PARISH OF ANSTRUTHER EASTER.
THE PARISH of ANSTRUTHER EASTER is situated in the south eastern part of the County, and comprises merely the sea port town of Anstruther Easter, having no landward district attached to it. It is bounded on the south by the Firth of Forth, on the west by Anstruther Wester, from which it is separated by the Dreel Burn, on the north by the landward part of the parish of Kilrenny, and on the east by the fishing town of Cellardyke, also part of Kilrenny parish. The shore is rugged and rocky, and a small bay, with a safe and commodious harbour, washes the town. Previous to 1634, Anstruther Easter formed part of the parish of Kilrenny, but in that year it was formed into a separate parish, and got a Church of its own. The Manse is a curious building, built in 1590, by James Melville, nephew of the celebrated Andrew Melville, then minister of Kilrenny. The Parish Church, built in 1634, has a Spire, and was repaired in 1834, and contains upwards of 600 sittings. There is also a Free Church, a United Presbyterian Church, an Independent, and a Baptist Chapel.
The town of Anstruther Easter stands immediately between the towns of Anstruther Wester and Cellardyke, and the three appear as one narrow town, stretching along the shore. It was erected into a Royal Burgh by James VI., in 1583, and is governed under the recent Burgh Reform Act, by a provost, two bailies, a treasurer, and five councillors, and unites with St Andrews, Cupar, Crail, Kilrenny, Anstruther Wester, and Pittenweem, in returning one member to Parliament. From its contiguity to Cellardyke, Anstruther is one of the best fishing stations in Scotland, and fish curing is the staple trade of the district, upwards of 50,000 barrels of herrings being caught in 1860, all of which were either cured on the spot, or despatched by cart, rail, and steam boat, to inland towns. A large quantity of cod, ling, haddock, &c., are also brought into the harbour during the season, and are either salted or despatched in a fresh state to inland districts. The number of fishing boats are not only twice the size, but they are trebled in number during the last thirty years; and the want of harbour accommodation, especially during the herring fishing, has been severely felt for a series of years. To remedy that evil, the burghs of Anstruther and Cellardyke have united their efforts to obtain with Government assistance, a Union Harbour at a cost estimated at about £35,000, and which, with the present harbour, will give a space of 13½ acres, and will accommodate 500 fishing boats, and admit vessels of 500 tons at half flood : there will be seven feet of water at the east quay, at the lowest spring tide. The trade, in addition to fish curing, is chiefly of a domestic nature, but there is a considerable portion of business done in the export of grain, potatoes, &c. Several coasters belong to the port, and a steam boat plies three times a week to Leith, conveying grain, fish, &c., and returning with merchants' goods. The nearest railway station is at Kilconquhar, between which and Anstruther coaches run four times a day, and measures are in progress to extend the East of Fife Line, on to the union harbour at Anstruther. A weekly corn market is held on Saturday, but the annual fairs are now of no importance. Anstruther Easter is the birthplace of Dr. Chalmers, of European fame, and of Professor Tennant, the bard of Anster Fair, and other pieces of great poetic merit.
POST OFFICE, Anstruther Easter, David M. Dickson, Post Master: Mails for the west are despatched at 5.30 A.M. and 2 P. M., and arrive at 10 A. M. and 6.30 P. M. For Crail at 10. 30 A. M., returning at 1. 30 P. M.
BANKS.
CLYDESDALE BANK. John Smith, Writer, Agent
EASTERN BANK OF SCOTLAND. Philip Oliphant, Writer, Agent
NATIONAL BANK OF SCOTLAND. H. B. Mackintosh, Writer, Agent
SAVINGS' BANK. H. B. Mackintosh, Acturay. Open every Monday evening, from 7 to 8
BAKERS.
Adamson & Brother
Butters, George
Christie, Mrs D.
Spence, Mrs James
Tod, Mrs James
BLACKSMITHS.
Anderson, Alexander
Patterson, John
BOATBUILDERS.
Lawson, Andrew
Pottinger, Christopher
BOOKSELLERS & STATIONERS.
Those marked thus *are also Bookbinders.
* Gourlay, Andrew
Graham, Andrew
Russell, Lewis
BOOT & SHOEMAKERS,
Donaldson, David
Forrester, John
Horsburgh, George
Peebles, Durie
Smith, George
Tod, Philip
Young, William
CARRIERS.
To Colinsburgh, Leven, Kirkcaldy, Edinburgh, &c., Andrew King, Monday and Thursday, returning on Wednesday and Saturday
To Colinsburgh, Leven, Kirkcaldy, &c., David Lindsay, Wednesday and Saturday
To Crail, Robert Taylor, every lawful day
To St Andrews, Alex. Webster, Thursday
To St Andrews and Dundee, Allan McIntyre Thursday and Saturday
CARTERS.
Elder, John
Haig, George
Henderson, George
Imrie, Robert
Laing, Robert
McRobbie, Alexander
Nelson, William
Wilson, John
CHINA MERCHANTS.
Fowler, David
Laing, Mrs
Mitchell, Mrs
CLERGY.
Brown, J. C., Baptist (Residence in Anstruther W.)
Gregory, A., Free Church
Smith, Gabriel, U. P. Church
Stewart, Hugh, Independent (Residence in Pittenweem)
Webster, John, Parish Church
COACHES & OTHER CONVEYANCES.
Coaches leave for Kilconquhar Railway Station at 5.30 and 9 A.M. and at 2 and 5.15 P.M. For St Andrews at 8 A. M. daily, Sundays excepted, For Crail at 10.30 A.M. daily, Sundays excepted.
Anstruther and Leith Steam Shipping Co.'s Steamer plies between Anstruther and Leith three times a week, John Adamson and James Brown, Agents
DRESSMAKERS.
Those marked thus * are also Milliners.
Davidson, Mrs (and Straw Bonnets)
Gellatly, Miss C.
Greig, Miss
*Grubb, Mrs
*Parker, Mrs D.
Ritchie, Miss Jemima
Taylor, Misses
Webster, Miss A.
DRAPERS.
Grieg, Robert
White & D Duncan
White, Thomas
DYERS' AGENTS.
Mitchell, Mrs, Agent for P. & R. Campbell, Perth
Sommers, Mrs, Agent for Pullar & Sons, Perth,
White & Duncan Agents for P. & R. Hay, Edinburgh
FARMERS.
Brown, James
Brown David, & Son
Gosman, Mrs David
Morris, James
Robertson, Andrew
FISHCURERS.
Addy, George
Bonthron, John
Cormack, Alexander
Forbes, Robert
Hepburn, John
Innes, Andrew
Ireland, Walter
Miller, William
Todd, Robert
Todd, John
FLESHERS.
Anderson, Mitchell
Anderson, James
Shelley, George, & Co.
GROCERS.
Those marked thus * are also spirit Dealers.
Beat, Mrs (& Toy Merchant)
*Brown, James
Dickson, David M.
*Foggo, Thomas (Wines.)
*Hay, David (Wines)
*Imrie John (Wines)
Mitchell, Mrs
*Morris, David (Wines)
*Robertson, Misses
HOTEL KEEPERS.
McAlpine James, Royal Hotel, Gigs, and Horses for Hire
Robertson, Andrew, Commercial Inn, Gigs, &c., and Horses for Hire
INSURANCE AGENTS.
Conollys & Jamieson, Writers, Scottish Union
Darsie, George, Tanner, City of Glasgow
Gourlay, A., Bookseller, Scottish Union
Greig, Robert, Merchant, do
Mackintosh, H. B., Banker, Norfolk Farmers' Cattle, do., Scottish National do., British Guarantee Association
Oliphant, P., Banker, English and Scottish Law, do., Insurance Co. of Scotland
Reddie, James, Merchant, Northern
Smith, John, Writer, Life Association, do., Scottish Provincial
Smith & Cook, Writers, North British
IRONMONGERS.
Dalzell, John
Imrie, John
Reddie, James
JOINERS & WRIGHTS.
Those marked thus * are also Cabinet Makers.
*Brown, John
Bridie, Andrew
Lyall, Thomas
LAND LABOURERS.
Brown, John
Kidd, Alexander
Morton, William
Webster, Alexander
MASONS.
Balfour, James
Morris, J., (& Tile & Pavement Merchant)
MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.
Black, Thomas, Surgeon
McArthur, Alexander, M.D.
PAINTERS.
Lister, John
McGregor, John
McGuffie, John
SADDLERS,
Fortune, David
Foster, John, & Co.
SHIPMASTERS.
Fowler, Robert
Mathewson, Charles
Millar, David
Nicol, John
Waterston, Thomas
Watson, David
SLATERS.
Batchelor, John
Batchelor, Alex., Jun.
SAIL MAKERS.
Mitchell, David
Smith, Johnston
SOCIETIES & CLUBS.
Anstruther Temperance Society, William Young and David Donaldson, Secretaries
Anstruther and Kilrenny Subscription Library, Walter Ireland Sec., A. Graham, Librarian
Anstruther Reading Room G. B. White, Sec.
Burgesses and Traders' Poor Box Society, George Darsie, Treas.
East Neuk of Fife Horticultural Society, John T. Darsie, Sec.
Experience Investment Society of Edinburgh, (Building,) H. B. Mackintosh, Writer, Agent
Sea Box Society, D. S. Reid, Factor
SEEDSMEN.
Foggo, Thomas
Imrie, John
TINSMITHS, GASFITTERS, & PLUMBERS,
Dalzell, John
Reddie, James
TAILORS.
Those marked thus * are also Clothiers.
Davidson, John
Leslie, Andrew
Peebles, George
Robertson, John
* White, Alexander
*White, Thomas
TEACHERS SCHOOLS.
Buick, Misses, Free Church School
Greig, Alexander, Burgh School
Justice, David, Free Church School
VINTNERS.
Addy, George, Masons' Tavern (Wines)
Anderson, J. (Bottler)
Christie, Mrs, Christie's Tavern
Forrester, John, Salutation Inn
Miller, William
Vickery, George (Wines)
WRITERS.
Those Marked thus * are also Notaries.
* Conollys & Jamieson
Mackintosh H. B.
Oliphant, Philip Smith & Cook
WATCHMAKERS.
Christie, David
Lumsden, David
WRIGHTS, See Joiners.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Adamson, John, Manager, Gas Company
Brown, David & Son, Millers, (Corn and Flour)
Brown, John, Coal Merchant
Caithness, Miss J. R, Berlin Wool & Fancy Bazaar
Conolly, M. R, Town Clerk.
Darsie, Geo., Tanner, Currier, & Leather Merchant
Dickson, David M., Distributor of Stamps,
Forgan, Andrew, Confectioner
Fowler, David, Potatoe and Coal Merchant, (and agent)
Graham, Andrew, Barber & Hair Dresser
Greig, Alexander, Inspector of Poor
Harris, Richard, Excise Officer
Hay, Alexander, Town Officer
Howie, T., Agent, East of Fife Railway
Key, James, Brewer
Marshal, Francis, Custom House Officer
Mitchell, David, Rope Maker
Mackintosh, H. B., Clerk to Harbour Commissioners, and Honorary Agent for the Shipwrecked Fishermen &Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society
Neaves, Chas., Plasterer
Paton, Frederick, Broker, and Dealer in Hardwares
Reiach, George, Officer, Fishery Board
Ross, Hugh, Candlemaker
Russell, Lewis, Printer and Publisher of East of Fife Record & Emigration Agent, White Star
Smith & Cook, Collectors of Poors' Rates
Sommers, Mrs Wm., Hosier
Thomson, George, Fish Merchant,
Todd, John, Cod Liver Oil Maker
Wood, William, Parish Beadle,
PARISH OF ANSTRUTHER WESTER.
ANSTRUTHER WESTER is a small Parish on the south east coast, and contains a Royal Burgh of the same name. It has a very irregular form, and contains about 600 acres of arable land, and about 9 or 10 acres of common, on which the burgesses have the privilege of pasture and casting turf. It is bounded on the south by the Firth of Forth, along which it extends for about half a mile, on the east by Anstruther Easter, from which burgh it is separated by the Dreel Burn, on the north by Carnbee and Kilrenny, and on the west by Pittenweem. The Parish Church appears, from the remains of a large choir, and the Gothic structure of the Steeple, to be a very ancient building, but it has often been repaired. There is no Dissenting Chapel or Subscription School in the parish.
The town of Anstruther Wester was erected into a Royal Burgh by James VI., in 1587, and managed their affairs by a Town Council, three bailies, and a treasurer; but in 1852, in consequence of some illegal proceedings at an election of council, the Court of Session declared the Burgh disfranchised and appointed three managers to conduct the affairs of the Burgh. The inhabitants of the landward part of the Parish are chiefly engaged in agriculture. The town is perhaps the smallest Royal Burgh in Scotland, and being only separated by a small burn from Anstruther Easter, and in reality forming, with that burgh, only one town, the employments of the population are similar to those of Anstruther Easter.
The Postal Arrangements are the same as those for Anstruther Easter, which see.
CARTERS.
Adam, George
Bisset, Robert
CHINA MERCHANTS.
McGregor, John
McGregor, Michael,
CLERGY.
Scott, Hew, Parish Church
Scott, Mr, East Coast Missionary
FARMERS.
Gilchrist, Andrew, Milton
Smith, James, West Grangemuir
Williamson, George, East Grangemuir
GROCERS & SPIRIT DEALERS.
Darsie, John (Wines)
Bell, Mrs
Lees, Miss Margaret
GENTRY & PEOPLE OF INDEPENDENT MEANS.
Conolly, M. F., Esq., Town Clerk
Douglas, Hon. Lady Wm., Grangemuir
Forbes, George, Retired Fish Officer
Ferguson, John, do
Lees, Alexander
JOINERS & WRIGHTS.
Those marked thus * are also Cabinet Makers.
Adam, William
Budge, James
* Dishington, George
Malcolm, Robert
TAILORS.
Henderson, James
McKitchen, Thomas
VINTNERS.
Birrell, Mrs
Smith, Mrs Margaret,
WRIGHTS, See Joiners.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Batchelor, Alex., Lodging House Keeper
Bell, Robert, Boot & Shoemaker
Bell, James, Potatoe Merchant
Bridie, Colin, Blacksmith
Bridie, James, Land Labourer
Buick, Misses, Teachers, Free Church (School House in Anstruther Easter)
Clark, Miss Janet, Dressmaker & Milliner
Darsie, John, Fishcurer (Shed in Anstruther Easter)
Dougal, John, Parochial Teacher
Gardner, John, Miller, Milton Mill
Gulland, Archibald, Bookbinder
Henderson, James, Salmon Fisher
Keay, John, Shipmaster
Taylor, Robert, Flesher