Family Background

Suppose we go back a little further than usual and see what the Patterson family had for a background. Now, there was the Patterson family in Kirtleton, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, in the 17th century. Now just what do we know about them? Nothing, maybe, but let's see. The Pattersons were living in this lower section of Scotland, not far from the border of England. Dumfriesshire is in the lower south-western corner of Scotland. It is bordered on the south by England, they are separated by the Solway Firth, on the west is the Solway Sea. To quote from Beauties of the Border, by Miss E. Allen, (print in 1846) "The Southern Borders of Scotland are divided from England by the Solway Firth, where the tide displays her beauties twice every twenty four hours in shapes of majestic grandeur, being the highest running tide in Britain. The face of the country is beautiful, and well watered with three rivers, which run through the plains from the northern mountains, and empty themselves into the Solway Sea. The Annan Water rises five miles above Moffat, out of Beef Stand, at Errickstane Brae, where Annan, Tweed, and Clyde run all out of one hillside. The Annan and the Kirtle, those delightful valleys, are sheltered and almost constantly covered with spontaneous growth of vendure. The Kirtle fountain from whence it rises from the north side of Winthrop Head, a mountain fifteen miles from the Solway, flows through a rich valley from its source to its junction, covered with rich woods and groves, rocks and caves. There is a fine white freestone quarry, likewise red, with limestone in abundance 'Tis a royal valley, where king Robert Bruce had his residence (at Bonshaw) which was taken down two years ago to build office houses at Bonshaw Tower, the beautiful seat of the Rev. John Irving; likewise Sir John Graham's and Wallace's Retreat, King Edward very often paid them a visit, and ransacked all the towers and huts. The woods and groves rear their heads so majestically, like grand colonnades, with their mansions towering their turrets through the deepening shades of green verdure with every beauty to gratify the eyes, with delightful music to woo the listening ear; the beautifully cultured fields, running in fair angles, laid out in first form and taste; shrubbery, evergreens, with sweet myrtle bowers, garnished with floating tapestry, and perfumes of delight. Here again the face of nature hath assumed its dignified glory. The beautiful spring has returned like a new busked bride, in all her gay splendour; the woods echo the sweet vocal of the heavenly choir; while the everlasting mountains leap for joy. The bleat of the lambs echo through the valley, from the highest cliffs of the rocks, and the mountains, like pyramids covered with white fleecy clouds, pure as the snow, where the lambkins skip to and fro, disappearing amongst the misty regions of fleecy clouds; while the plaint of the mother for her young doth agitate the feelings, and move the bowels of compassion.

The Solway plains are like the garden of Eden; when the sun diffuses the mildness of his morning splendour, tingeing the dew clad mountains with his radiance, he glows o'er the face of the country, till he shuts his eye in the western main. The country is delightful; the lands are rich and fertile; with beautiful gardens of odoriferous delight. The whole face of the plains to the contrasting mountains, catches the refreshing breeze from the rapid flow of the Solway Sea.

There are many fine mansions, and many a bonnie ha', In the lowlands of Scotland, in the Borders sae braw.

In the old times this country was mere wilderness, wild and woody, covered with heather, whins, and briers, or wild grapes. Our forefathers lived in hunting and fishing; no agriculture but a small patch turned over with the spade, for bread, with a garden, and barely. They transferred their affairs wholly to the grievous scenes of war and bloodshed. Now our warriors have given up their armour, the shield, and their buckler; they have beat their swords into pruning hooks, and their spears into plough shares, and have transferred their affairs into the great and goodly flourishing of agriculture and manufacturing of all kinds, which is the cream of all business, and the blessed pastorial. The bread of life, and the manufacturing is to clothe us from the chilly cold of the winter's wreathing frost and snow."

And in this valley of the Kirtle River they were enjoying life and reared their family, amid the historic and beauty of the area. I like to think all of the Pattersons on the whole earth started from this humble home, but we have no information, and only know about David Patterson, the young son born in 1667. We'll assume he was a very normal boy, watched the sheep on the hills, helped with the tasks of the farm, played in the caves and of course, normal like, had a girl friend, the Inn Keepers daughter at or near Ecclefechan, and Margaret not only won her man, but was able to get them started on a farm.

You see Mungo Irving was a good Inn Keeper, and of course, he had friends, kept a respectable Inn, offered the best of that day, and was friend to the passer by, the stranger, and his guests. And he had among such friends the Duke of Queensbury, whose Castle was some fifteen miles north of Ecclefechan. Now, the Duke had been a frequent guest at the Inn, and he and Mr. Irving were on very favorable friendly terms, and the Duke was anxious to bestow some special favor on Mr. Irving, but our modest forebearer expressed himself as having all he wished, was happy with what he had, and life was good to him, and he needed nothing. The Duke insisted, and finally Mr. Irving told him that his daughter had recently married David Patterson of Kirtleton, and that if the Duke would put them on a farm, it would be a big favour.

Thus in the year 1715, David and Margaret Irving Patterson settled on the farm known as our forefathers home, Kirtlehead, at the head of the Kirtle River. The rent to be 15 pounds a year. David died on July 27, 1751, at the age of 84. The farm eventually was purchased and we look at the picture of Kirtlehead with reverence, honor and pride.

Kirtlehead “Wee Cottage” Built 1715 11 Children born here

Panoramic View of Kirtlehead

Panoramic veiw of Kirtlehead

Kirtlehead Cottage of about 1824

Kirtlehead Cottage built about 1824

So, Margaret and David set up their home, made a living and reared a family on this homesite. There was William, John, and two daughters. One of the girls married a Mr. Smith of the farm of Craighouse, and the other daughter married a Mr. Nelson or (Neilson). The Nelson's had a son William, and a daughter Betty. Betty married Robert Farris (or Farish or Farries) and he was from Crowdieknowe. The Smith's had a daughter who married a Mr. Bell of Minera.

William, their oldest son, married Elizabeth Holliday, and their son David Patterson lived at Crossbankhead. David had two children, William and Janet Patterson of Pockeskine. Janet married James Bell (Mr. Bell was a brother of William Bell of Stockbridge) and they had two girls, Helen T. Bell who married a Mr. Broadbeck, and they had four children, William, John, Margaret and Mary. Margatet Bell married Christ Buchanan, and their daughter Janet married Richard Bell of Linnhall.