NEWSLETTER OFSIB THE FAMILY FOLK HISTORY SOCIETY NEWSISSUE No 54 June 2010

Tankerness House 16th Cent.

St Olaf’s Church Doorway 11th cent

Moosie Too’er 16th Cent.

St Magnus Cathedral 12th-15th cent.

Victoria Street Orkney Library & Archive where OFHS is located

Gow’s Folly

Sports, arts, leisure and cinema complex Albert Street and the ‘big tree’ Capital sights in Montage by John Sinclair 2 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No 54 June 2010

ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY NEWSLETTER Issue No 54 June2010 CONTENTS FRONT COVER From the chair Capital sights in Kirkwall I am sure you are looking forward to your summer holidays whether PAGE 2 you seek the sun, beach and sand or a nice cruise, it is an opportunity From the Chair to relax with family and friends. Orkney will again see many visitors and, as in past years, the Society will welcome many who return to PAGE 3 find that elusive Orcadian ancestor or to experience returning to one’s Tumbledown– 'Newhouse' homeland. The Society’s Annual General Meeting was held in May and I was PAGES 4, & 5 honoured to be re-elected as your chairperson for another year. I was pleased to report on a very North Walls & positive year past and on how the committee have created more opportunities for members and better Brims 1861 access to resources via our website. This has been particularly beneficial to our overseas members population 10 years on who have seen greater benefits for their family history research. We have seen further growth in membership. Increased numbers of members now join, renew and make payment for their membership PAGES 6, 7 & 8 on-line. Over 2300 members have taken out membership of the Society since its inception. Two 19th century It was also an opportunity to thank the many “workers” who keep the services going – our office Lloyd's Agents in volunteers and researchers; the webmaster and the magazine editor; and to the management committee. Two of our committee did not seek re-election. We are indebted to Helen Manson and Davina Brown PAGE 9 who have been stalwarts in assisting the Society over many long years of service. The tragic loss of Paul Sutherland was our speaker in April and he enthralled a large audience with his well-researched the 'Maggie' story of “Sheriff Thom - the man who saved St Magnus Cathedral”. After the AGM, our May programme PAGES 10 & 11 was from George Gray on various family history enquiries followed by myself on “Using Maps in Mansie o' Family History”. Our June programme was an exploration “across the water” to Caithness – to the Queenalonga Castle of Mey and its gardens, Mary Anne Calder’s cottage and to experience “Caithness Horizons”. However my highlight over this last three months was in April to take the Society’s stand to the PAGES 12,13 & 14 Family History Fair linked to the Scottish Association of Family History Society’s Annual Conference Campston in Livingston, being hosted by FHS. There was a warm welcome to Orkney’s participation to Onston with many people showing great affinity with Orkney whether it is from Orcadian ancestry or from a The story of a memorable holiday. Generally, visitors to the stand wanted help with research, some were encouraged Family to join the Society and others were amazed at the vast detail and resources on the OFHS website PAGES 15 Member’s Pages. Others showed their appreciation for what the Society does. Readers' and I was particularly grateful Archive's mystery for the help of Society member photographs No. 21, Bill Williamson from Edinburgh who is pictured PAGES 16 & 17 with me at our stand. He A tale iof three used his extensive knowledge Orcadian Families of Orcadian families and his in Manchester familiarity of using the OFHS PAGES 18 & 19 website to assist members with A new life their queries whilst I was beckons for the able to have lunch. Many Pottingers thanks Bill. PAGES 20 & 21 The Society has a Tofino Pioneers positive future; it is a strong Bill & Ann Stout organisation and is in good heart. I hope you all PAGE 22 experience a good summer. The Walls & Walds puzzle PAGE 23 Alan Clouston End of an era in

PAGE 24 Membership Thanks Bill—Your help was greatly appreciated Issue No. 50 June 2009 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 3

FEATURING ‘NEWHOUSE’ in CAN YOU STILL FIND YOUR ANCESTRAL HOME? Another ‘Tumbledown’ tale from our chairman, Alan Clouston, member 339 The ‘Tumbledown’ articles have a running theme The inhabitants in 1821 kept 5 Black Cattle; 2 Swine about derelict ‘old’ houses. This time, however, it is odd and also had 1 Boat. The occupants would have been that the property featured is still known as ‘Newhouse’. crofters/farmers drawing a living from an acreage that- I return, for this ‘Tumbledown’ to the area of varied over the years from 6 acres in 1851, 10 acres in Orphir to two properties that were part of a small croft 1861 rising to 20 acres in 1871 and reducing to to 11 on the south side of the Midland Hill overlooking the Bay of Houton. This property was sometimes described again by 1881. as ‘News’ and, in fact, appears on some old maps un- If your family is linked to Newhouse or if you have der this name. I believe that this probably reflects the questions to ask or more information about the property phonetic spelling of names; if you say ‘New-House’ in the please contact me— [email protected] Orcadian dialect you get ‘New-hus’. If you say it quickly If you have a ‘Tumbledown’ tale to tell we’d love to it becomes ‘News’. read all about it in a future edition of our newsletter. RESIDENTS OF PARKHOUSE / PARK COTTAGE Residents of NEWHOUSE 1821 1841 1851 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901

NEWHOUSE # News NEWHOUSE NEWS NEWHOUSE NEWS NEWHOUSE

Name age age age age age age age age

Andrew Clouston (Head) B. Orphir 40 65 ------Jane (wife)(b.Orphir) nee Groundwater 30 55 ------Robert (son)(Orphir) 10 30 ------Andrew* (son)(Orphir)(see family below) 10 30 ------James (son)(Orphir) 5 ------Jane (daughter)(B.Orphir) 1 25 ------William (son)(Orphir)(Shoemaker) 1 20 ------Edward* (son)(Orphir)(see family below) - 20 32 42 52 62 72 82 Margaret (daughter)(Orphir) - 14 ------

James (son of Andrew*)(Orphir) - 7 ------John (son)(b.Orphir) - 5 ------Margaret Laughton - 25 ------Euphaim Goar (female servant) - 30 ------

Hellen (wife of Edward* (b.Orphir) (nee Wishart) - - 27 37 47 57 John (son)(b.Orphir)(apprentice shoemaker) - - 4 14 - - - - Jean (daughter)(b.Orphir) - - 1 11 21um 31um - - Margaret Tait (farm/domestic servant (B.Orphir) - - 12 22 - - - - James (son)(b.Orphir) - - - 8 18 - - - William (son)(B.Orphir) - - - 6 - - - - Margaret Ann Tait (neice)(B.Orphir) ------18um 28um

William Tait (Head)(B.Orphir) ------55 65 Isabella (wife)(B.Orphir) ------44 55 William (son)(B.Orphir) ------17um 26um Peter (son)(B.) ------11 - George (son)(B.Hoy) ------9 - Janet (daughter)(B.) ------8 - James Henry (son)(B.Graemsay) ------3 13

4 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No.54 June 2010

North Walls and Brims . . . the 1861 Population 10 years on

Jane Harris, member No 1503 continues her postgraduate project in article No2 n my previous article I discussed the population of Incomers on the move North Walls and Brims as shown in the 1861 census. Two of the Melsetter estate employees had left Orkney. IIn many ways the transcription of the 1861census and William Gunn, gamekeeper in 1861, is back in his father’s its analysis was the easy part of my project; tracing the household in Halkirk, Caithness, along with his sister 1861 population in the 1871 census or an earlier death who had also been at Melsetter. The former shepherd at was a much more challenging task. Rysa, George Telford and his family moved to Orkney from Sutherland no earlier than 1857 as his twin sons, LOCATION IN 1871 NUMBER aged three in the 1861 census, were born in Sutherland. By September 1869, they were in Leith where one of the Still In North Walls or Brims 340 twins, Hugh, died of scarlet fever. His death came only Moved in parish (ie to , or Fara) 31 a few days after that of his niece, daughter of Alexand- Moved in Orkney 60 rina and Walter Wilson (son of John and Isabella Wilson, Scews). In the 1871 census, George Telford (now retired), In hospital (in Orkney) 1 his wife and two sons are recorded in Leith North, with Moved in 23 Alexandrina, Walter (a seaman) and their young family Seamen 5 listed next door. The two other Telford sons were mer- Moved to England 2 chant seamen on the Buda¹, berthed at Leith while Mary Telford was a cook in Avondale, . Though Emigrated 2 Leith seems an unlikely destination for a retired shep- Dead 63 herd, the sea-faring side of the family is almost certainly Unknown 70 the explanation. Total 597 Men at sea The influence of sea-going husbands accounts for the At least four people were visitors on census night moves of two other women. Jessie Sinclair, The Muirs, 1861 so might be expected to have moved. With less married William Ritch, a sailor from Rackwick, in 1868. than 60% of the 1861 population of North Walls and In 1871, she, her three children and her brother and sister Brims remaining in 1871; this looks like a lot of change, (brother not at The Muirs in 1861 census) are all recorded even allowing for deaths and a number of short term in Ardrossan. Barbara, her sister, is described as a general moves. For example, Robert Matheson is a lodger in servant. She may have been in Ardrossan to help Jessie Flotta but in 1881 and 1891 OFHS transcripts he is with three very young children, including twins, while her back at Rinnigill. The census caught the shorter or husband was at sea². longer period he was away from home. Similarly Jaco- Isabella Gray, Rysa Mill, married Robert Bruce, Little bina Gunn, midwife, is at the Manse, South Walls, in Ayre in 1863. Ten years older than her, he was already a 1871, presumably in the course of her work as accord- master mariner by the time of the marriage. In 1871, Isa- ing to the valuation roll she was still the tenant of a bella is in Liverpool, with her three children, the oldest property at North Ness. two born in Orkney. Working from their ages, she would In this article I will look at those who have moved in have been in Liverpool for less than four years. A Liverpool Scotland or to England. base suggests that Robert was in the transatlantic trade. A swift search of the nearby houses in Lower Pitt Street MIGRATION TO SCOTLAND AND ENGLAND (not far from Liverpool Docks), found several other mas- To my surprise, I found only 23 people who had moved ter mariners and seamen, including a Benjamin Corrigall, to Scotland and a further two in England, though there born Orkney, and several Shetlanders. I have not checked may well be more whom I did not manage to trace. That thoroughly, but am fairly certain that Benjamin was the small number includes nine who were not Orcadian son of Donald and Ann Corrigall, Stonequoy, and thus a and who appear to have lived in North Walls and Brims first cousin of Isabella’s husband Robert. for a short period only. By 1881, both Jessie and Isabella were widows. A Issue No. 54 June 2010 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 5

In service Finally - a puzzle and a bonus. In total, nine women were servants of various types, John Sutherland, Halyiel, may have become a book- mostly in Edinburgh and Lanarkshire. This includes Bar- keeper at a shipping agent’s in Glasgow. The age (21) bara Sinclair and Mary Telford, mentioned above. Two are is right but his birthplace is Hoy, rather than Walls or further north in Olrig, Caithness, and Cromarty. The far- Longhope. A Thomas Sutherland, aged 17 born in Strom- thest travelled was Helen Swanston (or Ellen Swanson) ness, is lodging at the same address suggesting they from Brims, who was cook to a household in Folkestone. might have been brothers which does not fit. Howev- Gilbert Traill, the head of household, was an Orcadian and er, among the boarders at the same address, I found a had been a Customs Officer in South Walls at the time of maternal great grandmother’s oldest brother – William the 1851 census. Margaret Swanson, listed as a domestic M Groundwater from Orphir. Genealogical research has servant at the same address, was probably Helen’s sister, its pains and its delights! judging by the 1851 census though she was not in Walls at the time of the 1861 census. Not only had Helen travelled a ¹ The Buda’s crew included some Orcadians and the birthplace of long distance but she had also left her two sons, both under the two Telfords is given, wrongly, as Orkney too. 10, at home in Brims with their grandparents, Alexander ² Classic example of poor transcription on Ancestry.com: Ritche (as Swanston, Inspector of Poor, and his wife Charlotte. it is in ScotlandsPeople) becomes Ploch and Longhope is Longbaps. Ages are wrong too: Jessie is 53, not 33, and her daughter is 10 Married rather than 1. Her brother and sister are Ploch too rather than A small group of women are married in Scotland by 1871, Sinclair. I had found them first in ScotlandsPeople but this example after being in service. That was certainly the case for two illustrates how easy it is for people to ‘disappear’ in Ancestry, and of my great grandfather (John Ross)’s sisters from Upper other indexes. Seatter. Janetta, the older of the two, was a cook in Tilli- coultry, Clackmannanshire when she married Charles Sin- clair, a fellow Orcadian, in 1870. By 1871, they were living in Govan. They later returned to Orkney and had a shop in Stromness. The next sister, Charlotte, was a domestic serv- ant when she married Robert Dodds in Inveresk in 1869. In 1871, the Dodds were in Edinburgh. Robert worked on the railways and by 1881 the family had settled in Carlisle. Janetta and Charlotte’s cousin, Elizabeth Ross, from the shop at North Ness, had married George Sinclair, a seaman from Caithness, in January 1871. At the time of the census, she lived in Olrig. They had a ship chandler’s business in Wick later on. Catherine Manson, Little Scues, could have been very hard to find in 1871 but by some happy quirk, she is record- ed under her maiden name. She too had been a domestic servant and married Thomas Cairns, a gas works labourer. The marriage record states that his mother’s name was Mary Chalmers – it is very tempting to think that there is another Orkney connection.

More surprising Why had Elizabeth Mckenzie, Little Cletts, now widowed and aged 68, moved to Edinburgh? She is living in Potterow (near the modern Edinburgh University area) and a stock- ing knitter. Her daughter Mary is one of those not traced in 1871. Was she married and living in Edinburgh? Or was it Three who didn’t move (left to right) Charlotte, John and the influence of another daughter, Elizabeth, not at home Catherine Ross, Downatown, North Walls. Charlotte and in 1861 but now listed with her mother? Catherine were born in Stroma, John, the youngest of the family, was born in North Walls. Seamen Their oldest brother Hugh was my great great grandfather. L The figure of five seamen seems very low but only those seamen who were in port on the night of the census in 1871 would have been recorded. Sutherland Stout from Brims If you are plannining to send me an article for our and John and William Telford have already been men- September issue (and I hope that you are), I would need tioned. Peter Manson, a 13 year old farm servant at Hay- ro have by the 17th July. breck in 1861 was fireman aboard the Kinghorn, berthed You can e-mail it to me with any attachments to in Leith. Charles MacKay, Halyiel was the fifth seaman. [email protected] He was a boarder at Sailor House, 150 The Broomielaw, Editor Glasgow, and is described as an ordinary seaman. 6 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No.54 June 2010

TwoTwo 19th 19th Century century Lloyd’sLLoyd’s agentsAgents in in Stromnessstromness

By Bruce K Gorie, Member No 961, Edinburgh 20101 Alexander Davidson was Lloyd’s agent in Stromness, By 1861 William, age 48, was a lodger in a property at perhaps from before 1820 until 1829 when the Agent New Road, Stromness, with Betsy Sinclair, a spinster is listed by Lloyd’s as ‘Alexander Davidson and Son’: aged 46, and her niece Helen Sinclair, a 26 year old undoubtedly the same Alexander.2 teacher, and nephew James Sinclair, age 20, a joiner, born in Stromness on 29th December 1840 and baptised Alexander Davidson, described as a Ship Owner or Ships’ th Agent in Stromness in entries in the Old Parish Registers, James Davidson Sinclair on 17 January 1841, youngest married Helen or Nelly MacBeath. While no record son of ‘Capt. William Sinclair’ and Margaret Davidson, an older son of the same name having been born on of this marriage has been traced the Register entries for nd th their children indicate that these children were ‘lawful’, 2 December 1832 and baptised on 29 January 1832. The couple’s daughter Helen Davidson died at Alfred confirming the parents were married. Nelly disappears th from view after the birth of her children, and Alexander Street, Stromness on 17 April 1911, aged 76, her death next appears in the 1841 Census, age 75, and said to certificate indicating that she was a retired grocer. The be born outside Orkney. Of ‘Independent Means’, he death certificate also recorded that her father had become was then living at South End, Stromness, with his son a Post Master, presumably in Stromness. No record has William Davidson, age 30, and two female servants, yet been found of Betsy, possibly William’s sister, or Janet MacBeath, age 40,3 and Stewart Yorston, 25.4 Helen’s births. William’s birth entry in the Old Parish Register shows he James Davidson, born Stromness on 2nd December was born in Stromness on 2nd December 1806, and his and baptised there on Christmas Day 1806, was the elder death there of ‘old age’ was recorded on 18th March 1862. son of Alexander Davidson, above. James is recorded While Alexander had died by 1851, William, then stated in various records as a Ships’ Agent. He married in to be ‘deaf & dumb’, is recorded in the 1851 Census, Stromness on 3rd August 1836 Mary Ann Login, born age 42, living at Farravale in Stromness with his nephews 15th June 1815, second daughter of John Login, merchant, Alexander Davidson Sinclair, born Stromness 12th June vintner, ship master, ship owner and ship agent,6 and also and baptised there on 16th July 1828, and William Sinclair, th st Agent for the Hudson Bay Company and, from 1801 born Stromness 17 and baptised on 21 February 7 William Sinclair to 1825, a councillor in the Burgh of Stromness. His 1830, both sons of , Shipmaster in wife Margaret Moar Spence, was baptised at Pell Street Stromness, and Alexander’s elder daughter Margaret th th Independent Church, Stepney, London on 8 September Davidson, born in Stromness on 10 November 1803. 8 9 Also living at Farravale as housekeeper, with two female 1782 and died in Stromness in 1840 aged 58, daughter of house servants aged 35 and 30, was Barbara Davidson Captain John Spence of Stromness, who ‘commanded a th merchantman trading to the West Indies from London’, Laurence, born Stromness on 12 March and baptised 10 there on 18th April 1834, daughter of John Laurence, and his wife Mary Ann. writer,5 and Alexander’s younger daughter Barbara As mentioned above, James was the Lloyd’s agent with Davidson, born 9th April 1805 in Stromness and who his father from 1829 to 1834 when Alexander, then being died there between 12th March and 18th April 1834: the nearly 70, must have retired, as it would appear that James took over the job of Lloyd’s agent from his father: he is entry in the Old Parish Register for her daughter Barbara 11 states that she was ‘the late Barbara Davidson’. listed by Lloyd’s as Agent from 1835 to 1843. In hisA

1 Extracted from the Author’s work in progress about Sir John 7 New Commercial Directory of Scotland, for 1825-6, Containing Spencer Login and Maharajah Duleep Singh. comprehensive and accurate Directories of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and 2 Information relating to Alexander and James as Lloyd’s agents was every other town, sea-port, & village in the Kingdom; To which is prefixed, received from Heather Howard-Williams, Information Officer, Separate Historical and Descriptive Sketches, each of which has been written, Legal & Compliance, Lloyd’s, One Lime Street, London. revised, and authenticated on the spot, exclusively for this Work. Together with 3 Perhaps a relation of his wife? She disappears from the the most extensive Directory of London that has been hithertoo published: records after this mention. to which is added a list of merchants, manufacturers, and principal traders 4 Stewart was a not uncommon name for girls at that time. of Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield. Also 5 A ‘writer’ in Scotland was a solicitor or lawyer. a copious New Directory and Guide for the Isle of Man. ANON, London, 6 Old Parish Registers – his different occupations were given in Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, . Published by J. Pigot and Co. entries for him and his family. His Will, recorded at Kirkwall at their Directory Office, 24 Basing-lane, London, and 16 Fountain-street, Sheriff Court, states he was a ‘vintner’ Manchester: and sold by them and Simpkin & Marshall, Stationer’s-court; A Issue No. 54 June 2010 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 7

Fwill where he is described as ‘Lloyd’s agent in Strom- she appears as Marion in the 1871 Census, where she was ness’, James is said to have died on 14th November 1844, residing at Leadholme, Leckhampton, Gloucestershire, leaving his widow ‘Marianne Login otherwise Davidson’ with her husband, his son Captain Robert Blackhall Gra- his not insubstantial estate valued at £1,132-13-8½. The ham, Bengal Cavalry, born in Agra, India, the General’s Inventory included one rather curious entry: ‘Two and a grandsons William, age 14, and Edward, age 12, both half sixty fourths with a fraction more of Brig Albert of born in Calcutta, and a visitor, Mary Ann’s niece Marga- Kirkwall valued at £45-0-0’. While part shares in vessels ret Beatton, only daughter of her sister Margaret Login, are traditionally given in sixty fourth parts of the ves- born in Stromness on 7th January 1811 and died there in sel,12 having a fraction plus a ‘fraction more’ is unusual. 1847 aged 36,15 who married in Stromness on 27th July He was obviously a reasonably successful businessman as 1841 John Beatton, Agent in Stromness for the National his estate included advances totalling £586-1-5 to crew Bank of Scotland. Mary Ann died in Cheltenham on 4th members of ‘sundry Whale Ships’, to ‘Apprentices for April 1884 and was buried at Leckhampton. Mr. W. Fallows, Middlesbro’,’ and to ‘Mr. R. McKenzie, Mary Ann was the younger sister of ‘Sir John Spencer owner of the Schooner Sir William Cumming of Nairn’. Login of Southend, Stromness, in the Parish of Stromness, In Edinburgh, on 11th July 1846, ‘Maryanne’ gave her in the Shire of Orkney, and of Dunedin, Landour, in statement regarding her husband’s estate ‘in the presence the East Indies, Knight, Doctor in Medicine, Surgeon of James Burgess, one of Her Majesty’s Commissioners in the Service of the East India Company, on the Bengal Justices of the peace for the City of Edinburgh appointed Establishment, and Superintendent of His Highness by the Commissary of Orkney’.13 Maharajah Duleep Singh, late Ruler of the Punjaub, ...’16 Was Marianne then on en route to India to join her The Kohinoor diamond, now in the Imperial State Crown, brothers John, James, and Thomas, when she made this was one of the many gems in the Maharajah’s Treasury statement in Edinburgh? Mary Ann married secondly in and was ‘gifted’ by the Directors of the Honourable East Landour, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 6th November 1849 India Company to Queen Victoria. In 1838 he became Major General Joseph Grahame.14 Returning to Britain, acting Residency-Surgeon at Lucknow and PostmasterA

Fand Sherwood & Co. and Longman, Hurst & Co. Paternoster- presidency division of the army’; and thirdly in Calcutta, row, London - Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh - R. Griffin & Co. and or Mussourie, depending on source, West Bengal, 13th Robert Weir, Glasgow - Alex. Watson, Aberdeen, and by most of the September 1836, Letitia, who died Agra 9th September 1848 respectable Booksellers in the . 1825. aged 33, daughter of John Blackhall of the Bengal Army, George and Peter Anderson, in their Guide to the Highlands and and had issue Robert Blackhall Graham, 1838 – 1911, and Islands including Orkney and Zetland Descriptive of their Scenery, Mary Elizabeth Graham, 1839 – 1916. He was a son of Statistics, Antiquities, and Natural History, 3rd Edition, 1850, William Graham, woollen draper, born 10th January 1764 say of Stromness ‘In 1817 it was erected into a burgh of in Newbury, Berkshire, and died 15th December 1831 barony, and the government committed to two baillies and in Lower Meeting House, Newbury, and his wife Mary nine councillors, elected by the burgesses.’ Wareham, died 1847. His grandfather Thomas Graham, 8 The Pell Street Independent Church operated from about 1716-1769 who married Dorothy Fuller, , born 1724, was 1736-1829. www.familysearch.org the son of Walter Graham, born 1673 and died 1743, of 9 The Kirkyards of Stromness & Graemsay, published by Stromness Riggfoot, Kirklinton, Cumberland, and his wife Mary Parish Church, 1999. Finnimore. 10 Will recorded at Kirkwall Sheriff Court, reference Major General Graham’s military career is as follows: SC11/38/3. Cadet 1818. Admitted 1819. Ensign 20th July 1819, d.d. 11 Information from Heather Howard-Williams, Information Bengal European Regiment. Lieutenant 1st December Officer, Legal & Compliance, Lloyd’s, One Lime Street, 1820. Posted as Lieutenant to 2/25th Native Indian London. Regiment 8th January 1821. Served in Rajputana 1821. 12 ‘For the purposes of registration, a ship is divid- Furlough s.c. 23rd February 1822 till 26th January 1824. ed into 64 shares; most maritime nations (the United States Transferred to 50th Native Indian Regiment (late 2.25th) being an exception) follow this custom, which is variously May 1824. Adjutant, Purnea Provincial Battalion 17th June attributed, for example, to the fact that ships traditionally 1824. Furlough s.c. 27th November 1826 till 5th December had 64 ribs or the fact that under Queen Victoria ship 1829. Adjutant 50th Native Indian Regiment 6th June 1831. owners were taxed 36% and left with the remaining 64%.’ Took part in operations against the Kols and Chuars wiki.answers.com. 1832-3. Captain 12th December 1833. Lieutenant 50th 13 Will recorded at Kirkwall Sheriff Court, reference North Indian Regiment. Military Secretary to Provincial SC11/38/3. Commander-in-Charge 21st March 1835. Acting Assistant to 14 Born 2nd January 1799, at Newbury, Berkshire and died Agent to Lieutenant Governor at Delhi 10th October 1836; 10th January 1880 in Cheltenham. Joseph Graham married permanent Assistant to Agent to Lt. Governor 26th April firstly Carshalton, Surrey, in 1824, Sarah Bishop, born 1837. Assistant to General Superintendant for suppression 1799 and who died at sea on 25th November 1829 on their of Thagi 2nd December 1837 till 12th March 1849; Major return to India from furlough, and by whom he had one son 4th January 1849. Superintendant for suppression of Thagi, Joseph Graham, born 1828; he married secondly 19th Feb North West Province, 12th March 1849 till 1858. Lieutenant 1834 ‘at Barrackpore, Capt. J. Graham, 50th N. I., to Harriette Colonel 9th August 1854. Posted as Lieutenant Colonel to Anne, only daughter of Major Gen. Jas. Watson, C. B., [later 57th Native Indian Regiment 1st December 1854; to 51st General Sir James Watson, KCB, of Wendover House, Native Indian Regiment; to 29th Native Indian Regiment Buckinghamshire, Colonel, 14th Foot] commanding the 15th November 1855. Battalion Colonel 25 FebruaryA 8 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No.54 June 2010

FGeneral in Oude17 and also in charge of the posting- The cholera was stated to have been brought about houses. There, during a severe famine, he established a ‘by exposure to a fierce sun on the river, working and ‘Poor’s House’, and oversaw the development of a service superintending the fitting-up of a boat to carry a patient, to provide for those natives suffering from the effects the wife of a friend, to Calcutta on her way to England’.22 of a major drought. After the Second Sikh War he was Her youngest brother Thomas Login, John Login recommended to Lord Dalhousie for appointment as and Margaret Spence’s youngest son, was born on 21st Guardian of the Maharajah Duleep Singh, and was installed and baptized 23rd April 1823, and became a Chartered as Governor of the Citadel and its contents, including ‘all Engineer, Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh,23 the political prisoners and harems of the late Maharajahs, 18 and a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and the Toshkhana, or Treasury, with its jewels and valuables’. was in 1864 a ‘First-Class Executive Engineer, on Special 24 John Spencer Login – he was baptised John Spence but Duty, Sealkote, in the Punjab, India’. His early death was reported very simply in ‘Domestic Occurrences’ in named himself John Spencer when recording his daughter th th Edith Dalhousie’s birth in 1855 – returned to Britain on The Times of India of 13 June 1874: ‘June 5 at Simla T 19th April 1854 with the young Maharajah Duleep Singh, Login esq CE’. and was knighted for his services by Queen Victoria later The third of Mary Ann’s four brothers, William Spence that year.19 In 1862 he returned to India to help organize the Login, born in Stromness 26th July 1819, and baptised Indian railway network but returned to Britain on health 3rd August, married in Edinburgh on 21st July 1846 Ann grounds shortly after his arrival. On medical advice he Miller Houden or Howden, daughter of James Howden, and his wife moved to Felixstowe where, after apparently Jeweller in Buccleuch Place, and his wife, married making a recovery, he died suddenly but peacefully in his 2nd July 1813, Janet Balleny, who in 1846 was residing chair on the evening on 18th October 1863. at 25 Windsor Street, South Side, Edinburgh. William appears in the Edinburgh University Matriculation Roll Mary Ann’s younger brother James Neil Dryburgh st th 1830-1858, matriculating in 1834 and studied Literature Login was born 1 May 1817 and died 13 November for four years, although he did not graduate – apparently 1849. Like his elder brother, he left Stromness to study many students only attended classes at this period in the at the University of Edinburgh where he graduated in evolution of the University.25 medicine in 1840, his dissertation being ‘On the Anatomy, Physiology, and some of the diseases of the Conjunctiva He became a minister of the Free Church of Scotland, also and Eyelids’,20 before he ‘walked the hospitals of Paris called the Free Secession Church, in , Orkney, and Vienna, and was looked upon as a surgeon of great being ordained there in 1844, before accepting a colonial promise’.21 He joined the Honourable East Company appointment,26 and in January the following year he was where in April 1849 he became ‘Acting-Assistant-Resident appointed as Minister of North Gippsland and settled at at Khatmandoo’. He died suddenly at Dinapore on the Sale, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, where he was the first 13th November, from cholera, after twelve hours’ illness. Presbyterian minister in the area. L

F1858; to 66th Native Indian (or Gurkha Light Infantry Recollections by E. Dalhousie Login (Lady Login’s daughter Regiment) 1858. Lieutenant Colonel 1st Gurkha Regiment Edith), Smith Elder & Co., London, 1916. (Light Infantry) 1861 till 14th November 1861. Retired 31st 19 ‘Windsor Castle, November 14, 1854. The Queen was December 1861 with rank of Honorary Major General. this day pleased to confer the honour of Knighthood Details from ‘Gradvlax’, at Ancestry.com, and List of the upon John Spencer Login, Esq., of the East India Officers of the Bengal Army, 1753-1834. Company’s Bengal Medical Service, Superintendent 15 The Kirkyards of Stromness & Graemsay of His Highness the Maharajah Duleep Singh.’ London 16 Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, Volume 5, Gazette, Friday, November 17, 1854. folio 71: Sir John Spencer Login of Southend bears for 20 List of the Graduates in Medicine in the University of Edinburgh, Shield: Azure, three Tilting-Spears conjoined, two in saltire from MDCCV to MDCCCLXVI. Information provided and one in pale Proper, standing on a Mount in base Vert, by The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. each having a pennon Argent bearing a Cross pattée Gules, 21 Sir John Login and Duleep Singh around the middle of the Spears a Celestial Crown Or, all 22 Sir John Login and Duleep Singh within a Bordure of the last, charged with four Leopards’ 23 On the proposal of James Syme, he was elected a Fellow faces, two in pale, and two in fess Sable. Crest: a dexter Arm of the Royal Society of Edinburgh on 6th April 1857. in armour embowed and gauntleted proper, garnished Or, Records of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. holding erect a Tilting-Spear as the former, with pennon 24 Gules and Cross pattée Argent. Motto: BY THE GRACE His description when he recorded a Patent for an OF GOD. (Reproduced by kind permission of the Lord ‘Apparatus for raising and discharging water’, Number th Lyon King of Arms.© Court of the Lord Lyon.) 2086, on 24 August 1864. 25 17 Oude was a territory of some 25,300 square miles. The Information provided by Denise Anderson, Special Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register, 1832 Collections, Centre for Research Collections, University of Edinburgh. 18 Information from Sir John Login and Duleep Singh, by Lady 26 Login, W. H. Allen & Co., London, 1890; and Lady Login’s Annals of the Free Church of Scotland 1843-1900, Vol. I Issue No.54 June 2010 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 9

JOHN SINCLAIR, No 588 with additonal material supplied by Fred Johnston No 979 very crashing wave hurled another piece of debris on men risked life and limb daily to put food on the table. to the Westray beach: two rudders, two helms, uprights Three of the crew of the Maggie are interred in the West Church- Efrom a ship’s hold, a sou’wester and then a board bear- yard in Westray. A single stone bears the following inscription:- ing the name Maggie. The date was the 25th of June 1890; a Front. ‘In loving rememberance of three men who lost their lives in day that was to bring grief and despair to many families. Westray Firth with the boat Maggie of Long- There were no weather forecasts available at this time. Men went hope on the 25th June 1890’. by their instincts and experience and it was a time of year when Erected by Margaret Johnston in memory of her conditions were normally favourable as the fishing boat Maggie beloved husband John Johnston, aged 30 years. left Stromness to hunt the shoals of herring which abounded Right Face ‘Erected by John Stout and Ann in Orkney waters at that time. Baikie in loving rememberance of their son The weather, however was about to change dra- Donald H Stout, aged 22 years’. matically. Left Face. ‘Erected by his mother in loving re- The Longhope correspondent of the Orkney memberance of John Manson, aged 43 years’. Herald set out the events in paper of the 2nd The loss of so many men from the one com- July. ‘On the morning of the 21st June a terrific munity was sadly repeated in the same par- storm broke out from the South and West causing ish in 1969 when the eight man crew of the much damage to crops. The night previous the Longhope lifeboat perished while going to wind set in from the South-east with heavy the aid of a Liberian cargo ship. rain. Thus it continued more or less up until 4 They left behind seven widows and ten o’clock in the morning, when the rain ceased, fatherless children in what was one of and the wind came in still more fitful Britain’s worst lifeboat disasters. gusts showing every sign of becoming Tragedies like that take their toll a gale. Towards 6 o’clock it veered to on the people of Orkney. We are westward with still increasing fury and an island community and the sea is continued up till 9 o’clock with terrible a major part of our lives. The sea force. Afterwards it wore in more North- and tides of Orkney are said to be westerly, when it moderated slightly.’ among the most dangerous in the All over Orkney and the Pentland Firth world and have claimed the lives boats were running for shelter. of thousands of seamen and ves- On Thursday the 26th June a boat was sels over the years. It is, however, seen between Rusk Holm and the Ness still a provider and benefactor to of in Westray. Some Rapness many Orcadians and those who people investigated and the boat was go down to the sea in ships have found with the stern 10 feet under water, learned to treat it with the utmost the bow flush with the water, alongside respect. were the mast, sails and nets, still filled What better can one do in the with herring. There was no name but the space left at the end of the page number 234 identified the boat as the than quote the lines of that most Maggie, Longhope.The Orcadian of the moving of hymns associated 5th July 1890 carried an account of the with the sea, written by William tragedy Whiting of Winchester, England All over Orkney that night boats were in dis- in 1860 :- tress and 27 men lost their lives. Today that Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, would have been world wide news but For those in peril on the sea! L then it was not so unusual when many Extract from the Orcadian 5th July 1890 10 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No.54 June 2010

Taken from the Orkney Herald, 28 Feb 1883 on the occasion of the death of Mansie Flett 3 Feb 1883

On the 3rd inst there died, at the age of 90, Magnus Flett, Indians, making great journeys with a load of 120 lbs better known as Mansie o’ Queenalonga, Hourston, of furs on his back, crossing deep rivers, shooting bears, Sandwick, one of the few remaining specimens of a class game, and wild geese. If he could not have shot these that was at one time very common in Orkney. He was of and lived on them, worse luck to him, for “the company” a bygone era, in the islands. When he was born in 1793, allowed him little more than his £8 a year wages, a gun, Napoleon had not been heard of. There was just one packet and powder and shot. Many a rare adventure Mansie had a month between Orkney and Leith, in those wild regions. How human and those islands had sunk to the Bertha Mainland, Member No 1232, nature finds content and even joy lowest ebb of obscurity and poverty. was clearing out her attic when she came everywhere! They had lost their traditions, their across this old article. The two chief solaces of life to history, their property, and self- those men seemed to be a little respect. To a young Orkneyman When she delved a bit deeper she dis- rum when in winter quarters (it of that time there were only three covered that Catherine Hourston Flett must have been cheap, for they things possible for him – the sea, (1840 - 1877) the daughter of Magnus often saved every penny of their the “Nor’ Waast”, or “The Straits”. Flett (1793 - 1883) the Mansie Flett about £8 wages), and the society of the The first usually meant, sooner whom this article is written, was mar- Indian squaws, who seemed to or later, drowning in one of the ried to John Merriman of Somear and take to them, on the whole, more ill-found vessels of the time, if he they lived at Queenalonga after Mansie. kindly than to their red-skinned escaped the press-gang. Their daughter, Mary Lizzie Merriman kindred. Magnus was no ascetic, The second meant being a beast was born in 1872, and she was Bertha’s and despised nothing that of burden to the Hudson’s Bay grandmother. sweetened life; so he lived out company, enduring privation, and Her father, John Merriman (1827 - there as the others did. How hard living with the Indians for £8 a year 1896) was a joiner and he built the pul- a man’s muscles must become, in money; and, if the hardships did pit for the Anderson Church in . and how tough his constitution, not kill him, coming home after When that church ceased to be used who for six months sleeps in twenty or thirty years, buying some by the Church of Scotland, the the open air, lives on wild geese, bit of odal land that the Scottish pulpit was transferred to salmon, and the flesh of moose Earls and their hungry followers the United Free Church deer, all killed by himself, and had not gobbled up, and settling in and it is there carries every day a load of 120 lbs. down on it for the rest of his life. to this day. There was no luxury about their The third, “The Straits”, meant So the mes- lives, however, and there was no being tenant on a small farm, going sage is – get up to taskmaster. No doubt, when they to the Davis Straits whale fishing the attic im- came to an Indian encampment once a year, and expending all the m e d i a t e l y they usually stayed for a day or money so earned partly in food and and you too two. partly in rent. might find They wore the skin of the moose Magnus Flett, who came of an an interest- for clothing, and a soft and tough inland stock, and was not therefore ing article suit it made. Our tailors might drawn to the sea, went to the “Nor’ for SIB Folk shut shop if our clothes wore like Waast” early in life. He was a little News. those moose-skin suits. A pair of man, but very hardy and full of a breeches which Mansie took home cheery courage. It was a treat to with him lasted for forty years! see him in his sedate old age sitting Well, Magnus saved a little money, of a winter night, by his own friends, drinking a mug of and came home and bought a bit of land – Queenalonga home-brewed ale, and to hear him telling his adventures – built a house with his own hands, and lived a respected – how he used regularly to live for months among the industrious life, doing a little mason work in the summer,A Issue No. 54 June 2010 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 11

Fmarrying a wife, singing a song, and telling many a good Here’s met a tiny Orkney Band story of a winter’s night – independent, kindly, quiet, and On this unhappy foreign strand. neighbourly to all. Mid battles turmoils here we roam But he was always an old “Nor’ Waaster”. Modern life – Far from our happy quiet home. steamers, newspapers, and politics – made no impression But while together we remain on him: they came too late for him. He lived on the Old Orkney reigns supreme again. produce of his farm, and he made nearly all his own implements, and he never went from home. He wore his Her loving sons were scattered o’er clothes of the old patterns. He would have made a quaint All oceans wide, each distant shore. study for a painter when he was 89, got up in a blue-tail But when their country stood its ground coat with brass buttons, homespun trousers, neat shoes On justice side they gathered round tied with ribbon and a glazed broad-brimmed hat. He And pledged their vows of loyalty was a little man, but well made, dark in complexion, To meet her foes on land and sea. and with none of the Norse breadth of frame, largeness of bone, and lightness of complexion. He was evidently All her concerns we’ll pledge them well, of the Pictish race that preceded the Norsemen in our Her gallant sons who fought and fell, islands, and about as pure a specimen as one could meet By land and sea she paid her toll with. In the inland parts there are many persons and They’re absent from her earthly roll families whom one can see who are not Norse. No doubt We miss them now, we miss them more a few of the primitive inhabitants would be spared by If in peace we reach her shore. the Scandinavian conquerors a thousand years ago. Especially the native women would be married by them, We’ll pledge her craigs, her geos, her caves and transmit the characteristics of their ancestral race. Her scurrying tides, her rolling waves The darker-complexioned, little, small boned, narrow- Her heather hills and wimpling burns faced, small headed Orkney man who is mentally That winding for the ocean turns unenterprising, incurious, peaceful, and not inclined Here’s to the braes where beasties roam towards the sea in his youth, no doubt has in his veins Here’s to each genial happy home. more of the Pictish blood than of the sea-roving Viking. Such was one of the last of the old “Nor’ Waasters”. And here’s to yet her dearest charm Her maidens fair with heart so warm. We’ll pledge them all, then each one here Will pledge his own selected dear, While recollection power employs They’re still the pride of Orkney Boys. This poem, composed in WW1 in a hut at the Base in France, by Andrew Mowat was found by Hazel Goar. Does anyone know anything about the author? A big thankyou from the Editor What can I say except a big ‘thankyou’ to everyone who sup- ported my plea for articles for our newsletter. You have no idea how much easier life is when, as the dead- line approaches, I am not still searching for material to fill the last few pages. To everyone who has contributed you have my heartfelt thanks. Please keep up the good work. If you haven’t told your tale yet please do so soon. We’re not looking for literary masterpieces – just tell it as it is and I can assure you everyone will enjoy it. Material for the September edition is required on or about the end of July. Remember photographs are always welcome. Email as high quality JPGs or send copies and I will scan and retouch them for you. You can reach me at

The Story of a Family

By Margaret Watters and Peter Leith he year was 1546, the three year old Cromarties from Aith in Walls selling land in Clouston to Mary was on the throne of Scotland fol- James Leask in Barnhouse in Clouston. (This land lat- lowing the death of her father, JamesV, er became part of Savedale through Edward’s grandson at the Battle of Solway Moss. The refor- Thomas Omand and still remains in that family today) mation was just beginning and in St. (Savedale papers). Andrews, George Wishart, a Protestant These two properties seem to indicate that it was Mar- preacher, was burnt at the stake. In garet Cromarty who was behind the move. Storer Clous- nearby, England, Henry VIII, up near ton says she probably was of the fam- the border, was conducting his rough wooing aiming to ily of Magnus Cromarty and his wife Cristane Cara who marry his small son to the small Queen Mary thus achiev- may possibly be connected to the Clouston family. ing a union between the two countries. So the move was completed and the two families set- Nothing of this meant anything to the children of Mar- tled down to life at Onston—or they didn’t. On the face garet Cromarty. A big move was afoot. Nothing less than of it one wonders how the move was ever made as, once a move from Campston in Toab in the East Mainland near settled, life seems to have been one long argument —very Kirkwall, to Onston in the West Mainland near Stromness. often settled by appealing to the law. Fortunately for us The Charter of excambion has survived and gives us the that’s how we know so much about them. first glimpse of the Leith family (REO page 232). John Leith and Edward Omand “must have been quite No tradition exists of how they made the journey. young in 1546 when the move took place as in 1576 we Campston and Onston are 30 miles apart as the crow find Edward in the Baillie Court of petitioning flies and the journey on foot or horseback would have John and his son Robert to allow him to go to the hill land been considerably longer. If they went by boat it would by the same track as usual. It seems that there had been have been a very long journey indeed. trouble before and the marches realigned. Now things They could have gone on land the short distance to were even worse. John and Robert had blocked Edward’s Dingishowe, and set sail for . Once they access to his hill ground and Robert had actually had a rounded Roseness the going would have been some-what crop off it. The court was having none of this. They or- sheltered and of course there would have been no No 1 dered Edward’s track to he reinstated, said Edward was barrier, so once past the way would be clear to have Roberts crop and Robert was fined for his actions. although still quite a distance to go. Onston lies on the To try and prevent more trouble they did a bit more rear- shore of the Stenness Loch which is an arm of the sea. ranging. Edward at that time had three rigs beside John’s But who is to know; it was a long time ago and no legend house and John had three rigs beside Edward’s. The court or tales of the journey have survived. ordered that they exchange these rigs. They would have had very little household goods at that Here we can see the first of the division of Onstan into time. Possibly a table, some stools, a blanket each, some what finally became Upper Onstan where the descen- few dishes. The agriculture implements would have been dants of Edward Omand lived and Nether Onstan where few, possibly a wooden plough, maybe a harrow, but the rest the descendants of John Leith lived. would have been hand tools. If the boat was big enough may- Nothing further is known of John or Robert. We do not be the animals also went by boat or perhaps they walked. know who they married or what family they had. Only The family was John Leith, his two sisters, the young that William Leith succeeded them in Nether Onstan. Edward Omand, and possibly his elder brother Thomas Edward Omand, on the other hand, we know quite a bit Omand who later settled in . There is firm evi- about as there is a commissariot record for him. This tells dence that Edward owned Blackhall, a small property in us he died in 1613. Clouston but adjoining Onston. His father, the unnamed A time of peace and quiet surely followed this public set- Omand son had apparently owned several properties, tling of affairs. At least there were no arguments that need- and this was Edward’s share. ed the Baillie Court to settle them. However, in 1865 the There was also a Cromarty property within the Clous- family were dragged into what really was a township row. ton township which points to another possible reason for The Cloustons occupied Netherbigging and the west- the momentous move. ern side of their land was mixed up somewhat with A deed (1587), (in private hands) exists detailing some Onston. And so it was that George Clouston ( who wasA Issue No. 54 June 2010 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 13

Fmarried to Katherine Omand, daughter of Edward) which adjoined Onston on the east, and the Boags seem to wadset half a merk udal land, that is, cultivated land, have acquired a share of the land in the 1550s or round and, half a pennyland meadow to William Leith, succes- about when the Campston-Onston exchange took place. sor to Robert. After some time William sold these rights They also owned other lands, notably in Wasbister in Sand- to Richard Omond, son and successor to Edward. In the wick. Curiously, two holdings in Wasbister are Bookan and meantime George Clouston had died and Katherine had Bockan, while in Clouston there is Bockan. These names are married Robert Book or Boag. At that time the Boags found nowhere else in Orkney that I know of. John was suc- owned Rockan – now part of Netherbigging. This debat- ceeded by his son, Magnus, and he, in turn, by his son John. able land lay between Netherbigging and Onston. Rob- John had six sons who all held land. John, Robert, Pat- ert therefore thought it should be his. After all he had rick and George who all stayed in Clouston while Magnus married the owner of the rest of the land. So he refused was in Halla in and Nicol was in Clett in St.Ola. to allow Richard on the land, let alone crop it. The Baillie There was the usual buying and selling of shares which Court was the obvious solution. Malcolm Isbister, Baillie was normal in those days but when George’s son John was for Harray, was sent for to knock some sense into Rob- discovered sheep stealing and hanged in 1633 it was the ert “because the complainer is now inclosit within termis end of the Boag family in Stenness. in tilth time”. In other words it was coming near sowing A note by the Sheriff of the time, “He (John Boag) and time, 13th March 1607 and so he doubtless thought that his father’s house was ever repute as common and no- was that. However in September 1607 Richard was back torious thieves”. Most of them sold their land to James in court. He hadn’t been able to set foot in his sasined land Omand, the last to sell was Magnus of Halla in 1659. all summer and what was the court going to do about it? George’s elder son Robert (brother of John) passed So back came Malcolm, ordered there by no less than the his share to a Janet Boag, possibly a daughter or grand- Sheriff Depute of Orkney, Edward Scollay. daughter who is said to have left it to the church but it re- This time orders were quite firm and accompanied by a ally went to the landowners of the day, the Ballendens in £40 fine on Robert. Some time later Malcolm came again, a deed of upgestry. Once the land was sold, Boags disap- this time accompanied by William Leith, Thomas Tro- pear from Clouston and Stenness though they were still chane and Hew Dewar. All was quiet. to be found in Kirkwall in the 1700s where a Patrick Boag William Leith was married to Annie Sclater who died was a writer and N.P. in 1625. Her testament is on record and records the fam- A word about Onston. It was a 1½d land and lies at ily possessions and names their children as Patrick, Mag- the west of the parish of Stenness along the loch shore. nus, Christian, Marion, Catherine and Margaret. It is flat and fertile land rising towards the south. It was Marion was married to George Boag and mother to UDAL land which means it belonged to the owner abso- John Boag. John turned out to be something of a vaga- lutely with no reference to any king or earl. bond and his mother was not much better. A Nicol Boag It has been thought to have been part of the is also named and it is not clear if Nicol and John are one township in early days but there are few written records and the same as the copy of the trial is badly worn but it in the early 16th century and the deed of 1546 is the is certain that Marion is the mother and no better than earliest we know. We must guess the rest. There was no she should be. George is never mentioned. town of Stromness before 1700, only an anchorage for They were finally found out in 1649 and had to give boats. Kirkwall was the administrative centre but it was account. It was too late by then to charge them with all 15 miles away and as later records show, most of the local their misdemeanors, but sheep had been stolen from legal work was done on the spot by the appointed Baillie Andro Johnston, in Kirkwall, Thomas Spence in Ireland of the time. The loch shore shows signs of an earlier occu- and Richard Omond. The hides were hidden in the peat pation – a knowe or burial mound on the Ness to the west stack. and several cist graves. There is an indication that there At the same time some Germistons were charged with was a graveyard along that part of the shore as well but much the same crimes only they had stolen three caisses no tradition of a Chapel. There is one in Ireland, in the of bere from Smyth of Turmiston and they were also dis- stackyard of the main farm so maybe that is another indi- covered in the peat stack. cation that Onston was once part of Ireland township. These Germistons were, I think, sons of Christine Book, Of course there is no record of any housing but housing wife of George Miller, farmer of Brodgar and most of the remained very basic for many years after the 16th centu- farms in the Mains of Stenness. There is a legend that ry. Despite the stone buildings at the Knowe and, indeed John Boag took refuge in the barn next the Church, pre- Skara Brae, dwelling houses were built of turf and so it sumably seeking sanctuary in the Church but I think it is would have been at Onston in 1546 – a long low house, one more likely that it was his aunt’s barn that he was hiding room with neuk beds and the fire in the middle of the floor, in. We are not told how it ended but no doubt he took his then the byre and the barn all in one long house, low to last steps up the double ladder. It’s a poor family tree, keep the heat in. These houses were never cold and it was that doesn’t include a sheep thief. considered very bad luck and extremely poor management Now who were the Boags? The first Boag to come to to let the fire go out. The hapless housewife would have notice in Stenness is John Boag who was on the Muster had to go and beg kindling from a neighbour No matches Rolls of the Scots Guards in Paris along with William or firelighters in those days. There would have been peat Clouston, John Omand and some other men with dis- nearby on the higher ground. That’s if the two combatant tinctive Orkney surnames. These three apparently stuck families were agreeing about the track. together. Wm Clouston owned the township of Clouston The loch would have been full of fish as the sea joinedA 14 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No. 54 June 2010

Fthe loch at Waithe and at high tide fish come in freely. Ilk’ disponed to his eldest son Magnus and younger son At low tide one can wade across to the other side, hence Patrick equal halves of the property, now called Nether the name Waithe. This is a renowned trout fishing para- Onston. dise, and I have no doubt it has always been so. The fish- One is lead to think that separation between Leiths and ing is free so attracts many tourists. There are, or were, Omands was complete. But not so. In that same year Mag- herring, flounders, lythe, saithe and of course trout, sea nus wadset his newly acquired share to Edward Omand trout in their season. and reclaimed it a year or two later in the time honoured Sea birds would have been plentiful. Eider ducks all way of raising funds. He wadset it in 1670 again. year round and in winter many others, Pochard – Long- So Magnus and Patrick shared the property and pre- tail, Golden eye, Wigeon, gulls of all kinds – Whooper sumably the labour involved. Very little information has swans on the loch in winter along with Gray lag geese come down to us of this period. Both were married with feeding on the grass before going back up north again in family but their wives’ names are not recorded. Patrick’s the spring. Game birds like grouse and snipe and possibly daughter Isobel is noted in his commissary record but not pigeons would have been resident on the higher ground his wife’s name so she must have been dead by then. Mag- and probably caught and eaten. This would have to be nus and son Magnus are noted as witnesses in a legal on Onston land, if they flew off to a neighbouring farm document. However in 1675 Magnus’s share finally went they would be lost. Wild birds would have been eaten and over to Edward Omand, the wadset never having been their eggs eagerly looked forward to. redeemed and neither Magnus nor his family are heard of Schools did not exist until the Church started them again. This parcel of land which was equal to Nether On- early 19th century and you paid. Church was two miles ston that was left 1½ merks. It made up what was later away to the east. No shops until then either. Lying low, called Quina and Edward settled his youngest son Pat- as it does, Onston does not get the frost. We don’t have rick Omand in it. What the Leiths thought of this is not much snow. The prevailing wind is the west. Sounds like recorded but they did not seemingly fallout about it. an idyllic existence but I’m sure it wasn’t. Life went on as before with Patrick and his family in But to get back to the inhabitants of Onston. In those Nether Onston under Patrick’s ownership but very little re- days of UDAL land every member of the family owned a corded. In January 1658 he died and we have his commis- share of the land holding, boys a full share, girls a half sariat record to show us what life was like at that time. Only share. It was usually the practice to buy the girls out if his daughter Isobel is mentioned, she was executrix. This possible so that they didn’t marry and take their share does not necessarily mean she was the only child. It simply out-with the family. And if a boy could find a girl who was means she was the only child dependant on him at the time an only child, it made good practice to marry her, attrac- of his death. His possessions were thus. 2 horses £16, 2 oxen tive or not. The usual way of raising money in those days, £12, 1 calf £2, 2 young female cows £8, 3 cows £15, 4 sheep and for long after, was to borrow from a member of the £3, 2 geese and 1 gander 18/-, 1 cow in calf £5. extended family and wadset (mortgage) your bit of land, Then in the house, 6 meil malt at £3 per per meil, 2 then to recover it when times got better. meils meal at £15. Household plenishing and personal This happened a lot between Leiths and Omands. There possessions £16. The large amount of malt and meal in were some disastrous harvests around the 1630’s, 1630 the house again points to a well working Click Mill near- itself being remembered as a particular bad harvest. by. Some land changed hands for ever. There is nothing mentioned as being in the barn so does In 1625 William Leith’s wife Anne Sclater died and this really mean nothing? With all that stock and in Janu- there is a commissary record for her. There were death ary? I think this must be a mistake. He also owed his ser- dues to be paid and these commissary court records de- vants nothing, in fact no debts at all so surely a careful tail everything the deceased person owned. So it was the and well managing man and not one who would have had Leith part of Onston. After noting members of her fam- nothing in the barn in January. ily they went on to record the stock carried on the farm The next Leith in Nether Onston was one John of whom at the time of her death as follows: two horses £6 each, we know nothing at all. He was probably son of Patrick three kyne (cows) £6 each, twenty sheep 26/8 each. In the but there arew no deeds to tell us. Surely they’d all got barn there was, one meil bere (a kind of barley used in tired of going to law. Or else they were more law-abid- baking and for malt) and eight meils oats. In the house ing than their forbears. L two meils of meal, this would have been oats ground into meal. Such a large amount ready for use leads one to think they had a grinding mill of sorts on the premises. There was and still is a burn as the east boundary so there must have been a click mill there. There is still a barn there with the remains of a a mill wheel that drove a threshing mill, but it is a large modern building. In the next issiue of SIB Folk News Debts were also recorded. Servants were due wages so you can read the final part of the story these were noted, Robert Brown 10/-, Hugh Brown 35/, of the Leith family. We pick up the tale in Christian Book 10/-, and Janet Spence 10/-. The duty the second half of the 17th century and continue paid was £23. So altogether one would say a thriving it until the present day when Peter Leith and his descend- holding. ants still live in the area. Accordingly, William, described in the deed as “of that graphic by Fiona Pearson Issue No. 54 June 2010 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 15

How we looked 36 years ago Lots of weel kent faces in this photograph from Marion Cursiter but can you put names- to them? The occasion was the S &JD Rob- ertson dance and the year was 1974. An swers in Sept issue. Can any reader recognise these?

How did you do with the Jack Watson retiral? Here are all the guests’ names, except 2, in the farewell dinner party photograph, taken at the Torvhaug Inn 18th April 1974, which appeared L1892/1 in the March issue of our newsletter: Standing L–R. Norn Donaldson, Mrs Donaldson, Mrs Bayley, Brian Kemp, Richard Groundwater, Ivy Harrold, Sheena Grieve, Jamie Bayley, Robert Grieve, Vera Tait, Jim Raeburn, Ruth Muir, Edgar Muir, Caralie Raeburn, Iris Milne, Dave Logie, Robert Milne, Margaret Ritch, John Ritch, Norma Groundwater, Jack Ridgway, Donald Macleod. Seated L–R. Alistair Harrold, Mrs Ridgway, ?, Mrs Jack Watson, Marion Macleod, Ruth Donalson, Retired Pilot BEA?

Did you think that you were never going to get your March Newsletter? So did we. We knew that they had been printed and had our volunteers on standby for the mailing but the newsletters had disappeared after leaving the printers in Aberdeen. We finally located them sitting in a depot in Shetland. That meant another trip by boat to reach us in Kirkwall and by the time we had got the dispatch team together again we were into April. Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly with this edition and you are now enjoying it in the month of June. Ed. L4045/1 16 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No.54 June 2010

(through ambition, family, love, marriage and business success) This tale involves members of the Peace, Chalmers, and the Norqu- One day, members of the staff were clearing a large mill property oy families and spans the years from the mid 1800’s up to the start that involved collating and cataloguing all the moveable furniture. of the Second World War in 1939. This meant sorting, moving, cleaning down all the items ready Edward Peace for the coming auction and making sure that nothing had been was a carpenter left in corners, drawers and cupboards. It was during this rather carrying on his boring stage of the work that our hero came across a bundle of old trade from busi- letters but it was the penny red stamp on the topmost letter that ness premises at caught his eye. He knew from his earlier stamp collecting days 26 Albert Street, that some penny red postage stamps bearing the head of Queen Kirkwall. His first Victoria could be of value. wife, Ann Drever, As each stamp was small it was commercially practical and sensi- died in 1833 and ble to produce them by printing in sheets. Little had changed over the his second wife, years since Queen Victoria’s head was prominent but one innovation Anne from St An- introduced was to add a distinctive number on the face of the stamp drews, Orkney, that was not easy to recognise with the naked eye. Stamps bearing Albert St in the 19th Century. Photo attributed to Tom Kent gave him five certain numbers attracted the interest of collectors and thus the value children including one daughter, Anne (b. 1845) who is the main of such used stamps commanded monetary value far in excess of the focus of this tale. original face value. My maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Gorie Our hero immediately called his supervi- Chalmers of Sandybank, , married Article By sor to enquire what should be done with this James Watt of Airy, Stronsay at Sandybank in Cyril W Nield bundle of old letters. The response was un- 1898. Claude Brownlie, United Presbyterian Member No 1432 helpful and when he mentioned his personal Minister, officiated. Elizabeth had nine sib- interest he was told that he could have them lings including brothers Thomas (b. December to do with as he wished. And so for over 20 11th 1866) and Charles (b.1876) both of whom feature in this intrigu- years the bundle of old letters was left to gather dust in yet ing tale. another drawer until one day the young daughter Through the 1851 Census, I have traced three members of the of our hero found them and demanded Norquoy family who were born on South Ronaldsay. When he to know “what they were, who were was aged 17 and a carpenter joiner apprentice, William was living they from and why were they hid- as a boarder in High Street Kirkwall with an unmarried Elizabeth den way” etc. Small children can sometimes Norquoy Groat age 48 (probably a relative) and a “young” Mary be persistent for no apparent reason. The request Norquoy as a visitor. Since Anne’s father was in the trade, it is to the parent to read some of the letters brought forth likely that William and Anne would have met before they were to the not unreasonable reply that directed the child to her grandfa- separately leave Orkney to find their way in life. The reader ther who was staying with them at that time. may be allowed to ask what caused my research to take the direc- Grandparents often have time and patience that the younger tion that it did. The following details are offered to explain how the adult parents had yet to acquire. And so the letters were sorted recorded and extraordinary events evolved over the years when the into date order by studying the post marks on the envelopes. parties to this tale settled in the Manchester area. Then each one was opened, the contents smoothed out, prob- The tale has its beginnings in the 1970’s with a teenage boy (my ably for the first time in over 150 years, and with the help of a son Duncan) having left school and seeking temporary employ- magnifying glass the accepted challenge gradually achieved a ment to bridge the gap between low funds and boredom whilst meaningful translation sufficient to give the eager readers much looking ahead to the beckoning university years. He obtained a interest and satisfaction. temporary position with a local firm of agents & valuers who pro- It was soon apparent that the recipient was a young girl in her late vided services to dispose of unwanted plant & machinery, office teens who, in 1866, had left the family home in Kirkwall, Orkney to furniture and usually the premises that were no longer required by go into service with James Cunningham and his family at 88 Lauris- the former owners. ton Road Edinburgh (since demolished to make way for a new A Issue No. 54 June 2010 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 17

F fire station). Subsequently the girl that we now know as Anne hospitals and similar Peace, left to join the Rev Josiah Rhenius, a Free Church Minister, institutions – there and his wife who had moved from Edinburgh to the village of were few educa- Tongland about a mile from Kirkcudbright, in Dumfries & Gallo- tional authorities way in Scotland. throughout the UK The letters were written to that did not install Anne, mainly from her broth- the patented parti- er James and sister Catherine, tions. Through Ian both missing her very much. Cameron (see foot- The Longship—the Ola Gorie shop in Kirkwall One letter from James told of note) I learned that Kirkwall Grammar School, now Orkney Coun- his part in the Great Manches- cil offices, had folding partitions with recessed handles bearing the ter Flood in 1866 and his part name “Norquoy”. The successful business required a move to 70 in it was retold by Ian Cam- Port Street, Manchester and subsequently to New Islington Works, eron in the OFHS newsletter Union Street, Manchester until trading ceased in 1938. The reasons Issue no.43. Clearly James remain unexplained. and his sister Anne remained My son Duncan and I were able to visit Orkney in May 2006 and very close through regular visited the Ola Gorie shop in Kirkwall. I was intrigued by the correspondence, the last sur- Gorie name that was my maternal grandmother’s second Chris- viving letter being 17thMarch tian name and through Ola Tait (nee Gorie) on Stronsay I con- 1867. At this point Anne was tacted John Gorie who was then living in the Stockport area just “lost to sight” but later emerging evidence confirms that Anne and a few miles from my home in Hyde, Cheshire. John explained James were to remain close. that his father, John D Gorie, had been persuaded to leave Stron- In researching my maternal grandmother’s family roots I received say and travel to Manchester to work for Charles Chalmers at valuable details from Anita Thomson at Viggie on Sanday that re- Peace & Norquoy. Subsequently Charles died in 1917 after being corded the marriage of James Mudie Chalmers (of Stronsay) and demobbed from the armed forces. John produced a letter of com- Ann Spence Flaws (of ). The couple were married on 10th mendation dated 1921 for his father recording that he had joined September 1852 in Hamilton, Canada before returning to Orkney. the Manchester firm of Peace & Norquoy in Their ten children included Thomas who married Isabella Chalmers 1909 as a joiner ap- on Stronsay and again the officiating minister was Claude Brownlie. prentice. Apart from The couple subsequently moved south to reside at 10 Beechgrove, the period from Richmond Grove, Manchester. Another brother, Charles Davidson March 4th 1916 to (b. 19th February 1876 at Castlehill, Stronsay) married Louie. They August 4th 1919, also moved to Manchester and lived in an area called Victoria Park. when he was with They were blessed with one daughter, Joan the British Forces Manchester seemed to be the favourite destination for Orkney in France, he stayed trained skilled joiners and carpenters who were seeking opportuni- with the firm until ties for much needed work to use their undoubted manual skills. May 1938 when In particular William Norquoy, Thomas and Charles Chalmers and the firm was James Peace moved south to seek their fortunes. The business part- closed (more of nership of William and James developed when they met up in Man- this later). The chester and in 1870 the two set up as Peace & Norquoy trading from important clue 95 Spear Street Manchester. that the 1921 let- On January 22nd 1874, William Norquoy, then age 29, married ter revealed was Anne Peace at the Granheys Chapel of the United Presbyterian the signature of Church, Coupland Street, Chorlton-upon-Medlock in what is now the then Man- Greater Manchester. The two witnesses of record were James Peace aging Director, and Elizabeth Norquoy. It must be a reasonable assumption that Thomas (Tom) the happy couple were reunited through their early days in Kirk- Chalmers and a newspaper report wall and the growing friendship enjoyed by William and James. of the 50th Jubilee Celebrations of the firm gave further details The 1881 Manchester Census records William, master builder aged of the firm’s development and the role played by the two Orkney 47, as living at 5 Clifford Street, Chorlton on Medlock with his wife men, William and James, who founded the firm and others from Anne aged 36 and three children plus a general domestic servant. Orkney who joined them in their successful venture. Further evidence of increasing affluence was confirmed when the If any reader has any further information about the three families family moved to Chorlton cum Hardy on the other side of South that is relevant I would be most appreciative to hear from them. Manchester that was considered a more “up market area”. My email address is L As the initial business expanded the partnership was converted into Footnote: a limited liability company. An important branch of the business was I am much indebted to Ian Cameron (Member 10) for his considerable the manufacture of wooden folding partitions to give flexibility of knowledge and experience to guide my research and for his patience and internal building space and in addition to supplying these to various kindness that opened up avenues that were invisible to me. 18 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No.54 June 2010

Thanks to Ann , Member 63, for supplying the information for this article December 24th 1864 was a momentous Christmas eve for At the age of 20, I, at the request of the Rev George Reid, George and Isabella Pottinger and their four children as attended the school taught by Mr H, from whom I learned their ship , the Knight Bruce rounded the Race Rocks and the rudiments of algebra and the art of teaching.” sailed into Victoria’s Inner Harbour. George’s training as a teacher was both as an apprentice They had survived a journey round the notorious Cape under the tutelege of Mr H. which continued for many Horn and half way round the world from their home in years during his harvest vacations, and in the more normal Orkney. As the crew made their last tack of the new Race setting of the Freechurch Normal Seminary in Glasgow Rocks Lighthouse George may well have admired the during part of 1846. As was typical of the time, however, Captain’s skill in reaching their destination for George he began to teach before his training was complete. was an Orcadian teacher and navigation was among the George goes on to explain what it was like to be a subjects he was qualified to teach. teacher:- Another child was born to the “March 16th 1844, commenced couple in Victoria and there are to teach on this island (Papa many descendants of the five Westray) seven or nine boys children living in Canada today. and girls who increased so that Among the treasures handed there were 25 or 30 on the list. down to the children none was £1 for salary was allowed me more precious than a document by Rev. George Reid, and the which George had written just a scholars averaged 1 shilling (5p) few months after he and Isabella per quarter. Since the time of my had married. George wrote it on commencement, my number of Papa Westray on the 6th March pupils, according to the season, 1849 and it gives an insight into Landing goods at Papay Westray, 1900 has risen and fallen from 60 to his life in this remote corner of A Tom Kent Photograph 25. For the second year I received the Orkney Islands and it begins: Papa Westray, the birthplace of George Pot- £2 in addition to the above “I was born November 1st 1823 in tinger, is one of Orkney’s smallest islands, just salary, from the Free Church the Island of Westray in the house 4 miles long and one mile wide. It is green and congregation, and for the third of Trenabie. fertile and has been farmed for over 5000 years. and fourth £3 more from Mr At the age of 5½ I was sent to It’s beef cattle are among the finest in Orkney. Traill. For the years of my time school in Rackwick and taught Historic Scotland list over 60 archealogical sites nearly at an end, it had been by John Rendall from whom including the Knap of Howar; the oldest known agreed that I should have £18 I learned Reading, Writing, standing northern European houses built 1000 including the fees. This winter Arithmetic, English Grammar years before the pyramids. (1849) including an evening and Bookkeeping. I attended the The scheduled flight between Westray and class of 20, the list has risen to school regularly, except for harvest Papa Westray is the shortest in the world—two to 90, who are taught by me and an vacations, till 14 years old at which three minutes. Make it and you’ll get a certificate assistant female I.R.” time my father and mother moved to prove it. Attendances fluctuated as to the house of Ouseness where it Papay has a population of around 70 people. parents required their children’s was necessary that I helped my help at different seasons of the father. I amused myself during farming year. Poverty played the long winter evenings by writing essays or the reading its part too. Some parents could not afford a shilling a of such books that I could obtain from neighbours, etc, quarter as was recounted many years later by the eldest by which course I not only improved myself but was Pottinger boy, James: withdrawn from the improper associates and the hurtful “I had accompanied my father on a trip by rowboat to snares in which thoughtless youths are apt to become visit a boy who had been absent more than most. This entangled. lad and I had spent a wonderful day playing together soA Issue No. 54 June 2010 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 19

Fhe asked his mother if my father and I could stay for the He spent his working life in the printing trade starting mid-day meal. The mother answered in a quiet voice but off as an apprentice with the Colonist, having a spell with loud enough that I could overhear, ‘Ach we canna do that the Cariboo Sentinel and for a time as a partner in the since we hae only one small dove for our own bite.’ “And jobbing printers Rose & Pottinger. In 1885 he returned that,” said James, was not unusual for the times.” to Victoria where he joined the Queen’s Printers where George Pottinger was just 23 when he married a Westray he became foreman of the composing room, a position girl, Isabella Bews, and they he held until his retirement in moved the short distance to 1923. the Freechurch School on Papa James and his wife, Clara Westray. Four children were born Cameron of Nova Scotia, married in Orkney: James, William, in 1884 and they had seven George and Ellen. James, the children. Their first home was at eldest, was 15 when the decision Michigan Street in James Bay was taken to emigrate. but in 1908 they moved to a new From speaking to Orcadians who home that they had built at 634 had travelled abroad George Battery Street to accommodate thought that a move to Vancouver their large family. Island could mean a significant Isabella Bews Pottinger died in improvement in their standard of 1894 and is buried in Ross Bay James Pottinger George Pottinger living. Cemetery. George died ten years later and is buried in Teachers in the colonial schools the same plot. Sadly neither lived to see three daughters were receiving £50 per year plus an additional living of James, Kate, Myrtle and Muriel, studying for the allowance of £100. In some cases accommodation was teaching profession. provided free. This would be luxury indeed when the George would have been so proud to see his granddaughters average wage in Scotand at that time was just £40 per entering the profession that he loved and it certain that annum. his many descendants bless the day that the Pottingers Letters of reference from patrons were important and decided that their future lay in Canada. L George brought three with him including a glowing testimonial from George Reid , the Minister of the United Presbyterian Church in Westray. There is little record of how George fared during his early years on Vancouver Island. We do know that the family 3 BINDERS WILL arrived during a severe economic depression and this caused an exodus of pupils and made it difficult for the HOLD ALL YOUR government to pay teachers. By 1870, however, he had secured a position at Girls’ Central NEWSLETTERS School at Broughton Street, moving shortly afterwards to the Lake school in the Royal Oak with room to spare for 2011 district. By 1874 he was established in the Craigflower Schoolhouse where his Orkney accent and religious beliefs would have been welcomed by fellow settlers from Scotland. His Craigflower School, completed 1855 teaching skills were soon recognised by the education authority too. In his report for 1874-75, George Jessop, the Finished In dark green with gold emboss- British Columbia Superintendent of Schools, wrote: “It is ing these attractive binders will hold all of your gratifying to be able to report a very decided change for newsletters until December 2011. the better at Craigflower Schoolhouse consequent upon Easy insertion and removal of newsletters a change of teachers.” And furthermore, “The industrious with open flat design for every page. painstaking exertions of the present teacher (George Priced at £5 each. Weight 400gms. Include Pottinger) have already reduced irregular attendance to amount for post and packing when ordering. about 15½%.” George was now earning $720 per year. This can be easily calculated by referring to our Records show that the last of the Pottinger children was website www.orkneyfhs.co.uk and following baptised on June 27th 1866. The family eventually settled the links under ‘publications’. in James Bay on Superior Street. James, the eldest son, did not follow his father into teaching. 20 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No. 53 March 2010

Tofino Pioneers – Bill and Ann Stout

© RICH PARLEE and reprinted with his permission

You may have heard of story-book people who couldn’t games provided the occasion for much neighbourliness and live away from the islands and the sea. It’s “in their fellowship. “There’s a coldness today compared to then” said blood” and any other environment makes them pine Mrs. Stout offering me another bannock, “I guess there’s so with loneliness, sicken or even die, many going after money now.” to get back to the sea. This article was brought to my atten- All this was left behind in 1938 Such were two pioneers of Tofino, tion by Anne Rendall, our Vice Chair, when Bill and Ann, with their three Bill Stout and his wife Ann. They, in who found it among old papers and cut- children, exchanged the islands of real life, were true story-book char- tings that had been collected over the Orkney for the adventure of a farm in acters. They are best known in the years by her late cousin, Bill Irvine. It Alberta. But this was not to be. The Tofino area as the longtime keepers was written by Rich Parlee in 1975 and depression still gripped the country, of Lennard Island light, where for appeared in ‘The Westcoaster’ which is and the land was harsh, but worst of many years seagoing visitors en- published in Tofino, Ucluelet in British all, the sea was 1500 miles away and joyed the beautifully kept grounds Columbia. some people here had never seen an We read in the article that Bill Stout and buildings, not to mention the died while on holiday in Westray but island. greatest bannocks this side of the what became of his wife Ann? As 5 years, passed and Bill’s heart islands of Orkney. She evidently returned to B.C. and I ached for the sea, his health began to Bill and Ann Stout were born suppose that it is just possible that she fail. It was a wise and understand- on the island of Westray one of the may still be alive, although she would ing doctor who finally said, “Bill, you most northerly in Orkney. The genu- be well into her 90s. must get back to the sea or you will ine brogue is proof enough of this. I have also tried to find out where Bill die.” It was another world in terms of to- Stout is buried in Westray. They didn’t need much persua- day’s thinking. As I enjoyed a fresh- If anyone can help with these ques- sion to turn their backs on 5 years ly baked bannock and a cup of hot tions I will be delighted to publish the of toil in a strange land and sell the answers in the next newsletter. Ed. milk, Ann told me of the tiny farm farm and find a place in Victoria. But they occupied on Westray. All the Victoria was as foreign to their way farms were like feudal estates, owned by a landowner of life as an Alberta farm and they only stayed there long who rented them to tenants. While the men toiled at sea enough to hear of a large rambling six bedroom house on for fish and lobsters the women tended the gardens and Denman Island. This they bought, and felt again the sea livestock. Barley was grown in the little fields and ground breezes of a small island dotted with little farms. into flour there The 5 years spent on the island. there were busy ones for “It was a dif- Mrs. Stout, who operated ferent life then the big house as a way- than now” said side hotel, and for Bill, Ann, of the who worked on the ferry. Westray social Somewhere along the life. She de- way a certain Captain scribed com- Armasson of the D.O.T. munity picnics spotted the reliable and in summer and skillful character of Bill at Christmas, Stout and much against Westray and Ann’s wishes whispered other islanders in his ear of a small island called Lennard, with the open would congre- sea clawing away at it’s beaches and the possibility of new gate together adventure. by boat, horse What else was he to do? What else could an island man and cart and on do? He would take it. So in 1948 they arrived on Lennard Is- foot. There on Bill and Ann Stout. Photograph © Ken Gibson collection land with Peggy the dog, a few chickens and a green thumb. the island playground, the footraces, tugs-o-war and ball They set about dealing with the large accumulation of A Issue No. 53 March 2010 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 21

F26 oz. bottles and general run-down condition of the house in 1961. They built housing for their inevitable poul- place and before long it began to glisten and awake with try as well. They worked dawn to dusk to complete a cement efficiency befitting a pair like Bill and Ann Stout. For 13 cistern in a single pour. They wrested a flourishing garden years they worked as light keepers, mostly on Lennard, from the reluctant acid soil. They built a second house out but with time between on Estevan Point and a year at of the remains of an old wharf. They met the challenge of Discovery Island near Victoria. The latter was too close to the west coast head on and they won. Perhaps it was such Victoria, however – “They stole everything that was loose” a challenge that had always kept the restless Bill moving. – and they re-applied for Lennard Island after one year. Now he had done what his heart had always longed to do. But the highest adventure, was still coming. In 1961 The place shouted originality. An intricate network of pipes they bought property on Tofino Inlet near the present gathered water off the roofs, filled the cisterns, watered the bird sanctuary and John Dale’s sawmill. With a rented gardens and kept the chickens laying. The skilled shipwright’s scow and unending determination, they moved their hands of Bill Stout turned out the beautiful little clinker hulls things to – you guessed it – a small island 300ft. from the that can be seen slipping along in Tofina waters. The “Len- main property ashore. There they built a small pan-abode nard Isle” is one—the former personal boat of the Stouts. A little sadly, perhaps, the place was sold in 1967. This story which had a romantic beginning had a melo- dramatic ending. In 1967 the Stouts took a trip home to Orkney. There, on the very soil of his birth, Bill died and was buried by a geo* — an inlet of the sea which had so long tugged his heart. He went home as he lived – faithful to God and man – near the sea. Mrs Stout now lives In Victoria; as always busily serv- ing her Lord and her friends. She comes to Tofino often - but not half often enough - and spreads love and joy – and those delicious bannocks - wherever she goes. N Richard Parlee© Wednesday, April 2, 1975 THE WESTCOASTER, Tofino - Ucluelet. B . C . *Bill Stout is buried at Ladykirk Cemetery, Plot No169, Row C 13. The cemetery is located at and while there is no geo Lennard Island Light. Photograph© from the Ken Gibson collection nearby it is certainly close to the sea. Ed. Check all this out on the members’ page of our website, www.orkneyfhs.co.uk

SIB FOLK NEWS ON WEBSITE FAMILY TREES We’ve made a start at putting our newsletter on our web- The Society has over 1400 paper trees submitted by mem- site for on line reading or downloading. We hope, that with bers and non-members. Whilst an excellent source of in- your help, we can make all articles searchable. formation, they can only be looked on by members who And to achieve this we need your help. Find out how on visit the office and some may no longer be up-to-date. the Sib Folk News page on our website. We are in the process of scanning these to make them available for on-line viewing. LEGAL JARGON Members are encouraged to record and maintain their Confused by Scottish legal terms? A glossary of many of family tree on our online database—Trees On-Line. these is available on our site as a PDF document. Both on-line and scanned trees can be searched from the GRAVEYARD LAYOUTS Trees page. An extensive number have now been surveyed by the Soci- ety. These can now be viewed on-line as a PDF document. MESSAGE BOARD Check it out on the members’ page or graveyard search If you have hit that ‘brick wall’ in your research try putting results page. a request on the Message Board or indeed in Sib Folk News and some other member may be able to help you. CENSUS PROPERTY INDEX If you come across a website that you think would be use- You are now able to view the Property Index for each ce- ful to other members—put it on the Message Board. sus produced by the Society. This can be done from the You can use the Message Board for just about anything; Parishes > [Parish] Page or the Search Results Page from the Census > Surname search. You can also view the oc- comments about the website or our magazine or the cupants of the properties from this index. Orkney Family History Society in general. 22 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No.54 June 2010

Help! I can’t sort my Walls from my Walds

A cry for help from Judith MacGregor, Member No 2153

My quest is to prove that the Magnus Wall who was a slater, & of Magnus Wald 5/4/1785, which I have translated and have Jannet Paterson, his wife, who had a baby daughter called Mary attached. The Kirkwall Library confirms that Magnus did not WALL in Edinburgh 20/1/1805, is the same Magnus WALD and hold on to the land for very long. Jannet Paterson who married 10th June 1790 Kirkwall & , I have been in touch with George Gray at the Family History Orkney and who had sons Magnus Wald baptised 10th December Office and while he has not managed to resolve the problem he 1789 Kirkwall & St Ola, and Andrew Wald baptised 21st March has been most helpful in providing what information he has on 1794 at Kirkwall & St Ola. the Walds. He has found gravestones for 3 Wald males in Orkney Neither the OPR for Magnus & Jannet’s marriage or the OPR but none in Kirkwall. for the birth of the sons gives the father’s occupation. However George was also able to tell me at which houses a Wald was Mary’s birth in Edinburgh gives “slater”. living between 1821 and 1841. The first “Magnus” I could find was baptised 14th April 1734 In the 1841 census for Kirkwall and St Ola I did find an (Minister Thomas Baikie and witnesses Magnus Linay and Alexander and Margaret Wald living in Victoria Street Kirkwall Margaret Sinclair his spouse) whose parents were David Wald and this fits in with a brother of Magnus who was born on the 21 (b. c1713) and Janet Garrioch. He married Ann Garrioch (OPR February 1771 in Holm & Paplay and who married a Margaret marriage not found) and they had 11 children all born in Holm Heddle in 1841. & Paplay: Andrew baptism 14 Mar 1763, James baptism 14 June The 1841 Census Kirkwall & St Ola reveals the following for 1764, Margaret baptism 29 Mar 1766, Magnus baptism 18 Feb 2/96 Victoria St:- 1768, Ann baptism 25 July 1769, Alexander baptism 21 Feb Alexander Wald, aged 70, House Carpenter, born in Orkney 1771, Mary baptism 17 Dec 1772, Barbara baptism 21 June 1774, Margaret Wald, aged 50, born in Orkney David baptism 15 Mar 1776, John baptism 16 Jan 1778 and Helen Thomas Wald, aged 15, Ship carpenter, born in Orkney baptised 6 Feb 1780. John Wald, aged 13, born in Orkney The Magnus Wald mentioned above, who was born Ebenezar Wald, aged 11, born in Orkney 1768, and to whom I believe I am descended from, James Heddle, aged 45, farmer, born in Orkney married Jannet Paterson, 10 Jun 1790, Kirkwall & St Ola John Heddle, aged 8, born in Orkney (minister Mr Yule, and witnesses Robert Flett and John Taylor). Closer to home I have found a Wald family who came to Magnus and Jannet had two sons born and baptised in Kirkwall Australia and who are now living in NSW. The information and St Ola: Magnus b 10 Dec 1789 and Andrew b 21 Mar 1794. I that I have from them is that the son of Alexander and Margaret then find a daughter Mary b 30 Jan 1805 in the Parish of Canongate, mentioned above, John Firth Wald born 9 Feb 1826 Kirkwall & St County of , Edinburgh and here the name is given as Ola, married Helen Irvine Flett, (he was a jeweller in Adelaide). WALL. If this is the same family then this ties in with there being They had 9 children and they came to Adelaide in South Australia no family by that name on the 1841 Census for Orkney - they had about 1850. Arthur Graham Wald (the youngest of the 9 children) moved to Edinburgh. married Ethel Mary Dale and they had three children. He had a From Mary onwards the surname is given as WALL and we brother Magnus who was the eighth child. seem to be able to trace them through the Census. In 1841 in My next move will be to try and find out which ship brought Edinburgh Magnus Wall (born 1789 who married Margaret John Wald and Helen Flett to Australia. McLeod in Edinburgh 16/6/1812) is a Printer and was born Meantime I have taken up George’s offer to have the subject outside the County,(was this Orkney?) However we cannot find aired in the Newsletter in the hope that one of my fellow members Magnus & Janet Patterson on the Census and have not been able can answer my initial query – Was Magnus Wald in Orkney the to find their deaths. same man as Magnus Wall, slater, in Edinburgh? Magnus & Margaret McLeod had sons David (who became I have, incidentally, found a marriage of a Gilbert Wald to a a printer - married Mary Paterson in Edinburgh and came to Marjorie Linklater in February 1666. This is the earliest record I Australia with sons Thomas & John), John James-(a printer who have come across of the name. married Mary Girvan and a step son John Brown also a printer), Of course any information at all on the Wald, Wall, Walls, Margaret & Thomas (don’t know anything about them), Alexander would be gratefully received and anything that connects with the (a jeweller who married Mary Peddie and they had a son John), & Heddle and Garrioch families would be a bonus. L Isabella (who married James Gowans and they had Thomas Wall Gowans and James Magnus Gowans). You can reach me in Sydney, Australia at:- I have sent for and received an Instrument of Sasine in favour [email protected] Issue No. 54 June 2010 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 23

Photograph of church © Lis Burke and used under Creative Commons licence n Sunday 25th October 2009 the last United Free Kirk when theirs broke down. OChurch service was held in Westray. On Sunday 25 October 2009 the last United Free Kirk The secession congregation built their own church in service was held in the Reid Memorial Hall at 11.30am. 1823, seating 300 people. As the congregation grew a In spite of numerous people being away on holiday or gallery was added giving another 150 seats. When even at the Baptist Assembly, well over one hundred people this was too small a new kirk seating 550 was built in attended this united service which was led by Rev David 1866 at the Braehead. By this time the congregation was Cartledge, Interim Moderator. Kathleen Hilton, who has United Presbyterian and became United Free following helped so often over the years, provided music on her the national union in 1900. The older church became own keyboard and the singing was hearty. known as the Sheepie Kirk. Danny Harcus, Session Clerk, welcomed and thanked At Rapness a Free Kirk congregation was formed everyone for their help over what had been a time of in 1876 and they built a church there in 1883. This difficult decisions. The UF congregation really appreciate congregation also became United Free and was linked the friendship, help and patience shown by the other to the bigger congregation in the north of the island. In Kirks. the mid 1920s the property in Rapness was sold to the Rev Iain MacDonald, Church of Scotland, Westray, Church of Scotland leaving the Braehead Kirk the only and John Drever, treasurer, Westray Baptist Church, United Free Kirk in Westray. Westray, both encouraged the UF congregation to look When the majority of United Free congregations voted forward and assured them of a welcome wherever they to join with the Church of Scotland in 1929 Westray voted made their new church home. against it and became one of the churches known as Margaret Eunson, Session Clerk, Dounby UF, read a United Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). This word letter from Rev Joe and Mrs Creelman and also brought “ continuing” was eventually dropped. her own advice on going forward. When the last minister, Rev Craig Wilson, left in 2006 Nancy Scott read Matthew chapter 28 from the Study it became clear Westray UF Kirk would not get another Bible which was presented to Danny Harcus as a token of minister, owing to the general shortage of ministers in appreciation for the many hours he had put in as Session the denomination and because the congregation could Clerk. not support a full time minister. Rev Graeme Bruce, clerk to the United Free Church There were many meetings and prayer meetings to Presbytery of the North, preached on Matthew 28: 16 decide the best way forward and in 2008 the members – 20, again looking forward and saying there is still work voted to close the Kirk. for the UF people to do, albeit in a new sphere. From January 2009 the congregation ceased to worship After this last service the lectern, the Communion table regularly in the Reid Memorial Hall, meeting instead on and pew Bibles were gifted to the Westray Baptist Kirk. alternate Sunday mornings with the Church of Scotland The Westray United Free Church of Scotland and Baptist congregations. Sunday evening services have, congregation will now inevitably divide between the for some years, been united services meeting in turn in other two Kirks but will remain members of the UF the three kirks, and, after it was built, in Kalisgarth Care denomination until the last items are approved by Centre. Presbytery in February 2010. The wheels within Presbyterianism turn very slowly Anyone interested in the history of the United Free but eventually in 2009 the property was advertised and Church in Westray will find the it was purchased by Adam & Linda Sharp. new publication ‘The New Kirk Most of the furniture in the manse and moveables from in Westray’ a treasure trove of the kirk were sold during the summer of 2009, leaving information. It is a fascinating only the furnishings in the Reid Memorial Hall which collection of memories, records and were retained until after the final service in October (use photographs compiled by Nancy of building kindly granted by Adam and Linda Sharp for Scott. this occasion). It is attractively priced at £12 and Some small tables were gifted to the Papay Kirk. The if you have difficulty finding a copy it reading light from the pulpit in the big Kirk, the tea urn is available online from the Orcadian and other items were given to the Westray Parish Kirk. Bookshop: Not long after this the organ was sent to Dounby UF www.orcadian.co.uk/books L

THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY

rkney Family History Society was formed in NEW MEMBERS 1997 and is run by a committee of volunteers. Membership of the Society is through subscription O It is similar to societies operating worldwide and runs for a period of twelve months from date of where members share a mutual interest in family application. history and help each other with research and, from Members will receive our magazine ‘Sib Folk News’ time to time, assist in special projects concerning the which is published every 3 months and the ‘Members’ countless records and subjects available to us all in Directory’ which is renewed annually in September. finding our roots. This Directory lists members’ contact details and their The main objectives are: research interests. 1 To establish a local organisation for the study, Members will receive a password to access the collection, analysis and sharing of information about members’ pages on the website, details of which are individuals and families in Orkney. shown on the Home Page. 2 To establish and maintain links with other family A great deal of research can be achieved through these history groups and genealogical societies throughout resources the UK and overseas THE PRESENT MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES AND RATES ARE 3. To establish and maintain a library and other 1. UK only ORDINARY reference facilities as an information resource for Family membership members and approved subscribers. £10.00 4.To promote study projects and special interest 2. UK only FAMILY MEMBERSHIP groups to pursue approved assignments. Spouse, Partner and Children under 18 £15.00 We are located on the upper floor of the Kirkwall 3. UK only SENIOR CITIZENS Library next to the archives department and are open Single or couple £7.00 Mon–Fri 2pm–4.30pm and Sat 11am–4.30pm. Our own library, though small at the moment, holds a 4. OVERSEAS - Surface Mail £12.50 variety of information including: 5. OVERSEAS - Air Mail £15.00 The IGI for Orkney on microfiche. The Old Parish Records on microfilm. DOWNLOAD THESE and SEND The Census Returns on microfilm transcribed WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION on to a computer database. Visit www.orkneyfhs.co.uk/docs/mempack.pdf where Family Trees. you will find a New Membership Application form and Emigration and Debtors lists. a blank Family Tree. Please complete these, print and Letters, Articles and stories concerning Orkney send with the appropriate subscription to The Treasurer and its people. at the address below. Hudson’s Bay Company information. EXISTING MEMBERS Graveyard Surveys (long term project). Existing members wanting to renew their subscription This material is available to members for ‘in house’ can now do so online. Just Log In and use the link from research by arrangement. My Details on the Member’s Page. You can, of course, Locally we have a Members’ Evening, most months, still send your subscription to the Treasurer at OFHS. with a guest speaker. CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE We produce a booklet of members and interests to Overseas members, paying in their own currency, allow members with similar interests to correspond should check the exchange rate to ensure the correct with each other if they wish. amount is forwarded. Our bank will accept overseas We also produce a newsletter 4 times a year and are cheques without charging commission. We regret that always looking for articles and photographs of interest. foreign Postal Orders are not acceptable in the UK. A stamped addressed envelope should be included if Members residing in the UK may pay their subscriptions these are to be returned. Back copies of the magazine by Bankers Order and if they wish can have their can be purchased at £1 per copy. subscriptions treated as Gift Aid donations. Forms are We can usually undertake research for members available on request. who live outwith Orkney but this is dependent on the Cheques should be made payable to:- willingness of our island members giving up their ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY spare time to help. Any costs incurred, such as fees for and forwarded to The Treasurer certificates, will reqire to be reimbursed by the member. ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Orkney Library & Archive 44 Junction Rd. Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1AG Scotland. Telephone 01856 879207 General enquires should be addressed to the office in writing or to Treasurer George Gray (e-mail: [email protected]) General Secretary. Elaine Sinclair (e-mail: [email protected]) Research Secy. Adrianne Leask (e-mail: [email protected]) Editor. John Sinclair (e-mail: [email protected]) Orkney Family History Society website— www.orkneyfhs.co.uk Articles in the newsletter are copyright of the Society and its authors and may not be reproduced without permiss- ion of the editor. The Society is a registered charity in Scotland and a member of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies. The Society’s newsletter, Sib Folk News is registered with the British Library under the serial number ISSN 1368-3950. The Orkney Family History Society

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