Doig – James 1827-1898

James Doig (Charles, Robert, Robert, John) was born on 3 May 1827 in Douglastown, Kinnettles, Angus, Scotland. He was christened on 6 May 1827 in Kinnettles, Angus, Scotland. He died on 13 Nov 1898 in 59 Constitution Street, St. Nicholas, Aberdeen, Scotland.

James was likely the father of an illegitimate son John Doig by Agnes Myles in 1853. This James is probably the father based on location and having left the area to join the army in England about that time.

James enlisted in the 72nd Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders. He served in the Crimean War (1854-1856) and the Indian Mutiny (1857). In 1865 he was a colour sergeant in the Wiltshire Militia living in Devizes, Wiltshire, England. James’ medals were sold in 2006 (Bonham’s London Auctioneer’s Sale 1365 8 Medals, 12 Dec 2006 C/Sergeant James Doig 2nd Bat R A Crimea 1854/56 4 bars, Alma, Balaclav a, Inkermann, Sebastopol. Price realised £247 inc buyers premium).

James was a mason’s labourer. In 1871, 1881 and 1891 James lived in St. Nicholas, Aberdeen. Daughter Jane was not in the household in 1891.

James’ wife Mary Fleming Evans was the niece of his mother Jean Evans.

Witness to James’ death certificate was his son Charles W. Doig (present) of 14 Loanhead Terrace, Aberdeen. He died of cardiac disease after 3 months and broncho-pneumonia after 4 days. His parents are correctly listed. Although he was born in Angus, his obituary lists Fife.

Aberdeen Journal Wed 16th Nov 1898 – Death of Mr James Doig, Chairman of The Northern Co-operative Company, a native of Fifeshire where he was born 71 years ago. Enlisted in 72nd Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders, Crimean War Service then drafted to India where his regiment took part in quelling Indian Mutiny, Military medals awarded, retired with the rank of Sgt Major, survived by his wife and son Charles W Doig. [Note: Bonham’s London Auctioneer’s Sale 13658 Medals, 12 Dec 2006 C/Sergeant James Doig 2nd Bat R A Crimea 1854/56 4 bars, Alma, Balaclava, Inkermann, Sebastopol. Price realised £247 inc buyers premium.]

An extract of James’ testament reads: James Doig, Pensioner, sometime residing at 50 Castle Street, Aberdeen, latterly at 52 Constitution Street there, died 13 Nov 1898, at Aberdeen, testate. Confirmation granted at Aberdeen, 21 December 1898, to Mary Fleming Evans or Doig, 52 Constitution Street aforesaid, his widow, Executrix nominated in Will or Deed, dated 16 Mary 1868, and Codicil, dated 13 January 1880, and recorded with another Writ in Court Books of Commissariot of Aberdeen, 8 December 1898. Value of Estate, £251, 5s.

Obituary: Aberdeen Weekly Journal (Aberdeen, Scotland), Wednesday, November 16, 1898; Issue 7871.

DEATH OF MR JAMES DOIG,ABERDEEN

The news of the death of Mr James Doig, chairman of the Northern Co-operative Company, which occurred at his residence, 52 Constitution Street, Aberdeen, on Sunday, will be heard with deep regret by his many friends in the city and throughout the north generally. The sad event was not unlooked for, Mr Doig having been prostrated for the past three months as the result of a chill and a subsequent breakdown of the system. A native of Fifeshire, where he was born 71 years ago, Mr Doig when quite a lad enlisted in the 72nd Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders, now the 1st Batallion Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs), and went with his regiment through the Crimean war, taking part in several of the engagements of that campaign. He was afterwards drafted to India, where his regiment took part in the quelling of the mutiny. He was the possessor of several medals for active service and good conduct. Mr Doig came to Aberdeen over 30 years ago, and on leaving the army retired with the rank of sergeant-major. For a considerable period Mr Doig was connected with the army pay department, and occupied the position of staff sergeant of pensioners. At the age of 60, however, he had to relinquish that post in accordance with Government regulations. For a good many years Mr Doig discharged the secretarial duties of the 4th V.B. (Donside) G.H., and only retired from that office on contracting what proved to be his final illness. In the battallion orders recently issued by Colonel Jackson a feeling and grateful reference is made to Mr Doig’s long connection with the battalion. For over 24 years Mr Doig was a director of the Northern Co-operative Company and at the triennial he was on every occasion, with the exception of the first, returned at the top of the poll by the votes of the shareholders. For a considerable period he was chairman of the company, a position which he filled with tact and sagacity. Whether presiding at a meeting of directors or at a gathering of shareholders, Mr Doig had the ability to keep the business well in hand, and to carry it to a successful issue. As a mark of the good feeling which existed between the directors and the chairman, a crayon bust portrait of Mr Doig, executed by one of the directors, Mr Patrick Philip, a cousin of the late John Philip, R.A., was presented to him in May 1894, and hung in the boardroom. Mr Doig was also a manager of the Royal Infirmary and the Aberdeen District Nursing Association. A man of great integrity and common sense, Mr Doig was greatly respected. He is survived by a widow and and by his son Mr. Charles W. Doig, and his daughter, who is the wife of Mr R. D. Hendry chemist, of Messrs John Paton and Co., Alloa.

See: https://www.doig.net/DAVE1730.html

In 1877 James became a Burgess of the Guild of the Burgh of Aberdeen – his certificate is below.

scan0016

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *