George Pirie

M, #1463, b. 4 October 1859, d. 11 August 1940
Pedigree
George Pirie (1859-1940)
First Bailie of Portknockie
     George Pirie was born illegitimate on 4 October 1859 at Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland.1 He was the son of David Pirie and Janet Mair. His family was known by the tee-name of "Buxer".
He was listed as head of household's grandson in the 1861 census at 117 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: Adam Mair, head; Jessie Mair, daughter; George Pirrie, grandson.2

He was listed as head of household's son in the 1871 census at 119 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: Janet Pirie, head; Adam Mair, father; Geo Mair (sic), son; Alex Mair (sic), son.3
George Pirie was a master shoemaker. He was the informant for Adam Mair's death at Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 13 October 1877.4
He was listed as head of household's son in the 1881 census at 141 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: Jannet Pirie, head; George Pirie, son; Alexander Pirie, son; Margaret Pirie, boarder; John Pirie, boarder.5
He married Helen Anderson Legg at 109 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 22 April 1881.6,7 He was the informant for, and present at, George Pirie's birth at 159 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 25 May 1884.8,9 He was the informant for, and present at, Alexander Pirie's birth at Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 22 April 1886.10,9 He was the informant for Alexander Pirie's death at sea, off Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 22 November 1887.11,9 He was the informant for William Pirie's birth at 159 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 23 March 1891.12,13 He was the informant for Adam Pirie's birth at 159 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 23 March 1891.14,13 He was the informant for Adam Pirie's death at 159 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 2 April 1891.15
He was listed as head of household in the 1891 census at 159 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: George Pirie, head; Helen Pirie, wife; David Pirie, son; John Pirie, son; George Pirie, son; Alexr Pirie, son; Jessie Pirie, daughter; Wm Pirie, son; Margaret Legg, mother-in-law; Jane Donaldson, servant.16
He was the informant for, and present at, William Pirie's death at Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 20 April 1891.17
The Valuation Roll for the County of Banff for Year 1895-1896 shows that George Pirie was owner occupier of 159 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland.18 He was the informant for, and present at, Helen Pirie's birth at 408 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 15 November 1896.19,9
He was listed as head of household in the 1901 census at 408 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: George Pirie, head; Hellen Pirie, wife; David Pirie, son; John Pirie, son; George Pirie, son; Alexander Pirie, son; Jessie Pirie, daughter; Maggie Pirie, daughter; Helen Pirie, daughter.20
He was the informant for Jessie Helen Pirie's death at Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 4 November 1901.21 George Pirie was the first Bailie of Portknockie.22,23
The Valuation Roll for the County of Banff for Year 1915-1916 shows that George Pirie was owner occupier of 408 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland.24
The Buckie and District Directory for 1926 shows that George Pirie lived at 12 Park Street, Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland.25 George died on 11 August 1940 at 39 Sunnybank Road, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, at age 80.26,27,28 He was buried after 11 August 1940 at Rathven Old Churchyard, Main Road, Rathven, Banffshire, Scotland.26
Charts
Chart (box): Descendants of George Pirie "Buxer" (b. c1672)
Chart (indented): Descendants of George Pirie "Buxer" (b. c1672)

Children of George Pirie and Helen Anderson Legg

Citations

  1. [S1097] LDS Church, International Genealogical Index, "George Pirie or Mair, male. Birth: 04 OCT 1859 Seafield, Banff, Scotland. Father: David Pirie. Mother: Janet Mair."
  2. [S5429] 1861, Scottish Census, "George Pirrie, grandson, male, age 1, born in Banffshire, Rathven (Originally: Banffshire - Portknockie), grandson (illegitimate), resident at 117 Portknockie."
  3. [S5417] 1871, Scottish Census, "Geo Mair (sic), son, unmarried, male, age 10, born in Banffshire, scholar, resident at 119 Portknockie."
  4. [S3798] Adam Mair, Register of Deaths in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Adam Mair, Fisherman (Widower of Janet Addison), died 1877, October Thirteenth 5h 0m A.M. at Portknockie, Seafield, Rathven, Male, 65 years (sic), Father: John Mair Fisherman (deceased), Mother: Elizabeth Mair M.S. Wood (deceased), Cause of death: Bronchitis, 9 Days, As Cert. by W. R. Duguid M.D., Informant: George Pirie, Grandson, Registered: 1877, October 15th at Manse of Seafield, Jno. Allan Assistant Registrar. T.F."
  5. [S2480] 1881, Scottish Census, "George Pirie, son, male, age 22, born in Portknockie, Banffshire, shoemaker, resident at 141 Portknockie."
  6. [S4139] George Pirie to Helen Anderson Legg, Statutory Register of Marriages in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "1881, on the Twenty-Second day of April at 109 Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), After Banns, According to the Forms of the Established Church of Scotland. George Pirie, Shoemaker (Master) (Bachelor), 22 years, resident at Portknockie, Father: David Pirie, Fisherman (Deceased), Mother: Jessie Pirie M.S. Mair. Hellen Anderson Legg, Master Shoemaker's Daughter (Spinster), 23 years, resident at Portessie, Rathven, Father: John Legg, Shoemaker (Master), Mother: Margaret Legg M.S Smith. James McIntyre, Minister of Seafield. Alexander Pirie Witness. George Smith Legg Witness. Registered: 1881, April 22nd at Manse of Seafield, James McIntyre Registrar."
  7. [S1054] Dr Guy D Sutherland-Barnicoat, Neil Pirie, Information kindly supplied by Dr Guy Barnicoat of Commerce Township, Michigan, USA.
  8. [S5564] George Pirie, Register of Births in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "George Pirie, 1884, May Twenty-Fifth 10h 30m P.M. at 159 Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Male. Father: George Pirie, Shoemaker (Master). Mother: Helen Pirie M. S. Anderson Legg, married 1881 April 22nd in Seafield. Informant: George Pirie, Father (Present). Registered: 1884, June 2nd at Seafield Manse, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  9. [S772] Robert Mair, Neil Pirie, Information kindly supplied by Robert Mair of Durham, England.
  10. [S5567] Alexander Pirie, Register of Births in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Alexander Pirie, 1886, April Twenty-Second 7h 0m A.M. at Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Male. Father: George Pirie, Shoemaker (Master). Mother: Helen Pirie M.S. Anderson Legg, married 1881 April 22nd in Seafield. Informant: George Pirie, Father (Present). Registered: 1886, April 28th at Seafield Manse, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  11. [S936] Alexander Pirie, Statutory Register of Deaths in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "See Reg. of Cor. Ents., Vol. 1, p.40, December 21st 1887. Alexander Pirie, Fisherman (Married to Jessie Ann Bruce), died 1887 November Twenty-second, at 3h 30m P.M. About 2½ miles off Portknockie Harbour, Domicil Portknockie Seafield (Rathven), Male, 25 years. Father: David Pirie "Buxer", Fisherman (Deceased), Mother: Jessie Pirie M.S. Mair "Edzie". Cause of death: Drowning By Boat Foundering. Informant: George Pirie, Brother, 150 Portknockie. Registered: 1887, November 29th at Manse of Seafield, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  12. [S1862] William Pirie, Register of Births in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Twin, William Pirie, 1891, March Twenty-Third 10h 0m A.M. at 159 Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Male. Father: George Pirie, Shoemaker (Master). Mother: Helen Pirie M.S. Legg, married 1881, April 22nd in Seafield. Informant: George Pirie, Father. Registered: 1891, March 31st at Seafield Manse, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  13. [S940] Carolyn Hatt, Neil Pirie, Information kindly supplied by Carolyn Hatt of Broadstairs, England.
  14. [S1863] Adam Pirie, Register of Births in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Twin, Adam Pirie, 1891, March Twenty-Third 10h 30m A.M. at 159 Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Male. Father: George Pirie, Shoemaker (Master). Mother: Helen Pirie M.S. Legg, married 1881, April 22nd in Seafield. Informant: George Pirie, Father. Registered: 1891, March 31st at Seafield Manse, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  15. [S1867] Adam Pirie, Register of Deaths in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Adam Pirie (Single), died 1891, April Second 5h 0m P.M. at 159 Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Male, 2 Days (sic). Father: George Pirie Shoemaker (Master), Mother: Helen Pirie M.S. Legg. Cause of death: Weak from Birth, as cert. by Alex. Hendry M.B.C.M. Informant: George Pirie, Father. Registered: 1891, April 3D at Manse of Seafield, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  16. [S1870] 1891, Scottish Census, "George Pirie, head, married, male, age 31, born in Rathven, Portknockie, Bshire, shoemaker, employer, resident at 159 Portknockie, has 4 rooms with one or more windows."
  17. [S1868] William Pirie, Register of Deaths in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "William Pirie (Single), died 1891, April Twentieth 10h 30m A.M. at Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Male, 1 Month. Father: George Pirie Shoemaker, Mother: Helen Pirie M.S. Legg. Cause of death: Marasmus, as cert. by Alex. Hendry M.B.C.M. Informant: George Pirie, Father (Present). Registered: 1891, April 20th at Manse of Seafield, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  18. [S4095] National Records of Scotland, Valuation Roll, County of Banff, Year 1895-1896, Valuation Roll for the County of Banff for the Year 1895-96 - Parish of Rathven, Page 372, "Special Water District of Portknockie, No. 2788, Description: House, Situation: 159 Portknockie, Proprietor: George Pirie, shoemaker, Occupier: Proprietor, Feu-duty or Ground Annual: £0 11s 0d, Yearly Rent or Value: £3 10s 0d."
  19. [S4133] Helen Pirie, Register of Births in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Helen Pirie, 1896, November Fifteenth 11h 45m P.M. at 408 Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Female. Father: George Pirie, Master Shoemaker. Mother: Helen Pirie M. S. Legge, married 1881 April 22nd in Seafield. Informant: George Pirie, Father (Present). Registered: 1896, November 30th at Seafield Manse, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  20. [S1869] 1901, Scottish Census, "George Pirie, head, married, male, age 41, born in Portknockie, Banffshire, shoemaker (master), employer, resident at 408 Portknockie, has 10 (sic) rooms with one or more windows."
  21. [S2157] Jessie Helen Pirie, Register of Deaths in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Jessie Helen Pirie (Single), died 1901, November Fourth 2h 30m A.M. at Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Female, 14 years, Father: Alexander Pirie Fisherman (Deceased), Mother: Jessie Ann Pirie M.S. Bruce, Cause of death: Disease of Heart, 2 years, as cert. by T. MacHardy M.B. C.M, Informant: George Pirie, Uncle, 408 Portknockie, Registered: 1901, November 4th at Manse of Seafield, James McIntyre Registrar."
  22. [S1657] George Pirie, Newspaper article regarding appointment as first Bailie of Portknockie, "NM147479, George Pirie, c. 1860 to 11 AUG 1940."
  23. [S2407] Article, 'PORTKNOCKIE'S FIRST PROVOST & BAILIES, BAILIE PIRIE', Banffshire Advertiser and Buckie and Moray Firth Fishing and General Gazette, "PORTKNOCKIE’S FIRST PROVOST & BAILIES
    BAILIE PIRIE
    Mr George Pirie, first bailie of Portknockie, was born and bred in the village he has now seen to rise from obscurity to the status of a burgh. His father, Mr David Pirie, followed the calling of a fisherman, and Bailie Pirie, who is a shoemaker to trade, was born in Portknockie 53 years ago. The Baile started to serve his time at his trade with Ex-Provost Simpson, Buckie, when the latter was in business in Portknockie, and completed his apprenticeship with Mr Simpson at Buckie, serving two years in each place. Bailie Pirie was then wrought for eighteen months with the late Mr John Legg, Portessie, and 32 years ago he commenced business as a shoemaker in his native village. In this he has prospered and established a good trade. His speciality is the manufacture of home-made boots, and Bailie Pirie calculates that he has the largest trade in the north in this particular branch of the industry.
    Bailie Pirie is of a quiet and unassuming disposition, and hitherto has taken no active part in the public life of the community, but like the Provost, he is a sound Radical in politics. He is a highly-respected citizen of Portknockie, and from the position which he occupied in the poll – being next to the top – it may be gathered that he has the confidence of the townspeople. Having succeeded so well in business, Mr Pirie is now prepared to devote some of his time to the interests of the burgh, and there will be nothing to complain about if he brings into his duties as a bailie the sense of thoroughness and attention to detail which have stood him so well in business, and there is not the least doubt that he will endeavour to administer even-handed justice to those who happen to appear before him as a magistrate."
  24. [S4582] National Records of Scotland, Valuation Roll, County of Banff, Year 1915-1916, Valuation Roll for the County of Banff for the Year 1915-1916 - Parish of Rathven, Page 385, "Police Burgh of Portknockie, No. 3748, Description: House, shop & workshop, Situation: 408 Portknockie, Proprietor: George Pirie, shoemaker, Occupier: Proprietor, Yearly Rent or Value: £10 0s 0d."
  25. [S727] Buckie and District Directory, 1926, page 77: PORTKNOCKIE, "Pirie, George, 12 Park Street", page 112: PORTKNOCKIE, PARK STREET, "12, Geo. Pirie, shoemaker."
  26. [S1655] George Pirie, Gravestone inscription data, "NM147479, George Pirie, c. 1860 to 11 AUG 1940. Date of Birth : c. 1860. Occupation : Shoemaker and Bailie of Portknockie. Spouse's Name : Helen Anderson Legg. Headstone Ref : Rv(O)531. Date of Death : 11 AUG 1940."
  27. [S1656] George Pirie, Newspaper obituary, "NM147479, George Pirie, c. 1860 to 11 AUG 1940."
  28. [S2408] Article, 'FORMER PORTKNOCKIE BAILIE DEAD, LATE MR GEORGE PIRIE', Banffshire Advertiser and Buckie and Moray Firth Gazette, "FORMER PORTKNOCKIE BAILIE DEAD
    LATE MR GEORGE PIRIE
    Many in Portknockie and district will learn with regret of the death of Mr George Pirie, retired shoemaker, who was a well-known business man in Portknockie and was one of the first town councillors of the burgh. Mr Pirie died suddenly at his home, 39 Sunnybank Road, Aberdeen, where he took up residence on retiring from business.
    Although he had been in indifferent health for some time, Mr Pirie was out-of-doors on Saturday, but took ill during the evening. He was eighty years of age.
    A native of Portknockie, he was in business on his own account there for fifty years. He specialised in the making of the old type of leather sea boots, and conducted an extensive business in Banffshire fishing towns. During the last war he carried out Admiralty contracts. He retired from business twelve years ago.
    Mr Pirie gave unsparingly of his time and energies to public work and to all the community in Portknockie. For many years he was a member of Portknockie Town Council, and held the office of first bailie.
    He is survived by Mrs Pirie, four sons and three daughters."