George Davidson of Pettens (c. 1593–1663) was a 17th-century Scottish landowner, merchant and philanthropist.
Life[edit]
Little is known of his early life but he is thought to be descended from the Davidsons of Cairnbrogie. He was a burgess in Aberdeen from 1650.[1]
He owned the Pettens estate near Balmedie, north of Aberdeen.[2]
He appears to have been a rich merchant in Aberdeen. Having no wife or family he spent much of his money on the city. His works included:[3]
- A new bridge on the River Don in Old Aberdeen.
- Rebuilding the bridge at Insch
- Rebuilding the churchyard walls at St Clements Church in the Footdee district
- Chapel of Ease in the Newhills district
- A fund to aid the ministers of St Clements and St Nicholas
He died in Aberdeen in 1663[4] and is buried in the churchyard of the Kirk of St Nicholas. His huge monument stands against the west boundary wall towards the north west corner.
Memorials[edit]
A stone memorial to him is placed within St Clements Church in Aberdeen.
References[edit]
- ^ https://clandavidson.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Rev-106-H_Early-Davidsons.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "George Davidson of Pettens | the OpenSpace Trust". 26 February 2016.
- ^ https://clandavidson.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/section_3.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ Grave of George Davidson of Pettens