Ploughman's Society, Aberdeenshire ??

[Douglas Williamson]

Does anyone know anything of the Ploughman's Society in Aberdeenshire. I recently visited Ploughman's Hall in Old Rayne, Aberdeenshire where my great uncle Alexander Beattie lived between 1925 and 1934. A piece of monumental heraldry on the front of the house shows an inscription with "Ploughman's Society Hall" at the top and the words "Founded 1840" in roman numerals at the bottom. In between is a shield to Alexander Leith and his two wives dated 1778. The current owners Mr and Mrs Gardner showed me round the house and are desperate to read the two lines above the "Founded 1820" line. The inscription is extremely weathered.You can view a photo of this on The Heraldry Society of Scotland web site on page 2 the Monumental Heraldry images. The top storey of Ploughman's Hall was a meeting place for the society I believe.

[AndrewP]

For ease of finding the image:

http://heraldry-scotland.com/copgal/dis ... fullsize=1

But as for the inscription..., I wish you well.

All the best,

AndrewP

[AnneM]

Hi Douglas

Have you tried to contact the Aberdeen and North East Family History Society or alternatively the Archivist at Aberdeenshire Council to see if anyone transcribed the inscription while it was still legible?

It looks to me as though at some point it says VR but then it wouldn't would it if it was founded in 1820!

Anne

On TS because I can't stand the strain of watching the telly at the moment.

[Currie]

Hello Douglas,

The Heraldry Society of Scotland magazine Issue No.18 has an article “Ploughman's Hall : Armorial Enigma - John Hamilton Gaylor” If it’s the right one maybe this has pondered before.
http://www.heraldry-scotland.co.uk/tressureindex.html

There are some records in the National Archives http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/ ... ?ID=O26920

Early copies of the Aberdeen Journal available in “19th Century British Library Newspapers” have a number of articles etc. over the years which would give a good idea of the Hall’s usage. The following article appeared on 31 May, 1820 (OCR’d so could be errors). I’m not sure if that gives any clues but you would think the people who laid the stone would have got a mention and maybe the missing bits are names and position in the Society or something like that. http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 49&start=0

FREEFIELD PLOUGHMAN SOCIETY.
On Thursday the 11th curt. the Committee for laying the Foundation Stone of the Lodge, accompanied by the Members of the Free Mason Lodge of St. Andrew, at Insch, met at Freefield, and walked in procession from thence, to New-Rain, in the following order
1. A Sword Bearer—2. Musicians—3. Master, supported by two Stewards—4. Secretary, with colours—5. Clerk, with Bible—6. Treasurer and Grand Steward—7. Counsellors of the Committee, two and two, with batons—8. Members of the Society, two and two, with the Officer in the rear—9. St Andrew's Lodge, two and two, with the emblems of the different offices they held in that Society—10. The Society's Patron and Honorary Master, in a chaise and pair, attended by the Rev. Mr Innes, the Chaplain.
After arriving at the spot, near New-Rain, where the Building is to be erected, (the Foundation Stone being previously prepared,) both Societies opened their lines, in order to allow Mr Leith to proceed to where the Foundation Stone lay. The Masons, as their venerable and beloved Brother passed through their ranks, gave three cheers; and the same was done as he passed the Members of the Society. After this the Stone was laid by Mr Leith, assisted by the Members of St. Andrew's Lodge, with all due Masonic form, Corn, wine, and oil, being, as customary, poured on the Stone; and several of the coins of his late Majesty securely deposited in it; while, at the same time, short, but appropriate prayers were devoutly offered up to the Great Architect of the Universe, for his blessing on the undertaking, and for the prosperity of the Society. Mr Leith then delivered a short speech to the Members of the Society, and the numerous spectators, on the nature of the Institution, which was to discourage vice and immorality, both by example and precept, as well as for the benefit of the widows its sick members — He was succeeded by Mr Innes, the Chaplain, who delivered a most excellent address to the Brethren, followed by a suitable and impressive prayer for the success of the work, and the prosperity of the Society.
Afterwards the procession marched to Pitmachie, the Masons in front, and the Members of the Society in the rear, followed by Mr Leith, and the Chaplain — On arriving at Mr Cooper's inn, Mr Leith entertained the Members with a glass of wine, wishing prosperity to the Society, his best thanks to the Members, for the propriety with which they had conducted themselves, and his warmest hope that their future conduct would he as becomes Christians. Mr Leith then went home, when both Societies sat down to an excellent dinner, prepared by Mr Cooper, and spent several hours in the most social and brotherly manner.
The Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, May 31, 1820

Hope this helps,
Alan

[Douglas Williamson]

Thanks Alan for the links and the extract from the Aberdeen Journal. This gives me more details on this fascinating building. The search for the inscription goes on. I would of thought that the details of the person who laid the stone would possibly be what is on the stone. Thanks once again for your very helpful contribution.

[Currie]

That’s okay Douglas,

Just looking at the inscription, he’s used large letters for initials and the first letters of names. All the vertical strokes seem to be fairly intact, the sloping ones are just hanging in there but all the horizontals have been washed away. The first bit would have to be A. LEITH with the H about in line with the E in Founded. The rest of the line is possibly taken up with some large initials with some small ones in a different style at the very end possibly part of an abbreviated extension of the last initial.

The second line seems to start M.L something which could be the start of another persons name but could also be a continuation of the letters after his name with the rest of the row going into something descriptive about his status and ending SS. Is this fellow likely to have a whole lot of letters and descriptive stuff after his name?

But a slight possibility is that the second line is just the date of the stone laying ceremony and the thing starts MDC and maybe reverts to a mix of large and small letters after that even though it would mean the year would be repeated underneath in which case you would have to wonder about the SS or 88 at the end..

It might be worth looking at a few pictures of foundation stones from the same era and maybe area to get an idea of the styles used.

Just some thoughts,
Alan

[Isabel H]

This is in the National Library of Scotland Manuscript collection:

Freefield Ploughmen Society
GB/NNAF/C7835 (Former ISAAR ref: GB/NNAF/O26920)
c19th cent: minutes, accounts.

Perhaps the minutes might contain references to the foundation stone and its inscription.