Archibald Thorburn, a writer and farmer, lived at No. 8 from about 1867 to 1869. He was born at Lauder, on 13 June 1838, son of Robert Thorburn and Elizabeth Vallance. Archibald Thorburn was appointed Carrick Pursuivant to the Lord Lyon King of Arms on 9 January 1865, when he probably moved to live in Edinburgh. By 1871 he was back in the Borders, at the 1000 acre farm of Headshaw, near Ashkirk. He died there on 12 December 1872, aged 34.
He married Sarah Jane Anderson on 7 January 1862, at Kirkliston. They had four children, all born in Edinburgh, the youngest at No. 8 Malta Terrace where she was also later to marry. Archibald’s widow returned to No. 8 after his death. See Mrs Sarah J Thorburn.