At this Court on Wednesday, before Bailie Walker, Alex Cunningham, carter, Cairneyhill, was convicted on evidence of illtreating and abusing a horse in Pittencrieff Street, on the 9th December, and was fined 7s 6d with 4s 6d of expenses.
CALLANDER ADVERTISER, SATURDAY 8TH MARCH 1947
MOTORIST JAILED – ‘DRUNK IN CHARGE’ AT STIRLING
‘Garrulous and jocose’ was the description applied by the police surgeon who examined him to Norman McDonald (42), nurseryman, Pleasance, Cairneyhill, Dunfermline, who was sent to prison for fourteen days and disqualified for driving for a year by Sheriff Burn-Murdoch at Stirling on Friday for being under the influence of drink while in charge of a car in King Street. Stirling.
West End, Cairneyhill
EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS, TUESDAY 8TH MARCH 1949
NOT TO DRIVE FOR FIVE YEARS
A five years’ driving disqualification and a fine of £30 were imposed at Dunfermline Sheriff Court today on David Walls Stronach, engineer, whose address was given as 86a Townhill Road, Dunfermline.
He admitted charges that on March 7 (1) on the Torryburn-Dunfermline road, at Cairneyhill, he drove a motor van without due care and attention, and caused it to collide with and damage a traffic sign; (2) he was in charge of the van while under the influence of drink.
Sheriff Hamilton admonished accused on the first charge, and imposed the fine and disqualification on the second.
This is the sixth part in my series of Cairneyhill hatches, matches and dispatches that have appeared in the newspapers.
I have always found such finds very exciting in my own 30 years of family history research and I hope this helps anyone doing similar Cairneyhill-based research.
(Glossary: inst/instant means of the present month and ultimo means of last month).
SILVER WEDDINGS
St Andrews Citizen, Friday 3rd August 1984.
Taylor – Adam. On the 1st August, 1959, at Carnock Parish Church, by the Rev W L Cunningham, Cairneyhill, Kenneth Taylor, Rose Cottage, Saughtree, Ceres, to Edith Gertrude Adam, 1 Blairwood Cottages, Oakley. Present address – Wayside Cottage, Bridgend, Ceres.
Hilton Lane, Cairneyhill
DEATHS
Dundee, Perth, and Cupar Advertiser, Friday 29th October 1858.
At Cairneyhill, near Dunfermline, on the 24th inst., Mr James Tod, aged sixty-six years.
Dunfermline Press, Wednesday 3rd February 1864.
Webster. At Muirside, by Cairneyhill, on the 29th ult., Mr John Webster, farmer.
Dunfermline Saturday Press, Saturday 22nd September 1866.
More. At Cairneyhill Manse, on the 19th inst., Jane Paxton, wife of the Rev John More, aged 74.
Fife Herald, Thursday 5th March 1868.
At Cairneyhill, Dunfermline, on the 29th ult., Mr Francis Duncanson, builder, in his 63rd year. Friends will please accept of this intimation.
Fife Herald, Thursday 21st July 1870.
At Cairneyhill, parish of Carnock, on the 10th inst., Alex. Morris, in the 83rd year of his age.
Fife Herald, Thursday 16th February 1871.
At Cairneyhill, by Dunfermline, on the 9th inst., Mr William Erskine, aged 72 years.
Dundee Courier, Saturday 17th June 1871.
At Cairneyhill, by Dunfermline, on the 12th inst., Elizabeth Cockburn, relict of the late Mr Alexander Morris.
Dundee Courier, Friday 11th April 1884.
At Home Cottage, Cairneyhill, Dunfermline, on the 3rd inst., John Gardiner, aged 75 years.
Edinburgh Evening News, Friday 11th June 1896.
At 7 Huntly Terrace, Kelvinside, Glasgow, on the 10th inst., Mary McMurchy, widow of the Rev John Moir, Cairneyhill
DUNDEE EVENING TELEGRAPH, FRIDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 1950
LICENSING COURT POST
Newly-appointed member of Dunfermline District Licensing Court, Mr James Fairley, Cairneyhill, is a noted horticultural expert.
Head of the firm of James Fairley & Co., nurserymen, he has been in business for 44 years. He has competed successfully at all the important flower shows in Scotland, winning gold medals for roses, delphiniums, gladioli and phlox.
He is a member of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society and of the National Rose Societies of Scotland and England.
Nearly 50 years ago he was an exhibitor at the Dunfermline Carnegie Trust Rose Shows. This was the only show in Scotland that ever had a schedule for a class of 71 distinct exhibition roses to be shown in boxes.
West End, Cairneyhill
It attracted entries from all over Britain. Besides being a successful competitor, his services are frequently sought as a judge.
For 20 years he has been a judge of new seedling roses for the Royal Caledonian Society.
Actively interested in public affairs, he is a Justice of the Peace, an office he has held for 20 years, and was for 12 years a member of Dunfermline District Council.
A special constable for 20 years, he retired recently with the rank of chief special constable for the Cairneyhill area.
He was formerly a member of the Old Carnock School Board and a treasurer of Cairneyhill Church.
BRIDGE OF ALLAN GAZETTE, SATURDAY 23RD OCTOBER 1920
Important sale of dairy stock, horses, and stacks, at South Pitdinnie, Cairneyhill, Dunfermline (Mr Torrance’s), on Friday 29th October 1920 at 11am.
66 Ayrshire and cross cows and heifers (newly calved and to calve). 1 British Friesan bull (2 years old), bred by Mr Brown, Colton Mains. 6 Black polled cattle. 1 Clydesdale mare, 6 years old. 1 Clydesdale gelding, 4 years old (both warranted sound). 16 Stacks mashium(well secured).
Also, the whole of the dairy utensils.
Terms – cash at sale.
Myrend Lane
Sale of horses and crops at Myrend, Cairneyhill (Mr Erskine’s) on Friday 29th October 1920 (immediately after South Pitdinnie).
DUNDEE EVENING TELEGRAPH, THURSDAY 19TH DECEMBER 1946
COCKERELS ‘ENTERED THE MINISTRY’
Loud, hearty laughs resounded within the crowded Institute Hall at Cairneyhill, near Dunfermline.
Occasion was the induction social of Rev William L Cunningham and the laughter was the result of stories told by his ‘cronies’.
Rev F M Musk, Dunbar, confessed he had been worried about what he was to say to the Cairneyhill people, and being ‘worried’ had reminded him of the man who was fidgeting about the house and wouldn’t go to bedd.
His wife asked what was wrong. He said he was too worried. He owed a man £1000 and hadn’t the money to pay his debt. His wife went out. When she came back she said ‘It’s all right. I’ve told the other man. He can worry now’.
Rev J C Gordon, Cadder, told of the old Aberdoniian and his wife who had reached their golden wedding. To celebrate, their friends baked a special cake with 50 candles.
When the old man saw the candles lit, he turned to his wife and said ‘Maggie, dinnae waste them. Bile the kettle on them.’
Inside of Cairneyhill Church
After congratulating the congregation for the fine ‘spread’ he had enjoyed, Rev William Steven, Dunfermline, spoke of the farmer who entertained two ministers. To feed them, he killed two if his best cockerels.
Later, in the farmyard, when he was showing his guests around, one of the ministers noticed a particularly fine looking cockerel strutting about with a high head. He remarked that it seemed very proud.
‘Prood,’ said the farmer.’It has guid reason to be prood. Two of its sons have just entered the ministry.’
Fife people were not flatterers, Mr Steven said, but they appreciated a good minister like Mr Cunningham.
But, he warned Mr Cunningham, if anybody came into his vestry and said his sermon was a masterpiece that person would either be an American passing through or a Scotsman who had too much to drink the night before.
Two Stirling boys returning from a cycle run to Dunfermline on Saturday evening were involved in a motor accident in the village of Cairneyhill, a short distance from Dunfermline. They were Duncan Morrison, 58 Cowane Street, and Frank Agnew, 27 Cowane Street. They were taken to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital, where Morrison, who was still unconscious yesterday, lies in a serious condition.
Both boys are aged fourteen, and are employed as messengers with Stirling Co-Operative Society. They are keen cyclists, and as Frank had received delivery of a new cycle on Saturday, they decided on an outing to Dunfermline on Sunday.
Main Street, Cairneyhill
On their return journey they were cycling behind a bus which stopped to permit a passenger to alight. As the boys cut out from behind the bus, the wheels of their machines interlocked and they fell.
A following car, belonging to Mr C McKenzie, bank clerk, 17 Ryehill Gardens, Leith, attempted ti swerve clear, but was unable to avoid Duncan, who received a wound on the back of his head. Frank, who was bleeding freely, received a wound on his left temple, and injuries to his right leg. After being examined, they were conveyed by ambulance to hospital.
This is the fifth part in my series of Cairneyhill hatches, matches and dispatches that have appeared in the newspapers.
I have always found such finds very exciting in my own 30 years of family history research and I hope this helps anyone doing similar Cairneyhill-based research.
(Glossary: inst/instant means of the present month and ultimo means of last month).
BIRTHS
DUNFERMLINE SATURDAY PRESS, SATURDAY 19TH MARCH 1887
Bald – at Cairneyhill, on the 13th inst., the wife of Mr William Bald, of a son.
MARRIAGES
DUNFERMLINE SATURDAY PRESS, SATURDAY 28TH DECEMBER 1861
Salmond-Young – at Queen Anne Street Manse, Dunfermline, on the 25th inst., by the father of the bride, assisted by her grandfather, the Rev John More, Cairneyhill – the Rev William Salmond, MA, UP Church, North Shields, to Jane Paxton, eldest daughter of the Rev James Young. (No cards).
DUNFERMLINE SATURDAY PRESS, SATURDAY 2ND JUNE 1866
Dick-Lawson – At Torryburn, on the 1st inst., by the Rev Mr More, of Cairneyhill, Mr Alex Dick, baker, Kinglassie, Fifeshire, to Catherine Erskine, youngest surviving daughter of Mr John Lawson, gardener, Torryburn.
DUNDEE COURIER, MONDAY 2ND MAY 1870
At 25 Bellgrove Street, Glasgow, on the 28th ult., by the Rev Thomas Whitelaw, MA, of Cathedral Street UP Church, the Rev David Borland, MA, of Cairneyhill, Dunfermline, to Isabella, third surviving daughter of William Bowman, Esq.
DUNFERMLINE SATURDAY PRESS, SATURDAY 4TH DECEMBER 1880
Rolland-Philp – At Pitfirrane Lodge, by Dunfermline, on the 3rd inst., by the Rev Mr Moir, of Cairneyhill Church, William Rolland, Halbeath, to Janet, third surviving daughter of Mr Alex Philp, Pitfirrane Lodge.
Cairneyhill Graveyard
DEATHS
DUNFERMLINE SATURDAY PRESS, SATURDAY 2ND AUGUST 1862
More – at Fort Hamilton, New York, in the 39th year of his age, of bilious fever, George, second son of the Rev John More, Cairneyhill. Friends will please accept this intimation.
DUNFERMLINE SATURDAY PRESS, SATURDAY 30TH JUNE 1866
Blair – At Cairneyhill, on the 27th inst., Isabella Wilson, wife of Mr Andrew Blair, feuar there, aged 77 years.
SOUTHERN REPORTER, THURSDAY 9TH JANUARY 1868
At the UP Manse, Cairneyhill, Dunfermline, on 2nd instant, the Rev John More, in the 80th year of his age, and the 54th of ministry.
FIFE HERALD, THURSDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 1871
At 4 1/2 Mar Place, Alloa, on the 7th inst., Lillias Henderson, relict of Robert Heron, North Pitdinnie, Cairneyhill.
DUNFERMLINE SATURDAY PRESS, SATURDAY 8TH MARCH 1884
Cousin – At Cairneyhill, on the 5th inst., John Cousin; deeply regretted. (American papers please copy).
DUNFERMLINE SATURDAY PRESS, SATURDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 1887
Landale – At the hospital, Dunfermline, on the 7th inst., Barbara, second daughter of the late Henry Landale, Cairneyhill.
EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS, WEDNESDAY 11TH AUGUST 1897
At Cairneyhill, on the 9th current, Catherine, eldest daughter of the late Thomas Duncanson, feuar, Cairneyhill, aged 83 years. Funeral on Thursday 12th inst., at two o’clock.
The news of the death of the Rev. George Morris, the venerable and senior minister of Courthill United Free Church, Dalry, will be received with widespread regret.
Ten days ago, while on a visit to his brother-in-law at Meiklemyre Farm, he was seized with a shock of paralysis, which laid him so low that, although conscious, he was never able to speak. He gradually grew weaker from day to day, and expired on Monday evening.
Mr Morris was born at Cairneyhill, Fife, in the year 1824, and was educated at the village school and St Andrews University, passing through his course with credit. On being licensed to preach, he received no fewer than six calls. He was ordained to the charge of the United Presbyterian Church, Dalry, in 1850, and celebrated his jubilee in the summer of 1899, the handsome testimonial fund which was then raised testifying to the widespread affection in which Mr Morris was held.
Main Street, Cairneyhill
Mr Morris was an able preacher, and, being possessed of a powerful memory, never used notes in the pulpit. He was specially fitted by his sympathetic nature to minister to the sick, and his visitations were not confined to those of his pwn flock. His exemplary life, with its sturdy manliness, its kindliness in distress, and its cheery hopefulness, made his honoured, not only amongst his own people, but amongst all classes. Mr Morris was the oldest member of the Ardrossan Free Church Presbytery.
He was predeceased by his wife some years ago, and leaves a family of three sons and two daughters.
BRIDGE OF ALLAN GAZETTE, SATURDAY 5TH DECEMBER 1931
BIGAMY AT BANNOCKBURN – PRISON FOR FIFESHRIE MAN – ‘RUINED WOMAN’S LIFE’ SAYS SHERIFF – A REMARKABLE STORY
One of the most remarkable stories ever unfolded in a bigamy case heard in Stirling Sheriff Court was related on Thursday to Sheriff J Dean Leslie, when Walter Colquhoun, a Fifeshire man, appeared before him and pleaded guilty to having on 26th September, 1931, in the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady and St Ninian, Quakerfield, Bannockburn, he being the lawful husband of Elizabeth McArthur or Colquhoun, Burnside Cottage, Cairneyhill, Fifeshire, went through a form of marriage with Grace McLaughlin, 22 Quakerfield, Bannockburn, and did cohabit with her as her husband.
An agent on accused’s behalf said he was a married man and had three children. He had never been away from his wife and they never had any differences. This was not going to make any difference to his wife and his children were fond of him.
Until a few months ago, accused was quite a respectable man and had always been a good worker. About six months ago he was successful in horse betting and got some money, and since then, his wife had informed him (the agent), he had been drinking rather heavily, and that had rather changed the man altogether.
PUBLIC HOUSE MEETING
In the month of August he came to the Bridge of Allan Games, and after the games he came into Stirling, and there went into a public-house where he met a man whom he had never seen before.
This was how the man’s troubles started through accidentally entering a public-house. Here he met the brother-in-law of the woman he ultimately entered into the bigamous marriage with. This man confided to Colquhoun that he had a sister-in-law of marriageable age, and he suggested something of this kind, and Colquhoun in his drunken state gave some heed to this and promised to come and visit him at his house in Bannockburn. He did this a week later, and was duly introduced to this woman of forty-two or forty-three, who was a housekeeper at Dunblane. They went to the pictures that night. On the very first night the question of marriage was discussed. The matter was practically cut and dried with this woman through the instrumentality of her brother-in-law. In answer to the Sheriff, the agent said the woman had not been married before. The thing was suggested to her by her brother-in-law, and Colquhoun was stupid enough in his drunken state to give heed to this and got sort of drawn into it. The marriage was discussed the very first night and the time fixed and in a matter of three or four weeks the marriage took place.
QUESTION ABOUT WITNESSES
The agent said that the proclamation of banns took place both in Bannockburn and in Dunfermline. The witnesses were required to certify to the registrar that Colquhoun was a single man. Two of his friends did that. Colquhoun had informed him (his agent) that these two friends knew perfectly well that he was a married man. The agent said the brother-in-law and this woman were to some extent to blame because they knew absolutely nothing about this man and asked nothing about him.
Pitfirrane West Lodge, Cairneyhill
The Fiscal (Mr C C Cheyne) said accused was married in 1923 to his lawful wife and had three of a family. He came to Stirling in July, and met a man in a public-house. Colquhoun told the man his name was John Scott, and that he was a stone miner, unmarried and living in lodgings in Dunfermline, and was retired. He asked the man if he could introduce him to a woman. A few days later the woman was introduced to him, and he still maintained his name was John Scott. They agreed to get married, and the girl gave up her situation. After the marriage they went to Belfast for their honeymoon.
In answer to the Sheriff the Fiscal said he would make inquiries about the two men who made the false declaration for the publication of the banns.
Sheriff Dean Leslie, in passing sentence, said accused had gone about this in a most deliberate way. He had ruined the life of this poor woman.
Cairneyhill People and History 