Gold and coral brooch which belonged to Jean Armour

This brooch belonged to Jean Armour Burns.  It contains a plait of hair and may be a mourning brooch, or simply a keepsake.  It is said that Robert Burns took pride in his wife being well dressed.   Jean Armour was born in 1765, the daughter of a master mason of Mauchline.  She first met Robert Burns at Mauchline in 1784, after his family had settled at Mossgiel, near to the town.  The actual date of their marriage is not known.  They had nine children, only three of whom survived into adulthood.   After Robert Burn's death in 1796, Jean continued to live in the family home in Burns Street, Dumfries.  She remained there until her own death in 1834.