A number of members of this branch of the family were dependent upon the traditional industries of Stirlingshire for their livelihood – in particular, farming, paper-making, cloth-making and iron founding.
My great-great grandfather, Duncan Haggart, worked at Airthrey Paper Mill – located on the banks of the River Allan. He is described both as a Paper Cutter and Paper Mill Labourer.
Throughout their lives Duncan and Ann lived at the adjacent Airthrey Mill Cottages. Ann predeceased Duncan. Once again the cause of death is given as Phthisis. In 1901, four years later, Duncan passed away. His body was found in the River Allan. A correction to the death certificate adds ‘ Injuries sustained by falling over a wall and exposure’.
The Mill was sold to the Orient Paper Mill of Calcutta in 1946. Its equipment was dismantled and sent to India, as paper-making machinery at the time was almost unobtainable. The mill chimney was dismantled around 1966. In due course the site was swamped with modern housing.