House of Muir, Kirknewton and East Calder, Midlothian

[lzlogar]

I am looking for information and/or images of the House of Muir in Kirknewton.  Walter Graham (1816-1894), his wife Agnes Ormiston Graham (1817-1873), and their youngest son David (1854-1942) lived there at the time of the 1871 census.  Walter is listed as a farmer of "80 acres, all arable."  David Graham was my great-grandfather.  Any information would be appreciated.

--Laura Zlogar, River Falls, Wisconsin, USA

[JMStrachan]

I found one via a Google search - http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/46842
Seems to be known as House o' Muir and looks as if it was a fairly typical smallish farm.

[lzlogar]

Thanks, J.M. Strachan.  I had done a Google search but did not have the same luck as you did.  The census said Walter Graham farmed 80 acres, and he is listed as a dairyman.  He is running the farm in 1871 with his 17-year-old son (my great-grandfather), a dairymaid, and a "farm servant."  In 1881, he had a single 18-year-old farm servant in addition to his second wife.  And by the 1891 census, one general domestic servant lived with Walter and two foresters (perhaps doing work in the area and renting rooms at the farm?)  Thanks again.

[mamad]

Hello Laura,

I attend Kirknewton Church. Will ask for information on House o' Muir at the weekend and post what I find out.

Mags

[mamad]

Me again Laura,

I have been researching the Kirknewton War Memorial and there is a David Bain Graham. He was born at Oakbank, parents Thomas and Elizabeth Graham.

GRAHAM, DAVID BAIN
Rank: Private
Service No:315619
Date of Death:03/10/1918
Age: 22
Regiment/Service:Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
                          13th (Scottish Horse) Bn.
Grave Reference IV. E. 28.
Cemetery  UNICORN CEMETERY, VENDHUILE

Let me know if he is in your tree.

His parents are buried in Kirknewton Cemetery, Lair 56
Thomas Graham, interred 4/04/1917, aged 60 years, 77 Oakbank
Elizabeth Graham, interred 20/05/1946, aged 83 years, 19 Holmhead Crescent, Glasgow

There are two MIs in Kirknewton
Katherine Graham, died 4/04/1854 aged 84 years, wife of John Gray
Janet Graham died 1846, wife of George Gray, Leithhead
Note: Leithhead is near to House o' Muir.

Mags

[lzlogar]

Megs,

David Bain Graham doesn't appear directly related to me, though he may be several generations back.  I have sent your information to someone who is researching him on Ancestry.com, who may be joining the discussion.

I know that Walter Graham's wife died in 1873, and he subsequently married Kirknewton resident Margaret Cranston.  Walter's youngest son (my great grandfather) left Kirknewton for Edinburgh in the 1870s and emigrated to America in 1881.

Thanks for your help.

[Maggie Struckmeier]

There are Grahams in my family
James GRAHAM farmer married to Margaet Murray MILLER 17 December 1925
Nethershill Kirknewton aged 52
Parents Thomas Storie GRAHAM farmer dec and Elizabeth Graham nee DAVIDSON

Ring any bells with anyone?

Margaret

[lzlogar]

I am also wondering if an 80-acre farm in the 1870s-1880s in Kirknewton would sustain both parents and a young man coming into adulthood. Were economics the reason my great grandfather left Kirknewton for Edinburgh and eventually America or adventure? His older brother lived in Edinburgh and worked as a joiner.