Old Calton Burial Ground, Edinburgh.
I know some folk think it’s a bit weird having an interest in graveyards, but to me it is an insight into the past.
This cemetery was opened in 1718 by citizens of the village of Calton when they purchased half an acre from a local Lord who owned the property. Over the years it was expanded numerous times, the construction of Waterloo Place in 1819 split the plot in tow and resulted in some bodies being reinterred further east at New Calton Burial Ground.
Graves often have the jobs of those buried here, we have occupations like, actor, city inspector of lighting and cleaning, confectioner, constable, engineer, goldsmith, insurance man, keeper of city records, medical teacher, member of Royal Academy, merchant, perfumer, salter, tool manufacturer, treasurer of the Bank of Scotland, watchmaker and wine merchant.
I looked for one of what I think is the most interesting, it is of Marion Laurie Sutherland. Marion lost her leg when she was 37 and had it buried in the graveyard, 23 years later she was reunited with her leg when she passed away and was buried there! I couldn’t find it, maybe next time!.
As I said we can learn so much from the people buried in graveyards, in this case it is John Carruthers, Clan Chief of the Borders clan Carruthers.
In the 13th century the Carruthers were stewards of Annandale under the Bruces. Historically, the principal strongholds of the Clan were Mouswald, Holmains, Dormont, Little Dalton and Rammerscales and a few others.
The first recording of the name stated in ‘Records of Carruthers’ by the Rev A. S. Carruthers and R.C Reid was William de Karruthers who made a donation to the Abbey of Newbattle in the reign of Alexander II of Scotland in the 13th century. Now there is no records about the family origins, but in my humble opinion the “de” in there name points toward them being of Norman stock.
Another recording of the name was de Karruthers, with Simon de Karruthers, a churchman of the parish of Middlebie, which is dated circa 1272 – 1307.Sir Nigel de Karrutheris was a cleric who obtained the rectory of Ruthwell in 1330 is mentioned again in 1337 and 1351 as Nigel de Carrothorys, canon of Glasgow.
In 1344 Sir Nigel de Carother is recorded as chancellor of Robert Steward of Scotland. A charter was granted at Moysfald in 1361 in favour of John de Carotheris, Simon de Carrutheris witnessed a deed in 1394, and John of Carrutheris was among the ‘borowis’ for the Earl of Douglas’s bounds of the West March in 1398.John Carruthers was keeper of another Bruce lair, Lochmaben Castle in 1446 and William de Carrutheris was presbyter of Glasgow in 1460.
The Carruthers have owned the estate of Dormont since 1452 when it was granted to the family by Robert the Bruce.
The Clan were dispersed by JamesVI, after the Union of the Crowns, 24th March 1603, along with many other reiver families out of the Marches and to other parts of Scotland, Ireland and the colonies, hence the widespread use of the name Carruthers around the globe. Many Carruthers can be found in North America.
The Carruthers estate of Howmains (Holmains) was lost in 1772 when a financial disaster overwhelmed the family and the male line died out in the early 18th century with the death of the 12th Laird in 1809, although one sorce gave me 1807 for this I am going by what is inscribed on the grave marker in Old Calton.
The Holmains line still exists however, it was revived after 210 year without a chief, Clan Carruthers now has again a recognised Chief. Dr. Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains has been recognised as Chief of Clan Carruthers by the Lord Lyon.
In a Decision issued on 19th August 2019 and published on 9th September 2019, the Lord Lyon found Peter; “entitled to be recognised in the name, style and title of; ’Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains, Chief of the Name and Arms of Carruthers’ and maintained, ratified and confirmed the undifferenced Arms of Carruthers of Holmains c. 1672”.
The Carruthers Clan have their own webpage and FB page, links for them are below, the last pic shows their tartan and clan crest which dates back to 1672.
https://clancarrutherssociety.org/
https://www.facebook.com/clancarrutherssocietyusa/
