Items from local newspapers can bring to life events of long
ago. During my research into the fisherfolk of Kincardineshire I
came across many such articles. The discovery of your distant ancestors
in this way is a thrill that you will never forget. Suddenly its no
longer just a story - its part of your history. Check out the
following newspaper pages. Are your relatives mentioned?
Only one way to find out, start reading!
The Stonehaven Journal Tuesday 29 Feb 1848
On the 30th ult., a complaint under the Nuisance Removal Act, was brought
before Sheriff Robertson, at the instance of William Corarie, Inspector
of the Poor of Banchory-Devenick, against John Wood, John Knowles,
Andrew Wood, and Moses Wood, all fishermen at Downies. It was shewn that
notice had been given to the complainer, by five householders of the
parish, that there were ash pits, or other refuse, upon their several
premises, all in such a filthy and unwholesome condition as to be a
nuisance and injurious to the public health; that in terms of the act,
notice had been given to the parties to remove the nuisance; and that
two medical practitioners had examined the premises, and certified the
evidences of the nuisance; and that the respondents had refused or
delayed to remove it. The parties having appeared on the day appointed,
stated that the ash pits had been removed. The Sheriff, on the motion of
the complainer, adjourned the case, that the inquiry might be made into
the truth of the statements of the parties.
The Stonehaven Journal Tuesday 16th Nov
1848
Births
-
At King's College, Aberdeen, on the 4th inst., the wife of Professor
Thomson, a daughter.
At
No16 Moray Place, Edinburgh, on the 29th ult., the Lady of Captain G
Ramsay, RN., of a son.
Marriages
-
At
East Mathers, St Cyrus, on the 9th inst. by the Rev Mr Todd, Stonehaven,
Mr John Fairweather, Chapelfield, to Miss Elizabeth Brown, second
daughter of Mr Fyfe, farmer there.
At
Manse of Logie Pert, on the 10th inst. by the Rev Thomas Hill, Adam
Smith, Brae of Pert, to Mary, third daughter of Mr Robert Lees, lately
ship master, Stonehaven.
At
Broomhill Cottage, Stonehaven, on the 7th inst., by the Rev George
Philip, Free Church, Mr William Marshall merchant, Stonehaven, to
Isabella, only daughter of George Duncan, Esq., builder, late of
Aberdeen.
At
Stonehaven, on the 10th inst., by the Rev Mr Watt, Mr John Clark, Land
Stewart, Swanbiester, Main Land Orkney, to Ann, eldest daughter of Mr
John Lawrie, Brae of Fetteresso.
Deaths
-
At
124, Union Street, Aberdeen, on the 29th ult., Josephine McCombie, aged
51.
At
Huntly, on the 3rd inst., aged 76, Ebenezer Legg, merchant, having been
for half a century in business there in the same shop.
At
Dunoon, on the 31st ult., Erskine William Burnett, youngest son of the
late John Burnett, Esq of Kemnay, aged 19.
At
Bishopmill, Elgin, on the 28th ult., Janet Stronach, relict of the late
John Fraser, sen., builder and quarrier there, in her 69th year -
leaving behind her one daughter, 21 grandchildren, and 29 great
grandchildren.
At
Blenoa, Glenlivat, on the 4th inst., Gilbert Stuart, at the advanced age
of 102. In his youthhe served in the Athol Highlanders.
At
Montrose, on the 28th ultimo, Mr Ingram of the Star Hotel.
At
Upper Thainston, on the morning of the 5th inst., Mr David Mackie, aged
seventy-five years.
At
Midnapore, on the 18th August last, deeply and deservedly regretted,
James Rupert Nicolson aged 26, son of Thomas Balfour Nicolson, formerly
of the Customs, Aberdeen.
The Stonehaven
Journal Tuesday Dec
7th, 1852
Report
of a storm which caused the wreck of a ship on the rocks at the back of
the old pier. Vessel:
Christina of
Perth
belonging to Messrs. Simpson
and Peters, Arbroath. Men
who risked their lives to save crew, Captain
Collison,
Alexander Bremner, John Chaddock (of coast guard), Alexander Mackie,
William Mackie, Charles
Donald - ------ Anderson and Robert Ritchie.
The Stonehaven Journal Tuesday Jul 19th, 1853
Sudden
Death - On the forenoon of Tuesday last week, a neighbour entered the
residence of an old woman named Helen Howie, discovered its occupant
stretched on the floor apparently lifeless. She immediately gave the
alarm, and medical assistance was in a short time procured, but without
avail. She had evidently been in the act of cleaning the floor of her
room when death laid his chilling hand so suddenly upon her.
The Stonehaven Journal Tuesday Aug 30th 1853
Salmon
Fishing Case - On the 19th Curt., an important case was decided here by
Sheriff Bell, in reference to a contravention of the statutes for the
preservation of the Salmon Fisheries in Scotland. The complaint was
instituted by at the instance of George Gray, salmon-fisher in Aberdeen,
against John Mitchell, George Adam, William Stott, and David Will,
residing in Stonehaven, and charged them with taking or attempting to
take, in the Bay of Stonehaven, and within one mile of low water mark,
salmon, grilse, sea-trout, or other fish of the salmon kind. The
respondents pleaded not guilty. On proof being led Stott was assoilzied
from the complaint, and found entitled to expenses. Mitchell, Adam, and
Will, were all found guilty, and liable in payment of a modified penalty
of 10s with 20s of expenses, or suffer eight days' imprisonment. We may
remark that this case derives its importance from the decision of the
Sheriff having set aside an opinion generally entertained by our
fishermen that any one had a right to fish in the bay for any kind of
fish which might enter their nets provided they landed them in the
harbour, and not on the beach opposite the bay. Acting under this
impression, the fishermen, whom we know to be steady and industrious
men, have thereby been led into the commission of a fault of which they
otherwise would have not been guilty.
The Stonehaven Journal Thursday Aug 3rd 1854
John
Pirie sen, pensioner residing at the Common of Cowie and John Pirie jnr.
son of the said John Pirie sen. Accused of assault to effusion of
blood on John Keir, labourer, Old Town, Stonehaven Pled guilty and the
said
John
Pirie sen. Sentenced to pay
a fine of 10s or suffer 10 days imprisonment, and the said John Pirie
jun
Sentenced to pay a fine of 5s or suffer 5 days imprisonment.
The Stonehaven Journal Thurs Dec 21st 1854
Criminal
Justice Trial - Sheriff Robertson held a criminal jury court here on
18th inst. on William Main, a whitefisher in Downies accused of an
assault to the danger of life on Andrew Wood, son of Elspet Wood or
McLeod wife of Newman McLeod, whitefisher, Portlethen, aggravated by his
previously been convicted of assault.
He pled not guilty. After
evidence had been had on both sides the jury unanimously found the panel guilty as
libeled and recommended hum to the leniency of the
court. The sheriff after a
very suitable admonition sentenced the panel to 60 days imprisonment.
The Stonehaven Journal Thurs Nov 17th 1859
Loss
of Life at Sea - Intelligence has just been received of the loss of the
Schooner St George of Aberdeen, which was seen to founder during the
hurricane on Wednesday the 26th ultimo, with all on board. Three of the crew belonged to Stonehaven, viz, John Lees,
mate, who leaves a widow and three children, and two others, named Lees
and Adam both unmarried. The
storm of that disastrous day has thus been fatal to no fewer than six of
our townsmen. [John Lees,
Robert Adam, ?]
The Stonehaven Journal Thurs Apr 24th 1862
Deep
Sea Fishing - We formerly noticed the intention of proceeding, in this
quarter, with the prosecution of the deep-sea fishing; and we have this
week to record that there is every probability of its being commenced
early next week. On
Saturday last, a fine-looking smack, named the 'Sarah Brown', of London
(now of this place), arrived here from Yarmouth, Mr Brebner, fishcurer,
having been dispatched to bring her here.
The vessel has been equipped with trawling net and every
appartenance necessary for the successful prosecution of the fishing, at
the sole expense of Captain Innes of Cowie, for the purpose of
interesting the fishermen on his estate in the matter, as well as
improving their condition. We
hope his liberal gift will be taken advantage of, and that a crew will
be found ready to undertake the management of the vessel.
For the present, Robert Brown, Stonehaven, an experienced seaman,
has been appointed captain, and a few seamen acquainted with the nature
of the undertaking, have been engaged, and, as above stated, they are
expected to proceed to the fishing ground early next week.
The Stonehaven Journal Thurs Nov 12th 1863
Seaman
Drowned - On Saturday morning last, a telegram was received here from
Norway, intimating that Alexander Lees, Master of the schooner, Venture
of this place, had been washed overboard on the passage from Stettin to
Grangemouth, and that the vessel had put into Norway under charge of the
mate.
Captain Lees was a young unmarried man, and highly respected by
all who knew him.
Much sympathy is felt for his mother and other members of his
family.
