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Updated: May 31, 2025
It was not merely the pistols of Hinkley of which he had a fear. But he well knew how extreme would be the danger, should the rustic gather together the people of Ellisland, with the story of his fraud, and the cruel consequences to the beauty of Charlemont, by which the deception had been followed.
Circumstances decided for him, and in December 1791 he sold by auction his stock and implements, and removed to Dumfries, 'leaving nothing at Ellisland but a putting-stone, with which he loved to exercise his strength; a memory of his musings, which can never die; and three hundred pounds of his money, sunk beyond redemption in a speculation from which all augured happiness.
His present politics, being loco-foco, are in Ellisland considered contra bonos mores.
He had enough of good sense and of clear-sightedness to sweep away every agricultural obstacle in his path, and to make Ellisland "pay well"; but good-fellowship, and the "Jolly Beggars," and his excise-galloping among the hills by Nithsdale made an end of the farmer, and, in due time, made an end of the man. Robert Bloomfield was another poet-farmer of these times, but of a much humbler calibre.
Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare, As ever trod on airn; But now she's floating down the Nith, And past the mouth o' Cairn. My best compliments to Mrs. Nicol, and little Neddy, and all the family; I hope Ned is a good scholar, and will come out to gather nuts and apples with me next harvest. CXLIX. To MR. CUNNINGHAM, WRITER, EDINBURGH. ELLISLAND, 13th February 1790.
If I were very sanguine, I might hope that some of my great patrons might procure me a treasury warrant for supervisor, surveyor-general, etc. Thus, secure of a livelihood, "to thee, sweet poetry, delightful maid," I would consecrate my future days. ELLISLAND, January 6th, 1789. Many happy returns of the season to you, my dear Sir!
It is hardly necessary to say that the parents received him with open arms, now that he came with some signs of prosperity; and he no doubt entered anew upon married life with their sincere, if somewhat tardy, blessing. Upon this farm of "Ellisland" Burns lived three years, and during that time he had three occupations farmer, poet, and excise officer.
When I get a little abler you shall hear farther from, Madam, yours, ELLISLAND, near Dumfries 14th Feb. 1791. Sir, You must by this time have set me down as one of the most ungrateful of men. You did me the honour to present me with a book, which does honour to science and the intellectual powers of man, and I have not even so much as acknowledged the receipt of it.
Sutherland, who is a man of apparent worth. On New-year-day evening I gave him the following prologue, which he spouted to his audience with applause: No song nor dance I bring from yon great city, etc. I can no more. If once I was clear of this curst farm, I should respire more at ease. CXLV. To MR. WILLIAM DUNBAR, W.S. ELLISLAND, 14th Jan. 1790.
Ellisland Farm is only a few miles farther on the road, never to be forgotten as the spot where "Tam-O'-Shanter" was written. The farm home was built by Burns himself during what was probably the happiest period of his life, and he wrote many verses that indicated his joyful anticipation of life at Ellisland Farm.
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