DUFF, William Provost of Banff, then of Inverness ^{1 2}

  General Notes:

"It is also recorded in a paper of this period that ' William Duff, Provost of Inverness (1692-1695, 1699-1701, 1703,1706), was once burgess of Banff and apprentice to John Gordon of Balmade, merchant in Banff.'
Baird's account of Provost William must be given in full :
'Clunybeg's third son William, was a most Sagacious, mettled man, and became the most eminent merchant in the north of Scotland in his time. He lived at Inverness, was often Provost of that Burrow and had, for many years, and very justly, in a great measure the government of it; for he studied the interest of the community with unwearied application and without regard to any person or party. And he was a kind patron and protector to all deserving young people. These excellent qualities made his death much regretted and his memory long revered at Inverness.
'His nephew Dipple was apprentice, and afterwards partner, to the Provost and Sir James Calder, who were in company, and they three carried on, for many years, almost all the foreign trade benorth Aberdeen.The Provost made a great fortune with a fair (i.e. good) character."

William Duff married three times and had eight children, two sons by his first wife Christian Duff, and a son and five daughters by his second wife.

from Book of the Duffs

"2. William (Gordon son of William Gordon 6th of Birkenburn) 'was born the 13 day of Jany 1709 betuixt 12 acloack and on of the morning, provest Duff and Diple being Godfathers.' He was baptised at Keith, January 15, 1709. Witnesses : William Duff, Provost of Inverness, William Duff of Dipple, and William Duff of Braco (ibid.)."

from Birkenburn ^{1 2}