McManus 168

Alexander Clayhills of Invergowrie (b. 14 Jan 1796; d. 18 June 1865) was the second child of James Menzies Clayhills (1753-1825) and Henrietta Henderson Kinloch (1764-1861). The couple married in Edinburgh on 4th Dec 1785.

Alexander Clayhills was born in Richmond, Near Leyburn, Yorkshire.^[2] He had two brothers, James Menzies Clayhills (1786-1817) and George Dunbar Clayhills-Henderson (1798-1861). He also had 3 sisters, none of whom married.^[21]

In his early years, as a young man, Alexander Clayhills became a Lieutenant in the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers,^[18] being placed on half pay by 1822.^[18]

In 1826, Alexander Clayhills married Elizabeth Hunter (1805-1879),^[4] daughter of General David Hunter of Burnside (born 1768 in the parish of Monifieth -1846) and Margaret Douglas (unknown dates).^[4] Her parents married on 1st/2nd of June 1794.

Alexander Clayhills and his wife, Elizabeth had no known children.

Although having inherited his father’s estate, together with the mansion of Invergowrie House, ‘Alexander Clayhills, of Invergowrie,’ would appear also to have had a ‘town residence’  at different times, within Dundee – as in the Dundee Directory of 1829-30, when listed as having lived at ‘Tay Bank.’^[22]

This was also the case in 1837-38, when he resided on the south side of the Nethergate, Dundee.^[23] By 1856, he was living at Invergowrie House with his wife, Elizabeth and, as proprietor of the estate, he had considerable land holdings in Invergowrie, Broughty Ferry, Menzieshill and Ninewells.^[17]

The family of ‘Clayhills of Invergowrie‘ has a long history going back to the 17th century, although not in a direct line. They include prominent merchants in Dundee and members of the Guildry Incorporation. In the 18th century, the male line died out and one of the family of  ‘Menzies of Menzieshill‘ acquired the estate through marriage, changing his name to Clayhills as he did so.^[24] The lands of Menzieshill became part of the Clayhills’ estate.

Alexander Clayhills was a Justice of the Peace for the Dundee District of the County of Angus.^[25] Through this, he was involved in the establishment of a Patriotic Fund for the  Widows and Orphans of Fallen Soldiers in 1854.^[26] His charitable works were numerous. In the previous year, he had been a subscriber to the Dundee Public Buildings Association.^[27] He was a Harbour Trustee,^[28] as well as assisting in the proceedings involved in the building of a Corn Exchange and People’s Hall for Dundee, in 1856.^[29] He was also involved with the collection of subscriptions for a memorial to the Prince Consort in 1862.^[30]

In 1860, it was reported that ‘Alexander Clayhills Esq and Mrs Clayhills have returned to Invergowrie House after nearly 2 years residence in Devonshire’^[31] – a lengthy sojourn. The report did not stipulate the reasons for their having gone from Invergowrie to Devon, although they (then in their 60s) may have wished to be closer to Alexander’s remaining family members –  his brother George and sisters, Margaret, Isabella and Cecilia were all resident in Budleigh Salterton on the Jurassic coast. Alexander was predeceased by George and Isabella in 1861 and 1863 respectively at Budleigh Salterton.

Alexander Clayhills died 18 June 1865, at the age of 69, at Invergowrie House.^[5] His obituary appeared in the Dundee Advertiser on 19 June 1865, and notices of his death were found in naval and military publications. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Clayhills and two sisters, Margaret and Cecilia, having been predeceased by his brothers James and George and his sister, Isabella.

There is a memorial to Alexander Clayhills in St Peter’s Old Parish Church (aka Dargie Kirk), Invergowrie. ‘The area of that church in Invergowrie was used as a cemetery by the Clayhills family.’^[1] Three separate slabs, initialed and dated, cover the graves of Alexander Clayhills, his brother James Menzies Clayhills and their father, James Clayhills.^[1] The inscription for Alexander Clayhills reads as follows:

‘To the revered memory of ALEXANDER CLAYHILLS, Esq. of Invergowrie. Born 14 January 1796; died 18 June 1865.’^[1]