Edward Whigham Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Edward Whigham
Edward Whigham's grave at Sanquhar Parish Church
Born	1750 Leadhills
Died	3 October 1823
Occupation	Hotel owner and Provost of Sanquhar

Edward Whigham (1750–1823) was a well-known hotel owner and a leader in the town of Sanquhar, Scotland. He was also a close friend of the famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Edward married Jane Osborne, who passed away in 1846.

Edward Whigham: A Life in Sanquhar
Edward's Friendship with Robert Burns
Edward's Family
The Queensberry Arms Hotel Today
See also

Edward Whigham: A Life in Sanquhar

Edward Whigham was born in Leadhills in 1750. When he was a child, his family moved to Sanquhar. As a young man, he took over the main hotel in town. It was called the 'New Inn' and later became the 'Queensberry Arms Hotel'. People often called it 'Whigham's Inn'. It is one of Scotland's oldest hotels!

Edward loved books and had a large library. He also collected old Scottish songs and poems. He even collected some for his friend, Robert Burns.

Robert Burns. A copy made by Maclure and Macdonald from an engraving by John Beugo.

Edward was an important person in Sanquhar. He was a "bailie" in 1788, which was like a local official. Later, he became the "Provost" of Sanquhar. This is similar to being a mayor. He was Provost from 1793 to 1800.

Edward and his wife, Jane, had four sons: George, Edward, Robert, and John. Edward Whigham passed away in 1823 when he was 73 years old. He was buried in the Sanquhar churchyard. His wife Jane was buried next to him in 1846. Their grave has a special marble plaque.

Edward's Friendship with Robert Burns

Edward Whigham first met Robert Burns in January 1789. Burns was traveling and stayed at Edward's inn. He called it "the only tolerable inn in the place." Burns worked as an excise officer, which meant he often visited Sanquhar. Because of this, he visited Whigham's Inn many times.

Burns and Edward became very good friends. Burns even called Edward and Jane "my particular acquaintances." They stayed friends even after Burns moved to Dumfries.

The old Queensberry Inn Hotel

In December 1794, Robert Burns became a "freeman and burgess" of Sanquhar. This meant he had special rights in the town. Edward Whigham was the Provost at the time, so he likely helped Burns get this honor.

One story tells that on Christmas Eve in 1794, Burns left Whigham's Inn very early. He visited many places and did not get home to Dumfries until late that night. He was very tired!

The Second Whistle Contest

A few days after a famous "Whistle" contest, another fun competition happened at Whigham's Inn. This time, they used whisky toddy, a warm drink. Robert Burns was one of the people taking part. Edward Whigham and his son, John, were also involved. John was the judge! We don't know who won this contest. People say a drinking glass and a punch-bowl from the contest are now in a museum.

The Kilmarnock Edition

Robert Burns gave a copy of his first book of poems to the Whigham family. This book was called the 'Kilmarnock Edition'. It was a very special gift. Burns also sent them handwritten copies of some of his songs. Edward Whigham helped Burns by collecting old Scottish songs for him.

The 'Kilmarnock Edition' book later belonged to Mr. J.R. Wilson. He worked at the Royal Bank in Sanquhar. Mr. Wilson lent his copy for a Burns exhibition in 1896. Today, this special book is kept at Princeton University in the USA.

A Poem from a Cold Night

One cold winter night in January 1789, a funeral procession stopped at Whigham's Inn. Robert Burns had been working all day. He had to leave the inn and travel 12 miles in the freezing cold to New Cumnock. He was looking for warmth, food, and a bed. After this tough journey, Burns wrote a poem called Ode, Sacred to the Memory of Mrs Oswald of Auchencruive. He sent a copy to a friend, Mrs. Frances Dunlop.

The New Inn and a Window Engraving

Robert Burns often visited Sanquhar and stayed at the New Inn. People say that in 1789, after breakfast one day, he wrote some lines on a windowpane with a diamond point. He had done this at other inns too. The poem he wrote was not his own. It was written by John Hughes many years before.

Here are the lines that were on the window:

Envy, if thy jaundiced eye.
Through this window chance to pry,
To thy sorrow thou shalt find,
All that's generous, all that's kind
Friendship, virtue, every grace,
Dwelling in this happy place.

In the 1880s, the windowpane was said to be broken or removed. But Edward Whigham's granddaughter, Miss Allison, remembered the lines. She recited them for a local guidebook author. The lines are also found in the 'Kilmarnock Edition' book that Burns gave to Mrs. Whigham. This book is now at Princeton University. The engraved windowpane is now said to be in New Zealand.

Letters with Burns

The old stables and cobbled courtyard of the old Queensberry coaching inn

Robert Burns and Edward Whigham wrote letters to each other. On February 7, 1789, Burns wrote to Jane Whigham. He thanked her for receiving some books. He also sent her a poem she wanted. He sent his best wishes to Edward.

In 1793, Burns wrote a note to Provost Whigham. He asked Edward to get him some old Scottish songs. Burns was collecting these songs for a musician named George Thomson.

In 1996, a special handwritten song by Robert Burns was sold at an auction. It was addressed "To Provost E. Whigham, this first copy of the song." This shows how close their friendship was.

Edward's Family

Edward's wife, Jane Osborne, passed away in 1846 at 88 years old. Their son, Edward Whigham junior, was a merchant in Sanquhar. He died in 1874. Another son, John Whigham, died in 1857. Robert, a younger brother, lived in Glasgow and died later. George Whigham became a surgeon in India. He passed away in 1836.

The Queensberry Arms Hotel Today

The old Queensberry Arms Hotel is located at 52 High Street in Sanquhar. After being a hotel, it became a shop. Now, it is empty and boarded up. In 1996, a plaque was put on the building. It marked 200 years since Robert Burns died. The old hotel is now on a list of "Buildings at Risk."

Edward Whigham facts for kids

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