PIGS AND PUPPIES; OR, HAVING THE WRONG SOW BY THE EAR.

The Robertons of Earnock, in the parish of Hamilton, were one of the oldest families in that part of the country, and could trace their origin to a more remote antiquity than many of the noble families in their neighbourhood. The last of these Lairds, who died upwards of fifty years ago, was noted for many good qualities, not unmixed with some eccentricities. Among the latter of these, was a strange fondness for hunting-dogs, which he permitted to roam at large, and to live at bed and board with himself ; and generally from twenty to thirty might be seen following him on his peregrinations around the country, or, if at home, snugly dosing around him on the hearth. Among the then pendicles attached to this strange establishment, was a family fool named Robert McMath, who was perhaps the last of his species in Scotland. His neighbour, Captain Gilchrist, of Eddlewood the maternal grandfather of the celebrated Lord Cochrane, now Earl Dundonald, frequently rallied him on these points, but in vain ; the Laird of Earnock was incurable; but at the same time, he did not think less of his kind-hearted neighbour and disinterested adviser, and, accordingly, various small marks of attention and of mutual regard frequently passed between the two families, of which the following is an instance :__The Laird of Earnock had on one occasion a large litter of pigs of a very superior breed, and as he wished to send a couple of them to Captain Gilchrist, Robin the fool was instantly dispatched with them in a pock which he carried over his shoulders, with directions to say to the family at Eddlewood, that they were ” From the Laird of Earnock, and would serve for a roast, or to amuse the weans. ” The weans at this time were Lord Cochrane and his brother. The distance between Earnock house and Eddlewood is about two miles ; and as ill luck would have it, a party from Hamilton happened on the same day to be playing at quoits, and dining at a small public-house about half-way between the two mansion-houses. When Robin was seen approaching with his burden on his back, they instantly ” smelled a rat ; ” and having persuaded him to go in and take a drink of swipes or ale, they in the mean time took out the two pigs, and placed two pups in their place ; and having helped Robin on with his burden, sent him on his way rejoicing. On arriving at Eddlewood, he met Captain Gilchrist himself, where, having done so, he was confounded to see two pups, instead of two pigs, make their debut. Captain Gilchrist thinking it was a joke of his friend, ordered Robin to repack his charge, and carry them back to his master. When Robin reached the fatal public-house on his return home, he was again enticed to go in ; and while he was partaking of another refreshment, the pigs were re-placed and the dogs taken out, when the simple dupe was despatched as formerly. On his arrival at Earnock, he began to upbraid the Laird for having sent him on so fruitless an errand ; when, being ordered again to ” turn them out, ” to his infinite amazement and consternation, the dogs had again become pigs. His master, having questioned him where he had been, saw through the trick, ordered him again to get the pigs on his back, and to be sure and never set them down till he reached Eddlewood ; but Robin was refractory , and made of as qiuckly as possible, remarking, with a shrug of the shoulder and a significant leer of the eye, ” Na, na, maister, I’ve carried the Deil lang enough ; you may carry him a bit yoursel noo. “

The anecdote above is an excerpt from the book titled;

” THE LAIRD OF LOGAN: OR, ANECDOTES AND TALES ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE WIT AND HUMOUR OF SCOTLAND. By John Donald Carrick, &Co. c. 1845 “.

The family fool ” Robert McMath ” is later referred to as ” Robin ” in the story. The original name of the public-house mentioned in the story was ” The Ale House ” and it is now known as ” Guys Inn “, at 93 Meikle Earnock Road, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire Scotland ML3 8AG.

Transcribed And Republished By

Hamilton Historian.

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

Ref; The Laird Of Logan Book (details listed above).

The Extinct Watson Baronetcy Of Earnock.

The Watson Baronetcy of Earnock became extinct on the 4th of May 2016 after Sir Julian Frank Somerled Watson the 7th Baronet of Earnock sadly passed away. He succeeded to the title of 7th Baronet of Earnock on the 11th of February this year after his predecessor Sir Simon Conran Hamilton Watson the 6th Baronet of Earnock died. Sir Julian had only served 2 months and 19 days as Baronet and subsequently did not have time to establish his succession! He was a keen equestrian and often visited Hamilton Racecourse to sponsor the Neilsland and Earnock stakes.

Photo taken at Hamilton Racecourse. R.I.P.

The Earnock Baronetcy started with Sir John Watson 1st Baronet of Earnock and was created  c.1895.  Sir Julian 7th Baronet had no children (male heirs) to succeed to the title. Truly the end of an era!  R.I.P.

 

 

Written by

Hamilton Historian

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

 

Ref.www.thepeerage.com. & The Daily Telegraph, 13th May 2016.

Sir John Watson 2nd Baronet of Earnock Grave/Memorial.

Sir John Watson 2nd Bt of Earnock’s Grave/Monument At

Hamilton’s Bent Cemetery, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Sir John Watson 2nd Bt of Earnock was just 43 years old when he died and is buried at the Bent Cemetery in Hamilton, Lanarkshire. He was employed by John Watson Limited. The company was founded by his father Sir John Watson 1st Bt of Earnock to manage the collieries he owned as well as other business ventures. The 2nd Bt eventually became the manager of the company. He was also actively involved with the Lanarkshire Yeomanry Regiment (sort of Home Guard) based in Lanark.

He lived at Eddlehurst which later became known as Laighstonehall House, it was located just off Mill Road, Hamilton, Lanarkshire (now the Mill Park Housing Estate.)

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy 

Standing At The 2nd Baronet’s Grave In The Bent Cemetery, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

 

The inscription on the memorial reads as follows;

Sacred To The Memory Of

Sir John Watson

2nd Baronet Of Earnock

Born August 31st  1860

Died September 13th  1903

And To Edith Jane His Wife

Who Died 22nd March  1920

And Is Buried At Danbury Essex.

The 2nd Bt’s Wife’s Grave/Monument ; Edith Jane (Nott) Located At St Johns Church, Danbury, Essex.

Also buried at the 2nd Bt’s Grave is Ian Greville who was his infant son and lived for only 21 days. Born July 29th and Died August 19th  1894.

Sir John Watson 3rd Baronet of Earnock  was the 2nd Baronet’s second son. He was killed in action during the 1st World war, aged just 20 years old and is buried at the Pozieres Cemetery in France. He served as 2nd Lieutenant for the 16th (The Queens) Lancers.  Born February 24th  1898 and Died  March 23rd  1918.

Pastel Drawing Of Sir John Watson 3rd Bt Of Earnock.

Sir Derrick William Inglefield Inglefield-Watson 4th Baronet of Earnock was the 3rd son of the 2nd Baronet (Sir John Watson). He was also involved in the family business. He resided at the Earnock Mansion House until he married Margaret (Peggy) Aikmen during 1926 and then moved to Kent to live at a house called “Burrswood”.

Sir Derrick William Inglefield Inglefield-Watson 4th Baronet of Earnock.

Written by

Hamilton Historian

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

 

Ref.  The information in this history note was provided by the late Sir Simon Conran Hamilton Watson 6th Bt of Earnock. Sir Simon Bt also provided me with the photos! Other information was obtained via The  John Watson Journals.

 

Sir John Watson 1st Baronet of Earnock Grave/Monument.

The grave and monument to Sir John Watson 1st Bt of Earnock is located at the top section of Glasgow’s Necropolis. He was a very successful Coalmaster in Hamilton (Central Lanarkshire). Given the Baronet’s wealth and status at the time of his death the monument is actually quite modest and small in comparison to the other memorials and tombs of the era in the burial ground. The grave contains the following interments;

John Watson Jnr (Sir John Watson Bt’s infant son), The boy only lived for one day.

Agnes, His 6 year old Daughter.

John, His 7 year old son.

Agnes Simpson, His first wife, who was 49 years old.

And Himself, aged 79 when he died.

 

Hamilton  Historian   Terence (Terry) Murphy

Standing Next To Sir John Watson 1st Bt Of Earnock  Memorial/Grave

Glasgow Necropolis.

 

The monument’s inscription reads as follows;

 

John Watson Jnr

1860

In Memory Of

His Infant Son

Born 7th Oct. 1850.  Died 8th Oct. 1850.

Agnes His Daughter,

Born 9th Dec. 1849.  Died 23rd may. 1856.

John His Son,

Born 19th Jan. 1853.  Died 19th march. 1860.

Agnes Simpson,

Wife of John Watson.

(Formerly John Watson Jnr)

Born 20th May 1828.  Died 1st April  1878.

Sir John Watson.

1st Baronet of Earnock,

(Formerly John Watson Jnr.)

Born 9th July 1819.  Died 26th Sept.  1898.

 

 

Sir John Watson 1st Bt of Earnock.

 

Written By

Hamilton Historian

Terence  ( Terry )  Murphy

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.