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.