Accidental death of Stonehaven child

Stonehaven, 1st June, 1819. - A most distressing accident happened here yesterday afternoon.  Just as the Mail Coach was descending from the Bridge of Cowie, and making the quick turn into the Bridge-street, a child of between 3 and 4 years of age, belonging to Mr David Henderson, merchant here, unfortunately chanced to be then nearly in the way of the Coach, and but a very little distance ahead of her, when running to get out of the road, it fell just before the horses, and altho' every possible exertion was made by the driver to stop the horses, and by some people near at the time to save the child, one of the wheels passed over the poor infant's head, and part of the breast, and crushed it to death.

At the instance of the Procurator Fiscal, a precognition was taken to-day, in regard to the way and manner in which the accident happened - and all who were eye witnesses of it declare, that no blame whatever rests with the guard or driver; that altho' the child had belonged to either of them, they could not possibly have saved its life.  The whole blame lies in the abominable bridge over the Cowie water - its excessive narrowness and steepness, besides the acute turn which it causes in coming into the town of Stonehaven.

It is much to be wished that a new bridge were put up, of the proper breadth, and higher up the water, for no person can be safe to pass the present one on foot, at any time, but particularly at night.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 2nd June 1819.

The child may have been Anne Henderson, daughter of David Henderson and Sarah Hutcheon, whose baptism was recorded in the Fetteresso parochial register on 28th November 1815.

Alford's prizewinning ploughmen

A Ploughing Match took place at Bridge of Alford, on the 18th March curt. when the sum of Ten Guineas, given to the District of Alford, by the Aberdeenshire Agricultural Association, was divided into 8 Premiums, and adjudged as follows:-

1st,  To John Blackhall, servant to Mr William McCombie, Nethertown of Rough, 3l.
2d,  To David Henderson, farmer's son, at Newbigging of Clatt, 2l.
3d,  To Adam Booth, ditto, at Auchmenaies, Clatt,  1l 10s.
4th,  To Alex. Rannie, servant to Mr Raylor at Wellhouse, Alford, 1l. 2s. 6d.
5th,  To George Wilson, ditto to Mr William Ingram at Greystone, Tullynessle, 1l.
6th,  To William Clerihew, farmer's son at Salivathy, Tullynessle, 15s.
7th,  To John Mitchell, ditto at Anagathie, Keig, 12s.  And,
8th,  To David Lindsay, servant to Mr James Middleton at Kinstair, Alford, 10s 6d.

After the Judges had given in their report, containing the names of the successful candidates above mentioned, and expressed their entire approbation of the superior manner in which the work in general had been executed; they at the same time particularly recommended to the notice of the Stewards, the performances of William Weir, servant to Sir Harry Niven Lumsden, of Auchindoir, and David Stuart, servant to Mr Soutter, Mains of Whitehouse;  To each of these Ploughmen an additional Premium of Seven Shillings and Sixpence was allowed.

The Competitors amounted to thirty-two.  A great number of spectators attended - and after the business was concluded, a party of above 30 dined with the Stewards, at Mr Park's Inn.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 31st March 1819.

Clatt ploughing match

CLATT PLOUGHING MATCH. - The Clatt Plowman Society, desirous to promote improvement in Ploughing, so essential to the interests of Agriculture, held their first Annual Ploughing Match on Wednesday the 3d curt, upon a field belonging to Mr Mitchell in Auchindellan, when a number of Ploughs started, and every candidate exerted his talents before a numerous crowd of spectators.  The work gave general satisfaction, and after a minute investigation by the judges, they awarded the premiums to the following persons, viz. - the first to George Reid, son to Alexr. Reid, farmer in Drangowan; the second to Alexr. Barclay, son to Alexr. Barclay, farmer in Littlenewton; the third to John Wilson, servant to Alex. Barclay, Littlenewton; the fourth to David Henderson, son to David Henderson, farmer, Newbiggin.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 17th March, 1813.