Memorials and Reminiscences of Hohkirk. 177 



dwelt in a small cottage at the west corner of the farm of 

 Stonedge, called the Hassely Cleugh. One day in winter 

 Hobbie travelled to Unthank to get a Sling made, which 

 was perhaps the gearing of a sled. The smith was busy at 

 the time, and, when Hobble's turn came, he entirely forgot 

 the name of the article he wanted, after in vain trying to 

 remember it. Hobbie told the smith that ' it was time for 

 him ta gang hame, as he had a ferr road ta gang.' *Ay, 

 Hobbie,' said the smith, 'it's a lang sling.' ' Saff us to,' said 

 Hobbie, ' a lang sling, that's the verra thing a' wanted made, 

 a gude sling, darsay am donnert.' 



The cottages of Unthank have been removed many years 

 ago. Among the last dwellers there were Robert Scott, 

 mason ; Thomas Douglas, called ' the king '; and a deaf man 

 called Thomas Renwick. The smiddie had long been previously 

 removed to Forkins, and 40 years since subsequently removed 

 to Blacklee. In a field called the Coal Pit Haugh, which 

 belonged to Unthank, there is an excellent spring. It is 

 said that a former proprietor of Unthank, taking into his head 

 that coal might he found there, commenced boring operations. 

 The result of these was the bui-sting up of an excellent 

 spring of pure water, to the great convenience of the dwellers 

 in the vicinity, which is never dry in the hottest summer.* 



The Soneshiells. 



Formerly written Siron Shiells, Suin Shieles, Swan Shiells, 

 and Soneshiells. Soneshiels is perhaps the most proper 

 designation. Sone is the Saxon term for the sun.f What was 

 anciently termed a sone ploughgate of land, was one facing 

 the morning rays of the sun. The affix shiells is the house 

 or steading. 



The lands were divided subsequently into Easter and Wester 

 Soneshiells. Before the lands were separated the farm was in 

 possession of Jedburgh Abbey, and at the Reformation were 



*[NoTE. — Unthank does not require to be changed in its form to be 

 understood. It is the common Anglo-Saxon word unthanc — " no thanks, 

 ingratitude, rudeness, displeasure, harm, injury." — Bosworth's Anglo- 

 Saxon and English Dictionary.] 



t[NoTE. — The A.S. word is sunne, the Icelandic aud German snnnp. This 

 supplies a provincialism.] 



