David Napier merchant, founder of Napier Educational Trust^1,2

Parents:

• Birth*: David Napier merchant, founder of Napier Educational Trust was born on 8 November 1799 at Marykirk, Forfarshire, Scotland, ; First name(s)     David
  Last name     Napier
  Gender     Male
  Birth year     1799
  Birth place     -
  Baptism year     1799
  Baptism date     14 Nov 1799
  Baptism place     MARYKIRK,KINCARDINE,SCOTLAND
  Father's first name(s)     Jas.
  Father's last name     Napier
  Mother's first name(s)     Margt.
  Mother's last name     Sutor
  Place     Marykirk
  County     Kincardineshire
  Country     Scotland
  Record set     Scotland Births & Baptisms 1564-1950
  Category     Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
  Subcategory     Parish Baptisms
  Collections from     Scotland, Great Britain.^1,3,4
• He was the son of James Napier weaver and Margaret Sutor.¹
• (Deceased) Death*: David Napier merchant, founder of Napier Educational Trust died on 13 September 1885 at Marykirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland, , at age 85 First name(s)     David
  Last name     Napier
  Birth year     -
  Death year     1885
  Death date     13 Sep 1885
  Place     Marykirk
  Denomination     Kirk Of Scotland
  Description     Marykirk Kirkyard
  County     Kincardineshire
  Country     Scotland
  Inscription     
  In memory of David Napier merchant Marykirk b. 8 Nov. 1799 - d. 23 Sept. 1885, founder of the Napier Educational Trust.
  Erected by his Trustees.
  Os grid reference     NO686656
  Memorial reference     233
  Url     https://www.anesfhs.org.uk/
  Notes     
  from: 'Kirkyard of Marykirk' ISBN: 978-1-900173-35-3
  Record set     Scotland Monumental Inscriptions
  Category     Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
  Subcategory     Parish Burials
  Collections from     Great Britain, Scotland.⁵

• Twin*: David Napier merchant, founder of Napier Educational Trust was a twin of Ann Napier of Marykirk.
• (Witness) Newspaper Article: David Napier merchant, founder of Napier Educational Trust was mentioned in a newspaper article about Jessie Paterson on 9 January 1883. Marykirk
  SEASONABLE LIBERALITY. - ... Mrs Thomas Napier, Melbourne, Australia, whose husband was native of our village, has just forwared to Mr D. Napier. (her brother-in-law) her annual donation of £3 to be distributed in the shape of coals among a number of the deserving poor in the village.⁶
• (Witness) Memorial Inscription: David Napier merchant, founder of Napier Educational Trust is commemorated on the headstone erected after 13 September 1885 at Marykirk Kirkyard, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Inscription reads Son of James Napier, weaver & Margaret Sutor
  Founder of the Napier Educational Trust
  
  David Napier served an apprenticeship in his village as a joiner, he went to London when he became unwell and became a Grocer at home. He was unmarried and concerned about local school children walking to school in the cold weather.
  In his will he set up funding for a new school, the total amount was 3,500 pounds that was raised for a mixed school in a closer location, as many of the students lived at least 3 miles away from public school. Initially David Napier allocated funds for a school with a male teacher, however additional funds were sourced to cover the full amount and a female teacher was installed.
  The school opened on a sunny Saturday in 1898 with the royal standard and other flags flying out the front, presented by David Napier's nephew Theodore Napier. A temporary platform was installed at the west end of the school where the many trustees of the school, (who included Theodore Napier were seated)
  
  Mr W C Carnegie of Marykirk was the architect, Chipping Norton of Marykirk prepared the plans. Mr William Greig was the builder, Alexander Dunbar was the Carpenter, Charles Brand the Slater, Mr Hood the Plasterer and Colin Wood and Co., the plumber.
  The Chairman gave a speech and presented to Theodore Napier a silver trowel as a momento of their meeting. The inscription read;
  Presented to Theodore Napier Esq., on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the 'Napier Memorial School', Marykirk on the 9th July, 1898.
  As a part of his reply Theodore Napier announced that it had been his personal fortune or misfortune to have been born in the British Colony of Australia, however every drop of his blood was Scottish. He would never forget his happy days in Marykirk. He lamented with affection on David Napiers' love of children.
  The memorial stone is at the front of the main entrance to the school.
  
  Napier Memorial School was opened in 1898 and was erected by the Trustees of David Napier. It was leased to the Education Authority of Kincardine in 1920 and transferred to them in 1935. The school became known as Napier Primary School and closed in 1968 with the pupils transferring to Marykirk School.⁷
  

  

  

Census & Directory Entries

Head of Household	6 June 1841	He was listed in the 1841 census at Marykirk, Kincardinshire, Scotland, . David     Napier     Male     40     1801     Kincardineshire, Scotland.8
Head of Household	30 March 1851	He was listed as head of household in the 1851 census at Marykirk, Kincardinshire, Scotland, . David     Napier     -     Unmarried     Male     51     1800     Grocer     Marykirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland.9
Head of Household	7 April 1861	He was listed as head of household in the 1861 census at Marykirk, Kincardinshire, Scotland, . David     Napier     Head     Unmarried     Male     61     1800     Grocer     Marykirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland.10
Head of Household	2 April 1871	He was listed as head of household in the 1871 census at Public Station, Marykirk, Kincardinshire, Scotland, . David     Napier     Head     Unmarried     Male     71     1800     Retired Grocer     Marykirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland Ann     Anderson     Sister     Widow     Female     71     1800     Housekeeper     Marykirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland; also in the household was Ann Napier of Marykirk.11
Head of Household	3 April 1881	He was listed as head of household in the 1881 census at Private House, Marykirk, Kincardinshire, Scotland, . David     Napier     Head     Unmarried     Male     81     1800     Retired Grocer     Marykirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland.12