The History of Portsoy

1860 - 1877

Based on Research by Findlay Pirie

Banffshire Journal, Tuesday, September 25th 1860: -

GAS SUPPLY - For some weeks back the inhabitants have experienced great inconvenience from the want of gas, attendant upon the extension and improvement of the gasworks. These have now been completed, and on Saturday night the town was again illuminated. The importance of the gasworks will now be doubly appreciated, as, during the time the community was deprived of it, the contrast between it and the candle, which only served to make darkness visible, was somewhat inconveniently brought under notice. It is said also, that there is to be a reduction in price, and if this is the case, it is to be hoped that energetic steps will at once be taken to have the streets lighted, as the recent changes in the thoroughfares occasioned by the extension of the line to the harbour, render this ' a consummation devoutly to be wished'

Banffshire Journal, Tuesday, February 19th. 1861: -

PORTSOY - COAST DEFENCES - The great guns for our local volunteers, two 32 pounders, arrived here on Friday last, and a further supply of stores is daily expected. Owing to the changableness of the weather, the works at the battery have not yet commenced, but operations will now be proceeded, with all possible despatch.

Banffshire Journal, Tuesday, January 10th 1865: -

HOUSEBREAKING AT PORTSOY - On Sunday evening last, during the hours of public worship, a most cool and daring act of housebreaking was perpetrated on the premises of Mr. John Thompson, baker, Portsoy. The shop had been entered by a window in the end of the street. The glass had been broken, and some flower pots taken carefully out, and laid down on the ground. The articles missing are 5s. in copper, and several packages of confections. The footprints of the thief are distinctly visible, and as he was seen by several persons, although indistinctly, it is to be hoped that the efforts of the police to secure his capture will eventually be successful.

From a memorial in the old section of Portsoy cemetery.

DEATH OF WILLIAM JACK, SHIPMASTER. - "William Jack, Master of the "Pride of the Ganges" lost his life in a mutiny of the coolies in the Chinese Sea, 11th. December 1865, aged 32." -

Banffshire Journal, Tuesday, 6th. February 1866: -

PORTSOY- "THE PRIDE OF THE GANGES" - A despatch from Singapore under the date 23rd. December 1865 notices the circumstances which seems to have given rise to the report in our last as to the murder of Captain William Jack in a mutiny on board the "Pride of the Ganges" on which he was commander. The "J.D. Vineer" (Dutch barque) arrived at Singapore the day before (22nd. Decr.) from Hong Kong and that in latitude 17 N she passed the "Pride of the Ganges", standing in towards the China Coast, and signalling "mutiny on board." The "J.D. Vineer" signalled "Heave to, and I will come to your assistance" the reply to which was not followed. The Dutch vessel followed, but the "Pride of the Ganges" out-sailed her, and when last seen the signal "Master overboard" was flying.

Banffshire Journal, Tuesday, June 26th 1866: -

OUTBREAK OF TYPHUS - Typhus of a rather malignant description is prevalent in the Seatown area. There have been several deaths and upwards of 20 cases are being treated at present.

Banffshire Journal. Tuesday, January 22nd 1867: -

RELIEF FOR THE LABOURING POOR - As might have been expected, the severity and duration of the snowstorm has begun to tell with disastrous effect upon the labouring poor. In the best of times, no inconsiderable portion of this class have enough to do to make ends meet. In the present instance little work has been done for more than a month; and the consequence has been that, but for the kindly interposition of sympathising friends, many would have been reduced to a state of absolute starvation. On Monday the 14th. inst. a number of gentlemen, headed by Messrs. Moir, banker; Allan, merchant ; Wm. R. Gordon, Durn House, met to devise some means of alleviating the growing misery around them ; and their deliberations pointing to the establishment of a 'soup kitchen' as one of the most likely means of rendering substantial assistance to the necessitous, the Drill Hall was forthwith turned into a temporary cooking depot, and suitable parties engaged to do the necessary work in connection with it.

A public meeting was also held, at which the town was divided into districts, and collectors appointed to canvas for the necessary funds, which resulted in upwards of £20 being collected - in addition to which, Mr. Bryson on Thursday, handed the Committee five guineas as a donation from the Earl of Seafield, and also a handsome subscription from himself.

The farmers in the neighbourhood, have also, in many cases, spontaneously sent in quantities of meal, potatoes and vegetables. Since then, about 140 rations of good, nutritious soup, with an allowance of bread, have been distributed daily; in addition to which, from the residue of a former fund, quantities of coals and meal have also been served out. The Parochial Board has also most considerately served out quantities of coal and meal to the paupers, in addition to their ordinary allowance.

It is pleasant thus to have to record the ready willingness of those who have to bestow a part to relieve the necessities of the suffering and the destitute.

Banffshire Journal, Tuesday, December 3rd 1867: -

PORTSOY - PENNY READINGS - On Friday, at the penny readings here, there was a very large audience - Colonel Moir in the chair. The readers were Mr. Garland, Cowhythe, who read the 'Legend of St. Swithin’; Mr. Colville, solicitor, Banff, who read 'Locksley Hall', 'Lady Clare Vere de Vere' and 'The Little Vulgar Boy’; and Captain Sutherland of the "Moir" who read 'The Irish Schoolmaster' and 'Rory O'More's Present to the Priest'. The music was supplied by Miss Stephen, Fordyce, and Miss Jessie Watson, Portsoy. The usual votes of thanks were accorded.

Banffshire Journal, Tuesday, November 2nd 1869: -

PORTSOY LITERARY SOCIETY - A meeting of the Portsoy Literary Society was held in the Grammar School on Tuesday the 19th ult - Mr. Boaden in the Chair - for considering the unsatisfactory position of the Society, with a view to the adoption of whatever steps might be deemed necessary under the peculiar circumstances in which they were placed. The Society, we may mention, has not been in a very flourishing condition during the past year or two. This state has not been brought about by any revulsion of popular feeling, but has been caused rather by the fact that a great number of gentlemen, most of whom were very active, intelligent, and zealous members of the Society, have left Portsoy to pursue their various vocations in other localities, many of them having gone to distant countries. Of the four individuals who were the originators of the Society - viz. Messrs. James Wilson, John Bisset, Joseph Bisset and John Shand, only one remains in Portsoy. Mr. Wilson is now a Minister in connection with the Established Church in Glasgow; Mr. John Bisset has gone to China; and Mr. John Bisset to Scrabster.

Of the other members who have left, we may mention Dr. Klingner, who has gone to Canada; Mr. William Klingner to Glasgow; Mr. William Cooper, to India; Mr. John Yeats and Mr. Joseph Summerfield, to Banff; Mr R. McLean to Edinburgh; Mr. Thomas Phillip, to Skene; Mr. Maries to Liverpool; and Mr. Joseph Stevenson to Nairn, etc. The absence of these gentlemen has been a serious blow to the Society, more especially as their places have never been adequately filled up.

At the meeting, therefore, on the 19th. ult., at which there was but a poor attendance, Mr. Boaden, seconded by Mr. Paterson, proposed that the Society should be dissolved, the library divided among the working members, and the funds in hand handed over to the Managers of the Soup Kitchen. This was agreed to, subject to an understanding that the minute would remain open for discussion at a meeting to be held that day week, in order that any other suggestion might be considered relative to the future existence of the Society.

Banffshire Journal, Tuesday, February 13th 1877: -

NEWSROOM - Portsoy - Our newsroom has been opened now, and anyone for a penny may step in, and read the principal papers of the day, and some of the magazines. The room is comfortably fitted up, and will prove a great boon to many.