ACCOUNT BOOKS

There are account books still in existence of three businesses formerly

carried on in Strathkinness. Each in its own way illuminates the past.

The account books of Andrew Thom & Sons, Joiners, record many changes

since the first book in 1850 when Andrew Thom came to Strathkinness from

Kame, Montrave, near Leven, to set up in business as a joiner. His first work-

shop was in the building at the corner of Sunnyside and Main Street, now used

by Frits Akerboom as a workshop, and he lived in the house next to it where

the Akerbooms now live. His business soon developed and by the time he

moved his workshop in 1867 into the building on Main Street, formerly the

Secessionist Church and then the Free Church, he had eight employees In

addition to members of his family also working in the business. After moving

his workshop he built a new dwelling-house on the adjoining land which he

called “Nelson Cottage”, the maiden name of his wife. Sir James and Lady

McPetrie now live in “Nelson Cottage”; and the workshop was demolished

many years ago.

The early account books show that he did ordinary jobs such as repairing

pick handles (four pence), paling for pig-styes (one shilling and four pence

including nails), and repairing a stable door (two shillings and three pence

including wood and nails). A joiner’s wage at this time was twopence an hour.

In addition, Thom did work for the schoolmasters of both the Free Church

School, Mr. Stewart, and the Parish School, Mr. Peattie; also for the Free

Church minister, the Reverend Adam Thorburn, for whom he repaired a

folding desk at the cost of two shilings, made a new clock case for £1.10.0.,

‘lifted drawers’ and repaired a lock for sixpence and a portmanteau for four-

pence.

He also did some work in St. Andrews for Mr. Aikman, a grocer, and for

people like Mr. Haig of Kincaple and Dr. Watson-Wemyss of Denbrae. In

1855 Thoms had a contract to lay a new floor in Ceres East United Presby-

terian Church for which they were paid £14.15.0.

Thoms became well-known for their coffins amd there are lists covering

many years of those made. The following is a list of those made in 1856:—

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