Earlston's Friend & Benefactor - Isabella Wallace

Plaque on the gates to the park at Mill Meadow

Researching Earlston's Friend and Benefactor,  Isabella Wallace  proved to be a Tale of One Name, Three People and Two Wills.  

Two  plaques around the village acknowledge the generosity of Isabella Wallace. Hearsay also  spoke of the fact that Isabella Wallace had died in the 1920's, leaving money to be  used for  local projects.

This struck me as a straightforward  local history challenge, but it proved to be not quite as easy as I thought.

I began the search on the family history site ScotlandsPeople website and immediately hit a stumbling block   - there were three Isabella Wallaces in Earlston during the late 19th century.   But which one was the village's generous benefactor?  I set out to trace the family of each Isabella. 

(1)  Isabella Wallace , born 20 Jan 1850 to Henry Wallace  (Master Shoemaker) and Elizabeth Swan. 

In the 1851 census,  young Isabella was with her parents and brother David.  But ten years later  her father was a widower with three children at home - David, Robert and daughter Elizabeth.  Their mother had died in 1857, aged 32.  Isabella was with her widowed aunt Helen Mercer and her cousin William Mercer.  In the 1871 census,  Isabella,  described as "companion",  was still living with her aunt, and following her death, she became housekeeper to her cousin William. 

 
Isabella remained single all her life and died 20th March 1927.  It is important to note that, unlike their English equivalent,  Scottish death certificates give the name of the parents, so I knew here that I had traced the death certificate of  the Isabella who was daughter of Henry and Elizabeth - and not the other Isabella Wallace's in Earlston at this time. She was buried in Earlston Churchyard (right).   

To my delight I discovered  she had left a will - surely an indication of money to leave to relatives and charitable causes! 

Wills provide such a wealth of information for family historians with bequests to family members, here notably nieces and nephews and sisters in law:  - to "my nephews Thomas Wallace and Robert Swan Wallace, and niece Ruth Wallace, all children of my deceased brother David Wallace".......to my brother Robert Swan Wallace, draper, Paisley....to Janet Ross or Wallace, wife of the said Robert Swan Wallace" .   

The will also confirmed that "the late William Mercer, draper, Earlston, bequeathed  all his estate heritable and moveable to me".  So here was confirmation of  the source of Isabella's  wealth. 

    
Specific bequests highlighted what were regarded as important possessions - "my  eight day clock.....my silver tea set...... my best china tea service.......my cream jug ....my next best china tea service....my piano...... half dozen silver spoons, sugar spoon, silver sugar sifter  and tongs.

Of course primarily I was looking for an indication of money left to the parish. But the only reference was to some shares in Earlston Corn Exchange Company, with the income to be used   in "keeping the burial ground and tombstone in Earlston Churchyard in order".  It seemed that, despite my initial high hopes. this Isabella may not be the benefactor I was looking for.

(2) Isabella Wallace, born 18th November 1850, to George Wallace (Innkeeper at the Commercial Inn)  and Agnes Hudson.
In the 1851 census,  the young Isabella was with her parents, older brother William and one servant. By 1861 the family had grown further with siblings, Helen, Agnes, John and George, to be later joined by Elizabeth and Janet - a family of eight in seventeen years. All the family were still at home in 1871.

Isabella could not be traced in the 1881 census and could well have married by this time - or died. but I was unable to trace  any entries in the Scottish records.  So I discounted this Isabella in my search for Earlston's benefactor. 

(3) Isabella Wallace, born c.1854, to John Wallace (master joiner) and Martha Stewart Brown.  
I was unable to trace a birth or baptism record for Isabella - this was surprising, as although compulsory registration in Scotland was not introduced until  1855 (1837 in England & Wales), the practice was becoming more and more prevalent in the lead up to that date. 

In 1861, Isabella,  aged  7, was with her parents and siblings in Market Square, Earlston - John 18, Robert 14, Hannah 12, Janet 10, George 5 and Francis 1, plus Mary Brown (mother in law).   Her father John was described as  a master joiner employing 3 apprentices.

Earlston's Market Square c.early 1900's

Twenty years on In the 1881 census, Isabella  was housekeeper to her brother George, also a joiner and his nephew James.  The 1891, 1901 and 1911 census returns showed her continuing in this role, latterly in a house which had eight rooms with windows - surely indicating status and money.

Isabella died 2nd June 1920, with the informant her niece Agnes  and her parents confirmed as John and Martha.  Again to my delight I traced a will on ScotlandsPeople. 

The will left heritable property "to Wilfred Wallace, residing in America, son of my late brother Frank";  "to Agnes Waddell Wallace, daughter of my late brother John my whole household furniture, every kind of wearing apparel and jewellery and all personal articles" plus a legacy of £50 per annum";  "to Janet Fairbairn Wallace,  daughter of my late brother Robert   £100"; "to Martha Stewart Brown Wallace, daughter of my late brother John - income from investments".   

The residue of Isabella's estate, she bequeathed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

But notably -   the sum of £3250 was left to Earlston Parish Council  "For the purpose of improving the amenities of the Town of Earlston including footpaths, paving,  and lighting, and similar objects".

 
I had identified the correct Isabella! 

A visit to the Heritage Hub at Hawick was called for,  where I consulted the unique material not easily available elsewhere.: 

• Berwickshire County Council - West District Minutes
• Berwickshire County Council Finance Committee Minutes
• Earlston Parish Council Minutes
• Earlston Lighting and Scavenging Account

In  the years I looked at, the records confirmed that the Isabella Wallace Fund was used for the provision of  lighting, the upgrading of the Square, with  railings around the War Memorial,  the removal of an air raid shelter, and a gateway  and railings at the riverside park at Mill Meadow.  

A winter view of the park at Mill Meadow by the  Leader Water. 

Below two more early photographs of the  Market Square, Earlston, taken  before the unveiling of the War Memorial in 1921, and  the provision of railings and creation of a garden paid for from the Isabella Wallace Fund.  

 

The pump and horse well on the right were demolished in 1920 to make way for the erection of the War Memorial.

To the right of the War Memorial can be seen a small plinth

which features the plaque (below)  to Isabella Wallace - benefactor of Earlston 

 

A  poignant story is linked to Isabella's decision to grant this money to her home village. Local anecdotes recall  that her father's home and business in the Market Square was devastated by a fire. Local people rallied  round with great generosity to help the family - something that Isabella never forgot.  

Isabella Wallace  repaid   this through her will.  to become "Earlston's Friend and Benefactor"  

With thanks to the Auld Earlston Group and its associated website Lost Earlston  

for the old photographs of the village.

Farming in Earlston in Days Gone By

As we come close to marking harvest time, we here take a look at farming in Earlston  in days gone by,  with photographs from the Auld Earlston collection. 

The Statistical Account of Scotland for 1791 in the chapter on Earlston gives us an early description of farming around the village. 

"The farmers rear a considerable number of black cattle...which they fatten on turnips.  The most common crops in this parish are  oats, barley and peas.  There is also some wheat.  The oats that grow on the grounds at Fans are much esteemed. There is now a greet quantity of clover and of  rye grass sown." 

The account also noted that two fairs were held in Earlston  - on the 28th June  for sheep, black cattle and horses, reckoned to be "the second best fair in the south of Scotland".  The other fair was held on the third  Thursday of October. 

 Hiring Fair 1909

Hiring Fairs, held in the Market Square,  were important events where men and women  farm  workers, (ag. labs (agricul.tural labourers), hinds*,  shepherds, dairy maids domestic servants etc.)  would gather to bargain with prospective farmers for work, and hopefully secure a position for the following 6-12 months.  

*The Scottish National  Dictionary defines a "hind" in  Southern Scotland and Northumberland as  "a married skilled farm worker who occupies a cottage on the farm and is granted certain perquisites in addition to wages. 

Hiring Fairs were also social occasions with a rare opportunity for friends and family to meet and enjoy side shows and stalls - as can be seen in the two photographs featured. .  

 Hiring Fair in the 1930's.

Hiring Fairs lost their importance in the First World War and had largely died out by the late 1930's.

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Bondagers were female farm workers in south east Scotland and Northumberland.   As part of their husband's contract (or bond) with the farmer, he would undertake to  provide another worker (usually his wife) to help as and when  required. The women  wore a distinctive dress with bonnet, described as the "last remaining peasant costume" in Britain. 

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"Horses are absolutely necessary in this part of the country, for it is by them the farmers labour their farms and drive their corn to market.  They never work with oxen now as they did formerly." - a quote from the 1791 Statistical Account. 

Oxen feature in this old photograph which is described as on the  "Road between Earlston and Melrose". 

Anyone tracing their family history may well have  a "carter or carrier " in their ancestry - an essential occupation in transporting farmers' goods around.  

A heavily laden cart on Station Road.

                            

 

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A view from Craigsford Farm

Sheep outside the Smiddy on Station Road - 
on the way to the Auction Mart by the railway?

Sheep Shearing

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Note the woman helping with the hay-making

              

      Building a Haystack at Cowdenknowes

Earlston from Craigsford Mains

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Thank you to everyone who has  donated or loaned old photographs for scanning.

Auld Earlston welcomes all contributions on the village's past  - contact us on  auldearlston@aol.com or via the comments box below.  

For more photographs on village life,  
look at our associated Facebook page  Lost Earlston

Out on the Road in Earlston

What was driving like in the early days?  Take a look  at these quiet roads around Earlston in times past.

For Leisure 

Driving down  the middle of the road on the now busy A68.

The Quiet Market Square

Local Historian John Weatherley with his Pride and Joy

Or Let the Bus Take the Strain

For Business

Prime Minister Asquith leaving Earlston Station in 1908
 in the official car to take him to the meeting in the village. 

Andrew Taylor & Sons, Ironmonger & Grocer  - listed in a Directory of 1931. 

Co-op Vans outside the  Earlston  Shop 

Two Lorries of the  Brownlie family who have been in the Saw Mill business 

since the mid 1850s and purchased the Earlston yard in 1920. 

 in July 1988 it became part of BSW Timber Group 

Two Lorries from  Rodger (Builders) Ltd, established in Earlston in 1847

 

And what was likely to be the biggest danger facing motorists?  Children playing on the road. 

High Street

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Thank you to everyone
who has  donated or loaned old photographs for scanning.

Auld Earlston welcomes all contributions on the village's past  -
 contact us on  auldearlston@aol.com or via the comments box below. 

Life in Earlston in the 1790's?

We have one of the earliest descriptions of the village  in "The First Statistical Account of Scotland, 1791-1799," edited by Sir John Sinclair, whereby  each parish minister was asked to write a chapter on his parish.   

Contributing the Earlston chapter was Rev. Mr Lawrence Johnston,   whose children  were at one stage  tutored by a young Sir Walter Scott. 

The population of Earlston was given as 1,351 - 670 males and 681 females, with the commen: 

 "The people are in general healthy;  many of them arrive at old age.  The most common diseases are ague, rheumatism and scroph - the frequency of the last  is probably owing to intermarriage.......consumptive complaints are more common."

A generally positive picture was given of the local economy.

"The principal manufacture is linen cloth.  There are between 40 and 50 weaver looms mostly employed weaving linen........ We have only one woollen manufacturer,  though no place could be better  situated for carrying out that branch of trade.   The Leader Water runs along the west and there is plenty of wool to supply 20 manufacturers.

There are four mills which manufacture a considerable quantity  of all kinds of grain...it is carried to Dalkeith and Edinburgh markets.  Coal and lime are brought back in return.

Nor can any part of the country be better accommodated with roads.  The turnpike between Edinburgh and Jedburgh  goes close by..

The farmers rear a considerable number of black cattle...which they fatten on turnips.

Horses are absolutely necessary in this part of the country, for it is by them the farmers labour their farms and drive their corn to market.  They never work with oxen now as they did formerly.  

The most common crops in this parish are  oats, barley and peas.  There is also some wheat.  The oats that grow on the grounds at Fans are much esteemed. There is now a greet quantity of clover and of  rye grass sown.  

The account noted that two fairs were held in Earlstoun  - on the 28th June  for sheep, black cattle and horses, reckoned to be "the second best fair in the south of Scotland".  The other fair was held on the third  Thursday of October.

In terms of the local society, we learn that the manse  was built in 1734 and the church in 1736, with Sunday Schools in Earlston and Mellerstain, sponsored by the Hon.Mrs Baillie of Mellerstain House.  

An illustration of the Parish Church, demolished in 1891.- 
From the collection of Auld Earlston.

However there were "many poor in the parish at least 30 are enrolled  who receive a weekly allowance according to their necessities.  For this purpose a sum is raised twice a year".

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What was happening in the world outside Earlston?  
 

George III was King, and it was some fifty years,  since Bonnie Prince Charlie had led the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745  south  through the Borders in his bid for the throne.  Income tax was first introduced by William Pitt  in 1799 to help finance the Napoleonic Wars. 

1795 saw the first regular coach run through the Borders from Kelso to Edinburgh - a 10 hour journey.  It was to be another seventy  years before the railway reached  Earlston in 1863.

This was the age of the Scottish Enlightenment with an outpouring of intellectual and scientific accomplishments. led by such figures as philosopher David Hume, scientist David Brewster, economist  Adam Smith, engineer James Watt, geologist Jame Hutton.  and poet Robert Burns, who dined in Earlston in 1787 whilst on his tour of the Borders. In Edinburgh the New Town was being created.

The Industrial Revolution saw Scotland changing from a predominantly rural, agricultural economy into a modern capitalist economy as developments in textiles, coal and ship building industries attracted more people to urban centres.  In 1800 social reformer Robert Owen took over the running of the cotton mills at New Lanark,  which became a model for progressive and socially responsible industrial management  

Abroad the American colonies secured their independence from Britain in 1793, and France was in turmoil following the outbreak of revolution in 1789.   Radicalism was also growing in Scotland, with political reformers, led by Thomas Muir,   convicted of  sedition in trials in 1793-4,  and and sentenced to penal transportation in  Australia. 

In Africa, Selkirkshire born explorer Mungo Park reached the source of the River Niger .in 1796.   

But what was the main preoccupation  in Earlston?

This was identified in "The Statistical Account" as: 

"The want of fuel.  The common people burn turf and peat.  Coal is usually from the neighbourhood of Dalkeith, a carriage of about 25 miles, which necessarily makes the price so high that the poor cannot purchase it".

 Craigsford Bridge, built 1737  over the Leader Water

This was the main road linking Earlston tnorth and south, 

until the building of the turnpike that was to become the A68. 

 Copyright - N.F. Donaldson.  All Rights Reserved, 2015

For more information on the Statistical Accounts of Scotland, click  HERE

Also Take A  Look At:

Life in Earlston in the 1830's  

Life in Earlston in the Late 19th Century 

 

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