Kate Kemp

Kate Kemp of Barskimming lived with her father at the Bridge House on the northern side of the single span Barskimming Old Bridge (Barskimming Auld Brig),[1] River Ayr, Scotland. Both Robert Burns and James Andrew, the miller at Barskimming Mill, had a romantic interest in her and one visit led to the composition of the poem and dirge "Man was made to Mourn".[2][3]

Kate Kemp
The Miller's Holm from Bridge House
BornCirca 1760
Ayrshire
OccupationDairymaid and carer

Life and character
Barskimming Mill from the old bridge.

Her father may have been the James Kemp of Barskimming who is recorded in the Parish of Stair as the father of William Kemp who was baptised on 19 August 1766[4] being around eighteen in 1784 and any sibling a likely similar age. No other 'Kemp' births are recorded around this time,[5] however in 1781 a Margaret Kemp from Mauchline came to live in the parish of Stewarton with a 'clearance certificate' of good character.[6] Kate lived in a sylvan and delightfully rural location at the old Barskimming Bridge or Kemp's House (NS4906525460) that lay on the north or Mauchline side of the road to Stair about two miles south of the town centre,[7] sadly demolished sometime after 1861.[8] Kemp is a unique surname in the parishes of Mauchline and Stair at the time of Burns, suggesting that the family were not local in origin.[9] Old Kemp's daughter is described as having been a trim trig lass, one of the leading belles of the district[10] and it is recorded that Burns had an e'e to Kate.[11]

Kate lived with her elderly and disabled father who had a slight paralysis[12] and on the recorded occasion of one evening visit by Robert Burns and James Andrew she was not at home because she was out in the fields looking for a cow that had wandered resulting in her competing admirers having, as it turned out, productive time on their hands whilst awaiting her return.[13] Wilson records from a 'correspondent' who recalled the words of James Andrew, miller of Barskimming Mill, that Kate's father was ".. not originally possessed of the best of tempers, was rendered peevish and querulous by disease and in consequence of slight paralysis, generally supported himself on two sticks".[14]

Association with Robert Burns
Barskimming Bridge House
Bridge House, Barskimming

One evening Robert Burns walked from his then new home at Mossgiel down to the Barskimming Bridge House that lay next to the River Ayr with the intention of courting Kate who had caught his eye as a 'trim trig lass'. Kate's distressed father explained that one of their cattle was lost and that Kate was away searching for it, adding that she had been away so long that he was afraid that she was lost as well.[15] Burns decided to go for a walk on the Bridge or Miller's Holm in the hope that Kate would return with the lost cow.[16]

The first verse of the poem "Man is Made to Mourn" seems to reflect Burns's meeting with 'Old Kemp' -

"When chill November's surly blast,
Made fields and forests bare.
One ev'ning, as I wand'red forth;
Along the banks of Aire"
I spy'd a man, whose age and step"
Seem'd weary, worn with care;"
His face was furrow'd o'er with years,"
And hoary was his hair."[17]

At the Stair end of the bridge Burns encountered James Andrew and the conversation that ensued went as follows "Weel miller, what are you doing here?" "Na, Robin," said the miller, "I s'ould put that question to you, for I am at home and ye'are no." "Why," said Robin, I cam doun to see Kate Kemp." "I was just gaun the same gate," said the miller. "Then ye need gang nae further," said Burns, "fur baith her and the cow's lost and the old man is perfectly wud at the want o'them. But come, we'll tak' a turn or two in the holm till we see if she cast up."[18]

Man was made to Mourn depiction.

James Andrew was content to accompany his competitor for Kate's affections and at first they were both involved in a cheerful discourse, however at length Burns fell into a deep and silent ruminations and after a while the friends silently parted. Some days later they met up again and Burns apologised to James for giving the impression that he had not enjoyed his company that evening on the holm, however the miller explained that he had guessed that Burns was engrossed in the composition of a poem. Robert read out his new work and also gave James a copy of the petry that the occasion had created and this was how it is said that "Man was Made to Mourn" came finally and fully into existence.[19] The holm at that time was planted with lime and chestnut trees planted by Sir Thomas Miller of Barskimming.[20]

The Burns family had moved to Mossgiel or Mossgaville from Lochlea near Tarbolton in March 1784 and Robert is recorded to have written '"Man is Made to Mourn" in 1784,[21] so his courtship of Kate Kemp must have been in that year. He met Jean Armour in April 1785 so he may have ceased his attempts at courtship by then.[22]

James Andrew, born 1765,[23] son of Robert, was the miller at the nearby Barskimming Mill for many years and it is yet to be ascertained if his interest in courting Kate met with the desired success. His family continued living and working at the mill until his grandson, also James, sold it to William Alexander.[24] James was buried in the cemetery at Stair Parish Church[25] with a cast iron memorial made by Smith's Patent Sun Foundry.[26]

The dirge is most famous for the line "Man's inhumanity to man"

Man was made to mourn: A Dirge[27]

Many and sharp the num'rous ills
Inwoven with our frame!
More pointed still we make ourselves
Regret, remorse, and shame!
And man, whose heav'n-erected face
The smiles of love adorn, –
Man's inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn!

Barskimming Old Bridge and the Bridge House

Known locally as Kemp's House in Burns's time it was the property of Sir William Miller in 1857 and was occupied by his tenant Alexander Kerr. It was described in 1855 as "A good Cottage at the North end of the County Bridge on the Turnpike Road from Mauchline to Ayr."[28]

The ruins of Bridge House.

The two storey house may have been contemporary with Barskimming Old Bridge that dates from the 17th century, originally thatched[29] but later slated. Steps beside it led into the woods where a path led through the Sandwalk Plantation[30] down towards Barskimming House. Kate's home seems to have been built in conjunction with the bridge as a sort of lodge or toll collectors house. Considerable trouble had been expended in building a substantial level stone plinth for the house in this awkward and space restricted position. The 1841 Census records a 'Barskimming Bridge End' with James Reid, gardener and a family of four living at the property. The 1881 census does not record the property. A photograph of circa 1947 shows the house in good condition and the cave with a door.[31]

An unusual feature at the site is an artificial cave with a door that has been cut into the red sandstone. Several other caves exist in the area and it is recorded that it was in use as a dairy in 1879.[32] Next to the bridge on the southern bank was the Bridge or Miller's Holm[33] where those who lived at the restricted site of Kemp's House nestling under the red sandstone cliffs kept their cows.[34]

The Barskimming Auld Brig was noted in 1715 as "..too was often in need of repair and improvement, for instance in 1776 by building a new arch seven foot lower and two foot wider than the former arch, by which instead of a dangerous and almost impassable bridge, the public had got a safe bridge and of easy passage as any in the country."[35]

In 1838 it is recorded that the bridge parapet was pushed off to allow the passage of a number of wide vehicles, however no prosecution took place as the bridge did not conform with the 'Road Act'.[36]

Micro-history

Lord Barskimming and later Lord Glenlee was originally known as Sir Thomas Miller of Glenlee, the owner of the Barskimming Estate at the time of the Kemp's residence at Bridge House and the brother of Patrick Miller of Dalswinton who was Burns's landlord when he lived at Ellisland Farm.[37]

See also

References
Notes
  1. "Kemp's Hoose / Barskimming Auld Brig". Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  2. Douglas (1938). The Kilmarnock Edition of the Poetical Works of Robert Burns. p. 83.
  3. Boyle (1996). The Ayrshire Book of Burns-Lore. p. 69.
  4. Parish of Stair - Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages. 1766.
  5. Parish of Stair - Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages. 1766.
  6. Parish of Stewarton - Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages. 1781.
  7. Boyle (1996). The Ayrshire Book of Burns-Lore. p. 69.
  8. Hunter McQueen (2009). Hunter's Illustrated History of the Family, Friends and Contemporaries of Robert Burns. p. 155.
  9. Parishes of Stair and Mauchline - Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages. 1766.
  10. Dougall (1904). The Burns Country. p. 156.
  11. Wilson (1840). The Land of Burns. p. 6.
  12. McVie, John (1927). Burns and Stair. The Standard Press. p. 104.
  13. Dunlop, Annie (1953). The Royal Burgh of Ayr. p. 204.
  14. Wilson (1840). The Land of Burns. p. 6.
  15. Dougall (1904). The Burns Country. p. 157.
  16. Adamson (1879). Rambles through the Land of Burns. p. 193.
  17. Douglas (1938). The Kilmarnock Edition of the Poetical Works of Robert Burns. p. 83.
  18. Wilson (1840). The Land of Burns. p. 7.
  19. Adamson (1879). Rambles through the Land of Burns. p. 194.
  20. McVie, John (1927). Burns and Stair. The Standard Press. p. 102.
  21. McQueen (1999). Rantin Rovin Robin. p. 46.
  22. McQueen (1999). Rantin Rovin Robin. p. 49.
  23. Parish of Stair - Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages. 1766.
  24. Wilson (2000). The Last Miller. p. 32.
  25. Hunter McQueen (2009). Hunter's Illustrated History of the Family, Friends and Contemporaries of Robert Burns. p. 155.
  26. McVie, John (1927). Burns and Stair. The Standard Press. p. 103.
  27. Robert Burns (2005). "Burns Country". Man was made to mourn: A Dirge. robertburns.org. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  28. "Ayrshire OS Name Books 1855-57". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  29. Guide to Mauchline, Catrine, Sorn and Surrounding Districts. 1909. p. 23.
  30. "Ayrshire OS Name Books 1855-57". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  31. Cuthbertosn, D. (1947). Autumn in Kyle and the Charm of Cunninghame. Herbert Jenkins. p. Facing 79.
  32. Adamson (1879). Rambles through the Land of Burns. p. 194.
  33. Boyle (1996). An Ayrshire Book of Burns-Lore. p. 26.
  34. Adamson (1879). Rambles Through the Land of Burns. p. 193.
  35. "Records and Functions of the Ayrshire Commissioners of Supply". Ayrshire History. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  36. Kilmarnock Glenfield Ramblers. 1930. p. 119.
  37. Hunter McQueen (2009). Hunter's Illustrated History of the Family, Friends and Contemporaries of Robert Burns. p. 155.
Sources
  • Annals of the Kilmarnock Glenfield Ramblers Society. 1930. Volume 10.
  • Adamson, Archibald R. (1879). Rambles through the Land of Burns. Kilmarnock : Dunlop & Drennan.
  • Boyle, A. M. (1996). The Ayrshire Book of Burns-Lore. Darvel : Alloway Publishing. ISBN 0-907526-71-3.
  • Currie, James (1838). The Life of Robert Burns: With a Criticism on His Writings. London : W. and R. Chambers.
  • Dougall, Charles S. (1911). The Burns Country. London: A & C Black.
  • Douglas, William Scott (1938). The Kilmarnock Edition of the Poetical Works of Robert Burns. Glasgow : Scottish "Daily Express.
  • Guide to Mauchline, Catrine, Sorn and Surrounding Districts. (1909). Mauchline : J. Dickie & Co.
  • McVie, John (1927). Burns and Stair. Kilmarnock : The "Standard Press".
  • McQueen, Colin Hunter (1999). Rantin Rovin Robin. An Illustrated Life Story of Robert Burns. Irvine Burns Club and the Ayrshire Association. ISBN 1-899316-41-8.
  • McQueen, Colin Hunter (2009). Hunter's Illustrated History of the Family, Friends and Contemporaries of Robert Burns. Pub. Messrs Hunter McQueen & Hunter.
  • Wilson, James Pearson (2000). The Last Miller : The Cornmills of Ayrshire. Ayrshire Monographs No.23. Ayrshire Archaeological & Natural History Society. ISBN 0-9527445-6-2.
  • Wilson, John (1840). The Land of Burns. Glasgow : Blackie & Son.
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