The town of Falkirk lies in an area rich in history. Many of the most influential characters fo Scottish history have been associated with the area around Falkirk. In July 1298, the first battle of Falkirk was fought on a site which has been a subject of historical dispute. During the battle, "Braveheart" William Wallace and his "schiltrons" (circular formations of spearmen with their weapons pointed outwards), bravely held their own until they were mown down by the English archers. It has generally been believed, however, that the fields of battle extend from what is now the High Street of Falkirk to Bainsford.

The origin of the name "Falkirk" is not known with certainty, however, the most plausible of several derivations of the name is "Eglais bhreac," or the spotted church. It was so called in Gaelic; also "Eccles brae," the church on the brow, and "Eglais bhris," the broken church. As time passed, this was connected in the Latin to "Varia Capella," and by the 13th century, in common English usage, "Varia" becomes "Faw." and "Capella" becomes 'Kirk." The motto of the town is "Better meddle wi' the De'il than the Bairns of Falkirk" - an apt phrase describing the tight community that has evolved into present day Falkirk.


The Binnie family is well represented in Falkirk. Christopher BENNIE was born June 20, 1814 in Uphall, West Lothian, Scotland. He was married to Jane (or Jean) SMITH, daughter of Thomas SMITH and Agnes RULE, on December 28, 1838 at "Tattie Kirk," Falkirk. The 1841 Census Grahamston, Falkirk lists Christopher Bennie, age 26, occupation iron moulder, Jean Bennie, Agnes Bennie, age 1. The 1861 Census at Easter Avenue, Grahamston Christopher Binnie, age 44, occupation iron moulder, born in Edinburgh, Jean Binnie , age 44, born in Linlithgow; Jean Binnie, age 13, scholar, born in Stirlingshire; Thomas Binnie, age 12, scholar iron moulder factory, born in Stirlingshire; James Binnie, age 6, born in Stirlingshire; Christopher Binnie, age 4, born in Stirlingshire; Marion Binnie, age 1, born in Stirlingshire.

The 1871 Census for Russell Street, Grahamston, shows Christopher Binnie and family with Jane's mother Agnes (Rule) SMITH residing with them. Christopher died of asthma on December 6, 1874 in Grahamston, Falkirk, Scotland. Jane (or Jean) SMITH was born about 1817 in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland. She resided at Russell Street, Grahamston, Stirling, Scotland in 1881, appearing on the 1881 census: Jane Binnie, widow, age 64, born in Linlithgow; Marion Binnie, age 21, occupation dressmaker, born in Falkirk; William Williamson, lodger, age 23, occupation baker, born Polmont, Stirling. Jane emigrated from Scotland between April 1881 and April 1882 to Toronto, Canada, with daughter Marion and a sister, according to her granddaughter Agnes (Burlingame) WHITE. The Toronto Emigrant Office Assisted Immigration Registers Database records a "Mrs Binnie" who arrived in Quebec on the Buenos Ayrean on July 16, 1881 after leaving Glasgow on July 6. Mrs. Binnie applied at the Toronto Office for an assisted fare, according to the database, on July 19, 1881. The Ship's Manifest for the Buenos Ayrean is difficult to read, but does confirm their identity. The location of Janes's residence and eventual death is unknown.


1. Agnes BENNIE was christened on November 10, 1839 in Falkirk, Stirling, Scotland. She appeared on the census in 1841 in Falkirk, Stirling, Scotland (Grahamston). She died after 24 Mar 1855. alive at the time of James' birth

2. John BENNIE was born October 8, 1841 and was christened on October 31, 1841 in Falkirk, Stirling, Scotland. He died July 1842 and was buried on July 22, 1842 in Tattie Kirk Churchyard, in Falkirk.

3. Marion BENNIE was born May 3, 1843. She was christened on May 17, 1843 in Falkirk. She died on March 30, 1855 in Falkirk, and was buried in Tattie Kirk Churchyard, after a seven year bout with consumption.

4. A male child BINNIE, first name not recorded, was born about June 1, 1845 in Falkirk, died soon after, buried on June 23, 1845 in Tattie Kirk Churchyard, in Falkirk.

5. Jane BINNIE was born May 15, 1847 in Falkirk. She was married to Ebenezer THOMSON, son of William THOMSON and Margaret CAMERON, on June 7, 1867 in Falkirk. Ebenezer THOMSON was born Jan 1845 in Scotland, and died in 1907. Jane died August 3, 1924 in Wadena, Minnesota. The family emigrated from Scotland, arriving in Quebec on the S/S Phoenician on August 7, 1873. They resided in Ontario until March 9, 1881, moving at that time, to Compton Twp., Otter Tail Co., Minnesota, where they remained.

Most of the Scots, who came to Compton, were members of the "Furness Colony", a group of families organized in Barrow, Furness district, England by the Northern Pacific Railroad, and who came to Wadena in 1873. The railroad had been interested in promoting migration to its land holding. The group included James and Thomas Robb, farmers from Perth, Scotland, James Strang, John Stewart, and James Anderson. Ebenezer Thomson joined them from Canada in 1881. The people of this colony were among the first to settle around Wadena and played a prominent role in the development of the community over the next several years.

Obituary: AGED COMPTON PIONEER DEAD
Mrs. Jane Thompson Passed Away Sunday Evening at Ripe Old Age of 77 Mrs. Jane Thompson, a resident of Compton township on her farm two miles west of this city since 1881, passed away Sunday evening at 7:00 o'clock after a lingering illness from complications incident to old age. Her condition had been regarded as serious since the first of last March and members of the family had learned to expect the worst at any time. However, she appeared to rally from time to time, but two or three days prior to her passing it was apparent to all that death was imminent. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. E.S. Murphy of the Episcopal church at the Congregational church in the absence of Rev. J.E. Jansen, and interment was made in the local cemetery, the remains being laid beside those of her husband, who had preceeded her in death in 1907. A short service was held at the home of John Thompson prior to the church service. Jane Binnie was born in Falkirk, Scotland, May 15, 1847, and was married in that city to E.B. Thompson on June 6, 1866. Eleven children were born to this happy union, nine sons and two daughters. The family crossed over to Ontario, Canada, where they resided for eight years prior to coming to Compton township to reside, landing here on March 9th, 1881. Death reduced the children to seven in number, all of whom were here to attend the funeral. They are: Mrs. J.T. Anderson, John, Alex, and Ebenezer, all of this city and Compton; Chris, of Staples; James of Luverne, N.D.; and Thomas of Kerrick, Minn. Time had dealt gently with Mrs. Jane Thompson and she maintained full possession of her faculties until the last. She was at heart a Christian lady, a faithful member of the Congregational church, and posessed of a character and disposition which brought scores of sorrowing friends to the last sad rites performed for her. Like all the early settlers, she shared with her husband the great tasks of working a competence out of the soil while they struggled to develop the farm into what is now one of the most desirable real estate tracts near this city. A close family friend in speaking of her many commendable qualities said: 'I don't know of a lady that I liked any better than Mrs. Thompson. She was always pleasant and smiling and so cordial."

Jane BINNIE and Ebenezer THOMSON had the following children:

• i. Jane THOMSON, born October 21, 1867 in Falkirk. Married James ANDERSON.
• ii. William THOMSON, born June 27, 1869 in Falkirk.
• iii. John (Jack) THOMSON, born December 22, 1872 in Falkirk. Died November 11, 1963 in Wadena Co., Minnesota.
• iv. Christopher THOMSON, born January 1874 in Canada.
• v. Thomas THOMSON, born May 1879 in Canada.
• vi. Ebenezer Binnie "Toots" THOMSON, born November 30, 1884 in Minnesota. Married Elizabeth EDWARDS on June 30, 1908. Later married Louise UTERMARK. He died November 20, 1959, in Otter Tail Co., Minnesota.
• vii. Alexander Cameron THOMSON, born January 12, 1888 in Minnesota. Married Bertha SHRINER. He died May 5, 1958 in Wadena Co., Minnesota.
• viii. James THOMSON
• ix. Mae THOMSON
• x. baby THOMSON, born before 1898. He died before 1900 in Deer Creek, at about 2 years of age, when after wandering off, was found in a plowing furrow in a field a couple days later.
• xi. THOMSON was born and died before 1900. The 1900 Census indicates 11 children, 7 living for Eben and Jane THOMSON.

6. Thomas BINNIE was born about 1849 in Falkirk, Scotland. He appeared on the census in 1861 in Falkirk, at Easter Avenue, Grahamston, in 1871, on Russell Street, Grahamston, and on Baxter's Wynd, Falkirk, on the 1881 census. Thomas died on November 1, 1910 in Falkirk. He married Margaret BOATMAN on June 9, 1876 in Falkirk. His occupation on the 1871 and 1881 census was listed as iron moulder. He worked, as did many in the family, in one of the many foundrys in the Falkirk area.

In 1880, therer were 6058 iron workers employed by 21 foundrys in Stirlingshire, as attested by William Nimmo's book "The History of Stirlingshire." It described the world famous Carron Iron Works, which employed 2500 at that time: "From the south is got the most striking impression of Carron, with its ringing industry and flaming furnaces. The latter are a most trustworthy barometer to the surrounding villagers. Should they, in the gloom of night, cast a glowing belt over the atmosphere, the following day is certain to be showery. Opposite the western portion of the works are several heavy hills of ironstone, and as much old metal in patterns as would be a handsome capital for many a smaller foundry; while on the north side of the river, immediately opposite the furnaces, there is an enormous mass of rubbish, called the cinder-hill, and which keeps continually smouldering, like some miniature Vesuvius. Of this mountain of old scraps and ashes, the accumulation of many years, it could scarcely be credited that its every particle, so to speak, had been carted out of the works . . . The present average rate of wages earned by moulders is 24s. a-week; by pattern-makers, 21s.; by wrights and blacksmiths, 20s.; and by labourers, 15s."

The second largest foundry in the area at the time, the Falkirk Iron Works, was started in 1819, and by 1880 employed 900 workers. If Thomas BINNIE wasn't employed in one of the two largest foundry's, then perhaps he was employed in one of the more local foundrys such as the Grahamston Iron Works, which employed 350 employees at the time.

Margaret BOATMAN was born about 1856 in Falkirk, and died on April 2, 1890 in Falkirk.

Thomas BINNIE and Margaret BOATMAN had the following children:

• i. Christopher BINNIE was born about 1875 in Falkirk.
• ii. Mary BINNIE was born about 1877 in Falkirk.
• iii. Thomas BINNIE was born about 1879 in Falkirk.
• iv. William BINNIE was born about 1880 in Falkirk.

7. A male child BENNIE, first name unrecorded, was born about Sep 1852 in Falkirk, Scotland. He died, and was buried December 29, 1853 in Tattie Kirk Churchyard, Falkirk.

8. James BINNIE was born March 24, 1855 in Falkirk. He was married to Mary BELL, daughter of Henry BELL and Agnes FORGIE, on October 14, 1875 in Falkirk. Mary BELL was born February 12, 1857 in Falkirk.

James BINNIE and Mary BELL had the following children:

• i. Christopher BINNIE was born about 1876 in Falkirk.
• ii. Henry Bell BINNIE.(See my 4th cousin, Ian Rhodes website)

9. Christopher BINNIE was born July 5, 1857 in Falkirk. He appeared on the census in 1861 in Falkirk, at Easter Avenue, Grahamston. By the age of 14, in 1871 he was an iron moulder, as shown by the 1871 census, when the family resided on Russell Street, Grahamston. He was married to Margaret "Maggie" WILSON, daughter of William WILSON and Janet LORIMER, on March 5, 1880 in Govan, Lanark, Scotland, where they were still residing by the time of the 1881 census. Christopher BINNIE and Maggie WILSON had one child, Janet BINNIE, who was born in August 1880. Maggie WILSON died before 1891. It appears that Christopher was residing in Bonneybridge, Denny, Scotland, as recorded on the 1891 census. He was married second, to Elizabeth MITCHELL on June 17, 1898 in Camelon, then a third time, to Helen Francis GREGOR (date unknown).

According to Agnes White, Christopher Binnie visited Deer Creek in about 1918, and the Binnie Family Bible, which was then in possession of Marion (Binnie) JOHNSON, was given to him. He arrived back in Scotland just before war was declared. He died November 4, 1946 in Loanhead, Lasswade, Scotland (Eventide Home).

10. Marion Smith BINNIE was born February 18, 1860 in Falkirk. She emigrated from Falkirk, to Toronto, Canada, sometime after the 1881 census, which was taken on April 3 of that year. One year later, on April 7, she married John "Jake" JOHNSON, son of William JOHNSON and Agnes CAMERON, in Wadena, Minnesota. Jake was born April 3, 1860 in Hutchesontown, Glasgow, Scotland. They resided in Deer Creek, Otter Tail Co., Minnesota until their deaths. She died November 7, 1948, in Deer Creek and was buried in Wadena Cemetery. Jake died September 29, 1950.

11. Charles BENNIE was born April 22, 1863 in Falkirk, Scotland (Grahamston), and died on April 16, 1864 in Falkirk.