Fergus(s)on DNA Project The Lairds of Craigdarroch

In Glencairn Graveyard there is a stone (see photo) with a latin inscription which has been partly translated to "The burial place of the Lords of Craigdarroch (NEC NON) Lords of Gatloch -- In the year of Our Lord 1635". It is curious that the stone is above a door to the McCall family burial enclosure [Ref: Churches and Graveyards in Dumfries and Galloway

The Lairds of Craigdarroch

The heritable line ended after 600 years with death of Robert Cutlar Fergusson in 1904. It has been greyed out so as to focus on the unresolved cadet lines, i.e. that of a younger son as opposed to the first born heir. Research on these lines could lead to the discovery of a living male carrying the yDNA representative of the family. [Chronological succession per Captain R Cutlar-Ferguson, 386, Records of the Clan, p. 386]

• 1.0 Mathew FERGUSSON
• 2.0 John FERGUSON, succeeded 30 Apr 1484; m. Elizabeth DOUGLAS; his son,
• 3.0 Thomas FERGUSSON, m. daughter of the Lord Crighton of Sanquhar, about 1508 and succeeded 6 Nov 1514 [1522, Assignation]
  • 3.1->4.0 Robert
  • 3.2 Matthew
  • 3.3 Arthur
• 4.0 Robert FERGUSSON, m. Janet CUNNIGHAM, daughter of the Earl of Glencairn about 1534, succeeded 8 May 1534; his son, [1534 Instrument of resignation]
  • 4.1 ->5.0 John
  • 4.2 James, see Fergusson of Chapelmark
  • 4.3 Edward d. Nov 1581 of Mid Inglistoun [1582 Testament
• 5.0 John FERGUSSON m. Margaret DALZIELL, daughter of Lord Carnwath, succeeded 18 Oct 1587 [1608 Complaint]
  • 5.1 -> 6.0 Robert FERGUSSON
  • 5.2 Thomas FERGUSSON
• 6.0 Robert FERGUSSON m. Katherine CUNNIGHAM, daughter of the Earl of Glencairn, succeeded 5 Sep 1612
  • 6.0 John, dies without issue
  • 6.1 -> 7.0 William, heir and successor to his brother, John 18 Mar 1628.
  • 6.3 Edward
  • 6.4 Thomas d. bef. 27 Apr 1625 [1614 Charter, 1625 Instrument of sasine]
  • 6.5 Robert
• 7.0 William FERGUSSON, m. Sara, daughter of Sir William GRIERSON of Lag, contract 9 May 1621 at Rockell, [GD77/174/2] [Marriages of daughters]
  • 7.1 ->8.0 Robert FERGUSSON, his heir and successor
  • 7.2 John FERGUSSON [Testament: 1687]
    • 7.2.1 William FERGUSSON estimated b. bet. 1640-1690
      [candidate William Fergusson, messenger of Moniaive estimated b. bet. 1670-1690
• 8.0 Robert FERGUSSON m. First, daughter of James DOUGLAS of Morton
  Secondly, Elizabeth GRIERSON, Lady TINWALD, his cousin being a daughter of GRIERSON of Lag, 22 Jul 1653, [GD77/174/6]
  • 8.1->9.0 John, his heir
  • Anna m. Matthew HAIRSTANES of Craigs
  • Sarah m. Thomas KIRKPATRICK 7 Dec 1672 contract [GD77/174/12]
  Thirdly, Margaret CHALMERS, widow of David CRAWFORD of Cars (Kerse) 20 Aug 1668, contract [GD77/174/11
  Fourthly, to Anna (Agnes) DOUGLAS 15 Apr 1676.
  • Robert of Baitfoord, died without issue.
  • Isobel m. Col. Thos DALYELL
• 9.0 John FERGUSSON, m. Elizabeth, daughter of John MAKGHIE (M^cGIE) of Balmaghie, May 1682; d. 17 Jun 1689 at battle of Killiecrankie, age 28; had issue: Robert and William both died young; 9.1->10.0 Alexander and a daughter Grizel.
• 10.0 Alexander FERGUSSON b. Nov 3 1685; d. March 8, 1748; m. Annie LAURIE
  • 10.1->11.0 James FERGUSSON
  • 10.2 Robert FERGUSSON b.~1715; d. bet. 1791-1798 [1798 Probate
    m. 1st Clementina DOUGLAS
    • 10.2.1 Charles FERGUSSON b. 1752; d. bef. 1808; m. Anne FERGUSON; children baptised Cork Unitarian Church [1826 Inventory]
      • Robert FERGUSSON chr. 12 Jan 1785, Cork; d. before 5 Nov 1821
      • General Sir James FERGUSSON, chr. 24 Mar 1787, Cork; d. 1865; 1861 Census, Bath, Somerset, Unmarried
      • Charles FERGUSSON, chr. 10 Jul 1788, Cork; d. before 5 Nov 1821
      • Lieut John FERGUSSON, chr. 18 Sep 1789, Cork; killed Java 1811
      • William FERGUSSON chr. 20 Sep 1791, Cork; d. before 5 Nov 1821
      • Alexander FERGUSSON chr. 08 Feb 1793, Cork; d. before 5 Nov 1821
    m. 2nd Mary CUTHBERT
    • Alexander FERGUSON chr. 23 Dec 1779, Cork Unitarian Church
• 11.0 James FERGUSSON b. Jan 10, 1713; d. Dec 19, 1771, Stenhouse; m. second Elenora DALRYMPLE
  • see Alexander Fergusson and Annie Laurie
• 12.0 Alexander FERGUSSON b. Sep 6, 1746, Drumlanrig; d. 01 May 1796; m. Deborah CUTLAR [1797 Commissary Court]
  • 12.1 James b. 06 Jul 1770 Edinburgh [Records, p. 398] must have died young for Robert to inherit
  • 12.2 ->13.0 Robert b. b. 21 Feb 1772 Edinburgh [OPR
  • 12.3 Henry b.~ 1775; m. Jean COLLOW; d. 1847; appears to have died w/o issue
• 13.0 Robert Cutlar FERGUSSON b. 21 Feb 1772; chr. Edinburgh, Midlothian; 07 Mar 1772 m. Marie Josephine, daughter of General AUGER, 17 May 1832; d. 16 Nov 1838; MP for the Stewardtry of Kirkcudbright; his son
• 14.0 Robert Cutlar FERGUSSON b. 3 Dec 1836; m. Ella Francis Catherine, 26 Sep 1854, only daughter of Sir Archibald ALISON, bart; d. 6 Oct 1859.
  • Robert Cutlar, heir and succesor b. 26 Jul 1855
  • Archibald William Cutlar, b. 3 Aug 1856; unmarried in 1891 census - Lieut. Rifle Brigade, retired .
  • Alexander Edward Cutlar, b. 28 Nov 1857; d. 20 Jun 1859
• 15.0 Robert Cutlar FERGUSSON, m. 5 Feb 1889 Rose, daughter of J. Grant HODGSON of Cavbalva, Herefordshire; d. 1904.
  • Ella Cutlar, b. 12 Oct 1889; d. 22 Apr 1928; m. William Wallace Smith-Cuninghame 8 Aug 1918; issue
  • Esmé, b. 12 Oct 1889; d. 7 Dec 1963; m. Valentine William Eyer 6 Apr 1920; issue

Vital Records

3.0 Thomas Fergusson

• 18 Aug 1522 Assignation by Robert, Lord Maxwell, having the gift of the ward lands and barony of Crauffurdstoune, in favour of Thomas Fergussone of Cragdarrauch, Robert, Matthew and Arthur Fergussone, his sons, and Margaret Gordoun, their mother, of the ward lands of Cragdarrauch and Gerburgh [Jarbruck] for the time of the said ward. [GD77/93

4.0 Robert Fergusson

• 01 May 1534 Instrument of resignation by Thomas Fergusone of Cragdarroch, in hands of William Cwnyghame, Master of Glencarne, of 10 lands called Cadzelhauch [Caitloch], Stroneba [Stronbae], Benboy [Benbuie], Corrochdowis [Corrodow] & Cannanell [Cammonell] in barony of Glencarne and sheriffdom of Drumfreis , in favour of Robert Fergusone , son & apparent heir of said Thomas, & Janet Cwynghame, daughter of deceased William Cunyghame of Cragans & affianced spouse of said Robert. [GD77/108
• 30 Mar1588 Fargussoun, Robert Of Craigdarroch, Parish Of Glencarne, Sheriffdom Of Dumfries Testament Testamentar And Inventory Edinburgh Commissary Court
• 7 Dec 1594. Gielles MAXWELL, sp. of Rob. FERGUSON of Craigdarroch [Edinburgh Commissariate Testamentary Records]

4.3 Edward Fergusson

• 31 Aug 1582 [Tynron] Testament testamentar of Edward Fergusson of Mid Inglistoun in the parish of Glencairn, who died in November, 1581, given up at Craigdarroch on 16 November, in the presence of Robert Fergusson of Craigdarroch, his father, Robert Kirkpatrick of Blarioch, his godfather, John Fergusson of Craigdarroch, younger, James Fergusson in Chapelmerk, Thomas Fergusson in Cammonell. .... [ Edinburgh Commissariate Testamentary Records, abstract by Alan Milliken]

5.0 John Fergusson

• 29 Aug 1579. Agnes KIRKPATRICK spouse of John FERGUSON, yr. of Craigdarroch
  [Edinburgh Commissariate Testamentary Records] second wife
• 13 Oct 1608. Complaint by Adam MENZIES of Enoch that John F. of Craigdarroch, Robert and Thomas F., his sons, John F., son of the said Robert.... [Records

6.4 Thomas Fergusson

• 31 Oct 1614. Charter by John Fergusone, now of Craigdarroche, son and heir of deceased Robert Fergusone of Craigdarroche, in favour of Thomas Ferguson, eldest son of said Robert by Catharine Cunyghame, now his relict, of an annual rent of 300 merks from lands of Courig and Graindes, under reversion of 3000 merks. [GD77/99] Robert must have had a first wife and Thomas is then eldest son by second wife
• 27 Apr 1625. Instrument of sasine in favour of Edward Fergusone as brother and heir of deceased Thomas Fergusone, of annual rent in 1614 charter, following on precept of clare constat, dated as above, by William Fergusone of Craigdarroch. [GD77/105

7.0 William Fergusson

• Marriage of daughters
  • Nicholas m. Alexander Gordoun, 17 Nov 1646 contract [GD77/174/5]
  • Sara m. Adam NEWALL of Barskeoch 29 Nov 1665 contract [GD77/174/10]

7.2 John Fergusson

• Testament Dative and Inventory is dated 20 Apr 1687 and therein states that he is "brother-german to the deceased Robert Fergusson of Craigdarroch". The testament mentions a Sarah FERGUSSON. This document is refered to in Records of the Clan, p.435, and is interpreted that John had a son William and a daughter Sarah

Given that his sisters married in a range of about 1646 to 1665, it is estimated that John married sometime between 1640 and 1670. Assuming that children are born anywhere from 20 to 40 years after their parent's marry, then John's son William would then have been born between 1640 and 1690.

10.2 Robert Fergusson

• 1798 Probate. His will written 04 Jun 1785 was proved in London 14 Jun 1798, mentions son Charles, daughters Ann PHILLIPS, Philadelphia LOUGHNAN, Clementina FERGUSSON. The way it is written these children have aleady been provided for and he thus leaves them only five shilling each, everything else goes to wife Mary CUTHBERT and any children he has by her. A note in the margin dated 24 Jul 1882 adds daughters Mary FRANKS wife of Matthew FRANKS and Elinor FERGUSSON, spinster. [National Archives

10.2.1 Anne Fergusson

• 1821 Inventory - Anne died 5 Nov 1821 in England. In an Edinburgh Sheriff Court inventory dated 25 April 1826, the surviving children are listed as Eliza Cath FERGUSSON or JENKINS, James FERGUSSON and Clementina FERGUSSON

12.0 Alexander Fergusson

• 1797, Commissary Court: Alexander FERGUSSON d. 01 May 1796; son: Henry FERGUSSON; mentioned: William FERGUSSON of Minyhive (Monavie), John CARSON of Dalwhat

12.4 Henry Fergusson

• 1841 Census: Henry and wife reside Orroland House, Rerrick, Kirkcudbrightshire
• Wigtownshire Free Press 11 Feb 1847 FERGUSSON, Henry - At his residence, Irving Street, Dumfries, on the 29th ult., Henry Fergusson, Esq., after a short illness borne piously, brother to the late Right Hon. Robert Cutlar Fergusson, Judge Advocate, and M.P. for the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.
• McDowall's Memorials of St Michael's (pub.1876), p75 states "an upright slab, fronting the Cutlar monument, rises in memory of Henry Fergusson of Craigdarroch, who died January 29th 1847, aged 72."
• Dumfries Sheriff Court, Testament, 02/04/1847 - spouse Jean COLLOW; Post Nupital dated 13 Oct 1809; resided at Orroland House prior to Dumfries. Jean resident at Bucelauch (Buccleuch) St., Dumfries [ Note: in 1841 census there are FERGUSSON of independent means resident at Beclugh Street, Dumfries, they appear to be the widow Nicholas (Hair) Fergusson and daughters Janet F and Margaret Crosbie F - see Dumfries St Michael

References

1. I.O.G. Gladstone, The Lauries of Maxwelton and other Laurie Families, London: The Research Publishing Co. 1972.
2. Records of the Clan and Name of Fergusson, Ferguson and Fergus, by James Ferguson and Robert Menzies Fergusson, Edinburgh, 1895.
3. Records of the Clan and Name of Fergusson, Ferguson and Fergus Supplement, by James Ferguson and Robert Menzies Fergusson, Edinburgh, 1899, p. 79
4. GD77 Papers of the Fergusson family of Craigdarroch, Dumfriesshire, 391 Volumes, National Archives of Scotland

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