LETHAM, a village, in the parish of Dunnichen,
county of Forfar, 5 miles (E. by S.) from the town of
Forfar; containing 745 inhabitants. This village, which
is of comparatively recent origin, stands principally on
the lands of the late George Dempster, Esq., of Dunnichen,
by whom the plan of its erection was laid down.
It is pleasantly situated, and regularly built, containing
many neat and several handsome houses; and is
inhabited chiefly by persons engaged in manufactures,
and in the various handicratt trades requisite
for the supply of the district. A pubhc library is supported
by subscription, and has a collection of more
than 500 volumes of works on religion, morals, history,
and general literature, several of which were donations
from individuals interested in its success. The principal
trade carried on is the weaving of the coarse linen cloth
called Osnaburghs, and the finer sorts of linen for shirting
and sheeting, in which great numbers of females are
employed. In connexion with these, a mill has been
erected in the Den of Lethara, near the village, for spinning
lint and tow into yarn: the works are propelled by
the Vinney water. Several attempts have been made to
introduce power-looms, but hitherto without effect, the
weaving being still carried on in the houses of the
weavers, many of whom have small farms, or portions
of land, which they cultivate at their leisure hours for
health and amusement. There is a place of worship for
Independents. Connected with the manufacture is a
linen-hall, which has some time been appropriated as a
schoolroom, and on Sunday forms a place of worship for
a congregation in connexion with the United Presbyterian
Synod. The number of children attending the school
varies from eighty to 100; and many of the children
employed in the spinning-mill are taught the rudiments
of general learning. Fairs are held twice a year, for
cattle, and for hiring farm- servants. Near the Den of
Letham graves have been discovered, containing vast
numbers of human bones, and several urns, which crumbled
into dust on exposure to the atmosphere.