Sheet, pillow case and carving napkin, linen, probably hand
woven by Janet Primrose Monteath, Clackmannonshire, Scotland,
1860-1870 This small collection of handwoven domestic linen
articles - a sheet, pillow case and carving napkin - were woven
in the Alloa region of Clackmannanshire in Scotland, probably in
the 1860s or 1870s. They were brought to Australia in 1920 in
her trousseau by the donor's mother Janet Rolland Stirling, who
was born in Alloa. Although Stirling family tradition indicates
that the linen textiles were handwoven by the donor's great
great great grandmother Janet Primrose in about 1800, it seems
more likely that they were woven by her grand-daughter Janet
Primrose Monteath. The carving napkin was used by her husband
Alexander Brown Sitrling who would apparently refuse to begin
carving for their family of eight boys until his wife had tied
the napkin around his neck. The linen weaving industry in
Scotland formed the basis of community life, and mention is made
as early as 1491. The wool an