History of Leith, Edinburgh

(c) South Leith Records

(c) South Leith Records

Sugarhouse Close

The Sheriff Brae c1850

Acknowledgement-NAS

The Coal hill facing the Sheriff Brae early 19th century

Women who gave birth to still born children at this time could face execution for infanticide and this is what is concerning this case. It is interesting as the document mentions “John Forrest workman at the Sugarhouse Leith” and the accused “Catherine Walker” of the Sheriff Brae

The Kirk Sessions of the 5 Leith congregations of The Church of Scotland meet together on Monday evening 12 March. This historic coming together takes place in the halls of Leith St Andrews Church (sited at the bottom of Easter Road).

The 5 congregations – Leith St Andrews, St Thomas Junction Road, Pilrig St Pauls, North Leith, and South Leith – are working together reviewing the shape of how best the Church of Scotland serves Leith in 2010 and beyond.

As well as reviewing the needs of the existing population there is the exciting development of thousands of new houses in the Docks area.

Source-Leith Churches Forum

Where did it all begin? The very first game of golf was played here, there, everywhere. Claims and counter-claims will persist, for all time.

But with the Leith Rules Golf Society you’re so close to authenticity.

The Society this week are celebrating exactly 263 years from the signing of the earliest rules on Leith Links in 1744.

John Dixon’s antiques warehouse was over – much to the delight of the society’s president Douglas Foulis, a former captain at Muirfield.

“I should tell you I’m not a Leither, I’m from Davidson’s Mains.” And a reminder that membership of the society costs £10.

Other speakers addressing the full house: Archie Baird and Tom Bell. Former Gullane captain Archie’s revelation that golf was banned here in 1592 smacked of political correctness.

Yes it was rife, even in those days.

And committee member Tom announced forthcoming events in this anniversary year with a challenge match at Musselburgh Old on April 28, at home to Bruntsfield short holes July 5 and the Leith Rules Hickory Open July 7.

Rules is rules.

Source-Scotsman

It all started long ago in 1743 which was one year before the formation of the Company of Gentleman Golfers; there is an actual shipping record of 96 golf clubs and 432 golf balls delivered from Leith Scotland to a Mr. D. Deas in Charleston, South Carolina. This shipping order size obviously suggests that the shipment was destined for a group of golfers

source-The History Of Golf In America

A priceless collection of historical documents has been secured for Scotland, it was announced today.

The Dalhousie papers cover 900 years of Scotland’s history and its people, and how Scots have influenced the wider world.

The Executive and the National Heritage Memorial Fund – the fund of last resort for the UK’s heritage coming to the rescue to fund emergency acquisitions – are both contributing £800,000 each towards the total cost of securing the collection for the National Archives of Scotland.

Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson said:

“Securing this collection will enhance the national, international, cultural and educational reputation and image of Scotland.

“The Dalhousie papers are of outstanding importance to the history of this country covering nearly 900 years of Scottish history.

“I’m also pleased that the National Archives of Scotland will be using the latest digital technology to open this collection to an ever widening public, both at home and abroad.”

George MacKenzie, Keeper of the Records of Scotland said:

“This wonderful news has secured the long-term future of this marvellous collection. We are grateful that the Dalhousie family offered us the first chance to acquire the collection when they decided to sell it.

“The Dalhousie papers have been extensively used by readers since they were first loaned to us, and now that they have been acquired for the nation we will be working to make them even more widely available”.

Stephen Johnson, Head of the National Heritage Memorial Fund said:

“This archive contains a wealth of information, not only giving an insight into Scotland’s history, but also the history of the British Empire and wider Commonwealth.

“We’re delighted we’ve been able to join forces to make sure this collection remains available for future generations to learn from and enjoy.”

The £800,000 of Executive funding earmarked for the National Archives of Scotland is a one-off allocation from central resources.

The National Archives of Scotland is an agency of the Scottish Executive, which selects, preserves, and makes available the national archives of Scotland, and is a centre of expertise on record keeping and archives.

The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) is the fund of last resort for the UK’s heritage coming to the rescue to fund emergency acquisitions. It currently receives an annual income of £5 million from the UK Government. In recognition of the vital role it plays and to help meet an increasing numbers of applications, the UK government will be doubling NHMF’s income to £10million from April 1, 2007. The demand for support from the NHMF continues to far outstrip its resources, but this significant increase will extend its support for the UK’s most precious heritage of which the Dalhousie Archive is a prime example.

Highlights from the large quantity of Dalhousie papers include:

The earliest Scottish charter still in Scotland, made about 1127 by King David I, part of the monastic charters for Holyrood
A manuscript of Scotichronicon, a 15th century history of Scotland, is unique for its illuminated initial letters and additional notes
A manuscript history of Norway, Historia Norvegiae, copied in Scotland in 1510, contains the earliest surviving account of the Norse settlement of Orkney and reports a myth that the Picts built towns morning and evening but hid in underground chambers at midday
Papers on the Darien expedition of the 1690s and the Jacobite rebellion of 1715
The papers of General John Forbes who fought in the American War (1757-63) include seven letters from George Washington
The papers of the 9th Earl of Dalhousie as Governor in Chief of Canada (1820-1828) and C-in-C in India (1829-32) and of the 10th Earl, who was Governor General of India, 1845-56
The papers of Fox Maule as Secretary for War (1855-8) covering the Crimean War, including remarkable letters from Florence Nightingale

source-Scottish Executive

On the night of June 10, 1804, Alexander Hamilton seated himself at his desk in his home in upper Manhattan to finish a letter explaining why the following morning would find him in Weehawken, New Jersey, pointing a flintlock pistol at Vice-President Aaron Burr. He began by listing five moral, religious, and practical objections to duelling, but ruefully concluded, seven paragraphs later, that “what men of the world denominate honor” made it impossible for him to “decline the call.” Burr had placed him in an untenable position. If Hamilton ignored the challenge, Burr would “post” him—that is, publish his refusal in the newspapers—and his political career would effectively be ruined. The next morning, Hamilton had himself rowed across the Hudson. for more click here