A collection of historical and genalogical records
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
Early Douglas and Drysdale migrants to South Africa
Started by Ronald Drysdale. Last reply by Ronald Drysdale Oct 26. 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. 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. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Reference:…Continue
Tags: Drysdail, Dryisdaill, Holyrood, Palace, Bothwell
Douglas brothers & name change to Drysdale 1503 story - Lammonbie Mill
Started by Ronald Drysdale. Last reply by Ronald Drysdale Jun 8. 8 Replies 1 Like
The Dollar Magazine March, 1909 (Vol. viii., No. 29) contains an article entitled "The Drysdales of Dollar and their Dumfriesshire Origin" by R. Paul (1909)…Continue
Tags: Dryfesdale, 1503, Dollar, Lockerbie, mill
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Comment by William Douglas on February 26, 2014 at 23:10
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Yes, I did not understand the spelling thing when I first read it...
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A slightly different version - with a different list of names below:
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"Dunfermline Press"
8 March, 1930
COLLIERY OFFICIALSPIT ACCIDENT. - While at work in the Valleyfield Colliery on Tuesday, Andrew Drysdale, miner, met with a serious accident through a piece of coal falling upon him. He was attended to by Dr Cook, Newmills, after which he was conveyed to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital suffering from a broken arm and other injuries.
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St Cuthbert's Parish Churchyard, Edinburgh.
Monument near East railing facing the east.
Sacred to the memory of Alexander Hutton, writer, Edinburgh,
an only child. As a son dutiful and affectionate, in his studies at the
University diligent and successful: in business, active, assiduous and
correct, died 18th April 1820, aged 17 years ; also of Mrs. Margaret
Drysdale, his mother, who died 26th May 1840, aged 80 years, wife of
Alexander Hutton, Portsburgh.Upright Monument.
Erected to the memory of William Drysdale, Junior, son to William
Drysdale, Turf Coffee House, Edinburgh, died 4th November 1792,
aged 30 years, much regretted by his friends and acquaintances.
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St Cuthbert's Parish Churchyard, Edinburgh.
Top Tablet on North Wall.
Sacred to the memory of Sir William Drysdale of Pitteuchar,
Knight, who died on the 4th June 1843, aged 62 years.Lower Tablet on North Wall.
Sepulchretum Thomae Cochrane, M.D., 1789.Marble Tablet on East Middle Wall.
In memory of Jane Fleming, first wife of Sir William Drysdale of
Pitteuchar, who died on the 18th November 1812, and of Jane Cochrane,second wife of the above, who died on the ioth November 1818 ; also in
memory of Captain William Drysdale, 15th Regiment Madras Native
Infantry, who died in India on 21st June 1843, aged 32 years, eldest son
of the above Sir William Drysdale.
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Here is an interesting list of Fife names where the middle name is Drysdale: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hughwallis/IGISco...
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Good sleuthing, Russell.
Do you know who Helen Agnes Drysdale is?
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Researching merchants in Aberdeen, I came across the family 'Alexanders of Lochaber and Inverkeithny', and their Douglas and Drysdale connections. The page contains many mis-spellings, so handle with care!
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ocarroll/alex.htm
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When I posted the information about the Nickson/Drysdale marriage, I had not realised that Lord Nickson is the father of a near neighbour!
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From the Times of 1 July 2013: Lord David NICKSON & Eira DRYSDALE - The marriage took place privately on Saturday 29th June 2013, at St Modoc's Church, Doune, between David Nickson and Eira Drysdale.
David Wigley NICKSON KBE (b 1929, cr LP UK 1997 as Baron NICKSON, of Renagour, in the District of Stirling) s of Geoffrey Wigley NICKSON (1901-83) and Janey Mary DOBIE (d 1994). He m 1st 1952 (Helen) Louise (b 1930, reg Q3 Hampshire) d of Lt-Col Louis William La Trobe CROCKCRAFT DSO MVO (1880-1963) and Sylvia (1900-95) d of _ MATHER of Huntley Hall, Cheadle, Staffordshire, and had 3 daus. He m 2nd 2013 Eira DRYSDALE.
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