Scotiana

John Mackay Wilson by James Sinclair

In the 19th century, it was not uncommon to see itinerant lecturers hopscotching across their countries. It was also a great opportunity for them to meet with people, mingle with them, and listen to local stories and folk tales.

Is it during his itinerant lectures that John Mackay Wilson got the idea of writing and compiling the Tales of the Borders ? I would not be surprised.

The No.1 in the series of the weekly magazine was published on November 8th, 1834 and contained two tales, The Vacant Chair and Tibby Fowler.

No.2 of the series followed with four tales: My Black Coat; or, The Breaking of the Bride’s China, Well Have Another, The Soldier’s Return, The Red Hall; or, Berwick in 1926.

The increasing popularity of the publication of The Tales of The Border had J.M.Wilson working at a pace that became before long overwhelming. He started drinking and the abuse of alcohol sadly brought him to his last day in 1835.  He was aged 31 years old.

In total, Wilson published in the first series, 48 numbers, totalling 73 tales. After his death, his brother James continued the series, followed by Alexander Leighton, a Scottish medical doctor and puritan preacher and pamphleteer who died under torture by King Charles I , because he attacked the Anglican Church in one of his pamphlet.

Tales of The Borders and of Scotland-12 volumes-Edition Edinburgh : William P. Nimmo & Co.-1857

Many contributors participated in the writing of The Tales Of The Border:

Wilson's Tales of The Border - Ed 1857

Alexander Bethune

John Bethune

Alexander Campbell

Matthew Forster Conolly

Professor Thomas Gillespie

William Hethrington, D.D.

John Howell

Alexander Leighton

Walter Logan

James Maidment

Theodore Martin

Patrick Maxwell

Hugh Miller

David M. Moir , “Delta”

Alexander Peterkin

Oliver Richardson

John Francis Smith

R. G. Thomson

John Mackay Wilson

Re. W. G.

Anonymous

Wilson’s grave can be found in Tweedsmouth’s Churchyard. It is such in a bad state of conservation that a visitor  wrote to the Berwick Advertiser to denounce this fact and hopefully have the population and/or the concerned authorities take action.

 

John Mackay Wilson's Grave - Tweedsmouth Churchyard

Concern voiced over state of famous writer’s grave
Berwick Advertiser 14 January 2009

This photograph shows the sorry state of the gravestone of one of Berwick’s most famous writers.It was sent to us by Roy Grout of West End Court, Tweedmouth, who wonders if someone would be able to restore it.

He said: “My friend, Agnes Patterson, and I recently visited Tweedmouth Churchyard and were sad to see how bad the gravestone of the late John Mackay Wilson had deteriorated. “It would be nice if there is someone out there who would be willing to restore the inscription. “After all, this is a man who became very well known, was born in Tweedmouth and is laid to rest there. “Perhaps a fund could be created which people could contribute to. It would be a shame if nothing is done.” (…)

http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/scotnews09/sthscot09/090119-grave.html

Wilson's Tales of the Borders

Wilson's Tales of The Border - Frontispice

Wilson's Tales of The Border - Illustration "The Vacant Chair"

Wilson's Tale of The Borders-2 Volumes-Adam & Co-Felling-Gate Printing Works-Gateshead-on-Tyne-London

Remember the above photo Mairiuna? As mentioned in a previous post, I bought the above edition at The Book Shop in Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town.

Can’t wait to go back ! And you ?

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