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My name is
Robert Paul Duncan. Robert is a Duncan family name, hence the reason for
my first name. My middle name Paul is the surname of my Grandmothers
family, who came from Rothiemay. My Great Grandfather was the Post
Runner for Rothiemay and surrounding areas. I thought I would share this
information with you as it is important to me and shows my connection
with the local areas.
For approximately 3 years, I have been researching my family tree and
have discovered much over this period. My daughter Joanna and I have put
together a comprehensive family tree, also with the help of my second
cousin, Chrissie Highmore. Chrissie is the local Registrar for Aviemore
and is one of my closest and dearest friends and relatives on the Duncan
side. Throughout this period, we have uncovered much but there are more
questions than answers.
My hope is that you may be able to help unravel some of the mysteries
and help resolve many of the so far unanswered questions my quest has
unearthed.
The following is a brief history to date of my family who lived and
worked the earth at the Robieston Farm. My family farmed the land for
numerous generations.
After my Grandmother died, very early in life, my father, Alexander Paul
Duncan, went to school in Huntly and helped tend the farm, until
returning home to the 'Boring Mill' cottage in Rothiemurchus to live
with his Father James Duncan (my Grandmothers name was Annie Barclay
Paul). My Grandfather was the estates Farm Manager. This position was
passed to my Uncle James Gordon Duncan who continued for many years
until his retirement.
The story really begins here.
In the 1920’s my grandfather’s family moved to the Grants Estates in
Rothiemuichus, Inverness-shire for work on their land and there they
stayed. Members of my family now live in and around that area.
Our family hail from Aberdeenshire, in particular Huntly and the
surrounding area, five generations of which were tenants of Robieston in
the Parish of Kinnoir and Dunbennan, as it was then and stories of these
days are still told within our family.
Our first relative to live at Robieston was Robert Duncan after moving
from Gibston. He must have moved to Robieston between 1776 and 1785.
Little is know of him. I have not been able to discover much about him
yet but would like to trace my routes / his routes even further back. I
cannot even discover where he was buried. I was informed he could have
hailed from Carnie (parish of Ruthven & Botarie in earlier times). I
have no idea how to progress this information further. This is an area I
lack and any help or assistance would be appreciated. Living near
Stafford in the Midlands does not help either.
His wife’s name was Jean Webster.
John Duncan (1776-1856), Robert’s first son was born in Gibston. His
daughter Elspet (1785-?) was born at Robieston. I have no information on
her.
Since establishing their home at Robieston, the family’s impact on the
local community was immense. Three generations later James Duncan (son
of James Duncan and Margaret Gordon) was to marry Annie Barclay Paul,
eldest daughter of Mr Alexander Paul, late post runner of Rothiemay, who
was himself a well-known and respected member of the local community. On
the 7th July 1911, his daughter’s Wedding day was recorded in the local
newspaper as a ‘unique family gathering’.
An article in the local Huntly paper read:
‘Their whole family (Duncan’s) of thirteen were present – seven sons and
six daughters, one daughter having travelled from Hull in order to be
present, another came from Glasgow. With two married daughter’s husbands
and their three children, it would be interesting (adds our
correspondent) in these days of declining population, to see if any of
your many correspondents could let us hear of anything to beat this
record’.
Concerning my first known relative Robert Duncan I desire to know
whether Robert was a tenant farmer at Gibston before moving to Robieston?
Who was his father? Had he any brothers and/or sisters? Are there any
distance relatives of mine still living? On and on the questions go.
My uncle, James Gordon Duncan, used to be perplexed by peoples interest
in the past, yet maybe one can be, when they have the knowledge of what
has gone before at their fingertips and thus one’s inquisitive self is
at peace. This is a luxury that I do not have and I strive to know more
of my family, their history, their way of live.
I already hold relatively early documents and information on my family
it is the information on Robert Duncan I desire and his parents and
family. My desire, my quest, is to go as far back as possible into the
history of the Duncan’s. There is still so much to uncover.
Were the early Duncans’ involved at Culloden? Did we change our name
from Robertson, as so many did to avoid persecution after the 45th?
The Mystery of the Missing Memorial Plaque?
The other very important aspect of my quest is to uncover the mystery of
the missing Memorial Tablet commemorating the service of my Great Uncle
William Duncan of Robieston, and several of his fellow Gordon
Highlanders, who took part in the Boer War. Again, I have been searching
for this tablet for more than 3 years. I have personally contact
Councillors, Aberdeenshire council employees, Architects, The Gordon
Highlanders Museum, and various other people. All have been very helpful
but so far too no avail.
From an obituary of Mr William Duncan in the Huntly Express dated 22nd
November 1912. It stated, “He was an ardent volunteer and during the
time of the hostilities in South Africa he was among the first when the
call came to sign on for active service. Remaining in that country for
over a year, while his name, with others, is inscribed upon a Memorial
Tablet erected in the Drill Hall to those of our locality who took part
in the campaign”. About 40 territorials attended the funeral including
Lieut. Welsh, Lieut. FC Mitchell, and Colour Sergeant J B Summers etc.
Additional information
My Great Uncle, 8089 Private William Duncan, served as a volunteer with
the 4th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders, served with the 1st
Volunteer Company of the Regiment attached to the 1st Battalion Gordon
Highlanders, the regulars, who arrived at Cape Town in November 1899,
proceeding through the Cape Province northwards into the Orange Free
State where the 1st Volunteer Company joined the 'regulars' at
Bloemfontein in April 1900, soon after their arrival from home.
Surely, someone must know where the memorial plaque is hiding? I believe
it is still somewhere in the Huntly area. The memorial plaque is an
important part of the history of Huntly and must be returned to its
rightful place on display for all to see. Can anyone please help find
this significant part of my own but more importantly Huntly's historic
past?
If anyone can help me in my quests / my hunger for knowledge in going
further back in my family’s history or uncover the missing memorial
plaque, it would be fantastic |
