Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine Winter 2023

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History & Heritage Blairgowrie Rattray and District Genealogy Centre COUSINS MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME AT ANCESTRAL HOME Two cousins who were not aware of the third cousin’s existence, had asked independently on the Genealogy Facebook page for information on the Saunders family who had built Craigmill in Rattray. Coincidentally they were both going to be in Scotland at the same time and arrangements were made for them to view their ancestral home, Bramblebank House. Melanie and Peter Thomson, who are the current owners kindly showed them around and also were able to show them records, etc. in their possession. The enquiry was posted by Lynn the great x 3 granddaughter of George Saunders, who started a chain of events leading to the cousins meeting up for the first time. They discovered that they only lived a couple of states away from each other in America. Lynn and her sister Laurie’s grandfather was William E. Saunders Jr, born on Blairgowrie Farm, Emmetsburg, and their cousin Tracy’s grandmother was Vina Margaret Saunders, William’s sister. Their father was William. E.G. Saunders (the cousins’ great grandfather). George Saunders built Craigmill in 1834, a flax spinning mill 500 yards from Craigmill Bridge on the Rattray side of the river Ericht, which he enlarged in 1860. Craigmill ceased to function in the 1880s. He was considered to be one of nine men who were founders of the linen trade in Blairgowrie and was known as a pioneer of the flax spinning trade in the town. On 2nd May 1873 George Saunders was fatally injured by falling debris while there was a blasting operation at Bramblebank quarry and is buried at the ‘Auld Kirkyard’. He had by this time purchased Bramblebank Laurie and Lynn stood by the grave of David Hogg Saunders at Blairgowrie Cemetery. Mill for his 2 sons, David Hogg Saunders and John Saunders. By 1872 they controlled Craigmill, Westfields and Bramblebank. David Hogg Saunders lived in Bramblebank House. By 1879, David Hogg Saunders (great x 2 grandfather) had sold the flax and jute spinning operations in Rattray and moved to Dundee, where he became a yarn and jute merchant. He died in Dundee in 1904, but is buried in Blairgowrie Cemetery. William Ewart Gladstone Saunders (Great Grandfather) was born in 1865 at Bramblebank House. Aged 17 he left his family and travelled to America, hired himself out as a cowboy in Missouri and in New Mexico. In 1886 he returned to Scotland, but soon returned to the U.S. to manage land and cattle operations at Blairgowrie Farm near Emmetsburg, Iowa. He also served in the Spanish American War in 1898. He was Mayor and was elected to the State Legislature from 1923-1928. He died in 1947 in Pasadena, California. Bramblebank Mill was bought by Thomas Thomson in 1903. After a journey of a lifetime to Scotland, their visit to Blairgowrie was one of the highlights of their trip. (The Genealogy Group has the permission of the family to write this article.) The Saunders cousins with Peter and Melanie Thomson and Jane Wilson at Bramblebank House. ALWAYS WANTED TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY HISTORY? THE GENEALOGY CENTRE VOLUNTEERS CAN HELP. CONTACT US - blairgowriegenealogy@hotmail.co.uk Or find us on Facebook Alternatively pop in to see us at Blairgowrie Library, in Leslie Street on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm PAGE 18 BRDT MAGAZINE - WINTER 2023
THE HILL KIRK GRAVEYARD So another year of graveyard maintenance over, with the last cut of the year completed. The mowers go in for an overdue service, to ensure they are fully prepared for next spring. The very small team of neighbours who tend the yard can put their feet up for a few months. Our thanks to BRAN, Blair in Bloom and other individuals, who, in various ways assist with making the historic Hill Kirk Graveyard such a nice place to sit, ponder and enjoy the views. Our thanks to the many dog owners who use the Graveyard…….. on the last cut, there was not one bit of dog poo around. Thank you for using the poo bags and the poo bin in the graveyard. By doing this, you too help keep the site a pleasant place to visit. If anyone has a wee bit of spare time during the growing months of May till October and would like to help with the mowing, please contact derekballoch@hotmail.co.uk PAGE 19
Page 1 and 2: WINTER 2023 SPONSORED BY STAGECOACH
Page 3 and 4: In this Issue... Welcome Community
Page 5 and 6: Graphic Design - our talented graph
Page 7 and 8: Community Groups Blairgowrie & Ratt
Page 9 and 10: We have an absolutely phenomenal gr
Page 11 and 12: Blairgowrie & District Rotary One o
Page 13 and 14: PAGE 13
Page 15 and 16: Community Groups Parliament on 27 S
Page 17: Garden Design Garden Makeovers Gard
Page 23 and 24: MRS B’S KITCHEN CHRISTMAS RECIPE
Page 25 and 26: CRIGHTONS CYCLES New & Used Cycle S
Page 27 and 28: News & Articles In spite of all thi
Page 29 and 30: Here at Blairgowrie RDA, we know ho
Page 31 and 32: Orange Blairgowrie - Raising Awaren
Page 33 and 34: delighted to do this here! Morag St
Page 35 and 36: planning a number of other events b
Page 37 and 38: Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Ga
Page 39 and 40: APPLES GALORE You may have noticed
Page 41 and 42: And just like that, we’re in! We
Page 43 and 44: The Climate Café “Synecdoche”
Page 45 and 46: Up and away in a world of imaginati
Page 47 and 48: PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH ST
Page 49 and 50: Many years ago at teacher training
Page 51 and 52: SIMPLE CRAFT ACTIVITIES USING BITS
Page 53 and 54: designed to encourage people to liv
Page 55 and 56: SCOTLAND’S TRUSTED FIRE PROTECTIO
Page 57 and 58: Blairgowrie Parish Church (Church o
Page 59 and 60: Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Foo
Page 63 and 64: Fours: Karen Fisher, Christine Kidd
Page 65 and 66: includes lights and allows the memb
Page 67 and 68: Local politicians’ articles Cllr
Page 69 and 70:
and Kinross Conservatives have laun
Page 71 and 72:
Local politicians’ articles Pete
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Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine Winter 2023

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