Back Fleet Street, Gatehouse

[ankerdine]

I now have found 2 marriages in Back Fleet Street, Gatehouse of Fleet, which I have been told is now Catherine Streeet.

The first marrige was according to the Rites of the Roman Catholic Church and I was told that it was a Catholic House.

Now, I have another marriage but it was performed according to the Established Church of Scotland. Both couples gave that address as their usual residence but they were both tinsmiths/tinkers. Was it, therefore, some type of lodging house for itinerants? Does anyone know the history of this place?

Judy

[bigt]

Hi Judy

I can confirm Back Street in Gatehouse in now called Catherine Street as my father was born there.

At No. 10 the downstairs of the house was used as a residence and the upstairs was St Mary's Roman Catholic Chapel.  I think it was used from the late 19c until around 1971.

[ankerdine]

Thank you for your reply

My husband and I visited Gatehouse several times over previous years and thought it a delightful place.

A local gentleman, a Jimmy Dent, gave us an enthusiastic description of old Gatehouse. He used to be a voluntary historial guide for the tourist board I think.

Yes, that information you gave would make sense. The first marriage was definitely a Catholic one in 1855. The latter in 1870 was, as I said before, Established Church of Scotland. It clearly states that the marriage took place in Back Fleet Street and that the ususal residence of the couple was the same.

It's all very interesting. There are so many questions I would like answered.

Thanks again.

Judy

[bigt]

Hi Judy

I am not sure Catherine Street was called Back Fleet Street.  Gatehouse is made up of 2 parishes, Girthon and Anwoth parishes.  The boundary was the river Fleet.  Anwoth was on the west side of the river and the road heading out of the village is called Fleet Street.

[Callywoods]

Catherine Street was originally called Back Street and is in the parish of Girthon. Back FLEET Street runs parallel to Fleet Street and is in the parish of Anwoth.  The original houses have now disappeared and the street is now called Garden Street.
Mary (a Gatehouse resident)

[ankerdine]

Mary

So the information we were originally given was incorrect. Isn't this typical. We always accept what we are told without double checking. We took loads of photos in Catherine Street as the houses there are still from that era. Now we shall have to go and look at Garden Street but, as you say, the original houses are no longer there.

You are quite right about the Parish containing Back Fleet Steet being Anwoth as both marriages are registered in Anwoth. The first time we visited my husband and I were convinced that my gtx2 grandmother's wedding took place in the pretty little old church actually situated at Anwoth. More photos were taken of course!

However, at the end of the day, Gatehouse has really benefitted from our numerous visits. As I said before, it's a really lovely place, especially the cafe at the Mill. The cook there (from the Midlands) makes a really super home-made soup and pudding and custard to die for. We can't wait for our next trip.

Judy