AYRSHIRE-L Archives

From: <>
Subject: Fenwick Weaver's Society, Plans, Achievements, and Dissolution
Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2000 22:58:01 EST

This portion of the story includes several women important to the Weaver's
Society and their families.

"…recollections of Mrs. Jasper Howat…(Granny Hooat, or Aunty Hooat)…had her
bright though modest abode opposite to that of her late husband's friend and
comrade, John Taylor. On the same stairhead dwelt her feebler friend, Nanny
Graham…including Wee Davie Walker, who lived next door, under the shade of
the Hallhouse trees, with his deaf but active sister Betty…Margaret Taylor,
daughter of John…also Nanny Boyd in her tiny garret…All Fenwick was very
sympathetic to Nanny. She had faithfully served one family all her best days,
and never drew her wages. And these vanished in financial disaster which came
upon that family…some of Mrs. Howat's young relatives from Glasgow and
Kilmarnock were wont to visit…representative of the wives of the Fenwick
weavers…Betty Gemmell, wife of John Gemmell…
Novr. 9th 1769. This present Day It is agreed upon by the members of our
society to take what money we have in our Box and buy what Victwal (came to
mean oatmeal) may be thought Nesessar to sell for the benefit of our society
And the mannagers of our society may borrow what money They think Proper for
that End and purpose. And when the interest is paid of what money you borrow
and the men received their wages for buying and selling thes vituals we Deal
in the society will both reap the benefit and sustain the loss of them, and
If any member of our society Pay not what quantity of Victwals he receives at
the end of four weeks If the managers require it of him, Neither him nor his
shall have any more right to our societys victwals if he be found buying
Victwals from any other and leaving the trade in Debt of the same according
to the option of the society. (signed) Alexander Walles, John Wilson, Andrew
Orr his AO mark, Robert Walker, John Burns, W. Henry his W.H. mark, James
Broun, William ualker, William Bunten, Thos. Barr., J. Gemmell his I.G.
mark…Given to William Bunton and John Burns upon their bond for twelve
months, to be returned with the profit or loss…4/4/0…William (Walker) died
on 15th April, 1815…
Dissolution…
The all devouring tyrant steam and its emissaries had been rapidly
undermining the industry of the customer weaver…the last loom has left for
the Antipodes, and has become an interesting curiosity in the Auckland
Museum…last additions to their members…June 16th 1827. William Kent lafoul
son to James Kent weaver in Finwick Toun and John Gemmell (The names of John
Gemmell is a reminder of other contemporaries of his in Fenwick of the same
name. Two of them were Elders for many years - Mr. John Gemmell, farmer, of
Low Gainford, and Mr. John Gemmell, merchant, of Low Fenwick. The Rev. Hugh
Gemmill, B.D., of Johnstone, son of the latter, has inherited his kindly and
genial spirit…) lafoul son to John Gemmell weaver in Chipp hall Finwick were
examined by fowr of our nwmber and fownd them sifficient in what the profess
as weavers were entered into this Society by paying 6 pence each into the
Box. (signed) William Wilson, John Armour, Andreu Fowlds, Mattheu Foulds,
William, John Gemmell…June 9th, 1873. The Society met in the house of John
Gemmell. William Kent and John Gemmell being unable now for work agreed by
mutual consent to dissolve the society John Gemmell getting the money on hand
and Matthew Foulds the stock of implements….William Kent…lived until
1891…October 14th 1844. James Kent formerly one of our members Died the above
date aged 81 years and 3 months. May 13th 1848. John Bunton formerly one of
our number Died the above date aged 78. March 13th 1849. Jasper Houat
formerly one of owr members dayed the above date aged 79 years. March 15,
1851. John Wilson formerly one of our members died at the above date nearly
76 years. March 17th 1851. David Walker formerly one of our members Died at
the above date aged 89 years. June 5th 1852. John Taylor formerly one of our
members Died at the above date aged 82 years. December 2nd, 1856. William
Wilson formerly one of our members Died at the above date aged nearly 85
years. January 30th, 1863. James Wilson formerly one of our members Died on
the 12th June 1863 Aged 72 years 10 days. February 15, 1865. Andrew Fowlds
one of our members Died at the above date aged 90 years. April 4th 1875. John
Gemmell one of our members dies at the above date ages 85 years. William Kent
one of our members Died 1891 aged 89 years. Matthew Fowlds the Last Member of
the Fenwick Weaver's Society…who died January 31st, 1907, aged 100 years and
8 months."

Jim Bundy

This thread:

• Fenwick Weaver's Society by <>
  • Fenwick Weaver's Society - The Fowlds Members by <>

  • Fenwick Weaver's Society, Plans, Achievements, and Dissolution by <>