Chapter 2.2

Scottish Mosman Families 1600-1799

"Hugh” Mosman (several generations)
It became Mosman family tradition to call their firstborn son “Hugh”. There were several generations of Hughs between Sir James (b. 1532) and Hugh Mosman (b. 1716). We don’t know much about them as it was either a time of little achievement or limited historical information.

Hugh Mosman (1716-1773, Liz’s fifth great grandfather)
Cecilia Bertram (1739-1773, Liz’s fifth great grandmother)
Hugh was a Writer (Legal Practitioner) to the Signet (Privyseal) of Edinburgh.

Their main claim to fame is that they were both killed when the roof and chimney of their house collapsed on them on 20 January 1773 during a storm when they were in bed. Others have suggested the chimney fell on them but the roof seems more believable. It’s likely the house was at Gosford Close but others suggest it was at John Knox House about 500m away.

They left charming portraits of both of them. 

Hugh and Cecilia Mosman

Hugh Mosman (1756-1828)
Anne Agnes Kennedy (1732-1827)
Hugh was Convenor of the County of Lanark and a Magistrate. He acquired Auchtyfardle, Lesmahagow, the Mosman family estate for many years, probably through inheritance from Anne. It was large with extensive grounds but the house was not of outstanding architectural quality. It was demolished in 1957. 

Auchtyfardle House

The Mosman family registered the family Coat of Arms. The Coat of Arms given to Sir James Mosman by Mary Queen of Scots and shown on John Knox House predated an official register created in 1592. A Protestant family in the eighteenth century would be unlikely to keep the previous one from a Catholic monarch, or its motto. 

“Better times await us”

They also left charming portraits behind them. 

Hugh and Anne Mosman

Of course their eldest son was called Hugh. He was awarded medals for fighting in seven Napoleonic wars around 1793.

Hugh Mosman
(c. Mosman Library)

It is their youngest twin sons Archibald and George, born on 15 October 1799 at Auchtyfardle, who are of interest because they travelled to Australia, became successful (and sometimes unsuccessful) merchants and pastoralists and founded one of the most notable Australian families in Colonial Australia. 

Their history and that of their equally remarkable offspring follows. 

Next Chapter- 3 SYDNEY AUSTRALIA 1828