Number 5 - Information on residents

1805 – 1836 George and Helen (neé Pairman) Birrell

George Birrell served as an officer in the army in the East India Company’s Bengal Presidency which he joined in 1772. He was promoted to captain in 1780, the year before retiring from the army and returning to Scotland.

George died in 1831 and the following year his eldest daughter, Helen, married Evan Macpherson of Glentrium, a major in the army. In 1821, while serving in the East India Company army in India, Macpherson built a horse trail into Nilagiri hills near Madras, following a report by two civil servants who had travelled into the hills that here was a ‘tableland possessing a European climate’. The road opened up the area and enabled the Madras Government to open a sanatorium at Ooty. Later it became the hill station to where the Madras Government and its officials moved from May to October each year during the hot season.

The couple lived with Helen Birrell for a few years while they built themselves a new house on a site overlooking the upper Spey valley that they purchased from the Duke of Gordon. When Mrs Birrell died in 1834, the couple left Albany Street to move into their new home, Glentrium House. For a further year the house was recorded as the home of Miss Birrell, presumably an unmarried daughter.

The eldest of the Birrell’s son, also George, became a solicitor in 1824. Two years later he published a detailed account of a court case that he had ‘taken in Short Hand.’ Perhaps he was using the system invented by British stenographer, Samuel Taylor, in 1786 as Pitman’s more known method was yet to be created. He later moved to the Bahamas where he served as Attorney-general for St Lucia. In 1832 he married Lucy Chipchase, daughter of the Comptroller of the Customs on St. Lucia, and then became the Attorney-General at Nassau, dying in 1837.

The youngest son, David, served in the army and had an illustrious career including fighting in Burma Afghanistan and India, participating in the 1st Sikh War, including the Battle of Aliwal. In this battle it was reported that Birrell, astride his horse, was one of the first over the trench and was almost killed. Attacked by two sword-wielding Sikhs in succession, he was saved by the intervention of his men, who bayoneted one and shot the other. He also narrowly avoided being blown to pieces by an exploding Sikh magazine, which killed a number of his soldiers as they advanced. He kept a diary and in it recounts the battle : ‘On passing our Artillery, the gunners gave us a cheer, and when some distance past them, I prepared to charge, giving the word “Charge” when about 200 paces from the enemy’s Batteries. At 80 paces or so all our front rank gave a volley from the hip almost as we received a volley of grape shot which caused many casualties in our ranks. We then rushed on capturing the guns in gallant style, the Sikh gunners who had stood to the last being bayonetted and shot by our men who had reserved their fire. In 1831 David Birrell married Matilda Woodman and in 1838 there is mention of Mrs Birrell and a daughter sailing to Bengal. He reached the rank of General before his death in 1878.

Of Dr Fyffe’s early days nothing is known, but we know that Jane was an only child and, although plagued by frail health, somewhat of a tomboy. Also bright, as by the age of fourteen she had already written a novel and a five-act tragedy. When she was sixteen she was sent to a boarding school in Edinburgh and it was at this time that she met the then unknown Thomas Carlyle. Jane's poor health meant that Dr Fyffe was called on regularly to care for her, and this led to their friendship. Jane and Fyffe played chess and shuttlecock together, and before meeting Carlyle she had given Fyffe the impression that there might be the possibility of the friendship becoming something more. She wrote to Carlyle: ‘Moreover do not say another word to me of taking care of myself— I do take care, the greatest possible care— Dr Fyffe takes care of me also— This smallest of doctors likes me as well as you do, in his own way, and would sooner all the rest of his patients were carried off at one fell swoop, than that I should look yellow, or be translated.’…..‘About a dozen magpies of girls, as many old women acid as vinegar, three Gentlemen, one a puppy, another an idiot, and the third Dr Fyffe are all the society I have from years end to years end.’ Carlyle clearly worried that Fyffe was regularly in her company in Haddington, while he was stuck in Edinburgh, and in her early letters to Carlyle Jane was not averse to mischievously taunting him about her local suitor. ‘The bargain with Dr Fyffe is still in the wind—the Doctor like many other pitiable persons being very eager to have the merchandise but equally loth to give the price.’ However, like so many jealous suitors, Dr Fyffe made the mistake of offering what he saw as a friendly warning about his rival: ‘(Fyffe) had heard me express high admiration for your (Carlyle) decision of mind, and proportionate contempt for the opposite quality, and so in the enviousness of his heart, he set about giving me a detail of your proceedings at the George Inn, which was meant to show you off as the most irresolute fickle minded Gentleman that ever fluctuated between half a dozen different opinions. Was there ever such daring impudence?’

Yet Dr Fyffe clearly did not sense Jane’s cooling towards him. Rather he decided decisive action was required: ‘About a twelvemonth since, I was annoyed with a nonsensical proposal from a Gentleman of my acquaintance (Fyffe) — To reject it was my immediate decision—but how required a little longer thought— To refuse him in the usual form, I knew by experience, was to break with him for ever, and this I was desirous to avoid—the kindly feelings I entertained for the young man, and our neighbourhood which exposed us to continual meetings would have rendered any coldness betwixt us painful and inconvenient— to discard the matter as a serious jest appeared to me the most delicate way of expressing my aversion to his project, and the way least likely to disturb the friendliness of our intercourse— the plan seemed to succeed—he refrained from any expression of particular regard, and continued to meet me as cordially as ever— For a whole year I applauded myself on having effected what women so seldom are able to effect—on having retained as a friend the man I had rejected as a lover— but at last my sins against the etiquette of prudence were revenged by the discovery that he loved me more than ever— He was about to leave this country, and one day that I was alone he came to tell us his intention— his look and manner betrayed excessive agitation—he was pale and red by turns—spoke loud and fast, one moment, and the next was scarcely able to articulate— I talked of everything I could think of to divert him; but my efforts were received with such a look of suffering and reproach that I felt at last ashamed of seeming cheerful— We spoke of his departure— “you do not care whether I go or stay” he said in such a tone! I answered he was mistaken, that he had not an acquaintance in East Lothian that would regret his going more than I should— “An acquaintance”! he repeated “and is that all? Jane Jane”—he sprang from his seat beside me and throwing himself on a couch at the other end of the room, sobbed as if his heart would burst— You cannot imagine how I felt— it was so easy to make him happy for the time! one word, one look of kindness had been enough—and I was withheld by every consideration of the future from any effort to alleviate his distress— The sense of his own weakness and the fear of exciting my contempt seemed ready to turn his head—he swore I made him weaker than any child—stormed through the room, talking with violence on the most trivial matters, and completed my dismay with a fit of laughter that made every drop of blood in me stand still— I had stood his tears with tolerable firmness, but his frightful mirth entirely overcame me— forgetful of everything but pity and terror I threw my arms about his neck and besought him to be himself— The instant this frantic action was committed, I was aware of its imprudence— I perceived I had inspired him with a hope I never meant to realize— I hesitated how to undeceive him— I trembled at the idea of again witnessing his despair, and while I stood silent and irresolute in an unlucky moment we were interrupted, and the possibility of explaining precluded for the time— I saw him the following day—it was our last interview in private.’ See also Unflattering recollections

We can only guess at the dashed hopes and hurt feelings of the rebuffed doctor. What we do know is that he did not leave the country but instead bought the house from Mrs Welsh: ‘The strangest thing has just occurred, which I cannot but view as an omen that the Gods are with us. A proposal is come to my Mother from Dr Fyffe, since I began writing, to take this home off our hands upon any terms; and we have never yet mentioned to any that we thought of disposing of it! Was there ever anything so providential?’ Jane was relieved to be rid of his attentions and now firmly set on marriage to Thomas Carlyle: ‘I have neither heard nor seen anything of Doctor Fyffe—the Lord be praised! He not only wasted a very unreasonable proportion of my time; but his fuffs and explosions were very hurtful to my nervous system.’….‘Address your next letter to Haddington - we return thither the day after tomorrow—to Dr Fyffe's house! for it is no longer ours.’

Having sold their house to Dr Fyffe, Jane and her mother moved to Comely Bank in Edinburgh, where Jane and Carlyle lived following their marriage in 1826. It is unclear why, but Dr Fyffe was declared a bankrupt in 1834, and this may have been the reason for he and his wife, Angelica, moving to Edinburgh. He died in the house in 1839. One hopes that his short time married to Angelica was happy; unlike the Carlyle’s marriage which was blighted by frequent quarrels. Angelica died in 1872. Jane Carlyle died in 1866 and Thomas Carlyle fifteen years later.

1840 – 1912 Lodgings

The 1855 Valuation shows that by this time the house was owned by Hugh Rollo, WS. The lodgings were first run by Mrs Alexandria Elder and her daughter Catherine.

1844 Lodger - Alexander Simpson.

Alexander Simpson wrote to the Hudson Bay Company from the house, claiming monies he believed due to his brother, Thomas, an Arctic explorer and agent of the Hudson Bay Company. In 1840,Thomas and two of his companions were fatally shot at a wilderness camp in Minnesota. Witnesses stated that Simpson had shot his companions, and then committed suicide. However, one witness disputed this account and reported that before he had died from his gunshot wounds, Simpson had told him he had killed the two men because they intended to 'murder him on that night for his papers'. Those papers were later sent to the Hudson Bay Company. Three years later, when the papers were sent to Thomas' brother Alexander, the diary and all correspondence between the Governor of the Hudson Bay Company and Thomas were missing. Due to the judgement that Thomas had committed murder and then suicide, all the monies due to him had been cancelled, and it was these Alexander was attempting to recover for his brother’s estate. The year after his stay in Albany Street, Alexander published The Life and Times of Thomas Simpson, the Arctic Explorer, in which he examined the possibility that the travelling companions were planning to steal Thomas Simpson's notes and maps, which they could have sold to the Hudson's Bay Company’s American rivals, and made the case for his brother’s innocence.

In the 1851 Census the lodgers were David Crawford, a ‘proprietor of houses’, a medical student, a bank clerk, a clerical student and a schoolboy. In 1853 the Elders were replaced by Mrs Janet Milne, and when she died, her daughter Christina took over.

1850s Lodging House Keeper - Janet Ferguson

Janet Ferguson took over as lodging house keeper around 1855 and died in the house in 1858. She was the widow of J. Milne, a builder. Her husband may have been the J. Milne who published an essay on ventilation in the 1830s stating:’ No subject of equal importance has been so little attended to as ventilation. From the pigsty to the cottage, and from the cottage to the palace, we find the means of producing it either neglected or mismanaged.’

Unusually the 1861 Census lists a baby and a five year old girl, called Campbell, as lodgers, but there is no mention of parents. The other lodger was Edward Dew, an apprentice to a civil engineer. The servants were Mary Cameron (20) from Oban, Augurias Stuart (14) from Edinburgh, and Christine Mackay (36) from Banffshire. A number of advocates lodged here around this period including those listed below and John Traynor.

1864 - 1876 Lodger - David Brand previously lodged at Number 5 and when he married Elizabeth (neé Dalziel) in 1876 the couple lived at Number 9 until 1887. Brand acted in a number of high profile cases. One in 1881 was linked to the bombing campaign in Britain by ‘The Dynamitards’, as the Irish Fenians were known by their frequently frustrated opponents in the intelligence services. The Fenians exploited the new technology of high explosives. Ten men were arrested for attempted acts in Glasgow and accused, unusually under the Treason Felony Act, of plotting to ‘wickedly, and feloniously, imagine, invent, devise or intend to levy war against her Majesty’ by using dynamite. Brand was one of the prosecutors and all were convicted. Brand, later knighted, became Sheriff of Ayrshire, the first Chairman of the Crofter’s Commission, Chairman of the Royal Commission (Highlands and Islands) and a Commissioner of Northern Lighthouses. Brand later lived at Number 9.

In the 1880s the lodging keepers were 1888 Miss Strachan and, later, Mrs Pruddah. By the 1901 census there was just one boarder. In 1903 Miss Somerset took over as lodging keeper and she was followed by Miss Charlotte Tennant in 1910.

1883 Lodger - The Reverend David Smart

The Reverend David Smart had been the Minister of the Old St. Paul's Church in Jeffrey Street; called ‘old’ to prevent confusion with St Paul’s Church (now St Paul’s and St George’s) in York Place. Gavin White’s entertaining history of the Scottish Episcopal Church provides its 19th. century history: ‘What is undoubted is that Old St. Paul's later represented the Jacobite strain in Edinburgh, though this was probably forgotten in the nineteenth century. That century brought the chapel new life. John Alexander introduced the Scottish Liturgy, though only at an early hour, in 1846 when the new high church movement was just getting under way. But it was not getting underway with all; the vestry were opposed, and Alexander and most of the congregation stalked out to form St. Columba's, their attempt to take the communion plate with them being frustrated by a flurry of lawsuits. The vestry, described as a vestry without a congregation, though some of the poor remained, were constantly bringing litigation against the Bishop, the Primus, the Episcopal Fund Trustees, and, as a last resort, each other. As minister they took a certain G.M.West ordained in Ohio, and bombarded Bishop Terrot with demands that he should be licensed. Terrot was seeking legal advice about West when William Edwards, the dominant vestryman, met him dead drunk in the street, he having severely beaten his wife. In fact West was a legendary character in America, having been ordained to raise money for Kenyon College, of which he was the first graduate, though before studies commenced, and having asserted that since the Bishop of Ohio had given him a blessing when he made him deacon, and another when he made him priest, and yet another in a farmhouse before sending him to Britain to raise money, the last blessing must have made him a bishop! There was a subsidiary scandal in all this, about Edwards' uncle's late butler, but that need not detain us. Then the Episcopal Fund Trustees locked the vestry out of the chapel. In 1869 there was no quorum for the vestry, and their minister resigned through not having been paid, and by 1874 they were wandering from one rented hall to another, as the old chapel was unsafe. Next year David Smart became their minister and things went better; by 1880 a hundred members petitioned that Smart be made permanent. But the Walker sisters had left money for a poor chapel as well as a cathedral, and St. Paul's was selected to be that chapel. This opened up all kinds of new possibilities, requiring a new clergyman. In 1883 R.J.B.Mitchell-Innes, of an old Edinburgh Episcopal family, was appointed incumbent, while Smart went off to pastures, if not greener, at least poorer.’ It was at this point that the Reverend David Smart lodged here for a time, presumably needing less expensive accommodation while he looked for a new post. A year or so later he became the acting Diocesan Chaplain.

1892 - 1894 Lodger - George Law

George Law was an advocate and holder of the Law Fellowship of Edinburgh University.

In the 1880s the lodging keepers were Miss Strachan and, later, Mrs Pruddah. By the 1901 census there was just one boarder. In 1903 Miss Somerset took over as lodging keeper and she was followed by Miss Charlotte Tennant in 1910.