- John "Craig Darroch" Ferguson was the son of Duncan Ferguson (1740-1784) and his second wife Helen Stewart. His mother was baptized May 31st, 1754 at Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, the daughter of Robert Stewart, 7th Laird of Ledcreich and Stronslany, and a direct descendant of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland.
John and his brother Robert arrived with their families July 10th, 1816 at Qu?ebec aboard the brig "Caledonia" and were settled on the SW and NE halves respectively of lot 22 in the first Concession of Bathurst Township September 16th. They were followed two years later in 1818 by their brother Andrew and half-brother Patrick/Peter who both settled in Drummond Township.
Anna Strutt
Baptized July 22nd, 1781 to Duncan Ferguson and his second wife Helen Stewart of "Laggan" at Balquhidder, Perthshire.
[OPR Births; 331/ 10 266]
Name: John Ferguson (Craig); Residence: (blank); Birthplace: Scotland; Died: Decr. (1857); Age: 78
[St. Andrew's Burial Register]
'DIED.
On the 22nd of December, at the village of Cromarty, County of Perth, Canada West, at the residence of his son-in-law, John McLaren, Esq., John Ferguson Esq., (Craig-darroch) at the advanced age of 77 years; an old and respected inhabitant of this place. His remains were brought here for interment, and was accompanied to his last resting place by a numerous and respectable assemblage of his old friends (say 500 at least). He was buried with Masonic honours. The lamented gentleman emigrated from the Parish of Palquid re [Balquhidder], Perth-shire, North Britain, in the year 1816, was one of our earliest settlers, consequently had to endure many of those privations and hardships to which all persons in a new settlement in this colony are subject to, was met and overcome by him with that manly cheerfulness, courage and perseverance so characteristic of his countrymen, that he proved himself to be more than equal to the task of conquering every difficulty and obstacle that came in his way; he set a noble example to all around him, well calculated at the time to arouse the drooping spirits of his neighbours and direct them in the path that leads to true independence and self-reliance. To show the estimation in which he was held, the writer would relate the following remarks made over Craig-darroch's grave. An old Highlandes spoke to this effect, "Craig, Craig, you are lying there decent man, as you were, my heart is grieved at parting with you, I have known you for fifty years, we will long remember you."
Another Highlander remarked, "Craig, your friends are standing on the brink of your grave, we are sorry to part with you; this is the Sabbath day, which we have been taught to revere and respect, but after all Peter McGregor might shust as well bring his pipes and play Ferguson's lament; I think, myself it would be very suitable and proper that when in parting with our friend, his spirit oloft should be accompanied by the stirring strains of our national music, that so often has cheered many a gallant soul to death or victory; oich, oich there are but few true Highlanders left; but shust as they are we will let them be."'
[Col. 3, Pg. 3, "The Perth Courier, Friday, 8 Jan 1858; Vol. XXIV, No. 18]
Inscription
in memory
of
John Ferguson
of Craig Daroch
who died
Dec 22, 1857
aged 77 yrs
also
Helen Buchanan
his wife who died
Feb 19, 1830
aged 25 years
Erected
by those who loved
loved them on earth.
May they meet them
in Heaven.
|
1781 - 1857 (76 years)
