James Gillespie Graham was born in Dunblane on 11 June 1776, the son of Malcolm Gillespie, solicitor. He reputedly trained as a mason or joiner but may have had some experience in an architect's office. Nothing is known of his career until after 1800 when he was employed as superintendent of the 2nd Lord Macdonald's works on Skye, the role being more clerk of works than estate architect.
By 1810 he had secured various commissions on mainland Scotland including a country house and county buildings.
In 1815 he married Margaret Graham, daughter of the wealthy William Graham of Orchill in Perthshire. They inherited the estate on the death of his father-in-law in 1825 and he took the name of Gillespie Graham. The couple had two daughters but Margaret Graham died in 1826. Gillespie Graham married again, this time to Elizabeth Campbell, daughter Major John Campbell of the 76th Regiment of Foot.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 07 April 1830, p 4:
At St Paul's Chapel, on the 25th ult, by the Rev Archd Alison, James Gillespie Graham, Esq of Orchill to Elizabeth Marjory, eldest daughter of the late Major John Campbell, of the 76th regiment of Foot.
ScotlandsPeoples' Wills:
Gillespie Graham, Elizabeth Marjory - Mrs, alias Campbell, residing at No.1 Ainslie Place in Edinburgh, relict of James Gillespie Graham of Orchill.
James Gillespie Graham was born in Dunblane on 11 June 1776, the son of Malcolm Gillespie, solicitor. He reputedly trained as a mason or joiner but may have had some experience in an architect's office. Nothing is known of his career until after 1800 when he was employed as superintendent of the 2nd Lord Macdonald's works on Skye, the role being more clerk of works than estate architect.
By 1810 he had secured various commissions on mainland Scotland including a country house and county buildings.
In 1815 he married Margaret Graham, daughter of the wealthy William Graham of Orchill in Perthshire. They inherited the estate on the death of his father-in-law in 1825 and he took the name of Gillespie Graham. The couple had two daughters but Margaret Graham died in 1826. Gillespie Graham married again, this time to Elizabeth Campbell, daughter Major John Campbell of the 76th Regiment of Foot.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 07 April 1830, p 4:
At St Paul's Chapel, on the 25th ult, by the Rev Archd Alison, James Gillespie Graham, Esq of Orchill to Elizabeth Marjory, eldest daughter of the late Major John Campbell, of the 76th regiment of Foot.
ScotlandsPeoples' Wills:
Gillespie Graham, Elizabeth Marjory - Mrs, alias Campbell, residing at No.1 Ainslie Place in Edinburgh, relict of James Gillespie Graham of Orchill.
Inscription
JAMES GILLESPIE GRAHAM, Esq., Orchill
In memory of
HENRIETTA GRAHAM,
second daughter of William Graham, Esq of Orchill,
who died 12th Dec 1818 aged 26 years
AMELIA ANN SOPHIA GRAHAM
spouse to William Graham of Orchill
Who died 3rd June 1819 aged 68 years;
MARGARET GRAEME of Inchbrakie
Who died 12 Nov 1819 aged 62 years
WILLIAM GRAHM ESQ of ORCHIL
Who died 11th July 1825 aged 77 years
MARGARET ANN, spouse to James Gillespie Graham
Eldest daughter of William Graham, Esq., Orchill
Who died 7th June 1826 aged 40 years
All of whom are interred here.
And of JANE AMELIA
second daughter of James Gillespie Graham
Of Orchill who died at Hastings, Sussex, 3rd Jan 1845 aged 22 years
And is interred in St Mary's Cemetery, there.
JAMES GILLESPIE GRAHAM, Esq of Orchill departed this life
On the 21st March 1855, in the 78th year of his age, having borne
With Christian patience and resignation much bodily suffering
For the period of four years.
Family Members
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