Person Page - 6

     Christian Gordon was born on 30 November 1837 in Keithney, Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.^1,3 She was the daughter of John Gordon and Janet Marshall.^1,2,3,4,5 She was baptized on 11 December 1837 in Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.¹ She married John Burness, son of Alexander Burness and Margaret Masson, on 20 June 1863 in Port Elphinstone, Kintore, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.^2,3 She died on 14 September 1915 in Crossroads, Grange, Banffshire, Scotland, at age 77.³
     Christian Gordon (age 3) was enumerated in the census on 6 June 1841 in Port Elphinstone, Kintore, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in the household of John Gordon.⁴ Christian Gordon (daughter, age 13) was enumerated in the census on 31 March 1851 in Port Elphinstone, Kintore, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in the household of John Gordon.⁵
     Christian Gordon was enumerated in the census on 8 April 1861 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, as a domestic servant, age 23.⁶ Christian Burness (wife, age 33) was enumerated in the census on 3 April 1871 in Walnut Cottage, Chapelbrae, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of John Burness.⁷ Christian Burness (wife, age 43) was enumerated in the census on 4 April 1881 in Lilac Bank Cottage, Bath Street, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of John Burness.⁸ Christina G. Burness (wife, age 53) was enumerated in the census on 5 April 1891 in 18 Forteath Street, Elgin, Moray, Scotland, in the household of John Burness.⁹ Christina G. Burness (wife, age 63) was enumerated in the census on 31 March 1901 in Hall Place, Elgin, Moray, Scotland, in the household of John Burness.¹⁰ Christian Burness (wife, age 73) was enumerated in the census on 2 April 1911 in Crossroads, Grange, Banffshire, Scotland, in the household of John Burness.¹¹

     Nicholson Burness was born on 12 September 1833 in Mulloch, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland.¹ He was the son of Alexander Burness and Margaret Masson.^1,2 He was baptized on 24 September 1833 in Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland.¹ He married Susan H. Allan.³ He married Margaret Cormie Smith on 11 June 1889 in British Embassy, Paris, France.^4,5 He died on 1 April 1910 in British Seaman's Hospital, Galata, Constantinople, Turkey, at age 76.^3,6 He was buried in Haidar Pasha Cemetery, Constantinople, Turkey.⁷
     Nicolson Burness (age 7) was enumerated in the census on 6 June 1841 in Knockingstone, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of Alexander Burness.²
     Nicolson Burness was enumerated in the census on 31 March 1851 in Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as an apprentice house carpenter, age 17, in household of Jonathan Noble, master house carpenter.⁸
     Obituary: Presbytery of Deeside Local Supplement of May 1910: "We take occasion to refer here also to the death of Mr. Nicholson Burness, Constantinople, who died there on Friday, 1st April. He was born at Mulloch in the parish of Banchory and was the son of the late Mr. Alexander Burness, Howburn, Auchattie, who died in 1894. The Burnesses are an old Kincardineshire family belonging to Glenbervie and are of the same stock as the poet Burns, whose father migrated from Kincardineshire to Ayrshire. Mr. Nicholson Burness served his time as an apprentice with Jonathan Noble, carpenter, Banchory. Thereafter he spent two years in London, but for his health's sake went abroad and settled in Constantinople. There he spent almost sixty years of his life, prospered in business and became one of the best known and most highly respected members of the British community. At intervals, he returned to visit his native land and spend a holiday in Banchory. By frequent correspondence and with the aid of the newspapers, and of the Missionary record, he kept himself thoroughly abreast of affairs at home, both in Church and State, and in his letters was ever careful to enquire, in the most kindly way, for his friends in Banchory. He was a man whom it was a privilege to know and whose memory those who knew him will reverently cherish. The "Levant Herald" of April 2nd in a leading article refers to him as follows: "He was a type of all that is best in our national character, a representative Britisher of whom we could well be proud, for whose life the world is better, a man who enjoyed general respect and esteem, not only in his own colony, but in every community with which he came in contact. Of unswerving rectitude and sterling integrity, Mr. Burness was incapable of a dishonourable thought or a mean transaction. His character and his philanthropic work will cause his death to be mourned in very wide circles. But the work which was nearest his heart, and which will prove his most lasting memorial, was his connection with the Evangelical Union Church at Pera. It is not an exaggeration to say that the church owes its existance to Mr. Burness." To his widow, mourning him in that distant land, and to his sister who is with us, and his brothers in this and other lands, we tender our siincere sympathy, and rejoice with them in the honoured memory he has left both to them and us."⁹

     Margaret Burness was born on 23 May 1864 in Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland.¹ She was the daughter of John Burness and Christian Gordon.^1,2 She died on 9 February 1865 in Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland.²

     Elspet Burness was born on 2 April 1839 in Quithlehead, Durris, Kincardineshire, Scotland.¹ She was the daughter of Alexander Burness and Margaret Masson.^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8} She was baptized on 24 April 1839 in Durris, Kincardineshire, Scotland.¹ She died on 14 November 1927 in Ewan Place, High Street, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, at age 88.²
     Elspet Burness (age 2) was enumerated in the census on 6 June 1841 in Knockingstone, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of Alexander Burness.³ Elspet Burness (daughter, age 12) was enumerated in the census on 31 March 1851 in Knockingstone, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of Alexander Burness.⁴ Elspet Burness (daughter, age 22) was enumerated in the census on 8 April 1861 in Garrol, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of Alexander Burness.⁵ Elspet Burness (daughter, age 32) was enumerated in the census on 3 April 1871 in Lochside of Auchattie, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of Alexander Burness.⁶ Elspet Burness (daughter, age 42) was enumerated in the census on 4 April 1881 in Crofthead of Tilquhillie, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of Alexander Burness.⁷ Elspet Burness (daughter, age 52) was enumerated in the census on 5 April 1891 in Howburn Cottage, Auchattie, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of Alexander Burness.⁸
     Elspet Burness was enumerated in the census on 31 March 1901 in Arbeadie Place, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, age 60.⁹
     Elsie Burness was enumerated in the census on 2 April 1911 in Ewan Place, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as a retired domestic, age 72.¹⁰

     Alexander Burness was born on 25 April 1810 in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, Scotland.¹ He was the son of Alexander Burness and Christian Brown.^1,2,3 He was baptized on 21 May 1810 in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, Scotland.¹ He married Margaret Masson, daughter of John Masson and Ann Leiper, in June 1831 in Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland.^4,2 He died on 6 February 1894 in Howburn Cottage, Auchattie, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, at age 83.²
     Alexander Burness was enumerated in the census on 6 June 1841 in Knockingstone, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as an agricultural labourer, age 30 with Margaret Burness, Nicolson Burness, Elspet Burness and George Burness in his household.⁵
     Alexander Burness was enumerated in the census on 31 March 1851 in Knockingstone, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as an agricultural labourer, age 40 with Margaret Burness, Elspet Burness, William Burness, Alexander Burness and Robert Burness in his household.⁶
     Alexander Burness was enumerated in the census on 8 April 1861 in Garrol, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as an agricultural labourer, age 51 with Margaret Burness and Elspet Burness in his household. His house had four rooms with windows.⁷
     Alexander Burness was enumerated in the census on 3 April 1871 in Lochside of Auchattie, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as a mason's labourer, age 60 with Margaret Burness and Elspet Burness in his household. His house had two rooms with windows.⁸
     Alexander Burness was enumerated in the census on 4 April 1881 in Crofthead of Tilquhillie, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as a mason's labourer, age 70 with Elspet Burness in his household. His house had 5 rooms with windows.⁹
     Alexander Burness was enumerated in the census on 5 April 1891 in Howburn Cottage, Auchattie, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as a general labourer, age 80 with Elspet Burness and Jessie Burness in his household. His house had 3 rooms with windows.¹⁰
     He died intestate with an estate valued at 28 pounds 15 shillings and 5 pence.¹¹
     Obituary: Banchory - Death of a Relative of Robert Burns: The funeral took place to Durris Churchyard, on Friday of the late Mr. Alexander Burness, Howburn Cottage, Auchattie. M. Burness was born at the farm of Pitwatthie, in Glenbervie, on the 17th April, 1810, and had thus almost completed his eighty-fourth year. He came from the same stock as Robert Burns, the poet, whose father, William Burness, was a native of Kincardineshire. On his mother's side also Mr. Burness was related to the poet, his mother and Robert Burns being cousins. At the age of 18 Mr. Burness came as a farmservant to Spyhill, Durris, and continued to reside in the neighbourhood of Banchory for upwards of sixty-five years. He had a wide circle of acquaintances, and will be greatly missed by many. Almost to the very end Mr. Burness enjoyed excellent health, and was strong beyond many for his years. At the beginning of the year he was prostrated by an attack of influenza, from which he bever rallied; and after five weeks of increasing weakness, he passed away peacefully on Tuesday last week. Mr. Burness was married in 1831 to Margaret Masson, Bulloch, and is surviced by a daughter and six sons, viz. : Messrs John Burness, Elgin; Nicholson Burness, Constantinople; George and Alexander Burness, now in America; and Robert Burness, at Rothesay.¹²

     Margaret Masson was born circa 1809 in Fetteresso, Kincardineshire, Scotland.^3,4,5,2 She was the daughter of John Masson and Ann Leiper.² She married Alexander Burness, son of Alexander Burness and Christian Brown, in June 1831 in Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland.^1,2 She died on 23 November 1880 in Crofthead of Tilquhillie, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland.²
     Margaret Burness (age 30) was enumerated in the census on 6 June 1841 in Knockingstone, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of Alexander Burness.⁶ Margaret Burness (wife, age 42) was enumerated in the census on 31 March 1851 in Knockingstone, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of Alexander Burness.³ Margaret Burness (wife, age 52) was enumerated in the census on 8 April 1861 in Garrol, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of Alexander Burness.⁴ Margaret Burness (wife, age 61) was enumerated in the census on 3 April 1871 in Lochside of Auchattie, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of Alexander Burness.⁵

     Christian Brown was born on 20 August 1786 in Pitwathie, Glenbervie, Kincardineshire, Scotland.^1,2 She was the daughter of John Brown and Mary Milne.^1,2 She was baptized on 4 September 1786 in Glenbervie, Kincardineshire, Scotland.¹ She died on 23 April 1859 in Kirk Croft, Arbuthnott, Kincardineshire, Scotland, at age 72.² She was buried in Glenbervie, Kincardineshire, Scotland.²
     Christian Brown was enumerated in the census on 6 June 1841 in Kirk Cottage, Arbuthnott, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as a schoolmistress, age 50 with George Brand in her household.³
     Christian Brown was enumerated in the census on 31 March 1851 in Kirk Croft, Arbuthnott, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as a crofter and annuitant, age 54 with Betsy Brown in her household.⁴

     Nicholson Burness was born on 4 December 1865 in Hollybank, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland.¹ He was the son of John Burness and Christian Gordon.^1,2 He died on 27 September 1867 in Chapelbrae, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, at age 1.²

     Jessie Burness was born on 4 December 1867 in Chapelbrae, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland.¹ She was the daughter of John Burness and Christian Gordon.^1,2,3,4,5 She married John Clarke on 12 August 1893 in 18 Forteath Street, Elgin, Moray, Scotland.^2,3 She died on 17 December 1943 in Croftgibb, Grange, Banffshire, Scotland, at age 76.³
     Jessie Burness (daughter, age 3) was enumerated in the census on 3 April 1871 in Walnut Cottage, Chapelbrae, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of John Burness.⁴ Jessie Burness (daughter, age 13) was enumerated in the census on 4 April 1881 in Lilac Bank Cottage, Bath Street, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of John Burness.⁵ Jessie Burness (granddaughter, age 23) was enumerated in the census on 5 April 1891 in Howburn Cottage, Auchattie, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of Alexander Burness. She was a school mistress.⁶ Jessie Clarke (wife, age 32) was enumerated in the census on 31 March 1901 in Crossroads, Grange, Banffshire, Scotland, in the household of John Clarke.⁷ Jessie Clarke (wife, age 43) was enumerated in the census on 2 April 1911 in Croftgibb, Grange, Banffshire, Scotland, in the household of John Clarke.⁸