Baroness McAusland

A House Through Time: Muttoes Lane, Saint Andrews and the Kirks and Philps

Muttoes Lane, Saint Andrews, Fife.

From at least 1851 until 1895, Muttoes Lane in Saint Andrews was home to a number of members of the Kirk and Philp families with number 6 being owned first by Janet Herd, widow of James Kirk and then by Alexander Kirk. The exact connection between them is unclear, however it is believed that Janet Herd may have been Alexander Kirk’s step-mother.

Muttoes Lane, Saint Andrews, Fife.
Muttoes Lane, Saint Andrews, Fife.
Muttoes Lane, Saint Andrews, Fife.
THE
LORD
GAVE AND
THE LORD
HATH TAKEN
BLESSED BE THE
NAME OF THE LORD
Grating, Muttoes Lane, Saint Andrews.
Muttoes Lane, Saint Andrews painted by John Hume Bingham, (1875-1961) for his sister-in-law Janet Philp (1869-1953) who was born at number 6, which was owned by her maternal grandfather, Alexander Kirk.
John Wood’s 1820 Plan of the City of Saint Andrews showing “Muttys Wynd” running between North Street and Market Street and the Philp property on Market Street. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland
Muttoes Lane on the 1854 Ordnance Survey map of Saint Andrews. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.

Births

Extract of Statutory Birth Register entry for Sarah Ann Philp.

On 13 May 1867, Sarah Ann Philp, daughter of Andrew Philp, Baker and Jane Kirk his wife was born at Mutto’s Lane in Saint Andrews.

Certificate of Entry of Birth for Janet Philp.

On 04 July 1869, Janet Philp, daughter of Andrew Philp, Baker and Jane Kirk his wife was born at 6 Mutto’s Lane in Saint Andrews.

On 04 December 1870, Andrew Philp, son of Andrew Philp, Foreman Baker and Jane Kirk his wife was born at 6 Muttoes Lane in Saint Andrews. He died on 29 January 1871 at Muttoes Lane, aged 2 months. The cause of death, as certified by George Park, L.F.P.&S.S. was Congenital deformity during life.

On 17 December 1871, Maggie Kirk Philp, daughter of Andrew Philp, Foreman Baker and Jane Kirk his wife was born at Muttoes Lane in Saint Andrews.

Census Records

When researching the history of a house, it is a good idea to know who the neighbours were, and in the case of Muttoes lane, the neighbours included many relatives.

1851

Janet Herd, second wife of James Kirk and their family. She owned property at Muttoes Lane from at least 1855 until 1857 – probably until her death in 1859. In 1851 she was living there with her son David and daughter Elizabeth.

At the 1851 census, three members of the Kirk family were living at Muttoes Lane, Saint Andrews. These were:

  1. Janet Kirk (nee Herd and widow of James Kirk), Head of the family, aged 65 and an annuitant, born Dunino.
  2. Her unmarried son, David Kirk, a Hand Loom Weaver, aged 36, born Saint Andrews.
  3. Her unmarried daughter, Elizabeth Kirk, a House Servant, aged 20, born Saint Andrews.

A few doors along in Muttoe’s Lane, there was Janet Herd’s sister, Margaret with her husband, John Melville, their two children and her niece:

  1. John Melville, Head of the household, aged 55 and an Agricultural Labourer, born Dairsie.
  2. His wife, Margaret Melville (nee Herd), aged 54, born Saint Andrews.
  3. Their unmarried daughter, Euphemia Melville, aged 25 and a House Servant, born Saint Andrews.
  4. Their unmarried son, James Melville, aged 23 and a Stone Mason, born Saint Andrews.
  5. Euphemia Herd, neice of Margaret Herd, aged 5 and a scholar, born Saint Andrews.
  6. There was also a lodger, John Gray, aged 4 and a scholar, born Saint Andrews.

Further along on Muttoes Lane there was another sister, Elspith Herd, her husband William Alexander and their family:

  1. William Alexander, the Head of the Household, aged 60, a gardener, and born Falkland.
  2. His wife, Elspith Alexander (nee Herd), aged 50 and also born Falkland.
  3. Their unmarried son, John Alexander, aged 34 and a Journeyman Mason, born Saint Andrews.
  4. Their unmarried son, James Alexander, aged 24 and a Journeyman Mason, born Saint Andrews.
  5. Their unmarried son, Andrew Alexander, aged 22 and a Journeyman Cabinetmaker, born Saint Andrews.
  6. Their unmarried son, William Alexander, aged 20 and a Apprentice Mason, born Saint Andrews.

Next door on Muttoes Lane there was another family of Herds, this time Janet Herd’s widowed sister-in-law and her family:

  1. Christian Herd (nee Wallace), Head of the household and the widow of David Herd, aged 47, a Retailing Merchant, born Saint Andrews.
  2. Her married son, John Herd, aged 27, a sailor, born Saint Andrews.
  3. John’s wife, Mary Herd, aged 22, birth county: DUB.
  4. Christian Herd’s grandson, Henry Bruce, aged 4 and a scholar, born Saint Andrews.

1861

Alexander Kirk owned 6 Muttoes Lane from at least 1860 until at least 1895. His daughter Janet was tenant and in 1861 she was living there with her younger sisters Sarah and Margaret and younger brother Alexander.

At the 1861 census the Kirks living at Muttoes Lane were:

  1. Jane E. Kirk, Head of the family, aged 22 and a House Keeper, born in England.
  2. Her sister, Sarah, aged 15 and a scholar, born in England.
  3. Her sister, Margaret, aged 13 and a scholar, born England.
  4. Her brother, Alexander, aged 8, a scholar, born in England.

As in 1851, Janet Herd’s sister, Margaret and her husband, John Melville, were living in Muttoe’s Lane, their two children and her niece:

  1. John Melville, Head of the household, aged 63 and a Labourer, born Dairsie.
  2. His wife, Margaret Melville (nee Herd), aged 61, Labourer’s wife, born Saint Andrews.

The Melville’s son James, now has his own household next door in Muttoes Lane:

  1. James Melville, Head of the household, aged 30 and a Ruble Mason, born Saint Andrews.
  2. His wife, Betsy Melville, aged 29, born Balmerino.
  3. Their son, John Melville, aged 1 month, born Saint Andrews.

Further down, Janet Herd’s widowed sister-in-law was still living in Muttoes Lane:

  1. Christian Herd (nee Wallace), Head of the household and the widow of David Herd, aged 57, a Retired Grocer, born Saint Andrews. (She is the last entry on that page.)

1871

Jane Kirk married Andrew Philp, baker in 1868 and their four children, Sarah Anne, Janet, Andrew and Maggie Kirk Philp were born at 6 Muttoes Lane.

Jane Kirk married Andrew Philp, baker on 29 March 1865 in Saint Andrews and in 1871 they were living in two rooms at 6 Muttoes Lane in Saint Andrews:

  1. Andrew Philp, Head of the family. aged 39, a baker, born Cupar.
  2. Jane Philp, his wife, aged 28 and a Baker’s wife, born in England.
  3. Their daughter, Sarah, aged 3, born Saint Andrews.
  4. Their daughter, Janet, aged 1, born Saint Andrews.
In 1871, Elizabeth Kirk was living at 6 Muttoes Lane with her elder brother, David and two illegitimate children, Elizabeth and William.

Also at number 6, living in two rooms were:

  1. David Kirk, Head of the family, aged 55, a weaver, born Saint Andrews.
  2. Elizabeth Kirk, his “wife” (actually his unmarried sister), aged 41, born Saint Andrews.
  3. Betsy D. their daughter (actually illegitimate daughter of Elizabeth), aged 16, a servant out of employment, born Saint Andrews.
  4. William, their son (actually daughter of his sister Elizabeth and William Younger), aged 9, a scholar, born Saint Andrews.

Next door, at number 7 Muttoes Lane, in one room there was:

  1. John Melville, Head of the family, aged 72, a labourer, born Saint Andrews.
  2. Margaret Herd Melville, his wife, aged 74, born Saint Andrews.
  3. Along with a boarder, John Gray, unmarried and aged 25, born Kingsbarns.
Thomas Kirk, son of James Kirk and Janet Herd, his wife and three sons.

Next door, also at number 7, in two rooms were:

  1. Thomas Kirk, Head of the family, aged 43, Mason, born Saint Andrews.
  2. Margaret C. Kirk, his wife, aged 37, born Saint Andrews.
  3. Their son, Thomas, aged 5, scholar, born Saint Andrews.
  4. Their son, Robert, aged 3, born Saint Andrews.
  5. Their son, James, aged 9 months, born Saint Andrews.
Alexander Kirk, his second wife Lily Henderson, and his extended family.

Further down at number 11 Muttoes Lane, in one room were:

  1. Alexander Kirk, Head of the family, age 52, fisherman, born Saint Andrews.
  2. Lilias Kirk, his wife, aged 52, born Saint Andrews.

Lilias (née Henderson) was Alexander Kirk’s second wife. He had previously had six children with Jane Hutchison. Alexander is not obviously related to our Kirks, although there may have been a connection. Alexander’s father, James Kirk, was the illegitimate son of Euphan Honeyman and an unnamed Kirk. One theory is that Alexander’s unknown grandfather might have been the James Kirk who married first Janet Sim and then Janet Herd.

Fife “Kalendar of Convicts” entries for Alexander Kirk. Image credit: FindMyPast.

Alexander Kirk and his second wife Lilias Henderson appear to have had a stormy relationship with Alexander being fined several times for disorderly conduct and breach of the peace and also serving three months at Cupar Jail.

Valuation Rolls

This history of the property can be traced using the Valuation Rolls for the Burgh of Saint Andrews which reveal that:

From at least 1855 to at least 1857, a house (or houses), in Muttoes Lane was owned by a Mrs Kirk with a total yearly rent of £6. Mrs Kirk was the owner-occupier of property worth £3 while a Mrs Ferguson was tenant of property with a yearly rent of £1 and 10 shillings. There was a further room with a rent of £1 and 10 shillings, which was adjusted to £1. It seems possible that the “house” rented by Mrs Ferguson was actually a room in a larger property.

By 1860, and until 1895, the property was owned by Alexander Kirk, a mariner who lived in Liverpool.

From 1860 until at least 1863, the tenant of property with a yearly rent of £3 was Jane Kirk, Alexander Kirk’s daughter. In 1872, the tenant was Andrew Philp, baker, who had married Jane Kirk on 29 March 1865 in Saint Andrews.

From 1860 until 1863 the other part of the property with a yearly rent of £3 has as a tenant David Kirk, weaver with David Kirk, labourer being tenant from 1872 to 1873. He was David Kirk 04 October 1815- 24 December 1873, the eldest child of James Kirk and his second wife Janet Herd.

In 1873, a John Herd, mason was tenant of 6 Muttoes Lane.

From 1879, an Elizabeth Kirk appears as tenant and eventually proprietor of property on Muttoes Lane although from 1892 to 1895 she is no longer recorded as a proprietor.

YearNumberDescriptionSituationProprietorTenantOccupierYearly RentAdjusted RentObservations
18551145HouseMuttoes LaneMrs KirkMrs Kirk£3 0s
1146HouseMuttoes LaneMrs KirkMrs FergusonMrs Ferguson£1 10s
1147RoomMuttoes LaneMrs Kirk£1 10s£1.00Unoccupied
18561162HouseMuttoes LaneMrs KirkMrs Kirk£3 0s
1163HouseMuttoes LaneMrs KirkMrs FergusonMrs Ferguson£1 10s
1164HouseMuttoes LaneMrs Kirk£1 0sUnoccupied
18571146HouseMuttoes LaneMrs KirkMrs Kirk£3 0s
1147HouseMuttoes LaneMrs KirkMrs FergusonMrs Ferguson£1 10s
1148HouseMuttoes LaneMrs Kirk£1 0sUnoccupied
1858
1859
18601167HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerJane Kirk£3 0s
1168HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerDavid Kirk, WeaverDavid Kirk£3 0s
18611176HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerJane Kirk£3 0s
1177HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerDavid Kirk, WeaverDavid Kirk£3 0s
18621191HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerJane Kirk£3 0s
1192HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerDavid Kirk, WeaverDavid Kirk£3 0s
18631184HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerJane Kirk£3 0s
1185HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerDavid Kirk, WeaverDavid Kirk£3 0s
1864943HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, Mariner£6 0s
1865970HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, Mariner£6 0s
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
18721309HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, Mariner, LiverpoolAndrew Philp, BakerSaid Andrew Philp£3 0s
1310HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, Mariner, LiverpoolDavid Kirk, LabourerSaid David Kirk£3 0s
18731312HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerJohn Herd, MasonSaid John Herd£4 10s
1313HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerDavid Kirk, LabourerSaid David Kirk£3 10s
18741308HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerUnoccupied£6 10s
1309HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerElizabeth KirkSame£2 0s
18751313HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerAndrew Adam, ScavengerSame£4 5s
1314HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerElizabeth KirkSame£2 0s
1315HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, MarinerEdward Harvey, TailorSame£2 5s
1876
1877
1878
18791319HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolWilliam Brown, FishermanSame£4 10s
1320HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolEdward Harvey, TailorSame£2 5s
1321HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolElizabeth KirkSame£2 0s
18801335HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolThomas Watson, PorterSame£4 5s
1336HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolEdward Harvey, TailorSame£2 5s
1337HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolElizabeth KirkSame£2 0s
18811331HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolMary McMannson McIllgnewSame£4 5s
1332HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolElizabeth KirkSame£2 5s
1333HouseMuttoes LaneElizabeth KirkSame£1 10s
1882845HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolJohn Dalrymple, ScavengerSame£4 0s
846HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolElizabeth KirkSame£2 0s
847HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolUnoccupied£2 0s
848HouseMuttoes LaneElizabeth KirkSame£1 10s
18831375HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolJohn Dalrymple, ScavengerSame£4 0s
1376HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolElizabeth KirkSame£2 0s
1377HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolUnoccupied£2 0s
1378HouseMuttoes LaneElizabeth KirkSame£1 10s
18841371HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolUnoccupied£4 0s
1372HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolElizabeth KirkSame£2 0s
1373HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolUnoccupied£2 0s
1374HouseMuttoes LaneElizabeth KirkSame£1 10s
18851405HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolRobert Greig, caddieSame£4 0s
1406HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolElizabeth KirkSame£2 0s
1407HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolUnoccupied£2 0s
1408HouseMuttoes LaneElizabeth KirkSame£1 10s
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
18921327House6 Muttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolJohn Lonie, LabourerSame£4 0sPer George Bruce, Market Street
1328HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolElizabeth KirkSame£2 0s
18931325House6 Muttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolJohn Lonie, LabourerSame£4 0sPer George Bruce, Market Street
1326HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolElizabeth Kirk£2 0s
18941341House6 Muttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolDavid Thomson, masonSame£4 4sPer George Bruce, Market Street
1342HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolElizabeth Kirk£2 0s
189578House6 Muttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolDavid Thomson, masonSame£4 4sPer George Bruce, Market Street
79HouseMuttoes LaneAlexander Kirk, LiverpoolElizabeth Kirk£2 0s
6 Muttoes Lane, Saint Andrews, Valuation Rolls 1855-1895 where available.

The Keys Bar, 87 Market Street Saint Andrews

At the southern opening to Muttoe’s Lane lies The Keys Bar, which has been open since the days of the Kirks.

“The Keys Bar has been an established Bar since 1858 that aims to build community by providing drinks that bring people together and an atmosphere that is a hub for local entertainment.  The Keys Bar was originally called Stewarts Hotel in the mid 18th century and re-named The Cross Keys in 1858.“

Mrs Muttoe and The Top Storey, A Novel by Willa Muir

Cover page of Mrs Muttoe and the Top Storey by William Muir. University of Saint Andrews,

Mrs Muttoe and the Top Storey is a short story written by Willa Muir. She was born Wilhelmina Anderson in Montrose in 1890, and came to St Andrews in 1907 to study classics, modern history and then English literature. She aimed for a career in teaching before meeting and marrying Edwin Muir, a leading light in Scottish poetry, in 1919. The story was written in Saint Andrews, where the Muirs lived in Queens Gardens, and perhaps was named after Muttoes Lane, a handy route from Market Street to North Street. 


iDLEWiLD – Scottish Fiction Documentary 1997-2007.

The start of this documentary about Idlewild, which can be viewed on Youtube, starts with the late Edwin Muir reading his poem Scottish Fiction.

One comment

  1. Wonderful in depth studies using not just the usual BMDs and census records, but the Valuation Rolls.
    I was surprised at just how many relatives were living just a few doors away.

    Liked by 3 people

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