Thomas Stewart of Blacklaw, Perthshire

[AncesStory]

Looking for some information about a place named Blacklaw in Perthshire - I believe it may have been near Blairgowrie area? An ancestor, Thomas Stewart,  was a "watchman of Blacklaw"  c. 1820-??. He was married to Christian McFarlane, (dr. of miller) and had several children in Redgorton, Perthshire (1820's). I am wondering if this was something to do with the abbey mill at Blacklaw in Bendochy parish or have I got this all wrong?

[AncesStory]

Thomas Stewart married Christian McFarlane,  Perthshire unknown date
Children
ANN STEWART1817, Moneydie, Perthshire
Helen Stewart 1822 Redgorton, Perthshire. Died in infancy
Helen Miller Stewart 1824 Redgorton, Perthshire
Elspeth Stewart 1829 Redgorton, Perthshire
Catherine Stewart, 1832, Redgorton, Perthshire

Ann died in Dundee, 1889, naming her parents  as Thomas Stewart, watchman of Blacklaw?? and Christina McFarlane. Her spouse was also a Stewart -  Thomas Stewart, miller.

Trying to find out where/what  Blacklaw was.

[AncesStory]

Baptism record of daughter Ann Stewart, Moneydie, 31 Aug 1817 shows Thomas Stewart living at Whinnyknowe, Moneydie Parish.

Would Whinnyknowe be anywhere near Blacklaw, where Thomas Stewart was a watchman?

[Skoosh]

A.S, anent Blacklaw, there's a hill & viewpoint of that name in the Perthshire section of Lundie & Foulis parish 8 miles from Dundee & about 7 miles from Bendochy church. Monedie & Redgorton are just to the north of Perth.

Found another Blacklaw, a farm? this time in Bendochy itself, about 3 miles east of Rattray.

Skoosh.

[AncesStory]

Thanks - Skoosh. I saw 3 references to Whinnyknowe AKA Blacklaw in Bendochy Parish. Maybe this is the right one  or is there a separate Whinnyknowe at Moneydie parish?   
1.Perthshire OS Name Books, 1859-1862 » Perthshire volume 09
OS1/25/9/12
Whinyknowe: A dwelling house on the farm of Blacklaw; property of George Kinloch of Kinloch

http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-name-books/perthshire-os-name-books-1859-1862/perthshire-volume-09/12

2. This one on RCAHM
WhinnyKnowe
Canmore ID 273336
 Site number NO24NW 115
Alternative names Blacklaw
Site type FARMSTEAD
3.Farm Horse Tax 1797-1798, Volume 11
E326/10/11/148
Bendochy Parish 18July 1797
David Ogilvie of  Whinny Know had 5 horses, with a Duty of 9 shillings and 20% per 37 George III of 1 shilling and 9d.

Alexander Carr Blacklaw had 8 horses, 6 of which had  a Duty of 13/-6d and 20% per 37 George III of 2-/8d.


From what I can see on OS maps c 1878, Blacklaw is right in the middle of Bendochy parish about 3 miles east of Blairgowrie, Would this Blacklaw be near Moneydie and Redgorton, Perthshire?? If so, would there be a flour mill near there, as Thomas Stewart, Ann's father, was a flour miller.

[bleckie]

Hi All

Redgorton and Moneydie  are next door parishes approx. 4 miles north of Perth. The old A9 used to go through the middle of Redgorton village.

Bendochy Parish is the next door parish to Blairgowrie.

See link below to a PDF document showing a parish map of Scotland with Parish registration numbers


http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/933/0009385.pdf

Yours Aye
BruceL

[Skoosh]

A.S, strictly speaking your man would have been a meal-miller, oatmeal was the staple food and rents were at one time paid in oatmeal. The miller took his cut for grinding it, his servant had his share also and the tenants were not only "thirled" to the estate mill, and no other, but had to provide, much resented,  free labour for its maintenance.

 Bendochy was the centre of the Abbey of Coupar lands, there are records of families who were servants of the Abbey and were still connected to these lands many centuries later.

Skoosh.

[AncesStory]

Thanks Skoosh and Bleckie - hopefully I can do some digging and find out some more about Thomas Stewart, miller. Thanks for info.