Alison Begbie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alison Begbie
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Carnell House lodge and gate
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| Born | 1762 Galston, East Ayrshire, Scotland
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| Died | by June 1823 Scotland
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| Occupation | Housekeeper and housewife |
Alison Begbie, also known as Ellison Begbie or Elizabeth Gebbie (1762–1823), was a young woman from Scotland. She is believed to have been the daughter of a farmer. When she met the famous poet Robert Burns, she was likely working as a servant or housekeeper at Carnell House. This house was near the River Cessnock, about two miles from Loudoun Mill. Some people think Burns's youngest sister, Isobel Burns, might have mixed up her name, and that her real name was Elizabeth Gebbie.
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Who Was Alison Begbie?
Her Life and Character
Alison Begbie might have lived at a place called Old Place, which is now Shawsmill Farm. Her father was a tenant-farmer there. Robert Burns was living at Lochlea Farm around this time. Alison was not known for her beauty, but she had many charming qualities. She was also well-educated, more so than other women Burns had met.
It is thought that Alison met Burns in 1781 near Lochlea Farm. This might have happened when he was passing Carnell with his cart to get coal. Or perhaps he was collecting lime from the Carnell lime kilns nearby.
Burns hoped to start a family with Alison. However, she turned down his offer of marriage. This rejection made Burns very sad when he was living and working in Irvine.
Alison's last name, Begbie, was hard to use in poems. So, Robert Burns is said to have changed it to 'Peggy Alison' in some of his writings.
Burns once said about her, "All these charming qualities, heightened by an education much beyond anything I have ever met in any woman I ever dared to approach, have made an impression on my heart that I do not think the world can ever efface." This shows how much he admired her.
Alison was pleased enough by Burns's attention to remember his 'Cessnock Banks' poems about her. Years later, when she was an older lady living in Glasgow, she could still repeat most of them. She told them to Robert Hartley Cromek, who wrote a book about Burns in 1811.
The Real Name: Elizabeth Gebbie?
Isobel Burns, Robert's youngest sister, gave the name Alison Begbie to a writer named Dr. Robert Chambers. She was 76 years old at the time, remembering events from when she was only 9 or 10. Later research by James Mackay suggests that 'Elison Begbie' was a confused memory. He believes her real name was Elizabeth Gebbie.
The name Elizabeth Gebbie appears in the Galston parish records. A farmer named Thomas Gebbie had a daughter named Elizabeth on July 22, 1762. This Elizabeth married Hugh Brown in 1781. They had four children. Elizabeth Gebbie had passed away by June 1823. It seems this Elizabeth was the woman who turned down Robert Burns. This might be why he used the name Elizabeth for three of his own daughters.
She might also be the person in one of Burns's early songs called 'Farewell to Eliza.'
Her Connection to Robert Burns
Alison may have met Burns when he visited the Cairnhill (later Carnell) lime kiln. This kiln was close to her home and where she worked. He would go there with his father to collect lime.
Robert Burns wrote several letters to Alison. In one letter, he hoped she wouldn't look down on him because he wasn't good at "flattering arts of courtship." In another letter, he even proposed marriage. He wrote, "If you will be so good and so generous as to admit me for your partner, your companion, your bosom friend through life, there is nothing on this side of eternity shall give me greater transport." It seems he might have been too shy to ask her in person.
Burns later wrote in a personal letter that a young woman he loved had turned him down in a way that made him feel very sad. His sister Isabella was the first to say that Alison Begbie was this person.
Alison is likely the "lass of Cessnock Banks" who inspired the poem "On Cessnock banks a lassie dwells." She is also probably the "Peggy Alison" from the poem "Ilk care and fear, when thou art near." Burns called his 'Cessnock Lass' poem his 'Song of Similes.'
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A Funny Story About Burns
Burns's sister Isabella told a funny story about Alison. Robert would sometimes come home very late after visiting his "belle fille" (beautiful girl) near Cessnock Banks. One night, his father, William Burnes, stayed up to let him in and scold him. William asked Robert where he had been. Burns, to explain, told him he had met the Devil on his way home! This story completely distracted his father, and the scolding was forgotten.
A writer named James Hogg once said, "There is no doubt hanging and marriage go by destiny, else Burns should have had this sensible girl." This means he thought Alison was a good match for Burns.
It is said that Burns gave Alison a small pocket Bible. This was a very meaningful gift, often given with a marriage proposal. Her father later gave it to someone in Glasgow. The Bible does not have any writing or marks inside it.
In May 1787, Robert Burns went on a trip to visit important places in Scotland. During this journey, he tried to find out where Alison was living.
Images for kids
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The kiln eye at Carnell's lime kiln ruins.
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The old Carnell Estate lime kiln.
See Also
