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Baptised 5 April 1834. Spent his life in Braemar. In 1841 census he appears twice, aged 6 in his father's house [this is presumably a mistake] and aged 7 in his maternal grandparents' described as an agricultural labourer [his grandpa had a sense of humour!]. In 1851 farm servant. In 1861 he is a miller. In 1871 a butcher, living with his wife and two servants at 2 Castleton Terrace. In 1871 valuation roll he is the tenant of house, land and mill at Kindrochit on the Invercauld estate. In 1881 census a farmer living with his wife at Balnellan Farm. In 1881 valuation roll, a butcher, he occupies farms and grazings at Allanmore, the farms of Balnellan and Coldrach and a shop at Kindrochit. (Farmer of 246 acres of which 79 arable, employing 5 men and 1 girl). Farmer and flesher (butcher) in 1888 and 1891.

 Married Anne or Annie McHardy, who died at Balnellan aged 46 on 2 September 1888.

 He lived at Balnellan until his death. Two neices in succession kept house for him. Then his brother Thomas and his family moved into Balnellan with him and his sister-in-law Cecilia nursed him when he was in delirium tremens: he had an alcohol problem. Died at Balnellan on 16 January1913 of cardiac asthma and bronchitis. In executry described as retired merchant. In his trust settlement, his trustees were his brother Thomas; John Grewar, Braemar; and David Mitchell, banker, Blairgowrie; and his residual legatees were his sisters Isabella and Margaret and his brothers James and Thomas. (OPR, BDM, VR.87, family knowledge, will SC.1/37/134)

Burial: St Andrew's churchyard.

CS. 24 February 2002.