Record

Reference NoDD5/9/AM
Alt Reference NoDD5/MB
DD5/10
TitleCochran & MacPherson: Records of James Allan of Midbeltie and Midbeltie Trustees
DescriptionDD5/9/AM/1: Minutes (1848-1957)
DD5/9/AM/2: Financial Records (1848-1924)
DD5/9/AM/3: Fund for Widows (1850-1916)
DD5/9/AM/4: Estate Papers (1844-1972)
DD5/9/AM/5: Papers relating to James Allan (1770-1877)
DD5/9/AM/6: Miscellaneous (1804-1960)
Date1770 - 1974
Related MaterialAn additional item of James Allan's was found in DD748 - presume this was due to the Cochran family's working for Allan.
Fragments of a stock book and ledgers 1817-19 of James Allan, merchant in Madras; together with copies of letters to Andrew Barren, his attorney in Madras, written after returning to Aberdeen, 1821-35, are included in DD747.
Extent19 archive boxes
​Open or Restricted AccessOpen
Administrative HistoryJames Allan, of East India Co., Madras. Died 1848.

Son of James Allan, burgess (1770), and himself burgess 1833 [c. when he retired? - personal papers from around this date]. Purchased the agricultural estate of Midbeltie, Torphins, in 1844.

Will of around the same date left the majority of his estate to establish a fund for poor, deserving widows. Trustees of fund to include various council and Society of Advocates officials, who also administered estate. The fund made biannual payments to needy Aberdeen widows from the parishes of St Nicholas or Old Machar, and could made discretionary payments to the children of deceased beneficiaries. The Trust is still in existene as of 2026 (see https://www.midbeltietrust.co.uk/about-us/). From c.1892, the Trustees also administered Mrs Paterson's bequest (see MB/4/3/21), two biannual payments to beneficiaries of Midbeltie fund.

Kin including nephews George Allan (who ?contested trust - or just required to consent as nearest male heir?), and Barron brothers (among 1st trustees). Also sisters (legal papers re. payment of death duties on ending of annuities from estate).
Related RecordDD747
DD748/7/5/3
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