The Aberdeen Journal (later to become the
Aberdeen Press & Journal) is one of the best sources of information on
local news in the NE of Scotland. Established in the 18th century with
almost every edition available to the public it represents a
treasure-house of information for family historians and researchers. In
this section we will record just a few snippets of local interest - some
trivial, some tragic, but all fascinating. Let's hope you find something
of interest - I'll be surprised if you don't!
The Aberdeen Journal, August 29th, 1832
Died at Cassilis, on the 19th inst., the Right
Hon. Archibald, Earl of Cassilis, eldest son of the Most Noble the
Marquis of Ailsa. His Lordship was married to Miss Allardyce, Esq., of
Dunnottar, by whom he has left a large family. He was a nobleman of very
high talents, an early benefactor to his native country; and promised to
become an ornament to the rank of which he belonged. Prematurely cut off
in the prime of life and manhood, his loss id deeply deplored by his
sorrowing widow and family; and by all who were admitted to the honour
and the pleasure of his friendship.
The Aberdeen Journal, September 26th, 1832
Providential Escape - On Sunday forenoon, two
boys, brothers, of the name of Mitchell, were gathering dilse on the
rocks at Stonehaven; one of them remained in the boat, and not having
sufficient command of it, allowed it to drift away, and was very soon,
in the sight of his brother and others, carried far out to sea, where he
was beaten about for above thirty hours without meat and drink. On
Monday morning he was spoken with by a sloop off Peterhead, at which
time he was proceeding eastward; they, however, were unable owing to the
heavy sea running at the time to pick him up; but put him on the right
tack; and he arrived on Monday night at Colliston, dreadfully exhausted,
where he was taken care of, and sent off next day. He arrived here on
Tuesday night, and proceeded by the "Union" to his friends at Stonehaven.
This is the second trip of this youthful navigator, who is no more than
nine years of age, he having a few years ago, along with his father,
been drifted in a fishing boat to the coast of Norway, where they were
picked up by a Dutch vessel.
The Aberdeen Journal, October 24th, 1832
Sir George Ogilvie, Bar., of Barras, on a recent
visit to the parish of Kinneff, very generously presented Mr Stewart,
the clergyman with the sum of £5 for behoof of the poor of the parish.
Sir George's ancestral burying ground is in the parish church of Kinneff,
on the front wall of which, surmounted with the armorial bearings of the
family, neatly sculptured in stone, there is a large monumental slab of
black marble sacred to the memory of Sir George's ancestor, the
commandant of the Castle of Dunnottar, on which is shortly narrated the
share he had in delivering the Regalia of Scotland from the hands of
General Morgan, during the siege of the castle in 1652. In consequence
of the repairs lately made on the church, this monument had to be
removed from the wall, but at Sir George's request it was again replaced
in its old position; and the worthy Baronet, after inspecting it and
expressing his satisfaction with the manner in which it had been done,
presented the clergyman with the above sum, which has proved a most
reasonable supply to the wants of many poor and infirm persons in the
parish.
The Aberdeen Journal, April 16th, 1834
Died at Fetteresso Castle, on 22nd March, Robert
William Duff, Esq of Fetteresso, Vice-Lieutenant and Convener of the
County of Kincardine.
The Aberdeen Journal, June 18th, 1834
Mr Robert Barclay Allardice of Ury and Allardice
has presented a petition to the House of Lords claiming the Earldom of
Airth which has been referred to the Committee of Privileges to meet on
the 23rd inst. In his claim Captain Barclay proves himself a descendant
of David the II of Scotland.
The Aberdeen Journal, July 23rd, 1834
We understand that our Harbour Commissioners are
to reduce, in October next, the shore dues on grain one-third, and the
anchorage on wind-bound vessels one-half of the present dues; and that
it is in contemplation to improve the Harbour next season.
The Aberdeen Journal, August 6th, 1834
Stonehaven - The adjourned meeting of the
inhabitants of this place was held here on Monday last, for the purpose
of receiving the report of the Committee appointed at last meeting to
consider whether it would be for the advantage of the town to adopt the
General Police Bill. The Chief Magistrate, as Chairman of the Committee
reported that the Committee had been duly called; but, as a quorum of
their number had not attended, there had been nothing done. He also
stated that one object of the Committee was to watch over the Bill
respecting Burghs of Barony, which, it was expected, would have been
been brought forward during the present session of parliament; but as
the measure had not been proceeded in, they had no report to make. It
was moved by Dr Donaldson that the Committee should be again appointed
to report to another meeting of the inhabitants to be holden that day
twelve months; which motion was seconded by Mr John Beattie, bookseller.
An amendment was moved by Mr David Hunter, merchant, and seconded by Mr
John Davidson, saddler, "that this meeting do reject the provisions of
the Police Bill altogether." On the vote being taken, the amendment was
carried by a great majority - thus rejecting a measure, the benefit of
which no place in Scotland stands in more need of than the town of
Stonehaven, lying, as it does, at the junction of several of the great
roads of the country, and in consequence much annoyed by vagrants from
all parts.
The Aberdeen Journal, February 11th, 1835
Upon Thursday last, the farmers who are in
the practice of attending the grain market at Stonehaven, gave a dinner
in Cruickshank's Inn to the grain merchants residing in the town, Robert
Barclay Allardyce, Esq. of Ury in the chair. Mr Robert Hector and Mr
James Loggan, farmers, acted as croupiers. A number of appropriate
toasts were given in the course of the evening. The dinner was at
Cruickshank's best style, and the whole went off with great eclat.
The Aberdeen Journal, March 18th, 1835
Accident - Yesterday the body of a lad of the name
of Milne, belonging to the Glen of the Cowton who had strayed from home
on Monday last, was found at the foot of the NECKS, below Blackhills,
where it is supposed he had wandered during the night, and fallen over
The Aberdeen Journal, April 1st, 1835
On Wednesday the 25th ult., the Rev John Hutchison
was inducted into the pastoral charge of the Episcopal congregation at
Stonehaven. Prayers were read by the Rev William Webster of Drumlithie,
and in the abscence of the Bishop of the Diocese, the deed of
institution was, by his appointment, read to the congregation from the
altar by the Rev William Henderson of Arbroath, after which the Rev.
gentleman delivered a discourse from Luke vii, 30-35 in the course of
which, he took occasion to point out, in a very able and impressive
manner the relative duties of both clergyman and people.
