FARQUHAR Margaret born abt 1786

[jennywren001]

Hi,
I'm creating a book about my maternal grandmother's ancestors for my daughter and niece - trying to complete by Christmas. I was hoping to include mention of all 16 pairs of my 5x great grandparents. The only remaining brick wall is Margaret Farquhar's parents. I had a huge amount of help with Margaret's husband John Moir here:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=696207.msg5400761#msg5400761

I'm pretty sure she is the Margaret Moir showing on the 41 census age 55 born Aberdeenshire with son William age 15 living Fraserburgh.  I've not been able to find a marriage to John Moir, a second marriage to anyone else, a birth or death for Margaret.

A Margaret Moir does get married in Fraserburgh in 1842 but that's her daughter's wedding to James Mundie.
 
Farquhar does not appear to be a common name in Fraserburgh (no male Far* in 41). I have all the OPRs for the children's births but no clues amongst the witnesses.

From SP I've got the list of available Farquhar births from 1780 to 1789 (50) in Aberdeenshire but nothing stands out.

Thanks
Jen

[jennywren001]

I'm sure someone is playing fairy godmother .  Last night I did a general search on the internet for Moir and Fraserburgh and up popped a PDF file showing an extract from the Edinburgh Gazette, May 8th 1835. The piece is about the dissolution of a partnership for a distillery in Fraserburgh and it includes a list of the former partners - about 35 people in total. A number of people in the list caught my eye including Lord Saltoun, George Moir Jnr, Blacksmith and Margaret Moir.

Always great to get a little insight into the goings on of your family in bygone times. Well, you know what it's like reread for any teeny weeny clues you might have missed...and in the list is a William Farquhar, merchant, Crimond.

Crimond, Lonmay, Fraserburgh - contiguous parishes if my geography's correct. Is this the chink in the solid wall...could William be a relative? Looks like him on the 41 and 51 census so if he's related it's brother/cousin rather than father.
Jen

[GR2]

There are a number of gravestones at Crimond to a family of Farquhars, but none refer to a merchant called William, or anyone who might be him.

[GR2]

The Aberdeen Journal of 13-5-1840:

Under "Sequestrations":

William Farquhar, Merchant at Crimond, Aberdeenshire
- to be examined in the Sheriff's Office there, 19th May at
twelve o'clock.

[i.e. creditors to meet]

The Aberdeen Journal of 21-2-1855:

           A country Merchant

To be Let, with entry at Whitsunday,
THE SHOP, HOUSE, AND PREMISES, with or without
the Land, occupied by Mr William Farquhar, Mer-
chant, Kirk of Crimond, where, the district and situation
being desirable, there is a large and long-established trade car-
ried on.
For particulars, apply to Messrs DAVIDSON, Advocates, Aber-
deen.

The Aberdeen Journal of 13-5-1850 advertises the roup of William Farquhar, Mill of Crimond, so there is more than one William about.

[jennywren001]

GR2 many thanks for this.

On the 1851 census I can see two William Farquhars born Crimond.  The merchant, age 65, busy man as it looks like he had the shop, the post office and a 7 acre farm on the go. He also has a 77 year old Isabella Farquhar living with him.  She is recorded as his unmarried sister. It also looks like he might also have a new wife called Janet, age 41. In 1841 there is an 80 year old Mary Wood living with him - listed as widow.

The farmer age 62 is living in Rathen both in 41 and 51 so don't think it's him who sells the property at mill of crimond in 1850.  There are no Farquhars living at mill of crimond in 41 or 51.

If the merchant is related to Margaret Farquhar the only connection I have so far is that they were both partners in a Fraserburgh distillery. Lots of digging to still do.
Jen

[GR2]

No sign of a gravestone to William the merchant in Lonmay or Rathen either. Both graveyards have Farquhars, so not an uncommon name in the area.

Maybe there's a will on ScotlandsPeople.

[GR2]

Fraserburgh, Kirkton, in the old ground:

Erected by Margaret Farquhar, widow of John Moir, late blacksmith in Fbgh to the memory of Elspet Mathew her mother, who died 16th July 1840 aged 86 years and George Moir her son who died 16th Decr. 1840 aged 27 years, much and justly regretted. The said Margaret Farquhar died 26th Jany. 1844 aged 58 years, much and justly regretted.

[jennywren001]

GR2 that is brilliant! Thank you so much for your help.  I've checked wills at SP but alas no luck. I'll keep the old merchant on the back boiler just in case he links in any way. I'm pretty sure I can get on and start writing about my Gran's rellies now....
Jen

[Rubydoobs]

I don't suppose you know if MArgaret had a brother called William born in 1795. My great great grandfather was William Farquhar born in Aberdeen and went to London where he was a clock maker. I can't find out anything about his family in Scotland...would love any leads please