Ann Huie

1. Born in Jamaica c. 1777, daughter of John Huie, a merchant, and Margaret Riddoch. Her parents had married in Rothiemay, Banff, Scotland in 1763. Her sister Margaret was baptised in Rothiemay 23/01/1763 (her father's occupation already given as merchant at this point) and brother James also in Rothiemay 21/07/1764. Another brother, Thomas, was baptised in Marnoch, Banff, 18/09/1784, having been born in Jamaica 22/06/1782. Her brother George (birth unknown) owned Duff House estate in Trelawny.

2. Not found in Scotland in the census of 1841 but by 1851 she was living at 9 Church Street, Macduff, Banff, age 73, unmarried, occupation Annuitant, born Jamaica. At 6 Church Street, Macduff, age 83, unmarried, occupation Fundholder, born Jamaica in 1861. Her elder sister Margaret also lived in Macduff (having married Alexander Smith there in 1793), perhaps explaining Ann's return there.

3. Ann died at Church Street, 09/03/1863 age 85. Her father's occupation was given as merchant on her death certificate. The informant of death was her neighbour, Elsie Horne.

4. Memorial inscription in Macduff cemetery: "Erected by George R. Huie, Trilawney[sic], Jamaica, and Ann S. Huie in Macduff in memory of their affectionate mother, Margaret Riddoch, relict of John Huie, merchant, Jamaica, who died 12th July 1831, in the 91st year of her age. The above-named Ann S. Huie, died 9th March 1863, in the 86th year of her age."

5. Ann was bequeathed £250 sterling in the will of her brother George in a codicil written to his will in October 1832. The same codicil revoked earlier unspecified legacies to Ann, her sister and nephews and named Ann Williams, a 'free woman of colour' and her eight children as residuary legatees. Ann appears to adopt a conciliatory attitude to this change in correspondence with her nephew Dr Alexander Smith, commenting 'James Murray was appointed to take charge, of George matters, by a letter inclosed in his Will, wherein he begs him to see Justus done to all parties, and I assure you he has not left a Great Fortune behind him, no last has provided well for his family, and we have no right to find fault, as to your Mother and me we will be content if we get a part every year till our legacy is payd up that’s what we want.' Note that the provisions contained in earlier parts of George Huie's will have not been identified.

1. Marriage of her parents: "John Huie in this Parish & Margaret Riddoch in the Parish of Grange having contracted marriage & consigned Pledges after proclamation of their Marriage Banns were married July 4th 1762", General Registry Office for Scotland OPR Marriages 165 020 337 (Rothiemay). Baptisms of Margaret, James and Thomas, OPR Births 165 020 041 (Rothiemay), 165 020 045 (Rothiemay) and 161 010 249 (Marnoch). Parentage confirmed from death certificate at General Registry Office for Scotland Deaths 1863 147/1 033 Banff.

2. 1851 and 1861 censuses online.

3. Death certificate, see 1., above.

4. Andrew Jervise, Epitaphs & inscriptions from burial grounds & old buildings in the north-east of Scotland (Edinburgh, Edmonson & Douglas, 1875) p. 246.

5. Unpublished letter of Ann Huie transcribed by Rod Coates, email 02/12/2016.

We are grateful to Rod Coates for his assistance in compiling this entry and particularly for providing details of Ann Huie's letters.