Newspaper obituaries can give us a unique tribute to men and women who made their mark in the community. Often the articles are long, wordy and eloquently expressed. Two such Earlston profiles are described here.
DAVID LOCHHEAD, JEWELLER
In 1886, David Lochhead, jeweller, took over the premises occupied then by the post office - the old sign is still visible to the right of the door.
DAVID LOCHHEAD, JEWELLER
In 1886, David Lochhead, jeweller, took over the premises occupied then by the post office - the old sign is still visible to the right of the door.
Lochhead's watchmaker & jeweller in what is now the Tom Davidson Gallery.
Look at the right hand window for that unusual term "cyclealities".
David Drysdale Lochhead died in 1937, with "The Berwickshire News" paying tribute to the 83 year old businessman for his time in Earlston. He came to the village from Edinburgh in 1877 and soon involved himself in community activities - amongst them the Bowling Club where he was a member from its inception in 1881. On his retirement, in 1924 the Bowling Club presented him with a "handsome silver mounted umbrella, suitably inscribed.
Berwickshire News: 2nd June 1937
Andrew Murdison was well known in the village, as a plumber and slater, working on such projects as Earlston Reading Room, the new Primary School which opened in 1877, and Gordon Water Works.
He was born in Lauder in 1835, and married Janet Miller, before setting up his business in Earlston.
The family was hit by tragedy with the early loss of six of their children over a period of eighteen years – all buried in Earlston Churchyard.
William in 1869 aged 8 years
Helen in 1871 aged 15 years
William in 1874 aged 1 year (it was customary to name a child after an earlier sibling who had died)
Mary in 1881 aged 23 years
James in 1887 aged 33 years
The 1881 census saw Andrew on Earlston High Street, with his wife and children - Mary (who died a few months later), Maggie, Andrew, Thomas, Robert, and John, aged from 5 years to 22, Seven men and two boys were employed in the business.The Southern Reporter: June 9th 1903 posted a fulsome obituary on Andrew Murdison's life.
"Tuesday morning there passed away a man well known in this district - Mr. Andrew Murdison, plumber and slater , who had been resident in Earlston for over 46 years. He set up his business in 1857 and speedily built it up with the late William Rodger, builder and the late John Wallace, joiner. He did a great deal of work on the estates of the Earl of Haddington. The firms above mentioned still continue in the persons of a younger generation- testimony to the energy of their founder..
The late Mr Murdison was a man of powerful physique and few could equal him in his younger days for the amount of work he could undertake . He took a great deal of interest in all kinds of sport, particularly curling and bowling. He was regarded as the founder of the Curling Club and was certainly its moving spirit, as he was mainly instrumental in its establishment. Free Masonry was also a source of attraction. When he was head of the Lodge, his efforts to increase membership was so successful, the roll of Brotherhood had never been so large.
He was highly respected as a straightforward upright, true-hearted man, speaking fearlessly, a determined foe to all double dealing . shuffling or attempting to face both ways a staunch friend.
He was a stout Conservative* and churchman. He is survived by four sons and two daughters."
The late Mr Murdison was a man of powerful physique and few could equal him in his younger days for the amount of work he could undertake . He took a great deal of interest in all kinds of sport, particularly curling and bowling. He was regarded as the founder of the Curling Club and was certainly its moving spirit, as he was mainly instrumental in its establishment. Free Masonry was also a source of attraction. When he was head of the Lodge, his efforts to increase membership was so successful, the roll of Brotherhood had never been so large.
He was highly respected as a straightforward upright, true-hearted man, speaking fearlessly, a determined foe to all double dealing . shuffling or attempting to face both ways a staunch friend.
He was a stout Conservative* and churchman. He is survived by four sons and two daughters."
Andrew
was buried in Earlston Churchyard with his gravestone erected by his
son Andrew Murdison, Jnr of Buffalo, New York State, USA.
On 21st July 1903, his son Thomas Boston Murdison posted an advertisement in the local press:
Over the following years, Andrew's family continued to make their mark on the life of the Earlston community.
"Begging to intimate to the General Public that he had acquired the premises in which his late father Andrew Murdison, Plumber and Slater had carried out his Business for the last 47 years. The Business was being carried on by him as his Successor.
By Strict Attention to Business, by keeping a Competent Class of Workmen and the Best Class of Materials, he hoped to merit a share of Public Patronage as previously Bestowed on his Predecessor."
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Contributed by Auld Earlston member, Susan Donaldson
