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BARCLAY ALLARDICE, Robert (1732-97), of Urie, Kincardine.
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Biography Detail
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Constituency
Dates
Family and Education
b. 27 Nov. 1732,1 1st s. of Robert Barclay of Urie by his cos. Une, da. of Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel. m. (1) 3 June 1756,2 his cos. Lucy (d. 24 Mar. 1757),3 da. of David Barclay, linen draper, of Cheapside, London, 1da.; (2) 2 Dec. 1776,4 Sarah Anne (div. Sept. 1793), da. and h. of James Allardice of Allardice, Kincardine, 3s. 5da.; took additional name of Allardice. suc. fa. 1760.
Offices Held
Member, board of agriculture 1793-d.
Biography
Barclay Allardice, who used his influence in Aberdeen Burghs to help oust the Whig sitting Member in 1790, retained his own seat for Kincardineshire without opposition until his death. He continued to give apparently silent support to government and voted, as predicted, against the relief of Scotsmen from the Test Act, 10 May 1791, and against the abolition of the slave trade, 15 Mar. 1796. He was a defaulter ordered to attend the House, 24 Nov. 1795.5
His consuming interest was in the development and application of scientific agricultural techniques: he was described as ‘the first, the most extensive, and judicious systematic improver of land in the north of Scotland’.6 In his domestic life he preserved the Quaker traditions of his ancestors. His granddaughter recalled him as
very cheerful, orderly, active, acute as a man of business, and most kindly in his consideration and thought for the welfare and happiness of all about him. He gave his charity in a benevolent, considerate and business way ... and supplied the want kindly, beneficently yet not lavishly, with a completeness that showed his pleasure in giving, yet with an orderly economy.7
Barclay Allardice, who founded the town of Stonehaven, died 8 Apr. 1797.
