Annfield Inn, Channelkirk, Oxton

[Scotborders]

Seeking images or recollections of the Annfield Inn formerly located near Oxton on the Edinburgh Road. The structure was demolished, probably in 1970's, to accommodate improvements to the A68. My gg-grandfather was inn keeper from sometime in 1840's until dying there in 1872.
The (hopefully) attached sketch was prepared from someone's description for inclusion in "Lauderdale in the 20th Century".

[lesleyegreen]

Hello

I have just noticed your post and although I don't have any pictures of the Annfield Inn, my Robertson family lived there between about 1875 and 1906. James Robertson (1842-1901) and his wife Agnes Anderson (1842-1906) moved there around 1875 as their fourth child Robert Robertson was born there in Oct 1875, as was their son, Alexander, in March 1880 and their daughter, Ann Robertson in 1882. James died there in 1901, folowed by wife Agnes in 1906. Both are buried in the churchyard at Channelkirk, with their son John Robertson and his wife Jane Calder.

In his will, James Robertson left £1308 to his wife, quite a lot of money in those days. So the Annfield Inn must have been a good business, as before this the Robertsons had worked on the land.

Regards
Lesley

[Scotborders]

Hi Lesley
Yes, according to A. Allen's "History of Channelkirk" (1900) the Robertsons followed my Chalmers gggrandparents at the Inn (see extract below). I'm unaware of any record or hints of wealth generation by the Chalmers family. Their two sons, James (my greatgrandfather) and Andrew both went to work for the railways. Maybe your Mr Robertson watered-down the beer!!
Regards,
Jim

"Annfield, a quiet, solitary, licensed house at an inter-
. mediate distance between Glengelt and Carfrac Mill on
Edinburgh road, has no claim to that antiquity which is
a characteristic of so many places in the parish. It is of
the same age as the public road which passes it, and
which was opened in the year 1832. The name is said
to have been given to it by the proprietor, out of regard
to a much respected sister. It has always been a licensed
inn, and since it had existence, three tenants have held it
up to the present day, viz., Thomas Crooks, William
Chalmers, and the present tenant, James Robertson. It is
rented at £\2 per annum, and is the property of John
Borthwick, Esq. of Crookston."

[lesleyegreen]

Hi Jim
That wouldn't surprise me.
The Robertsons have always been careful with their money!!
Still trying to see what was left and to whom when his wife died in 1906, after being granted the licence after James Robertsons death in 1901.
Lesley

[lesleyegreen]

I was on a site earlier and saw that your William Chalmers came from Tinwald, Dumfriesshire.
What a coincidence as I was christened in that church and still live about 2 miles away.
Please let me know if you want any help about Tinwald.
Lesley

[Scotborders]

Hi Lesley

The coincidences that pop up in this caper never cease to amaze!

Google Maps indicates two churches: "Tinwald Parish Church" and "Tinwald Church" in the Kirk Brae/Kirk Bank corner - is that just an error? The one labelled "Parish" looks like the real thing.

Wm Chalmers' father, Andrew, was a blacksmith circa 1802,  so ever any sign of an old smiddy in the village?

I haven't yet established the birth and marriage places of Andrew, so don't know if they were local.

Cheers,
Jim

[lesleyegreen]

Hello
Only one church in Tinwald, it's a wee place, but probably called the Parish church. Has a great churchyard round it. Could hold some of your ancestors.
I have attached a photo.
Lesley

[Scotborders]

Thanks Lesley - Church built in 1763 or 1765, so bearing up well.

Yes, I see from the air photo that it is a quite substantial graveyard, and worth a look next time I'm west of where I usually am (Midlothian).

Jim

[Reiver]

Was William Chalmers a Miller and did he marry Elizabeth Farish?

Reiver