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Manse at Biggar

M133 Manse at Biggar

Address: Carwood Road, Biggar ML12 6LX
Date: 1896–8
Client: Rev. William Grant Duncan
Authorship: Authorship category 4 (Office) (Office)
1884
Rev. William Grant Duncan inducted as minister at Biggar. He reports the uninhabitable state of the manse (built 1876) to the heritors and moves into lodgings. A Glasgow architect named Thomson carries out a survey of the manse. 1
1885
Architect Thomson carries out repairs and alterations to the manse and Rev. Duncan takes up residence. 2
1894
Rev. Duncan submits a renewed complaint of 'disrepair and inadequate accommodation' at the manse following consultation with an architect and a medical officer of health. 3
1894–6
Numerous meetings of the heritors and Rev. Duncan are held. Rev. Duncan's claim that a new manse is required and his proposal for its funding are disputed by the heritors. The heritors appoint Glasgow architects Henry Steele & Balfour to carry out a survey on the existing manse, who recommend making repairs and alterations. In May 1895, John Honeyman's name appears in news reports of the meetings for the first time. He recommends the construction of a new manse, remarking that it would reduce the heritors' costs in the long term. 4
1896
3 April: At Lanark, Sheriff T. A. Fyfe rules in favour of replacing the existing manse at the same location. The Sherriff Court is to be involved in the selection of the architect. Additional meetings of the heritors and Rev. Duncan are held during the year to debate the ruling. 5
September: Date of earliest drawings prepared by John Honeyman & Keppie.
18 December: Contractors sign the drawings in connection with their tenders. 6
1897
January: Contractor tenders submitted. 7
1 March: Client Rev. William Grant Duncan applies for 'a supply of Gravitation Water for building purposes for the New Manse and authority to make the necessary connection to the Town Main pipe'. The application is approved by the Commissioners of the Burgh of Biggar. 8
12 July: John Honeyman & Keppie receive a payment of £60 for work at Biggar Manse. 9
1898
25 June: Contractors paid. 10
3 August: Rev. W. Grant Duncan pays Honeyman & Keppie £79 9s 0d. 11
10 October: The Burgh Commissioners agree to charge Rev. Duncan £2 10s 0d per annum for the water supply to the new manse. 12
2012
December: Programme of restoration and redecoration by latest owners nearing completion. 13

Notes:

1: Glasgow Herald, 3 April 1896, p. 10.

2: Glasgow Herald, 3 April 1896, p. 10.

3: Glasgow Herald, 3 April 1896, p. 10.

4: Glasgow Herald, 11 May 1895, p. 4; 3 April 1896, p. 10.

5: Glasgow Herald, 3 April 1896, p. 10; 10 July 1896, p. 6.

6: See M133-002 and M133-003.

7: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow: John Honeyman & Keppie / Honeyman, Keppie & Mackintosh job book, GLAHA 53061, p. 95.

8: Lanark Library: Burgh of Biggar, Town Council minutes, 1 March 1897.

9: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow: John Honeyman & Keppie / Honeyman, Keppie & Mackintosh / Keppie Henderson cash book, 1889–1917, GLAHA 53079, p. 42.

10: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow: John Honeyman & Keppie / Honeyman, Keppie & Mackintosh job book, GLAHA 53061, p. 95.

11: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow: John Honeyman & Keppie / Honeyman, Keppie & Mackintosh / Keppie Henderson cash book, 1889–1917, GLAHA 53079, p. 47.

12: Lanark Library: Burgh of Biggar, Town Council minutes, 10 October 1898.

13: Information supplied by current owner, via email, on 20 October and 21 November 2012.