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

306 CLAN FERGUSSON
November 1776. In his whole career he presents a wonder-
ful instance of unwearied application to study, a benevolent
and meek disposition, simple urbanity of manner, and a
gentle Christian piety. Mr. Capel Leoft in his ' Eudosia, a
Poem on the Universe,' thus writes of the astronomer : —
' Nor shall thy guidance not conduct our feet,
honoured shepherd of our later days !
Thee, from the flocks, while thy untutored soul,
Mature in childhood, traced the starry course,
Astronomy, enamoured, gently led
Through all the splendid labyrinths of heaven,
And taught thee her stupendous laws ; and clothed
In all the light of fair simplicity,
Thy apt expression. 5
It was truly said of him — ' He was a man of a very clear
judgment in anything that he professed, and of unwearied
application to study ; benevolent, meek, and innocent in his
manners as a child ; humble, courteous, and communicative ;
instead of pedantry, philosophy seemed to produce in him
only diffidence and urbanity — a love for mankind, and for
his Maker.'
The following are the notices in the Fasti Scoticance
EcclesicB of Fergusons who have been parish ministers in
Aberdeenshire : —
Crathie and Braemar.
16 — . Alexander Ferries or Ferguson, adm. before 1st
November 1633 : he was recommended to Parliament, by the
30th July 1649, for the reparation of his losses, by whom an
act was passed in his favour the day following: continued
21st October 1662. He married Christian Auchterlony, who
was alive in 1671, and had a daughter Agnes, who married
James Farquharson of Inverey. — [Spalding Miscel. iii. ; Reg.
Old Dec. ; Kirk Pap. ; Acts of Ass. and Pari. vi. ; Syn. and
Test. Reg. (St. And.); Douglas's Baronage.]
1700. Adam Fergussone, AM., descended from the house of
Dunfallandy; educated at the parish school of Weem; obtained