Redheugh, Newcastleton, ELLIOT CLAN SOCIETY TD9 0SB www.elliotclan.com www.elliotclanusa.com New slett er www.elliotclanaustralia.org www.visitnewcastleton.com No. 80 – Spring 2018 Chief: Margaret Eliott of Redheugh “Here’s to all Elliots and Elliot’ bairns And them that lie in Elliots arms.” “Wha daur meddle wi’ me?”

Dear Kinsmen, NOTICES AND Last October, my nephew Benjie Ward and I travelled across the NEWS ITEMS world to be at the inaugural Collie Games, founded and run by James Elliott, our President in Australia. We landed at Perth and Nobel Prize Winner 2017 were entertained and looked after beautifully by Myfanwy and Richard Henderson, was born in 1945. James who whisked us off to Collie. It is incredibly difficult to A Molecular Biologist, who has received initiate an event and I was so impressed by the hard work that the Nobel Prize for Chemistry, went to James had put into it. I do not think that Collie had ever seen primary school in Newcastleton and then anything like the heavy lifting and perfect Scottish dancing and High School. “I was brought up in the bagpipes. Beautiful weather and a great fun day. I was the borders in Tweedmouth and then honoured to be a part of it and wish the Collie Games every Newcastleton. I’m a Scottish country lad success in the future (See Collie Games photo, below right) . who benefited from the post-war academic selective system, Rab Butler’s Benjie and I then went on to have a marvellous few weeks 1944 Education Act. Many of my starting in Margaret River, Western Australia, then to Ayers Rock (intelligent) friends left school at 15 to and Alice Springs and finally a week in the beautiful city of work. My parents received a £50 grant Sydney where I was entertained to lunch by the NSW Minister of from the government to encourage them Counter-terrorism, David Elliott and his wife, Nicole, and shown to encourage me to stay on in the round the Houses of Parliament. It was a terrific visit and many education system after age 15, which I thanks to James and Myfanwy for the inspiration. did.” This summer I am looking forward to a visit to Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. The inaugural Collie Games In this issue, the obituary of a remarkable man and good friend. Sir Gerald Elliot of Binks was a great supporter of the Elliot Clan Society and came to quite a few Gatherings. We are so lucky that his son Jo became a Trustee when his father retired and important that we are still closely connected to the remarkable line of Elliots of Binks. Although they are now based in , the farm of ‘Binks’ is still in their hands and not far from Redheugh. Yours sincerely,

Margaret Eliott of Redheugh

VISITING THE CLAN ROOM : To avoid disappointment, please warn us if you intend to visit Redheugh. Email or telephone us on the follwing UK number: 013873-75213 or [email protected] Margaret Eliott at The Collie Games in Australia 2017.

1 Sir Gerald Elliot of Binks

Sir Gerald Elliot, who has died aged In 1948 he joined Salvesen and 94, was a much respected leader of became a partner in 1955. one of the oldest private companies He spent four seasons in in . He was chairman and the forbidding seas of the Antarctic chief executive of the mighty but in 1963 the firm ceased whaling Christian Salvesen, the shipping, and Sir Gerald was appointed trawling and whaling business in managing director from 1973-81 Leith which was founded in 1872. and chairman from 1981 until his Sir Gerald and his wife Margaret retirement in 1988. were also enthusiastic supporters Sir Gerald was also involved in the of the arts throughout Scotland. highly successful and fast expanding Their generosity ranged from Forth Ports Authority of which he Sir Gerald Elliot of Binks, national companies to Sistema was chairman (1973-79). 1923-2018. Former chairman Scotland, which develops children’s Retirement proved active. He set up of Christian Salvesen and orchestras and the Royal Botanic Archangels with Barry Sealey which great patron of the arts Gardens in Edinburgh. advises emerging technological in Scotland. Trustee of Elliot companies in Scotland. With Clan Society. In 2012 Sir Gerald and Lady Elliot were presented with the Prince of Sir Alan Peacock he founded the Wales Medal for Arts Philanthropy think-tank David Hume Institute. by Prince Charles. The citation Jane-Frances Kelly, its director concluded, “What stands out about comments, “It is no exaggeration the Elliots is not just the gratitude to say that the Institute would likely not exist without his continued they’ve generated, but the affection.” encouragement. Sir Gerald was a The principal of the Royal champion of allowing the evidence Conservatoire of Scotland, John to speak for itself.” Wallace added, “We hold the Elliots dear, as both donors and long- He was also an active member of standing friends.” the Royal Society of Edinburgh and served as its vice president. Gerald Henry Elliot was the son of "He and Lady Elliot supported both Surgeon Captain J.S. Elliot RN and established and emerging artists Magda Salvesen who was the through The Binks Trust and daughter of Theodore Salvesen the generously opened up their home chairman of the company. Sir Gerald to welcome visitors to the Festival. attended Cargilfield Prep School and Sir Gerald was chairman of Scottish Marlborough College. In 1942 he Opera (1987-1992), whose general joined the Indian Army and trained director Alex Reedijk recalls, “Sir Indian soldiers at the Regimental Gerald was a cultured and musically Centre in Abbottabad. In 1946 he curious businessman who shared a qualified as an interpreter in Urdu deep love of the performing arts.” and was demobbed that year. Sir Gerald was knighted in 1986, He then read PPE at New College, was a trustee of the Prince’s Trust Oxford and met Margaret Whale, and served on the Court of daughter of a prominent theologian. Edinburgh University (1984-93). Despite her maiden name her family He is survived by Lady Margaret, had no connection with whaling. their three children, nine Sir Gerald once explained, grandchildren and six great “Margaret comes from a Cornwall grandchildren. His eldest son, Jo, family and there aren’t many whales is now Trustee of the Elliot Clan in Cornwall.” Society.

2 Book Review The Lost World between and Scotland This border, Graham Robb suggests, detectable territorial division in is probably the oldest national land Great Britain,” with deep roots that boundary in Europe, little changed in predate the nations of Scotland and its course since William Rufus, son England and even the colonists of of the Conqueror, made Cumbria an the Roman empire. According to English colony in 1092. It marches Robb, the Debatable Land sits at the along the watershed of the Cheviot fulcrum of British history – a hills and the valley of the Tweed, a “missing piece in the puzzle,” the diagonal that strikes north-east last part of Britain to be conquered from the Solway Firth until it and brought under the control reaches the North Sea just above of the state. These claims sound Berwick: a political boundary that extravagant, but the author builds looks as though nature intended it, a persuasive case for them in a for most of the way. book that recounts his six-year In 2010, the historian and biographer, Graham Robb, decided to leave his Oxford home for what he describes as “a lonely house on the very edge of England,” so close to the brink that Scotland begins where his land ends.

Liddesdale: Walter Scott described it as ‘wild and inaccessible.’ Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo. Only at its western end is the investigation into the history of his geography less helpful. There, until new surroundings in , the the anomaly was resolved in the valley of the Liddel. mid-16th century, the boundary split Graham Robb has a good eye for into two to encircle an area of 50 the small and seemingly ordinary square miles that belonged to things that convey a sense of neither side, known as the Debatable remoteness – of place and time. Land. Three rivers, the Liddel, Esk The young Walter Scott, reaching and Sark, ran at its edges and it had Liddesdale from north of the border sea access along a mile of Solway on a ruin-inspecting and ballad- coast. collecting trip in 1792, described it Confusingly, its name has its origins as a “wild and inaccessible district” in the old English word “battable”, that had once been “the bloodiest meaning pastureland fit to fatten valley in Britain.” Scott represented cattle, rather than in arguments over modernity: he arrived in the first its ownership. Graham Robb asserts wheeled vehicle that many people that it represents “the oldest (continued on page 4)

3 In the Footsteps of Reivers

A book by Brian Dingle. published by Olympia Publishers, £16.99. There are so many hidden ruins historic sites in the Borders, and this book attempts to bring them all together. There are endless castles and monuments and in Liddesdale had ever seen, at the moral order broke down in the characters and stories which they “stared with no small the 16th century and the invading wonder.” But what he was after was Armstrongs, Elliots and Grahams that went with them not the pre-modern, the violent imported their traditions of only describe an area of romance of long-vanished Border butchery. lawlessness but how the reivers and moss-troopers, which his A document of 1249 describes this Borderers lived and died. writing soon implanted in the local system of justice as “ancient as As a reader, I would have imagination of Europe. lovable customs,” and Graham Robb appreciated a map marking Sorting out the fact from the fiction speculates that then and for some the relevant positions to in this history is one of Graham time after it might have been “the Robb’s tasks. He tackles some last and still lively remnant of the make it easier to follow ‘in serious misconceptions about the remote period when the post- their footsteps.’ borderland; the notion, for example, Roman kingdoms of Strathclyde and that a borderer must have been, at Northumbria had straddled the heart, either English or Scottish; and future frontier.” Later, he decides that the Debatable Land was “the that the origins of the Debatable unviable remnant of an otherwise Land stretch back even before that extinct world.” In fact, the border time, to its role as a trysting place clans such as the Armstrongs, for three Celtic tribes, the Damnonii, Elliots and Grahams were far from the Votadini and the Selgovae, proto-nationalists; they were whose territories meet at this point. brigands and cattle thieves loyal By now, Graham Robb’s quest, which only to themselves and their began as a mild curiosity about his surname. And yet neither were they new whereabouts, has developed savages held in check by two into a professional obsession. He nations: they had in the middle ages intercuts the past and present, the what Graham Robb calls a “fully intimate and the impersonal, to developed, indigenous legal system” wonderful effect. Few authors write distinct from the laws passed in so well about things lost and Edinburgh and London. The reivers neglected – or have such sharp ears could certainly be bloodthirsty – and eyes for the natural world. they are popularly supposed to be the origin of the word “bereaved” – Brian Dingle was born in but their Border law, with its code Newcastle and raised in of punishment and compensation, Northumberland, close to might have helped keep the the Scottish Border. borderland as a buffer zone between two rival powers. In particular, it He is descended, on his preserved the Debatable Land as paternal grandmother’s side a place devoted to cattle grazing, from the Elliots, a notable free of conflict because human Graham Robb. Photo by Murdo reiving family. They now live settlement was forbidden, until Macleod for the Guardian. near Lanark in Scotland.

4 Professional Charlotte Elliott 1789-18 71 Footballer, Charlotte Elliott was the 3rd daughter of Charles Elliot and Eling Rob Elliot Venn descended from the Eliotts of Stobs line. Her childhood was happy and she was highly educated. At an early age she developed a great passion for music and art and was deeply religious. Her first 32 years of life was spent in Clapham and was gifted as a portrait artist and writer of humourous verse until a severe sickness in 1821 rendered her an invalid for the rest of her life. She wrote about 150 hymns and many poems of which the best- known one “Just as I am, without one plea.” Just as I am, without one plea, Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; But that Thy blood was shed for me, Sight, riches, healing of the mind; And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee, Yes, all I need, in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come! I come! O Lamb of God, I come, I come! Just as I am, and waiting not Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Born in 1986, Rob Elliot is To rid my soul of one dark blot; Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, goalkeeper for Premier League To Thee whose blood can cleanse relieve; club Newcastle United and each spot, Because Thy promise I believe, the Republic of Ireland O Lamb of God, I come, I come! O Lamb of God, I come, I come! national team. Just as I am, though tossed about Just as I am, Thy love unknown With many a conflict, many a doubt; Has broken every barrier down; Fightings within, and fears without, Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come! O Lamb of God, I come, I come! $50 Reward for Walter Elliott Who broke jail at Flagstaff, Coconino Was freshly vaccinated, left arm, County, Arizona, on 3 March 1901. when escaped. Walks rather straight, Description: age 23; height, 5 feet 10, with head stooped, as if looking at weight, about 160 pounds, dark feet; swings shoulders a little in complexion, brown hair, grayish brown walking. If in town will drink whisky. squinty eyes. Has a habit of looking at Gambles at craps and stud poker. a person with eyes partly closed, to Has a habit of going with coat and give an impression that he is trying to vest unbuttoned. This man Elliott is appear to have a great penetration. of the cheap bad man type, and will Small features, thin faced, smooth associate with toughs if in town. Is shaven. Is slim-built. He is a native of capable of doing anything if he has Texas; has decided southern accent. the advantage. Has lived in New Talks good Mexican or Spanish. Mexico, and has relatives there. Smokes cigarettes constantly. He is charged with highway robbery, He wore, when escaped, dark brown committed in Williams, Arizona and suit, small check; small round soft is certain of conviction if caught. black hat; light black shoes, narrow I will pay the above reward for his toes; light shirt, ribbed underwear. arrest and detention in any jail or for Will probably change to cowboy any information leading to his arrest. dress, as he is a cowboy by profession. Wire information to this office at my Has pimples on back of neck, caused expense. JAMES A JOHNSON, Sheriff. by blood disorder. Flagstaff, Arizona, March 10, 1901.

5 We welcome the following new members to the Society

UNITED KINGDOM UNITED STATES E494 Godden, Mrs. Lynette Ann, Hersell, Woking, US3941 Eytchison, Ronald, Signal Mountain Surrey GU21 4QY TN 37377 S164 Elliot, Robert, Carretrig, Burnfoot, Ewes US3942 Stevenson, Barbara Elliott, Redding CT 6896 DG13 0HP US3943 Elliott, Jonathan, Meriden NH 3770

CANADA US3944 Elliott, Dr. Kenneth M. Newton NC 28658 C1143 Elliot, Gregory Frederick, Calgary AB US3945 Elliott, Jacqueline M., Millerton NY 12546 T2J 2A2 US3946 Elliott, James Donald, Chaska, MN 55318 C1144 Elliott,TerryWyatt, Jumee &Tate, US3947 Baker, Marissa, Lafayette CO 80026 Seven Persons AB T0K1Z0 US3948 Elliot, Trevor, Olympia WA 98506-9625 UNITED STATES US3949 McCuan, Carolyn, Centennial CO US3931 Elliott, Mark & Karen, Greenville SC 29617 80122-1223 US3932 Johnson, Debra, Windsor CO 80550 US3950 Elliott, Christyn Raby, Bush LA 70431 US3933 Fitzwater, Patrick G. Sacramento, CA 95821 US3951 Elliott, Kraig, Perry MI 48872 US3934 Wolfe, Ray, Hixon TN 37343 US3952 D’Eramo, Beverly Elliott, Indianapolis IN 46250 US3935 Cihiwsky, Ellen, Pittsfield ME 04967-4547 US3953 Elliott, Gail, Fortson GA 31808 US3936 Elliott, Justin E. Keene NH 3431 US3954 Leon, Peggy, Chapel Hill NC 27513 US3937 Elliott, John, Gilford NH 3249 US3955 Henry, Mary, Bartow FL 33836 US3938 Elliott, Rebecca, Ashland OR 97520 US3956 Perala, Jean, New Hudson MI 48165 US3939 Elliott, Steven, Redding CT 6896 US3957 Kimbrell, Ian Elliott, Orlando, FL32835 US3940 Hsu, Julia Elliott, Snohomish WA 98296 US3958 Elliott, Scott, Centerton AR 72719

Details of new members received too late for publication will appear in the next newsletter.

REMINDER FOR UK MEMBERS: Annual subscriptions may still be due: Single Membership £18.00, Family Membership £20.00, Life Membership £150.00 to The Treasurer, Elliot Clan Society, 20 South Liddel Street, Newcastleton TD9 0RP. On line: Please put membership number as your reference. Sort Code 80-17-06. A/C 00668159.

Scott of Satchells’ publication of 1688 on the Scotts and the Elliots Our Clan historian, Keith Hunter writes “God bless our American friends, and thanks to the way in which they seem to have scooped up and digitized heaven knows how many old books and records, including Satchells.” Here is the link : Metrical history of the honourable families of the name of Scot and Elliot, in the shires of Roxborgh and Selkirk. In two parts, gathered out of ancient chronicles, histories, and traditions of our fathers : Scot, Walter, 1614?-1694? : Free Download.

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