Introduction

This is the third of a series of three pages involving people with the surname 'Scheniman' in Scotland and their Willison, Dempster and other relatives in the 18th and 19th centuries:

1. The strange life of the Reverend Cathcart Leslie, minister of Borthwick

2. George Willison, portrait painter

3. The Scottish Schenimans

There cannot have been many families in Scotland that can be fully documented on a single, fairly short webpage. This page discusses one such family, of just 24 individuals. The spelling of their surname takes many different forms, making searching for them somewhat difficult, though their preferred spelling, by 1800, was 'Scheniman', and I use that spelling here.

*

Frederick Scheniman

From the Montrose Standard of 1934, we learn that Frederick Scheniman, an Englishman, though his ancestors were doubtless German or possibly Dutch, was appointed as organist of St Peter's English Episcopal Chapel in Montrose in 1722 [MS 4 Sep 1936]:

He had doubtless arrived in Scotland in 1722 or shortly before; he was already married, or had been, though his wife's name has not yet been found, and had at least one child, a son called Ferdinand. Nothing further is known about Frederick.

Ferdinand Scheniman

Ferdinand was born in or about 1711, probably in England. He first appears in Scottish records in Banff, Banffshire. Like his father, he is an organist, at St Andrew's Episcopal Chapel there [Cramond]:

In 1737, Ferdinand, "organist, St Andrew's Chapel, Banff" was a subscriber to Twelve Solos or Sonatas for a Violin and Violoncello, with a thorough Bass for the Harpsichord. Dedicated to the [Edinburgh] Musical Society. Composed by Charles Maclean, Opera prima. Edinburgh : printed by R. Cooper, 1737. Folio, pp. 46 [Listen to MacLean's Sonata in A].

Ferdinand, "organist", had a son James baptised at Banff on 24 Sep 1738, possibly the consequence of the above fornication, though no mother is named on the record. No further trace of James has been found.

In 1743, Ferdinand married a Catherine Corse in Dundee [OPR marriages 10 Jan 1743].

Catherine Corse may have been the youngest child of the Rev. David Corse, minister of the 1st charge at Aberdeen, and Margaret Gray, baptised at Old Machar on 3 Feb 1713, her father having died late in 1712. Her eldest brother Mr David was briefly minister of Dunnottar and it seems possible that it was her second brother Mr Alexander who was the minister of Abernyte in the years 1739 to 1754, though the Fasti do not actually make that connexion.

The following year, they had a child baptised at Dundee [OPR baptisms 19 Mar 1744]. This child, though unnamed in the record, was Charles Ferdinand Scheniman. There are no other records of children to them, though they may also have had a daughter, Magdalene, born c.1748 [see below].

By 1748, Ferdinand was settled in Montrose, apparently as successor to his father as organist of St Peter's Chapel there. He asked the burgh council for somewhere to teach music [MR 18 Jun 1937]:

But the next year, he was deprived of the school he had been given [MR 25 Jun 1937]:

In 1767, "Mr Scheniman, Organist at Montrose", subscribed to Francis Peacock's Fifty Favourite Scotch Airs for a Violin, German Flute and Violoncello, with a Thorough Bass for the Harpsichord [Link shows title page of 1762 London edition].

Twenty years thereafter, "Ferdinand Shunniman" in Montrose is listed in the roll of duty payable for having one female servant [NRS E326/6/12/78].

He died at Dundee [EM vol. 5, p. 162], on 7 Feb 1795 [GM vol. 65, part 1, 1795, p. 175]:

and was buried in the Howff, Dundee, on 10 Feb 1795, as "Ann Shunniman" [OPR burials]. Perhaps the grave-digger was a little deaf.

Charles Ferdinand Scheniman

Charles married a Margaret Leitch in about 1765. There is no record of the marriage.

In 1770, there is a record of an action at Forres against Scheniman for non-payment of a bill drawn by Andrew Farquhar [Moray Council Archives, ZBFo B32/770/26] and also an action against Scheniman and three others there on an unspecified charge [ZBFo B32/771/34].

On 25 Jan 1771, Charles wrote to James Grant of Grant to say that he would take an Angus Cumming as apprentice for four years, during which time he would be taught to play the organ & harpsichord, as well as tuning both [NRS GD248/363/5, no. 51].

Following the baptism of his son Charles in Jun 1771 at Forres, we next find Charles Scheniman, harpsichord teacher, living in Bell's Wynd, Edinburgh, in 1773 [Williamson's Directory, 1773-74]. The next year, he has moved to the head of Todrick's Wynd and is listed as a musician [Williamson's Directory, 1774-75], though he is also listed as "Charles Sheniman Musician" as possessor of a property in Morrison's Close owned by George Norrie's children [Extent Roll, 1774-75]. In 1775, he is in Niddry's Wynd [Williamson's Directory, 1775-76].

In 1775, Charles was pursuer in a case in the Court of Session against a Robert Cairnton [NRS CS271/43131].

On 27 Jan 1776, the following advert appeared [CM 27 Jan 1776]:

So Charles had clearly moved home until he was as close as possible to the centre of his activity, St Cecilia's Hall [see also Harris, illustrated, with several caricatures of musicians, but sadly none of Scheniman, whom Harris lists among the foreign performers], where Stephen Clark and Charles were frequent performers. Charles was employed as a harpsichordist from 1773 to 1779 by the Edinburgh Musical Society [Macleod], but the directors of that Society, who ran the Hall, were not always satisfied with their performances [Campbell]:

In 1778, Charles was pursuer in a case in the Court of Session against a Benjamin Sinclair [NRS CS271/47966]. Also that year, "Mr Charles J. Scheneman musician" was a subcriber to Daniel Dow's A collection of Ancient Scots music for the violin, harpsichord or German flute (c. 1778) [Sanger].

Margaret Leitch was buried in Canongate kirkyard on 29 Jul 1778, "aged 32", though she was probably in fact 35 years old [see further below]. Charles Ferdinand Scheniman died the following year, on 28 Apr 1779 and was buried in Canongate kirkyard, "aged 34". A milliner, Margaret Orrock, made mournings for his funeral [Sanderson]. The couple left eight orphaned children, and a concert was held in St Cecilia's Hall in aid of the children [CM 1 May 1779]:

Charles's testament dative, of which his eldest daughter Alexandrina was only executrix, was recorded at Edinburgh on 25 Sep 1779 [NRS CC8/8/124]. It lists his household goods in great detail.

In about 1780 was published at Edinburgh Charles Scheniman's Entertainment ... consisting of a Collection of the Most Choice Scotch English and Irish Tunes, Adapted to These Instruments, variations, harpsichord/spinet/pianoforte/organ [Hunt].

*

Charles & Margaret had at least two sons and at least seven daughters, though there are baptismal records only for two sons, Ferdinand and Charles. The order of birth in the following list is therefore based on ages at death, where stated, and partly on years of marriage, but is otherwise guesswork. Moreover, there is room for doubt about Magdalene being Charles's daughter, rather than his sister. Nothing more is known about Hugh than is given here. There may be further information to be uncovered amongst the unpublished records of the Episcopal Church, with which the Schenimans were associated as organists and doubtless also as members.

• Alexandrina - b. c.1766, eldest daughter according to the inventory of her father's estate; mar. 12 May 1808 (banns in Caputh & Dundee) Thomas Mawer, writer in Dundee; d. 1807 or 1808 Dundee [Dundee Mortcloth records, "1808 Mawer, Mrs Thos, large [mortcloth], 4/-"]; no issue; Thomas Mawer (1739-1815), son of Robert Mawer, dyer in Dundee, was previously married in 1782 to a Helen Craw or Crow, and had three surviving children by Helen when he drew up his trust deed and settlement in 1810: George Mawer H.E.I.C.S. in Bengal (1783-?); Barbara (1784-1857); and Elizabeth (1786-1869, mar. 1829 John Robb, merchant in Dundee).

• Magdalene - b. c.1767; mar.(1) c.1786 John Myles, wright in Hillbank near Dundee; mar.(2) 2 Jul 1787 Dundee, James Wright, wright in Dundee; buried 10 Mar 1824 [OPR burials], except that her age at death is given as 76. If that age is correct, it would be more reasonable to suppose that Magdalene was Charles's sister, born in about 1748, and that her first marriage, to John Myles, was c.1768. John Myles had an immediately elder brother Alexander in America who was served heir of conquest to him on 8 Sep 1789. The John Myles who was buried in Dundee on 13 Jul 1784 may be the relevant person. He also had a brother George, a cooper in Dundee. Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to identify these brothers further, so the date of Magdalene's first marriage remains uncertain. Similarly, nothing further is known of James Wright [UVALL Box 17]. On 27 Feb 1822, there is a decreet of the Court of Session in the case "Mrs Magdaleine Sheniman or Wright v Alexander Mitchell" [NRS CS44/16/6], where Mitchell is doubtless the husband of Charles Scheniman & Margaret Leitch's daughter Rose Scheniman.

• Elizabeth - mar. 7 Nov 1790 Robert McDonald, of the 42nd Foot (Black Watch), in Inverness.

• Ferdinand Nathaniel - b. 15 Jan 1770 and bapt. 18 Jan 1770 Forres, Morayshire:

  "Janry 18th Ferdinand Nathaniel, son to Charles Scheniman, Musician in Forres, and Margt Leech, his spouse born the 15th was baptised, designed after Ferdinand Scheniman, Musician at Montrose Witness Nathaniel Leech at Fort George"

  See further below.

• Charles - b. 29 Jun 1771 and bapt. 5 Jul 1771 Forres:

  "July 5th Charles, Son to Charles Shenniman, Musician in Forres, and Margaret Leech, his Spouse born June 29th was baptized, Witnesses Mrs Leech, Mrs Cumming, Mrs Chapman, and John Cook Schoolmaster"

  No further trace of Charles has been found.

• Ann Hope - "Miss A.H. Schiniman" is listed in the Edinburgh Postal Directory of 1800 at 22 North Hanover Street; in 1806, she is pursuer in a case in the Court of Session against John Fleming & Co. [NRS CS271/60839]; also in 1806, "Shunniman, Miss dress-maker" in listed at 36 Queen Street, the same address as her brother Ferdinand [Post Office Directory]; "Miss Scheniman" is in the Edinburgh Extent Roll for 1808/09 as having been a tenant in a house in London Street, owned by a Mr Gavine, her name having been crossed out; on 4 Feb 1818, there is a decreet of the Court of Session in the case Mrs Barbara Dunbar or Guthrie, and her mandatory v Miss Anne Hope Scheniman [NRS CS32/16/19]. There is no further trace of her until her death in Toronto in 1842 [William Reid's Death Notices, extracted from TH 24 Jan 1842]:

  "An inquest was held on the 7th inst., at the Black Swan Inn, upon the body of a lady named Ann Hope Schinnaman, who came to her death by her clothes having accidentally caught fire. The unfortunate lady was of Scottish extraction and well connected - at the time of the accident she lived alone in a large house in Newgate Street, and was in reduced circumstances."

• Rose - b. c.1774 Edinburgh; contracted marriage to Alexander Mitchell in Dundee on 22 Jun and married there 24 Jun 1799; d. 6 Feb 1843 in Dundee of typhus, aged 68; buried 9 Feb 1843 Dundee, "Aged 68, born Edinburgh, wife of Alex Mitchell, sometime farmer".

  She is listed in the 1841 census of Dundee at Miln Bank, with her husband Alexander Mitchell, her daughter Catherine Mitchell, her father-in-law Charles Mitchell, her son-in-law the Rev. Cathcart Leslie's sister Bruce Leslie and a female servant. The Mitchells had been living at Miln Bank since 1818, when Alexander is listed in the Dundee Directory as a corn merchant. On 27 Feb 1822, there is a decreet of the Court of Session in the case "Mrs Magdaleine Sheniman or Wright v Alexander Mitchell" [NRS CS44/16/6]. By 1851, Alexander Mitchell was living in Paton's Lane, aged 75, with daughter Catherine and Bruce Leslie. He was buried in Dundee on 22 Apr 1853, "aged 65", though he would seem to have been the son of Charles Mitchell & Betty Stormonth born on 26 Nov 1775 in Kingoldrum.

• Alexis - Alexis was married to a dyer in Cupar, Andrew Nicol, in Dec 1802 in the Canongate:

  "17 Andw Nicol Dyer & Elexa Shenaman Daughter of the late --- Shenaman of Edr Gave up their Names for Marriage"

  Her name in the above record seems to have been entered as 'Eliza' and then changed. The two further records of her have 'Alexis'. Her only child, Peter, was born on 20 Sep 1803 and baptised on 26 Sep 1803 in Cupar. Alexis died at Cupar on 16 Oct 1803. There is no further trace of Peter. Andrew Nicol married, secondly, Isabella Arnot on 20 Oct 1804 at Abdie, Fife and had three children by her. He died on 17 Sep 1830 and was buried at Cupar on 21 Sep 1830, aged 56.

• Catherine - buried 17 Oct 1777 Canongate, aged 2 months.

• Kinnaird - She and William Scott, shipmaster in Bo'ness, gave in their names for proclamation of marriage on 17 Feb 1798 at Bo'ness. "William Scott, Shipmaster, Parish of Bo'ness and Miss Kinnaird Shinniman, in this Parish" were married at Dundee on 18 Feb 1798. William Scott is listed as a shipmaster in the Consolidated Schedules of Assessed Taxes for Bo'ness, dated 23 Jul 1798 [NRS E326/15/22/5].

• Hugh - See "Note this bundle also contains accounts for board of Hugh Shuniman or Scheniman." [NRS GD44/51/408, no. 5; Instructions of Mr Charles Gordon's accounts, from March 1785 to March 1788]; possible son, as the date is after Charles Ferdinand Scheniman's death.

Margaret Leitch was almost certainly a daughter of the Nathaniel Leitch who witnessed Ferdinand's baptism in 1770. Nathaniel Leitch, servant to Hugh Rose, 16th of Kilravock ^† (1684-1755), and Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander Donaldson, maltman in Arbroath, were married at Edinburgh on 7 Mar 1742. Their daughter Margaret was baptised at Nairn on 27 Mar 1743. Nathaniel was most likely the Nathaniel Leitch b. 30 Apr 1719 and bapt. 3 May 1719 at Nairn to William Leitch. Kilravock Castle is 10km SW of Nairn and 8km SSE of Fort George.

^† That Wikipedia page is appallingly badly written.

The only male line of descent continues through Ferdinand Nathaniel Scheniman.

Ferdinand Nathaniel Scheniman

The earliest trace of Ferdinand after his parents' death is as a clerk in the Board of Customs in Edinburgh in 1792 [Edinburgh Almanack, 1792, p. 52]. He married Emira, eldest of the illegitimate daughters of the portrait painter George Willison, in Edinburgh on 24 Jan 1798 [AP 6 Feb 1798]:

"Clark" seems likely to have been Emira's mother's surname.

In 1799, Ferdinand is listed as a writer in North St David's Street; the next year he is "of the Customs" at No. 5 in that street; in 1806, he is "of the tax-office, 36, Queen' street"; he is still at 36 Queen Street in 1807 but in 1808 he is an accountant at 32 George Street [Edinburgh Street Directories].

On 12 Sep 1811, he writes to Charles Stewart, printer in the Lawnmarket, Edinburgh [NRS GD214/739 no. 1]:

The NRS suggests that he may be a captive of the French.

In 1818, he is in Gayfield Square; in 1820, at 3 Howard Place, and by 1832, at 14 Howard Place, where he died on 7 Feb 1843 [SC 18 Feb 1843]. He was buried in Canongate kirkyard.

Emira Willison was born in Jun 1780 [SC 17 Sep 1828] in Madras Presidency, India [1855 death certificate, the informant being her 2nd son's 2nd wife; no mother's name on certificate].

On 3 Apr 1844, "Mrs Emira Scheniman, Musselburgh, formerly Howard Place, Edinburgh, formerly 3 Gilmour Place, Edinburgh" was pursued for payment in Edinburgh Sheriff Court by George Drummond, builder, Scotland Street, Edinburgh, & Alexander Mitchell Dick, merchant or grocer, Huntly Street, Canonmills, Edinburgh [NRS SC39/8/21].

She died of apoplexy on 13 Jan 1855 [CM 18 Jan 1855]:

*

Ferdinand & Emira had three sons:

1. Charles - b. 4 Jun 1799 Edinburgh

   In Sep 1825, Charles Scheniman Esq. is listed as holding a Game Certificate, when farming the lands of Elphinstone Tower in the parish of Tranent as a tenant of John Fullerton Elphinstone of Elphinstone & younger of Carberry [EA 23 Sep 1825]. But three years later, on 29 Feb 1828, he was sequestrated at Haddington Sheriff Court on action by that landowner [NRS SC40/11/7/7/9/2] and the farm, of 314 Scotch acres in the parish of Tranent, was advertised for sale later that year [EC 19 Apr 1828], while Charles's furniture was advertised for sale at a public roup [EC 6 Oct 1828]:

   "SALE OF HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE. To be Sold by public roup, at Elphingstone Tower, in the parish of Tranent (by warrant of the Sheriff of Haddington), on Thursday the 16th October, 1828, GREAT variety of Articles of HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, comprehending Beds and Bedding, Tables of various kinds, Sofas, Chairs, Grates, and Fire Irons, a Mahogany Sideboard, Kitchen Furniture, Stoneware, Crystal, &c.; also, a Piano-Forte, and a number of other articles."

   On 8 Jun 1829, he married Helen, daughter of Robert Robertson, at Edinburgh [OPR marriages, St Cuthberts]:

   "Charles Scheniman, Sometime Farmer at Elphinstone Tower parish of Tranent, Residing at Canaan in this Parish, and Helen Robertson Residing at Cousland in the Parish of Cranston, Second Daughter of Robert Robertson, Farmer there, have been Three times proclaimed in order to Marriage, in the Parish Church of St Cuthberts, and no Objections have been Offered."

   ---

   There is no trace of a Robert Robertson in Cranston. As Charles & Helen's second son was called 'Alexander', it seems likely that Helen was in fact the daughter of Alexander Robertson & Janet Ormiston, born 6 Dec 1809 Cranston.

   ---

   One son was born in Edinburgh, Ferdinand on 25 Jun 1829; a second son, Alexander, was born in 1831; and a third son, Charles, was born 30 Jul 1833 and bapt. in Dundee on 9 Sep 1833. The father is listed at Steprow, Magdalen-yard, Dundee in 1834 [Dundee Directory].

   The couple emigrated to Peel, Ontario, Canada in 1834, sailing from Greenock on the barque "Romulus" (Thomas Callender master) and arriving in New York on 12 Aug 1834. Nine further children were born to them in Canada. Charles died at Peel on 26 Sep 1884.

2. George Willison - b. 28 May 1801 Edinburgh

   George was appointed an assistant surgeon in the H.E.I.C.S. on 21 Oct 1824, and a surgeon on 18 Jan 1838, based in Madras.

   He married Elizabeth Knott at All Souls, Langham Place, Westminster on 2 Oct 1830, and the couple left from Portsmouth aboard the the "Mary Ann" (Hornblow master) on 21 Oct 1830, arriving at Madras on or about 21 Feb 1831 [GI 21 Feb 1831].

   They left Madras again aboard the "Hero of Malown" (George Grundy master) on 13 Oct 1836, to return to London [BG 29 Oct 1836, copying from MC 17 Oct 1836]. Elizabeth died at sea on 19 Oct 1836, and the ship reached England on 3 Feb 1837 [KG 7 Feb 1837; NG 11 Feb 1837].

   George married, secondly, Margaret Watson Farnie, on 20 Mar 1838 [PC 29 Mar 1838]:

   "At Edinburgh, on the 20th inst., G. W. Scheniman. Esq., E.I.C.S., Madras medical establishment, to Margaret Watson, eldest daughter of the late James Farnie, Esq., Burntisland."

   The couple left for Madras on 16 Aug 1838 on the "True Briton" [CM 16 Aug 1838].

   Having been surgeon in the 48th Regiment of Native Infantry, he was transferred in 1842 to the 26th N.I. [EW 10 May 1842], who were stationed at Secunderabad from Feb 1843 [East India Register 1844]. He died at Camp Nirikul, Madras on 7 Aug 1846 [MH 27 Oct 1846]. Margaret Farnie returned to Edinburgh with her daughters [see below], dying there in 1864 [CM 26 Apr 1864; "36th" should read "26th"]:

   "At 14 Howard Place. on the 22d inst., Margaret W. Farnie, relict of George W. Scheniman, Esq., surgeon, 36th Regiment Madras N.I."

   *

   George & Margaret had three daughters:

   • 2a. Elizabeth Landale - b. 20 Dec 1838; bapt. 25 Feb 1839 St Thomas Mount, Madras, India; living at 14 Howard Place in 1891; died unmarried on 28 Mar 1909 [SC 29 Mar 1909]:

     "At 9 Fettes Row, on the 28th inst., Elizabeth Landale Scheniman, eldest daughter of the late George W, Scheniman, Surgeon, 26th Madras N.I."

     She was buried at Warriston Cemetery on 30 Mar 1909. Her testament was recorded at Edinburgh on 6 Apr 1909 [will - NRS SC70/4/405; inventory - NRS SC70/1/489].

   • 2b. Emira Georgiana - b. 15 Sep 1840; bapt. 15 Oct 1840 Madras. She was married to Arthur John Doig (1839-1888) at St Paul's Episcopal Church, York Place, Edinburgh on 24 Jan 1867 [Doig] and had six children by him. She died in Edinburgh on 12 Mar 1881 and was buried on 15 Mar 1881.

   • 2c. Margaret Jemima Farnie - b. c.1843 Cuddapah, Madras, India; d. 28 Dec 1905 at 14 Howard Place. Her testament was recorded at Edinburgh on 1 Feb 1906 [will - NRS SC70/4/373; inventory - NRS SC70/1/453].

3. Hope - b. 4 Jun 1803 Edinburgh.

   He was admitted a Writer to the Signet on 4 Jun 1829 [W.S. Register]. He was living with his parents at 14 Howard Place in 1841, but was admitted to Edinburgh Royal Asylum later that year [General Register of Lunatics in Asylum, NRS MC7/1]. He died on 28 Nov 1858.

References

NRS - National Records of Scotland Catalogue

OPR - Old Parish Registers of the Church of Scotland at ScotlandsPeople

Newspapers (at British Newspaper Archive):

• AP - Aberdeen Press & Journal
• BG - Bombay Gazette
• CM - Caledonian Mercury
• EC - Edinburgh Evening Courant
• EM - Edinburgh Magazine
• EW - English Chronicle and Whitehall Evening Post
• GI - Government Gazette (India)
• GM - Gentleman's Magazine
• KG - Kentish Gazette
• MH - Morning Herald
• MP - Morning Post
• MR - Montrose Review
• MS - Montrose Standard
• NG - Naval & Military Gazette
• PC - Perthshire Courier
• SC - The Scotsman
• SM - Scots Magazine
• TH - Toronto Herald

Campbell, Katherine - Eighteenth-Century Scots Song: Stephen Clarke, a Reluctant Pioneer, Review of Scottish Culture, vol. 25, pp. 73-96, 2013

Cramond, William - Annals of Banff, vol. 1, New Spalding Club, Aberdeen, 1891

Dalyell, John Graham - Musical Memoirs of Scotland, T.G. Stevenson, Edinburgh, 1849

Doig - Descendants of David Doig of Reswallie, part of Doig Family Society website [but they don't know what a "crest" is]

Harris, David Fraser - Saint Cecilia's Hall in the Niddry Wynd, Oliphant, Anderson & Ferrier, Edinburgh, 1899

Hunt, Una - The Harper's Legacy: National Airs and Pianoforte, Journal of the society for musicology in Ireland, vol. 6, 2010-2011. pp. 3-53 (Scheniman entry is on p. 49)

Macleod, Jennifer - The Edinburgh Musical Society: its Membership and Repertoire 1728-1797, Ph.D. thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2001

Sanderson, Elizabeth C. - Women and Work in Eighteenth-Century Edinburgh, Macmillan, Basingstoke, 1996, p. 191

Sanger, Keith - General Reid and Daniel Dow, 2014

UVALL Box 17 - University of Virginia Law Library, Myles v Scheniman, 1799

W.S. Register- A History of the Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet, Edinburgh, 1890