Kate Kemp | |
|---|---|
 The Miller's Holm from Bridge House | |
| Born | Circa 1760 Ayrshire |
| Occupation(s) | Dairymaid and carer |
Kate Kemp of Barskimming lived with her father at the Bridge House on the northern side of the single span Barskimming Old Bridge (Barskimming Auld Brig), [1] River Ayr, Scotland. Both Robert Burns and James Andrew, the miller at Barskimming Mill, had a romantic interest in her and one visit led to the composition of the poem and dirge "Man was made to Mourn". [2] [3]
Her father may have been the James Kemp of Barskimming who is recorded in the Parish of Stair as the father of William Kemp who was baptised on 19 August 1766 [4] being around eighteen in 1784 and any sibling a likely similar age. No other 'Kemp' births are recorded around this time, [5] however in 1781 a Margaret Kemp from Mauchline came to live in the parish of Stewarton with a 'clearance certificate' of good character. [6] Kate lived in a sylvan and delightfully rural location at the old Barskimming Bridge or Kemp's House (NS4906525460) that lay on the north or Mauchline side of the road to Stair about two miles south of the town centre, [7] sadly demolished sometime after 1861. [8] Kemp is a unique surname in the parishes of Mauchline and Stair at the time of Burns, suggesting that the family were not local in origin. [9] Old Kemp's daughter is described as having been a trim trig lass, one of the leading belles of the district [10] and it is recorded that Burns had an e'e to Kate. [11]
Kate lived with her elderly and disabled father who had a slight paralysis [12] and on the recorded occasion of one evening visit by Robert Burns and James Andrew she was not at home because she was out in the fields looking for a cow that had wandered resulting in her competing admirers having, as it turned out, productive time on their hands whilst awaiting her return. [13] Wilson records from a 'correspondent' who recalled the words of James Andrew, miller of Barskimming Mill, that Kate's father was ".. not originally possessed of the best of tempers, was rendered peevish and querulous by disease and in consequence of slight paralysis, generally supported himself on two sticks". [14]
One evening Robert Burns walked from his then new home at Mossgiel down to the Barskimming Bridge House that lay next to the River Ayr with the intention of courting Kate who had caught his eye as a 'trim trig lass'. Kate's distressed father explained that one of their cattle was lost and that Kate was away searching for it, adding that she had been away so long that he was afraid that she was lost as well. [15] Burns decided to go for a walk on the Bridge or Miller's Holm in the hope that Kate would return with the lost cow. [16]
The first verse of the poem "Man is Made to Mourn" seems to reflect Burns's meeting with 'Old Kemp' -
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At the Stair end of the bridge Burns encountered James Andrew and the conversation that ensued went as follows "Weel miller, what are you doing here?" "Na, Robin," said the miller, "I s'ould put that question to you, for I am at home and ye'are no." "Why," said Robin, "I cam doun to see Kate Kemp." "I was just gaun the same gate," said the miller. "Then ye need gang nae further," said Burns, "fur baith her and the cow's lost and the old man is perfectly wud at the want o'them. But come, we'll tak' a turn or two in the holm till we see if she cast up." [18]
James Andrew was content to accompany his competitor for Kate's affections and at first they were both involved in a cheerful discourse, however at length Burns fell into a deep and silent ruminations and after a while the friends silently parted. Some days later they met up again and Burns apologised to James for giving the impression that he had not enjoyed his company that evening on the holm, however the miller explained that he had guessed that Burns was engrossed in the composition of a poem. Robert read out his new work and also gave James a copy of the petry that the occasion had created and this was how it is said that "Man was Made to Mourn" came finally and fully into existence. [19] The holm at that time was planted with lime and chestnut trees planted by Sir Thomas Miller of Barskimming. [20]
The Burns family had moved to Mossgiel or Mossgaville from Lochlea near Tarbolton in March 1784 and Robert is recorded to have written '"Man is Made to Mourn" in 1784, [21] so his courtship of Kate Kemp must have been in that year. He met Jean Armour in April 1785 so he may have ceased his attempts at courtship by then. [22]
James Andrew, born 1765, [23] son of Robert, was the miller at the nearby Barskimming Mill for many years and it is yet to be ascertained if his interest in courting Kate met with the desired success. His family continued living and working at the mill until his grandson, also James, sold it to William Alexander. [24] James was buried in the cemetery at Stair Parish Church [25] with a cast iron memorial made by Smith's Patent Sun Foundry. [26]
The dirge is most famous for the line "Man's inhumanity to man"
Man was made to mourn: A Dirge [27]
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Known locally as Kemp's House in Burns's time it was the property of Sir William Miller in 1857 and was occupied by his tenant Alexander Kerr. It was described in 1855 as "A good Cottage at the North end of the County Bridge on the Turnpike Road from Mauchline to Ayr." [28]
The two storey house may have been contemporary with Barskimming Old Bridge that dates from the 17th century, originally thatched [29] but later slated. Steps beside it led into the woods where a path led through the Sandwalk Plantation [30] down towards Barskimming House. Kate's home seems to have been built in conjunction with the bridge as a sort of lodge or toll collectors house. Considerable trouble had been expended in building a substantial level stone plinth for the house in this awkward and space restricted position. The 1841 Census records a 'Barskimming Bridge End' with James Reid, gardener and a family of four living at the property. The 1881 census did not record the property. A photograph of circa 1947 shows the house in good condition and the cave with a door. [31]
An unusual feature at the site is an artificial cave with a door that has been cut into the red sandstone. Several other caves exist in the area and it is recorded that it was in use as a dairy in 1879. [32] Next to the bridge on the southern bank was the Bridge or Miller's Holm [33] where those who lived at the restricted site of Kemp's House nestling under the red sandstone cliffs kept their cows. [34]
The Barskimming Auld Brig was noted in 1715 as "..too was often in need of repair and improvement, for instance in 1776 by building a new arch seven foot lower and two foot wider than the former arch, by which instead of a dangerous and almost impassable bridge, the public had got a safe bridge and of easy passage as any in the country." [35]
In 1838 it is recorded that the bridge parapet was pushed off to allow the passage of a number of wide vehicles, however no prosecution took place as the bridge did not conform with the 'Road Act'. [36]
Lord Barskimming and later Lord Glenlee, who was originally known as Sir Thomas Miller of Glenlee, the owner of the Barskimming Estate at the time of the Kemp's residence at Bridge House and the brother of Patrick Miller of Dalswinton, who was Burns's landlord when he lived at Ellisland Farm. [37]
Stair is a village in Ayrshire, Scotland. It lies at the bottom of a glen beside the River Ayr at the north-west border of the 5,376 acre (22 km2) Parish of Stair where the River Ayr is joined by the Glenstang Burn.
Mauchline is a town and civil parish in East Ayrshire, Scotland. In the 2001 census Mauchline had a recorded population of 4,105. It is home to the National Burns Memorial.
Trabboch is a hamlet in East Ayrshire, Scotland. Built as a miners village in the 1880s, it was owned and leased by Wm. Baird & Co., Ltd. and at one time had 94 dwellings. The miners rows stood, until demolition in 1969, on the Stair and Littlemill road, about two miles south of Stair, in that parish. The name is locally pronounced 'Traaboch'.
The village or hamlet of Gatehead is lin East Ayrshire, Kilmaurs, Scotland. It is one and a quarter miles from Crosshouse and one and a half miles from Kilmarnock. In the 18th and 19th centuries the locality was a busy coal mining district. The settlement runs down to the River Irvine where a ford and later a bridge was located.
The River Irvine is a river that flows through southwest Scotland. Its watershed is on the Lanarkshire border of Ayrshire at an altitude of 810 feet (250 m) above sea-level, near Loudoun Hill, Drumclog, and 7 miles SW by W of Strathaven. It flows 29+1⁄2 mi (47.5 km) westward, dividing the old district of Cunninghame from that of Kyle, until it reaches the sea via Irvine Harbour in the form of the Firth of Clyde, and flows into Irvine Bay by the town of Irvine. It has many tributaries, some of which form parish, district and other boundaries.
Rowallan Castle is an ancient castle located in Scotland. The castle stands on the banks of the Carmel Water, which may at one time have run much closer to the low eminence upon which the original castle stood, justifying the old name Craig of Rowallan. Elizabeth Mure was mistress and then wife of Robert, High Steward of Scotland, and Guardian of Scotland, who later became King Robert II of Scotland. She may have been born at Rowallan.
Riccarton is a village and parish in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It lies across the River Irvine from Kilmarnock, this river forming the boundary between Riccarton and Kilmarnock parishes, and also between the historical districts of Kyle and Cunningham. The name is a corruption of 'Richard's town', traditionally said to refer to Richard Wallace, the uncle of Sir William Wallace. The parish also contains the village of Hurlford.
Lochlea or Lochlie was situated in a low-lying area between the farms and dwellings of Lochlea and Lochside in the Parish of Tarbolton, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The loch was natural, sitting in a hollow created by glaciation. The loch waters ultimately drained via Fail Loch, the Mill Burn, and the Water of Fail. It is well-documented due to the presence of a crannog that was excavated and documented circa 1878, and its association with the poet Robert Burns, who lived here for several years whilst his father was the tenant. Lochlea lies 2+1⁄2 miles northeast of Tarbolton, and just over three miles northwest of Mauchline.
Helenton Loch was situated in a low lying area between the farms and dwellings of Helentongate, Mains, and Burnbank in the Parish of Symington, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The loch was natural, sitting in a hollow, a kettle hole, created by glaciation. The loch waters ultimately drained via the Pow Burn. Helenton Hill is a prominent landmark to the west of the old loch site. The nearby lands of Rosemount were in 1549 known as 'Goldring' and were the property of the Schaws of Sornbeg.
The Loch of Trabboch or Dalrympleston Loch (NS440211) was situated in a low-lying area below the old Castle of Trabboch, once held by the Boyd family in the Parish of Stair, East Ayrshire, Scotland.
Trabboch Castle is a ruined L-plan tower house in the old Barony of Trabboch, Parish of Stair, East Ayrshire, Scotland.
Haugh or The Haugh is a small village or hamlet in East Ayrshire, Parish of Mauchline, Scotland. The habitation is situated about two and a half miles downstream from Catrine, on the north bank of the River Ayr. The River Ayr Way runs through the village.
The Hermitage was a folly first built by Captain Robert Riddell of Friars Carse as part of his enthusiasm for antiquities. It is famous for its connection with the bard Robert Burns who through his friendship with Riddell was permitted to use it to compose poetry in this secluded and tranquil sylvan spot. Burns also used his diamond point pen to engrave lines on the window pane at the Hermitage following the premature death of Riddell. The original Hermitage fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in 1874. It was further restored to its former glory more recently (2009).
John Goldie, Goudie or Gowdie (1717–1811) the 'Philosopher' was a friend of the poet Robert Burns who was born the son of a miller at Craigmill on the Cessnock Water in East Ayrshire, Scotland. He was a miller, mechanic, cabinet maker, later a wine merchant and had interests ranging from the study of mathematics and astronomy to that of theology, publishing several books, in particular in 1780 the popular three volume Essays on various Important Subjects Moral and Divine, being an attempt to distinguish True from False Religion, a publication that became generally known as 'Goudie's Bible' and raised him to national prominence. The name John Goldie will be used throughout for consistency.
James Armour was a master mason and father of Jean Armour, and therefore the father-in-law of the poet Robert Burns. His birth year was shown here as 1730. The Scotland's People database has no record of this year of birth for a James Armour. Wikitree and several other data sources have his birth date as 10th/24th January 1731. The Scotland's People database has this record but showing his baptism on 24 January 1731. His birth on the original Old Parish Record is shown as 15 January 1731 to John Armour and Margrat(sic) Picken in Kilmarnock. James named his first son John which would normally be after James's father i.e. John. The chances of there being two James's born on exactly the same date exactly one year apart appear very remote and the naming of the first child seems to validate the conclusion that James Armour was born in 1731 and not 1730.
'The Holy Tulzie', 'The Twa Herds' or 'An Unco Mournfu' Tale was a poem written in 1784 by Robert Burns whilst living at Mossgiel, Mauchline, about a strong disagreement, not on doctrine, but on the parish boundaries, between two 'Auld Licht' ministers, John Russel and Alexander Moodie It was followed by "The Holy Fair", "The Ordination", "The Kirk's Alarm", "Holy Willie's Prayer", etc.
Gavin Hamilton was one of Robert Burns's closest friends and a patron. The first 'Kilmarnock Edition' of his poems were dedicated to Gavin Hamilton.
John Richmond (1765–1846) was one of Robert Burns's closest friends and confidants. He was born in Sorn parish at Montgarswood, Ayrshire, Scotland. His father, Henry Richmond, was a merchant in Mauchline and owned Montgarswood Farm that lies near Sorn. This farm passed to James, John's brother, having once been farmed by William Fisher, Burns's Holy Willie.
James Smith of Mauchline was one of Robert Burns's closest friends and confidants. He was born in 1765, son of a Mauchline merchant, Ayrshire, Scotland. In 1775, when he was only ten years, old his father, Robert Smith, a prosperous local merchant, was killed in a riding accident, falling from his horse whilst returning from Ayr. His mother, Jean Smith, remarried James Lamie who owned the adjoining house.
John Burns (1769–1785) was the youngest brother of the poet Robert Burns and the last son born to William Burness and Agnes Broun. John was born at Mount Oliphant Farm on the Doonholm Estate near Alloway on the 12 July 1769. He was christened circa 21 July 1769 by Rev. Rev William Dalrymple.
