Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Anderson
Designation:  
Born: 1838
Died: 16 December 1909
Bio Notes: James Anderson was born at Cobairdy Cottage, Forgue, Inverkeithny, Aberdeenshire in 1838, the son of William Anderson and his wife Janet Adam. He was apprenticed as a journeyman mason in Huntly. He married Mary Porter of Insch, Aberdeenshire in 1863 and they had three children, James, William and Jane Ann. He practised in Huntly where he designed a considerable number of unspecified houses in the New Feus between 1878 and 1880. In 1882 he became the clerk of works and architect at Balmoral where he carried out numerous alterations and extensions as well as various arches and pavilions. During this period he designed a stove with attached oven and container for hot water, an example of which still remains in a cottage of Balmoral estate. His obituarist said he was a great favourite with Queen Victoria who frequently visited him at his cottage on the estate and she presented him with 'many tokens of royal regard'.

Anderson was an office-bearer for many years at Crathie Free Church (subsequently Crathie United Free Church) and he was involved with the building of the new church in 1896 - 'by his efforts much expense was saved to the congregation', though it is not stated if he was involved with the design of the building.

He remained in the post at Balmoral until his retirement after a stroke in November 1904. He and his wife then moved to 31 Holborn Road, Aberdeen which he had purchased some time before. His son had lived in the house until the latter's marriage when he had moved elsewhere in Aberdeen.

He died on 16 December 1909 and was buried at Huntly Cemetery.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 39, McVeagh Street, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, ScotlandBusiness1879  
Item 2 of 3Ivy Cottage, Balmoral, Aberdeenshire, ScotlandBusiness1882(?)1904 
Item 3 of 331, Holborn Road, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate19041909 

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 121875Stewart's HallHuntly AberdeenshireScotlandWon competition and secured job
Item 2 of 121875Tillathrowie SchoolHuntly AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 3 of 121878HouseHuntly AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 4 of 121879House and storeHuntly AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 5 of 121879Property for George BranderHuntly AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 6 of 121880DowminHuntly AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 7 of 121880HousesHuntly AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 8 of 121880Kinnoir ChurchHuntly AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 9 of 121880Two HousesHuntly AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 10 of 121882Balmoral Estate, Arch erected on the occasion of visit the Duke and Duchess of AlbanyBalmoral AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 11 of 12After 1882Royal Pavilion for Braemar Gathering at BalmoralBalmoral AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 12 of 121887Balmoral Estate Jubilee ArchCrathie AberdeenshireScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1In Memoriam1909In Memoriam   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Aberdeen Weekly JournalDecember 1909   
Item 2 of 4Huntly Express27 December 1879   
Item 3 of 4Huntly Express2 December 1904  Presentation on Anderson's retirement from Balmoral
Item 4 of 4Huntly Express17 December 1909  Obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 4Aberdeen Central LibraryAberdeen Valuation Rolls For 1906. No 23.241
Item 2 of 4Aberdeen Central LibraryHuntly Valuation Rolls For 1881
Item 3 of 4Balmoral Estate OfficeDiary of Mr Michie, Head Forrester at Balmoral  
Item 4 of 4Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Much additional information from Miss Frances Reed, Anderson's granddaughter from collected papers in her possession.