McManus 168

James Ogilvy Dalgleish was born in 1800,^[1] to William Dalgleish and Jane Isobel Ogilvy.^[1] His grandfathers, Archibald Ogilvy and the Reverend Robert Dalgleish were landed proprietors of the estates of Inchmartine at Errol and Scotscraig at Ferryport, respectively.

Lieutenant James Ogilvy Dalgleish served 10 years in the Royal Navy. The cessation of his service in the Navy (October) came just 2 months after the death of his father on 1 August 1824.^[17] It may be assumed that he then returned to the family estate at Scotscraig. Certainly, he was reported to have become involved with activities there – ‘The Scotscraig Golf Club held their annual Spring Meeting on the 6th inst when they unanimously elected James Ogilvy Dalgleish, Esq. Captain for the ensuing year.’^[11]

James Ogilvy Dalgleish married Isabella Marshall Martin on 2 April 1831 in Ferryport.^[3] Their marriage was also registered in Dundee on 20 July 1831. Of their children, only 3 sons survived into adulthood – namely, William Ogilvy Dalgleish, merchant in Dundee, David (Martin) Ogilvy Dalgleish and James Ogilvy Dalgleish, Captain 29th Regiment of Foot.^[9] David predeceased his father by 5 years, dying, as he did, in 1870 in London.^[2]

Their twins, Jane and Eliza and a son James, were interred in the vault at Scotscraig,^[2] the family home of the Dalgleishes.

An ardent Free Churchman, James Ogilvy Dalgleish gained a reputation for advancing its causes. One of the founders of St Michael’s church in Cupar,^[10] he allied to the Free Church from the time of the ‘Disruption’ in 1843.^[10] An elder, he became a frequent member of the General Assembly of the Free Church.^[10]

In 1845, James Ogilvy Dalgleish purchased Woodburne House, it being reported in October of that year – at the same time that ‘it is mainly owing to his exertions we believe that a Gas Work is now being established in Ceres.’^[18]

Woodburne House, his home from 1845-1875, was described as having been ‘a handsome villa three storeys high with a court of offices adjacent: the house is pleasantly situated and surrounded with a small but neat lawn thickly planted with trees and shrubs. There is a good garden and farm attached and is the property of James Ogilvy Dalgleish.’^[19]

While living in Ceres, Dalgleish involved himself in a great number of movements which he believed to be for the public good, whether of the Church or State, providing long, zealous and efficient service to the County.^[10]

The death of James Ogilvy Dalgliesh came as a result of having been ‘struck down by paralysis as he was entering the Eastern Club,’^[7] as he was wont to attend. The Eastern Club, built in 1869/70, gained a reputation as having been ‘the finest and most elaborate, elite club in Victorian Scotland outside Glasgow and Edinburgh – its members represented the top ranks of gentlemen and businessmen from Dundee and Angus.’^[20]

At the time of his death, James Ogilvy Dalgleish possessed 10 shares of the Albert Institute (share nos. 1532-1541) declared in his will thus – ‘these shares are of no saleable value.’^[9]

James Ogilvy Dalgleish was considered an upstanding citizen, of good moral character who was interested in the social and moral wellbeing of the community, as well as being a successful business man^[8]  – a ‘shrewd, intelligent mind and being animated by an ardent public spirit.’^[10]