The Aberdeen Journal (later to become the
Aberdeen Press & Journal) is one of the best sources of information on
local news in the NE of Scotland. Established in the 18th century with
almost every edition available to the public it represents a
treasure-house of information for family historians and researchers. In
this section we will record just a few snippets of local interest - some
trivial, some tragic, but all fascinating. Let's hope you find something
of interest - I'll be surprised if you don't!
The Aberdeen Journal, November 17th, 1830
Died at Stonehaven on the 5th inst., the Rev John
Ballantyne, minister of the United Associate Congregation there, in the
51st year of his age and 25th of his ministry. In all the higher
qualities of the man, the Christian, and the minister - unaffected
piety, unswerving, integrity, a vigorous and cultivated mind - Mr
Ballantyne was eminently distinguished. As an author, his work on the
Human Mind has been highly appreciated by those who are best qualified
to form an opinion of its merits; and in his "Comparison of Established
and Dissenting Churches" he has written on the subject of ecclesiastical
polity with an intelligence, and energy, and an honest conviction, which
even those who differ from him in his views must acknowledge and
respect. As a minister his personal character and public faithfulness
and his attention paid especially to the religious education of the
young, will make his name remembered and his memory revered by all
classes in the town where he lived and laboured. Among his brethren of
the Presbytery of which he was a member and throughout the Secession
church his loss is greatly deplored.
The Aberdeen Journal,
December 22nd, 1830
Many of our readers can recollect the state of the
old road between this city and Stonehaven; when being jolted over it in
a post-chaise generally occupied three or four hours, and was even then
attended with some danger. The present one, from Bridge of Dee to the
latter place, formed upwards of 30 years ago, and still among the best
turnpike roads in the Kingdom is one of the great many improvements for
which this part of the country is indebted to the public spirit of the
Magistrates of Aberdeen. The balance which remained due for this work to
the Treasurer of the City, amounting to something more than eleven
pounds, has just been paid up by a Committee of Road Trustees of the
County of Kincardine who have thus acquired right to the revenues of the
road and undertaken its future charge and management. In consequence Mr
Scott of Brotherton and Mr Silver of Netherley have accepted the office
of Honorary Treasurers; and Mr P Christain has been appointed Clerk of
the Road.
The Aberdeen Journal, January 5th, 1831
Laurencekirk - On Friday week the road hence to
Stonehaven became impervious to the equestrian, the snow having been
blown to a considerable height in many places. In the evening the
Defiance Coach stuck fast, about three miles to the north, and remained
there till Monday morning. The other coach, the Union, proceeded no
farther than this place. On Sunday afternoon, the proprietors of the
latter coach employed a number of men to cast the snow, and made the
coach to force her way through.
The Aberdeen Journal, February 16th, 1831
Thursday last being the Candlemas market day, the
prices of cattle were rather low. A very singular circumstance took
place in the course of the day. A cow, far gone with calf, belonging to
Mr Dunbar, Gabertstripes, having been brought by its master to the
market to be disposed of, took fright at something, and ran off the
market green down to the water of Cowie, at that time considerably
swelled, and having succeeded in wading across the water, made the best
of her way to the sea, into which she finally ran, and swam out for
about a mile. The owner meantime having gone to the Bridge of Cowie in
hopes of finding her on shore, and having succeeded in procuring a boat,
the cow was brought back to land, some say nothing the worse of her
nautical excursion. The man was obliged by the boat's crew to pay one
pound for their trouble, and eight shillings as their allowance for
drink. During these transactions, the town was in a state of complete
uproar. The numerous conflicting reports spread abroad of a boat being
upset, and the whole crew lost - of a man having fallen over the pier,
and been drowned - of a cart having passed over an infant of three years
of age, and broken both its legs - were indeed most distressing, and it
was not for some time that the truth could be ascertained.
The Aberdeen Journal, March 16th, 1831
Stonehaven, March 10th, 1831 - Melancholy accident
- Five Lives Lost - The fishertown of Cowie, adjoining this place, was
thrown into the utmost confusion on Tuesday, by as lamentable an
occurrence as has happened in this neighbourhood for well-nigh thirty
years. One of the boats belonging to the above place, being, as was
supposed, about ten miles out at sea, having a piece of wreck in tow,
and all her sail set, was struck by a heavy sea, which upset her, and
precipitated all her crew, six number, into the mighty deep. The
circumstance was noticed by the crew of another boat, about three mile
from the place where the event occurred, who arrived in time to save one
of these unfortunate men from a watery grave. One of those who are lost
has left a family of seven children to lament his unhappy fate. We
understand a subscription is about to be set on foot for the relief of
these sufferers. The boat came on shore in the Bay of Nigg on Wednesday.
The Aberdeen Journal, May 11th, 1831
On Wednesday, the United Associate congregation,
Stonehaven gave a call to the Rev. David Todd to be their pastor. The
Rev. Mr Paterson preached and presided on the occasion.
The Aberdeen Journal, November 30th, 1831
Stonehaven, 28th November - On Thursday last some
horses and carts were arriving from the country, about the time the
parochial school of Dunnottar was dismissed for their dinner hour, and
as the boys in their playfulness were running about the street, one of
them, about 10 years of age, son of David Napier, fell just before the
horse of the leading cart; the man who had charge of it, had a hold of
the bridle at the time, but the boy fell so close before him, and so
unexpectedly, that he was struck on the breast or belly by the horse's
fore-foot ere it was possible to stop him, although the man instantly
and forcibly exerted himself to do so. Medical aid was immediately
procured; but, we regret to say, without effect, as the poor boy expired
on Saturday morning.
The Aberdeen Journal, January 4th, 1832
Stonehaven, 2nd January - Another fatal accident
happened in this town on Saturday last. A very fine child, a boy about
20 months old, belonging to William Donaldson, Barclay Street, was
killed by a cart-wheel passing over his body. The mother of the infant
saw him opposite her window, holding up his arms for assistance, to be
lifted from the street to the pavement, and ordered her sister to go and
bring him over. On seeing her coming, he turned round, in a playful
manner, to run from her - at that instant two carts were passing, and he
fell, or the horse's foot struck him down, and ere the cart could be
stopped, the wheel went over him. He expired a few minutes after being
carried into the house.
The Aberdeen Journal, March 7th, 1832
Mr Barclay of Ury has placed 50 bolls of coals at
the disposal of the Church Session, for distribution among the poor in
the new town of Stonehaven; and, we understand, he has intimated to the
Board of Health in Stonehaven, that he will readily furnish a suitable
home for an hospital, should cholera make its appearance in that town.
The Aberdeen Journal, April 25th, 1832
We understand that a Board of Health has been
constituted at Stonehaven, under the authority of His Majesty's Privy
Council, consisting of the following gentlemen, viz:- Hugh Fullerton,
Sheriff Sustitute; Peter Christian, Chief Magistrate; the Rev George
Thomson, minister of Fetteresso; Rev Alex. Irvine, minister of Dunnottar;
Rev. George Garden; Presbyter of the Scottish Episcopal Church; Rev.
David Todd, minister of the United Secession Church; Wm. Stewart,
Sheriff-clerk; J. Tindal, Procurator-Fiscal; Charles Monro, writer; J.
Burness, banker; A. Smart, Alex. Burnett, and A. W. Kinnear, writers. Mr
Fullerton has been elected Chairman, Mr Charles Graham Monro, secretary,
and Mr John Beattie, Treasurer.
