INNES, Robert Merchant in Elgin ^{1 2}

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  General Notes:

"Dunkintie's brother Robert (Innes) was an active man of business. He wrote himself 'Robert Innes merchant in Elgin,' and his merchandise was no mean one. Like many of the younger sons of gentle families - like some Lairds of the North who found their acres not productive enough to live idle upon, Robert Innes dealt largely in exporting corn, and brought home French wine in exchange. He bought the 'ferme victual' - the oat-meal and bear received as rent by the landlords of Moray, and paid it in short drafts on Thomas Coutts & Co. of Edinburgh; and those bills were in great demand, for as yet there were no banks benorth Forth. Of all my unseen ancestors

I have the greatest regard for Robert Innes my grandfather. I have a good deal of his correspondence which, though all on business or trivial subjects shows him sagacious, independent, very friendly and genial, with a strain of racy humour. He had his reward in the general respect and good will of his neighbours. I think he and some of the Duffus Dunbars must have written almost daily letters to each other. Their letters would help to give a picture of the life of the gentry in and round Elgin during the latter half of last century - a purpose I trust they may serve when my friend Captain Edward Dunbar fulfils the expectation of the North by turning his large collections to a popular and useful purpose - the illustration of the domestic history of Moray.

I (Cosmo Innes) have my grandfather's bible (folio London, 1616) which, on a the leaf between the Apocrypha and the New Testament, has a family record"

from Family of Innes ²

Robert married Mary GORDON, daughter of William GORDON 3rd of Farskane and Helen DUFF, on 30 December 1736 in Elgin parish, Moray, Scotland.^{1 2} (Mary GORDON was born about 1714, died on 10 March 1751 in Elgin, Moray, Scotland ² and was buried in 1751 in St Andrew's Churchyard, Lhanbryde, Moray, Scotland ².)

  Marriage Notes:

"At Elgin the 30 Dec. 1736. That day about nine at night Robert Innes merchant in Elgin was marryed to Mary Gordon youngest lawful daughter to William Gordon of Farskan deceast, per A. Irvin Min'."

from Family of Innes (family bible)




"[....] there was a venerable mansion-house, lately removed, known as West Park. It was situated within a park of considerable size, and had a fine old garden adjoining, in which grew all manner of fruits, among which were apricots of the best quality. This old mansion was erected by Robert Innes, merchant in Elgin, brother of John Innes of Dunkinty and Leuchars, who carried on a large business, principally in the Account of export of corn, malt, &c, and import of wines. In this house was born, on 13th October, 1747, his son, John Innes of Leuchars, the father of our late learned Sheriff, Mr. Cosmo Innes. Mr. John Innes succeeded his uncle, and became proprietor of his estates, which he sold to the Earl of Fife in the end of last century. Mr. Robert Innes married Mary Gordon, daughter of William Gordon of Farsken, and his son John married Euphemia Russell, daughter of Mr. Russell, Commissioner to the Earl of Moray, better known by the name of " Chamberlain Russell."

from Annals of Elgin ^{1 2}