LEDINGHAM, John

4.
The founder of the Skene Square family was a sailor, John Ledingham,
(1780) his wife being one of the family of the Duthies who were famous
shipbuilders at that period and who were cousins of the Ledinghams. An
interesting fact is that the Miss Duthie who gifted the Duthie Park to
the city was a relative of the Ledinghams of Skene Square, It was said
that Miss Duthie died without heirs, but such was not the case, for
Elizabeth Ledingham (1826) wife of John Ledingham (1821)of the second
generation along with the famous Dalry Findlays were direct heirs of Miss
Duthie's estate. However it went to the city, and the park has been a
boon to Aberdeen ever since.

5.
John Ledingham (1780), the founder of the Skene Square family, in his
sailor days had many rough experiences. He was captured by the press
gang, forced to serve on a man-of-war, and was at the great Naval Battle
of Trafalgar Bay. He came through the battle safe and sound, and after
many other thrilling experiences and narrow escapes he either ran away or
got his discharge from the Navy. The press gangs which the war ships in
those days sent on shore to secure men and force them to serve in the
Navy, was a rough and ready method of dealing with the problem and a
cruel and brutal system that entailed much hardship and suffering on many
innocent men who were carried off from their homes and friends.
6.
Many were the strange tales told round the fire-sides, of the
depredations of the press gangs, and of the adventures on sea and land,
held out as an inducement to obtain recruits for the King's Navy.