Records of the clan and name of Fergusson, Ferguson and Fergus

FERGUSSONS IN ATHOLE 39
It lias been supposed that a Baron Fergusson was executed
for taking part in the Gowrie conspiracy of 1600. But this
appears to be a mistake, and the true sufferer was M'Duff, the
Baron of Fandowie. This gentleman's aliases have caused a
good deal of confusion, which fortunately his successor, while
participating in it, has done his best to clear up. In 1602
' John Fergussone callit Barroun Fargussone, John Fargus-
sone in Cluny, and David, Baroun in Fandowie,' sat together
on an assize. The last, when chosen Chancellor, was described
as ' David Farguison, Baroun of Fandowie,' but when he came
to subscribe the verdict he signed in his own proper name as
4 David M'Duf of Fandowy.'
The Clan Fergusson were probably among the gallant
Atholemen who followed the banner of Montrose in the Civil
Wars, and formed the original nucleus of the victorious
Cavalier army. They are stated to have joined Viscount
Dundee's army immediately after Killiecrankie, and many
allusions in the extracts from public documents and private
papers which follow, show that they formed an important part
of the fighting strength of the dukedom of Athole and earl-
dom of Strathardle. The Baledmund papers in particular
furnish most interesting illustrations of the social conditions of
Athole, and of a state of society which was shattered by the
result of the first, and swept away after the second of the
Jacobite insurrections. In 1605 we find Thomas Ferguson in
Wester Balmacruchie and others undertaking to buy from
the Earl of Athole and Sir Robert Crichton of Cluny ' such
quantity of arms as it shall be found they ought to buy ' ;
and Lord Tullibardine's summons to Baledmund to attend the
funeral of John, Marquis of Athole, in 1703, ' bringing alongst
with you a pretty man out of each two merkland with his
best arms and cloaths,' and the order to meet his Grace at
Logierait in June 1714, 'in order to hear sermon,' show how
tenacious was the hold which the combination of feudal
service and clan attachment, which is found all along both
sides of the Highland line, had secured in Athole. A graphic
picture of the difficulties and dangers that beset a Scottish
gentleman of the days of ' the Fifteen ' is found in the
documents which record the defence and escape of Finlay