Where was Bonnethill (Dundee) in 1846

[John Bell]

In a paragraph in a book written by David Pride referring to 1846 he wrote
" I was sent to reside with two paternal relatives on the skirts of the burg (Dundee), in what was then a small clachan beyond Bonnethill."

I believe that a clachan is a small settlement with a Church.
Could anyone be able to identify where this area may have been so I may be able to find evidence of these relatives in 1841/1851.
There is a James & Hellon Pride in Hilltown in 1841 recorded as Parish No 282, ED 81, would there numbers correspond to his description above?

[Ruskie]

Hi John, I thought a clachan did not have a church.

[John Bell]

Hi Ruskie,
Thanks for your reply, I had looked up the Webster definition where it contained a church, attributed to Sir Walter Scott so I ran with that meaning but I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

My Shorter Oxford...' a Scottish villiage."
Online Dictionary,
Clach´an
n. 1. A small village containing a church.

Clachan
(definition) by Webster 1913
Clach"an (?), n. [Scot., fr.Gael.]
A small village containing a church.
[Scot.]
Sir W. Scott

 



 
 

[bervonian]

There certainly seems to have been a village/place in Dundee called Bonnethill.  If you go to www.192.com/maps and enter Bonnet Hill Place, Dundee, you will see it and, a little to the left, Bonnethill Court. From my own map of Dundee, Bonnethill Court appears to be a hi-rise together with another three hi-rise Courts.

Bervonian.

[Lady Macbeth]

Hi John,
Bonnethill was a village on the northern outskirts of Dundee which became known as the Hilltown (and still is).  It is an area of Dundee near the centre of the town which comprises a very long street going uphill (hence the name) which became very populated mid C19th with the influx of workers to work in the jute mills.  I imagine it really took off and developed about 1850s onwards but don't quote me on that.   I seem to remember reading it was named for the number of hat (Bonnet) makers but again don't quote me as someone may have been joking.

I have tried to find an old map which shows it about 1846 but I can only find one about 1860s when it was built-up and the village has been eaten up by the town.  That area was mainly tenaments (flats) with shops below.  Most of it has been knocked down as the quality of the housing was generally very bad.  A lot of my immigrant ancestors lived there about 10 to a room and my grandfather had a tobacconist half-way up until about 1970s whcich I remember fairly well.  Some of the original buildings still remain but not much.

I think the entry in 1841 referring to Hilltown is worth pursuing.
Good luck
Lesley

[Ruskie]

Hi John,

It seems you must be correct in the meaning of clachan.

This is where I got my information from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clachan

I did think it was a little odd because the clachan I was looking for last week did have a church, and an ancient one at that.

[John Bell]

Hi Ruskie, Lady Macbeth & bervonian,
Thank you for the information, I had been looking further out from the main area of present Dundee but now I see what was then the edge of town is now almost central and a relatively short stroll up the hill from the river.
Many thanks,
John

[atom12]

Hi

Lesley, you are right that Bonnethill is related to hat/bonnet makers, here's a link about it.

http://www.standrewschurch.btinternet.co.uk/Bonnetmaker_Trade.htm

[Redshed]

Bonnethill was certainly in the vicinity of the Hilltown...my Mother used to go to the Bonnethill Scottish Country Dance Club, which was on every Tuesday night roughly halfway down the Hilltown. Ended I think in the '60s if not before.

Doug