MUAT, Thomas Cordiner, Deacon-Convener of the Shoemakers Incorporation 1
- Born: 28 December 1752 2
- Baptised: 31 December 1752, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland
- Marriage (1): LIVINGSTON, Francis
- Marriage (2): YOUNG, Isabel on 2 May 1783 in Haddington parish, East Lothian, Scotland
Other names for Thomas were MOUAT, Thomas, MOWAT, Thomas,2 MOWATT, Thomas, MUATT, Thomas and MUOAT, Thomas.2
User ID: R171
General Notes:
"MOUAT
THOMAS
THOMAS MOUAT/AGNESS SIMPSON FR264 (FR264)
M
31/12/1752
709
40 / 34
Haddington"
from Births and Baptisms
Old Parish Registers
Haddington parish East Lothian
Baptisms
"1752
Decr.
Thomas Mouat Agness Simpson a Son Thomas Born 28 Baptized 31 witt James Erskine Andrew Simpson" 2
Research Notes:
"THE HIGH STREET
The Commercial Inn of the present day was long known by the name of the Britannia, and was kept by Deacon-Convener Thomas Muat, of the Shoemakers Incorporation, a well-known character in his day, and keen politician. The Muats were a numerous race in Haddington at one time, and all shoemakers. Six of the name have been known to have voted at an election of the craft. Now, no shoemaker of the name is in Haddington. As was the fashion in these times, they had all nicknames. There was Bloody Tom, Gullane Point, Diff, Crift, The Babber, The Ricket, &c. "
from Reminiscences of the Royal Burgh of Haddington
Note:
An enquiry to the John Gray Centre, in Haddington, brought this very full and helpful reply from Eilean Malden, Archive Assistant:
"For many years the Britannia Inn was owned by William Lees, a grocer and spirit merchant in Haddington. He died in 1853.
The Inn is said to have been kept for a long time by the Deacon-Convener Thomas Muat of the shoemakers' Incorporation It became the Commercial Inn about 1860 when a local grocer and pub keeper, William Hay Purves, saw the opportunity to set up an hotel which catered for the growing bands of commercial travellers who were sent to visit individual shops to look for orders for manufacturers.
Purves did not keep proper financial records and by 1864 he was technically bankrupt, but continued in business. When he died suddenly in 1870, his widow Euphemia continued the business in her own name for many years. It was then taken over by John McHenry and eventually by Peter McRorie, in the early 1900s.
It is now known as the Mercat Hotel (at 74 High Street) and stands on the north side of the High Street just along from the Mercat Cross. I do not know of any images of the Britannia but there are images of the High Street and Market Street available online at the George Washington Wilson Collection in Aberdeen University (http://www.abdn.ac.uk/historic/gww/index.htm)" 1
Thomas married Francis LIVINGSTON, daughter of James LIVINGSTON and Euphan ALLAN. (Francis LIVINGSTON was baptised on 22 March 1752 in Riccarton parish, Ayrshire, Scotland and died before 28 April 1783 3.)
Marriage Notes:
No marriage record has been found for this couple in the Old Parish Registers of Scotland, or in the other church records found in the GRO.
Thomas next married Isabel YOUNG on 2 May 1783 in Haddington parish, East Lothian, Scotland. (Isabel YOUNG was born about 1755.)
Marriage Notes:
"MUAT
THOMAS
ISOBELLA YOUNG/FR4921 (FR4921)
28/04/1783
685 / 2
170 / 125
St Cuthbert's"
"MOWATT
THOMAS
ISOBELL YOUNG/FR2115 (FR2115)
02/05/1783
709
60 / 322
Haddington"
from Index of Marriages
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