The following is the contents of the dedication speech of the Spier School copied by Janet Akaha from California. The original is held by Janet Akaha's mother in Ohio.
Story of the Spiers School of Beith - Robert Spiers and Margaret Gibson
Mr. Robert Spier (descended from the Spiers of Kersland Mill) was a writer and bank agent in Beith during the 19th Century. He held various public offices, being clerk of the local court of Justice and clerk to the Road Trustees. He was universally respected for probity, prudence and solidity of judgment, and was a man of peaceful, friendly disposition, who discouraged litigation in every possible way. he accumulated a considerable fortune, acquiring by purchase lands of Kersland Mill from an elder brother, and farms of Bogston, Bellcraig, Lugtonridge, East end of Shitterflat and Cuff. He married Miss Margaret Gibson, and there was a large family. Mr. Spier died in 1849, survived by his wife and pre-deceased by all of his children except two sons, viz., Andrew Spier of Marshalland and John Spier of Cuff; and these sons unfortunately died also before their mother, who died February 17, 1870. The last surviving son was John, who executed a Trust Settlement for certain benevolent purposes which he indicated; but leaving everything at the disposition of his mother. His trustees denuded themselves in her favor; and influenced by an understanding between her son and the family, she executed a settlement by which she left to certain trustees the lands above enumerated, except Kersland Mill, which she had sold, and with some exceptions, her personal fund or estate also, to found a school or institution on the lads of Marshalland according to a plan which we had caused to be prepared, and for the education and entertainment of not more than twenty-four boys.
The design of the building was elaborate, and its estimated cost being much too little, chiefly in consequence of the increased price of labour and material, it became necessary to delay the erection of the building until funds accumulated sufficient for the purpose. Mrs. Spier's object was virtually to endow a hospital. The farms were strictly notified as to its use and could neither be sold nor burdened. The other funds were insufficient to erect the building, and the income which would have remained after so large an expenditure was insufficient to cover the building expenses of more than a very few boys. The utility of the hospital system became a public question. A Royal Commission headed by Sir Edward Colebroke; secondly, before the Commission under the Endowed Institution (Scotland) Act, 18/8, 41 and 42 Vict. charter 43 , headed by Lord Noncrieff, and thirdly, before Commisssion under the Educational Endowments (Scotland) Act, 1882, 45 & 46 Vict. chap. 59, headed by Lord Balfour of Burleigh. There was much discussion and variation of opinion between the Trustees and the two parliamentary commissions and between these commissions themselves – and all resulting in a scheme made by and on the responsibility of last named Commission, approved by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council on May 6, 1886. From this scheme it is hoped will result to Spier's school a career of great usefulness.
The governor's appointed by the scheme were acting harmoniously. Plans were prepared and settled and building contracts were signed April 28, 1887, after roads had been made; and the building was begun immediately afterwards.
The memorial Stone was laid by R.W. Cochran-Patrick of Woodside and Ladyland, LLD, Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire and also Chairman of the Governors, this 24th day of September in the year of our Lord 1887, with Masonic Ceremonial and in presence of a large gathering of people, in the pious hope that the Great Father of all will shed a rich blessing on the school and preserve it in a state of usefulness and growth to future generations.
Select the link in the title above to scroll through the photographs of the orignal feu distribution submitted by R. Griffith. There are 18 pages of interesting information about the Spier School's land distribution. The pages are handwritten and not easy reading due to the archaic language. There is an item of interest at the top of page 7.
Research Contributions
Thank you Speir Family for copies of the Speir Family Bible, Janet Akaha for the Family tree, Spier School dedication and much more research, Joshua Roma, Bill Carney and Jimmy Carmichael for our family connections and Roger Griffith for all things about Spier School and Beith, Scotland. Send email to the webmaster@speirfamily.org for additional contact information
Correction 4/29/2009 (R.W. Cochran-Patrick) from R. Griffith. For more about Robert William Cochran-Patrick (1842-1897) see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barony_of_Ladyland