I have mentioned before the Misses Rigg and their niece Miss Haymes, who lived at Aithernie House in Lundin Links from 1864, and also the Christmas soirees that they were known for arranging for local children. The background as to how these three ladies came to build a house close to the fairly new Lundin Links railway station to share together is interesting. The Rigg family lived at Tarvit House* in Cupar and were descendants of the Riggs who had owned Aithernie Castle. In the mid 19th century the laird of Tarvit and Downfield was James Home Rigg but when he died in 1862 at the age of 79, the estates passed to his six year old grandson (whose father Patrick had died the previous year). So the unmarried Mary and Margaret Rigg who had always lived in Tarvit House, made plans to leave their home and begin a new chapter of their lives.
*Tarvit House (pictured above) was sold for demolition in 1954 and is not to be confused with Hill of Tarvit Mansion. Finally razed in 1963, the site of Tarvit House is now a residential area of the town of Cupar.
*Tarvit House (pictured above) was sold for demolition in 1954 and is not to be confused with Hill of Tarvit Mansion. Finally razed in 1963, the site of Tarvit House is now a residential area of the town of Cupar.
Mary and Margaret Rigg had a sister named Helen, who back in 1843 had married the Reverend John Haymes (son of a Leicestershire landowner). Helen had a daughter - Mary Dalyell Haymes - in 1844. A second child followed early in 1846 - a son named Robert Home Rigg Haymes. However, at this point the family history takes a tragic turn. Helen Haymes (nee Rigg) passed away just a few months after the birth of her son. The following year, young Robert also dies, aged just 14 months. At this point a decision seems to have been made for the young Mary Haymes (then aged around three years) to move to Scotland to live with her grandparents and aunts at Tarvit House. Eventually, after 15 years at Tarvit, and now a young adult, Mary Haymes comes to live in the newly-built Aithernie House (now the Old Manor Hotel) with her two aunts.
At Lundin Links, Mary Haymes became a generous and respected member of the community. It cannot be coincidental that Mary was drawn to being active in the church, and in particular in teaching Sunday School, as her father was a rector in the Church of England. The Fife Herald of 11 January 1872, relates an occasion when Miss Haymes had entertained 33 of her Sabbath Class to a treat in the Drawing Room of Aithernie House....
"After partaking of tea, the party proceeded to the drawing-room, which was tastefully decorated with evergreens, and where was a splendid Christmas tree that attracted considerable attention....Before leaving each of the boys was presented with a little writing desk and accompaniments, and the girls with a ladies companion."
The images below show examples of the type of gifts given that evening. I'm sure that the memories of such acts of kindness lived long in the minds of local people even after the death of Miss Haymes.
At Lundin Links, Mary Haymes became a generous and respected member of the community. It cannot be coincidental that Mary was drawn to being active in the church, and in particular in teaching Sunday School, as her father was a rector in the Church of England. The Fife Herald of 11 January 1872, relates an occasion when Miss Haymes had entertained 33 of her Sabbath Class to a treat in the Drawing Room of Aithernie House....
"After partaking of tea, the party proceeded to the drawing-room, which was tastefully decorated with evergreens, and where was a splendid Christmas tree that attracted considerable attention....Before leaving each of the boys was presented with a little writing desk and accompaniments, and the girls with a ladies companion."
The images below show examples of the type of gifts given that evening. I'm sure that the memories of such acts of kindness lived long in the minds of local people even after the death of Miss Haymes.
Mary Dalyell Haymes passed away on 23 June 1898 at the age of 53. Her funeral service was held at Aithernie and then at Largo cemetery and was reported in the 29 June Dundee Advertiser. This report described her as an "esteemed lady" who had followed the "noble example of her aunts". It continued by stating that she had:
"...long been identified with every Christian and charitable work in the Parish, and although for many years she had had to be wheeled in an invalid chair and suffered much physical pain, she was unremitting in her exertions both for the temporal comfort and spiritual welfare of the people, and seemed never to weary in her labour of love. For nearly 30 years she had personally conducted a mother's meeting, besides lending valuable aid in the formation and promotion of a mission Sabbath school in Lundin Mill. She did much for the temperance cause, and was a member of the Lodge of Good Templars."
The chief mourners were her cousin, James Rigg of Tarvit, and General Dalyell, a relation on her late father's side. Her Aunts Mary and Margaret Rigg, had predeceased Miss Haymes in 1883 and 1891 respectively.
"...long been identified with every Christian and charitable work in the Parish, and although for many years she had had to be wheeled in an invalid chair and suffered much physical pain, she was unremitting in her exertions both for the temporal comfort and spiritual welfare of the people, and seemed never to weary in her labour of love. For nearly 30 years she had personally conducted a mother's meeting, besides lending valuable aid in the formation and promotion of a mission Sabbath school in Lundin Mill. She did much for the temperance cause, and was a member of the Lodge of Good Templars."
The chief mourners were her cousin, James Rigg of Tarvit, and General Dalyell, a relation on her late father's side. Her Aunts Mary and Margaret Rigg, had predeceased Miss Haymes in 1883 and 1891 respectively.
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