Beyond Burns: Ellisland’s People
On Matrimas 1791, Robert Burns left Ellisland for the final time.
As a place that hosted the Bard during his creative prime, one would be forgiven for thinking Ellisland’s legacy had already been written. In the years following Burns’ departure however, Ellisland took on a new role.
By the end of the 18th century, Agriculture was still an integral part of the Scottish infrastructure and Robert Burns or not, Ellisland was in need of a new tenant.
For Ellisland, the home of Auld Lang Syne was soon to become the home of many.
From criminal farmhands to Crimean veterans, over the past 230 years Ellisland has been home to many people from many backgrounds.
Today Ellisland exists as a site of local cultural heritage. Whilst its ties are undoubtedly Burnsian, Ellisland means much more than Robert Burns. It is a place that stands for community, comradeship, education, and more.
Beyond Burns is a brand new exhibition which explores the independent life of Ellisland. It is made possible with support from Historic Environment Scotland, Museums Galleries Scotland, and People’s Postcode Lottery.
James Taylor: From Netherholm to Ellisland
B. 25 May 1755
D. 27 July 1825
Born four years before Robert Burns, James Taylor began the dynasty that would occupy Ellisland for over 100 years. As we now know, the Taylor family is perhaps the most influential family in Ellisland’s history (excluding the Burns’, of course!).
James’ purchase of Ellisland came at a profitable time for Scottish agriculture. The blockades imposed by the French navy during the Napoleonic Wars (1803 – 1815) drove up the price of grain, dairy and other agricultural produce.
Census research shows us that by 1841, the family had amassed two large farms in Ellisland & Muirside.
James’ grandson, John McKinnel Taylor, would go on to study at the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1859. This was a particularly exciting time to be studying in Edinburgh as influential figures such as James Syme and Joseph Lister were operating out of the Royal College.
Dr John McKinnel Taylor: ‘Of Ellisland‘
B. 5 December 1829
D. 10 August 1901
John McKinnel Taylor was born in Holywood, 1829. By the time of John’s birth, Ellisland had already been in the Taylor family for 24 years. His older brother, James had initially inherited Ellisland until his death in 1879.
In 1859, John became a fully licensed surgeon at the age of 30, graduating from the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
Dr Taylor continued to be proprietor of Ellisland for the remainder of his life, practising as a surgeon in Spittalfield, Caputh for over 31 years.
He was known to speak at Burns suppers and frequently styled himself as ‘Of Ellisland.’
Upon his death in 1901, Ellisland was passed down to his wife, Susan Hunter Findlay. It is believed that Susan was the last Taylor of Ellisland when she sold the farm to John Williamson in 1921.
Dr McKinnel is buried in Spittalfield, alongside his brother, wife, and children.
As you can see from their grave (pictured), both John and James have cemented their legacy as being ‘Of Ellisland’.
William McMillan: ‘Farmhand, Merchant, Veteran’
B. 17 April 1825
D. September 1893
Like many of his 19th century contemporaries, William McMillan was a man of many trades.
Born in Dumfries, McMillan spent his early years working at Ellisland Farm under the Taylor family. As he left Ellisland to join the tea trade in 1844, Joseph Taylor (the lead tenant at the time) gave the young farmhand a stellar review describing him as “sober, honest, and of good character”.
His merchant career did not last long however as by 1848, McMillan had joined the Coldstream Guards (a British Army regiment), at the age of 23.
8 years later and the newly promoted Corporal McMillan headed eastwards to face the Russian army during the Crimean War.
Despite poor conditions, heavy sieges, and a devastating cholera outbreak, (someone also stole his socks!), McMillan survived the War and returned to Britain where he married Barbara Ann Elgar.
Barbara played an important role during William’s time in Crimea. As he recounted his experiences within his diary, William often reflected on their relationship.
On Sunday 2nd of April 1854, William wrote from Malta:
Most beautiful morning, sea so calm there is not even a ripple upon it. Not a breath of air stirring. Oh how I should like to be at Hythe with Barbara.
The Travels of William McMillan
- Ellisland – Dumfries
- Taunton – Sommerset
- The School of Musketry – Hythe
- Malta
- Constantinople (Istanbul)
- Varna (Bulgaria)
- Balaclava
After a successful career, McMillan was discharged in 1868 as he was deemed unfit for service. His physical condition soon worsened and by the time of his death in 1893, paralysis had rendered him immobile. From Farmhand to Sergeant, Ellisland to Constantinople, William McMillan’s story is one of hardship, social mobility and the hastening of global ties during the 19th century.
Janet McNoe: ‘Criminal Farmhand’?
B. c.1840
D. Unknown
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone at Ellisland has a flawless track record.
Janet McNoe, born in Glencairn, Moniaive was 16 when she was first sent to prison. During this time she had been working at Ellisland as a farm servant.
She was convicted of stealing two shillings and sent to the Dumfries Prison on Buccleuch Street (see image – now demolished) for 28 days.
She was a first offender, but three years later she was imprisoned again for stealing a pair of stockings. This time she received a sentence of 20 days.
Whilst it is easy to dismiss Janet as a troublesome youth, one must consider the social struggles she faced.
The late 19th century was a challenging time for agricultural workers, in particular for women. Because they were deemed not ‘up to a man’s work’, women were only paid half as much as their male counterparts.
This not only affected Janet, but her mother also. Described as a ‘Pauper’ in the 1861 census, Janet’s mother struggled to gain work as an agricultural labourer. Whilst she was entitled to poor relief in 1861, this may not have been the case in her early years as Scotland only introduced an official poor law in 1845.
In Dumfriesshire, women labourers were often attributed with the title ‘In and Out Girls’.
This was because they were expected to work both in the field and in the home. This was a physically demanding job that often consisted of 16 hour shifts.
Coupled with the economic instability of the 19th century, many labourers faced poor wages and were forced to work freelance on a day-to-day basis.
Being an agricultural labourer in the 19th century was tough but to do it as a woman was even tougher. Therefore, as a woman in a profession that was physically demanding, financially inconsistent and inherently sexist, we think Janet should be forgiven for her petty crimes.
George & John Williamson: ‘Saved For the Nation’
When we think about Ellisland as it is today, there are few people who have shaped the site more than the Williamson brothers.
In 1921, a wealthy wool merchant from Edinburgh named George Williamson purchased Ellisland for £3450.
As a former President of the Edinburgh Burns Club, it’s not exactly surprising to learn that Williamson had his eye on Ellisland for over 30 years.
Upon purchasing the site, George laid out a straightforward vision; one that is easily recognisable by today’s standards. He wanted the site to be dedicated to;
“The contemplation of the life and works of Robert Burns”.
As time and misfortune would have it however, George died the following year, putting his vision for Ellisland in jeopardy.
Nevertheless, his brother and heir, John Wilson Williamson (pictured) executed George’s wishes and ensured that Ellisland would be;
”Set aside and established as a property for the British Nation”.
The Ellisland Trust took control in 1928 and the rest is (literally) history. Today Ellisland continues to function as a museum, dedicated to the legacy of Burns and is visited by people all over the world.
Although today we are governed by a new trust (The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust), all progress that has been made in recent years began with the Williamson brothers.
John Grierson: ‘A Disagreeable Tenant’?
B. c. 1855
D. 25 March 1932
On 4 April, 1930 the newly formed Ellisland Trust recorded the existence of a ‘disagreeable tenant’ who refused to permit visitors into the Ellisland Farmhouse.
This troublesome lodger was a man named John Grierson and he argued that Ellisland was closed to visitors due to;
‘A state of continuous spring cleaning’.
John, whose family had occupied Ellisland for over 40 years, was not fond of the new rules imposed by the Trust and was determined to undermine them by restricting visitor access.
Matters were made worse a few months later when the Trustees recorded that the tenant (Mr Grierson) was not paying his rent in full.
Nevertheless, this petty battle came to an end on 24 March, 1932 when it was recorded that John had died in his home.
John’s death represented a significant change in Ellisland’s history. As the last pre-trust tenant, Ellisland was now on a path that is more recognisable by today’s standards.
Following John’s death, the Trustees stipulated that future visitors to the Farmhouse should be ‘received in a courteous manner’, contrasting with reports about John’s behaviour.
Succeeding occupants such as Mrs Barbour were thus informed that three rooms, including a main exhibition space, were to be reserved for visitors access (see image).
NOTE:
It is important to remember that all the information we have on John Grierson comes from Trustee documentation and official census records.
In other words, we don’t have any testimonies from John to defend himself.
As historians, it is our job to try and piece together these incomplete and often imbalanced arguments…