Introduction / Families / Burgher / Thomas Burgher and Elizabeth Seatter

Robert Burgess (Burgar) and Elizabeth Hercus

Robert Burgess was born on Westray on 2nd September 1844, the son of Thomas Burgess and Elizabeth (Betsy) Seatter. The Burgess family had moved to Cott about 1851. On 2nd November 1865, he married Elizabeth Hercus from Doggerboat, the youngest child of John Harcus and Jane Drummond. She was born about 1842.

Robert and Elizabeth had three children:

• Tomima Burgar, b. 5th Feb 1866 who married James Burghar or Burgess.

• William Burgar b. 1868 who married Mary Stewart Groat

• Catherine Ann Burgar, b. 1872 who married her cousin James Drever of Hammar on 1st May 1890. James was the son of David Drever and Mary Groat. Catherine died 17th Jan 1892 at Cott of tuberculosis; she was only 20.

Robert and Elizabeth also raised Elizabeth's orphaned nephew William Drever, and her niece Eliza Hercus whose father Peter Hercus had died. They lived at Cott where Robert was a crofter.

The Burgar surname has appeared in a number of forms and was recorded as Burgess when Robert and Elizabeth were married in 1865. Robert's death certificate had Burgar and the children used this spelling.

Robert drowned in a boating accident on 11th December 1895 which also almost took the life of his son.

Elizabeth remained at Cott until 1915 when she moved with her son's family to the farm at Fersness, Eday that had previously been occupied by William's in-laws. Eliza died there 30th June 1933, at age 91.