Runciman Cradle Tour (Lineage 1b)

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: East Lothian (Haddingtonshire)
Surnames/tags: Tyninghame, Whitekirk, Whaupknow, North Berwick, Dirleton, Haddington Runciman

Contents 1 Overview 2 Introduction to The Cradle Tour 3 Haddington 4 Dirleton 5 North Berwick 6 Castleton 7 The Old Schoolhouse at Halflin(g)barns 8 Auldhame Farm 9 Whaupknow 10 Mutton Hole 11 Scoughall 12 Whitekirk 13 Tyninghame Village & Church 14 Return route 15 Other Points of Interest: The Agricultural Revolution 16 Related Runciman branches 17 What are some of the unknowns? 18 Notes

Overview

There are two areas of ancestral interest for all who descend on Lineage 1b 'William Runciman of Crail'. Both locations are ideal for combining family history with a short holiday in beautiful settings. It is not practical to visit the two areas on the same day - indeed, its probably better to assign 2 days to the Cradle Tour itself. This Runciman Cradle Tour suggests an itinerary to follow where our early ancestors were baptised, lived and worked. The second tour explores the working location of William Runciman of Crail in The Crail Trail. Research about the early family line is available in Runciman Lineage 1b - The Early Generations.

Introduction to The Cradle Tour

The ‘Crail’ lineage roots lie in the county of East Lothian (Haddingtonshire in our ancestors' day) where several generations lived, possibly even before surnames had been introduced. They were there before & during the times of lost, damaged & vandalised church records, evidenced by their prevalence in the area when records are seen to survive. A neat circular tour can be taken to visit the places which turn up in the records. Instinctively it’s tempting to visit them in chronological order but that requires jumping backward and forward en route. It is better to follow the flow in one direction & Haddington offers a good starting point.

The 'Runciman Cradle' area where our earliest traced generations lived. This extract was first reproduced in 'Scotland & Beyond' 2004 by Jen Jelley and Diane Middleton at which point we didn't actually know about the birthplace of William of Crail or these early generations. Little did we know how accurate a snapshot this was to turn out to be as it depicts the actual route of the Tour!

Accommodation & Travel

East Lothian offers Edinburgh sight-seeing on the doorstep. In addition to Edinburgh itself, accommodation is available in local towns Haddington, North Berwick and Dirleton, each of family significance. Even closer to our roots, but off the beaten path, are facilities at Halflingbarns, a s/c cottage at Whaupknow & B&B at Tyninghame, which all feature on the Tour. Trains operate between Edinburgh and Haddington & North Berwick. Both towns are pleasant & practical bases. Haddington is the county town, hence the earlier county name of Haddingtonshire preceding the East Lothians name. Local bus routes serve the featured town/villages if you don’t have a car. Some of the outlying locations are just farms now, although still on bus routes.

Recommended

• Ordnance Survey Map : No 67 in the series, North Berwick.
• Flat walking shoes
• Pack waterproofs – weather can change!

Haddington

Haddington has been the starting point for many a Runciman setting out in life, and it’s a good place to start our tour too. If you have more than one day to devote to the tour a visit to the John Gray Centre is recommended. There is an interesting family research centre based there and depending on your party and how absorbed they are in the subject (or what the weather's like!) you can easily spend a half-day or more browsing and researching and, if you wish, speaking to knowledgeable local historians. Thanks to those who have gone before you, you might even find the Runciman name is a recognised name - which makes a pleasant change! Of course you must remember that there are 3 other DNA-related lineages originating in East Lothian so not every Runciman is descended down the Crail ‘branch’. (However as we DNA-relate we do descend from one shared ancestor, probably dating from the 1500-1600s.) You may learn something which adds to your interest or you'd like to look out for as you make your tour.

In Haddington, the 'must see' is the local church, St Mary's. There are a number of Runciman gravestones in the old kirkyard and a few were baptised here. The Crail line is mostly represented by the descendants of William Runciman (1789-1873) & Jean Cockburn. (Links to their WikiTree Profiles below).

One of the more prominently honoured is Alexander Runciman who is descended from John R & Isabella Comb. Alexander fought in WW1 and unfortunately died in 1915 at the London Military Hospital after being ‘severely wounded in France’. There is a commemoration entry within the church in addition to his gravestone in the churchyard. He and his wife Margaret Blair were married only 2 months before war broke out in 1914 and had yet to start a family. She never remarried. Isn't it rather sad she's not buried beside him? Like his father, Alexander was a master plumber.

Here is a link to St Mary’s showing the Runciman index of stones in the graveyard, with their location, Runciman Gravestones.

Stone H49 :

Jean (Jane) Thomson, wife of James Runciman, and their young son William. The stone also commemorates her husband James who died in Sheffield, where he is buried, and their other son Thomas, who died in Ely and is buried there.

Stone S27 :

Sgt Alexander, & also stone S99, his father, also Alexander, Isabella, Jemima and Lieut John

Stone S99 :

Sgt Alexander R

Discussed in narrative above.

Stone C19 :

George Runciman is on Lineage 1d, whose earliest known ancestor Alexander Runciman was born around 1695 in Meikle Pinkerton. George was a son of Darling (mother's maiden name) Runciman & Elizabeth Ainslie, born in North Berwick parish. George died aged 71 & his wife Margaret was 62. At the time of his wife's death George was living at an address in Magdela Mews, Edinburgh where he was employed as a chauffeur.

You will notice the inscription makes no mention of Margaret's maiden name. This is unusual in Scotland. Usually a wife is accorded her maiden name on a grave.

Stone D42 :

David Runciman & his wife Janet Coulston Paterson are also on Lineage 1d. David was born in Athelstaneford & is a brother of George at stone C19.

Stone N(1)30 :

William R, (son of Orphan John)

On the way from or to the cemetery, look out for nearby 10 Sidegate, the family home where Sgt Alexander was born, to see if it is still evident. Alexander was a 2xgt-grandson of William of Crail through Orphan John's son John. During his plumbing apprenticeship Alexander Snr lodged at Poldrate Street with a fellow lodger, 23-year Alex Ramage, a blacksmith (1861 census). Later, (1861) William Runciman & Jane France lived in Sidegate Street too, as did James Runciman & Jean (Jane) Thomson; interestingly they had had two young McGregors born In England and described as niece and nephew staying with them at the time of the 1861 census. Jane died in Haddington but James moved south to Sheffield.

Also look out for Nungate where William Runciman & Jean Cockburn with their 6 children lived according to the 1841 census. In the next census (1851) their daughter Anne was living with the family of William & Harriet Dods who was a seedsman, banker & local JP whose address was noted as North Side Market Street. This was at the Newton Port end as 3 households later the census taker reached addresses there. I do not know of a husband or family for Anne. Son Charles however had met & married Jean Pritchard and was also living in Nungate. They were later to move to Peebles. After Jean Cockburn died (1857) William lived on the west side of Hardgate Street with his daughter Margaret who had married William Wilson (a porter) according to the 1861 census.

Dirleton

Leave Haddington on the A6137 to join the A198. This is a peaceful little village on the outskirts of North Berwick. It's been on the family 'radar' longer than most as ancestors lived here throughout the 1800s (and possibly into 1900s?) and so did not need to be a 'rediscovered' part of our history following the breakthrough discovery that William of Crail led us back to 'grandfather Richard' in North Berwick.

Approaching on the A198 you arrive at the Green in the centre of the village overlooked by Dirleton Castle, the Castle Inn and the Open Arms Hotel. From the Green a road leads down to the Church and kirkyard which is the main reason for visiting. The earliest Runciman entry in the parish records is a baptism dated 1676, daughter Isabel being the first of 4 children born to a William Runciman with no wife's name recorded. It was Orphan John (OJ) and his wife Jean Barrie who were responsible for putting Dirleton firmly 'on the Runciman map' although their early married years were spent somewhere closer to North Berwick, presumably, as they attended North Berwick church, and their children were baptised there. OJ's son John married Isabel Comb in Dirleton in 1825 and unsuccessfully applied the following year for a licence to sell liquor (Kirk Session records).

Within the kirkyard are buried at least 17 Runcimans. These are noted in the publication 'The STONES of DIRLETON KIRKYARD and their PEOPLE' by Gullane and Dirleton History Society. However it's likely that this figure is even higher as there is no sign of OJ or his wife, nor of any earlier RUNCIMAN burials. The lack of evidence is a puzzle. The two normal explanations for a lack of gravestone are 'too poor' or the stone got damaged or weathered. Either explanation would be surprising as there was a large family to fund a stone and the first plan of the kirkyard stones was drawn up in 1880, less than 30 years after OJ's death and insufficient time for weathering to do its work.

Gravestone Layout

The Plan shown above is an extract from that book which is believed to be now out-of-print. Runcimans buried or commemorated there are on stones 18, 21, 22 and 66, circled on plan.

Stone 18:

The John R on this stone is a grandson of William of Crail through OJ. The ancestors buried here are the parents and family of Matthew, also commemorated here, who was the first of the Crail line to emigrate to Australia, where the line has thrived. Many of our most active researchers descend on our Australian branch. In recent years I have stood with a number of Australian descendants at this very spot. On this stone are:

John Snr, Isabella Comb, John Jnr, Matthew and Janet (Jessie).

Stone 21:

Hellen Runciman , was a granddaughter of OJ through his son Charles, a carrier and tenant farmer in Dirleton (buried in the lair at Stone 22). She married Robert Westlands who owned a hat & cap manufacturing company in Glasgow. The references on the engraving to 'Helensville' is the family home, a large detached villa set amongst others of the same in an affluent Glasgow suburb, named after Helen (Hellen). Buried here are:

Isabella Westlands / Robert / Janet (Netta) / and Hellen Runciman.

Stone 22:

Together with family, in this lair is Charles Runciman, another son of OJ and long-time resident of Dirleton, though like all OJ's children, born somewhere in North Berwick parish where all the children were baptised. Charles ran a carrier business delivering and collecting goods on the route Dirleton to Edinburgh, returning the following day after lodging at Johnston's at South Back on the Canongate in Edinburgh.

Lying here are:

Charles Runciman, Infant john, Isabella, Mary, John Jnr, Margaret, Isabella Dick White and Jean (Jane)

Stone 66:

Of OJ’s 10 children, Richard Runciman was the 7th child and 5th son. The stone is sometimes misinterpreted as erected by Richard Runciman Wright whereas ‘wright’ is his occupation. Kingston is a cluster of agricultural cottages not far from Dirleton. Richard was the first of the Crail line to emigrate (as a widower) to New Zealand along with 3 daughters and 2 sons in 1853. His mother-in-law named on the stone, Isabella Barrie, is a sister of Jeanie Barrie, wife of OJ. Richard Runciman and his wife Barbara Merrilees were therefore first cousins. WikiTree links to the names inscribed on the gravestone :

Richard, James Merrilees, Isabella Barrie, Christina H(enderson) Runciman, Barbara Runciman (nee Merrilees).

The local Castle Inn is of interest to us as the departure/arrival point of Charles’ carrier business. He advertised in the 1840 Haddingtonshire Directory. In the 1841 census OJ is described as living merely in 'Dirleton'; I've seen a reference that in the 1851census he is recorded as living in 'The Bothy, Dirleton.' [paste old map?] However I have looked at the original record and the address is as unhelpful as the one in the previous census. Another census entry records Jane Runciman (b1831) the daughter of John Runciman & Isabella Comb was a seamstress (aged 29) living on her own in The Old Manse, which is on the row of houses between The Castle Inn and the church. Others were also recorded as living at that address but in separate accommodation so presumably the property was sub-divided in some way. It had served as manse until 1825 when poor condition prompted a new building. It’s now a listed building. The 1633 date above the left porch is an erroneous recent addition.

North Berwick

Depart Dirleton on the A198 heading for North Berwick. You will be tempted to stop at the ruined North Berwick church. It was built between 1659-1664 as a successor to the original parish church which had been largely washed away in a storm in 1656. The present church in NB replaced this one in 1861; it was abandoned in 1878 and left to ruin ever since. The interiors and roof materials were auctioned off in the 1880s by the heritors of the new church. Unfortunately I have not found an online plan of the churchyard and as a result finding stones is a difficulty. I recommend before arriving at the church it will be helpful to track down, if it exists, a booklet of their Monumental Inscriptions together with a graveyard plan. Perhaps the local Tourist Office can help.

North Berwick has been chock-full of Runcimans but is not so strong on gravestones nor are we certain who is who on the gravestones we can see. Richard Runciman and Jannet Gourlay married here, as did Orphan John & Jean Barrie whose 10 children were later baptised here. Some of the next generation too. Possibly the most interesting association is a daughter of William of Crail buried in the churchyard. At 7 years old, Elizabeth was the eldest of the orphans to come straight to Castleton. 'Elisabeth Runciman, wife of Charles Herkes, died the 31st ult aged 72 years, and was this day interred in the Churchyard here' .

For a period of time Runciman women married local Whitecrosses (this is where things are unclear) and Thomsons, both eminent families in the locality. The Thomsons were famed golfers [weblink exists but not re-found]. Margaret Runciman (nee Blair) the widow of Sgt Alexander R buried in Haddington died in St Baldred’s Tower in the town in 1963, presumably her residence, although given the impressive size of the property it was possibly a residential home? It preceded the conversion to apartments in the 1980s.

However North Berwick’s interest to us is also what can no longer be seen. Perhaps there never were gravestones in the first place? The Old Parish Records tell us this church witnessed the christenings, marriages and funerals of nearly the complete family of William Runciman & Jean White who themselves were born probably in the 1670s. Their banns were called at North Berwick for their marriage in 1700. All 6 of their children, from 'grandfather' Richard in 1701 to 'forever young' Anna in 1715, were baptised here. The funeral of young Anna Runciman occurred at just 6 years of age. As usual for the custom of the day, no cause of death is recorded in the NB records. (It is the entry in the Session Book for the use of a child’s mortcloth which is recorded.) It was customary for all churches to have mortcloths for 'parishers' to cover the body (often without coffin) on its journey to its burial plot. Unless they were too poor the family were charged for its 'hire' and it is the session clerk's recording of receipt of this fee which provides perhaps the only written evidence of an ancestor's death. There were also smaller mortcloths for the children. The fees collected usually went into the Poor Box which funded the parish's work in looking after the poor.

Richard married Jannet Gourley here, who also was baptised in the church, in 1728. In 1729 sister Clara R and Alexander White had their banns read in this church and in 1733 Jannet and Richard Lugton did so. One suspects this Alexander White is related to Clara’s mother, Jean White? There is no sign of marriages for the remaining two siblings, Isobel or William. William’s life took a different turn, joining the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards when he was about 21, serving 30 years during which he saw service in Canada during The Seven Years War until peace came in 1763 when he retired, ‘worn out’ according to the Chelsea Pensioners record. There is no sign of marriage or a grave either.

Then William's orphans make some appearances at the parish church. Orphan Elizabeth marries Charles Herkas in Dunbar but evidently live at least the latter part of their lives in North Berwick as their deaths & burials are recorded in the NB Church record:

Orphan Elizabeth's record showing she is buried at North Berwick kirkyard (1830). Unfortunately there is no record found of any children.

Orphan John and Jeannie Barrie are unorthodox. Although John lives in the parish of North Berwick and Jeannie is in Dirleton the couple marry ‘irregularly’ at Haddington and a few days later inform, and have their marriage accepted by, the North Berwick authorised church. Irregular marriages usually are those performed by a clergyman preaching and officiating outwith the Authorised Church. There are non-conformist parishioners & non-confirmist churches from the 1700s onwards in Scotland, but in our couple’s case this is a short passing phase as their children were all baptised in the Authorised Church here in NB. Perhaps a change of minister? Although their son Alexander married a Thomson descendant of the Covenanter John Potter and were practising Reformed Presbyterians.

Then we come to Orphan Margaret – or do we? A Margaret Runciman marries Richard Whitecross in 1781. There remains debate about which Margaret this is. My optimistic thinking is she is Orphan Margaret, William’s first daughter with his 2nd wife Elizabeth Jamieson. She died in 1831 aged ‘78 years’ according to the church record although in fact ‘our’ Margaret would be 75. Not knowing your own age was quite common in those days, certainly someone else not knowing it occurred frequently. The other touted candidate, daughter of John Runciman & Elizabeth Punton, is even further away age-wise, having been baptised in August 1762, which would have made her 68 in 1831. A grandson of Margaret Whitecross marries into our Crail line (see next para), adding fractionally more weight to the theory that this is indeed our Orphan Margaret.

The Peter Whitecross/Elizabeth Runciman stone is another tickler. Peter is the son of Richard Whitecross and Margaret Runciman, so ‘’may’’ be on our Crail line. Ironically there’s also doubt about who can claim this Elizabeth! ! Her age stated on the stone (39 years) conflicts by 10 years to the age of ‘our’ Elizabeth who was born in 1799. We do know that their son John Runciman Whitecross married Margaret Brodie Runciman who is an identifiable ancestor on the Crail Lineage (a dau of Charles Runciman & Isabella White & granddaughter of Orphan John), as referred to in the previous para.

Incidentally the Robert Daughty grave you may see mentioning Agnes Runciman is not a Crail connection. Agnes is on the DNA-related Lineage 1d, Alexander R & Janet Hendrie of Meikle Pinkerton.

Castleton

This is where ’Grandfather’ Richard lived in 1765 and where the 3 youngest orphans came on the actual day of their Daddy's drowning in Crail. Further background is noted^[A].

Leave North Berwick on the A198. Castleton is a farm & outbuildings about 3 miles from North Berwick. It lies on a right-angled bend a few hundred yards in front of Tantallon Castle. Follow the bend, continuing past the farmhouse to find a car-park 100m further up on LHS & walk back to the bend.

At the bend, there’s a row of farm cottages, and this is possibly the site of the previous cottages in the 1700s in which Richard & the orphans lived. Soak in the same views that the orphans would have had. If you have time, walk along to the ruined castle – it was already a ruin in the orphans’ day. When Tantallon was a military castle Castleton (Castle Town) was a thriving village community built right up to its walls, providing the castle & soldiers with their daily needs & trades.

For all the shock and difficulties the orphans faced there's no doubt they were living in a beautiful locale. In full view, Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle with their interesting histories – Bass Rock was a Covenanter’s Prison only 70-80 years previously. No doubt there was much local folklore and play areas to enthral the children. Coming by road from Crail it feels that North Berwick is another world away even now, so much more so in the 1700s; but standing where the orphans stood at Castleton it can be appreciated that they were able to look over the busy Firth of Forth, across to Fife and to ‘the May’ and feel their mixed emotions at the sight of all the fishing boats & hold close to previous times.

I have met and spoken to the farmer's son. The farm has been tenanted by the Dalrymple family for centuries. Sir Hew Dalrymple lives in nearby Blackdykes Farm and it’s possible that records going back to the 1700s might reveal that Richard Runciman was indeed an employee there and over what period. It may reveal other Runciman connections too. I'm told the Dalrymple family may be amenable to a records search.

The Old Schoolhouse at Halflin(g)barns

(Spelt Halflandbarns in modern maps).

Leaving Castleton, continue along the A198. ½ mile later there’s a left bend in the road with a small junction to its right. Take the junction.

Among a number of businesses and a couple of houses stands The Old Schoolhouse next to an active artist’s studio & pottery. Self-catering accommodation is also available (still at 2020). A school has been here since the late 1600s and was the result of the pooled resources of North Berwick & Tyninghame parishes. The two parishes set it up for children living on their outskirts. Until then, to attend the original village schools Tyninghame children had a long walk of about 6 miles (in each direction) across two burns (the Pilmuir & Pfeffer) liable to winter flooding.

It’s probable at least two generations of Runciman children attended the school: Richard Runciman & Janet Gourlay’s 9 children will have attended from the early 1730s to late-1750s (from William b1729 to Rennie b1746), followed by the 3 orphans arriving at Castleton. They would have attended from 1765 until John left (aged 14?) about 1776. Possibly other descendants attended shortly after. Orphan John & Jean Barrie had 10 children. From their baptisms we can see that 9 of them were baptised in the North Berwick parish but its not known if they were in the Halflingbarns locality or more towards Dirleton direction - or even North Berwick itself. Any others attending would be on daughter lines eg Horsburghs.

A description & research on the school is detailed in the Whaupknow story (linked below in the Whaupknow section).

Auldhame Farm

Rejoin A198. Auldhame is easily recognised, standing on the next bend a few hundred yards later.

At one time Auldhame was a parish in its own right with a small cluster of houses containing a church and even a castle. By Richard's day the parish, having been without a minister for about 60 years, had formally closed its church & merged with Tyninghame parish. Auldhame farm was typical in that it consisted of the housesteading with outbuildings and farm labourers' cottages. It remains a working farm to this day. This is one of two places where witnesses for Runciman baptisms lived & worked. It is prominent in the Runciman history because Auldhame Farm was Richard’s place of employment and accommodated the couple and their ever-growing family for most of their marriage.

Hugh Brounfield (variously Bronnfield & Brownfield) witnessed Richard's sons’ baptisms of Hugh in 1730, Richard in 1734 and finally daughter Jean in 1736 (described as 'in Aldhame' on the first two records and as 'farmer in Aldhame' on Jean's). HB was the tenant farmer there, explaining his appearances as witness. Sometime between 1736 & 1740 Hugh dies & the right to tenancy passes to his sister’s husband, as Hugh had no male heirs. In 1740 and 1744 ‘George Rennie, farmer in Auldhame’ (the new tenant farmer) witnesses the baptisms of James and Helen.

The final baptism (daughter Renay in 1746) has no direct connection to Auldhame at all but there’s a very interesting link nevertheless. The rather unusual name of Renay (spelt Rennie in later records) is surely attributed to George Rennie the farmer here and witness to the two previous family baptisms.). The Rennies were a successful local family whose story is told here, although the Rennies mentioned are the next two generations to follow on from our witness here.

Whaupknow

If the weather is in your favour it’s worth allocating an hour or two to this next stop.

Auldhame Farm Roadend.

You will be driving from the other direction of the A198 from this photo. Take left off the A198 onto the Auldhame farm road, then take right at any forks. This is a privately maintained road open to the public who use it mainly to access Seacliff shore - it is signed something like 'Private Road to Seacliff Beach'. (Do not take left to pay/go through the barrier to the beach). Continue choosing right. You will pass stables on your left. You can’t miss the Whaupknow cottages (now Seacliff Park) as the road goes no further. As you approach, park on broader roadside spaces - availability can vary. Park with consideration for residents who need to drive past. Do not rely on SatNav directions as only one postcode is allocated to the whole Seacliff estate.

While Richard worked at Auldhame farm this was the birthplace of all 9 of the children, from William of Crail in 1729 to Renay (Rennie) Runciman in 1746. The full background as presently known can be read here. It’s known from church records that the Runcimans were among the last families to live there before the cottages were lost to estate development by new landlord Robert Colt. The Whaupknow name appears to have been lost then too to be replaced by Seacliff. Present residents believe the old cottages were on the site occupied by today’s cottages. In addition to the cottages note the ‘D’ shaped meadow close by (on the right side of road). This is thought to be the land allocated in small sections to the farm labourers to grow their subsistence vegetables and perhaps keep a cow.

Location of the former Whaupknow Cottages

The proximity of Whaupknow to the sea explains how William of Crail, son of an agricultural family, developed his interest in fishing. Combine history and geography with a walk down to the beach where William would tie his boat above the high water mark. You’re looking at where the Firth of Forth meets the North Sea and will recognise Bass Rock straight ahead, used to imprison Scottish Covenanters only a generation before Richard & Janet settled here. As you wander along the beach you will shortly stumble across a harbour among the rocks, reputed to be the smallest in Britain (although another couple also make that claim). Look over the next bay to Tantallon Castle on the headland, ruined by Oliver Cromwell in 1600s. The harbour was a much later creation but the view of Tantallon is unchanged since Richard & his family stood at this spot. Looking further northwards lies the coast of Fife & the Isle of May, where William of Crail’s first wife, Catherine Wishart, lived before marriage. For some time after marriage William & Catherine lived there too - their first daughter Janet was born there - before moving to the mainland at Crail.

Returning from the beach (modest incline) a wooded walk will take you to the ruined Auldhame Castle & Tower. Continue back in general direction of the cottages but before reaching them head seawards to take you to Seacliff House, ruined by fire in 1907.

Mutton Hole

Retrace back to A198 and turn left to resume as before. Nearby to Whaupknow lies West Lodge on the left side. Opposite there is nothing to see sadly, other than a couple of fields to this day still called ‘’’Mutton Hole’’’. It is where a small ‘fermtoun’ of that name was sited from at least the 1600s and at the same time as our family were at Whaupknow.

It is of ‘passing interest’ to us as there were 2 folks who lived there who witnessed family baptisms. One was a James Barrie. Is he on Jean Barrie’s line, perhaps grandfather, who married Orphan John a couple of generations later? The other witness is a little gem - James Dickson(e). In 1718 a James Dicksone married a Margaret Runciman at Tyninghame. So surely this Margaret is 'Crail' family if her husband is witnessing our Crail line baptisms – but who is this undiscovered Margaret? There's no sign of a sister Margaret to Richard (the most likely choice when it comes to a baptism of Richard’s children). This tells us that in 1728 when Richard R & Jennet Gourlay set up their marriage home in Whaupknow they were not the first Runcimans living in the Tyninghame parish and their near neighbours in Mutton Hole were Margaret R & her husband. Worth a slow down & a nod on your way by!

Scoughall

Pronounced 'Skoal' locally. This is the other of the ‘baptismal’ friends’ locations. Look out for the farm road end at a row of cottages signified with an ornate sign showing 'Scoughall Farm'. The road to the farm is quite long (about a mile?). I haven't driven further than the farm yet so don't know what that holds. There isn't anything of family interest to see at the farm- it's more a matter of just putting a context to Richard's path in life: William of Crail’s baptism was witnessed by ‘James Williamson of Scougall’. In 1730, a ‘James Begbie in Scougall’ was the 2nd witness to son Hugh’s baptism and, after missing the 1732 baptism of Jennet, he witnessed all the later family baptisms. On two records he is described as the ‘farmer at Scougall’. So Begbie in Scougall was very much a fixture to the couple. I have this surname on my radar as possible family. There is a Runciman/Begbie marriage (in nearby Prestonkirk around 1720 if I remember correctly) but attributed to a different, but DNA-related line. In time this might all join up!

Whitekirk

The church at Whitekirk became the sole place of worship for the merged parish combining the villages of Whitekirk & Tyninghame in 1761. Prior to then there was also a church at Tyninghame. Unfortunately Whitekirk church records were lost in a fire in the school-master’s house in 1760 so we don’t know what family connections there were before that date. There are 15 Runcimans recorded in the church books for usually for paying for a mort cloth. This information is taken from a booklet researched and published by Joy Dodd, a genealogist & historian of local note. I’m puzzled that it includes a record for 4 deaths before 1760 so although I can’t explain it I’m sure she can. (I hope to meet her over summer 2018.) The earliest death is of a Nicolas Runsinan (sic) in 1709 (Nicolas was a female name then)and the latest (from the church record) was for a George Runciman in 1847, aged 49. I have not seen any evidence of gravestones.

Of historical interest is that Whitekirk Hill was the scene of a battle against Scottish Covenanters in 1678. One of those killed was a John Hogg, a name which marries into our Runciman line some considerable time later, in the late 1800s and no real reason to make a connection. There’s also a mention of a James Learment in the 1678 battle. Learment is a name on the edge of where written research has reached back. If we are correct in identifying William Runciman, grandfather Richard’s father, as William baptised in 1673 Haddington then ‘’’his’’’ parents are William R and Isobel Learment who married at Haddington in 1669.

Tyninghame Village & Church

Village

Continue on the A198 from Whitekirk and in a couple of miles note the small T-junction on the left as you will use it later to visit the church. But first continue to turn right into Tyninghame. Pronounced ‘Tin’ despite being named as it sits on the River Tyne. The present village was built by the Earl of Haddington as additional housing for incoming tenants over a 50-year period from about 1708. In 1761 the existing village and church which lay on the left of what is now the A198 (up that junction mentioned earlier) - were demolished to enlarge the grounds surrounding the Earl’s country house. The ‘New Tyninghame’ village has a wonderful peace about it. The local coffee shop is recommended for a coffee/lunch/toilet stop. Its outdoor seating is in a quiet courtyard around which also sits the Old Smiddy (Blacksmith’s workshop) and the old Post Office. There’s a soberingly-named Widow’s Row of cottages, still occupied, standing on the Main Street to remind us of different times, and a Community Hall. Strike up a conversation with a local or two – if you’re lucky you’ll find a chatty one with a good local knowledge.

Parish Church

This was the church attended by Richard Runciman & his wife Janet Gourlay and where all their children were baptised. It is well worth a look. Retrace to A198, and seek out the small approach road leading off, now on the right of course. The present Earl of Haddington sold Tyninghame House in 1987 (forced by death duties relating to his father’s estate) to a developer who converted it into 9 private apartments plus a further 5 apartments converted from former outbuildings. It remains private to the new owners. Fortunately the owners (who are to be congratulated on the improvements introduced to their large shared grounds) participate in the national Open Gardens scheme which enables the public to visit the grounds and ruined church on two dates each year – one in May, the other in June. If you can coincide your tour to one of these two dates you will be well pleased you did. At other times park at the small area set aside for this purpose a short way inside the grounds, as the road leading to the apartments is private. Walking is good as there is a marked path which leads to the vicinity of the church but I suspect it doesn’t give access into the private grounds or church ruins. I noticed a modest fence did mark the boundary close to the church. But the walking path will take you close enough to absorb the atmosphere and take some evocative photos. If you can’t do it on an Open Day do not be put off, you’ll be glad to have done it – you will be walking literally where your ancestors walked before you.

Tyninghame Church. There were 4 'lofts', 2 on each side of the church for the Haddington family and 3 other local landed families. The 'parishers' stood in the middle (where the grass now grows) for the entirety of the service.

The ground outside the perimeter was the burying ground for 'parishers' until demolition in 1761 although the Haddington family alone continue to be buried in the church. We don't know whether we had ancestors buried there or not. But no remains were removed during or after demolition. So if we do have ancestors buried their remains will still lie there. Certainly Richard's generation on would not be buried as they survived beyond 1761 when the church was demolished.

Return route

Depending on time & energy you could choose to head back to Haddington or your base for the evening. To head back in Haddington direction, continue on the A198 until you meet the A199 at the T-junction. Take right. (It’s a short dual carriageway at the ‘T’, so for those who think of us as driving on ‘the wrong side’ – when turning right remember to cross over to the far carriageway before doing so). Follow road signs to A1 & Haddington.

Other Points of Interest: The Agricultural Revolution

While in the area there’s more to see. Perhaps keep this for a fresh day….

Knowes Mill

This stop is a bit of a ‘special interest’ one, one for those involved in agriculture or interested in its history. Knowes Mill was where the threshing machine was developed and the address given for the patent in 1776. We don’t know if Richard lived to see this development. His children certainly would. Knowes Farm is easier approached along a farm road only 200 yards off the A198, before you reach the T-junction with the A199. The old Mill where the thresher was developed stood at the Ford on the river, about 1/3 mile walk beyond the farm.

Phantassie

You will come to Phantassie and a visit there and to Preston Mill continues the connection to the Rennie family. Both can be visited (Admission is charged – info. Taking the right fork onto B1377 from the A199, look out for the memorial to George Rennie inlaid into the RHS roadside wall just before you reach Phantassie Cottages, occupying 3 sides of a square opposite a woodworking outlet/workshop on the LHS. You might be able to park at the outlet or at Phantassie.

Houston Mill

Houston Mill is where Andrew Meikle lived but it’s a private house and I assume private means private. Meikle was at the forefront of the agricultural revolution.

Related Runciman branches

As East Lothian is our ‘cradle’ there are locations all around with associations to our DNA related lines where the church records fail to carry back sufficiently to disclose the common ancestors. For example:

Prestonkirk

This is a village where some Runcimans were baptised and there are burials in the Churchyard. The stone engraving is still legible. These folks’ lineage is a Y-DNA match to ours but the link eludes us as it occurred during the time of lost church records. Prestonkirk lies so close to Tyninghame parish its easy to accept we are probably only a generation or two removed from the folks who were born here in the mid to late 1600s.

Dunbar

It’s worth a visit though not so much in connection with our Crail lineage. One Crail representative is Rennie Runciman, dau of Richard & Jennet, & David Mason had their banns read there. Rennie, a widow when she died, is buried in the local church. Runcimans in Dunbar are mainly on the Lineage of Thomas Runciman/Alison Grieve, Viscount Runciman's 1c line. He did have a summer home there at ‘Rock House’(Google) which is the house he was born in. It would be from Rock House he ran away to sea at the age of 12. Apparently it was demolished in 1931, as it was in a sorry state. That area was lived in mostly by fishermens' families and was in a very poor environment. Most of the houses were pulled down and new houses built for them. It was called Dawell Brae, but it is now known as Victoria Street. Runciman Court, which you may also see in the town, is named in his honour. Fairbairns are one of the families we relate through by marriage whose descendants have a proud history in volunteering & leading the local Dunbar Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Edinburgh

Of course Edinburgh keeps the visitor occupied for days & there’s plenty of information around. This is just to point you to a Runciman connection. The churchyard in Canongate Church on the Royal Mile is worth a visit. A large sculpted mural is on a wall on the side of the church to commemorate the noted Scottish painters, brothers Alexander & John Runciman. There is also a modest gravestone near the same wall. There is no written trail to prove a relationship. However by word of mouth, one of the Sirs Walter maintained his line and the artist line were related. As we are related to Sir Walter's line (per DNA tests), the Crail line would be too. However no written evidence has been found for that line either. John died without issue. Alexander had one son John who was a child when his father died (in 1785). In 1803 son John was reported in The Scots Magazine to be a silversmith in London but no trace of him has ever been made. Other works of Runciman can be seen in St Patrick's RC church on Cowgate. Currently a mural there is being meticulously uncovered & restored after about 200 years covered in a layer of paint courtesy of an early congregation of dour Presbyterians. It would be worth looking at progress there. If interested, a collection of Runciman artwork is stored in the Museum of xxxx which can be viewed by prior booking. With two Runciman cousins (Rosy & Phyllis) we had an attentive & informed personal showing of the full works in store. Recommended.

What are some of the unknowns?

Although we’re now around 300 years from some of the events mentioned our research is constantly unfolding. Much of our knowledge has been learned from 2012 onwards, some as recently as 2020. The photos of Tyninghame church were taken in June 2018 and (I’m guessing) I was probably the first Runciman in 150-200 years to see it & be aware of its family significance. When you visit you will still be among the first to see it in its relevance to our history.

There remain pieces of knowledge of which we are aware but have not been examined to their potential. So here’s some questions (let the profile manager know what you find) -

• Was 10 Sidegate in Haddington still standing/habitable?

• Was there a Herkas ('Orphan' Elizabeth) gravestone to be seen at NB churchyard?

• Was the path/visit to Tyninghame Church practical? Any tips?

• Did you see anything which could be included in the itinerary or added for information?

Notes

[A] There were 5 surviving children in the family – the Minutes of the Widows & Orphans Fund confirm Janet the eldest is alive at 16. She would be considered old enough to fend for herself in whatever job she was doing at the time. There is no further trace of Janet in the Minutes or in the church records in the years to follow.

Margaret, aged 9, is shown in the Minutes as alive too but is not listed as being moved to Castleton at the same time with her younger siblings. Perhaps she initially lived with her other grandparents, the Jamiesons in Crail, but there is no Minute confirming this or any other arrangement. This is odd – suggesting that ‘’no-one’’ received financial support in caring for her, or that it was even considered, debated, refused etc. Possibly the Jamiesons didn't need financial support for her as, unlike all the other families, there was still a breadwinner in the household. Yet within a year or two she was taken in at Castleton (a change in circumstances at Crail?) and Richard begins to receive financial support for her care. The orphans who moved to Castleton on that first day of the tragedy were therefore Elizabeth (7), Helen (4) and John (2).

It's not known if Richard's wife Jennet Gourlay was alive at this point. She is of similar age to Richard. Assuming he was working - indeed whether he was working or not - if Jennet was no longer around it's probable one of his daughters kept house for him and the new arrivals. There are several unresolved options. There is no evidence of either Jean or Helen marrying so they are possible contenders, although the lack of evidence of adult events could be a sign of early deaths. There is no evidence spotted of James marrying either, though he would be working so not a feasible option. Youngest daughter Rennie, 18 when the orphans arrived, is a good candidate. She didn't marry until she was 30 (late for those days) when her young nephew, Orphan John, was 16 years old & working away from home as an Apprentice Crail Weaver. This would tie in sensibly, if by then both Richard and Jennet had died, and Rennie was head and home-maker waiting until Orphan John was able to fend for himself before she marries. Married aunts are also possible candidates but this option is more complicated for space by the existence of husbands and their own families. On the other hand a married aunt solves the need for a breadwinner, which Rennie would not be. The neatest answer of all is that it is a married aunt & her husband by virtue of working at the farm who have the cottage at Castleton, & Richard is being put up by them in 1765, followed by the arrival of the orphans? Who knows!

Before or after visiting you are welcome to contact the Profile Manager who hopes this information helps you plan a memorable visit or provide feedback.