Dear David,
The following information is from a series of pamphlets entitled: The Lands & People of Moray".
Gordon
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(Part 6: The Burgh of Elgin In the 17th Century)
Some of the 17th Century Inhabitants in The Burgh of Elgin:
Duffus, Alexander 1622
Duffus, Marjory 1636 Banished from town
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The Closes of Elgin (3 named Duffus)

Duffus's Close (1): South College Street, no. 13, home to two families in the 1851 census, four familes in 1881, and three by 1901.

Duffus's Close (2): High Street, North side, no. 233, linking Murdochs Wynd. Sometimes identified as Miller;s Close. This was one of the many closes just to the east of Murdochs Wynd. It was home to 9 families at the time of the 1851 and 1881 censuses, and 8 families by 1901. A good example of a close where the pend had lockable entrance gates. The close comprised a row of two storey 17th century houses, with lintels dating 1671 and 1681. There is mention of whitewashed cottages in existence in the close ca 1945. In 2002 the pend is still gated, and there is evidence of drainage channel on east side of close.

Duffus's Close (3): High Street, North side, no. 263. Mainly one storyed terraced cottages, some with dormers, dating from the 18th century.Some evidence of the rigg walls was present in 1978. Steps at the end of the close led to the Ladyhill. Home to 10 families in 1851. There were four families living there both 1881 and 1901.

Murdoch's Wynd: A Wynd at the West End of the High Street on the North side. Originally known as Blackfriars Wynd, linking the western end of the Burgh to the Blackfriars Monastery at Borough Briggs, it was later known as Raggs Wynd, before acquiring the name Murdoch's Wynd. There were 26 houses there in 1851. By 1881 there were 35 families living there, and in 1901 this had risen to 37. The Wynd comprised mainly lower-class dwellings throughout the 19th century. Murdochs Wynd was widened in 1894 with the demolition of no's 1-11. No's 13-21 are described as early 19th century two storey houses, with 19 and 21 being flatted by 1978. No's 25-31 were similarly two storeys, with No 25 having its gable end to the street. No's 29-31 were terraced houses, at right angles to the Wynd.
(Some of 'my' folks lived next to Murdoch's Wynd....  demolished sometime between 2000 & this year).

Some of the pre-1850 Residents of Elgin's Closes:
Leslie's Close: Duffus, James 1825-1826 Cabinet Maker
Shambles Wynd: Duffus, James 1795 Tenant
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