Kirkmahoe, Dumfries

Robert Fergusson was born on 20 July 1830, son of Robert Fergusson, tenant of Netherholm Farm, Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire (who died 30 November 1853 aged 72). He was apprenticed to Walter Grierson as a draper. He left for New York in 1851, where he was employed by James Beck, also a Dumfries man; and then he joined the huge business of A T Stewart, becoming their European buyer. In 1871 he joined a Boston dry goods firm, Messrs Shepherd, Norwell & Co, and made a great success there, while able still to make frequent trips to Europe. He died in France on 6 August 1894. At his death his sister and niece Jane, later Mrs James Houston, still lived in Dumfries. His nephew, Robert Fergusson, was murdered by Cheyenne Indians in Montana, USA. Relatives included the Blount and Brand families in and around Dumfries.
[Scottish Archive Network, Person Code NA24275

Pedigree of Robert Fergusson (1830-1894)

Robert Fergusson b.~1715; d. 20 Jun 1774; m. Jean Nicolson
Thomas Fergusson b.~1760; d. 15 Jul 1826; m. Janet Brand [see Dumfries St Michael
Robert Fergusson b.~1783, Tinwald, Dumfries; d. 30 Nov 1853, Greenbrae, Dumfriesshire; m. Jean Blount
Robert Fergusson b. 20 Jul 1830, Kirkmahoe, Dumfries; d. 6 Aug 1894, Paris, France; bur: Mt. Auburn, Boston, MA; m. 1870 Mary Watson

Memorial Inscriptions, Tinwald Kirkyard

Ref: Family Tree Ferguson, 03 Apr 1994, GGD234/1 [see also Tinwald & Trailflat Memorial Inscriptions, DGHFS]

In Memory of Robert Ferguson, who died June 20th 1774 aged 59 years also of Jean Nicolson, his Spouse....Erected by Thomas Ferguson in Fulboun their son
In Memory of Robert Fergusson Late Farmer in Netherholm Kirkmahoe who died at Greenbrae 30 Jany 1853 Aged 71 years also Jane Blount, his wife...

Robert Fergusson and Jean Blount

1815 Marriage
- Robert Ferguson parish of Kirmahoe and Jean Blount 20 Mar 1815, Dumfries, Dumfries
1836 Baptism
- Jane Maxwell chr. 18 Oct 1836, Kirkmahoe, Dumfries d/o John Maxwell and Jane Fergusson
1841: Broom Dykes, Kirkmahoe, Dumfries
- Robt Fergusson 55 Dumfriesshire, Scotland
- Mrs. Fergusson 45 Dumfriesshire, Scotland
- Jane Maxisece 22 Dumfriesshire, Scotland, Widow Daughter & Mr Fergusson
- Mary Fergusson 20 Dumfriesshire, Scotland
- Thomas Fergusson 12 Dumfriesshire, Scotland
- James Fergusson 16 Dumfriesshire, Scotland
- Robt Fergusson 10 Dumfriesshire, Scotland
- Janet Fergusson 8 Dumfriesshire, Scotland
- Jane Maxwell 4 Dumfriesshire, Scotland, Daughter To Mrs Maneson
- Mary Maxwell 2 Dumfriesshire, Scotland, Daughter To Mrs Maneson
- Lefey Smith 15 Dumfriesshire, Scotland, FS
- Mary Meron 15 Dumfriesshire, Scotland F Ag Lab
1849: Death GGD234/1
- Jane (Blount) Fergusson d. 27 Oct 1849, age 56
1851: Greenbrae, Dumfriesshire
- Robert Fergusson head 68 Tinwald, Dumfries, Carrier
- Robert Fergusson son 20 Kirkmahoe, Dumfries, Draper
- Janet Fergusson dau 18 Kirkmahoe, Dumfries, House Keeper
- Jane Maxwell Grandaughter 14 Kirkmahoe, Dumfries, Milliner
- Mary Maxwell Grandaughter 12 Ladbroke, Dumfries
1853: Death GGD234/1
- Robert Fergusson, farmer Netherholm d. 30 Nov 1853, age 72
1861: 7 David Street, Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire [McKay Household]
- Janet Ferguson Servant 28 Kirkmahoe, Dumfries, House Keeper
1866 Marriage
- James Houston m. Jane Maxwell, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire
1871 5 Cresswell Ter, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire
- James Heaston 34 Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, Ironmonger
- Jane Heaston 34 Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire
- Agnes Heaston 3 Dumfries, Dumfriesshire
- Jane F Heaston 2 Dumfries, Dumfriesshire
- Janet F Heaston 1 MO Dumfries, Dumfriesshire
- Alice Johnston Servant 17 Domestic Servant, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire
1871: Dumfries, Dumfriesshire
- Janet Fergusson 38 Kirkmahoe, Dumfries, Dressmaker
- Christine Brunton Servant 16 Dumfries
1891: Marchfield Ho, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire
- James Houston 54 Dumfriesshire, Dumfries, Retired Ironmonger
- Jane Houston Wife 54 Dumfriesshire, Kirkmahoe
- Agnes Houston 23 Dumfries
- Jane F Houston 22
- Jessie F Houston 20
- Mary Houston 17
- Annie Houston 15
- James H Houston 14
- Janet Ferguson Aunt 58 Kirkmahoe, Dumfries, Living on Private Means
- Agnes Corson 32
- Jemima McDonald 23
- Agnes Richardson 16
1901: Marchfield House, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire
- James Houston 64
- Jane Houston 64
- Agnes Houston 33
- Jane F Houston 31
- Janet F Houston 29
- Annie Houston 25
- James Heron Houston 24
- Janet Ferguson 68 Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire
- Annie Clarke 23
- Bella Paterson 31
- Maggie Lockhart 17
1912 Death
- Janet Ferguson, single, no occupation, d. 16 Dec 1912, Marchfield House, Dumfries, age 80, d/o Robert Ferguson, farmer, dec'd and Jane Blount, dec'd; informant: James H Houston, grand nephew

James Ferguson and Margaret

1848: Immigration
- Letter to brother Robert regarding voyage to New York [ Dumfries Archive Centre GGD 234/3
1860: Township 1 S Range 1 W, Washington, Illinois
- Jas Furgerson 35 Scotland, Farmer
- Margaret Furgerson 35
- Jane Furgerson 6
- Mary H Furgerson 5
- Robt Furgerson 3
1870: Township 1 Range 1, Washington, Illinois
- James Furguson 45 Scotland, Farmer
- Margaret Furguson 42 Ireland
- Jane Furguson 16 IL
- Mary H Furguson 14 IL
- Robert Furguson 11 IL
- Sarah F Furguson 7 IL
- Nettie Furguson 5 IL
- Willie Furguson 3 IL
1880: Irvington, Washington, Illinois
- Margaret Furgerson 51 Ireland, Widowed, Keeps House
- Jennie Furgerson 25
- Mary H. Furgerson 24
- Robert Furgerson 23
- Sarah F. Furgerson 18
- Nettie Furgerson 15
- William Furgerson 13 IL, Helps Farm
1900: School District 1, Custer, Montana
- William J Ferguson 39
- Lena A Ferguson 25
- Lester B Ferguson 2
- Grace Reynolds 25
- George Rucker 23
1910: Kirby School District, Rosebud, Montana
- William J Ferguson 43
- Lena A Ferguson 38
- Lester B Ferguson 11
- George W Ferguson 8
- Harry V Ferguson 8
- Dwright S Ferguson 4
- Helen T Ferguson 11/12 [0]
1920: Kirby, Big Horn, Montana
- William J Ferguson 52
- Lena A Ferguson 47
- Leicester B Ferguson 18 [20]
- Harry U Ferguson 18
- George W Ferguson 18
- Dwight S Ferguson 14
- Helen T Ferguson 10
- Thomas J Ferguson 7
- Ruth M Ferguson 5
- Clara E Barton 34 [24]
1930: School District 17 K, Big Horn, Montana
- William J Ferguson 63
- Lena A Ferguson 58
- Dwight D Ferguson 24
- Thomas J Ferguson 17
- Ruth M Ferguson 15

Montana, its story and biography, Tom Stout, Vol 1, 1921 [Ancestry.com]
- James Ferguson, b. 1828, Dumfries, Scotland; m. Margaret Barnett; d. ~1877
  - Jennie
  - Mary m. Truman Fraser
  - Robert, killed by Cheyenne Indians
  - Sadie
  - Nettie
  - William J. b. 23 Mar 1868, Washington County, IL m. Lena A. Barton, 16 Dec 1897
    - Leicester B.
    - Harry V.
    - George
    - Dwight S.
    - Helen Teel
    - Thomas James
    - Ruth Maxine

Robert Fergusson and Mary Watson

1870: Marriage
- Notice of his marriage to Miss Mary Watson GGD 234/14
1891: New York Passenger Lists
- Robert Ferguson, age 60, merchant, Arrival, NY: 21 Dec 1891, Destination: Boston, MA
1894: Obits
- Announcements of the death of Robert Fergusson, partner of Messrs Shepard, Norwell & Co, Boston, son of late Robert Fergusson tenant of Netherholm farm, Kirkmahoe and uncle of Mrs Jane Houston of Marchfield, 1894. GGD 234/14

References