402 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
change in the council was the sumptuous entertainment invariably given’ in
honour of the occasion. Not only were the principal gentry of the neighbourhood
in attendance, but many beyond the ferry, and not a few from “Ayld
Reekie ” found their way to the feast. Among other distinguished guests, it
may be mentioned that Henry Dundas (afterwards Lord Melville), the late John
Earl of Hopetoun, the late Mr. Fergusson of Craigdarroch,’ Charles Hay, advocate
(Lord Newton), Sir James Campbell of Ardkinglass, Bart., etc., were often
present at the civic banquets of Kinghorn.
The noble families of Hopetoun and Balcarras held the chief sway in the
burgh towards the close of the American war ; but the late William Fergusson,
Esq. of Raith, having then started as a candidate in the liberal interest, it became
somewhat difficult for his opponents, even with the aid of all “ the wits
and wags of Edinburgh,” to maintain the ascendancy. Besides being an extensive
heritor in the parish of Kinghorn, the courteous deportment of Mr. Fergusson
and of his sons: in their intercourse with the inhabitants, created a very
general feeling of attachment for his family.“
At that period, except Edinburgh, no town in Scotland had singly the privilege
of returning a member to Parliament ; consequently each of the burghs
forming a district had an equal voice in the choice of a representative. Thus,
in the case of Kinghorn, four town-councils had to be “wooed and won,”
though nominally the elective power was vested in commissioners, chosen-one
for each burgh-by the respective corporations ; the returning burgh for the
time having the casting vote. Hence the strength of the parties came to be
primarily developed in the election of delegates.
The two principal local agents employed to counteract the growing influence
of the Whig interest, were the town-clerk-Mr. John Hutton, originally from
Dunfermline ; and the hostess of the principal inn-dohanna Baxter, wife of
Mr. William Skinner, but better known as “Jockey Baxter,” or “ Luckie
Skinner.” In smoothing down the Whiggery of the councillors, and in keeping
the party together, out of the reach of counter influence, for days and weeks
prior to an election, the exquisite tact displayed by the worthy pair could hardly
be surpassed. Once assembled in the inn, what head could hold out against
the insinuating address of the hostess, or the potency of her good cheer !-and
no doubt, as the patriotic electors quaffed bowl after bowl, the old ballad would
recur to their memory-
‘‘ ’Tis good to be merry and wise ;
’Tis good to be honest and t w ;
’Tis good to be off with the old love,
Before we are on with the MW.”
Father of the Right Hon. Fbbert Cutlar Fergusson, Her Majesty’s Judge-Advocate-General.
One of whom was the Lord Lieutenant of the county of Fife ; and the other, General Sir
a It was not, however, till 1815 or 1816, that the Raith family acquired the chief influence in
Ronald C, Fergusson, M.P. for Nottingham.
the burgh.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Charlea Anderson, Smiths.
James Lowson, Weavers.
Henry Thomson, Wrights.
403
James wardlaw, shahs.
David Beveridge, Bakus.
Robert Young, Mawnzp.
Intimidation was usually the pretext for keeping the electors locked up in
convivial durance. One notable example of this occurred about the year 1789
or 1790, Under the pretence that the lives of the elect.ors would be in danger
if they remained in Kinghorn, Mr. Hutton and Lucky Skinner persuaded a
majority of them one evening, when in their cups, to take flight for the mansion-
house of Balcarras (the seat of Colonel Lindsay), more than twenty miles
distant. Here they were entertained in a splendid manner for several weeks ;
and only brought back in the “nick of time” to vote for a delegate in the
ministerial interest. The success of this exploit greatly extended the fame of
the town-clerk and the hostess ; and the heroes who professed to be intimidated
were ever afterwards known by the expressive designation of “ the Balcarras
Lambs.”
The “row” recorded in the Print occurred at the general election in 1796.
It was not properly speaking a Kinghorn affair at all ; for on that occasion Sir
James St. Clair Erskine, afterwards Earl of Rosslyn, was elected without opposition.
The adjacent district of burghs (Inverkeithing), however, was keenly
contested by Sir John Henderson of Fordel, Bart., and the Hon. Andrew
Cochrane Johnstone, afterwards Governor of Dominica. The result appearing
doubtful, it occurred to the friends of the latter gentleman that the services of
Mr. Hutton and Lucky Skinner-the much-famed guardians of ‘‘ the Balcarras
Lambs ”-might be advantageously employed in furthering their cause, A
party of the Dunfermline councillors were accordingly transported quietly
during the night to Kinghorn, and safely lodged in the inn,
When the retreat became known, the circumstance created great excitement
in Dunfermline. Crowds of people assembled, and the shout “ to Kinghorn ”
being raised, a numerous body-including detachments of colliers from Fordel,
many of them armed with bludgeons-was speedily on the march to capture
the electors. A blockade having been resolved upon, as the more prudent and
Mr. Hutton, though resident in Kinghorn, was one of the Town-council of Dunfermline. The
following is a list of the members at this period (1796) :-
JAMES MOODIE, Pro!mst.’
James Hunt, First Ba.iZie.-Thomas Wardlaw, Seccmd Bailie.
Robert Hutton, Dean of Guild. -Thomas Hunt, Treasurer.
John Hutton, Old Provost.
James Cowper, First Old Bailie.-David Anderson, Second Old Bailie.
John Wilson, Old Dean of Guild.-William Anderson, Old Treasurer.
New Merchant Couiscillors.
Andrew Adie.
Jamea Blackwood.
New Trades counciWws.
John Smith.
John Kirk.