THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF THE ROTTENSLOUGH IN 1751, WITH MARRIAGE DATES AND NOTES

Estimated Population: Total 68; Males 35; Females 33.

Notes:

N1....Robert Hesben was last recorded as a witness in 1745 and the family may have left the area around this time.

N4....Elspet Farquhar, mother of William Nielson died in November 1747. Sister Helen Nielson married James Jappy at Shore of Buckie in 1750 and so left the village.

N5....Christian Wright was the widow of seaman Alex Wright who died in July 1742. Little more is known and she may have left the district.

N6....John Miller was last recorded in 1755. Son Robert was John's son by his first marriage to Margaret Forbes.

N7....The Smith,Lairds. Beatrix Smith was also known as Betty and Elspet Smith. She married James Farquhar in 1758. Daughter Jean married James Clark in November of this year, see S17. The elder Janet died in early infancy.

N8....Janet Smith was the widow of John Sharp who died in July 1742, and widower Charles Mackay's second wife. His first, Jean Smith, had died in September 1745. Andrew, William and Margaret were his children by Jean Smith and Charles and Jean were Janet Smith's children. Margaret, Alex and John Sharp were Janet's children by her first marriage. Charles's daughter Margaret died in April 1748. Sons Andrew and John seem not to have survived, but John is counted here. Charles Mackay was last recorded in 1755.

N9....Also Smith,Lairds, I believe.

N10...Daughter Margaret died in childhood.

N11...Margaret Sinclair was Kenneth McKenzie's second wife. His first had been Agnes McKenzie, mother of Janet, Alex and Margaret. Isabel and William were Margaret's children. Son Alex died in childhood.

N12...Jean Mackay was an incomer, probably from one of the farming Mackay families in the district. John Flett was the son of John Flett and the deceased Elspet Prott in Findochty.

N13...Being a soldier, no doubt involved in the pacification of the Highlands after the `45, Isaac Ramsay with his wife, Margaret Smith, were likely temporary rather than permanent residents.

N15...James Farquhar was the son of John Farquhar and Janet Godsman. He was contracted in marriage to Margaret Cook, but James called it off and the marriage did not take place. He seems to have left the village.

N16...After being jilted Margaret Cook, an incomer, probably did not stay in the village.

N17...James Clark was probably the son of Charles Clark and Janet Forbes who farmed at Muirycrook, a farm which was situated about half a mile south of Portessie, or alternately his parents may have been John Clark and Margaret Robertson of Rannes. Jean Smith was likely the daughter of Alex and Margaret Smith at S7.

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