THE WEATHERLY SISTERS - ELLEN & MAGGIE

 The fourth part of our Weatherly Story profiles the lives of Ellen (Cissie)  and Maggie, the sisters of  Edward Weatherly profiles the life of  Edward Weatherly, son of John P. Weatherly  and grandson of  Thomas Weatherly   who founded the family business in Earlston.  

Ellen Sarah Patterson Weatherly (later known as Cissie)  was born in Earlston  in 1889, the elder daughter of John Patterson Weatherly  and Margaret Thomson Winter  – her middle names in honour of her paternal grandmother.  

The young Ellen made her name in the  local newspapers when she received a music award from the Royal  Academy of Music  in 1906. 

                                          Berwickshire News: 14th August 1906 

Ellen's musical interests later  led to her involvement with the  Earlston Orchestral Party.  

On her father's death in 1907, her mother took over the Post Office, and following her death, Ellen at the age of 25 became Postmistress,  as reported in "The Berwickshire News"  of 8th December 1914. 

 

A photograph of the  Weatherly post office, dated 1910. Could the figure in the doorway be Ellen, aged 21?

Also in December 1914  the newspaper revealed  Ellen's ambitions with a report:

"Miss Ellen Weatherly has obtained one of 50 scholarships offered by a London Correspondence College, whereby she is entitled to a journalistic training under Mr. T. Sharper-Knowlson, a training in free-lance journalism, and in the art of story writing.   Miss Weatherly has, it is understood, already done some highly creditable work in the art of story writing.   We hope she may make further advances in an art which appeals to her, and in which she promises to become a proficient. "

Ellen was clearly not reluctant to  voice her opinions, writing a letter to "The Berwickshire News" on 23rd October 1923   on the issue of church sales of work damaging local businesses:

"Berwickshire Shopkeeper on the Church and Trade

In a Letter to the Press, Miss Ellen S. P. Weatherly, Merchant, Earlston, - (whose father and grandfather were natives of Berwick, and well-known in Berwickshire, in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in North Northumberland) – says –

I desire to bring to notice, in the hope that Shopkeepers in Earlston and similar places be benefited.

For some years past Earlston Parish Church has elected to hold a sale of work in aid of some church fund or other; invariably it is held the week before Christmas.   This year, no other excuse being forthcoming, a sale is being instituted “in aid of the renovation of the organ.”

There is no doubt that these sales do incalculable harm to shopkeepers – at this season of the year.   Why should they take place at this particular time?   It is practically taking the bread out of the mouths of these who are dependent upon trade, and who, in turn, are expected to contribute their share to church fund.

In all the Border Churches it would, I think, be difficult to find such a spirit of selfishness as obtains in Earlston, and surely this spirit is not in keeping with the Christian life".

One wonders what reaction this provoked?  The Weatherly family attended the United Free Church which was often at odds  with the Parish  Church. 

The only later mention of Ellen in the local press was in April 1937 when she was listed as a stall holder  in a sale of work to raise funds for a new motor mower for  Carolside Cricket Club.  

 

Younger sister, Margaret  Thompson Weatherly (Maggie)   was  born in 1891.  She   worked behind the scenes, keeping house and helping at the Post Office when required. 

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s,  Margaret was  mentioned regularly in the local papers because of her musical ability.  She "rendered a musical selection at the pianoforte" at a Women's Guild Social;  "Indebtedness was expressed for officiating at the organ" for a Bible Class Social;  and she was a performer at a Children's Christmas Treat  event. 

Memories

Many local residents today have memories of the two sisters,  who both died in 1970.  They were regarded as  typical spinsters, Victorian in attitude and sober in dress. They came across as rather forbidding characters, in their appearance and voice,  striking fear in many  a recalcitrant child.  With Ellen "you had to watch your Ps and Qs", whilst Maggie "did not suffer fools gladly".

Deaths

Ellen died 21st January 1970 aged 80,  and Margaret 10th December the same year aged 79.  An obituary on Ellen appeared in "The Berwickshire News": 3rd February 1970.   No obituary nor death announcement was traced on her sister Margaret.

                                           Berwickshire News:  3rd February 1970

Both sisters were buried beside their parents in Earlston Churchyard. 

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Contributed by Auld Earlston Members -  Susan Donaldson and Sheila McKay