Basic Biographical Details

Name: John & Thomas Smith
Designation:  
Born:  
Died:  
Bio Notes: John Smith (born 1783 - christened 28 March) and Thomas Smith (born 1785) were the sons of John Smith (c.1748-1815), master mason at Darnick and his wife Mary Williamson. They continued their father's business as both architects and builders and were very highly regarded by Sir Walter Scott and the local gentry. Although not members they gave a paper to the RIBA on the building of bridges in Whinstone in 1837. In 1848 they were financially ruined when their bridge at Ashiestiel collapsed during construction: it was the largest rubble span then attempted at 131 feet 6 inches and was successfully rebuilt.

Thomas Smith died in 1857 and John on 13 September 1864. James Smith of Edinburgh, architect to the Bank of Scotland, was their eldest brother.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 1Darnick, Roxburghshire, ScotlandBusiness   

Employment and Training

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 2John Smith  Partner 
Item 2 of 2Thomas Smith  Partner 

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 331808Melrose Parish ChurchMelrose RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 2 of 331812Parish ChurchGalashiels SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 3 of 331816AbbotsfordMelrose RoxburghshireScotlandBuilders of first phase (addition of breakfast parlour, armoury and dining room to original farmhouse) - to the designs of William Atkinson
Item 4 of 331816Darnley HouseMelrose RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 5 of 331817AbbotsfordMelrose RoxburghshireScotlandCourtyard walls and mounting block
Item 6 of 331817Chain BridgeDryburgh RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 7 of 331819Oberlisk in memory of John Thomson, poetEdnam RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 8 of 331820ChiefswoodDarnick RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 9 of 331821AbbotsfordMelrose RoxburghshireScotlandBuilders of second phase - drawing room, library, study, great hall, and clearance of original farmhouse
Item 10 of 331824Ettrick Parish ChurchEttrick SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 11 of 331824GattonsideMelrose RoxburghshireScotlandAltrations and additions
Item 12 of 331824Ravenswood House with stables and south lodgeMelrose RoxburghshireScotlandHouse and possibly south lodge
Item 13 of 331825Holylee HouseWalkerburn PeeblesshireScotland 
Item 14 of 331825Wolflee HouseHawick RoxburghshireScotlandNew house built around single remaining vault of original 17th-century building
Item 15 of 331826GattonsideMelrose RoxburghshireScotlandEast lodge
Item 16 of 33c. 1826AbbotsmeadowMelrose RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 17 of 331831Bridge over the River Ettrick on the road from Selkirk to Galashiels  SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 18 of 331831Bridge over the River Tweed on road from Selkirk to Galashiels  SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 19 of 331832Bridge over Hermitage Water in Liddesdale for 5th Duke of Buccleuch  RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 20 of 331832North Bridge over River TeviotHawick RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 21 of 331833Tweed BridgePeebles PeeblesshireScotlandWidening
Item 22 of 331833Yarrow Bridge  SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 23 of 331834Bowhill HouseSelkirk SelkirkshireScotlandDrive-carrying bridge at Fauldshope
Item 24 of 331835Kirk Yetholm Parish ChurchKirk Yetholm RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 25 of 331836Ettrick MillsSelkirk SelkirkshireScotlandFirst phase
Item 26 of 33Before 1837PavilionMelrose (near) RoxburghshireScotlandAddition of wing with cavity walls
Item 27 of 331839Westruther ChurchWestruther BerwickshireScotland 
Item 28 of 331847Wilton Parish ManseHawick RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 29 of 331848Ashiestiel BridgePeel SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 30 of 331848Eckford Parish ChurchMorebattle RoxburghshireScotlandAlterations
Item 31 of 331850Ettrick MillsSelkirk SelkirkshireScotlandSecond phase
Item 32 of 331861Darnick TowerDarnick RoxburghshireScotlandPlans for extension - unclear whether these were carried out or not
Item 33 of 33Early 1800sSchoolMorebattle RoxburghshireScotlandProvided design

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Colvin, H M1995A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-18403rd editionNew Haven and London: Yale University Press 
Item 2 of 2Johnston, W T2003Artists of Scotland Officina Publications CDROM 

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1NMRSJohn Smith of Darnick Extracts from Diary and Letter Book NMRS 10840 D3/L (NLS Acc 7792)