Notes:

Replaced his father as Deputy Sheriff of Lanarkshire; farmed at Kilrie

Presumed to be William
1859-09-03 THE Queen and the L,T.NT. day lately, when her Majesty was at Aldershott inspecting the camp, she became fatigued, and expressed a wish for a cup of tea. She accordingly, and without any ceremony, entered the nearest officer's tent, which chanced to be that of Lieutenant Drysdale, son of our respected town- clerk, Mr. Drysdale of Kilrie, and to him the desire of his Queen was made known. As was to be expected, the lieutenant found himself at first a little awkward suited for the reception of so distinguished a visitor, but the ease and homeliness, so to speak, of her Majesty quickly put all feeling of that kind to flight, and he proceeded to cover his humble table with the best cloth he had; and having handed out a soldier's I I tea things," he retired, leaving the august lady with her attendants to enjoy her cup.-Fifeshire Advertiser,


(Research):DRYSDALE BROTHERS: William (1838-1902), businessman, George Russell (1854?-1909), pastoralist and planter, and John (1847-1928), engineer and planter were born in Scotland, sons of John Drysdale of Kilrie, town clerk of Kirkcaldy, Fife, and his wife Mary, n?e Carstairs. The brothers were educated at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh. William entered a lawyer's office but soon left to replace his father as deputy-sheriff of Lanarkshire and for some years farmed the family estate at Kilrie. In 1868 he married Georgina Begbie; they had three sons and one daughter. John graduated as a civil engineer from the University of Edinburgh; he supervised the building of a railway in Devonshire and later another for the King of Siam. George arrived in Victoria in 1875. He joined his uncle George Russell who made him manager of South Thononga station on the Lachlan River. Another brother, Alexander Leslie, migrated to Victoria in 1877 and with George managed South Thononga until it was sold in 1883 for ?175,000.

William married Georgina Begbie in 1868. Georgina was born about 1838; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. John Drysdale was born on 15 Mar 1869; and died.
2. Agnes Begbie Drysdale was born on 18 Sep 1871; and died.
3. James Cunison Drysdale was born on 31 Jan 1875; and died.
4. Lt. Col. William W. Drysdale, DSO was born on 4 Nov 1876 in North Pitteadie House, Kinghorn, Fife, Scotland; died on 29 Sep 1916 in Longueval, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France; was buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France.

Notes:

Town Clerk of Kirkcaldy
?Later Sheriff of Lanarkshire?

John + Mary Carstairs. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Robert Carstairs died on 19th May 1852 after a long illness. He was a farmer at Balwearie in Fife (138 acres under crop). Balwearie was leased from Colonel Robert Ferguson of Raith. His eldest son John was a farmer at Elland Hall, Yorkshire in 1852. His second son James Leslie was the first Trustee & Executor. James Leslie was resident at Balwearie in 1852. Other Trustees were: Reverend William Reid, John Drysdale Esquire of Kilrie, George Lewis farmer of Boglilly. The original Will was written in 1847 when James Leslie was resident in England.
Children mentioned by name in the Will were:
John Carstairs
James Leslie Carstairs
Mary Anne [nee Carstairs] Drysdale - Is this 'our' Mary Cochrane?
Amelia Rei
Anna-Bella Carstairs
Euphemia Leslie Russell
Margaret Carstairs
Robina Carstairs
(Daughters Mary, Christina and Elizabeth Carstairs deceased prior to their father's death)

At Balwearie 25th May 1852, after the funeral of the deceased Mr Robert Carstairs assembled the following members of his family: Mr James Leslie Carstairs, Mrs Mary Anne Carstairs or Drysdale wife of John Drysdale of Kilrie and the said John Drysdale, Mrs Amelia Carstairs or Reid wife of the Revd William Reid Minister of Kettle, Mrs Euphemia Leslie Carstairs or Russell wife of George Russell of Golfhill Victoria and the said George Russell both presently residing at Balwearie, Miss Margaret Carstairs and Miss Robina Carstairs both residing at Balwearie and the said William Reid, the foregoing Trust Disposition and Codicils having been read over in presence of the parties. Mr James Leslie Carstairs stated that owing to the long illness of the deceased the management of his affairs had devolved upon him.....and after payment of debts and obligations there would remain a deficiency of nearly ?1000. Mr James Leslie Carstairs undertook to pay the debts and obligations, and to maintain his unmarried sisters during the remainder of the lease (of Balwearie) in conformance with his father's instructions, provided that he was put in possession of the property left by the deceased and the other members of the family renounced all in his favour. The members of the family present considered and unanimously agreed.