MS 648 The Arbroath Weavers’ Incorporation aka the Hairy Book
Sheep skin cover of
Arbroath Hairy Book
The Arbroath Weaver’s Incorporation minute book is better known in Arbroath as the hairy book, due to the covering of sheep skin.
The Weaver’s Incorporation controlled the work of the weavers within the burgh of Arbroath. They ensured the standard of work by their guild members while safeguarding the Incorporation’s interests. The Incorporation actively sought to prevent craftsmen from out with Arbroath selling their work within the burgh.
The minute book provides a record of all new apprentices, journeymen and freemen brought before the Deacon of the Incorporation. The records commence in the later 1600’s and continue into the 20th century, However, after the early 1800’s fewer names are recorded as the bulk of the Arbroath weavers no longer joined the Incorporation.
The book is a fabulous source for family historians as details of names, relationships and locations are recorded, helping to locate information or provide clues where other sources may not exist. The Hairy Book has details of weavers, shoemakers, apothecaries, sailors, labourers, grocers and wheelwrights amongst others.
The privileges of all the Trade Incorporations were abolished in 1846. They had been made redundant by the new factory system of the Industrial Revolution. Most of the Incorporations faded away. By 15 July 1876 the Weavers only had one surviving member, James Renny. He decided to revive the Incorporation and drafted in David Sandeman and David Ruxton to help.
For a sample of the type of rules the Incorporation members had to obey, go to the extracts of the Arbroath Tailor’s Incorporation [PDF 54K] rules.
A surname index to the Arbroath Weaver's Incorporation is now available for use in the Angus Archives search room.
© Angus Council 1998 - 2009