Scottish Documents 1770-1946

SCOTTISH DOCUMENTS 1770-1946

A SOURCE BOOK

Compiled by Kenneth Veitch

INTRODUCTION

This source book contains facsimiles of twenty-five documents this transcript is an edited version, which is included mainly to written by Scots from various walks of life between 1770 and 1946. exemplify the conventions of the Sources series, more on which can Designed primarily as a manual for participants in the Sources in be found in its Guide for Transcribers. Local History series, it will also be useful to students, genealogists As well as providing a guide to reading and transcribing and others who would like to practise reading and transcribing documents, the book also illustrates the wide range of sources that can documents from Scotland’s recent past. be used to study everyday life and society in Scotland from the mid Reading a document is often made easier by knowing its eighteenth to the mid twentieth centuries. During this period, rising context, and this is provided in the brief introduction accompanying levels of literacy, the increasing availability of writing materials and each facsimile. A note on the text itself has also been included. The the growing importance attached to keeping written records resulted main purpose of the latter is to highlight aspects of the text that might in a much greater number and variety of documents being produced. cause difficulty to a novice reader. For those who would like further The selection presented here is drawn from across Scotland and assistance, Scottish Handwriting in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth beyond, and includes examples of both personal documents and Centuries. A Concise Guide contains examples of individual letter official records. Despite many of them originating in communities forms, abbreviations and punctuation marks found in manuscripts of where Gaelic or Scots was spoken, they are all written in English, the period. Confident readers might want to ignore both and press on reflecting the different attitudes people of all classes had at this time directly with the transcription. towards the written and the spoken word. This uniformity extends to A transcript of the text appears on the next page. It replicates the handwriting, which in all of the documents is a form of the spelling and punctation of the original, and also preserves its Roundhand or one of its descendants: it is the writer’s idiosyncrasies lineation for ease of checking. Readers wishing to view it alongside and aptitude that provides the variety, and the challenge, for the the facsimile can do so by opening them in separate windows. Facing transcriber.

Kenneth Veitch European Ethnological Research Centre

1. The Travel Journal of Alexander Cumming (1770)

National Library of Scotland

The context Alexander Cumming (1749-1806) was heir to the estate of Altyre in Moray. He set out on the Grand Tour in September 1770 in the company of a fellow officer from the 13th Regiment of Foot, and spent the next six months exploring Italy. From the uniformity of both the writing and the ink, he appears to have written up his journal once he returned home (or to his barracks), probably using notes he kept while on tour. Although it is chiefly a record of the tourist attractions he visited, the art and antiquities he viewed, and the people he met, the journal also contains observations about local customs and manners.

The text Cumming expected the journal to be read by others, and wrote in a neat, well-spaced Roundhand that is only slightly cursive. The letter forms are recognisably modern, with the exception perhaps of the letter p, the lobe of which is left open, as in ‘happy’ (line 12). The influence of earlier writing styles is evident in the sloping, curved ascender of his letter d and in the use of the long s in words containing ss, as in ‘kissed’ (11). The long entry stroke on the letter t can sometimes make it look like a double letter, as in ‘apartments’ (3). Cumming’s punctuation is also perceptibly modern: the all-purpose dash, common in personal writing of this period, is avoided in favour of full stops, semi-colons and commas. His extensive use of capitals is more typical of his time, as is his habit of abbreviating words ending in ed by replacing the e with an apostrophe. Other features worth noting are the similarity between his T and I, and his use of a colon to abbreviate ‘Roman’ (2).

Transcript Edited transcript imagine it suits the taste of many of […] imagine it suits the taste of many of the Roman Catholicks. There the R: Catholicks. There are several hand- are several handsome tables in these apartments some of them of some Tables in these apartments some marquetrie. I must not forget two pictures of that work, sea views, of them of Marquetrie. I must not forget incomparably well finished. Whilst we were in one of the apartments, two Pictures of that work, Sea views, in= the young Arch Duke a sweet boy about three or four years old comparably well finish’d. Whilst we passed through, and seeing we were officers made up to us and paid were in one of the apartments, the young his respects, we kissed his hand and he went away very happy; Arch Duke a sweet Boy about three or however not content with that he sent out a gentleman to know our four years old pass’d thro’, and seeing we names, service and everything about us, which, we immediately gave were Officers made up to us and paid his him; he’s a charming boy and vastly fond of the army. We afterwards respects, we kissed his hand and he went took a walk to the Poggio Imperiale a country house of the Great away very happy; however not content Duke’s about a mile from the town. We ascended from the Roman with that he sent out a Gentleman to Gate up a delightful gravel walk for about a mile, on each side are know our names, service and every thing rows of green oaks and ever greens, from the palace and gardens are about us, which, we immediately gave him; most delightful […] he’s a charming Boy and vastly fond of the Army. We afterwards took a walk to the Poggio Imperiale a Country house of the Great Duke’s about a mile from • Abbreviated words have been silently expanded. the town. We ascended from the Roman • The original spelling has been retained, except for the unnecessary Gate up a delightful Gravel Walk for capitalisation of nouns. about a mile, on each side are Rows of • To save the transcript from becoming congested with editorial Green Oaks and Ever Greens, from notes, words that have been misspelled but are readily the Palace and Gardens are most de= recognisable have not been annotated.

2. The Journal of Robert Heron (1789)

Edinburgh University Library

The context Robert Heron (1764-1807) was born in New Galloway, Kirkcudbrightshire. A precocious child, he was appointed master of Kelton parochial school at the age of fourteen. Two years later, he entered the University of Edinburgh to study divinity. He was still training for the ministry when he started his journal in 1789, although by this time the literary work he had undertaken to finance his studies was commanding most of his attention. As Professor Ted Cowan states, the journal ‘provides much information about his reading habits, work, social circle, faith and daily concerns, but it also preserves valuable insights into his inner life and mental attitudes’.

The text As would be expected of a man who spent much of his time drafting copy for the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Heron was a good penman, and for the most part his hand is easy to read. He could be sloppy in his personal writing, however, and frequently forgot to cross the letters f and t and to dot the letter i. He had the habit of adding long entry strokes to initial letters, as in ‘home’ (line 16), which when applied to capital letters occasionally developed into flourishes, as in ‘Thursday’ (1). These flourishes were not always applied consistently, as seen in ‘Fourcroy’ (9) and ‘Found’ (12). Elsewhere, the curved ascender of the letter d can look like @, as in ‘dinner’ (17). Note also the long exit strokes he used to fill gaps at the ends of lines, as in ‘Widow’ (13). Most of the letter forms are modern, although the long s persists, as in ‘hairdresser’ (10). The curled E is typical of Roundhand. Heron used both full stops and dashes to punctuate his text; and underlined rather than dotted his question marks (19).

Transcript Edited transcript

Thursday, Septr 17. Got up about eight. Prayed and Thursday, September 17 sat down to finish a letter I had formerly begun to my mother – Finished it about breakfast time, Got up about eight. Prayed and sat down to finish a letter I had and enclosed it with that which I last night, formerly begun to my mother. Finished it about breakfast time, and wrote to my brother in a packet to be sent by enclosed it with that which I last night wrote to my brother in a the Galloway post. Sent also to Mr Elliot’s packet to be sent by the Galloway post. Sent also to Mr Elliot’s for for the books I engaged to send Mr Gordon. At the books I engaged to send Mr Gordon. At breakfast, read my breakfast, read my Chap. as usual. – Read a Chapter as usual. Read a proof sheet of Fourcroy, nearly in the time proof sheet of Fourcroy, nearly in the time I I was under my hairdresser’s hands. Finished a sheet of the was under my hairdresser’s hands. Finished translation. Waited on Dr Blacklock. Found Mrs Blacklock a sheet of the translation. Waited on Dr [interlined: engaged] on a very melancholy novel, The Young Widow, Blacklock – Found Mrs Blacklock engaged on a which I promised to read. Accompanied the Dr in his walk round the very melancholy novel, The Young Widow, Meadow. Returned home and continued to translate till dinner. At which I promised to read – Accompanied the dinner read my Chapter. Mr Willison had sent for copy, without Dr in his walk round the Meadow – Retd getting it; and Mr Elliot now sent to know why? I waited on Mr home & continued to translate till dinner. At Willison with what copy I had ready, and promised to supply him dinner read my Chap. – Mr Willison had better in future. Mr Macfarquhar had […] sent for copy, without getting it; & Mr Elliot now sent to know why? I waited on Mr W- with what copy I had ready, & promised to supply him better in future – Mr Macf had • The date has been taken out of the main body of the text and placed in a heading to make the entries easier to navigate. • Abbreviations have been silently expanded, including the ampersands. • The dashes have been removed, and replaced with full stops where appropriate; and the punctuation in general amended in the interests of clarity. • The interlined text has been indicated as such in [ ]. • The title of the novel has been italicised.

3. A Letter from Samuel Brown to William Brown (1789)

Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec

The context William Brown (c.1737-1789), originally from Borgue, Kirkcudbrightshire, was the proprietor of Gilmore & Brown, the foremost printing and publishing house in Quebec. In this letter his nephew Samuel Brown, farmer at Kingantoun, near Borgue, requests his financial assistance to buy a ship so that he does not have to rely on others to transport his produce to distant markets. Unbeknown to Samuel, his uncle had died the previous month. The subsequent dispute over the division of William Brown’s not insubstantial estate rumbled on for many years, leaving behind a correspondence that is rich in information about life in Galloway and Quebec.

The text Samuel Brown’s hand is distinguished by a number of decorative features, the most prominent of which are the high, curling ascenders of the letter d and the looped descenders of the letters f, g and y. He also occasionally added a flourish to his capitals, as in ‘Thomson’ (line 18), and looped the ascenders of other letters, as in ‘health’ (5). Some of his capital letters are perhaps not immediately recognisable, for example in ‘Kean’ (13). Care needs to be taken when transcribing the letters C and initial c, which look very similar. Note also the long s, which he used not just in ss, as was usual at the time, but also singly. See, for example, ‘blissing’ (7) and ‘because’ (16). Brown’s lack of punctuation is somewhat at odds with the care he took with his writing, as is his erratic spelling. Some of the latter, however, may

preserve the way the word was pronounced locally. It was not unusual

in the south west, for example, for the word ‘two’ to be spelled ‘tou’.

Transcript Edited transcript

At Greenock 10th Aprile 1789 At Greenock 10th Aprile 1789 Dear Uncle, Dear Uncle, I take this oportunity from this port to acqaint you that I take this oportunity from this port to acqaint you that we are in we are in good health at present thank god for the same good health at present thank god for the same and hopes that this and hopes that this will find you Enjoying that same will find you enjoying that same valuable blissing and I am very sory valuable blissing and I am very sory that we have Recei- that we have received no letters from you for a long time past. -ved no letters from you for a long time past. Samuel Samuel Thomson received a letter from you about tou [i.e. two] Thomson received a Letter from you about tou months months ago and we expected one at the same time. I am nou [i.e. ago and we expected one at the same time. I am nou now] lying at this port loaded with oats and oat meal which I loaded lying at this port loaded with oats and oat meal which from our own place on board the Speedwell Captain mc Kean, and I I loaded from our own place on board the Speedwell am resolved to try to purchas a veshel [i.e. vessel] to trade with my- Captain mc Kean and I am resolved to try to purchas self but it will be hard for me to make it out and to keep the farm a veshel to trade with my-self but it will be hard for which I have without some asistance from a good freind because I me to make it out and to keep the farm which I have have taken this farm and is left my mother and brother James and without some litle asistance from a good freind because Waded [i.e. wedded] to Samuel Thomson’s Daughter in milln [i.e. I have taken this farm and is left my mother and mill] of borgue being the second Daughter called Mary, and if you brother James and Waded to Samuel Thomson’s Daughter could give me asistance I hope I shall be able to pay you again in a in milln of borgue being the second Daughter called year or tou which […] Mary and if you could give me asistance I hope I shall be able to pay you again in a year or tou which • The place and date heading has been aligned right. • Words that have been misspelled but are readily recognisable have not been annotated. • For misspelled words that are not immediately obvious, the correct form has been provided in [i.e. ] on its first appearance. • The name of the ship has been italicised. • Punctuation has been introduced for clarity.

4. A Letter from John McDonald to John Sinclair (1799)

Falkirk Council Archives

The context Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster (1754-1835) is best known today as the instigator and editor of The Statistical Account of Scotland (1791- 1799). He was also a prominent advocate of agricultural improvement, both in print and in practice. During the 1790s he paid particular attention to the northern cattle trade, and in this letter a Caithness drover called John McDonald informs him that he is taking a herd to Torwood (Stirlingshire) in the hope of selling them to ‘Lothian Gentlemen’. Sinclair forwarded the letter to William Forbes of Callendar House, Falkirk, whose correspondence is a rich resource for studying the droving trade.

The text In business letters such as this, clarity was vital, and McDonald has written in a careful, competent hand that is well spaced throughout. His lower-case letters are well formed and largely free from decoration. See, for example, the short, straight descenders of his letters f, g and y, which in most hands are deep and looped. The two exceptions to this plain approach are his letter d, which has a looped ascender, and his terminal letter t, the cross-stroke of which is a looped continuation of the exit stroke. The latter can result in the t looking somewhat like a truncated d, as in ‘East’ (line 4). McDonald’s capital letters are similarly restrained. A curled entry stroke takes the place of the cross-bar on the letter T, which makes it look similar to I, as in ‘Torwood’ (14). His most elaborate letter is the H, as in ‘Honr.’ (1). Care needs to be taken with the initial letters c, e and s, which are similar in size and formation to their capitals. Note also how the letter e has been missed off some words, such as ‘spok’ (8).

Transcript Edited transcript

Hond Sir, Inverness 25th September 1799 Inverness 25th Sepr 1799 agreeable to your conversation Honoured Sir, to me at Thurso East, I inform your Honr that I have upwards of five Hundred of agreeable to your conversation to me at Thurso East, I inform as good Cattle as ever I got befor me, your Honour that I have upwards of five Hundred of as good Cattle & in case the lothian Gentlemen would be as ever I got befor me, and in case [interlined: the] lothian Gentlemen clear to take the number they spok would be clear to take the number they spok of, I think I can serve of, I think I can serve them upon as them upon as reasonable terms as any that will go from the north, reasonable terms as any that will go therefor together with former favours, I hope your Honour will be from the north, therefor together with pleased to encourage the Lothian Gentlemen to meet at Torwood former favours, I hope your Honr will monday 14th October the Day befor the market, where they may be be pleased to encourage the Lothian served to their liking, at William Beards house Torwood where my Gentlemen, to meet at Torwood monday pasture lies, after the market is over I shall call upon your Honour 14th Octr the Day befor the market, where at Edinburgh. they may be served to their liking, at Wm Beards house Torwood where my with Due Respect I am Honoured Sir, pasture lies, after the market is over I your most Humble Servant, shall call upon your Honr at Edinh. John McDonald with Due Respect I am Hond Sir, your most Humble Sert, John McDonald • The original spelling and punctuation have been retained. • Words that have been misspelled but are readily recognisable have not been annotated. • Abbreviated words have been silently expanded. • The interlined text has been marked as such in [ ]. • The valediction has been separated from the main text and aligned left.

5. A Letter from Isabel Neilson to John Neilson (1802)

Library and Archives Canada

The context John Neilson (1775-1848) was the proprietor of Gilmore & Brown, the printing shop co-founded by his uncle William Brown (see Document 3). He emigrated to Quebec in 1791 and by 1802 had established himself as the pre-eminent printer and bookseller in the province of Lower Canada. There had been a hiatus in his correspondence with his mother Isabel (c.1742-1822), during which time he had married a French Canadian and started a family, but the letter to which this is the reply marked its resumption. The mention of him moving to the country probably alludes to his purchase of land at Cap-Rouge.

The text The letter was dictated by Isabel Neilson to her son William, and his efforts to keep pace with her might account for the cursiveness of the script. Haste might also explain the lack of cross strokes on the letters f and t and dots on the letter i. Most of his letter forms are nonetheless recognisable, except perhaps: the letter s, which often lacks its upper curl, as in ‘sorry’ (line 5), the long s in ‘bussiness’ (10); and the letter p, the descender of which extends above the lobe, as in ‘trip’ (14). Note how the descenders of the letters f and g, which are generally long and looped, differ from that of the letter y, which is short and straight. Neilson’s abbreviations include an expansive ampersand (4). Reading the letter is made difficult by the writing from one side of the page showing through to the other, a consequence of using thin or low quality paper. The effect can be lessened, however, by adjusting the brightness and contrast of the image.

Transcript Edited transcript

Gatehouse of Fleet Apr Gatehouse of Fleet April 3rd 1802 3d 1802 Dear Son, Dear Son I was favoured with your I was favoured with your very dutiful and affectionate Letter very dutiful & affectionate Letter dated [interlined: ?January last] the 16 November last. I am sorry to dated ? the 16 Novr last. I am sorry to un- understand that you have been so poorly in your health but I am in -derstand that you have been so poorly hopes the moveing out to the country may be the means of restoring in your health but I am in hopes your health. You most [i.e. must] not confine yourself to bussiness the moveing out to the country may but take a good deal of exercise on horseback in good weather. be the means of restoring your health If you can make it convenient to take a trip to Scotland and you most not confine yourself to bussin- bring your children along with you it would afford me a very singular -ess but take a good deal of exercise on pleasure and satisfaction to see you once more and nothing shall be horseback in good weather – wanting to children […] If you can make it convenient to take a trip to Scotland & bring your children along with you it would afford me a very singular pleasure • The ampersands and other abbreviations have been silently and satisfaction to see you once more expanded. & nothing shall be wanting to children • The dash after ‘weather’ has been interpreted as a paragraph break. • While ‘bussiness’ and ‘moveing’ have been left unannotated, for clarity ‘most’ has been followed by the correct form. • The interlined text has been marked as such in [ ], and the uncertainty over the identity and expansion of the first word indicated with a question mark.

6. The Pocket-book of John Waugh (1812)

Private Collection

The context John Waugh (1789-1857) was a cattle drover and dealer at a time when the cattle trade was flourishing. Based in Dumfriesshire, he not only dealt extensively with local farmers and graziers, but also travelled as far north as Sutherland, gathering a herd as he went. He also bought cattle in bulk at the Falkirk tryst. He noted all these transactions in a pre-lined pocket book, using a basic double-entry system where the number and value of the cattle being bought were recorded on the left-hand page (as shown here) and when and how he paid for them on the right-hand page.

The text Waugh kept the pocket-book for his own record, so his handwriting – which is cursive and rather cramped – only needed to be legible to himself. Not untypically for the time, his letter C sits well below the writing line, as in ‘Corrie’ (line 4). The curled entry stroke of other capital letters, as in ‘June’ (1), is a common feature of what was becoming known as Copperplate hand. The letter H, with its short, upward sloping cross-bar, can sometimes look like the letter N, as in ‘Haire’ (10). Note also how the superscript r follows on from the rather angular M in ‘Mr’ (10). Waugh’s capital letter B was a slightly larger version of a lower-case b, and in some cases it is difficult to know which version he intended. The figures are carefully noted in their appropriate columns, with Waugh adding his own horizontal lines when he wanted to delineate separate deals. While some of the more indistinct words can be deduced from their context, the farm names are best identified with reference to a map of the period.

Transcript Edited transcript

Stewartown 11 June 1812 Stewartown 11 June 1812 Baying Bill of the

Norwich Drove Baying Bill of the £ S D Norwich Drove 12 Bulloks from Mr Corrie 12 Bulloks from Mr Corrie, Galebary, Galebary at 10.5 Per 123 0 0 at 10..5 Per 123 0 11 Bulloks from James Brown [at] 10.15 Per 11 Bulloks from James 1 ditto at 9 Per 126 10 0 Brown 10..15 Per

1 ditto at 9 Per 126 10 0 8 Bulloks from Mr Haire, Berwhar, [at] 9 Per 72 0 0 8 Bulloks from Mr Haire 15 ditto at 12 Per

Berwhar 9 Per 15 Bulloks from Mr Haire, Berwhar, 15 ditto at 12 Per 72 0 0 at 12 Per 180 0 0

15 Bulloks from Mr Haire 26 Heffers from James Hallidy Berwhar at 12 Pr 180 0 0 at 10.15 Per 279 10 0 73 26 Heffers from James Hallidy at 10..15 Per 279 10

73 • The layout of the pocket-book has been recreated using the tables function in Word. • A £, S and D heading has been added. • A decision has been made based on his use of capitals on this page and elsewhere in the document to treat all his letter bs as capitals. • Punctuation has been added where necessary for clarity. • The scored-out text has been reproduced. • [at] has been added for sense.

7. A Letter from Andrew Wilson to John Neilson (1817)

Library and Archives Canada

The context In 1816, John Neilson of Quebec (see Document 5) travelled to Glasgow to see his son Samuel settled at the city’s university. While there, he met with Andrew Wilson (1741-1830) of Alexander Wilson & Son, the foundry that provided his printing shop with type. He found Wilson to be ‘a very respectable man and one who will be of great service to us’, not least because he had close family connections with the university. Wilson subsequently became one of Samuel’s guardians during his time at university. When this letter was written, Neilson was back in Quebec having survived a perilous sea passage.

The text Wilson was over seventy years old when he wrote the letter, which perhaps accounts for the rather faint writing. His hand is also careless at times. The letter t is often missing its cross-stroke, and some letters are poorly formed. The letter i in ‘family’ (line 16), for example, is reduced to a dot. The date of 1807 is a slip for 1817. Of his capital letters, J and L extend well below the writing line. See, for example, ‘Journal’ (9) and ‘Ladies’ (14). There is a close similarity between his capital letters I and T, as seen in ‘Invoice’ (10) and ‘Type’ (11). Note also the long dash that Wilson used to fill the space at the end of the first paragraph (13). The spacing in general is notably generous. With its mention of types and icebergs, this is an example of a letter where knowing the context helps the transcriber to decipher a sometimes challenging hand.

Transcript Edited transcript

Glasgow 10th April 1807 Glasgow 10th April 1807 [i.e. 1817]

Mr Neilson Mr Neilson Sir, Sir, I hope this Letter will find you in good health and spirits after a pleasant I hope this Letter will find you in good health and spirits after voyage, and that you met with no a pleasant voyage, and that you met with no mountains of ice to rub mountains of ice to rub against the against the ship’s side to alarm you; I shall be glad to hear the ships side to alarm you; I shall be glad Journal of your Passage from Mr Samuel. Annexed is Invoice of to hear the Journal of your Passage from Seven Boxes containing your Order for Types etc. [word illegible – Mr Samuel. Annexed is Invoice of Seven ?cost] value One Hundred and Ninety pounds Three Shillings and Boxes containing your Order for Types etc. three pence Sterling. ? value One Hundred and Ninety pounds Mrs Wilson and all the Ladies and my Three Sons unite with Three Shillings & three pence Ster. me in best compliments to you and Family; Mrs Wilson says she Mrs Wilson and all the Ladies, and my hopes to give you porridge to your Supper a few years hence. I Three Sons unite with me in best cmpnts to you remain, Sir, yours very Sincerely, and Family; Mrs Wilson says she hopes to Andrew Wilson give you porridge to your Supper a few years hence. I remain, Sir, yours very Sincerely, Andrew Wilson • The correct date has been put in [i.e. ]. • The illegible piece of text has been indicated, and a possible reading given in [ ]. • The abbreviations have been silently expanded.

8. The Chronologer of James Robb (1818)

Private Collection

The context James Robb (b. 1793) took on the tenancy of Parkgatestone farm, near Biggar, after his father’s death in 1812. In contrast to a traditional farm diary, which gives a day-to-day account of activities on the farm, his so-called chronologer records only key events and statistics, such as the date when particular crops were sheared or the amount of corn harvested. Covering the years 1818 to 1861, it offers an excellent overview of farming life as it changed over the first half of the nineteenth century.

The text The script used by Robb to compile his chronologer was probably more deliberate and ornate than his everyday hand. Among the lower- case letters, this ornamentation is most evident in the long, curled descenders of the letters y and g, as in ‘hay’ (line 10) and ‘good’ (23), and the extravagant loops on the letter d, as in ‘stacked’ (21). Many of his capitals are also embellished either with long entry strokes, as in ‘Wednesday’ (18), or with flourishes, as in ‘Lord’ (1). These are not always applied consistently, as can be seen with the B of ‘Beer’ (9) and of ‘Beild’ (11). The initial letters c and s are at times similar in size and shape to their capitals. Note how ‘autumnal’ (16) is almost printed, perhaps because he was having to think about how it was spelled. Otherwise, Robb’s hand shows varying degrees of cursiveness, which can make some words difficult to identify, especially in the more cramped sections of the text. He had a habit of closing his ‘3’, as in ‘£63’ (7), which can make it difficult to identify.

Transcript Edited transcript

Chronologer Chronologer I came to Parkgatestone in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninty seven being then in the fourth year of my age. My Father William Robb I came to Parkgatestone in the year of our Lord one thousand seven died the 5th October 1812 aged 59 years I being then hundred and nin[e]ty seven being then in the fourth year of my age. 19 years of age. A new lease got stennt advanced My Father William Robb died the 5th October 1812 aged 59 years I from £63 per anun to £150 Ditto Ditto on the being then 19 years of age. A new lease got stennt [i.e. assessed] 22d Aprile 1813. advanced from £63 per anun [i.e. annum] to £150. Ditto Ditto on the Thursday 20 August 1818 Beer shearing begun 22nd Aprile 1813. Saturday August 22d Ditto 828 stons hay at 1/? per Thursday 20 August 1818 Beer [i.e. bere] shearing begun. st takes to the Beild. Saturday August 22nd Ditto 828 ston[e]s hay at 1/[?6] per stone Monday August 31t Ditto Pease shearing begun. takes to the Beild [i.e. shelter]. Tuesday September first Corn Ditto. Monday August 31st Ditto Pease shearing begun. Wednesday morning September 9 being a considerable Tuesday September first Corn Ditto. frost which hurt the low potatoes a good deal, and also Wednesday morning September 9 being a considerable frost which low corn, this being the earlyest autumnal frost for a hurt the low potatoes a good deal, and also low corn, this being the good many years earlyest autumnal frost for a good many years. Wednesday September 23 shearing done Wednesday September 23 shearing done Number of sheaves of Corn 691 Ditto Beer 114 Number of sheaves of Corn 691 Ditto Beer 114 Ditt[o] Pease 44. Ditt Pease 44 Tuesday 25 Meadow hay stacked. Tuesday 25 Meadow hay stacked Wednesday 30 Corn all put in to the barn yard in good order. Wednesday 30 Corn all put in to the barn Saturday October 3 being Broughton fair Stacks all [?Ricked] this yard in good order. Saturday October 3 being morni[n]g being the earlyest season since 1808. Broughton fair stacks all ?Ricked this mornig being Wednesday October 7 potatoes all lifted Total […] the earlyest season since 1808 Wednesday October 7 potatoes all lifted Total • For misspelled words that are not immediately obvious or might be confused with another word, the correct form has been given in [i.e.]. • For Scots and archaic words, the modern English form has been provided in [i.e.]. • Words that have been transcribed tentatively have been inserted in [?].

9. The Account Book of Bowland Farm (1822)

National Library of Scotland

The context Agricultural improvement in Scotland was accompanied by a growth in accurate and detailed record keeping, which in turn created a demand for specialised, pre-printed stationery. The book from which this page comes belonged to the Bowland estate, near Galashiels, which was purchased c.1809 by the soldier and explorer General Alexander Walker (1764-1831). Moved by the improving spirit of the times, he transformed the estate through a number of ambitious projects. As well as building himself a new house and redesigning the landscape, he sought to improve the estate’s farm. The meticulously kept account book provides an insight into how this was achieved.

The text The handwriting is neat and restrained, so as to be legible to anyone who wanted to consult the records, and small, so as to fit the pre-lined spaces. The constraints imposed by the layout of the book also obliged the writer to use ampersands and other abbreviations, such as ‘Payt.’ (line 8). Regarding the individual letter forms, it is interesting to note the continued use of the long s, as in ‘Grass’ (4), and the curled d, as in ‘unbalanced’ (12). A sloping entry stroke takes the place of the top stroke of both F and T, as in ‘Farm’ (13) and ‘To’ (14). Note the similarity between the letters H and N, as in ‘Horses’ (13) and ‘Napier’ (15). Capitals in general are more extensively used than in later writing. Cross-strokes have been omitted from words in the final line.

Transcript Edited transcript

WEEKLY STATE OF CASH. 1822 Bowland Farm Dr Cr May 27th Cash unbalanced from Last Book 7 14 1½ 47 .. 7 1822 Bowland Farm £ s. d. £ s. d. “ “ To Robt Lees Junr Six Months Board & Wages 18 10 ...... May 27 Cash unbalanced from Last Book 7 14 1½ 47 .. 7 “ “ By Payt from Lees Junr a Cows Grass ...... 1 10 .. “ “ To Robt Lees Senr Six Months Board & Wages 12 ...... May 27 To Robert Lees Junior Six Months Board and Wages 18 10 ...... “ “ By Payt Lees Senr 2 Bolls Meal & 2 Ewes ...... 2 2 .. May 27 By Payment from Lees Junior a Cows Grass ...... 1 10 .. “ “ To A Clapperton Six Months Board & Wages 10 ...... May 27 To Robert Lees Senior Six Months Board and Wages 12 ...... “ 29 By Payt Robt Allan House Rent ...... 2 10 .. May 27 By Payment Lees Senior 2 Bolls Meal and 2 Ewes ...... 2 2 .. “ “ To William White Six Months Wages 15 ...... May 27 To A Clapperton Six Months Board and Wages 10 ...... “ “ To Mary Hotson Six Months Wages 2 ...... May 29 By Payment Robert Allan House Rent ...... 2 10 .. “ “ By Payt John Duncan 1 Goat Rcd ...... 3 3 May 29 To William White Six Months Wages 15 ...... and 1 Furlet Potatoes May 29 To Mary Hotson Six Months Wages 2 ...... June 1 Cash unbalanced Carried to Next Week 65 4 1½ 53 5 10 May 29 By Payment John Duncan 1 Goat Received and 1 ...... 3 3 Furlet Potatoes June 1 Cash unbalanced Carried to Next Week 65 4 1½ 53 5 10 May 30th To the Farm Horses of Oats 1 Boll May “ To one old Goat Died of Deasese WEEKLY STATE OF GRAIN, SALE OF CATTLE, WITH OTHER OCCURENCES. May “ Sold James Harper of Barley Beer 3 Bolls at 19/ June 1 Sold Mrs Mathew of Butter 22 lbs at 1/ May 30 To the Farm Horses of Oats 1 Boll June “ To Butter Salted at home 10 libs. May 30 To one old Goat Died of Deasese [sic] May 30 Sold James Harper of Barley Beer [i.e. bere] 3 Bolls at 19/ June 1 Sold Mrs Mathew of Butter 22 lbs at 1/ June 1 To Butter Salted at home 10 libs.

• The layout of the account book has been reproduced as closely as possible using the tables function in Word. • The pre-printed words have been given in bold to differentiate them from the hand-written entries. • Some small changes, such as the omission of ‘th’ after a date, have been made in the interests of space. • The marks indicating debits and credits inserted between the columns of figures have been omitted. • The ditto marks have been replaced by the appropriate text. • Abbreviations have been silently expanded, except for weights and measures. • For misspelled words that are not immediately obvious or might be confused with another word, the correct form has been given in [i.e.].

10. The Minute Book of the Lochmaben Curling Society (1830)

Private Collection

The context Societies were an important part of local life in nineteenth-century Scotland. They brought together and organised like-minded people, and catered for a wide range of interests, from gardening to political reform. As with many sporting societies, the Lochmaben Curling Society (established 1823) formalised a long-established activity, imposing on it standardised rules and equipment. Its minute book records both the business of the Society and the results of the various matches it played each year, and is valuable for tracing not only the development of the game in the parish, but also the role that it played in shaping local identity.

The text The minute has been carefully written in a small, neat hand. The capitals are unadorned with flourishes or entry strokes, and are all recognisably modern, perhaps with the exception of the curled E, as in ‘Esquire’ (line 6). The letter B, with its open lower lobe, can be difficult to identify, especially when the top lobe collapses, as in ‘Baronet’ (7). A rather exaggerated version of the long s can be seen in ‘Burgess’ (8) and ‘Harkness’ (12). The cross-stroke of the letter f is a flick at the end of the descender, which loops forward not backward, as in ‘of’ (3). The sederunt, or list of those present, is punctuated with both dashes and commas. The lack of pre-drawn lines on the page has led to a slight unevenness in the spacing.

Transcript Edited transcript

Lochmaben 12th Novr 1830. Lochmaben 12th November 1830.

At the General Annual At the General Annual Meeting of the Curling Society Meeting of the Curling Society held this evening in Mr held this evening in Mr Hetherton’s. Hetherton’s. Robert Henderson Esquire in the Chair. Robert Henderson Esquire in the Chair. Present, Sir James Broun, Baronet, Messrs. D. Irving, John Watt, Present, Sir James Broun, Baronet – Messrs D. Irving James Burgess, D. Farish junior, William Neilson, William Graham, John Watt – Jas Burgess, D. Farish junr, Wm Neilson – Wm Mr Beattie, John Wells, R. L. Cruickshank, John Bell, John McKeg, Graham – Wm Beattie – John Wells – R. L. Cruickshank – James Graham, John Clark, John Hetherton, George Green, George John Bell, John McKeg, Jas Graham, John Clark, John Richardson, John Henderson, Bailie Harkness etc. Hetherton, Gege Green, George Richardson, John Henderson, Upon the motion of the Secretary, the Provost, ad int[e]rim, was Bailie Harkness etc – called to the Chair. Upon the motion of the Secretary, the Provost, ad The Resolutions of the Society were then read by the Secretary. intrim, was called to the Chair. The Society then according to the Resolution 3rd proceeded to the The Resolutions of the Society were then read by the election of the five Skippers for the year ensuing when Sir James Secretary. Broun, Messrs. Irving […] The Society then according to the Resolution 3d proceeded to the election of the five Skippers for the rs year ensuing when Sir James Broun, Mess Irving • Dashes have been replaced with full stops and commas, as appropriate, and further punctuation introduced for clarity. • The Latin phrase has been italicised and the missing letter inserted in [ ]. • The abbreviations have been silently expanded.

11. A Letter from Susan Hay to James Ramsay (1835)

East Lothian Archives

The context Lady Susan Hay (1817-1853) was the eldest daughter of the 8th marquess of Tweeddale. The letter is addressed to her fiancé Lord James Ramsay, son of the 9th earl of Dalhousie, and forms part of a correspondence that they maintained on a more or less daily basis while he was visiting various places in England. It was written on 7 November 1835 at Yester House, near Gifford, where she lived with her parents and twelve siblings. Although her letters are rather reserved, they contain interesting details about domestic life in an aristocratic household and insights into the attitudes of her class.

The text Cross-writing such as this was one way in which a correspondent could save money, as it not only economised on paper, but also reduced postage costs (which were calculated by the page). In this instance, however, Hay admits that she was simply too lazy to find a new sheet of paper. The wide spaces she left between the lines, however, makes it less challenging to read than some cross-written pages. Her fluent handwriting is notably free from excessive flourishes. Her main concession to decoration was the long, reverse- looped descender on the letters g and y, as in ‘congratulations’ (line 11) and ‘Henry’ (9). She joked later in the correspondence that her uncle would consider them too long and chop them off. Some of her letters are somewhat flattened, which can make the occasional word, such as ‘answered’ (12), difficult to read. Note also the letter k in ‘kind’ (16), which looks similar to a jagged h.

Transcript Edited transcript

I could not allow dearest Jem I could not allow, dearest Jem, notwithstanding all my resolutions, notwithstanding all my resolu= my very impertinent sisters write their very impertinent letters =tions, my very impertinent sisters without sending you also a few lines, few they may be, because I write their very impertinent have spent all my ideas upon some of my worthy Cousins, Henry letters without sending you and his two sisters; “thank you” for congratulations of course to also a few lines, few they may which I have answered, since they approve so much of me they be because I have spent all [interlined: had] better follow my worthy example. my ideas upon some of my Lady Dalhousie is so kind, too kind shall I […] worthy Cousins, Henry and his two sisters; “thank you” for Cross-writing: congratulations of course to […] a book. I must cross my letter, I am so lazy I cannot get another which I have answered, since sheet of paper. they approve so much of me I shall say Good night now and I am going to bed, so Good night they had better follow my worthy dearest Jem (I am perfect now). example – Lady Dalhousie ever your’s, is so kind, too kind shall I Susan Georgiana Hay

Cross-writing: When I have a longer name I will not be able to scribble Georgiana a book. I must cross my letter, I am so at full length and must disobey Sophia Lennox, who wished to keep lazy I cannot get another sheet of paper. her company in signing my name at full. I shall say Good night now and I am going to bed, so Good night dearest Jem (I am perfect now). ever your’s, Susan Georgiana Hay • In the full edited letter, the cross-writing would be reproduced on its own page in the appropriate order. When I have a longer • The dash after ‘worthy example’ has been interpreted as a name I will not be able paragraph break. to scribble Georgiana at • Some further punctuation has been inserted in the interests of full length and must disobey Sophia Lennox, who wished to clarity. keep her company in signing my name at full.

12. A Letter from James Ramsay to Susan Hay (1835)

East Lothian Archives

The context This letter comes from the same correspondence as Document 11. It was written on 26 November 1835 while Lord Ramsay was in the spa town of Leamington following a period of ill health. His tour of England also took him to Oxford and to the houses of various relatives. His letters are more effusive and affectionate than those of his fiancée, and touch on a much wider range of topics, from his political ambitions to his medical treatment. His allusions to coronets and ermines, and the possibility of want, reflect his position as the heir to the earldom of Dalhousie, and his father’s financial difficulties.

The text Ramsay’s letter forms are small and largely free from decoration. The hand is also cursive, to the extent that some words run together, such as ‘a little’ (line 2). Note also the use of abbreviations for ‘which’ (2) and ‘would’ (2). This economical style of writing is typical of someone with an extensive correspondence who wanted to write quickly but legibly. Care has been taken to cross t and dot i in most instances, and to add the accents to ‘écarté’ (1). Attention has also been paid to the punctuation. The loop of the letter b is often reduced to a connecting upstroke, as in ‘brighten’ (11), while the descender of p rises above the lobe, as in ‘pool’ (1). Alternative forms of the letter e are evident: the lower-case form of the looped E, as in ‘helped’ (2); and the more familiar modern form, as in ‘coronet’ (6). The tear in the left-hand side of the page was caused when the seal was removed.

Transcript Edited transcript a pool at écarté last night, wherein were 8 or […] a pool at écarté last night, wherein were 8 or 9 shillings which 9 shillings wh wd have helped a little but would have helped a little but I failed and reduced my stock from I failed & reduced my stock fm £1..5. to the £1.5 to the aforesaid £1.3.6!! See, Susan, what a “splendid aforesaid £1..3..6 !! See, Susan, what a matrimonial alliance”, as the newspapers say, you have made. Your “splendid matrimonial alliance” as the news- coronet will never be a very brilliant one, but never [tear in page, papers say, you have made – Your coronet word missing: ?mind] – mutual contentment and integrity will always will never be a very brilliant one; but never keep its ermines pure; and mutual affection (for that we have in ? mutual contentment & integrity will abundance, at all events, whatever else is wanting) will brighten its always keep its ermines pure; & mutual affect- golden circlet, with a brightness which no outward splendour can tion – (for that we have in abundance, at all give. events, whatever else is wanting) will brighten Now I go to […] its golden circlet, with a brightness wh no outward splendour can give – Now I go to • The abbreviations have been silently expanded. • The dashes have been replaced, where appropriate, with full stops. • An editorial note highlighting the tear in the letter, and the likely identity of the missing word, has been inserted in [ ]. • The underlining has been reproduced.

13. A Letter from William Neilson to John Neilson (1845)

Library and Archives Canada

The context This letter comes from the same correspondence as Document 5. William Neilson (1772-1857) was John Neilson’s brother. Trained as a joiner, he spent a brief time in Quebec before returning to Galloway to settle in Gatehouse of Fleet. He worked at a number of jobs, including deputy factor to the Cally estate, and also managed a number of properties in the town. His long-lasting correspondence with his brother and other relatives provides an insight not only into family life from the late eighteenth to the mid nineteenth centuries, but also into the impact that emigration had upon it.

The text The most obvious feature of the letter is the way in which the spacing becomes more cramped and the letters smaller as the page continues. Neither this nor the slight discolouration of the bottom right-hand corner of the page affects its readability, though. Neilson’s Copperplate is compact and rounded, making it easy to read. The open Q in ‘Quebec’ (line 9) and curled E in ‘Edinburgh’ (13) are typical of this style. So too are the looped forms of the letters I and S. Otherwise, his capitals are notably free from flourishes. The hand is cursive to the extent that some words are joined, such as ‘to him’ (11). With the exception of the ‘Castle’ of ‘Castle Douglas’ (15), abbreviations are restricted to ampersands. Neilson has added the first word of the following page at the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

Transcript Edited transcript

Gatehouse of Fleet 21st March 1845 Gatehouse of Fleet 21st March 1845

Dear John Dear John, It is a long while since I had a letter from you, I beg you will write me It is a long while since I had a letter from you. I beg you will and let me know how you & family are, I write me and let me know how you and family are. I understand that understand that your son John is married & your son John is married and will be happy, and William and family will be happy, & William & family are doing are doing well. well. – I have heard that Nathan Ross I have heard that Nathan Ross is left you and in the Custom- is left you & in the Custom-house at Quebec, house at Quebec. I presume you would stop the £30 I advanced to I presume you would stop the £30.- I advanced him when he left this place; his Brother William is now Minister of to him when he left this place; his Brother William the parish of Kintore near Aberdeen. Malcolm, the youngest Son, is is now Minister of the parish of Kintore near Aberdeen. in Edinburgh Teaching and at College and is getting well educated. Malcolm the youngest Son is in Edinburgh Teaching I paid his school wages 5 years with Mr Sturgeon, Castle Douglas. I & at College & is getting well educated, I paid his hope he will be a useful member of Society. school wages 5 years with Mr Sturgeon C. Douglas, Sister Margaret has a house of her own that I got built for her I hope he will be a useful member of Society. – at Shankfoot, near Brigstone, where we used to attend school when Sister Margaret has a house of her own that I got in Dornald. I mind of a very large pike we got on a Sundy [sic] built for her at Shankfoot, near Brigstone where morning at the bog e loch and Agnes trailed it home and it was alive we used to attend school when in Dornald, I mind when our mother returned from Kirk. of a very large pike we got on a Sundy morning at the bog e loch & Agnes trailed it home & it was alive when our mother returned from Kirk. • The dashes have been interpreted as paragraph breaks, and the Sister punctuation amended for clarity. • The abbreviations, including ampersands, have been silently expanded. • The word ‘sister’ at the bottom right-hand corner of the page has not been transcribed.

14. A Journal of a Passage to Australia (1852)

National Library of Scotland

The context The journal is thought to have been written by John Mackay of Haddington. He was one of over 350 passengers who set sail from Liverpool on board the emigrant ship Mobile on 10 July 1852. Bound for Melbourne, many of them would have been encouraged to undertake the arduous journey by reports of the gold rush in Victoria that was transforming the fortunes of the colony and many of its inhabitants. Shipboard journals provide not only a narrative of a journey, in which descriptions of the daily routine often mix with comments about fellow passengers and remarks about the weather, scenery and wildlife, but sometimes also an insight into the inner life of the author.

The text The rolling of the ship and the cramped nature of the accommodation probably account for the rather shaky appearance of the handwriting, which otherwise is well shaped and spaced. Most of the letter forms are recognisable, with perhaps the exception of the descending r, the curl of which generally sits on the line, as in ‘rough’ (line 12). The double s is also used, as in ‘passage’ (12). The writer sometimes curled the ascender on the letter d, and sometimes not: see ‘Island’ (17) and ‘board’ (14). The spelling is also rather erratic, most notably in words where ei is given instead of ie, as in ‘veiw’ (16). Note also the odd spelling of Glasgow (3). The author has corrected his misspelling of Broomielaw by partially erasing the offending letter (7); the name ‘John’ (4) has also been partially erased. An x has been used as a caret mark to indicate the interlined words (3).

Transcript Edited transcript

Diary June 25th 1852 Diary June 25th 1852 Left my Fathers house in Haddi- Left my Fathers house in Haddington [interlined: for Australia] and ngton for Australia & arrived in Glas-gow arrived in Glas-gow [sic] the same day. the same day. 26th 27th 28th 29th & 30th visiting 26th 27th 28th 29th & 30th visiting freinds [sic] and preparing for the freinds & preparing for the voyage voyage. [word partially erased: John] July 1st left Broomielaw ½ past 11 Oclock forenoon by July 1st left Broomielaw ½ past 11 Oclock forenoon by Princes royal Princes royal steam packet steam packet for Liverpool arrived on the forenoon of the 2nd at 10 for Liverpool arrived on the Oclock had a very rough passage strong wind ahead the whole way forenoon of the 2d at 10 Oclock almost all on board sick was so myself for about an hour had a had a very rough passage strong splendid veiw [sic] of Ailsa Craig an Island in the Frith of Clyde 2 wind ahead the whole way alm- miles in circumference and 1100 feet high famed for […] ost all on board sick was so myself for about an hour had a splendid veiw of Ailsa Craig • [sic] has been used to show that the original text has been an Island in the Frith of Clyde reproduced accurately, and that the misspellings are not 2 miles in circumference & 1100 feet high famed for transcription or typographical errors. • The interlined text has been marked as such in [ ]. • An explanation of ‘Frith’, a variant of ‘Firth’, would be given in a footnote to the text. • Gaps have been introduced between the entries to make the text more reader friendly.

15. The Minute Book of the Dalry Rifle Volunteers (1860)

Ayrshire Archives

The context The Volunteer Corps was authorised in 1859 by the government of Lord Derby amid fears of a French invasion. It proved enormously popular, attracting thousands of recruits from across Britain. The great majority of them enrolled in local rifle corps, such as the Dalry Rifle Volunteers. Its minute book provides an insight not only into the various steps that were necessary to form a corps, from obtaining a suitable drill hall to ordering uniforms, but also into the part that they played in shaping community and national identity in Victorian Scotland.

The text As a record of business, the minute book needed to be legible to both current and future members of the corps. The hand used was consequently neat and regular, only slightly cursive and free from adornments. All the letter forms are recognisably modern, with the exception perhaps of p, which continues to be written with the descender rising above the lobe. There is also a tendency to capitalise nouns of all sorts, such as ‘Patterns’ (line 19). Care needs to be taken when transcribing the letters C and c, as the secretary’s upper- and lower-case forms can look similar at times, as in ‘Contractors’ (10) and ‘cheaper’ (20). The ink has faded slightly, but not to the extent that it affects the minute’s legibility. The first word of the following

page has been added at the bottom of the page. Note that at this time the corps was still known as the Ayrshire Rifle Volunteer Corps, hence the ARVC in the address.

Transcript Edited transcript

At a Meeting of the Clothing Committee At a Meeting of the Clothing Committee of the 11 A R V C held in of the 11 A R V C held in the Townshouse 27th December 1860 the Townshouse 27th December 1860

Present Present Captain Paton, Lieut Aitkin, Dr Blair, Messrs Gow Cowan, Andrews, Brown and Alexander. Captain Paton, Lieutenant Aitkin, Dr Blair, Messrs Gow, Cowan, Captain Paton in the Chair. Andrews, Brown and Alexander. The Report of the Inspectors appointed to examine the samples of cloth sent in by Captain Paton in the Chair. the offering Contractors was laid before the Meeting It appeared that the samples marked The Report of the Inspectors appointed to examine the samples of Nos 9 & 13 sent in by Mr McDonald of Glasgow cloth sent in by the offering Contractors was laid before the Meeting. were the best quality of cloth at or near the It appeared that the samples marked Numbers 9 and 13 sent in by price of £2-10/ per Uniform. Mr McDonald of Glasgow were the best quality of cloth at or near the Mr Hogarth appeared and explained the price of £2-10/ per Uniform. system on which the Inspectors valued the cloth. Mr Hogarth appeared and explained the system on which the He stated that the Patterns above mentioned were Inspectors valued the cloth. He stated that the Patterns above the two best qualities of cloth of any of the mentioned were the two best qualities of cloth of any of the Patterns Patterns he had examined, but at same time he he had examined, but at same time he stated that some of the stated that some of the cheaper cloths were cheaper cloths were perhaps as good if not better value for the money perhaps as good if not better value for the money at which they could be got, but these the Inspectors he said did not at which they could be got, but these the examine minutely as he understood a cloth that run about £2-10/ Insprs he said did not examine minutely as he per Uniform was wanted […] understood a cloth that run about £2-10/ per Uniform was wanted The • The superscript letters have been lowered. • Abbreviations other than ‘Dr’ and ‘Mr’ have been silently expanded. • A small amount of punctuation has been added in the interests of clarity.

16. The Diary of Mary Cameron MacGregor (1868)

Lismore Historical Society/Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mòr

The context Mary Cameron MacGregor (1814-1871) lived in the manse on the island of Lismore with her husband, the Reverend Gregor MacGregor. Typically for the time, her role was to care for their children and run the household, which beyond the immediate family included an elderly aunt, two servants and a number of lodgers. Her diary presents a rare view of life in a manse from the perspective of the minister’s wife, and offers details not just about her domestic and family life, but also about the life of the parish. It also contains personal reflections, especially about her deteriorating health.

The text Rather unusually, MacGregor’s diary was written in pencil. Where it has faded, the text can be difficult to read, although this can be remedied partly by adjusting the contrast and brightness of the image. MacGregor made the most of the limited space offered by the pre- printed sections of the diary by keeping the spaces between her words and lines to a minimum, and by writing right up to the edge of the page. As a personal record, the diary needed to be legible only to herself, and this perhaps accounts for its highly cursive style. Distinctive features of her hand include pronounced looped entry strokes, as in ‘honour’ (line 4), long cross-strokes on the letter t, as in ‘tendency’ (8), and the use of a large version of the lower-case a for the capital, as in ‘Appin’ (17). The word ‘Almanac’ has been split

over two lines (14-15).

Transcript Edited transcript

A most beautiful 6 Monday day A number of boys A most beautiful day. A number of boys played in the field in honour played in the field in of Christmas Old Style. Mr Macdougall came from the manse of honour of Christmas O S Ardchattan this evening. I feel rather tired. Mr Macdougall came from the manse of Ardchattan 7 Tuesday this evening I feel rather tired A tendency to thaw to day. I have been very stupid and idle with a bad headache and a pain in the throat. Wrote to Mother, Eliza and A tendency to Jeanie. Mr MacGregor very fractious about his almanac. thaw to day. I have been very stupid and idle with 8 Wednesday a bad headache & a pain A fine day. Mr MacGregor went to Appin to day to introduce Mr in the throat Wrote to Mother Macdougall to his charges. Mr McKenzie came in his absence and he Eliza & Jeanie Mr M G very himself came afterwards. fractious about his Alman ac

A fine day Mr • The pre-printed dates in the diary have been reproduced in italics. MacGregor went to Appin • To make the text more accessible, the punctuation has been to day to introduce Mr Mac standardised and new punctuation introduced. dougall to his charges Mr Mc • The abbreviations have been silently expanded. Kenzie came, In his absence and he himself came afterwds

17. The Log Book of West Barns Primary School (1873)

East Lothian Archives

The context In 1873, one year after the Education (Scotland) Act introduced compulsory education for all 5-13 year olds, it was decided that the level of state funding a school received would be calculated by inspectors using a formula based on academic results, attendance, discipline and organisation. To help them in this task, the head teacher of each school was required to keep a log book noting the week’s progress that the inspector would examine on his annual visitation. As a historical source, they provide an insight into school attendance, the provision and quality of school buildings, and the subjects taught.

The text The log book is written in a neat, even hand. The lobes of b and p are open, as is common in cursive hands of the period. A distinctive right flick finishes the descender on g and y, as in ‘Monday’ (line 2), while the entry stroke on the letter s takes the place of the upper curl, as in ‘school’ (2). The long s, which had persisted in handwriting long after other early letter forms had been abandoned, is notable by its absence in ‘classes’ (8). In a rare note of inconsistency, alternative versions of the letter A are used in ‘Arithmetic’ (9) and ‘Algebra’ (10). The top stroke of F lies to the left of the upright, as in ‘Friday’ (11). Note also the use of the curled E, as in ‘English’ (6). Otherwise the capital letters

will be as familiar to the modern reader as the lower-case ones. The text is evenly spaced, and includes a double space after full stops.

Transcript Edited transcript received an assurance that the defaulters would be [ …] received an assurance that the defaulters would be sent to sent to school on Monday. The occasion of the school on Monday. The occasion of the visit was embraced by the visit was embraced by the teacher to impress upon teacher to impress upon the children the necessity of regular the children the necessity of regular attendance. attendance. On Wednesday joined the two higher classes On Wednesday joined the two higher classes in English in English Reading and gave them the leading Reading and gave them the leading features in the history of Robert features in the history of Robert the Bruce. On the Bruce. On Thursday the same two classes were drilled in Mental Thursday the same two classes were drilled in Arithmetic. On the same day the class in Algebra revised Simple Mental Arithmetic. On the same day the class Equations, and on Friday, the Compound Rules in Arithmetic. The in Algebra revised Simple Equations, and on other classes were conducted as usual, the classes, however, in Friday, the Compound Rules in Arithmetic. The English Grammar receiving extra drill. other classes were conducted as usual, the classes, however, in English Grammar receiving extra drill. December 20 One of the pupils who has been absent for several weeks returned December 20 One of the pupils who has been absent for on Monday morning. Several other defaulters were reported to the several weeks returned on Monday morning. Several officer, and one or two whose attendance was somewhat irregular other defaulters were reported to the officer, and one or were admonished, and promised to attend more regularly. two whose attendance was somewhat irregular were On Thursday commenced a class in the Outlines of Scottish admonished, and promised to attend more regularly. History – the History to be taken alternately with their lesson in On Thursday commenced a class in the Outlines English Reading. Gave a general revisal of Geography to all the of Scottish History – the History to be taken alternately classes studying that branch, on Friday – a practice which has been with their lesson in English Reading. Gave a general […] revisal of Geography to all the classes studying that branch, on Friday – a practice which has been • In the interests of space, the margin has not been reproduced. • The date has been brought into the body of the text and given in italics.

18. The Journal of the Governor of the East Lothian Combination Poorhouse (1887)

East Lothian Archives

The context Following the Poor Law (Scotland) Act of 1845, parishes could choose to care for their paupers either by providing outdoor relief or by establishing poorhouses. Those that chose the latter had the further option of operating a poorhouse in union (or ‘combination’) with other parishes. The East Lothian Combination Poorhouse, which served fifteen parishes, was built in East Linton in 1864. One of the duties of its governor was to keep a journal, a sort of office diary in which the day-to-day business of the poorhouse was to be recorded. It provides a range of information, from the food consumed by the inmates to the maintenance of the buildings.

The text For a book of record, the handwriting in the journal is surprisingly uneven. Compare, for example, the different styles of the terminal d in ‘second’ (line 14) and ‘authorized’ (29), and of the p in ‘Lordship’ (26) and ‘preservation’ (27). The letter c is also of a size to make it look similar to the capital form, as in ‘condition’ (20). The scored out and interlined text adds to the untidy appearance of the page. The letter g is unusual in that the lobe sits to the right of the descender. It is also interesting to note that the letters A and Q are larger versions of their lower-case forms, as in ‘Admitted’ (7) and ‘Quarter’ (22). The hand is notably cursive, to the extent that some words run into others, as in ‘at last meeting’ (29). A wide margin has been added to allow for the inclusion of entry headings (as in Document 22).

Transcript Edited transcript

East Linton 13 June 1887 East Linton 13 June 1887

Gentlemen Gentlemen I have to report that I have to report that on the 15 February there were in the house on the 15 February there were in the house Men Women Boys Girls Totals Men Women Boys Girls Totals 16 19 2 1 38 16 19 2 1 38 Admitted Since 9 2 .. .. 11 Admitted Since 9 2 .. .. 11 Total 25 21 2 1 49 Total 25 21 2 1 49 Dismissals and Deaths 13 4 .. .. 17 Dismissals & Deaths 13 4 .. .. 17 Remaining 12 17 2 1 32 Remaining 12 17 2 1 32 Of the admissions 7 were for the first time, 2 for the second, 1 for Of the admissions 7 were for the first time the fourth and 1 for the eleventh time. 2 for the second, 1 for the fourth and 1 Of the dismissals one women died and the others left of their own for the eleventh time. accord and or by order of their Inspector. Of the dismissals one women died I have little in consequence to report – the condition of the house and the others left of their own accord and inmates generally having, during the past quarter, been and or by order of their Inspector. satisfactory. I have little in consequence to Mr McNeil paid his anual [sic] visit on the 3 May and his Report, report – the condition of the house which was sent to Lord Haddington, was returned to me by his and inmates generally having, during Lordship for preservation as usual. the past quarter been satisfactory. The two tins are now in use which were authorized at last meeting Mr McNeil paid his Anual for the purpose of having the churned milk sent twice in the visit on the 3 May and his Report, [interlined: week] and I hope they may prove an advantage, but which was sent to Lord Haddington already the milk is not at all nice […] was returned to me by his Lordship for preservation as usual. The two tins are now in use which were authorized at last meeting • In the interests of space, the margin has not been reproduced. for the purpose of having the churned • The hand-drawn box has been reproduced using the table function milk sent twice in the week and I hope in Word. they may prove an advantage, but • The scored-out word has been reproduced, and the interlined text already the milk is not at all nice indicated as such in [ ]. • [sic] has been used to show that the original text has been reproduced accurately, and that the misspelling is not a transcription or typographical errors.

19. The Minute Book of the Lochmaben Curling Society (1888)

Private Collection

The context The second volume of the Minute Book of the Lochmaben Curling Society covers the period 1863-1891 (for a page from the first volume, see Document 10). During this time, the Society (or Club, as it was increasingly known) joined the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, the national body that was responsible for creating a uniform sport in Scotland and beyond. The Minute Book testifies to the changes this brought about in the local game, including the standardisation of equipment and the introduction of new formats of play. Such books, with their lists of members, are also a good source for genealogists.

The text The page has a rather untidy appearance, owing partly to the layout chosen by the secretary and partly to the uneven style of his handwriting. The capital letters are large and often adorned with curls and other flourishes, although not consistently. Compare, for example, the A in ‘A. J. S. Johnstone’ (line 13) and ‘A. McGeachan’ (15). In contrast, the lower-case letters are small and often cramped, sometimes to the point of illegibility, as with ‘elected’ (13). The flourishes that adorn some letters in the address and sederunt sections largely disappear in the text that follows. Compare, for example, the p in ‘paid’ (6) and in ‘previous’ (10). The untidy appearance is compounded by the writing rising above the pre-printed lines. Note the use of @ for ‘at’ (5), and how the c of ‘McGeachan’ (15) has been merged with the curled entry stroke of the G. The thick, wavy pen strokes in the address section are line fillers.

Transcript Edited transcript

James Haining Chairman [added to the top of the page: James Haining Chairman]

At the Annual Meeting of Lochmaben Parish At the Annual Meeting of Lochmaben Parish Curling Club held in Mason’s Hall on Curling Club held in Mason’s Hall on the Evening of Monday the 12th Day of the Evening of Monday the 12th Day of November 1888 @ 8 P M November 1888 at 8pm.

Sederunt – Messrs Those who have paid subscriptions Sederunt – Messrs. Those who have paid subscriptions for year 88 for year 88 and 89 – see Members List Book and 89 – see Members List Book. A. J. S. Johnstone, president, occupied the Chair. I @ A J S Johnstone president, occupied the Chair The Circular calling meeting held was read. Circular The Circular calling meeting held “ read The Minuts [sic] of previous Meeting I read and confirmed and Minuts read The Minuts of previous Meeting I read and ordered to be signed by Chairman. confirmed and ordered to be signed by A. J. S. Johnstone of Halleaths elected President. Chairman C. L. Johnstone of Broadholm, Vice President. President A J S Johnstone of Halleaths elected President - A. McGeachan, Treasurer and Secretary. Vice Do C L Johnstone of Broadholm – vice Do - Committee Messrs. James Wright, Queen Street, Treasurer A McGeachan Treasurer & Secy – William Gibson, Barras, & Secy R. McMillan, Vendace Burn. Committee Messrs James Wright Queen St “ William Gibson Barras The Treasurer read abstract of Accounts to the meeting. “ R McMillan V Burn.

The Treasurer read abstract of Acts to the meeting • The address has been aligned right. Shewing • In the interests of space, the margin has not been reproduced, with the headings being brought into the main text only when necessary. • The first word of the next page, ‘Shewing’, has not been transcribed. • The abbreviations have been silently expanded. • The dittos have been replaced with the relevant words, or in the case of ‘Messrs’ ignored. • The dashes have been replaced with full stops where appropriate.

20. The Diary of Southfield Farm, Cousland (1897)

Private Collection

The context The diary was written by George Mercer (1873-1964), the son of the tenant of Southfield Farm, Cousland, Midlothian. At this time, British agriculture was in depression, mainly due to increased competition from imports, and the diary shows how the Mercers successfully weathered it by pursuing a mixed farming regime and introducing new machinery and fertilisers. It contains a wide range of information about the farming year, from the daily and seasonal round to the types of crops grown and livestock reared. It also shows the extent to which agriculture supported a wide network of primary and secondary industries and businesses, from seed merchants in Dalkeith to grocers in Edinburgh.

The text Mercer has kept his handwriting small to fit the layout of the pre- printed page. This and the cursive style can make some lower-case letters difficult to distinguish, most notably: terminal s, which in ‘cwts’ (line 19) and ‘oats’ (20) look like a decorative continuation of the cross-stroke of the preceding t; and n, which merges with the g in words such as ‘planting’ (6). As for Mercer’s capitals, note how the double-looped T in ‘Thrashed’ (20) looks similar to the S in ‘Stair’ (8), and how the M of ‘Mr’ (1) looks like a rounded W. He also left his O and Q open, giving them the look of a 6 and 2, respectively – see ‘Oxenfoord’ (11) and ‘Qrs’ (9). Abbreviations are used for weights and measures, and once for ‘Cousland Park’ (22). Note also the superscript and underlined letter c in ‘McHarrie’ (8).

Transcript Edited transcript

APRIL 1897 £ S D Mr W. D. Niven Paid a/c £15 13 6 Mr Alex Hunter 20 Qrs Barley 16 st 4 lbs @ 23/5 Sowed Pottery Brae Grass seed. 21 bushels Thursday 22 Causewayside 12 bags oats 1 Load hay Mr W. D. Niven Paid a/c 15 13 6 2 tons Sulphate of Potash G. & T. @ £2.15 5 10 Paid Mr Alex Hunter 20 Qrs Barley 16 st 4 lbs @ 23/5 Rolling grass. Women planting Cabbage in Sowed Pottery Brae Grass seed 21 bushels afternoon Causewayside 12 bags oats, 1 Load hay Stair McHarrie Esq. ½ ton Up-to-Date 2 tons Sulphate of Potash G. & T. @ £2.15 5 10 Paid Rolling grass. Women planting Cabbage in afternoon Stair McHarrie Esq. ½ ton Up-to-Date

Mr Hunter, 15 Qrs Barley Friday 23 “ Brown 2 tons Mainrops Mr Hunter 15 Qrs Barley Mr Hogg, Oxenfoord Mains 1 Ton Up-to-Date Mr Brown 2 tons Mainrops Sowed grass seeds in Long head rig Mr Hogg, Oxenfoord Mains, 1 Ton Up-to-Date 10 Bushels Rye grass, 10 do. Perennial Sowed grass seeds in Long head rig 40 lbs Alsike 40 White also 4 bushels 10 Bushels Rye grass, 10 Bushels Perennial mixture 40 lbs Alsike, 40 White, also 4 bushels mixture

Mr Brown 2 tons Saturday 24 maincrops 32/ Mr Niven 1 ton Maincrops £5 5 Mr Brown 2 tons maincrops 32/, Mr Niven 1 ton Maincrops 5 5 Rolling all day Rolling all day Cousland Park 15 cwts Cake @ 6/6 4 17 6 Cousland Park 15 cwts Cake @ 6/6 4 17 6 Thrashed 1 stack oats in afternoon Thrashed 1 stack oats in afternoon 1½ tons Bone Meal lifted to-day 1½ tons Bone Meal lifted to-day Cousland pay £3.8. C. P. 8/ 3 16 Cousland pay £3.8, Cousland Park 8/ 3 16 Southfield £7.18 7 18 Southfield £7.18 7 18 Causewayside 100 Causewayside 100

Sunday 25

• The layout of the book has been reproduced as closely as possible using the tables function in Word. • The pre-printed words have been given in bold to differentiate them from the hand-written entries; and a £ S D heading added.

• The pre-printed numbers in [ ] have not been reproduced. • Some punctuation has been introduced for clarity. • The ditto marks have been replaced by the appropriate text.

21. A Letter from Humphrey Lindsay to Isabel Lindsay (1910)

East Lothian Archives

The context Humphrey Lindsay (1888-1964) was a junior officer in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. He came from an aristocratic background, and attended Cheltenham College and Sandhurst before joining the KOSB. He later inherited the estate of Colstoun in East Lothian.

When he wrote this letter his battalion had just been transferred to the Palace Barracks, Holywood, near Belfast. He wrote to his mother Isabel Lindsay throughout his army career, and his letters provide a valuable insight into army life in peacetime and in war. As can be seen from the signature on the letter, he was known to her as Tammy.

The text This example shows that pictorial material as well as text can be found in documents. Here Lindsay has drawn a plan of his room in the Palace Barracks, Belfast, showing its position overlooking the sea and the layout of the furniture. A stick drawing of the dog he was looking after at the time can be seen beside the fireplace. Part of the previous page has also been reproduced to give a more extensive sample of Lindsay’s handwriting. It is notably cursive, to the extent that some of the lobes of his letters are open or missing altogether, as in ‘to’ (line 1) and ‘dog’ (2). It is notably different from the print writing he used to label the sketch. His capitals I and T are very similar, and can at times cause difficulties. See, for example, ‘I have’ (1) and ‘There’ (4). His use of abbreviations, such as ‘mins’ (6), is typical of the informal tone of his correspondence with his mother. The reddish- brown discolouration on the paper is known as ‘foxing’.

Transcript Edited transcript

I have written to a man about a I have written to a man about a spaniel dog on C. Jack’s advice so I spaniel dog on C. Jacks advice hope he wil[l] be a success. There is a most sporting 9 hole golf so I hope he wil be a success. course here which I shall join. It is quite near, only 10 mins walk There is a most sporting 9 hole golf and very cheap. course here which I shall join. It Below is a plan of my room [see Figure 1] is quite near only 10 mins walk and very cheap. Yours Tammy Below is a plan of my room

Yours Tammy • The missing letter in ‘will’ has been added in [ ]. • The gap between ‘near’ and ‘only’ has been interpreted as a comma. • The abbreviation for ‘minutes’ has been retained so as to convey the informal tone of his correspondence. • An apostrophe has been added to ‘Jack’s’. • The sketch of his room would be reproduced as a separate image, as indicated in the text.

22. The Minute Book of the Tranent Co-operative Society (1916)

East Lothian Archives

The context Consumer co-operatives were founded throughout Britain in the nineteenth century in order to provide their members with good quality food at affordable prices. Members joined by purchasing shares, and in return for this investment received a quarterly dividend. The Tranent Co-operative Society, which was established in the 1860s by a group of miners, proved to be one of the most successful in south-east Scotland. By 1916 it had 2,770 members and owned six branches. The minute book provides a detailed record of the business of the Society, and its role in the local community.

The text As with most minute books, each entry opens with the place and date of the meeting. As a finding aid, the topic of each minute has been written in the margin in red ink. The handwriting is neat and compact, and free from flourishes or other features that might affect its legibility. Most of the letters will be immediately recognisable to modern readers, except perhaps the descending r, which at times can look like a letter z, as in ‘Port’ (line 7). The open lobes of the letters p and b are typical of cursive writing, as is the ligatured s. The capital J, as in ‘J Watt’ (27), drops below the writing line, which helps distinguish it from the similarly looped letter I. Note the unusual ampersand in ‘read & approved’ (4). The handwriting becomes slightly more compressed in the minute on employees’ wages; dittos are also used.

Transcript Edited transcript

Committee met in the Board Room on Saturday Committee met in the Board Room on Saturday 15th July 1916 at 6 PM. The 15th July 1916 at 6 PM. The president in the chair. president in the chair. Absent Mr P. Chambers.

The minutes of the last meeting were read & approved. Absent Mr P. Chambers. 216th quarter Proof of the 216th quarterly balance sheet Port Seton Golf was read, and after writting of the Course Shares money invested in Port Seton Golf Course The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. written off and allowing for deprecation of War Fund Investments, etc and keeping a sum in 216th quarter Port Seton Golf Course Shares written off hand for repairs etc it was agreed to Proof of the 216th quarterly balance sheet was read, and after writting of [sic] pay a dividend of 3/9 per £ on general the money invested in Port Seton Golf Course and allowing for deprecation and 2/6 on fleshing purchases. of War Fund Investments, etc and keeping a sum in hand for repairs etc it Bread reduced It was also agreed to reduce the price was agreed to pay a dividend of 3/9 per £ on general and 2/6 on fleshing by 1d per loaf of bread by one penny per 4lb loaf as from Monday 17th July. purchases. A review of the employees wages then took place and the following increases granted Bread reduced by 1d a loaf It was also agreed to reduce the price of bread by one penny per 4lb loaf as A Dickson forman baker by 1/6 to £ 3. 10 - from Monday 17th July. W Whyte Cutter “ 2/6 “ 3. - - Employees J Marshall Foreman Shoemaker “ 2/ “ 2. 10 - Employee wages reviewed wages reviewed Miss Moffat Bread Shop “ 1/ “ 1. 2 - A review of the employees wages then took place and the following increases “ Donaldson Boot “ “ 1/ “ 1. 6 - “ Beale Ormiston Drapery “ “ 2/ “ 1. 5 - granted A Dunnison Tailoring “ 1/ “ 1. 16 - D Allan Ormiston grocery “ 3/ “ 1. 8 - A Dickson forman [sic] baker by 1/6 to £ 3. 10 - G Logan Vanlad “ 3/ “ 1. - - W Whyte Cutter “ 2/6 “ 3. - - J Watt “ “ 3/ “ 1. - - J Marshall Foreman Shoemaker “ 2/ “ 2. 10 - Miss Moffat Bread Shop “ 1/ “ 1. 2 - “ Donaldson Boot “ “ 1/ “ 1. 6 - “ Beale Ormiston Drapery “ 2/ “ 1. 5 - A Dunnison Tailoring “ 1/ “ 1. 16 - D Allan Ormiston grocery “ 3/ “ 1. 8 - G Logan Vanlad [sic] “ 3/ “ 1. - - J Watt “ “ 3/ “ 1. - -

• The entry headings in the margin have been brought into the body of the text and underlined. • [sic] has been used in three places to show that the original text has been reproduced accurately. • The table function in Word has been used to arrange the entry on employee wages.

23. A Letter from William Gibson to Jean Gibson (1917)

Museum nan Eilean

The context William Gibson was the rector of the Nicolson Institute, Stornoway (1894-1925). A noted educationalist who did much to transform secondary teaching on Lewis, he is remembered chiefly now for the role he played in encouraging the older pupils to sign up during World War I. The letters he received from them at the Front are justly well known. The letter reproduced here, however, comes from the correspondence that he and his wife maintained with their daughter Jean, who was studying at Glasgow University. It provides a valuable insight into domestic and community life on the island during the war, as well as student life in Glasgow.

The text The letter is written on a piece of jotter paper, with a pre-printed margin. It has been stamped in the top right-hand corner with the name and place of the school. The handwriting is small, regular and generously spaced. It is cursive, and some letters are not fully formed, including: s, which is often reduced to a single curl, as in ‘nursing’ (line 4); and b, the lobe of which is generally open, as in ‘blizzard’ (5). At times, the cursiveness of the hand results in words being joined, as in ‘of the Springfield’ (18). Gibson generally followed a full stop with a double space. Note also how the second part of a word that is broken between lines is proceeded by a colon. The ‘Miss/’ at the bottom of the page indicates the first word of the following page.

Transcript Edited transcript

Jan. 14, 1917 January 14, 1917

Jean dear, Jean dear, No letter was written yesterday. I No letter was written yesterday. I was in bed nursing my cold, was in bed nursing my cold, and outside and outside the snow blizzard continued. The hens have been out of the snow blizzard continued. The hens have their house only once since your departure. The snow has lain been out of their house only once since your [interlined: (the hens have not!)] thick since, with frequent renewals. departure. The snow has lain (the hens have not!) thick since, Mamma has been down the town only once during the week, to hunt with frequent renewals. Mamma has been for meat and, as I told you, she got none. Butter is all done, down the town only once during the week, to margarine unobtainable, and for two days we have had no milk. If hunt for meat and, as I told you, she got “lil Lizzie” had not obtained half-a-dozen herring for 10d on Saturday none. Butter is all done, margarine un- there is no knowing what state of lowness we would now be reduced :obtainable, and for two days we have had no to. milk. If “lil Lizzie” had not obtained half-a- I was out at school again to-day. In some of the Springfield dozen herring for 10d on Saturday there is no Building classrooms the thermometers were at 32oF. We made a knowing what state of lowness we wd now double session of it and dismissed at 1.30 to let them get thawed be reduced to. out. They were needing it. Miss MacColl arrived on Friday morning I was out at school again to-day. In some after 2 o’clock. Their steamer from Tobermory earlier in the week had of the Springfield Building classrooms the therm- been turned back by a patrol boat on account of a submarine being :ometers were at 32oF. We made a double in the vicinity. Fortunately I had Mrs Weiss’s help during her session of it and dismissed at 1.30 to let absence. […] them get thawed out. They were needing it. Miss MacColl arrived on Friday morning after 2 o’clock. Their steamer from Tobermory earlier in the week had been turned back • The abbreviations for ‘January’ and ‘would’ have been silently by a patrol boat on account of a sub- expanded. :marine being in the vicinity. Fortunately • The interlined text has been marked as such in [ ]. I had Mrs Weiss’s help during her absence. Miss/

24. A Postcard sent to Annie MacKay (1920)

Private Collection

The context The opening two decades of the twentieth century was the golden age of sending and collecting picture postcards in Britain, and like many children Annie MacKay (1909-1996) kept an album of those she received. It is made up mostly of the cards she received from her father while he was serving in the First World War. The one presented here, however, was sent by an unidentified friend called Douglas who was holidaying in Leven, Fife. Postcard collections such as this are useful not just for the snippets of information they contain about local life, but also for the insight they provide into an individual’s circle of acquaintances and, in the choice of both words and picture, their attitudes.

The text MacKay was ten years old when she received this postcard, and the writing suggests that the sender was around the same age. It is a good example of the Vere Foster civil service script, which was the most frequently taught hand in Scottish schools from the 1880s to the 1950s. A simplified form of Copperplate, Vere Foster was characterised by wide, plainly written letters. The contrast between the two styles is perhaps most strongly seen in the capital letters, which in Vere Foster are free from excessive flourishes. See, for example, the letters B and P in ‘Bumble’s Pierrots’ (line 10). It is not entirely without adornment, however: the letter H has a looped crossbar, while the ascenders and descenders of the lower case letters are also looped. Elsewhere, note how the lobe of the letter b remains open, as in ‘broken’ (9), and how the top stroke of the letter F lies to the left of the vertical stroke, as in ‘Fife’ (3).

Transcript Edited transcript c/o Hallam c/o Hallam 2 Glebe Str. 2 Glebe Street Leven, Fife Leven, Fife 8/7/20 Dear Annie, 8/7/20 Having a nice time here, Dear Annie, although the weather Having a nice time here, although the weather is a little broken. is a little broken. Bumble’s Pierrots are here, and they are very good, I wish you were Bumble’s Pierrots here too. are here, and they are Love from all, very good, I wish you Douglas were here too. Love from all, Douglas Miss A. Mackay 12 Grange Loan Edinburgh Miss A. Mackay 12 Grange Loan Edinburgh • The abbreviation for ‘Street’ has been silently expanded.

25. The Account Book of Glenquicken Farm (1946)

Private Collection

The context Located about three miles east of Creetown, Kirkcudbrightshire, the farm of Glenquicken comprised mostly hill pasture with patches of arable land. The rearing and fattening of livestock was its main concern. The account book is not a day-to-day record of the farm’s income and expenditure, but rather a list giving the year’s totals. It would have been used by the tenant farmer George Sloan’s accountant to compile the year end accounts. Covering the period 1943 to 1947, the book is a valuable source for assessing the impact that the war had upon farming in the south west of Scotland, from the introduction of land clearance schemes to the use of POW labour.

The text This page is unusual in that it displays a number of different writing styles. A large, rounded hand predominates. Slightly cursive, it fills the lines and has a number of distinctive decorative features, including a long tail on terminal g, as in ‘Shearing’ (line 8), and looped ascenders on h and l, as in ‘Marshall’ (3). The hand is not consistent, however. Compare the C of ‘Casual’ (5) with the C of the same word two lines below. Note also the two different styles of H used in ‘Hay Harvest’ (9). In the latter, and in ‘A + E Ross’ (10), the capitals are printed. Towards the bottom of the page, the letters become smaller and slope to the right. Here, the F in ‘farm’ (18) is distinctive, as is the ampersand (21), which differs markedly from the plus sign used elsewhere on the page. It is possible that the entries were written by two different people, although the similarity of some of the letter forms suggests that it was the same person trying different styles of writing.

Transcript Edited transcript

£ S D Wages Permanent Staff £ S D Wages Permanent Staff Adam McKnight 21 Adam McKnight 21 Andrew Marshall 115 Andrew Marshall 115 POW Labour 155 19 4 POW Labour 155 19 4 Casual Labour for 1 Days Threshing 3 Casual Labour for 1 Days Threshing 3 Turnip Thinning 3 Turnip Thinning 3 Casual Labour for Hay & Harvest Casual Labour for Hay & Harvest extra Supplies for Sheep Shearing extra Supplies for Sheep Shearing Hay Harvest & Threshing 30 Hay Harvest & Threshing 30 A & E Ross for Book Keeping 5 A & E Ross for Book Keeping 5 Insurance Postage Stamps etc. Insurance Postage Stamps etc. upkeep of Car Taxes etc. 62 upkeep of Car Taxes etc. 62 Domestic Help throughout the Year 60 Domestic Help throughout the Year 60 Hogg Wintering 131 5 Commission for wintering 1 14 Hogg Wintering 131 5 Two Irishmen for Hay & Work on Farm 40 Commission for wintering 1 14 Coal & Parrafin oil used in Two Irishmen for Hay & Work on Farm 40 15 connection with Farm Coal & Parrafin [sic] oil used in 15 Wifes Allowance 80 connection with Farm £ 722 4 4 Wifes Allowance 80 Rent & Taxes of Farm 179 9 8 £ 722 4 4 £ 901 14 Rent & Taxes of Farm 179 9 8 Potato Lifting 12 £ 901 14 £ 913 14 8 Potato Lifting 12

£ 913 14 8

• The layout of the account book has been reproduced as closely as possible using the tables function in Word. • The interlined text has been given a row of its own. • The scored-out figure has not been reproduced. • [sic] has been used to show that the original text has been reproduced accurately. • The ampersands have been retained.

CREDITS

The facsimiles are copyright of: The documents were transcribed by:

Ayrshire Archives (15) Diane Addinall (15)

Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (3) Robert Hay (1, 16)

East Lothian Archives (11, 12, 17, 22) Sheena Irving (20)

Edinburgh University Library (2) Lynne J M Longmore (10, 19)

Falkirk Council Archives (4) Seonaid McDonald (23)

Library and Archives Canada (5, 7, 13) Iain Macdonald (4)

Lismore Historical Society (16) Pamela McGowan (18)

Museum nan Eilean (23) Caroline McMullen (22)

The National Library of Scotland (1, 9, 14) Joan Mann (21)

And various private individuals (6, 8, 10, 19, 20, 24, 25) Jon Nimmo (2)

Elizabeth Olson (11, 12, 17)

Kenneth Veitch (3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 24, 25)

Willie Waugh (6)