Authority of the Majestrates
lawfully xxxx crops and arrest in the hands of Grace Mrs Margatret
Brander residing in Elgin, the sum of fifty pounds Sterling
Less or more justly due restingxxing or a Debted by you to
The said William Simpson or to any otherf manner what
ever together with all and sundry Goods Gear and Effects
Corn Cattle horse malt sheep Debts and sums of Money and
Every other thing in your custody and keeping portaining
and belonging to the said William Simpson all to remain
in your hands under Surassence and arrestment xxxxxxxx
-ed at the Complainers Instance ay and until they be fully
paid of the Sum of Forty Eight pounds two shillings and four
pence halfpenny Sterling xxxxxx with Interest thereof Since
due and till paid Contained in xxxx by a Bill Accepted by
the said William Simpson and the Complainers Collie and Scott
to the True Blue Gardiners Society in Elgin Dated the ninth
day of March 1798 and payable twelve months after Date
Item Eight shillings and five pence sterling of expence in raising
and Executing Dilligence on said Bill Conform to a State thereof
produced in process and which Bill was retered by the Comp –
lainers Although they had no part of the value Items
five shillings sterling of expense and two shillings & sixpence
Sterling as the Dues of Extract all contained in said
Dierect – Deducting tyherefrom Forty one pounds paid in
part as Marked on the Margin of the said Dioerect with
Certification this any copy I Give you this first day of
November 1800 years before witnesses
Alex Scott
Execution
ofArrestement
Gow and others
Agt
William Simpson XX
1800
Upon the first day of November one thousand Eight
hundred years I Alex.r Scott officer at Command
of a Deirect obtained before the magistrates of Elgin
at the instance of James Gow farmer of Elgin, Peter
Reach farmer there Alexander Clark Blacksmith there
And Joseph Collie Residing there bearing date the twenty
Second day of March last, and by virtue therof in his
Majestys name and Authority and in name & authority
Of the said Magistrates lawfully fineed crossed and
Arrested in the hands of Samuel Crawford Manufactor
er in Elgin, James Alexander farmer there, William
Duncan farmer there William Alexander Jnr Shoemaker
there Margaret Brander Residing there, and George McDonald Hymer there , in Each of there hands the
Sum of Fifty pounds Sterliong less or more Justly
Due Resting owing or a Debted by them and each
Of them to William Simpson farmer in Mostowie
or to any other person or persons for his use
and like of either by Bill bound tack ticket word
write promises x action agreement or any other
maner of may whatsoever together with all &
sundry Goods Gear and Effects Corn Cattle horse
noble sheep Debts and Sums of money and Every
other thing in there Custody and Keeping belong-
ing to the said William Simpson all to Remain
in each of their hands under Sure fence and
Arrestment unhoused at the Complainers Insta-
Neue ay and until they be fully paid of their
Sum of Forty Eight pounds two shillings and four
Pence halfpenny Sterling being the Principal Sum &
Interest Contained in and Duely a Bill the said William
Simpson and the pursuers Conxxx and Seallie to the
True Blue Gardeners in Elgin Dated the tenth day
of March one thousand and seven hundred and ninety Eight
and payable twelve months after Date: Item the
Sum of Eight shillings and five pence Sterling of Expense
In Realing Dilegence on said Bill according to
Astated there of produced in process, which Bill
Was Retired by the pursuers of the Eighteenth
Day of March last although it was accepted
By the them merily to accommodate the said
Defender as will appear from this letter of xxlife
Addressed to them also produced Item interest
James Craig Witness
George Russell witness Alex Scott
Execution
Of Furthcoming
Gow xx
Ag.st
Simpson xx
1800
Upon the twelth Day of December one thousand
Eight hundred years, I Alex. Scott officer post at
Command of alybilled Summons of Furthcoming
Raised before the Magistrates of Elgin Peter
Reach farmer there Alexr Clark Blacksmith
there , and Joseph Collie Senr Residing there
bearing Date the Eight instance and by virtu
therof lawfully summons aversed and Charged
XXX Samuel Crawford Manufacturer in Elgin,
James Alexander farmer there, William Duncan
Farmer there, William Alexander jnr Shoemaker
there, Margaret Brander residing there and Geo
McDonald hyner there in whose hands an
Arrestments was used and William Simpson
Farmer in Mostowie principal debtor for
His interest, all and each of them to Compear
Before the said Magistrates of either of them
Within the tollboot of Elgin upon the
Twentieth day of December xx in the hour
Of cause to answer at the Instance of the said
Pursuers in the action of Furthcoming
Lybelled and I made Certification by Delivering
Full written Doubles of the said lybill with
Short copys of Cetation thereto uljonsed to the
Xx Effect into the hands of the said Defenders
All personally apprehended before these
Witnesses James Craig and Geo Russell both
Indwallers in Elgin
James Craig witness
George Russell witnessAlex Scott
The 19th century in Moray
The century started with yet another year of food shortages throughout Moray. The effect of the ‘Agricultural Improvements’ of the last decades of the previous century were now becoming apparent. In most areas the old ‘run-rig’ way of farming had vanished, fields were being enclosed, woodlands planted, and the major tenant farmers were starting to become wealthy men. The cottars or cottagers, the small tenants who had held their strips of land in the runrig were now in many cases dispossessed. Some of them had been kept on as agricultural workers by the new farmers, but many had been forced to move south to the expanding industries of the central belt of Scotland to find work and make a living.
The effects of the high taxation during the past years, to pay for the wars which Britain was involved in, were now diminishing, and this too had an impact on the economy of Moray. Links with the rest of Scotland were becoming ever more important, roads were being built or improved, the harbours were being repaired and rebuilt, such a Burghead in 1806, and Lossiemouth in 1811.
Until 1810 there had been little new building in the Burghs, many properties having stood since the 17th century. By the early 1820’s however, Elgin and Forres were beginning to expand rapidly with the building of the new ‘villas’ in the ‘suburbs’.
The end of the wars brought a collapse of trade and commerce to much of Scotland, and Moray did not escape. With men returning from the war having little hope of finding work because of the changes in agriculture, the Poor Rolls for almost every parish increased rapidly. Money was scarce; an income of £200-£300 a year would have provided a very comfortable way of life for the newly emerging middle classes, but the poorer people may have had an income of only one-tenth of this amount each year.
The Great Flood of 1829 brought havoc to much of the low-lying lands of Moray. Despite all these setbacks the Burghs of Elgin, Forres and Nairn were transformed, during the years up to about 1840, into “stately neo-classical towns”, with all the public institutions which graced other towns throughout Scotland. Hospitals, Libraries, Schools were all erected or improved, and elegant houses dotted amongst the trees or lining the new ‘suburban’ streets surrounded the towns. Rural life, sadly, did not keep up with this, and many of the farm labourers continued to live in little more than a two-roomed cottage. In the hills of upland Moray change was even slower, and life in the peat and cobble, heather thatched cottages continued for many decades.
In the 1830’s gas lights were introduced to the towns following the building of the gas works. The Victorian age came to Moray on 26th June 1837, and building works continued apace to improve the towns. The railways came to Moray between 1853 and 1858, and the economy was transformed. New hotels were erected, roads were improved, and the Queen visited Moray in 1872. During the later years of the 19th century the Burghs of Moray were on a par with any similar town in Scotland, agriculture was becoming extremely profitable with the facility now to ‘export’ produce by rail, and modern Moray was taking shape.
3.Samuel & Mary Crawford Elgin, 1799 to 1881
We can only speculate on what took Samuel Crawford from Grantown to Elgin. Samuels mother-in-law was Marjory Anderson (ne Geddes) and she had been born in Cromdale. His father-in-law, Robert Andersons was a “baker” in Elgin. Perhaps on family visits to Cromdale, Samuel met Mary. As to how he became a merchant an grocer in Elgin remains a mystery. He is referred to as both, however we don’t know the nature of his business.
Elgin was founded as a town in the tenth century by Helgy, a general in the Norwegian Earl of Orkney’s army. Up till the 1820’s it was predominantly a town of one ¾ mile long street with alleys and “closes” running off it, alongside the River Lossie, some 7 miles inland. From 1820 there was little planning as the town grew dramatically on the south side. It is on a well-drained ridge protected on three sides by the River Lossie and with a natural defensive mound, “The Ladyhill”, where there was a fort at one time. The surrounding countryside was rich in game and became a favorite hunting ground of the early Scottish monarchs. In the twelfth century it was created a Royal burgh by David 1, brother of Edgar and Alexander and son of Malcolm Canmore (1124 - 1153) Prior to the Reformation Elgin was the principal seat of learning north of Aberdeen.
Alexander Stewart, the notorious Wolf of Badenoch, burned the town in 1390 and Alexander of the Isles repeated the exercise in 1402. Elgin grew steadily through the mediaeval period until by the seventeenth century it boasted many fine buildings reflecting the prosperity of its business and craftsmen. Towards the end of the eighteenth-century changes began which were to transform Elgin into a modern burgh. Between 1798 and 1830, three stone bridges were built across the River Lossie and gas was introduced in 1830, a piped water supply in 1845, and the railway in the late 1800's,
Samuel and Mary Crawford married in Elgin in 1798.
8th February 1798
Were married here by the Rev Mr William Gordon one of the Ministers of Elgin Samuel Crawford in the parish of Inverallen & Mary Anderson in this parish before a competent number of witnesses.
Samuel was recorded as a “merchant” in a number of documents, at a time when the town was growing and becoming more prosperous. Samuel Crawford was one of 703 men categorized as “Masters and workmen employed in retail trade and handicraft”, the largest occupational group in the parish. The other categories were “Farmers, cottars, and servants employed in agriculture” 365, “Master manufacturers” 6, “Capitalists, bankers, professional and educated men” 113, “Labourers” 151, “Retired tradesmen, superannuated labourers, and males diseased in body or mind” 77, “Female servants” 480. Manufacturing consisted of no more than grain mills, a carding mill for wool and a saw mill for timber. There was a tannery and brewery in the town and two distilleries.
As they settled into married life, Samuel became involved in a legal dispute that dragged on for several years. It appears as though he and four other tenants in the row of terraces in Frasers Close were sued for nonpayment of rent. They in turn appealed to the Dean of Guild to have the owner repair the roof and make it “wind and water tight”. If you read all the documents you are struck by the fact that legal language was as impenetrable then as now. What isn’t obvious is the living conditions. Four or five families, each of 6 or more living in separate dwellings similar to terrace houses but with probably just two rooms upstairs and two downstairs. If you look up the census records from 1841 onward, there were often 40 or so people living in these “closes”.
The Morayshire Farmer’s Club was founded in 1799 and through competitions for which they payed financial awards for the improvement in the breeding of horses and cattle and also for the improvement in methods of cropping, rotating crops, fertilizing and improving seeds. They also established an agricultural library “...which now contains a valuable collection of the best books on every branch of rural economy, and is yearly increased by every useful publication on agriculture, as soon as it comes off the press.”
An attempt to establish a newspaper took longer, and the Elgin Courier in 1827 only had a circulation of 300 and could not be sustained, but under new owners in the 1830’s became the Elgin Courant.
By the 1820’s the foundations were laid for a twenty year period between 1820 and 1840 when the old medieval town of Elgin was swept away and the first major addition to the town center, were the Assembly Rooms, built in 1821 by The Trinity Lodge of Freemasons, at the corner of High Street and North Street (just across the street from the Crawford’s in Fraser Close). Two years before that, in 1819, Dr Gray's Hospital was built on unused ground. The building is imposing with its columns and dome and standing at the head of fine gardens.
Dr Alexander Gray, a doctor who worked for and made his fortune with the East India Company endowed £26,000 for the provision of the hospital. In 1828 the new parish church of St Giles was built at a cost of £10,000. Lt. General Andrew Anderson, born in Elgin and who died in 1824, and also of the East India Company, bequeathed £70,000 to the town so that an institution could be provided for the welfare of the elderly poor people and for the education of the town’s orphaned children. The Anderson Institute was built in the east end of the town in 1832 with accommodation for 50 children and 10 elderly people. The Burgh Court-house was built in 1841, the elegant museum in 1842.
Andrew Anderson was another self-made man. He enlisted in the East India Company and worked his way up through the ranks, engaged in trade himself and made a fortune. Perhaps he was related to Mary and the residence at 51 South St was provided by him. Mary as a widow lived there with Marjory who was mentally retarded. Marjory continued to live there with another indigent woman Annie Watt (in her 40’s) and finally a nurse, Maggie Forrest in 1881. She died at that address some months after the census. Perhaps unbeknown to her, her great nephew James Crawford who had been born in Australia, was about to take up the position of schoolmaster at Hopeman, just a few miles away on the coast.
Samuel and Mary Crawford had four children. Robert Crawford was born in 1799, Charles Crawford in 1803, George Crawford in 1805 and Marjory Crawford in 1811.Like their father, they would have received a free education.
There were ten schools in the town, three of which were operated by The Elgin Academy. It is possible that the boys attended one of these. While Charles Crawford died in his teens and Marjory Crawford was mentally retarded and unlikely to have attended school, George Crawford became a school teacher and Robert Crawford was later recorded as a marine or mariner. They would have been taught English grammar and composition, arithmetic, geography, practical mathematics, French, Latin and Greek.
We do not know where the Crawfords lived while Samuel was alive, but it was probably in Fraser Close and their shop on High St. at around No. 174. I believe there business was a “grocers”.
As recorded above, Elgin was originally a main street around 3/4-mile long, with alleys or “Closes” between each main building. The street front buildings were substantial houses and shops or business premises. The alleys were just wide enough for a cart to pass through. Behind these buildings, the land was originally used for gardens. Over time, the gardens shrank as 1 1/2 and 2 story residences were built. These “closes” eventually housed as many as 20 families living in cramped rooms. Down the far side of the Close, there would be an open drain and around half way down a shared water tap. At the end of the close, a pigsty, privy (toilet) and midden (rubbish heap). The size of the houses diminished the further they were from High St., but the Close was cobbled.
The Crawford’s neighbours were gardeners, shoemakers, stone masons, household servants, grooms, gold & silver smiths and merchants. As such, we might expect that their Close was well maintained and not one that would have deteriorated into a slum like others did.
A considerable amount of smuggling took place in the creeks around the twin ports of Banff and MacDuff: at Redhyth, 2 miles from Portsoy, coals were landed, and at Cullen coals were imported, and tiles and bricks exported; and at Macduff grain and fish were exported, and again, coals came in illegally.
Merchants from Elgin financed much of this trade, and one of them sent these highly specific instructions regarding smuggling procedures in 1710:
'I have ventured to order Skipper Watt...to call at Caussie, and cruise betwixt that and Burgh Head, until you order boats to waite [for] him. He is to give the half of what I have of the same sort with his last cargo, to any having your order...The signal he makes will be all sails furled, except his main topsaile; and the boats you order to him are to lower their saile when within muskett shott, and then hoist it again; this, lease he should be surprised with catch-poles...'
By 1822, when Charles Crawford died at the age of 18, we believe Robert Crawford had moved to County Antrim, Belfast. There are two records of Charles Crawford’s death. One incorrectly gives his birth year as 1814 but both correctly give his death as 13th April 1822 and one states “Grandson of Robert Anderson and Marjory Geddes”, which again attests to the importance given to women’s maiden names in Scotland. As to how he died at the age of 18, we can only speculate. Perhaps an accident at work, or a disease such as influenza, smallpox, typhus or typhoid.
By the time of the 1841 Census, Mary Crawford (Anderson) was 60 and living at Frasers Close with Marjory Crawford (30) and George Crawford (35) Teacher. We can find no record of Samuel Crawford’s death.
George Crawford died in 1849 at 44 years of age, single and a school teacher.
George Crawford may have attended the last public hanging in Elgin. On 31st may 1834, William Noble was hanged for murder at the Tolbooth. It was recorded that the hanging was witnessed by “...a crowd of 500 drawn from many miles around and who behaved in a most quiet and becoming manner”. The Tollbooth was demolished in 1846 and a large fountain built in its place.
Mary Crawford (Anderson) died on 19th October 1863.
“At 51 South Street, Elgin on the 19th inst. MARY ANDERSON, relict of the late Mr. Samuel Crawford merchant, , Elgin aged eighty seven years.”
Marjory Crawford died in 1881 living at 51 South St with a nurse, Maggie Forrest.
After her death, the house became the home of the
Jamiesons.
JAMIESON, George. No. 277622, Pte., 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; born at 51, South Street, Elgin, 26th Jan., 1883; joined at Glasgow, July, 1915; served in France; killed at No. 2 Clearing Station, France, 25th Dec.,1917. Son of George Jamieson, Forres, and Margaret Brander or Jamieson. Occupation, forester.
Today (2008) 51 South St is Junners Toyshop.
Elgin Cathedral
Some badly judged local politics led to the burning of the Cathedral (and much of Elgin) in 1390, by the Wolf of Badenoch, Alexander Stewart, the younger son of Robert II. The Bishop of Elgin, Bishop Alexander Bur had caused him to be excommunicated for marital infidelity, and this was his way of getting even.
Charles and George Crawford were both buried in the Elgin Cathedral cemetery.
George was a very religious man and Russell's Morayshire register, and Elgin & Forres directory, for 1847 records his activities as a teacher and as the clerk for the Bible Society and Missionary Society.
The 1847 Register records George as living in Fraser’s Close along with three other men, two recorded as being “carters” and the other a “mason”.
Private School. Teacher George Crawford.
ELGIN & MORAYSHIRE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. RSTABLISHED IN 1818.
The object of this association is to collect funds for the support of the missions for propagating the Gospel in foreign countries, and during the twenty-eight years of its existence it has transmitted to various missionary societies for that purpose, £1056, 10s. 4d. sterling, chiefly contributed in small subscriptions from the middle or poorer classes. The sum annually collected is now about £50 sterling. President—Rear-Admiral Duff of Drummuir. directors. Rev. John Munro, Congregational minister Knockando* 156 Rev. John Pringle, United Secession minister, Elgin. „ Adam Lind, do. do. „ Thomas Stark, do. do. Forres. Committee of Management. John Russell, merchant George Kay, tailor John Findlay, shoemaker John M'Caskie, do. James Phimister, tailor Wm. Gillice, Eishopmill James Reid, DufTus. John Cobban, Nevvspynie Joseph Asher James Muil Joseph Collie John Batchen Alex. Allan, Bishopmill Wm. Souter, Foundry. Geo. Anderson, bookbinder Robert Bain, shoemaker James Gatherer, tailor Wm. Dingwall, weaver John M'Kellar, Bishopmill Alex. IJrquhart, builder Wm. Taylor, tinsmith Treasurer—Alex. Falconer, manufacturer, Elgin. Secretary/—Rev. N. M'Neil, Congregational minister, Elgin. Clerk—George Crawford, teacher.
ELGIN and MORAYSHIRE BIBLE SOCIETY,
President—Rear-Admiral Duff of Drummuir.
Vice-Presidents. Her. Alex. Gentle Alves; Rev. Alex. Topp, Elgin. Kevin John Allan, Garmouth. liev^. R. Dunbar, Pluscarden Eey. Alex. M'Watt, Rothes^ Rev, Wm. Talloch, Elgin. Kev. D. Waters, Burghead, Rev. Jas. Morrison, I'rquhart Wm. Grant Forsyth^j Esq.j Elgin. Committee. Thomas Ross Provost James Wilson George Findlay, Mosstowie Ji Burgess, Whitewreath J, Mitchell, Wester Aives J. Watson, Herapriggs Robert Oruickshanksj and Peter Macdonald, Elgin Joha fSntherland John Batchen Alexander Falconer James Gatherer James Smith, Bishopmili John Ritchie William Gillice, Bishopmili George Kay Alexander Urquh&rt
Treasurer—Alexander Sivewright.
Secretary—Rev. Adam Lind. Depositary —'WilWa.xa Stephen, merchant*
Clerk—George Crawford teacher.
Unto the Honorable The Dean
of Guild of the Burgh of Elgin
& his assessers
The petition of Samuel Crawford
Merchant in Elgin
Humbly Sheweth
That the petitioner took
from William Simpson in ------------
in November 1799 His house in Elgin
their possessed by Joseph Collie and
John Davnie as also the house and
shop lately possessed by James Cock
from the term of Whitsunday first
now last past for the yearly rent
of Seven pounds seven shillings Sterling
and the said William Simpson became
bound to make the whole wind and
water tight- That the petitioner entered
in consequence of this agreement to
the possession of the said houses –
That though the petitioner has re-
peatedly required the said William
Simpson to make the said house
& shop lately occupied by James
Cock wind and water tight in
Terms of his agreement Yet he
Refuses at least delays from
time to time to do so although
the said house has fallen into
such disrepair that it is quite
uninhabitable – This renders the
present application necessary
May it therefore please your
Honours to to consider this
Petition appoint workmen
to inspect the house above
mentioned and to report what
repairs will be necessary to
render the same habitable
wind and water tight and
thereafter to authorize the
petitioner to make the same and
to find the Expense thereof
a debt affecting the rents of
the said subjects and to
authorize the petitioner to
retain the same in his
hands of said rents
According to Justice
Sam Crawford
Elgin 19th December 1800 In presence
of Mr John Fortieath Dean of Guild
of the Burgh of Elgin
The Dean of Guild having considered this
petition appoints the same with this de-
liverance to be served on William Simpson
complained of and him to answer the
same within Three days after such service
& to lodge his answers in the hands of
the Clerk of Court and in the meantime
appoints Thomas Urquart Masson & James Sharp
coright in Elgin to inspect the house mentioned in
the petition and to report what repairs will
be necessary to make it habitableJohn Forteath
Upon nth 20th Day of Dec r 1800 YearsI Robert
-usser ----at command of the within Petition
And deliverance thereon which is ----- at
Elgin the 19th Dec r said year and by virtue
Thereof I lawfully served the same upon the
Within named & designed Mr Simpson &
Appointed him to answer the same within
Three days after service and to lodge his an-
swers--- -with Certification
This I did by delivering a full writing down
double of the said Petition and deliverance
whereon with a short Copy of Certification sub-
joined thereto into his own hands personally
apprehended before witnesses Alex Russel and
John Alves both resedenters in Elgin
Robert Russel
Alex RusselWitness
John AlvesWitness
Elgin Decr 1800 = Thyat no answers are lodged to this
Petition is certified by
Elgin 24th December 1800. In presence
of Mr John Forteith Dean of Guild of the Borough of Elgin
Having again considered this Petition and Report of the Workmen
appointed to inspect the house mentioned in the Petition Finds
that the repairs mentioned in said report are necessary to
make the same habitable and in respect no answers are
lodged to this Petition authorise the petitioner Samuel
Crawford to make the said Repairs and report the
accounts thereof to be cognosced by this Court and
--cerns John Forteath
Elgin 1800 Dec 22nd
By Apointment of the Dean of Guild we
Thos Urquart Masson & James Shatp wright
In Elgin having inspected the Dwelling
House & Shop mentioned in the Petition
Finds the Dwelling house in astate
Of repair but the shop is not habitable
Unless the whole house be Thatched –
Which would cost at present about
Two pound ten shillings --- owing to the
High price of straw -----
Thos Urquhart
James Sharp
For Mr Samule Craffor manufacturer Elgin
---Wm Simpson --------
Copy of Furthcoming
For
Mrs Branda
By virtue of a lybelled Summons of Furthcoming raised
before the Magistrates of Elgin at the instance of James
Gow farmer in Elgin Peter Peach farmer there Alex.n
Clark Blacksmith there, and Joseph Colliexxxxx resid
ing there , bearing Date the Eighth Instant Alex.n Scott
officer lawfully Summon sworn and charge you
Margaret Brander residing in Elgin to compear
before the said Magistrate or Either of them within
the tollbooth of Elgin upon the twentieth day of Dec.n
Curt in the hour of cause to answer at the Instance
of the said pursuers in the action of Furthcoming
lybelled , That is to say to hear and see yourself Decerned
and ordained by Decred of Court to make forthcoming
paynment to the pursuers of the sum of fifty pounds
Sterling less or more Justly Due Resting owing on
a Debted by you to William Simpson farmer in
Nestossie or to any other person or persons for
His rise and xxx of either by bill bound lack
ticket award write promess x action agreement or
any other Maner of xxay whatsoever together with
all and Sundry Goods Gear and effects Corn, Cattle, horse
noxx sheep, Debts, and sums of money and Every
other thing in your Custody and Keeping pertaining
and belonging to the said William Simpson and
Anested in your hands upon the first day of
november last one thousand Eight hundred
years by Alex.n Scott an officer of Court by virtue
of a Deeneet Containing a Preiciept of Arrestment
obtained before the said Magistrates at the Instance
of the said pursuers upon the twenty second day
of March last At least as much of the Sums and
Subjects so arrested in your hands as will comp
letly Satisfy and be ……………
two shillings and four pence halfpenny Sterling being
the principal sum and interest contained in and Due
by a Bill Accepted by the said William Simpson xxx
and the pursuers Conjunctly and Seal.ie to this
true Blue Gardeners Society in Elgin Dated the
ninth day of March one thousand Seven hundred
and ninety Eight, and payable twelve months after
Date. Item Eight Shillings and five pence Stir
of Expence of Raising Dilegance on the said Bill
according to a state thereof produced in that
xxxx eess which bill was retired by the said pur xxx
xxx from the Drawers on the Eighteenth day of
March past one thousand eight hundred years
Although it had been accepted by them merily
To accommodate the said William Simpson as
Appeared from a letter of relief written and
Addressed by him to those shown in the said
Praeess , Items of th interest of the said principal sum and
anual rent and expence from the said Eighteenth day
of March and until payment Item of the Sum of Five
Shilings and sixpence Money forsaid as the fees of
Extracting the said dcerct, all the more fully
Contacted therein deducing these from forty one
Pounds sterling paid since the date of the said
Derect, as also the sum of
Sterling of Expence of Plea or Else to aledge xx
With Cewrtification this any copy I give you this
Day of December xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Declaration of Marg. Branda
In the process of
Furthcoming at the
Instan of Past xxxx
20yrs xxxx xx 20yrs
xxx Simpson
xxxxxxxxxxx Debtors
20th Decem 1800
In the process of Forthcoming at the instence
Of James Gow farmer in Elgin Peter peach
Farmer there Alex Clark Blacksmith there
And Joseph Collie farmer there against Marg Branda
Residing in Elginxxx this in whole handsarreass
]xxxx paid xxx and William Simpson farmer
in Elginxxxxx Debtor
20 December 1800 in presence ofxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Compeared Margaret Branda residing in Elgin widow of
John Branda Dyer there and Declared and acknowledges
That she presently possesses a dwelling house in Elgin belonging
To the principal debtor William Simpson at four pounds sterling
Of rent from Whitsunday last to Whitsunday next the one
Half will be at Whitsunday next – that two pounds sterling the
Rent for the half year preceeding Martinmass last is now due
and she is willing to pay the same to any person who shall
be found to have a Title thereto on a sufficient warrant and
discharge and that she was no other way debtor to the
Principal Debtor neither had she any effects of his in
her hands the time of thearreaxxxment laid on in her
hands which was the first day of November last
all which she declares to be truth
Margaret Brander
Alex Innes
Copy
Arrestment
For
Mrs Brander
Elgin
By Virtue of a Deerect obtained before the Magistrates of Elgin at
The instance of James Gower farmer in Elgin Peter Reach farmer there
Alex.n Clark Smith there and joseph Collie Sen.r residing there Dated
The twenty second day of March last against William Simpson
Farmer in Most xxx owie . I Aslex.n Scott officer in his Majestys name
and Authority and in name and Authority of the Majestrates
lawfully xxxx crops and arrest in the hands of Grace Mrs Margatret
Brander residing in Elgin, the sum of fifty pounds Sterling
Less or more justly due restingxxing or a Debted by you to
The said William Simpson or to any otherf manner what
ever together with all and sundry Goods Gear and Effects
Corn Cattle horse malt sheep Debts and sums of Money and
Every other thing in your custody and keeping portaining
and belonging to the said William Simpson all to remain
in your hands under Surassence and arrestment xxxxxxxx
-ed at the Complainers Instance ay and until they be fully
paid of the Sum of Forty Eight pounds two shillings and four
pence halfpenny Sterling xxxxxx with Interest thereof Since
due and till paid Contained in xxxx by a Bill Accepted by
the said William Simpson and the Complainers Collie and Scott
to the True Blue Gardiners Society in Elgin Dated the ninth
day of March 1798 and payable twelve months after Date
Item Eight shillings and five pence sterling of expence in raising
and Executing Dilligence on said Bill Conform to a State thereof
produced in process and which Bill was retered by the Comp –
lainers Although they had no part of the value Items
five shillings sterling of expense and two shillings & sixpence
Sterling as the Dues of Extract all contained in said
Dierect – Deducting tyherefrom Forty one pounds paid in
part as Marked on the Margin of the said Dioerect with
Certification this any copy I Give you this first day of
November 1800 years before witnesses
Alex Scott
Execution
ofArrestement
Gow and others
Agt
William Simpson XX
1800
Upon the first day of November one thousand Eight
hundred years I Alex.r Scott officer at Command
of a Deirect obtained before the magistrates of Elgin
at the instance of James Gow farmer of Elgin, Peter
Reach farmer there Alexander Clark Blacksmith there
And Joseph Collie Residing there bearing date the twenty
Second day of March last, and by virtue therof in his
Majestys name and Authority and in name & authority
Of the said Magistrates lawfully fineed crossed and
Arrested in the hands of Samuel Crawford Manufactor
er in Elgin, James Alexander farmer there, William
Duncan farmer there William Alexander Jnr Shoemaker
there Margaret Brander Residing there, and George McDonald Hymer there , in Each of there hands the
Sum of Fifty pounds Sterliong less or more Justly
Due Resting owing or a Debted by them and each
Of them to William Simpson farmer in Mostowie
or to any other person or persons for his use
and like of either by Bill bound tack ticket word
write promises x action agreement or any other
maner of may whatsoever together with all &
sundry Goods Gear and Effects Corn Cattle horse
noble sheep Debts and Sums of money and Every
other thing in there Custody and Keeping belong-
ing to the said William Simpson all to Remain
in each of their hands under Sure fence and
Arrestment unhoused at the Complainers Insta-
Neue ay and until they be fully paid of their
Sum of Forty Eight pounds two shillings and four
Pence halfpenny Sterling being the Principal Sum &
Interest Contained in and Duely a Bill the said William
Simpson and the pursuers Conxxx and Seallie to the
True Blue Gardeners in Elgin Dated the tenth day
of March one thousand and seven hundred and ninety Eight
and payable twelve months after Date: Item the
Sum of Eight shillings and five pence Sterling of Expense
In Realing Dilegence on said Bill according to
Astated there of produced in process, which Bill
Was Retired by the pursuers of the Eighteenth
Day of March last although it was accepted
By the them merily to accommodate the said
Defender as will appear from this letter of xxlife
Addressed to them also produced Item interest
James Craig Witness
George Russell witness Alex Scott
Execution
Of Furthcoming
Gow xx
Ag.st
Simpson xx
1800
Upon the twelth Day of December one thousand
Eight hundred years, I Alex. Scott officer post at
Command of alybilled Summons of Furthcoming
Raised before the Magistrates of Elgin Peter
Reach farmer there Alexr Clark Blacksmith
there , and Joseph Collie Senr Residing there
bearing Date the Eight instance and by virtu
therof lawfully summons aversed and Charged
XXX Samuel Crawford Manufacturer in Elgin,
James Alexander farmer there, William Duncan
Farmer there, William Alexander jnr Shoemaker
there, Margaret Brander residing there and Geo
McDonald hyner there in whose hands an
Arrestments was used and William Simpson
Farmer in Mostowie principal debtor for
His interest, all and each of them to Compear
Before the said Magistrates of either of them
Within the tollboot of Elgin upon the
Twentieth day of December xx in the hour
Of cause to answer at the Instance of the said
Pursuers in the action of Furthcoming
Lybelled and I made Certification by Delivering
Full written Doubles of the said lybill with
Short copys of Cetation thereto uljonsed to the
Xx Effect into the hands of the said Defenders
All personally apprehended before these
Witnesses James Craig and Geo Russell both
Indwallers in Elgin
James Craig witness
George Russell witnessAlex Scott
The 19th century in Moray
The century started with yet another year of food shortages throughout Moray. The effect of the ‘Agricultural Improvements’ of the last decades of the previous century were now becoming apparent. In most areas the old ‘run-rig’ way of farming had vanished, fields were being enclosed, woodlands planted, and the major tenant farmers were starting to become wealthy men. The cottars or cottagers, the small tenants who had held their strips of land in the runrig were now in many cases dispossessed. Some of them had been kept on as agricultural workers by the new farmers, but many had been forced to move south to the expanding industries of the central belt of Scotland to find work and make a living.
The effects of the high taxation during the past years, to pay for the wars which Britain was involved in, were now diminishing, and this too had an impact on the economy of Moray. Links with the rest of Scotland were becoming ever more important, roads were being built or improved, the harbours were being repaired and rebuilt, such a Burghead in 1806, and Lossiemouth in 1811.
Until 1810 there had been little new building in the Burghs, many properties having stood since the 17th century. By the early 1820’s however, Elgin and Forres were beginning to expand rapidly with the building of the new ‘villas’ in the ‘suburbs’.
The end of the wars brought a collapse of trade and commerce to much of Scotland, and Moray did not escape. With men returning from the war having little hope of finding work because of the changes in agriculture, the Poor Rolls for almost every parish increased rapidly. Money was scarce; an income of £200-£300 a year would have provided a very comfortable way of life for the newly emerging middle classes, but the poorer people may have had an income of only one-tenth of this amount each year.
The Great Flood of 1829 brought havoc to much of the low-lying lands of Moray. Despite all these setbacks the Burghs of Elgin, Forres and Nairn were transformed, during the years up to about 1840, into “stately neo-classical towns”, with all the public institutions which graced other towns throughout Scotland. Hospitals, Libraries, Schools were all erected or improved, and elegant houses dotted amongst the trees or lining the new ‘suburban’ streets surrounded the towns. Rural life, sadly, did not keep up with this, and many of the farm labourers continued to live in little more than a two-roomed cottage. In the hills of upland Moray change was even slower, and life in the peat and cobble, heather thatched cottages continued for many decades.
In the 1830’s gas lights were introduced to the towns following the building of the gas works. The Victorian age came to Moray on 26th June 1837, and building works continued apace to improve the towns. The railways came to Moray between 1853 and 1858, and the economy was transformed. New hotels were erected, roads were improved, and the Queen visited Moray in 1872. During the later years of the 19th century the Burghs of Moray were on a par with any similar town in Scotland, agriculture was becoming extremely profitable with the facility now to ‘export’ produce by rail, and modern Moray was taking shape.
Submitted: March 17, 2020
© Copyright 2021 Galgano. All rights reserved.
Chapters
Facebook Comments
More Non-Fiction Books
Boosted Content from Other Authors
Short Story / Literary Fiction
Book / Young Adult
Book / Romance
Poem / Non-Fiction
Boosted Content from Premium Members
Book / Thrillers
Poem / Poetry
Book / Other
Writing Contest / Mystery and Crime
Other Content by Galgano
Book / Non-Fiction
Book / Non-Fiction