James (Duff) Duff of Banff (1728 - 1804)

Born 1 Jan 1728 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Helen (Skene) Duff — married 12 Aug 1755 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Husband of Margaret Ogilvie (Dunbar) Duff — married 1 Feb 1772 in Banff, Banffshire, Scotland

Descendants

Died 19 Nov 1804 at age 76 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Biography

James Duff of Banff. Born Auchterless, Aberdeenshire 1st January 1729 (Gregorian). Died Banff 19th November 1804. He was a solicitor. Portrait of him used to be at Hatton Castle, Banff and now. In the WRA collection. Copy of it owned by MJA.

James was married twice. First to Helen Skene of Rubislawon 12 August 1755 in Aberdeen.^[1][2][3] She was born at Rubislaw, 27th September 1734, died aged 30 years on 12 March 1764,^[4] and was the mother of five children.

He married, secondly, Margaret Dunbar of Kincorth on 01 February 1772.^[5] She was the daughter of Isobel Abercromby of Birkenbog. She had 13 children, some of whom died young.^[6]

His town residence in Banff was a large quadrangular building with an arched gateway on the street leading to the harbour. He was Sheriff-Clerk of Banffshire.^[7]

James died on 19 November 1804 and his gravestone in Banff's Old Parish Churchyard declares his age as 75.^[8]

Children by his first wife Helen:^[6]

1. Helen, b. 06 May 1756;^[9] m. (eloped) Thomas Bell 1782.
2. Alexander, b. 11 Jul 1758;^[10] d. young; college in Aberdeen.
3. George, b. 1764; d. 1805. His mother died when he was 6 weeks old. Distinguished officer killed at Trafalgar.

By his second wife Margaret:^[6]

1. James, b. 1773; d. in infancy; bur. Banff. His birth is mentioned by Baird, writing in 1773.
2. Mary, b. 1774.
3. James William, b. 1776; d. 28 Jul 1797; bur. Greyfriars church, Edinburgh. Attended King's College, Aberdeen Univ. 1789.
4. Fife, b. 1778; d. 1800. Midshipman, estate granted to his father.
5. John, b. 1779; d. 1801.
6. Isabella, b. ca. 1780; d. young.
7. Catherine, b. ca. 1782; d. bef. 1840. Lived in Banff, and when over age 70 went to Bath and then Cheltenham, where she died.
8. Anne, b. 1784; d. 1876 age 92. Married Walter Biggar. One daughter, Mrs. Blaikie.
9. Sophia, b. 1785; d. young.
10. a child, d. young.

Sources

1. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Banns and Marriages" database, National Records of Scotland, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/: accessed 19 Aug 2021), James Duff and Helen Skene, 11 August 1755, Aberdeen; citing Parish Number 163/A, Reference number 130 382.
2. ↑ Tayler, Alistair Norwich, and Helen Agnes Henrietta Tayler. The Book of the Duffs (Edinburgh : W. Brown, 1914) Vol. 1:241. Cites Aberdeen Journal 12 Aug 1755, "On 12th Aug. 1755, was married in this place, Mr. James Duff, Advocate, to Miss Nelly Skene (daughter of George Skene of Robslaw, Esq.), a young lady posesst of every accomplishment that can render happy the connubial state."
3. ↑ Parochial Register for Banff in 1772:
   * Date:- Feb 1st, 1772
   * Detail:- "James Duff Esq., Sheriff Clerk of Banff and Miss Margaret Dunbar, Daughter of James Dunbar Esq. of Kinkorth deceased, were contracted &c. and married".
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/148852276/helen-duff : accessed 19 August 2021), memorial page for Helen Skene Duff (27 Dec 1734–12 Mar 1764), Find A Grave: Memorial #148852276, citing Saint Nicholas Churchyard, Aberdeen, Aberdeen City, Scotland ; Maintained by GariochGraver (contributor 47469430). (Includes gravestone photo and transcription.)
5. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Banns and Marriages" database, National Records of Scotland, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/: accessed 12 Aug 2021), James Duff and Margaret Dunbar, 01 February 1772, Banff; citing Parish Number 147, Reference number 80 83.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} Tayler & Tayler, The Book of the Duffs, Vol. 1:241.
7. ↑ Imlach, James, History of Banff and Familiar Account of Its Inhabitants and Belongings, (Banff : Robert Leask, 1868) page 106.
8. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/148987334/james-duff : accessed 19 August 2021), memorial page for James Duff (1 Jan 1729–19 Nov 1804), Find A Grave: Memorial #148987334, citing Banff Old Parish Churchyard, Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland ; Maintained by GariochGraver (contributor 47469430). (Includes gravestone photos and inscription.)
9. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and baptisms" database, National Records of Scotland, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/: accessed 19 Aug 2021), Helen Duff, parents: James Duff & Helen Skene, 06 May 1756, Aberdeen; citing Parish Number 168/A, Reference Number: 80 382.
10. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and baptisms" database, National Records of Scotland, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/: accessed 19 Aug 2021), Alexander Duff, parents: James Duff & Helen Skene, 11 July 1758, Aberdeen; citing Parish Number 168/A, Reference Number: 80 421.

See Also:

• kittybrewster.com/ancestry/duff.htm