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Clan Dinwiddie
Dinwoodie History


THE FAMILY OF DINWOODIE OF DINWOODIE

THE NAME
The name was derived from a hill by that name in the parish of Applegarth, Dumfries, Scotland. The hill, the highest in the area, is 871 feet above sea-level, and is the site of ancient fortifications. Various interpretations have been suggested for the ancient meaning of the name. "The castle of the dismal gallows", "the hill of the widow's castle", "the castle of the wanton", "the castle in the wood", and "the castle of the wager or pledge" have all been suggested. There are many variations of the name. I have found 37 different spellings, and it is suggested that there are as many as one hundred.

THE PLACE
Dinwoodie is approximately 9 kilometers north of Lockerbie, in hilly country on the east of the River Annan. There are several place names still in existence; Dinwoodie Hill, Dinwoodie Brook, Dinwoodie Green, Dinwoodie Lodge, and Dinwoodie Mains. There was also a station at Dinwoodie on the Caledonian Railway. This area is between the old estates of the Johnstones to the north, and the Jardines to the south. As it is located in the borders between England and Scotland, it was involved in much of the historic warfare, raids, and feuds that took place in the area.

THE PEOPLE
It is thought that the original Dinwoodies were either Normans who settled in the area with Robert DeBruce, or indigenous Kelts already living there. The earliest mention of a Dinwoodie appears in the record of the first Feudal Court held by William DeBruce, the Lord of Annandale, at his Castle of Lochmaben, in 1191 A.D. Dinwoodie would have been one of the landed nobility who were vassals to DeBruce. This court was held in preparation for the First Crusade. DeBruce, his knights and retainers, accompanied King Richard on this crusade. It is therefore likely that a Dinwoodie was a crusader.
The Dinwoodies were landed nobility until 1620 when Lady Jean Dinwiddie died without an heir. She had previously resigned her position in favor of her husband's family, the Maxwells, and the estate and title passed into their hands.

The clan had never been very large - at most numbering about 40 men. They had generally allied themselves with the larger Johnstone Clan in the many inter-clan feuds, and border raids. With the dissolution of the Lairdship, many of the families apparently migrated to other areas. One of the prominent families moved to Glasgow where they became successful merchants and community leaders. From this family came Robert Dinwoodie who was colonial governor of Virginia. Others of the family moved to Dumfries where they were merchants, artisans, etc. The largest concentrations of individual family members over the years have been been in the Glasgow, and Dumfries areas.

THE PROVOSTS OF GLASGOW

(From records  provided by Rob Dinwiddie)

LAWRENCE DINWIDDIE
Dates of Election:
5th October, 1742. 4th October, 1743.

The family of Dinwiddle are believed to have come from Dumfrieshlre, and settled in Glasgow about the middle of the seventeenth century. Robert Dinwiddle, who founded the family In the city, became a merchant there, and had a charter of the lands of Germiston in 1691.

On 2nd June, 1685, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Matthew Cumming of Carderock in the parish of Cadder, merchant in Glasgow, and on several occasions a bailie thereof.

Of this union there was a family of four sons and nine daughters, of whom Lawrence was the eighth child.

Lawrence Dinwiddle, baptised on 31st December 1696, was a student of the fifth class at Glasgow University In 1709, and on 11th September, 1723, he was admitted a burgess of Glasgow by right of his father; on 11th May, 1743, he was elected a burgess of Edinburgh and again, along with his brother Robert, on 2nd August, 1758, though why twice Is unknown. I. Several of the family of Robert Dinwiddle of Germiston besides Lawrence, the provost, are of Interest: Matthew, eldest son and eldest child, baptised lst September, 1687, was a merchant in Glasgow, and was served heir to his father on 21st January, 1709. BY 1725 he had fallen into difficulties, and his properties passed into the possession of the Merchants House. In 1738 he was enrolled a pensioner of that Institution and was buried in the Glasgow Cathedral Yard on 30th Nov. 1747; Robert, fifth child and second son, was baptised on 6th October, 1692. Appointed in 1727 Collector of Customs in Bermuda; he was the means of exposing a long continued series of frauds on the Government. In 1751 he received the appointment of Governor of Virginia, and after serving there for six years he returned home broken in health by unending and bitter struggles with the French and the colonists. He died at Clifton on 27th July, 1770, and is buried In the old parish church there, from which an elaborate monument to his memory has been transferred to the present church. He bequeathed LlOO to Glasgow University, of which he was an alumnus, and his library. His correspondence has been published by the Virginia Historical Society, and is of great interest. He married Rebecca, only daughter of the Rev. Andrew Auchinleck or Affleck, Rector of St. George's parish, Bermuda, and by her had two daughters. His portrait is In the- National Portrait Gallery, London, and that of his two daughters in the Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight, both by Allan Ramsay. His wife died In London on 14th February, 1793 (Scots. Mag., v.55, P.102). Mary, seventh child, baptised 15th December, 1695, married the Rev. J. Stewart;

Janet, tenth child,, baptised 27th March, 1701, married 29th April, 1736, the Rev. William M'Culloch, minister of Cambuslang, who died in 1771. She died In 1779;

Christian, eleventh child, baptised 19th July, 1702, married 8th April, 1729, the Rev. William Hamilton, minister of Douglas, Lanarkshire, who died in 1769. She was dead prior to 1758;

Elizabeth, baptised 6th March, 1709, probably married 30th August, 1741, the Rev. John Scott, minister of St. Paul's parish, Glasgow, who died in December, 1741, leaving her in indigent circumstances. She received L5 annually from the city (E.B.R., v.1739-1759, p.149). Lawrence married:

(1) On 11th June, 1724, Janet sister of John Coulter, provost (q.v.). She was buried on 27th February, 1744;

(2) On 9th June, 1745, Elizabeth, daughter of Gilbert Kennedy of Auchtyfardel In Lesmahagow parish. She died on 9th April, 1787.

Lawrence Dinwiddle was elected a bailie In 1734, 1738 and 1741.

In 1748 be bought back the lands of Germiston and Balornoc, which his brother Matthew had inherited, but from which as a bankrupt he had been ejected, his mother Elizabeth Cumming having, amongst others, served an adjudication against him for debt.

Provost Dinwiddie was one of those who was deputed to negotiate with the Young Chevaliers' representative, and was a partner in many enterprises, notably the rope work at Port Glasgow and the tannery which M'Ure calls the Old Tannery.

He died on 3rd May, 1764, in his 68th year, and bequeathed 200 merks to the Merchants House.

By his two marriages he had twenty-one children, probably fifteen or sixteen by his first marriage. Of these the majority died in childhood. Of this numerous progeny only the following have been traced in later life:

Robert, afterwards of Germiston.

A daughter whose name is unknown, but who died In Glasgow on 6th March, 1828, in her 86th year.

Jean, born 4th August, 1735, who died unmarried In Glasgow in May, 1804.

William, the youngest and twenty-first child, born about 1757. He settled in Manchester and married at Edinburgh on 5th November, 1781, Anne, daughter of the Rev. Gilbert Hamilton, D.D., of Cramond.

During his term of office as provost no incident of outstanding importance occurred.

On 17th.February, 1743, attention was drawn to the difficulty of entering the passage between the Lesser Cumbrae and the Garroch Head at night. An Act of Parliament was obtained thirteen years later authorising the erection of a lighthouse.

On 15th October, 1743, John Walker, a merchant In Edinburgh, proposed to establish a stage coach service between that city and Glasgow. It was remitted to a committee for consideration, but nothing came of it at this time nor for a good many years.

Excerpt from Catalogue of Old Glasgow Exhibition, 1874 Sent by Miss Dinwiddie., London

474. LAWRENCE DINWIDDIE of Germiston Born 1697. Died 1746. Virginia merchant. In 1774 his old firm, then Dinwiddie, Crawford & Co. stood fourth in the list of tobacco importers. An original partner in the Glasgow Arms Bank, in the "New Glasgow Tanwork and Shoe and Saddle Factory," and, like his brother the Governor, in the "Pott Work" at Delftfield, near the Broomielaw. Had his town house in the second flat of that great tenement on the north side of the Trengate, just east of Hutcheson's Hospital. Bought back Germiston, from which, years before, his elder brother Matthew, being insolvent, had vary naturally been evicted. Provost in 1742, 1743. One of "the Six Commissioners" to the Rebels in the '45. Son of Robert Dinwiddie of Germiston, and brother of Governor Robert Dinwiddie (No.11). Had two wives, Janet Coulter, sister of Provost John Coulter, and Elizabeth Kennedy of Auchtyfardle, who between them bore him twenty-one children. One of the twenty-one, Lawrence Dinwiddie, Junior, married Mary Nisbet, who lived till 28th June, 1849. In 1843, just 100 years after her father-in-law's Provostship, Mary Dinwiddie gave to Free St. Enoch's the communion plate still in use, Germiston, which is a 2 merk land of the "Tenandrie" of Provan, is now owned by Provost Dinwiddie's indirect representatives, the Lockharts of Milton Lockhart.

City of Glasgow Archives.

High Kirk Pariah Registers. Births.
Vol. 1. 1609-1625   No Dinwiddie Entries.
Vol. 2. 1626-1639             "
Vol. 3. 1640-1649             "
Vol. 4. 1650-1659             "
Vol. 5, 1660-1669             "
Vol. 6. 1670-1679             "
Vol. 7. 1680-1689 1682, 30th March, Agnes, lawful daughter of David Dinwiddie and Janet Crauford. Wits. David Campbell and John King.

1687, Ist September, Matthew, lawful son of Robert Dinwoodie and Elizabeth Cumming. Wits. Mathew Cumming elder, and John Kincaid.

1689, 23 April, Elizabeth, Lawful daughter of Robert Dinwoodie and Elizabeth Cumming. Wits. Mathew Cumming, elder, and Mathew Cumming, Younger.

Vol. 8 1690-1699 1690, 27th July, Helen, lawful daughter of Robert Dinwoodie and Elizabeth Cumming. Wits. Mathew Cumming, elder and younger.

1691, 2nd August. Jean, lawful daughter of Robert Dinwoodie and Elizabeth Cumming. Wits. Mathew Cumming, and Laurence Dinwoodie.

1692, 2nd October, Robert, lawful son of Robert Dinwoodie and Elizabeth Cumming. Wits. Mathew Cumming, elder and Lawrence Dinwoodie.

1692, 13 October, Marjory, lawful daughter of Lawrence Dinwoodie and Sarah Gartshore. Wits. Mathew Cumming, elder and Robert Dinwoodie.

1693, 16 April, Robert Dinwoodie witness to baptism of David, son of John Balmano and Margaret Thomsone.

Vol. 8 1698-1699 1694, 15th March. Alexander, lawful son of Lawrence Dunwoodies and Sarah Gartshoar. Wits. Robert Dinwoodies and Mathew Cumming.

1694, 9th December, John, lawful son of Robert Dinwoodies and EIizabeth Cuming. Wits. Mathew Cuming and Lawrence Dinwoodies.

1695, 15th December. Mary, lawful daughter of Robert Dinwiddies and Elizabeth Cumming. Wits. Hathew Cumming and Laurence Dinwiddies.

1696 14th December. Mary, lawful daughter of Laurance Dinwiddie and Sarah Garshore. Wits. Mathew Cumming, younger, and Alexander Carlile.

1696, 31st December. Laurence, Lawful son of Robert Dinwiddies and Elizabeth Cumming. Wits. William Cumming, older and younger, and Laurence Dinwiddies.

1698, John, Lawful son of Laurance Dinwiddie and Sarah Garshore. Wits. Robert Dinwiddie and William Douglas.

Vol. 9 1700-1719 17009 16th April. Laurence Dinwiddie, witness to the baptism of Sarah Dowglas, lawful daughter of William Dowglas_and Sophia Garshore

1700, 30th July. Helen, lawful daughter of Laurence Dinwiddies and Sarah Garshore. Wits. Robert Dinwiddies and William Dowglas.

1700, 6th October. Laurence Dinwiddie and William Gray, wit. to Bapt. of John Paterson lawful son of Robert Paterson and Elspeth Robertson.

1705, 24th July. Alexander, lawful son of Laurence Dinwiddie and Sarah Gartshore. Wits. Robert Dinwiddie and William Douglasse.

1706, 13th January, Anne, lawful daughter of Robert Dinwiddie and Elizabeth Cuming. Wits: Mathew Cuming and Robert Dinwiddie, younger.

7 March, 1701. v LD, Dinwiddies Janet, of Robert Dinwiddies and Elizabeth Cumming. Wits: John Brysson elder, Matthew Cumming, younger; Laurence Dinwiddies.

8 April, 1701. LD. Mary Carlile, of Alexander Carlile and Elizabeth Menzies. Wits. John Brysson, Robert Dinwiddie.

4 Sept. 1701 LD. Christian Wallace, of James Wallace and Jean Acheson. Wits: Matthew Acheson, Laurence Dinwiddie.

1702 29 January, 1702 LS. Adam Mure, of James Mure and Margaret Scott; Wits. Dr.Kennedie and Robert Dinwidie.

19 July, 1702. LD. Christian Dinwiddie of Robert Dinwiddie and Elizabeth Cuming. Wits. Matthew Cuming and Laurence Dinwiddie.

24 Sept. 1702. LS. Laurence Dinwiddie, of Laurence Dinwiddie and Sarah Garshore. Wits. Robert Dinwiddie and William Gray.

1703. No entries for Dirtwiddies.

1704 29 March, 1704. LD. Ann Dowglas, of William Dowglas & Sophia Garshore. Wits: Mr. Alexander Tran and Laurence Dinwoddie.

August, 1704. LD. Sarah Dinwiddie of Laurence Dinwoodie and Sarah Gartabore, Wits. Robert Dinwiddie and William Dowglasse.

1705. 24 July, 1705, LS. Alexander Dinwiddie, of Laurence Dinwiddie Sarah Gartshore. Wits. Robert Dinwiddie and William Dowglasse.

1706. 13 January,1706. LD. Anne Dinwiddie, of Robert Dinwiddie and Elizabeth Cuming,. Wits. Matthew Cuming and Robert Dinwiddie, Younger.

17 October,1706 Blackwood, Elizabeth, of John Blackwood and Mary Hamilton. Wits. Robert Dinwiddie and John Hunter.

29 June, 1707. L.S. Muir, Thomas. of James Muir, & Margaret Scot. Wits. Robert Dinwiddie and Thomas Peter.

21 Sept. 1707. Dinwiddie Sophia, LD. of Laurence Dinwiddie and Sarah Gartshore. Wits. Mathew Atchinson John Charters.

1708. No Dinwiddie, entries.

6 March,1709. Ld. Dinwiddie, Elizabeth, of Robert Dinwiddie & Elizabeth Cuming. Sponsor, Matthew Cuming Wits. James Muir & Matthew Dinwiddie.

Vol. 10 1710-1719.

20 July, 1710. L.S. Coulter, John, of Michael Coulter and Janet Cuming. Wits. Henry Muir. Matthew Dinwiddie.

1711-1717 There are no Dinwiddie entries for these years.

26 August, 1718. Ld. Baird, Elizabeth. of John Baird and Jane Dinwiddie. Wits. Matthen Cuming ; Matthew Dinwiddie.

1719 No Dinwiddie. entries.

Vol. 11 1720--1728.

5 June, 1720. LS. Baird, Robert, of John Baird and Jane Dinwiddie.. Wits, Robert Bogie; Matthew Dinwiddie.

7 June, 1720. LD. Ramsay, Jane, of Andrew Ramsay and Sarah Douglas. Wits. Williain Dougals; Laurence Dinwiddie.

20 June 1721 . LD. Ramsay, Anne, of Andrew Ramsay & Sarah Douglas. Wits. William Douglas; Laurence Dinwiddie.

1722, 1723, 1724. No Dinwiddie entries.

14 Feb. 1725. LD. Ramsay, Sophia. of Andrew Ramsay & Sarah Douglas. Wits. Lawrence Dinwiddie; William Douglas.

18 April,1725- LD. Baird,Jonat, of John Baird and Jean Dinwiddie. Wits. Robert Bogle, younger, and Lawrence Dinwiddie.

30 Sept. 1725 LS. of Lawrence Dinwiddie, junr. & Janet Coulter. Wits. Laurence Dinwiddie, elder; John Baird & John Coulter. Born 18 SePt-1725, at quarter after 5 In the morning; Baptised 29th September by Mr. Lowe.

31 May, 1726. LS. Findly John, of Robert Findlay & Annabel Gray. Wits. Laurence Dinwiddie, James Waddrop.

Vol. 12 1727--1733

19 February 1727 LS. Dinwiddie) James, of Lawrence Dinviddie & Janet Coulter. Wits. John Coulter, John Baird.

24 September 1727 LS. Carlile, James, of William Carlile & Marram Reid. Wits. John Coulter, Lawrence Dinwiddie.

17 March, 1728 LS. Baird, Lawrence, of John Baird & Jean Dinwiddie Wits. Lawrence Dinwiddie, elder; Lawrence Dinwiddie, younger.

15 September 1728 LS. Dinwiddie, James of Lawrence Dinwiddie & Janet Coulter. Wits. John Baird; John Coulter. Born 13th at 3 in the morning.

28 Dec. 1729 Dinwiddie, John, of Lawrence Dinwiddie, & Janet Coulter. Wits. John Coulter & John Baird. Born 26 Dec. between 6 & 7 in the morning.

1730 No Dinwiddie entries.

12 January,1731 Dinwiddie, Laurence, of Alexander Dinwiddie & Elizabeth Fleeming. Wits. Laurence Dinwiddie Elder, and Laurence Dinwiddie, younger. Born Monday, 4th Jan. between 7 & 8 in the evening.

18 July, 17 31, Ld. Dinwiddie, Marion, of Laurence Dinwiddie & and Janet Coulter. Wits. John Coulter, John Baird. Born 16th between I & 2 in the afternoon.

30 Sept. 1731 LS. Dinwiddie, Lawrence, of Lawrence Dinwiddie & Christian Crawford. Wits. William Crawford, Lawrence Dinwiddie. Sponsor, Lawrence Dinwiddie, elder. Born 28th, at 11 o'clock forenoon.

4 May, 1732. LD. Buchanan, Mary, of John Buchanan & Mary Crawford. Wits. William Crawford & Laurence Dinwiddie. Born lst. at 6 o'clock at night.

10 Sept. 1732. LD. Hamilton, Christine, of Archibald Hamilton & Margaret Aitchison. Wits. Lawrence Dinwiddie, younger, James Calder, Born 4th at 3 in the morning.

8 Oct. 1732. LS. Dinwiddie, Lawrence, of Lawrence Dinwiddie, & Janet Coulter. Wits. John Coulter, John Baird.

26 Nov. 1732. LD. Dinwiddie, Mary, of Lawrence Dinwiddie & Christine Crawford. Wits. Lawrence, William Crawford. Born 24, twixt 8&9 at night.

3rd Dec. 1732 LS. Ramsay, James, of Andrew Rmnsay & Sarah Douglas. Wits. Lawrence Dinwiddie, elder, Doctor John Woodrop.

lst Nov. 1733 LS. Buchanan, Thomas, of John Buchanan & Mary Crawford. Wits. William Crawford, Moses Buchanan, Lawrence Dinwiddie.

21 Dec. 1733. LS. Dinwiddie, William, of Lawrence Dinwiddie & Christine Crawford. Wits. William Crawford, William Buchanan. Born 19 Nov. 1/4 before 1 o'clock in the morning.

Vol. 13. 1734--1739.

27 Jan. 1734. Dinwiddie, Elizabeth, LD.,of Lawrence Dinwiddie & Janet Coulter. Wits. Bailie John Coulter, John v Baird.

18 Oct. 1734. LS. Cuming, Matthew, of Mr. John Cuming & Ann Kerr. Wits. Bailie Lawrence Dinwiddie, Matthew Cuming.

1 May 1735. Ls. Dinwiddie, Archibald, of Alexander Dinwiddie & Elizabeth Fleeming. Wits. Lawrence Dinwiddie, elder Lawrence Dinwiddie, younger.

10 August, 1735 LD. Dinwiddie, Joan, of Bailie,Lawrence Dinwiddie Jonet Coulter. Wits. John Baird, John Coulter. Born Thursday 4th. at 2 in the morning.

12 October, 1735. LD. Menery, Anne, of James Menery & Anne Belrose. Wits. John Glen, Matthew Dinwiddie.

31 October, 1736. LS. Dinwiddie, Lawrence, of Alexander Dinwidie (sic) & Elizabeth Fleming (sic). Wits. Thomas Wotherspoon, William Mc Acartna.

1737. No Dinwiddie Entries.

19 March, 1738. LD. Coulter, Margaret, of John Coulter (late provost) & Mary Peadie. Wits. James Hamilton, tutor of Akenhead; Lawrence Dinwiddie, (present Bailie).

11 May, 1738. LS. Dinwiddie, Alexander of Alexander Dinwiddie & 9 Elizabeth Fleming, Wits. John Gartshor; Matthew Dinwiddie.

22 FebruAry 1739. LS. Coulter Peadie of John Coulter (late provost) & Mary Peadie. Wits. James Hamilton of Akenhead, Lawrence Dinwiddie ( present Bailie).

19 July, 1739. LD. Dinwiddie, Sophia, of Alexander Dinwiddie & Elizabeth Fleming. Wits. Alexander Paterson; Robert Bogle.

Vol. 14 1740--1745.

28 February, 1740. LS. Coulter, Lawrence, of John Coulter (late provost) & Mary Peadie. Wits. James Hamilton of Aikenhead; Lawrence Dinwiddie, merchant. Born Januaky 26th. Bapt. by Mr, John Hamilton, minister in Barony.

27 October, 1740. LS. Dinwoidie,(sic), Robert, of Alexander Dinwoiddie (sic), & Elizabeth Fleming. Wits. Lawrence Dinwiddie; John Gartshare.

Western Necropolis, Glasgow

John Dinwoodie/died 1 Nov 1930, 69 yrs. old/ His wife Jani-- Mary/died 10 Dec 1934, 65 yrs. old/Dorothea Borthwick, daughter/died 6 May, 1958, aged 62 yrs./ Walter Marshall Dinwoodie, son, died 9 Mar 1964, aged 63 yrs.

WILL OF JAMES DINWOODY AND MARY INGLIS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS
CASTLETOWN, ISLE OF MAN

In the Name of God Amen.

I James Dinwoody Senior of the parish of Malew and Mary Dinwoody my wife being of sound and ------- Mind Memory and Understanding Do make our joint Last Will and Testament in manner following. First, We commend our Souls to God and our Bodies to Christian burial. Secondly, We give and bequeath unto our granddaughter Mary Thomson our Clock, Chest of Drawers, Looking Glass, Feather Bed, Bedding, Bedstead and Hangings, as Legacy. Thirdly, We give devise and bequeath unto our Son William Dinwoody all that House and Concerns situate near the new Quay in Castletown and now in the occupation of our Son James Dinwoody. He our said Son William to pay in consideration of the said premises the sum of Fifty pounds british to his brother the said James when he the s. William Dinwoody possesses the same. Fourthly, We give and bequeath one shilling to every person who may pretend to claim any right to our Goods & Effects.

And Lastly, We give and bequeath unto our Daughter Jane the Wife of Samuel Thomson all the residue residue and remainder of all our Goods Rights Credits Chattels and Effects movable and immovable whatever and We do nominate constitute and appoint our said daughter Jane Thomson whole and sole Executrix of this our joint Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names or affixed our marks this 23 day of August 1821

James Dinwoody (signed)

Mary Dinwoody (her mark)

Signed Published and Declared by the Testators as and for their joint Last Will and Testament in presence of us the Witnesses. Signed John Gourlie and Wm. Hampton.

Malew
To his worshipful William Roper Esquire one of the Vicars General within the Diocese of Sodor of Man.

The humble petion of James Thomson and Jane Thomson otherwise Dinwoody his wife of the parish of KK Arbory.

Sheweth
That James Dinwoody and Mary Dinwoody his wife the father and mother of your petitioner Jane did on the 23rd day of August 1821 duly make and publish their last joint will and last testament in writing and they did therein and hereby amongst other things nominate constitute and appoint your petitioner Jane whole and sole executrix of their said will.

That the said Mary Dinwoody did some short time ago depart this life without having revoked or altered the said will and your petitioner is now desirous to establish the said will so far as the said testatrix Mary was concerned and to take upon themselves the burden and execution thereof.

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray a speedy hearing of this petition and that your worship will be pleased to receive the said will and ----- your petrs in due form of --- --- --- ---- pray.


Robert Kelly for the petrs.

Ordered that this petition ---- ---- on to be heard before me at a special ecclesiastical court to be holden at Castletown on Monday the 20th instant by eleven o clock in ---- ---- ----

Whereof all proper parties and persons are to have due notice.

Given the 9th December 1824.

Will. Roper


At a special chapter court holden in Castletown the 20th of Dec 1824.

Samuel Thompson in right of his wife Jane Thompson the Executrix in the foregoing will ---- is sworn to --- and truly to execute the before written last will and testament of Mary Dinwoody deceased to pay all her just debts legacies and funeral expenses so far forth as her goods will extend and the law bind here and to return a true and perfect inventory of the deceadents estate and effects and of his proceedings in the premises into the Episcopal Registry of this Island when there to lawfully require and to these ends this Samuel Thompson hath entered unto a bond unto the Lord Bishop and his successors in the penal sum of ten pounds Brit.- bearing equal rate herewith. Probatum est.

Signed Will. Roper


Whereas James Dinwoody Senior of the parish of Malew and Mary his wife did by their joint last will and testament by them duly made and executed and bearing date the 23 day of August 1821 amongst other things leave and bequeath unto their granddaughter Mary Thompson their clock, chest of drawers, looking glass, feather bed, bedding, bedstead and hangings as legacy, and nominated constituted and appointed their daughter Jane the wife of Samuel Thompson whole and sole executrix and residuary legatee of their said will as by the same hereunto annexed may more fully appear. And whereas the said Mary Dinwoody sometime thereafter departed this life without altering or revoking the said will, but before the same had received probate in the Ecclesiastical Court, the witnesses thereto departed this life, in consequence whereof the said will could not be legally established, and therefore the same has become void and of no effects which were of the said Mary Dinwoody dec. have become the property of her children, namely James Dinwoody, William Dinwoody, Mary Hampton als. Dinwoody and the said Jane Thompson who are resident in this Island and John Dinwoody and Elizth. Downward als. Dinwoody who reside beyond the seas equally between them. And whereas the said James Dinwoody, William Dinwoody and Mary Hampton als. Dinwoody having been amply provided for by their said father and mother previous to their making & executing the said will are (to avoid disputes or litigation touching the goods and effects of their said deceased mother) willing and desirous to grant the following surrender and quits claims thereof. Wherefore knowing all men by these presents that we the said James Dinwoody, William Dinwoody and Mary Hampton als. Dinwoody for and in consideration of the matters aforesaid have given granted surrendered and relinquished and by thes presents do give grant surrender and relinquish unto the said Mary Thompson all our respective rights or titles in and unto the said clock, chest of drawers, looking glass, feather bed, bedding, bedstead and hangings so bequeathed unto her as aforesaid and also our several right and title in and unto the residuum of the goods and effects of our said deceased mother, unto her the said Jane Thompson as also bequeathed unto her in and by the said will. To have and to hold the same unto them the said Mary Thompson and Jane Thompson and their respective executors and administrators from the date hereof forever as fully to all entents and purposed as they might or could have held the same under and by virtue of the said will if the same had been legally established. And we the said James Dinwoody, William Dinwoody and Mary Hampton als. Dinwoody do hereby severally exonerate requit release and discharge them the said Mary Thompson and Jane Thompson and Samuel Thompson her husband from any further claim or demand by us for or on account of the good and effects so bequeathed unto them respectively in and by the said will of our mother Mary Dinwoody deceased. For the true performance hereof we the said James Dinwoody, William Dinwoody & Mary Hampton do bind and oblige ourselves our heirs exors. and admors. under the penalty of twenty pounds each to be levied & paid according to law. As witness our subscriptions this 6th day of Dec. 1824.

Signed William Dinwoody.

Signed and delivered 1824 by Wm. Dinwoody in presence of Wm. Kewley - Margaret Clucas.

The DINWIDDIE and GRANT Families.  Written by and courtesy of Alec Marlow.

These two Scottish families came to Manchester in the 18th century, and were closely associated. My own interest in them is that James DINWIDDIE is my great x 4 grandfather.

James and William DINWIDDIE were sons of Lawrence DINWIDDIE of Germiston, near Glasgow, and came to Manchester in the late 18th century where they became partners in business. At about this time, between 1750 and 1800, the Industrial Revolution was in full swing and the cotton industry in
Lancashire was growing at a tremendous rate. New inventions in spinning and weaving were being made, water and steam were replacing hand power, and mills and factories were replacing the cottage industry of the past.

James was born in 1750 and by 1772 he was already in business as a fustian manufacturer in Tib Lane, just off Cross Street, in the centre of Manchester. This was a popular area for cloth manufacturers because the river Tib ran at the side of the lane and provided a supply of water for processing the cloth. Tib Lane is still there, but the river is now underground in a culvert. By 1783, James was the owner of Hampson Mills at Redvales near Bury, and it was here that the Grant family came to find their first employment in Lancashire as explained later. Hampson Mill Lane still exists, and the mill is believed to have survived until the 1960's, but the site is now a housing estate.

James seems to have been quite a public-spirited man. In September 1784 he attended a meeting to start a scheme for the establishment of Sunday Schools in Manchester, and he was elected as Treasurer. In 1788 his name appears in the list of Special Constables. He was also one of the founders of Mosley Street Independent Chapel which was built in 1788 by a group of seceders from Cannon Street.

William was born in 1758, and followed James to Manchester in 1772, when he was only 14. In a 1781 directory he appears as William DINWIDDIE, fustian manufacturer, in King Street, Manchester, and by 1789 he had become prosperous enough to build himself a large house, Hendham Hall, in extensive grounds at Hendham Vale in Collyhurst.

By 1788 James and William seem to have joined forces, as a directory of that year lists DINWIDDIE, KENNEDY and DINWIDDIE as fustian manufacturers in Tib Lane, with James occupying a house in nearby King Street. In 1794 the same partnership had moved round the corner to 4 Redcross Street, where Albert Square is today.

By 1796 the partners in the business had changed again, and in that year they became bankrupt. Many businesses were having problems at this time due to difficult trading conditions, largely due to the French Revolution affecting trade with Europe. The Manchester Gazette of l9th November 1796 announced the bankruptcy of James DINWIDDIE of Pendlebury, William DINWIDDIE of Collyhurst, Lawrence DINWIDDIE of Glasgow and Henry BEWICKE of London, in business as Merchanters. Dealers and Chapmen. 

For the next few months various advertisements appeared for the sale by auction of the mills at Redvales and their contents, a warehouse and other properties in Manchester, and eventually William's home, Hendham Hall. Even James's financial interest in the Mosley Street Chapel was offered for sale. Hendham Hall was auctioned on 23rd March 1797 and seems to have passed into the ownership of the Andrews family for several years, but in 1845 it was sold to Manchester City and was made into a public park which exists today as Queens Park, on Rochdale Road. William's original house was used for some years as refreshment rooms, but in 1884 was replaced by a new building used as a museum. When the old house was demolished a copper foundation plaque was found, inscribed as follows.

William, the 21st child of Lawrence Dinwiddie Esquire, of Germistown, near Glasgow, came to Manchester in May 1772; married Ann, eldest daughter of Gilbert Hamilton, of Cramond, near Edinburgh, January 1782. Laid the foundation of this house May 1789, in the 32nd year of his and his wife's age. Having three daughters, Margaret Hamilton, Elizabeth. and Ann, and one son, Lawrence, aged one year. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that built it.

Both James and William seem to have recovered from the bankruptcy fairly quickly. In January 1798 William's son Lawrence, then 10 years old, was enrolled at Manchester Grammar School, and at the time William was described as a Cotton and Twist Dealer. Two years later another son Gilbert joined the school, and by this time William was described as an Insurance Broker. In 1801 William was involved in the Manchester Commercial Society, which became the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and in 1803 was a member of a committee formed to oppose the import duty on raw cotton, who were described as "important merchants and manufacturers". In 1804 a directory lists William DINWIDDIE, Son and WILKINSON as Insurance Brokers at 14 Exchange Street. The son was presumably Lawrence, born in 1788. It is interesting that the third partner, WILKINSON, has the same name as James DINWIDDIE'S wife, Sarah WILKINSON.

Little is known about James in the few years after 1796, although it appears that both James and William went to London, as there are references to them in London trade directories, described variously at different times as Merchants, Agents, and Brokers. 

As mentioned above, Jame's wife was Sarah WILKINSON of Otley, and his only daughter was Lydia Elizabeth, born in 1783 and christened in Manchester Cathedral. She married Ebenezer WHITTENBURY, a surgeon and son of John WHITTENBURY, a Manchester cotton merchant. They had six sons who seem to have been christened in various widely spread places such as London, Wigan, Liverpool and Bingley.

James eventually moved to Pool in Wharfedale, just north of Leeds, and near to Sarah's birthplace at Otley. At the time of his death in 1836 at the age of 86 he owned extensive properties in and around Pool which he left to his six grandsons. James did have a son, William Wilkinson DINWIDDIE, but he died at the age of 29, apparently without being married or having children.

As James had no sons to carry on the Dinwiddie name, all his descendants were Whittenburys. James and Sarah were both buried in the Wilkinson family grave at Leathley, the next village to Poole, together with other family members, and the grave is still visible and has inscriptions detailing those who are buried there.

The Grant Connection.

The Grants were farmers in the Spey valley in Scotland, but about 1780 their business was ruined by floods. Knowing of the boom in the textile Industry in Lancashire at that time, they decided to move there to try to obtain employment. William and Grace GRANT, with their sons William, John and Daniel, and daughter Elizabeth came to the Manchester area in 1783 with a letter of introduction to Mr. (later Sir) Richard ARKWRIGHT. However Arkwright had no vacancies so they called on James DINWIDDIE, who they had known in Scotland and who now was in business as a fustian manufacturer and calico printer at Hampson Mills. James found the elder sons employment and eventually the daughter as well.

William GRANT junior was a man of remarkable energy, and while working for James DINWIDDIE spent all his spare time building up his own business selling textiles and clothing at markets. It is said that the whole of the Grant family seldom got up later than four o'clock in the morning ! After a time James DINWIDDIE offered William GRANT a partnership, but this offer was refused and the Grants continued on their own, at first with a shop and travelling the country with their wares, but later becoming manufacturers and printers themselves. They had a warehouse in Cannon Street, Manchester, and build a large works at Ramsbottom, just north of Manchester. By about 1830 the firm of William Grant and Brothers was being described as Manchester's best known calico printers. At about this time Robert Dinwiddie WHITTENBURY, one of James's grandsons, became manager of the Grant's works. Thus the grandson of the man who gave the Grants their start in the textile industry became in turn employed by the Grants. The business was mainly run by William GRANT and his brother Daniel, with the help of the other brothers John and Charles. William had a house in Lever Street, but later moved to Springside, near the works in Ramsbottom. Daniel had a house in Mosley Street which at the time was one of the most fashionable residential streets in Manchester, and he was also a member of the Mosley Street Independent Chapel. The two brothers became very wealthy, and were noted for their exceptional generosity, so much so that Charles DICKENS used them as the basis of his characters the Cheeryble Brothers In Nicholas Nickleby, and they became widely known as the "Cheeryble Grants".

William GRANT built St. Andrews Church in Ramsbottom in 1832 at his own expense, and it is still in use as a parish church. In 1906 the Rev. W. HUME-ELLIOTT who was the Rector of the church at the time, wrote a book called "The Story of the Cheeryble Grants" recounting the story of the Grant family. In the preface to the book he explains how he got in touch with the Rev. E.W. WHITTENBURY-KAYE, the Rector at Culcheth, Warrington, who was a descendant of James DINWIDDIE and who had a small portrait of James which was subsequently reproduced in the book.

James DINWIDDIE had maintained his connection with Daniel GRANT even in retirement, and in 1830 when James was eighty he presented Daniel with a Bible inscribed with a personal message of good wishes. The Rev. WHITTENBURY-KAYE also had this Bible in his possession.

As mentioned earlier my own interest in this story is James DINWIDDIE. I feel I know him quite well by now, and I have a copy of his picture from HUME-ELLIOTS's book. Despite his misfortunes in business, he seems to have been a hard working man, willing to help others. and with a firm religious background. Perhaps we can give him the last word by quoting a brief extract from his will, which was made in 1833 when he was 83 years old, and signed with a firm and confident hand.

It is my will and mind that the erection over part of my farm yard at Pool now used as a place of worship, be forever continued as such for Gospel Ministers of the Independent Denomination, for the purpose of promoting the spiritual good of the inhabitants of Pool. And I earnestly recommend my successors to promote the same by encouraging a Gospel Ministry and Sunday School at Pool, being assured that their labours will not be in vain in the Lord.

Dinwiddies from the Commonwealth War Graves Commision.

In Memory of
FREDERICK DINWIDDIE

Private 27296 2nd Bn., Royal Scots who died on Monday, 24th July 1916. Age 35.  Additional Information: Son of James and Christina Dinwiddie, of Marchfield Farm, Dumfries. Native of Kirkmahoe, Dumfries.

In Memory of
ARCHIBALD HUTTON DINWIDDIE

Private S/26153 7th Bn., Cameron Highlanders who died on Sunday, 14th October 1917.

In Memory of
GEORGE CHARLES EDWARD DINWIDDIE

Captain Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, R.C.I.C. who died on Monday, 13th December 1943. Age 33.  Additional Information: Son of George Charles Edward and Mary Dinwiddie; husband of Phyllis Ivy Dinwiddie, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

JOHN DINWIDDIE

Sapper 3074 1st/1st Lowland Field Coy., Royal Engineers who died on Sunday, 9th May 1915.

JAMES TRAVERS BLOUNT DINWIDDIE

Captain Border Regiment who died on Monday, 13th September 1915.

Commemorative Information.  Cemetery: AMBERLEY CHURCH CEMETERY, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom.  Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Left of path from West entrance

CONRAD HUGH DINWIDDY

Captain 13th Siege Bty., Royal Garrison Artillery who died on Thursday, 27th September 1917. Age 35.  Additional Information: Son of Thomas Dinwiddy, F.R.I.B.A., F.S.I., and Eliza Charlotte Dinwiddy, daughter of Phillip Rooke, St. Margaret's-at-Cliffe, Kent; husband of Winifred Dinwiddy, of 3, Oakdale Rd., Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

GEORGE CHARLES DINWIDDY

Private 28555 8th Bn., King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt.) who died on Thursday, 28th March 1918. Age 23.  Additional Information: Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Dinwiddy, of 249, Albert Rd., Aston, Birmingham.

LEONARD ARTHUR DINWIDDY DCM

Lance Corporal 11631 3rd Bn., Coldstream Guards who died on Friday, 8th October 1915. Age 20.  Additional Information: Son of Thomas and Annie Dinwiddy, of Crowcombe, Taunton, Somerset.

THOMAS JAMES DINWODDIE DCM

Corporal 291246 7th Bn., Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) who died on Tuesday, 26th March 1918. Age 28.  Additional Information: Son of Mrs. Dinwoddie, of Dunfermline, and the late William Dinwoddie.

ARTHUR DINWOODIE

Private 377456 2nd/10th Bn., Manchester Regiment who died on Tuesday, 9th October 1917. Age 20.  Additional Information: Son of John Henry and Florence Dinwoodie, of 58, Ellesmere St., Moss Side, Manchester.

DAVID DINWOODIE

Private 33022 2nd Bn., King's Own Scottish Borderers who died on Monday, 26th August 1918. Age 20.  Additional Information: Son of Mrs. S. Dinwoodie, of Gate House, The Ward, Elgin.

DAVID DINWOODIE

Private 28074 1st/4th Bn., The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment formerly (34348), Border Regiment who died on Sunday, 18th November 1917.   Additional Information: Husband of Euphemia Cowan Dinwoodie, of 30, Rowanburn, Canonbie, Dumfriesshire.

D W DINWOODIE

Second Lieutenant 8th Bn., Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) who died on Thursday, 19th April 1917.

GEORGE O B DINWOODIE

Private 24739 2nd Bn., Royal Scots Fusiliers who died on Monday, 23rd April 1917. Age 28. Additional Information: Son of John and Elizabeth Dinwoodie, of Dunaskin Cottage, Dunaskin, Ayrshire; husband of Laura Dinwoodie, of 15, Carnarvon Rd., Pwllheli, Carnarvonshire.

GEORGE SINCLAIR DINWOODIE

Second Lieutenant 38th Training Depot Station, Royal Air Force formerly (Pte.) 7th Bn., Highland Light Infantry who died on Thursday, 29th August 1918. Age 26.  Additional Information: Son of Samuel and Helen Caroline Dinwoodie, of "Braerig," 16, Lindsay Drive, Kelvindale, Glasgow. Born at Kirkmichael, Dumfriesshire. Twice wounded.

HAROLD ALFRED DINWOODIE

Bandsman 5771384 1st Bn., Royal Norfolk Regiment who died on Tuesday, 6th June 1944. Age 27.  Additional Information: Son of James Harold Dinwoodie, and of Katie Henrietta Dinwoodie, of Birkenhead.

J DINWOODIE

Private 2164 1st (Dockers) Bn., The King's (Liverpool Regiment) who died on Saturday, 17th May 1919. Age 35.  Additional Information: Husband of Rosanna Dinwoodie, of 15, Prior St., Bootle, Liverpool.

JOHN DINWOODIE

Private 202629 2nd Bn., King's Own Scottish Borderers who died on Thursday, 4th October 1917.

JAMES HAROLD DINWOODIE

Fourth Mate S.S. "Shimosa" (Liverpool), Mercantile Marine who died on Monday, 30th July 1917. Age 31.  Additional Information: Son of Margaret Dinwoodie and the late James Samuel Dinwoodie; husband of Katie Henrietta Dinwoodie (nee Bott), of 15, Victoria Mount, Birkenhead, Cheshire. Born at Walton, Liverpool.

J H DINWOODIE

Bombardier 27428 71st Bty., Royal Field Artillery who died on Saturday, 18th November 1916.

JAMES WINDLE NEIL DINWOODIE

who died on Thursday, 17th October 1940. Age 33.  Additional Information: Fireman, A.F.S.; of 193 Norbury Crescent. Son of the late James and Lucy Maude Dinwoodie, husband of Nora Dinwoodie. at A.F.S. Station, Mitcham Lane.

RICHARD DINWOODIE

Private 23636 "A" Coy. 1st Bn., King's Own Scottish Borderers who died on Thursday, 14th December 1916. Age 19.  Additional Information: Son of James and Jane Dinwoodie, of Cemetery Lodge, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire.

ROBERT WILLIAM DINWOODIE

Lance Corporal 12621 10th Bn., The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment who died on Wednesday, 11th April 1917. Age 24.  Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Dinwoodie, of 30, Boundary St. East, Liverpool.

THOMAS MEREDITH DINWOODIE

Serjeant 1847694 Royal Engineers

who died on Wednesday, 29th May 1940. Age 44.  Additional Information: Son of Thomas Meredith Dinwoodie and Alice Sherwood Dinwoodie, of Liverpool; husband of Ada Dinwoodie, of Great Crosby, Liverpool.

W DINWOODIE

Private 92482 Royal Army Medical Corps who died on Saturday, 7th December 1918.

ARTHUR DINWOODY

Lance Corporal L/6700 1st Bn., Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) who died on Sunday, 30th August 1914. Age 29.  Additional Information: Brother of John Dinwoody, of 35, Ravine Grove, Plumstead, London.

 

DINWOODIES LISTED IN THE HEARTH TAX ROLLS FOR DUMRIESSHIRE 1691

The following are the parishes or towns listing Dinwoodie (or variant) surnames in the Hearth Tax lists. Within the parishes/towns there are often sub-areas such as Castlemilk inlists under St. Mungo.  As can be seen, the majority of the Dinwoodies are still living near the original estate in Johnstone Parish.  The individual entries contain the enumeration number within the list, the name of the head of the family (often there are 2 families sharing one dwelling place), sometimes the name of the residence, and lastly the number of hearths. The original spelling and punctuation (or lack thereof) has been retained. Sometimes multiple hearths suggest a more affluent family, although many of the extra hearths are strictly utilitarian such as those serving kilns or smithys. Everyone was required to pay this assessment, so this "census" should be fairly inclusive. The only ones excluded from the tax were the “poor” and many of these are named at the end of the lists as having been excluded

Tinuald

#8 James Dinwoodie 1
#12 Rot Dinwoodie 1

Mouswald

#110 James Dinwoodie 1

Sir Robert Dalyell’s Land in Kirkmichael, Tinwald, Trail-Flatt

Cottars

#35 cottars John Dinuddie 1
#39 Cathrin Dinwiddie 1

St. Mungo Parish

Castlemilk inlists

#43 John Dinwoodie Midleshau 1

Johnstone Parish (145 hearths total listed in Johnstone Parish)

Annandaill

#8 James Dinwuoddie and Sara Thompsone in Bairns 2
#10 Tho Matheu & Rot Dinwoddie in orchart wt kilne 4
#18 David & Rot Dinuoodies Auchendininhead 2
#26 Tho Hunter Janet Dinuoodie Over Cleuchbrae & kilne 3
#34 Alex Mitchel Wm Dinuodie Over Bargainbuss 2
#39 James Dinuodie Gauinsburn & kilne 2
#75 Rot Dinwoodie & a smiddie Carse 9 (six other families at Carse included in the 9)

Kirkpatrick Fliming

Patrick Irvine of Brots

#32 John Dinwoodie Broots 1

(Total Dinwoodie families listed in Dumfriesshire 17. Total in Johnstone Parish 10.)


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