Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ogilvy, James (1714?-1770)
OGILVY, JAMES, sixth Earl of Findlater and third Earl of Seafield (1714?–1770), eldest son of James, fifth earl of Findlater and second of Seafield, by Lady Elizabeth Hay, second daughter of Thomas, sixth earl of Kinnoull, was born about 1714. While on foreign travel he made the acquaintance of Horace Walpole, who, in a letter to General Conway on 23 April 1740, wrote of him, 'There are few young people have so good an understanding,' but referred to his 'solemn Scotchery' as not a 'little formidable' (Walpole, Letters, ed. Cunningham, i. 46). Before succeeding his father in 1704 he was known as Lord Deskford. From an early period he took an active interest in promoting manufactures and agriculture. In the parish of Deskford he opened, in 1752, a large bleachfield, and in Cullen he established a manufacture for linen and damask. From 1754 to 1761 he was one of the commissioners of customs for Scotland, and in 1765 he was constituted one of the lords of police. lie was also a trustee for the improvement of fisheries and manufactures, and for the management of the annexed estates in Scotland. By his example and encouragement he did much to promote advanced methods of agriculture in Banffshire. He introduced turnip husbandry, and granted long leases to his tenants on condition that within a certain period they should endorse their lands, and adopt certain improved methods of cropping. To prevent damage to young plantations on his estate, he agreed to give certain of his tenants, on the termination of their leases, every third tree, or its value in money. He died at Cullen House on 3 Nov. 1770. By his wife, Lady Mary, second daughter of John Murray, first duke of Atholl, he had two sons: James, seventh earl of Findlater and fourth earl of Seafield (d. 1811), the last earl of the Ogilvy line; and John (d. 1763).
[Douglas's Scottish Peerage, ed. Wood, i. 688; Horace Walpole's Letters; New Statistical Account of Scotland, xiii. 166. 229, 235. 323; Craddock's Annals of Banff (New Spalding Club).]