SIB FOLK NEWSISSUE No 44 DECEMBER 2007 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 2 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No 44 December 07

ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY NEWSLETTER From the chair Issue No 44 December 2007 Our winter programme got off to a great start when a gathering of 40 - 50 people met at Orkney College CONTENTS in October. Harold Esson, an ardent collector of FRONT COVER memorabilia and artifacts pertaining to the West Winter over Scapa Bay mainland, captured the audience with his fascinating stories about people and properties, gleaned from PAGE 2 local people and his own experiences of the trades From the Chair folk and worthies of Beaquoyside in Birsay. In his own PAGES 3,4,5 particular style and with a fair bit of humour, he had In Search of a Name everyone enthralled. He concluded his presentation By Tom Corston by showing a selection of unique slides taken on the PAGE 6 island of Fair Isle. John O'Groats I had the opportunity, along with our President Bad weather caused the postponement of the Nan Scott, to attend the Scottish Association Society's Annual Dinner by a week with the PAGE 7 of Family History Societies Council Meeting event being well supported. 'Tumbledown' By Alan Clouston on 20th October in Edinburgh. We were Our first event in 2008 is a Members Night in fortunate to hear from George Mackenzie, February. This will enable members to tease PAGES 8 & 9 the Keeper of Records in Scotland; Paul out their own research queries; to hear of Early Connections Parr, the Depute Registrar General and Dee other members' stories and to make full use to South Ronaldsay Williams of the New Family History Centre of the Society and Orkney Archive resources. on its progress towards a spring 2008 opening. Our full 2008 programme can be seen on page PAGES 10 & 11 Specific highlights were an insight into the 9 of the newsletter. How the HBC Got Ahead work being done on the digitisation of the vast Among OFHS members across the world, as archive of paper records. They have already we say goodbye to 2007, there will undoubtedly PAGES 12 & 13 passed their 9 millionth page and hope to be happy memories but also sad times. 2007 An Orkney Son from have digitised 10 million by the year-end. We has been a busy and productive year for the Rousay can look forwardover the next couple of years Society and I hope you appreciate the benefits PAGE 14 to have on-line access to vital information on of your membership. The Horseman's Church records, Sasines, Catholic records, I thank you for your continued support and Word Soldiers wills, Court records, OPR deaths on behalf of the Society, wish you a Merry and Valuation rolls. The latter is likely to be Christmas and a happy and healthy New PAGES progressed initially with a midpoint inter- Year 15,16,17,18 census year. Further refinements and easier The Shadow on the Alan Clouston Blanket search methods are planned.

PAGE 18 A Blot in the Burn

PAGES 19 & 20 William Smellie

PAGE 20 Robert Whitton's update

PAGES 21 & 22 Our Stromness Hero

PAGE 22 Picture Puzzle

PAGE 23 A Thank you, A totem pole and a dinner When Alan and Nan were at the SAFHS meeting held in the Mull room, Gillis Centre, Strathern Road, Edinburgh they were pleased to meet the Shetland representative, Mary Barron. She is a Shetlander living in Edinburgh and is a genealogist of some repute. PAGE 24 While in Edinburgh Alan left the OFHS report for the next SAFHS bulletin with the newly appointed editor, Janet Bishop, and Membership members might like to look out for that.

Issue No. 44 December 2007 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 3

In Search of a Name Tom Corston tells of his pilgrimage in May to Orkney, the ancestral home of the Corston Family

Since I was very young I have thought of the Corston as “workers” for the company. Orkney has always been a name as being somewhat unique. land of subsistence farming. Life was hard for the “croft- In the 1960’s my mother, Frances Corston, began a re- ers”, with few breaks from the long days of eeking out a search into the Corston history. From that I came to real- living. Hence, Orkneymen were hardened, not afraid of ize that there was a history attached to the name that hard work and well used to lives of lone- is a part of Canada’s rich tapestry itself. My personal liness and deprivation…just the kind of love of all things historical instilled within me a desire worker the “honourable company” needed to know more of its origins. Due mostly to her research, to staff her isolated outposts in the James taken on in later years by cousin, Randy Corston, there and Hudson Bay region. For many, the last grew within me a desire to go to the source of the family sight of their homeland from the deck of name…Orkney. the HBC ship as it slipped out to sea was In 2003 that opportunity presented itself. Unfortu- the village of Stromness, the cliffs of the nately, it amounted to only a half-day tour, but enough “Old Man of Hoy” and ever diminishing to instill within me the desire…indeed, the very need, to from their sight the rolling hills of their return. I was “smitten” with this ancient island, sitting beloved Orkney. out in the north Atlantic off Scotland. The first “Corston” recorded with the The Corston name originated on the Islands of Ork- HBC was a “Hugh” Corston who appar- ney. Originally the remote, wind-swept islands belonged ently starved to death near Little Whale to Norway and its ancient history is closely linked with River, (northern Quebec) in 1754. The Old Man of the nomadic Vikings. Historical evidence in Orkney today Our family actually begins with a Wil- Hoy, a spec- proves that Nordic Viking communities thrived centuries liam Corston of Rendall, Orkney, born in tacular sea stack before the birth of Jesus Christ. Ancient sites, such as the 1819. Evidence shows that he signed on some 300ft high. “Ring of Brogdar” and the “Standing Stones of Stenness”, with the Company on February 19, 1836 as as well as numerous other excavations, continue to inter- a labourer for a five year term at £16 per anuum. He dis- est archeologists, historians and tourists alike. embarked at Moose Fort on September 3, 1836 and was The earliest record of the name is of a “Magnus” Corston immediately posted to Rupert’s House, Quebec, arriving in 1492 who owned a farm and a flour mill in Harray par- on September 27th. His history as a faithful employee of ish on Orkney’s main island. The name was pronounced the HBC is well documented. He worked in many posi- “Korshtan”. (“Orkney Family Names”, by Gregor Lamb, tions in numerous posts along the east coast of James 2003). Not much else is known other than there is some Bay, inland as far as Mistassini and in Ontario to Ogoki small evidence that Magnus entered into a dispute with Post, far inland along the Albany River*. He and his wife a neighbour over land rights. Nothing seems to be known Margaret McKay raised seven children…four daughters as to the outcome of that dispute. According to Lamb, the and three sons. William retired in 1893 after 57 years of Corston name continued in the Stromness area until the faithful service and continued to live at Eastmain, Que- early 1900’s, but then seems to have disappeared from bec, on James’ Bay’s eastern coast... He died on April 7, local history 1898 in his 80th year. It is from this man that our branch Many Orcadians came to Canada with the Hudson’s of the family descends. (From “A Summary of the Corston Bay Company. The HBC ships always put in at the sea- Family in Canada”, by Randy Corston, Chapleau, On- side village of Stromness, to take on fresh water and sup- tario, 1994) plies before heading across the north Atlantic to Canada’s JOURNEY LONG AWAITED… outposts. It was here that many Orkneymen signed on Browsing the internet one day in 2006, I came across a notice inviting all Canadians of Orcadian ancestry to join an “Orkney Homecoming” tour in May, 2007. It sounded compelling. I mentionedA

This is Stromness where the Orkney HBC agent was located. For many young Orcadians the view of the town nestling below Brinkies Brae was the last glimpse of their homes as the ship carried them away to their new life in Canada. 4 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No. 44 December 2007

Fit to my mother and we decided to sign on. It turned out land” which included such to be the long-awaited journey of a life-time that brought sites as the “Churchill Bar- me back to the very heart of the rich history of Orkney riers”, which were erected and of my family name. by Italian POW’s in the last On May 15 of this year we joined with 52 other de- war following the destruc- scendents of Orkney in Glasgow, Scotland. The trip had tion of the great battleship been arranged by “The Great Canadian Travel Company” “HMS Royal Oak” which of Winnipeg, Manitoba…the home of many Canadians was lying at anchor at of Orcadian ancestry. In 2004 the governments of Mani- One of the Churchill Barriers today Scapa Flow. Scapa Flow was toba and Orkney had signed a “Treaty of Friendship & a naturally protected harbour. It was made famous at the Cooperation”, from which the idea of the “Homecoming” end of the First World War as it originated. Participants gathered from both Canada and was here that the whole German the USA, from places like Toronto, Calgary, Fort Frances, Navy weighed anchor awaiting Saskatoon, Ottawa, Hamilton, International Falls, Min- the Armistice. Prior to word ar- nesota, Boston, to name but a few. Certainly, those par- riving that the German surren- ticipating were evidence of the vast influence of Orkney der had been signed, the German in the history of our countries. (I was missionary at Ogoki Admiral had the whole fleet scut- Post myself, 1978-80…accessible even today only by boat tled. Following the sinking of the & air). “Royal Oak” at the beginning of Following a long day of travelling across the Scottish the last war, Winston Churchill countryside, through the remote highlands north of In- ordered that the natural harbours The Royal Oak verness, we arrived, (somewhat late) at the ferry docks at be protected with large barriers. Orkney became the site Scrabster where the boat awaited to take us on the hour of an Italian POW camp and the and a half sail to Orkney. On board to greet us were numer- prisoners carried out the work. A ous members of the media, from the Orkney newspapers, top tourist attraction is the “Ital- and the BBC radio, including at least 4 photographers. ian Chapel” built by the Italian Our Guide, John Grieve, of the “Orkney Island Tours”, POW’s, at the campsite and still was also on hand to greet us and inform us of the numer- in use by Orkney’s small Roman ous activities they had laid on for us to both sightsee over Catholic community. the following days as well as research our respective fam- A highlight of the day was a The Italian Chapel ily histories. Indeed, the ‘Orkney Family History Society’ visit with local entrepreneur, was well prepared to host us and attempt to answer every Willie Mowatt. Willie has been the caretaker for many query about our respective histories. years of the grave of one of the HBC managers who, following his service, re- turned from Canada and whose gravesite is situated in the back garden of Wil- lie’s home. The story is that the Governor didn’t want to be buried in the churchyard Willie Mowatt because it was infested by rabbits! Willie is related to a number of Mowats who came out to Canada, notably the former Premier of Ontario, Sir Oliver Mowat (1820-1903) and Canadian author, Farley Mowat. Willie was an inter- esting and entertaining Orcadian to visit. Our second day featured a tour of the “east mainland”, which for me was a highlight as it took us to the former lands of Magnus Corston in Harray parish. As we entered the parish, it was not long before we crossed “Corston Road”, where we asked the driver to stop in order to have our photo taken! An eye-opener here was the visit to “Cor- rigall Farm”, situated near the end of Corston Road. Cor- rigall farm continues today as a modern, busy enterprise, but the Corrigall family has left intact the ancient crofter cottage and barns, which is now an historical site. The reading of the Corston history indicates that the We arrived at Stromness, the very port that William family is intermingled with the Corrigall family. Being at Corston left in 1836, to be greeted by a number of well- the site certainly brings that connection alive. Our his- wishers with a large welcome banner, and the Pipes and tory shows that they were close neighbours, so it is quite Drums of Stromness. Photos and warm handshakes as- natural that there would be marriages between the two sured us that we were indeed, “coming home to Orkney”. families. A personable young Orkneyman, Neil Leask, Our first full day on Orkney was to tour the “west main- (whose name is connected to ours in historical censusA Issue No. 44 December 2007 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 5

Fmaterials), effigy is prominently dis- was on hand played inside the ancient to guide us Cathedral. We stopped at through the the remnants of John Rae’s old farm and home, out on a wind-swept illustrate the piece of coastland. The history of place is an empty shell to- the difficult day, but plans are to make lives of the it into a modern tourist at- early Orcadi- traction. ans. Life was The day’s highlight was a so hard, it meandering walk through The Remains of John Rae’s Home today was no won- the old village of Strom- der many ness, very much today as it has been for centuries, with O r c a d i a n s narrow winding streets along the harbour. At the end of the jumped at Mother and I at ‘our road sign’ in Harray Parish village stands the old HBC warehouse, where hundreds of the chance to get away to a new life and signed on with Orcadians signed on with the “Company” and from which the HBC, not fully realizing, perhaps, that life with the many had their last sight of home. “honourable company” would be just as hard, and in some Later that day we found ourselves in Orphir, an Orca- cases, even harder as many perished struggling to sur- dian parish rich in history. vive in the “new land”. Orphir was the residence of Here I was introduced to a young employee of the Ork- many of the Viking earls and ney Island Tours, Ian Fraser. He was quite taken with our it was here in the Bay of Hou- being Corstons and told us a most intriguing story. He ton that King Haakon Ha- remembered as a child growing up in Harray parish and konsson of Norway beached playing on a hillside that is the site of a number of Corston his ships after the disastrous graves. The story associated with the site he remembered Battle of Largs in 1263. It was from his grandmother. Harray is the only “land-locked” here also, that the Imperial parish in Orkney and is therefore known only for farming, German Fleet was scuttled unlike the other parishes of the Island which are known in 1919. Orphir was also the for both farming and as fishing. As the story goes, one year site of the last battle fought the food was scarce as the crops had failed. People were in Orkney. When we arrived starving. A group of Corston men decided to travel down at the local community centre to the sea to try their chances as catching fish. A winter in village of Orphir we found storm came up and all of them perished. They are buried that the Community Associa- on a hillside, marked by a number of small gravestones. tion and the Orkney family According to Mr. Fraser, the site can still be seen, although Stromness today; much History Society had filled a I was not able to get to it…something for another trip! as it has always been room with local photographs, Later that evening, at the invitation of Neil Leask, we family trees, school records, wartime memorabilia, maps, were delighted to attend the Friday night gathering of “the valuation rolls—even John Rae’s last will and testament. traditional Orkney Dance Society” in Kirkwall. Neil hosted It was here that we found a picture of a tall, handsome an evening of dance, fun, food and laughter. We Canadians young man with wavy tried our best to fit into the various dance steps, but more hair, typical of the 1950’s, often than not managed only to stomp and stumble. Our by the name of “James” hosts laughed good-naturedly with us. I remember many Corston. As far as we a “soft-shoe” dance such as the “Moosonee Stomp” and know, we have never had the “Goose Walk”. As I watched our Orcadian hosts move any historical connec- through their steps, I saw with new realization where tions to Orphir so don’t those dances of our history originated for there in front of know quite where he fits. me were the original dance steps brought to the new world . Interestingly, as I was centuries ago! leaving Orkney, literally Saturday, May 19, was “John Rae Day” on the tour. John stepping on the boat, a re- The exhibition at Orphir Rae, the famous surgeon, explorer and map-maker of early porter from BBC Orkney, following an interview with me, Canada, famous for his excellent journey in search of the told me that he was raised in Orphir and wondered if I had lost John Franklin expedition, was an Orcadian. When he seen the “Corston House” there. Unfortunately I had not. discovered the remnants of John Franklin’s failed journey, He told me that it is an old house that has changed some- he found evidence that the expedition had degenerated what over the years from Corston to “Corstonophile” to into cannibalism. When he made that known in England, “Corsen”…but it is known locally still as “Corston House.” he was discredited and shunned by Victorian England as many felt he had insulted Franklin’s good name. Eventu- Tom concludes his story in our March issue when he ally, he was re-established as the notable person that he tells of preaching in St Olafs, the OFHS Open Day, his was for early Canada. Today his grave is situated in the encounter with the Cog and a visit to Westray. Churchyard of St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall and his 6 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No. 44 December 2007

John O’ Groats

Towards the close of the 15th century or about the begin- Groats House, and although the house has long disap- ning of the 16th, Malcolm, Gavin and peared, the story remains and deserves John De Groot, supposed to be three to be remembered as long as good inten- brothers and natives of Holland, came tions and good sense are appreciated. to Caithness carrying with them a The first account of the story was writ- letter in Latin from James IV, King ten in 1782 by Dr. John Morrison, Min- of Scotland, recommending them to ister of Canisbay. The particulars were his loving subjects in Caithness. They given to him by John Sutherland of Web- purchased, or obtained by charter, cer- ster, whose father had seen the actual let- tain lands of Warse and Duncansby in ter given by King James IV to the Groats. the Parish of Canisbay from the Earl He also said that the remains of the oak of Caithness. table had been seen by many who had in- In the process of time, by the in- scribed their names on it. crease of their families or sub-divi- Some writers have expressed doubts sion of their properties, there came to regarding the truth of the old tradition, be eight different proprietors of the because they have not seen the old house name of Groat. An annual festival and because they find no references to was established to celebrate the an- the story in the accounts of some earlier niversary in Caithness. visitors. The house of the story, created On the occasion of one of these fes- hurriedly to serve a temporary purpose, tivals a dispute arose respecting the must have passed into ruins and decay right of taking the door and sitting at centuries ago. The tradition remains the head of the table and other points and there is not wanting in historical as to precedency and seniority. It came setting of the Groats of John O’ Groats to such a height as would have proved from the earliest extant charter granted fatal in its consequences to some if to John Groat by the Earl of Caithness not to all of them. in 1496 down to 1741, when Sir William At this point John Groat, probably Sinclair of Freswick secured the lands by the oldest of the clan, interposed. He a forced purchase from Malcolm Groat. In pointed out the comforts they had 1649 Malcolm Groat of Warse was a mem- hitherto enjoyed in the land of their ber of the Committee of War and in 1702 adoption and the dangers arising a Donald Groat and a John Groat were from family quarrels. He, therefore, Commissioners of Supply for Caithness. conjured by the ties of blood and their mutual safety, to Canisbay Churchyard holds the dust of many genera- return quietly to their several homes and he would sat- tions of Groats and the curious lettered headstone with isfy them on all points of precedency at their next gather- the date 1568 is evidence of the importance of the family ing. They all acquiesced and departed in peace. at that early date. Accordingly he had to fulfil his promise so he set to Many distinguished visitors have visited John O’ build a house, octagonal in form, with eight doors and Groats including King Edward and Queen Alexandra windows and in the centre of the room he placed an eight- as Prince and Princess of Wales, Noblemen, writers sided table. When the next meeting took place he invited such as Carlyle, Hugh Miller and many distinguished each member to enter by his Colonials. In the genera- own door and sit at the head tions to come many more of the table. By this happy I am once again indebted to Davina Brown who suggested that this article might be of interest to our members. Despite making will seek ‘Caledonia’s out- idea in which they found enquiries here and in Caithness I have been unable to discover most rim’, and whatever be themselves on a footing of the author’s name or indeed if the material is still in copyright. If the manner bent, whether it equality, the family disrup- anyone can supply this Information I will be delighted to include be by foot as intrepid walk- tion was prevented and the appropriate credit in the next issue of our newsletter. ers have gone, or by cycle or harmony and good humour The map is part of Johan Blaeu’s Atlas Novus, which he en- motor, ever breaking previ- restored. graved in 1654. This shows the North east corner of Scotland ous records, there will be Thus like the Arthurian and part of the Orkney Islands. Although John O’ Groats did not at the end of the road the Round Table, came into ex- exist at this time the • shows its approximate location. charm of Nor’land and its istence the famous John O’ story. L Issue No. 44 December 2007 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 7

By Alan Clouston – Member No 339 Did your ancestors live at Scorridale? Thanks to those who responded to our September Tumbledown feature on ‘Waterslap.’ A number of read- ers identified all families and a visitor to the office, a week or so after publication, was a descendent of the Clouston family. The Gunn sisters, of course, were sis- ters of the infamous ‘Isabel Gunn’ aka John Fubbister of Hudson’s Bay Company fame. This Tumbledown article features SCORRIDALE probably the most photographed cottage in Orphir. It lies on the Scorridale Road in the valley between the Midland Hill, the Hill of Dale and Gruf Hill and looks westwards over Clestrain and Scapa Flow to Hoy, Graemsay and the town of Stromness.. From the census information available this cot- tage’s residents emanate from two families – Sinclairs and Groundwaters.

RESIDENTS OF SCORRIDALE 1851 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901

Peter Sinclair 27 - - - - - Margaret Sinclair (wife) 26 - - - - - Peter(son) 1 - - - - - Helen (daughter) 6mth - - - - - Catherine Knarston (servant) 15 - - - - -

Peter Sinclair was born in Orphir (Houton). His wife Margaret and Catherine Knarston, a general servant, were both born in Stenness (Ireland District). I believe Margaret and Catherine to be sisters

John Groundwater - 39 50 60 70 Williamina Groundwater (wife) - 32 43 53 64 74 Tomina (daughter) - 10 - - - - Isabella (daughter) - 8 - - - - Margaret (daughter - 5 - - - - John (son) - 2 12 James F (son) - 6mth 9 20 - - Margaret Moncrieff (mother in law) - 59 68 - - - Thomas (son) - - 7 17 - - Ann (daughter - - 4 14 - - Alexander (son) - - - 9 19 - Charlesina Muir (schoolmistress) - - - - - 26

John Groundwater was born in Kirkwall. He was listed as a farmer of 14 acres in 1881 & 1891, having been a mason in 1861 &1871. His wife Williamina (nee Moncrieff) was born in Orphir and was a widow by 1851 when she was an innkeeper at “Keek” a half-mile from Scorridale. Charlesina Muir was born in Stenness.

If your family was linked to the Scorridale residents and you have a story to tell, or ques- tions to ask, Alan Clouston will try to help. You can contact him at [email protected] 8 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No. 44 December 2007

Photo Credit : Kirsty Smith By Les Horne, Member No 1444 was sorry to miss the Society’s annual Later this be- outing to South Ronaldsay in June 2007, came the Mur- Ihaving visited the island the previous two ray Arms Ho- weeks, staying in a cottage at St Margaret’s tel (see photo) Hope. What a pleasant and interesting visit where I had that was, in tracing some of my ancestors. several enjoy- Articles in the SIB Folk News about South able meals Ronaldsay have often mentioned some on my recent connection to my family. visit. I found everyone I met in Kirkwall Archives Murray Arms – St Margaret’s Hope. Now my great and S. Ronaldsay most friendly and helpful grandfather’s father was also named Alex- in tracking down relatives, and providing ander, born in 1801, one of 5 children. He useful information. Daisy Wishart, herself a married Michal Thomson in 1829, and in NATIONAL 1.84% Horne descendant who knew my grandfather 1841 was farming at Aikers S. Ronaldsay.

ORKNEY and incredibly even just remembered my His brother James (a cooper by trade) mar- 0.16% great grandfather and his second wife ‘Aunt ried Isobella Symison having 3 children, son Issy’ (Isabella Dass), helped considerably in James lived at Herston but unfortunately confirming locations in St Margaret’s Hope. William and also I believe Thomas perished What a memory! in the Dunbar ship disaster in 1857 when the While a number of female relatives still re- captain missed the harbour entrance to Syd- Did main it seems that my grandfather Alexan- ney Australia with the full rigged ship sailing you know? der Horne was one of the few male relatives straight on to rocks. 121 people were lost in- remaining to live on S. Ronaldsay. He was cluding 18 men from S. Ronaldsay, with only The rate of drug missuse born in St Margaret’s Hope in 1867 receiving one survivor. His sister Cecelia lived at Her- in Orkney is well below the an education which enabled him to become ston marrying Thomas (King Tam) Loutitt national average of 1.84% a teacher, first on Rousay, before moving to in 1822 before an early death in 1827 when Source: Estimating the na- teach in Edinburgh. He always had a keen Thomas then married Ann McLeod. tional and local prevalence interest in the Orkneys and was Hon. Secre- His sister Jane married William Tomison in of Problem, Drug Abuse in tary for 31 years of the Orkney and Zetland 1815, son of Governor William Tomison. His Scotland NHS 2005 Association for promoting education on Ork- father William was Governor of Hudsons ney and Shetland. This gave him the oppor- Bay NW territory and founder of HBC Fort tunity to occasionally return to the islands Edmonton 1795, having had a very success- and to St Margaret’s Hope where his father, ful career. Jane and husband William initial- my great grandfather also named Alexan- ly lived at Halcro in 1821 but moved to the der Horne, was a successful merchant, living Governor’s residence at Dundas House in first on The Front and later on the Back Road 1827. Willie Mowatt MBE kindly gave addi- West End. tional details of the difficult times following My great grandfather, born in 1832 died 1922, the death of Governor William concerning was one of 8 children, 5 girls and 3 boys. His disputes about inheritance and the untimely wife Mary Wards had a milliners business death of husband William. As a result Jane in Hope. Three of their children , Margaret, went to Australia with children and her Jane, and Michal married three Sinclairs: niece Mary, returning to St Margaret’s Hope James, William and Sinclair A. Sinclair re- where she died in 1865. Quite a trip in the spectively. Cecelia married W. Dearness days of sail in the mid 1800’s. The Tomison while brother John married Sarah Dass and Academy was endowed by the family to im- farmed at Cauldhame, S Ronaldsay. prove education in S. Ronaldsay. Following a One of his granddaughters, Jessie Mary full tour of his Smithy, Willie Mowatt provid- Wards Horne, inherited the house on the ed very welcome home brewed refreshment! Back Road and married Peter Murray in1920. (see photo). He was intrigued my ancestorA Issue No.44 December 2007 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 9

having an Alexander of approximately the correct age. The most likely was Alexan- der son of George Horn and Janet Duren born at Bankhead Wick in 1746 although there was also an Alexander son of Adam Horn and Elspet Warse born at Canisbay Caithness in 1750 of a possible age. While Horn with an ‘e’ was more common in Caithness, it seemed to have been added about the mid 1800’s in S Ronaldsay. It had been mentioned to me by George Esson that there could even be a tenuous connection to the renowned 1st World War Sampling the ‘Home Brew.’ Myself on left of picture. general, General Lord Horne of Stirkoke Fwas a blacksmith near Flaws, although one of four generals serving under Lord the Smithy was long since demolished. Haigh. Stirkoke is an estate near Wick, Now my great, great, grandfather was but I found it impossible to establish a also called Alexander….quite confusing to connection with so many details missing. have so many Alexanders! We know he mar- Quite apart from the interest in my fam- ried Sissey (Cecy) Duncan in 1782 living ily tree, I found the Orkneys with their at Flaws S Ronaldsay (photo), working as great historic sites remarkable and wor- a blacksmith. I couldn’t find any record of thy of a special visit. If anyone can add to or correct any of the information provid- ed above, I would very much like to hear from you through e-mail: leslie.horne1@ btopenworld.com (note: figure 1 not the Did letter L). L you know

OFHS . SYLLABUS 2008 that in the parish of Birsay, on the Mainland of Orkney, over 20 families have DIARY farmed the same land for Flaws –South Ronaldsay over 400 years. The woman in the sketch Sissey’s baptism but since both Alexander DATES is dragging a back-break- and Sissey are buried in the same grave ‘Members Night’ in Orkney ing ‘charlie’ rake. This at St Mary’s Burwick as George Duncan 14 Feb 2008 Library & Archive 7.30pm implement of torture was (Church Elder) and Elizabeth (Sinclair?) used to glean straw from the harvest field. The crop Duncan, I must assume they were her par- Mrs Sheena Wenham, ents. Alexander died 1804 (from the grave itself would have been headstone see photo) while I assume Sis- 13 Mar 2008 ‘St Mary’s in Holm’ 7.30pm scythed and gathered by sey was younger and did not die until 1848 hand. Ah! The not so good old days. at Gaira S Ronaldsay, remarrying to Mal- James Irvine, colm Groat 10 Apr 2008 ‘DNA in Genealogy’ 7.30pm in 1804. At this Society to participate in SAFHS stage some Conference in Motherwell details be- 26 Apr 2008 Concert Hall. Organised by the come dif- Lanarkshire & West of Scotland ficult to FHS confirm, it being con- s i d e r e d 8 May 2008 Annual General Meeting. that Alex- Speaker & subject tbc 7.30pm ander came to S Ron- Depart Kirkwall Bus Station at aldsay from 15 Jun 2008 10.30am, returning at 5pm. Wick Caith- Headstone at St Mary’s: Duncan/Horn Bus tour through Orphir to ness, and Stromness. OFHS Annual Out- possibly born 1746. I find great difficulty ing - Stromness. ‘Street history in making a definite connection to Wick, & Hudson Bay Company.’ and assuming he came from the Caithness Lunch and return to Kirkwall via area there seem to be two possible families Stenness and Firth. 10 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No. 44 December 2007

Is it thanks to Beaver Hats that the HBC got ahead?

A light-hearted look at the origins of the HBC by John Snclair, Member No 588 f beaver hats had not become the ‘must have’ acces- the King of France to develop the fur trade. sory in Europe in the 17th century t h e The English soon discovered what was happening and IHudson’s Bay Company might nev- wanted, as they say, a bit of the action. As usual the Eng- er have been formed. Fur had been lish and French were soon at each other’s throats and be- in demand as long as man has fore long had also involved the Iroquois and Huron tribes been wearing clothes but some- who were constantly warring with each other anyway. In one, sometime BC, discovered 1609 the French sided with the Hurons in a war that that by matting, condensing was only to end when the English finally defeated the and pressing animal hair and French. wool you could produce a mate- During this time two French fur traders, des Gro- rial that was waterproof, mould- seillers and Redisson, decided to venture further afield. able and hard wearing. Felt had They met up with people from the Sioux nation who told arrived just in time to form a them of the abundance of beaver to the north of the bay protective layer under armour that had been discovered and named by Henry Hudson in giving rise to the slogan ‘Felt 1610. up and survive safely’. Before long they had filled 100 canoes with Round about the fall of the Roman Empire, the furs and made their way back to the same fate befell feltmaking in western Europe. It con- French settlement. Instead of the tinued in the east, however, and by the warm welcome they expected they 1600s feltmakers were making found themselves fined, furs confiscat- their way to the west to cash in ed and des Groseillers incarcerated in on the demand for fine clothes the local lock-up; all because they did and especially felt not have the proper licence. hats for those Sacrebleu what a slap in the vis- who wanted to age thought des Groseillers emerg- get ahead. ing in high dudgeon from the dun- Now unfortunately for geon. In 1665 they packed their the beaver it had bags for England where they told the best pelt for felt and demand had the German Prince Rupert, cousin reached such levels that the Europe- of King Charles II, of the rich pickings an variety was now as scarce as hen’s awaiting him across the sea. The proposition was put to teeth. Charlie who instructed the necessary arrange- This made the hatters quite mad but ment to be made forthwith. sanity was restored when it was dis- Forthwith turned out to be three- covered that North America was awash with and in 1668, two ships set sail for with beaver; something that had not escaped the North America with des Groseillers in entrepreneurs of the day. the Nonsuch and Redisson in the Ea- Appropriately enough the first glet. The Eaglet was forced back by bad entrepreneurs off their mark weather but the Nonsuch reached were a group of Frenchmen James Bay in 1669. Here the crew from San Malo who loaded landed, built a fort to store the furs up a ship with knives, beads and provide protection, and later in the and cooking pots and year they sailed back to England with off they went to swap this the booty. load of tat for fine furs from Evidently the Nonsuch did not produce a for- the First Nations people of tune but Rupert could see the potential for mak- North America. ing money. The King was persuaded to grant a char- Keeping it in the family, so to speak, another ter and monopoly to Rupert and his partners, known Frenchman, Samuel de Champlain, was soon to establish as the Company of Adventurers of England Trading into a permanent settlement and pursue his commission from Hudson’s Bay. A

Issue No. 44 December 2007 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 11

FOn May 6th 1670, Hudson’s Bay Company was formed to the British Crown who subsequent- and was given all the land whose rivers drained into Hud- ly transferred it in 1870 to the newly son Bay, which became known as Rupert’s Land. formed Dominion of Canada. It was a licence to print money. The Company had sole The fur trade was now changing rap- rights to trade for fur without fear of competition. idly. New ways of treating furs were T h e native people delivered the furs to discovered. their door so there The poor old coypu of was no need for South America who had the company to spent its time lazin’ in the hunt or seek new sources. HBC was sun was about to be turned into felt that becoming very profitable. was as good as beaver but at a fraction of the cost. Things were to change in 1756. Britain Suddenly at the start of the 1970s furs were be- and France, who had been constantly snip- coming bad news. Campaigns by anti-fur lobbies saw ing at each other, were now to engage in a celebrities discarding their minks and ocelots. In Brit- war. This had a disastrous effect on the ain sales plummeted by nearly 80% between 1975 and fur trade but when England emerged 1980 and the pattern was similar throughout much of victorious in 1763, having taken the the western world area colonised by France and known as New France, HBC were, as always, on the ball and adapted quick- HBC thought it would be back to business as usual. ly to the decline of the fur trade. Not so, however; things were just settling down when up Much of the land popped a bunch of fur traders in Montreal who, in 1783, they still held was sold decided to form a rival company trading as the North West to farmers, settlers Company. At one time they were em- and developers. Their ploying as many as 2500 people depots then provided and were no doubt a threat to the goods required by HBC. these people. Trading Competition between the Posts became retail two companies was fierce outlets and in 1881 and often acrimonious but HBC opened their first modern retail store in Winnipeg, by 1821 it was over. Circum- Manitoba. stances dictated that North After 1918 HBC developed the gas, oil and mineral West Company had no option but to merge with HBC. The potential of its land and this was profitable until 1929 amalgamated company now consisted of 97 trading posts when the company had once again to look to its future. that had belonged to North West Company and 76 to HBC Over the years this turned out to be an expansion of its who were now the most powerful organisation in North retail stores. The Bay as it is now known is a chain of America. over 90 full line department stores that operate across Incredible as it may seem they controlled most of mod- Canada with flagship stores located in Canada’s largest ern day Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific and were cities. also responsible for enforcing many of the laws. In 1970 the HBC headquarters moved from London This continued until 1870 when they gave up control to Winnipeg, Manitoba. By 1991 it had left the fur trade under the Deed of Surrender. completely selling all of its northern trading posts. This was the surrender of nearly all of the HBC land Today, after 337 years it is still going strong. Beaver Hats came in many designs over the years. These are some of the early ones

The D’Orsay The Wellington The Regent The Paris Beau Cocked Hat Army Navy Cocked Hat Clerical 1820 1812 1825 1815 1776 1837 1800 18th century Trading marks of the oldest commercial corporation in North America From Left to right. The original seal with the Latin motto Pro Pelle Cutem—’a skin for a Skin.’ Next is the seal updated in 2002 with the Latin motto eliminated. The flag is the Red Ensign of the Hudson’s Bay Company. At the top right is the current HBC logo. Underneath is the logo of the Company’s stores. Known simply as ‘the Bay’ they are the largest retailers of department store merchandise throughout Canada. 12 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No. 44 December 2007

John Gibson Inkster The SS Fawn, passenger boat (1812-1917) at Rousay Pier. A Tom Kent photo courtesy of Kirkwall Library Photo Archive John Gibson Inkster was born 18 Feb Montreal. 1867, Cogar, Rousay, son of William Soon afterwards he was offered, and Inkster and Mary Gibson. John Gibson Inkster was accepted, a call to the First Presbyterian He emigrated in 1889/90, arriving my great-uncle, but all Church, London Ont. in New York with $25 in his pocket, I knew about him was They were married in June 1908. and went to the farm of Insgar, in that he was one of my For their honeymoon they came the village of Copetown. An Inkster many ancestors who had to Orkney, stopping en route to visit from Saviskaill (who would have been gone to Canada, until I John’s brother William, who was Fire related to the Inksters of Cogar) had was given a copy of “A Master in Aberdeen. married there back in 1829, so John Retrospective” written When they arrived in Kirkwall John was welcomed into the family. by his widow, a Canadian took Alice to see the shop where he had Alice mentions meeting him (he was lady called Alice Inkster, clerked in his teens, earning the money familiarly known as Jock) at Hamilton (nee Rowsome) some for his passage to Canada in 1889. Collegiate Institute where “he put a lot years ago, and I have (Maybe some other family member of effort into sports, and enterprises used excerpts from that knows what shop that was?) such as the Literary Society where he to write this account. They made the last leg of the journey to got to know people rather than books.” Isobel Irvine Rousay on “a delightful little steamer One reason he stood out among the Member No 338 called the Fawn” other pupils was the fact that he spoke Alice says she had a vivid picture differently. To quote Alice ”his accent in her mind of a rowboat with one was unlike any other we had heard, neither English nor occupant, a man Scottish, Jimmie being’ Chimmie’ and George being with pencil and ‘Chorge’ He used many strange expressions, too, such as paper, tossing “short ago” for our “a little while ago” and ‘a glampsy about on the day’. All this was explained when we learned he had come sea. That lonely from the Orkney Islands.” boatman was She didn’t know then that many years later they would the Canadian get married. artist William At this time John was an (Bill) Smith who under-graduate. They saw was spending the each other fairly regularly summer making but didn’t have a serious sketches “of this relationship, and went their little-known land separate ways in 1895. and of the stormy Find out more about Rousay at www.visitrousay.co.uk In Nov. 1907, during a chance North Sea Waters” visit to Montreal, Alice saw Alice says that to avoid confusion with the contemporary someone and said to her friends artist Bell-Smith he adopted St. Thomas Smith as his “If I didn’t know that he’d died name, St. Thomas being his home town. I would say I’d just seen my John visited Orkney again on his own in 1909, because old friend John Inkster” She’d Alice had given birth to their first daughter, Elizabeth, been told that the congregation and couldn’t make the journey. A second daughter, Mary, of a little church he’d started was born in 1912, and that same year John again came to up in Marmora had put in a Orkney, this time with 3 year-old Elizabeth. Presbyterian Collegiate, Montreal memorial window for him, and In 1913, after preaching for 5 years in London, Ontario, she’d assumed he’d died, but here he was, large as life! John received a call from the First Presbyterian Church, They made an appointment to meet that afternoon, and Victoria BC. which he accepted. he proposed to her! She kept him waiting until Christmas They stayed 8 years in Victoria, during which time their before she said “Yes”. By then Alice was 34 and John was twins, Miriam and Ruth were born. 40. He was working for the Presbyterian Collegiate in Also at this time John met up with a boyhood friend, JamesA Issue No. 44 December 2007 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 13

FSclater, now Lt. Col. Sclater, resident in Vancouver. boat to Sydney, C.P.R. boat ‘Niagara ‘to Vancouver. The summer of 1919 was spent in Portland, Oregon, They left Sydney at midnight. At 3.45am they were where John worked as supply preacher in the Presbyterian awakened with a violent jerk that threw things onto the Church. floor. A steward came and told them to get dressed quickly In 1921 John re- and go to their lifeboat station, taking only one small item ceived a telegram asking of hand luggage. if he would consider a call In the confusion John and Alice got separated and ended to the historic old Knox up in different lifeboats, neither knowing if the other was Church in Toronto, and he safe. accepted. The oarsmen rowed hard to get them away from the John went ahead and sinking ship, and luckily it was a calm night. Watching 2 months later Alice and from a safe distance they watched the Niagara go down as the family joined him. they waited in the lifeboats hoping for rescue. It wouldn’t have been In Alice’s own words, “Finally a freighter picked us up easy for Alice to make and deposited us on a passenger ship on its way to Auck- the 5 day journey involv- land. For me, the next thing was ’Where is John?’ A search The old Knox Church in Toronto ing boat and train, with of the ship showed he was not on board….there was noth- 4 young children. After ing to do but wait. We were not allowed to gather round they got settled in their new home they acquired a sum- the ‘companion way’ to watch for the embarking of more mer house on the shores of Lake Ontario. They named it refugees but had to disperse through the ship. Conse- Saviskaill, and spent many happy holidays there. quently when John finally boarded the vessel he did not, In 1933, to celebrate their Silver Wedding the family as expected, find me waiting for him with open arms at the made a trip to Orkney with their 3 daughters, their oldest, top of the ladder, he had to hunt for me!! When he finally Elizabeth, having died in tragic circumstances a few years found me his first words after these hours of anxiety, were earlier. ‘Where have you been?’” They drove from Toronto to Montreal where they board- When they reached Auckland the first thing was to ed the C.P.R. S.S. Montclair for Southampton. Alice doesn’t send a cable to let the family know they were safe. Already say how long this visit lasted, only that they would leave the family had been phoned by the newspapers, saying from Glasgow on the journey home. ‘Your parents were on the Niagara weren’t they? We un- Before they left they spent a couple of days in Glasgow derstand she was lost with all on board.’ with John’s brother Hugh, who “had a good job as an ac- Not knowing when they would get another boat home countant. He never married, but saved money so that he they went back to Wellington, and next day went to get was able to purchase Cogar and leave it, and quite a sum of some clothes, having lost everything. money, to his sister Mary Ann”. After a few days they went back to Auckland to be In 1938 King George V and Queen Elizabeth vis- ready if a passage home became available. It was more ited Canada. John, being chaplain of the Toron- than a week before word came through that they were to to Scottish (?), conducted the drum-head service board the Aorangi for Canada, heading homeward at last. with the Queen beside him as Hon. Col.-in-Chief. As they pulled in to Victoria BC Alice says she couldn’t be- The service was broadcast but in the singing only the voices lieve her eyes, when she saw one of her daughters waiting of the Queen and the chaplain, standing by the drum-head, for them. That must have been such an emotional return. were carried over the airwaves. Because they had taken out insurance they put in a That evening John received a long-distance phone call claim for their losses, which was disallowed, the sinking from his friend Lt. Col. Sclater in Victoria BC saying, ‘Well, of the ship being an act of war. They then put their claim John, you may be able to preach a good sermon but as a to the War Claims Commission, and it wasn’t settled un- vocalist you are a failure!’ til 1950, when the compensation made by Germany was In this same year John retired from the ministry of Knox $1500.00, largely due to accumulation of interest over the Church, Toronto after 18 years, and he now decided it was period of 10 years. time to fulfil a dream of his to go to New Zealand. A friend In the summer of 1946, which they spent at Saviskaill, of his, an ex-moderator, had just returned from doing sup- John’s health wasn’t so good and in August he suffered a ply work in Sydney, Australia. John made enquiries if there slight seizure. After a spell in hospital he came home and would be a similar opportunity him, but in New Zealand, to quote Alice, “ recovered sufficiently to be able to carry on and didn’t have to wait too long for a reply, saying there the normal life of a retired clergyman.” was a vacancy in Wellington for one year, if they could be A friend drove them to morning services and they went ready to sail in two weeks. by street car to the evening service. They’d had plenty of practise in moving house, and this On a Sunday in late December John announced he time it was just the two of them, so they were there, ready wanted to go alone to evening service. So he set off alone. to set sail in late Aug. 1939. A few minutes later the phone rang; it was a neighbour When they went on deck the first morning they were telling her that as John was crossing the street to get the greeted with the news of the outbreak of war and the sink- street car he was knocked down by a car. ing of the ‘Athenia’. Alice says “We knew at least 4 of our By the time Alice got across the busy street the am- friends were on that boat.” It turned out that one of those bulance was already away so a policeman drove her to the four was indeed lost. Some passengers decided to leave the hospital and John was able to speak to her, but it was for ship at Hawaii, but John and Alice continued on their jour- the last time. ney to Auckland, and by train to Wellington. He went into a coma and didn’t regain consciousness. When their year was up plans for the homeward jour- The following Thursday he died with Alice at his bedside. ney had to be made. The route was to be train to Auckland, Isobel Irvine, October 2007 L 14 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No. 44 December 2007

Harold Esson related the tale of The Horseman’s Word at our October Open Meeting

One of the best kept secrets in rural Scotland was the Usually the place chosen was as remote as possible from ‘horseman’s word.’ If you knew it you could do anything you human dwellings. An old barn on a farm called Instabilie, liked with horses. Just whisper it into an awkward animal’s near Scapa Flow, Orkney, was much used last century for ini- ear - or so people said - and it becomes docile as a kitten. tiations. It is agreed that what happened was this — When The mystery which surrounded this word (supposed to be the ‘horsemen’ consented to receive a new member he was a very shocking one) made the youthful farm servant avid for brought to them by one of their number prepared to act as initiation. He would part with a considerable portion of his sponsor. Others made the necessary arrangements at the half-year’s fee to learn it. For a while he might be tantalised barn, which included sealing windows and every aperture by hints and whispers, but sooner or later he would be of- about the building with divots and old sacks. The initiation fered, under a desperate oath of secrecy, the chance to become ceremony invariably took place in the winter, and generally a member of the brotherhood. at midnight. At that hour, the whole brotherhood being as- For there was undoubtedly an actual secret society bearing sembled, the candidate arrived with his friend. They were the name of the Horseman’s Word, just as there was another met by ‘guards’ armed with flail handles, who demanded the known as the Miller’s Word. Such societies can sometimes be necessary password. The candidate had to bring with him a traced back to beliefs and observances that predate Christi- loaf of bread and a bottle of whisky. This contribution was in anity. But whatever its origin, the Horseman’s Word once had addition to his initiation fee, which might be anything from the understandable function of passing on to the proper per- five to twenty shillings. sons the distilled wisdom of generations of horsemen. Like all The ceremony began with what was perhaps an uncon- the crafts, horsemanship had its jealously guarded secrets, scious travesty of the older rites. The candidate was blind- not to be transferred to writing. If anyone divulged the slight- folded. In an atmosphere as eerie as the ‘horsemen’ could con- est hint of them he was subjected to summary discipline. The trive, sulphur was burned and plough chains clanked. The discipline may have extended even further, for I have heard candidate was invited to shake hands with the Devil. As he tales of farm lads being beaten up, although not members, for extended his hand he clanked the coven foot of an ox. It was just casting ridicule on the society. only when his nerve had been tested by such antics that he One should not, perhaps, speak of the society in the past was instructed into the secrets of horsemanship. At the end tense, for there is some evidence that it still exists, though not the whisky and bread were solemnly partaken. Whether they as an organisation with any practical function, but rather as once had a ritual significance no one can say, but their pres- a speculative body. Be that as it may, there are still in many ence was considered to be essential. districts old men who are pointed out as initiates of the robust The actual value of the ‘word’ itself is difficult to determine, fraternity that the Horseman’s Word is presumed to have but recently I met a man who had seen it in action. His father been in its heyday. I have spoken to several of them. Some had known it, but had always insisted that it was a secret. will let fall scraps of information, but most feign ignorance My informant went on to say, ‘My father never actually for- or offer the name of a more knowledgeable informant. It ap- bade me to join the society, but I could see that he would be pears , however, that the ‘word’ itself is not really shocking, happier if I didn’t. I remember that we once had a mare of indeed not even uncommon. ‘It’s in any good English diction- uncertain temper, who used to fly at strangers if they crossed ary,’ one man told me, and went on, ‘The important thing to the field where she happened to be. One Sunday as we came learn was not the word but the psychology of its application.’ home from church my father said, ‘We’ll take the horses to Most definitely, I thought, the society moves with the times: the stable with us.’ He opened the gate, but the mare didn’t that sounded to me a very modern phrase for a purveyor of know him in his Sunday clothes, and she came running at magic! him fiercely. We never knew what he said, but in a moment ‘What about initiation’ was a question I persisted in ask- the mare was rolling happily on her back on the grass. She ing. In a fit of confidence a friend said to me, his face bright- got up and followed the other horses like a lamb. My father ening up with pleasurable reminiscence, ‘I’ll never forget the bluntly refused to tell us what happened. night when we initiated So-and-so and So-and-so.’ He men- Well that is the Horseman’s Word; and I am not asking for tioned the names of two men whom I knew, and a place only a initiation. If it were the Broadcaster’s Word now, that would stones-throw from where I used to live. At the period of which be a different matter. he spoke I had never heard of the society, yet initiations were This article is the copyright of Orkney Archives, Ref D31/72/1 and is not going on right under my nose. to be reproduced or published without their permission. Issue No. 44 December 2007 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 15 The Shadow on the Blanket

© By the late Sandy T Annal in 1990. Published with permission. Suggested by Davina Brown No 327 ore than a hundred years gone by, there lived in lie. I’ve seen it before.’ the Kalet district of South Ronaldshay a weaver Gillie was a good Christian fellow, but very steeped in Mcalled Gilbert Thomson, known to everyone as the superstitions of the pre-Christian times. Nothing Ann Gillie. He was born a cripple, so was not able to seek his could say could ease the foreboding torment that settled fortune by going to sea in ships, or serving with the Hud- on poor Gillie. He felt poorly that night but he simply had son’s Bay Company in Western Canada, where a South to get up and finish weaving that ominous blanket. Ronaldshay man, William Tomison was Governor of that When the blankets were ready, Ann would deliver them vast territory - Alberta - and who provided employment for to the customers and collect the five shillings each for every South Ronaldshay man who could read or write. weaving them. Prices were low in these days - for instance In fact, Tomison was so anxious for his fellow country- I have a receipt for a coffin of that period which was for men to succeed in life, that he provided free education ten shillings and sixpence. from the year 1778 until 1884. Many of you may be a bit bored with all my details and In those days, women would spin single yarn from their ask how I know all this; however, what I am now to relate own sheep’s wool, winding the worsted into huge balls the may convince you of the authenticity of this narrative and size of one’s head, then when sufficient wool was spun to the effect it had on our family. make a blanket, the wool would be put in a sack, and tak- The blankets were for my grandfather, John Annal of en off to Gillie the weaver, who made blankets that lasted Stean and his brother William Annal of Cellardyke. Both a lifetime. One of the last blankets he wove was when my men were newly arrived home to their wives after hav- father was a young lad - about 1876. He told me he helped ing served nine years away in Alberta with the Hudson’s carry some of the worsted along with his mother when Bay Company. Both men died ten days after they got the she went to Gillie to do the weaving. blankets and were buried in the blankets. No coffin was However, what I am really going to tell you about, is the used; there was no one available to make a coffin; thirty greatest tragedy that ever took place on our Island. The men and many children were ill and dying in the Parish year was 1834 when 30 able bodied men died of small- at that time. pox during the winter. Gillie the weaver had been weav- When I was a young lad, I ing all day, and well into the night with the light of his had seen old ladies who had kerosene lamp, that gave out more smoke than light, but suffered from smallpox when Gillie didn’t mind for the moon was bright and the light young children in 1830 - there was streaming in through the skylight above his loom. were deep pock marks all over His wife Ann said ‘Come and get your supper Gillie. I their faces - but because they have some nice porridge with cream on it, and then go to had worked with cows, they your bed.’ Gillie ate his supper but said he must work a had got immunity from being while longer, for he had to make thirty new blankets for in contact with cow pox from the Norwest men before they returned to Alberta in the which all cows suffer. Men who Spring. left home early and went to sea Ann went to her bed and was just about asleep when or the Norwest and had not worked with cows did not she heard Gillie hirpling through to the bedroom making acquire this immunity. They usually died if they got the strange noises. ‘Whits wrang wi ye Gillie?’ she said. ‘Oh infection. There is proof that the smallpox virus will live Ann, there is something awful gan to happen. Dae ye ken, for 100 years in clothing or in places like, for example, a a shadow fell on the blanket while I was weaving-ye ken thatched roof. that means the cloot will no be a blanket to sleep under, There had been no smallpox in Caithness or Orkney for but will become a winding sheet for a corpse instead - and more than 100 years, but in the year 1834 roofing slate very soon too. The same happened to the blanket I fin- had been discovered in Caithness and Sir John St. Clair, ished yesterday’ Gillie groaned in torment ‘I cannot sleep the Laird, was providing all his tenants with a new slate Ann, that’s going to be two of them together that will die. roof for their old thatched roof cottages. All the Caith- God knows what is going to happen - the shadows never ness men were busy and an opportunity came for joinersA 16 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No. 44 December 2007

F from South Ronaldshay to roof some houses. My great their wives for the slightest contact gave infection and grandfather John Annal and his brother William got the almost certain death. Some of them had not seen their contract to roof two old thatched houses over 100 years families for several years and returned to Canada never old. What they did not know was that the Caithness men again to come home knowing that the infection could re- would not touch these old roofs because people had died of main in their houses for many years. smallpox more than 100 years before in these houses. The One outstanding incident of this epidemic often comes result was that my two ancestors contracted the disease to my mind. One of the Dunnet men of Lythe was a strong and came home and died, starting off the terrible epidem- outstanding fellow, who had lived rough, surviving in ic that caused the death of thirty men and children. There snowstorms and sleeping in the open, very often soaking is no record of any women dying of the disease as all had wet, who, when he felt ill, not realising he had smallpox, milked cows at some time in their lives and had derived decided to try a quick cure that is still practised to the immunity from the cow pox off the udders of the animals. present day by open air fanatics and that is, if you feel fe- In these olden times, all the girls from an early age vered, you strip naked and plunge into the sea or a river learned to milk a cow - otherwise, they were told, they and it is supposed to break the fever. However, as there would never get a husband. It is this cow pox serum off was no river near Lythe he just plunged into a large well. the cow’s udder that your present day doctor inoculates The cure did not work and he returned to the house to you with to provide immunity from smallpox. die in agony. In St Mary’s Church in Burwick there is still a stretcher The following year in the spring of 1835 was a season like contraption with bier poles of gales and rain. There were few people left to cultivate fixed across it for six persons to the soil and gather in the crops. The North Parish people carry a coffin from the house to were still afraid to go and help for fear of infection so the the cemetery. My grandfather old men were left to struggle on as best they could. Owing told me when I was a boy, that to the bad weather, however, crops were scarce. this contraption was not made Fish was a help; limpets were much used and skarfs for carrying a coffin, but was (cormorants) were caught and eaten. made to carry a corpse wrapped My grandfather told me how his mother went to the in a blanket. Very few people field and cut a sheaf of oats, took it home, thrashed off were buried in a coffin when he the grain on the bilgit stone in the barn. The bilgit stone was young. was a long shaped stone built into the barn wall about My grandfather did not con- three feet above the floor level and protruding six inches tract smallpox. He was sent to out from the wall, She then carried the grain into her stay with his uncle Jack Flett. kitchen, dried the grain over the peat fire in a frying He was four years old at the pan, then ground the grain into oatmeal with a quern, time and he never returned to his mother again. In fact, making porridge and oat bannocks. he never went near his old home again for fear of small- Her oldest son was twelve years old and when he pox. His uncle, who reared him, had been an officer on the could not get off in the boat to catch fish, he used the Saint of Trinidad with Admiral Collingwood at the Bat- small fish hooks attached to a sixty fathom line with bait tle of Trafalgar, and who was always very correct in his on the hooks to catch skarfs at the cliffs. He sometimes speech, talking in what he called the King’s English. My would get several home with him. The skarf is not a very grandfather always spoke in the same manner - very cor- tasty bird, not considered fit for human consumption, rect, causing people to think that he had lived a long time but hunger was everywhere and a method for making outside Orkney when, in fact, Caithness was the farthest skarf meat more edible evolved. A tub was filled with he had been. When a young man, he was the youngest soft clay and the skarf was buried in the clay for more hand on the Royal Mail, a six oared sail boat that plied than a week. By that time the clay, acting like a poultice, between Burwick and Caithness every day until 1858, had sucked out all the oil, impuriities and feathers, and when a steam boat started to give a daily service between I have been told that after cooking the meat tasted Stromness and Scrabster. delicious. I think I should tell you a little more about this terri- About this time, a wicked man ble year of tragedy in 1834. So severe smashed all the oars in her son’s was the smallpox, that three men of boat, but my great gran was a Lythe, all brothers, Dunnet to name, woman possessed of the foresight, newly home from the Norwest, died who could predict the future, es- in the same day and two brothers by pecially for malefactors. She the name of Gunn, next door neigh- confronted this man for dam- bours, also died. All five were buried aging their boat which he de- on the same day, alongside each other, nied. She then told him ‘ I will wrapped in a blanket. Several graves prove to the whole world and yourself in St Mary’s kirkyard state ‘This grave that you are guilty of this cruelty to me and is not to be opened’. This was for fear of smallpox infec- my bairns’. She went on to say ‘You are guilty tion.There was more than one death in a lot of homes. and you will soon be where you would be glad to have a I am also aware that among the later arrivals of the boat and oars but there will be none for you. That will Norwest men, when it was known that smallpox was in be your punishment for smashing our boat.’ The fellow their homes, they were afraid to go home or even meet drowned very soon after. The people of the district tookA Issue No. 44 December 2007 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 17

Fthis very seriously and decided that it was dangerous to Now I will tell you an interesting and romantic story annoy Mrs Annal of Steen and almost everyone avoided that developed after some years. We know that John died annoying her, or even helping her despite her many prob- in 1834 and that his son, Peter, my grandad, was just four lems for she had three young bairns. The youngest, Wil- years of age. Well, as years went by Peter grew up to be liam, was born three months after his father’s death. a smart young man with shares in a large herring fishing Mrs Annal of Steen lived to a great age. I have heard boat, earning enough for himself and a bit more. Peter my father say that when he was a young man of eighteen knew his mother found it difficult to find enough money years of age, he saddled his horse and went across the to pay the rent so he took some of his own cash and went hills to see his gran in the darkness of a winter’s night. over to Aikers and paid the rent. I understand he did She would be lying in the box bed in the kitchen with a this for many years until he was 30 years of age. By that bright peat fire, everything nice and warm. She talked time his landlord’s rather pretty and charming daughter about his sisters and her son Peter, my grandfather, and had grown up to be a very desirable young lady and no did not seem to have anything amiss with her health. A lit- doubt the handsome, dark curly haired Peter, who paid tle before midnight she suddenly said to my dad ‘Go home his mothers’ rent, was well fed and entertained by the at once now Alex, for I will be dead before you get young lady. I do not know much more about this court- home. Keep a tight bridle on your horse, some- ship but it was a fact that her dad was known to have a thing may startle him.’ My dad was rather large amount of gold sovereigns in his chest and that he shaken with all this; her last words owned some nine crofts, drawing a rent of £25 per annum. were ‘Tell Peter I am gone.’ My dad However one thing I know is they got married that year did as she told him and mounting of 1864 and Peter lived in his wife’s house until he was his horse he left immediately. About 93 years of age. She died a few years earlier. I remember half-way home his horse bolted and him very well. He died in 1924 and still had a head of it was only with great difficulty that he towsy curly hair, while I was bald by the time I was 30. got it under control. He found out the He smoked black twist tobacco and drank whisky as long next day that the horse had bolted at as he lived. I can recall very well how, when that fine old the exact moment his grandmother minister, the Rev. James Irvine, born near Skaill, Sand- had died. When my dad got home wick, came to visit my grandad, my aunt would give them he said to his father ‘I doubt granny is each a large glass of whisky and after they had taken gone.’ His father replied ‘No doubts about i t their first sip the minister would say ‘A little of boy, she died half-an-hour ago when your horse bolted.’ this is good for you Peter, but never take very My dad said to him ‘How did you know that the horse much or it can ruin your life.’ Grandad bolted?’ Grandad just said ‘I knew that too and a lot more would reply ‘There is no fear of that for forbye that you will never understand.’ Helen Flett was I could never afford to buy that much her maiden name and she belonged to a place near Hou- now, or, for that matter, ever at any ton in Orphir. She met my great grandfather when she time in my life. I am over 90 now was a waitress in a Stromness pub when he was on his but I have often felt the better of it.’ way home from Hudson Bay. John Annal, after meeting By this time the Reverend was quite this bonny lass with the dark hair, decided he would mar- warmed up and fit for the road ry her before he returned to the Norwest in the spring. so he would get into his four This meant he must get a house for a home to live in but wheeled horse carriage and homes were in short supply for so many Norwest men away he would trot up the road. were getting married. Very often young men built a cou- I used to watch him go and ple of rooms on to the end of their parent’s house. This thought if I could only have had many advantages; first there was a site available and set his trap on fire it would be it saved an end wall, and as he would soon be earning just like Elija going to Heaven money, more than enough for his wife, she would often in his chariot. Always, as he help a little and her husband knew his folk would help left, the good man would take out when babies came. However when men like John my grandad’s hand wishing Annal had no old folks’ house to build near it compelled him good health and saying “I him to look for a site elsewhere. In those times it was hope Peter you will be looking to the almost impossible to get a building site from one of the spiritual side of life now”. Grandad would say ‘You know I numerous landowners. You had to go to one of the small will.’ How true that was for before the minister was well lairds who only owned two or three small farms. Such a out of the house he would say to his daughter ‘For God’s man was my Great Grandfather on the female side - Al- sake Helen give me a drap more whisky for am hid an aw- exander Foubister Taylor or Cameron. He was generous ful time wi’ the minister. I’m fair exhausted.’ Sometimes and leased the croft of Steen to John Annal and during people teased grandad saying he just married Christine the winter of 1819 he built quite a large house for that because she owned property. However his son always said period. He gathered stones from the beach, the hills and this was not so - it was because he was lazy and found the quarries. I never saw a house with so many different it too much trouble having to walk over once every year varieties of stone. Before John left for the Norwest in to pay the rent. Behind this was the fact that grandad the spring he married Helen Flett and she was installed was never known to visit his sweetheart except for the once in her new home with enough money to support her until a year when he paid the rent. He continued all his life as John returned from the Hudson Bay. a fisherman until rheumatic fever put him ashore and afterA 18 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No. 44 December 2007

Fthat he hired a man to go on the boat in his place while Another outstanding thing was a little saying he often he repaired the nets and gear to perfection. His boat al- repeated when the soup was served. It would be ‘That ways fished well. A hired man got £7 for the season and soup was nearly as good as Betty Manson’s’ or it would a small share. Grandad might have about £14 half of it be ‘Betty Manson made better soup than that’ - but he going to the man, but I know some years his share was never ever did say his daughter’s soup was better than from £30 - £40. Betty Manson’s. I remember the old gen- We know that Betty Manson lived at Huna tleman today just as well and that the Orkney men got shelter as when he sat at the table and warmth in her house when the near the window, looking Royal Mail would not return out towards John O’Groats. until next day. However, He would tell you exactly Betty Manson was a gener- how the tide was flowing ous kindly soul and always any hour or day of the week; had a large pot of hot soup on when to leave for Groats and the fire when she saw the boat which course to take. It took coming. It must have been a god- me many years to acquire send to the boatmen, often cold, this knowledge, often from wet and hungry on arrival. trial and error. It would be One thing grandad never told impossible to convey or learn this type of knowledge from us was whether Betty was young and beautiful or old a book. In those days vessels had no engines and any and kindly. Was there a budding romance between gran- mistake in calculation of the tide in the Pentland Firth dad and Betty that failed when the Royal Mail ceased to would mean being swept six miles east to the Kerries or cross after 1858? west to Cape Wrath. Alex T Annal March 1990 © L A Blot in the Burn By Allan Taylor, Member 1055 Robbie o’ Northoose came hirplin in one bonny Sunday the burn he bretted up his drawers ower his morning jist as his mither wis makin fur the kirk. He breeks an sat himsel doon amang the segs planked himsael doon on the creepie an’ sterted tae tak at the edge o’ the burn. Suddenly he heard a aff his boot, the ain nearest the dresser, when his mither soond an’ lukkin’ up he spied the lass fae Up- says ‘Whit are thoo daen beuy?’ By this time Robbie per Biggan, Elizabeth Inkster all dressed wis in a right raffle and he shouted ‘Me feets aafil up like something fae the aaf an’ her twa sore Mither, me socks is walked doon white dogs aal dressed up in their peedie under the sma o’ me feet.’ red jaikets tae match their mis- R o b b i e s o o n tress’s skirt. Weel fur a bit o’ devil- hid the socks ment Robbie sterted tae wiggle his off an the taes in the water wae the muckle smell wis ow- ains poppin’ up an doon. ercomin’, guf- Weel this made the peedie dogs fan like some- heysk an in they both jumped thing oot o’ tryin to catch a muckle tay the middeen. apiece. Next thing the Inkster This upset his lass had jumped in tae the burn auld mither an tae tak her peedie dogs oot o’ the she said ‘Beuy burn an aaf Robbie’s feet. Weel I’ll be back later wae that Robbie’s mither appears on fae the kirk but for the scene just in time tae see Robbie mercy sake wash thee in the burn wae the lass an’ the twa feet an’ change thee socks; drookit dogs sittan watchin whit wis going there’s a clean pair on the tae happin. raip abune the fire. Weel nothing mutch did fur his poor auld mither wis Weel it wis a boony day an’ left moothless wae all the carry-on in the burn afore Robbie took it intae his heid that he wid mak doon tae their hoose. Aal she managed tae shout wis ‘Beuy, beuy the burn an’ wash his feet there fur he liked the feel o’ the git boot o’ there at wance; whit on earth will fowk think water lickin’ his taes. So of he went an’ when he got tae if they see thee, hid being the Sabbath. L Issue No. 44 December 2007 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 19

By Ken Harrison, Member No 108 illiam was born on 12 November 1821 at the St. most crippled with rheumatic gout” in 1848; etc.). As is Andrew’s Manse, Tankerness, Orkney, Scotland, suggested by the last two lines of the paragraph above, Wthe fourteenth child of James Smellie and Mar- he clearly was unhappy while there, possibly from poor garet Spence (see article in previous issue). health or from being jilted by Miss Grant (see below), but William received his medical degree in 1842 from Edin- he was also very disgruntled at the “clerk” part of his job, burgh University, and practised medicine on the island of which he saw as below his station as a medical doctor and Stronsay, Orkney for over 2 years in 1843-1845. Then on which he detested. It is likely that he contrived to get 16 May 1845 he signed a 5-year contract with Hudson’s himself relieved of his duties in order to leave York Fac- Bay Company, at £100 per year, as a “surgeon & clerk”, tory and return to Scotland. In 1849 he was dismissed to work at its fur trading post called “York Factory”, in from service by HBC before the end of his contract and Hudson Bay. He served as ship’s doctor on the six-week put on the supply boat on 10 September 1849 for the re- voyage there from Stromness, Orkney. turn to London. His signature, below, is from the medical In 1855 he published a collection of poems under the journal he maintained while at York Factory, signed on pen name “The Scald” (an Orkney word borrowed from 25 August 1849. the Norse, meaning “story teller”), which he had written from about 1841 (at age 20) up to that time. Most were based on the journal he kept about his experiences trav- elling to Hudson Bay and his four years there. I have two copies of this book, which states “On the 27th day of June, 1845, I embarked at Stromness in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s ship “Prince Rupert”, bound to York Fac- Soon after getting settled in Wick, Caithness, he tory, Hudson’s Bay … (and) ... “landed, six weeks after, on launched a letter-writing campaign with HBC Governor the swamps of Hayes River, where York Factory stands George Simpson, charging the company with breach of propped on wooden platforms…”. his contract and threatening public exposure of the treat- He says that “I was afterwards induced, by the tedium ment he received from the company. His case must have of the long winter evenings which I passed in that locality, been good, or maybe it was just his persistence, because to turn my journal to some account; and I employed my- after about a year of correspondence the HBC paid him a self in versifying the scenes through which I had passed. full year of salary, to the end of his original contract. Crossing the Atlantic, and witnessing the mighty ocean He died soon after, at Wick, on 13 December 1858 at the in its various moods; reaching the regions of drift-ice, and age of 37, after a “brief but severe illness”. A family story cruising among the icebergs; threading the many wind- recounts that he died of something he caught while treat- ings of the ice-encumbered and tide-swept Hudson’s ing victims of an epidemic, although his death register Straits; and forcing a passage across the no less cumbered says simply “fever”. His obituaries refer to “sufferings of waters of the great Hudson’s Bay, which is as large as the the previous ten days”, using typical Victorian wordiness German Ocean (North Sea), were altogether a romance without stating more details of the cause: “Naturally of in themselves, and rendered the six weeks occupied in a somewhat delicate constitution, late frequent illness, the voyage the more pleasant part of those years which I the labours of his profession (recently increased by two spent in my pilgrimage to the fur countries.” of his professional brethren being incapacitated for work) There are scraps of information from HBC Archives and other causes, had the effect of aggravating a chronic that refer to his poetry writing and fiddle playing while weakness of one of the vital parts, and he died after a he was at York Factory. During the four years he was very brief confinement to the house.” stationed there on the west coast of Hudson Bay, which There may well be some truth in the family story, be- was also the exact period during which the Franklin Ex- cause local newspapers during the week before his death pedition was lost in its quest to discover the Northwest reported “5 sudden deaths”, and the week of his death Passage, he seems to have suffered poor health. There a further “6 sudden deaths” (including his own “who are references to “Quinsay” (tonsil inflammation) in 1846; had but a few days previously been in the pursuit of his frequently suffering from wet, cold feet chilblains?; “al- profession”). In the summer following his death local A 20 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No. 44 December 2007

Fnewspapers clearly referred to cholera being present Christie then to someone else. No further correspondence in the area. A gravestone in the southeast corner of the is known in this series, but he was married, on 21 Febru- graveyard of the Old Parish Church in Wick marks his ary 1850 in Wick, to “Miss Miller of Wick, a young lady I burial, on the side of an obelisk dedicated to the memory had known 8 years ago, & with whom I had at that time of his parents-in-law. slightly flirted”. Before leaving Orkney for Hudson Bay, William was en- At the time of his death one elder brother was a Pres- gaged to marry a Miss Grant in Stromness, but learned byterian minister in Fergus, Ontario, Canada; anoth- during his four years there that she had married a lawyer er elder brother was a failed cotton grower in British in Stromness in May 1847. On landing in London in No- Guiana and starting a long career as an accountant with vember 1849 on his return from Hudson Bay, he proposed Demerara Railway Co. there; an elder sister had moved to a Miss Christie, who had lived at York Factory. Her to Edinburgh and set up a boarding school; one younger parents (father Alexander Christie, retiring as Chief Fac- brother was a Free Church minister in Banff and start- tor of the Red River Settlement) had returned to London ing a career which saw him retire as minister of Free on the same ship with him. She accepted his proposal, Greyfriars Church in Edinburgh; and his youngest broth- but her father required that William become established er was a businessman in Hamilton, Ontario. His other in his profession before marrying. twelve siblings had by then died, either in Orkney or else- William immediately left for the north of Scotland and where, leaving no-one with the family surname in Ork- within weeks had set up medical practice in Wick. He ney. obtained a house on Bridge Street and wrote to Miss If any reader can correct or add to any of the state- Christie, specifying a marriage date in March 1850. Her ments above, please contact me. Was a Miss Grant mar- father replied with the further condition that William ried in Stromness in May 1847? Did the Christie family should have an established clientele and income first, to have any connection to Orkney? L which William replied that he would not be dictated to, and would be married on the date specified, if not to Miss Ken Harrison, e-mail:- [email protected]

Follow-up to Robert Whitton’s update on Robert’s article Mary Ann Ritch (mn Mowat) In issue No 41

A Daughter of the Shreve family, Genevive was born at the ship “Discover” landed at 65 Frederick Street, Edinburgh on the 31st August 1868 the head of Delaware Bay car- while her father Octavius Barrell Shreve was continuing rying about 100 Quakers, an his medical studies in Edinburgh and most likely Mary expedition Penn organized Ann was hired to look after the child and went with the based on the principal that the family to Salem rather than obtaining a position in Salem “Friends” should be able to wor- from Scotland. The fact that she was buried in the Shreve ship according to the dictates family plot shows how they must have appreciated of their own conscience. Penn her. The Shreve family was well known in Boston and had acquired “Pennsylvania” Octavius’s father Benjamin lived at the Pickman-Shreve- from King Charles to satisfy a Little House Chestnut Street, Salem—founder of the claim against the Crown inher- famous Boston Jewellers Shreve Crump and Low. ited from his father for services Genevive Shreve married Dr Edward Lawrence Peirson as an Admiral. On his second a descendant of another famous Boston family the Peir- and final visit to Pennsylvania, William Penn. 1644 - 1718 sons. Their ancestry has been traced back (not by me!) to Penn sailed from Cowes on the Isle of Wight in Aug. 1699 Samuel PEIRSON who resided before 1699 in Yorkshire, (landing in Nov/Dec of that year). Family legend has it England. He may have come from near Dewsbury (just that Samuel Peirson was part of that expedition. south of Leeds) where a Rev. Samuell Pier- son (sic) was the Vicar The PARK FAMILIES of Orkney. and whose children had Have you an interest in them? names that generally match with Samuel’s On another tack, I have been looking at the “Park” families in children. Samuel Peir- Orkney in the 1800’s based mainly in Burray to see if I could son was of the Society prove or disprove a particular individual’s ancestry. So far I of Friends (a Quaker) have not had any success but in the process I have collected and it is believed that he a file of 366 Orcadian people either called “Park” or related Assembly of Quakers came over in about 1699 to them. If any of the SIB News readers has an interest in to join the settlement of Quakers near Philadelphia that families with that name I would be happy to examine my had earlier been established by William Penn’s “Holy Ex- records for them. L periment.” During the second week of November 1682, Robert Whitton Member No 218 Issue No. 44 December 2007 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 21

By his grand neice, Anne Cormack, Member No73 My Orkney paternal grandfather, James Greig, was born in Young Street, Kirkwall in 1869, the only child of Robert Nicholson Greig and his second wife, Barbara Sandison. As he moved to Glasgow before my fa- ther was born and died when his fam- ily were still children, my father knew virtually nothing of his Did Orkney heritage or of any re- Robert Greig, photographed in October 1929. The Good Shepherd is in the background. you know lations in the isles. It must have been in the late 1950s that my speare of Hull proceeding on her way eastward Many years ago outside the parents decided to visit Orkney for the first went ashore at the Point of Spoil near Breckness. old kirkyard at Stromness time to see if they could trace any relatives. The morning was boisterous with a fresh breeze there was a pile of stones. Of course there was no Family History Soci- from the southwest and although the sea was not It was the custom that as ety to help them, but they asked around and very heavy in Hoy Sound there was a consider- each mourner passed he were soon put in touch with the South Ron- able swell on the shore with much broken water. would throw a stone on to aldsay Greigs and Bobby Greig in Stromness, Soon after striking the vessel became submerged the pile. What was the significance all of whom they discovered to be sib folk. I and the crew had to take to the rigging. As soon remember that my father was quite excited of the pile? Well it covered as the vessel struck, the whistle was sounded to the spot where a suicide to discover that one of his relations had been attract attention, but ultimately the crew had was buried for at that time a famous coxswain of a Stromness lifeboat. to take to shouting. They were heard by a Mr they could not be buried This relation was actually his uncle, Robert Clouston of Breckness who, on seeing the dan- within the kirkyard. Heddle Greig, the son of Robert Nicholson gerous position of the vessel, immediately set The reason for this strange Greig and his first wife Margaret Heddle, off for Stromness to inform the Hon Secretary, custom is unknown but and so the elder half-brother of my grandfa- G.L.Thomson of the Lifeboat Committee, of the equally strange was the ther James Greig. Robert was born in Kirk- crew’s plight. The maroons exploded above the rule that when the church wall in 1854, and like his father, was a sea- town calling the lifeboat crew to their station and eventually allowed suicides to be interred within the man. At first he worked on sailing vessels out within seven minutes of Mr Thomson reaching of Kirkwall, but when he joined the Princess kirkyard they could not the Lifeboat House the Good Shepherd was on its enter by the gate but the Alice, one of Langlands steamers which way to the stricken vessel. coffin had to be passed called regularly at Stromness, he made When the lifeboat reached the Shakespeare they over the wall. Stromness his home. Following a bad knee discovered that two men had already been lost in injury sustained some years later when he an ill-fated attempt to launch the ship’s lifeboat. was working on the steamer John O’Groat, Two more had been swept overboard and lost. he turned to fishing for the rest of his life. A The remainder had climbed the mizzen mast, skilled seaman he became a member of the foremast and funnel stays. Just before the Good first Stromness lifeboat, the Saltaire, a 33ft Shepherd reached the scene two of the men had by 8ft 6in, 10 oared self righting vessel. The fallen from the mizzen mast and were drowned. Saltaire was replaced in 1891 by a 12 oared Conditions were atrocious as coxswain Greig ma- boat, Good Shepherd. Bob joined her as sec- noeuvred the lifeboat into the lee of the wreck. ond coxswain and seven years later he was Bringing the boat within 12 yards of the Shake- appointed coxswain. speare the coxswain was able to throw a grap- It was in the Good Shepherd that he achieved nel on board and two of the wrecked sailors were his greatest distinction, exactly 100 years ago, hauled to safety. After a few further attempts in December 1907. In the early hours of the they were also able to get a line to the man on the 11th of December the steam trawler Shake- funnel and he too was rescued. A 22 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Issue No.44 December 2007

FMeanwhile the Rocket Brigade, that ‘each man received £1.2s.6d, who had also been alerted to the (112 new pence) for this serv- tragedy, arrived and were able to ice.’ drag the three remaining crew men Robert Greig remained cox- to the shore. swain until 1915 when he re- Speaking afterwards of the event cox- signed owing to ill health. swain Greig said, ‘I am exceedingly glad In later years, in the summer that we arrived there in daylight, as months, he, along with a Linklat- had it been dark we could not possi- er man would live in two black tarred huts at the Geo of Yes- bly have effected a rescue. The place Oscar Garden, born in 1903, where the trawler went ashore is naby from where they went to the son of Robert Garden a very bad one, difficult enough to the creels. The famous Orkney from Kirkwall. By the time negotiate in day time, and I don’t artist Stanley Cursiter loved he was 27 he had done think we could have done anything to visit the Geo, presumably to a number of jobs, none enjoy a yarn with the two old of which had satisfied if it had been at night.’ him. Returning from New sea-dogs. I can remember being Zealand in 1930 a chance For very proud of my forebear when remark from a fellow the skill I first saw the dramatic painting of passenger—Why don’t you learn to fly—was to change and bravery his life. Flying lessons were he had dis- taken at Norwich Flying Club played dur- and after only 12 hours and ing the rescue twenty minutes he obtained Robert Greig his licence and was able to fly solo. was awarded, Next step was a commercial on January licence but this required 23 1908, the 100 hours of flying at £5 an silver medal hour. Oscar couldn’t afford that but to him the answer of the RNLI, was obvious; fly to Australia a decoration and this would give him reserved for the hours and experience extreme gal- Linklater & Greig at Yesnaby. Stanley Cursiter in cloth cap required. A second-hand lantry. Greig and Linklater that used to hang in the Gypsy Moth was purchased old library in Laing Street in Kirkwall. from Selfridges and R e c e n t l y eventually off he went—the a day by day Robert Greig survived to a good old age, fourth person to fly solo to record of the dying in 1938, and is buried in Stromness the antipodes. After a series The Page from Greigs journal Good Shep- Kirkyard. of hair-raising adventures he His obituary observed: ‘Judged by the touched down in Wyndham, herd’s activities written by Robert Greig was Western Australia. The trip discovered in the Lifeboat shed in Stromness. standard of this world’s goods, he would be had taken him 18 days The page for Wednesday, December 11th 1907 considered of humble position but he leaves of which 14 were spent covers the rescue as a routine entry of less than behind him which the highest in the land flying—the third fastest time 60 words. It is interesting to see that he noted might envy.’ ~L so far. The journey was not yet over–he still had to get to Sydney and such a trip he was told was ‘stark staring mad’. It too was not without incident but eventually he landed in Sydney to a ‘hero’s welcome’. One of the first Picture Puzzle things he did was to send Here Is a photograph which was a telegram to Selfridges ‘your department store sells found in the Orkaid Charity Shop in good aeroplanes’. He spent Anchor Buildings. There is no indication the following years as a of who handed it in. commercial pilot and during No name on back but Provost Flett this time laid the foundations could be a strong contender. The lady for Air New Zealand and Tasman Empire Airways. might be the Queen Mother. Before Suddenly in 1947 he severed passing it to the Archives Department all ties with aviation and of the Kirkwall Library it would be nice became a virtual recluse. if any of our members remembered the He died on 2nd June 1997 and at his request his occasion and could perhaps confirm remains were donated to the the identities. If you think you know you University of Aukland School can e-mail me at [email protected] of Medicine. and I will publish in our next edition. Ed. Issue No. 44 December 2007 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 23

A big thankyou to the Socitea ladies fter being the OFHS 'Tea ALadies' for eight years Mags and Annie Rendall have decided to retire. Mags' looks belies the fact that she is over eighty! The com- mittee decided to send representa- tives to visit them and present them with flowers and gift tokens. The visitors were welcomed at Garrioch Street and they went on to express the appreciation of the society for the faithful services of Mags and Annie over the years Left to Right: Davina Brown, Annie Rendall, Mags Rendall and Nan Scott ARTICLES FOR MARCH 08 BY JAN 10th PLEASE Our newsletter depends on a con- PHOTOGRAPHS stant flow of articles, long or short, from If possible please provide an original our members. image, but not your only copy.Scanned Submissions can be one or two pag- material is ideal. Pictures should be es or even longer; generally about 750 scanned as greyscale 300dpi or you words makes a page and this allows can attach as high quality JPEG files. for inclusion of a photograph. Shorter Photocopies are not suitable. Please submissions are welcome too. Even a send a stamped addressed envelope if paragraph will fill a corner. you wish anything returned. George Gray is having SUBMISSIONS VIEWS EXPRESSED email problems and his If possible please type your article, Are those of the author and not those new email address has ‘Word’ is fine and send on a floppy or as of the Society. The editor reserves the not been received as we an email attachment. If possible include right to amend any material submitted. go to press. By the time a hard copy in case I cannot open your DO NOT INFRINGE COPYRIGHT. you receive your news- file. Remember handwritten copy has to Finally; emails and attachments can be letter we hope to have it be retyped and this can cause delays. set to the editor [email protected] on our website at www.orkneyfhs.co.uk TOTEM POLE There was great excitement in the Parish of Holm at the end of September when many willing hands hoisted the Holm Community Totem Pole into posi- tion. The 40ft Douglas Fir for the project was a gift from the Forestry Commis- sion and the carving was undertaken by Kenny Grieve and visting carvers from the Canadian First Nation Squamish Region. Our Annual Dinner The result stands proudly in a prime Good Food, Good Wine and Good Company at our Annual Dinner held on position at the first Churchill Barrier at the 15th November at the Kirkwall Hotel. A vote of thanks to everyone St Marys. who helped make the night such a success, especially Hazel Goar who had to reorganise the evening after bad weather forced the rescheduling of the original date. The Orkney Family History Society rkney Family History Society was formed embership of the Society runs from in 1997 and is run by a committee of 1st March to 28th/29th February and Ovolunteers. Msubscriptions should be renewed during the It is similar to societies operating worldwide month of March. All subscriptions should be sent to where members share a mutual interest in the Treasurer at the OFHS address below. family history and help each other with research New members joining before the 1st December and, from time to time assist in special projects will receive back copies of the three magazines for con-cerning the countless records and subjects the current year. From 1st December new members available to us all in finding our roots. will receive membership for the remainder of the current year, plus the following year, but will not The main objectives are: receive the back copies of the magazine. 1 To establish a local organisation for the study, collection, analysis and sharing of information The present subscription rates are as follows: about individuals and families in Orkney. 2 To establish and maintain links with other ORDINARY family history groups and genealogical societies Family membership (UK only) £10.00 throughout the UK and overseas FAMILY MEMBERSHIP 3. To establish and maintain a library and other Spouse, Partner and Children under 18 £15.00 reference facilities as an information resource for SENIOR CITIZENS members and approved subscribers. Single or couple (UK only) £7.00 4.To promote study projects and special interest groups to pursue approved assignments. OVERSEAS We are located on the upper floor of the Surface Mail £12.50 Kirkwall Library next to the archives department OVERSEAS and are open Mon–Fri 2pm–4.30pm and Sat Air Mail £15.00 11am–4.30pm. Our own library, though small at the moment, Overseas members should pay their fees in holds a variety of information including: sterling or its equivalent. If it is not possible to send The IGI for Orkney on microfiche. pounds sterling please check the exchange rate. Our bank will accept overseas cheques without The Old Parish Records on microfilm. charging commission. Receipts will be issued with The Census Returns on microfilm transcribed the next magazine. Members residing in the United on to a computer database. Kingdom may pay their subscriptions by Bankers Family Trees. Order and if they wish can have their subscriptions Emigration and Debtors lists. treated as gift donations. Forms will be sent on Letters, Articles and stories concerning Orkney request. and its people. Cheques should be made payable to: Hudson’s Bay Company information. ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Graveyard Surveys (long term project). and forwarded to This material is available to members for ‘in house’ research by arrangement. ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Orkney Library & Archive Locally we have monthly Members’ Evenings 44 Junction Rd, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1AG with a guest speaker. Telephone 01856 873166 extension 3029 We produce a booklet of members and interests General enquires should be addressed to the office in writing or to to allow members with similar interests to Treasurer George Gray (e-mail: [email protected]) correspond with each other if they wish. General Secretary. Elaine Sinclair ([email protected]) We also produce a newsletter 4 times a year and Research Secy. Adrianne Leask (e-mail: [email protected]) are always looking for articles and photographs of Editor. John Sinclair (e-mail: [email protected]) interest. A stamped addressed envelope should be Orkney Family History Society website— www.orkneyfhs.co.uk included if these are to be returned. Back copies of Articles in the newsletter are copyright to the Society and the magazine can be purchased at £1 per copy. its authors and may not be reproduced without permiss- We can usually undertake research for members ion of the editor. The Society is a registered charity in who live outwith Orkney but this is dependent on Scotland and a member of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies. The Society’s newsletter, Sib the willingness of our island members giving up Folk News is registered with the British Library under their spare time to help. the serial number ISSN 1368-3950. subscriptions etc MEMBERSHIP