John Rae of Gorseness

JOHN RAE OF GORSENESS elder

Orkney Agent for the Hudson's Bay Company

John Rae of Gorseness is the son of James Rae and his wife Marion Sibbald. His father was a merchant at Douglas in Lanarkshire, Scotland, He was born on 26 October 1772 and his baptism was registered at Douglas on 31 October 1772 Douglas Baptismal Records His baptismal record reads as follows: "John lawful son to James Rae Mercht. in Douglas & Marion Sibbald his spouse was born & baptised the 31st" [Registrar General for Scotland, HM New Register House, Edinburgh, Douglas Baptisms, 1698-1819, reference OPR.641/2].

Evidence from the Orkney Sasine Register

                   1

7 March 1819 John Rae of Gorseness, seised 20 February 1819 in the lands and Cott of Trumgar, and the lands and Cott of Hilldyke, parish of Rendal, on disposition by John Louttit, 2 November 1818 [Printed Abridgement of Orkney Sasines for 1819, Abridgement Number 1317]

                   2

1 2 January 1862. John Rae, sometime of Fraser River, British Columbia, North America, presently residing in Stromness, as heir to William Glen Rae, sometime in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort Colville, Columbia River, North America, and latterly Chief Trader in the service of the said company at San Francisco, his father, registers Writ of Clare constat by David Balfour of Balfour and Trenablie, 31 December 1861, - 14 and one half penny Kingsland of Gorseness and other lands [Printed Abridgement of Orkney Sasines for 1862, Abridgement Number 71]

                   3

14 May 1862 .John Rae, late of Fraser River, British Columbia, North America, some-time residing in Stromness now of Gorseness, as heir to John Rae of Gorseness and Wyre Isle, residing in Clestrain House, lately in Stromness, his grandfather, - registers a Decreet of Special Service 1 May 1862, in certain lands in the parish of Rendall, with a dwelling house in Stromness [Printed Abridgement of Orkney Sasines for 1862, Abridgement Number 83]

                   4

28 September 1870. Extract Decreet of Special Service (Embracing a General Service) by Sheriff-Substitute of Orkney, of Margaret Rae or Wygant, wife of Theodore Wygant, formerly of Dulls City, now of Portland, Oregon, United States of America, Steamboat Company Manager, and Louisa Rae or Myrick, wife of Josiah Myrick of Portland aforesaid, Captain in the Merchant service, as heirs portioners of their brother, John Rae of Gorseness, - in parts of the lands of Gorseness, viz. Aittit, 69 acres, Holm of Rendall, 4 acres, Inksters Bull and Runnan, 169 acres, Westhill, 155 acres, dated 6th and registered in Chancery 9th September 1870 with Warrant of Registration thereon on behalf of the said Margaret Rae or Wygant, and Louisa Rae or Myrick [Printed Abridgement of Orkney Sasines for 1870, Abridgement Number 168]

Evidence from the Orkney Census Returns

Orphir 1821

Claistron (Hall of Clestrain): (1) John Rae, Head, M, 40 (40 - 50), Factor & Farmer, 51.Black Cattle 17 Sheep 12 Lambs 30 Geese 1 Boat 5 Carts 3 Ploughs 1 Harrows (2) Margaret Rae, Wife, F, 30 (30 - 40) (nee Glen) (3) James Rae, Son, M, 15 (15 - 20) (4) Jess Rae, Dau, F, 10 (10 - 15) (5) Marion Rae, Dau, F, 10 (10 - 15) (6) William Rae, Son, M, 10 (10 - 15) (7) Richard Rae, Son, M, 5 (5 - 10) (8) John Rae, Son, M, 5 (5 - 10) (9) Thomas Rae, Son, M, 1 (under 5) (10) Sinclair Gunn, Servant, M,20 (20 - 30) (11) Jane Gunn, Wife, F, 20 (20 - 30) (nee Sinclair) (12) Jane Carmichael, Governess, F, 20 (20 - 30) (13) Magnus MacKay, Servant, M, 30 (30 - 40) (14) Catherine MacKay, Wife, F, 30 (30 - 40) (nee Sinclair) (15) Andrew MacKay, Son, M, 10 (10 - 15) (16) Margaret MacKay, Dau, F, 1 (under 5) (17) Catherine MacKay, Dau,, F, 1 (under 5) (18) Gilbert Garrioch, Servant, M, 15 (15 - 20) (19) William Flett, Servant, M, 10 (10 - 15) (20) Janet Wallace, Servant, F, 40 (40 - 50) (21) Mina Anderson, Servant, F, 30 (30 - 40) (22) Betty Campbell, Servant, F, 20 (20 - 30) (23) Betty Sutherland, Servant, F, 20 (20 - 30) [Orkney Family History Society: 1821 Census Return for the parish of Orphir].

Stromness 1841

Main Street, Stromness: (1) Margaret Glen Rae, F, 55, Independant, Scotland (2) Janet Wallace,F, 55 ,F S, Scotland (3) Mary Louttit, F, 20 ,F S, Orkney (4) Helen Rae, F, 15, Orkney [Orkney Family History Society: 1841 Census Return for the town and parish of Stromness]

Stromness 1851

Main Street, Stromness: (1) Margaret Glen Rae, Head, Wid, F, 70, Life Renter, Lanarkshire, Glasgow (2) Isabella Simpson, Servant, S, F, 23, House Servant, Flotta [Orkney Family History Society: 1851 Census Return for the town and parish of Stromness]

Monumental Inscription

Sacred to the mem of JOHN RAE ESQ of Wyre Island, d. 2 Oct 1834 aged 62. This monument is erected to his mem by his affec wife & children. He was a kind husband, an affec father, & a faithful friend. He lived regarded & d. regretted. (L) Memento mori. MARGARET, widow of JOHN RAE ESQ of Wyre Island d. 14 Feb 1855 aged 72. She was a friend to the poor and a enemy to no one [Orkney Family History Society: Monumental Inscriptions in Stromness Kirkyard (A), inscription number A/261]