Letter

Dear Sir

Please accept of the following Account given me of Creely Duff Father of Alexander of Keithmore who married the Daugher of Grant of Alachie: there are two Traditions respecting the cause of his being known by this name. one. That he drove Eggs in a Creel to Market & by this with other little merchandize: added to extreme avarice & penury he amassed a little Money: this story however was probably made to balance the Duffs tales of their descent from MacDuff Thane of Fife. ––––– The second tradition & the most probable is, — that he was a substantial Farmer uncommonly attentive, dealt much in the Commerce of the Country [...]mes where he lived viz^t. in Corn & Cattle by which he gained some money: but the exact sum now unknown. He was called Creely Duff from the shape of his shoulders, being near to Hump backed, which it was said his shoulders were made for carrying Creels or Packs. — no further particulars can I procure at the time if in future any further should occurr these will be immediately communicated.

From the very just observation made in yours of 2^d. Current it will be more advantagious to delay the sale of the M^r Low's Book for some time till the general attention of the Nation be again refixed on literary inquiries, at present the prevailing call for the safety & sustinence of the public absorbs every other consideration, these we feel here thro' the whole Country just now that it will be requisite to omit any thought of publication for several months.

I received the three plates, which were chafft in the conveyance destroys [sic] much their beauty, but are exceeding pretty, the Workmen in your nighbourhood are greatly improved in the Art of engraving these shall not be shown till the others arrive from London, M^r. Cordiner's Book will be an elegant work.

I have not heard from M^r. Low of late, when he makes me an Answer you shall now it's contents, as it will regard the resolution about the dedication, this shall be all settled before the work is diposed of or sent to the Press.

Before this time M^r. Gough will be possessed of the M.S. and M^r. Clerk's etchings both are addrest to you, he did write me that he would take care of the parcel & the Box for Liverpool of the latter I have you to inform the Lady to [...] forward it from London. — M^r. Clerk's Etchings will come in proper time to M^r. Gough just now as his Second enlarged Edition of the Brit. Topography is advancing very quickly.

I am
Dear Sir
Your most obed^t. Serv^t.

GPaton

Custom h^o. Edinburgh
12 July 1779

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Enclosure

I. Creely Duff

II. Alex^r. Duff. Tacksman of Keithmore in the parish of Mortlich & County of Banff — married Helen d. of Grant of Allachie, by which [...] had 3 Sons — Alex. of Bracco, M[...]pple _xⁱ & Pat. of Craigston of whom the families of Hutton — Logie &ca—

By this mar^ge [marriage] the family got their first money — & made some purchases —

It happened from about 1670 —

Alex. was succeeded by his Son

III. Alex^r. of Bracco m^d. [married] Marg^t. d. of W^m Gordon of Lesmoir B^t & was succeeded by

IV. WIlliam: who died without Issue — & succeeded by

5. _xⁱⁱ William his Son, who m^d. [married] S. L^y. Janet. d. of Ja^s E. of Findlater & Seafield L^d. Chancellor of Scotland, & relict of Sir Will^m. Forbes of Craigievarre B^t. Also?? left no Issue —

2. Jean D. of S^r Ja^s. Grant of Grant B^t, who had Issue 6 Sons & [...] viz —

• 1 Will^m who died before hi[...]n M^d
• 2. James. who succeeded ([...]Fife) of whom hereafter. —
• 3. Alex^r. of Echt — ^an advocate m^d. [married] — d. of Skene of Skene — Issue
• 4. George of Miltown a Captain on half pay. m^d. [married] to — — Issue —
• 5. Lewis of Blervie, rose to a Majority in the Army, but ^has now sold out — m^d. [married] Dor. Davis. d. to M^r Davis
• 6. Arthur of Grtown, bred an Advocate, yet unm^d. [unmarried] He was elected Representative for the C^o. of Elgin in 1774 & vacated his Seat in 1779 — is now Comptroller of Excise for Scotland. —
• 1

Daughters.

• 1. Lady Anne. m^d. [married] to ^the later Alex. Duff of Hatton Elgn
• 2. — Janet. m^d. [married] to Sir W^m Gordon of Park B^l. dead. & 2. to Hay of Mountblairie —
• 3. — Jean m^d. [married] to Keith Urquhart of Meldrum Esq. dead
• 4. — Helen m^d. [married] to Admiral Duff — dead.
• 5. Sophia m^d. [married] to Tho^s. Wharton Esq^r. Comp^tr. of Excise
• 6. Margaret m^d [married] to James Brodie of Elgn.

Which ^x William represented the County of Banff, in one Parl^t [Parliament] & in 1735 was created Baron Bruce of Kilbride in Reland & in 1759 Earl Fife of said Kingdom —

He was bred an Advocate & died in 1763 — & succeeded by his Son

6 James — now E. Fife — bred to no profession — has represented Banff-Shire in Parl^t [Parliament] since 1754 Parl^t [Parliament] & was born about 1729. —

He ^in 1749m^d. [married] L^y. Do^r. d. of Alex. late E. of Caithness. by whom he has no Issue —

xⁱⁱⁱ He never was out of Britain till several years after he mar^d. [married] — when he with his L^y Marg^t. Les^y after travelled thro' France — the low-Countries — & were at Spain —

Is is said there was an Alex. of Keithmore father to the Alex. above men^d. — & that the families of Drummin & Corsindae, are descended of younger Sons of his —

The Genealogist of the Duffs. says they are descended of MacDuff Thane of Fife — That the family was carried down to John Duff — writer in [...] who died ab. 1660, in whom the direct male line failed — & then the representation devolved on the father of the I. Alex. of Keithmore the nearest colateral branch. —

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