The Chief Is Coming - Clan Henderson Society

Fordell Castle as viewed through the main gate.their royal leader at the field of Flodden.’ His only survivingson, George Henryson, succeeded in 1513, and extended thepossessions of the family before his death in 1542. GeorgeHenderson, his son, was married to Mariota Scott of StraitounHall, who was one of the Maids of Honour to Queen Mary. Ithas been repeatedly asserted that the Queen visited Fordell onthe occasion of the marriage, but this is extremely unlikely, asthat event took place in 1546, when the Queen was little overthree years old. George Henderson was slain at Pinkiecleughin 1547. His only son James was a favourite of James VI, andobtained a new charter of Fordell in 1580. John Henderson,his eldest son, was knighted by that monarch and survivedtill about 1625. In referring to his son and successor, Sir JohnHenderson, Douglas quotes from a history of the family printedin 1714 to the effect that ‘having betaken himself to a militarylife, he had a considerable command upon the coast of Africa,where, after a defeat, he was taken prisoner by the barbarians,and when he was upon the point of being destroyed by them,was ransomed by a lady.’ . . . On his return to this country(Scotland), he took an active part with the Royalists, and wasknighted by Charles I. He was succeeded by his eldest son SirJohn, who was created a baronet by Charles II, on 15 July 1664,and died in 1683. The title descended in regular successionto Sir John Henderson, fifth baronet, who was Member ofParliament for Fifeshire, for Dysart, Kirkcaldy Burghs, and forStirling Burghs from 1780 till 1807. He died in 1817, and ashe had no son the title fell to his brother Robert, with whomit became extinct. Sir John left the estate of Fordell to hisonly child Isabella, who was married to Admiral Sir PhilipCalderwood Durham, K.C.B., but at the decease of the survivorin 1845, without issue, Fordell became the property of LadyDurham’s cousin, George Mercer, son of her father’s sister, whoassumed the additional name of Henderson. George Mercer-Henderson died unmarried in 1852. His brother, Lieutenant-General Douglas Mercer-Henderson, C.B., one of the heroesof the Peninsular War, succeeded, and the eldest son of thelatter was the late Captain George William Mercer-Henderson,whose trustees then held the estate.The estate remained in possession of Hendersons until 1954,at which time it was sold in parcels, dividing the propertyand its buildings into private living quarters. Avis’ parentspurchased the gardener’s house in 1954. The adjacent estatewas known as “Pitadro” and the gardener’s house wassubsequently named “Pitadro House” by Avis’ family.Fordell is a title describing the physical location of theproperty. It sits on a hillside as it begins to slope towardDalgety Bay. For meaning “over, above”; and dail defined as“haugh-land or water-meadow”.After our grand tour, which had taken us on a hike throughthe estate grounds for several hours, Avis invited friends tojoin us over lunch. Delicious salmon, much laughter andplenty of sharing, we departed in the early evening feelingLeft: The carriagehouse is now privatelyowned and serves as aprimary residence.Right: A dovecotwhich, in its dayhoused doves whichwere consumedin winter months.Immediately to theright of the dovecot, acorner of the dovecotcottage is visible – thisis a small cottage,currently occupied asa private residence aswell.Winter 2006 An Canach 21