It is
not widely known that during the 19th century the town of Darvel was a centre
for country chair making. Little evidence can be found of this industry other
than the chairs themselves. There are no monuments, factories or even folk-memory.
Apart from David Jones nothing has been written of them. However these chairs
were well made, robust and comfortable.
Click to view
a map of Darvel from 1826.
The number of chairs made over the years is open to conjecture, but a recent
survey shows nearly one hundred chairs still remain. Many have been destroyed
in the intervening years. However it is not unreasonable to guess that several
hundred were made. The community supported the makers and the chairs were
bought by all stratas of society, from mill owners to farmers, often in pairs.
Those that remain are jealously guarded family heirlooms. They have been traced
to Massachusetts, Canada and New Zealand.
This site will tell you about them.
If you have a chair or know of one I would be pleased to hear from you.
