Anyway, The Grey Horse Inn. I'm pretty sure it is this and not the Bay Horse. .
The query really is about proprietorship of this Inn, and if it is possible to establish that, given it looks likely that the Irvine's were at least landlords there for their daughters to get married there.
If not then it'll just have to remain a family legend after all...
Its No legend! -- Now I have to say to Alasdair that he was spot on. I have today had a look at indexes to three early Dumfries Newspaper held by DGFHS (
www.dgfhs.org.uk)
There was indeed a “Grey Horse Inn” located in Friars Vennel in the 1800s.
DUMFRIES WEEKLY NEWS Index 1773 to 1833NO references to the “Grey Horse Inn”
DUMFRIES TIMES 1835 to 1842 index -- records 5 references –
1837, 5/4, 1B : 1838, 28/3, 4F & 13/6, 1B, : 1840, 21/7, 1E : 1841, 4/1, 1D
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY STANDARD index 1843 to 1860 records one reference to the “Grey Horse and Groom Inn” 1851, 5/11, 4D
These references are: day/month, page number & column
To see the actual newspapers pages you need to visit the Ewart Library in Dumfries.
Some large Libraries have these Indexes in book format with fiche of the Newspapers.
Given some time time I could check the DGFHS fiche for you.
The references may only be to advertisements but could relate to events.
Another publication cast further light on the this hostelry.
McDowall’s Visitors Guide to Dumfries published in 1882, mentioning Friar’s Vennel, has this on page 64 –
…down till about ten years ago there existed in this neighbourhood “The Grey Horse” which contained a unique memorial of old times – a vast fireplace of the Minorite Friars … , till the entire building was superseded by new premises. Cheers,
Sy