Ancient bottle uncovered in Stonehouse

Apr 7 2011 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

A BOTTLE dating back to 1771 containing information about people who were involved in the building and maintenance of Linthaugh Bridge, Stonehouse has been found intact.

The bottle was given to Stonehouse resident Danny Baxter by the stone mason who found it.

Danny, who is involved in St Ninian’s Church and various other Stonehouse groups, handed the 240-year-old bottle over to Heritage Group member Jim Monie for its safekeeping.

Mr Monie said: “Danny handed the bottle to me that was found in the stone work of the Linthaugh Bridge by the two stone masons F Kelly and J Cameron.

“The Heritage group along with the Guildry, have replaced the bottle with items plus a copy of their last newsletter issue 19, including a copy of names on the list of the people concerned with the bridge repairs carried out in 1926.

“The present bridge was built in 1771 and no doubt has been repaired many times over the years.”

Information from the document was found in the glass bottle concealed in the parapet of the Linthaugh Bridge during repairs last month.

The bridge was repaired during October 1926 by J C Burns, Builders, Larkhall.

The following are names of the people that were involved during the upgrading of the bridge in 1926.

Wm Thomson Esq, chairman Highways Committee; Wm Chapman Esq., county roads surveyor; Wm Alexander, road engineer; Wm Gallagher, road foreman and G Burns Esq., contractor.

The stone masons were J Patton, J Wilson, J Millar, J Leishman.

The labourers were J Millar, J Moore, and Wm Lindsay was the watchman.

The bottle was made by Henry Kerr Glasgow with an AG Barr stone screw top.

Jim Monie of the Heritage group plans to conduct a search to see if there are any relatives on the list who are still residents in Stonehouse or from the surrounding villages.

Jim said: “I am calling upon any residents in the village or surrounding areas and districts to get in touch as it would be nice to tie up any loose ends regarding the bottle and it’s contents, placed there perhaps by an ancestor or distant family member.

If anyone can help with the research, please contact heritage group member Jim Monie on 01698 792 014.