The Douglas Family and its connection to the Borenich Burial Ground

Lochan nan Nighean

Lochan nan Nighean and the moorland above Balintochich

There are two reasons for trying to trace the genealogy of the Douglas families of Borenich. Firstly, there is the obvious link to the homestead called Croftdouglas. Secondly, two independent sources state that the Borenich burial ground once belonged to the Douglas family, despite there being no evidence of Douglas family members having been buried there.

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The earliest record relates to the marriage of James Douglas to Christian McGregor in the parish of Dull, on the 8th June 1761. It is worth noting that in some of the records Christian's name is given as McGregore, and this is how it is used in the IGI Index.

Dull, 1761
James Douglas and Christian McGregor both in this parish gave up their names to be proclaimed for marriage 6th June 1761.

It is uncertain as to where James and Christian were living at the time of their marrriage, but it is assumed that it was on the south side of Loch Tummel, as soon after their wedding they had moved to Balcastle where their three children were born.

Blair Atholl, 1762
James Douglas and Christian McGregore in Bailechastail of Boranich had their lawful son born July 11th, baptised 14th named John.

Blair Atholl, 1767
James Douglas and Christian McGregor in Bailechastail of Boranich had their lawful daughter born October 26th, baptised November 2nd named Hellen.

Blair Atholl, 1772
James Douglas and Christian McGregor in Bailechastail had their lawful daughter born October 15th, baptised 18th named Margaret.

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The Children of James Douglas and Christian McGregor in Balcastle

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
John 11 Jul 1762 Margaret Robertson 30 Mar 1793 Muirhead,
parish of Liff
h. 14 Jan 1844
w. 15 Apr 1823
Helen 26 Oct 1767 James Douglas 23 Nov 1794 Croftcarnach
of Borenich
h.
w.
Margaret 15 Oct 1772 . . Balcastle d.

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John Douglas weaver in Muirhead, parish of Liff

At some time after 1772 the Douglas family moved down the hill from Balcastle to Balchapel. When he was thirty, John Douglas married Margaret Robertson in Pitagowan on 30th March 1793. Margaret's parentage is uncertain but she may have been the daughter of Donald Robertson in Dondamharg and Isobel Stewart in Nether Drumnacriach who married 27 Apr 1768. If so, she was born at Nether Drumnacrich, 24 May 1768, before the family moved to Pitnagowan. It was not unusual for the first child to be born at the home of the mother's parents.

This Douglas branch are the ancestors of the Douglas family of Muirhead, Liff.

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James Douglas and Helen Douglas in Croftcarnach of Borenich

in 1794 John's sister Helen married James Douglas in Croftcarnach, which was a settlement just to the east of Balchapel, close to the present-day Borenich farm.

Blair Atholl, 1794
James Douglas in Croftcarnach and Helen Douglas in Balintepail, Borenich, (married) 23rd November

The Blair Atholl OPR entries for the baptisms of their children show that James Douglas and Helen Douglas lived at Croftcarnach until around 1808, after which they relocated up the hill to farm at Balintochich. The couple had six children baptised with their names recorded in the OPR.

Blair Atholl, 1795
James Douglass in Borenich and Helen Douglass his wife had a son baptised 28th October, named John.

Blair Atholl, 1797
James Douglass in Borenich and Helen Douglass his wife had a child born 25th August and baptised 27th, named James.

Blair Atholl, 1799
Donald, lawful son to James Douglass and Helen Douglass in Croftcarnach, born 19th and baptised 30th July.

Blair Atholl, 1802
Robert, lawful son to James Douglass and Helen Douglass in Croftcarnach, born 21st August and baptised 24th.

Blair Atholl, 1804
Christian, lawful daughter to James Douglass and Hellen Douglass (blank space) born June 9th, baptised 10th.

Blair Atholl, 1808
Isobel, lawful daughter to James Douglas and Helen Douglas his spouse in Balintochich, was born 14th May and baptised 19th.

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The Children of John Douglas and Helen Douglas in Croftcarnach and Balintochich

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
John 28 Oct 1795 Margaret Ferguson 28 Feb 1819 New Scone h. 8 Apr 1874
w. 6 May 1878
James 25 Aug 1797 . . Balintochich h.
w.
Donald 29 Jul 1799 Catherine Stewart 24 Mar 1833 Bohespic h. 15 Aug 1881
w. 6 Aug 1868
Robert 21 Aug 1802 . . Balintochich h.
w.
Christian 9 Jun 1804 . . Balintochich h.
w.
Isobel 14 May 1808 John Menzies 30 Aug 1842 Scone h. 31 Jul 1910
w. 14 May 1886

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John Douglas and Margaret Ferguson in Forteviot and New Scone, Perth

The Blair Atholl OPR records that John Douglas in Borenich and Margaret Fergusson in Borenich, married 28 Feb 1819, which does not provide much information about Margaret's parentage. However her death certificate says that her parents were James Ferguson and Elizabeth Ferguson, while the 1871 census suggests that she was born around 1797 in Moulin parish. (There is no trace of Margaret, nor her parents, unless Elizabeth Ferguson should be Elspet McLagan).

ScotlandsPeople only records the couple having a single child baptised nearly twenty years later, and it is only by searching through the census returns and death certificates that it has been possible to identify some of the other children.

It is not known when the family left Blair Atholl, but the 1891 census return shows that their daughter Hellen was born in Blair Atholl, so it must have been after 1828. The list of heads of household for Forteviot parish show that John Douglas was there by 1837 and was a farm servant at Kildinny. The name of the farmer at Kildinny was David Thomson and when John and Margaret had a son baptised on 1st April 1838, they named him David Thomson Douglas.

Kildinny and Jackschairs Cottages

Kildinny and Jackschairs Cottages, O.S. Map 1st Edition, 1867

At the time of the 1841 census, the family were living at Jackschairs Cottages, just south of Kildinny farm, but John Douglas and his daughter Hellen were away from home, and David Thomson is also missing.

Name Age Occupation Birth-place
Margaret Douglas 44y Perthshire
Eliza Douglas 14y Perthshire
Margaret Douglas 11y Perthshire
May Douglas 5y Perthshire
John Douglas 1y Perthshire
Daniel Douglas 18y apprentice wright Perthshire

It is unclear why Daniel Douglas appears at the end of the household list and not in order of date of birth. Perhaps, being 18 years old and an apprentice, he was considered to be independent. The James Douglas in Forteviot is probably there eldest son as there are no other families of this name. (Where is Hellen Douglas aged ~13y - Ellen?)

By 1851 the family were living at Loanhead farm (entry 30), parish of St Martins, which is between Guildtown and Wolfhill.

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
John Douglas head marr 58y farm servant Dull
Margaret Douglas wife marr 56y Moulin
John Douglas son u/m 10y scholar Forteviot
Helen Trail lodger u/m 7y pauper child Perth

The family have not been located in the 1861 census, but by 1871 they were living in Perth.

1871 census - Perth 3/49 needs checking address - 111 Chapel Street

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
John Douglas head marr 74y shepherd Blair Atholl
Margaret Douglas wife marr 72y Moulin
Christian Stewart g.child u/m 8y Perth
Alexander Gibson g.child u/m 5y Perth

The births of these two grandchildren have not been identified conclusively, as one would expect their mothers to have the maiden name of Douglas. Christina Stewart, aged 16 years, was living as a boarder with their daughter Helen in 1881.

John Douglas died of old age at New Scone, 8th April 1874. His death certificate states that he was a cattleman married to Margaret Ferguson and aged 78 years. His parents were given as James Douglas, deceased crofter, and Helen Douglas, deceased. The death certificate was witnessed by John Menzies, his brother-in-law. (John Menzies was married to Isabella Douglas, John's sister)

Margaret Ferguson died of old age at New Scone, 6th May 1878. Her death certificate states that she was the widow of John Douglas, cattleman, and aged 80 years. Her parents were given as James Ferguson, deceased, and Elizabeth Ferguson, deceased. The death certificate was witnessed by John Menzies, her brother-in-law. (John Menzies was married to Isabella Douglas, her husband's sister)

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The Children of John Douglas and Margaret Ferguson in Forteviot and New Scone

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
James ~1820 Christina Kennedy 3 May 1840 Scone h. 15 Jan 1897
w.
Daniel ~1823 1. Isabella Brown

2. Elspet Murray
18 May 1849

1868
Newington, Edinburgh h. 6 Apr 1895
1w. 1867
2w. after 1897
Eliza ~1827 . . Forteviot d. after 1841
Helen ~1828 unmarried . New Scone d. 2 Jan 1915
Margaret ~1830 . . Forteviot d. after 1841
May ~1836 . . Forteviot d. after 1841
David Thomson 1 Apr 1838 . . Forteviot d.
John ~1840 . . Forteviot d. after 1851

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James Douglas and Christian Kennedy in Leith, Edinburgh

James was born in Blair Atholl around 1820 but there is no entry in the Blair Atholl OPR. Nothing more is known about him until his marriage in 1840.

South Leith OPR
James Douglas, servant, residing at 23 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, parish of South Leith, and Christian Kennedy, residing at the same place, daughter of John Kennedy, farmer in Cupar Angus, were three times proclaimed in order to marriage in the parish church of South Leith on the 3rd May 1840 and no objections offered, were married at Edinburgh on the 12th May 1840 by the Rev John Bruce of St. Andrews, Edinburgh.

At the time of the 1891 census he was living at Burnside, Scone, with his sister, although he was recorded as 'a boarder'.

James Douglas died of heart disease at Burnside, Scone, 15th January 1897. His death certificate states that he was aged 78 years and the widower of Christina Kennedy. His parents were given as John Douglas, deceased labourer, and Margaret Ferguson, deceased. The death certificate was witnessed by John Menzies, nephew-in-law, Victoria Place, Scone.

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Daniel Douglas and Isabella Brown in Edinburgh

Daniel was born in Blair Atholl around 1823 but there is no entry in the Blair Atholl OPR.

In 1841 he was living at Jackschairs Cottages, Forteviot parish, with the rest of his brothers and sisters, and was described as an 18 year old apprentice wright. As a journeyman wright he moved to Edinburgh where there would have been more opportunities, and here he married Isabella Brown.

Edinburgh OPR
Daniel Douglas, joiner, residing at 4 Niddry Street, Tron Church parish, and Isabella Brown, residing in same place and parish, daughter of John Brown, Perth, have been three times proclaimed in order to marriage in the parish church of Tron Church and no objections have been offered. Married at Edinburgh on the 18th day of May 1849 by the Rev. William Bruce of the Cowgate Church.

1851 census - St. Cuthberts, Edinburgh (entry 62)

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
Daniel Douglas head marr 30y joiner,
journeyman
Blair Atholl
Isabella Douglas wife marr 25y Edinburgh

Their first child was christened John and was born 6th July 1851. Their second child, Isabella, was born 26th December 1852. Their third child, Mary, was born in 1855 which was the first year of Civil registration and provides more information than subsequent years.

Mary, born 20th January 1855 at 65 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh. Daughter of Daniel Douglas, joiner, aged 35 years and born in Blair Atholl. Married in Edinburgh 1849, one son and one girl living. Wife, Isabella Brown, 30 years old, born in Edinburgh, her third child.

Ann was born in 1857 and Robert in 1860, both at 65 Nicolson Street.

1861 census - Reekie's Court, 65 Nicolson Street, St. Giles, Edinburgh

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
Daniel Douglas head marr 41y house carpenter Blair Atholl
Isabella Douglas wife marr 36y Edinburgh
Isabella Douglas dau u/m 8y scholar Edinburgh
Mary Douglas dau u/m 6y scholar Edinburgh
Ann Douglas dau u/m 4y Edinburgh
Robert Douglas son u/m 9m Edinburgh

Daniel's wife Isabella died, aged 41 years, at St Giles, Edinburgh in 1867, leaving Daniel with a young family to bring up, so it is not surprising that he married Elspet (Elsie) Murray the following year. Strangely there is no trace of the family in the 1871 census.

1881 census - 7 Windmill Street, St. Cuthberts, Edinburgh

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
Daniel Douglas head marr 59y joiner Blair Atholl
Elsie Douglas wife marr 56y Duffus,
Morayshire
Andrew B. Nicoll lodger u/m 38y surveyor of buildings Edinburgh
Alexander McLean lodger u/m 24y tinsmith Helenbrough,
Dunbarton
Christina Findlason lodger u/m 59y annuitant Fearn,
Ross, Cromarty

Daniel's daughters, Mary and Annie, were now away from home working as dress-makers. They seem to have been supplementing their income by taking in families as lodgers, and could afford a housemaid.

1881 census - 22 Caledonian Road, St. Cuthberts, Edinburgh

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
Mary Douglas head u/m 25y dressmaker Edinburgh
Annie Douglas sis u/m 23y dressmaker Edinburgh

1891 census - 186 Morrison Street, St. George, Edinburgh

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
Mary Douglas head u/m 33y dressmaker Edinburgh
Annie Douglas sis u/m 31y dressmaker Edinburgh
John S. Douglas nephew u/m 5y Edinburgh

By 1891 Daniel and his wife had moved across The Meadows to Roseneath Place where, they too, took in lodgers.

1891 census - 20 Roseneath Place, Newington, Midlothian (entry 145)

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
Daniel Douglas head marr 69y joiner Blair Atholl
Elsie Douglas wife marr 69y Duffus,
Morayshire
Mary Ronald boarder u/m 21y gen. dom. servt
(unemployed)
Inveresk,
Midlothian
Mary Bishop occupier widow 60y annuitant Inveresk,
Peebleshire

Daniel Douglas died of chronic bronchitis at Roseneath Place, Newington, Edinburgh, 6th April 1895. His death certificate states that he was firstly married to Isabella Brown, secondly to Elspet Murray, and was aged 73 years. His parents were given as John Douglas, deceased labourer, and Margaret Ferguson, deceased. The death certificate was witnessed by Annie Dott, daughter.

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The Children of Daniel Douglas and Isabella Brown in Edinburgh

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
John 6 Jul 1851 . . Edinburgh d. after 1855
Isabella 26 Dec 1852 . . St. Giles,
Edinburgh
d. after 1861
Mary 20 Jan 1855 . . St. Cuthberts,
Edinburgh
d. after 1881
Ann 1857 John Lumgair
Dott
1893 Newington,
Edinburgh
h.
w.
Robert 1860 . . St. Cuthberts,
Edinburgh
d. after 1861

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Helen Douglas, seamstress at the dye works

1881 census - Perth Road, Scone

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
Helen Douglas head u/m 57y sewer in dye works Blair Atholl
Christina Stewart boarder u/m 16y sewer in dye works, preparer Perth

1891 census - Burnside, Scone (entry 164)

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
Helen Douglas head u/m 64y seamstress Blair Atholl
James Douglas boarder widower 71y ag. labourer Blair Atholl

Helen Douglas died of chronic bronchitis at Abbey Road, Scone, 2nd January 1915. Her death certificate states that she was single, a pauper, and former dye-worker, aged 87 years. Her parents were given as John Douglas, deceased labourer, and Margaret Ferguson, deceased. The death certificate was witnessed by Andrew Mill, occupier.

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Donald Douglas and Catharine Stewart in Bohespic

The Douglas family remained at Balintochich until the 1840s as this is where Donald was living when he married Catherine Stewart, the daughter of Duncan Stewart and Jean (Jane) Dow in Tomintianda.

Blair Atholl, 1833
Donald Douglas in Balintochich and Catherine Stewart in Tomintianda, both of this parish, (married) 24th March.

Donald Douglas and his family were still living at Balintochich at the time of the 1841 census.

Dwelling Name Age Occupation Birth-place
3 Donald Douglas 40y labourer Blair Atholl
Catrine Douglas 30y Blair Atholl
Jane Douglas 7y Blair Atholl
Helen Douglas 5y Blair Atholl
Margaret Douglas 4y Blair Atholl
Catrine Douglas 1y Blair Atholl

However by the 1851 census the family had moved to Bohespic, on the road between Trinafour and Tummelbridge, but Donald was absent. He was earning money for the family by working as an agricultural labourer at Balintoul farm, lodging with widower John Stewart and his family.

Name Relation Age Occupation Birth-place
Catherine Stewart head 42y agricultural labour's wife Blair Atholl
Helen Douglas dau 15y scholar Blair Atholl
Margaret Douglas dau 13y scholar Blair Atholl
Catherine Douglas dau 10y scholar Blair Atholl
Cirsty Douglas dau 8y scholar Blair Atholl
Elizabeth Douglas dau 6y scholar Blair Atholl
James Douglas son 4y Blair Atholl
Duncan Douglas son 2y Blair Atholl

Donald's eldest daughter Jane (or Jean) was living with her uncle, Donald Stewart in Tressait, and his family during the 1851 census. She was recorded as his 16 year-old niece and was a scholar. She married Donald Lamont, 26th June 1853.

By the time of the 1861 census Donald's circumstances had improved - instead of being a hired hand, he was now a tenant farmer at Over Bohespic with 6 acres of land, which was just about enough to support a small family.

Name Relation Age Occupation Birth-place
Donald Douglas head 61y farmer of 6 acres Blair Atholl
Catherine Douglas wife 52y wife Blair Atholl
Margaret Douglas dau 22y seamstress Blair Atholl
Christian Douglas dau 18y domestic servant Blair Atholl
Duncan Douglas son 11y scholar Blair Atholl

Donald's second daughter Helen, or Ellen, was probably the 23-year-old unmarried housekeeper at Lick Farm, on the south side of Loch Tummel in the 1861 census.

Donald's third daughter Margaret married Alexander Martin of Tighmore, Bohespic, in 1866 .

Donald's wife Catherine died of pneumonia on 6th August 1868.

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The Children of Donald Douglas and Catharine Stewart in Bohespic

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
Jane
(Jean)
~1834 Donald Lamont 26 Jun 1853 Bohespic h. 1896
w. 8 Apr 1874
Helen
(Ellen)
~1836 Alexander Robertson 9 Jul 1869 Duntaulich d. after 1851
Margaret ~1838 Alexander Martin 1866 Bohespic h.
w. 3 Feb 1871
Catherine ~1840 James MacNee 14 Mar 1873
(at Pitlochry)
Bohespic h.
w. 1888
Christian
(Cirsty)
~1843 unmarried . Bohespic d. 6 Mar 1872
Elizabeth ~1845 . . Bohespic d.
James ~1847 . . Bohespic d.
Duncan ~1849 Ann Menzies 1 Dec 1876
(at Foss)
Bohespic h. 11 Sep 1924
w. 28 Dec 1923

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Donald Lamont and Jane Douglas in Tighmore, Bohespic

Census returns and a death certificate indicate that Jean (or Jane) Douglas was born at Balintochich around 1834, but her baptisms is not recorded in the Blair Atholl OPR. She was with her family in Balintochich during the 1841 census, but was living with the family of her uncle, Donald Stewart, in Tressait in 1851, while the rest of her family were now living at Upper Bohespic.

Jane Douglas in Upper Bohespic married Donald Lamont (or McGilliwie) in Bohespic, 26th June 1853. In 1851 he probably was living at Tighmore with his widowed mother but the census enumerator does not distinguish between different properties, lumping most together as 'Bohespic', which is really the name of the area. Donald was the son of William Lamont (or McGilliwie) and Helen Low.

After the death of Donald's mother in 1860, Tighmore was split between Donald and his brother Peter. Donald farmed 5 acres while Peter had 10 acres. Donald and Jane had nine children before she died of consumption (TB), 8th April 1874, aged only 40 years. Very little is known about their children, except that Donald and Margaret were living with their uncle, Duncan Douglas in Dalno in 1871.

The 1881 census shows that Donald had moved down Dalno and was employed as a road surfaceman. His eldest son, William, was employed as a stone dyke builder, so it would appear that they were no longer farming.

The new farmhouse of Dalno was built some time between 1881 and 1891, which was closer to Tummelbridge than the previous Dalno. Donald and his son William were living there at the time of the 1891 census. Donald was described as a road contractor and William was employed as a gardener. Donald seems to have died in Scone in 1896, aged 80 years, possibly with some of his wife's Douglas relatives.

The Family of Donald Lamont (or Lamond) and Jane Douglas in Tighmore, Bohespic

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
William Jun 2 1855 Isabella Gilmour Dec 25 1908 Kilbarchan h.
w.
Catherine Feb 4 1857 . . . d. after 1871
Helen Jun 14 1858 died in infancy . Tighmore d. 1860
Donald Mar 23 1860 . . . d. after 1861
Peter Jan 9 1862 . . . d. after 1871
Margaret * Mar 6 1864 . . . d. after 1881
Jane Aug 9 1866 . . . d.
Charles Sep 18 1868 . . . d. after 1871
James Duncan Jul 2 1871 . . . d.

* Margret Lamond, aged 15 years, living at Duntaulich with the McNee (Menee) family in 1881.

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Helen (Ellen) Douglas in Bohespic and Duntaulich

Helen had an illegitimate son Robert on 6th November 1864. The father was James Menzies, the crofter at nearby Tighnacoille, Bohespic, and the boy was christened as Robert Menzies.

A couple of years later, on 9th July 1869 at The Grey Hound Hotel in Perth. She married Alexander Robertson who was the farmer at Nethertown of Duntaulich on the south side of Loch Tummel. James Douglas, probably her brother, was one of the witnesses. Sadly, within a few years she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and died at Duntaulich on 19th November 1880. Her husband was good to her as he not only looked after her son Robert Menzies, and also took in her aged father Donald Douglas, who died at Duntaulich 15th August the following year.

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Alexander Martin and Margaret Douglas in Bohespic

Donald's third daughter Margaret appears in the 1861, living at Over Bohespic with her parents and employed as a seamstress. She married Alexander Martin in Tighmore, Bohespic, in 1866 but died of consumption (TB) only 5 years later, aged only 32, on 3rd February 1871. At the time her husband was employed as a butler at Croftinloan, Pitlochry. Their son John Alexander Martin who had been born at Pitlochry, died on 15th November of the same year, aged only 18 months. He had been weak from birth, and after the death of his mother, was cared for by the Douglas family.

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James McNee and Catherine Douglas in Bohespic and Duntaulich

Donald's fourth daughter, Catherine, married James Macnee on 14th March 1873, in Pitlochry, parish of Moulin. The witnesses were John Stewart and John Campbell. James Macnee was a coach-builder and had been born in Edinburgh. His parents were James Macnee, coach-builder, and Margaret Sim, both deceased. He gave his usual residence as Dalcroy of Foss, but he was lodging at Dalno with Catherine's brother Duncan at the time of the 1871 census.

The 1861 census, 106 Princes Street, St George's, Edinburgh, shows James at his father's coach warehouse where there were 70 men and 17 boys employed in coach building.

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
James McNee head marr 55y coach builder Glasgow
Margaret McNee wife marr 45y Dunkeld
John McNee son u/m 18y coach-body maker Edinburgh
James McNee son u/m 17y coach smith Edinburgh
Elizabeth McNee dau u/m 14y scholar Edinburgh
Elizabeth Forbes cousin u/m 28y Pitlochry
Anne Millar servt u/m 21y general servant Clunie,
Perthshire
Elizabeth Buttar servt u/m 18y general servant Logierait

The actual coach-works were in Fountainbridge, while the Princes Street premises functioned as show-room, offices and living accommodation. At some point in the next decade there was a rift between James and his father which was serious enough to cause James to be largely excluded from his father’s will. It is possible that his father demanded that he leave the business but that with his mother’s connections in Perthshire and his training in coach-work, it is possible that he was repairing coaches in Pitlochry.

James and Catherine had seven children, the first two of which were born in Bohespic, the next four at Duntanlich farm on the south shore of Loch Tummel, and the last child at Bohally. The birth certificates suggest that James and Catherine were at Duntanlich for at most ten years before their final move to Bohally. During that time, James became skilled as a maker of fishing tackle, presumably taking advantage of the emerging Victorian tourism. Several fishing books of that time mention James Macnee, of Bohally, Pitlochry, who was the inventor of the 'Pike-scale Wings' lure.

The 1881 census for Duntaulich farm, Foss, where the McNee family were recorded as 'Menee'.

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
James Menee head marr 36y fishing tackle maker Edinburgh
Catherine Menee wife marr 34y Blair Atholl
Catherine S. Menee dau u/m 7y scholar Blair Atholl
Margret Menee dau u/m 6y scholar Blair Atholl
James D. Menee son u/m 4y scholar Foss
Elizabeth H. Menee dau u/m 1y Foss
Donald Douglas fa-in-law widower 82y farmer,
(formerly)
Blair Atholl
Margret Lamond niece u/m 15y scholar Blair Atholl

Margaret was the daughter of Donald Lamont (or Lamond) and Jane Douglas in Tighmore of Bohespic, and James McNee's wife Catherine was her aunt.

James McNee died of consumption at Bohally in 1886 and Catherine moved the family to Middlebridge in Glen Fender above Blair Atholl where she had relatives. She herself died of consumption the following year in 1887. James, Catherine and their daughter Margaret are buried together in a corner of the church-yard at Foss.

After the deaths of James McNee and his wife, Margaret became guardian of the McNee children and brought them up at Old Bridge of Tilt, as shown in the 1891 census return.

The 1891 census for Old Bridge of Tilt (39).

Name Relation Status Age Occupation Birth-place
Margaret Lamond head u/m 23y guardian Blair Atholl
Catherine S. McNee cousin u/m 15y scholar Blair Atholl
Margret McNee cousin u/m 14y scholar Blair Atholl
James D. McNee cousin u/m 13y scholar Dull
Lizzie Ellen McNee cousin u/m 11y Dull
Christina J. cousin u/m 9y Dull
John cousin u/m 7y Dull
James cousin u/m 5y Dull

Margaret McNee died of consumption, aged only 16 years, on 14th November 1891. Her death certificate was witnessed by Robert Menzies, cousin, living at 186 Morrison Street Edinburgh. This was where Mary Douglas and her sister Annie, the Edinburgh dress-makers, were living at that time. Robert Menzies probably is the McNee children's first cousin, being the illegitimate son of their aunt Helen Douglas, born 1864. Both Robert Menzies and the McNee children are third cousins of Mary and Annie through the Douglas family.

Elizabeth (Lizzie Helen) McNee, aged 15 years, died of consumption at Old Bridge of Tilt on 20th July 1895. Her brother James witnessed the death certificate. Christina was also taken ill during childhood but survived.

MacNee's stone cross

(IHS) Erected in loving memory of Elizabeth Helen MacNee who died at Old Bridge of Tilt, 20th July 1895. Erected by her sisters and brothers. And our dear sister Jane MacNee who died 12th March 1967

Catherine Sim MacNee married Peter Stewart of Mualach-beg in Glen Fender. They had nine children of whom Isabella was the second oldest, and was known as 'Auntie Ella'. The Stewart family eventually moved to the farm of Tomdachoille, south of Pitlochry on the Logierait road and their descendants still live in the area. Peter, Catherine and Isabella are buried in the church-yard at Blair and have a monument inscription there. Some of the Stewart children appear in photographs in the museum now housed in the old Blair Atholl school.

Catherine Sim MacNee's stone

To the sacred memory of Catherine Sim MacNee who died 17th May 1940 aged 66, beloved wife of Peter Stewart who died 19th April 1947, aged 88, late of Mualich-beg and Tomdachoille. Isabella Dow Stewart, daughter of the above, who died 18th June 1993 aged 94. Also Jean Walker MacNee Jones who died 22nd March 2002 aged 60

Margaret (Maggie) Lamond married Alexander Stewart, the farm grieve at Ballinloan, on 26th August 1898 at Laidlaw's Temperance Hotel, Leonard Street, Perth.

The family of James McNee and Catherine Douglas in Duntaulich, Bohally and Old Bridge of Tilt

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
Catherine Sim
McNee
1874 Peter Stewart 1897
(Kelvin)
Tomdachoille h. 19 Apr 1847
w. 17 May 1940
Margaret
McNee
1875 unmarried . Old Bridge of Tilt d. 14 Nov 1891
James Douglas
McNee
1877 . . Peebles d. 1956
Elizabeth Helen
(Lizzie Ellen)
McNee
. unmarried . Old Bridge of Tilt d. 20 Jul 1895
Christina Jane
McNee
1881 John Hay 1906 . d.
John
McNee
1882 . . . d.
Jane
McNee
1885 . . . d. 1967

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Christian Douglas in Bohespic

The 1871 census shows that Christian (Cirsty) kept house for her brother, Donald Douglas the shoemaker. She died of consumption on 6th March 1872 and was unmarried.

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Duncan Douglas and Annie Menzies in Bohespic

Soon after August 1868 Duncan moved to Dalno where he was involved in the shoemaking business, while his sister Christian (Cirsty) kept house for him. It is known that Alexander Douglas, the son of Alexander Douglas of Dalcroy, was a shoe-maker and was employing two men in 1851. Dalno and Dalcroy were originally a joint tenancy, so it is possible that Duncan Douglas started by working for Alexander Douglas. The two Douglas families do not appear to be related.

Name Relation Age Occupation Birth-place
Duncan Douglas head 21y shoemaker Blair Atholl
Christian Douglas sister 26y housekeeper Blair Atholl
Donald Lamont nephew 11y scholar Blair Atholl
Margaret Lamont neice 7y scholar Blair Atholl

On 1st December 1876 Duncan married Annie Menzies at Woodend, Foss, which was witnessed by Duncan Menzies and William Stewart. Annie was the daughter of James Menzies, gardener, and Elizabeth McGibbon (Ann's death certificate says that her mother's maiden name was Gibbon, but this is in error), and was living at home as a domestic servant. James Menzies and Elizabeth (Betsie) McGibbon had four children, all born in the parish of Dull: Christian born in 1845; Ann born 9th November 1850; Duncan born 1853; and Margaret born 1855. The year 1855 was the first year of civil registration of births, deaths and marriages, and this fortunately provides a wealth of information about the family.

Margaret Menzies was born on the 12th May 1855 at Woodend Cottage in the parish of Dull. Her father, James Menzies, was a gardener and domestic servant who was 40 years old and had been born at Rawer (Roro, Weem). He had married his wife at the manse of Fortingall in 1842 (However the Dull OPR records the marriage as 30th May 1840). Oddly for those times he had little education. Being unable to write his own name, he signed the document with his mark (i.e. a 'X') which was witnessed by Robert Stewart and the Registrar. Betsy McGibbon, his wife, had been born at Culdarbeg, Fortingall and was 30 years old at the time of this, her fourth child. All of the other three children were alive.

By the time of the 1881 census Duncan Douglas and Annie Menzies had two children born at Dalno.

Name Relation Age Occupation Birth-place
Duncan Douglas head 30y shoemaker Blair Atholl
Annie Douglas wife 30y Dull
Donald Douglas son 2y Blair Atholl
Betsy Douglas dau 4m Blair Atholl

In November 1982 Duncan Douglas, grandson of Duncan Douglas the shoemaker, wrote the following in a letter:

In my youth, I recall asking father about this burial ground, in the middle of a field, just west of Borenich farmhouse. This was prompted by a remark by a Mr. Menzies, Bruachbane, to the west, that this was a private ground, which had belonged to our Douglas family. Father said the burial ground had come down to grandfather. He was persuaded to hand it over to a lawyer in Edinburgh, a relative, to save him the costs of maintainance of it, and the surrounding stone wall.

Strangely enough, what little I know (of grandfather) came from Mr. McIntosh who had the Dunalastair Hotel at Kinloch Rannoch. He was the local County Councillor, and I worked in the Council Roads Department. The Surveyor and I, on our travels, called on him. After lunch he said to me that he knew my grandfather in earlier days. He went on to say that he had had a very thriving boot-making business.

In those days he said, all boots were made by hand. With such a large surrounding area, much populated then, there was much to do. Apparently he had a staff of some thirty workers. He said this included those who went around delivering and fitting etc. Repairs too were carried out. He said that they tried to persuade him to take out insurance, as he had a large stock of leather, but, as he said, he stubbornly refused. The almost inevitable happened and the place burnt to the ground, and all was lost.

The site was at the junction of the Bohespic road with the main road from Tummelbridge to Kinloch Rannoch, a little west of Dalno farm. The remains of the buildings, and surrounding dykes were there for many years, but gradually disappeared.

The tragedy must have taken place sometime between 1881 and 1888, because by the time of the 1891 census the family had moved to Daloist (Foss), where their daughter Ann was born. Actually, it may have taken place in 1881 as Duncan's father Donald died at his son-in-law's farm at Duntanlich, Foss on 15th August 1881, and Duncan acted as a witness, giving his address as Bohally, Foss, rather than Dalno.

Although Duncan was still working as a shoe-maker in 1891, it seems that he was having to take in boarders to make ends meet. Duncan's wife, Annie Menzies, had been born in Foss and it is possibly not a coincidence that the next dwelling was occupied by a Menzies family. The 1891 census is also interesting as it records that all of the family were bi-lingual in Gaelic and English.

Name Relation Age Occupation Birth-place
Duncan Douglas head 40y shoemaker Blair Atholl
Annie Douglas wife 40y housekeeper Foss
Donald Douglas son 12y scholar Blair Atholl
Betsy Douglas dau 10y scholar Blair Atholl
Cathrine Douglas dau 7y scholar Blair Atholl
Ann Douglas dau 3y Foss
Duncan Dewar boarder 17y apprentice joiner Fortingall

Ten years later the family were still at Daloist, but Duncan had given up the shoe-making business and was now employed as a road surfaceman.

Name Relation Age Occupation Birth-place
Duncan Douglas head 50y road surfaceman Blair Atholl
Annie Douglas wife 50y housekeeper Foss
Bessie Douglas dau 20y domestic servant Blair Atholl
Katie Douglas dau 17y Foss
Annie Douglas dau 13y Foss
Donald Douglas son 22y joiner Blair Atholl

Duncan and Annie spent their last years at Boltachan, in the parish of Weem. Ann Menzies died 28th December 1923 at Perth Royal Infirmary, although her usual residence was Boltachan. Her husband Duncan Douglas died 11th September the following year while he was at Boltachan. Both deaths were witnessed by their son Donald 'Dan' who was living at 19 Bank Street Aberfeldy at the time. Duncan and Annie are buried at Aberfeldy.

John Menzies and Isobel Douglas Scone

(Isobel Douglas married John Menzies on 30th August 1842 in Scone. There were at least three children: Helen; Peter and Christian. Isobel died 14th May 1886 at Murrayshall Road, Scone. There is a memorial stone in the churchyard at New Scone which reads "Erected by John Menzies in memory of his wife Isabella Douglas who died 14th May 1886 aged 77 years. Also the above John Menzies who died 31st July 1910 aged 83 years. Christina daughter of the above died 23rd August 1920 aged 71 years")

Memorial stone to Isobel Douglas or Menzies

Menzies family memorial stone in New Scone churchyard

The Genealogy of the family of Duncan Douglas the shoemaker

The Genealogy of the family of Duncan Douglas the shoemaker

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