OS1/13/81/79
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EARLS FERRY | Earlsferry Earlsferry Earlsferry Earlsferry Earlsferry Earls-ferry Earls Ferry |
Alexander Finlayson Grangehill John Forgan Elie Thomas Bennet Earlsferry Hist: [History] of Fife by J M Leighton p 118 County Map Date 1826 & 7 Hist: [History] of Fife by R. Sibbald 334 Ainslies Map of County (no date) |
026 | A small village situated on the coast of the Firth of Forth and consists of chiefly two irregularly situated rows of dwelling houses from one to two storyshigh between which the street is in some instances uselessly wide, and again inconveniently narrow. at both ends of the above street are detached fragments of single and double rows of houses of the same description and all having small gardens attached to them. they are chiefly occupied by weavers colliers and fishermen. there are a few small grocer shops & two public houses. It is an ancient Royal Burgh having a Townhouse, which is its only public building the tradition is that it was originally constituted a burgh by Malcolm III between 1057 and 1093 at the request of Macduff the Maormor of Fife who after being concealed in a cave near Kincraigpoint was in his flight from the vengence of Macbeth, was by the fishermen here ferried across the Firth to Dunbar, from this circumstance it was called Earlsferry & it likewise obtained the privilege, that the persons of all who should cross the Firth from hence should be for a time iviolable This privilege is said to have been used in the of Douglas and Carnegie of Finhaven-see Sibbalds Hist Page 224 No boat being allow'd to leave the shore in pursuit 'till those who had already sailed were halfway over His first Charter,the date of which is unknown was destroyed by fire in Edinburgh. a new charter was in consequence granted by James IV, in which it is narrated that the burgh of Earlshall was"old past memory of men. erected into one free burgh" by this charter all its former privileges were renewed and confirmed. a considerable trade is said to have formerly been carried on here and two annual fairs & 2 weekly markets are said have been held here, both are now discontinued |
Continued entries/extra info
79 List of Names collected by Thomas Smith C.Asst [Civil Assistant][Parish of] Kilconquhar Plan 26C Trace 4
[page signed] T Smith c/a [Civil Assistant]
May 1853
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MaxInSpain , MASab
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