STRACHAN, William farmer in Robslaw

  Research Notes:

ROBISLAW

This seems to be an 18th century rendering of the modern Rubislaw. If so, it is now within Aberdeen and wholly urbanised. The dates given in the quotation below suggest that owners and workers on Robislaw land experienced serious change by the middle of the 18th century:

"Rubislaw Quarry was opened in 1740 and is located at the Hill of Rubislaw in the west end of the Scottish city of Aberdeen. In 1778, Aberdeen city council sold it to a businessman, as it was not though to be a source of good building material. However, over the next 200 years, an estimated six million tonnes of granite were excavated from the quarry, giving Aberdeen the name of 'The Granite City'. Rubislaw Quarry is the biggest man-made hole in Europe."

from Encyclopaedia of Reference.com ³

William married Marjorie LEITH, daughter of James LEITH and Janet NORIE, in 1714 in Old Machar Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.¹ (Marjorie LEITH was christened on 9 Jun 1689 in Old Machar Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland ¹.)

  Marriage Notes:

Old Parish Register
Old Machar Parish Aberdeenshire
Marriages

"1714
William Strachan servant to James Leith in Robslaw & Marjorie Leith daughter to the said James compeared & contracted marriage they were thrice proclaimed & married the (blank left) day of (blank left) seventeen hundred and fourteen years The said James Leith being the ca'o'ur (cautioner) for both parties and for their pledges the fo's'd pair were married by mr David Hederwick Minr of the Gospel"

William next married Mary FINIE.² (Mary FINIE was born about 1790.)

  Marriage Notes:

"The tenth Earl of Angus married between April and June 1585 (contract dated 12 April) Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Laurence, fourth Lord Oliphant, her tocher being 8000 merks Scots .... By her the Earl had three sons and three daughters"

from Scots Peerage (vol 1) ²