PARISH OF WEMYSS.
The name of this Parish, which is on the south coast of the County; is derived from the Celtic word Wamh meaning caves ; and that the name is altogether appropriate may be seen from the number of caves in the rocks on the sea shore. The Parish is bounded on the south by the Firth of Forth, on the east by Markinch and Scoonie, on the north by Kennoway and Markinch, and on the west by Dysart. It is six miles in length from north west to south east, and about one and a half in breadth. The Parish is in excellent cultivation; a regular and proper rotation of cropping being followed. Great quantities of potatoes and turnips are raised, and the general appearance is much improved by plantations. Ochre and iron stone are found in the Parish, but the principal mineral is coal, an extensive field of which exists, and which has long been, and continues to be extensively wrought, no less than from 50,000 to 60,000 tons being annually brought to the surface. Five pits are at present in full working order, and a shaft at Percival is in course of being sunk to a lower depth, so as to reach a thicker seam of coal; and a large pumping engine, of 120 horse power, has just been erected, so as to meet the additional requirements of the works. On the western side of Largo Bay, embracing the Wemyss and Dysart coal basin, the metals dip to the south east, and contain 29 and in some places 34, workable seams of coal, varying from 2 to 21 feet, the total thickness being 119½ feet. Thomas Byewater, Esq., factor, and Mr David Kerr, mining engineer, for the Wemyss estate, calculate that the amount of available coal still to work, amounts to 51,000,000 tons, which, at the present rate of consumption, will not be exhausted until after the expiry of 1000 years.
The manufactures of the Parish consist chiefly of ducks, dowlas, sheetings, huckabacks, diaper, and canvass; and in 1860, there was erected at East Wemyss an extensive power loom factory, where these, and a variety of other fabrics, are produced. There are eight villages in the Parish. 1. West Wemyss, in which there is a Chapel in connection with the Established Church, coal works, saw mill, brick work, &c. It is head of the Barony of Wemyss, and has two bailies, a treasurer, and councillors, but does not enjoy the privileges of the municipal act. 2. East Wemyss, in which is the Parish Church, a building in the form of a cross. It was rebuilt by General William Wemyss upon the site of an old Church, the date of whose erection is not authenticated. There is also a Free Church in East Wemyss. 3. Buckhaven, the largest village in the Parish, and one of tile largest fishing villages in Fife, fishing being the principal trade of the inhabitants; in addition to which, the curing of herrings is a necessary adjunct of its staple trade. Of late a herring net manufactory has been set agoing, and employs a good number of hands. Reed making and camb building are also carried on. At the Links of Buckhaven, in close proximity to the village, is a U. P. Church, with a flourishing congregation. 4. Methil a decayed looking village with little trade, although it has a fine harbour, and once was a place of some note in the coal trade. 5. Kirkland, with extensive spinning, weaving, and bleaching works, which employ a large number of people in the different departments. A small power loom factory has lately been added for the weaving of canvass. 6. Coaltown of Wemyss ; 7. East Newtown of Wemyss; and Methil Hill, which are all mining villages. The Parish School is situated at East Wemyss, where are also a Free Church School, and an Infant School, which is under the patronage of Mrs J. H. E. Wemyss. There are also excellent Schools at West Wemyss, Coaltown of Wemyss, and Methil Hill, mutually supported by the miners and the proprietor of the coalworks, J. H. E. Wemyss, Esq., M. P. At Kirkland there is a School in connection with the works, and the proprietors (Messrs H. & T. Peters & Co.) allow the teacher a small salary in addition to the fees. Two excellent Schools are also in Buckhaven, at which there is a good attendance. There are a public reading room and subscription library at East Wemyss, besides others in the Parish. There are also some saving societies in the Parish.
We have already said that the name of the Parish is derived from the Celtic word Wamh, a cave. There is a number of caves situated in the rocks, a little above high water mark. The largest is situated between Wemyss Castle and East Wemyss; and tradition asserts that, in this cave, was manufactured the first glass made in Scotland. It yet retains the name of the "Glass Cave." The "Court Cave," situated close to East Wemyss, extends about 200 feet in a north-westerly direction. Its breadth is very irregular, but at no point is it more than 60 feet; and in height it varies from 20 to 30 feet. This cave has been rendered famous by a tradition that King James V., in one of his frolicsome moods, here fell in with an encampment of gipsies. He joined, their company, and a graphic story is told of his adventures on the occasion. There is also a very large cave underneath the old Castle of Macduff. The entrance is very small, but a few yards from the mouth it extends to a considerable size.
The sole proprietor of the Parish is James Hay Erskine Wemyss, Esq., of Wemyss, and M.P. for the County, the representative of unquestionably the oldest family existing in the County. Of the origin of this family there are more accounts than one, but all agree as to their being derived from the family of Macduff, Maormhor of Fife in the reign of Malcolm Canmore. The lands now forming the Parish of Wemyss are said to have been part of the estate of Macduff, Shakespeare's well-known "Thane of Fife." The present proprietor is the 26th proprietor of the estate of Wemyss, in direct descent from Hugo, the son of Gillimaichael, fourth Earl of Fife, and, therefore, the 30th generation from Macduff. A short way east of West Wemyss, is Wemyss Castle, the residence of the family. It is one of the finest seats in the County. The building is large and stately; much of it is of great antiquity; and, being on a beautiful cliff overlooking the Firth, it commands a very extensive and magnificent view. Here the unfortunate Mary Stuart resided for some days; and the room is still shown where she had her first interview with Lord Darnley. In July, 1650, Wemyss Castle was visited by Charles II., who spent a day in it, and, on the 13th of July, 1657, he paid a visit and slept a night in the Castle. There is a very ancient relic preserved in the Castle, viz: a silver bowl, presented to Sir Michael Wemyss, of Wemyss, by Eric, King of Norway, in 1290, when he and Sir Michael Scott, of Balwearie, went to bring home the Princess Margaret, on the death of Alexander III. This silver bowl, we believe, is only used on baptismal occasions. Besides the Castle of Wemyss there is, a short way to the eastward of East Wemyss, the ruins of an old castle, consisting of two square towers and a part of the wall. It is said to have been built by Macduff, who was created Maormhor of Fife in 1057. The old ruin is known as Macduff's Castle. There are also the ruins of two very ancient Chapels in the Parish. The one is situated near Methil Hill, and the other a little to the westward of West Wemyss. At this place there is still a piece of ground called the Chapel Garden, near to which is the residence of Thomas Byewater, Esq., factor on the estate. In concluding this notice we may state that the Church of Markinch is to be found in old records under the title of "Macduff's Kirk ;" and there is some evidence, though of a very limited and slender kind, showing it to have been built by Macduff in the 10th century. The reason, however, why it may have been called " Macduff's Kirk," may be from the fact that Markinch Church was the place of worship which the Macduff family attended.
The POST OFFICES for the Parish are Kirkcaldy and Leven, with Sub Offices at West Wemyss, East Wemyss., and Buckhaven, Mrs Millie, Sub Post Mistress, West Wemyss, John Ness, Sub Post Master, East Wemyss, and William Beaten, Sub-Post Master, Buckhaven. Letters from Kirkcaldy reach West Wemyss, per mail gig, at 9. 30 A.M. and 6 P.M., and East Wemyss at 9. 20 A.M and 5.45 P.M., and are despatched from West Wemyss at 2 and 9 P.M., and from East Wemyss at 2.25 and 9. 15 P.M. Letters reach Buckhaven, by a walking postman, from Leven at 11 A.M. and 7 P.M., and are despatched at 2 P.M. and 8. 30 P.M.
BAKERS.
Bonthron, Thomas, Buckhaven
Cairns, Alexander, East Wemyss
Hastie, John, Buckhaven
Mortimer, George, Kirkland
Patrick, James, Buckhaven
Reid, Anderson, West Wemyss
Rintoul, John, (Provision Store) East Wemyss
Stewart, James, Buckhaven
Wallace, James, Buckhaven
Williamson, John, & Co., West Wemyss
BLACKSMITHS.
Mitchell, John, Buckhaven
Robertson, John, Coaltown of Wemyss
Robertson, Robert, East Wemyss
Robertson, William, Buckhaven
BOAT OWNERS & SKIPPERS.
[As numbers of the Owners and Skippers have similar names and surnames, the name of the boat is added, as the simplest method of distinguishing parties having the same name and surname. They all reside in Buckhaven.]
Bonthron Thomas, First
Bonthron, William, Liberty
Cairns, David, Dove
Deas, David, Economy
Deas, James, Alert
Deas, James, Margaret
Deas, James, Sovereign
Deas, James, Welcome
Deas, John, Brilliant
Deas, John, Elizabeth
Deas, John, Freedom
Deas, John, Stately
Deas, John, Success
Deas, Robert, Alert
Deas, Robert, Union
Deas, Thomas, Utility
Deas, Walter, Diadem
Deas, Walter, Diligent
Deas, William, Laverock Scott
Easson, James, Arival
Easson, William, Christian
Foster, James, J. Foster
Foster, James, Reliance
Foster, John, Mary
Foster, John, Wanderer
Foster, Thomas J., Robertson
Foster, Peter, Minerva,
Foster, William, Foster's
Gordon, Andrew, Free
Kinnear, David, M. Foster
Logie, David, Planet
Logie, James, Caroline
Logie, James, Concord
Logie, James, Fame
Logie, John, Seagull
Logie, Thomas, Eaglet
Logie, Thomas, Ellen
Logie, Thomas, Thalia
Logie, William, Advance
Robertson, Andrew, Amity
Robertson, Andrew, Brothers
Robertson, Andrew, C. Bonthron
Robertson, Andrew, Enterprise
Robertson, Andrew, Gem
Robertson, James, Cheerful
Robertson, James, Choice
Robertson, James, Royalist
Robertson, John, Ann
Robertson, John, Laurel
Robertson, John, Marys
Robertson, Peter, E. Taylor
Robertson, Robert, Trusty
Robertson, Thomas, Margaret & Agnes
Robertson, Walter, Ally
Robertson, Walter, Father & Son
Taylor, Andrew, Barbara
Taylor, John, Monarch
Taylor, Robertson, Comrade
Taylor, Thomas, Heroine
Thomson, Alexander, Eliza Deas
Thomson, Alexander, Pacific
Thomson, Alexander, Thetis
Thomson, Andrew, Elizabeth
Thomson, Andrew, Traveller
Thomson, Bernard, Ellen & Agnes
Thomson, Bernard, Nancy
Thomson, Bernard, Neptune
Thomson, David, Forth
Thomson, James, Amelia
Thomson, James, Amiable
Thomson, James, C. Greig
Thomson, James, Emblem
Thomson, James, Exchange
Thomson, James, Harmony
Thomson, James, Jane Thomson
Thomson, James, Paragon
Thomson, James, Planet
Thomson, James, Pomona
Thomson, John, Alvan
Thomson, John, Betsy
Thomson, John, Comely
Thomson, John, Comet
Thomson, John, Comfort
Thomson, John, Janet Taylor
Thomson, John, Victory
Thomson, John, Volucras
Thomson, Peter, Petrel
Thomson, Peter, Pioneer
Thomson, Peter, Regalia
Thomson, Robert, Anemine
Thomson, Robert, Charlotte
Thomson, Robert, Christian
Thomson, Robert, Chums
Thomson Robert, Margaret
Thomson: Robert, Wave
Thomson, Telford, Favourite
Thomson, Thomas, Agnes
Thomson, Thomas, Ringdove
Thomson, William, Ancient
Thomson, William, Blossom
Thomson, William, Caledonia
Thomson, William, Dolphin
Thomson, William, Experiment
Thomson, William, Mariner
Walker, John, Catherine
Walker, John, Pomona
Walker, John, Prompt
Walker, Thomas, Orion
Walker, William, Lark
Walker, William, M. Walker
Walker, William, Peggy
Warrender, John, Dewdrop
Warrender, John, Margaret
Warrender, John, Renew
In addition to the above, a number more are Skippers during the Lammas herring fishing.
BOOT & SHOEMAKERS.
Balfour, Andrew, West Wemyss
Barclay, David, East Wemyss
Beaton, William, Buckhaven
Brown, John, East Wemyss
Cairns, James, Buckhaven
McDonald, Alexander, West Wemyss
Rollo, James, do
Scott, Thomas, do
Wallace, James, Buckhaven
BUILDERS.
Greig, Michael, Links, Buckhaven
Greig, Richard, do do
Welch, William, do
Williamson, John, West Wemyss
CARRIERS.
Black, Walter, from East Wemyss to Kirkcaldy, on Tuesday and Friday
Ireland, Misses, from Buckhaven to Kirkcaldy, on Friday
Patrick, Alexander, from Buckhaven to Kirkcaldy, on Tuesday
Syme, Mrs Jane, (Foot) from East Wemyss to Kirkcaldy daily
Thomson, William, from Buckhaven to Kirkcaldy, on Thursday
CARTERS & LAND LABOURERS,
Anderson, Robert, West Wemyss
Baird, James, Methil
Black, James, East Wemyss
Black, Walter, do
Bogie, Thomas, West Wemyss
Burt, David, Jun., East Wemyss
Burt, David, Sen., do
Burt, John, do
Cairns, John, Coaltown of Wemyss
Fernie, Andrew, West Wemyss
Gordon, Andrew, Buckhaven
Greig, David, `do
Kinnear, Henry, Jun., do
Kinnear, Henry, Sen., do
Lawson, Bernard, do
Melville, Robert, Methil
Moodie, John, West Wemyss
Patrick, Alexander, Sen., Buckhaven
Pennycook, Charles, East Wemyss
Philp, John, Buckhaven
Sime, Thomas, Methil
Smith, Walter, do
Thomson, Andrew, East Wemyss
Thomson, David, Buckhaven
Thomson, John, do
Thomson, Mrs Robert, do
Thomson, William, do
Williamson, Alexander, West Wemyss
CHINA, STONEWARE, & RAGMERCHANTS.
Cassimy, Lawrence, East Wemyss
Welch, William, Buckhaven
CLERGY.
Knight, Geo. F, Free Church, East Wemyss
Melville, Charles B., Chapel of Ease, West Wemyss
Morrison, Thomas, Chapel of Ease, Methil (Residence, Innerleven)
Polson, William, A.M., Parish Church, East Wemyss
---, -----, U. P. Church, Buckhaven
COAL PROPRIETORS & COALMASTERS.
Binnie, Edward William, Pirnie Colliery (Robert Carrick, Manager)
Wemyss, J. H. E., Esq., M. P., Wemyss Collieries (Thomas Byewater, Esq., Factor; Mr David Kerr, Manager)
DRAPERS.
Deas, James, Buckhaven
Deas, Peter, do
Greig, Robert, Links, do
Oswald, David, East Wemyss
DRESSMAKERS & MILLINERS.
Aitken, Miss, Buckhaven
Bousie, Mrs George, East Wemyss
Bower, Miss Mary, Buckhaven
Bower, Miss (Straw Bonnets) do
Cameron, Miss Elizabeth, West Wemyss,
Christie, Miss Elizabeth, do
Dryburgh, Misses, do
Fernie, Misses, East Wemyss
Gilchrist, Miss Isabella, Buckhaven
Greive, Miss Jane, West Wemyss
Gulland, Mrs David, do
Ireland, Misses, Buckhaven
Johnston, Misses, East Wemyss
Matthew, Miss Margaret, do
Melville, Miss Fanny, West Wemyss
Rintoul, Miss Margaret, East Wemyss
Souter, Miss Catherine, Methil
Thomson, Miss Agnes, Buckhaven
Thomson, Mrs David, do
White, Miss Catherine, East Wemyss
FARMERS.
Dickson, Wm., Bowhouse, by West Wemyss
Elder, James, Earlseat, by West Wemyss
Gulland, James, Newton of Wemyss
Ireland, John, Buckhaven
Kinninmonth, Peter, Perceval, by Buckhaven
Lawrie, John, Kirklandhill, by Leven
Patrick, Alexander, Sen., Buckhaven
Thorn, Jas., Wellsgreen, by East Wemyss
Thomson, Joseph, Muiredge, by Buckhaven
Watt, James, Lochhead, by West Wemyss
Wemyss, J. H. E., Esq., M. P., Wemyss Home Farm, by Kirkcaldy
Wilkie, George, (& Horse Dealer) Cowdenlaws, by Dysart
FLESHERS.
Cairns, Robert, (& Cattle Dealer) East Wemyss
Lawson, Mrs James, Buckhaven
FISHCURERS.
Those marked thus * though non resident, have curing premises in Buckhaven.
Bonthron, John, Buckhaven
Deas, John, do
Gordon, Andrew, do
Greig, David, do
Ireland, John, do
*Methven, James, & Co., Leith
*Miller & Sayers, London
Mitchell, John, Buckhaven
Morgan, William, Methil
*Todd, John, & Son, Anstruther
GENTRY & PEOPLE OF INDEPENDENT MEANS.
Baxter, Mr John, West Wemyss
Bisset, Miss Isabella, East Wemyss
Bonthron, Mrs Robert, Buckhaven
Edington, Miss, East Wemyss
Edington, Mr John, do
Galloway, Mrs Betson, Methil
Greig, Mrs Simon, East Wemyss
Hutchison, Mrs David, do
Miller, Mrs George, do
Nicol, Mr John, do
Peter, Mrs John, Kirkland
Sibbald, Mrs, East Wemyss
Terras, Mr Alexander, Methil
Thomson, Mrs Bernard, East Wemyss
Thomson, Mr William, Methil
Wemyss, J. H. E., Esq., M.P., Wemyss Castle
GROCERS.
Those marked thus * are also Spirit Dealers.
*Anderson, John, Buckhaven
Baird, Robert, Methil
*Baxter, Mrs Margaret, Buckhaven
Beaton, William, do
Beatson, David, (& Ales) West Wemyss
Clifton, Thomas, Methil
*Duncan, John, East Wemyss
Gordon, Andrew, Buckhaven
Greig, David, do
*Harrow, Mrs., Margaret, West Wemyss
*Harrow Thomas, do
Ireland, John, Buckhaven
Kyles, Andrew, (& Ales) East Wemyss
Lawrie, James, Buckhaven
Lawrie, William, Buckhaven
Mathewson, David, Methilhill
Millie, Thomas, (& Ales; Provision Store) Coaltown of Wemyss
Mortimer, George, Kirkland
*Reid, Andrew, Methil
Rintoul, John, (Provision Store) East Wemyss
Russell, James, (Provision Store) West Wemyss
*Scott, William, Buckhaven
Stratton, John, Methil
Taylor, William, Buckhaven
Thomson, David, do
Thomson, Mrs Andrew, do
Thomson, Mrs John, do
Thomson, Mrs Robert, do
*Thomson, William, do
*Wallace, James, do
Wallace, William, do
Welch William, do
INSURANCE AGENTS.
Byewater, Thomas, Factor, West Wemyss, North British
Duncan, John, Grocer, Insurance Co. of Scotland
Ireland, Thomas, Reed Maker, Insurance Co. of Scotland
JOINERS & WRIGHTS.
Christie, John, West Wemyss
Fernie, James, (& Glazier), East Wemyss
Ireland, John, Buckhaven
Kaye, Alexander, do
Kinnear, John, (& Cabinet Maker), Buckhaven
Kinnear, William, Buckhaven
Wood, James, (& Glazier), East Wemyss
LIBRARIES & READING ROOMS.
East Wemyss Library & News Room, A. Fernie, Sec. & Treas.
LINEN MANUFACTURERS.
Greig, Robert, Links, Buckhaven
Hendry, Robert, West Wemyss
Johnston, G., & J., (Power and Hand-Loom), East Wemyss
0swald, David, (Wincies), East Wemyss
Oswald, James, (Sacking) do
Peter, J., & H., & Co., (Canvass; & Power Loom) Kirkland Works
MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.
Small, James, East Wemyss
MIDWIVES.
Gorrie, Mrs David, West Wemyss
Hutchison, Mrs Melvin, Buckhaven
Morgan, Mrs James, West Wemyss
PILOTS.
Finnie, Robert, West Wemyss
Kennedy, Alexander, Methil
SHIPOWNERS & MASTERS.
Those marked thus * are Masters
Anderson, James, West Wemyss
*Baxter, Andrew, East Wemyss
*Harrow, Thomas, West Wemyss
Hendry, James, East Wemyss
*Herd, David, Buckhaven
Johnston, David, East Wemyss
* Laverock, Alexander, Buckhaven
*Morris, John, East Wemyss
* Morris, William, do
* Ness, William, do
* Smith, James, West Wemyss
SOCIETIES & CLUBS.
Buckhaven Mortcloth Society, William Swayne, Sec.
SOCIETIES,
Coaltown of Wemyss Funeral Society Geo. Dewar, Sec., David Cairns, Treas.
East Wemyss Generous Sick Society, Jas Barclay, Jun., Sec.
East Wemyss Ladies' Clothing Society Mrs George Johnston, Sec. & Treas.
East Wemyss Saving Society, A. Kyles, Sec.
Wemyss Curling Club, D. H. Johnston East Wemyss, Sec. & Treas.
Wemyss Golf Club, Joseph Gilbert, Sec.
Wemyss Yearly Society, Jas. Edgar, Treas., John Wallace, Sec.
TAILORS.
Those marked thus * are also Clothiers.
Bell, Alexander, Buckhaven
*Burt, David, East Wemyss
Hepburn, Alexander, West Wemyss
Mathewson, William, East Wemyss
Munro, John, Buckhaven
Rodger, John, do
TEACHERS & SCHOOLS.
Bower, Miss Margaret, Female Industrial School, Buckhaven Wemyss
Burns, William R., Colliery School, West Wemyss
Campbell, John R., Colliery School, Coaltown of Wemyss
Drennan, John, (& Assistant Inspector of Poor, & Assistant Collector of Poors' Rates) Kirkland Works School
------,------, Free Church School, East Wemyss
Justice, David, U. P. Church School, Links, Buckhaven
McCall, John, Subscription School, Buckhaven
Robertson, David, Subscription School, Methil
Robertson, John G., Parish School, East Wemyss
Robertson, Miss Catherine, Infant School, East Wemyss
Robertson, William G., Colliery School, Methilhill
VINTNERS.
Bell, John, Harbourhead Inn, Buckhaven
Burt, Mrs David, East Wemyss
Cairns, Robert, do
Cameron, Mrs Janet, West Wemyss
Gordon, George, Buckhaven
Grieve, Mrs William, West Wemyss
Guthrie, Alexander, Methil
Mitchell, John, Buckhaven
Morgan, William, Methil
Robertson, Robert, East Wemyss
Thomson, Robert, Buckhaven
Wallace, James, do
Williamson, Matthew, West Wemyss
Wilson, Mrs John, Methil
WEAVERS' AGENTS.
Baxter, David, East Wemyss
0swald, David, do
MISCELLANEOUS.
Baird, James, Rope Maker, Methil
Brown, J., & G., Brewers, East Wemyss
Byewater, Thos., Esq., Factor for Wemyss Estate, Chapel Gardens, West Wemyss
Campbell, Daniel, Forrester, Wemyss Estate
Deas, Mrs J., Merchant, Buckhaven
Faircloth, J., Farm Grieve, Methilhill Farm, by Windygates
Ireland, John, Herring Net Manufacturer, Buckhaven
Ireland, Thomas, Reed Maker & Camb Builder & Registrar for the, Parish of Wemyss, Buckhaven
Leitch, Francis, Land Stewart, Wemyss, Home Farm
McLean, Lewis, Supervisor of Excise, Ashgrove House, by Windygates
McPhee, Donald, Brick & Tile Maker, Colliery Works, West Wemyss
Matthew, David, Sexton, East Wemyss
Melville, James B, Coal Grieve, West Wemyss
Murray, James, Gardener, Wemyss Gardens, by West Wemyss
Ness, Walter, Inspector of Poor &, Collector of Poors' Rates, East Wemyss
0swald, John, Maltster, East Wemyss
Page, David, Harbour Master, West Wemyss;
Peter, J., & H., & Co., Flax Spinners, Manufacturers of Canvass, & c., and Bleachers, Kirkland Works, by Leven (John Mustard, Manager)
Warrender, John, Manager., Buckhaven and Wemyss Gas Works