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« on: Wednesday 14 August 19 07:51 BST (UK) »
Thanks, Gordon, for your information. I have found the High Street in Montrose from that map but like you, have not found Thomson's Close. That it would take 45 minutes to walk to Maryton, and then probably another 30 minutes or less to get to Powis Woods would make the High Street in Montrose a possibility. I am a bit stuck because the article in the 1851 newspaper indicated he had vistited a relative in Old Montrose. Here is the text of the article:
The body of Alexander Dunbar, blacksmith, Arbroath, was on Monday found suspended by a handkerchief, in a wood near the farm of Powis. Deceased has left a widow and two children. It appears he had come from Arbroath in the morning to see a relative who resides at Old Montrose—-had left that place about mid-day, and in less than two hours thereafter was found by two persons in position above stated, quite dead. The only cause that can be assigned for the rash act is, that the deceased was understood to be in embarrassed circumstances.
The only relative that seemed to fit was his brother-in-law, a successful shoemaker living on this High Street Thomson's Close. I suspect he denied him a loan or support. I assume he took the train up from Arbroath. Old Montrose, of course, is very close to the farm of Powis. I also wonder if, as a tradesperson like a shoemaker employing 2 men and 3 apprentices, your shop was where the family also lived.