Patrick Matthew

      Alexander Duncan I

  to

                 Alexander Duncan  II                      George Duncan ( P.M.'s G.G.Grandfather)

                                    to   

                         Alexander Duncan  III                                      to

                                    to

      1st Viscount Admiral Adam Duncan           Francis Duncan ( P.M."s G. Grandfather)

                                                                                                    to 

                                           Alexander Duncan   (P. M.'s Grandfather)     

                                                                                                    to

                                           Agnes Duncan  (Patrick Matthew's Mother)

                                                                                                    to

                                                                                            Patrick Matthew 

                                                                                                   to 

           (P.M.'s 5th son) James Matthew   ***   Alexander Matthew   (P.M.'s 3rd Son)

                                        to                                                        to

                         Jones & Smith families                          The Minnick & Macy families

                                   in New Zealand                                      in the United States

                                                                                                   &                                                           

                                                                                              The Gerdts family in Germany

The family tree, above, has been provided by the original research conducted by Major Howard Minnick US Army (retired) who is the third great grandson of Patrick Matthew. Dates forthcoming.

References:

Alexander Hastie Millar. The Historical Castles and Mansions of Scotland: Perthshire and Forfarshire (here).

W. Gerdts.: ‘Die Matthew Saga 1 (1790 – 1918) and Die Matthew Saga 2 (1918-2003). Self published history of the Matthew family.

Alexander Elliot (1911) Lochee: as it was and as it Is. And a Series of Sketches Descriptive of Olden Time Vestiges in the Neighbourhood. James P. Mathew & Co.: Dundee, (See Chapter 9: The Duncans of Lundie and Camperdown).

Please note: This is the first definitive evidence that Patrick Matthew was related to the great British naval hero Viscount Admiral Duncan.

The dual themes and title of Patrick Matthew's (1831) book 'On Naval Timber and Arboriculture' was most likely influenced by his bloodline to Admiral Duncan.. As the opening words of Chapter One his book indicate...

..

.

... the importance of understanding the principle of natural selection with regards to where and how to grow the best naval timber was fully and originally understood by Matthew (1831) and then some others after they read and cited his book. Those others - such as Jameson (1853) of the East India Company (a regular correspondent of William Hooker, who (pre 1858) knew and met Darwin. Significantly, on the topic of likley pre-1858 Matthewian 'knowledge contamination' of the minds of Darwin and Wallace, William was the father of Darwin's  best friend Joseph Hooker as well as being Wallace's pre-1855 mentor) - cited Matthew and wrote of his original ideas that timber could fare better in a non-natural  environment if native species were kept at bay by human interference with nature before Darwin and Wallace replicated Matthew's original discoveries and explanatory examples without citation to their source. Jameson understood it perfectly. Alternately, Selby (1842), who sat on several scientific committees with Darwin, and was best friends with Darwin's great friend Jenyns and a friend of Darwin's father, the editor of the journal that published Wallace's 1855 Sarawak paper, read it also, but he wrote that he did not understand it.

Matthew's original ideas about the difference between trees grown in nurseries and those in the wild were replicated by both Darwin and Wallace. Darwin had the precise example in his private 1844 essay. Wallace replicated the same example in his Ternate paper of 1858 with Matthew's general original analogy of differences between natural and artificial selection. Darwin opened Chapter One of the Origin of Species with the exact same thing.

Once again the "real facts" are news to Darwin scholars, who have a 155 year long legacy of credulously maintaining Darwin's self-serving fallacy that Matthew's original ideas were unrelated to the title and related theme of his book. They write that fallacy in order, it seems, to underpin another, started by Darwin as a proven deliberate lie, that the original ideas in Matthew's book went unread until Matthew personally brought them to Darwin's attention in 1860. Of late, one influential propagator of all these ludicrous myths about the pre-1858 readership and influence of Matthew's book is Ricahrd Dawkins (2010) whose  context and significant fact-free proclamations include the following line about Matthew's On Naval Timber and Arboriculture - a book he does not appear to be particualrly familier with:

Dawkins 2010. p.209:

‘Did he see the explanation for all of life, the destroyer of the argument for design? If he had, wouldn’t he have put it in a more prominent place than the appendix to a manual on silviculture?

In the real world of immortal great ideas,, Matthew' soriginal ideas were not merely contained in his book's Appendix. Matthew's (1860) letter to Darwin explained as much, and Darwin's (1860) private letter to Joseph Hooker acknowledged the truth. But Darwin. like his acolytes after him, pretended otherwise to successfully punterize the rest of the world in order to rob Matthew of his right to be considered an immortal great thinker and influencer in science.

Visit the Appendix Myth page of PatrickMatthew.com for the fact-based details, as opposed to the unevidenced Darwin Industry propaganda. More on Richard Dawkins's proclamations here.

Recent research by Howard Minnick (Major, ENGR, United States Army & 3rd Great Grandson of Patrick Matthew) - conveyed by private email correspondence - has uncovered further evidence to support the hypothesis that Patrick Matthew was a descendant of the great naval hero, the 1st Viscount Admiral Duncan.

Major Howard Minnick has detected some further published evidence in support of the long existing hypothesis that Patrick Matthew was related to Robert the Bruce as well as to Admiral Duncan (details are forthcoming).

Howard Minnick originally and most significantly notes that there was a window of opportunity of 14 years when Matthew (born 1790 died 1874) and Admiral Duncan (born 1731 died 1804) could have met. This is significant because, if proven, the Matthew and Duncan family line would further explain, in part, why Patrick Matthew included his original conception of natural selection in a book entitled On Naval Timber and Arboriculture (Matthew 1831) and why in the book's introduction pages he wrote about bio-social issues on class, aristocracy, law conquest, empire and social injustice related to the topic and, most significantly, why he went to pains to refer readers several times (via clear, bold footnotes) directly to his appendix to see how these precise issues tied in socially and politically with his unifying theory of biology: which is the first full, written anywhere, explanation of macroevolution by natural selection.

As the image of pages 2-4 of Matthew's (1831) book prove, that he very plainly and obviously, directs his readers to his book's appendix.

This fact, combined with the fact that his ideas on organic evolution by natural selection run throughout the book, disconfirms the widespread science myth that he buried his original ideas in the book's obscure appendix, where they were supposed to have remained unread until Matthew alerted Darwin to them in 1860. In reality, Matthew's original ideas on natural selection were read by at least seven naturalists, three of whom (Loudon, Chambers and Selby) played major roles at the epicentre of influence and facilitation of the pre-1858 and 1859 published work of Darwin/Wallace on natural selection. See Sutton 2017 for all the New Data details.

Tying in his ideas on society and politics with his original ideas on natural science - as Matthew did - was (as I explain in Nullius) against all the rules and conventions of the 19th century scientific community, and would explain why we newly know (to date: 13.01.2016) that only 25 individuals actually cited the book before Darwin's and Wallace's replicating papers were read before the Linnean Society in 1858, and Darwin's 'Origin of Species'  (1859) was first published. Of course, it should pass without saying, 25 people and seven naturalists is significantly greater than "none" as Darwin and leading Darwin scholars claimed before my original 2014 discovery of the New Data.

From the Book: Eminent Burgesses of Dundee 1513 to 1885. Alexander Duncan of Lundie, 7th May 1689 (With great thanks to Major Howard Minnick for unearthing the following information).

"The followng information establishes that:  Patrick Matthew and his Mother Agnes Duncan are in fact directly related to Admiral Adam Drummond of Megginch Castle through the Marriage of Anna Drummond  to Alexander Duncan the 1st the Great Grandfather of Admiral Adam Duncan." (Howard Minnick, June 2016)

QUHILY, DAY ALEXANDER DUNCAN OF LUNDIE WAS ADMITTED A BURGESS AND BROTHER OF THE GUILD OF DUNDEE, BY REASON OF HIS FATHER'S PRIVILEGES.

The family to which ALEXANDER DUNCAN belonged, and which became in the 19th Century represented by the EARL OF CAMPERDOWN, can be traced in connection with Dundee from the beginning of the sixteenth century. Reference has been made to some of the earlier members of the family in the note to the entry of FINLAY DUNCAN, surgeon, in 1550 (vide page 29). From that date onwards the name appears frequently in the records of the Burgh. In 1590, WILLIAM DUNCAN, surgeon, was Dean of Guild, and in the following year was Bailie in Dundee, which office he filled till his death in 1608. From him descended that ALEXANDER DUNCAN, Laird of Lundie, whose name is entered here as claiming burgess ship through his father's privileges. He was the son of WILLIAM DUNCAN of Seasyde, a Bailie of Dundee in 1656, and was born in 1652. At an early age he took part in the municipal affairs of the Burgh, and having amassed and inherited a considerable fortune, he acquired the estate of Lundie from COLIN CAMPBELL, a scion of the family of ARGYLL. The exact date of this purchase is not known, but as CAMPBELL was retoured in Lundie on 23rd April, 1674, and DUNCAN was in possession of the estate in 1681 (vide Hay's Charters, Writs, and Documents of Dundee, page 101), it must have been between these dates. After the Revolution, when WILLIAM III. was securely seated on the throne, ALEXANDER DUNCAN was sent to London by the Council, in company with PROVOST FLETCHER, to ask aid from the KING to defray the cost of placing Dundee in a state of defence, and repairing the bulwarks. In the "Accompt of Expenses be the Town in ffortifying the same," the following item occurs:

"For the Provost and Baillie Duncan, yr expences in goeing to London in January, 1689, for presenting the grievances of the burgh to his Majestie, 1,626 lib."

His name may have been specially enrolled in the Lockit Book after his return, as a reward for his services on this occasion. Though long a public official, ALEXANDER DUNCAN died at a comparatively early age, as is shown by the inscription upon his monument in the Howff.

This was one of the most elaborate mural tablets in that place, although it has been suffered to fall to ruins. The remains of it are still visible, but in a very dilapidated condition, on the west wall of Howff, lair No. 15. The inscription is as follows:

Humo adjacenti conditur quod morti concesserunt Alexander

Duncan de Lundie, qui fato fundus est Aprilis die A. AE. C. 1696

aetat. 44 ; ejusque dilecta conjux Anna Drummond, unica filia Mri Joannis

Drummond de Megginch, quae decessit Aprilis die 1695, aet. 42. Nencon

eorundem liberi Gulielmus, Patricium, Christiana, et Anna, quibits parentes

superstitis erant. Idem alter Gulielmus, qui matri non vero pater

vixit, et Joannes, filuis natus secundus, qui mortem, obiit Julii die 1696, aetat. 20.

"Mausoleum. extruendum curavit Mr Alexander Duncan de Lundie, A. AE.C. 1718."

[In the adjacent ground is laid the mortal part of Alexander Duncan of Lundie, who died the day of April, in the year of the Christian Era, 1696, aged 44; and his beloved wife Anna Drummond, only daughter of Magister John Drummond of Megginch, who died the day of April, 1695, aged 42. Also their children, William, Patrick, Christian, and Anna, whom their parents survived. Also another William, who survived his mother but not his father; and John, their second son, who died the day of July, 1696, aged 20.

Mr Alexander Duncan of Lundie caused this monument to be erected in the year of the Christian Era, 1718.]

The name of ALEXANDER DUNCAN appears frequently both as principal and witness in the Register of Baptisms in Dundee. The following may be quoted, as it supplies the name of one of his sons who survived him, but whose name is not included in the published genealogy of the family:-

"1682, March 21st George, son to Alexr Duncan of Lundie and Anna Drummond. Witnesses George Broune, lait Provost, Adam Drummond of Megginch."

GEORGE DUNCAN was appointed Town Clerk of Dundee, after the deposition of SIR ALEXANDER WEDDERBURN, in 1716. Several of the descendants of ALEXANDER DUNCAN were enrolled as Burgesses at a later date.

Starting with John Duncan, historic hand copied details of the ownership of  Gourdiehill estate show that it was in the hands of the Duncan family from earlier than 1587.

These Duncans are the clan from the East of Scotland's Aberdeanshire. Their family name came from the Clan Donnachaidh. As the website Scottish Clans explains a clan callled Duncan:

 '...had emerged earlier in the 1300s from the Earls of Athole. The clan name came from Donnachadh Reamhar -‘Fat Duncan’. It was this chief who led the clan into the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Duncan’s great-grandson was Robert, and from these two men have descended not just the Duncans but the Robertsons also.

The predominant Duncans of the East of Scotland were the Duncans of Lundie in Forfarshire. Their extensive property included not just the barony of Lundie but also the estate of Gourdie. In 1764, George III’s physician, Sir William Duncan was created a baronet. The title was not hereditary. By 1795, Adam Duncan of Lundie had become Commander of the Fleet in the North Sea and Admiral of the Blue. With a glorious career of victories he was created Earl of Camperdown in 1797, and his son was made the first Earl of Camperdown in 1831.

The predominant Duncans of the East of Scotland were the Duncans of Lundie in Forfarshire. Their extensive property included not just the barony of Lundie but also the estate of Gourdie.

The land in old Forfarshire, then Aberdeanshire, now Perth and Kinross, referred to as the 'estate of gourdie' is larger (some 649 acres) became the parish of Caputh. The smaller Gourdiehill house and lands in the Carse of Gowrie, in Perth and Kinross district, so famously associated with Patrick Matthew passed to Peter and John Duncan, then to Robert Duncan. In 1676, it passed to Peter and James Duncan. Then to George and Andrew Duncan. Then to Francis Duncan and Catherine Duncan in 1726. Then to Alec Duncan (who might be Alexander Duncan 2nd, the father of 1st Viscount Admiral Duncan - see below). To  Francis Duncan in 1739, Patrick Duncan in 1740, Francis Duncan and Andrew Duncan. It is noted on the hand written historic record of the deeds that Agnes Duncan had 11 brothers. There is more, but it is illegible on the photocopy that was kindly sent to me by Ian Hardie (Solicitor to the Patrick Matthew Trust).

I'm no genealogist - in fact, I find researching the topic most tedious - but it seems most likely, from what little I can spare of my mind to such matters, that Alec Duncan might possibly be Alexander Duncan 2nd of Lundie (born 1678 or else 1677), father of Alexander Duncan 3rd of Lundie - wo was grandfather of 1st Viscount Admiral Duncan (born 1731 died 1804). But the evidence that he is related to Patrick Matthew comes from elsewhere. Let me explain:

The date of the death of Alexander Duncan 2nd of Lundie is not currently 100 per cent known. However, if he is 'Alec' Duncan then the passing of ownership of Gourdiehill from him to Francis Duncan in 1739 - if done on his death would have made him 61 at the time. But that is not the best bet we have of when  Alexander Duncan 2nd of Lundie died. If what is meant by contracting a 'bad habit of body' is what it was generally meant to mean in the 18th and 19th centuries then it is more likely his eligy suggests he died from some kind of obvious and progressive illness aged 42 (here) in 1719. See here for the eligy. The date of 1719 may well turn out to be most significant in establishing that Patrick Matthew was a relative of Admiral Lord Duncan, as I now move on to  explain below.

Since the Matthew family archive in the National Records of Scotland has the following item: ".. page of court book of Alexander Duncan of Lundie, 7 July 1709", and since 'court book' is any magistrate's book of court sessions, and because Alexander Duncan 1st of Lundie was, Provost of Dundee between 1681 - 1685, it means, being dated in the next century as 1709, this is most likely a page from the court book of Alexander Duncan 2nd of Lundie who was Provost of Dundee from 1717-1719 - I write this, because I suspect there may, therefore, be a typo (or else a misinterpreted date) in the inventory of the archive and the actual date on the page of the court book is 1719, and not 1709. I suggest this is likely, because it is the only date that fits the known facts of when any Alexander Duncan of Lundie would have owned a court book. More so, since 1719 was the last year Alexander Duncan 2nd of Lundie served as Provost. and the most likely year of his death. Alexander Duncan 3rd of Seaside & Lundie (Father of  the naval hero 1st Viscount Admiral Adam Duncan)  was Provost between 1744 and 1747. So a date of 1709 (or most possible lkely real date of 1719) on a court book page could not correspond with his court book.

Research in the archive will determine the facts of the matter, or perhaps not, as the case may be.

The most telling question we must ask is: If the Alexander Duncan of Lundie in question was not a relative of Patrick Matthew's family, why on Earth would that 'court book page' of Provost Duncan's be in Patrick Matthew's family records?

A lock of hair found in a notebook of Bible scriptures by Andrew Duncan, (1698) is held in the archives of the records of the Matthew family of Gourdiehill, Perthshire in the National Records of Scotland. It seems highly possible that Andrew Duncan is a relative of Patrick Matthew.  DNA tests are feasible on locks of historic hair.  Known descendants of 1st Viscount Admiral Duncan are said to include British Politician Adam-Duncan Smith. If Adam Duncan-Smith (for example) is such a descendant, then he - or any other known descendant might, by agreeing to a DNA test for comparison with the lock of hair in Andrew Duncan's notebook. theoretically, be in a position to take us closer to confirming or not Major Minnick's hypothesis that Patrick Matthew and Admiral Duncan are related.

To recap: Alexander Duncan 2nd was the father of Alexander Duncan 3rd, who was the father of the British Naval hero 1st Viscount Admiral Duncan (here).

From The Peerage.Com

'Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan of Camperdown was born on 1 July 1731 at Dundee, Angus, Scotland. He was the son of Alexander Duncan, 3rd of Lundie and Helen Haldane. He married Henrietta Dundas, daughter of Rt. Hon. Robert Dundas of Arniston and Henrietta Carmichael, on 6 June 1777. He died on 4 August 1804 at age 73 at Corn Hill, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, from gout.

Children of Admiral Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan of Camperdown:

Hon. Adamina Duncan d. 1 Aug 1857

Children of Admiral Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan of Camperdown and Henrietta Dundas

Hon. unknown Duncan5 d. 7 Jan 1803

Hon. Mary Tufton Duncan+6 d. 24 May 1867

Hon. Jane Duncan+7 d. 7 Mar 1852

Hon. Henrietta Duncan+8 b. 17 May 1782, d. 14 May 1850

Robert Dundas Duncan-Haldane, 1st Earl of Camperdown of Lundie+1 b. 21 Mar 1785, d. 22 Dec 1859'

Further detals on this issue are forthcoming.

The exact location of  Patrick Matthew's grave was rediscovered in 2015. Visit the gravesite page for photographs and further information.