James Ballingall (1798-1856)

by Michael T. Tracy

James Ballingall followed in the family occupation being Factor to Colonel John Anstruther Thomson of Charleton and resided at Rosebank in Newburn Parish, Fife. Owing to an accident while leaping a fence on horseback, he suffered from partial paralysis, walking with the aid of crutches and with great difficulty, and he could only get about in a low chaise. His handicap, however, did not affect his duties as being an effective and efficient Factor of Rosebank. He would marry and have two children both of whom died in infancy. James Ballingall was interested in the fine arts and is recorded as having won a seven pound prize from the New Association for the Promotion of the Fine Arts in Scotland in 1839. He was also a member of the Ceres Parochial Board for many years. This then is the narrative of the life and times of James Ballingall, the Factor of Rosebank.