Person Page - 106

Elspeth Fergusson was born in Moulin, Perthshire, in 1753.¹ and was baptised on 27 January 1753 in Moulin.¹

Ernest Stuart Fergusson was born in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, on 15 August 1864.^1,2
The siblings Alexander, John, Ernest, Norman and Anita were listed in the 1871 census at 14 1/2 Newcastle St in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire, with their parents, John Fergusson and Jessie Muirhead McFarlane.³
The siblings Alexander, Ernest, Norman, Anita, Mabel, James and Winifred were listed in the 1881 census at Cardiff St John in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, with their parents, John Fergusson and Jessie Muirhead McFarlane. Ernest was a clerk in a coal office.⁴

He married Constance Evelyne Legay Hawkins, daughter of Willoughby Legay Hawkins and Fanny Wiggins, at St Margaret's Church in Roath, Glamorganshire, on 1 October 1888. They left on a trip to London, Newcastle and other places after the wedding.^1,5,6
He was listed as a boarder in Jane Eleanor (Ellen) Savours's household in the 1891 Census at Culver House in Michaelstone-super-Ely, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, and gave his occupation as iron-ore importer; his son Gilbert was with him.⁷

Ernest was the defendant in a strange breach of promise court case at London, Middlesex, on 19 March 1895. One Alice White claimed he had met her in 1888, shortly before his marriage, and had proposed to her in 1894. He claimed she was well aware he was a married man and no such proposal took place. She claimed £10,000 in damages - the jury, after 5 minutes deliberation, decided he was guilty, but awarded her only £500 with costs.⁸

He enlisted for service in the Boer War on 27 January 1900, serving as a Trooper (#13186) in the 52 Company (Paget's Horse), 19th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry, and earned the Queen's Sth Africa Medal Clasp. Having suffered several bouts of malaria, he was discharged at his own request on 18 Sep 1901.⁹

Ernest separated from his wife Constance Evelyne Legay Hawkins at Cardiff, Glamorganshire, in May 1905. Constance applied for a separation order on the grounds of desertion, as she had not lived with her husband since shortly after she heard the news of the breach of promise action against him, which had occurred two days before the birth of a child. The court ordered maintenance of £2 per week and costs against Ernest.¹⁰

He left Liverpool on the 13 May 1908 on the Friesland, bound for Philadelphia, describing himself as an 'iron master metallurgist.¹¹'

He was convicted of habitual drunkenness and committed to a certified inebriate reformatory at Brentry for 3 years on 5 April 1911 at London County Court in London, Middlesex. This followed a series of arrests for drunkenness from 29 July 1910 until 14 Sep 1910 (when he had variously used the name of James Edwards or Ernest Stewart Fergus(s)on) and a conviction on 8 Nov 1910 for being a habitual drunkard, when he had pleaded guilty on his own recognizance for £5.^12,13
He was listed in the 1911 census at H.M. Prison Brixton in Brixton Hill, Lambeth, London, and gave his occupation as 'mining engineer.¹⁴'

He left London for Naples on the 10 April 1914 on the Otway - now giving his occupation as Commercial Agent - this would have been only shortly after his release from his 3 years detention.¹¹
He was listed in the 1921 census, boarding at 7-11 Shorts Gardens in St Giles and Bloomsbury, Middlesex, and gave his occupation as 'mineralogist', working on his own account. He also claimed (incorrectly) to be widowed, as did his wife.¹⁵

He left Southampton on the 2 June 1925 on the Tambora, bound for Tangier, Morocco - he now claimed to be a mine-owner.¹¹

He was widowed at age 72 on the death of his wife Constance on 4 December 1936.^16,17

He was listed in the 1939 Register at 6 St Clares Chamber, Silvester St in Southwark, London, Middlesex; he gave his occupation as 'hawker'.¹⁸

Ernest's death was registered between January 1941 and March 1941 in Hammersmith, London, Middlesex.¹⁹

Ewen Fergusson was born in Logierait, Perthshire, circa 1836.¹
The siblings Christian, Ewen, Janet and Mary were listed in the 1841 census at Balmore in Logierait, Perthshire, with their parents, John Fergusson and Christy McGregor.¹
He was listed in the 1851 census, visiting the household of a Peter CAMPBELL at 'Fynacuile' in Logierait, Perthshire.²
He was listed as the brother of John Fergusson in the 1861 Census at 42 Thomas St in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire, and was a travelling draper.³

Ewen's marriage to Caroline Mary Field, daughter of Richard Field and Susan Fuller, was registered between October 1864 and December 1864 in Hertford, Hertfordshire.⁴

He was listed in the 1871 census as Head of Family at West Place in Pontypool, Trevethin, Monmouthshire, with his wife Caroline; he was a travelling draper. Their children Alexander, Susan and Richard were listed as living with them, as was Caroline's sister Susan Field.⁵

He was widowed on the death of his wife Caroline between July 1874 and September 1874.⁶

He was listed in the 1881 census as Head of Family at George St in Pontypool, Trevethin, Monmouthshire; he was a travelling draper (a shirt-maker). His children Alexander and Augustus were listed as living with him, as was his sister-in-law Susan Field.⁷

Ewen's second marriage was to Isabella McDonald on 15 July 1892 at Kirkton in Old Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire. He now gave his occupation as journeyman mason; Isabella had previously been married to a John SCOTT.⁸

Ewen died on 6 March 1915 at 22 Kirkton Terrace in Old Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire, of a cerebral haemorrhage, with his occupation now stated to be 'dyke builder.⁹'

Ewen Alastair John Fergusson GCMG, GCVO was born in Singapore on 28 October 1932.¹

Ewen arrived in London on 19 May 1933 on the Aeneas from Singapore, and returned to Singapore on the same ship, leaving Liverpool on the 4 Nov 1933 with (on both trips) his mother Winifred.²

Ewen arrived in London on the Sarpedon from Singapore on 15 May 1935 with his parents Ewen and Winifred.³

Ewen returned to Singapore, leaving Liverpool on the Hector on 25 January 1936 with his parents Ewen and Winifred.⁴

Ewen and Donald arrived in Liverpool on 2 August 1945 on the Dominion Monarch from Melbourne with their parents Ewen and Winifred.⁵

He was educated at Rugby and Oriel College, Oxford and was a rugby cap (5 times) for Scotland (1954) before performing National Service (1954-56) in the 60th Rifles Kings Royal Rifle Corps (2nd Lt).¹

After joining the Foreign Office in 1956, he was seconded to be Assistant Private Secretary to the Minister of Defence (1957–59) and then served in the British Embassy, Addis Ababa (1960). Later, he was attached to the British Trade Development Office, New York (1967), was Counsellor and Head of Chancery, Office of UK Permanent Representative to European Communities (1972–75), Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary (1975–78), Assistant Under-Secretary of State, FCO (1978–82), Ambassador to South Africa (1982–84), Deputy Under-Secretary of State (Middle East and Africa), FCO (1984–87), and Ambassador to France (1987–92).¹ He was awarded a KCMG (1987), GCVO (1992) and elevated to GCMG (1993); was an Hon. Fellow of Oriel College (1988), Hon. LLD (Aberdeen, 1995) and a Grand Officier Legion d'honneur.¹

He served as non-exec Chair, Coutts & Co (1993-99) and Savoy Hotel Group (Dir. 1993-98), non-exec Dir. BT (1993-99) and Sun Alliance (1993-96), Chair of Rugby School (1995-2002 and Gov. 1985-2002), Trustee of the National Gallery (1995-2002), Henry Moore Foundation (from 1998 and Chair from 2001).¹

Ewen died on 20 April 2017 in Vaison-la-Romaine, Provence, at age 84.⁶

Ewen Angus McDonald Fergusson was born at 4 Bluevale St in Camlachie, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, on 20 July 1901.¹
The siblings Ewen, Isabella, Elizabeth and Maggie were listed in the 1921 census at 24a Glebe St in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, with their parents, Ewen Ferguson and Isabella Macdonald. Ewen was an out of work engineer.²

Ewen died in 1944 in George Sq, Edinburgh, Midlothian.³

Ewen Mcgregor Field Fergusson was born at 87 Burnbank St in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, on 16 October 1897.^2,3,1
The siblings Ewen, Mary and David were listed in the 1901 census at 39 Lugar St in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, with their parents, Augustus James Fergusson and Margaret Duncan Millar.²
The siblings Ewen, Mary, David, Angus, Caroline, Margaret, Janet and Robert were listed in the 1911 census at 39 Lugar St in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, with their parents, Augustus James Fergusson and Margaret Duncan Millar.⁴
He served from 1914 to 1919 and on discharge was a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers.⁵

He left London for Singapore on the Delta on 3 December 1920, giving his occupation as accountant.⁶

He arrived back in London on the Patroclus from Singapore on 25 September 1925, giving his parent's Coatbridge address as his destination. Although he gave his last permanent residence as 'Scotland', occupation 'merchant', he clearly intended to return overseas.⁷

He married Winifred Evelyn (Bobbie) Bagnall at St John the Divine in Fairfield, Lancashire, on 23 September 1931.^8,9

He and his wife Winifred arrived in London on the Sarpedon from Singapore on 15 May 1935 accompanied by their child Ewen. They now gave their permanent residence as Malaya, although there is no record found of their return to Singapore after their marriage and before the birth of their son.⁷

He and his wife Winifred returned to Singapore, leaving Liverpool on the Hector on 25 January 1936 accompanied by their child Ewen.¹⁰

He and his wife Winifred arrived in Liverpool on 2 August 1945 on the Dominion Monarch from Melbourne accompanied by their children Ewen and Donald. They are on the list of 'Malayan evacuees embarked at Melbourne', but also state their last permanent residence was in Australia. From this we conclude the family must have left Singapore before the Japanese invasion, although they have not been found on any passenger lists of ships leaving Singapore at that time.¹¹

At some point, possibly when he first arrived in Singapore, he joined The Straits Trading Company, a specialist tin mining and trading company, which had been established since 1887 in Kuala Lumpur and later Singapore. He rose to be Chairman of the company from 1947-1965.¹²

He arrived in New York on 18 April 1948 on the Parthia from Liverpool on a passport issued in Singapore, giving his wife as a contact name at the Straits Trading Co, Singapore. He appeared to be visiting the British Colonial Tin Delegation in Washington and looked to be travelling in company with at least two mine engineers from Kuala Lumpur. His personal characteristics were given as height 6' 1", hair brown, eyes blue.

He made subsequent business trips between the UK and New York in Feb 1950 (arriving on the America, leaving on the Queen Mary) and Jan 1956 (flying BOAC).¹³ The Queen conferred a Knight Bachelor honour on Ewen, for public services to Singapore on 1 June 1953.¹⁴

Ewen died on 24 October 1974 in Singapore at age 77.^15,16

His will was probated in London on 10 February 1977 with an estate in England & Wales of £92940.¹⁶

Gilbert Stuart Fergusson was born in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, on 24 July 1889. And was supposedly named after W.S. Gilbert.^1,2,3
He was listed as a boarder in Jane Eleanor (Ellen) Savours's household in the 1891 Census at Culver House in Michaelstone-super-Ely, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, along with his father.⁴
He was listed as the nephew of Jane Eleanor (Ellen) Savours in the 1901 Census at 19 The Parade in Barry, Glamorganshire, although the 'nephew' relationship is almost certainly untrue.⁵
He was listed as the nephew of Ellen Jane Morgan in the 1911 Census at 19 The Parade in Barry, Glamorganshire, and was a marine engineer. Note that the relationship as nephew of Ellen is unlikely, as in 1901 he was supposedly the nephew of Ellen's mother Jane, which is also suspect. It is likely that he and his brothers referred to Jane MORGAN as 'auntie' even though she was probably only a friend of the family, and a supposed relationship was assumed by the next generation.⁶
He was listed as the nephew of Mary Catherine Morgan in the 1921 Census at 19 The Parade in Barry, Glamorganshire; he was currently out of work but had been working as a fitter in ship repairs at Messrs Shearman & Co.⁷

According to family history he did not work for about 15 years after the War, possibly due to bad health. In 1929 he tried to get himself a job in South America, but eventually was employed in 1933 as an engineer at Portsmouth, and by the time of his death was an engineer fitter at the Royal Naval Dockyard.⁸

He was listed in the 1939 Register at 10 Grange Rd in Portsmouth, Hampshire; he gave his ocupation as a marine engineer and was living in the household of Mr & Mrs ATKINS.⁹

Gilbert's death was registered between April 1941 and June 1941 at Royal Portsmouth Hospital in Portsmouth, Hampshire, of a gastric ulcer. He never married and left his estate partly to his landlady, probably the Mrs Atkins of 58 Augustine Road, North End, who notified his death.^10,8

Honor Scott Fergusson was born in Stanmore, Middlesex, on 22 December 1898.^1,2,3,4
The siblings Mary and Honor were listed in the 1901 census at Kinlark in Little Stanmore, Hendon, Middlesex, with their parents, Norman Gardner Fergusson and Caroline Mary Graham Scott.¹
She was listed in the 1911 census at Bentley Priory in Harrow, Middlesex, where she was a pupil with her sister Mary.⁵
The siblings Honor and Nancy were listed in the 1921 census at The Rectory in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, with their mother Caroline Mary Graham Scott.⁶

Honor's marriage to Ronald Selby Smith was registered between July 1922 and September 1922 in Hertfordshire. The engagement had been announced in the Times on 23 Jul 1921.⁷

She and her husband Ronald arrived in London on 1 April 1932 from Australia on the Moldavia, accompanied by their children Margaret, George and Jeremy.⁸

She was listed in the 1939 Register at Treyamon Bay Hotel in Wadebridge, Cornwall, with Ronald Selby Smith; they were proprietors of the hotel where they were listed.⁴

Norman Scott Fergusson and Honor Scott Fergusson were appointed executors of Caroline Mary Graham Scott's estate in Llandudno, Conway, on 11 January 1945.⁹

She was widowed at age 84 on the death of her husband Ronald on 15 August 1983.^10,11

Honor's death was registered in November 1998 in Exeter, Devon, at age 99.¹²

Hugh Fergusson was born in Scotland between 1824 and 1826.

He married Christina (---?---).¹

Isabella's birth was registered between April 1903 and June 1903 in Wadhurst, Sussex.^1,2
The siblings Ewen, Isabella, Elizabeth and Maggie were listed in the 1921 census at 24a Glebe St in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, with their parents, Ewen Ferguson and Isabella Macdonald. Isabella was a hospital nurse.¹

Isabella died in 1989 in Lamlash, Bute.³