Tinwald Mill, Dumfriesshire

[Maggie.]

Hi Gadget,

Thanks for the map - most useful to a Dumfries novice like me .  Although I do know Hoddom - OH was almost involved in a work project based at the castle there and I had a trip up there with him once.  Most impressive castle.  It was many years ago, before I realised I had family interests in that area   

Regards,
Maggie

[Maggie.]

Hi Maggie,
You may want to get in touch with these folk. I'm sure they'd know.

Tinwald Parks Farm, Tinwald, Dumfries, DG1 4PN

Hi Jamjar,

I've had a lovely reply back from thes people.  They are fairly new to the area but are familiar with the Tinwald estate.  They have no recollection of every seeing a mill although they say there are plenty of places that could have housed such a building.  However they have given me contact details of the current owner of Timwald House who may be able to help.

Thanks for your help.

Maggie

[Jamjar]

You're most welcome,

Maggie

[Gadget]

Hi Maggie

A thought ~

Have you looked at the adjacent families on the 1841. It might help locate the Mill if there are addresses showing 

Also some useful old maps:

http://www.nls.uk/maps/index.html

I'll have a look later if the rain continues 

Connection went down - I'd forgotten what living in rural North of Scotland is like!



Gadget

[Maggie.]

Hi Gadget,

Yes - and its quite interesting.  There was a little community of about 8 households and one of the surnames I think married into my lot prior to 1841.  Amongst the neighbours, there is another family of Nicholsons living at Tinwald Mill Dwelling House but I haven't managed to tie them in yet.

Thanks for the maps, I shall have a browse later - I love maps    .

Regards,
Maggie

[Jamjar]

Hi Maggie

I've been looking at FreeCen 1841 - Dumfries.

If the census taker did the houses in order then the mill was next to Tinwald Parks cottage. That's were the falconry place is now.

Also you will find that there was another large family of Nicholson living in Tinwald.

The residence is:Cotland
           
               John              
               Mary              
               Thomas              
               Elizabeth              
               Ann                  
               Jean                  
               Agnes                  
               Jannet            
               Margaret   
Jamjar    

Just looked at the 1851 census and it supports the idea that the mill was next to Parks. Folk in residence at Parks, were Jardine.   

Looks like the other side of the mill was the manse.

Is this your Helen, at Ringheads - Thorthorwald -  in '51?
She's a widow and a farmer of 170 acres, employing 10 labourers
Age is down as 70
She was  born at Holywood Dms

[Maggie.]

Hi Jamjar,

Thanks so much for your efforts on my behalf, it really is appreciated.  It is interesting that it would seem that the milll could be on the site of the present day Falconry.

I have noticed the large family of Nicholsons living at Cotland - my bet is that they are connected but I don't know how yet and my ancestor who lived at the mill does not appear to have any brothers called John.

Also interesting is the Jardine family living at Parks in 1851 - I didn't know that  .

Yes - I have already found the possible Helen farming Totherwald in 1851 but I am not sure it is her, although from memory the only other Helen thrown up in a census hunt doesn't fit the bill.  The husband of my Helen, who was farmer and miller at the mill, died in 1850 and according to his Will he died Intestate, and ''the value of Estate is of the value of one hundred pounds Sterling and under the value of two hundred pounds Sterling''.  I think I am correct that in today's terms this is around £8,000.  The Will is dated 1853 - 2.5 years after his death.  I am not entirely convinced that it is likely that my Helen could within one year of the death of her husband be running a large farm, ......although....... also in the household is Jane Nicholson aged 42, and Helen and her husband Christopher the miller did have a daughter called Jane born 1807 - 2 years earlier than the Jane in the census -  and who was baptised in Tinwald (the Jane in the census is born in Mouswald)   

Maggie

[Maggie.]

I think it is appropriate to give a bit of an update as I have been ankle deep in my Scottish rellies all day and with some success.  Because of Gadget’s own Scottish ancestors I’ve had some good guidance from her – thanks Gadget  .

Jamjar – it is doubtful that the Righeads, Totherwald Helen Nicholson with the large farm that you found in the 1851 census can be my Helen as the 1841 census for Righeads shows this Helen with (presumably) her husband James, and I know that in 1841 my Helen Nicholson was living at Tinwald Mill with her husband Christopher. 

Also we now have a copy of my Helen Nicholson’s death registry entry.  She died on 30th October 1860 at Cowshaw Cottage, Tinwald, aged 75 years. Her parents were David Jardine and Jane Jardine maiden name Dinwoodie. I have not been able to find Helen in the 1851 census.

Maggie

[Gadget]

Hi Maggie

I'm about to go through the 558 females resident in Tinwald on the 1851 

It's mad I am 


Gadget

added -  nothing remotely like her. I also had a quick look in England in case she was visiting her son but nothing that stands out