This website has been designed to demonstrate the link between my grandfather William Waites of New Herrington in Durham, and his ancestor James Drummond, 6th Earl of Perth. Finding the link between William Waites and James Drummond of Biddick was straightforward enough but establishing whether James Drummond of Biddick was the same James Drummond, the 6th Earl of Perth took a lot more research.

James Drummond, 6th Earl of Perth, was said to have died on May 13, 1746, while onboard the ship "La Bellone" en route to France. His death was reportedly due to wounds received at the battle of Culloden which had taken place on April the 16th 1746. However, according to local legend and from evidence given in a court of Law, it has been shown that James Drummond escaped to Biddick in Washington, County Durham after the Battle of Culloden.

I have gathered information from various sources which have convinced me that James Drummond did not die of his wounds after Culloden. I believe that he survived and went on to marry and raise a family. He died in Penshaw on 1st June, 1772 and was buried in the graveyard next to All Saint's church in Penshaw on 12th June, 1772.