As noted in the introduction to these Family History pages, Gail was told stories by her Scottish grandmother (Christina JAMIESON) about the street of houses in Brechin, Scotland that should still belong to the JAMIESON family. It was not until she purchased the 1881 UK census disks, that Gail gave any credence to these tales of past wealth. Then much to her amazement, Gail discovered her great great grandmother as a widow, living in a building named The Jamieson Building and just around the corner was the YMCA, also supposedly previously owned by the JAMIESON family just as she'd been told as a young child.

These photographs were taken and provided by Chris Stanton of Brechin to whom I am indebted for this kindness.

Any help with ascertaining the history of these houses in Brechin would be appreciated. If you might be able to help please send an email to Gail Irwin
Or send snail mail to:
Gail Irwin
90 Kelburn Pde
Kelburn
Wellington 6005
New Zealand

Number 59 South Esk St is on the corner of Bank Street and seems to be attached to 3 Bank St. Number 59 South Esk St is an original double fronted 3 floored building. There appears to be some kind of plaque high above the front door but if there was any writing, time has erased it! 57 South Esk St is also double fronted with 3 floors but less impressive and 55 (see the following picture) is two floors and smaller. These three buildings are original and are terraced. At the edge of the picture the pebble dashed wall with a blue flush is the other side of Bank Street (British Legion Club) and has nothing to do with the property at 59. The dormer windows on the roof of 59 belong to flats in Bank Street.

Alexander JAMIESON was living at 2 SouthEsk Street at least between 1861 and his second marriage in 1864. By 1871 he and his family were living at 57 SouthEsk Street. In 1879 when Alexander JAMIESON died, the tenants of 57 SouthEsk Street included Miss FERRIER, Samuel GORDON, George MORRISON and Miss AITKEN. The property at number 57 South Esk Street was also occupied by the JAMIESON family and it was inherited, with the garden immediately behind same, by Alexander's younger son, David JAMIESON. The older son, William JAMIESON inherited the "property numbers 3 & 5 Bank Street, Brechin and that fronting South Esk Street, presently occupied by one with garden immediately behind same " and this would seem to include the building now numbered as 59 SouthEsk Street.

In the 1881 UK Census, 57 SouthEsk Street is referred to as the "Jamieson Building" and contained five households headed by (mainly annuitants) Agnes BARCLAY, George MORRISON, Margaret KNOWLES, Jessie D. FERRIER and Christina JAMIESON with her younger son , David JAMIESON aged 9 and a Domestic Servant Margaret BEAN. The older son, William JAMIESON was living with the OGG family at 46 Union St, Brechin. Both sides of Bank Street are listed between numbers 57 and 59 Southesk Street, implying that 57 is on one corner of Bank St while 59 is on the other. It is likely that the houses have been renumbered and the current number 59 SouthEsk Street was originally designated either as Bank Street or as number 57. In 1881 number 59 SouthEsk St consisted of two households, namely the families of Alexander WATSON (brother of Christina JAMIESON ms WATSON of number 57) and George F. FENWICK .

In the 1891 UK Census, William JAMIESON and his family were living at 57 SouthEsk Street and his daughter, Christina JAMIESON was born in December 1894 at 57A South Esk St. Meanwhile David JAMIESON was living at 1 Infirmary St, Brechin with Alexander McKossan, a Linen Factory Operator and his wife.

In 1879 when Alexander JAMIESON died, he was in the process of purchasing 55 SouthEsk St from the Trustees of the late Andrew JERVISE Esquire and the tenant was William CHRISTIE, Upholsterer. This property was bequeathed, by a death-bed codicil, to Alexander's younger son, David JAMIESON who later became a solicitor in Brechin.

Number 3 Bank Street is an original building on two floors - what would be termed as cottage style. The parked red vehicle is beside the railings at the side of 59 Southesk St. The two properties are connected near the end of the railings. The front wall of No 3 seems to have had a second door that has now been converted into a window. The light brown door at the right of picture seems to go into a garden area. Number 5 Bank Street does not seem to exist.

In 1879, William JAMIESON inherited the "property numbers 3 & 5 Bank Street, Brechin". In the 1881 UK Census, Number 3 Bank Street was occupied by James CRANNA, his family and boarders while 5 Bank Street consisted of three households headed by Jannet SHEARER, James GRAY ( Y M C A), and John G. GARDNER ( The Cottage).

In 1879 when Alexander JAMIESON died, the tenants of 119 Montrose Street included Ann FITCHIT and William MOWATT. This property was not bequeathed by Alexander's will so it is likely that his older son, William JAMIESON, inherited it - although Alexander's sister who was living in Montrose Street when she died, may have been granted a life interest by a previous deed. In the 1881 UK Census this property was occupied by the two households of William HENDRY and William MOWATT.

In 1879 when Alexander JAMIESON died, the tenants of 169 Montrose Street included Murdoch BEATON, Mary CHRISTIE and James INNES. This property was not bequeathed by Alexander's will so it is likely that his older son, William JAMIESON, inherited it. In the 1881 UK Census this property was occupied by the two households of James ALEXANDER and Murdoch BEATON.