Ellon's ploughing champions

On Monday the 15th instant, the Competition of Ploughing of the Ellon District, took place in a field on Mr Gordon's farm at Eslemont-house; when fifty-five ploughs appeared on the ground by half-past nine o'clock, all of which started by half-past ten, and completed their tasks by half-past two o'clock; when the judges, Messrs Lumsden, Scott, and Mitchell, came on the ground, who, after a very minute and tedious examination of the work performed, adjudged the premiums as follows, viz. :-

1st Premium, 1l. 15s.  Alexr. Kemp, servant to Mr. Watson, Tipperty; a pair of oxen.
2d Premium, 1l. 10s.  Alexr. Brown, do. to Mr Robert Ruxton, Cairnhill, Eslemont.
3d Premium, 1l. 7s 6d.  Alexander Gray, do. to Mr Milne, Mains of Eslemont.
4th Premium, 1l. 5s.  James Wright, do. to Mr Wilson in Tarty.
5th Premium, 1l. 2s. 6d  James Clerk, do. to Mr Angus in Tillycorthy.
6th Premium, 1l.  Alexr. Cumine, do. to Mr Moir, in Knockhall.
7th Premium, 17s. 6d  David Read, do. to Mr Aberdein, Tillygreig.
8th Premium, 15s.  James Rae, do. to Mr Milne, Mains of Eslemont; a pair of oxen.
9th Premium, 12s 6d.  James Brand, do. to Mr Robertson, Meikle-mill of Eslemont.
10th Premium, 10s.  James Mutch, do. to Mr Hutcheon, in Crosstown of Eslemont.

There were fifty horse, and five oxen teams, most of which were of a very superior description, and in fine condition.  The judges found much difficulty in determining the premiums, from the superior excellence of the ploughing over the whole, which proved to them, and the gentlemen present, the benefit which arises from competitions of this kind.  The day proved a very favourable one, and the concourse of spectators may be calculated at above five hundred.  A very respectable party dined in Mr Cowie's Inn afterwards, and spent the evening with much conviviality and good humour.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 24th February 1819.