The grave of George Davidson of Pettens at the Kirk of St Nicholas in Aberdeen

George Davidson of Pettens (c. 1593–1663) was a 17th-century Scottish landowner, merchant and philanthropist.

Life

Little is known of his early life but he is thought to be descended from the Davidsons of Cairnbrogie. He was a burgess in Aberdeen from 1650. He owned the Pettens estate near Balmedie, north of Aberdeen. He appears to have been a rich merchant in

Aberdeen Aberdeen (; sco, Aiberdeen ; gd, Obar Dheathain ; la, Aberdonia) is a city in North East Scotland, and is the third most populous city in the country. Aberdeen is one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas (as Aberdeen City), and ...

. Having no wife or family he spent much of his money on the city. His works included: *A new bridge on the River Don in Old Aberdeen. *Rebuilding the bridge at

Insch Insch ( gd, An Innis or Innis Mo Bheathain) is a village in the Garioch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is located approximately from the city of Aberdeen. Etymology The name of the village may have come from the Scottish Gaelic ''innis'', me ...

*Rebuilding the churchyard walls at St Clements Church in the

Footdee Footdee (Scots: Fittie) is an area of Aberdeen, Scotland known locally by its Scots language name of Fittie. It is an old fishing village at the east end of Aberdeen Harbour. The name is actually folk etymology. Far from being "Foot of the De ...

district *Chapel of Ease in the Newhills district *A fund to aid the ministers of St Clements and St Nicholas He died in Aberdeen in 1663Grave of George Davidson of Pettens and is buried in the churchyard of the Kirk of St Nicholas. His huge monument stands against the west boundary wall towards the north west corner.

Memorials

A stone memorial to him is placed within St Clements Church in Aberdeen.

References

1590s births 1663 deaths People from Aberdeenshire Scottish philanthropists Year of birth uncertain {{Scotland-bio-stub