James Ferguson (major-general)
James Ferguson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) James Ferguson of Balmakelly | |
| Born | Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK |
| Died | 1705 |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation(s) | Major General, Colonel of the Cameronian regiment |
James Ferguson (before 1677–1705) of Balmakelly and Kirtonhill, Kincardineshire, was a Scottish major-general, colonel of the Cameronian regiment.
Ferguson was the third son of William Ferguson, laird of Badifurrow, who represented
Military career
Ferguson appears to have entered the Scots brigade in the pay of Holland, probably as a gentleman volunteer, some time during the reign of
In 1692 he was back in the Low Countries, and was present with his regiment (Lauder's) at the battle of Steenkirk. A few days after, on 1 August 1692, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of Monro's (late Angus's, now the 1st Cameronians, Scottish rifles), which at the time was in Dutch pay. Ferguson led the regiment at the
About Christmas the same year Ferguson married his second wife.
In the campaign of the year following he had a brigade at the forcing of the enemy's lines in Brabant, and afterwards commanded, with the rank of major-general, at 's-Hertogenbosch, where he died very suddenly—the family tradition says by poison—on 22 Oct. 1705. An old manuscript states that 'he served in four reigns, still maintaining the character of a brave, valiant, and prudent officer, until, his fame raising envy in the breast of the then commanding officer, he was cut off by very sinister means' (ib. p. 46). Contemporary writers are discreetly silent on this ugly story, but all agree in regretting his loss as a brave and experienced officer. He was buried in St. Jan's Kerk,[note 3] 's-Hertogenbosch, where there is a small tablet to his memory. There is also a memorial in Old Deer Churchyard.[1]
Personal life
Ferguson's first wife was Helen, daughter of James Drummond of Cultmalindie, Perthshire, by whom he had a son and daughter; his second, Hester Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham Hibelet, pastor of the Walloon Church, survived him and remarried Captain Hendrik Chombach. By her Ferguson had a daughter, who in 1730 married M. Gerard Vink, advocate, 's-Hertogenbosch. Ferguson's son James succeeded him, and died in 1777. He was only ten years old when his father died. The General's will had been drawn up by his nephew
Notes
- ^ Historically, the Netherlands were inaccurately described as 'Holland' and Holland is used in many older references.[1] Archived 27 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Bois-le-Duc is the French translation for 's-Hertogenbosch [2] and was frequently the term used in older British writing.[3]
- ^ Also known as St John's Cathedral or Sint-Janskathedraal. The history of the Cathedral can be accessed in this book [4] (in Dutch).
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-9512736-4-7.
- ^ Bateman, John (1883). The Great Landowners of Great Britain. London: Harrison. p. 261.
Further reading
- James Ferguson. Two Scottish Soldiers (Aberdeen, 1888).
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Ferguson, James (d.1705)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.