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]
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
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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' -
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"
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.
Kate Kemp's home and Old Barskimming Bridge in 1896.
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]
^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. ISBN0-907526-71-3.
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. ISBN1-899316-41-8.
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. ISBN0-9527445-6-2.
Wilson, John (1840). The Land of Burns. Glasgow : Blackie & Son.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barskimming Bridge House.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bridge House cave.
Kemp's Hoose / Barskimming Auld Brig.
Video footage of Bridge or Kemp's House, Barskimmimg Old Bridge, Mauchline.
Old photograph of Barskimming Old Bridge and Kemp's House.
History of Mauchline
January 20, 2023
kate, kemp, barskimming, lived, with, father, bridge, house, northern, side, single, span, barskimming, bridge, barskimming, auld, brig, river, scotland, both, robert, burns, james, andrew, miller, barskimming, mill, romantic, interest, visit, composition, poe. 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 KempThe Miller s Holm from Bridge HouseBornCirca 1760AyrshireOccupation s Dairymaid and carer Contents 1 Life and character 2 Association with Robert Burns 3 Barskimming Old Bridge and the Bridge House 4 Micro history 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksLife and character Edit 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 Edit Barskimming Bridge Houseclass notpageimage 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 EditKnown 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 Kate Kemp s home and Old Barskimming Bridge in 1896 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 EditLord 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 Edit Scotland portalJean Armour Alison Begbie or Elizabeth Gebbie Nelly Blair May Cameron Mary Campbell Highland Mary Jenny Clow Nelly Kilpatrick Jessie Lewars Ann Park Peggy ThompsonReferences EditNotes Kemp s Hoose Barskimming Auld Brig Retrieved 23 February 2017 Douglas 1938 The Kilmarnock Edition of the Poetical Works of Robert Burns p 83 Boyle 1996 The Ayrshire Book of Burns Lore p 69 Parish of Stair Register of Births Deaths and Marriages 1766 Parish of Stair Register of Births Deaths and Marriages 1766 Parish of Stewarton Register of Births Deaths and Marriages 1781 Boyle 1996 The Ayrshire Book of Burns Lore p 69 Hunter McQueen 2009 Hunter s Illustrated History of the Family Friends and Contemporaries of Robert Burns p 155 Parishes of Stair and Mauchline Register of Births Deaths and Marriages 1766 Dougall 1904 The Burns Country p 156 Wilson 1840 The Land of Burns p 6 McVie John 1927 Burns and Stair The Standard Press p 104 Dunlop Annie 1953 The Royal Burgh of Ayr p 204 Wilson 1840 The Land of Burns p 6 Dougall 1904 The Burns Country p 157 Adamson 1879 Rambles through the Land of Burns p 193 Douglas 1938 The Kilmarnock Edition of the Poetical Works of Robert Burns p 83 Wilson 1840 The Land of Burns p 7 Adamson 1879 Rambles through the Land of Burns p 194 McVie John 1927 Burns and Stair The Standard Press p 102 McQueen 1999 Rantin Rovin Robin p 46 McQueen 1999 Rantin Rovin Robin p 49 Parish of Stair Register of Births Deaths and Marriages 1766 Wilson 2000 The Last Miller p 32 Hunter McQueen 2009 Hunter s Illustrated History of the Family Friends and Contemporaries of Robert Burns p 155 McVie John 1927 Burns and Stair The Standard Press p 103 Robert Burns 2005 Burns Country Man was made to mourn A Dirge robertburns org Retrieved 23 February 2017 Ayrshire OS Name Books 1855 57 Ordnance Survey Retrieved 23 February 2017 Guide to Mauchline Catrine Sorn and Surrounding Districts 1909 p 23 Ayrshire OS Name Books 1855 57 Ordnance Survey Retrieved 23 February 2017 Cuthbertson D 1947 Autumn in Kyle and the Charm of Cunninghame Herbert Jenkins p Facing 79 Adamson 1879 Rambles through the Land of Burns p 194 Boyle 1996 An Ayrshire Book of Burns Lore p 26 Adamson 1879 Rambles Through the Land of Burns p 193 Records and Functions of the Ayrshire Commissioners of Supply Ayrshire History Retrieved 23 February 2017 Kilmarnock Glenfield Ramblers 1930 p 119 Hunter McQueen 2009 Hunter s Illustrated History of the Family Friends and Contemporaries of Robert Burns p 155 SourcesAnnals of the Kilmarnock Glenfield Ramblers Society 1930 Volume 10 Adamson Archibald R 1879 Rambles through the Land of Burns Kilmarnock Dunlop amp 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 amp 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 amp 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 amp Hunter Wilson James Pearson 2000 The Last Miller The Cornmills of Ayrshire Ayrshire Monographs No 23 Ayrshire Archaeological amp Natural History Society ISBN 0 9527445 6 2 Wilson John 1840 The Land of Burns Glasgow Blackie amp Son External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barskimming Bridge House Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bridge House cave Kemp s Hoose Barskimming Auld Brig Video footage of Bridge or Kemp s House Barskimmimg Old Bridge Mauchline Old photograph of Barskimming Old Bridge and Kemp s House History of Mauchline Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kate Kemp amp oldid 1104921169, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
