Edit History of the Garrison House
Garrison House
John Burtt has picked out some key events in the history of the Garrison House. Does anyone have any information to add, or facts to share about Millport history in general?
1745 - Garrison built by Captain James Crawford as a barracks for himself and his officers on the revenue cutter "Royal George" in Millport. In 1864 John Reid wrote "A house with a wall in front having gun ports with cannon".
1772 - Captain Crawford's house, with no paths or layout. Between 1970 and 1830 paths and the lodge house built, and some of the gardens created.
1819 - Bought by Earl of Glasgow (Kelburn House)
1848 - A Byre was rebuilt to become a chapel
1885 - Earl of Glasgow had very little money left. Garrison was bought by Marquess of Bute.
1908/9 - Robert Schultz re-models the house, creates sunken garden and stone terraces.
1914-18 - Convalescent Home during First World War.
1939-45 - Convalescent Home during Second World War.
1948 - Garrison Wall lowered.
1950 - Opening of tennis courts, council offices, museum, library and cafe.
- i have a property on Miller Street and the deeds mention that captain archibald crawford built the house on the year 1782. I would imagine he would be related to James crawford. you can contact me tam@thistle-ceramics.com
- I believe that my grandparents rented Garrison House in the 1920's or 1930's. I was told it was a hotel for gentlemen. I have no other information but wonder if the deeds would show any information. I have 2 or 3 photographs, but unfortunately they are not dated. I am planning to visit Millport in July 2008 to find my grandfathers grave in the Cathedral cemetry and look at Garrison House.
- I have just returned home from another visit to Millport, my family own a property there as it has a very special place in all our hearts, due to the fact that my great grandmother Mrs Crossan had a boarding house there around 1900 and my grandma worked as a nurse in the Garrison in the 2nd World War. I'm interested to know if my family goes back any further into the history of Millport! Any info whatsoever would be great!
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This is an extract from a history of my family compiled about 50 years ago:-
James Wilson married on the 9th November 1819 Margaret youngest daughter of John Crawford of Broadfield, Renfrewshire, and the Garrison, Isle of Cumbrae.
The Crawfords were wealthy ship-owners and traders of Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire. The Garrison a large semi-gothic house with its own chapel , was built by John Crawford's elder brother James in about 1750. This James Crawford, who was captain of the Revenue cutter "Royal George", was a friend of the Marquess of Bute who let him have the ground on which The Garrison stood at a peppercorn rent "as long as he or any of his family lived". The rent consisted of one rose to be presented to the Marquess annually on Christmas Day. This agreement lasted until 1884, the date of the death of Agnes the widow of Sir William Arthur and eldest daughter of John Crawford, who had inherited The Garrison.
Eventually The Garrison became one of the seats of the Earl of Glasgow. John Crawford retired from business in favour of his sons before 1800. his sons set up "letters of marque" ships (privateers) during the French wars.
Many ships were lost and the venture was a disastrous failure. The firm failed, and as John Crawford had not withdrawn his name from the firm, all his property was seized by the creditors, except The Garrison.
A large capital sum which John Crawford had settled on his wife at their marriage was also seized. Years later, when James Wilson was courting Margaret Crawford, he heard of this and asked if any relevant papers still existed. After a search some papers were found in the garret of The Garrison. Wilson fought the case in London and the marriage settlement, which had been illegally seized, was refunded.
John Crawford's son Stephen Crawford eloped with his neice Jane Tucker Wilson, daughter of Judge James Wilson, whom he escorted on a ship to France, where she was going to a finishing school from Mauritius. He wrote to her parents that she had died during the journey. He then ran off with her to America where they founded a family in Philadelphia.
Fred Crawford of Vermont, U.S.A, is now (circa 1950) the last representative of the Crawfords of Broadfield.
Tony Minden Wilson, George Nympton , Devon