Peter Henderson, drowned in the Don

Lately, as some people were going to the Church of Kemnay, their attention was attracted by a man's hat sticking up through the ice in the river Don; from which, and the discovery of a leather bag, or wallet, containing some provisions, they were led to a farther search, when the body of a man was found in the bed of the river.  On taking up the body, it appeared, from the papers in his pocket-book, that his name was Peter Henderson, a Chelsea Pensioner, who, it seems, had very improperly been allowed to leave a neighbouring public-house at a very late hour, the night preceding, in a state of Intoxication; and, mistaking his way, had lost his life in the Don, leaving a wife with three children, herself pregnant with the fourth, to lament his melancholy fate.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 27th January 1817.

Accidental deaths of Peterhead quarriers

On Thursday last, Alexander Watson and John Mann, quarriers, were unfortunately killed by the explosion of a stone, while charging it, in the intended Graving Dock, at the North Harbour of Peterhead.  Both have left widows to deplore their loss.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 23rd September 1818.

Thomas Gill

On Saturday last, the body of Thomas Gill, coal broker, was found in the harbour, near the end of the Upper Quay.  He had been missing since the evening of Friday the 14th inst. and is supposed to have missed his way in the darkness of that tempestuous night, and fallen over the Quay, where he was unfortunately drowned.  With grief we have to state, that he has left a widow, with seven helpless children, to deplore his loss; and that she is also pregnant, and very near her in-lying, of an eighth child.  From the time of her husband being missed, she has been in a state of mind bordering on distraction; and her situation since the body was found, has been, and is truly pitiable.  We are glad to observe that some humane individuals have set on foot a subscription for her relief, and that of her infant family; to which we make no doubt the public will contribute with their wonted benevolence.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 26th November 1817.

Accidental drowning at Belhelvie

The following melancholy accident happened on the sands opposite to Belhelvie, on Sunday morning last:- Hugh Sherriffs, a fine stout boy of 13 years of age, the son of a respectable widow woman of that parish, and the chief hope of her family, had gone in to bathe, at nearly low water, at a projecting point of sand, and getting immediately beyond his depth, was carried off by the force of the tide; and although there were several country lads bathing not far off, no effectual assistance could be given, as none of them could swim.  As soon as the accident was known, the nearest salmon cobles were procured, and the country people flocked down with laudable humanity, to give their assistance to search for the body, but it has not yet been found.  It is hoped, that if the body be found anywhere along the coast, it may be cared for, and immediate notice sent to his friends, that it may be restored to his afflicted mother, for interment, which would be the greatest consolation to her.  The boy was stout made, and had short red hair.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 28th August 1816.

Fatal accident: George Allardyce, shipmaster

On Friday the 29th ult. a party of four men went from Macduff, to have some sport in shooting sea fowls among the rocks about three miles distant, when one of them, Mr George Allardyce, shipmaster, while in the act of loading his gun on the top of a tremendous cliff, slipping his foot, fell some hundred feet to the foot of the rock.  His companions hastened to the spot to render their friend any possible assistance, but they found him speechless, and his skull fractured in a shocking manner; he was immediately placed on the back of one of the party, but life was extinct before the bearer could reach the summit of the awful precipice, which he accomplished with difficulty.  Captain Allardyce has left a widow and eight children to deplore his melancholy fate, and that premature death which he had, in the course of his maritime life, three times escaped, having as often suffered shipwreck.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 10th January 1816.

In memory of William Littlejohn, Portsoy

On this day we reflect on the sacrifice of William Littlejohn, Gunner 2014 in the Royal Garrison Artillery (34^th), who died of his injuries on 18^th March 1915 at the Royal Military Hospital, Isle of Wight.  He left behind a widowed wife, Jane Morrison, Chapel Street, Portsoy.  His grave can be found in Portsoy’s old burial ground.

Elizabeth Ross: reward for information

NOTICE.

WENT from the Service of Mrs BISSET, at Green of Udny, on Sunday the 20th ult., ELIZABETH ROSS, about 30 years of age, middle size, dark hair, and a widow, having two children.  She was seen in the neighbourhood of Ellon on the above evening; and on the Monday evening and Tuesday morning following, she was seen in Aberdeen.  Whoever will give such information as may lead to a discovery of the above Woman to John Kelly, Merchant, Upperkirkgate, Aberdeen, will be thankfully rewarded for their trouble. - She had on, when last seen, a Black Bonnet, and a Dark Brown Pelisse.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 2nd March 1814.

Financial support for family of victim

A Five Pound Bank of England Note has been received by Mr EWEN, from an anonymous Correspondent in London, postage paid, for the benefit of the Widow and Seven Children of James Beverley, late of Rubislaw, who was killed by a cask of blubber falling upon him, on board a vessel in the harbour of Peterhead.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 22nd September 1813.

Elspet Fleming, deceased

NOTICE

To the Debtors and Creditors of the deceased ELSPET FLEMING, Widow of the also deceased PETER ROSS, sometime Mason in Aberdeen. - It is requested that all persons indebted to the said Elspet Fleming, at the time of her death, will pay the sums so due to her by them, to John Law, Advocate in Aberdeen, Agent for her Representatives; and that her Creditors will lodge note of their claims with him, without delay.

The Heirs of the said PETER ROSS, on applying to Mr Law, will get information to their advantage.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 15th April, 1812.

David Walker, Bervie: unexpected death

On the morning of the 1st instant, David Walker, 32 years of age, a poor labouring man of the town of Bervie, was found dead on the side of the street near the Lodging Well.  His body was carefully inspected by a Surgeon in the presence of the Magistrates, but no marks of violence were o be seen; hence the cause of his death could not be ascertained.  He had been sent to Mr Stephen's at Warburton (about 10 miles from Bervie) with a horse on Saturday afternoon, and left that about five or six o'clock, seemingly in good health.  He was a sober, industrious man, and what makes his premature death the more lamentable, is, that he has left a Widow and five young children, herself with the sixth, in very poor circumstances.  The smallest sums for the relief of this destitute family will be thankfully received by Baillies Walker and Gray, Mr Warbie, Dr Guthrie, and Captain Guthrie, Bervie.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 4th March, 1812.