To live to you’re hundred is a remarkable achievement for anybody these days, but to do it in a previous era, where quality of life was not as it is today, is astounding.
One such Blantyre person lived to 100 years old. Ms Templeton (wife of the Blantyre Blacksmith John Templeton) was born on the 16th November 1825. Although born in Limekilnburn in the parish of Hamilton, she moved to Blantyre shortly after marrying her husband. John had started a Blacksmith business in Barnhill in 1850 and was later involved in the alleged incident of building a flying machine at Larkfield.
Her children (including her son who inherited the blacksmith business) and grandchildren attended the Barnhill Smiddy party on 16th November 1925 to celebrate her 100 years. The only person missing was her husband John, who had died 22 years earlier in 1903. The newspapers recorded that Mrs Templeton was still in excellent health and contained all of her faculties, able to go about the house unaided. When interviewed, Mrs Templeton remembered the Coronation of Queen Victoria and recalled “seeing David Livingstone out and about in Blantyre”. She also received many gifts from all the family and friends.
The newspapers also noted the following telegram was received from the King:— “The King and Queen congratulate you on your 100th birthday.”
Actually, I can correct the newspaper account of the telegram, for due to a particular set of circumstances, I now have that actual particular telegram, inherited from my mother which is in pristine condition. The telegram actually says “The King and Queen sincerely congratulate you on your Hundredth Birthday and trust that the remainder of your days may be blessed with peace and happiness.”
My grandfather assisted with the house clearance after the lady’s death. Being like myself interested in the history of Blantyre, the family by means of thanks and with no desire for sentimental paperwork, kindly gave him the telegram, passed down to my mum in 1971, passed to me in 2009. I think i would like to correct this situation, by keeping a copy of the telegram and offering it back to the rightful family.
The picture below shows Mrs Templeton’s house and the smiddy, provided by Helen Williams and photographed in the late 1980’s.
This lady was my great great Grandma. Her son who took over the smiddy when John Templeton died was called Jamie. I never met him but my mother who is still alive and 92 remembers him well as well as a lot of Templeton family members and descendants. Jamie’s niece, my grandma – Ellen Templeton McCulloch, also had a long life passing away two months before her 102nd birthday.
I have today tried to message you from the website but am not not sure if it has worked.