1825
A Correspondent writes us, that on Sunday or Monday evening week, a Galiot, on board of which was a Cellar-Dykes pilot run down a sloop, name unknown, in the Frith. When the captain of the Galiot felt the shock he immediately came on deck, and supposing that his own vessel was sinking, jumped on board the sloop which instantly went down with all hands. The pilot’s name is Watson; —he passed through the village of Elie on Tuesday, on his way home from Leith, into which port he had taken the Galiot.
Thomas Salter, Fisherman, Cellardyke, having gone to Pittenweem on Thursday last, in the afternoon, where be met with some of his acquaintances, and got himself intoxicated, in returning home, went off the High road (it is supposed) being bewildered by the darkness of the night, and crossing a field toward the sea side, fell over a precipice between Pittenweem and Anstruther. His body was found on Friday morning and taken to Cellardyke. He has left a wife and 3 children to lament his untimely fate.
1831
MARRIED
On the 9th ult. at Cellardyke, near Anstruther, Mr James Webster, A. M. rector of the burgh-and parochial school, Crail, to Euphemia, fifth daughter of David Bell, Esq. late of Bonnyton
1832
ANSTRUTHER. The Ralphites here, after sounding a mighty note of preparation for a grand dinner to the Baronet, deputed a gentleman wait on him formally with the invitation, which was accepted in due form. The committee sat many a time and oft in solemn deliberation, and a gentleman who takes a lead, and thinks himself no small beer,” cut a conspicuous figure in the consultations. The inhabitants whispered and wondered, the innkeepers were on the tenter hooks of expectation, and the public could endure the suspense longer, when behold! the dinner vanished like the baseless fabric of vision ; and to the dismay of the unhappy Phillippians the self-same gentleman intimated to the Baronet that dinner was not at present to take place. The cause is as yet secret, but it is evident that the spirit of the party has evaporated. The Baronet is ringing in—his winter sun is nearly set. A few days ago he made an assault on Cellardyke with an Edinburgh newspaper in his hand, but both he and the paper met with a chilling salt water sort of reception. And his plaintive, perhaps you will not come out to the poll, and so please both parties”—seemed to the stanch reformers of that burgh as a farewell to his hopes. We have great reason to be pleased with the new constituency, they have stood their ground firmly, and we are well satisfied that the franchise has been lodged in proper hands. A few weeks will now put us beyond all anxiety on the subject. The dinner, it is understood, left Anstruther about ten days ago, on an aerostatic excursion; and, we have had strong westerly breezes of late, the most painful and alarming fears are entertained for its safety. Several of the knowing ones jocularly remarked, it was a very heavy concern ! ! !’ Query, the price?—as for the dinner itself, it has proved light as a bubble filled with hydrogen gas.
Note —By express we have just learned, that the dinner has been seen a long way out at sea. It is supposed that it must by this time have reached the Dutch coast, and we should not wonder were it regaling General Chasse at Antwerp.
1843
WINTER HERRING FIHHERY. – ANSTRTHUER, December 13.-This fishing has commenced much earlier this winter than usual, and the appearances of a take of herrings are very favourable. This morning- one drave boat and one yawl set their nets near the Isle of May, and the boat brought in 12 of barrels of herrings, which were sold at 32s. per barrel. The yawl has not yet come in. We observe that the whole fleet of Cellardyke boats are preparing to go the Island to-night.
1846
The Total Abstinence Society of and Cellardyke, presented Mr John McDougal, preacher of the gospel, with a Hebrew Bible and Lexicon, a small testimony of their esteem and regard, upon his this leaving this place. During the past two years, has zealously supported the abstinence cause by a series valuable lectures.
1848
The “Friends”, owner, Clark, of Limekilns, from Perth for Clyde, ran on shore near Cellardyke, 1st inst., having previously lost bowsprit in a gale from S.W., and became un-manageable; crew saved.
Admiralty Investigation at Elie.—Mr Bald, C.E., arrived at Elie, to make an investigation, on the part of the Admiralty, into the condition of the harbour. A great many witnesses were examined, among whom were a number of old residenters, whose evidence clearly proved the importance of Elie as a port of refuge and safe accommodation for vessels of every description in former times. The cause of its decay in later times is attributable to the harbour having been allowed to remain so long in ruinous state, together with the want of a proper road betwixt the island and the town, by the want of which great inroads on the beach have been and still are made the sea. Deputations from the fishermen of Cellardyke, Pittenweem, and St Monance, were present. The inhabitants are now under the hope that the subject is now taken up in right earnest, and that ere long this fine but long-neglected natural harbour will be improved so as to afford more protection to life and property, and thereby prove a lasting benefit to the public at large.
CELLARDYKE. authorities here have been for some time past carrying sanitary measures, which have greatly improved the cleanliness of the town, There is still, however, great room for improvement, and, damp weather, an extra scavenger ought to employed, as, considering the fatal ravages of cholera 1832, and of typhus fever the spring of this year, a very serious responsibility rests both the managers of the burgh and parochial board if every precautionary measure is not used. We are glad to hear that five pounds, a legacy of the late Miss Williamson the poor of the parish, has been appropriated to the opening a soup kitchen, a supply of nourishing food is the best preventives against cholera. We trust that our absent heritors will see that there be no lack of funds for the support of this object during the winter months.