Thomas Cairns was born in Lower Largo on 26 April 1867 to Robert Cairns, a fisherman, and his wife Ann Warrender. His father was originally from Methil and his mother from Buckhaven but in the early 1860s the family had relocated to Drummochy. Thomas was one of ten children. At the time of the 1881 census, fourteen year old Thomas was noted as a scholar, while an elder brother worked at the nearby Oil & Cake Mill and one of his sisters at the Cardy Net Works.

When Thomas left school, the expectation was that he would follow his father into fishing. This was not the occupation that Thomas wanted for himself. However, with money tight and Largo harbour on his doorstep, his first job was indeed fishing in the Forth, alongside other Largo men. Aged sixteen, Thomas took steps to find an alternative option. He, along with another local lad, walked through snow to Pathhead (part of Kirkcaldy) to look for Captain Swan, the skipper of a deep sea trading vessel. The Captain told them to come and join his ship at Dundee.

However, without the necessary funds to travel to Dundee, a disappointed Thomas had to return to the life of a fisherman - at least in the short term. Thomas resolved to save every halfpenny he could towards his eventual move out of Largo. By the age of nineteen, he had accumulated sufficient savings for a single fare to Glasgow and accommodation in a seaman's home for one week. Within days of arriving there, he had signed up on a home trade sailing ship, where earned enough money to send some back home.

With some experience behind him, Thomas eventually achieved his dream of joining a deep sea trader and for a number of years travelled to locations such as the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Baltic. In 1892, aged 25, he married Davina Gillies in Leith. Davina had grown up with Thomas in Lower Largo. She was the daughter of fisherman David Gillies and Christina Abbie, who lived at Defoe Place. In 1893, Thomas and Davina's daughter, and only child, Christina Abbie Cairns was born. Soon afterwards, Thomas gave up his sea-faring job on the Methil-Hamburg trade to be based at Methil Docks - first as berthing master, and later deputy dockmaster. In the 1901 census the family were at East High Street Methil.

Thomas carried out his duties as Bo'ness Harbourmaster for 22 and a half years, before retiring in September 1930. His retirement came about due to a new upper age limit, and his deputy of 17 years, Robert Smith, took over as dockmaster. To mark his retirement, Thomas was entertained by traders, pilots and other officials in the Douglas Hotel and was presented with a wallet of Treasury notes. During the speeches, the changes over time at the docks were highlighted. Notably, during the past year only one solitary sailing vessel had arrived in Bo'ness Dock as compared with 287 of that type in 1908.
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Thomas spent most of his retirement living at Inch Vanie, on Church Road, Leven (pictured above). In 1942, Thomas and Davina celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Several years before this, Thomas had bought a bottle of champagne to put away for this special occasion. However, when the happy day came around, it was the middle of the Second World War, and a champagne celebration felt inappropriate. The couple decided to gift the bottle to Leven Warship Week Committee and offers were invited for the bottle, to support this cause (see 15 April 1942 Leven Mail piece below).

Thomas also made many ships in bottles and was a talented painter. While he created some landscapes, most of his artworks were of the sea or of ships. Thomas said "I have enjoyed every minute of my retirement and one of my greatest likings is to make these models. I make them just for the love of it and then I give them away". On 5 February 1952, Thomas and Davina reached their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Local newspapers noted that the pair were in good health and had three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. However, Davina passed away on 2 August 1953 aged 83 years. Thomas died on 4 January 1955 at the age of 87. The 5 January 1955 Dundee Courier below reported his death at Bridge of Earn hospital. The piece described Thomas as "one of East Fife's best-known personalities in shipping circles". 
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The three images above illustrate the changing face of Largo House over the years. First built around 1750 for James Durham (1732-1808), it was his eldest son James Durham (1754-1840) that extended the original mansion to the layout shown at the top in the 1812 engraving. Soon afterwards, in 1815, he had the stable block built to designs by Alexander and James Leslie.

The engraving appeared in the Scots Magazine and Edinburgh Literary Miscellany of 1 April 1812 alongside a brief description of the property. In the engraving, Largo House appears quite stark, without the mature planting around it nor railings around the steps. In fact there are no signs of life in and around the building, aside from the trees in the background. Notice the gate and stone wall to the rear of the house, however, providing easy access to the orchard and walled garden.

The 1812 depiction was drawn by John Burnet and sculpted (engraved) by Robert Scott (13 November 1777–1841) the renowned Scottish engraver. Burnet was one of Scott's pupils. John Burnet was born and raised in Fisherrow in Musselburgh, a village just outside Edinburgh. His father George Burnet was the surveyor-general of excise for Scotland. John received some initial artistic training before taking a seven years apprenticeship with Scott. ​

Robert Scott first became known for a set of Views of Seats and Scenery chiefly in the Environs of Edinburgh, published in 1795 and 1796. He contributed plates for many years to the Scots Magazine, including this one of Largo House (and another featuring Lundin House). Eventually, he obtained a studio at 65 Princes Street in Edinburgh. One of his depictions of Robert Burns is shown below and a link to more examples of his work can be found here.
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Coming back to Largo House owner, James Durham - after the death of his wife Elizabeth (daughter of Colonel Sheldon of Flitwick House) in 1826, James married for a second time in 1827 to Margaret, eldest daughter of Colonel John Anstruther Thomson of Charlton. The pair made further additions to Largo House around 1830 by extending further to the rear of the building. Another significant, if smaller scale, change made during General Durham's era was the addition of a coat of arms to the tympanum on the frontage of Largo House.
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The full heraldic achievement of General James Durham bears two mottoes: Victoria non praeda (Victory not booty (or loot)) above the crest; and below the arms: Per mare per terras (Through the sea, through the lands). Note that in the view of the coat of arms below you can just make out the carved wording underneath which states Genl. James Durham 1830.
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It seems likely that the 1750 date was added at the same time, as the lettering styles appear very similar (see comparison below). The construction of Largo House probably spanned over more than one year, around two and three quarter centuries ago.
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The Reverend William Neve Monteith was killed at Loos on 25 September 1915. Only months before, he had married Miss Muriel Cox at Largo Parish Church. Muriel was the eldest daughter of Benjamin C. Cox, the long-term tenant of Largo House. Monteith had been Parish Minister at Elie for seven years before the outbreak of war. He was born at Glencairn in Dumfriesshire on 22nd August 1878 - the second son of Reverend John Monteith and his wife Ellen Maria Neve. William took a BA at the Magdalen College Oxford before studying Theology at Glasgow. After a spell in Argentina, he served as assistant to the Reverend Dr Ernest Playfair (1871–1951) of St Andrews, before getting his own parish in Elie in 1907. 

In early September 1914 the St Andrews Presbytery granted him leave of absence for the duration of the war, he was one of the first ministers (if not the first) to enlist as a combatant. Below from 8 September 1914 Dundee Evening Telegraph, which reported how the minister had "laid aside his cassock and gone forth to do battle for his King and country in the uniform of a soldier". He did not join the army as a chaplain but responded to the call to arms. On the day he enlisted in the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, he also proposed to Miss Cox. Letters sent between the pair after their engagement are held in Fife Archives. 
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William obtained a commission as a Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion Rifle Brigade on 22nd January 1915. Before going on active service, he married Muriel on 30th March 1915. ​The wedding was described in detail in the 1 April 1915 Leven Mail. On a gloriously sunny day, Largo Parish Church was bedecked with plants and flowers from the gardens and greenhouses of both Gilston House and Largo House. Among the display were "Great palms flanked the pulpit, which was garlanded with laurel leaves and white blossoms, while in front and from out the marble font reared stately lilies of the Nile." 
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Earlier in the day, friends and members of Elie Parish Church had gathered in their village to see off the bridegroom - flags flying from every house. Likewise villagers turned out en masse in Largo to catch a glimpse of the couple. The men of B Company, Highland Cyclist Battalion, who were stationed at Upper Largo, formed a guard of honour at the church door. After the ceremony the couple emerged through an arcade of bayonets.

Initially serving in the 6th (Reserve) battalion, William was transferred to the 2nd (Regular) after that battalion suffered heavy losses at Fromelles on the Aubers Ridge. He arrived in France at the end of May 1915. Lieutenant Monteith was killed in action on 25 September 1915 at the first day of the Battle of Loos. His brother, John, was killed in action at the same just a few days later, on 1 October. Another brother, Hugh, served with the R.A.M.C. and gained the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). William was mentioned in despatches posthumously by General Douglas Haig for his gallant and distinguished service in the field.

Benjamin Connell Cox was born in Clifden, Galway, Ireland in 1854. The son of a surgeon, Benjamin had a twin brother named Joshua John Cox. A couple of years after the birth of the twins, the family moved to Scotland - initially settling in Edinburgh before moving to Innerleithen in the Borders. By 1871, Joshua was studying medicine, while Benjamin had become an apprentice at a woollen mill. A decade later, Benjamin was in Selkirk, employed as a commercial traveller for George Roberts and Co. of Forrest Mill. In 1888 he married Harriet Kate McDowell in Birkenhead, Cheshire and they went on to have four children: Muriel (1890), Elsie (1891), Winifred (1894) and John (1900). 

The family lived at Mauldsheugh in Selkirk and over the years, Benjamin worked his way up within Roberts and Co. to become a director of the firm. He was one of the principal shareholders when the firm became a limited company in 1892. The business went on to prosper, becoming a leader in the Scottish woollen industry by the early 1900s. In 1903, Cox retired as managing director (see Southern Reporter piece below from 5 February 1903).  
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The Cox family relocated to Fife, residing initially at St Andrews. However, by May 1904, they had secured the lease of Largo House, and of the shootings on Largo Law (see St Andrews Citizen of 28 May above). They quickly became prominent in their new community. The piece below from the 17 August 1905 Leven Advertiser describes how a group of Juvenile Templars were entertained by Mr and Mrs Cox. The family appeared to have been supporters of the temperance movement. In a 1907, when seeking a groom to work at Largo House, the advert noted that "abstainer preferred".​
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Benjamin Cox gave talks locally as well, such as the example above on the subject of pond life, illustrated with lantern slides. He had joined the Parish Council by 1908 and held a variety of roles within it over the years that followed. When Largo Miniature Rifle Club was formed on 1 December 1908, Benjamin became Honorary President. The following year, he was elected Captain of Lundin Golf Club (see 18 August Leven Advertiser below). The year 1909 was also when the Cox family collected their new Daimler car.

Cox's tenure as Captain was an eventful one at Lundin Golf Club. The Club's new 18 hole course was completed later in 1909 and on 29 November he had the honour of driving the first ball, using a ‘Dreadnought’ club donated by Sir John Gilmour. Cox presented the Club with a silver cup to mark the occasion (see 1 Dec 1909 Leven Advertiser snippet below). He also presided at opening of Lundin Ladies new course in April 1910. The photograph further below of Cox seated was taken during his spell as Golf Club Captain.

In the census of 1911, which was taken on 2 April, Mr and Mrs Cox and their two eldest children Muriel and Elsie, were away in London - residing at the recently-completed Berner's Hotel on Berners Street just off Oxford Street. Younger daughter Winifred (Freda) was at school in St Andrews, while son John was at Ardvreck boarding school in Crieff. This stay in London likely marked the period between the end of their lease of Largo House and their move to Gilston House. Shortly afterwards it was reported (in 29 April 1911 Fifeshire Advertiser item below) that the family had taken up a lease of Gilston House, between Upper Largo and Largoward.

The advert below from three years earlier in Country Life magazine, describes Gilston House in detail. At the time, the house had 14 bedrooms, 5 public rooms, extensive well-stocked gardens, stables, tennis courts and access to large shooting grounds. The Cox family remained there for around eight years before making a return to Largo House in 1919. During the First World War, Benjamin acted as Chief Special Constable for one of the Fife districts. He was also a member of the Appeal Tribunal for Fife under the Military Service Acts and of the County War Pensions Committee.
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Once the family were back at Largo House, youngest daughter Freda Cox started the 1st Largo Girl Guide Company in October 1920. She acted as the Captain of the Guides until 1924. The 1921 census, records Benjamin, Harriet and Elsie at Largo House along with seven servants (see details below). 
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As well as a stint on the Parish Council, Benjamin became a member of Fife County Council. His involvement lasted for nine years, including a spell as Convener of the County Finance Committee. However, in December 1922 he retired from those duties owing to poor health. Early in 1923, his twin brother Joshua John Cox O.B.E. died on a visit to Largo House (see below from 27 January Fifeshire Advertiser).
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Benjamin himself passed away on 17 March 1924 at Largo House aged 70 years. The 22 March 1924 Dundee Courier piece below details the "large company of mourners" that followed the hearse from the service in Largo House to the cemetery. Further below is an image of the headstone, which is shared with his wife Harriet, who lived until 1956 and to the age of 93 years.
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The photograph above, which was also published as a postcard, features a striking looking motor car waiting at the entrance of Largo House. The image also features a couple sitting on a bench and another person on the entrance stairs. However, it is the car which particularly catches the eye and back on 18 September 1974, the East Fife Mail posed the question - what was the type and date of the vintage vehicle?

​Benjamin Cox, along with his wife and four children, then ranging in age from 3 to 13, took up residence in Largo House in the summer of 1904 (see 24 June East of Fife Record piece below). The tweed and woollen manufacturer from Selkirk, had retired to St Andrews prior to taking up the tenancy of Largo House, where the family remained until 1911. Benjamin was Captain of Lundin Golf Club 1909-11. The family moved to Gilston House in 1911 before returning to Largo House in 1919, where Benjamin died in 1924. The chauffeur for the Cox family was George Bell.

A few examples of long-serving staff at Largo House during this period included:

Alexander Norval (or Norvil) - Footman from 1791 until his death in 1797. The record of his burial at Largo is shown above.

George Stein - Gardener between 1786 and 1798

Margaret (Peggy) Lawson - who progressed from Cook's Maid to Cook between 1785 and 1791

James Millar - initially described as a "chaise-driver" but later "coachman" between 1787 and 1795

Thomas Keay - Butler between 1795 and 1797
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If you had an ancestor that worked among the domestic staff at Largo House, please leave a comment.

Read more about the life of a Georgian servant here: ​www.nts.org.uk/stories/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-servant 

​Accounts dating to 1766, from Young and Trotter, the Edinburgh upholsterer and carpeting merchant, detail that Largo House was supplied with "blue and orange carpeting", as well as "window curtains of cherry" with "yellow tassels". The Drawing Room was furnished with "blue silk damask chairs". Damask is a reversible, woven fabric that features a distinct pattern created by a special weave. Named after the city of Damascus, where it was produced in the Middle Ages, damask was originally made from silk. Used for upholstery, curtains, and table linens, its pattern features a contrast between matte and shiny yarns. 

There were also references to a "bed hung with red cambrot" and an "easie chair covered with yellow silk". A "large fine staircase lantern" was also ordered for the house from Young and Trotter. The image collages above and below are designed to evoke a sense of what the interior of Largo House might have looked like during the late 18th century - incorporating some of the known objects, colours and textures.​

Another supplier of interiors to Largo House was William Hamilton, the Edinburgh upholsterer and cabinet maker. James Durham commissioned furniture from him in 1769/70 - including a large mahogany bedstead. Hamilton was a competitor to Young and Trotter, although eventually the two firms combined. While still operating under his own name, William Hamilton is known to have executed commissions for the Duke of Argyll (1758-61), Lord Milton (1764-5), Sir James Clerk (1770-2) and Balfour Ramsay (1768-9), as well as James Durham of Largo (1769-70). 

It is also well-documented that architect John Adam (brother of Robert Adam) supplied a chimney piece for Largo House. The specification on the account (which was dated May 1759), was "statuary marble" (that is marble of exceptional quality - literally meaning suitable for statues). Further details of the piece specified "ogee moulding" (a decorative trim with an S-shaped profile which features a concave curve that flows into a convex curve) and "dentils" (small, tooth-like rectangular blocks arranged in a repeating pattern). 
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The previous post looked at the building above on Mill Wynd in Lundin Links, which was built in 1973 as Scotland's first custom-designed silversmith studio. When it was vacated in the late 1980s, a new creative enterprise moved in -  Genesis Creations Limited - makers of hand painted figurines. The origins of that enterprise dated back to 1986, when St Andrews-born sculptress Carol Lynn Penny (pictured below) and her partner Neil Campbell, began to make Nesslets (dragons hatching from eggs). They initially sold these through a couple of outlets, including the Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit. Successful sales there led to the establishment of Genesis Creations in August 1987.

Support from North East Fife Enterprise Trust and others enabled Genesis to purchase the studio in Lundin Links, which they moved into in May 1988. Over the next few months, the company grew from 3 to 15 employees. The article above, from the 19 October 1988 Scotsman, charted the story of the company's growth. At the time the workshop's capacity was several thousand pieces a month, with a range of 23 different models. As well as selling through a growing number of stockists within the UK, Genesis sent products to Germany, Japan, Canada, the USA, Norway, Spain, Austria and Switzerland.

​The range of products comprised fantasy creatures, from the original Nesslets (hatching dragons), to Draglets (fully grown dragons) and Mins (tiny animals in shells), as well as a heritage collection, which included models of real life castles. The Nesslets became the best known range and were produced in red and green. Carol Lynn Penny acted as Creative Director for the expanding business. The Dundee Courier of 9 November 1988 also covered the growth of Genesis Creations. The photograph below of Carol and Neil inside the Lundin Links studio appeared, along with the news that orders totalling over £80,000 had resulted from a trip to the recent Highland Trade Fair in Aviemore. 

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By 1990, with large numbers of people calling into the studio, and a lack of display space to show the wide range of products, the Mill Wynd premises underwent extensive alterations. A new Dragon Showroom (seen above) opened to the public and trade. Collectors from around the world would write or phone asking to visit the studio - keen to watch the creation of a piece that they already owned or were considering buying. The showroom also offered retailers looking to stock products an opportunity to view the full range of designs (which at the time numbered around 100 options). The office also held a list of approximately 1000 stockists in the UK and the showroom was open seven days a week between 09:30 and 17:00.

Unfortunately, the early 1990s was a period of recession and the business hit financial problems. Genesis Creations folded in 1991 but some of its products were taken over by Clarecraft, another company which produced fantasy figurines. Some dragons continued to be made by Clarecraft until its closure in 2005. Do you have a Genesis creation? Did you visit the workshop? Comments welcome.

Did you know that the first custom-designed silversmith studio in Scotland was built in Lundin Links at Mill Wynd back in 1973? This blog will tell the story of how that came about and the man behind it. Alistair Norman Grant, pictured below, was born on 18 November 1943 in Forres, Moray. After school, he attended Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen, where he studied under silversmithing lecturer David Hodge, who Norman later credited with fostering his "interest in nature in its many forms as a source of designs". Leaving in 1966 with a D.A. in Silversmithing, initially Norman took a teacher training course in Dundee, followed by a teaching job at Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes. Continuing to make jewellery in his spare time, in 1967 he started his own business, from his garden shed. 

Largo Lea was renamed Silverwells and from the house Norman ran a summer school programme from the workshop each July, from 1969 for seven years, which attracted students from around the world. The advert above appeared in the Scotsman newspaper of 3 May 1969 and the one below in the same newspaper on 13 February 1973. The latter notes that Norman appeared on a BBC1 programme called Scope that same week (a monthly BBC Scotland arts TV series that began in 1970). 
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The piece above appeared in the 16 October 1970 Dundee Courier. In this article Norman jokes about being destined to be a silversmith because his initials were AG - silver's symbol in the periodic table. He also talks about his efforts to establish his fledgling company, having to work seven days a week and having more requests than he could cope with. In the early 1970s interest in contemporary jewellery was flourishing and Norman's work in great demand. He took on two apprentices - Don Beaton and Robin Mackie. Soon he was in need of larger premises for the team to work in.
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The above item from the 18 July 1973 East Fife Mail an early silver and enamel design made in the Mill Wynd workshop, which was taken down to London to go on display at the Design Centre. The new workshop and growing business went from strength to strength - employing 15 people by 1975. The following year, 1976, saw the founding of 'Dust Jewellery' - a joint venture between Norman Grant and John Flegg. In 1977, the firm designed and made the silver match box from which came the match that Queen Elizabeth II lit the first of a nationwide chain of 102 beacons to mark her Silver Jubilee.
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'Dust' combined the traditional skills of the silversmith with new technology and a new range of titanium pieces was developed. The firm's workspace expanded into the buildings across the street and elsewhere in the village. As the above insert states "the colours on the titanium are achieved by causing an electric current to pass through the metal creating an illusion as changeable as a peacock's feather or as subtle as the iridescence from oil on water".​

Robert Carswell Paxton was born on 28 February 1853 in Kilmarnock to brewer George Paxton and his spouse Janet Muir Carswell. As the Old Parish Register extract below states, he was their fourth child and third son. His elder siblings were Ann (born 1849), George (1850) and John (1851). Four younger siblings followed - Isabella (1855), Jessie (1857), Mary (1860) and James (1862). Robert's father George was a second generation brewer. His father, also George Paxton, was a partner in William Wallace and Co, a company which operated from the Richardland Brewery on the River Irvine in Kilmarnock before taking the business over in his own right. George Paxton senior (1780-1856) married Isabella Carse in 1811 and built Richardland House, adjacent to the brewery, as the family home in 1820. His son, Robert's father, George Paxton (1815- 1868) took over the Richardland Brewery in 1846 and married Janet Muir Carswell in 1848. 

The 1861 census finds George, Janet and family at Richardland House (shown on the 1857 map above). There were seven children, including an 8-year-old Robert, in the household at the time plus three servants (a nurse, a house maid and a cook). Robert's father George Paxton died on 13 July 1868, from the effects of sunstroke, while in Salisbury. By the 1871 census, Janet was recorded as a widow, with four of her children still living with her. Robert was not among them and must have been elsewhere, either working or studying. In 1875 Robert is recorded as being in the 1st Ayrshire Rifle Volunteer Corps. While his elder brothers George and John took forward the brewery, an alternative option presented itself to Robert and his career took a completely different direction.
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In the 1870s, in Texas USA, the expansion of the railroad facilitated a boom in farming and ranching. Adverts such as the one above appeared in the press in the UK. Such an opportunity appealed to Robert Paxton and on 17 August 1878 he set sail for the USA, along with John Railton and David Sturrock, who were also from well-established Kilmarnock families. The three men had resolved to quit their native land and establish themselves in Texas. On the eve of their departure from Glasgow to New York, they were entertained for supper at the town's George Hotel, seen below. 
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Robert Paxton travelled onwards to West Texas and the Trans-Pecos region, becoming one of the early settlers of Terrell County. From its beginnings the economy there was dominated by cattle and sheep ranching and the area became one of the biggest sheep and wool producers in the US. Robert had arrived at a time when the new railroads were beginning to ease the shipment of livestock to markets. Within another couple of years the first successful refrigerated train cars hit the rails. Robert succeeded in his endeavours and remained in the US for many years.   

On 25 October 1894, Robert married Margaret Donald Baird, daughter of an ironmonger, at her family home in Kilmarnock. For many years following their marriage, Robert travelled between his ranch in Texas and Scotland. Margaret must have accompanied him on some occasions, as their eldest daughter Janet Hamilton Paxton (known as Jessie) was born in the USA in 1896 - in San Antonio - a larger settlement which was reachable by railway from the ranch. The land that Robert settled is now the Longfellow Ranch and here is an excerpt from the ranch’s history:

“The Longfellow Ranch, now owned by Malone Mitchell III, comprises 250,000 acres in Terrell County. Of that total, some 10,000 acres is leased land. The ranch varies from an elevation of 5000 feet on the west side to 3000 feet on the east side. In the late 1800s the southern part of the ranch was consolidated by some of the first settlers in Terrell County, Charles Downie and Robert Paxton, immigrants from Scotland. In the early 1920s the majority of the ranch was consolidated by the West family of Houston, who were in the oil and gas business. In the late 1950s it was split between the West brothers. Mitchell bought the ranch in 1995.”

Now with a wife and young child, Robert Paxton began to look for a family home in Scotland. The census of 1901, records him on a stay in Scotland with Margaret and Jessie, residing in Edinburgh with his sister Mary. His occupation was noted as "ranchman in Texas". It would appear that this was, in part, to search for a place to put down new roots. Although Robert and Margaret's main family ties were in Kilmarnock, they also had connections to Edinburgh.  Robert's paternal grandmother was from Edinburgh and other relatives lived there. At the time Lundin Links was a fashionable place among Edinburgh folks for summer vacations and second home ownership. Golf was also a strong draw and drier climate on the east coast made it a popular place to retire to.
 

Testing the Largo area out, Robert rented Drum Lodge, where second daughter Margaret Baird Paxton was born on 17 February 1902, followed by Isabella Carse Paxton (known as Isabel) on 22 June 1904. The family subsequently rented Elphinstone on Crescent Road, where fourth daughter Emily Wallace Paxton was born on 15 October 1907. Now a family of six, Robert and Margaret bought 'Homelands' pictured above in 1908 as their permanent family home.

However, the Texas connection was not entirely severed. At the time of the 1911 census, while Margaret and her three youngest daughters were at Homelands, it seems likely that Robert and Jessie were on a visit to the USA. Also recorded in the Homelands household at the time were a governess, a cook and a housemaid. Family life was sadly disrupted when four-year-old Emily developed tubercular meningitis and died at Homelands on 3 April 1912, aged four. In 1913 Robert was recorded making another voyage to the USA, where he was still described on the passenger list as a cattle rancher, aged 60. The First World War appears to have finally brought his Texas connection to an end.
 
The Paxton family all became active members of the Lundin links community. Robert was Captain of Lundin Golf Club 1908-09 and can be seen on the far left of the front row wearing a dark suit in the 1909 photograph below, taken to mark the opening of the new course. He also served on the Parish Council (chairing it for a time), gifted a well-equipped recreation hut to the village and laid out the Pitch and Putt facility at the golf club. He was a keen photographer and captured many historic local images including the first cars crossing the new road bridge at Lower Largo Harbour in 1914. He also became a local Justice of the Peace.
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In 1923 Robert gave a talk at the Literary branch of the village social club, entitled "The Cowboy" which provided an insight to his earlier strenuous occupation as a rancher (covered in the 8 February Leven Advertiser). He described a "young fellow from this country who wished to become a cowboy" and noted the "pleasure of crossing the Atlantic". Robert went on to talk about those out to "entrap and rob him" upon his arrival in New York, the difficulties in learning to ride a horse, the "tricks of all kinds" played upon him and the lively events which occurred at brandings and round-ups. Dangerous stampedes, loss of cattle over steep precipices and the destruction of wagons by out of control animals were also among the tales told. Robert noted that, even once the great cattle drives were replaced by rail transportation, the task of ensuring live cattle did not topple trains on journeys lasting several days was a challenge. Clearly, young Robert had sought adventure in his life - and had found it in abundance in Texas.
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In 1926, Robert contracted tuberculosis and over that summer he went to Kingussie in Perthshire, known for its clean air. The Grampian Sanatorium, where he stayed, had opened in 1901 and had been built specifically for the treatment of tuberculosis. Sited 900 feet above sea level, patients' beds were routinely taken outside to maximise the perceived benefits of the fresh air. On 8 Oct 1926, Robert died there, aged 73 years. The reporting of his death in the Leven Mail highlighted his "charm of manner and unostentatious generosity" which had "won a place in the heart of the parish".

Robert Paxton was buried at Kilmarnock cemetery with his young daughter Emily. A striking monument, known as the Paxton Memorial Cross had been erected in 1921, designed by Robert's youngest brother James, an architect. Robert's wife Margaret died on 7 October 1941 at Homelands and is also buried at Kilmarnock. Daughters Jessie (1896-1962), Margaret (1902-1966) and Isabel (1904-1993) all had remarkable lives and the family's legacy continues to this day through the Homelands Trust in Lundin Links.
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