Genealogy Ebooks That one half of the world knows not how the other half lives," is a statement one accepts readily enongh in the abstract, but which seems less comprehensible when we reduce it to the concrete fact that, even in this miniature land of Great Britain, there is a whole chain of islands, some hundred and fifty miles long, possessed of natural beauties and resources, having its own characteristic literature, archaeology and traditions, in some sort even its special language and religion, of which its nearest neighbours on the mainland know little,…]]> In justification of the step that has been taken, it may be stated, that an idea was entertained by several persons, and among others, by the author of this work, that a few particulars regarding Biggar and Biggar men could be collected, which, although of no moment and consideration in the eyes of men of learning and research, might yet possess some degree of interest to the inhabitants of the district. It has accordingly been for their instruction and gratification that the volume has been drawn up. If it fails to satisfy them, or to draw forth…]]> The Statistical Accounts of Scotland are a series of documentary publications, related in subject matter though published at different times, covering life in Scotland in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The Old (or First) Statistical Account of Scotland was published between 1791 and 1799 by Sir John Sinclair of Ulster. The General Assembly proposed a "Geographical Description of Scotland" and took some action on this between 1720 and 1744, again during troubled times for the country, latterly involving the Jacobite Rebellion under Bonnie Prince…]]> In compiling this volume, the Author may state that the chief objects he had in view were—first, to give an account, historical and traditional, of the different Towns and Castles in Angus and the Mearns at which King Edward l. resided when on his subjugating tour through Scotland in 1296 ; and, secondly, notices of the families and possessions of such of the Barons, Churchmen, and others, as recognised the supremacy of England as well during that year, as in 1291, and afterwards in 1303.]]> In compiling this volume, the Author may state that the chief objects he had in view were—first, to give an account, historical and traditional, of the different Towns and Castles in Angus and the Mearns at which King Edward l. resided when on his subjugating tour through Scotland in 1296 ; and, secondly, notices of the families and possessions of such of the Barons, Churchmen, and others, as recognised the supremacy of England as well during that year, as in 1291, and afterwards in 1303.]]> Yet Macculloch himself found in the North material sufficient to fill four stout volumes; and the century which has intervened since he wrote has been rich in new collections of Highland folklore and ancient customs. And now there is a peculiar fitness in suggesting Highland life as a subject for careful study; for a century of depopulation has culminated in the melancholy figures of the latest census. A generation ago it was the decay of Highland manners which distressed the patriot; today it is the actual disappearance of the Highland stock…]]> During the wars waged with France and Spain, prior to the establishment of the French Republic, it was the custom in England to raise regiments in cases of emergency, disbanding them when their services were no longer required. On two occasions a 90th Regiment was so embodied, the first time being in 1760, the Corps appearing in the army-list of the following year as the 90th Regiment of Light Infantry.]]> The modern county is the division of the kingdom administered by a sheriff, and this system dates back at least as far as the reign of David I (1124-1153). When the crowns were united in 1603, the districts administered by the sheriffs of the king coincided with the modern counties, except that Caithness, Sutherland and Ross were under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff of Inverness.]]> They exhibit the Laws, framed in rude ages, for protecting the lives and property of, and preserving peace and good brotherhood among, the burghal communities. They throw light on the manners and customs of the inhabitants in early times, and enable us to mark the progress made from age to age in their social, municipal, and political life. And they show us the bondage under which these were held by Lord and Priest, and the obstacles they had to surmount in order to free themselves from feudal and ecclesiastical thraldom.]]> The earliest public notice of Greenock as a town is to be found in the Act of the Scottish Parliament passed on 5th June, 1641, ratifying the Crown Charter granted by Charles I in 1635, in favour of John Schaw, then Laird of Greenock, and Helen Houstoun, spouses, "erecting the lands of Wester Grenok Schaw with the village or toun of Grenok, into a Burgh of Barony.'" During the forty years which elapsed between the date of the Charter and the death of the Laird, only one feu of land for building appears to have been granted, and at least…]]> The prehistoric condition of the country was amply exemplified by stone and bronze implements, and by urns and other burial remains. Traces of the Roman occupation were also visible, and the introduction of Christianity into the country, as well as its spread over the land, was illustrated by reproductions of the Ruthwell Cross, and of many other sculptured stones which yet exist scattered throughout the kingdom. By illuminated missals, printed books, church furniture, papers and documents, the history of the Church was continued down to the convulsion…]]> Not only is its earliest use for the clothing or covering of the body obvious and indubitable, but to it we are also indebted for the transmission and preservation of knowledge from one generation to another. In the very name of architecture we have direct reference to the tectorial or covering art, which preceded the arch or roof of stone for the dwellings of mankind.]]> Originally I expected they would not exceed what could be read in a couple of hours or so. As I proceeded, the field opened up, and I soon found that they would extend to a much greater length than I had contemplated; for, while thinking over some of the incidents I was writing about, others, long forgotten, came crowding on my memory, and of course had also to be incorporated among the rest. I have throughout attempted, as far as possible, to avoid the difficulty of making any particular selection that might be interesting, amusing, or instructive…]]> No one can put his hand on a book that traces the records of everything regarding Paisley from its earliest existence till the present time. In these pages, I have, after much labour, endeavoured to meet this recognised deficiency; and I hope the work will be found to accomplish the ideal I have set before me. I have to convey my thanks to those possessing important records of local matters for having given me free access to them.]]> No one can put his hand on a book that traces the records of everything regarding Paisley from its earliest existence till the present time. In these pages, I have, after much labour, endeavoured to meet this recognised deficiency; and I hope the work will be found to accomplish the ideal I have set before me. I have to convey my thanks to those possessing important records of local matters for having given me free access to them.]]> The Commissioners of Justiciary held their first Court at Paisley, the 27th of January, 1677; before whom Annabil Stewart, of the age of fourteen years or thereby, when brought in the presence of the Justices for the crime of witchcraft, declared that in harvest last the Devil, in the shape of a black man, came to her mother's house, and required the declarant to give herself up to him; and that the Devil promised her she should not want any thing that was good.]]> It has been impossible to get for the volume a title which would give an exact idea of its object, and the ground gone over. It is more than a series of dry statistical accounts, though each parish has been made a separate study. Special attention has been given to the Ecclesiastical Antiquities : I have ransacked the Registers of the Abbeys and Priories especially of Cupar, Arbroath, Dunkeld, St. Andrews, and Lindores and have examined for myself the original, contracted, Latin charters, to ensure accuracy.]]> Glasgow was probably founded in the 6th century when St Mungo built a church at place called Glas Gu. (It means green place). A fishing settlement at the green place eventually grew into a small town. Glasgow was given a bishop in 1115, indicating it was a fairly important settlement by that time. In the late Middle Ages Glasgow slowly grew more important. In 1410 the wooden bridge across the Clyde was replaced with a stone one. Glasgow did not have stone walls but it did have stone gates (the spaces between them were filled by houses). Then in…]]> Glasgow was probably founded in the 6th century when St Mungo built a church at place called Glas Gu. (It means green place). A fishing settlement at the green place eventually grew into a small town. Glasgow was given a bishop in 1115, indicating it was a fairly important settlement by that time. In the late Middle Ages Glasgow slowly grew more important. In 1410 the wooden bridge across the Clyde was replaced with a stone one. Glasgow did not have stone walls but it did have stone gates (the spaces between them were filled by houses). Then in…]]> Scientific discovery has made immense progress, and the innumerable inventions of the period have helped to bring about quite a revolution in our modes of working, thinking, and living. I have endeavoured to portray the effect of this revolution on our little community, and to give a homely presentment of social and domestic life then and now, and in this way to preserve some knowledge of the features of the life of our forebears, which are rapidly disappearing in modem society, and many of which it will not be well for us altogether to forget.]]>