Perthshire Farm Tokens
Berry crops were well established in the area around Blairgowrie by 1890, with 800 tons being produced [1]. This led to a demand for seasonal work, with people travelling from as far away as GLasgow to pick berries during the summer. Blairgowrie became famous for berries and was known as Berry town. The growers association would meet every year, agreeing picker's rates and negotiating special train fares for the pickers. They also arranged accomodation, tin sheds, to accomodate the berry pickers.
Manor Farm, Blairgowrie, was owned by Emma McPherson. Her farm manage, Mr Beale, had made several visits to the fruit-growing districts of England and noted that piece work was always used. Although the Blairgowrie district growers believed piece work was preferable to day rates, it was claimed that earlier trials were abandoned due to picker antipathy. In 1901 Mr Beale was determined to adopt piece work. He set the price to paid for picking raspberries at 1/2d per lb . It was estimated that a good picker would pick 80 - 100 lbs.per day, so this was a considerable margin in favour of the picker over the curent 2/- day rate. In seeking to attract good pickers it was hoped that fewer incomers would be needed. It was also hoped to attract local people who could not spare a whole day for berry picking.
The plan was to give each picker a galvanised pail, painted on the inside to prevent damage to the fruit. When it was filled the picker would take it to the field weighing station where there was to be a balance with a large face, so that the picker and weigher could see the weight. The foreman would give the picker tokens for the amount picked. Mr Beale had checks made, ½d, 1d, 3d in tin and 6d, 1/- in brass [2]. The picker's tokens that have been identified as typically copper for the lower values and brass for the higher values.
Blairgowrie and Rattray are two towns seperated by the river Tay, with Blairgowrie being the larger of the two. The two burghs became united in 1928.
ABERBROTHIE, HARRIS
In 1890 and 1919 David Harris farmed Aberbothrie. In 1937 Alfred Howieson farmed it.
| David Harris, Aberbrothie Farm | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:PFTAberHar.1d.jpg | ||
| Source | Norman Brodie Collection, DNW Oct 2002 | |
| Filename | PFTAberHar.1d | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 25 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
ARDBLAIR
Philip Blair-Oliphant, owner of Ardblair, took direct control of the farm in 1908. Alexander Crichton, took over Mains of Ardblair in about 1934. These tokens predate Alexander Crichton's possession.
| Ardblair Mains | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:PFTArdMn.Hd.jpg | ||
| Source | [TokenCatalog] | |
| Filename | PFTArdMn.Hd | |
| Value | ½d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 20 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTArdMn.6d | |
| Value | 6d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 20 | |
| Manufacture | Brass | |
| Notes | ||
BLAIRGOWRIE, ADAMSON
David William Adamson, a native of Kerriemuir, had an ironmonger's business in Blairgowrie. In 1899 he bought 30 acres of farmland in Rattray, which he leased to smallholders for growing raspberries and strawberries. In 1905 he opened a jam factory in Blairgowrie.
| David Adamson | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:PFTBlgAdm.1d.jpg | ||
| Source | Norman Brodie Collection, DNW Oct 2002 | |
| Filename | PFTArdMn.1d | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 23 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| File:PFTBlgAdm.1s.jpg | ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTBlgAdm.1s | |
| Value | 1/- | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | ||
| Manufacture | Brass | |
| Notes | ||
BLAIRGOWRIE, SNODGRASS
J A Snodgrass owned Loon Braes. He sold it in 1914.
| J Snodgrass | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTBlgSnd.Hd | |
| Value | ½d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 23 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| ||
| Source | Norman Brodie Collection, DNW Oct 2002 | |
| Filename | PFTBlgSnd.1d | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 25 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| File:PFTBlgSnd.3d.jpg | ||
| Source | Micheal Paterson Collection, DNW Oct 2019 | |
| Filename | PFTBlgSnd.3d | |
| Value | 3d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 23 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| File:PFTBlgSnd.1s.jpg | ||
| Source | Norman Brodie Collection, DNW Oct 2002 | |
| Filename | PFTBlgSnd.1s | |
| Value | 1/- | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | ||
| Manufacture | ||
| Notes | ||
CARSIE, PANTON
William Panton, was the manager of the Blairgowrie estate. His son John was born there in year 1833. He became a lawyer and returned to Blarigowrie, opening a practice there. In 1857 he entered banking. He quickly became the factor of the Blairgowrie estate and established many business interests, including becoming tenant of several farms, one being Carsie. He died in 1898. W A Panton sold Carsie in 1919.
| William Panton, Carsie | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:PFTCrsPnt.Hd.jpg | ||
| Source | Norman Brodie Collection, DNW Oct 2002 | |
| Filename | PFTCrsPnt.Hd | |
| Value | ½d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 24 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| File:PFTCrsPnt.5s.jpg | ||
| Source | Norman Brodie Collection, DNW Oct 2002 | |
| Filename | PFTCrsPnt.5s | |
| Value | 5/- | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 38 | |
| Manufacture | Zinc | |
| Notes | Brief description in catalogue | |
ISLA PARK, WHITSOME
James Whitson owned Isla Park in 1860. William Whitson was in possession in 1925 when his son James Whitson took over.
| William Whitson, Isla Park | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTIspWts.Hd | |
| Value | ½d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 22 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTIspWts.1d | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 22 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
LITTLETON, CRICHTON
Alexander Crichton farmed South Littleton from about 1895 to at least 1937. He also farmed Mains of Ardblair from 1934.
| Alexander Crichton, Littleton | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTLttCri.Hd | |
| Value | ½d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 26 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTLttCri.1d | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 30 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| File:PFTLttCri.6d.jpg | ||
| Source | ebay | |
| Filename | PFTLttCri.6d | |
| Value | 6d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 30 | |
| Manufacture | ||
| Notes | ||
| File:PFTLttCri.1s.jpg | ||
| Source | Micheal Paterson Collection, DNW Oct 2019 | |
| Filename | PFTLttCri.1s | |
| Value | 1/- | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 20 | |
| Manufacture | Brass | |
| Notes | ||
MAINS, CRICHTON
Mains of Rattray was in the Crichton family from at least the 17th century It was in the possession of David Crichton in 1881 and Mrs Crichton in 1904 and passed on to David Crichton, who was in possession in 1930.
| David Crichton, Mains of Rattray | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTRMnCri.Hd | |
| Value | ½d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 24 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTRMnCri.1d | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 24 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| ||
| Source | ebay | |
| Filename | PFTRMnCri.6d | |
| Value | 6d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 24 | |
| Manufacture | Brass | |
| Notes | ||
MARLEE, MEACHER
John Wyatt Meacher of Marlee died in 1922, and his wife in 1928. Allan John Meacher, their son, was born in 1870 at Islington, London. He was an architect. Around 1909 he took possession of the Marlee estate and house. He appears to have carried on a small architectural practice from there. He never married and lived at Marlee until the mid-1960s. Mary Emma Brown or Meacher, was heiress of entail in possession of the lands and estates of Marlee and Balcairn Kinloch in 1912.
| Allan Meacher, Marlee | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTMarMea.Hd | |
| Value | ½d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 24 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTMarMea.1d | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 24 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| File:PFTMarMea.6d.jpg | ||
| Source | Micheal Paterson Collection, DNW Oct 2019 | |
| Filename | PFTMarMea.6d | |
| Value | 6d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 24 | |
| Manufacture | Brass | |
| Notes | ||
PARKHILL
| Parkhill | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:PFTPrkH.2s.jpg | ||
| Source | Norman Brodie Collection, DNW Oct 2002 | |
| Filename | PFTPrkH.2s | |
| Value | 2s | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 29 | |
| Manufacture | ||
| Notes | Brief description in catalogue | |
PRINCELAND, FERGUSON
Thomas Ferguson owned Princeland from at least 1903 to the 1930's
| Thomas Ferguson, Princeland | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTPrlFer.Hd | |
| Value | ½d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 25 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTPrlFer.Hda | |
| Value | ½d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 25 | |
| Manufacture | Chrome Plated Copper | |
| Notes | ½d tokens converted into buttons | |
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTPrlFer.1d | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 30 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
RATTRAY, MACDONALD AND WILSON
J M McDonald & Son, Milton of Drimmie, and George Wilson, East Drimmie
| J McDonald & George Wilson, Drimmie | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTDrmMW.1d | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 25 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
RATTRAY, MORRISON
George Morrison moved to BLairgowrie around 1875 from Forfarshire and settle in Muir O'Blair where he grew strawberries on 4 acres of land. He was one of the first frui growers in the area. He was not at home for the 1881 census but his two sons Alexander and James were. George died in 1905 at the age of about 61. Alexander, the younger brother, took out the lease on the Westpark farm on the outskirts of Blairgowrie and, in addition to his main occupation of dairy farming, he grew fruit[3]. He was able to purchase the farm and extend it. In the 1921 census Alexander is listed as a dairy farmer living at Cleikerrin with James listed as a crofter living at nearby Carsie. Alexander died in 1930 at the age of 60.
Another James Morrison was a fruit grower living in Rattray. Around 1920, after 28 years growing fruit in the BLairgowrie area, he purchased land in Slateford, Forfarshire and commenced growing fruit there[4]. James died in 1932 at the age of 62. It is possible that this is the James referred to on the token.
| Alexander and James Morrison | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTRatAJM.1d | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 25 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
RATTRAY, SCOTT
| G R Scott | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Source | ||
| Filename | PFTRatSct.1d | |
| Value | 1d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 31 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
RATTRAY, SMITH
| D Smith, Rattray | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:PFTRatSmt.3d.jpg | ||
| Source | Norman Brodie Collection, DNW Oct 2002 | |
| Filename | PFTRatSmt.3d | |
| Value | 3d | |
| Add Desc. | Brief description in catalogue | |
| Size (mm) | ||
| Manufacture | ||
| Notes | ||
RATTRAY, STEWART
John Stewart farmed St. Fink. His father, also John, was killed in an accident in 1893. John Stewart farmed St, Fink until at least 1929.
| John Stewart, Saint Fink, Rattray | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:PFTRatStw.3d.jpg | ||
| Source | Micheal Paterson Collection, DNW Oct 2019 | |
| Filename | PFTRatStw.3d | |
| Value | 3d | |
| Add Desc. | ||
| Size (mm) | 24 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
