Another of Paisley’s characters was Daunie Weir. (Daniel) 1813 – 1879. Weavers Assistant/Weaver/Hawker. Nicknamed “The Paisley Perambulator”
His father also Daniel Weir, was a Weaver Twister and was recorded in the 1841 census, aged 70 in lodgings at 7 Cross Street, no other family mentioned. There is no information about Daunie’s mother and no name or information about her on his death certificate.
He was born in Paisley in the Charleston area around 1813 and was a weavers assistant to his father and then a weaver in his own right until the depression in the late 30’s early 40’s meant he gave up his loom.
Daunie could usually be found walking up and down the then narrow High Street on a Saturday night selling ballads, one of which was Alexander Wilsons “Wattie and Meg” he would also recite the poem in his deep husky voice much to the delight of the local children.
One Paisley citizen was heard asking him if he had managed to rid himself of fleas and lice and his retort was “many people under the grass would be glad of them” as he pointed to a church graveyard.
He did fancy himself as a bit of an orator and climbed onto a platform in the town centre to preach and was “lifted” by the local bobbies for breach of the peace.
Local people felt sorry for him and gave the head of the police money which was given to Daunie on a rationed basis from time to time.
For a bet, at the age of 43, he walked barefoot from Edinburgh to Paisley in fourteen and a half hours. He stopped off in Bathgate & Glasgow en route. All this achieved on one glass of whisky and a little bread and cheese.
1851 census he is lodging in 18 Old Sneddon (Barr Household) with another 8 Lodgers – recorded as a weavers assistant.
1861 census he is lodging in 8 New Smithhills with the Conray (?) household of 8 plus another 8 lodgers. Still recorded as a weavers assistant but its thought he had left this trade.
1871 census he is lodging in Smithhills with the McGuinness (?) Household of 3 adults plus another 11 lodgers as a dealer (general).
Daunie died of Bronchitis on 21st January 1879 aged about 65. The person reporting the death was Mary Ann Williams the keeper of the Lodging House where he ended his days at 17 Old Sneddon.
Information shared from Pictorial History of Paisley and Scotlands People.