Willie Houston

[John Shields]

From Alan James – 22 July 2020

Hello all

Helen Bowick has sent me the attached family tree showing the relatives of William Nicholson of Tannymaas, sent by an American correspondent who has (it seems quite good) reasons to think he may be descended from an illegitimate daughter of the Galloway Bard, who was apparently brought up by WN’s sister at Boreland of Borgue. Be all that as it may, I notice that an uncle of WN was one William Houston, born ?1756. He might possibly have been the Willie Houston of the field at Carleton, knocking out Michael’s grammatically slightly dodgy a’bhuaile Uisdein. But I still think The Wheely was probably a’bhaile ‘the cattle-pen’.

All very fascinating …

Alan

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[John Shields]

From Michael Ansell – 22 July 2020

Interesting but is it likely that a field would be called after a person in that fashion? Seems odd to me. I can imagine Willie Houston’s field or some such but not The Willie Houston. Maybe that does happen……

KR

Michael

[John Shields]

From Alan James – 22 July 2020

I think we can understand ‘Field’ as generally part of the names on Rachel’s lists even if she (and presumably her informants) didn’t actually include the word.

And I’ve a hunch I have seen parallels for *’The Willie Houston Field’, though I agree if it was one that he sub-tenanted or whatever, ‘Willie Houston’s’ would be more likely.

At least it is evidence of a William Houston living in the parish during the time when that fields was probably enclosed in its surviving form.

[John Shields]

From Micheal Ansell – 22 July 2020

Yes if that was what was meant and field just left out then I agree it would be Oor Wullie’s field.

Cheers

M

[Author]

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