Undetermined Deeside Leys
"Don't Leys Me Out!"
Gordons o' Girnoc
'Camlet John'
The Girnoc Farms
Past Research
Location Map
Gordon Tombstones
Sources
TAKEN FROM IGI (in alphabetical & date order):
Ann Ley married James Coutts 16th February 1765 C/B
Barbra Ley married William Martin 1772 C/B
Barbara Ley married Charles Young 7th June 1778 Glenmuick
Barbra Leys married William Finnie 21st October 1865 Glenmuick
Charles Leys (Rev) died 7th December 1943 - married to Elsie Selfe
Crathie Tombstone:
In remembrance of Rev. CHARLES LEYS M.A. died 7th December 1943
and his wife ELSIE SELFE died 8th February 1942
Elizabeth Ley married Alexander McDonald 29th May 1825 Glenmuick
Elspet Ley 1747 July? 6th George Davidson in Loinveg and Elspet Ley in Newton both in this parish of Crathy were matrimonially contracted and consigned pledges for abstinence and performance. Their marriage was solemnised.
Helen Ley 1770 August 12th John Clerk in the Parish of Glenmuick and Helen Ley in this Parish
James Leys married Betty MacHardy 14th March 1828 C/B
James Ley* married Margarate MacGregor 5th November 1804 C/B
James Ley* married Margaret McGregor 28th October 1804 Glenmuick
Janet Ley married John MacLean 28th May 1782 Glenmuick
January 4th 1791: Was interred the corps of Jannet Ley spouse to John McLean in Ardoch.
Had a son Robert McLean born 25th August 1785, who became crofter at Ardoch. This Robert married Jane Symon. Their son James McLean (1821-1888) married Jane Michie (1828-1907)
Jean Ley christened 21st July 1723 - father was John Ley (one of the earliest recorded Leys in Crathie!)
Jean Ley married John Donaldson 27th June 1767 C/B -
1767 June 27th John Donaldson in Inchg??? of the parish of Lochlee and Jean Ley in this Parish.
Jean Ley married Charles Coutts 12th February 1809 Glenmuick
Jean Leys married Alexander McDonald 23rd January 1834 C/B
Jean Ley 1792 November 24th: Jean Ley in Crathynard Interred
John Ley christened 8th September 1774 Glenmuick - father was William Ley
John Ley married Maye Grant 17th November1787 Glenmuick
John Ley married Janet Ritchie 28th May 1797 Glenmuick
John Ley christened 18th September 1862 - father was John Ley
Katherine Ley married Adam Mill 2nd January 1754 Glenmuick
Margaret Ley christened 4th May 1777 Glenmuick - father was William Ley
Margaret Leys married John Stewart 21st April 1822 Glenmuick
Margaret Leys married Peter McKenzie 21st June 1856 C/B
Margaret Leys married Finlay Cameron 27th January 1857 C/B
Margaret Leys married Charles Tough 11th December 1875 C/B
Mary Leys married John Smith 15th December 1865 Glenmuick
Peter Leys married Sophia D'Albert Anson 19th January 1859 C/B
Thomas Ley 1767 July 10th Thos Ley in this Parish and Isobel Allanach alias Stuart Tullich parish.
William Leys married Helen McLagan 30th December 1804 Glenmuick
John Lay married Christian Ferrar on 25th June 1706 at Banchory-Ternan:
JOHN LAY - International Genealogical Index / BI
Gender: Male Christening: MAY 1719 Banchory-Ternan, Aberdeen, Scotland
ALEXANDER LAY - International Genealogical Index / BI
Gender: Male Christening: 29 JUL 1716 Banchory-Ternan, Kincardine, Scotland
ELSPET LAY - International Genealogical Index / BI
Gender: Female Christening: 27 AUG 1710 Banchory-Ternan, Kincardine, Scotland
JEAN LAY - International Genealogical Index / BI
Gender: Female Christening: 04 AUG 1713 Banchory-Ternan, Kincardine, Scotland
JEAN LAY - International Genealogical Index / BI
Gender: Female Christening: 11 MAR 1719 Banchory-Ternan, Kincardine, Scotland
Testament:
William Ley 24/6/1737 Aberdeen Commissary Court
4 CC1/6/18
in Craigley, sometime servant to James Ross in Kirktoun of Birss
Testament Testamentar and Inventory
Testament:
William Ley 25/2/1725 Aberdeen Commissary Court
3 CC1/6/6
in Dawin
Testament Testamentar and Inventory
Death Certificate:
Mary Gordon Leys
Single
Died: 7th April 1882 at 9am
At Belmore, Crathie
Age: 12� weeks
Father: James Leys - General Labourer
Mother: Margaret Isabella Smith
Died from: Diarrhoea (1 day); Syncope from exhaustion (1 hour)
Informant: James Leys (father)
FAMILY GROUPS: SO FAR UNLINKED:
Children of John Leys and Isabella Muill
Margaret Leys born circa Abt 1783 - died 17th December 1860 at Upperminmore LC (married to 1. McIntyre 2. Forbes)
Children of Francis Leys and Janet Michie
Mary Leys christened 8th June 1783
John Leys christened 17th June 1785
Bety Leys christened 25th June 1787
Children of John Leys and Janet McDougall (married 29th December 1799 Glenmuick)
Jean Leys christened 16th November 1800
James Leys christened 10th July 1807
Children of James Leys and Jane Ferguson (married 13th November 1853 Glenmuick)
Barbara Christie Leys christened 17th November 1842
Children of Thomas Leys and Isobel Ferguson
Jean Leys christened 8th November 1743
Children of Harry Stewart and Elizabeth Leys* (married 30th October 1808)
Marthae Stuart baptized 18th August 1809 (Roman Catholic baptism)
Glenmuick Tombstone:
HARRY STEWART, widow ELIZABETH LEYS*, sometime Style of Tullich, son WILLIAM STEWART born there 20th December 1810 died Waterside, Strathdon 12th May 1883, CHARLES STEWART died 8th August 1849 aged 51 years (w. MARGARET CALDER died 26th January 1864 aged 73 years)
NOTES:
Was this Elizabeth Leys*, the Elizabeth Leys who was christened on the 8th of March 1772 as daughter of John Ley? No other obvious matches can be found.
Harry Stuart and Elizabeth Leys, Style of Tullich, a daughter Marthae, born 16th curt.
Susceptors: James Forbes and Martha Shirras, both in Tullich.
JANET LEYS o' LAWSIE: WHO WAS SHE?:
The following inventory to Janet Leys who died in July of 1845 at Lawsie (next to Crathienaird) has been examined by the writer:
Janet Leys 28/10/1845 residing at Lawsie in united parishes of Crathie and Braemar Aberdeen Sheriff Court Inventories
It emerged from this short inventory that Alexander Leys of Sleach (1764-1847) who married Euphemia McKenzie in 1794 was the executor and beneficiary of this Janet Leys estate (a sum just short of �50) - he was further described as her "cousin-germaine" and thus one assumes Janet's father and Alexander's father were brothers.
There is no mention within the Inventory of any other family, and thus the assumption that Janet Leys was an old unmarried spinster.
Now the question remains: who was Janet's father? Was it Francis Leys? Whatever, it is possible to state that Janet's father must be s brother to John Ley (the father of Alexander Leys of Sleach.)
The 1851 census for Lawsie unfortunately has no Leys at all. The next port of call obviously is the 1841 census, for this should give a rough age for Janet and perhaps relate if any other family were with her.
GLENGAIRN RICHARKIE - MARGARET LEYS?:
The following is an extract from Donald Whyte's "GORDONS IN UPPER DEESIDE" and pertains to the Gordon family of Richarkie, a farm at the top end of Glengairn and close to Glen Shiel.
The tree, fragmentary as it is, starts with Charles Gordon, whose origin is unknown, but it is suggested was 'of' Crathie.' Charles Gordon married Janet Symon in late June of 1770. Their son John Gordon married Elizabeth Grant, who was daughter of James Grant and Margaret Leys.
No further tracing has been done on this family..
RICHARKARIE
(I) CHARLES GORDON, who appears to have been a native of Crathie Parish, married 24.6.1770, Janet Symon, and had issue:
1. Ann, bpt 5.3.1772
2. John, of whom presently
3. James, in Richarkarie, Glengairn, married 29.12.1816, Margaret, daughter of Duncan McHardy and Janet Lamont. She died at Ballater, 29.9.1868, aged 80. James died in reduced circumstances, 17.6.1864. They had at least three children:
(1) Janet, born Richarkarie, 20.6.1819, who died at Evansford, Ballater, as a retired housekeeper, 16.5.1899. She had a natural daughter who married William Low.
(2) Jane, born Richarkarie, bpt 2.12.1821
(3) George, born Richarkarie, bpt 13.12.1823
(II) JOHN GORDON was born at Fergath, and bpt 31.3.1776. He married Elizabeth, daughter of James Grant and Margaret Leys, with issue:
1. Jane, born Richarkarie 6.5.1818
2. Janet, born Richarkarie 6.1.1820, who married at Loinaghoil, 3.12.1863, Alexander, a gamekeeper, son of Alexander Lamont and Margaret McLean
3. Marjory, 1827-99, a laundress, who died unmarried at Balctrosk
4. Elizabeth, 1829-1911, who resided at Strathlee, Ballater
5. John, 1831-80, crofter at Loinaghoil, who died unmarried.
A FAMILY GROUP THAT INTRIGUES THE WRITER!:
This family group links with Camlet and the Leys. It starts with a union between Alexander Abercrombie and Mary Lay (the writer assumes�hopefully correctly that this is a variant of 'Ley').
Margaret Abercrombie, the daughter of this union, married James Gordon in Birse parish in 1836.
Children of Alexander Abercrombie and Mary Lay:
Margaret Abercrombie christened1803 C/B (married James Gordon in Birse 1836)
Testament and Inventory (is this the above Alexander?):
Alexander Abercrombie 26/1/1866 residing at Coldrich in the united parish of Crathie and Braemar Aberdeen Sheriff Court Inventories
Alexander Abercrombie 26/1/1866 residing at Coldrich in the united parish of Crathie and Braemar Aberdeen Sheriff Court Wills
Now the following section rests upon some circuitous Aberdeenshire navigation, with a starting point far distant from Upper Deeside. The journey begins in Aberdeen city, or to be more accurate within the City Graveyard of Nellfield.
It was here that Sharon Jameson, this writer's more able collaborator found a tombstone that had seen lay to rest many lost Gordon souls. The lair was purchased in 1839 (the year the cemetery opened) by Peter and James Gordon, in order that they could lay their dear father, Francis Gordon, to rest.
Their old man, Francis Gordon died in September 1839, just a few gasps short of his ninetieth birthday. Francis Gordon's journey, long in life, spanned equally the length of the Dee: for you see, although buried in Aberdeen, Francis was infact born in Camlet (assumed), GlenGirnock in the year 1750 (or there-abouts.)
This writer believes that this Francis Gordon was a brother of 'Camlet John.' Unfortunately the evidence to date (to support this suggestion) is circumstantial rather than truly solid. Nevertheless the details that have emerged so far, circumstantial as they may be, collectively convince this writer.
Furthermore, this writer believes that Francis Gordon was given this name in rembrance of his maternal Leys family. The details and dates lie in too many fragments to fully outline this case. In this regard the reader may wish to return to section three to reappraise himself/herself with the 'early Gordon-Leys' families of Upper Deeside.
Almost without question, Francis Gordon, our protagonist left Camlet with his family for a parish downstream. That parish was Birse. Indeed a rich web of links has emerged between Girnoc and Birse: with several of the children of Francis Gordon and his brother 'Camlet John' coming to domicile there. It is not known exactly at what date the family of Francis Gordon left Birse to breach the 'city walls' of Aberdeen.
Underneath the Nellfield Tombstone were buried, would you believe, 19 departed ones! Lair 1309 has become then a familiar retour for the writer and his friend Sharon.
This account is far too overwhelming as it is, without going into the utter puzzle of the stacked Gordons of Lair1309! That is for another day!
For this section the writer would wish to focus in on one name: OGG. Yes this, you are correct in thinking that this is an unfamiliar name from the morass rehearsed so far in this account!
Lair 1309 began with 'old Francis Gordon' who died in September 1839, and it has been rehearsed that the lair was purchased by his son Peter and James. It was the latter, James Gordon that married Margaret Abercrombie (daughter of Mary Ley.) Two months after burying his father, James Gordon's wife gave birth to a daughter. That daughter was to be christened MARY ANN OGG GORDON. Her birth recorded as the 18th November 1839.
Margaret Abercrombie
Widow of James Gordon, porter
1876 July 19th 9hr 0m am City Poor House, Aberdeen
Female 66 years
Father: Alexander Abercrombie, farmer (deceased)
Paralysis duration unknown as cert by James Burr surgeon
David B Gordon son-in-law Crail Fife
In 1851 Mary Ann Ogg Gordon married, in Aberdeen, her cousin-germane David Burnett Gordon.
David Burnett Gordon, who served with the Grenadier Guards in the Crimea, wrote to Dr J.M. Bulloch in September 1905, and stated:
"I was born at LOINVEG (next farm to Camlet), CRATHIE. My fathers name was Francis Gordon, farmer and cattle-dealer. My grandfather's name was Francis Gordon (this being the Francis Gordon 1750-1839 and first of Lair 1309!) My grandfather was farmer of the home farm of Abergeldie , for three nineteen years, previous to 1834, the year I was born."
Why rehearse such detail: Well it is this writer's belief that Francis Gordon (1750-1839) holds the 'key to' the Camlet Gordons, the Leys family, and the bonds between each. Furthermore the Abergeldie link may lie very close to this Francis�.
It is nearly time to draw this section to an end, but not before returning to OGG! Like all good conundrums the following question retains its challenge: Why was Mary Ann Ogg Gordon given such a name and was it in remembrance of family?
This brings the writer around to speculate once more: Could the name OGG link in with LEYS or could it indeed link in with GORDON and LEYS? (Mary Ann Ogg Gordon's maternal grandmother was it should be recalled: Mary Ley)
Whisky and Liquor it has emerged were central to the survival of the Gordons of Girnoc, for in their glen the illicit stills smoked out a busy trade. It has been established also that James Leys 'Civil Bonnets' was the venerable host of the Inver Inn. Indicators are strong that his mother or grandmother was a Gordon (speculation is that she was of Abergeldie') It has also been established that the Owner, Manager and Overseer of Lochnagar Distillery, John Begg, was married to a Leys (Jane Leys 1810-1881)
A pattern of sort appears to be rising from the hazy distillate of the Black bothies!
The next finding was perhaps to link the name OGG with this the trade in spirits: it relates to an Andrew OGG who was Coachman for the Inver Inn, and who left an Inventory of 1886, which appeared as follows:
Andrew OGG 7/7/1886 coachman, resided at Inver Hotel, Crathie, Aberdeenshire, d. 06/05/1886 at Inver Hotel, testate Aberdeen Sheriff Court Inventories
Excited by this the writer sifted the Crathie Census returns so carefully transcribed by Sharon Jameson, and was astounded when the following return for the Inn at Cambus o' May cropped up:
1841 census - Cambus O' May
James Ogg, age 67years, Publican, yes born in this Parish
George Ogg, age 40years, Cattle dealer, yes born in this Parish
John Ogg, age 25years, Farmer, yes born in this Parish
Elizabeth Copland, age 25years, Family Servant, yes born in this Parish
Agnes Gordon, age14years, Family Servant, yes born in this Parish
Archibald Ewen, age15years, Agricultural Labourer, yes born in this Parish
Joseph Gordon, 85years, Stockng Merchant, yes born in this Parish
Margaret Gordon, age 69years, yes born in this Parish
So here was a Joseph Gordon residing with the venerable host, not of Inver, but of Cambus. Furthermore the 'bonnet' on this occasion was not on Leys but on Ogg�. James Ogg!
Any researcher of Camlet knows that, somehow, and for some reason, that the name 'Joseph' was special to this family. It should in this regard be noted that 'Camlet John' called his first son Joseph! For this reason alone (and there is no evidence other than the name) this writer has previously questioned whether the 'Camlet Gordons' might trace back one or two generations to Joseph Gordon of Birkhall (third son of Charles 10th Laird of Abergeldie and his wife Rachel Gordon.) Joseph Gordon of Birkhall has been described as a 'mysterious and shadowy figure' and what became of him (and his family) seems to have escaped the record!
Now this Joseph Gordon, found here (on the 1841 census at Cambus) with his second wife Margaret (Stewart) had a large family - and all of his children were born at Bovaglie (neighbouring Camlet). Whilst Joseph Gordon and his family were certainly 'in' Bovaglie from the 1790's to 1820's, it seems highly likely that he was infact a further brother of 'Camlet John!'
If his age was reasonably accurate in the 1841 census (and we must recall ages were often rounded up or down to the nearest 5 by the enumerator in this census) then Joseph Gordon was born circa 1756. Francis Gordon was born circa 1750. 'Camlet John' was recorded by one researcher as having been born 1759 (but what credence this can be given is uncertain)
So do we have THREE CAMLET BROTHERS?:
1) Francis Gordon (1750-1839) of Lair 1309
2) Joseph Gordon (1756-1850) living with James Ogg1 in 1841
3) John Gordon 'Camlet John' (born 1759?)
It has been possible to explore the OGG family of Cambus O' May in a little more detail, the basic details of which were gleaned from one of a row of four Ogg tombstones in Kirkton of Aboyne Churchyard:
Kirkton of AboyneTombstone:
Erected by CHARLES CLARK Birkhall & GEORGE OGG Cammis Omay (sic) in memory of PETER OGG his son d. 5 June 1833 aged 13; MARGARET MASON spouse to JAMES OGG Cammis Omay d. 4 Apr. 1838 aged 63. Their family JAMES4 d. 1 Jan 1816 aged 16; JANE6 soupse to CHARLES CLARK7 d. 14 Feb 1832 aged 25; WILLIAM d. 1 Oct. 1840 aged 26. JAMES OGG Cammis Omay d. 24 Apr 1850 aged 62; GEORGE OGG d. 27 Mar 1858 aged 60; SAMUL OGG d. Austrilea Mar 1854 aged 52. (Spellings as on stone)
Children of James Ogg (d1850) and Margaret Mason (1775-1838) m. 16th May 1797 Glenmuick
1) George Ogg christened 24th March 1798 Glenmuick - died 1858
2) James Ogg born c1800- died 1816
3) Samuel Ogg christened 1st April 1803 Glenmuick - Died Australia March 1854
4) Jane Ogg born c1807 - died 1832 (married to Charles Clark7 of Birkhall)
5) John Ogg born circa 1810 - died 1867
6) William Ogg born c1814 - died 1840
Kirkton of AboyneTombstone:
JOHN OGG, late farmer Cambus o' May died 25th March 1867 age 57 years
Inventories:
John Ogg 13/5/1867 Farmer & Innkeeper at Cambus O'May in the united parish of Glenmuick, Tullich and Glengairn Aberdeen Sheriff Court Inventories
John Ogg 13/5/1867 Farmer & Innkeeper at Cambus O'May in the united parish of Glenmuick, Tullich and Glengairn Aberdeen Sheriff Court Wills
George Ogg 3/7/1858 Aberdeen Sheriff Court Wills 7 SC1/37/43 cattle dealer lately residing at Cambus O'May, thereafter at Heughhead of Aboyne in the united parish of Aboyne and Glentanner
George Ogg 3/7/1858 Aberdeen Sheriff Court Inventories 9 SC1/36/43 Cattle Dealer lately residing at Cambus O'May, thereafter at Heughhead of Aboyne in the united parish of Aboyne and Glentanner
To prove (and I think proof is needed here) that the Ogg family cited above mixed with the Leys, then one simple check of the fellow passengers who emigrated with the Leys children of Sleach, highlights Samuel Ogg who left for Australia in 1853 aboard the "Lord Metcalfe". Alongside Samuel were Thomas Leys and Jane Ritchie.
Samuel Ogg is listed on the passenger list as "aged 48, a farmer." He disembarked at Port Phillip (Melbourne). Sadly though it seems Samuel Ogg cannot have fared too well on board, for although he disembarked, he graced his Promised Land for just short weeks, dying in March of 1854.
The third in our row of Kirkton of Aboyne tombstones reads as follows:
Kirkton of AboyneTombstone:
Erected by JOHN OGG late farmer in Easter Sluie, Kincardine O'Neil in memory of his father JOHN OGG d. 7 Jan 1865 aged 100 years 2 months. His spouse ISABELLA OGG d. 3 Apr. 1854 aged 79. Of their family GEORGE d. 5 Dec 1858 aged 51; JAMES & ANN d. in childhood. JANE SMITH wife of the said JOHN OGG d. 28 Aug. 1866 aged 51; above JOHN OGG d. South Mile End, Aberdeen 5 July 1872 aged 63.
Testaments and Inventories:
Ogg Jane ,Mrs 15/12/1868 alias Smith, spouse of John Ogg, residing at Easter Sluie in the parish of Kincardine O'Neil Aberdeen Sheriff Court Inventories
Ogg John 22/7/1872 residing at Easter Sluie in Kincardine O'Neil, afterwards at South Mile-End in Aberdeen Aberdeen Sheriff Court Wills
Ogg John 22/7/1872 residing at Easter Sluie in Kincardine O'Neil, afterwards at South Mile-End in Aberdeen Aberdeen Sheriff Court Inventories
So here we have almost certainly members of the same Ogg family. Further research remains to be done here - yet one element cries out at the writer: John Ogg, the first and utterly noble, centenarian of this account, farmed Easter Sluie. At the very time old John Ogg tenanted said farm, there was a family of Camlet there. It was at Easter Sluie that Jane (Jean) Gordon and her husband Donald McDonald raised a large family. Jane (Jean) Gordon (1795-1871) was married to Donald McDonald (1792-1855).
Jane (Jean) Gordon was a daughter of 'Camlet John'
Jane chose as Godmother to one of her daughters Mary Leith of Abergeldie Castle. Mary Leith's sister was married to Peter Gordon the then Abergeldie Laird.
Now it has been well rehearsed that the Leys family were at the centre of life in Glengairn and Glen Feardar. It is the former glen that brings the writer (somewhat frustratingly) full circle. For a tombstone in Glengairn rehearse the ONLY Ogg-Gordon unification to emerge in Upper Deeside. Why should this be frustrating, when surely a eureka-moment is called for? Well that is another story and not at all for this manuscript (if anyone has followed this far, and wishes to follow this through, it is recommended that they contact the writer to review the private manuscript: The Nathaniel Gordon Mission.)
In Glengairn Churchyard there can be found a fallen tombstone that reads:
"1823. ALEXANDER GORDON, sometime farmer Wand�head, Glenmuick, died 1786 age 52years and widow ELIZABETH OGG died 1806 age 6?yrs, son John Gordon died�, Alexander Gordon�. Kincardine o'Neil, died 15th May ? (only child Alexander Gordon died March 1823, aged?, widow Elizabeth�. Died Kincardine o'Neil 18th April 1854 aged�.?"
Beside this tombstone, on its back like its bed-fellow, lies a now faded memorial: it has been recorded as reading:
"By NATH. GORDON, Tomb. 1782"
Furthermore the next of the four tombstones of this Gordon group, links us with the Leys family. Mary Gordon born at Tombreck in 1830 married Alexander Leys (1821-1901). The 1855 marriage certificate tell us that Mary Gordon's parents were: Nathaniel Gordon and Janet Coutts (rehearsed on the next Glengairn tombstone: see below.) Alexander Leys was of course son of Charles Leys and May Fleming.
The other Leys connection with the Wardhead Gordons was the (by now infamous) non-banns between Nathaniel Gordon and Margaret Leys of the 28th July 1757 (please see sectionThree)
It is difficult to draw conclusions here with so many criss-crossing paths, yet the intersection does seem to isolate Glengairn as the meeting point of the Gordons and the Leys�.to be continued...