Elizabeth Graham Stirling

     An unusual event of not a little interest took place in the quiet village of Causewayhead on Saturday last. This was the celebration of the "diamond wedding" of Mr John Kinross, J.P., and Mrs Kinross, St Leonards, who received the congratulations of their relatives, friends, and neighbours on the happy occasion.
     Mr Kinross, who has reached the long age of ninety and is still hale and hearty, is a native of Ardoch Parish, Perthshire, his father having been tenant of the farm of Gannochan on the Braco estate. In 1845 young Kinross succeeded to the tenancy of the farm, which he held for 36 years during which he took an active part in public affairs. Over a wide district, "Gannochan," as he was usually called, was a man of mark, and his services in various capacities were in great request. For 30 years, from 1847 to 1877, he acted as secretary to Ardoch Agricultural Society and took a great interest in the annual shows. He was a member of the Parochial Board of Muthill till Ardoch was formed into a parish in 1858, and a member of Ardoch School Board from 1872 to 1884. An elder in the Parish Church from 1858 to 1884, Mr Kinross officiated as Session Clerk for many years. In 1877 he was appointed a Justice of Peace for Perthshire on the recommendation of Lord Kinnaird, Lord-Lieutenant of the County. A staunch and consistant Liberal in politics, Mr Kinross has no sympathy with the socialist and syndicalist developments of modern Radicalism.
     Removing in 1881 to the farm of Hillend, in Clackmannanshire, Mr Kinross continued to take a fair share of public work, representing Clackmannan Parish as District Member of the County Council. He remained at Hillend till 1896 when he retired and took up residence at Causewayhead.
     While at Gannochan, Mr Kinross took a great interest in the national game of curling and he has many stories to tell of the early grand matches. At that time there were no railways, and the players had to find their way to the scene of the struggle as best they could. On the occasion of the first great match at Linlithgow, the curlers from the north of the Forth drove in a snowstorm from Stirling in five coaches. Mr Kinross was afterwards chosen as one of the umpires of the annual match at Carsebreck, along with the late Provost Murrie of Stirling, and acted in this capacity up till a few years ago. He was one of the curlers who formed the Scottish Central Curling Club, and was secretary of that Club from 1866 to 1886, when he was succeeded by Provost James Drysdale, Bridge of Allan.
     On 20th April, 1852, occurred the event the sixtieth anniversary of which was celebrated on Saturday, Mr Kinross being joined in wedlock to Elizabeth Stirling, daughter of a neighbouring farmer. Like her husband, Mrs Kinross enjoys remarkably good health, and it is hoped, may be spared for years to come. They have three sons and three daughters. The total number of descendants is twenty-seven.
     At the large family gathering, the best wishes were expressed for the health and happiness of the old couple, whose faculties are still unimpaired by advancing age, and who are so highly respected and esteemed by all who know them. They were the recipients of a large number of valuable presents. Along with a number of descendants, two sons and thee daughters were present, the third son, a farmer in Canada, being unable to join the company.
     Our portraits are from photos taken by Mr Robert Ferguson, St Margaret's, Causewayhead.¹³

Mrs Elizabeth Graham Stirling or Kinross, widow of John Kinross, sometime farmer at Gannochan afterwards residing at Saint Leonards Causewayhead

Appointed executors: sons John Kinross Riding Court, Datchet, Buckinghamshire and Donald Alexander Kinross Farmer Hillend Clackmannan

To daughter Isabella shares of Nobel’s Explosives Ltd and in the Bridge of Allan Tramways Company Limited

To daughter Elizabeth the loan of one hundred pounds shall belong to her

To daughter Mary the Chest of Drawers which belonged to her grandmother, also the Piano

To daughter Isabella my sewed chair, my mother-in-laws table and the Chest of drawers in the Kitchen

To daughter Elizabeth my gold chain and also my wardrobe and dinner set and I direct that all her Paintings and table shall be delivered to her; and to the eldest surviving child of Elizabeth my watch

Other jewellery shall be divided equally between three daughters Mary Isabella and Elizabeth; my daughter Mary to have her choice of brooches

Remaining furniture in my house equally among son Donald Alexander Kinross and my Three daughters

Residue of estate equally among said daughters Mary Isabella and Elizabeth

Signed at Causewayhead 17 August 1916

Witnesses were John Mitchell Brown, solicitor's clerk, and Jessie Comrie Williamson residing at Saint Leonards, Causewayhead

Declared that she cannot write on account of bodily weakness, so Robert Whyte Solicitor Stirling Notary Public subscribed the document.¹⁶

Inventory:

Scotland:
Cash in house Nil
Cash at Bankers £6
Personal effects £5 Note: Deceased lived in rooms & was not possessed of effects of any value

England:
Loan by deceased to her son John Kinross, Riding Court, Datchet Bucks £500
Shares:
150 shares in Afrikander Gold Mining Co Ltd - No value

Gross value of Estate £523:10

(Signed) Donald A Kinross, Thos L Reid J.P.¹⁶