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Lamberton Toll; Irregular Border Marriages - Lamberton Toll
Although much has been written about the Irregular Border Marriages atGretna Green, there were also many such marriages in the EasternBorders, mainly at Lamberton Toll but also at Paxton Toll, Chain Bridge,Mordington and Coldstream during the 1800s. Although much has beenwritten of southerners rushing to the border to be married chased byFather with a shot-gun, the reality is that many of these marriages wereof Presbyterians and other non-conformists who would rather be marriedin Scotland than set foot in a Church of England - the only legal placeto be married in England.
Furthermore, there were many couples who met at the Hirings Fair atBerwick, and rushed to Lamberton for a quick marriage the next day toavoid never seeing each other again. (agricultural labourers were oftenhired for one years work only, and had to go to the Hirings each year inthe hope that someone would hire them for the next year). |
