We have been contacted by Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura, who are cataloguing their collection of Dr Werner Kissling photographs. They are keen to identify the person in the photograph who may be part of the Edgar family who lived at Glenhowan Farm for 700 years. If you know who this person might be, please let me know or email Joanne Turner directly on Joanne.Turner@dumgal.gov.uk.
Photographs © Dumfries Museum
Update: Some good information from Gordon Hanlan who worked on the farm. He thinks this photo is from around the 1950’s and the picture is of an English tramp who called himself Joe although no one knew if that was really his name. Joe ended up staying on the farm for some 25 years in a small caravan the Edgars provided on the farm in return for some light labour. Joe eventually moved in to a home in Dumfries where he stayed until he passed away. Gordon thinks Joe is buried in a pauper’s grave at St Michael’s.
Hi. I am Graham Edgar, the great nephew of the Agnes, Jean and Lottie from the article about the sisters at the farm. I used to visit them when I was young and remember Joe. I used to take his dinner down to him in his wee caravan. His caravan was across from Edward Hanlan’s cottage. Edward was a farm hand for my great aunts and I think he might have been the son of the Gordon Hanlan you mention or some such close relation. It’s true nobody knew who he was but I remember my great aunts telling me how he came to be living in that caravan. They took care of him as much as they could. Thanks for your post about him.
Hi there,,
Three of my family….maybe even four…..were born at Glenhowan between 1846 an1849 or so…..Isabella maybe, Margaret, Catherine and John Currie definitely. Is there anyone who might have more info of the farm at their time….or of the family mentioned. I also have an old photo of a farm, which I’m sure they must have worked at….wondering if there are other photos of this farm that I could compare mine with? Would be grateful for any hints as am hoping to visit the area this year.
Thanks in anticipation,
Regards,
Heather
On the 1881 census returns, ancestors of mine, John Edgar and his wife Jessie (McKenzie) are tenants/owners(?) of the farm. John employs 2 men and 1 boy and 1 girl on the farm. It doesn’t state the average of the farm, but it would probably be possible to find this out using Scotland’s People. On 1891 census the address of John and Jessie is Noblehill Cottage, Dumfries. I am related through Jessie McKenzie’s line.
My gt gt grandfather, James McKenzie (1840-1918) was born in the parish of Troqueer, Dumfries. He left Scotland to travel to Wales, UK. He married in Swansea and then lived in Margam and Taibach (east of Swansea). He was a cooper in a copper works. This area is where the large Port Talbot Steel Works has recently closed (2025).
Gordon is correct re name of man and background in picture.
Joe Cannon was a gentleman of the road who always maintained he was from Devon who chapped on the door of the farm one night asking for a cup of tea, Joe finished his tea and wandered into the night, Jonathan Edgar chased after him and offered him shelter for the night in a empty cottage, Joe gladly accepted but ended up staying for many years at Glenhowan his days of wandering the roads were over.
The steading right side the picture was completed in the early 60’s by a local builder Jimmy Jackson.
However it was the older building on the left photos which were of interest to Werner Kessel
Who was of the view that the steading was three
To four hundred years old.
My great great grandfather bell married into the Edgar clan how had this farm for 700 years to 1960s
Hi. My name is Graham John Edgar and my sons and I are the last male descendants of the Glenhowan Edgars. I would very much like any information anyone might have about my family. Thank you.
Hi. My name is Graham John Edgar and my sons and I are the last male descendants of the Glenhowan Edgars. I would very much like any information anyone might have about my family. Thank you.