William Carnegie¹

Parents:

• Birth*: William Carnegie was born on 11 September 1838 at Marykirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland, .¹
• He was the son of Charles Carnegie shoemaker and Susan Napier of Marykirk.¹

• (Witness) Newspaper Article: William Carnegie and David Napier merchant, founder of Napier Educational Trust was mentioned in a newspaper article about Theodore Napier FSA 3rd son on 11 July 1898. INTERESTING GATHERING
  AT MARYKIRK.
  NAPIER MEMORIAL SCHOOL. LAYING FOUNDATION STONE
  Napier Memorial Hall
  A very interesting function came off at Mary kirk on Saturday afternoon, when the foundation stone of the new Napier Memorial School was laid by Mr Theodore Napier, nephew of the donor. The money for the building of the school, which is intended for the education of the infants and first standards only, was left some years ago by Mr David Napier, at one time a grocer in the village, and one who took a practical interest in the welfare of the young of the parish. The money has since been left to accumulate, and now a sufficient sum has accrued for the building of the school. Special interest was attached to Saturday's ceremony on account of the presence of the well-known Scottish patriot, Mr Theodor Napier, who attended in true Highland garb. Among those present were:-Rev. Mr and Mrs M'Clure, Parish Church, Marykirk; Mr. Mrs, and Miss Peace, Schoolhouse, Marykirk; Mr and Mrs Hood, Laurencekirk; Mr and Mrs Young, Fitgarvie; Mr D. Japp, Newton; Mr Charled Anton, Shanghai, and Miss Anton, Arbroath Professor and Mrs and the Misses Blyth, Glas gow; Mr Balfour, Montrose; Mr Arthur Dick st, solicitor, Montrose; Dr Duffus, Marykirk Mr Dickson, jun., Montrose; Rev. Mr and Mr Scott, Laurencekirk; Mrs and Miss Rae, South Barns; Mr G. K. E. Napier, Montrose; Mr Wm. Carnegie, factor for Earl of Ducia; Mrs Thos Napier and Mrs Jas. Napier, Stonehaven; MP George K. E. Napier, Montrose; Rev. Jas. Land reth, Logie Pert; Rev. Mr Mitchell; Mr Lang headmaster, Laurencekirk; &c.
  Rev. Mr M'Clure, Established Church, Mary kirk, presided, and read several apologies for absence. He said it was gratifying that in thi country now and again individuals were found of substantial means who were disposed to think effectively of the needs of others. (Applause.) The trustees had carefully husbanded the money left by Mr Napier, until now it amounted to 12500(applaus)-sufficient to build and equi the school they now saw before them. (Ap plause.) In calling upon Mr Theodore Napie to lay the foundation stone, the Chairman pre sented him with a massive silver trowel, inscribed -"Presented to Theodore Napier, Esq., on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the Napier Memorial School, Marykirk, on 9th July, 1898." (Applause.)
  Mr Theodore Napier, who was loudly ap piauded, said the thistle was not an aggressive plant. One could walk past it hundreds of time with impunity, but touch it, he said, and see the result. (Applause.) Speaking of the new school Mr Napier said he had not inquired yet as to the kind of teaching it was intended to give in it
  
  Mr Theodore Napier, who was loudly ap plauded, said the thistle was not an aggressive plant. One could walk past it hundreds of time with impunity, but touch it, he said, and see the resuit. (Applause.) Speaking of the new school Mr Napier said he had not inquired yet as to the kind of teaching it was intended to give in it If history was to be taught let the children under stand that a knowledge of their own Scotia was much more to be desired than a knowledge of any other. (Applause.) In some schools, he said, the history of Scotland was taught in so far a it related to the history of England, and there it stopped. That was not as it should be. (Hear, hear.) The history of Scotland should be held out as being of paramount importance, and should be taught by itself, quite separate from any other country. (Applause.) Let the teachers and parents create in the children a desire for reading the daring deeds of such patriots as Wallace and Bruce, and though they (the children) might not nowadays be called upon to fight for, their country with swords, yet they might often be called upon. to stand up for their native land in divers other ways. (Applause.) In conclusion, Mr Napier said he had one favour to ask of the trustees. That was that they would give the children holiday on the 24th June of every year in com memoration of an event he need scarcely name Bannockburn. (Great applause.) Marykirk might set an example to the whole of Scotland in this respect, and would not that, Mr Napier asked, be an honour of which they might be justly proud? (Applause.) He then declared the stone truly laid.
  Rev. W. A. Mitchell offered up prayer.
  Rev. Mr M'Kinnon, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Napier, said that day would ever stand out as a red letter one in the history of Marykirk. (Applause.)
  Mr Napier suitably replied.
  Mr Blacklaws moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Wm. Carnegie, who had designed the plan and carried out all the architectural work free of charge. (Applause.)
  In course of an able and reminiscent reply, Mr Carnegie paid a high compliment to the training he had received at the hands of their friend Mr Peace, who had transformed the education of the parish, comparatively speaking, from chaos to a high state of excellency. (Applause.) He also referred to the excellent qualities of the late Mr David Napier, the donor of the building.
  Mr Charles Carnegie proposed a vote of thanks to the contractors, one and all of whom, he said, had done their work efficiently. (Applause.) Mr Arthur Dickson, solicitor, and Professor Blyth, Glasgow, also spoke.
  As is customary on such an occasion, a jar con taining current coins, newspapers, &c.. was placed in a receptacle under the foundation
  stone.
  The tradesmen were:-Mason, Mr Greig, Lauriston; joiner, Mr Dunbar, Laurencekirk; alater. Mr Charles Brand, Montrose; plasterer, Mr Hood, Laurencekirk; plumbers, Messrs C Wood & Co., Montrose. The architect was Mr Wm. Carnegie, now factor for the Earl of Ducia who holds the estate of Carsden in Oxfordshire. Members of the company afterwards partook of tea in the village hotel. The function was interesting throughout, the weather being excel lent.²