The Montrose Cousins of Robert Burns.

The Burnes/Burness Family Part 2

By Iain D. McIntosh

James Burnes (I) 1717 to 1761

This James (1717 – 1761) was uncle to the future Robert Burns, was the oldest son of Robert Burnes and Isabella Keith, he moved from the family farm in Glenbervie in 1732 to the town of Montrose, becoming a merchant, town councillor and an Elder of the Church. He married Margaret Grubb by whom he had 4 sons and 4 daughters. John (1779 died in infancy), (James b1780), George (1781-1801), Anne (1783-1785), Christian (1785-1815), Elizabeth (1786-1818), Robert (1788-1790) and Sarah (1791-1814). However, James died at the early age of forty-four in July 1761. It is known from existing letters that Gilbert Burns, brother to Robert corresponded with his uncle in Montrose exchanging information about the Ayrshire and Montrose families.

Elspet Burnes 1725 to ?

Elspet sister of James, William and Robert, married John Caird (29th August 1752) who is mentioned as being a Farmer at Denside of Dunnotter, a farm within walking distance of the Burnes Family at Clochnahill. Records show that Elspet was baptised on the 18th August 1725 however the dates for both her birth and death are, at the moment unknown.

John Caird, Born circa 1721

He is mentioned in a letter from Robert Burns (3rd August 1784) to his cousin James in Montrose (James, son to above James) he mentions that they had enjoyed the company of John Caird during his two-week stay in Ayrshire. At some time John and Elspet gave up the farm at Denside and like James moved down to the town of Montrose. John Caird is also mentioned in Masonic records as being a member of Lodge Montrose Kilwinning No. 15. In 1769 he is recorded on the Charter of Lodge St. Peter, Montrose as a founder member and founding Junior Warden of the new Lodge (now No. 120 under the Scottish Constitution). For many years John Caird was an active member of that Lodge and at various times during the early 1770’s, held the offices of Junior Warden, Senior Warden and finally Treasurer. At the moment the date of his death is unknown.

Information From the First Minute Book of Lodge St Peter No.120

“To all and sundry, to whose knowledge these presents shall come, Greetings in God everlasting. Whereas upon application to the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the Kingdom of Scotland, by William Smith Esq. Of Torrat, Alexander Melvill, John Caird & Charles Strachan, members of the Ancient Lodge of Montrose & David Scott from St. Ninians at Brechin in their own name and in same of others residing in and about Montrose, setting furth that they were much concerned to promote the honour and interest of masonry in general and more particularly where they reside and being at a distance from their mother Lodges they were desirous to be by Charter from the Grand Lodge constitute into a regular Lodge by the style and title of Saint Peters Montrose and they propose the said William Smith Esq. For Master & Messrs Alex Melvill and John Caird for Wardens, Mr. David Scott for Treasurer & Mr. Charles Strachan Secretary…..”

James Burness (III) 1750 to 1837

The second son of James Burnes and Margaret Grubb was also named James (1750-1837). On the death of his father, James went and lived with his uncle William (this is another William, he was a cousin to James, Robert, William and Elspet, this William is mentioned as a customs officer then a vintner in Montrose. In the Montrose records there is mention of a William Burnes, vintner, who had a ‘dram’ shop in the Red Lion Close, 25 High Street, circa 1780), Sometime during this period James seems to have adopted the double ‘s’ in spelling his name, becoming for a while ‘James Burness’. However it also seems that later in life he reverted to the older, original spelling of ‘Burnes’. Some of the other branches of the family retained the double ‘s’ spelling and there are still many of the family line with the ‘Burness’ surname living in the Montrose area. James was for many years, a Teacher in Montrose and later trained as a writer (Solicitor). He married Anne Greig, on the 22nd April 1800 by whom he had 4 sons and 4 daughters. He was a various times Secretary to the local Forfarshire Farming Association, Depute Clerk of the Peace, and Clerk to the local Trades incorporations and a member of the local harbour committee. James was the first cousin to Robert Burns the poet, who during his tour of the Highlands in 1787, stayed at the ‘TURK O’ HEAD’ inn, an old Coaching Inn at the top of George Street in Montrose, this was the first and only time Robert Burns met his Montrose cousin.

The cousins corresponded with each other and it was to James that Robert Burns sent a tragic and urgent appeal in July 1796 for £10 to save him from the horrors of the Jail.

‘O, James! Did you know the pride of my heart, you would feel doubly for me! Alas I am not used to beg!... Forgive me for once more mentioning by return of post.Save me from the horrors of a jail!’

Robert Burns had joined the local militia and had ordered a uniform to be made by the local tailor, Robert seemingly did not have the money to pay the bill and he appealed to his cousin in Montrose to help. James sent the money, but it arrived just too late, Robert Burns had died. James sent a further £5 to Jean Armour, along with an offer to take their young son, Robert and to educate the boy with his own children in Montrose, a generous offer indeed but Jean would not part with any of her children. James Burnes died at Montrose on the 12th June 1837, aged eighty-seven and his remains were buried near those of his father, in the old burgh churchyard in Montrose.

Masonic Connections

James Burnes joined Lodge St Peter No.120, Montrose on the 11th May 1779 (probably proposed by his uncle William who had joined Lodge St Peter on the 6th Dec 1773, During this time James was living with his uncle), and most probably his other uncle John Caird may have also helped James join Lodge St Peter.

Extracts from Lodge St Peter No.120 Minute Books

7th Dec 1773 - William Burness, Merchant in Montrose, having made the proper and requisite application to be admitted a member of this Lodge and being sufficiently recommended. He was accordingly regularly entered an apprentice in this Lodge and Brothers Robert Crabbe & Charles Strachan were appointed his instructors.

11th May 1779 - The Lodge being duly constitute. Brother Robert Morton was recommended by the Rt Worshipful as an entered apprentice from new Edinburgh Kilwinning to be assumed a member of this Lodge and at same time for certain honorable reasons was passed and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.

Also James Burness, School Master was also properly recommended to be admitted to the first degree or entered apprentice part of masonry and for instructors was appointed Bro Wm Smith Esq., Bro David Scott & Bro John Ross. James became very active in Lodge St Peter, he became Secretary in 1780, Treasurer in 1784 and finally Master in 1791. On the 28th Sept 1792 the Lodge, along with the two other Lodges in Montrose (Montrose Kilwinning, and Incorporated Kilwinning) gathered at the north side of the River Esk for the laying of the foundation stone of the first bridge over the river “The Lodge being met and duly constituted proceeded in proper form and due order to the place where the foundation stone of the Montrose Bridge was to be laid and after having formed a circle round the place, the foundation stone of that work of so great utility to the Town of Montrose was after the usual formalities and benediction laid by Mr (Bro) Ross of Rossie, David Scott, Esquire Dunonald? (sic) & Brother Thos Webster under the directions of the right Worshipful Master and Brother Alex Stevens the Architect amid the acclimations of great multitude. After which the Lodge returned, dined and spent the evening with the greatest festivity and harmony. Signed James Burness, Master.” James Burness (who had reverted to the Burnes spelling of his surname) became the first Provincial Grand Secretary of Forfarshire in 1815 and compiled the first Minute book from 1815 to 1823.

James Burnes and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Forfarshire

The Province of Forfarshire had its documented beginnings in 1797 with George Paterson of Castle Huntly (in the Carse of Gowrie, just east of Dundee) as the first Provincial Grand Master he was then succeeded by William Maule, 1st Lord Panmure in 1801. The Provincial Grand Lodge as a Lodge in its own right was not formed until 1815 when Lord Panmure appointed his first office bearers with James Burnes (cousin to the Poet) as the first Provincial Grand Secretary.

The First Entry in the Provincial Minute Books for 1815

“At a Provincial Lodge of Freemasons of the County of Forfar held at Dundee on Monday the ninth day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifteen in consequence of a circular summonses issued by command of the Most Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of the County of Forfar requiring the attendance of the several Lodges this day. Present The Honorable William Maule of Panmure M.P. for the County of Forfar and Most Worshipful Provincial Grand Master. The Right Worshipful, the Honourable Colonel John Ramsay, Provincial Senior Grand Warden. The Right Worshipful Patrick Carnegie of Lower Esquire Provincial Junior Grand Warden. The Right Worshipful James Burnes Master of St. Peters, Montrose, Provincial Grand Secretary. The Right Worshipful and Reverend Heneage Horsley M.A. Oxon. Clergyman of the Episcopal Chapter at Dundee, Provincial Grand Chaplain.” The first event recorded by James Burnes was the laying of the foundation stone of the new harbour of Dundee, designed by Thomas Telford, an event which attracted ‘at least fifteen thousand spectators.’ And included two thousand persons in the official procession.

William Maule, 1st Lord Panmure

William Maule, 1st Lord Panmure, was the 2nd son of George 8th Earl of Dalhousie (Grand Master Mason of Scotland 1765 – 1767) he was Provincial Grand Master of Forfarshire from 1801 until 1852, he was also Acting Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland 1808 – 1810 during the Grand Master-ship of George, the Prince of Wales. Maule knew Robert Burns, there appears from the Burns Encyclopaedia, page 160 the following comment: “When Burns knew Maule, he was an officer in a regiment stationed at Dumfries.

In a letter of 29th October 1794, Burns sent the epigram: ‘To the Hon. Wm. R. Maule of Panmure’, to Mrs. Dunlop.”

"Thou fool, in thy phaeton towering, Art proud when that phaeton is prais'd? Tis the pride of a Thief's exhibition When higher his pillory's rais'd."'

After the death of Robert Burns, Lord Panmure settled on Burns' widow, Jean Armour, a pension of fifty pounds, but he only had to disburse it for eighteen months, after which Burns' son, James, was able to relieve him of the charge.

Part 3, Montrose Family of Burns