Margaret Birnie, a girl ten years old, was on Wednesday night burnt to death, in consequence of a quantity of tow, which was wrapped round her waist, having caught fire, while she was trimming her lamp.  The neighbours heard the shrieks of the girl; but took it for granted that her mother was administering parental chastisement, till they were alarmed by the smell of the burning.  The mother had gone out a short time for work - leaving two younger children in bed, and the charge of the house to the unfortunate sufferer.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 26th February 1817.