Early developments -
Charles J Smith records, in Historic South Edinburgh Vol 1, that the Lands of Newington or Belleville were offered for feuing during the 7 years from 1808, by Sir George Stewart, having purchased these from George Bell, son of Sir Benjamin. Provisos, which might seem less onerous today, prohibited "construction of breweries, the manufactory of soot or blood, tanneries, lime kilns or brick kilns, or the construction of a steam engine [and] dunghills must not be established for commercial purposes".
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One of first houses in West Blacket must have been No 3 (originally No 2) Upper Gray Street. The original title deeds dated Novemeber 4th 1812 'in the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the grace of God' state that 'George Bell Esquire Surgeon in Edinburgh Heritable Proprietor of the subjects after specified (with the consent of John Alison at Belville for his right in the premises) ... the whole that Cottage or House of one storey built by the said John Alison recorded in the Sheriff Court Books of Edinburgh [August 16th 1809]' was sold to Mrs Anne Patterson, widow. Below left: 3 Upper Gray Street today Below right: Children in Upper Grsy Street about 1970 - from right to left Monserrat, twins George & Michael, Sarah Jane (Sally) and Nicky. |
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