WILLIAM DUFFUS OF BANFF -

WILLIAM DUFFUS OF BANFF - LETTERS

Letter from Graeme Duffus to David Duffus

G.F. DUFFUS & COMPANY LTD.
Architects
1359 Barrington Street.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
BJ3 1Y9
902/423-8851
September 18th, 1987.

Mr. David Duffus, Jr.
c/o Dixon, Duffus & Doub
NCNB Building
P.O. Drawer 1785
Greenville, North Carolina U.S.A.
27835-1785

Dear David & Diane:

We must apologize for not responding sooner to your August 17, 1987 package, received August 26th, 1987. Your photograph, Gordon's letter, the U.S. Duffus lists, etc., are much appreciated. My dads consulting business has kept him busier than is normal and we've been going great guns at the office too, hence, our tardiness. To get you started we enclose a few tidbits of information. Ultimately we will get a more complete package of related documents and I nope to be able to get you a colour copy of the painting of Duffus Castle that we mentioned, during your visit.

Enclosed you will find a letter dated 1st of December, 1966 from the Scots Ancestry Research Society. On the second page is what we believe to by my great great great grandfather, William Duffus, and his parents. Because the birth date closely corresponds and he had a sister Elspet, this may be the right family. The month and birth place are different from my grandfather's family tree, but other errors since discovered, would suggest he may have been in error.

Family of John Wiseman and Julia Trent Duffus

Attendance of Duffus boys from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh Scotland.

Note: I am named after Graeme Sym Duffus and his daughter Margaret is 86, living in England. I have some of his medals.

Marriage certificate William Duffus to Susanah Murdoch.

Note: This was signed by Wentworth who was the then Governor of Nova Scotia. He was responsible for construction of Government House next door to us on Bishop and Barrinton Street. He was an American who as a young man was Governor of New Hampshire and eventually fled during the American Revolution. He then spent several years as the Kings surveyor, finding trees suitable for masts for the Kings ships and hence, was an early explorer of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Finally he came to favour again and became Governor of Nova Scotia. His rather colourful life and especially that of his notorious wife are rather good reading in Thomas . Raddall's book "The Governor's Lady".

Got side tracked didn't I. Thanks again for the information, we must contact Gordon Duffus and see if there is a direct relationship. Will keep in touch. Thanks again.

Yours truly,

Graeme F. Duffus

Information from the Merchiston School

SCOTS ANCESTRY RESEARCH SOCIETY

Trustees: THE RT. HON. THE EARL OF ROSEBERY, K.T. HIS GRACE, THE DUKE OF HAMILTON, K.T. SIR JAMES FERGUSSON OF KILKERRAN, Bart., L.L.D. 20 YORK PLACE EDINBURGH I SCOTLAND Secretary and Treasurer:

Miss PATRICIA M. BAXENDINE, M.A.

Telephone WAVerley 4220

Ref. No. B/22283,

December 1, 1966

Allan F. Duffus, Esq.,

121 Shore Drive,

Bedford,

Nova Scotia, Canada.

Dear Mr. Duffus,

Further to your visit to this office on 7th April 1966' we have now been able to undertake research on your ancestral line, but I regret to have to inform you that this has not proved to be very successful.

Prior to 1855 registrations of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Scotland were voluntarily recorded in the old Parochial registers (unindexed) of each parish. The old parochial registers of Banff were accordingly searched for the birth of William Duffus circa 1762 and the following entry was found:

"llth December 1757 William lawful son to John Duffus taylor in Blairshinnoch and Margaret Gall his wife, was baptised named after William Mitchel and William Strachan. Witnesses Alexander Ellies and James Leggat."

Also:

John baptised 27: 1:1760

Elizabeth " 13:11:1762

The old parochial registers of Camrie, the coterminous parish of Banff, were also searched for the birth of William Duffus and the following entry was found:

"William lawful son to William Duffus (sic) and Margaret Gordon in Findon was born February 8th and baptised 9th 1762. Witnesses: John Dokar and William Robertson, both in Findon."

Also:

John born 22nd baptised 24:11:1757 in Findon

Mary " 18th " 19:11:1759 " "

Agnes " 9th " 8: 5:17 64 " "

Elspeth " 26th " 27:12:1765 " "

Finally, the old parochial registers of the neighbouring parishes of Banff, which are King Edward, Alvah, Marnoch, and Boyndie, were searched from 1761 - 1763 for the birth of William Duffus, but this was not found to have been recorded in any of these parishes.

As it was not known which, if either, of the entries found might be relevant, the investigation was halted at this point for your opinion and instructions.

The expenses incurred during this investigation, which includes fees paid to the Registrar-General for access to the records, have amounted to the sum of Six Dollars and we shall be grateful for your remittance at your early convenience.

I regret the slight additional delay in forwarding this report and trust that this has not proved to be a serious inconvenience to you.

Yours sincerely,

Patricia Baxendine Secretary.

DUFFUS TOMBSTONE ST. PAULS CEMETERY

Sacred to the memory of William Son of William & Mary Duffus of this Town who Departed this life on the 29th - July 1791 Aged one Year two Months & 19 Days. Also to the Memory of Margaret Daughter of William & Mary Duffus who Departed this life (on the) 3rd August 1791 Aged two Years ten Months and 4 days. Also to the Memory of Mary Duffus wife of William Duffus who Departed this life on the 9th August 1792 Aged 28 Years four Months. Also to the Memory of John son of William & Mary Duffus who Departed this life of the 2nd October 1792 Aged 8 Months and 16 days. Alexander Duffus Died 25th Novem- ber 1805 Aged 1 Year & 3 Months. Lieut. James Duffus RN Died 18th September 1834 Aged 48 Years.

SUSAN

Wife of Samuel Cunard departed this life 2nd February 1828 Aged 33 Years.

Design by David Duffus