Compiled by: Lynn E. Gill (lynngill01@hotmail.com) . My main purpose in compiling the list is to assist in identifying the parents of my ancestor Isabel Forbes b.1731 d. 1812 who married John Renny March 31, 1758 in Pitsligo Parish. John Renny died February 16, 1768 and was buried in Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish. I’m looking for his parents, too.

1. Here are Rennie found in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

The earliest Rennie ancestors I can trace appear to spring from Pitsligo Parish, on the north coast of Abedeenshire. Pitsligo Rennie is included here as a place to list Rennie's of Pitsligo. The surname is spelled many ways, even for family members listed on a single gravemarker: Rennie, Renny, Rannie, Rainey, Ranney, etc. I have listed them all as Rennie to aid in compilation.

Here are Rennie of Pitsligo and surrounding areas, listed in two sources,
1) "The Kirkyard of Peathill," compiled by Sheila M. Speirs, 1986. Aberdeen & North-east Scotland Family History Society, and
2) The People of Fraserburgh & Pitsligo 1696, first published 1892 by the above society. It is extracted from "List of Poleable Persons within the shire of Aberdeen & Burgh Within the Same," compiled September 1695 and dated 1696. All poleable people over the age of 16 who are not beggars are listed, therefore, born before 1680. Unless other information prevails, birthdate of "Bef. 1680" will be entered.


Pitsligo is about 35 miles northwest of Aberdeen, on the northern-facing coast of the North Sea, about three miles west of Fraserburgh and 1/2 mile from Rosehearty. Pitsligo Parish contains, in addition to the villagw/castle/Peathill Kirk at the summit of Peathill, the fishing villages of Rosehearty and Pitullie (Sandhaven). These fishing villages are sited on austere rocky, wind-swept coasts. The Parish is about 3¼ miles long east to west, and its breadth from north to south is likewise 3¼ miles; and its area is 4891 acres. The population of the parish in 1801 was 1250, and the number of households was 300.

Sir William Forbes of Kinaldly, who was the second son of Sir John Forbes of Druminnor, became the founder of the Pitsligo Forbes family. He obtained the lands of Pitsligo when he married Agnes Fraser of Philorth in 1423. The following year Sir William built the massive oblong towerhouse of Pitsligo Castle, which was surrounded by a moat.

The fine old ruin of Pitsligo Castle stands ½ mile southeast of Rosehearty village. Its oldest portion, the south tower or keep, was built in 1424, and measuring 80 by 36 feet, with walls 9 feet in thickness, was 114 feet high. Later parts of the building, which formed a hollow quadrangle, bear the dates 1577, 1663, and 1666. The extensive gardens still yield very fine apples. In 1633 Alexander Forbes was created Baron Forbes of Pitsligo- a title forfeited by his great-grandson, Alexander (1678-1762) for his share in the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. Pitullie Castle, ½ mile to the E, is also a ruin, bearing the dates 1651, 1674, and 1727. Much of Pitsligo and Pitullie Castles were dismantled in 1770, and incorporated into nearby New Pitsligo.

The parish church (Peathill Kirk), one mile southeast of Rosehearty, from its conspicuous position atop Peathill is sometimes called the 'Visible Kirk.' The original Kirk (church) was built in 1632 by Alexander, 1st Lord Forbes of Pitsligo. According to legend, he was annoyed by hearing a particularly ranting sermon preached by the Aberdour Minister, 'against the three pits of Hell-- Pittullie, Pittendrum and Pitsligo and wished them hence'. Lord Pitsligo stormed out of Church, vowing to build his own Kirk and the Parish of Pitsligo was created on 28th June 1633. The Act of Parliament which created the parish by disjoining Pitsligo from New Aberdour contains the statement that Lord Pitsligo had already built a Kirk at his own expense.

The magnificently carved birdcage bellcote was erected as the 1st Lord Pitsligo lay dying in nearby Pitsligo Castle. The stones were imported from Holland as an early 'flatpack' and Lord Pitsligo allegedly commanded that the stones be built up in the courtyard of Pitsligo Castle where he could see them before they were positioned on the Kirk. The carved woodwork of the Forbes aisle, of Dutch workmanship according to tradition, was much admired. Beneath the belfry is a carved panel containing the three boar's heads from the family crest of the Forbes of Pitsligo and three rosettes of the Frasers of Philorth. On the South wall of the Kirk is a panel, edged in red sandstone, beneath the initials A.L.P and date 1634. A stone effigy and the initials C.A., popularly those of Andrew Cant, the first Minister (Canting Andrew) used to be on the east gable. More probably they were initials of Charles Allan,the builder (now no longer visible).

Pitsligo had for its first minister the celebrated Covenanter, Andrew Cant (1584-1663), who soon, however, was transferred to Newbattle. Cant was tutor to the Pitsligo family around 1630. The parishoners, who had no likiing for him, nick-named him "Canting Andrew" because of his whining and drawling delivery of sermons; he was a severe disciplinarian. The call to sign the National Covenant came in response to King Charles I’s attempts to change the religious practices in Scotland, even seen by many as the 'anglicisation' of Scottish society, particularly by granting the bishops more power. Many Scottish Presbyterian nobles and clerics alike hotly contested this, resulting in the seizure of power and authority from the king by the Covenanters after which a series of wars ensued.

The old Kirk was altered several times between being built in 1632 and replaced by a new building in 1890. The raised area housed the Pitsligo Pew with steps leading down to the Pitsligo Vault, burial place of the members of the Forbes of Pitsligo family, most notable of whom was Alexander, 4th Lord Forbes of Pitsligo, the famous Jacobite who was outlawed for his part in the 1745 rebellion and spent the rest of his life in hiding until dying in 1762. The Pew was removed to the new building in 1890. The Aisle was entered by an external doorway and unlike many Laird's Lofts there is no evidence of a fireplace, so it, like the Church was probably unheated. Directly opposite the pew was the pulpit, said to have been unusually high and topped by a sounding board. (Some panels from the pulpit have been incorporated into the pulpit in the new Kirk.) During the 1740's and 1750's galleries were built at either end of the Kirk, increasing it's capacity to 500, although 600 could be squeezed in! At first, the galleries were reached by external stairs and the present internal steps were probably built during renovations in the 1790's.

The new Peathill Kirk was built in 1890 to replace the original building which by 1877 was in dangerous condition and considered too small for the congregation. The wondrous Forbes Loft, generally accepted to be one of Europe's best examples of 17th century woodcarving, was re-erected in the new church. The pew was originally situated in the Pitsligo aisle of the old church and raised about 1.5 metres above the nave of the church by the burial vault below. The loft has elaborate carved panels bearing the monograms and arms of the Forbes family and their allies the Keiths and is surmounted by a richly carved canopy. The loft surrounded the laird's family by reminders of their station in life and elevated them above the level of lesser mortals in the body of the kirk. The new church was closed for worship on September 21st 1997.

The kirkyard has many fine, ghoulish mortality symbols on the 17th and 18th century tombstones, including death bells, winged souls, deaths heads, hour glasses, crossed long bones and skulls. Most notable of these is the 'angels in kilts' stone (Anna Sim sometime spouse to William Ranney (Rennie) in Rosehearty, who departed March 1724). This shows a resurrection scene in which the crowned Christ is seen above a skull and long bones and is flanked by angels. Unusually, these are wearing kilts.


Rennie with unknown relationships are listed here:
i. GEORGE3 RENNIE, b. Bef. 1640, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. October 21, 1677, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for GEORGE RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 359: Hear lyes GEORGE RAINEY somtime smith in Pitsligo d. 21 Oct. 1677 whos corps lyes in the grave in hops of a blesed resvrection.

His stone is next to Stone 358, that of John Rainey b. 1716 so he's probably related.

More About GEORGE RENNIE:
Burial: 1677, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

2. ii. GEORGE RENNIE, b. Bef. 1680, Of Mains of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
3. iii. POLEABLE PERSONS 1696 RENNIE, b. Bef. 1680, Fraserburgh & Pitsligo Parishes, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
4. iv. ALEXANDER RENNIE, b. 1687, of Lochlair, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. December 31, 1742, Lochlair, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
5. v. WILLIAM RENNIE, b. Bef. 1700, Of Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
6. vi. ALEXANDER RENNIE, b. Abt. 1700, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
7. vii. WILLIAM RENNIE, b. Abt. 1700, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
8. viii. GEORGE RENNIE, b. 1715, Of Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. May 22, 1774, Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
9. ix. JOHN RENNIE, b. 1716, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. February 16, 1768, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
x. JEAN RENNIE, b. 1758, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. June 05, 1830, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. ALEXANDER WALLS; b. Abt. 1750, of Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for JEAN RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 203: Erected by ALEXANDER WALLS wood merchant Fraserburgh to the memory of his father ALEXANDER WALLS sometime farmer, Smiddyhillock d. 16 Apr. 1826 aged. 72; also JEAN RENNIE his spouse d. 5 June 1830 aged 72 [b. 1758] ; JEAN WALLS their dau. d. 22 Feb. 1819 aged 21; WILLIAM WALLS late in Smiddyhillock d. 21 Apr. 18]4 aged 41; and three children of the erecter d. in infancy; his dau. JEAN WALLS d. 10 Nov. 1835 in 18th year; son JOSEPH d. 5 June 1837; JOHN d. 28 Nov. 1838 aged 15 mths.

More About JEAN RENNIE:
Burial: 1830, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

xi. JOHN RENNIE, b. 1761, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. January 05, 1836, Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. BARBARA LUNDIE; b. 1759, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. March 11, 1834, Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for JOHN RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish Stone 362: To the memory of JOHN REID clockmaker Rosehearty d. 1 Nov. 17 1743 aged 55; his dau. MARY REID d. 27 Feb. 1815 aged 87; also of BARBARA LUNDIE spouse to JOHN RANNIE in Rosehearty d. in 75th year 11 Mar. 1834 [b. 1759]. This small tribute of remembrance is from an affectionate & disconsolate husband. also of ELIZABETH LUNDIE in Rosehearty d. 5 Jan. 1836 aged 80 [b. 1756]; the above named JOHN RANNIE d. 5 Jan. 1836 in his 78th year [b. 1761].

More About JOHN RENNIE:
Burial: 1836, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About BARBARA LUNDIE:
Burial: 1834, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

xii. PETER RENNIE, b. Abt. 1770, Of Upperbraco, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. ELSPET WHITE; b. 1773, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. January 18, 1837, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for PETER RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 358: Here lyes the corps of JOHN RAINEY lawful son to GEORGE RAINEY & CHRISTIAN HENDERSON [b. about 1680] in Mains of Pitsligo d. 13 June 1723 aged 7 [b. 1716]; also CHRISTIAN HENDERSON and ELSPET WHYTE d. 18 Jan. 1837 aged 64 [b. 1773] espoused to PETER RENNY sometime farmer in Upperbraco [b. abt 1770].

Peter Renny [b. about 1770] is most likely related somehow to George Rainey [b. abt 1680].

More About ELSPET WHITE:
Burial: 1837, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

10. xiii. SOPHIA RENNIE, b. Abt. 1775, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
xiv. WILLIAM RENNIE, b. Abt. 1795, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. ISABEL SIMPSON; b. 1796, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. April 22, 1831, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for WILLIAM RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 295: Erected by WILLIAM RENNY? in memory of ISABEL SIMPSON his wife d. 22 Apr. 1831 aged 35 years 9 mths. and 6 days. [b. 1796]

More About ISABEL SIMPSON:
Burial: 1831, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

11. xv. THOMAS RENNIE, b. February 04, 1802, Of Hillhead, Pitulie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. October 06, 1883, Hillhead, Pitulie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
xvi. ALEXANDER RENNIE, b. 1806, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. December 22, 1882, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. MARY LORIMER; b. 1814, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. January 05, 1890, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 371: Erected by the family in memory of their father ALEXANDER RENNIE d. 22 Dec. 1882 aged 76 [b. 1896]; their mother MARY LORIMER d. 5 Jan. 1890 aged 76 [b. 1814]; sons ALEXANDER and WILLIAM d. in infancy.

More About ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Burial: 1882, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About MARY LORIMER:
Burial: 1890, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

xvii. CHRISTIAN RENNIE, b. 1811, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. January 14, 1889, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. DAVID WATSON; b. 1811, of Burnthill, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. May 04, 1878, Burnthill, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for CHRISTIAN RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 319: Erected by DAVID WATSON farmer Burnthill in memory of his father JAMES WATSON d. 3 Apr. 1844 aged 71; mother BATHIA SMITH d. 18 Nov. 1846 aged 63; their family WILLIAM their eldest son d. Oct. 1816 aged 7; JAMES d. 25 June 1830 aged 9; WILLIAM d. 8 Dec. 1846 aged 20; BARBARA d. 11 Dec. 1846 aged 17; above DAVID WATSON d. 4 May 1878 aged 67 [b. 1811]; his wife CHRISTIAN RENNIE d. 14 Jan. 9 1889 aged 78 (b. 1811]

More About CHRISTIAN RENNIE:
Burial: 1889, Peathill Kirkyard, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About DAVID WATSON:
Burial: 1878, Peathill Kirkyard, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

xviii. ANN RENNIE, b. 1812, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. October 02, 1894, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. GEORGE CHESSOR; b. 1810, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. October 26, 1873, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ANN RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 318: This stone is erected by WILLIAM CHESSOR farmer in Hillhead of Pittendrum in memory of his dau. BARBARA CHESSOR d. 15 Jan. 1795? aged 26; BARBARA CHESSOR d. 12 Dec. 1820 aged 24, dau. of DAVID CHESSOR Pittendrum; GEDRGE CHESSOR in memory of his parents HELEN FRASER d. 9 June 1837 aged 59; DAVID CHESSOR d. 23 May 1846 aged 76; GEDRGE CHESSOR d. 26 Oct. 1873 aged 63; ANN RENNIE relict of the last named GEDRGE CHESSOR d. 2 Oct. 1894 aged 82. 1. [b. 1812].


More About ANN RENNIE:
Burial: 1894, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About GEORGE CHESSOR:
Burial: 1873, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

12. xix. WILLIAM FORBES RENNIE, b. 1820, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. October 26, 1888, Woodside, Old Machar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
xx. ISABELLA RENNIE, b. 1826, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. January 01, 1893, Peathill Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. WILLIAM SHAND; b. 1828, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. April 15, 1883, Sandhaven, Aberseenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ISABELLA RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard Stone 136) Erected by ISABELLA RENNIE in memory of her husband WILLIAM SHAND builder d. at Sandhaven 15 Apr. 1883 aged 55 [b. 1828]; above ISABELLA RENNIE d. Peathill 1 Jan. 1893 aged 67 [b. 1826].

More About ISABELLA RENNIE:
Burial: 1893, Peathill Kirkyard, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About WILLIAM SHAND:
Burial: 1883, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

xxi. ALEXANDER RENNIE, b. 1836, of Glenhouses, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. February 15, 1905, Strichen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. ELIZABETH PITTENSDRICH; b. 1848, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. February 20, 1905, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 327: In loving memory of ALEXANDER RENNIE late farmer Glenhouses d. Strichen 15 Feb. 1905 aged 69 [b. 1836]; his wife ELIZABEH PITTENDRICH d. 20 Feb. 1905 aged 57 [b. 1848].

More About ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Burial: 1905, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About ELIZABETH PITTENSDRICH:
Burial: 1905, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

xxii. JAMES RENNIE, b. 1837, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. April 08, 1873, Smithyhillock of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. HARRIET S. F. YEATS; b. 1836, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. April 08, 1873, Smithyhillock of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for JAMES RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 370: Erected by JAMES RENNIE in memory of his wife HARRIET S. F. YEATS d. 8 Apr. 1873 aged 37 [b. 1836]; above JAMES RENNIE d. Smithyh1llock 23 Nov. 1919 aged 82 [b. 1837].

More About JAMES RENNIE:
Burial: 1873, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About HARRIET S. F. YEATS:
Burial: 1873, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

xxiii. ANNIE JAMIESON RENNIE, b. 1850, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. December 28, 1897, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. JOHN DICK; b. 1848, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. April 11, 1931, Whiterashes Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ANNIE JAMIESON RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard Stone 159) Erected by JOHN DICK in memory of his wife ANNIE JAMIESON RENNIE d. Fraserburgh 28 Dec. 1897 aged 47 [b. 1850]; children MARY ANN SKINNER d. Aberdour 14 May 1887 aged 16 yrs 8 mths; SOPHIA LAIRD d. Aberdour 17 July 1887 aged 1 yr 4 mths; also ALEXANDER d. Fraserburgh 11 Oct. 1898 aged 19 years 9 months, MARGARET SIM d. there 15 Oct. 1906 aged 22, above JOHN DICK d. Whiterashes Turriff 11 Apr. 1931 aged 83 [b. 1848].

More About ANNIE JAMIESON RENNIE:
Burial: 1897, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About JOHN DICK:
Burial: 1931, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

13. xxiv. GEORGE Y. RENNIE, b. 1861, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. December 09, 1942, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
14. xxv. WILLIAM B. RENNIE, b. 1867, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. September 28, 1943, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
15. xxvi. JAMES RENNIE, b. Bef. 1870, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. 1918, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
xxvii. ROBERT RENNIE, b. 1903, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. March 31, 1938, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ROBERT RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 242: In loving memory of ROBERT RENNIE d. 31 Mar. 1938 aged 35 [b. 1903]

More About ROBERT RENNIE:
Burial: 1938, Peathill Kirkyard, Aberdeenshire, Scotland


Generation No. 2

2. GEORGE3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born Bef. 1680 in Of Mains of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married CHRISTIAN HENDERSON Bef. 1716. She was born Bef. 1680 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for GEORGE RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 358: Here lyes the corps of JOHN RAINEY lawful son to GEORGE RAINEY & CHRISTIAN HENDERSON in Mains of Pitsligo d. 13 June 1723 aged 7 [b. 1716]; also CHRISTIAN HENDERSON and ELSPET WHYTE d. 18 Jan. 1837 aged 64[b. 1773] espoused to PETER RENNY sometime farmer in Upperbraco.

More About CHRISTIAN HENDERSON:
Burial: Peathill Kirkyard, PitsligoAberdeenshire, Scotland

Child of GEORGE RENNIE and CHRISTIAN HENDERSON is:
i. JOHN4 RENNIE, b. 1716, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. June 13, 1723, Mains of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About JOHN RENNIE:
Burial: 1723, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland


3. POLEABLE PERSONS 16963 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born Bef. 1680 in Fraserburgh & Pitsligo Parishes, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for POLEABLE PERSONS 1696 RENNIE:
These Rennie's are listed in "The People of Fraserburgh and Pitsligo," taken from "List of Polleable Persons in the Shire of Aberdeen 1696." A poll tax was imposed on every person over 16 and not a beggar to raise funds for the Scottish crown. People listed are therefore born before 1680 and are entered as such, unless other information prevails.

Children of POLEABLE PERSONS 1696 RENNIE are:
16. i. JOHN4 RENNIE, b. 1661, Of Upper Bracha, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. January 25, 1734/35, Lon-fold, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
ii. AGNES RENNIE, b. Bef. 1680, Of Pittullie, Pitsligo Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. THOMAS ANDERSONE; b. Bef. 1696, Of Pittullie, Pitsligo Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for AGNES RENNIE:
In the "List of Poleable Persons," p. 85 in Pittulie, Parish of Pitsligo, we find "Thomas Andersone, millart 12s. and Agnes Rainie, his wife 6s.."

More About THOMAS ANDERSONE:
Occupation: 1696, Miller sic. "Millart"

iii. ALEXANDER RENNIE, b. Bef. 1680, Of Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. JEAN UNKNOWN; b. Bef. 1696, Of Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ALEXANDER RENNIE:
In the 1696 "List of Poleable Persons," p. 81, we find in Rosehartie, Paroch of Pitsligo, "Alexander Rainie, smith, and Jean Rainie, his wife. 18s."

More About ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Occupation: 1696, Smith

iv. ALEXANDER RENNIE, b. Bef. 1680, Of Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ALEXANDER RENNIE:
In the "List of Poleable Persons," page 90, we find "Alexander Rainie in Fraserburgh, a tennant of Lord Saltoun and Ladie, pollable 8s."

v. ALEXANDER RENNIE, b. Bef. 1680, Maynes of Philorth, Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. UNKNOWN; b. Bef. 1696, Maynes of Philorth, Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ALEXANDER RENNIE:
In the "List of Poleable Persons," p. 101, in a List of Tennents and Subtennents in the Maynes [Mains] of Philorth, Fraserburgh Parish, is "Alexander Rainie, and his wife taxed at 12 s."

vi. JOHN RENNIE, b. Bef. 1680, Of Fraserburgh (Town), Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. UNKNOWN; b. Bef. 1696, Of Fraserburgh (Town), Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for JOHN RENNIE:
In the "List of Poleable Persons," p. 99, in the Town of Fraserburgh we find in a List of Tradesmen" John Rainie, his wyfe, and a servant woman, at 2 merks of fee, poll tax 1 pound 4s. 8p. "

17. vii. WILLIAM RENNIE, b. Bef. 1680, Of Fingask, Faserburgh Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
viii. WILLIAM RENNIE, b. Bef. 1680, Of Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. UNKNOWN; b. Bef. 1696, Of Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for WILLIAM RENNIE:
In " The List of Poleable Persons, we find "The said tennants Wyfes, Families, and Subtennents are subdivyded according to their entries, as follows: p. 93 William Rainie, indweller, and his wife pollable 12s." An "Indweller" is an inhabitant of a particular town or place.


4. ALEXANDER3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born 1687 in of Lochlair, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died December 31, 1742 in Lochlair, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 311: Here lyes the body of ALEXANDER RAINIE sometime farmer in Lochlair d. 31 Dec. 1742 aged 59 [b. 1687]; ALEXANDER RENNY his son farmer in Dobbieshill d. 13 Apr. 1777 aged 55 years [b. 1722].

More About ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Burial: 1742, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitslogo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Child of ALEXANDER RENNIE is:
18. i. ALEXANDER4 RENNIE, b. May 10, 1722, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. April 13, 1777, Doddieshill, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.


5. WILLIAM3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born Bef. 1700 in Of Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married ANNA SIM. She was born Bef. 1700, and died March 1723/24 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for WILLIAM RENNIE:
William Ranney is mentioned on the gravemarker of his wife, Anna Sim, in Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 345: Hear Lyes ANNA SIM somtime spous to WILLIAM RANNEY in Rosehearty d. 25 Mar. 1724 also MARGARET MITCHELL dau. of JAMES MITCHELL & JEAN RANNEY in Lochbowie d. 10 Apr. 1820 aged 25 [b.1795]. This stone includes an illustration of a figure standing on skull and long bones, initials WR and AS, and two angels wearing kilts.

Notes for ANNA SIM:
Mortality symbols may be seen on on several of the 17th and 18th century graves in the Pitsligo Parish Peathill Kirkyard. Most notable of these is the 'angels in kilts' stone (Anna Sim sometime spouse to William Ranney (Rennie) in Rosehearty who departed March 1724). This shows a resurrection scene in which the crowned Christ is seen above a skull and long bones and is flanked by angels. Unusually, these angels are wearing kilts.

Peatyard Kirkyard: Names and dates on Stone Number 345

Jean RANNEY
William RANNEY
James MITCHELL
Anna SIM 25 Mar 1724
Margaret MITCHEL 10 Apr 1820


More About ANNA SIM:
Burial: March 1724, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Child of WILLIAM RENNIE and ANNA SIM is:
19. i. UNKNOWN4 RENNIE, b. Abt. 1720, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.


6. ALEXANDER3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born Abt. 1700 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married MARJORY ROSS. She was born Abt. 1700 in Scotland.

Child of ALEXANDER RENNIE and MARJORY ROSS is:
i. JOHN4 RENNIE1, b. Abt. December 27, 1732, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for JOHN RENNIE:
If this is the correct John RENNY, his parents are Alexander RENNY and Marjory ROSS. An Alexander Rennie, christened 10 May 1722 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, may be a brother. Research needed.

More About JOHN RENNIE:
Burial: Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Christening: December 27, 1732, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1


7. WILLIAM3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born Abt. 1700 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married HELEN FORBES Bef. 1738 in Aberdeenshire , Scotland, daughter of PITSLIGO FORBES. She was born Abt. 1700.

Notes for WILLIAM RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 328: Here lies the body of ALEXANDER RENNY son to WILLIAM RENNY & HELEN FORBES in Lochylair, a young man of ane agreable life & conversation d. 9 Sept 1759 in 21st year [b. 1738]; their son WILLIAM RANNIE late farmer in Lochylair d. 3 June 1805 aged 56 [b. 1749]; ISABELL SIM his spouse d. 10 June 1838 [b. 1772]; also their son THOMAS RANNIE's children viz. WILLIAM d. Rosehearty 21 Apr. 1834 aged 23 mths [b.1834]; HELEN d. Hillhead Pittulie 8 May 1842 in 12th year [b. 1830]; THOMAS d. 28 July 1850 aged 47 mths [b.1848]; his granddau. MARY JANE (dau. of his son ALEXANDER) d. Hillhead Pittulie 13 May 1880 aged 21 [b. 1859].

Children of WILLIAM RENNIE and HELEN FORBES are:
i. ALEXANDER4 RENNIE, b. 1738, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. September 09, 1759, Lochylai5, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Burial: 1759, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

ii. WILLIAM RENNIE, b. 1749, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. June 03, 1805, Lochylair, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. ISABEL SIM; b. 1772, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. June 10, 1838, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for WILLIAM RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 328: Here lies the body of ALEXANDER RENNY son to WILLIAM RENNY & HELEN FORBES in Lochylair, a young man of ane agreable life & conversation d. 9 Sept 1759 in 21st year [b. 1738]; their son WILLIAM RANNIE late farmer in Lochylair d. 3 June 1805 aged 56 [b. 1749]; ISABELL SIM his spouse d. 10 June 1838 [b. 1772]; also their son THOMAS RANNIE's children viz. WILLIAM d. Rosehearty 21 Apr. 1834 aged 23 mths [b.1834]; HELEN d. Hillhead Pittulie 8 May 1842 in 12th year [b. 1830]; THOMAS d. 28 July 1850 aged 47 mths [b.1848]; his granddau. MARY JANE (dau. of his son ALEXANDER) d. Hillhead Pittulie 13 May 1880 aged 21 [b. 1859].

More About WILLIAM RENNIE:
Burial: 1805, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About ISABEL SIM:
Burial: 1838, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

20. iii. THOMAS RENNIE, b. Abt. 1750, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.


8. GEORGE3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born 1715 in Of Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died May 22, 1774 in Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married MARGARET UNKNOWN Bef. 1748 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She was born 1714 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died March 14, 1805 in Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for GEORGE RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 325: Erected by MARGARET RENNY in memory of her husband GEORGE RENNY mason, Rosehearty d. 22 May 1774 aged 59 [b. 1715]; dau. JEAN RENNY d. 1 June 1781 aged 29 [b.1752]; MARGARET RENNY his spouse d. 14 Mar. 1805 aged 91 [b. 1714]; son GEORGE RENNY d. 19 Nov. 1807 aged 58 [b. 1749].

More About GEORGE RENNIE:
Burial: 1774, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About MARGARET UNKNOWN:
Burial: Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Children of GEORGE RENNIE and MARGARET UNKNOWN are:
i. CRISTIAN4 RENNIE, d. October 10, 1748, Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About CRISTIAN RENNIE:
Burial: 1748, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

ii. GEORGE RENNIE, b. 1749, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. November 19, 1807, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for GEORGE RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 325: Erected by MARGARET RENNY in memory of her husband GEORGE RENNY mason, Rosehearty d. 22 May 1774 aged 59 [b. 1715]; dau. JEAN RENNY d. 1 June 1781 aged 29 [b.1752]; MARGARET RENNY his spouse d. 14 Mar. 1805 aged 91 [b. 1714]; son GEORGE RENNY d. 19 Nov. 1807 aged 58 [b. 1749].

More About GEORGE RENNIE:
Burial: 1807, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

iii. JEAN RENNIE, b. 1752, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. June 01, 1781, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About JEAN RENNIE:
Burial: 1781, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland


9. JOHN3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born 1716 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died February 16, 1768 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married ISABEL FORBES1 March 31, 1758 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1, daughter of PITSLIGO FORBES. She was born 1731 in Probably Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died December 07, 1812 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for JOHN RENNIE:
Index to Memorial Inscriptions: Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish
Names and dates on Stone Number 369:
John RENNY lies under this stone, sometime Smith in Smithyhill of Pitsligo d. 16 Feb. 1768 aged 52 [b. 1716]
John RENNY son to the aforesaid and Isabel Forbes d. 17 Aug. 1768 aged 7 [b. 1761]
and Isabel FORBES d. 7 Dec 1812 aged 81 [b. 1731]

More About JOHN RENNIE:
Burial: 1768, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Notes for ISABEL FORBES:
Isabel Forbes was born in 1731, and married John Renny 31 March 1758 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She died 7 December 1812.

Index to Memorial Inscriptions: Peathill Kirkyard
Names and dates on Stone Number 369:
John RENNY lies under this stone, sometime Smith in in Smithyhill of Pitsligo d. 16 Feb. 1768 aged 52 [b. 1716]
John RENNY son to the aforesaid and Isabel Forbes d. 17 Aug. 1768 aged 7 [b. 1761] and
Isabel FORBES d. 7 Dec 1812 aged 81 [b. 1731]

There is no evidence that Isabel Forbes is related to the aristocratic Forbes, as the surname in Aberdeenshire is also shared by "common people." Evidently, it was also next to impossible for aristocracy to marry down with commoners. Nevertheless, here's information about peerage Forbes of Pitsligo. We know that Alexander Forbes the 4th lord Pitsligo, extant with Isabel, had several unidentified daughters. His wife Rebecca Norton died the year Isabel was born, in 1731. Alexander also had a younger brother named Charles Forbes.

The Forbes Clan was prominent in Aberdeenshire. Sir William Forbes, younger son of Sir John Forbes of the Black Lip, received a charter of the lands of "Petslegau" in 1428. It is believed that the great tower house of Pitsligo, on the lower slopes of Peathill, were erected at this time. During the 200 years that the barony of Pitsligo developed, the family intermarried with the so-called Buchan families of Gordon, Keith, Anderson, Oglvie, Fraser, and others. The House of Pitsligo continued to be added to by the lairds until an elegant country fortified mansion/castle was completed.

The "lairds" of Pitsligo continued to amass wealth ("geir") until the fourth lord, Alexander Forbes, ended up on the wrong side of the Jacobite battles to re-seat the Stuart kings of England, after the "Glorious Rebellion" had seated William of Orange on the throne. Alexander led a platoon of horse raised out of the Aberdeenshire aristocracy, called Pitsligo's Regiment, and was defeated along with "Bonnie Prince Charles" at Culloden in 1745.

The fourth lord of Pitsligo ( b. 24 May 1678 Pitsligo d. 1762) was extant with Isabel Forbes who was born about 1735. Alexander Forbes was the eldest son of Alexander, third lord Pitsligo b. 1755. His younger brother was named Charles, and sisters Jean and Marie [From the "List of Poleable Persons in the Shire of Aberdeen 1696," are listed "The Lord Pitsligo; The Lady Duager of Pitsligo, Charles Forbes, brother to the Lord; Marie and Jean Forbeses, sisters of the Lord"].

Alexander Forbes 4th lord married in 1713 Rebecca Norton of London, and together several unspecified daughters, and a single son John Forbes b. 1713 Pitsligo m. Rebecca Ogilvy of Aberdeen, and d. 1781 without issue. This line therefore appears a dead end, however, there were many non-aristocratic Forbses living in Aberdeenshire. There is also a possible link with Alexander's younger brother Charles.

In 1746, not long after the birth of Isabel Forbes, a platoon of Flemish mercenaries was sent by the Hannoverians to billet at Pitsligo and much of the family's moveable geir was carted off. The estates of lord Pitsligo were attainted ie. forfeited in 1746, and the House of Pitsligo pulled down in 1760. The banker Sir William Forbes repurchased the ruins of the mansion-house in 1770 along with 70 acres of the former barony including nearby Pittullie Castle, and scavanged timbers, stones, lintels, doors, windows, and so forth for the building of his near-by town of New Pitsligo.

Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, younger brother of Alexander, first lord Forbes, obtained that estate by marriage with Agnes, daughter of Sir William Fraser of Philorth, and was ancestor of Sir John Forbes of Pitsligo b. 1550 , whose son, Alexander b. 1605, was created first Lord Forbes of Pitsligo, June 24, 1633. The first lord Pitsligo died 1633.

Baron Forbes of Pitsligo, a title in the peerage of Scotland, conferred by patent, dated at Holyrood, 24th March, 1633, to him and his heirs male whatsoever, on Alexander Forbes of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, descended from Sir William Forbes, second son of Alexander de Forbes, justiciary of Aberdeen, who died in 1405. On the death of the first Lord Pitsligo, 25th October, 1635, his son, Alexander, became second lord, and was succeeded by his only son, Alexander, third lord, who died in 1691.

The third lord's son, Alexander, fourth and last Lord Pitsligo, was celebrated for his share in the rebellion of 1745 to crown Bonnie Prince Charles king, and for his various adventures and escapes subsequent to it. After Culloden, with Lord Ogilvy and Hunter of Burnside, he got safe to Bergen in Norway, whence the party proceeded to Sweden. Lord Pitsligo afterwards returned to Scotland, and lurked amongst his tenantry in Aberdeenshire, till his death in 1764, at the advanced age of 85. [He is the father of John Forbes b. 1713.} His sister the Hon. Mary Forbes, by her first husband, John Forbes, younger of Monymusk, was the mother of Sir William Forbes, baronet, father of the eminent banker of that name. Lord Pitsligo's only son, John, master of Pisligo, died in 1781, without issue. The title is claimed by Sir John Forbes of Pitsligo and Fettercairn, baronet; by Sir Charles Forbes of Newe and Edinglassi, baronet; and by John Alexander Forbes, Esq., formerly lieutenant-colonel of the 92d Highlanders. [Anderson, W. the Scottish nation. 3. v. 1862. ]

More About ISABEL FORBES:
Burial: 1812, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Christening: Scotland1

Children of JOHN RENNIE and ISABEL FORBES are:
i. JOHN4 RENNIE1, b. Abt. April 16, 1761, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1; d. August 17, 1768, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About JOHN RENNIE:
Burial: 1768, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Christening: April 16, 1761, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1

21. ii. WILLIAM RENNIE, b. Abt. December 24, 1765, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. Bef. 1841, Prob. Aberdeenshire, Scotland.


10. SOPHIA3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born Abt. 1775 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She married JOHN CUMMING Bef. 1796 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He was born Abt. 1750 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for SOPHIA RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 355: This stone is erected by JOHN CUMMING mason in Pitsligo in memory of his
wife SOPHIA MITCHEL d. 19 Mar. 1791 aged 39; son JAMES by his wife SOPHIA RAINNEY? d. 16 Oct. 1811 aged 11; dau. JANE d. 8 July 1821 ? aged 25.


Children of SOPHIA RENNIE and JOHN CUMMING are:
i. JANE4 CUMMING, b. 1796, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. July 08, 1821, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About JANE CUMMING:
Burial: 1821, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

ii. JAMES CUMMING, b. 1800, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. October 16, 1811, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About JAMES CUMMING:
Burial: 1811, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland


11. THOMAS3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born February 04, 1802 in Of Hillhead, Pitulie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died October 06, 1883 in Hillhead, Pitulie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married CHRISTIAN GRAY Bef. 1837 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She was born February 04, 1809 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died August 04, 1882 in Hillhead, Pitulie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for THOMAS RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 329: Erected in memory of CHRISTIAN GRAY wife of THOMAS RANNIE Hillhead Pittulie b. 4 Feb. 1809 d. 4 Aug. 1882; said THOMAS RANNIE b. 4 Feb. 1802 d. 6 Oct. 1883; dau. JANE b. 1 Apr. 1837 d. 26 Nov. 1890; MARGARET MILNE wife of JAMES RANNIE d. 20 May 1894 aged 44 [b.1850]; ROBERT son of JAMES RANNIE & MARGARET MILNE b. Hillhead 1 Aug. 1890 d. 5 Oct. 1915 at A1exandria, Egypt after serving his and Country in Gallipoli; said JAMES RANNIE b. 25 Dec. 1842 d. 3 Jan. 1928.


More About THOMAS RENNIE:
Burial: 1883, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About CHRISTIAN GRAY:
Burial: 1882, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Children of THOMAS RENNIE and CHRISTIAN GRAY are:
i. JANE4 RENNIE, b. April 01, 1837, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. November 26, 1890, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About JANE RENNIE:
Burial: 1890, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

22. ii. JAMES RENNIE, b. December 25, 1842, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. January 03, 1928, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.


12. WILLIAM FORBES3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born 1820 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died October 26, 1888 in Woodside, Old Machar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married (1) MARY JAMIESON Abt. 1850 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She was born 1825 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died September 03, 1856. He married (2) ANNIE LAMB Bef. 1864. She was born 1823 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died February 24, 1909 in Peathill, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for WILLIAM FORBES RENNIE:
Petahill Kirkyard Stone 146) Erected by WILLIAM FORBES RENNIE Peathill in memory of his beloved wife MARY JAMIESON d. 3 Sept. 1856 in 31st year & 2 children d. in infancy; his son FORBES d.7 Feb. 1866 aged 18 mths; the said WILLIAM FORBES RENNIE d. Woodside 26 Oct. 1888 aged 68 [b. 1820], his wife ANNIE LAMB d. Peath1ll 24 Feb. 1909 aged 86. [b. 1823]

More About WILLIAM FORBES RENNIE:
Burial: 1909, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About ANNIE LAMB:
Burial: 1909, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Children of WILLIAM RENNIE and MARY JAMIESON are:
i. ANONYMOUS4 RENNIE.
ii. ANONOMOUS RENNIE.


Child of WILLIAM RENNIE and ANNIE LAMB is:
iii. FORBES4 RENNIE, b. 1864.


13. GEORGE Y.3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born 1861 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died December 09, 1942 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married (1) JESSIE SIMPSON Abt. 1880 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She was born 1858 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died June 28, 1895 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married (2) ISABELLA UNKNOWN Aft. 1895 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She was born 1864 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died December 17, 1952 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for GEORGE Y. RENNIE:
Pearhill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 367: Erected by ISABELLA McLEOD in memory of her husband GEORGE Y. RENNIE d. 9 Dec 1942 aged 81 [b. 1861]; his wife JESSIE SIMPSON d. 28 June 1895 aged 37 [b. 1858]; his children AGNES and ANDREW. Also my son JAMES S. McLEOD killed in action 29 June 1917 aged 24 [b. 1893]; above ISABELLA McLEOD d. 17 Dec. 1952 aged 84 [b. 1868].

More About GEORGE Y. RENNIE:
Burial: 1942, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About JESSIE SIMPSON:
Burial: 1895, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About ISABELLA UNKNOWN:
Burial: 1952, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Children of GEORGE RENNIE and JESSIE SIMPSON are:
i. AGNES4 RENNIE, b. Aft. 1880.
ii. ANDREW RENNIE, b. Aft. 1880.


14. WILLIAM B.3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born 1867 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died September 28, 1943 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married JANE GORDON. She was born 1867 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died November 14, 1939 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for WILLIAM B. RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard Stone 147) In loving memory of ALEXANDER son of WILLIAM B. RENNIE Peathill d. Royal Infirmary Aberdeen 15 Nov. 1920 aged 15; his wife JANE GORDON RENNIE d. 14 Nov. 1939 aged 72 [b. 1867], the above WILLIAM B. RENNIE d. 28 Sept. 1943 aged 76 [b. 1867].

More About WILLIAM B. RENNIE:
Burial: 1943, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About JANE GORDON:
Burial: 1939, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Child of WILLIAM RENNIE and JANE GORDON is:
i. ALEXANDER4 RENNIE, b. 1905, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. November 15, 1920, Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, Aberdeeshire, Scotland.

Notes for ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard Stone 147) In loving memory of ALEXANDER son of WILLIAM B. RENNIE Peathill d. Royal Infirmary Aberdeen 15 Nov. 1920 aged 15; his wife JANE GORDON RENNIE d. 14 Nov. 1939 aged 72 [b. 1867], the above WILLIAM B. RENNIE d. 28 Sept. 1943 aged 76 [b. 1867].

More About ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Burial: 1920, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland


15. JAMES3 RENNIE (PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born Bef. 1870 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died 1918 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married JANE LARID. She was born Bef. 1870 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for JAMES RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 368: 1918. In memory of JAMES RENNIE Smiddyhillock; his wife JANE LAIRD; their dau. MARGARET widow of PETER BIRNIE who was lost at sea.

More About JAMES RENNIE:
Burial: 1918, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Child of JAMES RENNIE and JANE LARID is:
i. MARGARET4 RENNIE, b. Abt. 1900; m. PETER BIRNIE; b. Abt. 1900.


Generation No. 3

16. JOHN4 RENNIE (POLEABLE PERSONS 16963, PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born 1661 in Of Upper Bracha, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died January 25, 1734/35 in Lon-fold, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married MARGARET GORDON Bef. 1687 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She was born Abt. 1660 in Of Upper Bracha, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died May 10, 1734 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for JOHN RENNIE:
In the "List of Poleable Persons," p. 77 we find in Upper Bracka "The hundreth part thereof, payable by the tennants, is 10 pounds. John Raine in Upper Bracka 5s. 2p. "

In the 1696 "List of Poleable Persons," p. 79 we find "John Rainy in Upper Bracka, Pitsligo Paroch; tennant ther, his propertione of valuatione 5s. 2d., with generall poll 11s. 2 p. Margaret Gordon, his wife 6s."

Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 326: Here lys the body of JOHN RANNY sometime farmer Lon-fold d. 25 Jan. 1735 [b. 1661]; MARGARET GORDON his spouse d. 10 May 1734 aged 71 [b. 1663]; WILLIAM RANNY their eldest son and Husband to the below d. 13 July 1756 aged 74 [d. 1682]; MARGARET FINNIE spouse to WILLIAM RANNY in Mill of Pitsligo d. 3 Dec. 1746 aged 59 [b. 1682; CRISTIAN RANNY dau. to GEORGE & MARGARET RANNYS in Rosehearty d. 10 Oct. 1748 age on (sic) year.

More About JOHN RENNIE:
Burial: 1735, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Residence: Bef. 1696, Of Uppper Bracha, Pitsligo, Scotland

More About MARGARET GORDON:
Burial: 1734, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Child of JOHN RENNIE and MARGARET GORDON is:
i. WILLIAM5 RENNIE, b. 1687, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. July 13, 1756, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. MARGARET FINNIE, Abt. 1700; b. 1687, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. December 03, 1746, Mill of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for WILLIAM RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 326: Here lys the body of JOHN RANNY sometime farmer Lon-fold d. 25 Jan. 1735 [b. 1661]; MARGARET GORDON his spouse d. 10 May 1734 aged 71 [b. 1663]; WILLIAM RANNY their eldest son and Husband to the below d. 13 July 1756 aged 74 [d. 1682]; MARGARET FINNIE spouse to WILLIAM RANNY in Mill of Pitsligo d. 3 Dec. 1746 aged 59 [b. 1682; CRISTIAN RANNY dau. to GEORGE & MARGARET RANNYS in Rosehearty d. 10 Oct. 1748 age on (sic) year.

More About WILLIAM RENNIE:
Burial: 1756, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About MARGARET FINNIE:
Burial: 1746, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland


17. WILLIAM4 RENNIE (POLEABLE PERSONS 16963, PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born Bef. 1680 in Of Fingask, Faserburgh Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married UNKNOWN. She was born Bef. 1696 in Of Fingask, Faserburgh Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for WILLIAM RENNIE:
In the "List of Poleable Persons," page 91, we find Alexander Rainie in Fingask, Parish of Fraserburgh, a tennant of Lord Saltoun and Ladie, pollable 1 pound 8s. The said tennants Wyfes, Families, and Subtennents are subdivyded according to their entries, as follows:
p. 94 William Rainie, in Fingask, for his wife, sone, and daughter pollable 18s."

More About WILLIAM RENNIE:
Residence: 1696, Indweller, Fingask, Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Children of WILLIAM RENNIE and UNKNOWN are:
i. SON5 RENNIE, b. Bef. 1696, Of Fingask, Faserburgh Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
ii. DAUGHTER RENNIE, b. Bef. 1696, Of Fingask, Faserburgh Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.


18. ALEXANDER4 RENNIE (ALEXANDER3, PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born May 10, 1722 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died April 13, 1777 in Doddieshill, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married ANN URQUHART March 05, 1746/47 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She was born 1721 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died March 09, 1788 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 311: Here lyes the body of ALEXANDER RAINIE sometime farmer in Lochlair d. 31 Dec. 1742 aged 59 [b. 1687]; ALEXANDER RENNY his son farmer in Doddieshill d. 13 Apr. 1777 aged 55 years [b. 1722].

More About ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Burial: 1777, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Notes for ANN URQUHART:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 308: This stone is erected by CHRISTIAN RENNY in Cairnhi1l to the memory of her
mother ANN URQUHART d. 9 Mar. 1788 aged 67. [b. 1721]

More About ANN URQUHART:
Burial: 1788, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Children of ALEXANDER RENNIE and ANN URQUHART are:
i. ELIZABETH5 RENNIE, b. 1747, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. December 21, 1768, Doubeshill, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ELIZABETH RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 309: Here was laid the body of ELIZABEYH RENNY dau. to ALEXANDER RENNY & ANN URQUART Doubeshill d. 21 Aug. 1768 in 21st year [b.1747]; JAMES RENNY d. 7 Jan. 1766 aged 14 days [b. 1766]; ALEXANDER RENNY their brother d. 28 June 1786 aged 37. [b. 1749]

More About ELIZABETH RENNIE:
Burial: 1768, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

ii. ALEXANDER RENNIE, b. 1749, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. June 28, 1786, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 309: Here was laid the body of ELIZABETH RENNY dau. to ALEXANDER RENNY & ANN URQUART Doubeshill d. 21 Aug. 1768 in 21st year [b.1747]; JAMES RENNY d. 7 Jan. 1766 aged 14 days [b. 1766]; ALEXANDER RENNY their brother d. 28 June 1786 aged 37. [b. 1749]

More About ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Burial: 1786, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

iii. CHRISTIAN RENNIE, b. May 26, 1759, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
iv. JAMES RENNIE, b. 1766, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. January 07, 1766, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About JAMES RENNIE:
Burial: 1766, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland


19. UNKNOWN4 RENNIE (WILLIAM3, PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born Abt. 1720 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Child of UNKNOWN RENNIE is:
i. JEAN5 RENNIE, b. Abt. 1750, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. JAMES MITCHELL; b. Abt. 1750, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for JEAN RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 345: Hear Lyes ANNA SIM somtime spous to WILLIAM RANNEY in Rosehearty d. 25 Mar. 1724 also MARGARET MITCHELL dau. of JAMES MITCHELL & JEAN RANNEY in Lochbowie d. 10 Apr. 1820 aged 25 [b.1795]. This stone includes an illustration of a figure standing on skull and long bones, initials WR and AS, and two angels wearing kilts.


20. THOMAS4 RENNIE (WILLIAM3, PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born Abt. 1750 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for THOMAS RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 328: Here lies the body of ALEXANDER RENNY son to WILLIAM RENNY & HELEN FORBES in Lochylair, a young man of ane agreable life & conversation d. 9 Sept 1759 in 21st year [b. 1738]; their son WILLIAM RANNIE late farmer in Lochylair d. 3 June 1805 aged 56 [b. 1749]; ISABELL SIM his spouse d. 10 June 1838 [b. 1772]; also their son THOMAS RANNIE's children viz. WILLIAM d. Rosehearty 21 Apr. 1834 aged 23 mths [b.1834]; HELEN d. Hillhead Pittulie 8 May 1842 in 12th year [b. 1830]; THOMAS d. 28 July 1850 aged 47 mths [b.1848]; his granddau. MARY JANE (dau. of his son ALEXANDER) d. Hillhead Pittulie 13 May 1880 aged 21 [b. 1859].

Children of THOMAS RENNIE are:
i. HELEN5 RENNIE, b. 1830, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. May 08, 1842, Hillhead, Pitulie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
ii. WILLIAM RENNIE, b. 1834, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. April 21, 1834, Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
iii. ALEXANDER RENNIE, b. Abt. 1840, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
iv. THOMAS RENNIE, b. 1848, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. July 28, 1850, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About THOMAS RENNIE:
Burial: 1850, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland


21. WILLIAM4 RENNIE (JOHN3, PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born Abt. December 24, 1765 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1, and died Bef. 1841 in Prob. Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married SARA FIDDES1 Bef. 1785 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, daughter of WILLIAM FIDDES and ELIZABETH MARTIN. She was born March 15, 1761 in Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1, and died Aft. 1841 in Prob. Newhills, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for WILLIAM RENNIE:
There is a record in familysearch.org for a christening of William Renny in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland on December 24, 1765, with John Renny and Isa. Forbes listed as parents. John Renny and Isabel Forbes were married in Pitsligo March 31, 1758. This William Rennie appears to be the father of John Rennie b. 1791 who arrived in New Brunswick from Scotland about 1819. John Rennie is the father of William Rennie born 1821 in New Brunswick, the founder of the Traverse City, Michigan Rennie's. William b. 1765 would be therefore the grandfather of William Rennie born 1821, who in that case would be named for him.

William Rennie b. 1765 married Sarah Fiddes, daughter of William Fiddes and Elizabeth Martin, and his son John Rennie married Elizabeth Fiddes, a daughter of Sarah's brother Robert Fiddes. The name Fiddes crops up as a middle name among their grandchildren and great-grandchildren (line of John's son Robert). But that could be a result of Elizabeth Fiddes not Sarah Fiddes.

William Renny and Sarah Fiddes had all ten of their children at Grigs of Ardo (Belhelvie Parish). However, their children were baptized in near-by Foveran, perhaps because that was the birthplace of Sarah.

Ardo in Belhelvie Parish
From very early in his reign, Robert the Bruce’s royal land grants included property in the thanage of Belhelvie which appear to have encompassed three main blocks of land: Belhelvie, Ardo and Menie. Around 1326, William de Strathbrock was granted the lands of Foveran and Ardo (Ardoch/Ardach), while Mary and Philip Meldrum held the lands of Logie Ardo. It appears that this Ardo formed part of the Panmure estate later and thus should be included in Belhelvie parish. There is also a Miln (Mill) of Ardo in Belhelive Parish, south of Foveran. I'm guessing that William Renny and Sarah Fiddes were in this Ardo, not the village of Ardo located 10 miles NW of Ellon. There is evidence of some of their children living there in census data.

William's wife Sarah is listed in the 1841 census as a widow ("independent"),living with her son Robert, so we can assume that William Renny has died before 1841.

More About WILLIAM RENNIE:
Christening: December 24, 1765, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1

Notes for SARA FIDDES:
Sara Fiddes was born March 21, 1761 in Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, a daughter of William Fiddes and Elizabeth Martin. Foveran, Aberdeenshire is about 12 kilometers north of Aberdeen.

Foveran Baptism Register
1761 William Fiddes farmer in Dubbiestyles had a daughter born of his wife Elizabeth Martin on Sunday 15th called Sara, and baptised Saturday 21 March 1761 before witnesses J Simpson in Newbyte & Hugh Milne in Hillhead

1988 IGI for Aberdeenshire, Scotland, lists marriage between Sarah Fiddes and William Renny, research needed to confirm.

In the 1841 census, a person who appears to be Sarah is living with her son Robert
Auchmull House, Newhills (SW of Aberdeen)
Sarah Rennie, 82, independent (b. 1759)
Robert Rennie, 55, farmer (b. 1786)
Christian Rennie, 25
Jean Rennie, 15
The birth-years of Sarah and Robert are approximately right

Sarah is not buried in Newhills Cemetery (according to the Index)

More About SARA FIDDES:
Christening: March 21, 1761, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Children of WILLIAM RENNIE and SARA FIDDES are:
i. ROBERT5 RENNIE1, b. Abt. June 08, 1785, Grigs of Ardo (Belhelvie), Aberdeenshire, Scotland1; d. September 24, 1861, Woodside, Old Machar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. CHRISTIAN LUMSDEN, September 18, 1808, Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; b. Abt. 1785; d. Bef. 1841.

Notes for ROBERT RENNIE:
Robert Rainie married Christian Lumsden 18 Sep 1808 Belhelvie, Aberdeen. He was a farmer and later a grocer and clothier. His daughter referred to him as a farmer in his death record.
They had:
Margaret chr 4 Mar 1809 Belhelvie, Aberdeen, Scotland
Anne chr 13 Sep 1810 Skene, Aberdeen, Scotland
Christian chr 12 Mar 1813 Skene, Aberdeen, Scotland
Sarah chr 18 Jan 1815 Skene, Aberdeen, Scotland
George chr 27 Jun 1816 Skene, Aberdeen, Scotland
William chr 15 Nov 1819 Fintray, Aberdeen, Scotland
Harry Lumsden chr 23 Jun 1822 Fintray, Aberdeen, Scotland
Jane chr 10 Oct 1825 Fintray, Aberdeen, Scotland

1841 census, Auchmull House, Newhills
Sarah Rennie, 82, independent (Robert's mother, Sarah Fiddes)
Robert Rennie, 55, farmer
Christian Rennie, 25
Jean Rennie, 15 (Jane)

1851 census, 1 Barren St, Woodside
Robert Rennie, 68, Grocer & Clothiner, born Foveran (1783)
Christian Rennie, 34, daughter, born Skene
Harry Rennie, 26, son, born Fintray
Jane Rennie, 25, daughter, born Fintray

1861 census, 3 Grocers Shop, Old Machar
Robert Rennie, 75, Merchant, born Foveran (1786)
Christian Rennie, 40, born Skene
Jean T Rennie, 30, born Fintray (Jane, spinster hedging on age??)

Death 1861-168/2-463 Old Machar Aberdeen
Robert Rennie, farmer, widower of Christian Lumsden
died 24 Sep 1861 at 0.45 pm aged 76
at 3 Barron Street, Woodside, Aberdeen
son of William Rennie, farmer & Sarah m/s Fiddes (both decd)
cause: paralysis
registered by daughter Jane

More About ROBERT RENNIE:
Christening: June 08, 1785, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1
Occupation: Bet. 1851 - 1861, Grocer

ii. ALEXANDER RENNIE, b. Abt. April 15, 1787, Grigs of Ardo (Belhelvie), Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. March 26, 1862, Woodside, Old Machar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. MARGARET FIDDES, June 24, 1820, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; b. August 26, 1792, Of Ellon Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. Aft. 1861, Old Machar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Alexander Rennie married Margret Fiddes, his first cousin and sister of Elizabeth Fiddes who married his brother John. He was a successful farmer, having six farm servants in 1851.

Alexander Rennie and Margaret Fiddes had
Robert chr 17 May 1821 Ellon, Aberdeen, Scotland
William chr 21 Mar 1823 Ellon, Aberdeen, Scotland
Elspet chr 31 Jan 1825 Ellon, Aberdeen, Scotland
Sarah chr 24 Mar 1827 Ellon, Aberdeen, Scotland
Alexander chr 1830 Ellon

Ellon is a few miles from Foveran.

1841 census, Coldstream, Fourdoun, Kincardineshire
Alex Rennie, 50, Farmer
Marg Rennie, 45
Elsie Rennie, 15
Sarah Rennie, 14
Alexander Rennie, 12
Barbara Rennie, 9
Isabella Rennie, 6

1851 census, Coldstream, Fourdoun, Kincardineshire
Alexander Rennie, 64, Farmer Of 210 Acres Employing 6 Lab, born Foveran (1787)
Margret Rennie, 60, born Foveran
William Rennie, 28, born Ellon
Sarah Rennie, 24, born Ellon
Alexander Rennie, 22, born Ellon
Barbra Rennie, 20, born Ellon
Margret Rennie, 5, grandchild, born Fettercairn, Kincardineshire
+ 6 farm servants

1861 census, Warracks Cottage, Old Machar
Alexander Rennie, 76, Retired Farmer, born Foveran (1785)
Margt Rennie, 69, born Foveran
Willm Rennie, 35, born Ellon
Sarah Rennie, 34, born Ellon
Margt Rennie, 13, granddaughter, born Fettercairn

Death 1872-168/2-272 Old Machar Aberdeen
Alexander Rennie, feuar, married to Margaret Fiddes
died 26 Mar 1872 at 6 pm aged 85
at West Bank, Old Road, Woodside, Aberdeen
son of William Rennie, crofter & Sarah m/s Fiddes (both decd)
cause: diarrhoea
registered by daughter Sarah

More About ALEXANDER RENNIE:
Christening: April 15, 1787, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Notes for MARGARET FIDDES:
Margaret Fiddes' sister Elizabeth Fiddes married John Rennie, her husband Alexander Rennie's brother.

Death 1874-168/2-686 Old Machar
Margaret Rennie, widow of Alexander Rennie, farmer in Woodside
died 28 Sep 1874 at 6 pm aged 83
at West Bank, Woodside, Aberdeen
daughter of Robert Fiddes, farmer & Elsie m/s Black (both decd)
cause: general debility
registered by granddaughter Margaret Mackay


iii. WILLIAM RENNIE1, b. Abt. February 21, 1789, Grigs of Ardo (Belhelvie), Aberdeenshire, Scotland1; d. July 20, 1865, Rora, Longside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. ISABELLA BEAN, Bef. 1826, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; b. Bet. 1797 - 1801, New Machar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. Aft. 1865.

Notes for WILLIAM RENNIE:
William Rennie spent his life as a crofter (agricultural laborer or tenant farmer).

1841 census, Fortrie, Ellon
William Rennie, 45, crofter
Isabella Rennie, 40
George Rennie, 15

1851 census, Free School House, Ellon
William Rennie, 64, ag lab, born Foveran (1787)
Isabella Rennie, 53, born Newmachar
Amelia Rennie, 26, daughter-in-law, born Strichen
Isabella Rennie, 10, daughter, born Ellon

1861 census, Craighall, Ellon
William Rennie, 75, Gardener (jobber), born Foveran (1786)
Isabella Rennie, 62, born Newmachar
Isabella Rennie, 20, granddaughter, born Udny

Death 1865-218-32 Longside
William Rennie, crofter, married to Isobella Bean
died 20 Jul 1865 at 8 pm aged 80
at Rora, Longside
son of William Rennie, crofter & Sarah m/s Fiddes (both decd)
cause not given
registered by son James

More About WILLIAM RENNIE:
Christening: February 21, 1789, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1
Record Change: July 07, 19991

iv. JOHN RENNIE, b. Abt. January 13, 1791, Grigs of Ardo (Belhelvie), Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. Aft. 1861, Prob. New Brunswick, Canada; m. (1) MARGARET GRAY; b. Abt. 1790, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. (2) ELIZABETH FIDDES, May 31, 1818, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; b. April 10, 1788, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. Aft. 1861, Prob. New Brunswick, Canada.

Notes for JOHN RENNIE:
We know from the 1851 New Brunswick census that John Rennie, his wife Elizabeth, and infant son Robert emigrated to New Brunswick, Canada from Scotland in 1819. The Rennie Family History says the Rennie's arrived at St. John, New Brunswick.

The Rennie History says that a Robert Rennie, who emigrated to Canada with his son, also named Robert, is the father of William Rennie b. 1821 in New Brunswick. Evidence, however, points to John Rennie, as the 1851 census shows John and Elizabeth Rennie and William living together. John's eldest son [with Elizabeth Fiddes] was named Robert, and this evidently caused confusion in the Rennie History.

John Rennie was born about 1788-1789 in Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, a son of William Rennie and Sarah Fiddes. There is evidence that John Rennie had a liaison with Margaret Gray, resulting in an illegitimate son William Rennie born in 1816 [ Death 1876-168/1-752 St Nicholas Aberdeen, William Rennie, crofter, married to Jane Rae, died 14 Aug 1876 at 3 am aged 60 at Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen. Usual residence Foveran. Illegitimate son of John Rennie, farm servant (reputed father) & Margaret Gray].

John Rennie had another amorous liaison with Elizabeth Fiddes, resulting in a son Robert born in 1818 [Old Parish Register: 12 Aug 1818 John Renny & Eliza Fiddes in Mains of Foveran had a son baptised named Robert]. This time John married his lover to make an honest woman of her. There is a marriage listed between John Renny and Elizabeth Fiddes on 31 May 1818 in Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland (Old Parish Register of Foveran). Mains of Foveran (a farm with some cottages) contained a number of young couples, as it appears a few times as an address on the pages around that one. Presumably they were all farm workers, or related trades.

The name Fiddes crops up as a middle name among John and Elizabeth's grandchildren and great-grandchildren (son Robert's line), which further validates the belief that John not some unknown Robert is the father of William Rennie.

It appears certain that John Rennie is a son of William Rennie b. 1765 in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire and Sara Fiddes b. 1761 in Foveran. John's wife Elizabeth Fiddes is a daughter of Robert Fiddes, his mother Sarah's brother. John therefore married his first cousin. Rennie's were not plentiful in Foveran before the marriage of John's parents, as the Rennie family appears to derive from Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire (or earlier, from Angus).

Emigration of the Rennie family to New Brunswick was part of a great wave of settlers from the British Isles about 1815 to the end of the 1820's. These settlers were uprooted in their native lands as a result of upheavals caused by the Napoleonic Wars which ended in 1815, the emergence of the factory system in the British Isles, and changes in the feudal system of working the land on small rented farms (crofts) versus larger-scale farming, which displaced many farmers. The "Highland Clearances" were undertaken to resettle population, when the expansion of the textile industry made it more profitable for Highlands landlords to gaze sheep, versus labor-intensive general farming. In 1815 a proclamation was issued in England to any person in Great Britain who might be desirous of settling in Canada. As an inducement, they were to get free provisions during the voyage and also after their arrival, until such time as the land could be made to support them. Things may have been uncomfortable for John in Foveran due to his amorous liaisons, and a fresh start in New Brunswick probably was appealing.

John Rennie is listed in the 1851 census of Newcastle Parish, Northumberland County, New Brunswick, Canada; Family/House 311, page 49. He is a farmer who owned his land, and he arrived in New Brunswick in 1819. Living in the same building (possibly a duplex), is a different head of household, [his son] William Rennie, who was born in New Brunswick in February 1821. William's elder brother, Robert Rennie, is living next door.

John Rennie, age 62 (next birthday) SCOTLAND (born about 1788-1789), head of household, a farmer (proprietor), arrived in NB in 1819
Elizabeth Rennie, age 62 SCOTLAND (born about 1788-1789), his wife, arrived NB 1819
Elspeth Rennie, 24 NB, CANADA (born about 1826-1827)
Mary Rennie, 21 NB, CANADA (born about 1829-1830)

William Rennie, head of household, a laborer. Age 29 NB, CANADA (born about 1821-1822).
Margaret (Fenton) Rennie, William's wife 25 SCOTLAND (born about 1825-1826), arrived NB in 1842.
Two Scottish lodgers were in the household, Robert Wilson 34 a laborer arrived NB 1849 and Donald McKenzie 15, a servant arrived NB 1847.

Living next door in the 1851 census; Family/house 312, page 49; is Robert Rennie, presumably John's eldest son and William's brother, and his family:
Robert Rennie, head of household, a Master (Sea Captain) 32 SCOTLAND (born abt. 1818) , arrived NB in 1819.
Mary [Bates] Rennie, his wife, age 24 SCOTLAND (born abt. 1827), arrived NB 1847
Elizabeth Rennie 2 NB (born abt. 1849), daughter
Alexander Rennie 1 NB (born abt. 1850), listed as daughter but must be a son?
Two lodgers; Fanny Bates 17 SCOTLAND arrived NB 1849 (prob. a relative of Mary Bates Rennie) and Timothy Donovan 54 IRISH a laborer arrived NB 1839.

In the 1861 census, Parish of Newcastle, p.77, reel C-1004, a Mary Travise, age 25 NB, domestic servant is living in the Rennie household. Elspeth and Mary are no longer in the household.

John and Elizabeth Rennie had a third son, John Rennie, Jr. who was born in 1825. In 1851, this son was probably in the British Navy or attending Steam School in Scotland (see 1851 Scotish census for John Rennie, Jr.). He most likely was in Nova Scotia in 1861, as his children were born there. In 1871, John Jr. is back in New Brunswick, in Richibucto, Kent County.

There is an old Rennie House at Douglastown, near Chatham in Northumberland County, built by William Murray, a celebrated builder. There was a Rennie Ferry perhaps in the 1830's, and a Rennie Stagecoach. There is still a Rennie Road in Douglastown.

There is a Rennie's Mill Road in St. John's, Newfoundland. James Rennie, son of David Rennie of Newfoundland, started the Rennie Mill on the Rennie River. A couple of years later William Frederick Rennie joined him as a partner. James died in 1839 and the Rennie Mill became the property of William Frederick Rennie. He went broke shortly after the great fire that burned down St. John's, and the mill was leased. We don't know if or how these Rennie's are related.

More About JOHN RENNIE:
Christening: January 13, 1791, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Notes for MARGARET GRAY:
Margaret Gray is the mother of William Rennie, born to her in 1816. John Rennie is the reputed father, and Margaret named her son after John Rennie's father, William Rennie.

Notes for ELIZABETH FIDDES:
Elizabeth Fiddes is a daughter of Robert Fiddis and Elspit Black, born on 10 April 1788 in Fovern, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She is listed as their child in Foveran Parish records "Central Grave." Elizabeth married John Rennie on May 31,1818 in Foveran, and their first son Robert was christened there a couple of month's later on August 12, 1818. In 1819, they immigrated to New Brunswick where a second son William Rennie was born in 1821 (father of Anna Elizabeth Rennie who married John Donovan Putnam). Elizabeth Fiddes and her sister Margaret Fiddes married brothers, John Rennie and Alexander Rennie.

Foveran Parish is about 9 miles north of Aberdeen. The parish is roughly 6 miles long from east to west, and between 3 and 4 miles wide. The river Ythan (I-than) is about a quarter of a mile east of the village, and abounds with salmon, sea-trout, flounders, and a great many other small fish; but it is chiefly famed for its abundant produce of mussels. The sandy beach extends from the mouth of the Ythan, about one mile and a-half north, and eight or ten miles south. The fine little burn of Foveran runs through the parish, and falls into the Ythan near the village of Newburgh.

Foveran has its name from the castle here, which is very old, and is thought to be so called from a sweet and very impetuous spring (at the foot of the wall, having an arch built over it), for the Irish 'Foveran' signifies a spring. There is now no vestige remaining of the Castle of Foveran, nor of Turing's Tower, which was still more ancient. The sweet spring continues to flow with all its wonted abundance. There was a marble bust in the dress of the time of Charles I, lying on the ground, near the site of the old castle (now on display in the church). The castle was the home of the Forbes family, having been ceded the property and barony from the Turing family after that family fell out of favor due to support of Charles II.

The village of Newburgh, a small but thriving seaport, is pleasantly situated on the banks of the burn of Foveran, near its junction with the river Ythan. In former times, Newburgh was famed for smuggling. The land at Newburgh is a fine strong black soil, and produces, abundantly, barley, turnips, and potatoes, with a few oats. While visiting Foveran Parish in June 2008, we stayed in the Udny Arms Hotel, a historic hotel in Newburgh. Also the home of famous "sticky toffee pudding." Walk to the golf links of Newburgh on Ythan.

There has been a church at Foveran for centuries, but little is known about the medieval church, and records have been kept only from the mid-1500's. At the "Glorious Revolution" of 1689, the church changed from Episcipal to Presbyterian. The "new" stone church at Foveran was completed in 1794. Elizabeth Fiddes would have been christened in the old church that was demolished to make way for the new. I was able to visit the Foveran Kirk and Kirkyard in June 2008, and located the gravemarker of Elizabeth's father Robert Fiddes.

The church, a plain substantial stone building accommodates about 700 people. There are three very handsome marble monuments on the inside wall of the church, two of them belonging to the Turing family; and the third, which belongs to the Udny family, is a most valuable monument (with busts said to be very striking likenesses of two of that family) and was executed at great expense by Bacon, the celebrated London sculptor.

"The Surnames of Scotland"
FIDDES is a habitational name, from the old barony of the name, anciently Futhos or Fothes, in the parish of Foveran, Kincardineshire [now in Aberdeenshire]. Edmund de Fotheis and Alwinus or Aleuin, his son, who witnessed two charters between 1200-07, are probably the first recorded of the name. There was a Walter de Fothes recorded in 1328-9 and John, son of Alan of Fiddes was active in 1390. A William Fudes in 1524 and an Elizabeth Fiddes in 1600 were listed (G. F. Black's "Surnames of Scotland").

FORBES. A charter listed in Wood's edition of "Douglas's Peerage" which says that Alexander Comyn, earl of Buchan, granted to Fergus, son of John of Forbes, the lands of Forbes has been misread. The name there should read John of Fothes, son of Fergus de Fothes, now FIDDES. The estate granted was Fiddes (anciently, Fothes) not Forbes.

So you can turn your nose up at the upstart Forbses. Ours were there first!

From another source, FIDDES was a baptismal name which was derived from the Old French 'fitz-deu' a name meaning the son of God. The name was brought to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066 and was originally rendered in medieval documents in the Latin form FILIUS. Early records mention Edward Fidde, who was recorded in Lancashire in 1198, and Edward Fiddey appears in Yorkshire in 1203.

During the 13th century, the barony of Fiddes (anciently Fothes or Futhos) passed from the Earls of Buchan to the family Fothes or Futhos (Fiddes). John of Kindroucht in the late 13th century witnessed the grant of the Fiddes land by Alexander Comyn , Earl of Buchan (1244-1289), to Fergus, son of John of Fiddes. Fiddes continued to hold the land, even after the collapse of the Comyn earldom resulting from their support of English King Edward II over Robert Bruce ("Medieval Scotland," p. 193 ). The Fiddes barons retained ownership for the next two hundred years, until Sir Alexander Forbes acquired from Andrew of Futhos the lands of Futhos (Fiddes) in the parish of Foveran on 12 December 1436 ("The Scots Peerage, p. 49.) The Fiddes barony was then consolidated with the Forbes estates by royal charter in 1594, as a reward to Lord John Forbes for supporting King James in a battle of Protestants against the Catholic earls of Huntly and Erroll at the Battle of Glenlivet. The barony was later held by Sir James Crichton of Frendraught (1641) , before being purchased by the present owners, Udny of Udny.

At the beginning of the 14th century, there were five baronies within Foveran Parish (Foveran, Tillery, Pittsmillan, Knockhall, and Fiddes), all belonging to the earls of Buchan. After the Battle of Barra (near Inveruie on the Hill of Barra) in 1314, Robert the Bruce gave Foveran, Tillery and Pittsmillan to William de Strabrok of Aberdeen in gratitude for his support. In 1359, the charter of Foveran, along with Tillery and Pitsmillan, was granted to the knightly house of Turing, a family of Norman extraction, by David II. They retained the land for the following three centuries, when they were succeeded by the Forbes of Tolquhon in 1700. he Forbes Baronetcy of Foveran was created in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia on 10 April 1700 for Samuel Forbes. The title became dormant on the death of the third Baronet in circa 1760.

The barony of Knockhall, also known as barony of Newburgh, belonged to the Earl Orkney and the Lords Sinclair. In 1633 the lands were bought by John Udny of Belhelvie. The castle of Knockhall, now in ruins, is situated about half a-mile north of Newburgh, and was, at one period, the residence of the family of Udny. It was built in the year 1565, but was burnt by accident in 1734, and was never repaired.
The history of the fifth Foveran barony, the barony of Fiddes, is summarized above.

A tombstone in the church at Foveran memorializes two knights in armor who fell at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411, fought about 13 miles due west near Inverurie. They are believed to be from the de Turin (Turing) family, who intermarried with the Forbes family. The Battle of Harlaw was one of the most brutal in Scottish history, becoming known as ‘Red Harlaw’. While James I was growing up in English jails, Donald, Lord of the Isles pressed to secure his wife's claims on the Earldom of Ross’ estates before the Stewarts or Albany could, bringing his army westwards into Inverness and over the River Spey. His advance was met two miles past Inverurie at Harlaw. Coming to meet him from their north-eastern lands were a force of Keiths, Forbes', Leslies and Irvines, led by the Earl of Mar. They battled for most of 24 July until Donald’s men withdrew. The result was indecisive, for casualties were so heavy on each side that they could fight no more.

There is a "Hill of Fiddes" in Foveran, Aberdeenshire-- an ancient Neolithic stone circle. Castle of Fiddes, more a large manor house, is now a farmhouse restored in the 1960s, located 4 miles SW of Stonehaven. Nearby Temple of Fiddes was on lands formerly owned by/associated with the Knights Templar, who in their heyday were based at Maryculter (southwest of Aberdeen) and had quite extensive lands in this area. During the crusades, pilgrims deposited their wealth in Templar temples, were issued cheques or receipts, and could withdraw funds in the Holy Lands or at other Templar locations.

More About ELIZABETH FIDDES:
Christening: April 10, 1788, Old Foveran Church, Aberdeenshire

v. ELIZABETH RENNY, b. Abt. March 12, 1793, Grigs of Ardo (Belhelvie), Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. Bef. 1841; m. GEORGE CHESSAR, March 14, 1813, Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; b. September 20, 1770, Ironbrae, Tarves, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. January 20, 1861, Ironrives, Tarves, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About ELIZABETH RENNY:
Christening: March 12, 1793, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About GEORGE CHESSAR:
Census: 1841, Ironrives, Tarves, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

vi. PETER RENNIE1, b. Abt. April 15, 1795, Grigs of Ardo (Belhelvie), Aberdeenshire, Scotland1.

More About PETER RENNIE:
Christening: April 15, 1795, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1

vii. MARY RENNIE1, b. Abt. August 19, 1797, Grigs of Ardo (Belhelvie), Aberdeenshire, Scotland1.

More About MARY RENNIE:
Christening: August 19, 1797, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1

viii. THOMAS RENNIE1, b. Abt. September 14, 1799, Grigs of Ardo (Belhelvie), Aberdeenshire, Scotland1; d. 1871, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland; m. (1) AGNES HYND, October 1847, Dumfermline, Fife, Scotland; b. 1827, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland; d. Bef. 1871, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland; m. (2) ELIZABETH MELVILLE, Bef. 1868, Scotland; b. 1830, Scotland; d. Aft. 1871.

Notes for THOMAS RENNIE:
1851 Cenusus in Edinburgh, St. Andrew is Thomas Rennie, age: 50
Spouse's Name: Agnes
Where born: Fovaran, Aberdeenshire
Parish Number: 685/1
Civil Parish: Edinburgh St Andrew
Town: City of Edinburgh
County: Midlothian
Address: 6 W Register Place
Occupation: Bank Messenger
ED: 6, page: 24
Household schedule number: 85
Line: 20
Roll: CSSCT1851_180
Household Members:
Agnes Rennie 39 [b. 1812]
Thomas Rennie 50
Thomas Rennie 5 [b. 1846]
William Rennie 7 [b. 1844]

1861 Census for Thomas Rennie Age: 59
Spouse's name : Agnes
Where born: Forrso, Aberdeenshire
Registration Number: 685/2
Registration district: St Andrew
Civil Parish: Edinburgh St Andrew
County: Midlothian
Address: 6 Register Place
Occupation: Bank Messenger
ED: 91
Household schedule number: 8
Line: 13
Roll: CSSCT1861_126
Household Members: Name Age
Agnes Rennie 45
Thomas Rennie 59
Thomas Rennie 15
William Rennie 17

By 1871 census Thomas Rennie age: 71 has remarried Elizabeth Melville
Spouse's name : Elizabeth
Where born: Aberdeenshire
Registration Number: 685/2
Registration district: St Andrew
Civil Parish: Edinburgh St Cuthberts
County: Midlothian
Address: 8 Register Place
Occupation: Bank Messenger
ED: 74
Household schedule number: 5
Line: 12
Roll: CSSCT1871_160
Household Members:
Isabella Hutchison 13
Elizabeth Rennie 41
Elizabeth Rennie 2
George Rennie 10 mo
John M Rennie 3
Thomas Rennie 71

More About THOMAS RENNIE:
Christening: September 14, 1799, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1
Occupation: Bet. 1851 - 1871, Bank Messenger

ix. HUGH RENNIE, b. Abt. January 06, 1802, Grigs of Ardo (Belhelvie), Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About HUGH RENNIE:
Christening: January 06, 1802, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

x. ELSPET RENNIE1, b. Abt. March 29, 1804, Grigs of Ardo (Belhelvie), Aberdeenshire, Scotland1.

More About ELSPET RENNIE:
Christening: March 29, 1804, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland1


22. JAMES4 RENNIE (THOMAS3, PITSLIGO2, COMMON ANCESTOR1) was born December 25, 1842 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died January 03, 1928 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married MARGARET MILNE. She was born 1850 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died May 20, 1894 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for JAMES RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 329: Erected in memory of CHRISTIAN GRAY wife of THOMAS RANNIE Hillhead Pittulie b. 4 Feb. 1809 d. 4 Aug. 1882; said THOMAS RANNIE b. 4 Feb. 1802 d. 6 Oct. 1883; dau. JANE b. 1 Apr. 1837 d. 26 Nov. 1890; MARGARET MILNE wife of JAMES RANNIE d. 20 May 1894 aged 44 [b.1850]; ROBERT son of JAMES RANNIE & MARGARET MILNE b. Hillhead 1 Aug. 1890 d. 5 Oct. 1915 at A1exandria, Egypt after serving his and Country in Gallipoli; said JAMES RANNIE b. 25 Dec. 1842 d. 3 Jan. 1928.


More About JAMES RENNIE:
Burial: 1928, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About MARGARET MILNE:
Burial: 1894, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Child of JAMES RENNIE and MARGARET MILNE is:
i. ROBERT5 RENNIE, b. August 01, 1890, Hillhead, Pitulie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. October 05, 1915, (Gallipoli) Alexandria, Egypt.

Notes for ROBERT RENNIE:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 329: Erected in memory of CHRISTIAN GRAY wife of THOMAS RANNIE Hillhead Pittulie b. 4 Feb. 1809 d. 4 Aug. 1882; said THOMAS RANNIE b. 4 Feb. 1802 d. 6 Oct. 1883; dau. JANE b. 1 Apr. 1837 d. 26 Nov. 1890; MARGARET MILNE wife of JAMES RANNIE d. 20 May 1894 aged 44 [b.1850]; ROBERT son of JAMES RANNIE & MARGARET MILNE b. Hillhead 1 Aug. 1890 d. 5 Oct. 1915 at A1exandria, Egypt after serving his and Country in Gallipoli; said JAMES RANNIE b. 25 Dec. 1842 d. 3 Jan. 1928.