| <![CDATA[ James took the farm of Parkbeg, near Dufftown, with his brother Walter; th ey also became tenants of Parkmore, the neighbouring farm, some time aft er 1850. It appears that James and family latterly moved to Parkmore, le aving Parkbeg to Walter, though the partnership continued: in his 1875 wil l, James describes himself and Walter as “joint tenants” of Parkmore and P arkbeg, holding the tenancy and all stock and equipment in common. The wi ll also gives a glimpse of his associations: in it, he names his brother W alter and three other people as executors of his estate: Malcolm Stewa rt of Fifekeith, John Symon Jr., ironmonger and feuar, Dufftown (son-in-l aw of James’s elder brother, John), John Robertson of Little Bodiebae, Cab rach (son of his sister Helen).
In a memoir written on the occasion of James Duncan’s death, James Moi r, of Glasgow, offered the following biographical sketch :
The early years of James were the same as the others – education was not t hen as it is now, easily obtained, a winter or two at school were consider ed quite enough to learn reading, writing and the Spring brought around i ts daily work. The elder sons of course relieved the Father of the weight ier burdens of Farming, the younger branches attended to the sheep and cat tle. James occupied the middle position, he was for a time the man of a ll work, attending the easy duties of husbandry and paying attention to vi sitors, which gave him a general knowledge about what was going on in a nd around the country, being much esteemed by all, free in conversation, r ather good looking – a good dancer, could sing in time and tune – and no m ean performer on the violin, when it is taken into consideration that he h ad no teacher, but now and then a hint from a wandering violinist who mig ht have lodged for a night. The years passed swiftly till the year 186 2, when a great change took place, the suppressing, demoralizing and abom inable traffic of smuggling, and hence a great falling off in the pri ce of grain.
Robert then considered that there were too many on the farm and went in to service with some of the greatest Farmers in Rhynie and Gartly. Wh en he came home on leave he was not sloth in telling them that they were f ar behind in producing what might be done under a wiser and better managem ent, deeper plowing, manuring, and more select stock of sheep and cattle.
James at once saw the propriety and the benefit of such good advice, set h is mind and body into the work, the sweep of his perseverence added mu ch to the bulk and outcome of the Stock yard. He was not only engag ed at the farming, but likewise laboured at the season in casting and prep aring great stacks, which found a ready sale to the licensed distillers, t wo of which were in the Cabrach at the time, making a little money in th at way, he bought a bredding [sic] sow, which became very prolific, the li tters she produced brought much higher prices than any in the quarter. Fr om the two ways of acting, he got into a small capital, with which he ente red into keeping sheep which turned out to his satisfaction, soon his past ure ground became too limited for the increase of stock of sheep. He beg an in the cattle trade, by this time he had gained a thorough knowled ge of the proper kind of cattle and the true way to make them more valuabl e. He took additional pasture in other parts of the country, taking all t he advantage of the ground he had for the season, selling his stock when t he term came up, to great advantage, by so acting for several years, his f unds increased and his credit was good. When the farm at “Parkbeg” came i nto the market, he in conjunction with his brother Walter joined purses a nd entered into possession, where they laboured from morning till nigh t, to get over the serious part which a farmer has to contend with – a ret urn for money spent acting comfortable and agreeably together, they were n ow in what is called easy circumstances.
When Mr. Mitchell from old age wanted to give up the farm of “Parkmore”, w hich he changed from “MOIRS PARKS”, when he entered upon it fifty years be fore. If they had a good name when they took “Parkbeg” it was now greate r, so that the then factor, Mr. Findlater, was anxious to get them as tena nts. The undertaking was great but exercising frugality, great care and a ctivity they soon got over the worst, and instead of being driven, they ma naged to drove all before them. Now came a more serious thought into the ir minds, men living alone. They had the good fortune under a kind provid ence to get partners, which assisted them in every way, where activity, ca refulness and attention could win affection, and make a happy home.
Distance had prevented the writer from seeing them since the year 1854, b ut has had the pleasure of corresponding with them now and then as the dut ies of an active life would permit, and always found their interest equal ly keen or interested in his welfare.
Now he is called upon to mourn the sudden removal of one for who he h ad a brotherly love, and as a token of respect to his memory he has put t he few scattered thoughts together as a marked line for his bereaved famil y, and other relatives to follow in his footsteps.]]> |