The Limey Andersons

A branch of the Anderson family was long and is still known in the parish of Strichen under the appellation of the “LIMEY ANDERSONS”. They were so named in consequence of their trade as masons, and their employment at the old lime kilns ( now demolished ) at Strichen. The progenitor of the branch in the parish was Alexander Anderson in Wardhead of Strichen.

 The following statement was written in the book “The Andersons of Phingask and their Descendants.” concerning Alexander Anderson.

 It is not definately known who his parents were, nor whether his original connection was, with the parish of Strichen. There were various accounts given by descendants of a tradition regarding the settlement of the branch in the district, but as these accounts are vague, and no date can be assigned to such settlement, the tradition is of little value.

       Alexander Anderson of Wardhead had a brother, John Anderson long resident in Mains of Forrest, and from John Andersons testament, which was confirmed by the Commissariat of Aberdeenshire on 5th January 1804, it is found that they belonged to a family consisting of at least the following Brothers and sisters :-

 1.   John Anderson, Mains of Forrest, born 1721, died 1803

2.   James Anderson, in Aquorthies.

3.   Alexander Anderson, in Wardhouse, the first of the “Limey Andersons”.

4.   George Anderson, sometime in Borrowhill, Strichen, afterwards in Upper Boyndlie, Tyrie.

5.   Margaret Anderson, wife of John Webster in Balnamoon.

6.   Elizabeth Anderson, wife of ------- Harper in Bogensourie.

 As mentioned it is not known who the parents of this family were, but there is a probability that they were Alexander Anderson in Oldmill and his wife Margaret Kidd, who prior to their tenancy of Old mill, it was supposedly, were in Mill of Rathen.

 Asuming Alexander Anderson in Oldmill of Strrichen to be the same Alexander Anderson who was previously in Mill of Rathen, it is found that he had at least the following family born at Mill of Rathen :-

 1.    John Anderson, baptised 16th April 1721, in face of the congregation.

2.   James Anderson, baptised 12th April 1723, born at Oldmill, Strichen.

3.   Margaret Anderson baptised 19th September 1728.

4.   Jean Anderson, baptised 5th January 1731. Witnesses to baptism - Alexander Cruden and Arthur Morrice, Oldmill.

5.   Elizabeth Anderson, baptised 22nd April 1733.

6.   George Anderson, baptised 21st December 1735.

7.   Robert Anderson, baptised 11th february 1739.

 As in some degree corroberating the parentage suggested, the following facts may be noted -

 A.  The names of the brothers and sisters mentioned in the testiment of John Anderson in Mains of Forrest are all names occuring in the family of Alexander Anderson in Mill of Rathen, afterwards in Oldmill, with exception of Alexander, but it will be noted that there is a blank of five years in the history of this family, during which time at least two children could have been born.

 B.  John Anderson in Mains of Forrest died on 16th March 1803, aged 82, having thus been born in 1721, the year in which it will be observed John, son of Alexander Anderson in Mill of Rathen, was born.

 C.  It is not proven that Alexander Anderson, Mill of Rathen , did come to Oldmill,Strichen, but that the “LIMEY” Andersons did have a connection with the Rathen parish is shown by the fact that John Anderson, Mains of Forrest, was buried in Rathen churchyard. It is known that he died  at Greens of Strichen, and there is no reason to suggest why he should be buried ar Rathen, rather than at Strichen, unless he had some patrimonial connection with the former parish. He was not married, and at the time of his death all of his living nearest relatives were settled elsewhere than Rathen. These reasons, coupled with the fact of having died in Strichen, suggests a family connection with Rathen Parish originally. Moreover his tombstone is in the part of Rathen Churchyard where the Corthiebrare Anderson tombstone stands, and in all probability the Corthiebrae Andersons are the progenitors of the “LIMEY ANDERSONS”. In the point of fact, one of the accounts of the tradition of the above alluded to, has it, that one of the “LIMEY ANDERSONS” ancestors did settle in Corthiebrae.

 D.  James Anderson in Aquorthies, brother of John Anderson, Mains of Forrest, was also sometime in Oldmill, Strichen, and it is found that Alexander Anderson in Oldmill (their suggested father.), was a witness to the baptism of one of James Andersons children.

 This Branch of the family has grown and multiplied, their descendants today are widespread.

Since this was published evidence in the Rathen Parish Register thatAlexander Anderson was baptised on 18th November 1725., he was the son of Alexander Anderson, Mill of Rathen. John and James were also born at Mill of Rathen and the rest of the family being born at Oldmill, Strichen,

 This would go to prove the connection with the Rathen Parish and that Alexander Anderson was a member of the same family.