Record

Reference NoDD1514
Accession No 1514
TitleCash Book of John Shirras, Traction Engine Owner in Auchenblae and related material
DescriptionGeneral ledger detailing payments to John Shirras for transporting goods by Steam Traction Engine around Kincardineshire, the Mearns, and Aberdeenshire . The back relates to payments for coal transportation and the front relates to other goods, such as crops and manure. Many of the entries name specific farms in the area that were served by John Shirras's traction engines.

The collection also includes photographs of the Shirras family in 1926 and 1946, a photo of the first Steam Traction Engine in Africa, plus a folder of supplementary information and related publications ('Kaleidoscope of Traction Engines' by R. A. Whitehead and 'Leopard Magazine' of June 1979, containing an article on Steam Traction Engines that includes a picture of John Shirras's second engine, 'Finella') compiled by the depositor.

The binding and paper of the cashbook require conservation work.
Date1906 - 1925
Extent2 volumes, 1 magazine and a pocket folder
​Open or Restricted AccessOpen
Add to My Items

    Major Collections

    Browse some of our major collections