Hello all. I am new to this board and know precious little about Hawick. However, I have discovered that I have connections to both the Best and Inglis families who owned/operated the above two inns in Hawick sometime in the mid 1850's, possibly. The background is that Harriett Paxton b 1806 at Velvet Hall, Northumberland married James Best, a carrier from Hawick. James was the oldest son of Thomas Best and Margaret Rae. In 1851, Margaret Rae Best b 1781 in Stitchel is an innkeeper on High Street in Hawick in the Grapes, I believe. James Best and his wife, Harriet both died in 1842 and 1843, leaving their surviving daughter, Anne Best, at age 21, to be living in the household of William Brown and his wife, Elizabeth (nee: Taylor), who was also a daughter of Thomas Best and Elizabeth Rae. My puzzle is this....WHAT property did Ann Best own?? Since Margaret Rae Best died in 1855,I am thinking that Ann could have inherited that inn. I don't know how to go about knowing if that is true AND to make matters worse, Ann Best is totally missing from any census after I spotted her in 1861. Nor could I find a marriage for her. Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much for all you marvelous Rootschatters do! Sincerely, patrexjax
