Location OS first edition
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| Robert Guthrie 2021 |
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| Robert Guthrie 2021 |
This is nearby Benston Smithy.
Benston Smithy by Robert Guthrie 2007
Benston Smiddy Jim Smith
1739 11th January, Jean daughter to John RANKEN and Susanna BERWELL or BOSWELL, in Benstown. Ayrshire Roots baptismal register.
4 generations of the Arthur family for over 100 years
1747 birth of James Arthur to William Arthur and Mary Forgy
Valuation Rolls
Horse Tax 1797-98 William Arthur, Benston, 8 horses , 3 taxed
Census
1841 census shows William Arthur's eldest son James Arthur 60 farming at Benston with wife Jean 55 (Lennox), and youngest son Hugh 12. Servants are John Reid 15, James Connell15, John Cuthbert 14, Ann Samson 25, Margaret Samson 15, and Nicholas Samson 20.
Also recorded as Benston are Alexander Arthur 20 with Elspeth 25, and Elizabeth 1.
1851 There are still two households of the Arthur family at Benston. Jane Arthur is listed as a widow, 69, and farmer of 280 acres with 6 labourers. She is living with daughter Mary 24, and the servants are Agnes Hardy 22, Mary Hardy 19, Andrew Lammie 30, Alexander Dunbar 13, and John Cuthbert 29, cow herd.
James's son Alexander 34 Wife Elspeth (Herbert) 37, children Elizabeth 11, George 9, James 7, Hugh 5, Gilbert 4, Elspeth 2, Jane under 1, and sister in law Jane Herbert 39, dressmaker.
James went on to become a merchant in Belize, and was concerned by what he saw there so wrote numerous letters to his MP to highlight the plight of the people.(British Newspaper Archives, and Hansard)
1861 census Alexander Arthur 44, Farmer Of 285 Acres Employing 3 Men And 1 Boy, wife Elspeth 47 and new children, John 8, David 6, and Alexander 3. Servants are Margaret Boyle 18, Isabella Capsticks 16, Elizabeth Kerr 27, dairymaid, James McCall 45, Alexander McCall 15, John McWhirr 14, cow herd, and two vagrants from Ireland Thomas KMcInnes 57 and his wife 60 (not named)
1871 Alexander Arthur 54 Farmer Of 240 Acres Empl 2 Man 2 Boys, wife Elspeth 57, children, Gilbert 24, Elspeth 22, Jane 20, Alexander 13, grandchildren Margaret 8, and Alexander Taylor 6, and servants James Hamilton 61, Hugh 15, David Hastings 12, Agness Meikle 20, and Janet Wilson 16.
1881 Alexander Arthur 64 wife Elspeth 67, 2 sons, Gilbert 33 and Alexander 23, 2 granddaughters, Margaret Baird Taylor 18, and Margaret Ellen Harper Arthur 4, 5 servants, James Hamilton 71, Robert Steel 16, Agnes Cuthbertson 19, Ann Nevan 17, Thomas Seaton 17.
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| Ayrshire Post July 1884 |
1891 Alexander Arthur 74 wife Elspeth 77, 2 sons, Gilbert and Alexander and 5 servants, James Dobson 19, ploughman, John Morrison 18, byreman, George Houston 14, Mary Hadan 24, Grace Clifford 18.
Alexander died in 1892
In 1901 census his sons Alexander 43 and Gilbert 34 are running the farm with their mother, now 87, and neice Elspeth Taylor 27, with servants Nellie Laidlaw 18, Maggie Nutt 17, William Gracie 21, ploughman, and William Hastings 14.
Valuation Rolls
1855 tenant Alexander Arthur.
1865 prop Marquis of Bute.
1920 prop David Clark.
1940 prop James Murray.
Boyle family associated with Benston smithy from 1841 census on
In 1881 the blacksmith at Benston Smithy is Robert Boyle 73, with his wife Janet 68 and son Thomas 42. their son Thomas 42 is also living with them.
The 1881 census has an entry for Benston Cottage. Robert Riddell 68 is listed as a former Bower. His son William 25 is a master joiner employing 1 man, and his daughter Jane Graham 23 as a ploughmans wife. His son Archibald 20 is also a joiner.
James Murray on Cumnock Connections tree
Boyle family associated with Benston smithy from 1841 census on
In 1881 the blacksmith at Benston Smithy is Robert Boyle 73, with his wife Janet 68 and son Thomas 42. their son Thomas 42 is also living with them.
The 1881 census has an entry for Benston Cottage. Robert Riddell 68 is listed as a former Bower. His son William 25 is a master joiner employing 1 man, and his daughter Jane Graham 23 as a ploughmans wife. His son Archibald 20 is also a joiner.
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| Benston Farm implements sale CC 1920 |
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| James Murray Farmer Benston obit CC 1969 |
James Murray on Cumnock Connections tree
