Hamilton Mausoleum.

Hamilton Mausoleum was built as a family chapel and final resting place for the 10th Duke of Hamilton ” Il Magnifico “. It is a grade: A listed building and is situated to the north of the site of the former Hamilton Palace  (Palace Grounds/Low Parks) .Construction began in 1842  by David Hamilton and was completed in 1858 by David Bryce and Alexander Ritchie. The structure stands 120 ft in height and was built using local blonde sandstone blocks that neatly dovetail into each other. The structure is in three parts;

1):  The dome.

2):  The dado level which is plastered and panelled.

and 3):  The vaulted basement where the crypt is located.

The total cost of the building was £130,000 which is the equivalent to many millions of pounds in today’s money value.

The Mausoleum.

The original glass dome remained in situ until July 1971 when it had to be replaced by a perspex dome that was lowered into position by a helicopter. The reason for it’s replacement was due to the damage being caused by the elements (weather) penetrating the old putty seal around the base which had also been pecked away at by birds.

Ceiling Detail.

The entrance to the chapel which sits above the crypt now has oak replacement doors. The original bronze doors were designed by Sir John Steel and cast in the Edinburgh works of John Milne. They are based on the gates of “Ghiberti” at the ” Baptistery of Florence “, they are now housed inside the chapel on either side of the doors when you enter. Each door weighs 1 and a half tonnes.

Hamilton Historian Terence (Terry) Murphy Standing Next To One Of The Original Bronze Doors For The Mausoleum. Now Housed Inside The Chapel.

The floor of the chapel is a decorative marble mosaic and facing the doors is the black plinth which once carried the 10th Duke’s Egyptian Sarcophagus. The chapel is said to produce one of the longest-lasting echoes of any building and is noted for it’s acoustic effect. The echo reverberation lasts approximately 15 seconds.

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy

Standing In The Middle Of The Chapel, “Plumb Centre!”.

The crypt beneath the chapel is guarded by two very life -like Lion statues. The lion on the south side is wide awake and apparently in it’s prime of life. This is a symbolic representation of life at it’s meridian and the fullness of creation. It reminds us of our blessings on this earth and the “Protection” afforded by our creator.  The lion asleep (in death) is on the west side and symbolizes the sinking of the sun and the approach of darkness in death. Above the entrance to the crypt are three stone face sculptures; Life, Death and Immortality. The 10th Duke and his predecessors were re-interred at Hamilton’s Bent Cemetery on October 13 1921 because at the time there was subsidence problems with the Mausoleum due to under mining for coal by the Hamilton Palace Colliery.

Entrance To The Crypt.

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy  Standing Just Inside The Entrance To The Mausoleum Crypt.

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy  With The Sleeping Lion.

The 10th Duke’s Egyptian Sarcophagus And Plinth.

 

Written by

Hamilton Historian

Terence (Terry)  Murphy.

ref. Hamilton Mausoleum, Wikipedia.

The Murphys.

The Author;  Robert Montgomery Murphy  (Teedy).

When I was young I remember quite well, Mysell.

Five brothers, one sister, not counting, life!

With a good Ma and Da to guide us through it too, of the burden of struggle and strife.

We start first with Terry, the oldest you know, who started work young cause we needed the doe. He worked like a beast from morning till night, to make sure the rest had always a bite. Now Terry is married with kids of his own and his oldest lassie is doing the same. And when they’re all working, right to the last kid, I’m sure he’ll be worth a couple of quid.

The next one is Axe, the pride of the tote! From the Welfare to Burton’s, he played on the stote. He cheats, plots, plunders and schemes aw the time but at the end of the week he hasn’t a dime. Just ask him to work he’ll cut-off your lips! Cause he is a Lord, to his finger tips. He said works for a horse or a beast called an ox and not for a guy that the toon calls; “The Fox “

The third one is John ma Maws pride and joy, who has been ever since he was a boy. His youth was spent with Frankie and Bob though both of them could never find a job. And now married life has settled him down he works at the windows to make a few pound.  With a son like wee Joke and a good wife like Alice they all live Happy in their Uddingston Palace!

The forth son is me, away cross the watter. The things I have done they don’t really matter. And now I’m a waiter, just carrying plates, to feed the fat slobs that live in the states!

And now bring us to Evelyn, who is number five. One of the best looking women alive. A credit to us, she always had been. When it came to giving, she never was mean! Now far down to England our Evelyn has tried to live with her husband, she recently wed. She’ll learn the customs and capture the ways. We hope She’ll be happy the rest of her days!

Next there’s our Chic, now that is a bute, when you ask him for money he’s as deaf as a mute! Although he’s a worker deep in his heart it takes him an awfully long time to start. He came to the States a few years ago and then he went back when he made enough doe! And now it’s all gone, once again he is skint. If he had stayed there, he’d be worth a wee mint.

The last one is Don, the wean of the clan. It seems like Yesterday his hippings were yella and now he is a good looking fella! Now this is a man who is full of ambition, who keeps himself in the pink of condition. He came to the States to give it a try and then he went home, whit a guy!

But still I am proud of our family my friend they’ll stand by each other right to the end!

Robert Montgomery Murphy (Teedy) c.1960.  Drum Major For The Connecticut Pipe Band,  Connecticut,  Southern New England, USA.

Written by Robert Montgomery Murphy  (Teedy) c.1980

Transcribed & Published by

Hamilton Historian

Terence (Terry) Murphy (Teedy’s Great Nephew).

Death Notice of Sir Simon Conran Hamilton Watson 6th Bt Of Earnock.

Sir Simon Conran Hamilton Watson 6th Bt of Earnock Died on Thursday 11th February 2016, It was nearly midnight.

He had been staying at Trinity Hospice in London after a short spell in hospital. His wife Lady Patricia was by his bedside.

His family are having a private funeral and then a service of thanks giving at the end of June.

 

R.I.P.

 

Written By

Hamilton Historian

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

 

 

Meikle Earnock Burial Ground (18th Century) & Roman Tumulus.

HAMILTON HISTORIAN   TERENCE  (TERRY) MURPHY  AT THE BURIAL GROUND AND ROMAN TUMULUS,  LOCATED IN HAMILTON,  SOUTH LANARKSHIRE,  SCOTLAND,  NEAR THE TOP OF NEILSLAND ROAD AT IT’S OPPOSITE END.

THERE USED TO BE A STAIRCASE LEADING TO THE BURIAL GROUND, I HAVE CIRCLED THIS AREA IN RED IN THE ABOVE PHOTO.

The ancient inheritors of Fairhill Park (which included the mansion house) in the lands of the village of Meikle Earnock were the Strang Family. In 1654 when Laird “Old” James Strang was born he aquired the land (through inheritance and most likely purchased for him by an older relative.)

In 1731 Laird “Old” James Strang was very unhappy with the heritors of the town and their  decision to remove the Old Collegiate Church/Graveyard located at the Palace Grounds to relocate  the interred to the Old Parish Churchyard. He was most likely annoyed because he and his future descendants would not be buried alongside the Dukes. He decided to section off an area of the lands of Fairhill Park which was next to a Roman Tumulus (Burial Mound). This was so it could be used as a private burial ground/graveyard for his family and the feuars of the village of Meikle Earnock. A parameter wall and miniature mausoleum were also erected on site. His daughter Catherine Strang married John Mather in 1724. Laird “Old” James Strang died 1746 and is buried at the site.

The 2nd Laird James Strang (son of the above) inherited the lands when his father died. This Laird had three daughters; Janet, Mary and Nelly. Janet married Robert Mather in 1770 and the other two died unmarried. The Laird sold the lands of Fairhill Park during 1763 to Captain George Coventry under agreement that the burial ground should always be owned by the Strang and Mather family members and descendants. The 2nd Laird James Strang died 1777. Fairhill Park which included the mansion house was passed on through the Coventry Family and then to the Urquhart Family until the house was eventually demolished for the  development of the present day Fairhill  housing estate (council built). The exact location of the mansion house sat on a triangular shaped plot of ground in the centre of what is now known as Falconer Terrace (grassed area) next to Fairhill Avenue.

The burial ground was then held for a considerable time by the Mather Family of Meikle Earnock who came through it by marriage  into the Strang Family as mentioned above. It was last held by their descendant “Mr Dick” of Glasgow who eventually sold it to Sir John Watson 1st Bt of Earnock.

THE AREA  I AM STANDING AT WAS THE LOCATION OF THE MINIATURE MAUSOLEUM, THE GRASSED AREA IN FRONT OF IT WAS THE SMALL BURIAL GROUND.

Ordnance Survey Map Clipping Showing Burial Ground In A Small Walled Off Rectangular Area With The Circular Miniature Mausoleum In The Right Hand Corner. Just Outside It Is The Tumulus Marked As A Small Sunshine Type Symbol And The Formal Gardens Of The Fairhill Mansion House. Map Survey From c.1858, Published  c.1864.

The Covenanter Martyr Christopher Strang who was the brother of Laird “Old” James Strang. This monument is located at Hamilton Parish Churchyard.

Please note that these are not the actual flat tombstones! I created them to give an idea of what they may have looked like. The inscriptions are however, correct. Both Laird “Old” James Strang and Robert Strang are buried at the site.

Written by

 Hamilton Historian

Terence  ( Terry )  Murphy.

Ref. Hamilton Old parish Church.Org-Publications.  Canmore, Hamilton, Fairhill Burial ground (18th Century).  Incidents In The Life Of The Late John Watson of Bathville  And Of John Watson Of Earnock, His Son 1889-section; Minor Holdings Of Earnock: The Taits, Stewarts, Machans, Hamiltons And Strangs.  Excerpt From Mather Family Bible July 15th 1887. 1842. Topographical. Statistical & Historical Gazetteer Of Scotland.

The Watson Fountain.

The Watson Fountain is located at the triangular shaped corner of Cadzow Street/Muir Street in Hamilton, Lanarkshire. The highly elaborate and ornate structure was gifted to the town and it’s people during c. 1893  by Sir John Watson 1st Baronet of Neilsland and Earnock, who was a very successful Colliery Owner (Coalmaster). He owned the Earnock , Neilsland and Eddlewood Collieries within the district as well as other collieries in Motherwell and Wishaw.

In a letter to Provost Wylie,  John Watson Wrote;

“I am willing to present a drinking fountain, to be chiefly of stone and granite, to the town of Hamilton. Provided you along with the magistrates and town councillors are willing to accept it and keep it in good condition afterwards,- the site where it is to be erected (probably in Cadzow Street West) to be approved of by me.”

Sir John Watson 1st Bt of Earnock wearing his Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Uniform.

Sir Simon Conran Hamilton Watson 6th Bt of Earnock standing next to the fountain.

The fountain contains a bronze bust of Sir John Watson Bt. The large bronze figure in the centre of the pedestal represents the ” Industry ”  and is not modelled  on the 1st Lady Watson as is commonly thought! The statue used to hold a miner’s lamp in one hand and pick in the other but these were sadly stolen several years ago as where the chained brass cups at each of the founts.

Colonel Gavin Paterson Architect was the man who designed the fountain. Messers Whitehead & Son from Aberdeen were the makers. Mr Kellock Brown sculpted the piece. Messers Brown and Henderson Builders from Hamilton laid the foundations and built the boundary wall and Mr William Mitchell was the plumber who connected the water supply.

Colonel Gavin Paterson Architect.

Written by

Hamilton Historian

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

A special thanks to the late Sir Simon Watson 6th Bt of Earnock for allowing me to use the photos.

Ref. Hamilton Advertiser 18th Nov 1893 & Further Incidents In the Life Of John Watson of Earnock 1894.

Eddlewood History.

We already know that there used to be a colliery located at Eddlewood, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire , Scotland, which was once owned by John Watson Limited (the 1st Bt of Earnock’s company). Naval Hero Admiral Thomas Cochrane was also born there at Annsfield 1775 (most likely in Eddlewood House). You see Eddlewood House was located within the estate of Annsfield and the house was built c. 1732, just one year after the less formal farm house was built. Eddlewood House was the ancestral home of the Gilchrist family (Admiral Cochrane’s maternal side) and this further suggests that it was there where Admiral Cochrane was actually born! The manse for the former nearby Eddlewood Chapel was also located at Annsfield and there were several other outbuildings located at the site. At this time Eddlewood House was the biggest formal house within the area.  This is now the location of a Jet Garage on the Strathaven Road (the garage shopfront is actually a facia built onto the original Eddlewood House).

Eddlewood House c. 1910.

Jet Garage (Facia) Built Onto The Front Of The Original Altered Eddlewood House.

Admiral Cochrane was the 10th Earl of Dundonald and the main inspiration for C.S. Forester’s fictional character “Horatio Hornblower” and Patrick O’Brian’s “Jack Aubrey”. Cochrane is highly regarded as one of the most famous and successful British Naval Heroes of our time! He joined the Royal Navy in 1793 and was a lieutenant by 1795. He was fearless and innovative and even though he had difficulties with his superiors he became a Captain in 1801. After blaming Admiral Gambier for losing a sea battle the Royal Navy demoted him.

Cochrane was jailed in 1814 for stock exchange fraud.  He returned to Parliament on a ticket for Parliamentary reform. Having spent his conviction Cochrane served in the navies of Chile, Brazil and Greece in their wars of independence. He was then reinstated into the Royal Navy but this time as a “Rear Admiral”. Out of the navy Cochrane worked with Isambard Kingdom Brunel, they both developed and patented a “Tunnel Guard” that was used in the construction of the Thames Tunnel. He was also an early advocate of the use of steam ships.  He died 1866 and is interred at Westminster Abbey. 

Admiral Thomas Cochrane.

Eddlewood once had it’s own castle, sadly there are no remains left other than a small section of the parameter wall  to be seen on the surface of a mound, close to the boundary  of the High Parks Estate that was owned by the Duke of Hamilton. The castle was located on the tree line of a now wooded area behind the Aitken Road housing estate (where Silvertonhill meets Eddlewood), on the other side of the Meikle Burn. Which is a short distance below the confluence of Blackbog and Simpsonland burns. Probably dismantled by the troops of the Regent Murray, after the Battle of Langside, in c. 1568.

 

Written by

Hamilton Historian.

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

Ref. Wikipedia search for Thomas Cochrane & Eddlewood Castle|Canmore.

A Hero From Cadzow St Anne’s.

My Great Grandfather Terence (Terry) Murphy.

Wearing His Gordon Highlander’s Kilt And Uniform c. 1914 aged 22.

Terence ( Terry ) Murphy was born at number 2 McCreath Street, Cadzow Rows 1893. His family were very well known within the local area. During his active service with the Gordon Highlanders in the First World War he was accompanied by his cousin and good friend also named “Terence” Higgins, who was a skilled boxer. Ironically the ” Two Terry’s ” had both been shot 4 times and Higgins had even lost an eye. Both men returned home to their families in their local areas of Low Waters and Fairhill.

During October 1929 in the Cadzow Colliery, Terry Murphy was involved in a heroic attempt to save the life of his fellow comrade Robinson ( Robbie ) Foster after a serious accident occurred causing a poisonous gas leak. Terry had dragged Foster several feet before he too succumbed to the effects of the gas and fell unconscious. Three men died that day;

Robert Mathie, John Whitton and Robbie Foster.

Terry had tried his best to save the life of Robbie Foster and in doing so placed his own life in danger. He would have lost his own life had it not been for the efforts of the younger Charlie Russell who in turn, saved him! Terry’s story features in Wilma Bolton’s Book ” Black faces And Tackety Boots “, the story is titled “Are You Alright Bob!”

Terry Murphy later ended his service as a miner in the Hamilton Palace Colliery at Bothwellhaugh 1957. He died aged 71 in 1963. He is buried along with his wife Helen (Nelly) Murphy (Maiden Name Montgomery), His Son-In Law John Stewart and Son Donald (Don) Murphy at Hamilton’s Wellhall Cemetery.

Written by

Hamilton Historian.

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

( Great Grandson of  Terence (Terry) Murphy ).