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Drysdale - a Douglas sept
Information
Drysdale is considered a sept of the Douglas clan, but it is quite likely that this was a separate family which existed previous to when the three Douglas brothers adopted the Drysdale name. A sept is a family that can be related to a clan or larger family for various reasons. Usually this came about either through marriage or by a small family seeking protection from a larger and more powerful neighbour.
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Story of the creation of the Drysdale family
The following is said to tell the story of the creation of the Drysdale family, it was actually part of the Black Douglas clan which remained in Scotland, following their failed attempt against the Scots crown in 1455. [Earlier references to Drysdale, or Dryfesdale can be found]
"On the Twentieth Day of May, One Thousand Five Hundred and Three Years
We, Thomas, William, and James Douglass, sons of the departed Thomas Douglass, of Brushwood Haugh, in the parish of Drysdale, and Shire of Dumfries, left our native place for the reason here assigned, viz:- Defending our just and lawful rights against our unjust neighbour, Johnston of Greenstonhill, who, being determined to bring water to his mill through our property, and having obtained leave of his friend, the King, began his operations on Monday, the 16th of May, We prevented him by force.
The next day he brought twenty of his vassels to carry on the work. We with two friends and three servants, (eight in all,) attacked Johnston with his twenty, and, in the contest, fourteen of his men were killed, along with their base leader. A report of these proceedings was carried to the King, and we were obliged to fly, (the tocsin being sounded).
We took shelter under the shadow of the Ochil Hills, in a lonely valley on the river Devon. After having lived there a full two years, we returned home in disguise, but found all our property in the possession of Johnston's friends, and a great reward offered for our lives. We, having purchased a small spot, called the Haugh of Dollar, and changed our names to the name of our Parish, are clearly in mind to spend the residue of our days under the ope of the Ochils, and wish the name of Drysdale to flourish in the lonely valley. The King passed through this with his Court on the 12th of June, 1506, going from Stirling to Falkland - dined on Halliday's green. (an eastern neighbour;) but we were not recognised."
The above story has been preserved among the desendants of Thomas, William, and James Douglass, now known by the name of Drysdale, and copied at several times by different individuals - first, by Simon Drysdale of the Haugh of Dollar, in the year 1620; by Robert Drysdale of Tillicoultry, in 1708; by John Drysdale, Dunfermline, in 1835; by James Drysdale, Dumfermline, in 1838; by John Montrose Drysdale, in 1841; by George Drysdale, Aberdeen, in 1845; by David Drysdale, Glasgow, in 1857; by John Harrower Drysdale, Aylmer, Ontario, Canada, in 1920; and now by Nicholas Edwin Kontzie (great-great-grandson of Jane Drysdale), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in 2000.
Discussion Forum
The origins of the surname Drysdale
Started by Ronald Drysdale. Last reply by Ronald Drysdale on Wednesday. 25 Replies 2 Likes
In a previous post I gave some background information on the Barony and lands of Dryfesdale:…Continue
Tags: Moffat, Johnston, Maxwell, Gresson, Kirkpatrick
Early Douglas and Drysdale migrants to South Africa
Started by Ronald Drysdale. Last reply by Ronald Drysdale Oct 26, 2024. 3 Replies 1 Like
Hi all,Following on from William Douglas's recent comment:…Continue
Spelling of Douglas and Drysdale family names - variants
Started by Ronald Drysdale Oct 1, 2024. 0 Replies 2 Likes
Hi all, As many of you will have discovered when researching historical ancestors electronically, oftentimes important records are missed because the surname is spelt in a slightly different way,…Continue
The Raid of Holyrood - Bothwell, James Douglas of Spott, Wauchope, Colville & Archibald Douglas
Started by Ronald Drysdale. Last reply by Russell Lynn Drysdale Sep 9, 2024. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Reference:…Continue
Tags: Drysdail, Dryisdaill, Holyrood, Palace, Bothwell
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Comment by William Douglas on July 6, 2021 at 10:00
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Dunfermline Abbey grave markers
1_new_ground__database.pdf (dunfermlineheritage.org)
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Comment by Russell Lynn Drysdale on December 24, 2020 at 14:50
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https://douglashistory.ning.com/group/drysdale-archives/page/collec... [photo by William Douglas]
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The Admiralty yesterday [August 1950] issued the following statement:
"A small Royal Marine Commando Unit under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D.B. Drysdale, R.M., is being formed for very early dispatch by air to the Far East for service in Korea. This is in addition to the Royal Marine Commando Brigade in Malaya, which
will continue operations. For reasons of operational security, it is not desirable to publicise the size and composition, or the times of departure and arrival of this unit."
Lieutenant-Colonel Drysdale, M.B.E., R.M., who is 33, joined the
battle cruiser Renown at the outbreak of war and subsequently served
as a Captain with 101 R.M. Brigade. In 1943 he was appointed
Brigade Major to the Third Commando Brigade in Burma. Two years
later he was appointed to the command of 44 Commando. Promoted
Major in December, 1949, he became chief instructor at the R.M.
Officers' School at Plymouth last January.
© The Times, 22nd August 1950
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Colonel Drysdale of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders had his portrait painted by Hermann Schmiechen (1855–1895).
It hangs in Dumbarton Castle, not a million miles from where I live.
I will try to visit when that is allowed to find out more.
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Grade A pipers with their trophies awarded by Norman Maclean in 2006
L-R: George Stewart, Norman MacLean, Nathan Drysdale, Glenn Ross.
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Thank you, Robert.
I would be very happy if you were to take forward the proposed DNA project.
William
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Very interesting Robert Wang , However , When you run across someone Douglas or Drysdale who can connect to that document with actual genealogy please do let me and others know .
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New entry on Wikipedia: William Drysdale, cricketer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Drysdale
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In re the photo labeled ''A Drysdale family in Batavia'' Ben Franken states ....I don't know any professions... Thomas [Conrad] Drysdale (foreground in chair, great-grandfather) End of May 1930, upon request, due to physical
aptitude, with honor and with claim to retirement from the national service, Th. C. Drijsdale, civil servant on social assistance, most recently
Clerk at the department Compatibility
regional office in Jemarang..
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