Elizabeth Dunbar Moodie

ELIZABETH DUNBAR MOODIE

Elizabeth Dunbar Moodie is the daughter of Benjiman Moodie, Farmer, and May Donaldson. [National Records of Scotland, Statutory Register of Deaths for 1895, registration district number 27 (Sandwick), entry number 5] Image of Death Registration A baptismal record has not been identified for her. However, according to her own testimony, she was born in 1814 or 1815, at Walls in Orkney, Scotland. [Orkney Family History Society: 1851 Census Return for Birsay] In the Least family tree her date of birth is recorded as 2 May 1814.

The Identity of her Father

A letter held in the Orkney Archives confirms that Elizabeth Dunbar Moodie was the niece of Henrietta Moodie the daughter of Major James Moodie of Melsetter and his wife Elizabeth Moodie Henrietta married Robert Heddle of Melsetter [Orkney Archives: D1/182/1/30] who purchased Melsetter from her deceased father's estate, and she and her husband were present in Edinburgh when their niece, Elizabeth Dunbar Moodie, was married to Henry Leask, afterwards Henry Leask of Boardhouse, Hurkisgarth and Swartland, JP [National Records of Scotland, Kirkwall Marriages, 1820-54, reference OPR.21/7] Image of Marriage Record It would appear certain, therefore, that Elizabeth Dunbar Moodie was the daughter of Henrietta's elder brother Captain Benjamin Moodie of Melsetter

Death

Elizabeth Dunbar Moodie died on 26 July 1895, at Swartland in Sandwick, Orkney. She was 82 years of age. [National Records of Scotland, Statutory Register of Deaths for 1895, registration district number 27 (Sandwick), entry number 5] Image of Death Registration

Marriage

Elizabeth Moodie Dunbar married Henry Leask of Boardhouse. They were contracted to marry on 14 May 1835 and they were married the Reverend Mr. Paterson on 25 May 1835, at Edinburgh in Midlothian, Scotland. The marriage record at Kirkwall in Orkney reads as follows: "1835 . . . . . Mr. Henry Leask of this parish, and Miss Eliza Moodie of Edinburgh, were matrimonially contracted on 14th and married at Edinburgh on 25th by the Revd, Mr. Paterson, Witnesses Mr. Robert Heddle, Esquire of Melsetter and Mrs. Heddle". [National Records of Scotland, Kirkwall Marriages, 1820-54, reference OPR.21/7] Image of Marriage Record Family Bible of Henry Least of Boardhouse

Children

1. Henry Leask
2. Robert Heddle Leask
3. Harriet Moodie Leask
4. Graham Leask
5. Elizabeth Isabella Leask
6. Catherine Spence Leask
7. James William Leask
8. William George Graeme Leask
9. Dr. John Leask

Evidence from the Orkney Archives

                   1

circa 1824: Letter from Henrietta Moodie, Mrs. Robert Heddle of Melsetter, to her niece Eliza. Dated at Melsetter Tuesday 8th J… My Dear Eliza,

I was much pleased to receive your letter because I greatly regret that it is necessary for you to be always so far from me pursuing your education of which I consider your present engagements to be a very useful part. I am glad that now you can write to me yourself of whatever you wish. I shall know in a pleasanter and more direct way what you are doing. You seem, my dear girl, to feel an interest now in what you are engaged in which gives me expectation that you will find out the pleasures of industry and acquire habits of thinking and acting which those who have lived a little longer than you can appreciate better than you can be expected to do just yet. A willing industry is some of its own reward in the good spirits and health that it brings – in conscious independence and the hearty approval friends and strangers must give to so valuable a quality.

Continue therefore, my dear Eliza, to give your mind and zeal to your work. I am obliged to Miss Grierson for the attention she pays to your improvement in the art of making clothes. It is one all women would find valuable and to you, if you go abroad, it will be particularly so – If Miss Grierson would drop me a line herself occasionally about you it would lessen the anxiety I have long felt from having so little opportunity of hearing of you. I wish you to seek her good will and advice which her prudence in life assures me will be good.

You are at a distance from friends – be very grateful to all who take so much interest in you as to advise you of matters right and wrong, consult above all your own conscience – that invaluable prompter which is taught of God. You are so distant from your connexions that you may seem to yourself to be alone for you have not yet had time to make friends by good conduct but if you think on the presence of God with all His creatures and His love and promises to those who seek his favour you will find yourself under safe keeping.

I have written you a long letter and shall be glad to hear from you as often as you please. Give my good wishes to Mr Lawrence and his wife

Your affectionate aunt

H Heddle

Transcript by Graeme Stuart Donald. Source Reference: Orkney Archives, D1/182/1/30

                   2

1892: Eliza or Elizabeth MOODIE OR LEASK, & Others, Dunbar, Boardhouse, Birsay Nature of Action: Petition - for appointment as Executrices to the deceased Henry Leask Defender Details: THE SHERIFF Kirkwall Sheriff Court Processes, reference SC11/5/1892/19

Evidence from the Census Returns

                   1

6 June 1841: Victoria Street in Kirkwall, Orkney. (1) Henry Leask, (M), 30, Merchants Clerk, Orkney (2) Eliza Leask, (F), 25, Orkney (3) Henry Leask, (M), 5, Orkney (4) Robert Leask, (M), 3, Orkney (5) Henrietta Leask, (F), 1, Orkney (6) Jane McKay, (F), 20, Scotland [Orkney Family History Society: 1841 Census Return for Kirkwall]

                   2

30 March 1851: 1851, Boardhouse, Birsay, Orkney. (1) Henry Leask, (M), 42, Head, Mar, Farmer 120 acres empl. 8 labs, Kirkwall (2) Elizabeth Leask, (F), 36, Wife, Mar, Walls (3) Henry Leask, (M), 15, Son, Scholar, Kirkwall (4) Robert Leask, (M), 13, Son, Scholar, Kirkwall (5) Harriet M Leask, (F), 11, Dau, Scholar, Kirkwall (6) Graham Leask, (F), 8, Dau, Scholar, Kirkwall (7) Elizabeth Leask, (F), 6, Dau, Scholar, Birsay (8) Catherine Leask, (F), 2, Dau, Birsay (9) James Wm Leask, (M), 0, Son, (8 months), Birsay (10) Jean Johnston, (F), 19, Servant, Housemaid, Birsay (11) Ann Johnston, (F), 26, Servant, S, Dairymaid, Birsay (12) Isabella Gorie, (F), 21, Servant, Assistant Dairymaid, Birsay (13) Thomas Mowat, (M), 23, Servant, S, Carter, Birsay (14) David Couper, (M), 17, Servant, Carter, Stronsay (15) John Couper, (M), 12, Servant, Cowherd, St Ola (16) Alexander Johnston, (M), 15, Servant, Shepherd, Rousay [Orkney Family History Society: 1851 Census Return for Birsay]

                   3

7 April 1861: 1861, Boardhouse, Birsay, Orkney. (1) Henry Leask, (M), 52, Head, Mar, Farmer of 130 acres & Landed Proprietor empl 4 Men & 2 Boys, Kirkwall (2) Elizabeth Leask, (F), 46, Wife, Mar, Walls (3) Henry Leask, (M), 25, Son, S, Farmer of 133 acres empl 3 Men & 1 Lad, Kirkwall (4) Harriet M Leask, (F), 21, Dau, S, Kirkwall (5) Elizabeth Leask, (F), 16, Dau, S, Scholar, Birsay (6) Catherine Leask, (F), 12, Dau, Scholar, Birsay (7) James W Leask, (M), 9, Son, Scholar, Birsay (8) William Leask, (M), 8, Son, Scholar, Birsay (9) John T Leask, (M), 4, Son, Scholar, Birsay (10) Margaret Celloncrieff, (F), 24, Boarder, S, Governess or Teacher, Lanarkshire, Glasgow (11) Margaret Brotchie, (F), 24, Visitor, S, Daughter of Merchant, Edinburgh, Cockpen (12) Catherine Johnston, (F), 33, Servant, S, Dairymaid, Birsay (13) Jean Hunter, (F), 29, Servant, S, House Maid, Birsay (14) Jessie Gorie, (F), 19, Servant, S, Kitchen Maid, Birsay (15) Janet Johnston, (F), 16, Servant, S, Assistant Dairy Maid, Birsay (16) George Taylor, (M), 19, Servant, S, Farm Servant, Birsay (17) James Gorie, (M), 16, Servant, S, Farm Servant, Birsay (18) John Harvey, (M), 13, Servant, , Shepherd, Birsay [Orkney Family History Society: 1861 Census Return for Birsay]

                   4

2 April 1871: Boardhouse, Birsay, Orkney. (1) Henry Leask, (M), 62, Head, Mar, Proprietor & Farmer, Kirkwall (2) Elizabeth D M Leask, (F), 56, Wife, Mar, Walls (3) Harriet Leask, (F), 31, Dau, S, Kirkwall (4) Graham Leask, (F), 28, Dau,, S, Kirkwall (5) Elizabeth Cumming, (F), 26, Dau, Mar, Sailors Wife Merchant Service, Birsay (6) Catherine Leask, (F), 22, Dau, S, Birsay (7) James Brass, (M), 19, Servant, S, Ploughman & Carter, Sandwick (8) Thomas Harvey, (M), 11, Servant, Herd, Birsay (9) Margaret Harper, (F), 23, Servant, S, Dairymaid Cattle Woman, Birsay (10) Harriet Leask, (F), 15, Servant, Domestic Servant, Orphir (11) Margaret Harvey, (F), 14, Servant, Shepherdess, Birsay [Orkney Family History Society: 1871 Census Return for Birsay]

                   5

3 April 1881: Boardhouse, Birsay, Orkney. (1) Henry Leask, (M), 72, Head, Mar, Farmer & Landed Proprietor, Kirkwall (2) Eliza Leask, (F), 66, Wife, Mar, Walls (2) Harriet W Leask, (F), 41, Dau, S, Kirkwall (4) Graham Leask, (F), 38, Dau, S, (Lunatic), Kirkwall (5) Elizabeth I Cumming, (F), 36, Dau, Mar, Ship Masters Wife, Birsay (6) John Cumming, (M), 40, Son in Law, Mar, Retired Ship Master, St Ola (7) Henrietta E Cumming, (F), 9, GrandDau, Scholar, Birsay (8) Agnes M Cumming, (F), 4, GrandDau, Birsay (9) Emily M Cumming, (F), 4, GrandDau, Birsay (10) Annie B Cumming, (F), 0, GrandDau, (10 months), Birsay (11) James Langskail, (M), 18, Servant, S, Farm Servant, Birsay (12) John Johnstone, (M), 14, Servant, S, Farm Servant - Shepherd, Birsay (13) Margaret Langskail, (F), 22, Servant, S, Farm Servant, Birsay (14) Mary Groundwater, (F), 16, Servant, S, Servant Domestic, Birsay (15) Ann Folster, (F), 23, Servant, S, Farm Servant, Birsay (16) Ann Harvey, (F), 17, Lodger, S, Servant to Capt Cumming, Birsay [Orkney Family History Society: 1881 Census Return for Birsay]

                   6

5 April 1891: Boardhouse, Birsay, Orkney. (1) Henry Leask, (M), 82, Head, Mar, Farmer (Justice of the Peace), Kirkwall (2) Eliza Leask, (F), 76, Wife, Mar, Walls (3) Harriatta Leask, (F), 51, Dau, S, Kirkwall (4) Graham Leask, (F), 49, Dau, S, (Insane), Birsay (5) Catherine Leask, (F), 43, Dau, Wid, Birsay (6) Henry Flett, (M), 15, GrandSon, Farm Servant Shepherd, Firth (7) Janet Flett, (F), 10, GrandDau, Scholar, Firth (8) Catherine Flett, (F), 6, GrandDau, Scholar, Sandwick (9) Ann Folster, (F), 31, Servant, S, Dairy Maid, Birsay (10) Catherine A Taylor, (F), 20, Servant, S, General Servant Domestic, Birsay (11) William Couper, (M), 21, Servant, S, Farm Servant & Ploughman, Sandwick [Orkney Family History Society: 1891 Census Return for Birsay]

Monumental Inscription

In memory of HENRY LEASK who died at Boardhouse on 15th July 1892 in his 84th year and of his wife ELIZABETH DUNBAR MOODIE who died at Swartland on 26th July 1896 in her 82nd year. Also of their daughters GRAHAM who died at Swartland on 3rd Decr 1910 in her 70th year, HARRIET MOODIE who died at Swartland on 29th April 1911 in her 72nd year. Asleep in Jesus. LEASK. [Orkney Family History Society: Monumental Inscriptions in the Palace Graveyard, Birsay, Orkney, inscription number /78]