The Family Relationship to Lord Duncan
We all know (or should know) that Vice-admiral Sir William George Fairfax was Flag Captain to Admiral Adam Duncan at the battle of Camperdown. However, there has come to light another connection to the Duncan family via a letter to Thomas Williamson (later Thomas Williamson Ramsay) from William Alison dated 24th March 1798, a copy of which is in Sir Edmund’s possession. Dear Sir, The chain of conduct and gallant victory obtained by our noble relative, reflects no small degree of honour on us all connected with him. The relation you and I are to him are equally the same; how this is accounted for is as follows: - William Duncan of Seaside, afterward of Lundie, and Bessie Davidson of the family of Balgay had a son named Alexander (who succeeded him in these lands) and also a daughter named Christian, who married Alex Bower of Kinnettles who had by their marriage two daughters. The eldest, Margaret, married James Alison, my grandfather. The youngest (I think her name was Lilias) married Patrick Williamson, your grandfather. By this connection our two grandmothers became first cousins to Lord Duncan’s grandfather. Your father and my father are one remove to the late Laird of Lundie, of consequence a second remove you and I are to his lordship. The relation we share to William Duncan, 1 st of Lundie is precisely the same degree with Lord Duncan our great great grandfather. Respecting the narrative, the heads are as follows. The above William Duncan when a youth in the year 1631 being on a voyage to Norway, in a vessel he says with nine in number. On their return, about half sea over and on a Wednesday morning early, they were struck by a vessel amidships. Seeing their vessel sinking, had only time left to climb into the boat on deck and cutting her gripes floated off the deck. Having a few oars, they rowed to the vessel that had struck them, she then lying to, but to their shocking disappointment she filled her sails, leaving them to the mercy of the ocean and a kind providence. Being half over the North Sea, they resolved to row for Scotland but a strong gale at S.W. setting in soon after obliged them to alter their course and steer for Norway where they did not arrive till the Sunday morning. After suffering hunger, thirst and drenched in water, three days without bread or a drop of water. This narrative William Duncan wrote himself in the year 1671 a short time preceding his death, to show how he had been indebted to his Precious God for so miraculous a delivery. From this narrative the crest you see was adopted I am dear sir, yours respectfully, William Alison.
Thomas Williamson was Sir Henry Fairfax’s (1st baronet) father-in-Law, hence the connection. The battle of Camperdown was on 11th October 1797 some five months prior to the letter. This article by kind permission of Sir Edmund. Frank Storr Charlecote Extras No. 3
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