Christian Learmonth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christian Learmonth
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| Born | c.1718 |
| Died | 12 August 1762 |
| Nationality | Great Britain |
| Occupation | milliner |
Christian Learmonth (born around 1718 – died 1762) was a Scottish businesswoman. She was a milliner, which means she made and sold hats, bonnets, and other accessories for women. Christian lived and worked in Edinburgh, Scotland. We know a lot about her life because of a court case about her will after she passed away.
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Who Was Christian Learmonth?
Christian Learmonth was born in 1718. Her mother, Christian Livingston, passed away when Christian was young. Her father was John Learmonth. Christian was the only girl in her family for a while. Later, her father remarried Anne Crawford. This gave Christian three half-sisters.
Her Business in Edinburgh
Christian Learmonth ran her millinery business in a place called Lyons Court. She lived close by in Carrubber's Close. This area was just off the famous Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
One of Christian's lodgers (someone who rented a room from her) was Lady Charlotte Gordon. Lady Charlotte's father was the second Duke of Gordon. Lady Charlotte helped Christian's business by giving her £200. This was a lot of money back then!
The Will and Court Case
Christian Learmonth passed away on August 12, 1762. In her will, which she wrote in 1756, she left her belongings to Lady Charlotte Gordon. However, two of Christian's half-sisters, Ann and Jean, did not agree with this. They were also milliners. They believed they should inherit Christian's things.
Why the Will Was Disputed
The disagreement over Christian's will went to court. A woman named Ma(r)y McCrabie, who was also a milliner and had known Christian since 1745, spoke in court. She said that Christian had told her that she wanted all her possessions to go to Lady Charlotte Gordon after her debts were paid.
What Christian's Will Tells Us
Christian Learmonth's will was worth a large sum of money: £5472, 12 shillings, and five pence. This might seem like a strange amount, but it's very important for historians! Every single item Christian owned was listed in her will. This detailed list still exists today.
This list gives us a wonderful look into what her business was like. It also shows us the fashion trends of the 1700s. We can see what materials she used to make caps and handkerchiefs. Historians can learn a lot from such detailed records. A similar list from another milliner, Elizabeth Brown(e) of Norwich, also helps us understand businesses from that time.
Images for kids
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A plaque in Carrubber's Close now
