Some Longtown Farmers

Some Longtown Farmers

Obituaries

October 20th 1849 Carlisle PatriotAt Cubbyhill on the 6th inst Mr William Graham, farmer there ? a man of extraordinary energy of character. In his profession he was deemed a first-rate cultivator, and an excellent judge of everything connected with land. As his skill in this respect, combined with faithfulness, was known to and appreciated by a wide circle, he was frequently appointed a referee, a duty, however troublesome, he willingly performed to the satisfaction of all parties.The deceased was much esteemed by his landlord Sir James Graham of Netherby, who repeatedly visited him during his illness, and attended the funeral. He was followed to the grave by seven sons, men strongly resembling their sire in activity and prosperous in their different callings.April 15th 1853CJAt Sanders Bush in the parish of Arthuret on the 23rd March, Mr Robert Johnston, at the age of 70 years. He occupied the farm of Sanders Bush for 40 years, and was held in great esteem as a spirited farmer. His remains were followed to Cannobie Churchyard by a numerous circle of acquaintances.August 22nd 1856At Hardrigg Hall on the 14th inst, Mr Robert Michael, formerly of Howend near Longtown, in his 79th year. Deceased had long been well known and highly respected, and his justly celebrated breed of Clydesdale Horses is highly appreciated by the agriculturalists of the border countiesJuly 28th 1860 Carlisle PatriotAt the Wisk near Netherby on the 21st inst, Mr David Coulthard, farmer aged 81, much respected. The family have been tenants of the estate of Netherby for upwards of two hundred years.November 29th 1862 Carlisle PatriotAt Hornickhill Farm near Longtown on the 21st inst, Mr Richard Carruthers aged 93 years, much and deservedly respected. Mr Carruthers was the oldest farmer on the Netherby Estate. He farmed Stagmire after the death of his father until about the year 1842 when Hornickhill and it were laid into one. His father was a tenant under Dr Graham, and he under Sir J Graham, Sir JRG Graham and Sir FU Graham. Although he never drank a glass of ale or spirits in his life, whenever at a public meeting or rent dinner, no man enjoyed himself better, and he was always amongst the last to break up a company. His remains were attended to Arthuret Churchyard on Monday last by a numerous company of friends.January 20th 1893 Carlisle PatriotDeath of Mr John TinningIt is with much regret we have to announce that Mr John Tinning, land agent, died after a very brief illness at his residence in Chatsworth Square, Carlisle, on Wednesday evening. Although Mr Tinning had not been quite in his usual health for two or three months past, he was always able to follow his ordinary vocations with his accustomed energy; and he transacted business at his office on Wednesday forenoon. He went home for luncheon about two, and whilst seated at the table the spoon dropped from his hand, he having been seized with apoplexy. He was removed to his bedroom, and Dr Barnes and Dr Maclaren having been sent for, attended as speedily as possible, and did what they could for the patient, but he never regained consciousness and expired about ten minutes past ten. Beyond a small circle, it was not known that he was ill, and consequently the news of his death was heard yesterday with much surprise. Mr Tinning was the eldest son of the late Mr John Tinning, who was for many years tenant of Oakbank, on the Netherby Estate, and whose wife was a sister of the late Mr John Irving, Carlisle. Mr Tinning was born at Longtown on the 11th of January 1832, so that he had just completed his 61st year last week. After his father?s death he carried on the farm of Oakbank, with very considerable success, until nearly twenty years since, when he accepted the important position of manager of the extensive estates of Sir Richard Wallace in the county of Suffolk. There he remained for eleven years, until Sir Richard sold those estates. Mr Tinning then came to Carlisle, where he commenced business as a land agent. In that capacity he acted for Mr Ballantyne Dykes of Dovenby Hall, and others, by all of whom his advice was greatly valued. Having a thorough knowledge of agriculture in all its departments, his services were much in demand in farm arbitrations. On such occasions, whether he was witness or umpire, those who came in contact with him felt that they were dealing with a singularly intelligent, clear-headed man, whose practical experience gave him a claim to speak with authority in those matters. In private life Mr Tinning was a most pleasant companion, and he will be much missed by those who enjoyed his intimate acquaintance. He was never married; his house being kept by his sister Miss Tinning. The funeral is to take place at Carlisle cemetery tomorrow; the cortege leaving the house at two o?clock.November 10th 1893 Carlisle PatriotDeath of Mr George Graham of OakbankWe regret to announce the death of Mr George Graham, of Oakbank, one of the oldest and most respected tenants on the Netherby estate. Mr Graham had a paralytic seizure at the beginning of the year, but got out again and appeared to be progressing satisfactorily. On Saturday night, however, he became ill again. He was attended by Dr Anderson of Canonbie, and died on Wednesday morning. Mr Graham?s family have been tenants on the Netherby estate for nearly a century. He succeeded his father on the Cubby Hill farm many years ago, leaving about 17 or 18 years since for Oakbank. He was a very successful breeder of Galloways, and many prizes were won by his animals. As an example of the valuable class of stock reared by him, it may be mentioned that one of Mr Graham?s cows was sold to Mr Cunningham of Tarbreoch for £100, an exceptionally high price for a Galloway. The late Sir Frederick Graham entertained a great respect for Mr Graham, who enjoyed the personal friendship of his lordship. Mr Graham was a member of the Longtown Board for close upon 30 years. He was very regular in his attendance, and imparted a great amount of local knowledge and good common sense into the deliberations of that body. He was at one time chairman of the Board, but failing health compelled him to relinquish public duties about three years ago. Mr Graham was a churchwarden at Kirkandrews for over 30 years, and was for some time a member of the Kirkandrews and Arthuret School Board. The old members of the Brampton Agricultural Society recognise with kindly feelings the active interest manifested by Mr Graham in the early operations of that society. Anything pertaining to the welcome of the district in which he resided always found a warm supporter in Mr Graham, who was a good neighbour and much respected by all who came in contact with him. Mr Graham was a brother of the late Mr James Graham of Parcelstown, who in his time was the doyen of Galloway breeders, and of Mr Walter Graham, of the well-known metropolitan furnishing firm of Walter Graham and Co. He married Miss Murray, of Sark Bridge, who survives him. He had no family. Mr Graham had decided to give up farming at Candlemas, feeling that his health was unequal to the work. In early life he was a strong Liberal, but in later years he found himself unable to keep pace with the rapid changes in Mr Gladstone?s opinions, and at the last election publicly espoused the Unionist cause. He was 75 years of age. The funeral takes place at Kirkandrews on Esk tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon.January 22nd 1897 Carlisle JournalThe death is announced of James Little, a well-known Border farmer, at the age of 65. The event occurred at Longtown, where the deceased had for some time been living in retirement. In his prime he was one of the most successful farmers on the Borders. He was born at Gretna, and with his elder brother Richard he occupied the Guards and the Fauld farms under the late Sir Frederick Graham of Netherby. The Guards having been given up, he remained for some time after his brother?s death at the Fauld, and finally about twelve or thirteen years ago he left Cumberland and took the farm of Sark Tower, near Canonbie, under the Duke of Buccleugh. There he remained until he retired some time ago to Longtown, having had a stroke of paralysis which prevented him from taking active interest in his business. He was an excellent judge of Galloway stock. He did not, like his contemporaries, Mr James Graham of Parcelstown, Mr George Graham of Oakbank and others on the Borders, keep a herd of that breed, but he had a thorough knowledge of the Border blackskins, and could select sires for breeding purposes with wonderful skill and judgement. He sometimes exhibited them with much success at the Royal and Highland shows, as well as at local agricultural gatherings. In 1879 for instance, he had a couple of bulls which gained him some of the most coveted distinctions of the show yard. These were Lord Walter of Drumlanrig and Liddesdale, which were first and second respectively at the Royal at Kilburn, the Highland show at Perth and the East Cumberland agricultural show at Carlisle. At Brampton the positions of the animals were reversed, a circumstance which gave rise to comment. The famous bull Harden, the doyen of the Parcelstown herd, was being exhibited at the time, but in a class from which Mr Little?s bulls were debarred. . .March 28th 1890 Carlisle JournalDeath of Mr James GrahamMr James Graham of Longburgh House and formerly of Parcelstown, famous throughout the country as a breeder of Galloway cattle, died suddenly on Wednesday night from apoplexy. He appears to have been seized with illness early on Wednesday morning. He got out of bed twice, and the second time he fell downstairs and became unconscious. Dr Rigg was called in, and he expressed an opinion that Mr Graham had taken an apoplectic fit. The patient continued unconscious till about nine o?clock at night when he died. His death will occasion much regret, especially among the agricultural community. For over 40 years he was a breeder of Galloway cattle of the first rank, and was much esteemed by the owners of the best herds of that class of stock in Cumberland, Dumfriesshire and Wigtownshire; and in recognition of his valuable services in the improvement of Galloway cattle, draught horses and agricultural matters generally, his friends, including the secretary and members of the Galloway Society, had intended at no distant period to present him with his portrait in oil. The picture was finished by Mr Scott, Devonshire Street, a few weeks ago, and is now exhibited on the artist?s window ? a remarkable likeness, reproducing the rosy complexion and genial expression of the subject with wonderful fidelity. The deceased was born in 1814 at Cubby Hill, Longtown, and was the son of Mr William Graham of that place. At Cubby Hill he learned much of that skill in Galloway breeding and farming for which he was afterwards distinguished. About 1842 he left Cumberland and went to Meikleculloch, Dalbeattie, and there soon assumed a position worthy of his talents for agricultural pursuits, and founded the herd of Galloways which for 40 years won prizes not only at local shows but also at the gatherings of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, and at the Royal Society in England. . . May 13th 1890 Carlisle JournalA Successful Cumberland FarmerMr James Tinning of Bush on Esk, whose death was recently reported, was a good specimen of the industrious, thrifty and successful Cumberland farmer. He was the son of Francis Tinning, a small farmer in the vicinity of Longtown and was born in 1826. The father died when James was only six years of age, and his mother also expired seven years later, thus leaving him one of four orphans to make his way in the world. He began as joint tenant with his brother of a small farm near Longtown, the rental of which was £36 a year. In 1852 he married, and by mutual consent the joint tenancy with his brother was dissolved, and James commenced farming on his own account at Moss Side where he lived for 28 years. The farm was a large area of moor land, but James was a skilled agriculturalist and tilled the land to the best possible advantage. Subsequently he took the farm of Bush on Esk in 1881, and Smalmstown. He was a leasehold tenant for over 50 years. He leaves a widow and seven sons.April 13th 1894 Carlisle PatriotSudden death of a Retired Longtown Farmer near LongtownMr Robert Johnstone, a retired farmer, 80 years of age, who lived with his son at Brisco Hill near Longtown, died very suddenly on Saturday morning. He had not been attended by any medical man for a couple of years, ad seemed in his usual health when he came downstairs from his bedroom on Saturday morning. He sat down upon a settle and while stooping down he took a fit. Dr Maclachlan of Longtown was sent for at once, but before he arrived death had taken place. The doctor thinks death was due to heart disease. and no inquest was held.Aug 7th 1896 Carlisle PatriotThe death took place on Sunday last of Mr William Wightman who, though for some years past has lived retired at Eskbank, Longtown, was generally known as of Sandbed, one of the best farms on the Netherby estate, which he had occupied a lifetime. He was 84 years of age, and was one of the most noted of Border farmers. When in his prime he did his share in improving the breed of Galloways in this county, work which Sir James Graham so largely interested himself in, and Mr Wightman bred the little blackskins to such perfection that his fame as an exhibitor and prizetaker spread far and wide. He farmed with much success and retired upon his fortune.He was a keen hunter, and ?Mr Wightman?s mare? which he rode for nearly 30 years was as well known in the hunting field as her owner, who prized her as a clever beast that hardly ever put a foot wrong, and frequently carried him ?to the death.? When old age compelled him to relinquish hunting, he took to attending the meets in a conveyance, and was present at a noted Border meet about three months ago. He was a strong Conservative and the large gathering of Primrose Leaguers who attended the Netherby fete last year will remember his venerable figure upon the platform when the infant heir of Netherby was placed on his knee. The pathos of the situation was best understood by those who knew that with this child the old farmer had been privileged to see no fewer than 6 generations of the Grahams of Netherby.Mr Wightman was a farmer of the old school. It is said he never wore a collar in his life. He wore the old fashioned black silk scarf, which is still affected by north country farmers. He was generous and unassuming and was very plain in his manner of life and way of dealing. He married a Miss Routledge of Crook who died, however, many years ago, and a niece, Mrs Wannop, has been keeping home for him. Another niece is the wife of Mr J P Law of Stanwix.December 11th 1896 Carlisle PatriotDeath of the Oldest Resident of LongtownIt will be observed from an announcement in our obituary column today that Mr Andrew Ward, farmer, died suddenly at his residence, Ward Street, Longtown, on Tuesday. He had reached the great age of 91 years and was, we believe, the oldest tenant on the estate of Sir Richard Graham, as well as the oldest resident of Longtown. He was also, we are informed, the last survivor of those who were farmers on the Netherby estate when the late Mr Brown of Scaurbank became steward. He was a widower. He was quite an ?old standard,? and his familiar figure will be much missed in Longtown.