by john kean » Wed Mar 02, 2011 6:49 pm
Ian,
some more information gleaned over the weekend from West Kilbride.
Ms Pierce of Yonderfield estate in WK was a local (and extremely wealthy) land owner who actually controlled and worked the home farm of Yonderfield.
In addition to the Yonderfield estate, she owned Carlung Estate, Brisbane Estates, most of the land that WK stands on, the Seamill Hydro and all the farms on the various estates. In fact the land that Seamill Golf Club stands on was also owned by her.
I remember her as quite a character - she obviously loved the land and worked the home farm personally, including delivering milk to the villagers, and was always dressed in an old trench coat tied with string, a head scarf and wellington boots. Quite a character, and held in great respect by the people of WK). As was always the case in the old days, the feu duty for your property and land was due to the land owner (ie; in this case, Ms Pierce).
As stated, she also owned Carlung estate and Mr Howie & his family rented the farm from her.
I have determined that one of the families who worked on the Carlung farm was called Middleton. (Dougie Middleton, one of the sons and now in his seventies still lives in WK).
On her death, some of the land (including Drumilling farm in WK and the Seamill Hydro was willed to her factor (he was always known as Ozzie - no more details). I know that Ozzie's sons ran the Hydro for a number of years and that its now run by some of their family.
The rest of the estates was apparently willed to relations of Ms Pierce somewhere overseas (I beliueve Canada, but I am unsure if the location is correct).
Thats all for now Ian. When I dig out more information then I will advise.
PP> The names Cameron or Russell and even Lady Barr are unknown to the people I have spoken to. Of course, thats not to say that they dont exist, just that memories fade over the years.
Regards,
John.
Ian,
some more information gleaned over the weekend from West Kilbride.
Ms Pierce of Yonderfield estate in WK was a local (and extremely wealthy) land owner who actually controlled and worked the home farm of Yonderfield.
In addition to the Yonderfield estate, she owned Carlung Estate, Brisbane Estates, most of the land that WK stands on, the Seamill Hydro and all the farms on the various estates. In fact the land that Seamill Golf Club stands on was also owned by her.
I remember her as quite a character - she obviously loved the land and worked the home farm personally, including delivering milk to the villagers, and was always dressed in an old trench coat tied with string, a head scarf and wellington boots. Quite a character, and held in great respect by the people of WK). As was always the case in the old days, the feu duty for your property and land was due to the land owner (ie; in this case, Ms Pierce).
As stated, she also owned Carlung estate and Mr Howie & his family rented the farm from her.
I have determined that one of the families who worked on the Carlung farm was called Middleton. (Dougie Middleton, one of the sons and now in his seventies still lives in WK).
On her death, some of the land (including Drumilling farm in WK and the Seamill Hydro was willed to her factor (he was always known as Ozzie - no more details). I know that Ozzie's sons ran the Hydro for a number of years and that its now run by some of their family.
The rest of the estates was apparently willed to relations of Ms Pierce somewhere overseas (I beliueve Canada, but I am unsure if the location is correct).
Thats all for now Ian. When I dig out more information then I will advise.
PP> The names Cameron or Russell and even Lady Barr are unknown to the people I have spoken to. Of course, thats not to say that they dont exist, just that memories fade over the years.
Regards,
John.