Andrew Meikle (1719-1811)

Millwright and inventor of the threshing machine

Andrew Meikle followed in his father's footsteps as an inventor by developing the design of the windmill in 1750 and patenting a machine for dressing grain in 1768. His most remarkable invention was a drum threshing machine that could be powered in a variety of ways. In 1788 he took out a patent and set up a factory. Unfortunately his inventions did not bring financial success and he was supported by friends in old age. Preston Mill in East Lothian, one of the mills he worked on, is preserved in its original form by the National Trust for Scotland.

Birth in 1719

Andrew Meikle was born on Tuesday 5 May 1719, the son of James Meikle and Janet Allan. The entry in the Old Parish Register (OPR) for Saltoun gives the time of birth as eleven o'clock in the forenoon and the date of baptism as 10 May.

Birth and baptism entry for Andrew Meikle (40 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR 719/1, page 202

Marriage in 1753

Andrew Meikle married Marion Merrilees on 8 December 1753. The entry in the Old Parish Register for Prestonkirk (his parish) shows that they had given 'up their names for proclamation'.

Marriage entry for Andrew Meikle in the OPR for Prestonkirk (26 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR 717/1, page 309

A second entry in the Old Parish Register for Saltoun (her parish) gives the date for proclamation of their marriage as 25 November 1753. It also includes the names of cautioners for the bride and the bridegroom.

Marriage entry for Andrew Meikle in the OPR for Saltoun (22 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR 719/2, page 236

Testament of Andrew Meikle

(National Records of Scotland, CC8/8/139 pp 462-463)

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