Family Group 3 - Alex Leys & Euphemia McKenzie
"Don't Leys Me Out!"
Gordons o' Girnoc
'Camlet John'
The Girnoc Farms
Past Research
Location Map
Gordon Tombstones
Sources
Sad then that Sleach is now totally lost - at Sleach no lum has reeked in many many a generation. Glengairn once Sleach's cradle has become then a glen of departed souls.The fate of Sleach matched ruthlessly in the relentless depopulation of a once busy glen. This writer thus revels in winding that clock back so as to amplify that lost whisper on the braes�. yes, for in this section, Sleach shall sing once more in fond remembrance of its good old family:
Like any good story, a few surprises crop up in the tale of Alexander and his spouse Euphemia. The first is just a little conundrum and relates to the family gravestone: Why is the memorial to this family placed firmly in Crathie rather than Glengairn Churchyard?
Well the answer you have probably surmised: Yes it is almost certain that Alexander Leys of Sleach was another of our Aberarder Leys. The following tombstone appears centrally within a solid, unbroken row of 8 Crathie tombstones to the Leys family:
Erected by JEAN LEYS in memory of her father ALEXANDER LEYS Sleach d. 20 Aug. 1847 aged 83; his spouse EUPHEMIA McKENZIE d. 18 June 1824 aged 56. Their son ALEXANDER d. 15 June 1818 aged 15, their dau. MAY d. 25 July 1836 aged 32 and 3 of their family who d. in infancy. Said JEAN LEYS d. Felagie 30 June 1875 aged 68.
Alexander Leys was 83 when he died at Sleach in 1847: calculating back that gives Alexander a date of birth of circa 1764. The following lists the potentially relevant IGI returns:
Children of John Ley of Crathie Parish
1) Alexander Ley was christened on the 13th of January 1765: only his father, John Ley was recorded (is this the Alexander Leys that married Euphemia McKenzie?)
2) Francis Ley was christened on the 28th July 1765: only his father, John Ley was recorded.
3) Francis Ley was christened on the 29th April 1767: only his father, John Ley was recorded.
4) John Ley was christened on the 24th July 1762: only his father, John Ley was recorded.
5) John Ley was christened on the 18th September 1762: only his father, John Ley was recorded.
The Crathie Parish Records have since revealed that list 1-5 covers at least THREE families. There must have been (most confusingly) at least three John Leys at this time (surely cousins); one raised his family in Torran in Gairnshiel, and it was here that Alexander Leys of Sleach was born in 1765; another John Leys raised his family at Tarromadies; a further John Leys was during the same period in Crathienaird.
" 13th January 1765: John in Torran of the Parish of Glengairn a son Alexander baptized
" 18th September 1762: John Ley in Crathienaird had a child John baptised
" 24th July 1762: John Ley in Garromadies had a child baptised named John
" 28thJuly 1765: John Ley in Garromadies a child Francis baptised
" 29th April 1767: John Ley in Tonmafey had a son Francis baptised
Now Garromadies, is to be found on the banks of the Dee, opposite Inver, where the Feardar empties into the Dee.
The origins of Alexander Leys appear to be very close to that of Charles Leys who married May/Marjory Fleming in 1797 (just 3 years after his own marriage) If this Alexander Leys was son of John (and that is definitely an 'if') then could Charles Leys be his cousin? Equally plausible: that Alexander Leys and Charles Leys were brothers?
The next surprise is in the Christian name given to one of the first born sons of Alexander and Euphemia: Lewis. This clearly was not a Christian name previously associated with the Deeside Leys. The answer to this mystery comes from the transcribed Roman Catholic entries for Crathie and Braemar, where a certain Elizabeth Leys appears as a sponsor on the following Roman Catholic baptism:
9th May 1819: Keir John and Annie McKenzie, Mulloch, Parish of Glengairn, a son Lewis born 7th curt.
Sponsors: Lewis McKenzie, Corrybeg, Elizabeth Leys, Sleach.
This tells us it seems where the name Lewis came from, it was from the mother, Euphemia's side of the family: it is a McKenzie name. One assumes the Lewis McKenzie of Corrybeg to be a cousin or uncle of Elizabeth Leys.
As a final aside, before exploring the Sleach family of Alexander Leys and his wife Euphemia, it is worth recording that at one time Sleach farm-toun was home to a "Jannet Gordon." How she fits in (if at all) is unknown, but here is an entry for her banns to William MacDonald:
1787 December 25 William MacDonald and Jannet Gordon in Slioch had a daughter baptised by Mr McDonald Chaplain named Jean.
Children of Alexander Leys and Euphemia McKenzie (married 3rd August 1794 )
1) Elizabeth Leys christened 16th August 1795 - after 1819
2) Lewis Leys born circa 1801 - died after 1841 but before 1851
3) James Leys christened 12th December 1802 - died 1890 (married Jane Ritchie)
4) Alexander Leys born circa 1803 - died 1818
5) May Leys born circa 1804 - died 1836
6) Jane Leys christened 16th October 1807 - died 1875
7) Thomas Leys born circa 1813 - 1901 married Margaret Ritchie (emigrated to Talbot Victoria in 1852)
8) Margaret Leys? birth date not known (married John Rattray in 1826)
Note: Child 8 is a hypothetical inclusion based purely on circumstantial evidence!
Jane Leys
Henwife, Single
Died 30th June 1875 at 8.20pm
At Felagie, Braemar
Age: 68 years
Father: Alexander Leys - farmer (D)
Mother: Euphemia McKenzie (D)
Died from: Cardiac Disease
Informant: James Leys (brother - not present)
1841 census - Sleach, Glengairn
Alexander Leys, age 77 years, Farmer, yes born in parish
Thomas Leys, age 25 years, Shoemaker, yes born in parish
Jane Leys, age 30 years, yes born in parish
Donald Keir, age 15 years, Ag lab, yes born in parish
Isabella Ritchie, age15 years, Family Servant, yes born in parish
Eliza Coutts, age10 years, Family Servant, yes born in parish
1881 census - Sleach, Glengairn
James Leys, Head, Widower, age 78 years, Farmer(of 100 Acres of which 40 Arable employing 1 Shepherd), born Glenmuick
Marjory Leys, daughter, unmarried, age 39 years, Housekeeper, born Glenmuick
Charles Leys, son, unmarried, age 37 years, Farmer's son, born Glenmuick
Barbara Leys, daughter, unmarried, Servant Domestic, age 26 years, born Glenmuick
Crathie Tombstone:
Erected by JEAN LEYS in memory of her father ALEXANDER LEYS Sleach d. 20 Aug. 1847 aged 83; his spouse EUPHEMIA McKENZIE d. 18 June 1824 aged 56. Their son ALEXANDER d. 15 June 1818 aged 15, their dau. MAY d. 25 July 1836 aged 32 and 3 of their family who d. in infancy. Said JEAN LEYS d. Felagie 30 June 1875 aged 68.
Notes:
Thomas Leys, appears to have been the first of this family to emigrate and he arrived in Victoria upon the "Lord Metcalfe" in November 1852. Accompanying him is his wife Mrs J (?) Leys. They set sail from Aberdeen.
CHILD TWO: LEWIS LEYS (1801-1840's):
Lewis Leys emerged from a trail starting at Mill of Cosh in Girnoc. Jane Gordon (1820-1896) was a daughter of Joseph Gordon and grandaughter of 'Camlet John.' Jane must have loved her dear Girnoc, for she let her husband Charles Leys emigrate to Australia's Goldfields, but she did not (or would not) follow. Charles died there and Jane died in a tied Cosh cottage.
The father of Charles Leys (1827-1899) was none other than Lewis Leys. This writer was keen to establish if this Lewis Leys linked in with Mary Leys (1757-1851) who it has been established was a 'full first cousin of 'Camlet John.'
The answer to this would appear to be 'Yes!'
-Charles Leys (1827-1899) spouse of Jane Gordon (grandaughter of 'Camlet John')
- Charles' father was Lewis Leys (1801-1840's)
- Charles' grandfather was Alexander Leys (of Sleach) m. to Euphemia McKenzie
- Alexander Leys of Sleach was BROTHER of Mary Leys (1757-1851)
In other words Charles Leys married his third-cousin Jane Gordon?
1825: Lewis Leys from the parish of Tullich and Margaret Symon from Balachlaggan in this Parish were married on the 18th of August after being proclaimed for 2 successive Sabbaths.
Note 1: Lewis Leys was from Crathie & Braemar, Margaret Symon was from Glenmuick parish
Note 2: All their children were born in Crathie & Braemar, except Thomas the last child who was born in Glenmuick parish
Note 3: Six of this family emigrated to Australia's Goldfields, following in the footsteps of their Uncle Tom (Thomas Leysxx who set sail in 1852) : On the "Alfred" 15th August 1861, Elizabeth and Thomas Leys. John Leys arrived on the "Delgany" December 1854. James Leys and Alexander Leys also emigrated to Australia
Note 4: Also on the "Lord Metcalfe" (and listed directly under Thomas Leys and his wife (Margaret Ritchie) Isabella Ritchie age 27 years: Isabella and Margaret Ritchie are the daughters of John Ritchie and Margaret Leys (see chapter seven: this Margaret Leys was daughter of Thomas Leys and Elizabeth McHardy) And ... John Rattray age 22 years: According to the IGI parents of John Rattray - John Rattray and Margaret Leys (who married in Glenmuick in 1826). It is likely that this Margaret Leys was a further daughter of Alexander Leys and Euphemia McKenzie.
Children of Lewis Leys and Margaret Symon (married 18th August 1825)
1) Leys (male) christened 1825
2) Charles Leys christened 16th September 1827 - d1899 (married Jane Gordon 1851)
(emigrated to Victoria in 1861, left his wife behind in the Girnoc)
3) Alexander Leys christened 20th May 1828 (married Mary Stewart 11th June 1858)
(having married in Crathie, Alexander Leys & Mary Stewart then emigrated to Victoria*)
4) Elizabeth leys christened 18th September 1830
(emigrated to Victoria in 1861)
5) John Leys christened 22nd December 1832 - 1892 (Margaret Keith 1866)
(emigrated to Clunes, Victoria 1854)
6) Margaret Leys christened 9th April 1835 - 1875 (married Peter McKenzie 1856)
7) James Leys christened 22nd April 1839 -1927 (married Mary McDonald 1875)
(emigrated to Victoria)
8) Thomas Leys christened 16th June 1839 (married Rachel Ann Rogers 1868)
(emigrated to Victoria in 1861)
1827 Lewis Leys in Tullochcoy and his wife Margt Symon had a son born 16th �.. 1827 named Charles.
1828 Lewis Leys in Tullochcoy and his wife Margaret Symon had a son born 20th May 1828 named Alexander.
Lewis Leys in Tullochcoy and his wife Margaret Symon had a daughter born 18th September 1830 named Elizabeth.
Lewis Leys in Tullochcoy and his wife Margaret Symon had a son born 20th December 1832 named John.
Lewis Leys Tullochcoy and his wife Margaret Symon had a daughter born Thursday 9th April and baptised Monday 20th April 1835 years named Margaret.
Lewis Leys Tullochcoy and his wife Margaret Symon had a son born Saturday 22nd April and baptised Wednesday 3 May 1837 years and named James.
Tullochcoy sits on the higher land just above Inver. Here Lewis Leys and his wife Margaret Symon raised their family. Sometime between 1837 and 1841 the family relocated further up Glen Feardar to Lynchork (near Sleach). This is confirmed within the 1841 census return:
1841 census - Lynchork, Glengairn (near Sleach)
Lewis Leys, age 40, Farmer, born in parish
Margaret Leys, age 38, born in parish
Charles Leys, age 15, born in parish
Elizabeth Leys, age 11, born in parish
John Leys, age 8, born in parish
Margaret Leys, age 6, born in parish
James Leys, age 4 , born in parish
Thomas Leys, age 2, born in parish
1851 census - Balchlagan
Margaret Symon, Head, Widow, age 86 years, Farmer 30acres - no labs, born Crathie (see death cert below)
John Symon, son, married, age 43 years, engaged within the farm, born Crathie (brother of Margaret Symon)
Mary Symon, daughter/law, married, age 36 years, born Crathie
Margaret Symon, grandaughter, age 6 years, born Crathie
James Symon, grandson, age 4 years, born Crathie
John Symon, grandson, age 3 years, born Crathie
Charles Mitchell, AgriculturalLabourer, unmarried, age 16 years, born Crathie
Robert Walker, Farm servant, age 19 years, unmarried, born Glenmuick
Elizabeth Leys, General Servant, age 21years, unmarried, born Glenmuick
On the 11th day of June 1858 at Balchalich Crathie, marriage after banns was solemnised betwee
Alexander Leys (30) Strathgirnick (sic) Cottages, sawmiller, bachelor
Parents: Lewis Leys farmer (deceased) and Margaret Symon
And
Mary Stewart (21) Ballachallich, spinster, domestic servant
Parents: Joseph Stewart, farmer and Mary Stewart m.n. Bowman
Witnesses: Archibald Anderson Minister of Crathie and Braemar, Charles Stewart and James Leys.
Registered at Aberarder Crathie, 14th June 1858 James Munro, Registrar.
Margaret Symon
Widow of Lewis Leys farmer
Died: 1891 June 4th 3hr 0m pm at Knocks Glenmuick
Aged 88 years
Father: James Symon farmer (D)
Mother: Margaret Symon m.s. Symon (D)
Cause: Old age, cardiac Syncope as cert by W. Gordon Mitchell MB & C
Informant: Mary Smith, granddaughter, present
Margaret Symon was baptised 20th May 1803, and her parents James Symon and Margaret Symon married 15th March 1796.
Margaret Leys
Married to Peter McKenzie
Died: 6th February 1875 Knocks Glenmuick
Aged 40 years
Father: Lewis Leys (D)
Mother: Margaret Symon (D)
Cause: Pneumonia (6 days)
Peter McKenzie was born 12th November 1817 in Crathie son of John McKenzie (1771- 1863, Balnoe) and Elspet "Elizabeth" Mitchell (1778-1854). Peter McKenzie was grandson of John McKenzie and Isabella McDonald.
Peter McKenzie married Margaret Leys on the 21st June 1856 in Crathie. Their son Thomas Mckenzie born at Balnoe in September 1860 emigrated to Manitoba where he married.
Queen Victoria was known to enjoy visiting the locals. It sounds as if she visited Margaret Symon at Kocks who was "past her four score." Margaret Symon (spouse of Lewis Leys) lived well into her 80's as did her mother Margaret who died in 1855 aged 91 (This Margaret Symons - the mother, was the daughter of Donald Symon and Mary McHardy, Mary is recorded in the RC registers as being born 1747)
James Leys (1839-1927)
James Leys was the husband of Mary McDonald. He was a farmer at Campbells Forest. James Leys was born at Ballater (Scotland) and arrived in Victoria aboard the 'Morning Light' in 1858. The voyage was undertaken by James, his brother Alexander, and Alexander's wife, and the cost for the three passengers was 24 pounds. When he arrived he worked with the Victorian Railways. Leaving there he went to the gold diggings at Kingower. He went from there to Ballarat and Mt. William, finally taking up land at Campbells Forest in 1872.
James Leys and Mary McDonald married 25th July 1875 by the Presbyterian Minister, at The Manse, Eaglehawk. They both lived at Eaglehawk at the time of their marriage.
He settled on the land at Campbells Forest in 1872, and at the time of his death in 1927, was the oldest resident of the area. His wife Mary died ten months before him. They had a family of three sons and three daughters, all of whom farmed in the Campbells Forest area.
In a publication entitled 'Shades of the Past' written by Ray Wallace, there is an article on the Leys family which indicates that four brothers and a sister came to Australia, having worked on the Royal Estate at Ballater. James and his brother Alex and sister in-law (wife of Alex) arrived in 1858 aboard 'The Morning Light'. They settled in the Ballarat area. Thomas, Charles4 and Elizabeth travelled in 1861 on the ship 'The Alfred', settling in Ballarat for a time. Thomas and James settled in the Campbell's Forest in the early 1870's.
Thomas Leys
Brother of James. He was born at Crathie c1839. Thomas, with brother Charles, and sister Elizabeth arrived in Victoria in 1861 aboard the 'Alfred'. They settled initially in the Ballarat district. They arrived in the Eaglehawk district in the early 1870's and selected land at Campbells Forest.
Children of Charles Leys and Jane Gordon (our 'third cousins')
1) Jane Leys christened 12th July 1855 - died 1855
2) John Leys christened 27th January 1856 - died 1858
3) Charles Leys christened 9th July 1858 - died 1860
4) Margaret Leys christened 18th September 1860
5) Elizabeth Gordon Leys christened 7th August 1865
1881 census - Craiguse Cottage (next to Mill o' Cosh)
Jane Leys (nee Gordon), Head, Married, age 61yrs, Formerly Farm Servant, born Crathie & Braemar
Elizabeth G. Leys, daughter, age 15yrs, scolar, born Crathie & Braemar
Notes:
Charles Leys emigrated to Australia and arrived in Victoria December 1870 - unassisted passage on the "British Monarch" It seems he left his wife Jane Gordon6 behind.
Crathie Tombstone:
Sacred to the memory of our mother JANE GORDON wife of CHARLES LEYS late Mill of Cosh d. Girnoc (sic) 30th October 1896 aged 75; their children JANE LEYS aged 8 weeks, JOHN LEYS aged 2 years, CHARLES LEYS aged 2 years. Above CHARLES LEYS d. Australia 1908. Base: one line verse.
Jane Gordon
Married to Charles Leys
Died on the 30th October 1896
At Girnoc cottages
Age 76 years
Father: Joseph Gordon - Miller (lD)
Mother: Nicolas Gordon
Death Cause: Heart failure (6 days), pulmonary congestion, diptheric paralysis
Informant: William Kennedy (cousin)
Jane Leys
Died on the 8th March 1855 at 7am
At Mill of Cosh
Age 8mths
Father: Charles Leys (labourer)
Mother: Jane Gordon
Death Cause: Unknown - No medical attendant
Buried in the Churchyard of Crathie
John Leys
Died on the 11th March 1858 at 8.55pm
At Mill of Chosh
Age 2yrs
Father: Charles Leys - farmer
Mother: Jane Gordon
Death Cause: Bowel Complaint
Informant: Charles Leys (father)
Buried in Churchyard of Crathie
Charles Leys
Died on the 8th May 1860 at midnight
At Mill of Chosh
Age 22mths
Father: Charles Leys - farmer/meal miller
Mother: Jane Gordon
Death Cause: Accidental drowning by falling into mill lade
Informant: Charles Leys (father) - not present
Buried in Churchyard of Crathie
FOOTNOTES:
"Jane Gordon (1820-1896) was a daughter of Joseph Gordon (1782-1858) and Nicolas Gordon (1779-1868) Her paternal line is Camlet, her maternal line is Bovaglie. Her paternal grandfather was 'Camlet John.'
" Jane Gordon (1820-1896) married Charles Leys. In their early married life they saw nothing but sadness for three of their four children died in infancy, with toddler Charles suffering the most tragic fate - for the poor lad drowned in the Cosh mill lade. Jane Gordon's husband emigrated to Victoria. It appears she stayed behind or either that later returned to her homeland of Girnoc.
CHILD THREE: JAMES LEYS (1802-1890):
Children of James Leys and Jane Ritchie
1) Euphemia Leys christened 8th September 1838 (married William Ritchie?13th December 1867)
2) May/Marjory Leys christened 10th September 1841 - died 1926
3) Charles Leys christened 7th August 1843 - died 1921
4) Barbara Leys born circa 1854
1841 census - Sleach, Glengairn
James Leys, age 35 years, Farmer, yes born in parish
Jane Leys (nee Ritchie), age 35 years, yes born in parish
Euphemia Leys, age 2 years, yes born in parish
John Mitchell, age 8 years, yes born in parish
John Ritchie, age 70yrs, Agricultural Labourer, yes born in parish
William Coutts, age 13 years, yes born in parish
1881 census - Sleach, Glengairn
James Leys, Head, Widower, age 78 years, Farmer of 100 Acres Of Which 40 Arable Employing 1 Shepherd, born Glenmuick
Marjory Leys, Daughter, unmarried, age 39yrs, Housekeeper, born Glenmuick
Charles Leys, Son, unmarried, age 37 tears, Farmers Son, born Glenmuick
Barbara Leys, Daughter, unmarried, age 26 years, Servant Domestic, born Glenmuick
In loving memory of JAMES LEYS b. Tomnavey 12th December 1802 - d. Sleach, Glengairn, 22nd January 1890 aged 87, also his wife JANE RITCHIE b. Braenaloine 4th July 1806 - d. Sleach in August 1845 aged 39. Their only son CHARLES LEYS b. Sleach, Glengairn 7th August 1844 - d. Ballater 21st March 1921; their daughter MAY LEYS d. Ballater 4th December 1926 aged 85. One line of text.
James Leys
Farmer - widower of Jane Ritchie
Died 22nd January 1890 at 11.20pm
At Sleach, Glengairn
Age: 87yrs
Father: Alexander Leys (D) - Farmer
Mother: Euphemia Leys m.s. McKenzie (D)
Death cause: Old Age
Informant : Charles Leys (son) - present