Parkwalls or Park Walls, Greenlaw

[SadieKintyre]

One of my ancestors, Adam Hardie, was born in Greenlaw in Berwickshire. I have the opportunity to visit the area soon and I would like to be able to locate his birthplace.

His OPR birth record reads"Adam, son of Thos Hardie in Parkwalls and Christian Robertson, his wife, Dec 20th 1786."

I have not been able to find where Parkwalls is, although it is mentioned in histories of families such as Redpaths. I have looked on various old maps, and recently bought the 1898 map of Duns and Greenlaw, but could not find it there.

Can anyone let me know if Parkwalls still exists? And if so, where is it?

Many thanks for your help.

[DonM]

No Parkwalls on any of the period maps, however Gordonbank is which is where his brother Robert was born 2 years earlier. Perhaps Parkwalls was one of the dwelling houses within Gordonbank which is south of Greenlaw.  You can search the maps here http://maps.nls.uk/counties/index.html#berwickshire The best map for this time period is Roy's 1745-55 as it identifies more places than any up too the OS series.

Don

[SadieKintyre]

Thanks very much indeed for this information. If I don't locate Parkwalls, Gordonbank may well be as close as I can get.
Kind regards
Sarah

[LowrieT]

Gordonbank has recently been bought but at present unoccupied although owners live nearby.   I think also  that Park Walls was near Old Greenlaw which is also near Gordonbank so its definitely in the same area.     

[SadieKintyre]

Thanks to all of you. I have now located Gordonbank on present day maps, so should be able to have a look around the vicinity when I am there. Your help is much appreciated.
One final question: Adam Hardie was said in 19th century family papers to have come from "The Merse". He was born in Parkwalls, Greenlaw Parish; had his first smithy in Orange Lane; and lived and worked in Stichill before emigrating. Would one or more of these locations lie within "The Merse"?

[MonicaL]

There is this possible reference to "The Merse" http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/localities.britisles.scotland.bew.general/2460.1/mb.ashx - old thread also linked to Adam Hardie research.

A number of references to the Merse including here www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/BEW/

Monica 

[MonicaL]

Re Parkwalls, as discussed by Don and LowrieT, I think this might a reference to it, with the following spelling:

Parkiswallis - Greenlaw
www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/BEW/gazetteer/P.html

Monica 

[SadieKintyre]

Many thanks. Definitely getting closer...!

[DonM]

Found it - http://maps.nls.uk/joins/593.html  Not sure how I missed it before.

Left pane and to the left of Gordonbank. For some reason this is the only map that shows it.

Don