Just Joined? Please Introduce Yourself

Discuss all aspects of the three towns in the Threetowners' Lounge.

Where in the world do we live?

Three towns
133
30%
Elsewhere in Scotland
90
21%
England
71
16%
Other UK
7
2%
Europe other than UK
10
2%
Australia
53
12%
Canada
27
6%
New Zealand
8
2%
USA
28
6%
Others
11
3%
 
Total votes: 438

hahaya2004
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Post by hahaya2004 »

Cintra, I forgot to add this link. The photo shows the remains of the burial ground in 1982

https://canmore.org.uk/site/41141/ardro ... rial-place

Irene
The most important hour is always the present, the most significant person is the one opposite you right now, and the most necessary deed is always love. - Meister Eckhart (c.1260 - c.1328)
Cintra
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Post by Cintra »

Many thanks for the welcome and the exciting information you have so kindly provided! This is more than I ever knew before. I would like to have known the old laird, Hugh Weir - what a character! I am glad the family burial ground still exists and hope to visit some day.
Cintra
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Post by Hughie »

I believe it's the only private burial ground in the district. Here's where we had a first look at it back in 1999 - last century. :roll: viewtopic.php?p=124322#p124322
Cintra
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Post by Cintra »

This is just fascinating to read about. I would love to jump on a plane right now and come to Ardrossan. Thank you, and please keep up the marvelous work you are doing.
Your friend,
Cintra
Penny Tray
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Post by Penny Tray »

hahaya2004 wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 4:37 pm Hi Cintra,
This is probably the link to the Meikle family:
According to his death certificate, Hugh's mother was Mary Weir, previously Meikle, maiden surname Porter

This might interest you:
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, Friday 29th April 1898

In Memoriam
Hugh Ferrie Weir of Kirkhall


The death of Mr Hugh Ferrie Weir of Kirkhall, on Tuesday afternoon, will take not a few of the community by surprise, and will be learned with regret not only by the natives at home and abroad, but by a number of correspondents, indebted to him for special information on folk lore, local antiquities, and old family history, in all of which subjects he was a specialist.
Although confined to the house for some weeks, it is only within these last two or three weeks his case became serious, and towards the end of his days he suffered not a little pain, borne with manly resignation.
Laird Weir – the designation by which he was familiarly known – was perhaps the most striking individuality in the district. It is doubtful if the community generally knew to the full extent his special claims to be regarded as such. He was the last male representative of the Weir family, who have occupied Kirkhall – a small estate about a mile north-east from Ardrossan, on the right bank of Stanley Burn – from 1719. Great-grandfather, grandfather, and father were in possession of it as owners from 1748 previous to the succession on 1838 of Hugh, now deceased. Within the grounds is the burial place of the family. It is a small enclosure formed by a thorn hedge and a stone wall, and sheltered by an encompassing row of ash and elm trees. There is a monument erected, composed of two Tuscan columns, surmounted by a pediment, and the inscription, which is cut in a small panel of black marble, is as follows:--

This burial place was erected by Hugh Weir of Kirkhall.—
DOROTHY HUNTER, his wife, died Sept. 26th, 1787, aged 67 years.--
HUGH WEIR died Jan. 9th, 1800, aged 72 years.—
HELEN FERRIE, wife of Robert Weir, died April 20th, 1814, aged 56 years.—
ROBERT WEIR died 31st July 1838, in the 81st year of his age

From the above it will be seen that the Weirs were long lived – a fact to which the Laird frequently referred when congratulating himself on his own long age; on his ability to undertake duties, and walk with ease to Ardrossan and back to Kirkhall without great inconvenience.
As an heritor of the parish, at one time he took an active interest in the fabric of the church and succeeded, if we mistake not, in preventing the old building from being condemned many years ago. In 1852-53 he was the most active leader in the opposition to the formation of Saltcoats into a burgh; and in recognition of his services, on 7th April 1854, he was presented with a handsome silver salver, beautifully chased, which bore the following inscription:--

Presented to Hugh Ferrie Weir Esq. of Kirkhall, by a number of
proprietors and others in Saltcoats and vicinity, as a token of
respect for his co-operation in resisting and defeating the Burgh
Act sought to be imposed on the town in 1852-3.—Saltcoats
7th April, 1854.

The Raise Street weavers were then an important body; and although the movement was in the right direction, there was an excuse for the opposition in that the Commission Board would have been appointed by a limited number of the inhabitants, not more than two-tenths being in possession of the franchise. For a time he was chairman of the Parochial Board; and took a deep interest in parochial matters. He was never married; and besides farming his small estate was an accomplished land surveyor, and showed great mechanical skill as an amateur turner in wood.
But it is as local historian, for his love of antiquities, his study of place names, his acquaintance with family genealogies, and his unique collection of old editions, and books, tracts, and sermons having a special relation to Ayrshire, he will be longest remembered. He inherited his tastes from his father – a careful and diligent annotator – who left copious notes of everything likely to interest in connection with the parish and neighbourhood. In the preface to the History of Ardrossan due acknowledgement is made of the value of Mr Weir's researches, and of the MSS, placed at the writer's disposal. The file of the Herald is also rich in local historical contributions from his pen. It was a great pleasure to him, and he never grudged the trouble to copy from old records, if thereby he could throw light upon the past for the benefit of the present generation. One of his latest papers was on the old stone in the graveyard on the hill, on which at one time could be traced the full-length figure of a man in baso-relievo in a recumbent position, with shields and quarterings on legs and arms; and we recall his papers on "The Eglinton Family"; on the "Walled Parks in the neighbourhood of Ardrossan, and the Wild Cattle"; Biographical Sketches of old Parish Ministers; and, not to mention others – "Ardrossan: its Early Barons, Castle, etc." Mr Weir's special studies brought him into contact with not a few like-minded; and of these correspondents there was no one he held in greater esteem than the late Sir William Fraser, of whose death it was deemed wise not to inform him. For years he was a familiar figure at book sales; and, although a careful man otherwise, he did not grudge the cost of a more perfect edition of an old book he already had; or a publication that would add to the value of his library of Ayrshire books. It is no commonplace to say that "we ne'er shall look upon his like again". He was the custodier of all that relates to the past of the district – the newspaper file has now taken his place; but our indebtedness to him can be measured by what we owe the father and son when there was no press to make note of passing occurrences, or parishioners with the taste for, or the patience to pursue, historical research in parish annals. He will be missed, for he filled a place all his own.
Mr Weir is survived by his sister, the widow of the late Mr Young of Milngarhome, Irvine; who has resided with him for sometime, and nursed him through his last illness. His remains will be interred to-day within the family enclosure, where rest his forebears. He was in his 83rd year.

Irene
:GP How lucky is Threetowners to have Irene picking up these queries time and time again, and answering them in such detail?
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
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Meg
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Post by Meg »

You’re right PT - she’s a fantastic, and very knowledgable local historian isn’t she. Thanks Irene, your contributions are truly first class 👏👏👏👏

Meg
Cintra
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Post by Cintra »

I am so grateful to you for solving a genealogical mystery that has stumped me for some time!

Also, the Reminiscences of Ardrossan by "Baldie" are enthralling. They provide an invaluable window into "the olden days." In his article from the November 6, 1903 issue of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald he write about the Weirs and about paying a visit to Helen Weir Young in her old age. She had been a friend of Baldie's sisters and was the last of the Weir family to live at Kirkhall.

Cheers,
Cintra
hahaya2004
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Post by hahaya2004 »

Thank you, folks. :D
I'm glad I was of some help.

Irene
The most important hour is always the present, the most significant person is the one opposite you right now, and the most necessary deed is always love. - Meister Eckhart (c.1260 - c.1328)
Gerryfitz
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Post by Gerryfitz »

Gerry Fitzpatrick, originally from Saltcoats, left in 1980 for Canada. Now living in Peterborough, Ontario
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Meg
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Post by Meg »

A warm welcome to the Threetowners Gerry. Looking forward to your posts.

Meg
CarolD
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Post by CarolD »

Hi my name is Carol. I’m 39. Born and grew up in Saltcoats. I’m looking to see if anyone knew my mum Elizabeth Loudon known as Betty at school. She went to Kyle’shill primary as far as I know.
Auldwilliam51
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Post by Auldwilliam51 »

Hello,I’m William Wallace Auld, I lived in Saltcoats from 1955 until 1970, When I moved to England, Lived with my Aunt in Slough Berkshire,Now married to Esme and live in Burnham,Bucks.I attended the Old Public School, in Argyle Road,Saltcoats then Saltcoats Secondary School,Ardrossan Academy left 1969-70.While attending Saltcoats Secondary went in 2 school cruises, one to the Baltic the other to Vigo,Madeira and Lisbon, Now retired interests include,Art and playing music, guitar and piano. Regards William Wallace Auld
:D
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