Chambers Book of Days

The paternal estate was Ninewells, on the northern bank of the White Adder, in the parish of Chernside, in Berwickshire.

The old plain mansion, of which a picture is preserved in the Chambers Book of Days, was situated on an elevation overlooking the river as it flowed to join the Tweed, and from the declivity in front issued a number of springs which gave the place its name.

Living was plain and tastes were simple, but the Scottish gentry at the time embraced many men of exceptional intelligence and culture, and the library which David found at Ninewells showed that his father must have belonged to that cultural class.

Joseph Hume died while David was yet an infant, and he with an elder brother and sister were left to the care of their mother, who, though still, quote, young and handsome, end quote, devoted herself entirely to their upbringing.