William Kennedy - Schoolmaster Ecclefechan

[tkgafs]

Hello,

Can any throw any light on a William Kennedy who may have been a Schoolmaster in Ecclecfechan around 1840.

I cant find him in the ancestry census records

thanks

Tkgafs

[BlessedBe]

I have the 1841 Census booklets for most of the surrounding area including the Parish of Hoddam, within which Ecclefechan lies. The only adult William KENNEDY listed in Ecclefechan (Village) is age 40, Occupation Joiner.

Have also checked the 1941 booklets for the Parishes of :- Half Morton, Middlebie, Dornock, Gretna, Cummertrees, Kirkpatrick Fleming, Annan Landwards and Annan Outskirts, The only other adult appears in Annan Outskirts - Crecca Village - William KENNEDY, Age 35, Ag Labourer. No School Masters evident.

Hope this helps.....Sweetfannyadams.

[junev]

Hi,

I have an 1837 directory and the following are listed
Ecclefechan
teacher  Wm Charters
school William smith
Parochial school Rev William Gulieu master

Middlebie parochial school John Lorrain master
Waterbeck parochial school John struthers master

no William Kennedy

Junev

[tkgafs]

Thanks for the updates

it would seem he was a schoolmaster in Hoddam School before 1830

I have received copies of 2 letters of reference for him,

one clearly states that he is presently teaching a school in the parish, the letter seems to be dated 3rd January 1830, but it is difficult to read, so his teaching would be in the 1820s. The letter seems to be signed by a Robert Bell session clerk, but again its hard to decipher.

The other reference is dated Hoddam School January 4th 1830 and signed by Wm Gullen Session clerk
this letter states he resided for six years in the parish previous to Whitsunday 1828.

In a letter to his daughter Mary dated 11th September 1839 he seems to have been living in somewhere called Gillhall, does anyone know where this is, I'm guessing its somewhere near Annan going by what's in the letter

Any further updates gratefully received

thanks again

Tkgafs

[kizziemay]

There is a place called Gillhall about 2 miles from Hoddom heading towards Dalton.
                                      Kizziemay

[tkgafs]

Thanks found it on google earth, although not much to see other than a Farm sign

Tkgafs

[kizziemay]

Yes its a small farm holding.The fishermen meet there to fish a part of the river Annan
                                   Kizziemay

[kathgill]

Gillhall is nearly a mile from Dalton on the Hoddom Road.  It belongs to the  Murraythhwaite Estate and used to be the home farm for the estate, so it was by no means a small holding.  My parents farmed nearby and we visited it many times.  I have looked at the 1841 census and see that the people in Gillhall was Maxwell.  As far as I know the house is rented out and no longer the home farm.  If you contacted the owners of Murraythwaite Estate they might be able to come up with more information for you.

Kathleen