Genealogy Chat

Was your ancestor a prizewinning ploughman? A report in the Aberdeen Journal of 28th November 1810 names all the prizewinners at the Buchan Ploughing Match:

On Wednesday, the 21st November, in presence of Francis Garden Campbell, Esq. of Troup and Glenlyon, the Convener; George Gordon, Esq. of Hallhead; Patrick Stewart, Esq. of Auchlunkart - members of the Society; a most respectable meeting of Proprietors and practical Farmers of the District; the Presidents and many of the Members of the Buchan Agricultural and Deer Farmer Societies - the Ploughing Match for the Premiums given by the Highland Society of Scotland, in the district of Buchan, took place in a field of Auchtydonald, the property of James Ferguson, Esq. of Pitfour, and possessed by Mr Thomas Kilgour. Fifty Ploughs started, Forty-nine of which were drawn by single pairs of horses, and one by a pair of oxen. The Judges appointed were - Messrs James Gordon, Orrok; Thomas Laing, Haddo; John Geddes, Rattray; Robert Scott, Yokieshill; Alexander Irvine Ross, Tyrie; who determined the Premiums as follows: The first, of Three Guineas, and one of the Silver Medals, to Alexander Bonner, servant to Mr Alexander Bruce, farmer at Millhill of Kinmundy; the second of Two Guineas, and the other Silver Medal; to James Walker, servant to Colonel Hutchison of Cairngall; the third of Two Guineas, to Robert Ranny, servant to Mr James Bruce, farmer, of Middletown of Innerquhomry; the fourth of One and a Half Guinea, to William Carle, servant to Thomas Kilgour, Esq. tacksman of the farm of Auchtydonald; the fifth of One Guinea, to Andrew Paterson, servant to Alexander Harvey, Esq. of Broadland; and the sixth of Half a Guinea, to James Kynoch, servant to Mr John Mackie, farmer, of Oldtown of Coynach.

More items of genealogical interest from local newspapers are posted regularly at www.genegenie-scotland.blogspot.com