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

FERGUSONS IN FIFE AND FORFAR 327
Adam Fergusson, afterwards minister at Logierait, records *
his obligations to this Mr. David Fergusson, who, having
no nearer relative than a niece, ' and being very clannish,
was much inclined to be beneficial to any of the name of
Fergusson that were thought capable of a liberal education,
especially after his only son was lost on the ice in the North
Loch at Edinburgh.' Mr. David Fergusson, writer, was thus
drowned on 11th February 1682. The Rev. David Fergusson
died in 1696, and in 1699 Barbara Fergusone, spouse of
Alexander Grahame of Kincaldrum, was served heir to him
as his niece. The following account of one of his benefactions
is preserved in a memoir published along with one edition 2
of Robert Fergusson the poet's works : —
' Through the influence, it is understood, of Lord Findlater
his father had obtained a presentation in favour of Robert to
a mortification or bursary by the Rev. David Fergusson of
Strathmartine, which provided for the " maintenance and
education of two poor male children " of his own surname at
the Grammar School of Dundee and the College of St. Andrews.
The deed appoints and ordains that " the two children of the
quality foresaid, from the saide age of nine years untill they
attain to fourteen years compleat, be maintained, educate,
and brought up at the Grammar School of Dundee, and be
boarded with one of the surname of Fergusson, in case there
be any that can do the same, and failzing of that in any
other honest house within the said burgh of good repute,
and that at such rates and prices yearly or quarterly as the
said patrons and administrators shall think fitt; and be
furnished (the saids children) with sufficient cloaths and
necessaries for their bodies, head, and feet ; their coats being
always of a grey colour lined with blue sleeves.'
FERGUSSON OF BALBEUCHLIE.
It has already been noted that on 7 th February 1615
William Fergusone, Bailie of the Burgh of Dundee, had a
charter of the lands of Balbeuchlie, in Forfar, in which his
daughter was served heir to him in 1663.
1 See chap. ii. p. 126. ' 1851.