We received an email enquiry about a Dunfermline poetess called “Violet” who seemed to have been quite famous in her time, but doubt many people know about now. Intrigued by the story we tried to find out more about her.
Our enquirer told us “Recently, my mother-in-law gave me Violet's book of poems printed in 1890. I loved it, the poems were absolutely amazing, easy and interesting to read, lots of the details and descriptions of the towns' people and her own feelings.”
The book was printed after “Violet” died. From the picture we were sent we discovered that Violet was actually Mrs D. H Gordon.
Her poems were printed monthly in the Dunfermline Journal, which was published by A. Romanes, from the “Press” Office, New Row.
The1881 census shows the Gordon family living at 41 Grieve Street, Dunfermline.
| David H Gordon | Head | 43 | Married | Power Loom Dresser | Dunfermline, Fife |
| Jessie Gordon | Wife | 42 | Married | ? Perthshire | |
| David H Gordon | Son | 10 | Scholar | Dunfermline, Fife | |
| James W Gordon | Son | 7 | Scholar | Dunfermline, Fife |
Jessie Wilson was the daughter of James Wilson, a master grocer and his wife Grace Young. She was born about 1839 in Perthshire. David Hutchison Gordon and Jessie Wilson were married in Glasgow on the 25th of March, 1870. He was 32, a linen dresser, and Jessie was 31 and a housekeeper.
Her cause of death is shown as Meningo Myelitis of spine for 2 months.
A quick online search revealed that “Meningomyelitis refers to the inflammation of the sheath covering the nerves of the Central Nervous System, differing from meningitis in that the nerve itself also shows signs of inflammation in this condition. This may arise from either infection, autoimmune reaction, or trauma.”
Using the British Newspaper Archives the following articles were found:
Dunfermline Journal - Saturday 29 March 1890
"VIOLET" -- HER LAST LINES,
Mrs David Gordon, the "Violet" of our "poets' corner" is dead. "Violet" has been very frail for many years, and it was no surprise to her immediate friends to see her quietly fall asleep on Saturday. Mrs Gordon, like the poets of all ages, was a great lover of flowers, and reference to our files show that although confined to bed her mind was ever wandering in greenwood aisles and forest glades, where she had roamed in the days of her youth. "Violet" was 52 years of age, and it is 20 years this week since she became a resident of the city of Dunfermline. For a month previous to her death she was quite aware that the end was near, and here are "Violet's" parting lines, which were found at a spot near her pillow after all hope of life's verdure returning had vanished:
V ile, wayward, yet contentent - Gracious Father,
I come, bringing a load of sins (they daily gather),
O h leave not one sin spot upon my soul,
L eave me not when Jordan's swelling billows roll;
E ver guide me till life's last breath,
T ake me, Saviour, thine in life or death,
The letters down the side will show.
A dear loved name, given long ago.
And often used by me since then,
But never to be used again,
Because, before these lines are a read,
The hand that traced them will be dead.
Dunfermline Journal - Saturday 29 March 1890
Original Poetry.
IN MEMORIAM. "VIOLET," WHO FELL ASLEEP, MARCH 22ND, 1890,
Gone!
No "King of Terrors' . claimed her as his,
But, standing back, beheld the flower culled
By gentler hands. A messenger of love
From yonder throne - charged with the welcome task -
Fanned her to sleep: till, all unconscious, she
Passed from the bosom of her dear ones here;
And, resting on His fair, sweet bosom, rose
To bloom in richest sweetness 'neath the throne
Of her Eternal Father, and her God.
Gone! you say,
Then, what of all the fragrance shed abroad,
In round of daily duty, suffering, peace?
It lingers still, and hope, bright hope is ours,
That once again we shall that fragrance know
Where all undying springs eternal joy.
And flowers transplanted from this lower scene
Bloom with diviner beauty, tended well
By Him for whom they shed their beauty here,
And graced with gentle mien His reign of peace.
O.H.
Dunfermline.
IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF "VIOLET,"
WHO FELL ASLEEP IN JESUS, MARCH 22ND, 1890.
V ainly ye weep, dear friends, oh weep no more for me,
I n glory now I dwell, my spirit now is free.
O h soon you all will come, I'll meet you at the gate:
L et all your lamps be bright, be ready, watch, and wait.
E arth's griefs are all forgot, as round the throne we sing
T he praises and the glory of Jesus, Blessed King!
"He giveth His beloved sleep," - Psalms cxxvii., 2.
Many thanks to Natalia who introduced us to “Violet”.