Fergus(s)on of Threerigs

The Fergusons of Threeriggs espoused the Covenanting cause. They were declared rebels, and their estate was given to their neighbour, the Laird of Glencresh (Glencrosh). [Records of the Clan].
The small estate of Threerigs, in the parish of Glencairn, was, in the times of persecution, possessed by a worthy gentleman of the name of Fergusson, who died a few years prior to the Revolution. This gentleman was related to the laird of Craigdarroch, mentioned in a former chapter. He had two sons, Alexander and William - the former of whom was the heir of Threerigs. [Simpson]
Alexander Fergusson, though exposed to manifold hardships during the few years that remained of the persecution from the time of his open avowal of his profession, nevertheless escaped the merciless hands of his persecutors, and lived many years after the Revolution, though he did not regain the possession of his estate. The fate of his brother William, however, was somewhat harder. His name is found in Wodrow's list of those who, in 1684, were declared fugitives: "William Fergusson, son to the deceased William Fergusson of Threerigs." He was on one occasion, when wandering in the parish of Tynron, hotly pursued by a company of dragoons, who observed him lurking near the road along which they were traveling. He fled to the base of a huge rock called Craigturrach, with a view to ascend the rugged precipice. One of the troopers having dismounted, followed him, and fired upon him as he was climbing the giddy eminence. Having missed his aim, however, he flew to the rock, and mounting its beetling front with nimble hands and feet, reached the summit in equal time with the fugitive. The merciless trooper, on nearing him, struck him a furious blow with his pistol, and overpowered him. He then brought him a prisoner to the party at the bottom of the hill, who gave him up to the proper authorities, by whom he was banished to America, from which exile he never returned [Simpson]

Some of the descendants of the Fergussons of Threerigs, who lost all their worldly property for their conscientious adherence to the cause of the covenant, are at present (1846) living in the neighbourhood of Sanquhar and Drumlanrig (Durisdeer) [Simpson] . The table below summarizes and supplements Ferguson found in the 1841 census for Sanquhar and Durisdeer.

Name	1841 Residence	Birth		Occupation	Death	Age		Father	Mother
David Ferguson	Spantmouth, Sanquhar	1781	Dumfriesshire	Woollen Hand Loom Weaver	1858	82	Sanquhar	Alexander Ferguson	Margaret Hannan
Samuel Fergusson	Mennock Toll, Sanquhar	1793	Dumfriesshire	Spirit Dealer & Toll Collector	1842
William Ferguson	Spantmouth, Sanquhar	1811	Dumfriesshire	Woollen Hand Loom Weaver
William Fergusson	Pyet Cleugh, Sanquhar	1811	Dumfriesshire	Agricultural Labourer
Robt Fergusson	Ballagan, Durisdeer	1795	Dumfriesshire	Farmer
John Ferguson	Durrisdeer Village, Durisdeer	1811	Dumfriesshire	Agricultural Labourer	1879	68	Goosehill, Sanquhar	David Ferguson	Catherine Bell

William Ferguson d. bef, 1684
- William Ferguson - transported to America
- Alexander Ferguson

References

Simpson - Traditions of the Covenanters, 1846.

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References