The countess with the medicines
I was interested in the article on Slains in the February issue.
My maternal great-great-grandfather, Alexander Davidson, was a tenant of the Earl, farming South Hay Farm. (His father before him was on Hay Farm).
As well as farming, Alexander was the local carrier, collecting orders from round about, then off to Peterhead with horse and cart, not finishing until late.
When he became too infirm, his son George left his job as gas maker at Pitfour House to take over the farm. George was a widower, so his only daughter (my grandmother) was his housekeeper.
She told me that my great-great-grandfather was confined to a wooden chair and that the Countess of Errol personally came with medicines for him.
I believe she was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria. I wonder if Alan Hay knows which countess that was.
David Davidson,
davidson366@btinternet.com
Alan Hay writes: The Countess concerned would be Eliza Amelia Gore, daughter of Gen. Hon Sir Charles Gore, of the family of the Earls of Aran (in Ireland). She married William Harry, 19th Earl of Erroll and yes, she was Queen Victoria’s lady-in-waiting. She died in 1916 at Kew.