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Scottish politician & 3rd Laird of Pitfour ( 1735 - 1820 ) James Ferguson 3rd Laird of Pitfour A mezzotint portrait of Ferguson by William Ward , after Sir William Beechey , published 1818 Member of Parliament for Aberdeenshire In office 1790-1820 Preceded by George Skene Succeeded by William Gordon Member of Parliament for Banffshire In office 1789-1790 Preceded by Sir James Duff Succeeded by Sir James Grant , Bt Personal details Born ( 1735-05-25) 25 May 1735 Pitfour , Aberdeenshire , Scotland , Died 6 September 1820( 1820-09-06 ) ( aged 85 ) Occupation Advocate and politician James Ferguson FRSE ( 25 May 1735 - 6 September 1820 ) was a Scottish advocate and Tory politician and the third Laird of Pitfour , a large estate in the Buchan area of north east Scotland , which is known as the ' Blenheim of the North ' . Ferguson studied law in Edinburgh , qualifying in 1757 to gain membership of the Faculty of Advocates . He then undertook a tour of Europe throughout 1758 before following in his father 's footsteps by joining the Scottish legal profession . Later in life his interests turned to politics and he became a Scottish Tory politician . Among the extensive work carried out by Ferguson at Pitfour , he is also credited with beginning work on a canal between the Pitfour estate and the sea at Peterhead in order to transport agricultural produce . Despite planning objections from neighbours , work began in 1797 . He is also credited with establishing the planned village of Mintlaw in 1813 . Ancestry and early life 30 Heriot Row , Edinburgh James Ferguson was born at Pitfour on 25 May 1735 . He was the eldest son of James Ferguson ( 1700-1777 ) and Ann Murray ( 1708-1793 ) . His parents were married on 3 February 1733 , and he was born three years later . They had five other , younger children . Before undertaking a grand tour of Europe during 1758 , Ferguson continued the family tradition of studying law in Edinburgh . After qualifying , he gained membership of the Faculty of Advocates and Society of Writers to the Signet in July 1757 . Ferguson spent a great deal of time at Pitfour but also had an apartment in St James Place , Westminster , Middlesex . Ferguson became the third Laird of Pitfour on the death of his father , Lord Pitfour , in 1777 . The Third Laird was a known associate of James Boswell and together with his brother Patrick , who was the designer of the Ferguson rifle , breakfasted with Boswell in November 1762 . Other close associates were William Pitt the Younger and Henry Dundas , 1st Viscount Melville . He was the Rector at Aberdeen University from 1794 to 1796 . In a confidential report titled " View of the political state of Scotland " published in 1788 , Ferguson was described as " a man of real good sense , but indolent . " The document was published in 1887 but covered the personal circumstances of those involved in county elections in Scotland during the previous century . Ferguson was not a good-looking man and appeared plain , small and stocky . His mother once wrote to him : Never expose yourself , James , to the charge of rape , for your broad shoulders will cause the jury to think it probable that you made the attempt , and your face will make it manifest that it must have been against the will . He remained a bachelor although there was speculation he yearned for Jane Gordon , Duchess of Gordon . She was born in Edinburgh in 1749 , and was a Scottish Tory political hostess who was shrewd , sharp-witted and humorous but good-natured . In a riddle written by the Duchess , the last two lines refer to Ferguson ( Laird of Pitfour ) and confirm that he was not an attractive man . It reads : My first is found upon the banks of Tyne My second is scarce quite half of nine My whole a laird of Aberdeenshire race An honest fellow with an ugly face Around 1813 , he established the planned village of Mintlaw , and he is also credited with expanding Longside in 1801 . Prior to his death his Edinburgh address was 30 Heriot Row in the Second New Town . He died without issue , and on his death in St James ' Place , London , in September 1820 , the estate passed to his younger brother , George Ferguson ( 1748-1820 ) , who was then 72 years old and in poor health . He was said to have died " without a struggle " of " apoplexy " . Political career Ferguson became a Scottish Tory politician . He sat in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1788 to 1800 , and then in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom until his death in 1820 . He unsuccessfully contested Aberdeenshire at a by-election in 1786 with the support of the Duke of Gordon . George Skene— proposed by the Earl of Fife , who held tremendous sway in the political circles of that time— defeated him . The total electorate for Aberdeenshire was 190 , and Ferguson was defeated by ten votes . Ferguson was again nominated for Aberdeenshire in July 1790 and was appointed after Skene withdrew when his alcoholism began to blight his political career . Ferguson was elected as the Member of Parliament ( MP ) for Banffshire at a by-election in 1789 , holding that seat until 1790 . He was elected at the 1790 general election as MP for Aberdeenshire , and held that seat until his death 30 years later . The Member became a close associate and political friend of the Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger . After Pitt 's death in 1806 , Ferguson did not so easily retain his seat in Parliament . In the elections of 1806 , he retained the seat by just two votes , and his opponent General Alexander Hay demanded he be investigated for bribery and corruption . Ferguson again beat Hay in the contest for the seat in June 1807 , but this time with a more convincing majority of 54 to 39 votes . Ferguson was unopposed in the next three elections . Some records indicate that Ferguson never spoke in the Commons except to complain about a broken window behind his seat causing a draught . He is actually recorded as speaking on at least five occasions over the years . The diarist and fellow lawyer Henry Crabb Robinson gave an indication of Ferguson 's political party affiliation when he recorded in his diary of 1826 : Late at the Athenaeum . Hudson Gurney was there . He related with great effect the experience of Ferguson of Pitfour , which he used to repeat when an old man , for the benefit of young Members : 'I was never absent from any division I could get at . I have heard many arguments which convinced my judgement , but never one that influenced my vote . I never voted but once according to my own opinion , and that was the worst vote I ever gave . I found that the only way to be quiet in Parliament was always to vote with the ministers , and never to take a place ' . It was not until after 1832 and the introduction of the Scottish Reform Act 1832 that control of Scottish politics was taken from the hands of landowners and a small number of merchants . The Friends of the People Society in the 1790s was opposed by those landed gentry politicians . After the Act came into effect , the constituencies were changed , and this raised the electorate from under 5,000 to 65,000 . Pitfour Pitfour House Side view of Pitfour House around the late 1800s The Pitfour Estate beside Mintlaw in the Buchan area of north-east Scotland became one of the country 's most extensive and lavish estates during the 18th and 19th centuries . The Pitfour estate is shown on old maps as Petfouir or Petfour . The estate was purchased by Ferguson 's grandfather , the first Laird , in 1700 and was developed and extended by both the Sheriff and Lord Pitfour . Covering a large area of Buchan , the policies stretched to around 50 square miles and would be valued at £30m at its peak in the 18th century . The third Laird is attributed with much of the development work on the mansion house which was designed by architect John Smith in 1809 . In his architectural guide to Banff and Buchan , Charles McKean describes the estate as the " Blenheim of Buchan " and " the Blenheim of Northern Scotland " . Pitfour 's canal and lake Ferguson was Laird of Pitfour during the period known as the Industrial Revolution in Britain . He began work on a canal between Pitfour and Peterhead in 1797 despite major opposition from adjoining landowners . The canal was proposed to cover about ten miles following the course of the River Ugie . References also refer to Pitfour 's canal as the St Fergus and River Ugie Canal . A project Ferguson had considered since 1793 , it was never completed owing to " difficulties in effecting the necessary arrangements with neighbouring heritors . " The objections were particularly raised by the Merchant Maiden Hospital , which owned the land on the south side of the Ugie . Despite being advised to take out an interdict to prevent the work , in January 1797 the Hospital did not feel it had a strong enough case . However , four months later when two miles of the canal had been dug up to where the north and south Ugie joined , the Hospital did apply for an interdict , and this was granted in July 1797 . A few years after starting work on the canal , the Member had an artificial lake built on a flat piece of land to the front of the mansion house . The landscape gardener William S Gilpin was carrying out work on the adjacent Strichen estate at about the same time , and it is assumed he gave help with the work at Pitfour . The lake extends to almost 50 acres and was based on the artificial lake at Windsor Great Park . side view of Pitfour House Pitfour House around the late 1800s Later history of the estate After the death of the Member intestate in 1820 , the estate was inherited by his younger brother George Ferguson ( 1748-1820 ) , who died shortly after inheriting the estate . He was succeeded by his illegitimate son George Ferguson who , despite incurring severe debts , continued to develop the estate by adding a stable block , race course , an observation tower and other follies . He had huge gambling debts , and although the estate had been valued at £300,000 when he inherited it , he sold off many of the farms and other parts of the estate to raise funds . Despite these injections of funds , when he died the estate was mortgaged to the extent of £250,000 . It was further decimated by his son , George Arthur Ferguson ( 1835-1924 ) . George Arthur was sequestrated , and what remained of the estate was marketed in 1909 . It was eventually sold in mid-1926 , and the mansion house was knocked down . |
| scottish politician [PERSON] & 3rd laird [PERSON] of pitfour [PLACE] ( 1735 - 1820 ) james ferguson [PERSON] 3rd laird [PERSON] of pitfour [PLACE] a mezzotint portrait [PERSON] of ferguson [PERSON] by william ward [PERSON] , after sir william beechey [PERSON] , published 1818 member [PERSON] of parliament [HUMAN GROUP] for aberdeenshire [PLACE] in office [PLACE] 1790-1820 preceded by george skene [PERSON] succeeded by william gordon [PERSON] member [PERSON] of parliament [HUMAN GROUP] for banffshire [PLACE] in office [PLACE] 1789-1790 preceded by sir james [PERSON] duff [PERSON] succeeded by sir james [PERSON] grant [PERSON] , bt personal details born [PERSON] ( 1735-05-25) 25 may [PERIOD] 1735 pitfour [PLACE] , aberdeenshire [PLACE] , scotland [PLACE] , died 6 september [PERIOD] 1820( 1820-09-06 ) ( aged 85 ) occupation advocate [PERSON] and politician james ferguson [PERSON] frse [PERSON] ( 25 may [PERIOD] 1735 - 6 september [PERIOD] 1820 ) was a scottish advocate [PERSON] and tory politician [PERSON] and the third laird [PERSON] of pitfour [PLACE] , a large estate [ESTATE] in the buchan area [AREA] of north [PLACE] east scotland [PLACE] , which is known as the ' blenheim [UNKNOWN] of the north [PLACE] ' . ferguson [PERSON] studied law [PERSON] in edinburgh [PLACE] , qualifying in 1757 to gain membership [PERSON] of the faculty [PERSON] of advocates [UNKNOWN] . he then undertook a tour [EVENT] of europe [PLACE] throughout 1758 before following in his father [PERSON] 's footsteps [STUDY] by joining the scottish legal profession [ACTIVITY] . later in life [EVENT] his interests [UNKNOWN] turned to politics [ACT] and he became a scottish tory politician [PERSON] . among the extensive work [ACTIVITY] carried out by ferguson [PERSON] at pitfour [PLACE] , he is also credited with beginning work [ACTIVITY] on a canal [WATERWAY] between the pitfour estate [ESTATE] and the sea [PLACE] at peterhead [UNKNOWN] in order [GARMENT] to transport agricultural produce [RESULT] . despite planning objections [STATEMENT] from neighbours [PERSON] , work [ACTIVITY] began in 1797 . he is also credited with establishing the planned village [PLACE] of mintlaw [UNKNOWN] in 1813 . ancestry and early life [EVENT] 30 heriot row [PERSON] , edinburgh james ferguson [PERSON] [PERSON] was born at pitfour [PLACE] on 25 may [PERIOD] 1735 . he was the eldest son [PERSON] of james ferguson [PERSON] ( 1700-1777 ) and ann murray [PERSON] ( 1708-1793 ) . his parents [PERSON] were married on 3 february [PERIOD] 1733 , and he was born three years [PERIOD] later . they had five other , younger [PERSON] children [PERSON] . before undertaking a grand tour [EVENT] of europe [PLACE] during 1758 , ferguson [PERSON] continued the family tradition [ACT] of studying law [PERSON] in edinburgh [PLACE] . after qualifying , he gained membership [PERSON] of the faculty [PERSON] of advocates [UNKNOWN] and society [INSTITUTION] of writers [UNKNOWN] to the signet [ARTIFACT] in july [PERIOD] 1757 . ferguson [PERSON] spent a great deal [SITUATION] of time [PERIOD] at pitfour [PLACE] but also had an apartment [GROUP] in st james [PERSON] place [PLACE] , westminster [PLACE] , middlesex [PLACE] . ferguson [PERSON] became the third laird [PERSON] of pitfour [PLACE] on the death [EVENT] of his father [PERSON] , lord pitfour [PLACE] , in 1777 . the third laird [PERSON] was a known associate [PERSON] of james boswell [PERSON] and together with his brother patrick [PERSON] , who was the designer [PERSON] of the ferguson rifle [PERSON] , breakfasted with boswell [PERSON] in november [PERIOD] 1762 . other close associates [PERSON] were william pitt [PERSON] the younger [PERSON] and henry dundas [PERSON] , 1st viscount melville [PERSON] . he was the rector [PERSON] at aberdeen university [INSTITUTION] from 1794 to 1796 . in a confidential report [SYMBOL] titled " view [PERSON] of the political state [STATE] of scotland [PLACE] " published in 1788 , ferguson [PERSON] was described as " a man [PERSON] of real good sense [UNKNOWN] , but indolent . " the document [DOCUMENT] was published in 1887 but covered the personal circumstances [CONDITION] of those involved in county elections [PLACE] in scotland [PLACE] during the previous century [PERIOD] . ferguson [PERSON] was not a good-looking man [PERSON] and appeared plain [PORTION] , small and stocky . his mother [PERSON] once wrote to him : never expose yourself , james [PERSON] , to the charge [FORM] of rape [COLLECTION] , for your broad shoulders [SET] will [UNKNOWN] cause the jury [PERSON] to think it probable that you made the attempt [ACTION] , and your face [PORTION] will [UNKNOWN] make it manifest that it must have been against the will [UNKNOWN] . he remained a bachelor [PERSON] although there was speculation [ACT] he yearned for jane gordon [PERSON] , duchess [EVENT] of gordon [PERSON] . she was born in edinburgh [PLACE] in 1749 , and was a scottish tory [PERSON] political hostess [PERSON] who was shrewd , sharp-witted and humorous but good-natured . in a riddle [ARTIFACT] written by the duchess [EVENT] , the last two lines refer [PERSON] to ferguson [PERSON] ( laird [PERSON] of pitfour [PLACE] ) and confirm that he was not an attractive man [PERSON] . it reads : my first is found upon the banks [PERSON] of tyne [PERSON] my second is scarce quite half [PLACE] of nine my whole a laird [PERSON] of aberdeenshire [PLACE] race an honest fellow [PERSON] with an ugly face [PORTION] around 1813 , he established the planned village [PLACE] of mintlaw [UNKNOWN] , and he is also credited with expanding longside [UNKNOWN] in 1801 . prior to his death [EVENT] his edinburgh address [PLACE] was 30 heriot row [PERSON] in the second new town [PLACE] . he died without issue [EVENT] , and on his death [EVENT] in st james [PERSON] ' place [PLACE] , london [PLACE] , in september [PERIOD] 1820 , the estate [ESTATE] passed to his younger [PERSON] brother [PERSON] , george ferguson [PERSON] ( 1748-1820 ) , who was then 72 years [PERIOD] old and in poor health [PROPERTY] . he was said to have died " without a struggle [FORM] " of " apoplexy [UNKNOWN] " . political career [PERSON] ferguson [PERSON] became a scottish tory politician [PERSON] . he sat in the house [PLACE] of commons [UNKNOWN] of great britain [PLACE] from 1788 to 1800 , and then in the house [PLACE] of commons [UNKNOWN] of the united kingdom [PLACE] until his death [EVENT] in 1820 . he unsuccessfully contested aberdeenshire [PLACE] at a by-election in 1786 with the support [PERSON] of the duke [PERSON] of gordon [PERSON] . george skene— proposed by the earl [PERSON] of fife [PERSON] , who held tremendous sway [PERSON] in the political circles [UNKNOWN] of that time— defeated him . the total electorate [PLACE] for aberdeenshire [PLACE] was 190 , and ferguson [PERSON] was defeated by ten votes [ACT] . ferguson [PERSON] was again nominated for aberdeenshire [PLACE] in july [PERIOD] 1790 and was appointed after skene [PERSON] withdrew when his alcoholism [CONDITION] began to blight his political career [PERSON] . ferguson [PERSON] was elected as the member [PERSON] of parliament [HUMAN GROUP] ( mp ) for banffshire [PLACE] at a by-election in 1789 , holding that seat [ABSTRACT ENTITY] until 1790 . he was elected at the 1790 general election [PLACE] as mp for aberdeenshire [PLACE] , and held that seat [ABSTRACT ENTITY] until his death [EVENT] 30 years [PERIOD] later . the member [PERSON] became a close associate [PERSON] and political friend [PERSON] of the prime minister william pitt [PERSON] [PERSON] the younger [PERSON] . after pitt [PERSON] 's death [EVENT] in 1806 , ferguson [PERSON] did not so easily retain his seat [ABSTRACT ENTITY] in parliament [HUMAN GROUP] . in the elections [PLACE] of 1806 , he retained the seat [ABSTRACT ENTITY] by just two votes [ACT] , and his opponent general alexander hay [PERSON] demanded he be investigated for bribery [EVENT] and corruption [ACT] . ferguson [PERSON] again beat hay [PERSON] in the contest [CONDITION] for the seat [ABSTRACT ENTITY] in june [PERIOD] 1807 , but this time [PERIOD] with a more convincing majority [PERSON] of 54 to 39 votes [ACT] . ferguson [PERSON] was unopposed in the next three elections [PLACE] . some records [NUMBER] indicate that ferguson [PERSON] never spoke in the commons except [UNKNOWN] to complain about a broken window [VALUE] behind his seat [ABSTRACT ENTITY] causing a draught . he is actually recorded as speaking on at least five occasions [ABSTRACT ENTITY] over the years [PERIOD] . the diarist [PERSON] and fellow [PERSON] lawyer henry crabb robinson [PERSON] gave an indication [STUDY] of ferguson [PERSON] 's political party affiliation [GROUP] when he recorded in his diary [ABSTRACT ENTITY] of 1826 : late at the athenaeum [GROUP] . hudson gurney [PERSON] was there . he related with great effect [EFFECT] the experience [EFFECT] of ferguson [PERSON] of pitfour [PLACE] , which he used to repeat when an old man [PERSON] , for the benefit [EVENT] of young members [PERSON] : 'i was never absent from any division [PROCESS] i could get at . i have heard many arguments [ABSTRACT ENTITY] which convinced my judgement [UNKNOWN] , but never one that influenced my vote [ACT] . i never voted but once according to my own opinion [PERSON] , and that was the worst vote [ACT] i ever gave . i found that the only way [UNKNOWN] to be quiet in parliament [HUMAN GROUP] was always to vote [ACT] with the ministers [PERSON] , and never to take a place [PLACE] ' . it was not until after 1832 and the introduction [ACT] of the scottish reform act [ACT] 1832 that control [GROUP] of scottish politics [ACT] was taken from the hands [PERSON] of landowners [PERSON] and a small number [NUMBER] of merchants [PERSON] . the friends [UNKNOWN] of the people society [INSTITUTION] in the 1790s was opposed by those landed gentry politicians [PERSON] . after the act [ACT] came into effect [EFFECT] , the constituencies [PERSON] were changed , and this raised the electorate [PLACE] from under 5,000 to 65,000 . pitfour pitfour [PLACE] house [PLACE] side view [PERSON] [PERSON] of pitfour [PLACE] house [PLACE] around the late 1800s the pitfour estate [ESTATE] beside mintlaw [UNKNOWN] in the buchan area [AREA] of north-east scotland [PLACE] became one of the country [PLACE] 's most extensive and lavish estates [ESTATE] during the 18th and 19th centuries [RACE] . the pitfour estate [ESTATE] is shown on old maps [UNKNOWN] as petfouir [UNKNOWN] or petfour [UNKNOWN] . the estate [ESTATE] was purchased by ferguson [PERSON] 's grandfather [PERSON] , the first laird [PERSON] , in 1700 and was developed and extended by both the sheriff [PERSON] and lord pitfour [PLACE] . covering a large area [AREA] of buchan [PERSON] , the policies [RULE] stretched to around 50 square miles [PLACE] and would be valued at £30m at its peak [ABSTRACT ENTITY] in the 18th century [PERIOD] . the third laird [PERSON] is attributed with much of the development work [ACTIVITY] on the mansion house [PLACE] which was designed by architect john smith [PERSON] in 1809 . in his architectural guide [PERSON] to banff [PLACE] and buchan [PERSON] , charles mckean [PERSON] describes the estate [ESTATE] as the " blenheim [UNKNOWN] of buchan [PERSON] " and " the blenheim [UNKNOWN] of northern scotland [PLACE] " . pitfour [PLACE] 's canal [WATERWAY] and lake ferguson [PERSON] was laird [PERSON] of pitfour [PLACE] during the period [PERIOD] known as the industrial revolution [STUDY] in britain [PLACE] . he began work [ACTIVITY] on a canal [WATERWAY] between pitfour [PLACE] and peterhead [UNKNOWN] in 1797 despite major opposition [STATE] from adjoining landowners [PERSON] . the canal [WATERWAY] was proposed to cover about ten miles [PLACE] following the course [PERSON] of the river ugie [PERSON] . references [NUMBER] also refer to pitfour [PLACE] 's canal [WATERWAY] as the st fergus [PLACE] and river ugie [PERSON] canal [WATERWAY] . a project ferguson [PERSON] had considered since 1793 , it was never completed owing to " difficulties [STATEMENT] in effecting the necessary arrangements [ARRANGEMENT] with neighbouring heritors [UNKNOWN] . " the objections [STATEMENT] were particularly raised by the merchant maiden hospital [PLACE] , which owned the land [LAND] on the south side [PLACE] of the ugie [PERSON] . despite being advised to take out an interdict [UNKNOWN] to prevent the work [ACTIVITY] , in january [PERIOD] 1797 the hospital [PLACE] did not feel it had a strong enough case [STUDY] . however , four months [PERIOD] later when two miles [PLACE] of the canal [WATERWAY] had been dug up to where the north [PLACE] and south ugie [PERSON] joined , the hospital [PLACE] did apply for an interdict [UNKNOWN] , and this was granted in july [PERIOD] 1797 . a few years [PERIOD] after starting work [ACTIVITY] on the canal [WATERWAY] , the member [PERSON] had an artificial lake [PLACE] built on a flat piece of land [LAND] to the front [PORTION] of the mansion house [PLACE] . the landscape gardener william s gilpin [PERSON] was carrying out work [ACTIVITY] on the adjacent strichen estate [ESTATE] at about the same time [PERIOD] , and it is assumed he gave help [UNKNOWN] with the work [ACTIVITY] at pitfour [PLACE] . the lake [PLACE] extends to almost 50 acres [BALL] and was based on the artificial lake [PLACE] at windsor great park [PLACE] . side view [PERSON] of pitfour house [PLACE] pitfour [PLACE] house [PLACE] around the late 1800s later history [SITUATION] of the estate [ESTATE] after the death [EVENT] of the member intestate [PERSON] in 1820 , the estate [ESTATE] was inherited by his younger [PERSON] brother george ferguson [PERSON] [PERSON] ( 1748-1820 ) , who died shortly after inheriting the estate [ESTATE] . he was succeeded by his illegitimate son george ferguson [PERSON] [PERSON] who , despite incurring severe debts [STATE] , continued to develop the estate [ESTATE] by adding a stable block [PERSON] , race course [PERSON] , an observation tower [PERSON] and other follies [BUILDING] . he had huge gambling debts [STATE] , and although the estate [ESTATE] had been valued at £300,000 when he inherited it , he sold off many of the farms [LOCATION] and other parts [PART] of the estate [ESTATE] to raise funds [GROUP] . despite these injections [ACT] of funds [GROUP] , when he died the estate [ESTATE] was mortgaged to the extent [PLACE] of £250,000 . it was further decimated by his son [PERSON] , george arthur ferguson [PERSON] ( 1835-1924 ) . george arthur [PERSON] was sequestrated , and what remained of the estate [ESTATE] was marketed in 1909 . it was eventually sold in mid-1926 , and the mansion house [PLACE] was knocked down . |
| Id | Form | Freq | Tag | Context | Error |
| 1 | ferguson | 19 | PERSON | scottish politician & 3rd laird of pitfour ( 1735 - 1820 ) james ferguson 3rd laird of pitfour | |
| 2 | pitfour | 15 | PLACE | scottish politician & 3rd laird of pitfour ( 1735 - 1820 ) james ferguson 3rd laird of pitfour | |
| 3 | estate | 12 | ESTATE | september 1820 ) was a scottish advocate and tory politician and the third laird of pitfour , a large estate in the buchan area of north east scotland , which is known as the ' blenheim of the north ' . | |
| 4 | laird | 8 | PERSON | scottish politician & 3rd laird of pitfour ( 1735 - 1820 ) james ferguson 3rd laird of pitfour | |
| 5 | work | 7 | ACTIVITY | among the extensive work carried out by ferguson at pitfour , he is also credited with beginning work on a canal between the pitfour estate and the sea at peterhead in order to transport agricultural produce . | |
| 6 | aberdeenshire | 7 | PLACE | a mezzotint portrait of ferguson by william ward , after sir william beechey , published 1818 member of parliament for aberdeenshire | |
| 7 | canal | 7 | WATERWAY | among the extensive work carried out by ferguson at pitfour , he is also credited with beginning work on a canal between the pitfour estate and the sea at peterhead in order to transport agricultural produce . | |
| 8 | death | 6 | EVENT | ferguson became the third laird of pitfour on the death of his father , lord pitfour , in 1777 . | |
| 9 | seat | 6 | ABSTRACT ENTITY | ferguson was elected as the member of parliament ( mp ) for banffshire at a by-election in 1789 , holding that seat until 1790 . | |
| 10 | parliament | 5 | HUMAN GROUP | a mezzotint portrait of ferguson by william ward , after sir william beechey , published 1818 member of parliament for aberdeenshire | |
| 11 | scotland | 5 | PLACE | in office 1789-1790 preceded by sir james duff succeeded by sir james grant , bt personal details born ( 1735-05-25) 25 may 1735 pitfour , aberdeenshire , scotland , died 6 | |
| 12 | man | 4 | PERSON | in a confidential report titled " view of the political state of scotland " published in 1788 , ferguson was described as " a man of real good sense , but indolent . " | |
| 13 | years | 4 | PERIOD | his parents were married on 3 february 1733 , and he was born three years later . | |
| 14 | member | 4 | PERSON | a mezzotint portrait of ferguson by william ward , after sir william beechey , published 1818 member of parliament for aberdeenshire | |
| 15 | september | 3 | PERIOD | september 1820( 1820-09-06 ) ( aged 85 ) | |
| 16 | time | 3 | PERIOD | ferguson spent a great deal of time at pitfour but also had an apartment in st james place , westminster , middlesex . | |
| 17 | mansion house | 3 | PLACE | the third laird is attributed with much of the development work on the mansion house which was designed by architect john smith in 1809 . | |
| 18 | july | 3 | PERIOD | after qualifying , he gained membership of the faculty of advocates and society of writers to the signet in july 1757 . | |
| 19 | votes | 3 | ACT | the total electorate for aberdeenshire was 190 , and ferguson was defeated by ten votes . | |
| 20 | buchan | 3 | PERSON | september 1820 ) was a scottish advocate and tory politician and the third laird of pitfour , a large estate in the buchan area of north east scotland , which is known as the ' blenheim of the north ' . | |
| 21 | edinburgh | 3 | PLACE | ferguson studied law in edinburgh , qualifying in 1757 to gain membership of the faculty of advocates . | |
| 22 | pitfour estate | 3 | ESTATE | among the extensive work carried out by ferguson at pitfour , he is also credited with beginning work on a canal between the pitfour estate and the sea at peterhead in order to transport agricultural produce . | |
| 23 | lake | 3 | PLACE | pitfour 's canal and lake ferguson was laird of pitfour during the period known as the industrial revolution in britain . | |
| 24 | miles | 3 | PLACE | covering a large area of buchan , the policies stretched to around 50 square miles and would be valued at £30m at its peak in the 18th century . | |
| 25 | mintlaw | 3 | UNKNOWN | he is also credited with establishing the planned village of mintlaw in 1813 . | |
| 26 | tory politician | 3 | PERSON | september 1820 ) was a scottish advocate and tory politician and the third laird of pitfour , a large estate in the buchan area of north east scotland , which is known as the ' blenheim of the north ' . | |
| 27 | blenheim | 3 | UNKNOWN | september 1820 ) was a scottish advocate and tory politician and the third laird of pitfour , a large estate in the buchan area of north east scotland , which is known as the ' blenheim of the north ' . | |
| 28 | son | 2 | PERSON | he was the eldest son of james ferguson ( 1700-1777 ) and ann murray ( 1708-1793 ) . | |
| 29 | europe | 2 | PLACE | he then undertook a tour of europe throughout 1758 before following in his father 's footsteps by joining the scottish legal profession . | |
| 30 | electorate | 2 | PLACE | the total electorate for aberdeenshire was 190 , and ferguson was defeated by ten votes . | |
| 31 | gordon | 2 | PERSON | in office 1790-1820 preceded by george skene succeeded by william gordon member of parliament for banffshire | |
| 32 | banffshire | 2 | PLACE | in office 1790-1820 preceded by george skene succeeded by william gordon member of parliament for banffshire | |
| 33 | buchan area | 2 | AREA | september 1820 ) was a scottish advocate and tory politician and the third laird of pitfour , a large estate in the buchan area of north east scotland , which is known as the ' blenheim of the north ' . | |
| 34 | advocates | 2 | UNKNOWN | ferguson studied law in edinburgh , qualifying in 1757 to gain membership of the faculty of advocates . | |
| 35 | north | 2 | PLACE | september 1820 ) was a scottish advocate and tory politician and the third laird of pitfour , a large estate in the buchan area of north east scotland , which is known as the ' blenheim of the north ' . | |
| 36 | face | 2 | PORTION | never expose yourself , james , to the charge of rape , for your broad shoulders will cause the jury to think it probable that you made the attempt , and your face will make it manifest that it must have been against the will . | |
| 37 | village | 2 | PLACE | he is also credited with establishing the planned village of mintlaw in 1813 . | |
| 38 | effect | 2 | EFFECT | he related with great effect the experience of ferguson of pitfour , which he used to repeat when an old man , for the benefit of young members : 'i was never absent from any division i could get at . | |
| 39 | politics | 2 | ACT | later in life his interests turned to politics and he became a scottish tory politician . | |
| 40 | may | 2 | PERIOD | in office 1789-1790 preceded by sir james duff succeeded by sir james grant , bt personal details born ( 1735-05-25) 25 may 1735 pitfour , aberdeenshire , scotland , died 6 | |
| 41 | vote | 2 | ACT | i have heard many arguments which convinced my judgement , but never one that influenced my vote . | |
| 42 | tour | 2 | EVENT | he then undertook a tour of europe throughout 1758 before following in his father 's footsteps by joining the scottish legal profession . | |
| 43 | by election | 2 | PROCESS | ||
| 44 | landowners | 2 | PERSON | it was not until after 1832 and the introduction of the scottish reform act 1832 that control of scottish politics was taken from the hands of landowners and a small number of merchants . | |
| 45 | office | 2 | PLACE | in office 1790-1820 preceded by george skene succeeded by william gordon member of parliament for banffshire | |
| 46 | associate | 2 | PERSON | the third laird was a known associate of james boswell and together with his brother patrick , who was the designer of the ferguson rifle , breakfasted with boswell in november 1762 . | |
| 47 | father | 2 | PERSON | he then undertook a tour of europe throughout 1758 before following in his father 's footsteps by joining the scottish legal profession . | |
| 48 | funds | 2 | GROUP | he had huge gambling debts , and although the estate had been valued at £300,000 when he inherited it , he sold off many of the farms and other parts of the estate to raise funds . | |
| 49 | membership | 2 | PERSON | ferguson studied law in edinburgh , qualifying in 1757 to gain membership of the faculty of advocates . | |
| 50 | commons | 2 | UNKNOWN | he sat in the house of commons of great britain from 1788 to 1800 , and then in the house of commons of the united kingdom until his death in 1820 . | |
| 51 | place | 2 | PLACE | ferguson spent a great deal of time at pitfour but also had an apartment in st james place , westminster , middlesex . | |
| 52 | elections | 2 | PLACE | the document was published in 1887 but covered the personal circumstances of those involved in county elections in scotland during the previous century . | |
| 53 | objections | 2 | STATEMENT | despite planning objections from neighbours , work began in 1797 . | |
| 54 | land | 2 | LAND | the objections were particularly raised by the merchant maiden hospital , which owned the land on the south side of the ugie . | |
| 55 | interdict | 2 | UNKNOWN | despite being advised to take out an interdict to prevent the work , in january 1797 the hospital did not feel it had a strong enough case . | |
| 56 | house | 2 | PLACE | he sat in the house of commons of great britain from 1788 to 1800 , and then in the house of commons of the united kingdom until his death in 1820 . | |
| 57 | duchess | 2 | EVENT | he remained a bachelor although there was speculation he yearned for jane gordon , duchess of gordon . | |
| 58 | younger | 2 | PERSON | they had five other , younger children . | |
| 59 | faculty | 2 | PERSON | ferguson studied law in edinburgh , qualifying in 1757 to gain membership of the faculty of advocates . | |
| 60 | century | 2 | PERIOD | the document was published in 1887 but covered the personal circumstances of those involved in county elections in scotland during the previous century . | |
| 61 | law | 2 | PERSON | ferguson studied law in edinburgh , qualifying in 1757 to gain membership of the faculty of advocates . | |
| 62 | lord pitfour | 2 | PERSON | ferguson became the third laird of pitfour on the death of his father , lord pitfour , in 1777 . | |
| 63 | hospital | 2 | PLACE | the objections were particularly raised by the merchant maiden hospital , which owned the land on the south side of the ugie . | |
| 64 | james ferguson | 1 | PERSON | scottish politician & 3rd laird of pitfour ( 1735 - 1820 ) james ferguson 3rd laird of pitfour | |
| 65 | banff | 1 | PLACE | in his architectural guide to banff and buchan , charles mckean describes the estate as the " blenheim of buchan " and " the blenheim of northern scotland " . | |
| 66 | peterhead | 1 | UNKNOWN | among the extensive work carried out by ferguson at pitfour , he is also credited with beginning work on a canal between the pitfour estate and the sea at peterhead in order to transport agricultural produce . | |
| 67 | sir james grant | 1 | PERSON | in office 1789-1790 preceded by sir james duff succeeded by sir james grant , bt personal details born ( 1735-05-25) 25 may 1735 pitfour , aberdeenshire , scotland , died 6 | |
| 68 | estates | 1 | ESTATE | the pitfour estate beside mintlaw in the buchan area of north-east scotland became one of the country 's most extensive and lavish estates during the 18th and 19th centuries . | |
| 69 | guide | 1 | PERSON | in his architectural guide to banff and buchan , charles mckean describes the estate as the " blenheim of buchan " and " the blenheim of northern scotland " . | |
| 70 | britain | 1 | PLACE | he sat in the house of commons of great britain from 1788 to 1800 , and then in the house of commons of the united kingdom until his death in 1820 . | |
| 71 | children | 1 | PERSON | they had five other , younger children . | |
| 72 | george arthur ferguson | 1 | PERSON | it was further decimated by his son , george arthur ferguson ( 1835-1924 ) . | |
| 73 | strichen estate | 1 | ESTATE | the landscape gardener william s gilpin was carrying out work on the adjacent strichen estate at about the same time , and it is assumed he gave help with the work at pitfour . | |
| 74 | george arthur | 1 | PERSON | it was further decimated by his son , george arthur ferguson ( 1835-1924 ) . | |
| 75 | death years | 1 | PERIOD | ||
| 76 | earl | 1 | PERSON | george skene— proposed by the earl of fife , who held tremendous sway in the political circles of that time— defeated him . | |
| 77 | support | 1 | PERSON | he unsuccessfully contested aberdeenshire at a by-election in 1786 with the support of the duke of gordon . | |
| 78 | circumstances | 1 | CONDITION | the document was published in 1887 but covered the personal circumstances of those involved in county elections in scotland during the previous century . | |
| 79 | front | 1 | PORTION | a few years after starting work on the canal , the member had an artificial lake built on a flat piece of land to the front of the mansion house . | |
| 80 | party affiliation | 1 | GROUP | the diarist and fellow lawyer henry crabb robinson gave an indication of ferguson 's political party affiliation when he recorded in his diary of 1826 : late at the athenaeum . | |
| 81 | river ugie canal | 1 | PERSON | references also refer to pitfour 's canal as the st fergus and river ugie canal . | |
| 82 | case | 1 | STUDY | despite being advised to take out an interdict to prevent the work , in january 1797 the hospital did not feel it had a strong enough case . | |
| 83 | sea | 1 | PLACE | among the extensive work carried out by ferguson at pitfour , he is also credited with beginning work on a canal between the pitfour estate and the sea at peterhead in order to transport agricultural produce . | |
| 84 | jane gordon | 1 | PERSON | he remained a bachelor although there was speculation he yearned for jane gordon , duchess of gordon . | |
| 85 | division | 1 | PROCESS | he related with great effect the experience of ferguson of pitfour , which he used to repeat when an old man , for the benefit of young members : 'i was never absent from any division i could get at . | |
| 86 | writers | 1 | UNKNOWN | after qualifying , he gained membership of the faculty of advocates and society of writers to the signet in july 1757 . | |
| 87 | james | 1 | PERSON | scottish politician & 3rd laird of pitfour ( 1735 - 1820 ) james ferguson 3rd laird of pitfour | |
| 88 | lake ferguson | 1 | PERSON | pitfour 's canal and lake ferguson was laird of pitfour during the period known as the industrial revolution in britain . | |
| 89 | friends | 1 | UNKNOWN | the friends of the people society in the 1790s was opposed by those landed gentry politicians . | |
| 90 | brother patrick | 1 | PERSON | the third laird was a known associate of james boswell and together with his brother patrick , who was the designer of the ferguson rifle , breakfasted with boswell in november 1762 . | |
| 91 | mother | 1 | PERSON | his mother once wrote to him : | |
| 92 | son george ferguson | 1 | PERSON | he was succeeded by his illegitimate son george ferguson who , despite incurring severe debts , continued to develop the estate by adding a stable block , race course , an observation tower and other follies . | |
| 93 | scottish reform act | 1 | ACT | it was not until after 1832 and the introduction of the scottish reform act 1832 that control of scottish politics was taken from the hands of landowners and a small number of merchants . | |
| 94 | northern scotland | 1 | PERSON | in his architectural guide to banff and buchan , charles mckean describes the estate as the " blenheim of buchan " and " the blenheim of northern scotland " . | |
| 95 | heritors | 1 | UNKNOWN | a project ferguson had considered since 1793 , it was never completed owing to " difficulties in effecting the necessary arrangements with neighbouring heritors . " | |
| 96 | way | 1 | UNKNOWN | i found that the only way to be quiet in parliament was always to vote with the ministers , and never to take a place ' . | |
| 97 | opposition | 1 | STATE | he began work on a canal between pitfour and peterhead in 1797 despite major opposition from adjoining landowners . | |
| 98 | petfour | 1 | UNKNOWN | the pitfour estate is shown on old maps as petfouir or petfour . | |
| 99 | window | 1 | VALUE | some records indicate that ferguson never spoke in the commons except to complain about a broken window behind his seat causing a draught . | |
| 100 | politician | 1 | PERSON | scottish politician & 3rd laird of pitfour ( 1735 - 1820 ) james ferguson 3rd laird of pitfour | |
| 101 | report | 1 | SYMBOL | in a confidential report titled " view of the political state of scotland " published in 1788 , ferguson was described as " a man of real good sense , but indolent . " | |
| 102 | bachelor | 1 | PERSON | he remained a bachelor although there was speculation he yearned for jane gordon , duchess of gordon . | |
| 103 | sheriff | 1 | PERSON | the estate was purchased by ferguson 's grandfather , the first laird , in 1700 and was developed and extended by both the sheriff and lord pitfour . | |
| 104 | apoplexy | 1 | UNKNOWN | he was said to have died " without a struggle " of " apoplexy " . | |
| 105 | indication | 1 | STUDY | the diarist and fellow lawyer henry crabb robinson gave an indication of ferguson 's political party affiliation when he recorded in his diary of 1826 : late at the athenaeum . | |
| 106 | months | 1 | PERIOD | however , four months later when two miles of the canal had been dug up to where the north and south ugie joined , the hospital did apply for an interdict , and this was granted in july 1797 . | |
| 107 | majority | 1 | PERSON | ferguson again beat hay in the contest for the seat in june 1807 , but this time with a more convincing majority of 54 to 39 votes . | |
| 108 | election | 1 | PLACE | he unsuccessfully contested aberdeenshire at a by election in 1786 with the support of the duke of gordon . | |
| 109 | grandfather | 1 | PERSON | the estate was purchased by ferguson 's grandfather , the first laird , in 1700 and was developed and extended by both the sheriff and lord pitfour . | |
| 110 | viscount melville | 1 | PERSON | other close associates were william pitt the younger and henry dundas , 1st viscount melville . | |
| 111 | rector | 1 | PERSON | he was the rector at aberdeen university from 1794 to 1796 . | |
| 112 | attempt | 1 | ACTION | never expose yourself , james , to the charge of rape , for your broad shoulders will cause the jury to think it probable that you made the attempt , and your face will make it manifest that it must have been against the will . | |
| 113 | lines refer | 1 | PERSON | in a riddle written by the duchess , the last two lines refer to ferguson ( laird of pitfour ) and confirm that he was not an attractive man . | |
| 114 | life | 1 | EVENT | later in life his interests turned to politics and he became a scottish tory politician . | |
| 115 | occupation advocate | 1 | PERSON | occupation advocate and politician james ferguson frse ( 25 may 1735 - 6 | |
| 116 | judgement | 1 | UNKNOWN | i have heard many arguments which convinced my judgement , but never one that influenced my vote . | |
| 117 | life heriot row | 1 | PERSON | ||
| 118 | shoulders | 1 | SET | never expose yourself , james , to the charge of rape , for your broad shoulders will cause the jury to think it probable that you made the attempt , and your face will make it manifest that it must have been against the will . | |
| 119 | united kingdom | 1 | PLACE | he sat in the house of commons of great britain from 1788 to 1800 , and then in the house of commons of the united kingdom until his death in 1820 . | |
| 120 | st fergus | 1 | PLACE | references also refer to pitfour 's canal as the st fergus and river ugie canal . | |
| 121 | prime minister william pitt | 1 | PERSON | the member became a close associate and political friend of the prime minister william pitt the younger . | |
| 122 | pitfour pitfour house side view | 1 | PERSON | pitfour pitfour house side view of pitfour | |
| 123 | diary | 1 | ABSTRACT ENTITY | the diarist and fellow lawyer henry crabb robinson gave an indication of ferguson 's political party affiliation when he recorded in his diary of 1826 : late at the athenaeum . | |
| 124 | may pitfour | 1 | UNKNOWN | ||
| 125 | hostess | 1 | PERSON | she was born in edinburgh in 1749 , and was a scottish tory political hostess who was shrewd , sharp-witted and humorous but good-natured . | |
| 126 | river ugie | 1 | PERSON | the canal was proposed to cover about ten miles following the course of the river ugie . | |
| 127 | james ferguson laird | 1 | PERSON | ||
| 128 | parents | 1 | PERSON | his parents were married on 3 february 1733 , and he was born three years later . | |
| 129 | pitfour house pitfour | 1 | PERSON | side view of pitfour house pitfour | |
| 130 | farms | 1 | LOCATION | he had huge gambling debts , and although the estate had been valued at £300,000 when he inherited it , he sold off many of the farms and other parts of the estate to raise funds . | |
| 131 | side view | 1 | PLACE | pitfour pitfour house side view of pitfour | |
| 132 | duke | 1 | PERSON | he unsuccessfully contested aberdeenshire at a by-election in 1786 with the support of the duke of gordon . | |
| 133 | constituencies | 1 | PERSON | after the act came into effect , the constituencies were changed , and this raised the electorate from under 5,000 to 65,000 . | |
| 134 | signet | 1 | ARTIFACT | after qualifying , he gained membership of the faculty of advocates and society of writers to the signet in july 1757 . | |
| 135 | opinion | 1 | PERSON | i never voted but once according to my own opinion , and that was the worst vote i ever gave . | |
| 136 | associates | 1 | PERSON | other close associates were william pitt the younger and henry dundas , 1st viscount melville . | |
| 137 | order | 1 | GARMENT | among the extensive work carried out by ferguson at pitfour , he is also credited with beginning work on a canal between the pitfour estate and the sea at peterhead in order to transport agricultural produce . | |
| 138 | commons except | 1 | UNKNOWN | some records indicate that ferguson never spoke in the commons except to complain about a broken window behind his seat causing a draught . | |
| 139 | ann murray | 1 | PERSON | he was the eldest son of james ferguson ( 1700-1777 ) and ann murray ( 1708-1793 ) . | |
| 140 | family tradition | 1 | ACT | before undertaking a grand tour of europe during 1758 , ferguson continued the family tradition of studying law in edinburgh . | |
| 141 | george ferguson | 1 | PERSON | he died without issue , and on his death in st james ' place , london , in september 1820 , the estate passed to his younger brother , george ferguson ( 1748-1820 ) , who was then 72 years old and in poor health . | |
| 142 | members | 1 | PERSON | he related with great effect the experience of ferguson of pitfour , which he used to repeat when an old man , for the benefit of young members : 'i was never absent from any division i could get at . | |
| 143 | sir james duff | 1 | PERSON | in office 1789-1790 preceded by sir james duff succeeded by sir james grant , bt personal details born ( 1735-05-25) 25 may 1735 pitfour , aberdeenshire , scotland , died 6 | |
| 144 | longside | 1 | UNKNOWN | my second is scarce quite half of nine my whole a laird of aberdeenshire race an honest fellow with an ugly face around 1813 , he established the planned village of mintlaw , and he is also credited with expanding longside in 1801 . | |
| 145 | banks | 1 | PERSON | my first is found upon the banks of tyne | |
| 146 | south ugie | 1 | PLACE | however , four months later when two miles of the canal had been dug up to where the north and south ugie joined , the hospital did apply for an interdict , and this was granted in july 1797 . | |
| 147 | course | 1 | PERSON | the canal was proposed to cover about ten miles following the course of the river ugie . | |
| 148 | rape | 1 | COLLECTION | never expose yourself , james , to the charge of rape , for your broad shoulders will cause the jury to think it probable that you made the attempt , and your face will make it manifest that it must have been against the will . | |
| 149 | sway | 1 | PERSON | george skene— proposed by the earl of fife , who held tremendous sway in the political circles of that time— defeated him . | |
| 150 | westminster | 1 | PLACE | ferguson spent a great deal of time at pitfour but also had an apartment in st james place , westminster , middlesex . | |
| 151 | corruption | 1 | ACT | in the elections of 1806 , he retained the seat by just two votes , and his opponent general alexander hay demanded he be investigated for bribery and corruption . | |
| 152 | plain | 1 | PORTION | ferguson was not a good-looking man and appeared plain , small and stocky . | |
| 153 | petfouir | 1 | UNKNOWN | the pitfour estate is shown on old maps as petfouir or petfour . | |
| 154 | london | 1 | PLACE | he died without issue , and on his death in st james ' place , london , in september 1820 , the estate passed to his younger brother , george ferguson ( 1748-1820 ) , who was then 72 years old and in poor health . | |
| 155 | industrial revolution | 1 | STUDY | pitfour 's canal and lake ferguson was laird of pitfour during the period known as the industrial revolution in britain . | |
| 156 | january | 1 | PERIOD | despite being advised to take out an interdict to prevent the work , in january 1797 the hospital did not feel it had a strong enough case . | |
| 157 | skene | 1 | PERSON | in office 1790-1820 preceded by george skene succeeded by william gordon member of parliament for banffshire | |
| 158 | fellow | 1 | PERSON | my second is scarce quite half of nine my whole a laird of aberdeenshire race an honest fellow with an ugly face around 1813 , he established the planned village of mintlaw , and he is also credited with expanding longside in 1801 . | |
| 159 | lawyer henry crabb robinson | 1 | PERSON | the diarist and fellow lawyer henry crabb robinson gave an indication of ferguson 's political party affiliation when he recorded in his diary of 1826 : late at the athenaeum . | |
| 160 | injections | 1 | ACT | despite these injections of funds , when he died the estate was mortgaged to the extent of £250,000 . | |
| 161 | benefit | 1 | EVENT | he related with great effect the experience of ferguson of pitfour , which he used to repeat when an old man , for the benefit of young members : 'i was never absent from any division i could get at . | |
| 162 | act | 1 | ACT | it was not until after 1832 and the introduction of the scottish reform act 1832 that control of scottish politics was taken from the hands of landowners and a small number of merchants . | |
| 163 | riddle | 1 | ARTIFACT | in a riddle written by the duchess , the last two lines refer to ferguson ( laird of pitfour ) and confirm that he was not an attractive man . | |
| 164 | windsor great park | 1 | PLACE | the lake extends to almost 50 acres and was based on the artificial lake at windsor great park . | |
| 165 | occasions | 1 | ABSTRACT ENTITY | he is actually recorded as speaking on at least five occasions over the years . | |
| 166 | fife | 1 | PERSON | george skene— proposed by the earl of fife , who held tremendous sway in the political circles of that time— defeated him . | |
| 167 | alcoholism | 1 | CONDITION | ferguson was again nominated for aberdeenshire in july 1790 and was appointed after skene withdrew when his alcoholism began to blight his political career . | |
| 168 | george skene | 1 | PERSON | in office 1790-1820 preceded by george skene succeeded by william gordon member of parliament for banffshire | |
| 169 | profession | 1 | ACTIVITY | he then undertook a tour of europe throughout 1758 before following in his father 's footsteps by joining the scottish legal profession . | |
| 170 | beginning work | 1 | ACTIVITY | among the extensive work carried out by ferguson at pitfour , he is also credited with beginning work on a canal between the pitfour estate and the sea at peterhead in order to transport agricultural produce . | |
| 171 | parts | 1 | PART | he had huge gambling debts , and although the estate had been valued at £300,000 when he inherited it , he sold off many of the farms and other parts of the estate to raise funds . | |
| 172 | view | 1 | PERSON | in a confidential report titled " view of the political state of scotland " published in 1788 , ferguson was described as " a man of real good sense , but indolent . " | |
| 173 | bt personal details born | 1 | PERSON | in office 1789-1790 preceded by sir james duff succeeded by sir james grant , bt personal details born ( 1735-05-25) 25 may 1735 pitfour , aberdeenshire , scotland , died 6 | |
| 174 | area | 1 | AREA | september 1820 ) was a scottish advocate and tory politician and the third laird of pitfour , a large estate in the buchan area of north east scotland , which is known as the ' blenheim of the north ' . | |
| 175 | brother | 1 | PERSON | the third laird was a known associate of james boswell and together with his brother patrick , who was the designer of the ferguson rifle , breakfasted with boswell in november 1762 . | |
| 176 | arrangements | 1 | ARRANGEMENT | a project ferguson had considered since 1793 , it was never completed owing to " difficulties in effecting the necessary arrangements with neighbouring heritors . " | |
| 177 | extent | 1 | PLACE | despite these injections of funds , when he died the estate was mortgaged to the extent of £250,000 . | |
| 178 | speculation | 1 | ACT | he remained a bachelor although there was speculation he yearned for jane gordon , duchess of gordon . | |
| 179 | acres | 1 | BALL | the lake extends to almost 50 acres and was based on the artificial lake at windsor great park . | |
| 180 | james boswell | 1 | PERSON | the third laird was a known associate of james boswell and together with his brother patrick , who was the designer of the ferguson rifle , breakfasted with boswell in november 1762 . | |
| 181 | difficulties | 1 | STATEMENT | a project ferguson had considered since 1793 , it was never completed owing to " difficulties in effecting the necessary arrangements with neighbouring heritors . " | |
| 182 | state | 1 | STATE | in a confidential report titled " view of the political state of scotland " published in 1788 , ferguson was described as " a man of real good sense , but indolent . " | |
| 183 | interests | 1 | UNKNOWN | later in life his interests turned to politics and he became a scottish tory politician . | |
| 184 | circles | 1 | UNKNOWN | george skene— proposed by the earl of fife , who held tremendous sway in the political circles of that time— defeated him . | |
| 185 | country | 1 | PLACE | the pitfour estate beside mintlaw in the buchan area of north-east scotland became one of the country 's most extensive and lavish estates during the 18th and 19th centuries . | |
| 186 | merchant maiden hospital | 1 | PLACE | the objections were particularly raised by the merchant maiden hospital , which owned the land on the south side of the ugie . | |
| 187 | neighbours | 1 | PERSON | despite planning objections from neighbours , work began in 1797 . | |
| 188 | introduction | 1 | ACT | it was not until after 1832 and the introduction of the scottish reform act 1832 that control of scottish politics was taken from the hands of landowners and a small number of merchants . | |
| 189 | new town | 1 | PLACE | prior to his death his edinburgh address was 30 heriot row in the second new town . | |
| 190 | diarist | 1 | PERSON | the diarist and fellow lawyer henry crabb robinson gave an indication of ferguson 's political party affiliation when he recorded in his diary of 1826 : late at the athenaeum . | |
| 191 | advocate | 1 | PERSON | occupation advocate and politician james ferguson frse ( 25 may 1735 - 6 | |
| 192 | county elections | 1 | PROCESS | the document was published in 1887 but covered the personal circumstances of those involved in county elections in scotland during the previous century . | |
| 193 | boswell | 1 | PERSON | the third laird was a known associate of james boswell and together with his brother patrick , who was the designer of the ferguson rifle , breakfasted with boswell in november 1762 . | |
| 194 | st james place | 1 | PLACE | ferguson spent a great deal of time at pitfour but also had an apartment in st james place , westminster , middlesex . | |
| 195 | control | 1 | GROUP | it was not until after 1832 and the introduction of the scottish reform act 1832 that control of scottish politics was taken from the hands of landowners and a small number of merchants . | |
| 196 | arguments | 1 | ABSTRACT ENTITY | i have heard many arguments which convinced my judgement , but never one that influenced my vote . | |
| 197 | designer | 1 | PERSON | the third laird was a known associate of james boswell and together with his brother patrick , who was the designer of the ferguson rifle , breakfasted with boswell in november 1762 . | |
| 198 | observation tower | 1 | PERSON | he was succeeded by his illegitimate son george ferguson who , despite incurring severe debts , continued to develop the estate by adding a stable block , race course , an observation tower and other follies . | |
| 199 | project ferguson | 1 | PERSON | a project ferguson had considered since 1793 , it was never completed owing to " difficulties in effecting the necessary arrangements with neighbouring heritors . " | |
| 200 | portrait | 1 | PERSON | a mezzotint portrait of ferguson by william ward , after sir william beechey , published 1818 member of parliament for aberdeenshire | |
| 201 | friend | 1 | PERSON | the member became a close associate and political friend of the prime minister william pitt the younger . | |
| 202 | issue | 1 | EVENT | he died without issue , and on his death in st james ' place , london , in september 1820 , the estate passed to his younger brother , george ferguson ( 1748-1820 ) , who was then 72 years old and in poor health . | |
| 203 | peak | 1 | ABSTRACT ENTITY | covering a large area of buchan , the policies stretched to around 50 square miles and would be valued at £30m at its peak in the 18th century . | |
| 204 | history | 1 | SITUATION | house around the late 1800s later history of the estate after the death of the member intestate in 1820 , the estate was inherited by his younger brother george ferguson ( 1748-1820 ) , who died shortly after inheriting the estate . | |
| 205 | bribery | 1 | EVENT | in the elections of 1806 , he retained the seat by just two votes , and his opponent general alexander hay demanded he be investigated for bribery and corruption . | |
| 206 | development work | 1 | ACTIVITY | the third laird is attributed with much of the development work on the mansion house which was designed by architect john smith in 1809 . | |
| 207 | great britain | 1 | PLACE | he sat in the house of commons of great britain from 1788 to 1800 , and then in the house of commons of the united kingdom until his death in 1820 . | |
| 208 | june | 1 | PERIOD | ferguson again beat hay in the contest for the seat in june 1807 , but this time with a more convincing majority of 54 to 39 votes . | |
| 209 | deal | 1 | SITUATION | ferguson spent a great deal of time at pitfour but also had an apartment in st james place , westminster , middlesex . | |
| 210 | follies | 1 | BUILDING | he was succeeded by his illegitimate son george ferguson who , despite incurring severe debts , continued to develop the estate by adding a stable block , race course , an observation tower and other follies . | |
| 211 | career ferguson | 1 | PERSON | ||
| 212 | contest | 1 | CONDITION | ferguson again beat hay in the contest for the seat in june 1807 , but this time with a more convincing majority of 54 to 39 votes . | |
| 213 | society | 1 | INSTITUTION | after qualifying , he gained membership of the faculty of advocates and society of writers to the signet in july 1757 . | |
| 214 | ugie | 1 | PERSON | the canal was proposed to cover about ten miles following the course of the river ugie . | |
| 215 | middlesex | 1 | PLACE | ferguson spent a great deal of time at pitfour but also had an apartment in st james place , westminster , middlesex . | |
| 216 | charles mckean | 1 | PERSON | in his architectural guide to banff and buchan , charles mckean describes the estate as the " blenheim of buchan " and " the blenheim of northern scotland " . | |
| 217 | sense | 1 | UNKNOWN | in a confidential report titled " view of the political state of scotland " published in 1788 , ferguson was described as " a man of real good sense , but indolent . " | |
| 218 | st james | 1 | PERSON | ferguson spent a great deal of time at pitfour but also had an apartment in st james place , westminster , middlesex . | |
| 219 | february | 1 | PERIOD | his parents were married on 3 february 1733 , and he was born three years later . | |
| 220 | november | 1 | PERIOD | the third laird was a known associate of james boswell and together with his brother patrick , who was the designer of the ferguson rifle , breakfasted with boswell in november 1762 . | |
| 221 | politician james ferguson frse | 1 | PERSON | occupation advocate and politician james ferguson frse ( 25 may 1735 - 6 | |
| 222 | hudson gurney | 1 | PERSON | hudson gurney was there . | |
| 223 | people society | 1 | INSTITUTION | the friends of the people society in the 1790s was opposed by those landed gentry politicians . | |
| 224 | period | 1 | PERIOD | pitfour 's canal and lake ferguson was laird of pitfour during the period known as the industrial revolution in britain . | |
| 225 | centuries | 1 | RACE | the pitfour estate beside mintlaw in the buchan area of north-east scotland became one of the country 's most extensive and lavish estates during the 18th and 19th centuries . | |
| 226 | help | 1 | UNKNOWN | the landscape gardener william s gilpin was carrying out work on the adjacent strichen estate at about the same time , and it is assumed he gave help with the work at pitfour . | |
| 227 | gambling debts | 1 | STATE | he had huge gambling debts , and although the estate had been valued at £300,000 when he inherited it , he sold off many of the farms and other parts of the estate to raise funds . | |
| 228 | athenaeum | 1 | GROUP | the diarist and fellow lawyer henry crabb robinson gave an indication of ferguson 's political party affiliation when he recorded in his diary of 1826 : late at the athenaeum . | |
| 229 | health | 1 | PROPERTY | he died without issue , and on his death in st james ' place , london , in september 1820 , the estate passed to his younger brother , george ferguson ( 1748-1820 ) , who was then 72 years old and in poor health . | |
| 230 | apartment | 1 | GROUP | ferguson spent a great deal of time at pitfour but also had an apartment in st james place , westminster , middlesex . | |
| 231 | scarce quite half | 1 | PLACE | my second is scarce quite half of nine my whole a laird of aberdeenshire race an honest fellow with an ugly face around 1813 , he established the planned village of mintlaw , and he is also credited with expanding longside in 1801 . | |
| 232 | charge | 1 | FORM | never expose yourself , james , to the charge of rape , for your broad shoulders will cause the jury to think it probable that you made the attempt , and your face will make it manifest that it must have been against the will . | |
| 233 | footsteps | 1 | STUDY | he then undertook a tour of europe throughout 1758 before following in his father 's footsteps by joining the scottish legal profession . | |
| 234 | john smith | 1 | PERSON | the third laird is attributed with much of the development work on the mansion house which was designed by architect john smith in 1809 . | |
| 235 | third laird | 1 | PERSON | september 1820 ) was a scottish advocate and tory politician and the third laird of pitfour , a large estate in the buchan area of north east scotland , which is known as the ' blenheim of the north ' . | |
| 236 | hay | 1 | PERSON | in the elections of 1806 , he retained the seat by just two votes , and his opponent general alexander hay demanded he be investigated for bribery and corruption . | |
| 237 | number | 1 | NUMBER | it was not until after 1832 and the introduction of the scottish reform act 1832 that control of scottish politics was taken from the hands of landowners and a small number of merchants . | |
| 238 | opponent general alexander hay | 1 | PERSON | in the elections of 1806 , he retained the seat by just two votes , and his opponent general alexander hay demanded he be investigated for bribery and corruption . | |
| 239 | will | 1 | UNKNOWN | never expose yourself , james , to the charge of rape , for your broad shoulders will cause the jury to think it probable that you made the attempt , and your face will make it manifest that it must have been against the will . | |
| 240 | career | 1 | PERSON | political career | |
| 241 | pitt | 1 | PERSON | other close associates were william pitt the younger and henry dundas , 1st viscount melville . | |
| 242 | william gordon member | 1 | PERSON | in office 1790-1820 preceded by george skene succeeded by william gordon member of parliament for banffshire | |
| 243 | william ward | 1 | PERSON | a mezzotint portrait of ferguson by william ward , after sir william beechey , published 1818 member of parliament for aberdeenshire | |
| 244 | sir william beechey | 1 | PERSON | a mezzotint portrait of ferguson by william ward , after sir william beechey , published 1818 member of parliament for aberdeenshire | |
| 245 | records | 1 | NUMBER | some records indicate that ferguson never spoke in the commons except to complain about a broken window behind his seat causing a draught . | |
| 246 | side | 1 | PLACE | pitfour pitfour house side view of pitfour | |
| 247 | edinburgh james ferguson | 1 | PERSON | ancestry and early life 30 heriot row , edinburgh james ferguson was born at pitfour on 25 may 1735 . | |
| 248 | ferguson rifle | 1 | PERSON | the third laird was a known associate of james boswell and together with his brother patrick , who was the designer of the ferguson rifle , breakfasted with boswell in november 1762 . | |
| 249 | block | 1 | PERSON | he was succeeded by his illegitimate son george ferguson who , despite incurring severe debts , continued to develop the estate by adding a stable block , race course , an observation tower and other follies . | |
| 250 | tyne | 1 | PERSON | my first is found upon the banks of tyne | |
| 251 | ministers | 1 | PERSON | i found that the only way to be quiet in parliament was always to vote with the ministers , and never to take a place ' . | |
| 252 | race course | 1 | PERSON | he was succeeded by his illegitimate son george ferguson who , despite incurring severe debts , continued to develop the estate by adding a stable block , race course , an observation tower and other follies . | |
| 253 | struggle | 1 | FORM | he was said to have died " without a struggle " of " apoplexy " . | |
| 254 | maps | 1 | UNKNOWN | the pitfour estate is shown on old maps as petfouir or petfour . | |
| 255 | references | 1 | NUMBER | references also refer to pitfour 's canal as the st fergus and river ugie canal . | |
| 256 | brother george ferguson | 1 | PERSON | house around the late 1800s later history of the estate after the death of the member intestate in 1820 , the estate was inherited by his younger brother george ferguson ( 1748-1820 ) , who died shortly after inheriting the estate . | |
| 257 | hands | 1 | PERSON | it was not until after 1832 and the introduction of the scottish reform act 1832 that control of scottish politics was taken from the hands of landowners and a small number of merchants . | |
| 258 | member intestate | 1 | PERSON | house around the late 1800s later history of the estate after the death of the member intestate in 1820 , the estate was inherited by his younger brother george ferguson ( 1748-1820 ) , who died shortly after inheriting the estate . | |
| 259 | merchants | 1 | PERSON | it was not until after 1832 and the introduction of the scottish reform act 1832 that control of scottish politics was taken from the hands of landowners and a small number of merchants . | |
| 260 | heriot row | 1 | PERSON | ancestry and early life 30 heriot row , edinburgh james ferguson was born at pitfour on 25 may 1735 . | |
| 261 | debts | 1 | STATE | he was succeeded by his illegitimate son george ferguson who , despite incurring severe debts , continued to develop the estate by adding a stable block , race course , an observation tower and other follies . | |
| 262 | produce | 1 | RESULT | among the extensive work carried out by ferguson at pitfour , he is also credited with beginning work on a canal between the pitfour estate and the sea at peterhead in order to transport agricultural produce . | |
| 263 | landscape gardener william s gilpin | 1 | PERSON | the landscape gardener william s gilpin was carrying out work on the adjacent strichen estate at about the same time , and it is assumed he gave help with the work at pitfour . | |
| 264 | william pitt | 1 | PERSON | other close associates were william pitt the younger and henry dundas , 1st viscount melville . | |
| 265 | jury | 1 | PERSON | never expose yourself , james , to the charge of rape , for your broad shoulders will cause the jury to think it probable that you made the attempt , and your face will make it manifest that it must have been against the will . | |
| 266 | document | 1 | DOCUMENT | the document was published in 1887 but covered the personal circumstances of those involved in county elections in scotland during the previous century . | |
| 267 | edinburgh address | 1 | PLACE | prior to his death his edinburgh address was 30 heriot row in the second new town . | |
| 268 | aberdeen university | 1 | INSTITUTION | he was the rector at aberdeen university from 1794 to 1796 . | |
| 269 | policies | 1 | RULE | covering a large area of buchan , the policies stretched to around 50 square miles and would be valued at £30m at its peak in the 18th century . | |
| 270 | henry dundas | 1 | PERSON | other close associates were william pitt the younger and henry dundas , 1st viscount melville . | |
| 271 | experience | 1 | EFFECT | he related with great effect the experience of ferguson of pitfour , which he used to repeat when an old man , for the benefit of young members : 'i was never absent from any division i could get at . | |
| 272 | tory | 1 | PERSON | september 1820 ) was a scottish advocate and tory politician and the third laird of pitfour , a large estate in the buchan area of north east scotland , which is known as the ' blenheim of the north ' . | |
| 273 | politicians | 1 | PERSON | the friends of the people society in the 1790s was opposed by those landed gentry politicians . |
| Categoría | Objetos |
| PERSON |
advocate ann murray associate associates bachelor banks block boswell brother brother george ferguson brother patrick bt personal details born buchan career career ferguson charles mckean children constituencies course designer diarist duke earl edinburgh james ferguson faculty father fellow ferguson ferguson rifle fife friend george arthur george arthur ferguson george ferguson george skene gordon grandfather guide hands hay henry dundas heriot row hostess hudson gurney james james boswell james ferguson james ferguson laird jane gordon john smith jury laird lake ferguson landowners landscape gardener william s gilpin law lawyer henry crabb robinson life heriot row lines refer lord pitfour majority man member member intestate members membership merchants ministers mother neighbours northern scotland observation tower occupation advocate opinion opponent general alexander hay parents pitfour house pitfour pitfour pitfour house side view pitt politician politician james ferguson frse politicians portrait prime minister william pitt project ferguson race course rector river ugie river ugie canal sheriff sir james duff sir james grant sir william beechey skene son son george ferguson st james support sway third laird tory tory politician tyne ugie view viscount melville william gordon member william pitt william ward younger |
| PLACE |
aberdeenshire banff banffshire britain country edinburgh edinburgh address election elections electorate europe extent great britain hospital house lake london mansion house merchant maiden hospital middlesex miles new town north office pitfour place scarce quite half scotland sea side side view south ugie st fergus st james place united kingdom village westminster windsor great park |
| PERIOD |
century death years february january july june may months november period september time years |
| ACT |
act corruption family tradition injections introduction politics scottish reform act speculation vote votes |
| EVENT |
benefit bribery death duchess issue life tour |
| GROUP |
apartment athenaeum control funds party affiliation |
| ABSTRACT ENTITY |
arguments diary occasions peak seat |
| ESTATE |
estate estates pitfour estate strichen estate |
| STUDY |
case footsteps indication industrial revolution |
| STATE |
debts gambling debts opposition state |
| ACTIVITY |
beginning work development work profession work |
| PORTION |
face front plain |
| NUMBER |
number records references |
| PROCESS |
by election county elections division |
| CONDITION |
alcoholism circumstances contest |
| INSTITUTION |
aberdeen university people society society |
| ARTIFACT |
riddle signet |
| AREA |
area buchan area |
| STATEMENT |
difficulties objections |
| EFFECT |
effect experience |
| FORM |
charge struggle |
| SITUATION |
deal history |
| RACE |
centuries |
| BUILDING |
follies |
| LOCATION |
farms |
| PART |
parts |
| COLLECTION |
rape |
| RESULT |
produce |
| SYMBOL |
report |
| RULE |
policies |
| ARRANGEMENT |
arrangements |
| SET |
shoulders |
| VALUE |
window |
| PROPERTY |
health |
| GARMENT |
order |
| ACTION |
attempt |
| DOCUMENT |
document |
| WATERWAY |
canal |
| LAND |
land |
| HUMAN GROUP |
parliament |
| BALL |
acres |