The
wealth of the Dukes of Hamilton came from the Lanarkshire coal mines under
their land and which eventually undermined and required the demolition, as
unsafe, of the vast Hamilton Palace set above them. Their second Scottish
residence was at Brodick Castle on the isle of Arran from which this letter was
addressed, though posted in the mainland small port of Ardrossan between which
and the island boats plied their trade.
The
eleventh Duke of Hamilton, the “His Grace” of this letter, inherited his title
in 1852 but before that had taken little interest in his Scottish properties
while living mainly in Paris and Baden. On becoming duke he bought a large
house in London. Their recent past history had not particularly endeared the
Hamiltons to the islanders: in 1829 as part of what are now known as the
Highland Clearances, the Hamiltons cleared hundreds of people from small farms and
gave over the land to sheep. Unusually, however, the Hamiltons offered to
subsidise emigration to Canada and provide land there; many accepted the offer.
The
11th Duke’s affairs in Scotland were managed by agents and this
letter is from one agent writing to another, Daniel Robertson Souter based in
Edinburgh but also it seems at Hamilton Palace. The Bodleian Library archives
correspondence between him and the Hamiltons. The writer of the letter, Francis
Townley (1793-1859), was the duke’s Land Steward at Brodick Castle and may have
been a native of Arran and was buried there in the Kilbride old churchyard at Lamlash
where his son William (mentioned in the letter) erected a memorial tablet which
can be found photographed online. I cannot get a purchase on the reference to
“the Major & Family” who may be resident at Brodick Castle.
The
subject matter of the letter is interesting: Townley wants to close a “Whiskey
shop” both because it causes drunken absenteeism among the estate’s labour
force and because it would be welcomed by “the poor Labourers families” – in
other words, their wives and children. The postscript to the letter indicates
the sensitive character of his proposal.
Transcription
Addressed
to: Daniel Robertson Souter Esqr Hamilton Palace Hamilton
Datelined:
Brodick Castle 12 May 1856
Despatch
postmark ARDROSSAN MY 12 1856; receiver postmark HAMILTON MY 13 1856. Docketing
note: Mr Townley 12 May 1856
My
dear Sir
I
was sorry I did not meet with you last time I was out as I had several matters
to speak to you about in particular that of Hamilton’s Whiskey Shop when Miss
Jamison leaves it will then be the nearest House to the Castle. I assure you it
is a perfect Nuisance, and it’s removal
would be a Great Boon to the poor Labourers families, and of infinite
importance to His Grace if we loose the Efficient service of one day Each of
the men Each month [? looks like math] would amount to nearly £120 per
Annum and I am sure I am not wrong when I say we loose twice that amount, the
Licence can easily be stopped if attended to at once I named it to Mr Leighton
when I was last out, I have also named it to Mr Paterson & trust it will be
put a stop to as the new Inn will supply any Comfort of that sort that may be
required.
I
hope you will Excuse my being so troublesome to you, the Major & Family are
well with the Exception of Miss Josey whom I think has got a little cold, Many
thanks for your kind & polite attention to my Son
I
remain my dear Sir with much respect yours very faithfully Francis Townley
Daniel Robertson Souter Esqr Hamilton Palace Hamilton
P.S.
Have the Goodness not to let my name appear in this matter as they would devour
me
References
Wikipedia:
William Hamilton, 11th Duke of Hamilton
Wikipedia:
Brodick Castle
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