Hugh Currie (1838 - 1918)

Born 30 Jan 1838 in Stewarton, Ayrshire, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Seamans) Currie — married 23 Jun 1862 in Ardrossan, Ayrshire, Scotland

Descendants

Died 13 Jan 1918 at age 79 in Ardrossan, Ayrshire, Scotland

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Biography

Hugh Currie was born in Scotland.

Hugh was born in 1838. He was the son of Andrew Currie and Jean Kerr. He passed away about 1910.

Hugh worked as a Shoemaker in Ardrossan and Died of a Disease of the leg

His Obituary

The passing away on Sunday of Mr Hugh Currie, Boot and Shoemaker, Ardrossan takes from our midst a personality of the old Ayrshire type - upright, shrewd, pawky and sturdy of opinion. Mr Currie lived to the ripe old age of 80 years and he was in harness practically to the last. A native of Stewarton, he came to reside in Ardrossan in 1858 when he was 20 years old. What turned his steps Ardrossan-wards was the fact he was appointed at that time to take up the position of precentor in the Free Church { now St. Johns United Free} in our town, the congregation of which worshipped in a building in Glasgow Street, now occupied by the Co-operative Society. It is worthy of note, as a sidelight of the character and energy of the man, that in order to undergo his "trials" in connection with the precentorship he walked from Stewarton to Ardrossan on the Sunday morning and walked back at night; and for some time subsequent to his appointment he carried out the same procedure every Sunday. In connection with this appointment, it may be mentioned that among his papers, was found a letter dated 4th August, 1858, from Alan Findlay, informing him that he had been "Nominated" to the office of precentor and asking him to forward "Certificates of Character" In 1861 he commenced in business for himself at the West End of Princes Street and up till the time of his death he energetically and successfully carried on this business, The connection which Mr Currie established with the Free Church 60 years ago was maintained throughout that long period. After a lengthy tenure of the precentorship he retired, but continued his active work in the church as Deacon, and the duties of that position he fulfilled faithfully and worthily and with the interests of the Church and Congregation always close to his heart. For many years Mr Currie also gave much of his time to Public Service and Temperance work. He was a member of the 1st Ardrossan Parish Council in 1895, and he continued to act in this capacity during the remainder of his life, with the exception of 3 years from 1907 - 1910. In the former year he retired, but on being invited to take Office 3 years later he again entered the Council, and took up the work for which he was so well fitted. He had thus about 20 years service on the Council and besides having done valuable work on all the Committee's he was for some tine one of the 2 Delegates from the Council on the Board of Director's of Cuninghame Combination Poorhouse, where his ripe business experience was much appreciated. His zeal for the Temperance cause was marked. He was one of the original members of the Lifeboat Lodge [L.O.G.T.}, Ardrossan, of whom there is only one surviving Mr. R. Barbour Jnr and he was also the 1st Lodge Deputy. Mr. Currie was at one time widely known as a Poultry Fancier. For many years he was a successful Exhibitor of Golden Spangled Hamburgs; Possessed of a good memory he had many interesting reminiscences to relate in connection with Old Ardrossan. When he 1st came to the Town it was only about half it's present size. A solitary Policeman was sufficient to main tain law and order, and the traffic between the Post and Arran was carried on by a small vessel about the size of a Tug. Mr Currie was a warm admirer of the National Bard, and one event of outstanding importance in which he took an active part was the Burns' Centenary Celebrations in 1858, the year in which he took up residency in the town. He likewise took a keen interest in Politics, and he identified himself fearlessly with The Liberal cause when it required a goodly stock of courage and a strong, independent spirit for a Shopkeeper to do so openly. Mr Currie was married in 1862 by the Rev John Stewart of the then Free Church and he and Mrs Currie celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1912, when a presentation was made to them at a Family Gathering. Mrs Currie provides an interesting link with the old days of Saltcoats Shipping. Her father Captain Seamans, was master of the "Clytus" of Betsy Miller Fame, mention of which vessel occurs in the Columns of the 1st Issue of The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald. Mr Currie was held in high regard by the Community, and widespread sympathy is felt for the Widow and family in their Bereavement. The Funeral, which took place on Wednesday to Ardrossan Cemetary, was of a Public Character and was largely attended. A short and impressive Funeral Service was Conducted in St John's Church by The Rev. R.M. Adamson.

Kindly honest pawky friend, to shoe our feet Our boots to mend With constant care You did attend

A long life spent in honest toil At least has ceased You cared not much for gowden spoil Now you are released

From carkling care and load of pain You are now free When snow is on our window pain Tears in our e'e

Sources

• Census returns for Stewarton.
• Source from The Gen Circles Website - Ferguson/ McBride Family Tree 2007. Also Cance/ Dickson Family Tree.