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Family Bibles / Re: Armstrong bible, Kelso/Roxburghshire 1812-1923
« on: Monday 02 June 08 13:27 BST (UK) »
Hiya,
the link I found that started me off is http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/ARMSTRONG/2004-05/1084909834
In brief, William Armstrong (Sorbietrees, named after his family farm) was on his way home from market (I think), and he ran into a former maidservant in town. He later called on the vicarage where she worked - I think he was going to offer her a job - and when he knocked on the door, the reverend poked a gun out into the darkness & fired it. William was found dead the next day at the end of a trail of blood, and the Reverend Smith was put on trial for murder. Needless to say, he was a Reverend Minister, and William was a 'mere' farmer, so he was acquitted. My reading from the trial transcript is that the defense tried to besmirch William's character, and the jury fell for it; all local landowners, no doubt!
His widow died years later, after a long battle with the Laird (Roxburgh) who owned the farm they rented - it seems that he'd overcharged her for rent for many years. Needless to say she lost the case, lost the farm, and died in (New?) Castleton.
Apparently, they were well-known and liked both sides of the Border, and monuments were put up for them both on their deaths.
I think the Time transcript detailed the whole story, and the link I gave you has links to a few other interesting facts.
Bye now,
Graeme
the link I found that started me off is http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/ARMSTRONG/2004-05/1084909834
In brief, William Armstrong (Sorbietrees, named after his family farm) was on his way home from market (I think), and he ran into a former maidservant in town. He later called on the vicarage where she worked - I think he was going to offer her a job - and when he knocked on the door, the reverend poked a gun out into the darkness & fired it. William was found dead the next day at the end of a trail of blood, and the Reverend Smith was put on trial for murder. Needless to say, he was a Reverend Minister, and William was a 'mere' farmer, so he was acquitted. My reading from the trial transcript is that the defense tried to besmirch William's character, and the jury fell for it; all local landowners, no doubt!
His widow died years later, after a long battle with the Laird (Roxburgh) who owned the farm they rented - it seems that he'd overcharged her for rent for many years. Needless to say she lost the case, lost the farm, and died in (New?) Castleton.
Apparently, they were well-known and liked both sides of the Border, and monuments were put up for them both on their deaths.
I think the Time transcript detailed the whole story, and the link I gave you has links to a few other interesting facts.
Bye now,
Graeme