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The absconding schoolmaster of Leuchars

15/5/2017

1 Comment

 
We've written before about researching graduates, and finding ancestors who went to university in Scotland. The University of St Andrews recently launched a digital biographical register. The database covers almost 12,000 students, and is fully searchable. It is based on Robert N Smart's register, originally published in 2004 in print form. Not only is the new version fully searchable, it includes much information beyond students' time at university.

I have strong ancestral connections to East Fife (Ceres, Crail, Abdie and St Andrews), and am also fortunate enough to be a St Andrews' graduate, so naturally I was very interested. I have a copy of James Maitland Anderson's Matriculation Roll (published in 1905), so I was aware that some of my family had studied at Scotland's oldest university. Naturally, I was interested to see if the new register had additional information. I was not disappointed ...

My first search was for David Cunningham Graham, something of a black sheep in the family. I knew from the Fasti Ecclesianae that he was minister of Ormiston from 1911 to 1924. The register entry confirmed that he had studied at St Andrews, and showed that he had studied Latin, Greek, Mathematics, English Literature, Chemistry among other subjects, although oddly enough Theology doesn't seem to have been among his studies. Perhaps that might explain why some 20 years after he graduated, he was declared bankrupt while minister at Ormiston, with some suggestion that he might have been a bit too keen on spending other people's money.

Another entry that was even more revealing was for David's first cousin once removed, Robert Graham. I knew that Robert had been schoolmaster at Leuchars, but later moved with his family to Glasgow and became an accountant. I'd always assumed that he'd switched jobs to earn more money to raise his growing family. It hadn't occurred to me that he may have had other reasons for his sudden career change, as his register entry shows:
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So not only do I now know why Robert stopped being a schoolmaster - he clearly didn't have a choice in the matter - I've now got references to some newspaper reports about the circumstances surrounding his departure.​ A quick check in the Fife Herald for 14 November 1867 leads to the first report:
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A few days later, the heritors of Leuchars held a meeting, at which there was only one subject up for discussion - the absconding of Robert Graham (Fife Herald 5 Dec 1867):
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Five weeks later, the Fife Herald carries an advertisement on the front page for a "Roup of household furniture at Leuchars" being held by warrant. Robert's victims clearly didn't wait long to try to reclaim their money. In its 20 February 1868 issue, the Fife Herald reported from the Sheriff Court:
Sheriff Court of Fife
Wednesday, 19th February
The Minister and Heritors of Leuchars v Robert Graham, Schoolmaster
A petition of complaint, under the Schoolmasters’ Act of 1881, having been presented to the Sheriff some time ago by the minister and heritors of Leuchards parish for suspension and deprivation of Robt Graham, schoolmaster, Leuchars, from each office of schoolmaster of said parish for having been guilty of immoral behaviour, in so far as “he has been guilty of the crimes and offences of falsehood and fraud and breach of trust and embezzlement, and also of deserting his duties and offices of schoolmaster foresaid, and leaving the same unperturbed without any lawful or proper excuse.”
Fast-forward two months, and Robert's case is heard by the Circuit Court in Perth (Fife Herald, 16 April 1868):
​Breach of Trust and Embezzlement
Robert Graham, late schoolmaster, Leuchars, was charged with embezzling various sums of money amounting in all to £175 0s 2d, between the 20th day of November 1866 and the 5th day of November 1867, being money collected and received by him in payment of accounts for gas to the Leuchars Gas Light Co. He failed to appear in summons to that charge, and a sentence of fugitation was pronounced against him.
A quick check of the National Records of Scotland's solemn database reveals that he was indeed declared an outlaw and fugitive on April 13 at Perth. At the time of the 1871 census, his wife Margaret Grant, was living on John Street with three of their children, her sister, and two lodgers. Robert is nowhere to be seen.

He next turns up in the 1881 census, reunited with his wife and two of his children. The family are now living at 9 Ibrox Place, in Govan, and Robert is still at the same address in 1891, although this time without his wife. He was evidently still keen to use his knowledge of maths and numbers generally, as - despite being declared a fugitive for embezzlement - he was working as a book-keeper!
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History talks and events 25 April - 1 May 2016

19/4/2016

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Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 25 April - 1 May 2016

Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list.

Monday, April 25 2016, 7.30 pm

Planned villages in Perthshire and Angus

Dr Douglas Lockhart (SLHF)

Venue: Chapelhill Hall

West Stormont Historical Society

Non-members: adults £3, concessions £2. (Open discussion meetings at Luncarty are free)


Monday, April 25 2016, 7.30 pm

TBC

David Smith, Archivist, William Patrick Library

Venue: Caldwell Halls, 16 Campsie Road, Torrance, G64 4BN

Torrance Heritage and History Group


Wednesday, April 27 2016, 7.30 pm

The Home Front in World War I: its impact on Local Communities

Ken Nisbet

Venue: Highland Archive Centre, Bught Park, Inverness

Highland Family History Society


Thursday, April 28 2016, 7.30 pm

Scottish Silver and Jewellery

Gordon Foster

Venue: Smith Museum and Art Gallery

Stirling Local History Society

Preceded by AGM


Thursday, April 28 2016, 7.30 pm

Stories from the Courts

Brian Adair

Venue: Glen Halls, Neilston

Barrhead & Neilston Historical Association


Thursday, April 28 2016, 7.45 pm

Members' night and AGM

Venue: Drymen Village Hall, Main Street, Drymen, Glasgow, G63 0BP

Drymen & District Local History Society

Short talks by members of the Society with wine and cheese followed by our short AGM.


Thursday, April 28 2016, 8 pm

Life of Florence Nightingale

Barbara Graham

Venue: Chapel Hall, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, 2 Crummock Street, Beith, Ayrshire

Beith Historical Society

Followed by AGM


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History talks and events 18 - 24 April 2016

14/4/2016

0 Comments

 
Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 18 - 24 April 2016

Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list.

Monday, April 18 2016, 7 pm

Ayrshire's Great War: an overview

Tom Barclay, Ayr

Venue: Newton Lounge

Cumbrae Historical Society

Followed by AGM


Monday, April 18 2016, 7.30 pm

AGM & Illustrating Glasgow

Bill Black

Venue: Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow

Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society


Monday, April 18 2016, 7-9 pm

Elsie Inglis and Birth Records

Venue: Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

Scottish Genealogy Society


Tuesday, April 19 2016, 7.30 pm

Scottish Historic Buildings

Venue: Leith Community Education Centre in the New Kirkgate

Leith Local History Society


Wednesday, April 20 2016, 2 pm

A look back at Monifieth

Venue: Monifieth Community Cabin, South Union Street, DD5 4JG

Monifieth Local History Society

Viewing of the MLHS Video filmed in 2002. Entry to talks followed by afternoon tea £4


Wednesday, April 20 2016, 6 pm

Glasgow's Architectural Legacy: Practice and Conservation

Prof Robin Webster and Andrew Wright

Venue: GCHT, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow

Glasgow City Heritage Trust

Andrew Wright OBE will be discussing the philosophy of conservation underlying work within the heritage building sector. Professor Robin Webster OBE will speak about his practice, Cameron & Webster, and how it demonstrates the application of the practice’s conservation philosophy.


Wednesday, April 20 2016, 7.30 pm

Photo Album of Falkirk

Jean Jamieson

Venue: Falkirk Old and St Modan's Parish Church

Falkirk Local History Society


Wednesday, April 20 2016, 7.30 pm

AGM

Venue: Volunteer Hall, Galashiels

Old Gala Club


Wednesday, April 20 2016, 7.30 pm

Vanished railways of West Lothian

Harry Knox

Venue: Ecclesmachan Village Hall

West Lothian History and Amenity Society


Wednesday, April 20 2016, 7.30 pm

Crimes of an Henious Nature - Looking at some High Court Trials

Margaret Fox

Venue: Selkirk Parish Church Hall

Selkirkshire Antiquarian Society


Thursday, April 21 2016, 2.30pm

Convicts and Transportation

Ken Nisbet

Venue: Moulin Hall, Moulin

North Perthshire Family History Group

£3 for visitors


Thursday, April 21 2016, 7 pm

AGM

Venue: Rothesay House, Cumnock

Cumnock History Group


Thursday, April 21 2016, 7.00 pm

From Hudson Bay to Surinam: Scots in the Americas, 1600-1707

Dr David Dobson

Venue: Sandeman Room, AK Bell Library

Friends of PKC Archives


Thursday, April 21 2016, 7.30 pm

Captain Orr – Battle of Waterloo

Lady Rosslyn MacPhail

Venue: Paisley Museum, High Street, Paisley

Renfrewshire Family History Society


Thursday, April 21 2016, 7.30 pm

Campaign for Women's suffrage in the Highlands

Susan Kruse

Venue: Council Chamber, Carnegie Building, Dornoch

Dornoch Heritage Society


Thursday, April 21 2016, 7.30 pm

An East Lothian soldier of the Great War, August to October 1914

Peter Ramage

Venue: Haddington Town House

Haddington's History Society


Thursday, April 21 2016, 7.30 pm

The Reading of Brochs

John Barber, AOC Archaeology Group

Venue: Brora Community Centre

Clyne Heritage Society


Saturday, April 23 2016, 1.30 pm - 4 pm

Become An Urban Detective

Venue: Central Library, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen AB25 1GW

Scotland's Urban Past

If you enjoy solving history mysteries, attend our workshop for Urban Detectives and discover how you can contribute to Canmore, the online catalogue of Scotland’s archaeology, buildings, industrial and maritime heritage. During the afternoon, you'll investigate the history of spaces and places through maps, historical documents, directories and online database and build your confidence in starting your own historical research. Suitable for heritage newcomers. Familiarity with the internet is required. Due to limited capacity of the venue, booking in advance is essential. Please note, a photographer may be present at Scotland's Urban Past events and the images may be used for promotional purposes.


Saturday, April 23 2016, 10 am - 12.30 pm

Exploring Archives

Venue: Aberdeen Town House, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB11 1FY

Scotland's Urban Past

Embark on a step-by-step investigation of the architectural and social history of Aberdeen in an interactive event from Scotland's Urban Past and Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives. This guided journey through maps and historical documents will give you the skills and confidence to use archives for research purposes and gain a new understanding of Aberdeen through the years. Suitable for heritage newcomers. Booking in advance is required for this half-day workshop. Please note, a photographer may be present at Scotland's Urban Past events and the images may be used for promotional purposes.


Sunday, April 24 2016, 2.00 pm

Members' Short Talks and Questions and Answers

Venue: Corn Exchange & Ormiston Institute, Market Square, Melrose, TD6 9PN

Borders Family History Society

An opportunity for members to give a short (5 to 10 minutes) talk on a subject of their choice.


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