Historic Houses of Largs
This is a series on the Historic Houses of Largs. The notes are taken from a talk given by our Secretary, Fiona Williamson in 2024.
Here she looks at the history of the houses/estates and the people who lived in them.
1. Brisbane House
2. Acre House, Broomfields
3. Auchenean
Auchenean was situated on the corner of Greenock Road and Nelson Street where Nardinis Ice Cream Shop and Restaurant is presently located.
Jessie Graham (1802-1876) was born in Glasgow in 1802, the youngest daughter of William Graham and Margaret Pattison. Her father was a successful merchant, involved with shipping wine and port from Portugal, manufacturing cotton and importing goods from India. Jessie’s brothers also became involved in the family business and two of them settled in Largs. John Graham lived at Mackerston House and later at Skelmorlie Castle and Robert Graham lived at Brooksby.
Jessie Graham married Walter Crum (1796-1867), son of Alexander Crum and Jane Ewing on 25th April 1826 in Barony, Glasgow. Walter Crum was the owner of a large calico printing factory in Thornliebank, Glasgow. Walter and Jessie Crum set up home at The Rouken or Thornliebank Mansion, Glasgow, where nine children were born, six girls and three boys. The Crum family enjoyed holidays in Largs and in 1841 the Crum family were staying in Wilson Street, Largs.
Jessie and Walter’s eldest daughter, Margaret Pattison Crum (1827-1870) married William Thomson, later Lord Kelvin of Netherhall on 14th September 1852 in Glasgow. Margaret Crum/Thomson suffered from poor health and died aged 43 at Brooksby, Largs. Their daughter Mary Gray Crum (1832-1908) married Rev Charles Watson, Free Church minister, Largs and lived at Northfield, Greenock Road, Largs.