Genealogy of a Smith family 1590-1913

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GENEALOGY COLLECTiSFI

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 1833 01418 8061

Chaplain-Colonel The Rev. JAMES SMIiH, B.L)., T.D.,

F.R.G.S., F.S.A. Scot.
Minister of St. George's-in-the-West Parish of St. Nicholas, Aberdeen

THE GENEALOGY

OF A

SMITH FAMILY

BV

THE REV. JAMES SMITH, B.D., T.D.,
F.R.G.S., F.S.A. Scot.

Chaplaik-Colonel Royal Army Medical Corps (T.F.)

Minister of St. George's-in-the-\Vest Parish of St. Nicholas

ABERDEEN

Aberdeen :

John Avery & Co., Ltd.

1 91 3

1116044

The folloiving pages form a chapter in a larger publication
dealing ivith the paternal and maternal sides of my ancestry. I

have thought it might interest some of my immediate relatives
and friends to have this part of the other book in such a form as
this ; and I nozv publish it in tlie hope that it may interest them.

JAMES SMITH.

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THE FAMILY OF SMITH

(Belhelvte, c. 1590- ).

I. Thomas Smith {c. 1590— after 1615).
Thomas Smith, b. about 1590 ; in. about 1613 : d. after 1615. He
was a Farmer at Laingseat, Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire. His family
consisted of: —

I. James, /;. about 161 5, of whom hereafter.

II. James Smith (r. 1615— after 1640).

James Smith, Ik about 1615; ni. 12th March, 1637, Marjorie Mill
{d. after 1640), daughter of Thomas Mill, Farmer at Leuchlands,
Belhelvie ; d. after 1640. He was a Farmer at Laingseat, Belhelvie.

"March I3, 1637. Quhilk day in presence of Master David Lindsaj-,
Parsone of Belhelvie, compeared James Smith, sonne lawful to Thomas
Smith in Laingseat, and was contracted in marriage with Marjorie
Mill, daughter to Thomas Mill sometime in Leuchlands, and they both
obliged themselves to accomplish their marriage within 40 days after
proclamation of their bands no impediment being found, and in the
meantime to abstain from carnal dealings and not to have a penny
bridell under the pain often pounds. Thomas Smith cautioner for the
man, and Patrick Mill cautioner for the woman." (Belhelvie Register).
Their family consisted of: — ■

I. John, b. about 1640, of whom hereafter.

III. John Smith {c. 1640-1717).
John Smith, /'. about 1640 ; m. about 1670; d. 24th Oct., 1717.
He was a Farmer at Laingseat, Belhelvie. His family consisted of: —
I. Alexander, b. about 1675, of whom hereafter.

IV. Alexander Smith {c. 1675-1735).
Alexander Smith, b. about 167:; ; in. before 1696 ; d. 4th Oct., 1735.
He was a Farmer at Laingseat, Belhelvie. In the Poll-Book of 1696,
the general poll on the estate of the Earl of Panmure of himself and
wife is given at 12s. His family consisted of: —

1. George, b. 25th Jan., 1702.

2. Margaret, b. 27th Feb., 1707.

3. William, b. iQth June, 1709, of whom hereafter.

4. Jean, b. 14th June, 1712.

V. William Smith (1709-1750).
William Smith, b. 19th June, 1709; in. 20th July, 1738, Elizabeth
Ferguson {d. after 1750); d. 8th June, 1750. He was a Farmer at
Laingseat, Belhelvie. Their family consisted of: — -
J. William, b. 30th Sept., 1739; d. an infant.

2. Elizabeth, b. 5th April, 174 1.

3. Alexander, /;. 8th iMay, 1743, of whom hereafter.

4. John, b. 1 2th May, 1745.

5. Barbara, h. 20th Dec, 1747.

6. William, b. 5th Aug., 1750. "The said day Elizabeth Ferguson

in Laingseat, her husband being dead, had a son baptised
called William. George Smith in Drumhead, brother to the de-
ceased William Smith, became sponsor." {Belhelvie Register).

VI. Alexander Smith (1743-1773)-
Alexander Smith, h. 8th May, 1743 ; m. 26th Aug., 1764, Elspet
Muire, Foveran (6. about 1742; d. after 1770); d. 28th Oct., 1773.
He was a Farmer at Leyton, Belhelvie, on the estate of Menie. Their
family consisted of: —

1. James, h. 4th Nov., 1766, of whom hereafter.

2. William h. 17th Sept., 1763; d. 9th Feb., 1809.

3. Margaret, h. 6th June, 1770 : d. 2nd June, 1773.

Vn. James Smith (1766-1808).
James Smith, h. 4th Nov., 1766; m. 14th May, 1803, Janet Grant
(6. 15th June, 1769; d. 19th Nov., 1854), elder daughter of William
Grant, Farmer, Mickle Tillylair, Aboyne, of whom before ; d. 7th May,
1808, and was buried at Belhelvie. He was a Tailor and Clothier at
Newburgh, and at Bridge of Don. Their family consisted of: —

1. Lewis, h. i8th April, 1804, of whom hereafter.

2. James, 6. 30th March, 1806, and baptised at Bridge of Don by

the Rev. James Templeton, M.A., Minister of the Anti-
burgher Congregation in Aberdeen, before Alexander Smith,
his grandfather, and George Sangster, witnesses ; d. 28th
March, 1807, and was buried at Belhelvie. After the death
of her husband, Mrs. James Smith married, 22nd June,
1808, George Cruickshank {b. 27th Dec, 1762 ; d. 4th Aug.,
1813), Wright, Aberdeen, and a native of Belhelvie, by

LEWIS SMITH

Born at Newburgh. iSth Apiil, 1804
Died at Aberdeen, 24lh October, 1S80

whom she had no family, and ' whom she survived. He was
buried at Belhelvie, and she was buried in Nellfield Cemetery,
in the family grave bought there by her son, Lewis Smith.

VIII. Lewis Smith (1804-1880).
Lewis Smith, b. 18th April, 1804, at Mill of Newburgh, Foveran,
and baptised by the Rev. William Duff, M.A., Minister of Foveran ;
m. 6th Oct., 1823, within the upper room in the South Porch of St.
Machar Cathedral, by the Rev. Dr. Skene Ogilvy, to Mary Spalding
{b. 14th Nov., 1806 ; d. 2nd May, 1882), third daughter of James
Spalding, Ironfounder, Grandholm, of whom hereafter ; d. 24th Oct.,
1880. He was apprenticed in his tenth year to Mr. David Wyllie,
Bookseller and Stationer, Aberdeen, and in his eighteenth year he set
up business on his own account, at the shop adjoining the gate of
Marischal College. His shop became the rendezvous of most of the
eminent men of Aberdeen and the North, and he became intimate with
the Proprietors, Clergy, Doctors, and Schoolmasters of the surrounding
counties. Dr. John Hill Burton, Dr. Joseph Robertson, Dr. Kilgour,
the Principals and Professors of King's and Marischal Colleges were
among his patrons ; and he published many local books and pamphlets.
Among the many works published by Lewis Smith, his eldest son
James and his youngest son Isaac— both of whom were at
different times his partners — may be named the following : —
"The Aberdeen Censor" (1825); "The Deeside Guide" (1829"); "The Aberdeen
Magazine" (1831) ; "Sacred Harmony by James Morgan, Auchindoir "(1833);
"Jamie Fleeman " (1835); " Dunnottar Castle" riS3S) ; "The Book of Bon-
Accord" (1839); "Davie's Music of the Church of Scotland" (1S42) ; "The
People's Tune-Book" (1844) ; "The Donside Guide" (1844); "Pratt's IJuchaa"
(1858) ; " Speyside" (i860) ; " The Aberdeen Saturday Post and Northern Counties
Chronicle" (1861)— a newspaper which lived 15 weeks, published by James Smith,
eldest son and partner of Lewis Smith; "Legends of the Braes 0' Mar "(1861);
"The Druids" (1861); " Tamlanc " and "John O' Arnha'" (1S62) ; "Peter
Williamson" (1865); "Aberdeen V\ky Years Ago" (1669) ; " Shetland " (1871) ;
'•The Northern Psalter" (1872); " Ilelenore " (1S74) ; "New History of Aber-
deenshire," 2 vols. (187s); "Pocket Map of City of Aberdeen" ; " Wall Map of
Aberdeenshire " ; "Past and Present of Aberdeenshire " (1881) ; " Waifs of Rhyme"
(1887); "Tourist Guide to the Athole and Breadalbane Highlands of Perthshire"
(1890); "Benrxhie" (1890); " Strath-Spey " (1902); and "The Popular Dream
Book " ('190S).

Burgess of Guild, 23rd Jan., 1827. He bought the estate of Maribank
Maryculter, and built the mansion-house there. On ist Nov., 1836, he
entered the Town Council, being elected for the First Ward, and

defeating Mr. Middleton Rettic, Jeweller. He took an active share in
Municipal affairs (1836-77), and filled all the Council offices except the
Lord Provostship, which he declined. Master of Guild Brethren's
Hospital, 1837-8, and 1850-3 ; Master of Mortifications, 1838-9 ; Fourth
Baillie, 1853-4 ; Second Baillie, 1854-5, and 1856-7 ; Third Baillie,
1855-6; First Baillie, 1857-8; Councillor, 7th Sept., to ist Dec, 1868,
in room of a Councillor resigned ; Dean of Guild, 1871-3 ; Fifth Baillie,
1873-4 ; Treasurer, 1874-7. He was a Commissioner to the Conven-
tion of Royal Burghs, 1875-7. He interested himself in the educational
and philanthropic work of the city, as well as in politics. An intimate
friend of Mr. John Farley Leith, M.P., he did much to assist his return
as a Liberal. His devotion to business was equalled only by his love
for the city, whose prosperity and fame he did so much to advance.
His portrait, an oil-painting, by Sir George Reid, late P.R,S.A., and
presented to him by his fellow-citizens, hangs in the Council Chamber,
to which the family of his son, John Rae Smith, gifted it. At his death
he was awarded a public funeral, attended by the Lord Provost and
Magistrates and a great concourse of leading citizens, and was interred
in the family grave in Nellfield Cemetery. He was a devoted member
of the South Parish Church. Their family consisted of: —

I. Mary, b. 4th Aug., 1824 ; m. 3rd Sept., 1846, James Hobb Hay

{b. 1822 ; d. 2nd Nov. 1882), of the firm of J & J. Hay,

Carvers and Gilders to Her Majesty Queen Victoria ; d. 8th

Dec, 1894. Their family consisted of: —

(1) Mary Ann, //i. loth Sept., 1863, George Miller Robertson

(6. 9th Nov., 1842), son of Samuel Robertson, Currie, near

Edinburgh, and now a Contractor in Melbourne. Their

family consists of: —

i. Samuel Lewis, Architect, London, who is married to
Annie Austey, of Lincoln. They have a family
of Angus and Marie,
ii. George, Merchant, Perth, Western Australia, who
is married to Minnie Wardle, of New York.
They have a family of Evelyn,
iii. Mary Smith, w. 24th July, 1895, Andrew Gordon,
Solicitor, Edinburgh, son of Alexander Gordon,
P'armer, Oldtown, Roscisle, Duffus, and Jane
Brown, daughter of William Brown, Burghead,

Morayshire. He is Quarter-Master and Hon.
Captain in the 9th Battalion The Royal Scots
(Lothian Regiment;. Their family consists of :—
(i.) William Finlay, h. 15th July, 1896.
(ii.) Stanley Alexander, h. 9th Feb., 1903.
(iii.) Hilda Mary.

iv. Elizabeth Laura, m. Clarence Cole, Banker, Mel-
bourne. They have a family of James {d. an
infant), Basil and George.

V. Annie Mitchell.

vi. Henry Hay, b. 22nd March, 1878, Accountant,
Western Australia. He is married, and has
three children.

vii. Stanley Gladstone, who is an Ironmonger.

(2) Elizabeth Brodie, b. 27th July, 1849; w. 3rd June, 1870.

Charles Walker, Merchant, Aberdeen, a younger brother
of Lord Provost James Walker, D.L., of Richmondhill,
Aberdeen; rt'. nth Oct., 1899. Their family consisted of :—
i. Mary Hay, w. Joseph Coutts, retired Banker, Kaim
Park, Bathgate. Their family consists of: —
(i.) Mary.
Mrs. Charles Walker married, as her second husband,
Angus Macdonald, Merchant, Trinity, Edinburgh.

(3) Henry Smith, b. 26th March, 1857; ^''' Cecilia Grapes,

London. He is a Slate Merchant in London. Their
family consists of: —

i. Dorothy, ii, Raymond, iii. Brodie.

(4) Helen, ;//. Edward Charles Symons, of Chat Moss, Bexhill-

on-Sea, Sussex. He has a Boarding House there.

(5) Janet, in. Clement Green, Mill Overseer, Snowtown,

Kapunda, South Australia.

2. James, b. 15th Jan., 1826, of whom hereafter.

3. John Rae, b, 14th Nov., 1827; ;//. 23rd Aug., 1855, Isabella

Fiddes {b. 1834; d. 8th Sept., 1897), eldest daughter of
Wilham Fiddes, M.D., Overhill, Belhelvie, and Elspet Barbara
Mitchell, and niece of David Mitchell, Advocate, Aberdeen ;
d. 28th Aug., 1905. He was a Bookseller and Stationer in
Aberdeen, Burgess of Guild, 2nd Nov., 1868. Their

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family consisted of:— (i) Isabella. (2) Maria Mitchell, d.
3rd Jan., 1904, aged 46 years. (3) Jane Elsy. (4) William
Fiddes ; he is a Stationer in Aberdeen. (5) John Rae ; he
is a Stationer in Aberdeen. (6) Eleanor. (7) Lewis, d. 28th
May, 1866, aged 3 months. (8) Francis George; he is an
Insurance Clerk. (9) Jessie Fiddes, d. 6th Aug., 1868, aged
7 days. (10) Edward ; he is an Accountant in Middles-
borough, Yorkshire. (11) Norman, d. 3rd Sept., 1873, aged
15 months. (12) Richard; he is a Bookseller in Aberdeen
(13) Walter, d. 25th July, 1877, aged 3 months. (14) Alfred
d. 1 2th Aug., 1879, aged II weeks.

Lewis, h. 3rd Sept., 1829; d. 8th Dec, 1909. He was a Book-
seller in Aberdeen, but was in weak health from his
eighteenth year to his death.

Henry Constable, b. 23rd May, 1831; vl Eliza Denbigh,
daughter of Alexander John Denbigh, Merchant, London;
d, 28th May, 1907. He was a Linen Merchant in London.
Burgess of Guild, 2nd May, 1875. Their family consisted
of: — (i) Clara Mary. (2) Henry Vagliano ; he is a Linen
Merchant in London, was married to a Miss Sayers, of
London (now dead), and has one daughter. (3) Eliza Fernie.
(4) Kathleen Agnes Denbigh. (5) Julia Rowlett. (6) Lewis
Valentine. He is married, and has two children. He went out
to Vladivostock, Siberia, where he is engaged in the Tea
Trade with his uncle, Mr. Denbigh. (7) Margaret, who is
dead.

William Leith, b. ist April, 1833, and baptised by, as well as
named after, the Rev. William Leith, M.A., Minister of the
South Parish (1S25-32) ; d. 8th Dec, 1865. He was a
Merchant in Aberdeen.

Jean Thomson, b. 17th March, 1835; m. 28th Aug., 1861,
Alexander Walker (/;. 3rd March, 1825 ; d. loth Feb., 1903),
Wine and Tea Merchant in Aberdeen; d. 17th Feb., 1899.
Alexander Walker was the second son of William
Walker, Wine and Tea Merchant, Aberdeen. A pupil of
Aberdeen Grammar School, under the famous Rector, Dr.
James Melvin. Burgess of Guild, 3rd Jan., 1854. Dean of
Guild, 4th Nov., 1873, to 2nd Nov., 1880, succeeding Lewis

JEAN THOMSON SMITH
(Mrs. Alexander Walker)

ISorn at Aberdeen, I7tli March. i8j5
Died at Aberdeen, 17th February. 1899

Smith, his father-in-law. F.S.A. Scot., 1874. LL.D.,
Aberdeen University, 1895. Elder, West Parish Church,
1869. An intimate friend of Sir George Reid, late P.R.S.A.,
and one of his earliest patrons. A lover of Art, Literature,
Education, and Philanthropy, and a devoted citizen. His
portrait, drawn at a single sitting by the famous Legros,
hangs in Aberdeen Art Gallery. In politics, an enthusiastic
Unionist. Among the numerous institutions he served were
Aberdeen Public Library, Mechanics' Institute (President),
Robert Gordon's College, Savings' Bank, Educational Trust
and School of Domestic Economy (Chairman, 1891-1903),
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (1877-94), Royal Asylum (Chair-
man, 1890-94), Soup Kitchen, United Coal Fund, Sick Man's
Friend Society, Pauper Lunatic Fund, Aberdeen Dispensary,
Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor, Aber-
deen School Board (1876-82), St. Nicholas Parochial Board,
and many other minor benevolent agencies. Altogether, he
was one of the best citizens Aberdeen has ever had. His
last public appearance was on 26th June, 1902, when he laid
the Memorial Stone of the new Parish Buildings at St.
George's-in-the-West Parish Church, of which he was the
Senior Trustee, and sole-surviving original Trustee, and of
which his nephew. Rev. James Smith, is the First Minister.

Dr. Walker wielded a facile and graphic pen, and was a
voluminous contributor to the press. He wrote on many
topics, conveying in a style all his own what he had to say.
As a lecturer to local societies he was greatly esteemed. No
man ever had a warmer heart nor a more generous hand.
Among his chief literary productions are the following : —

" The Selected Writings of John Ramsay " (1871) ; •' How we Manage at Our
Board " (1872); "Sum Notabil Thinges Aboot Abirdene Ilospitales" (1873);
"List of the Deans of Guild of Aberdeen, 1436-1875 -'(1875) ; "Robert
Gordon, 1665-1731 "(1876); "The Paroch Kirk of St. Nicholas, 1860-
76" (1876); "Ten days out of harnesss " (1878); "In Memoriam :
Lewis Smith " (i83o) ; " Selections fi-om the Writings of William Forsyth "'
(1882; ; "On some Church Relics shown at the Seabury Centenary Meeting"'
(1884); "Disblair, 1634-1S84 " (1S84) ; "History of the Workhouse or
Poors' Hospital of Aberdeen "(1885); "On a Bronze Pot "(1886) ; "Robert
Gordon, 1665-1731, and his Hospital, 1732-1882, and College. 1882"
(1886); "Mary Queen of Scots" (1887); "The Templar Knights '

lO

(1887) ; "John Craig, 1512-1600" (1889) ; " Address to Ancient Order of
Shepherds" (1890) ; " Aberdeen and its Famous Printers " (1890) ; " The
Aberdeen Educational Trust " (1891) ; " Peei Men, or The Light of Other
Days"(iS9i); "The Aberdeen Soup Kitchen, 1800-92 " (1S92) ; "The
Comnionty of Perwinnes " (1893) ; " Thoughts on Theine " (1893) ; " Our
Current Coins" (1895); "Aberdeen Educational Trust: What is it?"
(1896) ; "The Tapestries of the Church of St. Nicholas " (1897) ; " Robert
Gordon, 1665-1731, and his Hospital, 1750-1876" (1897); "From the
Mither Kirk " (1898) ; " Mrs. Emslie and her Female Orphan Asylum"
(1S98) ; and " Some Facts about the Estate and Castle of Muchalls " (1902).

He was interred in Allenvale Cemetery amid tokens of wide-
spread regret and respect, his obsequies being attended by a
great assemblage of his fellow-citizens and friends.
Their family consisted of: —

( 1 ) Mary Spalding. She is Principal of Roan School for
Girls, Greenwich.

(2) James, b. 20th April, 1864; iu. 8th Sept., 1892, Georgina

Mary Carr Dunn, daughter of George Dunn, London,
Captain in the P. and O. Company's service, and niece of
William Dunn, of Murtle, Aberdeen. He entered the
Indian Civil Service in 1883, and now resides in Nagpur,
Central Provinces, India, from which he will shortly retire.
He was made a CLE. in 1904. Their family consists of: —
i. l^ertram William George, /', 22nd Aug., 1894.

(3) Alexander, /;. 6th April; 1867: in. ist July, 1896, Mary
Jane Mackenzie, eldest daughter of James Mackenzie,
Merchant in Aberdeen. He is a Merchant in Aberdeen.
Burgess of Guild, 7th Oct, 1895. Their family consists
of:—

i. Elizabeth Martin.

ii. Alexander William, b. ist Dec, 1898.
iii. Jean Thomson.

(4) Jane Smith. She is Lady Superintendent of St. Margaret's

School, Polmont.

(5) George Robert, b. 29th Dec, 1873.

George Boyd, b. 23rd Feb., 1837 ; d. 9th June, 1876. He was a
Merchant.

Alexander Philip, b. 3rd June, 1839; vi. 4th Nov., 1871, Lucy
Dudley Rowlett {Ik 13th Nov., 1845; d. 7th Sept., 1886),
elder daughter of William Rowlett, of London ; d, 20th

11

March, igol. He was in the Head Office of the Bank of
England, Threadneedle Street, London. Their family con-
sisted of: —

(i) Sydney Hastings, b. 1st Aug., 1872 ; ;//. 14th March, igoi,
Antoinette Mary Hames, eldest daughter of Charles
William Hames, Tailor, Clapham, London. He is a Clerk
in the Head Office of the Bank of England, London, and
resides at Wimbledon.

(2) Alexander Philip, b. nth Jan., 187;. He is a Merchant in
London.

10. Elizabeth, b. 7th March, 1841 ; d. 13th Dec, 1883.

11. Frederick, b. 30th May, 1843; ^- 27th Dec, igo6. He was a

Bookseller, but was in weak health the most of his life.

12. Janet,;//, (ist) 14th July, 1864, George Henry Gray (/;. 1833 ;

d. 7th April, 1867), Ironmonger in Aberdeen, and nephew of
Lord Provost Henry. They had no family. She married
(2nd) 25th Nov., 1869, Robert Cowie, M.A., M.D., of
Lerwick {b. 1st Feb., 1842; d. ist May, 1874), author of
"A Guide to Shetland," and son of Dr. John Cowie (^. 18 13;
d. 26th Aug., 1866), also a well-known Medical Practitioner
in Lerwick. Their family consisted of :—
(i) Mar}' Spalding, w. 31st March, 1897, John Westwick
Christie, Captain in the Merchant Service, Bristol, a son
of James Christie, Commission Agent, Liverpool, and a
relative of the Very Rev. Dr, William Walker, late Dean
of Aberdeen and Orkney. Their family consists of: —
i. Janet Smith.
ii. Elizabeth Mary.

iii. John Westwick, b. iith June, 1902.
iv. Robert Cowie, <5. i8th April, 1904 ; d. 20th April, 1906.
V. James Maclaren, b. 29th May, 1907.

(2) Margaret Heddell Gray.

(3) Elizabeth Smith, d. 12th Jul}-, 1874; and (4) Roberta— twin.

13. Charles, b. 5th July, 1847; d. 23rd April, 1865, of phthisis, at

Aberdeen. He was a Bookseller in his father's warehouse.

14. Isaac Forsyth, b. 2nd Feb., 1850 : m. (ist) 4th June, 1879, Jane

Dickson {b. 4th June, 1853 ; d. gth June, 1894)' only daughter

12

of John Dickson, Merchant, Edinburgh ; d, 12th Jan , 1902,
and was interred in AUenvale Cemetery, Aberdeen. He was
a Wholesale Bookseller and Stationer in Aberdeen (Lewis
Smith & Son), and resided at Heathcot, near Aberdeen.
Burgess of Guild, 2nd Aug., 1875. Their family consisted of : —
(i) Lewis, b. 4th Nov., 1880 ; in. 29th Jan., 1907, by his cousin,
the Rev. James Smith, B.D., Minister of St. George's-in-
the-West Parish of St. Nicholas, Aberdeen, to Jessie
Stephen Greig, fourth daughter of Charles Greig, Tobac-
conist, Aberdeen. He is a Wholesale Bookseller and
Stationer in Aberdeen, and a Lieutenant in the City of
Aberdeen (Fortress) Royal Engineers. Their family
consists of; —

i. Margaret Evelyn, baptised by Rev. James Smith,
ii. Jane, baptised by Rev. James Smith.

(2) Margaret Ethel, 111. 20th April, 19 10, George Eraser,

Engineer, Colombo, Ceylon. Their family consists of : —
i. Margaret Ethel.

(3) Jane Dickson.

(4) Mary Eveline.

After the death of his first wife, Isaac Forsyth Smith married (2nd)
nth Aug., 1897, Petrina Stewart Currie {b. 1863; -^^ 8th Sept., 1906),
second daughter of Andrew Currie, of Glassmount, Fife. She was a
niece of the Rev. Bruce B. Begg, D.D., Minister of Abbotshall, Kirkcaldy,
and of the Rev. John Wilson, D.D., Minister of Methven, 1S50-1904,
whose successor in that charge was the Rev. James Robertson, D.D.,
D.S.O., the distinguished Army Chaplain, and a former schoolfellow
of the Rev. James Smith, B.D., of St. George's-in-the-West Parish,
Aberdeen, at Fordyce, Banffshire.

IX. James Smith (1826-1863).
James, b. 15th Jan., 1826; m. 9th Aug., 1849, in Bridewell, Aber-
deen, by Rev. James Bryce, D.D., Gilcomston Free Church, to Christian
Chalmers {b. 7th Aug., 1826; d. 20th May, 1876), elder daughter of
Alexander Wallace Chalmers, Governor of Aberdeen Prisons, of whom
before ; d. loth July, 1863, and interred in Nellfield Cemetery.

"25th January, 1826. Lewis Smith, Bookseller, and his spouse
Mary Spalding had a son born named James, baptized by the Rev. Mr.
Stirling, in presence of James and William Spalding." (A.R.)

JAMES SMITH

Born at Aberdeen, I3tli January, 1S26
Died at Aberdeen, loth Jul)'. 1S63

13

" August 7, I S26. Alexander Wallace Chalmers, Governor of Bride-
well, and his spouse Mary Jamson, had a daughter born named
Christian, baptized by the Rev. Dr. Kidd. Witness, Richard Jamson,
late Shipmaster in Aberdeen, and William Chalmers, Clerk of Police,
Aberdeen." {O.R.)

"July 29, 1849. Mr. James Smith, Bookseller, residing in Belmont
Street, Aberdeen, Parish of St. Nicholas, and Miss Christian Chalmers,
eldest daughter of Alexander Wallace Chalmers, Esq., Rose Street, in
this parish, signified their purpose of marriage by Mr. Alexander Stables,
Elder, and being thrice proclaimed they were married on the gth of
August, 1 8-1 9, by the Rev. James Bryce, Minister of the Free Church,
Gilcomston." {O.K.)

He was a Wholesale Bookseller and Stationer in Aberdeen, and
was a partner of the firm of Lewis and James Smith, 1852-1S63. He
was reputed to be one of the finest violinists Aberdeen ever produced,
and was an intimate friend of many musicians. Burgess of Guild, 3rd
Jan., 1854. He was a remarkably elegant penman, and was also
possessed of a ready wit. His wife, Christian Chalmers, was descended
from an Aberdeen family of Donaldson, whose ancestry has been
traced back to I540, and of Cassie back to 1590. Of her five brothers,
who all died young and unmarried, three were Officers in the Army
(two of them serving in the India Mutiny, for which they were
awarded Medals), and the fourth was a Chief Engineer in the Royal
Navy, serving in the Crimean and Chinese Wars (Siege of Canton), for
which he received two Medals and a Clasp. Their family consisted of

nine children.

X. The Family of James Smith.
The family of James Smith and Christian Chalmers consisted of:—

1. Mary Chalmers, b. 24th Dec, 1850, and baptised by the Rev.

Simon Mcintosh, D.D., Minister of the East Parish of St.
Nicholas, Aberdeen. She was a Governess in London and
Brighton, and was one of the first to pass in 1874 the Cam-
bridge University Examination for Women. She also gained
the Certificate of the London School of Art for Freehand
and Model Drawing. She became an invalid in 1879.

2. Christian, b. 23rd Oct., 1852, and baptised by the Rev. Simon

Mcintosh, D.D.; d. 12th Oct., 1872, of phthisis.

3. Alice, b. 2nd July, 185^, and baptised by the Rev. William

Ogilvie, M.A., of the East Parish, afterwards of Fintray ;
d. 23rd Aug., 1855.

M

4. jAMES,/'.27th Nov., i855,andbaptised during fivacancyintheEast
Parish, by the Rev. JamesFraser,D.D.,of St. Clement's Parish,
Aberdeen. Educated at Michie's (Silver Street) Academy,
Aberdeen, and at Smith's Academy, Fordyce (1863-70),
under the Rev. James Largue, M.A., Rector of that famous
School, 1845-82. Liddell Bursar, Aberdeen University, 1870.
M.A., 1S74. B.D., 1877. Licensed 2nd May, 1877, by Aber-
deen Presbytery. Tutor in the family of John Paton Watson,
of Blackford, Aberdeenshire; to H. W. Knight-Erskine, of
Pittodrie; and to DuncanVernonPirieat Scotstown,nowM.P.
for North Aberdeen. Assistant, University Librar}', 1876-8.
Assistant, West Parish of St. Nicholas. Aberdeen, 4th Nov.,
1877, to 5th Jan., 1879. Ordained and Inducted 20th Feb.,
1879, First Minister of St. George's-in-the-West Parish, the
northern half of the West Parish, disjoined and erected into
a separate charge. Interim Chaplain, Aberdeen Prison,
February to September, 1879. Gazetted, 7th June, 1889,
First Commissioned Chaplain of the Volunteer Medical Staft"
Corps, and posted to the 7th Division, in connection with
the Medical Faculty, Aberdeen University. Promoted ilth
Oct., 1909, First-Class Chaplain, ranking as Colonel, and
awarded the Territorial Officers Decoration. Chairman of
Class Re-Union Committee, and Joint-Iiditor of the Class
Record, 1870-74. Member of Council and P^xecutive Com-
mittee, New Spalding Club, Aberdeen Musical Festival, and
of Business Committee, Aberdeen University General Council.
Visited Palestine, Egypt, and Italy, 1 893-4. Lecturer in
Scotland for Palestine Exploration Fund (and Local Hon.
Secretary), and for Egypt Exploration Fund. Presented to
King George V. at Holyrood, 1 8th July, 19II, by the General
Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Scotland, Lieut.-General
Sir Bruce Hamilton, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., on transfer to Terri-
torial Force as Chaplain of 1st and 2nd Highland Field
Ambulances and 1st Scottish General Hospital. P'ellow of
the Royal Geographical Society, London, and of the Society of
Antiquaries of Scotland. Member of Aberdeen School Board,
from 1903. Convener of High Schools Committee (Aberdeen
Grammar School and Aberdeen High School for Girls),

15 114B044

1 903- 1 1, and of Administration Committee, igii. Member
of Burgh Committee on Secondary Education, from I903, and
of Provincial Committee on the Training of Teachers, from
1905. Lecturer on ReHgious Knowledge, Aberdeen Training
College, from 1908. Director of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and
Royal Lunatic Asylum, 1 89 1, and of Aberdeen Dispensary,
from 1894. Life Manager, Morningfield Hospital. Director
of Aberdeen Victoria Lodging-House, and of Deaf and Dumb
Benevolent Society. Chairman of Aberdeen Maternity
Hospital. I9I 2. President, Christian Literature Society for
China (Aberdeen Branch). Member of General Assembly
Committees on Home Mission, Christian Life and Work,
Psalmody and Hymns, Army and Navy Chaplains, Religious
Instruction of the Young, Statistics, Correspondence with
Foreign Churches, Education. Benefice Register, and Scott's
Easti Revision Committee (Joint-Editor for Northern
Synods). LocalTreasurer, Church Service Society. Member
of Committee of Management, St. Andrew's Ambulance
Association (Aberdeen Branch).

During his ministry a Congregation has been raised,
numbering 1690 Communicants at the end of the year 191 1 ;
while the Sunday Schools contained 91 teachers and 805
children. An Organ and large Church Hall and Parish
Buildings have been erected, and the Church decorated twice
and lighted by electricity. The liberality of the Congregation
from 1878 to 1911 amounts to ^20,000. The Poor Fund
consists of £s$o. Since the opening of the Church on Sth
Sept., 1878; to the end of 191 1, there have been admitted by
Certificate 2204, and as Young Communicants 2375. The
Baptisms number 3931, the Marriages 1232, and the Deaths
1866. Among the Church agencies are Guilds for Men,
Women, and Children ; Bible Classes, a Fellowship and a
Mutual Improvement Association, a Ladies' Work Party and
a Visiting Association, a F"lower Guild, a Savings Bank, a
Library, a Mothers' Meeting and a Girls' Industrial Class.

In the work of his parish he has been assisted by those whoso
names follow :— 1882, Alexander Black, M.A., now Minister at
Blackhill; 1883, James Black, MA., at InvLruric ; 1S85,

i6

William Grant, B.D., at Drurnblade; 1887, James
Coutts, M.A., at (I) Ardallie, and (2) Wormit ; 1890, Alex-
ander Ross, B.D., at Pulteneytown ; 1894, Peter Smith
Bisset, B.D., at (i) Oyne, and (2) Craig; 1897, Daniel Dewar
Macdonald, B.D., at Fairmuir, Dundee; 1900, Robert
Maitland Souter, B.D., at Birsay ; 1903, William Fraser,
at (i) St. Stephen's, Inverness, and (2) Shurrery ; 1904,
Alexander Boyd, M.A., at South Uist ; 1904, Robert
Davidson, M.A., at Fisherton, Ayr; 1 906, William Metcalfe,
B.D„ at Shoeburyness ; 1908, William Duncan Frater, M.A.,
late of Maud; 1 908, James Alexander Stephen, at Orphir;
1 909, Angus Boyd, M.A., at Kilchoman ; 1909, Francis
Cantlie Donald, M. A., Assistant, Huntly; 19 lo, Alexander
Bain Harper, B.D., Assistant, West Parish, Aberdeen ; 191 1,
Henry Coulter, B.A., B.D., Assistant, Broughty-Ferry ; and
igl2, George Alexander Mackeggie, M.A.
The following hst contains his principal literary productions,
apart from frequent contributions he has made to the
Press : —
" St. George's-in-lhe-West Congregational Reports" (1882- ) ; " The Church
and Amusements" (1887); "Christianity and Benevolent Patriotism"
(1889) ; "The Story of the Medical Staff Corps " (1891) ; " The Book of
St. George'sin-the-West " (1892) ; "A Pilgrimage to Palestine " (1895),
illtis.', "A Pilgrimage to Egypt" (1897), illiis. ; "A Pilgrimage to
Italy " (1899), ill»s- ; " The Signs of the Times " (1S99) ; " Tweniy-Oue
Years' History of St. George's-in-the-West Parish " (1900), illus, ; " In
Memoriam : Queen Victoria " (1901) ; " Spiritual Independence : What
is it ?" (1904) ; " Twenty-Five Years' History of St. George's-in-the-West
Parish" (1904), illus. ; "The Soul and Knowledge" (1906) ; "Against
Cruelty to Dumb Animals "(1907); "Patriotism" (1908); "Faith in
God " (1908) ; " In Memoriam : King Edward VII." (1910) ; " Christian
Manliness" (1912); "The Social Problem" (1912); and "My Family
History "(1913).

Elizabeth, b. 25th April, 1857, and baptised by the Rev. John
Marshall Lang, afterwards the Very Rev. J. Marshall Lang,
C.V.O., LL.D., D.D., Principal of Aberdeen University,
(1900-9); fl^. 1st Dec, 1875, in London, ofphthisis,andwasburied
in Highgate Cemetery, there. She was a Governess in Aber-
deen and in Cologne, whence she came to London to die.

Alice, b. 9th Feb., 1859, and baptised by the Rev. Robert Flint,
M.A., LL.D., D.D., F.R.S.E., afterwards Professor of Moral

:\rARV CHAI.MKKS SMITH

MRS. JAMES SMITH

(1826-76)
Christian Ciialmers

( IIKISTIAX SNHTH
(1S52-1872)

r- ^

ALicK ^.\l^m

ELIZABETH S^HTH
(1857-1875)

MRS. JAMES SMITH AND FOUR OF HER DAUGHTERS

17

Philosophy in St. Andrews University, and thereafter Pro-
fessor of Divinity in Edinburgh University, one of the most
voluminous and learned Divines the Church of Scotland has
produced. She was a Governess in the families of Admiral
Sir John D. Hay, Bart., General Brendon, Count Grafen von
Gamier, of Turawa, Silesia, and of Sir Charles Shelley, Bart,
(nephew of the poet), and also in London, Berlin, and Paris.
She became an invahd in 1893. She is an accomplished
Artist, Linguist, and Musician.

7. A daughter, b. 23rd April, i860 ; d. 24th April, i860.

8. Louisa, b. 17th July, 1861, and baptised by the Rev. Robert

Flint ; d. i8th August, 1866.

9. Alexander Wallace, b. 9th March, 1863, and baptised by the

Rev. Colin McCuUoch, M.A., of the East Parish, and after-
wards in Australia ; d. 26th June, 1863.

The descendants of Lewis Smith number 103— of whom 10 are
sons and 4 daughters ; 20 grandsons and 30 grand-daughters ; 1 1 great-
grandsons and 15 great-grand-daughters ; and 8 great-great-grandsons
and 5 great-great-grand-daughters. His family of 10 sons and 4
daughters has all passed away, except his youngest daughter, Mrs.
Janet Smith or Cowie, who resides at 16 Cumberland Avenue, Sefton
Park, Liverpool. The great Wholesale Booksellers' and Stationers'
Business, which Lewis Smith founded in 1S21, and in which he had as
his partner for ten years (1852 to 1862) his eldest son, James, under the
style of Lewis and James Smith, and in which he had later as his
partner for a year his youngest son, Isaac Forsyth Smith, under the
style of Lewis Smith and Son, is now the property of his youngest son's
only son, Lewis Smith.

9912

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