The Pittendri (e) gh Post
Volume one, No. I Coordinating Editor Robert L. Pittendrigh
October 1995
The Pittendr(e)igh Post is a newsletter we plan to publish twice yearly,
about March and October. Plans are to designate a coordinator in each
country to distribute the newsletter. Subscribers would send contributions
for postage or annual fees to that person in local currency. In this way the
high cost of overseas postage could be avoided. I estimate the equivalent of
$10.00 in Canadian funds would cover photocopy and postage for about three
to four issues. (See your bank. post office or newspaper to convert to local
funds.)
If you are interested, we would like to hear from you with your ideas,
queries, suggestions, and news of your branch of the family as it pertains
to Pittendrigh in any of its variation. We solicit pedigree, ahnentafel or
drop charts on your family.
This issue features an article by Jim Pittendrigh who was born in Aberdeen
but now lives in Switzerland. During the summer of 1994 he and his wife
spent their vacation hunting for all the places in Scotland with the name
Pittendrigh in its various forms.
In future issues we plan to list the known Pittendr(e)igh family groupings
along with the name of the contact person for each group. We look forward to
further discussion of other possible origins for the surname. The story of
George Pittendrigh who came to Vancouver with his large family after the
Crimean War is most interesting. He was acquainted with Florence
Nightingale. A discussion of the life of James Pittendrigh MacGiIlivray,
famous Scottish sculptor, and amateur genealogist needs printing. The
stories of the families that went to South Africa, to Australia, to USA and
yet others that settled in Canada will be included in later issues. We plan
on a very busy query column in future issues.
-------------
Recently, nearly a firm known as Halberts contacted everyone in the western
world with the name Pittendrigh, or Pittendreigh. They offered a book titled
The World Book of Pittendrighs. An enclosed post card size photo of a family
gathered around an open book gave the impression they were examining a
family history. Anyone that ordered the book found it to he anything but a
family history. Instead it is a book on how to do a family history,
information which is readily available at any public library. The back of
the hook contained a list of Pittendr(e)ighs from various telephone and city
directories in most countries of the western world. (Careful reading of the
enclosed brochure reveals that the authors had no intention of creating a
family history. To say the least, the book is a disappointment. Examining
such a product does emphasize the need for a Pittendr(e)igh newsletter of
some kind.
There are individuals in several parts of the world who have been
researching their own families for many years. To name a few; James
Pittendrigh, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Allan Pittendrigh, South
Africa; James G. Pittendrigh. Switzerland; Betty Fieldus in Australia, and
Robert L. Pittendrigh, Saskatchewan. Canada. Most of these people have been
in contact with each other at one time or another and it is evident that
much duplication of research effort has taken place. A newsletter would help
share information avoiding duplication, and perhaps put "lost" families in
contact with each other.
It is also evident that many individuals are curious about their background.
Because most of them are busy with families, careers and other obligations,
they do not have the time, energy, or facilities to do extensive research.
The above have done extensive research and generously shared it with other
Pittendrigh historians.
It is interesting that every Pittendr(e)igh family researched to date can
trace its background to the North East of Scotland. Lack of early records
prevents connecting most of these families together.
What is most interesting is the fact that there are many places named
Pittendrigh (in some form) in various parts of Scotland. Here is an account
of the discoveries of James G. Pittendrigh of Geneva during the summer of
1994.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES ON THE PLACE NAME PITTENDRIECH AND ITS VARIATIONS
J.C. Pittendrigh
16 Route de Sous-Moulin, 225 Geneva, Switzerland
When, in the summer of 1994, I casually undertook the project of visiting
the various locations in Scotland bearing the place name 'Pittendriech' and
its variations, 'Pittendreich'.
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pet an drych' - farm, croft of the view or hill face - Johnston
(1934)
(9) Gaelic 'draoidh' - croft of the druid or magician - Johnston (1934)
(10) Pen an t-rearraich - town of the foal - Alexander. Third Spalding Club
(1952)
(11) Pictish 'pet', Pit' = Welsh 'peth', Cornish peth'. Breton 'pez'. Latin
'petia' = "a piece of land" - Nicolaisen (1976)
(12) Brittonic
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chaplain'
are recorded up to I514 (increasing to ten merks to allow for inflation).
The lands were originally part of the Earldom of Moray and 'The Records of
Elgin' show that on November 22 1477 the King of Scotland lat (at that time
James III) granted to James of Douglas the lands of Pittendrcich in
consideration of him paying f5.6.8 to a chaplain of the old Castlehill of
Elgyne. The records of the Kirk Session from 1 SR4 to 1694 contain many
references to the place of Petrindreich, Pettindreiche, Perrindriche,
Petrindrich, Petindriche, Pendreich, Pendreigh, and Pettendreich both in
connection with the 'Laird' and with the Douglas family as well as the
'millar'. The Douglas family features prominently in the annals of
Pittendreich and in the early l6th century Sir (George Douglas of
Pittendriech is described as a man of spirit and talents who possessed much
power during the minority of King James V. He also appears to have been a
rather unsavoury character who was intriguing with the English against the
Scottish interest in times when this was still regarded as treason. He is
recorded as being involved in bringing to justice those involved in the
assassination of (Cardinal Bethune (Beaton) in St. Andrews (including Sir
James Balfour of Pittendreich - see under the Dunino Pittendriech). (One
account states that he later fell at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547 but
another claims that he was still alive in 1549. In January 1560 it is
reported that James Hay and others were convoked for 'hurting and wounding'
Alexander Robertson of Pittendreich and the servants of Elizabeth Douglas
(widow of Sir (George) but the story behind this is not known. On December
l6, 1581 the records go on to show that Archibald Douglas, formerly of
Pittendreich, the natural son of the late James, formerly Earl of Morton and
Lord of Dalkeith, forfeited his lands to Patrick, Master of Gray. This
followed the execution by guillotine of the Earl of Morton in that year
for his complicity in the murder of Lord Darnley, the husband of Mary Queen
of Scots. However. Archibald managed to get himself back into the good
graces of James VI who revoked the forfeiture. In February IS% the same
Archibald Douglas of Pendricht managed to muster for the 'General
Wappinschawing', the formidable tally of 5 horsemen and 20 footmen the
latter being possessed of various armaments including lances and swords. as
well as 16 'cottaris' without 'any kynd of armur'. In 1672 the 'Laird and
Laidie Pendriche' were convoked to be in the militia. In 1681 there is a
record of a payment to the Scottish Crown 4 00 00 'be the Douglass'
presumably for rent. The 'Taxt Roll of the Sherifdom of Elgin and Forres'
for 1681 also shows
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Peerage of Scotland' chronicles the
existence of a John Stuart of Pittendriech (part of the Moray family) who
was chosen as Member of Parliament for Crail in Fife in 1741 and who was
lieutenant-colonel in Lord Drumlanrig's regiment, having been taken prisoner
at the battle of Preston in 1745. His son, Francis Stuart of Pittendriech,
died in (Germany in 1760. also a lieutenant-colonel in the 4th regiment of
horse.
It is also reported that there existed a hermitage or cell for a religious
recluse at the south side of a knoll at Mains of Pittendrich but that the
stones were carried away by a tenant for constructing "rumbling drains"
whatever they might be. Up to the early l9th century the property was in a
dilapidated state, much in want of drainage with the houses generally
decayed. However, about 1818 matters began to improve with the introduction
of several new tenants possessed of some capital and various ameliorations,
including extensive drainage. were effected. A distillery was erected on the
farm of Manbeen which formed part of the Pittendrich estates in 1826 and
which produced very excellent spirits "much approved by numerous customers".
It must have been a sad day when it was closed down in 1844 never to be
resumed although those in need of sustenance have not far to go with a
number of first class Speyside distilleries being within easy reach. The
valuation roll of the County of Elgin for the year 1867 shows a Barony of
Pittendrich containing nine farms and crofts and having combined rentals of
about 1,800, a fairly sizeable sum for those times
Pittendreich Mill was itself the subject of a lengthy article in 'The
Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express' of February 15, 1913 in which the
intelligence is offered that Pittendreich means
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Pittendreich' which is presumed to be this particular
locality although this is not made specifically clear. The Third Spalding
publication states that the precise location is obsolete and unknown and
gives Nethertown and Welstryp as aliases. The name may relate to the
residence of the Abbot of Deer who was a Michael Pittendreich. This
residence may have long since been demolished or had its name changed and it
has still to be traced.
4. Pittendreigh Leith Hall, Kennethmont
This is one of the two Pittendreighs, which is not referred to in any of the
source reference books. Bob Pittendrigh of Regina first brought its
existence to my attention in January 1995. (Canada as appearing on a
gravestone in (Clatt Kirk Cemetery belonging to Alexander Henderson who died
in I957 and who lived in 'Pittendriech Cottage'. However, a search of the
Ordnance Survey maps showed no sign of any Pittendriech in the area and this
might have remained a mystery if I had not contacted an old friend Ron
Arthur (whose mother was a Pittendreich) on a trip to Aberdeen in May 1995.
Ron is a retired telecommunications engineer who has access to the large
scale (6"= I mile) Ordnance Survey maps of Aberdeenshire and he had already
spotted a 'Pittendreigh Wood' in the grounds of Leith Hall which is now a
National Trust for Scotland property. We therefore included this in our
itinerary of explorations for Pittendriech sites in Aberdeenshire. After a
number of inquiries we tracked down not only the wood but also the cottages
themselves situated near the wood in the estate grounds. These consisted of
a row of three single story dwellings which could have been built at any
time in the 18th or 19th centuries and which were now empty and dilapidated
although some work was currently going on to restore them. There was no
evidence of any slopes or druidical remains and the connection with the name
Pittendreigh was a mystery. However, subsequent follow up with Mr. Simon
McPhun, head gardener of the estate, revealed that these cottages were
originally known as 'Burnside' and that at some stage in the early 1900s he
believes they were inhabited by a Pittendreich who bequeathed his name not
only to the cottages but to the nearby woods. A search of the Census records
for 1891 shows the occupants to have been the Tough family and the
Pittendreichs evidently came later. This is an unusual instance of a family
giving its name to a place instead of vice versa. The family descendants
have still to he traced.
5. Pittendreieh, Keig, Aberdeenshire
This is a substantially built dwelling or farm house which is part of the
Castle Forbes Estates and which constitutes the area of 'Pittendreigh' along
with a cottage about 200 metres up the road. It commands a spectacular view
facing south over the Don close to the new Kirk built in 1835. There are two
stone circles in the parish not two far removed from Pittendreigh. One of
them was excavated in 1933 when pottery and some cremated human bones were
found. The Forbes Estate Office state that the property was part of the
lands of Putachie inherited by Arthur Forbes of Balfour in 1 S59 and they
also kindly provided comprehensive notes on the history of the Forbes family
showing that the area had lived through turbulent times in the 15th and 16th
centuries. Duncan of Forbes originally had the lands conferred to him by
King Alexander III under a charier dated 1271. Early Alford Kirk records
show that in 1664 a John Gordoune of Pittendreich was 'apostatised to
Popery'. The Aberdeenshire Valuation Roll of 1667 shows that a Thomas Gordon
possessed a sasine over the towns and lands of Pittendreigh. The property
was later in the hands of William Reid who suffered in 1688 from the cruelty
(whether mental or physical is unspecified) of the Gordons of Tetpersie. In
1696 it was shown as belonging to Lord Forbes in whose family's estate it
still remains. Lord Forbes is the Premier Lord of Scotland at the present
time. The old Kirk of Keig down by the river Don in the grounds of the
castle appears to have had an interesting series of ministers including one
who was deposed in 1716 for supporting the Old Pretender. The induction of
his successor in 1717 was so unpopular that fifty soldiers were sent to
preserve the peace. The minister of the Kirk constructed just in front of
Pittendreigh, the Rev. Alexander Low, wrote a "History of Scotland" in 1873.
He is also one of the authorities who testified that the name was
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Druidh', 'Druidhneach' meaning a 'Druid', a 'magician'
all combining to make 'Pit an Draoidhe or
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Pit a
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Dreich',
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Scottish
Dictionary'), hence Black's derivation above (which he attributed to the
Stirlingshire 'Pendreich'!). And yet a third attempt in a different hand
(possibly Macdonald in his work for the New Spalding) shows 'Pau-an
fhraoich' 'Portion or town of the heather'. This particular extract from the
Name Book is particularly interesting in showing the paths trodden by
researchers over the years and the extent to which such extracts can he used
as sources of information (or misinformation).
6. Pittenderich, Tarland, Aberdeenshire
Pittendtrich it clearly marked on contemporary Ordnance Survey maps and in
practice is a fairly substantial hill 504 metres high thickly planted with
conifers situated some 5/6 kilometres (about 3 miles) north east from the
village of Tarland. On the southern side of the hill, about a third of the
way up stands the tiny location of Pett (itself meaning 'a portion of) which
consists of a small farm steading and a cottage. The young couple occupying
the steading had never even heard of Pittenderich let alone having any idea
of its origins. Ms Diana Strang of the MacRobert Estates (which owned the
forestry estate up till recent times) kindly undertook some research into
the archives but also drew a blank (although I still have to follow up her
suggestion of looking into the records of the former proprietor, the Earl of
Aberdeen, at Haddo House). Jim Farquhar, a local historian, advised me that
there are a number of antiquities in the area, notably the Culsh sousterrain
and a stone circle at Coull which dates from 2,000 B.C. This is unique in
the North East and is believed to have been used as a meeting place as well
as for measuring the moon's movements. The long barrow (necropolis) of
Balnagowan is also close by and is believed to be even older dating from
3,000 B.C. William Alexander in the Third Spalding Club publication of 1952
suggests that the name might be derived from
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Pit-an-druach'- burial ground of the druids - but Mr. Fairlie,
who has farmed there for several decades, was unable to confirm this and had
never came across anything remotely resembling a burial ground. Brechin
Public Library, to which (wrote twice asking for information. enclosing
postage expenses, did not unfortunately have the courtesy to favour me with
a reply and we are therefore without any historical background to this
location. Mrs. Fairlie, who was kind enough to follow this up with the
library, advises that the lady in charge has every intention of sending me
something at some unspecified future time. We look forward to receiving this
for who knows what dark doings may thereby he revealed''
To be continued in Volume one. No 2. of the Pittendrigh Post.
[1]AnnexA (large image)
[2]AnnexB (large image)
A CATALOGUE OF PITTENDREICH PLACE NAMES ANNEX A 26-Oct-95
--------Sources
Spelling(s) Location Long. Lat Long. Lat. Earliest Technical Local Maps
Reference Works History
Current Ancient (From North to South)
(1) Pittendreich Petendrech Elgin, Moray 3'21" 5T38" 1238 1,5,6 15,16,23, 24
I(d), II(a)
(2) Pittendreigh Petyndrek Mamoch, Banffshire 2'33" 5T22" 1369 1,3,6 17
I(c),III
(3) Pittendreigh Leitt~ Hall, Kennethmont 2'46" 5T21" 1905 ? X;
(4) Unknown Pettindreychtissait Kinmundy, Deer, Aberdeens. 2'22" 57'20" 1588
3,7 17
(5) Pittendreigh Pittendreich Keig, Aberdeenshire 2'38" 5T16" 1543 1,6,7 18
(6) Pittenderkh Pittenderich Tarland, Aberdeenshire 2'50" 5T10" 7 X
(7) Pittendriech Pitdrichie ? Kincardine (?) ?? ?? 6
(8) Plttendreich Pettyndreiche Brechin, Forfarshire (Angus) 2'42" 56'46"
1545 1,3,5,6 20 V
(9) Plttendrlech Pittendrich Lethendy, Perthshire 3'21" 56'34" 1783 1,3,6 IX
(10) Plttendrelch Lundie, Forfarshire 3'08" 56'32" 1850
(11) Plttendrelch Pittandruidh Dunino, Fife 2'45" 56'17" 400 B.C. 1,3,6
22,23,24 XII
(12) Plttendrelch Pittindreich Portmoak, Kinross 3'21" 56'13" 1240 1,3,6
21(a) I(b),VII,VIII
(13) Pendrekh Petendreich Bridge ofAllan, Stiriingshire 3'56" 56'10" 1288
2,3,5,6 II (b)
(14) Plttendreich Petendreia Lasswade, Midlothian 3'07" 55'52" 1130 1,3,5,6
21(b) I(a),VI
Notes:- (1 ) Johnston mentions a Pendrich in Tweeddale down in the Border
country, suggesting that this may stem from 'penn' meaning a height. As this
stands outwith the area of Pictish influence I have excluded this from my
present researches as it is not clear that this forms a definitive part of
the 'Pittendriech' grouping.
(2) There is place called Druidfield just outside Alford at Montgarrie which
could be an anglicized version of Pittendreich atthough there is no evidence
of this. A group of standing stones overlooks the site.
Sources
Technical works
1 The Gaelic Topography of Scotland , J.A. Robertson (1869)
2 Place-Names of Stirlingshire, James B. Johnston (1903)
3 The Celtic Place names of Scotland, William J. Watson (1926)
4 Scottish Place Names, W.C. Mackenzie (1931 )
5 Place-Names of Scotland, James B. Johnston (1934)
6 The Surnames of Scotland, George F. Black (1946)
7 The Place Names of Aberdeenshire, Wm Alexander (Macdonald), Third Spalding
Club (1952)
8 Scottish Place Names, W.F.H. Nicolaisen (Batsford 1976)
9 Place Names on Maps of Scotland and Wales, Ordnance Survey (1981 )
10 Scottish Surnames, David Dorward (1995)
11 The Old Scots Surames (reprint of 1860 original entitled Concerning some
Scotch surnames)
12 A preliminary report on an investigation into 'Pit' place-names,
Whittington/Soulsby (1968)
13 Placenames and the settlement pattern of dark-age Scotland, (Whittington)
(1974)
14 Pictish Place-Names as Scottish Surnames: Origins....., Nicolaisen (1991
)
Local History
15 Records of Elgin - Vols. I & II, New Spalding Club (1908)
16 The Book of the Thanes of Cawdor - 1236-1742 Spalding Club (1859)
17 The Annals of Banff, Wm. Cramond, New Spalding Club (1891 )
18 Antiquities of the shires of Aberdeen and Banff, Spalding Club (1862)
19 Aberdeenshire Valuation Roll - 1667, Third Spalding Club (1933)
20 History of Brechin, D.D. Black (1867)
21 Statistical Account of Scotand, Sir John Sinclair (1793-99)
(a) Portmoak - Vol. V p.170
(b) Lasswade - Vol. X p. 277
22 History of the County of Fife, John Leighton (1840)
23 Peerage of Scotland, Douglas (1818)
24 The Scottish Nation, William Anderson (1878)
Maps and plans
I Blaeu's Scotia - 1662 edition
(a) Map 27 - Lothian 8 Linlitquo
(b) Map 80 - Fifae Vicecomitatus
(c) Map 87 - Aberdene & Banf
(d) Map 101 - Moravia
II Philip's Road Atlas Scotland & the Borders 1990 edition
(a) Page 88 ref. C2.
(b) Page 64 ref. 84.
III Ordnance Survey map sheet no. 29 (Banff & surrounding area) Sector 66/48
IV Ordnance Survey map sheet no. 53 (Blairgowrie & surrounding area) Sector
15/42
V Victorian Ordnance Survey maps (1894) - Sheet 57
VI Bartholomews Edinburgh Streetfinder Sector R9
VII Survey of the County of Kinross, John Bell (1796)
VIII Ordnance Survey map sheet no. CXXXV (Fife and Kin. sheet XXII), 1856
IX Map of Perthshire and Clackmannanshire, James Store (1783)
X Ordnance Survey map sheet no. 37 (Strathdon 8~ surrounding area) Sector
10150
XI Ordnance Survey map (6 ins. = 1 mile) NJS2 NW in possession of R. Arthur,
XI Aberdeen XII Ordnance Survey map (1:10,000) Sheet no 5lSW
About the The Pittendr(e)igh Post
This is a project that should have been launched years ago. It must have
been an idea that Jim in Switzerland had in his mind, as he generously
agreed to underwrite the first issue. That was over three years ago when I
was still working and had little, if any, time to devote to the project. I
recently retired and am looking forward to editing the first few issues. The
intitial plans are to publish the newsletter two or three times a year,
depending on the support received.. We would like to print articles on
historical and current family events basically anything of interest to the
far-flung families named Pittendrigh, Pittendreigh and possibly Pendrigh. To
make the newsletter a success, it needs the participation of everyone
interested.
It would be appreciated if you would submit stories about your family,
biographies or family traditions, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries,
graduations, c;elebrations of any kind, pedigree charts, or any family
history that you think would interest others. If you are not sure of the
origins of your branch of Pittendrighs, perhaps we can determine the family
to which you belong. If you have "lost" members of the ancestral family, we
may be able to locate them. Nothing guaranteed.
I have a four drawer filing cabinet full of miscellaneous information on
several families among which are Pittendr(e)ighs, some Pendrighs, and one
Pendrith, that I would like to share with any and all that are interested.
COST: It would appear that $10.00 Can (or US)or 5 UK
would adequately cover the cost of the next three or four issues. We are
looking for volunteers in Britain, Soutb Africa, and Australia who will be
willing to collect memberships, receive "camera ready" copy of each issue,
have it reproduced then mail it within their own country. This would get
around the problems of converting money and would keep the cost of postage
within acceptable limits. Postage from one country to another is costly, and
especially so from Switzerland.
INTEREST: If you are not interested in this newsletter, please do not
destroy it but pass it on to other members of the family who may be
interested. If we do not hear from you, we will not contact you again.
MAILING: Addresses for this newsletter have been taken from various
telephone directories in Canada, UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand
and USA. Many people not included are the ones that are not listed in any
directories. Submitting material: To participate in this newsletter we will
happily accept material typewritten, or on 3.5 computer disks in
WordPerfect, MS Word, MS Works, RTF, or ASCII formats. Please be willing to
accept some editing. Please forward all correspondence to R. L. Pittendrigh,
Regina SK, Canada or to Jim Pittendrigh in Geneva, Switzerland.
References
1. file://localhost/var/www/html/montana-riverboats.com/Robopages/content/Pittbachs/pittpost/hidden/AnnexA.BMP
2. file://localhost/var/www/html/montana-riverboats.com/Robopages/content/Pittbachs/pittpost/hidden/AnnexB.BMP
Volume one, No. I Coordinating Editor Robert L. Pittendrigh
October 1995
The Pittendr(e)igh Post is a newsletter we plan to publish twice yearly,
about March and October. Plans are to designate a coordinator in each
country to distribute the newsletter. Subscribers would send contributions
for postage or annual fees to that person in local currency. In this way the
high cost of overseas postage could be avoided. I estimate the equivalent of
$10.00 in Canadian funds would cover photocopy and postage for about three
to four issues. (See your bank. post office or newspaper to convert to local
funds.)
If you are interested, we would like to hear from you with your ideas,
queries, suggestions, and news of your branch of the family as it pertains
to Pittendrigh in any of its variation. We solicit pedigree, ahnentafel or
drop charts on your family.
This issue features an article by Jim Pittendrigh who was born in Aberdeen
but now lives in Switzerland. During the summer of 1994 he and his wife
spent their vacation hunting for all the places in Scotland with the name
Pittendrigh in its various forms.
In future issues we plan to list the known Pittendr(e)igh family groupings
along with the name of the contact person for each group. We look forward to
further discussion of other possible origins for the surname. The story of
George Pittendrigh who came to Vancouver with his large family after the
Crimean War is most interesting. He was acquainted with Florence
Nightingale. A discussion of the life of James Pittendrigh MacGiIlivray,
famous Scottish sculptor, and amateur genealogist needs printing. The
stories of the families that went to South Africa, to Australia, to USA and
yet others that settled in Canada will be included in later issues. We plan
on a very busy query column in future issues.
-------------
Recently, nearly a firm known as Halberts contacted everyone in the western
world with the name Pittendrigh, or Pittendreigh. They offered a book titled
The World Book of Pittendrighs. An enclosed post card size photo of a family
gathered around an open book gave the impression they were examining a
family history. Anyone that ordered the book found it to he anything but a
family history. Instead it is a book on how to do a family history,
information which is readily available at any public library. The back of
the hook contained a list of Pittendr(e)ighs from various telephone and city
directories in most countries of the western world. (Careful reading of the
enclosed brochure reveals that the authors had no intention of creating a
family history. To say the least, the book is a disappointment. Examining
such a product does emphasize the need for a Pittendr(e)igh newsletter of
some kind.
There are individuals in several parts of the world who have been
researching their own families for many years. To name a few; James
Pittendrigh, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Allan Pittendrigh, South
Africa; James G. Pittendrigh. Switzerland; Betty Fieldus in Australia, and
Robert L. Pittendrigh, Saskatchewan. Canada. Most of these people have been
in contact with each other at one time or another and it is evident that
much duplication of research effort has taken place. A newsletter would help
share information avoiding duplication, and perhaps put "lost" families in
contact with each other.
It is also evident that many individuals are curious about their background.
Because most of them are busy with families, careers and other obligations,
they do not have the time, energy, or facilities to do extensive research.
The above have done extensive research and generously shared it with other
Pittendrigh historians.
It is interesting that every Pittendr(e)igh family researched to date can
trace its background to the North East of Scotland. Lack of early records
prevents connecting most of these families together.
What is most interesting is the fact that there are many places named
Pittendrigh (in some form) in various parts of Scotland. Here is an account
of the discoveries of James G. Pittendrigh of Geneva during the summer of
1994.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES ON THE PLACE NAME PITTENDRIECH AND ITS VARIATIONS
J.C. Pittendrigh
16 Route de Sous-Moulin, 225 Geneva, Switzerland
When, in the summer of 1994, I casually undertook the project of visiting
the various locations in Scotland bearing the place name 'Pittendriech' and
its variations, 'Pittendreich'.
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pet an drych' - farm, croft of the view or hill face - Johnston
(1934)
(9) Gaelic 'draoidh' - croft of the druid or magician - Johnston (1934)
(10) Pen an t-rearraich - town of the foal - Alexander. Third Spalding Club
(1952)
(11) Pictish 'pet', Pit' = Welsh 'peth', Cornish peth'. Breton 'pez'. Latin
'petia' = "a piece of land" - Nicolaisen (1976)
(12) Brittonic
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chaplain'
are recorded up to I514 (increasing to ten merks to allow for inflation).
The lands were originally part of the Earldom of Moray and 'The Records of
Elgin' show that on November 22 1477 the King of Scotland lat (at that time
James III) granted to James of Douglas the lands of Pittendrcich in
consideration of him paying f5.6.8 to a chaplain of the old Castlehill of
Elgyne. The records of the Kirk Session from 1 SR4 to 1694 contain many
references to the place of Petrindreich, Pettindreiche, Perrindriche,
Petrindrich, Petindriche, Pendreich, Pendreigh, and Pettendreich both in
connection with the 'Laird' and with the Douglas family as well as the
'millar'. The Douglas family features prominently in the annals of
Pittendreich and in the early l6th century Sir (George Douglas of
Pittendriech is described as a man of spirit and talents who possessed much
power during the minority of King James V. He also appears to have been a
rather unsavoury character who was intriguing with the English against the
Scottish interest in times when this was still regarded as treason. He is
recorded as being involved in bringing to justice those involved in the
assassination of (Cardinal Bethune (Beaton) in St. Andrews (including Sir
James Balfour of Pittendreich - see under the Dunino Pittendriech). (One
account states that he later fell at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547 but
another claims that he was still alive in 1549. In January 1560 it is
reported that James Hay and others were convoked for 'hurting and wounding'
Alexander Robertson of Pittendreich and the servants of Elizabeth Douglas
(widow of Sir (George) but the story behind this is not known. On December
l6, 1581 the records go on to show that Archibald Douglas, formerly of
Pittendreich, the natural son of the late James, formerly Earl of Morton and
Lord of Dalkeith, forfeited his lands to Patrick, Master of Gray. This
followed the execution by guillotine of the Earl of Morton in that year
for his complicity in the murder of Lord Darnley, the husband of Mary Queen
of Scots. However. Archibald managed to get himself back into the good
graces of James VI who revoked the forfeiture. In February IS% the same
Archibald Douglas of Pendricht managed to muster for the 'General
Wappinschawing', the formidable tally of 5 horsemen and 20 footmen the
latter being possessed of various armaments including lances and swords. as
well as 16 'cottaris' without 'any kynd of armur'. In 1672 the 'Laird and
Laidie Pendriche' were convoked to be in the militia. In 1681 there is a
record of a payment to the Scottish Crown 4 00 00 'be the Douglass'
presumably for rent. The 'Taxt Roll of the Sherifdom of Elgin and Forres'
for 1681 also shows
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Peerage of Scotland' chronicles the
existence of a John Stuart of Pittendriech (part of the Moray family) who
was chosen as Member of Parliament for Crail in Fife in 1741 and who was
lieutenant-colonel in Lord Drumlanrig's regiment, having been taken prisoner
at the battle of Preston in 1745. His son, Francis Stuart of Pittendriech,
died in (Germany in 1760. also a lieutenant-colonel in the 4th regiment of
horse.
It is also reported that there existed a hermitage or cell for a religious
recluse at the south side of a knoll at Mains of Pittendrich but that the
stones were carried away by a tenant for constructing "rumbling drains"
whatever they might be. Up to the early l9th century the property was in a
dilapidated state, much in want of drainage with the houses generally
decayed. However, about 1818 matters began to improve with the introduction
of several new tenants possessed of some capital and various ameliorations,
including extensive drainage. were effected. A distillery was erected on the
farm of Manbeen which formed part of the Pittendrich estates in 1826 and
which produced very excellent spirits "much approved by numerous customers".
It must have been a sad day when it was closed down in 1844 never to be
resumed although those in need of sustenance have not far to go with a
number of first class Speyside distilleries being within easy reach. The
valuation roll of the County of Elgin for the year 1867 shows a Barony of
Pittendrich containing nine farms and crofts and having combined rentals of
about 1,800, a fairly sizeable sum for those times
Pittendreich Mill was itself the subject of a lengthy article in 'The
Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express' of February 15, 1913 in which the
intelligence is offered that Pittendreich means
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Pittendreich' which is presumed to be this particular
locality although this is not made specifically clear. The Third Spalding
publication states that the precise location is obsolete and unknown and
gives Nethertown and Welstryp as aliases. The name may relate to the
residence of the Abbot of Deer who was a Michael Pittendreich. This
residence may have long since been demolished or had its name changed and it
has still to be traced.
4. Pittendreigh Leith Hall, Kennethmont
This is one of the two Pittendreighs, which is not referred to in any of the
source reference books. Bob Pittendrigh of Regina first brought its
existence to my attention in January 1995. (Canada as appearing on a
gravestone in (Clatt Kirk Cemetery belonging to Alexander Henderson who died
in I957 and who lived in 'Pittendriech Cottage'. However, a search of the
Ordnance Survey maps showed no sign of any Pittendriech in the area and this
might have remained a mystery if I had not contacted an old friend Ron
Arthur (whose mother was a Pittendreich) on a trip to Aberdeen in May 1995.
Ron is a retired telecommunications engineer who has access to the large
scale (6"= I mile) Ordnance Survey maps of Aberdeenshire and he had already
spotted a 'Pittendreigh Wood' in the grounds of Leith Hall which is now a
National Trust for Scotland property. We therefore included this in our
itinerary of explorations for Pittendriech sites in Aberdeenshire. After a
number of inquiries we tracked down not only the wood but also the cottages
themselves situated near the wood in the estate grounds. These consisted of
a row of three single story dwellings which could have been built at any
time in the 18th or 19th centuries and which were now empty and dilapidated
although some work was currently going on to restore them. There was no
evidence of any slopes or druidical remains and the connection with the name
Pittendreigh was a mystery. However, subsequent follow up with Mr. Simon
McPhun, head gardener of the estate, revealed that these cottages were
originally known as 'Burnside' and that at some stage in the early 1900s he
believes they were inhabited by a Pittendreich who bequeathed his name not
only to the cottages but to the nearby woods. A search of the Census records
for 1891 shows the occupants to have been the Tough family and the
Pittendreichs evidently came later. This is an unusual instance of a family
giving its name to a place instead of vice versa. The family descendants
have still to he traced.
5. Pittendreieh, Keig, Aberdeenshire
This is a substantially built dwelling or farm house which is part of the
Castle Forbes Estates and which constitutes the area of 'Pittendreigh' along
with a cottage about 200 metres up the road. It commands a spectacular view
facing south over the Don close to the new Kirk built in 1835. There are two
stone circles in the parish not two far removed from Pittendreigh. One of
them was excavated in 1933 when pottery and some cremated human bones were
found. The Forbes Estate Office state that the property was part of the
lands of Putachie inherited by Arthur Forbes of Balfour in 1 S59 and they
also kindly provided comprehensive notes on the history of the Forbes family
showing that the area had lived through turbulent times in the 15th and 16th
centuries. Duncan of Forbes originally had the lands conferred to him by
King Alexander III under a charier dated 1271. Early Alford Kirk records
show that in 1664 a John Gordoune of Pittendreich was 'apostatised to
Popery'. The Aberdeenshire Valuation Roll of 1667 shows that a Thomas Gordon
possessed a sasine over the towns and lands of Pittendreigh. The property
was later in the hands of William Reid who suffered in 1688 from the cruelty
(whether mental or physical is unspecified) of the Gordons of Tetpersie. In
1696 it was shown as belonging to Lord Forbes in whose family's estate it
still remains. Lord Forbes is the Premier Lord of Scotland at the present
time. The old Kirk of Keig down by the river Don in the grounds of the
castle appears to have had an interesting series of ministers including one
who was deposed in 1716 for supporting the Old Pretender. The induction of
his successor in 1717 was so unpopular that fifty soldiers were sent to
preserve the peace. The minister of the Kirk constructed just in front of
Pittendreigh, the Rev. Alexander Low, wrote a "History of Scotland" in 1873.
He is also one of the authorities who testified that the name was
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Druidh', 'Druidhneach' meaning a 'Druid', a 'magician'
all combining to make 'Pit an Draoidhe or
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Pit a
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Dreich',
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Scottish
Dictionary'), hence Black's derivation above (which he attributed to the
Stirlingshire 'Pendreich'!). And yet a third attempt in a different hand
(possibly Macdonald in his work for the New Spalding) shows 'Pau-an
fhraoich' 'Portion or town of the heather'. This particular extract from the
Name Book is particularly interesting in showing the paths trodden by
researchers over the years and the extent to which such extracts can he used
as sources of information (or misinformation).
6. Pittenderich, Tarland, Aberdeenshire
Pittendtrich it clearly marked on contemporary Ordnance Survey maps and in
practice is a fairly substantial hill 504 metres high thickly planted with
conifers situated some 5/6 kilometres (about 3 miles) north east from the
village of Tarland. On the southern side of the hill, about a third of the
way up stands the tiny location of Pett (itself meaning 'a portion of) which
consists of a small farm steading and a cottage. The young couple occupying
the steading had never even heard of Pittenderich let alone having any idea
of its origins. Ms Diana Strang of the MacRobert Estates (which owned the
forestry estate up till recent times) kindly undertook some research into
the archives but also drew a blank (although I still have to follow up her
suggestion of looking into the records of the former proprietor, the Earl of
Aberdeen, at Haddo House). Jim Farquhar, a local historian, advised me that
there are a number of antiquities in the area, notably the Culsh sousterrain
and a stone circle at Coull which dates from 2,000 B.C. This is unique in
the North East and is believed to have been used as a meeting place as well
as for measuring the moon's movements. The long barrow (necropolis) of
Balnagowan is also close by and is believed to be even older dating from
3,000 B.C. William Alexander in the Third Spalding Club publication of 1952
suggests that the name might be derived from
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Pit-an-druach'- burial ground of the druids - but Mr. Fairlie,
who has farmed there for several decades, was unable to confirm this and had
never came across anything remotely resembling a burial ground. Brechin
Public Library, to which (wrote twice asking for information. enclosing
postage expenses, did not unfortunately have the courtesy to favour me with
a reply and we are therefore without any historical background to this
location. Mrs. Fairlie, who was kind enough to follow this up with the
library, advises that the lady in charge has every intention of sending me
something at some unspecified future time. We look forward to receiving this
for who knows what dark doings may thereby he revealed''
To be continued in Volume one. No 2. of the Pittendrigh Post.
[1]AnnexA (large image)
[2]AnnexB (large image)
A CATALOGUE OF PITTENDREICH PLACE NAMES ANNEX A 26-Oct-95
--------Sources
Spelling(s) Location Long. Lat Long. Lat. Earliest Technical Local Maps
Reference Works History
Current Ancient (From North to South)
(1) Pittendreich Petendrech Elgin, Moray 3'21" 5T38" 1238 1,5,6 15,16,23, 24
I(d), II(a)
(2) Pittendreigh Petyndrek Mamoch, Banffshire 2'33" 5T22" 1369 1,3,6 17
I(c),III
(3) Pittendreigh Leitt~ Hall, Kennethmont 2'46" 5T21" 1905 ? X;
(4) Unknown Pettindreychtissait Kinmundy, Deer, Aberdeens. 2'22" 57'20" 1588
3,7 17
(5) Pittendreigh Pittendreich Keig, Aberdeenshire 2'38" 5T16" 1543 1,6,7 18
(6) Pittenderkh Pittenderich Tarland, Aberdeenshire 2'50" 5T10" 7 X
(7) Pittendriech Pitdrichie ? Kincardine (?) ?? ?? 6
(8) Plttendreich Pettyndreiche Brechin, Forfarshire (Angus) 2'42" 56'46"
1545 1,3,5,6 20 V
(9) Plttendrlech Pittendrich Lethendy, Perthshire 3'21" 56'34" 1783 1,3,6 IX
(10) Plttendrelch Lundie, Forfarshire 3'08" 56'32" 1850
(11) Plttendrelch Pittandruidh Dunino, Fife 2'45" 56'17" 400 B.C. 1,3,6
22,23,24 XII
(12) Plttendrelch Pittindreich Portmoak, Kinross 3'21" 56'13" 1240 1,3,6
21(a) I(b),VII,VIII
(13) Pendrekh Petendreich Bridge ofAllan, Stiriingshire 3'56" 56'10" 1288
2,3,5,6 II (b)
(14) Plttendreich Petendreia Lasswade, Midlothian 3'07" 55'52" 1130 1,3,5,6
21(b) I(a),VI
Notes:- (1 ) Johnston mentions a Pendrich in Tweeddale down in the Border
country, suggesting that this may stem from 'penn' meaning a height. As this
stands outwith the area of Pictish influence I have excluded this from my
present researches as it is not clear that this forms a definitive part of
the 'Pittendriech' grouping.
(2) There is place called Druidfield just outside Alford at Montgarrie which
could be an anglicized version of Pittendreich atthough there is no evidence
of this. A group of standing stones overlooks the site.
Sources
Technical works
1 The Gaelic Topography of Scotland , J.A. Robertson (1869)
2 Place-Names of Stirlingshire, James B. Johnston (1903)
3 The Celtic Place names of Scotland, William J. Watson (1926)
4 Scottish Place Names, W.C. Mackenzie (1931 )
5 Place-Names of Scotland, James B. Johnston (1934)
6 The Surnames of Scotland, George F. Black (1946)
7 The Place Names of Aberdeenshire, Wm Alexander (Macdonald), Third Spalding
Club (1952)
8 Scottish Place Names, W.F.H. Nicolaisen (Batsford 1976)
9 Place Names on Maps of Scotland and Wales, Ordnance Survey (1981 )
10 Scottish Surnames, David Dorward (1995)
11 The Old Scots Surames (reprint of 1860 original entitled Concerning some
Scotch surnames)
12 A preliminary report on an investigation into 'Pit' place-names,
Whittington/Soulsby (1968)
13 Placenames and the settlement pattern of dark-age Scotland, (Whittington)
(1974)
14 Pictish Place-Names as Scottish Surnames: Origins....., Nicolaisen (1991
)
Local History
15 Records of Elgin - Vols. I & II, New Spalding Club (1908)
16 The Book of the Thanes of Cawdor - 1236-1742 Spalding Club (1859)
17 The Annals of Banff, Wm. Cramond, New Spalding Club (1891 )
18 Antiquities of the shires of Aberdeen and Banff, Spalding Club (1862)
19 Aberdeenshire Valuation Roll - 1667, Third Spalding Club (1933)
20 History of Brechin, D.D. Black (1867)
21 Statistical Account of Scotand, Sir John Sinclair (1793-99)
(a) Portmoak - Vol. V p.170
(b) Lasswade - Vol. X p. 277
22 History of the County of Fife, John Leighton (1840)
23 Peerage of Scotland, Douglas (1818)
24 The Scottish Nation, William Anderson (1878)
Maps and plans
I Blaeu's Scotia - 1662 edition
(a) Map 27 - Lothian 8 Linlitquo
(b) Map 80 - Fifae Vicecomitatus
(c) Map 87 - Aberdene & Banf
(d) Map 101 - Moravia
II Philip's Road Atlas Scotland & the Borders 1990 edition
(a) Page 88 ref. C2.
(b) Page 64 ref. 84.
III Ordnance Survey map sheet no. 29 (Banff & surrounding area) Sector 66/48
IV Ordnance Survey map sheet no. 53 (Blairgowrie & surrounding area) Sector
15/42
V Victorian Ordnance Survey maps (1894) - Sheet 57
VI Bartholomews Edinburgh Streetfinder Sector R9
VII Survey of the County of Kinross, John Bell (1796)
VIII Ordnance Survey map sheet no. CXXXV (Fife and Kin. sheet XXII), 1856
IX Map of Perthshire and Clackmannanshire, James Store (1783)
X Ordnance Survey map sheet no. 37 (Strathdon 8~ surrounding area) Sector
10150
XI Ordnance Survey map (6 ins. = 1 mile) NJS2 NW in possession of R. Arthur,
XI Aberdeen XII Ordnance Survey map (1:10,000) Sheet no 5lSW
About the The Pittendr(e)igh Post
This is a project that should have been launched years ago. It must have
been an idea that Jim in Switzerland had in his mind, as he generously
agreed to underwrite the first issue. That was over three years ago when I
was still working and had little, if any, time to devote to the project. I
recently retired and am looking forward to editing the first few issues. The
intitial plans are to publish the newsletter two or three times a year,
depending on the support received.. We would like to print articles on
historical and current family events basically anything of interest to the
far-flung families named Pittendrigh, Pittendreigh and possibly Pendrigh. To
make the newsletter a success, it needs the participation of everyone
interested.
It would be appreciated if you would submit stories about your family,
biographies or family traditions, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries,
graduations, c;elebrations of any kind, pedigree charts, or any family
history that you think would interest others. If you are not sure of the
origins of your branch of Pittendrighs, perhaps we can determine the family
to which you belong. If you have "lost" members of the ancestral family, we
may be able to locate them. Nothing guaranteed.
I have a four drawer filing cabinet full of miscellaneous information on
several families among which are Pittendr(e)ighs, some Pendrighs, and one
Pendrith, that I would like to share with any and all that are interested.
COST: It would appear that $10.00 Can (or US)or 5 UK
would adequately cover the cost of the next three or four issues. We are
looking for volunteers in Britain, Soutb Africa, and Australia who will be
willing to collect memberships, receive "camera ready" copy of each issue,
have it reproduced then mail it within their own country. This would get
around the problems of converting money and would keep the cost of postage
within acceptable limits. Postage from one country to another is costly, and
especially so from Switzerland.
INTEREST: If you are not interested in this newsletter, please do not
destroy it but pass it on to other members of the family who may be
interested. If we do not hear from you, we will not contact you again.
MAILING: Addresses for this newsletter have been taken from various
telephone directories in Canada, UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand
and USA. Many people not included are the ones that are not listed in any
directories. Submitting material: To participate in this newsletter we will
happily accept material typewritten, or on 3.5 computer disks in
WordPerfect, MS Word, MS Works, RTF, or ASCII formats. Please be willing to
accept some editing. Please forward all correspondence to R. L. Pittendrigh,
Regina SK, Canada or to Jim Pittendrigh in Geneva, Switzerland.
References
1. file://localhost/var/www/html/montana-riverboats.com/Robopages/content/Pittbachs/pittpost/hidden/AnnexA.BMP
2. file://localhost/var/www/html/montana-riverboats.com/Robopages/content/Pittbachs/pittpost/hidden/AnnexB.BMP