A SHORT HISTORY OF STONEHOUSE
NUMBER ONE - EARLY HISTORY
Attached is some information on my home village, the place where most of our Sorbie ancestors lived
I was born in 1935 in Argyle Street and moved away in 1961 to Larkhall, just down the road. I seem to be the only one going back in history who was not involved in weaving as my Father helped my Grandfather with silk weaving when he was 12 years of age.
Early
history of Stonehouse parish or lands go back to the time of the Damnii the most
powerful and civilised Tribe in North Britain whose language may still be traced
in the names of some of the localities and burns (streams). In an endeavour to
subdue this tribe, the Romans did much to civilise them, by introducing the arts
of industry; and they materially helped to beautify and enrich the country by
planting orchards in Clydesdale which have been famous for ages, and are still
there.
Above
the River Avon [tributary of the Clyde] is the old church of St Ninian and
Churchyard and it is believed that a Druid worshipping place was nearby
overlooking a stilted village on the Banks of the Avon.
The
above Churchyard is where the early generations of Sorbies are buried.
Druids
were the predecessors in this country of these early preachers of the
gospel—St Ninian and his successors; and an erection of stones, in circular
fashion, in some places still marks the out the ancient heathen places of
worship, as for example Stonehenge.”Lets go up to the Stanes” is a
form of expression that was common up to recent times in some localities,
meaning to go to worship. It was the language of those who adhered to the new
faith, and furnishes us with the original Saxon forms of Stanes, Stannas,
Stanhus, Stanhous, Stonehouse, some people say that the name came from
the Romans Stannis, and there is a part Roman Road, and Fort nearby.
Sir
William the Fleming “De Douglas” I of Stanhus. Was the first recorded owner
of the lands of Stonehouse, and was handed down to the Duke of Hamilton’s
ancestors around 1454 and through time was owned by Sir James Lockhart of Lee
around 1667
Catcastle
between Stonehouse and Strathaven was the above mentioned Roman Fort and nearby
was found urns containing ashes of Romans, and it is believed that there was a
battle in the area.
Population
of Stonehouse in 1690 was 272 and in the parish 600.
In
1790 in the village 596 and in the parish 467.
(Majority
of females 80) Farmers, 56;
Weavers, 131; Masons,9 ; Shoemakers,15
; Wrights,6 ; Smiths,
4 ; Tailors,6 ; Coopers,2)
In
1851 town 2086 rest of parish 695.
In
1861 town 2585 rest of parish 682.
In
1871 town 2632 rest of parish 554.
In
1881 town 2613 rest of parish 559.
The
population now must be around 6000 in the town.
To be continued.
Tom Sorbie.