Glenbuchat Heritage

26 Obituary William Murdoch Milton Glenbuchat 1920

LATE MR WILLIAM MURDOCH, FARMER

From: Aberdeen Press and Journal - Thursday 02 September 1920

Donside farmers and others will learn with much regret of the death, which occurred on Saturday Nursing Home in Aberdeen, of Mr William Murdoch, farmer, little Endovie, Alford, and Milton, Glenbuchat. Deceased was the third of the late Mr Robe Murdoch (1809-1889), farmer, of Migvie, Tarland, formerly of Craigielea, and Strathdon. and was born at Craigielea, 20th June, 1854. Educated Tillyduke School, Strathdon, he early learned farming in all its departments. First farmed Tomanchapel, Strathdon from 1883-90: and the suooeeding year William Murdoch, leased the farm of Finnylost, Strathdon. which J eft in 1912.

Three years previously had entered into lease of the very desirable farm of Milton. Glenbuchat, and in 1912 he further extended his farming activities by taking another excellent farm, Little Alford, the two places being worked in conjunction with his five eons under the name Messrs William Murdoch and Sons.

Foremost in agricultural work, introduced every implement that would simplify labour or prove beneficial in the long run; and quite recently he erected an up-to-date threshing plant at Little Endovie, Alford. When holding Finnylost, Strathdon, Mr Murdoch performed, with the services of son, large amount of contracting work, which was highly commented, upon locally. also excelled in joiner work, and the greater portion of his carts were made entirely with his own hands in his spa.ro time; besides being a man marked virility, a characteristic feature of the family for generations.

He took no part in public affairs, but followed the trend of affairs in the agricultural world. Murdoch was married at. Towie, March, 1883, Miss Isabella McIntosh, eldest daughter of Alexander McIntosh, farmer, Tyries, Kildrummy, whom and five sons and two married daughters, Mrs Alexander and Mrs John Milne, Torrandhu, Strathdon, he is survived.

Deceased also survived by two younger brothers in Toronto, Alexander and Archibald Murdoch, and Mr Robert Murdoch- Lawrence (Messrs D. and Son, booksellers and publishers, Union Street, Aberdeen) is a nephew. Relatives include _ Mr Alexander Murdoch, farmer, Bramley, Alford; Mr Robert Murdoch. farmer, Mary's Well, Aboyne; Mr Peter Murdoch, master saddler, Aboyne; Mr John Murdoch, farmer, Belnaboth, Glenbuchat; Mr Robert Murdoch, East Belnaboth, Glenbuchat; Mrs William Ross. Glenkindie Mills, Glenkindie; Mrs Peter Murdoch. Glenbuchat; and Mrs Peter Hough-head. Strathdon. On Sunday the Rev. William Arthur Spark, parish minister, Glenbuchat, made very touching reference to Mr Murdoch and his great industry. The funeral on Tuesday, which was very large one, was attended by many relatives and friends from a distance, and the ser vices were conducted by the Rev. William Watt, parish minister, Strathdon, and the Rev. Mr Spark. The coffin was carried from farmhouse of Milton, to the parish graveyard, where many of Mr Murdoch’s kindred are buried.