ANDERSON, James of Wester Ardbrake, Banffshire ²

   Other names for James were ANDERSON, James of Westerton ¹ and ANDERSONE, James of Westertoune.^{2 3 4}

   User ID: E909.

  General Notes:

"Johne, Anderson of Ardbreak, with consent of James Andersone, his eldest lawfull sone"

from The Gordons and Smiths at Minmore




"6th November, 1667. Saising Issobell Douglas, spous to James Andersone of Westertoune, of all and haill the toune and lands of Westertoune of Ardbrek, Ardbroddine, mylne of Ardbroddine, mylne lands, toune and lands of Lochend and Ryzell, and uthers."

"26th ffebrj, 1668. Saising James Andersone of Westertoun off all and haill the toune and lands of Lochend, and uthers."

"24 Maij, 1668. Saising James Andersone of Westertoune of the toune and lands of Slogmoholl, toune and lands of Breach, the toune and lands coinonlvc called Meikle and Litle Dytach, and uthers."

"26 Maij, 1670. Saising given to James Andersone off Westertoune of all and haill the toune and lands of Wester Ardbreck, Midle Ardbreck, Slagrana, Shanvell, Master Ardbreck, mylne yroff, Ardbrodine..."

'Anderson, younger of Westertown, is, upon Duff of Bracco's delation to the Chancellor, imprisoned in Edinburgh Tolbooth, for treasonable words in the tavern, at a glass of wine, by asserting the lawfulness of defensive weapons against tyranicall principles, and impugning the King's absolute power, assumed in the late Proclaimation of Toleration implyed; immediately a proces of Treason is raised, and his compearance to be 28th of March; he raised an exculpation on thir grounds, that anything that's past wes but problematick only for argument; and the witnesses were in law inhabile, Bracco bearing him mortall hatred, and had appealed him to a duell, though they were now drinking together; and Dunbar, Session Clerk of Elgine, one of the witnesses, stands infamous in a sentence; he was willing to take the new oath, and the Cause is continued, 16th March, 1687. Anderson of Westertown, having come in the King's mercy for treassonable words delated by Duff of Bracco, is forfeited, 26th July, 1687.'

'In the same (Pasch) roll appeared 'Jon Anderson of Westertown for Westertown,' and in the Michaelmas 1693 roll for 'Ardbrack' in addition. John Anderson dropped from the suite roll in Pasch, 1700.'

from Records of the County of Banff




"Another carved stone showing arms of both Anderson & Douglas can be seen on the frontage to Drummuir Castle at Botriphnie (see website for image), which may have come from the old house at Ardbrake which is close by. The Laird of Ardbrake registered his arms at the Court of the Lord Lyon sometime between 1673-1675 (Vol. 1, fol. 239), probably handled by his brother Alexander, who was in practice as an Advocate in Edinburgh. With an option to register both arms and crest, the absence of a crest may well have presented Alexander Anderson with a dilemma and it is difficult to resist the assumption that he used a signet from his wife's family, the Forrests of Rousland, whose arms and crest were oak trees. Thus, the Laird of Ardbrake became the lawful owner of the oak tree crest that has for Andersons the world over, become their clansman's crest badge (see website for image). However, it should not go unnoticed that Andersons in Northumberland had used oak tree devices in their arms a century earlier. The remains of their house at Westerton in Banffshire, bears a carved armorial stone dated 1664 (see website for image)."

from Anderson Association website ^{2 3 5}

James married Catherine LESLIE, daughter of Robert LESLIE 3rd of Findrassie and Isabel FORBES.¹ (Catherine LESLIE was born about 1628.)

  Marriage Notes:

"Catherine (Leslie), married to James Anderson of Westerton"

from Family of Leslie ¹

James next married Issobell DOUGLAS, daughter of Dr Alexander DOUGLAS of Downies, Provost of Banff,Sheriff of Banffshire and Unknown, by 6 November 1667.² (Issobell DOUGLAS was born about 1626.)

  Marriage Notes:

"November, 1666. Saising Issobell Douglas off and upon the just and equall half off the toune and lands of Slogmoholl, and toune and lands of Breauch and uthers."

"6th November, 1667. Saising Issobell Douglas, spous to James Andersone of Westertoune, of all and haill the toune and lands of Westertoune of Ardbrek, Ardbroddine, mylne of Ardbroddine, mylne lands, toune and lands of Lochend and Ryzell, and uthers." ²