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One of the most colorful charaters in my family tree is James Murray Ferguson. He was born about 1839 in Ayr, Scotland, died after 1916, and was buried in Ayr Cemetery (Section J lot 82). Like his father he worked as a Tobacco Manufacturer in Ayr and then as the Publisher / Proprietor of the Ayr Observer from 1870 to 1909. James married Jessie (Jessey) Todd, daughter of John Todd and Jessie McDowall, on 17 Feb 1863 in Stoneykirk Wigtownshire. Todds in Galloway Jessie died in 1867 of typhoid at age 28 leaving three young children:
James Ferguson born on 9 Dec 1863
John Todd Ferguson born on 28 Jun 1865
William (Willie) Ferguson born March 22nd 1867 in New Road,
Newton on Ayr .
Read more about these children here James, John Todd and William Ferguson
Three years after Jessie’s death James Murray Ferguson married Helen Sinclair Malcolm, on 1st Feb 1870 in Newton Stewart, Stoneykirk. She was the daughter of John Malcolm and Jessie Craik, They had nine children with one son, Stephen, dying soon after birth.
Helen Malcolm was born on 5 Mar 1847 in Glasgow and died on 29 Feb 1932 in Ayr Scotland at age 84. She was buried in Ayr Cemetery. For much of their lives together they lived with their 11 children, at Malcolm Lodge 147 Prestwick Road. Below is the record of James Murray Ferguson's 11 children.
One of the most colorful charaters in my family tree is James Murray Ferguson. He was born about 1839 in Ayr, Scotland, died after 1916, and was buried in Ayr Cemetery (Section J lot 82). Like his father he worked as a Tobacco Manufacturer in Ayr and then as the Publisher / Proprietor of the Ayr Observer from 1870 to 1909. James married Jessie (Jessey) Todd, daughter of John Todd and Jessie McDowall, on 17 Feb 1863 in Stoneykirk Wigtownshire. Todds in Galloway Jessie died in 1867 of typhoid at age 28 leaving three young children:
James Ferguson born on 9 Dec 1863
John Todd Ferguson born on 28 Jun 1865
William (Willie) Ferguson born March 22nd 1867 in New Road,
Newton on Ayr .
Read more about these children here James, John Todd and William Ferguson
Three years after Jessie’s death James Murray Ferguson married Helen Sinclair Malcolm, on 1st Feb 1870 in Newton Stewart, Stoneykirk. She was the daughter of John Malcolm and Jessie Craik, They had nine children with one son, Stephen, dying soon after birth.
Helen Malcolm was born on 5 Mar 1847 in Glasgow and died on 29 Feb 1932 in Ayr Scotland at age 84. She was buried in Ayr Cemetery. For much of their lives together they lived with their 11 children, at Malcolm Lodge 147 Prestwick Road. Below is the record of James Murray Ferguson's 11 children.
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Left: JMF with daughters Lisa Nell, and Jessie
Above: Jim standing, middle Maud, Jessie, William , John Todd and Agnew Right Malcolm Lodge home for JMF and his second wife and 11 children. |
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EvGEvbXuSg Take a look at this Youtube videp to get an idea of the Ayr of the Fergusons- both past and present
Like his father James Murray Ferguson was a well known business man and soon became a significant public figure in Ayr. As the Proprietor of the Ayr Observer for 39 years he was able to contribute to the way the town and its people saw themselves. In The Hundred Years of the Ayr Advertiser (part 4) Rob Close writes
:"By 1870 the ownership of the Observor Passed from the Dick family to James M. Ferguson. Originally published (only) on Tuesdays, under Ferguson the Observor became for a period a bi- weekly paper, with a second edition appearing on Saturdays....The offices of the Observer moved about considerably. Initially in the New Bridge Street, but in c.1860 they were moved to Sandgate and again in c.1870, probably co-incidentally with the change of ownership, from Sandgate to Newmarket Street. About 1887 new premises for the paper were built at the foot of Kyle Street but in 1906 the papers offices were moved again, this time to Smith Street. In 1909 the interests of the Ayr Observor were acquires from Ferguson by Colonel T.C. Dunlop, and merged with T.M. Gemmell & Sons. The Observor continued to appear as a weekly newspaper until the final issue in 1930. During this period Colonel Dunlop was given valuable assistance by Miss Ferguson,(Read Gracie Craik Ferguson ).
James’s love of history and of Ayr is also evident in his contribution to the literature of the time. In 1884 he published a book “Auld Ayr” and in 1907 he wrote another himself “Reminiscences of Auld Ayr”. Auld Ayr is a compilation of original pieces by James and reports from various meetings and the preface is captured below.
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James Murray Ferguson - Writer and Editor
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Preface of Auld Ayr
PREFACE The Following pages illustrate “Auld Ayr” since the beginning of the present century. They are chiefly complied from fugitive pamphlets issues from various printing offices, and, as gathered here, may assist the future Historian of Ayr in preparing a more complete History of the “guid auld toon.” In the meantime they will serve to illustrate the progress made by Ayr during the present century, and it is hoped may stimulate others ao aid in promoting that progress. The great bulk of the material contained in the volume was intended for publication in the “Ayr Observor” but the “pressure on our spaces by other matters” led to the issue of the supplementary sheets which form the present volume, and the occasional appearance of these sheets, it is hoped will be held as sufficient excuse for the want of continuity sometimes visible in the volume when looked upon as a narrative. The Editor return his warmest thanks to those who assisted him with the material for this work, their cordial co-operation having contributed much not only to the value of the publication but also to the pleasure he has himself experienced in preparing it for the press. J.M.F. Ayr 1884 |
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Reminiscences of Auld Ayr is a collection various articles written by James’ Murray Ferguson, originally for “The Ayr Observer” newspaper under the heading of “the Recreations of a Member of the Press”. In the preface of this book he explains:
“At the request of numerous readers of “The Ayr Observer” it has been arranged to issue these Reminiscences in a more permanent volume form, many considering them to be of more than the passing interest they have attained in their periodical appearance in a newspaper......It has been much more a recreation and a pleasure than a labour or trouble to him to narrate them and in this spirit an attempt has been made to be more gay that grave. It is well to cherish the hope for the future; but it is equally well to look back with a degree of cheerfulness. It is to be hoped that reader will read them in the same spirit.” With a nod to it being rather immodest and at the request of friends he also included an article from the Glagow ”Bailie” which was about his good self. |
With a nod to it being rather immodest and at the request of friends he also included an article from the Glagow ”Bailie” which was about his good self.
“...Mr Ferguson is one of the best know men of Ayrshire, and is no stranger in Glasgow, especially on the Wednesday when he is frequently to be seen in the commercial circles, carrying well, big and burly his three score years and ten. He looks and, as he says, feels twenty or thirty years younger than the usual septuagenarian. ....(he) is a native of Newtown- on Ayr, a district of the county town to which he has adhered all his life.. He represented at the county board for nearly quarter of a century. For ten of this.... he was a Magistrate, and during three of the them he occupied the Provosts chair and did so with much advantage to the community..... During his term of office as Provost numerous improvements were effected in the municipal economy of the burgh.....For the first twelve years of its existence, the ex-Provost was a member of the Ayr School Board. He was also Chairman of the Newton Parochial Board for seventeen years prior to the formation of the Parish Councils. ....Some say he is too daring; seemingly at least his schemes are too daring for an over-cautious Council....All those who cannot agree with Mr Ferguson, can agree to differ with him without loss of friendship. Could better testimony than this be provided to his hearty and thoroughly genuine nature?”
“...Mr Ferguson is one of the best know men of Ayrshire, and is no stranger in Glasgow, especially on the Wednesday when he is frequently to be seen in the commercial circles, carrying well, big and burly his three score years and ten. He looks and, as he says, feels twenty or thirty years younger than the usual septuagenarian. ....(he) is a native of Newtown- on Ayr, a district of the county town to which he has adhered all his life.. He represented at the county board for nearly quarter of a century. For ten of this.... he was a Magistrate, and during three of the them he occupied the Provosts chair and did so with much advantage to the community..... During his term of office as Provost numerous improvements were effected in the municipal economy of the burgh.....For the first twelve years of its existence, the ex-Provost was a member of the Ayr School Board. He was also Chairman of the Newton Parochial Board for seventeen years prior to the formation of the Parish Councils. ....Some say he is too daring; seemingly at least his schemes are too daring for an over-cautious Council....All those who cannot agree with Mr Ferguson, can agree to differ with him without loss of friendship. Could better testimony than this be provided to his hearty and thoroughly genuine nature?”
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James Murray Ferguson - Provost
James Murray Ferguson was also the Provost of Ayr from 1888-1891. John Strawthorn wrote “Liberal ascendancy in the burgh came to an end when James Murray Ferguson became provost in 1888. The son of a tobacconist, he abandoned the trade to become owner of the Observer. He was renowned for “his geniality and his pleasure in the company of his fellows.” He was a Freeman and magistrate of Newton, Sessions clerk of Newton Parish Church, chairman of the Newton Parochial Board for its last twenty years. As a Provost of Ayr he significantly expanded local services. The Ayshire Post commented “that in some respects he was too daring a municipalist. During his provostship (1888-91) an Order was obtained to erect a generating station and provide a supply of electricity; also in 1890 were instituted those proposals which resulted in the opening of the Ayr Carnegie Library i (right) n 1893.” An impressive gravestone in the "new" Ayr Cemetery serves to mark James Murray Ferguson’s life . Erected by James Murray Ferguson and Helen Sinclair Malcolm his wife in lovIng memory of their children who died Ayr. Stephen b 4 Mar d 12 Mar 1885, Stewart b 21 Oct 1877 d 6 Jul 1903 Janie b 28 Aug 1892 d 9 Apr 1909 Murray b Aug 1875 d in South Africa 28 Sep 1909 also Jessie Craik or Malcolm beloved mother of above Helen S Malcolm d Ayr 20 Dec 1891 aged 71 also the above James Murray Ferguson b 3 Apr 1837 d 17 Mar 1916 also their daughter Jessie Craik b 20 Aug 1872 d 18 June 1925 and the above Helen Sinclair Malcolm b 5 Mar 1847 d 29 Feb 1932. |
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