Revised Nov 2023
150.0 Introduction
& Forrester Family Origins
Forrester Origins from the website about the
Much has been written by various authors about Forrester family origins in Scotland. Briefly between the years 1300 and 1800 the main Forrester families were located in Stirlingshire and Edinburgh. The Stirlingshire branch probably began with the Forresters of Torwood near Dunipace and the Forresters of Garden in the Parish of Kippen as the keepers of the Kings forest. Both branches kept a close relationship over the years through marriage etc., until eventually the estates were sold through indebtedness. Colin’s book lists many landed Forrester families clustered around the parishes of Kippen, Gargunnock, Stirling, and Dunipace.
Our earliest confirmed Forresters were located at the Fords of Frew, near Kippen and Gargunnock Parishes. From the 1500’s several Forrester families occupied farms in this area at Culmore, Culbeg, Boquhan, Wester Frew and Easter Polder. All these farms were within a mile or two of each other. Although there are many records detailing relationships and financial transactions between individuals, I have found no records that directly link our earliest confirmed relatives to one of these families. Most available records are associated with wealthier and titled individuals (usually eldest sons) and record inheritance or transfer of property and titles and financial contracts. Below I have provided some details of two of the main Forrester families living on either side of our Forrester family at Wester Frew (aka Bridge of Frew farm); the Forresters of Boquhan and the Forresters of Culmore and Easter Polder.
Over the next two hundred years, the Forresters farmed at Frew near Kippen. During that period our ancestors were again involved in several potentially violent episodes on their land, which are outlined below. The Forresters joined our family tree when GGGGM Janet Forrester married John Macfarlane (see 157.1). Janet's parents were GGGGGP John Forrester (1767-1839) and Margaret Innes (1770-1842). Like the Macfarlanes, the Forresters were reasonably well off, and often had servants to assist in their houses and on their farms. The earliest known confirmed ancestors in our Forrester family are GGGGGGGP Robert Forrester c1706 and Margaret Graham (See 151.0). However some researchers have traced our roots further back in the Graham family (See 160.0)
The main source used is NAS Records held by National Records of Scotland with document code in brackets.
150.1 Forresters of Boquhan (from NAS)
The Forresters of Boquhan descended from Alexander Forrester of Calziemuck who was listed on the Foundation Stone of the Church at Kippen in 1510. His son Robert Forrester the elder of Boquhan c1520 married Christian Ross and had one son named Robert Forrester of Boquhan c1540 the younger.
Robert the younger married Isobel Shaw around 1560. GD124/1/604 dated 1563 contains Letters of reversion (in Scots) by Mr James Graham in respect of 8 acres of land in burghmuir of Sterling granted to him by Robert Forester the younger, bailie of said burgh, and Isobel Shaw, his (Robert’s) spouse. GD124/1/63 is a Charter dated 1575 by Robert Forester [Forrester] of Boquhan, provost of Sterling and Isobel Schaw [Shaw] his spouse. Boquhan is located close to Wester Frew on the other side of the River Forth (See map in 170.4).
GD124/1/637 dated 1579 is an Instrument of resignation and sasine by John Guthrie, servant of Colin, Earl of Argyll, to Helen Short of annualrent of £20 Scots for tenement of Robert Forrester of Bothquhan [Boquhan], in Myddill raw of burgh of Stirling.
In 1584 Robert Forrester of Boquhane, a sub tenant, accused John Galbraith, brother to the "Laird of Kilcreuch (Culcreuch, Fintry) and his accomplices of Boistit [boistering] and minassist [menacing] the said Robert's tenants and servants when at their farm work, would not allow them to shear the corn.... and chased them off the ground and when the Sheriff deputy ....was putting Robert Forrester [back] in possession of his lands, (Galbraith) presented a pistol at him and would have shot him had he not been prevented."
Robert Forrester c1540 and his wife Isobel had one child, a daughter named Christian Forrester (1565-1627), baptised in Kippen, who was named after Robert’s mother. She married Gilbert Ross (provost of Maybole) and had two sons. B66/25/150 dated 1584 is an Instrument narrating redemption by John Hog, burgess of Striueling (sic), from James Menteyth of Randifuird of lands in the Myddyll Raw of said burgh between the tollbooth (Frew Toll?), on the west, lands of Robert Forester of Bolquhone, on the east, and the king's "hie geilt", on the north. Isobel probably died in the 1590’s.
GD124/1/666 dated 1599 is an Instrument of resignation in favour of Robert Forrester of Boquhan, and Agnes Cowane [Cowan], his future spouse. B66/25/166 dated 1602 is an Instrument of sasine in favour of Duncan Forester, son of late Alexander Forester of Garden, as heir of Robert Forester of Boquhane. Robert had no sons of his own so his land passed to Duncan of Garden. By 1620 the land of Robert Forrester of Boquhane had been purchased by Norman Blackader.
It seems that our Forresters did not descend from Robert Forester of Boquhan, but may have descended from an earlier offshoot of the family.
NOTE 1: Boquhan Estate in Stirlingshire is 1.5 miles east of Kippen and just half a mile east of the Fords of Frew. The original house on this site, dates from the 1700’s. Boquhan Burn rises in the Fintry Hills and flows into the River Forth at the Bridge of Frew. Boquhan Estate can easily be confused with Boquhan hamlet located 8m to the southwest. Plans of the Boquhan Estate can be found at NAS.
NOTE 2: Culcreuch Castle, Fintry was built in 1296 by Maurice Galbraith. It was the clan seat of Clan Galbraith from 1320 to 1624, when it was sold to a cousin, Alexander Seton of Gargunnock, to settle a financial debt. In 1632, it was purchased by Robert Napier, a younger son of John Napier, the 8th Laird of Merchiston (See 162.2). The Napier family held the estate for five generations. The castle was used to garrison Oliver Cromwell’s troops in 1654 (Wikipedia). Two early Forresters married women in th Seaton family.
150.2 Forresters of Culmore & Easter Polder (from NAS)
Culmore is located very close to Frew across the River Forth, and Easter Polder is adjacent to Frew on the west side, so the Forresters that lived here were very likely to be related to our relatives. The Forresters had owned Culbeg and Culmore from at least 1509 (below). For much more detail about the Forresters of Culmore see 170.0.
David Forrester (1761-1833) of Easter Polder lodged a claim in the courts for the lands of Polder (Flanders) Moss. His family had owned Easter Polder since the mid-17th century and he was able to produce a long list of titles and other documents, going as far back as 1533.
Document GD15 / 266 was a Tack of East Polder for 19 years dated 1533. "Granted by Robert, commendator of Inchmahome, with consent of the convent, for the common work and reparation of the place, set to Alexander Wardlaw, burgess of Stirling and Margaret Schaw his spouse and Elizabeth Wardlaw their daughter, longest liver of them, their assigns and subtenants one or more, all the lands of ‘Ester Poldor’ with the pertinents, for 19 years". The Shaw family married into the Forrester family on several occasions. The earliest know connection was Duncan Forrester marrying Elizabeth Shaw in 1569 (see 170.0).
Our Forresters (namely Robert Forrester c1706) may have descended from an early offshoot of this family. There are several reasons to think that the Grahams of Culmore and East Polder were ancestors of GGGGGGGP Robert Forrester (c1706-c1780) of Frew.
Easter Polder and Culmore (Kilmore) were very close, linked by the fords of Frew (not labelled). Coldoch (and Ashentree) was also close by.
150.4 Locations associated with Extended Forrester family
151.0 GGGGGGGP Robert Forrester (c1706-?) & Margaret Graham (1703-?)
Robert Forrester was born around 1706 (assuming he was 21 on his marriage date); probably at the Wester Frew Farm (1.5 miles NE of Kippen), but no baptism registration has been found. It is possible that Robert’s parents were related to the Forresters of Culmore (See 170.0).
On 17 Oct 1727, at nearby Port of Menteith (8 miles distant), he married GGGGGGGM Margaret Graham aged 24 (See 151.2). GGGGGGGF Robert Forrester lived during a very tumultuous time in Scottish history; especially during the Jacobite rebellion of 1745, which resulted in widespread retribution after the 'Battle of Culloden' in 1746.
Robert and Margaret Forrester nee Graham had four known children Elizabeth Forrester b1730, GGGGGGF John Forrester c1732, Ann Forrester b1736 and William Forrester b1740. All four children were probably born on the family farm at Wester Frew but baptised in the local church at Kippen. The last known child was born when Margaret was 37.
Around 1732 Margaret gave birth to a son, GGGGGGF John Forrester, who later became known as John Forrester of Ashentree. He gained Ashentree through his marriage c1753 and made it his own farm because his father and brother were running Wester Frew Farm. Ashentree was only a few miles from Frew, separated by a creek named 'Goodie Water'. In fact, this waterway may have been the outer boundary of the two farms in those days.
We know Robert was alive in 1746 because of the role he played in the Jacobite retreat of that year (see below). He had tried to advise Bonnie Prince Charlie where to safely cross the River Forth near his family's 'Wester Frew' property during the prince's retreat in early 1746. He also tried to divert English soldiers, in another attempt to assist the prince. Either of these actions could have led to him being arrested or suffering some form of retribution.
NAS Document GD248/48/3 dated 1746 February 4 includes a letter from Patrick Grant lord Elchies, Edinburgh, to Sir James Grant. 'The Rebells blew up their own Magazine of powder at St Ninians and spiked their cannon and in great Confusion run away from Stirling crossed the Forth at the ford of Frew and went thence to Crieff and thence to Perth'; they are also informed that the clans 'with their Tartan Chief' went towards the west highlands; thinks the Duke of Cumberland the only person who can extinguish the rebellion".
Robert Forrester was a witness at several Stewart family baptisms in 1736, 1744, 1745 and 1790, in which his residence is given as Frew, Kilmadock. (www.chuckspeed.com/). He was also a witness at the baptisms of grandchildren Robert Forrester (b1755) and Ann Forrester (b1774). These documents all link Robert to the farm at Frew and demonstrate that Robert lived into old age. The 1797 Horse Tax Roll lists Robert Forrester of Wester Frew (E326/10/4/275). This may have been Robert b1706 or more likely his grandson b1755. No record has been found for the deaths of either Robert Forrester or his wife Margaret. They both probably died in second half of the 1700’s.
Other Stewart records list members of the Forrester family at Ballanton (Ballinton) and Coldoch; farms adjacent to Ashentree, and also at Frew (about 2 miles away) as witnesses (possible relationship to Robert in backets). Witnesses were:
The following piece titled 'The Premier’s Link with Prince Charlie' is an abridged version of an article published in the 'Falkirk Herald', 11 April 1906, and is available on Genny Kangs's Ancestry Tree. The Prime Minister referred to in the article is Henry Campbell Bannerman 1836-1908 (See 169.0), whose grandmother was Helen Forrester (b1763 Port of Menteith). She was the sister of GGGGGF John Forester b1767. (See 155.5). [My comments are in brackets.]
When the Prime Minister’s great-grandfather Mr Forrester [John Forrester b1732], the laird of Ashentree, a small estate near the Forth in Kilmadock parish, was a lad, he had a personal experience (on his father’s farm) of the young Pretender (Bonnie Prince Charles).
News had come to the Prince, that the Duke of Cumberland had left Edinburgh, and was marching to the relief of Stirling. It had been determined to fight the King's army, and all the sick and wounded men, with the women, had been sent to Dunblane. Lord George and seven other chiefs advised a retreat to the north. On hearing this, Prince Charles struck his head against the wall till he staggered. Retreat was a matter of necessity, and as an arch of Stirling Bridge had been broken down in December, to prevent Charles’s army from crossing, the Prince decided to take the Ford of Frew, at the north side of which, Mr Forrester’s father [Robert Forrester c1710] resided at his house of Wester Frew. In anticipation of such a move, Captain Campbell with a party of King George’s soldiers came to Wester Frew the day before the arrival of the Prince and enquired of the Forresters to the crossings of the Forth River. Mr Forrester, senior [Robert Forrester c1710], being a supporter of Prince Charles, directed him to a ford very little used. Campbell took some caltrops (metal spikes) and threw these weapons into the river. Having done so, his party withdrew.
The next day, Charles and his entourage arrived at the south side of the ford of Frew. Anxious to see the Prince, Mr Forrester’s sons [John Forrester b1732 and William b1740] and servants crossed the river and remained in close while they dined. Having finished their meal, the warriors took the proper ford, but Charles, not thinking any information necessary regarding fords, rode through a different one and his horse was wounded.
Mr Forrester [John Forrester b1732] in later life told the Rev. Dr Murray that he had been apprehensive lest he could find nobody to point out the Prince. But, said the laird, there was no occasion for this anxiety, for as the son of a King, he stood out from the crowd.
They were of a good old stock these Forresters, a branch of the proper line bearing the name. The above laird of Ashentree [John Forrester b1732] was the nearest of kin, on the father’s side, to the old lairds of Culmore, the parish of Gargunnock. The Ford of Frew, from beginning to end, has had a prominent place in history, was watched in time of warfare with the greatest care, and in early times had a small fort to protect it. This helped to give rise to the saying that “the Forth bridled the wild Highlandmen.”
The above account of interaction between the Forresters and the Prince is also described in several books including 'Prince Charlie; The Young Chevalier' by Merideth Johnes, published in 1860, and credits the action of Mr Forrester [Robert Forrester c1706] as saving Prince Charles' army.
William Nimmo's account of the incident in his 1817 book 'History of Stirling shire' is more specific in terms of the names of the Forresters. This edition of the book was published just seven years after John Forrester of Ashentree died. Nimmo wrote "When Charles Edward was understood to be about to recross the Forth, in his retreat, a Captain Campbell, with a party of the King's soldiers, came, the evening before, to the farm of Wester Frew, and inquired particularly at Robert Forrester, one of the Earl of Moray's tenants, where the ford in the neighbourhood was. The respectable yeoman (whose grandson John Forrester [b1767], now occupies the farm [in 1817]), being more attached to the family in exile than to that in possession and suspecting that Campbell had no good intention to what he esteemed the good cause, directed him to a ford very seldom used. Campbell took from a cart, some sacks filled with caltrops; and threw those weapons of invisible annoyance into the river. Having done so, he and his party withdrew. The next day, Charles with a considerable number of officers, arrived at Boquhar, on the Stirlingshire side of the Forth. The best ford is close behind Robert Forrester's farm in Frew, where Boquhar Burn and the Forth meet. Family legend adds to the story that Robert Forrester had tried to warn Prince Charles of the caltrops, but that the Prince ignored his advice."
NOTE 1: The author of the above account, William Nimmo, may have been William Nimmo b1790, the grandson of John Forrester of Ashentree b1732. William was the son of Margaret Forrester b1760 and Henry Nimmo b1758.
NOTE 2: According to the above accounts, our Forresters originated in Culmore in Gargannock Parish, which is south of the River Forth adjacent to both Boquhane and Wester Frew.
NOTE 3: The 'Forresters' mentioned above, were GGGGGGF John Forester b1732 who was a teenager at the time of the 1745-1746 rebellion and his father GGGGGGGF Robert Forrester c1706, who was farming Wester Frew Farm and was the one who gave the misleading directions to Captain Campbell. The John Forrester listed as occupying the Frew farm in 1817 would have been Robert's grandson, GGGGGF John Forrester b1767 who married Margaret Innes in 1791 (See 156.0). John and his children were born at Bridge of Frew Farm.
151.2 GGGGGGGM Margaret Graham (1703-?)
See 161.4 and 160.0 for more information about her parents and ancestors, also Ancestry tree of Ingrid Forrester.
Margaret Graham was baptised on 24 October 1703 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire but probably born at Culnagrean (Culnagrein), the family property nearby. She was the fourth child born to GGGGGGGGP Patrick Graham and Margaret Napier. All her siblings, starting with her older brother James in 1696, were born at Culnagrein, Menteith. Two or possibly three of her brothers travelled to the West Indies and another was a merchant in London.
NOTE 1: The northern border of the estate of Culnagrean (Culnagreine, Culrigrean) in the Parish of Port bordered Drunkie Estate according to a map dated 1792. The property was also known as Drumgeneish alias Collingrain (GD22/1/434) and the titles were held by George Graham of Drunkie (GD22/3/420) in 1603, and later (1708) by the Napier family. It was about six miles north of Port of Menteith (maps.nls).
NOTE 2: Drunkie Estate acquired by the Grahams of Drunkie in 1603 was the home of another branch of our Graham family and the two families were most likely related in some way (See 110.0 in Part 4 The Macfarlane Family)
At some stage in the 1720's, GGGGGGGM Margaret met Robert Forrester, who lived 8 miles away from Menteith at Wester Frew (Parish of Kilmadock). A week before Margaret’s 24th birthday they were married at Port of Menteith in 1727 when Robert was 21 (above). See 151.0 for more about their married lives.
Robert and Margaret Forrester nee Graham settled on Robert’s farm at Frew and had four known children. The children were Elizabeth Forrester b1730, GGGGGGF John Forrester c1732, Ann Forrester b1736 and William Forrester b1740. All four children were baptised in the local church at Kippen. The last child was born when Margaret was 37. Margaret’s year of death is unknown, but she probably died in the mid 1700’s. One family tree has her death at Frew listed in 1746. See 151.0 for more about Margaret’s married life and 160.0 for more about her ancestors.
Margaret and her father had descended from the Graham family, Earls of Strathern, Menteith and Airth. 'Burke's Family Records' provides a history of the family outlining how they claimed to be related to the Royal family of Scotland.
152.0 Four Children of GGGGGGGP Robert Forrester (c1706-?) & Margaret Graham (1703-?)
Margaret was aged 37 when her last child was born so was unlikely to have had more children that survived. See 156.4 Diagram FOR8 for the descendants of Robert and Margaret’s children.
152.1 Elizabeth Forrester (1730-?)
The old map above shows that Easter and Wester Ashentree (top right) were so close as to suggest that they were one property at an earlier time. On the other side of Goodie water (centre) are Easter and Mid Frew (Bottom). Wester Frew is just off the map on the left.
A posting on Genealogy.com by Alexander Fyfe has this additional information. "I have been researching the origins of one Robert Downie of Appin (1771-1841) and have seen the name Shaw as witness on some related birth certificates associated with Ashentree farm. I am certain that Ashentree was passed to a John Downie and, I guess, a Mr Shaw [Alexander] through their marriages to two McCullough sisters. John (Downie) was a half-brother to Robert's father b1735 (also Robert). I've got a lot more information about the Downies and possibly one or two more occurrences of these names on various birth certificates. I am given to understand that John sold his share of Ashentree but continued to live in the property as a tenant. Did he sell it to Mr Shaw? I have a lot of snippets of information about the Downie family in Kilmadock and Kincardine parishes and near-by Thornhill and Norriestown." (NB: Robert Downie c1771 was a grandson of George Downie c1696)
John Forrester b1732 seems to have occupied Ashentree after his marriage in 1753, when he was listed as 'John Forrester of Ashentree' in some records. There is a Stewart baptism record listing Alexander Shaw of Ashentree as a witness in 1771. GGGGGGGF Alexander Shaw, who at the age of 73 was probably living with his daughter and her husband John Forrester b1732 of Ashentree.
The 1797-98 Farm Horse Tax Roll listed John Forrester and John Downie (a tenant), both of Ashentree as owning five horses each. John Forrester b1732 (of Ashentree) died in 1810. Soon after his death in 1810, the Forrester family gave up Ashentree. In 1815 'The Farmer's Magazine' published a letter praising the quality of a new reaping machine developed by a Mr Smith of Doune. Among the signatories were Robert Paterson of Easter Frew [husband of Isobel Innes b1769; brother-in-law of John's daughter-in-law Margaret Forrester nee Innes], J. Forrester of Bridge Frew (son John b1767 was living on the traditional family property at Frew), John Henderson of Middle Frew, James Murdoch of Mime (adjacent to Wester Frew) and William Dounie and Gilbert Christie of Ashentree. The latter two appear to be the new managers of Ashentree.
William Downie (son of John Downie b1727 and grandson of George Downie?) married Mary Stewart in 1817. They had the following children Mary Downie b2 Jul 1817 in Doune, Helen Downie b1820 in Ashentree, Kilmadock, Robert Downie b1822 in Ashentree and Unknown Downie b1824 in Ashentree. Therefore, the Downies were occupying Ashentree at least up until the 1820's
153.3 GGGGGGM Helen Shaw (1730-1811)
At some stage Helen met GGGGGGF John Forrester, who had grown up on his family farm at Bridge of Frew, which was about 3 miles from her home. Helen Shaw 23 and John Forrester were married at Kilmadock around 1753 (from the birth dates of their children), but no marriage registration has been found. They went on to have eleven children. See 155.0 for more about their married life.
153.4 FOR7 Descendants of John Forrester & Helen Shaw
Easter Polder, Wester Frew and Culmore were very close linked by the fords of Frew (Fordhead, halfway between Wester Frew and Culbeg). Coldoch and Ashentree were also close by.
154.0 Ancestors of GGGGGGM Helen Shaw (1730-1811)
Helen Shaw was baptised at Kilmadock (but probably born at Ashentree Farm) on 24 Jan 1730, by parents Alexander and Helen Shaw nee McCulloch of Ashentree. See 153.0 for more about Helen's married life.
154.1 GGGGGGGP Alexander Shaw (1698-c1771) & Helen McCulloch (1695-?)
Helen McCulloch was baptised at Kilmadock on 28 Apr 1695 (above). The record reads; Apr 28 Helen daughter to James McCulloch and Christian Bennet. Witnesses Arch(ibald?) McCulloch and James Robson.
On 1 Nov 1730 Alexander Shaw parishioner (of Kincardine) and Helen McCulloch of Kilmadock declared their intention to marry, which they did on 1 Dec 1730 at Kilmadock (above). Helen Shaw nee McCulloch inherited Ashentree Farm jointly with her sister Margaret McCulloch on the death of their mother.
154.2 James McCulloch (1671-?) & Christian Bennet (c1673-?)
James McCulloch is said to have been born to James McCullough and Isobel Mcaulay at Kincardine on 2 Feb 1671. He married Christian Bennet b1678 around 1694.
155.1 William Forrester (1753-?)
William Forrester was baptised in Kilmadock Parish on 21 Oct 1753 and was named after an uncle. In 1811 William Forrester of Wester Frew was a witness at several family baptisms including the baptism of his nephew Alexander Forrester in Kilmadock. As there are no other records William probably died in the early 1800’s.
155.2 Robert Forrester (1755-c1816)
Robert Forrester was baptised on 12th Oct 1755 in the Parish of Kilmadock and named after his grandfather. The full text of the entry reads Forrester; "12th Oct John Forrester & Helen Shaw his spouse in Middle Frew had a child baptised called Robert [Forrester]. Witnesses: Robert Forrester of Western Frew & Alexander Shaw in Ashentree." The two witnesses were the baby's grandfathers Robert Forrester b1710 and Alexander Shaw b1698.
Alexander Forrester was baptised in Kilmadock Parish on 15 Aug 1758 and was named after his grandfather Alexander Shaw. As there are no other known records about his life he may have died as an infant.
155.4 Margaret Forrester (1760-1831)
Margaret Forrester was baptised in Kilmadock Parish on 26 Jun 1760 by parents John and Helen Forrester nee Shaw. She was named after her grandmother.
Margaret Forrester and Henry Nimmo pledged marriage to each other on 8 Feb 1783 in Kilmadock and two weeks later, on 21 Feb 1783, they married at Logie, Stirling and settled on Blackgrange Farm (11 miles SE of Kilmadock). Margaret and Henry had a family who were all born in the Logie area. Baptism records have been found for six children; John Nimmo b1785, Helen Nimmo b1788, William Nimmo b1790, Thomas Nimmo b1795, Margaret Nimmo b1797 and Ann Nimmo 1800.
In 1798, Henry Nimmo of Blackgrange was listed as owning 5 horses and paid 8s horse tax.
Henry and Margaret Nimmo nee Forrester were buried at nearby Tullibody Kirk, Stirling. Their gravestone lists Henry Nimmo as a farmer at Blackgrange, who died in Feb 1822 and Margaret Forrester who died 3 Sep 1831. Five children are also listed on the gravestone; John Nimmo b1785, Helen Nimmo b1788, James Nimmo dDec 1837, Thomas Nimmo d21 Sep 1861 and Ann Nimmo dMar 1867. No baptism record has been found for James Nimmo.
155.5 Helen Forrester (1763-c1824)
Helen Forrester was baptised in Kilmadock Parish on 17 May 1763 by parents John and Helen Forrester nee Shaw.
On 1 Jul 1785, James McOran 32 b1753 married Helen Forrester 22 (b1763) at Port of Menteith. James and Helen McOran nee Forrester had nine known children; John McOran 1786-1872, Helen McOran 1788-1853, James McOran 1790-1876 (See below), Alexander McOran 1792-1822, William McOran 1793-1864, Mary McOran 1795-1843, Janet McOran 1796-1863, Margaret McOran 1800-? and Elizabeth McOran 1802-1875. All children were baptised in Port of Menteith. The family changed their surnames to Campbell after they moved to Glasgow. Their second son became Sir James Campbell of Stracathro, who was the father of Prime Minister Henry Campbell Bannerman (see 169.3).
The above article explains that James and Helen McOran nee Forrester gave up their farm lease and moved to Glasgow in 1805. James McOran or Campbell died in 1781 and Helen McOran Campbell nee Forrester died in 1824. A large gravestone marks their burial place at Glasgow Cathedral cemetery. For more about their family tree see 169.2.
155.6 Elizabeth Forrester (1765-?)
Elizabeth Forrester was baptised in Kilmadock Parish on 10 May 1765 by parents John and Helen Forrester nee Shaw. She was named after an aunt (her father's sister).
Elizabeth Forrester and James Thomson pledged marriage to each other on 18 Aug 1787 in Kilmadock and ten days later, on 28 Aug 1787, they married at Gargunnock. Elizabeth and James had eight children; all born in Gargunnock. Their children were Helen Thomson 1788-?, James Thomson 1789-?, Janet Thomson 1791-?, Margaret Thomson 1793-?, Elizabeth Thomson 1796-?, John Thomson 1798-?, William Thomson 1801-?, Ann Thomson 1804-? and Jean Thomson 1808-?
The dates of death of Elizabeth and James Thomson nee Forrester are not known.
155.7 GGGGGF John Forrester (1767-1839)
John Forrester was probably born on the family farm at Frew. He was baptised on 12 Apr 1767 at Kilmadock, Perthshire. The above baptism record for 1767 reads "April 12th John Forrester and Helen Shaw his spouse in Wester Frew had a child baptised, called John. Witnesses: Alexander Shaw & James Markson? both in Ashentree". The first witness was John's grandfather Alexander Shaw b1698, who resided at Ashentree. The Forrester family were tenant farmers in Frew for at least four generations.
John Forrester in this parish and Margaret Innes in the parish of Dunblane pledged marriage to each other on 29 Jan 1791 in Kilmadock and the following day they married at Dunblane. John and Margaret had twelve children; all born in Kilmadock. John Forrester died in 1839 and Margaret Forrester nee Innes died three years later in 1842. For more about their married lives and descendants see 156.0
155.8 Jean Forrester (1769-1849)
Jean Forrester was baptised in Kilmadock Parish on 3 Sep 1769 by parents John and Helen Forrester nee Shaw. She was named after an aunt (her mother's sister)
Jean Forrester and George Graham pledged marriage to each other on 9 Aug 1788 in Kilmadock and eleven days later, on 20 Aug 1788, they married at Kippen. Jean and George Graham nee Forrester had twelve children; with all births registered in either Kippen or Kilmadock. Their children were Helen Graham 1789-?, Elizabeth Graham 1791-1872, John Graham 1792-?, Margaret Graham 1794-1860, William Graham 1796-?, George Graham 1798-?, Anne Graham 1801-1884, Alexander Graham 1803-1882, Robert Graham 1806-1807, David Graham 1809-?, Jane Graham 1812-1881 and Robert Graham 1813-?
In 1841 Jean was living with her farmer son William and four servants at 'Goodie Bank,' Deanstown, Kilmadock. Jean Graham nee Forrester died on 18 Oct 1849 and was buried at Norrieston Cemetery. Her tombstone was erected by son William.
155.9 Mary Forrester (1771-?)
Mary Forrester was baptised in Kilmadock Parish on 6 Oct 1771. As there are no other known records about her life she may have died as an infant.
155.10 Ann Forrester (1774-?)
Ann Forrester was the tenth baby born to Helen Forrester nee Shaw, when Helen was around 43 years old. The baptism record above reads; "Forrester, Mar 20th John Forrester and Helen Shaw his spouse in Frew had a child baptised called Ann. Witnesses John Stewart & Robert Forrester, both in Frew." The second witness was probably Ann's grandfather Robert Forrester b1710. Ann was named after her father's sister. As there are no other known records about her life she may have died as an infant.
155.11 Janet Forrester (1776-1815)
Janet Forrester was baptised in Kilmadock Parish in 1776. If the baptism date is correctly Janet's mother was 45 at the time of her birth. She was possibly named after a great aunt.
John Forrester was baptised on 12 Apr 1767 in Kilmadock, Perth. The above baptism record reads, on "April 12th John Forrester and Helen Shaw his spouse in Wester Frew had a child baptised, called John [Forrester]. Witnesses: Alexander Shaw & James Markson? both in Ashentree". The Forrester family were tenant farmers in Frew for at least four generations. Witness GGGGGGGF Alexander Shaw b1698 was John's b1767 grandfather.
Margaret Innes was born on 4 May 1771 in Dunblane, Perth and baptised there on 19 May 1771 by parents James Innes and Janet Macfarlane (See 166.3). At some stage Margaret Innes met John Forrester, who lived ten miles away at Bridge of Frew.
John Forrester and Margaret Innes declared their intention to marry each other on 29 Jan 1791 in Kilmadock. The marriage registration read "Forrester & Innes: Jan 29. John Forrester in this parish & Margaret Innes in Parish of Dunblane declared their purpose of marriage".
GGGGGP John Forrester and Margaret Innes had thirteen children; all born in the Kilmadock Parish (probably Bridge of Frew Farm). For details of their lives see 166.0. The children were GGGGM Janet Forrester b1791, Helen Forrester b1793, John Forrester b1795, Margaret Forrester 1797, Ann Forrester b31 Dec 1799, James Forrester b12 Mar 1802, William Innes Forrester b4 Feb 1804, John Forrester b15 Oct 1806, Elizabeth Forrester b15 Oct 1806, John Forrester b5 Mar 1808, Jean (Jane) Forrester b12 Sep 1809, Alexander Forrester b10 Oct 1811 and Isabella Forrester b1814. The last child was born when Margaret Forrester nee Innes was 43. The family endured many tragic deaths: The three babies named John and daughter Elizabeth all seemed to have died whilst they were infants. Most other offspring died before they were 50, one was murdered and only one lived past 70. Son Alexander was disabled in some way, but still worked on the farm.
In 1797 GGGGGF John Forrester of Frew was liable for the 'Horse Tax' on three of his eight horses )above). Also listed as owning horses were his father John Forrester of Ashentree and William Forrester of Frew, who was probably John’s older brother b1753. Around 1810, eldest daughter GGGGM Janet Forrester married GGGGF John Macfarlane (see 96.0 & 157.1) at Port of Menteith and in that same year John's father 'John Forrester of Ashentree' died.
On 7 Jul 1875 John and Margaret's grandson GGGF Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to Deborah Forrester nee Bowman (see 157.7) in which he wrote of a recent visit to Bridge of Frew Farm. He spoke fondly of the family farm and reflected that the house was a "wee bit" place. "To me it is a wonder.....how our grandfather and mother managed... to raise respectably, the large family they did". The letter confirms that John Forrester b1767 lived on Bridge of Frew Farm and raised his family there.
The 1793, 1800, 1802 and 1810 Perthshire Valuation Rolls indicate that John Forrester retained a part interest in land at Coldoch. Coldoch was very close (adjacent) to John's father's property Ashentree. The rents from this land would have provided additional income.
In 1815 a letter was published in 'The Farmer's Magazine' signed by a number of local (and presumably influential landholders. They included John Forrester of Bridge of Frew, Robert Paterson (father and son) of Easter and Middle Frew and William Downie and Gilbert Christie of Ashentree. This suggests that the Forresters had given up the Ashentree property and were living at Bridge of Frew.
The Bridge of Frew is near Kippen in Stirling, about 20 miles from Dunblane. Prior to the bridge being built, the main crossing of the River Forth was a shallow area in the river known as the Fords of Frew. The extract below is from "Scottish Independence & the Idea of Britain".
This crossing of the River Forth was significant in several events in Scottish history. The Scots Clans website has the following account about the activities of the famous Scottish outlaw Rob Roy in 1691.
The original bridge at Frew was built in 1783 (above) and was one mile from Kippen. It has been replaced with a modern concrete bridge.
156.4 The Doigs of Frew
The Doig Family Society (www.doig.net/DOIGK.htm) has a wealth of information about members of the Doig family who lived in the area of Frew from the 1300's onwards. Below are some extracts.
Above is an excerpt an 1810 enquiry into the use of Flanders Moss (north of the River Forth and south of Goodie Water in the map above). Witnesses at the inquiry included members of the Doig, Paterson, Graham and McCulloch families.
156.5 Bridge of Frew Farm (Wester Frew)
Robert's son John Forrester b1732, settled on nearby Ashentree Farm (see map above) around 1750; after he married Helen Shaw (probably because his father and older brothers were running the family farm at Wester Frew). GGGGGGF John Forester b1832 died in 1810. Although John Forrester b1767 was the youngest son and third in line, he took on the family farm at Frew with his wife Margaret Innes and that was where he had his own family. (They had married in 1791.) By this time his older brothers had either died or moved on. It was after the bridge had been built near the Fords of Frew in 1783, that the farm started to be known as 'Bridge of Frew Farm'.
In 1815 the Farmers Magazine published a letter praising the quality of a new reaping machine developed by a Mr Smith of Doune. Among the signatories were Robert Paterson of Easter Frew, J. Forrester of Bridge Frew, John Henderson of Middle Frew, James Murdoch of Mime (adjacent and north of Wester Frew) and William Dounie and Gilbert Christie of Ashentree.
GGGGGF John Forrester b1767 died at Bridge of Frew on 12 May 1839 aged 72. In 1841, his widow GGGGGM Margaret Innes Forrester 70 was running the family farm with her unmarried daughters Ann Forrester 40 and Isabella Forrester 25. Also living with them was grandson John Forrester 9 (son of William Innes Forrester (see 157.7c) and five servants to help run the farm. GGGGGM Margaret Forrester nee Innes died in 1842 and the farm passed to daughter Jean (later Jane) Forrester.
The Valuation Roll for 1857-8 described 'Bridge of Frew Farm' as follows,
The 'County directory of Scotland 1901-1904' listed the following residents:-
At the age of 21 John married Lillias (Lilly) Watts in Stirling. The couple were living in Glasgow after their marriage and that is where they had their family. Daughter Ann was born first in 1847 (according to the 1851 census). Son James Richardson was born in 1849 (according to his death certificate below). Helen Forrester Richardson was a possible third child born to the couple between 1864 and 1866. Unfortunately, no baptism records have been found for any of the children, so birth dates have to be determined from other documents.
It seems that John Richardson either died or disappeared in the 1850's because he was not listed on the 1861 census, and his wife was listed as 'head of the household". She was not listed as a widow.
As a single mother, Lilly Richardson nee Watts would have struggled to raise three children and run a business at the same time. (She was a confectioner). The result was youngest daughter Helen (aged about 5) was sent to live with her father's aunt, Jean Forrester, who farmed the old Forrester Farm at Bridge of Frew. (See below for an alternative explanation re Helen Forrester Richardson's ancestry.
As Lilly Richardson nee Watts was not listed on the 1871 census, she probably died in the 1860's.
In 1841 Ann 40 was living at home, helping her widowed mother run the family farm at Frew, along with her sister Isabel Forrester 25. Also living with them was nephew John Forrester 9 (son of brother William, see 157.7c) and five servants to help run the farm.
Ann Forrester died on 1 Aug 1848 aged 49 at Bridge of Frew and was buried at Norrieston Churchyard, Thornhill near her parents. After her death Ann's sister Isobel Ure nee Forrester wrote a letter to their brother William Innes Forrester explaining that she died of palsy (extract from the letter above from the GKang's Ancestry Family tree). There was no record of a marriage or children.
157.6 James Forrester (1802-1858)
James was born on 12 Mar 1802 and baptised on 26 Mar 1802 in Kilmadock. In 1833 his younger brother William migrated to South Australia. Three years later James did the same, but he headed to NSW. (Like the rest of his family he was probably unaware of William's location.)
"James Forrester migrated to NSW and established a farm near Bathurst. Ship records show a James Forrester arrived as a cabin passenger in 1836. In 1841, James was shown as living at "Belubula," Carcoar, Bathurst, the property having one wooden house. The census recorded 23 men aged 21-45, all single. There were 21 shepherds, one domestic servant and one other. Of the shepherds, two had arrived free, nine held tickets of leave and twelve were convicts on private assignment." James was most likely the overseer and listed as the "one other".
An announcement in 'SMH' 18 Apr 1850 announced: "The Partnership hitherto existing under the firm of 'Wills and Forrester, Sheep Farmers and Graziers, Belubula, has expired from effluxion of time. All claims will be settled by James Forrester". Other newspaper items indicate he remained in the Bathurst area at least until late 1853.
By 1856 James' declining health forced him to return to Scotland. His sister Isobel (see 157.13) wrote to William Forrester (see 157.7) "Your brother (James) came home from Australia in very bad health in 1856. He went to England through the recommendation of doctors but it did not do him much good. Although he was badly (sic), he never was off his feet, for he was out, the day of his death, but he was quite resigned to the will of God."
James made his will on 13 Nov 1856, "leaving £100 to his brother William and £50 each to the Benevolent Asylum of Sydney, the Sydney Infirmary, the Destitute Children’s Home and the Bathurst Hospital. The residue was to be invested and £15 paid yearly towards the clothing and maintenance of his brother Alexander Forrester (67.11), the rest to be divided between his sisters Jean (Jane; see 157.11) and Isobel (see 157.13). On the death of his sisters and brother, the residue was to be divided between the children of his sisters Helen (see 157.2) and GGGGM Janet (see 157.1). In a codicil added a week later, he increased the amount for his brother to £25, with legacy of £100 for his nephew John Forrester 1847-1900 (son of brother William see 157.7c). The proceeds of £100 were to be set-aside for educational purposes in the parish of Kippen and Callender, with a further £100 for educational purposes in Thornhill parish. The executors appointed by the will were Sir James Campbell, of Strathcura (see 169.3), William Campbell of Tillichewan (Sir James’ brother. Both were cousins to James Forrester b1802) and GGGF Alexander Macfarlan (See 103.0)."
James died on 8 Mar 1858 and was buried at Norrieston, Thornhill. There was no known wife or children and the part of his will which encompassed family members, only mentioned siblings and their children, confirming he had no known descendants. In the letter above to William Forrester, nephew Alexander Macfarlan (See 103.0) wrote that (Uncle) James Forrester died at Bridge of Frew in April and "the bulk of this property was left in life's rent to Aunt Janet and Mrs [Isabel] Ure (John's sisters), and at their death to his nephews and nieces."
157.7 William Innes Forrester (1804-1866)
The 1804 parish baptism record above reads "John Forrester and Margaret Innes his spouse in Wester Frew had a child baptised on 12th Feb 1804 called William; Witnesses [to the baptism], Robert and William Forrester, both in Frew. The child was born on the 4th Feb." The witnesses, Robert (b1755) and William Forrester (b1753), were John's elder brothers.
There is some confusion in regard to William's birth year and his age at death. There are baptism records confirming William's birth in 1804 (above) but his death records and gravestone state that he was 56 when he died in 1866 (i.e born in 1808). However, the only baptism record for that year, is for brother John Forrester (see below). All evidence points to a mistake being made with his age when he died.
The following is an edited version of William's life story (with incorrect birth year) from the Geni profile of WilliamForrester by Linda Margaret Field (Skipsey).
William was murdered by a hotel guest on 8 Feb 1866 and the crime was reported in many papers including the ‘Adelaide Express’ 13 Feb 1866 (above). The Kapunda Herald reported
The Valuation Roll for 1857-8 (above) listed the Myme property (at Wester Frew) as follows: "Mr William Paterson-North Mid Frew, John Forrester, Myme..... Under Descriptive remarks it adds; A farm house one Storey high, with offices attached, the former slated, the latter tiled, both only in middling repair. Tenant Miss Jane (Jean) Forrester, Bridge of Frew; Proprietor The Earl of Moray." The tenant's name in this document is sometimes read as 'Janet', but other documents make it clear that it was the unmarried Jean/Jane Forrester who was running Bridge of Frew at that time. The John Forrester listed at Myme was probably not John Forrester b1832, who was 25, as documents above list him in Frew farm up until his marriage and then living in Kippen after that. It was more likely Jane Forrester's brother John Forrester b1808, of whom not much is known. See 157.10 for more explanation.
By 1861 John Forrester and wife Jane Gardner were living at 10 Burnside, Kippen. By then, John 28 farm manager and Jane Forrester nee Gardner 24 had a son; William Forrester who was one year old and named after John's long lost father. Number 10 Burnside is on the outskirts of the village and today a modern house sits on the site. In 1858 it was probably a farmhouse from which John managed the adjacent farm.
In 1865, the 'Stirling Directory' (above) listed Miss Jane Forrester as farmer at Myme. However sometime in the late 1860's John Forrester b1832 also moved to Myme, possibly after the death of his uncle John b1808. At the time of the 1871 census John Forrester b1832, farmer was 38 and living with his family at Myme Farm (65 acres) in Kilmadock (adjacent to Bridge of Frew Farm). Living with him were his wife Jane Forrester nee Gardner 34 and children William Forrester 11, Ellen Forrester 9, Mary Forrester 7, Isabella Forrester 3 and John Forrester 1. He must have been doing well, as he had four servants working for him.
Mary Forrester was the third child of John Forrester b1832 (see 157.7c). She spent much of her early life working for her great aunt Jean (aka Jane Forrester; see 157.11). In the mid 1880's Mary married farmer William Downie Mclaren, who was ten years older, and their wedding was hosted by her great aunt at Frew Farm. Alexander Macfarlan wrote about the wedding. He described Mary as the third daughter of the "late claimant" (John Forrester b1832) and said she had married "a very respectable well doing farmer in their own neighbourhood; a Mr Mclaren, son of a small landowner.... Aunt Jean did everything very liberally; between thirty and forty guests present. The good old soul was worn through with all the worry and trouble she undertook. I saw a great change in her."
The letter was written in July 1885 before the death of Jane/Jean Forrester in Apr 1886 and describes Alexander's visit to the Bridge of Frew the previous Nov in 1884. Mary McLaren nee Forrester and her husband had at least eight children and lived on Drummore Farm, Doune. They had two domestic servants in 1891. Either William or his son (they had the same name) were still managing this property in 1926 when another son, James Maclaren died.
157.8 John Forrester (1806-c1807)
In 1851 at the age of 40, Jane was unmarried and a farmer of 80 acres living with her unmarried younger brother Alexander. As she was listed as being the head of the household, she leased the farm and Alexander (who had a disability, see 157.12) was helping with the farming operation. They had four servants including John Forrester 18 (b1832, Glasgow). John was a nephew; the son of Jean's older brother William, who had permanently migrated to Australia in 1833 and left his son John in the care of his parents. (See 157.7c) In 1858 Jean inherited money from her brother James who died that year, after returning from Australia (See 157.6).
The Valuation Roll for 1857-8 described Bridge of Frew farm as follows, "A farmsteading, dwellinghouse, one, offices, partly one, and partly two storeys, partly slated, and partly thatched, the whole in good repair; the property of the Right Hon. the Earl of Moray, and occupied by Miss Forrester. This is situated so close to the Bridge, that one name would do for both. One half of this Bridge is kept in repair by the County of Stirling and the other half by the County of Perth."
From 1861 onwards, Jean 50 went by the name Jane. Jane was still farming her 80 acres on Kippen Rd, Bridge of Frew, but brother Alexander had died earlier that year. Jane had a young visitor, her grandniece Helen F. Richardson aged 7 and four servants to help out. The Stirling Directory (see above) listed Jane as 'farmer leasing Myme Farm in 1865', so she was managing the two adjacent farms at that time.
In 1871 Jane was 60 and farming the family farm at Bridge of Frew. She was probably still living with grandniece Helen F. Richardson 17 (see 157.2b).
On 7 Jul 1875 Jane's nephew GGGF Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to Jane's sister-in-law Deborah Forrester nee Bowman (see 157.7) in which he gave a mini 'character' study of Jane. He wrote that on a recent visit to Jane he found her much changed; "she will not give up toiling and worrying away at the ordinary work of the house and dairy, such has become second nature to her, but it is absurd that a woman at her time of life [aged 66] with no reason in a pecuniary sense should be milking away at cows.... I felt very sad in looking at her worn and wearied appearance." He then goes on to say that Jane's nephew John Forrester b1832, who was Deborah Forester's stepson, was making a claim on the farm and causing Jane some anxiety. Alexander writes of John "he never was of a very amiable turn but latterly to my mind is less attentive to matters generally and less kind to her that has done so much for him."
NOTE: The Perthshire Directory for 1889-1890 listed Jean Forrester of Bridge of Frew and also John Forrester. Jean's name was probably inadvertently carried over from an earlier edition, and the latter person was probably John Forrester b1870; the son of John Forrester b1832 (see 157.7c).
On 15 Sep 1886 Alexander wrote to Deborah Forrester telling of his latest visit to Frew Farm, after the death of his beloved aunt, Jane (Jean) Forrester. Of his aunt he wrote "from early boyhood days she seemed a gentler lovable nature than others.... there was something in her that drew upon the deeper feelings that won and retained affection....she got up in the morning of her death- went about the ordinary routine and after milking two cows went in and lay down- saying she felt weak and tired. Her sister Mrs Ure (sister Isabella Forrester b1814) was fortunately with and sent for the Dr- he came, but the patient's time had come, she died about noon on 20 Apr aged 76. She was buried beside the rest of them at Thornhill Churchyard. She left all her means for life to her sister Mrs Ure. and to her children John [Ure]and Margaret [Carrick].
Mrs Ure (Isabella Ure nee Forrester b1814) has taken up residence at the farm. Whether to continue or not is uncertain. Well she has her two children settled close by her, otherwise her position, the last of all the once large family that were born and raised in Bridge of Frew would be a sad one."
NOTE: Mrs Ure (Isabella Forrester b1814) had been recently widowed with the death of her husband in 1885, so the opportunity to take over Bridge of Frew Farm would have had some appeal.
157.12 Alexander Forrester (1811-1861)
Alexander was born on 10 Oct 1811 and baptised on 14 Oct 1811 in Kilmadock. Witnesses at the baptism were uncles Robert Forrester b1755 and William Forrester b1753 both in Wester Frew.
Alexander was probably born with, or acquired a disability in his youth, as several documents implied that he was being cared for in his adult life. In 1841 aged 28 along with his older sister Jean, he was farming the family farm at Bridge of Frew. The siblings had four servants to assist them.
In 1851 at the age of 37 Alexander was unmarried and was listed as a farmer living with his 40 year old unmarried sister Jean, who was 'head' of the household. She leased the farm, and he was helping with the farming operation. They had four servants including John Forrester 18 (b1833 Glasgow), son of Alexander's uncle William Forrester (see 157.7). In 1858 Alexander inherited an annuity of "£25 paid yearly towards the clothing and maintenance" from his older brother James who died in that year. The use of the word 'maintenance' in the will and the fact that Alexander's sister Jean was 'head of the house' suggests that Alexander had a disability of some sort and needed care.
Alexander died at Bridge of Frew on 2 Jan 1861 aged 50. He was buried in Norrieston Churchyard, Thornhill with his parents.
157.13 Isabella Forrester (1814-1896)
Isabella was baptised on 25 Jul 1814 in Kilmadock and lived on Bridge of Frew Farm until her marriage. In 1841 Isabella was living at home, helping her widowed mother run the family farm along with her sister Ann Forrester 40. Also living with them was nephew John Forrester 9 (son of brother William) and five servants to help run the farm.
On 13 Jul 1847 Isabella married a local farmer William Ure (1804-1885) in her home town of Kippen and they had two children; John b1848 and Margaret Ann Ure (1854-1932)
In 1851 William Ure 47 was farming 80 acres and employing four men at Newburn, Kippen. Isabella Ure was 35 and at that point they had one son John Ure 3. Living with them were three servants including Henry Mcfarlane who was probably related to her brother-in-law's family. (John and Janet McFarlane nee Forrester, see 96.0)
In late 1862 Isabel wrote a letter to her brother William and scolded him for not keeping in contact whilst he was in South Australia. The words of her letter reveal the pain and anger of her thoughts. "Dear William, how have you allowed 30 summers to pass without inquiring about home. We did not know where to find you but you always knew where to find us". (See 157.7)
In 1861 at the age of 57, William Ure was listed as a retired farmer and the family were living at Gargunnock Rd, Kippen. He must have had a change of heart about retirement a few years later, because in 1871 William was back farming on an even bigger farm (Fanenastan? Farm) covering 138 acres of arable land and the family consisted of William Ure 69, Isabella Ure 55, John Ure 23 and Margaret Ure 17. Possibly he had gone back into farming to help his son John Ure get established.
On 7 Jul 1875 Isabella's nephew GGGF Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to Isabella's sister-in-law Deborah Forrester nee Bowman (see 157.7) with information about Isabella's family. He wrote 'Easy' ['Izzy'; a pet name for Isabella Ure nee Forrester] was well, her husband now in his 73rd year grows rapidly aged and complains of much pains in his back. I hardly think he will last long."
Finally in 1881, William 76 did retire, and he and Isabella 66 moved to 67 Wallace St., Stirling. Four years later on 20 Aug 1885, William Ure died and was buried in Port of Menteith, Churchyard.
On 15 Sep 1886 Alexander Macfarlan wrote to Deborah Forrester telling of his latest visit to Frew Farm, after the death of his beloved aunt, Jane (Jean) Forrester. Of his aunt he wrote "she got up in the morning of her death- went about the ordinary routine and after milking two cows went in and lay down- saying she felt weak and tired. Her sister Mrs Ure (Isabella Forrester b1814) was fortunately with and sent for the Dr- he came, but the patient's time had come, she died about noon on 20 Apr aged 76. She was buried beside the rest of them at Thornhill Churchyard. She left all her means for life to her sister Mrs Ure. and to her children John [Ure] and Margaret [Carrick].
Mrs Ure has taken up residence at the farm. Whether to continue or not is uncertain. Well, she has her two children settled close by her, otherwise her position, the last of all the once large family that were born and raised in Bridge of Frew would be a sad one."
Isabel Ure nee Forrester survived another eleven years and died on 28 Dec 1896 at Kincardine aged 82 and was buried in Norrieston Cemetery with her parents. She lived just long enough to see her son marry for the second time in early 1896.
157.13a Two Children of William Ure (1804–1885) & Isabella Forrester (1814-1896)
Both of Isabella's children received an inheritance from their cousin GGGF Alexander Macfarlan (1825-1909)
157.13b John Ure (1848-1911)
John was born in Kippen in 1848. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Prentice (1852–1891) on 15 Mar 1872 at Polmont, Stirling. They had one child named William Forrester Ure 1880–1924 born on 19 March 1880 at Port of Menteith, Perthshire.
On 7 Jul 1875 John's cousin Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to Deborah Forrester nee Bowman (see 157.7) saying the following "John is in Westwood a farm of 240 acres on the Blair Drummond.... not far from Stirling. He is a steady well doing young man."
By 1881 the family was farming at 'Abbeymains', Haddington. John was a farmer of 476 acres, employing 14 men, 6 women and 2 boys. The family consisted of John Ure 33, Elizabeth Ure 29 William Forrester Ure 6 and four servants. Ten years later in 1891, Elizabeth Ure nee Prentice died at Haddington. Another disaster occurred on 8 June 1895 as reported in the 'Dundee Chronicle'; "Mains Farm, tenanted by John Ure. Six horses were burned, and four others seriously injured that they will have to be destroyed. The stables and part of the steading were burned the ground."
On 11th January 1896, 49 year old John Ure of Bridge of Frew married the much younger Annie Ogilvie spinster at Edinburgh. The wedding registration confirmed John's details. He was a widowed farmer aged 49. His father was William Ure a farmer, deceased, and his mother was Isabella Ure nee Forrester. Sadly, his second wife passed away in that very same year due to complications with childbirth. In 1898 John moved to Hertsfordshire England and according to the 1901 census he became a farmer at Ware Park Farm, Ware. Living with him were 3 sons, four daughters and 2 servants.
John's mother Isabella Ure nee Forrester was an auntie to GGGF Alexander Macfarlan and in 1909 Alexander left £2000 to cousin John Ure of 'Abbeymains', Haddington. In 1911, John, twice widowed, was living at 16 Baldock St, Ware in Hertsfordshire. John Ure aged 63, died later that year on 16 Sep 1911. Probate (above) was granted to John's eldest daughter Elizabeth Jean Ure b1881 and John's effects were valued at 146 pounds.
157.13c Margaret (Maggie) Ann Ure (1854-1932)
Margaret was born on 1 Jan 1854 in Kippen, Stirling. On 7 Jul 1875 Margaret's cousin Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to Deborah Forrester nee Bowman (see 157.7) saying the following, "Maggie was engaged to a neighbouring farmer but the marriage seems to be off". Apparently, there was a change of heart because Maggie married local farmer Thomas Anderson Carrick (1843-1924) in the late 1870's and they had seven children who were all born in Kincardine.
Margaret's mother Isabella Ure nee Forrester was an auntie to Alexander Macfarlan b1825 and in 1909 Alexander left £3000 to his "cousin Mrs Margaret Ure or Carrick of Cambusdremmie near Stirling".
Thomas Carrick died on 26 Jun 1930 at East Cambusdrennie, Stirlingshire. Probate was granted in Aug with the value of Thomas' estate given as £12,727. Margaret Ann Carrick nee Ure aged 78, died on 29 Jan 1932 at East Cambusdrenny, Stirling. Probate was granted to her son Thomas Carrick with the value of her estate listed as £6964.
158.0-159.0 Reserved for Future Use
160.0 Ancestors of GGGGGGGM Margaret Graham (1703-?)
The main sources of information about members of the Graham family are historical books which detail how lands and titles were gained, lost or passed on to family members. Sometimes these documents vary in their accounts and even contradict each other. Family titles were usually passed down to sons. Daughters often did not get a mention in publications, but sometimes gained a title through their marriages. Few original baptism, marriage or burial documents have been found, so birth and death dates are often approximated based on other documents and typical ages for life events.
Margaret’s ancestors occupied Culnagrean Estate which was adjacent to the lands of the Grahams of Drunkie (See 110.0 Part 4 Macfarlane Tree). Unsurprisingly both families were related. According to Stuart Parks’ Tree, the common link in both families was Alexander Graham of Drunkie and his wife Margaret Buchanan and/or his ancestor Malise Graham.
Copies of original documents can be found on the following Ancestry Trees
Hutchison writes “Baron McGibbon, as he was called, again had an only daughter. She married one Patrick Graham, and their descendants in regular succession, held the estate till about twenty years ago, when the then James Graham of Leitchtown sold it to A. H. Lee, Esquire”.
NOTE: The property known as Leitchtown was granted to John Leitch in 1517 but passed to the Graham family through marriage. It is two miles east of Port of Menteith and has been known as Blairchoille and Blairquhoille, but in the 1800’s spelling was changed to Blairhoyle.
160.4 Gilbert Graham of Leitchtown (c1635-1704) & Janet Smith (c1639-?)
160.6 Grahamstown, Leitchtown & Blairhoyle
The Historic Environment website provides an overview of the history of the Graham family at Leitchtown, Perthshire. "The estate, previously called Leitchtown but originally Blairquhoille, was granted by James V in 1517 to one of the Leitch family (John Leitch of Perth). Through marriage (in 1600's), it later passed to the Grahams, who built a house in the mid-19th century and laid out the designed landscape. In the 1860s it was acquired by A.H. Lee who changed the name back to Blairhoyle. Mr George Crabbie acquired the estate in the 1890s. He planted extensively in the grounds and established the arboretum. The estate was split up in the early 1960s...." and the mansion was demolished.
The extract below from the Macfarlane Family Website provides more information about the location of Grahamstown; "Grahamstown ... is a farm on the estate of the Grahams of Leitchtown, who lived near the Lake of Menteith. Together the lands of Grahamstown, the lands of Blairhoyle and the lands of Leitchtown formed the estate owned by the Grahams of Leitchtown. In modern maps it is shown as the tiny hamlet of Blairhoyle, on the main road between Aberfoyle and Thornhill. It's in the heart of the 'Grahams, Earl of Menteith' country". [Post by Belinda Dettmann 31 Oct 2002 in http://www.genealogy.com]
161.0 Six Children of Patrick Graham (c1665-1732) & Margaret Napier (1663-1716)
Most of the following information comes from 'Burkes Family Records'. Two of Patrick Graham (c1665-?) and Margaret Napier's daughters became GGGGGG Grandparents in our family tree (see below). Three of Patrick’s sons lived in Jamaica, but the eldest son James returned to Scotland to marry and take up his inheritance of the family property.
161.1 James Graham (1695-1775) married Ann Leckie
James Graham was born c1695, but no baptism record has been found. As an adult he became a surgeon and lived in the West Indies, but returned to Scotland, where, in his thirties in 1734, he married Ann Leckie. They had at least seven known children. See 'Burkes Family Records' for more information about James' descendants.
GD1/185/10 dated 1758 is a sasine relating to the lands of Blairquhoyle commonly called Leitchtown and part of the lands of Callimuck (Calziemuck) both lying in the parish of Port and shire of Perth in terms of a bond granted by James Grahame of Leitchtown with consent of Ann Leckie, his wife, in favour of William Grahame of Garturr, William Leckie of Broich, James Forester of (East) Polder (b1701), and Robert Grahame in Shannochile.
James's son John was buried in Port of Menteith in 1810. His gravestone includes details of his parents; James Graham of Leichtown who died in 1775 and his wife Ann Leckie who died in 1795.
161.2 William Graham (1696-?) Moved to Jamaica
165.0 Ancestors of Margaret Innes (1771-1842)
GGGGGGP James Innes (1740-1793) and Janet McFarlane (1740-?) were the parents of GGGGGM Margaret Innes (1771-1842). See 166.3.
165.1 GGGGGGP James Innes (1740-1793) & Janet McFarlane (1740-?)
James was born on 13 Oct 1740 and baptised with the name John on 19 Oct 1740. It seems that John later went by the Christian name James. A marriage settlement for son James to Janet McFarlane dated 1766 confirms that James was the son of GGGGGGGF Colin McInnes and a birth in 1740 fits in with a marriage in 1766. In the settlement, Colin ‘made over’ half of his property to son James, who was to inherit the other half on his father's death. James named his first son Colin after his father. See GKang's Ancestry Website for copies of documents.
The couple settled down in Dunblane. James and Janet's nine known child were Janet Innes 1767-?, Isobel Innes 1769-?, GGGGGM Margaret Innes 1771-1842, Colin Innes 1773, James Innes 1774-1792, Peter (Patrick) Innes 1776-1842, Ann Innes 1779-1860, Robert Innes 1780-1839 and John Innes 1782-1860. Daughter GGGGGM Margaret Innes was born on 4 May 1771 and baptised in Dunblane on 19 May 1771. See 166.0 for more about James and Janet McInnes nee Macfarlane's children.
GGGGGGGF James Innes b1740 and brother William Innes b1749 were executors for older brother Patrick (or Peter) Innes' will in 1775. GGGGGGF James Innes possibly died at Kilbryde, Dunblane in 1793, but the date of Janet Innes nee Mcfarlane's death is unknown.
NOTE: www.genealogy.com/forum/Innes/ explains that the Innes family were originally known as McInnes, but at some point, descendants shortened their name.
165.2 Map5 Dunblane, Kilbryde & surrounding hamlets
165.3 Dunblane (from http://www.dunblane.info)
166.4 Colin Innes (1773-1773)
166.6 Peter (Patrick) Innes (1776-1842)
Peter was born on 23 Jun 1776 and probably named after his uncle Peter/Patrick b1732 and great grandfather Patrick McInnes c1660. Peter is said to have died on 17 January 1842 at Milne of Kilbryde, Dunblane.
166.7 Ann Innes (1779-1860)
Ann was born on 24 September 1779 at Milne of Kilbryde, Dunblane.
She married John Stewart (1781-1858) at Glastry, Dunblane on 27 Jan 1811. They had at least three daughters Janet b1814, Margaret b1816 and Ann c1822 as well as one son Alexander b1818 (who became a minister at Dunblane).
John and Ann Stewart nee Innes were living at Glastry in the 1840's and 1850's. The 1841 census lists the family as, John Stewart 60, farmer, Ann 60, Margaret 25, Alexander 23 student of philosophy and Ann 18. In 1851 John 70 and Ann 72 were still in Glastry, farming 80 acres and living with daughter Ann 27 and three servants.
The family gravestones at Kilbryde cemetery inform us that John died 4 Nov 1858 aged 77 and that
his wife Ann Stewart nee Innes aged 80, died on 27 Mar 1860. The stone was erected by their three daughters Janet, Margaret and Anne. An adjacent headstone (right) is for John and Anne’s only son, Alex Stewart, minister, who died unmarried eleven years before his father in June 1847, aged 29.
166.8 Robert Innes (1780-1839)
Robert was born on 27 Apr 1780 in Kildryde and named after his grandfather.
170.0 Forresters of Culmore & Easter Polder in detail
170.4 MAP of Frew, Polder & Culmore
171.1 James Forrester younger of Culmore & Easter Polder c1623-c1685
In 1647 James Forrester, apparent of Culmoir, as heir of said James Forrester, his father, in said lands, reserving liferent of said lands to said Walter Forrester, his grandfather (GD15/279). 1649 Renunciation by Walter Forrester of Culmoir to James Forrester, fiar of Culmoir, his grandson, of his liferent of said lands, and said James binds himself to entertain said Walter at bed and board and to pay him yearly £20 Scots (GD15/284).
James married Unknown around 1655 and had two known sons who moved to Edinburgh. They were David Forrester of Culmore c1660 who became a writer and had a charter for Culmore in 1681 and Robert Forrester c1655 apprenticed as a tailor in Edinburgh (RB). Prior to the birth of his sons in 1648, James assigned Culmore to his brother Robert (Red Book). This was confirmed by GD15/289 in 1656 and in 1662 (SIG1/55/51). Bond in 1672 by James Forrester of Easter Polder that in terms of the Feu Charter granted to him he shall fulfil his yearly obligations (GD15/270).
In 1682, a supporter of the Convenanters in the battle at Bothwell Bridge (1679), James Ure of Shirgarton of Kippen, “along with a number of others - several from Kippen parish - was formally tried (in absence). The indictment charged him and the rest with the murder of two soldiers …. Millar, the boatman at Ford of Frew, was the only witness cited against him. The Lords found the libel fully proved, and adjudged him with the others: "to be executed to the death as traitors, when they shall be apprehended; their names, memory, and honours to be extinct - that their posterity may never have place nor be able to bruik or joyse any honour, office, etc, and to have forfaulted all and sundry their lands, etc."
The Privy Council had received a list of heritors in Western Stirlingshire who had been at Bothwell Bridge. Here we find James Ure, of Shirgarton; David Forrester, of Kilmore (Culmore is in Gargunnock parish); Alexander Buchanan, Fiar of Buchlyvie and others (Forrester family history).
Instrument of Disposition and Assignation in 1684 by James Forrester of Easter Polder to Harry Dow of Wester Polder. (GD15/303). Harry/Henry had already gained Wester Polder in 1664 from James’ brother Robert Forrester c1625 (see 172.1).
171.2 David Forrester (c1660-1722) Writer of Culmore. 1st Son of James c1623
David was born around 1660 and moved to Edinburgh where he became a writer. He married Unknown and had one known child named Margaret Forrester. His wife was possibly Margaret Gillespie in which case daughter Margaret was born in 1681 in South Leith. In 1681 David’s cousin David c1650 (son of uncle Robert) regained the lands of Culmoir (SIG1/56/27). This transaction may have been an attempt by the family to retain Culmore as Robert’s son David c1650 had joined the Coventers at the battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679 and in the early 1680;’s was a fugitive. The list of wanted men specifically excluded David Forrester “sometimes of Culmore and a writer in Edinburgh”. Documents dated 1686 (GD141/278), 1688 (GD141/278) and 1690 (GD141/288) confirm that David Forrester of Culmore was a writer in Edinburgh.
In 1704 Culmore lands were sold it to James Renton (SIG1/139/10), but part of property was retained by the family and passed on to daughter Margaret (RB). David Forrester died in 1722 and testament Dative and Inventory was lodged in 1724 (CC21/5/13).
NOTE: A possible grandson of David or his brother Robert, named John Forrester of Culmore c1720 (CS181/7545, CS271/23480 & CS271/482281782) was listed in legal disputes from 1781 to 1794. The dispute was between Andrew Wallace, merchant, Stirling & John Gillespie, physician vs Mrs. Isabella Gillespie, relict of John Forrester: Protestation Suspended.
John Forrester c1720-c1780 married Isobel Gillespie in Stirling 1764. Children born at Stirling were Mary b1764, John b1766, William Forrester b1769 and Katherine b1771. Was William Forrester b1769 the same person as William Forrester of Frew who had a son named John, meal dealer in Glasgow?
171.3 Robert Forrester (c1665-c1720) 2nd son of James c1623
Robert was the second son of James Forrester the younger of Culmore and was born c1665. According to Red Books he became an apprentice tailor in Edinburgh. In 1692 he married Elizabeth Bain (1666-?) in Edinburgh. Six known children were born to the couple named Alexander 1695, Christian 1697, Archibald 1700, Elizabeth 1702, David 1704 and Bessie 1706. No record of death has been found, but he probably died in the early 1700’s.
171.4 Margaret Forrester (c1681-1730) Daughter of David c1660
According to Red Book, Margaret inherited lands of Culmore from father on his death in 1822. No record of her marriage or the birth of any children has been found so far, but she may have been the daughter of David Forrester and Margaret Gillespie born in South Leith in 1681.
In 1724 Margaret married David Houston (RB) and being an older woman at that time, she had no children of her own, so her Culmore property was inherited by a cousin named William Forrester of Frew in 1731 (RB).
171.5 William Forrester of Frew (c1670-1734) Cousin of Margaret
William was probably born around 1670 but no record has been found. If he was a first cousin of Margaret Forrester c1681, he was likely a son of her father’s younger brother Robert Forrester c1665 the apprentice tailor, but Robert is not known to have had a son named William. William could well have been an uncle to GGGGGGGF Robert Forrester of Frew c1706. Supporting that theory is the fact that Robert c1706 named one of his sons William.
According to Red Books, (Margaret’s cousin) William Forrester of Frew (c1670-1734) succeeded to Culmore in 1731 but died not long after in 1734 and the property was inherited by his son John Forrester c1720, meal dealer in Glasgow. John c1720 married and had at least two daughters, Elizabeth c1750 and Agnes Forrester c1760 (William’s granddaughters). It seems that the two sisters remained spinsters and died without children, but no records for baptisms, marriages and deaths have been found. The sisters were succeeded by ‘Major [Captain] William Forrester’.
171.6 Captain William Forrester of Culmore (1768-1823)
Captain William Forrester may have been born at Port of Menteith in 1768 to James Forrester c1701 and Helen Neill. Captain William Forrester married Katherine Gordon in 1796 at Invernettie and on the marriage record is described as” Captain William Forrester of Culmore”. The couple had four daughters baptised at Peterhead. Mary was baptised in 1797, Catherine in 1798, Isabella in 1802 and in 1808, “Captain William Forrester of Culmore had daughter Elizabeth Arbuthnot Forrester (died 1845) baptised”. According to Red Books William succeeded to Culmore in 1819, but other records list him as “of Culmore” from as early as 1796.
Most of the family are listed on a family gravestone that reads: “Katherine Gordon relict of William Forrester, Esq of Culmore Stirlingshire, died Edinburgh 14 Dec 1851, youngest daughter Elizabeth Arbuthnot d Edinburgh 23 Oct 1845, aged 37; dau Catherine 5 Apr 1892, widow of George Crichton Esq of Viewforth, Jemima Mary d Edinburgh 20 Feb 1919, widow of the Rev William Temple DD FSA Scot, Aberdeen”.
Willam’s daughters were:
• Mary Forrester (1797-?) On 10 June 1815 the Caledonian Mercury reported that James Hutchison, Esq. married Mary, eldest daughter of Major Forrester, of Culmore.
• Catherine Forrester (1798-1892) married George Crichton Esq of Viewforth in 1825. Catherine Forrester Crichton died 5 Apr 1892 (aged 93). On the gravestone she is described as the “Daughter of Major William Forrester, 22nd Laird of Culmore & Katherine Gordon.” One of geiorge and Catherine’s daughters died in 1919. On 27 February 1919 the ‘Aberdeen Press and Journal’ reported that “The daughter the late George Crichton, West India merchant, Edinburgh, and granddaughter of the late Major William Forrester Culmore and Culbeg, Stirlingshire. Interred in Warriston Cemetery, Edinburgh”.
• Isabella Forrester (1802-?) In 1839 George Hunter. Esq. married Isabella, third surviving daughter of the late William Forrester, Esq. of Culmore, Stirlingshire (17 October 1839 Perthshire Courier)
• Elizabeth Forrester (1808-1845) lived unmarried with her mother up until her death. She died of Consumption at 11 Hamilton Place, in 1845 and was buried in Edindurgh.
By the time of his death in 1823 William had the rank of Major. There is a testament and an inventory for the will of Major William Forrester in the Forfarshire Regiment of Militia, residing in Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, Forfarshire, held on the Scots People website dated 1824. According to Red Books, William’s cousin John Young (1762-1840) was the male heir in 1836.
171.7 Judge John Young (1762-1840)
After the death of Capt William Forrester in 1823 there was no obvious male heir to Culmore and according to Red Books it was not until 1836 that the matter was settled. It seems that Judge John Young b1762 was a cousin of William because John's mother was Elizabeth Forrester (1734-1773) who had married his father John Young senior in July 1761 at Glasgow. No baptism registration has been found for John b1762, but there is one for his sister Mary in 1764.
Document GD15 / 266 was a Tack of East Polder for 19 years dated 1533. "Granted by Robert, commendator of Inchmahome, with consent of the convent, for the common work and reparation of the place, set to Alexander Wardlaw, burgess of Stirling and Margaret Schaw his spouse and Elizabeth Wardlaw their daughter, longest liver of them, their assigns and subtenants one or more, all the lands of ‘Ester Poldor’ with the pertinents, for 19 years". The Shaw family married into the Forrester family on several occasions. The earliest know connection was Duncan Forrester marrying Elizabeth Shaw in 1569 (see 170.0).
Our Forresters (namely Robert Forrester c1706) may have descended from an early offshoot of this family. There are several reasons to think that the Grahams of Culmore and East Polder were ancestors of GGGGGGGP Robert Forrester (c1706-c1780) of Frew.
- According to an article in the Falkirk Herald (11 April 1906), The “laird of Ashentree [John Forrester b1732] was the nearest of kin, on the father’s side, to the old lairds of Culmore, the parish of Gargunnock".
- The name Robert was common to both families.
- Both families occupied farms and were of a similar social standing
- The Forresters of Culmore occupied land on the other side of the River Forth to the east the Forresters of Frew and also owned the adjacent lands of Easter Polder. It appears that the Culmore and Easter Polder lands encompassed Frew Farm and that our Forresters were tenants.
- William Forrester of Frew (c1670-1734) cousin of Margaret Forrester (c1681-1730) inherited Culmore in 1731 (RB) before passing the property on to his descendants.
- Other records tell us that Robert's family occupied Wester Frew farm well before the Battle of Culloden (1745)
- In 1820 Helen Forrester b1793 and her husband Henry Richardson were living on their farm at Wester Culmore (see 157.2). Henry seems to have acquired Wester Culmore around 1830 from his father James Richardson who gained the property in 1812.
150.3
MAP1 East Polder, Frew & Kilmore (Culmore)
150.4 Locations associated with Extended Forrester family
- Ashentree 3 miles NE of Frew near Coldoch Cottage and 3 miles SE of Thornhill.
- Blairchoille, Blairquhoille or Blairhoyle 2 miles east of Port of Menteith. Granted to John Leitch in 1517. The property became known as Leitchtown but passed to the Graham family through marriage. In the 1800’s the name was changed to Blairhoyle.
- Boquhan, Stirlingshire. Half mile east of Frew.
- Calziemuck, Calliemuck, Callimuc or Calliemuck. A half mile east of Blairhoyle, halfway to Rusky.
- Claish Farm, Callander. One mile SE of Callander
- Culcreuch Castle aka Kilcreuch. On the northern outskirts of Fintry 6m south of Kippen
- Culnagrean, Culnagreine, Culrigrean or Culnagrein. South of and adjacent to Invertrossachs (Drunkie Estate). Drumgeneish alias Collingrain or Culnagreine (GD22/1/434) Also see digital map on National Lib of Scotland website
- Fintry Seven miles south of Frew
- Frew or Ford (or Bridge) of Frew. Also East, North, Mid Frew and Wester Frew. The fords of Frew are situated near where the Boquhan Burn meets the River Forth, Historically the main routes across the upper Forth River. All farms at Frew are north of the Forth and south of Goodie Water. The Ford of Frew is on the main route between Thornhill and Kippen about one mile north of the latter.
- Garden or Garden Cottage is adjacent to Boquhan Estate on the other side of the Burn. Close to Culmore and Culbeg
- Gartavertane or Gartartan. South of Aberfoyle adjacent to Gartmore
- Grahamstown or Grahamston. A mansion built by the graham family on part of the land of Rednock
- Kippen. One mile south of Frew
- Leitchtown see Blairhoyle
- Polder West 2 miles west of East Polder north of River Forth near Cardross Estate
- Polder East 2 miles west of Bridge of Frew north of River Forth. This term may have encompassed Wester Frew in the early days.
- Rednock aka Rednoche, Rednock House, Reidnocht. Between Blairhoyle and Port of Menteith
150.5
FOR9 Forrester, Graham & Innes tree
151.0 GGGGGGGP Robert Forrester (c1706-?) & Margaret Graham (1703-?)
Robert Forrester was born around 1706 (assuming he was 21 on his marriage date); probably at the Wester Frew Farm (1.5 miles NE of Kippen), but no baptism registration has been found. It is possible that Robert’s parents were related to the Forresters of Culmore (See 170.0).
Robert and Margaret Forrester nee Graham had four known children Elizabeth Forrester b1730, GGGGGGF John Forrester c1732, Ann Forrester b1736 and William Forrester b1740. All four children were probably born on the family farm at Wester Frew but baptised in the local church at Kippen. The last known child was born when Margaret was 37.
Around 1732 Margaret gave birth to a son, GGGGGGF John Forrester, who later became known as John Forrester of Ashentree. He gained Ashentree through his marriage c1753 and made it his own farm because his father and brother were running Wester Frew Farm. Ashentree was only a few miles from Frew, separated by a creek named 'Goodie Water'. In fact, this waterway may have been the outer boundary of the two farms in those days.
We know Robert was alive in 1746 because of the role he played in the Jacobite retreat of that year (see below). He had tried to advise Bonnie Prince Charlie where to safely cross the River Forth near his family's 'Wester Frew' property during the prince's retreat in early 1746. He also tried to divert English soldiers, in another attempt to assist the prince. Either of these actions could have led to him being arrested or suffering some form of retribution.
NAS Document GD248/48/3 dated 1746 February 4 includes a letter from Patrick Grant lord Elchies, Edinburgh, to Sir James Grant. 'The Rebells blew up their own Magazine of powder at St Ninians and spiked their cannon and in great Confusion run away from Stirling crossed the Forth at the ford of Frew and went thence to Crieff and thence to Perth'; they are also informed that the clans 'with their Tartan Chief' went towards the west highlands; thinks the Duke of Cumberland the only person who can extinguish the rebellion".
Robert Forrester was a witness at several Stewart family baptisms in 1736, 1744, 1745 and 1790, in which his residence is given as Frew, Kilmadock. (www.chuckspeed.com/). He was also a witness at the baptisms of grandchildren Robert Forrester (b1755) and Ann Forrester (b1774). These documents all link Robert to the farm at Frew and demonstrate that Robert lived into old age. The 1797 Horse Tax Roll lists Robert Forrester of Wester Frew (E326/10/4/275). This may have been Robert b1706 or more likely his grandson b1755. No record has been found for the deaths of either Robert Forrester or his wife Margaret. They both probably died in second half of the 1700’s.
Other Stewart records list members of the Forrester family at Ballanton (Ballinton) and Coldoch; farms adjacent to Ashentree, and also at Frew (about 2 miles away) as witnesses (possible relationship to Robert in backets). Witnesses were:
- 1737 James Forrester in Ballanton (brother of Robert Forrester c1706?)
- 1737 John Forrester witness for a baptism at Coldoch (brother of Robert Forrester c1706?)
- 1786 John Forrester in Frew (probably Robert’s son John b1732?)
- 1790 John (and Robert) Forrester both in Frew (probably Robert’s grandsons John b1767 & Robert b1755?)
- 1795 William Forrester in Frew witnessed a baptism at Frew of Mary, daughter of John Mcfarlane and Elizabeth Stewart (probably Robert’s grandson William b1755?)
- John Forrester in Frew in 1786 and 1790 (Robert’s son John b1732?)
The following piece titled 'The Premier’s Link with Prince Charlie' is an abridged version of an article published in the 'Falkirk Herald', 11 April 1906, and is available on Genny Kangs's Ancestry Tree. The Prime Minister referred to in the article is Henry Campbell Bannerman 1836-1908 (See 169.0), whose grandmother was Helen Forrester (b1763 Port of Menteith). She was the sister of GGGGGF John Forester b1767. (See 155.5). [My comments are in brackets.]
When the Prime Minister’s great-grandfather Mr Forrester [John Forrester b1732], the laird of Ashentree, a small estate near the Forth in Kilmadock parish, was a lad, he had a personal experience (on his father’s farm) of the young Pretender (Bonnie Prince Charles).
News had come to the Prince, that the Duke of Cumberland had left Edinburgh, and was marching to the relief of Stirling. It had been determined to fight the King's army, and all the sick and wounded men, with the women, had been sent to Dunblane. Lord George and seven other chiefs advised a retreat to the north. On hearing this, Prince Charles struck his head against the wall till he staggered. Retreat was a matter of necessity, and as an arch of Stirling Bridge had been broken down in December, to prevent Charles’s army from crossing, the Prince decided to take the Ford of Frew, at the north side of which, Mr Forrester’s father [Robert Forrester c1710] resided at his house of Wester Frew. In anticipation of such a move, Captain Campbell with a party of King George’s soldiers came to Wester Frew the day before the arrival of the Prince and enquired of the Forresters to the crossings of the Forth River. Mr Forrester, senior [Robert Forrester c1710], being a supporter of Prince Charles, directed him to a ford very little used. Campbell took some caltrops (metal spikes) and threw these weapons into the river. Having done so, his party withdrew.
The next day, Charles and his entourage arrived at the south side of the ford of Frew. Anxious to see the Prince, Mr Forrester’s sons [John Forrester b1732 and William b1740] and servants crossed the river and remained in close while they dined. Having finished their meal, the warriors took the proper ford, but Charles, not thinking any information necessary regarding fords, rode through a different one and his horse was wounded.
Mr Forrester [John Forrester b1732] in later life told the Rev. Dr Murray that he had been apprehensive lest he could find nobody to point out the Prince. But, said the laird, there was no occasion for this anxiety, for as the son of a King, he stood out from the crowd.
They were of a good old stock these Forresters, a branch of the proper line bearing the name. The above laird of Ashentree [John Forrester b1732] was the nearest of kin, on the father’s side, to the old lairds of Culmore, the parish of Gargunnock. The Ford of Frew, from beginning to end, has had a prominent place in history, was watched in time of warfare with the greatest care, and in early times had a small fort to protect it. This helped to give rise to the saying that “the Forth bridled the wild Highlandmen.”
The above account of interaction between the Forresters and the Prince is also described in several books including 'Prince Charlie; The Young Chevalier' by Merideth Johnes, published in 1860, and credits the action of Mr Forrester [Robert Forrester c1706] as saving Prince Charles' army.
William Nimmo's account of the incident in his 1817 book 'History of Stirling shire' is more specific in terms of the names of the Forresters. This edition of the book was published just seven years after John Forrester of Ashentree died. Nimmo wrote "When Charles Edward was understood to be about to recross the Forth, in his retreat, a Captain Campbell, with a party of the King's soldiers, came, the evening before, to the farm of Wester Frew, and inquired particularly at Robert Forrester, one of the Earl of Moray's tenants, where the ford in the neighbourhood was. The respectable yeoman (whose grandson John Forrester [b1767], now occupies the farm [in 1817]), being more attached to the family in exile than to that in possession and suspecting that Campbell had no good intention to what he esteemed the good cause, directed him to a ford very seldom used. Campbell took from a cart, some sacks filled with caltrops; and threw those weapons of invisible annoyance into the river. Having done so, he and his party withdrew. The next day, Charles with a considerable number of officers, arrived at Boquhar, on the Stirlingshire side of the Forth. The best ford is close behind Robert Forrester's farm in Frew, where Boquhar Burn and the Forth meet. Family legend adds to the story that Robert Forrester had tried to warn Prince Charles of the caltrops, but that the Prince ignored his advice."
NOTE 1: The author of the above account, William Nimmo, may have been William Nimmo b1790, the grandson of John Forrester of Ashentree b1732. William was the son of Margaret Forrester b1760 and Henry Nimmo b1758.
NOTE 2: According to the above accounts, our Forresters originated in Culmore in Gargannock Parish, which is south of the River Forth adjacent to both Boquhane and Wester Frew.
NOTE 3: The 'Forresters' mentioned above, were GGGGGGF John Forester b1732 who was a teenager at the time of the 1745-1746 rebellion and his father GGGGGGGF Robert Forrester c1706, who was farming Wester Frew Farm and was the one who gave the misleading directions to Captain Campbell. The John Forrester listed as occupying the Frew farm in 1817 would have been Robert's grandson, GGGGGF John Forrester b1767 who married Margaret Innes in 1791 (See 156.0). John and his children were born at Bridge of Frew Farm.
151.2 GGGGGGGM Margaret Graham (1703-?)
See 161.4 and 160.0 for more information about her parents and ancestors, also Ancestry tree of Ingrid Forrester.
NOTE 1: The northern border of the estate of Culnagrean (Culnagreine, Culrigrean) in the Parish of Port bordered Drunkie Estate according to a map dated 1792. The property was also known as Drumgeneish alias Collingrain (GD22/1/434) and the titles were held by George Graham of Drunkie (GD22/3/420) in 1603, and later (1708) by the Napier family. It was about six miles north of Port of Menteith (maps.nls).
NOTE 2: Drunkie Estate acquired by the Grahams of Drunkie in 1603 was the home of another branch of our Graham family and the two families were most likely related in some way (See 110.0 in Part 4 The Macfarlane Family)
At some stage in the 1720's, GGGGGGGM Margaret met Robert Forrester, who lived 8 miles away from Menteith at Wester Frew (Parish of Kilmadock). A week before Margaret’s 24th birthday they were married at Port of Menteith in 1727 when Robert was 21 (above). See 151.0 for more about their married lives.
Robert and Margaret Forrester nee Graham settled on Robert’s farm at Frew and had four known children. The children were Elizabeth Forrester b1730, GGGGGGF John Forrester c1732, Ann Forrester b1736 and William Forrester b1740. All four children were baptised in the local church at Kippen. The last child was born when Margaret was 37. Margaret’s year of death is unknown, but she probably died in the mid 1700’s. One family tree has her death at Frew listed in 1746. See 151.0 for more about Margaret’s married life and 160.0 for more about her ancestors.
Margaret and her father had descended from the Graham family, Earls of Strathern, Menteith and Airth. 'Burke's Family Records' provides a history of the family outlining how they claimed to be related to the Royal family of Scotland.
152.0 Four Children of GGGGGGGP Robert Forrester (c1706-?) & Margaret Graham (1703-?)
Margaret was aged 37 when her last child was born so was unlikely to have had more children that survived. See 156.4 Diagram FOR8 for the descendants of Robert and Margaret’s children.
152.1 Elizabeth Forrester (1730-?)
Elizabeth Forrester was born three years after her parent's marriage in 1727. She was baptised at Kippen (about 1 mile from Wester Frew) on 26 Nov 1730. She possibly married John McGraw in the mid 1750's, but no more is known.
152.2 GGGGGGF John Forrester (1732-1810)
No baptism registration has been found for GGGGGGF John, but other documents suggest he was born in 1732 to parents Robert Forrester and Margaret Graham. GGGGGGF John Forrester 21 married GGGGGM Helen Shaw 22 in early 1753 (date taken from birth dates of children), probably when he had turned 21. GGGGGGF John and Helen Forrester nee Shaw had eleven known children. See 155.0 for more about GGGGGGF John Forrester and his children.
152.3 Ann Forrester (1736-?)
152.2 GGGGGGF John Forrester (1732-1810)
No baptism registration has been found for GGGGGGF John, but other documents suggest he was born in 1732 to parents Robert Forrester and Margaret Graham. GGGGGGF John Forrester 21 married GGGGGM Helen Shaw 22 in early 1753 (date taken from birth dates of children), probably when he had turned 21. GGGGGGF John and Helen Forrester nee Shaw had eleven known children. See 155.0 for more about GGGGGGF John Forrester and his children.
152.3 Ann Forrester (1736-?)
Ann Forrester was born at Frew Farm and baptised at Kippen on 22 Aug 1736. As no other records have been found she may have died young.
152.4 William Forrester (1740-?)
William Forrester was the last known child born to Robert and Margaret Forrester nee Graham, when his mother was 37 years old.
William Forrester may have married Jean Bryce on 25 Aug 1758 at Muiravonside, about 25 miles from Frew. William is referred to in the stories about his father’s encounter with Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746, when they tell of Robert’s sons trying to get a glimpse of the prince. A child named Robert (named after his grandfather?) was born to William Forrester and Jean Bryce in 1767 with the baptism witnessed by John Brown and John Gibb. No records have been found that tell the dates of death of William and Jean Forrester nee Bryce.
153.0 GGGGGGP John Forrester (c1732-1810) & Helen Shaw (1730-1811)
On 'Ancestry', researchers have determined two different possible sets of parents for GGGGGGF John Forrester.
The other possible and more likely parentage for GGGGGGF John was that he was born in 1732 to parents Robert Forrester and Margaret Graham. Although I have found no baptism record to support this contention, there is a large amount of evidence supporting this ancestral line and a 1732 birth date fits in better with other life events such as a marriage in 1753. The evidence includes documents relating to the Forrester family's actions at the time Prince Charlie moved through Perthshire with his rebel army in 1745/6. There are several accounts which clearly state that GGGGGGF John Forrester was a young lad (i.e about 13) in 1745/6, that his father was named Robert Forrester and that the family occupied Frew Farm. Also supporting this account is the fact that John's descendants continued to occupy Frew Farm for generations after his death.
There is more certainty about John's later life. GGGGGGF John Forrester married Helen Shaw 22 in early 1753 (date taken from birth of children), probably when he had turned 21. Helen b1730 from Ashentree, Perthshire was the daughter of GGGGGGGP Alexander Shaw and Helen McCulloch. Helen McCulloch was a co-heiress of Ashentree (half-owner, see 154.1) and Alexander and Helen Shaw nee McCulloch probably lived there with their family. After their marriage John and Helen Forrester nee Shaw may have lived at Ashentree too. John's father Robert (and possibly his siblings) occupied the family farm at Wester Frew, probably into the mid 1700's. John seems to have purchased the other half of the Ashentree property and taken the title 'John Forrester, Laird of Ashentree'. Also living there into the late 1700's was John's father-in-law, Alexander Shaw, who was in his late fifties.
GGGGGGP John and Helen Forrester nee Shaw had eleven known children (See 155.0) The children were William Forrester Oct 1753, Robert Forrester 1755, Alexander Forrester 1758, Margaret Forrester 1760, Helen Forrester 1763, Elizabeth Forrester 1765, GGGGGF John Forrester 1767-1839, Jean Forrester 1769-1849, Mary Forrester 1771, Ann Forrester 1774 and Janet Forrester 1776. The last child was born when Helen was in her mid-forties.
153.1 Ashentree or Frew?
Although John b1732 acquired Ashentree after his marriage in 1753, at least three of his children's baptism registrations listed Frew as his abode. In 1755 his abode was listed as Middle Frew, in 1767 it was Wester Frew and in 1774 it was listed as Frew. It is possible that the farm at Ashentree was included in the general locality of Frew as it is less than 2.5 miles from Bridge of Frew and less than 2 miles from Middle Frew. (i.e Frew was regarded as a locality, whereas Ashentee was a particular farm).
An alternative explanation is that John was an absentee landlord; i.e living at Frew but overseeing his Ashentree property from 'down the road'. This contention is supported by son John’s baptism registration which reads "April 12th, 1767, John Forrester and Helen Shaw his spouse in Wester Frew had a child baptised, called John [Forrester]. Witnesses: Alexander Shaw and James Markson? both in Ashentree". This implies that John and Helen were living on Wester Frew farm and Helen’s father occupied the farm at Ashentree.
There is a 1786 baptism record at Frew for Agnes Macfarlane b1786 to parents John and Elizabeth Macfarlane nee Stuart. Witnesses were John Forrester and John Paterson, both in Frew. Other Stewart baptisms (my comments in brackets) involving John Forrester were:
At Ashentree
According to several Valuation Rolls like the one above dated around 1800, John Forrester also acquired part of Coldoch (adjacent to Ashentree) in 1799. Another record says Coldoch the above valuation redeemed by Mr Burns of Coldoch, thence redeemed by John Forrester 1799.
The above extract reads “Inventory of the personal estate and effects which belonged to the deceased John Forrester sometimes Portioner of Ashentree afterwards residing at Mackeanston and Helen Shaw spouses. The said John Forrester having died on the ------ day of March 1810 and the said Helen Shaw on the 29 day May of 1811". Mackeanston was located about one mile north of Ashentree at Gartincaber, Doune.
152.4 William Forrester (1740-?)
William Forrester may have married Jean Bryce on 25 Aug 1758 at Muiravonside, about 25 miles from Frew. William is referred to in the stories about his father’s encounter with Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746, when they tell of Robert’s sons trying to get a glimpse of the prince. A child named Robert (named after his grandfather?) was born to William Forrester and Jean Bryce in 1767 with the baptism witnessed by John Brown and John Gibb. No records have been found that tell the dates of death of William and Jean Forrester nee Bryce.
153.0 GGGGGGP John Forrester (c1732-1810) & Helen Shaw (1730-1811)
On 'Ancestry', researchers have determined two different possible sets of parents for GGGGGGF John Forrester.
POSSIBILITY ONE:
John Forrester was baptised 20 Oct 1734 in Kilmadock.Parish by parents John Forrester and Christian Miller. The father of John Forrester b1734 was baptised in Kippen parish in Mar 1703 by Maurice Forrester and Margaret Cunningham. John Forrester aged 20 married Christian Miller on 25 May 1723. John b1734.
John and Christian Forrester nee Miller had their second known child three years later on 17 Apr 1737. The daughter was baptised with the name 'Christian' after her mother. Sadly (as with the baby girl from another family, baptised at the same time) she appears to have been baptised after her death (listed as 'posthumous'). The family residence was listed as Wester Coldoch which is very close to Ashentree. The names Maurice (Morris) and Christian were not used in later generations which throws some doubt on this line.
POSSIBILITY TWO:
John Forrester was baptised 20 Oct 1734 in Kilmadock.Parish by parents John Forrester and Christian Miller. The father of John Forrester b1734 was baptised in Kippen parish in Mar 1703 by Maurice Forrester and Margaret Cunningham. John Forrester aged 20 married Christian Miller on 25 May 1723. John b1734.
John and Christian Forrester nee Miller had their second known child three years later on 17 Apr 1737. The daughter was baptised with the name 'Christian' after her mother. Sadly (as with the baby girl from another family, baptised at the same time) she appears to have been baptised after her death (listed as 'posthumous'). The family residence was listed as Wester Coldoch which is very close to Ashentree. The names Maurice (Morris) and Christian were not used in later generations which throws some doubt on this line.
The other possible and more likely parentage for GGGGGGF John was that he was born in 1732 to parents Robert Forrester and Margaret Graham. Although I have found no baptism record to support this contention, there is a large amount of evidence supporting this ancestral line and a 1732 birth date fits in better with other life events such as a marriage in 1753. The evidence includes documents relating to the Forrester family's actions at the time Prince Charlie moved through Perthshire with his rebel army in 1745/6. There are several accounts which clearly state that GGGGGGF John Forrester was a young lad (i.e about 13) in 1745/6, that his father was named Robert Forrester and that the family occupied Frew Farm. Also supporting this account is the fact that John's descendants continued to occupy Frew Farm for generations after his death.
There is more certainty about John's later life. GGGGGGF John Forrester married Helen Shaw 22 in early 1753 (date taken from birth of children), probably when he had turned 21. Helen b1730 from Ashentree, Perthshire was the daughter of GGGGGGGP Alexander Shaw and Helen McCulloch. Helen McCulloch was a co-heiress of Ashentree (half-owner, see 154.1) and Alexander and Helen Shaw nee McCulloch probably lived there with their family. After their marriage John and Helen Forrester nee Shaw may have lived at Ashentree too. John's father Robert (and possibly his siblings) occupied the family farm at Wester Frew, probably into the mid 1700's. John seems to have purchased the other half of the Ashentree property and taken the title 'John Forrester, Laird of Ashentree'. Also living there into the late 1700's was John's father-in-law, Alexander Shaw, who was in his late fifties.
GGGGGGP John and Helen Forrester nee Shaw had eleven known children (See 155.0) The children were William Forrester Oct 1753, Robert Forrester 1755, Alexander Forrester 1758, Margaret Forrester 1760, Helen Forrester 1763, Elizabeth Forrester 1765, GGGGGF John Forrester 1767-1839, Jean Forrester 1769-1849, Mary Forrester 1771, Ann Forrester 1774 and Janet Forrester 1776. The last child was born when Helen was in her mid-forties.
153.1 Ashentree or Frew?
Although John b1732 acquired Ashentree after his marriage in 1753, at least three of his children's baptism registrations listed Frew as his abode. In 1755 his abode was listed as Middle Frew, in 1767 it was Wester Frew and in 1774 it was listed as Frew. It is possible that the farm at Ashentree was included in the general locality of Frew as it is less than 2.5 miles from Bridge of Frew and less than 2 miles from Middle Frew. (i.e Frew was regarded as a locality, whereas Ashentee was a particular farm).
An alternative explanation is that John was an absentee landlord; i.e living at Frew but overseeing his Ashentree property from 'down the road'. This contention is supported by son John’s baptism registration which reads "April 12th, 1767, John Forrester and Helen Shaw his spouse in Wester Frew had a child baptised, called John [Forrester]. Witnesses: Alexander Shaw and James Markson? both in Ashentree". This implies that John and Helen were living on Wester Frew farm and Helen’s father occupied the farm at Ashentree.
- 1737 John Forrester witness for a baptism at Coldoch (Was John a brother of Robert Forrester c1706?)
- 1790 John and Robert Forrester both in Frew (probably sons of John b1732 ie John b1767 and Robert b1755?). As subsequent chapters show the descendants of John Forrester b1732 lived at Frew.
At Ashentree
- John Forrester 5 horses (John of Ashentree b1732). According to Valuation Rolls John Forrester also acquired part of Coldoch (adjacent to Ashentree) in 1799.
- John Downie (b1727) 5 horses (Son of George Downie and Margaret McCulloch. Sold his share of Ashentree to John Forrester & became a tenant in mid-1700’s)
- John Forrester 8 Horses (John of Frew b1767)
- Paul Doig 6 horses (1768-1844 b.Easter Frew, witnesses James Shaw and John Paterson. Married Janet Paterson sister of Robert below)
- Thomas Downie 9 horses
- Robert Shaw 4 horses
- John McFarlane 4 horses (Was this John Macfarlane of Borland c1743 [4 miles from Ashentree] or his son John Macfarlane b1785 who married Janet Forrester in 1810?)
- Robert Paterson 5 horses (Robert of Easter Frew b1771 & husband of Isobel Innes b1769)
- William Forrester 6 horses (William of Frew b1753)
- John Paterson 4 horses (1768-1833, Brother to Robert Paterson above & married to Jean Doig)
According to several Valuation Rolls like the one above dated around 1800, John Forrester also acquired part of Coldoch (adjacent to Ashentree) in 1799. Another record says Coldoch the above valuation redeemed by Mr Burns of Coldoch, thence redeemed by John Forrester 1799.
The above extract reads “Inventory of the personal estate and effects which belonged to the deceased John Forrester sometimes Portioner of Ashentree afterwards residing at Mackeanston and Helen Shaw spouses. The said John Forrester having died on the ------ day of March 1810 and the said Helen Shaw on the 29 day May of 1811". Mackeanston was located about one mile north of Ashentree at Gartincaber, Doune.
153.2 Ashentree Farm of John Forrester b1732 & Helen Shaw b1730)
The earliest known records suggest that Ashentree was part of a much larger estate called Coldoch. Different parts later took on their own names including Ashentree, Spittalton Estate Coldoch and South Coldoch. Ashentree was in the possession of the McCulloch family in the early 1700's. It seems to have had two parts known as Easter and Wester Ashentree, which allowed two (or more) families to occupy it quite comfortably.
The above extracts from ‘The Stirling Sentinel 1888-1893’ suggests that Margaret McCulloch and her relative Helen McCulloch inherited Ashentree in the early 1700's (as co-heiresses), presumably from their father. Margaret must have died in the early 1730’s because George remarried at Arnieve (a farm about one mile south-west of Ashentree and two miles south of Kincardine) on Doune in 1734. Spittalton Cottage is located adjacent to Ashentree (Mapcarta)
Ownership of Helen's share of Ashentree passed to her husband John Forrester b1732 when they married in 1753. Ownership of her sister Margaret's share of the farm passed from George and Margaret Downie nee McCulloch to their son John Downie b1727. John Downie then sold his share of Ashentree to John Forrester in the mid 1700's but continued to rent the farm as a tenant. John Forrester then had ownership of the whole property as 'Laird of Ashentree'. John Downie and his son continued to farm Ashentree as tenants into the 1800's. The extract also confirms that Ashentree was prosperous enough for the Downie family to advance their son "a considerable sum of money".
The earliest known records suggest that Ashentree was part of a much larger estate called Coldoch. Different parts later took on their own names including Ashentree, Spittalton Estate Coldoch and South Coldoch. Ashentree was in the possession of the McCulloch family in the early 1700's. It seems to have had two parts known as Easter and Wester Ashentree, which allowed two (or more) families to occupy it quite comfortably.
The above extracts from ‘The Stirling Sentinel 1888-1893’ suggests that Margaret McCulloch and her relative Helen McCulloch inherited Ashentree in the early 1700's (as co-heiresses), presumably from their father. Margaret must have died in the early 1730’s because George remarried at Arnieve (a farm about one mile south-west of Ashentree and two miles south of Kincardine) on Doune in 1734. Spittalton Cottage is located adjacent to Ashentree (Mapcarta)
Ownership of Helen's share of Ashentree passed to her husband John Forrester b1732 when they married in 1753. Ownership of her sister Margaret's share of the farm passed from George and Margaret Downie nee McCulloch to their son John Downie b1727. John Downie then sold his share of Ashentree to John Forrester in the mid 1700's but continued to rent the farm as a tenant. John Forrester then had ownership of the whole property as 'Laird of Ashentree'. John Downie and his son continued to farm Ashentree as tenants into the 1800's. The extract also confirms that Ashentree was prosperous enough for the Downie family to advance their son "a considerable sum of money".
John Forrester b1732 seems to have occupied Ashentree after his marriage in 1753, when he was listed as 'John Forrester of Ashentree' in some records. There is a Stewart baptism record listing Alexander Shaw of Ashentree as a witness in 1771. GGGGGGGF Alexander Shaw, who at the age of 73 was probably living with his daughter and her husband John Forrester b1732 of Ashentree.
The 1797-98 Farm Horse Tax Roll listed John Forrester and John Downie (a tenant), both of Ashentree as owning five horses each. John Forrester b1732 (of Ashentree) died in 1810. Soon after his death in 1810, the Forrester family gave up Ashentree. In 1815 'The Farmer's Magazine' published a letter praising the quality of a new reaping machine developed by a Mr Smith of Doune. Among the signatories were Robert Paterson of Easter Frew [husband of Isobel Innes b1769; brother-in-law of John's daughter-in-law Margaret Forrester nee Innes], J. Forrester of Bridge Frew (son John b1767 was living on the traditional family property at Frew), John Henderson of Middle Frew, James Murdoch of Mime (adjacent to Wester Frew) and William Dounie and Gilbert Christie of Ashentree. The latter two appear to be the new managers of Ashentree.
William Downie (son of John Downie b1727 and grandson of George Downie?) married Mary Stewart in 1817. They had the following children Mary Downie b2 Jul 1817 in Doune, Helen Downie b1820 in Ashentree, Kilmadock, Robert Downie b1822 in Ashentree and Unknown Downie b1824 in Ashentree. Therefore, the Downies were occupying Ashentree at least up until the 1820's
By the mid 1800's Ashentree was owned by the Graham family, who may have been related to the Forresters through John's mother Margaret Graham. The Valuation Roll for 1857-8 above listed the property as follows: "Wester Ashentree: A farmsteading, dwelling-house, one, offices, partly one, and partly two storeys, slated, and in good repair; the property of Miss Graham, and occupied by Mr Peter McCowan. Easter Ashentree: A farmsteading, dwelling-house, one, offices, partly one, and partly two storeys, the whole, in good repair. Property of Miss Graham, aforesaid."
153.3 GGGGGGM Helen Shaw (1730-1811)
Helen Shaw was baptised in Kilmadock parish (but probably born at Ashentree Farm) on 24 Jan 1730, by parents Alex and Helen Shaw nee McCulloch of Ashentree (see above). The witness’s names are hard to read but look like James Stuart and William Shaw. William Shaw b1704 was GGGGGGGF Alexander's brother and therefore Helen’s uncle. Helen had at least three siblings named Jean b1735 and Elizabeth b1737 and William b1739 also baptised at Kilmadock.
At some stage Helen met GGGGGGF John Forrester, who had grown up on his family farm at Bridge of Frew, which was about 3 miles from her home. Helen Shaw 23 and John Forrester were married at Kilmadock around 1753 (from the birth dates of their children), but no marriage registration has been found. They went on to have eleven children. See 155.0 for more about their married life.
153.4 FOR7 Descendants of John Forrester & Helen Shaw
153.5 Map2 showing Frew, Ashentree & Polder
154.0 Ancestors of GGGGGGM Helen Shaw (1730-1811)
Helen Shaw was baptised at Kilmadock (but probably born at Ashentree Farm) on 24 Jan 1730, by parents Alexander and Helen Shaw nee McCulloch of Ashentree. See 153.0 for more about Helen's married life.
154.1 GGGGGGGP Alexander Shaw (1698-c1771) & Helen McCulloch (1695-?)
Alexander Shaw was baptised on 12 Dec 1698 (middle above) at Kilmadock by parents George Shaw and Margaret Downie. Witneses were William Milner? and David McKillop. At some stage Alexander met Helen McCulloch who lived 5 miles away at Ashentree Farm.
Helen McCulloch was baptised at Kilmadock on 28 Apr 1695 (above). The record reads; Apr 28 Helen daughter to James McCulloch and Christian Bennet. Witnesses Arch(ibald?) McCulloch and James Robson.
Alexander and Helen Shaw nee McCulloch seem to have lived on Ashentree farm during their married life. Over the next nine years GGGGGGGM Helen had at least four babies; GGGGGGM Helen Shaw 1730, Jean Shaw 1735, Elizabeth Shaw 1737 and William Shaw 1739. They probably had a fifth child named Margaret around 1700, but no baptism record has been found
There are two baptism records for children of John Stuart in 1741 and 1742 at Coldoch listing Alexander Shaw as a witness. Ashentree Farm was adjacent to Coldoch, which may have been used as the general locality name and is further evidence of the Shaws living at Ashentree.
Ownership of half of Ashentree passed to Helen's husband John Forrester b1732 when they married in 1753. Ownership of the other half of the farm passed from Helen's sister, Margaret McCulloch (she married George Downie in 1721), to her son John Downie b1727. John Downie then sold his half share of Ashentree to John Forrester in the mid 1700's but continued to rent the farm as a tenant.
There is a Kilmadock Parish baptism record (above) for John Stewart listing Alexander Shaw of Ashentree and John Paterson of Frew as witnesses in 1771. At this time GGGGGGGF Alexander Shaw was 73 and was probably helping his son-in-law John Forrester, Laird of Ashentree manage the property.
No death records have been found for Alexander and Helen Shaw nee McCulloch, but GGGGGGGF Alexander Shaw probably died in the 1770's. See the Ancestry tree of Jeremy Morton for more information about George Shaw’s family (Family Tree of Jeremy Morton)
NOTE: The evidence for Helen McCulloch and Margaret McCulloch being related is only circumstantial. No baptism record has been found for Margaret McCulloch, but she may have been born in 1700. A baptism record lists Helen McCulloch residing at Ashentree when her daughter (Helen Shaw) was baptised. Other documents indicate Helen McCulloch and her husband Alexander Shaw continued to live there, and her son-in-law, John Forrester, eventually took over the farm. The articles from 'The Stirling Sentinal' above (see 153.2), state that Margaret McCulloch was a "co-heiress" of Ashentree, and her son who inherited her share of the farm after her death, sold his share to Helen McCulloch's husband John Forrester, which allowed him to become 'Laird of Ashentree'.
There are two baptism records for children of John Stuart in 1741 and 1742 at Coldoch listing Alexander Shaw as a witness. Ashentree Farm was adjacent to Coldoch, which may have been used as the general locality name and is further evidence of the Shaws living at Ashentree.
Ownership of half of Ashentree passed to Helen's husband John Forrester b1732 when they married in 1753. Ownership of the other half of the farm passed from Helen's sister, Margaret McCulloch (she married George Downie in 1721), to her son John Downie b1727. John Downie then sold his half share of Ashentree to John Forrester in the mid 1700's but continued to rent the farm as a tenant.
No death records have been found for Alexander and Helen Shaw nee McCulloch, but GGGGGGGF Alexander Shaw probably died in the 1770's. See the Ancestry tree of Jeremy Morton for more information about George Shaw’s family (Family Tree of Jeremy Morton)
NOTE: The evidence for Helen McCulloch and Margaret McCulloch being related is only circumstantial. No baptism record has been found for Margaret McCulloch, but she may have been born in 1700. A baptism record lists Helen McCulloch residing at Ashentree when her daughter (Helen Shaw) was baptised. Other documents indicate Helen McCulloch and her husband Alexander Shaw continued to live there, and her son-in-law, John Forrester, eventually took over the farm. The articles from 'The Stirling Sentinal' above (see 153.2), state that Margaret McCulloch was a "co-heiress" of Ashentree, and her son who inherited her share of the farm after her death, sold his share to Helen McCulloch's husband John Forrester, which allowed him to become 'Laird of Ashentree'.
154.2 James McCulloch (1671-?) & Christian Bennet (c1673-?)
James McCulloch is said to have been born to James McCullough and Isobel Mcaulay at Kincardine on 2 Feb 1671. He married Christian Bennet b1678 around 1694.
Records show they had at least four children GGGGGGGM Helen McCulloch 1695, Archibald McCulloch 1697-1730 (above), James McCulloch, 1703-1730 and Christian McCulloch 1707-1773. Helen was baptised at Kilmadock but her siblings were baptised a few miles south at Kincardine by Doune. This suggests the family may have moved to Ashentree in the late 1690’s. All four of the siblings were married at Kincardine.
As stated above, no record has been found for a baptism of a daughter named Margaret McCulloch, but she may have been born in 1700, which fits in with a six-year gap in births and also with her marriage in 1721. No dates of death have been found for James and Christian, but they probably died in the early 1700’s near Kincardine.
154.3 George Downie (1696-?) & Margaret McCulloch (c1700-c1730)
No baptism registration has been found for either George Downie (Dawnie) or Margaret McCulloch. Several family histories say George was born around 1696 in Kilmadock and as explained above Margaret could have been born around 1700 in nearby Kincardine by Doune.
154.3 George Downie (1696-?) & Margaret McCulloch (c1700-c1730)
No baptism registration has been found for either George Downie (Dawnie) or Margaret McCulloch. Several family histories say George was born around 1696 in Kilmadock and as explained above Margaret could have been born around 1700 in nearby Kincardine by Doune.
George Downie (Dawnie) married Margaret McCulloch c1700 on 10 Feb 1721 at Kilmadock. (See Mackillop Family Tree on Ancestry). Margaret McCulloch was probably born at Ashentree a few miles to the south of Kilmadock, but her family lived at Kilmadock prior to her birth. Some family trees list her first children as Jean Downie b1724 and John Downie b1727. I have been unable to locate baptism registrations, however, son John Downie is confirmed by the above article in ‘The Stirling Sentinel 1888-1893’ (see 153.2).
Margaret McCulloch died a few years after giving birth to her second or third child and husband George Downie married Margaret/Mary Murdoch at Kilmadock in 1734. Her children were Robert Downie b1735 and David Downie 1738 who were both born at Kilmadock. The boys were named after George's father and grandfather.
NOTE 1: George Downie c1696 was probably related to Margaret Downie b1674. They were both from Kilmadock and Margaret may have been a cousin of George. He may have been a cousin, but not a son, of her brother Robert Downie b1688 as he was too young.
NOTE 2: re Sons of George Downie c1676
GGGGGGGGF George Shaw may have been born and baptised in Edinburgh around 1672. At some point his parents moved around 40 miles to the Kilmadock Parish, where he met his future wife. Some researchers have followed the Shaw (or Schaw) line back to the early 1600's. As there are only a few records and they cannot be cross checked the chance of errors is very high.
GGGGGGGGP George and Margaret Shaw nee Dounie had nine known children; Helen Shaw 1694, GGGGGGGF Alexander Shaw 1698-?, James or Jean Shaw 1701-?, William Shaw 1704-?, Margaret Shaw 1707-1717, Elspeth Shaw 1709-?, Katrin Shaw 1712-?, Janet Shaw 1714-? and Margaret Shaw 1717-? All children were baptised in Kincardine parish (living at Ashentree), which indicates that is where the family lived during their married life.
No death records have been found for either GGGGGGGGP George Shaw or Margaret Shaw nee Dounie.
154.4a William Shaw (1704-?)
William Shaw was the youngest son of George and Margaret Shaw nee Dounie and brother to Alexander Shaw b1698. He was named after his grandfather. William married Jean Craford (Crawford or Crayford) at Kincardine by Doune in 1733. Known children born to the couple included Margaret 1735, George 1736, Alexander 1739, Helen 1741, Agnes Shaw 1746, Joseph Shaw 1748 and John Shaw 1751. Jean was probably born in 1711 making her 22 when she married in 1733 and 40 when she had her last child. Children were named after William’s parents, his older brother and his sister-in-law.
154.5 FOR6 Ancestors of Helen Shaw (1730-1811)
Margaret McCulloch died a few years after giving birth to her second or third child and husband George Downie married Margaret/Mary Murdoch at Kilmadock in 1734. Her children were Robert Downie b1735 and David Downie 1738 who were both born at Kilmadock. The boys were named after George's father and grandfather.
NOTE 1: George Downie c1696 was probably related to Margaret Downie b1674. They were both from Kilmadock and Margaret may have been a cousin of George. He may have been a cousin, but not a son, of her brother Robert Downie b1688 as he was too young.
NOTE 2: re Sons of George Downie c1676
- John Downie 1727 Born from George’s first marriage, John inherited a share of Ashentree from his mother Margaret McCulloch. John married Mary Fergusson in 1754 at Kincardine by Doune. His seven children were Helen Downie 1756, Margaret Downie 1759-c1770, Mary Downie 1761, William Downie 1763, John Downie 1765, Walter Downie 1767 and Margaret Downie 1771. The first two children were named after John’s mother and aunt. Around 1760 John b1727 sold his share of Ashentree to John Forrester, his uncle by marriage, but remained on the property as a tenant with his son.
- Robert Downie 1735-1805 Established a distillery at nearby Spittalton. Robert married Margaret Morrison at Kilmadock in 1758. One of their twelve children born at Kilmadock was Robert Downie 1771-1841 who opened a spirit shop in Broad St, Stirling which did not prosper. A loan from his Downie relatives at Ashentree in the late 1700’s funded a trip to Bengal India where he made his fortune.
- David Downie 1738-1806 (From Find a Grave) David Downie was baptized on 3 May 1738 in Kilmadock, Perthshire, now part of Stirling County, son of George Downie and Mary Murdoch in Spittaltown (adjacent to Ashentree's northern side). He was the younger brother of Robert Downie, distiller and farmer at Spittaltown. He died in 1806 and is buried in the family grave in Kincardine Old Kirkyard. The inscription of his grave reads :”A Man of great integrity and implicity of heart”. (Blair Drummond Cemetery). No Known marriage or children.
GGGGGGGGF George Shaw may have been born and baptised in Edinburgh around 1672. At some point his parents moved around 40 miles to the Kilmadock Parish, where he met his future wife. Some researchers have followed the Shaw (or Schaw) line back to the early 1600's. As there are only a few records and they cannot be cross checked the chance of errors is very high.
The above record shows that GGGGGGGGM Margaret Downie was baptised in Kilmadock Parish on 15 Feb 1674 with her father listed as David Downie of Dullet? Witnesses were John Drummond in .....? and ........ Marsh? in .....? If this is so, then Margaret would have been 19 when she married in 1694 and 43 when her last child was born in 1717.
According to the abover registration GGGGGGGGP George Shaw in Coustrie (Coustry, about one mile south of Doune) and Margaret Dounie, both parishioners, were married on 2nd June 1693 at 'Kincardine in Menteith' (Kincardine by Doune), which was just 3 miles from Kilmadock and 2 miles from Ashentree. They must have been living in that area for some time because they were described as "both parishioners" of that parish.
No death records have been found for either GGGGGGGGP George Shaw or Margaret Shaw nee Dounie.
154.4a William Shaw (1704-?)
William Shaw was the youngest son of George and Margaret Shaw nee Dounie and brother to Alexander Shaw b1698. He was named after his grandfather. William married Jean Craford (Crawford or Crayford) at Kincardine by Doune in 1733. Known children born to the couple included Margaret 1735, George 1736, Alexander 1739, Helen 1741, Agnes Shaw 1746, Joseph Shaw 1748 and John Shaw 1751. Jean was probably born in 1711 making her 22 when she married in 1733 and 40 when she had her last child. Children were named after William’s parents, his older brother and his sister-in-law.
154.5 FOR6 Ancestors of Helen Shaw (1730-1811)
155.0 Eleven Children of GGGGGGP John Forrester (1732-1810) & Helen Shaw (1730-1811)
Of the eleven children born to John Forrester and Helen Shaw only seven are known to have survived to adulthood. One of John's great grandsons became prime minister of Great Britain. Children Alexander, Robert, Margaret, Helen and John were named after grandparents and parents and Ann, William, Elizabeth and Jean were named after siblings.
155.1 William Forrester (1753-?)
155.2 Robert Forrester (1755-c1816)
Robert 29 married Margaret Hay in the Kilmadock parish on 15 Feb 1784. Robert and Margaret Forrester nee Hay had ten children; Jean Forrester 1785-1832, John Forrester 1787-?, Helen (Elen) Forrester 1789-?, Glen Forrester 1789-?, Margaret Forrester 1790-?, William Forrester 1792-1862, John Forrester 1795-?, Robert Forrester 1797-1851, Alexander Forrester 1799-? and Thomas Forrester 1801-?
Robert Forrester was a witness at many of the baptisms for his nieces and nephews (children of brother John). The last baptism found was in 1811 for his nephew Alexander. No record has been found showing the death dates for Robert and Margaret Forrester nee Hay. Some family trees list Robert’s death in 1816.
155.3 Alexander Forrester (1758-?)
155.3 Alexander Forrester (1758-?)
Alexander Forrester was baptised in Kilmadock Parish on 15 Aug 1758 and was named after his grandfather Alexander Shaw. As there are no other known records about his life he may have died as an infant.
155.4 Margaret Forrester (1760-1831)
Margaret Forrester was baptised in Kilmadock Parish on 26 Jun 1760 by parents John and Helen Forrester nee Shaw. She was named after her grandmother.
In 1798, Henry Nimmo of Blackgrange was listed as owning 5 horses and paid 8s horse tax.
Henry and Margaret Nimmo nee Forrester were buried at nearby Tullibody Kirk, Stirling. Their gravestone lists Henry Nimmo as a farmer at Blackgrange, who died in Feb 1822 and Margaret Forrester who died 3 Sep 1831. Five children are also listed on the gravestone; John Nimmo b1785, Helen Nimmo b1788, James Nimmo dDec 1837, Thomas Nimmo d21 Sep 1861 and Ann Nimmo dMar 1867. No baptism record has been found for James Nimmo.
155.5 Helen Forrester (1763-c1824)
On 1 Jul 1785, James McOran 32 b1753 married Helen Forrester 22 (b1763) at Port of Menteith. James and Helen McOran nee Forrester had nine known children; John McOran 1786-1872, Helen McOran 1788-1853, James McOran 1790-1876 (See below), Alexander McOran 1792-1822, William McOran 1793-1864, Mary McOran 1795-1843, Janet McOran 1796-1863, Margaret McOran 1800-? and Elizabeth McOran 1802-1875. All children were baptised in Port of Menteith. The family changed their surnames to Campbell after they moved to Glasgow. Their second son became Sir James Campbell of Stracathro, who was the father of Prime Minister Henry Campbell Bannerman (see 169.3).
The above article explains that James and Helen McOran nee Forrester gave up their farm lease and moved to Glasgow in 1805. James McOran or Campbell died in 1781 and Helen McOran Campbell nee Forrester died in 1824. A large gravestone marks their burial place at Glasgow Cathedral cemetery. For more about their family tree see 169.2.
155.6 Elizabeth Forrester (1765-?)
The dates of death of Elizabeth and James Thomson nee Forrester are not known.
155.7 GGGGGF John Forrester (1767-1839)
155.8 Jean Forrester (1769-1849)
In 1841 Jean was living with her farmer son William and four servants at 'Goodie Bank,' Deanstown, Kilmadock. Jean Graham nee Forrester died on 18 Oct 1849 and was buried at Norrieston Cemetery. Her tombstone was erected by son William.
155.9 Mary Forrester (1771-?)
155.10 Ann Forrester (1774-?)
155.11 Janet Forrester (1776-1815)
At the age of 31 Janet may have married William Hutchison on 6 Nov 1807
at Kilmadock. Janet is believed to have died in 1815 aged 39.
156.0 GGGGGP John Forrester (1767-1839) & Margaret
Innes (1771-1842)
Margaret Innes was born on 4 May 1771 in Dunblane, Perth and baptised there on 19 May 1771 by parents James Innes and Janet Macfarlane (See 166.3). At some stage Margaret Innes met John Forrester, who lived ten miles away at Bridge of Frew.
GGGGGP John Forrester and Margaret Innes had thirteen children; all born in the Kilmadock Parish (probably Bridge of Frew Farm). For details of their lives see 166.0. The children were GGGGM Janet Forrester b1791, Helen Forrester b1793, John Forrester b1795, Margaret Forrester 1797, Ann Forrester b31 Dec 1799, James Forrester b12 Mar 1802, William Innes Forrester b4 Feb 1804, John Forrester b15 Oct 1806, Elizabeth Forrester b15 Oct 1806, John Forrester b5 Mar 1808, Jean (Jane) Forrester b12 Sep 1809, Alexander Forrester b10 Oct 1811 and Isabella Forrester b1814. The last child was born when Margaret Forrester nee Innes was 43. The family endured many tragic deaths: The three babies named John and daughter Elizabeth all seemed to have died whilst they were infants. Most other offspring died before they were 50, one was murdered and only one lived past 70. Son Alexander was disabled in some way, but still worked on the farm.
On 7 Jul 1875 John and Margaret's grandson GGGF Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to Deborah Forrester nee Bowman (see 157.7) in which he wrote of a recent visit to Bridge of Frew Farm. He spoke fondly of the family farm and reflected that the house was a "wee bit" place. "To me it is a wonder.....how our grandfather and mother managed... to raise respectably, the large family they did". The letter confirms that John Forrester b1767 lived on Bridge of Frew Farm and raised his family there.
John Forrester of Bridge of Frew appeared several times in local papers in 1832 and 1834 in articles commenting on the quality of his cattle (British Newspaper Archives). On 16 Feb 1837 the Perthshire Courier reported that “The Hon. John Stuart was one day last week coursing on the farm of Mr John Forrester, at the Bridge of Frew, a hare having been started and closely pursued by a couple of well-bred young grey hounds, made for the public road.” Then an intriguing piece on 6 February 1839 in the ‘Inverness Courier’ that seems to link the Forresters of Frew with those of Polder. “James Macgregor, Esq., younger of Glengyle, James Forrester, Esq., Poldar, &.c. The croupiers were James M‘Farlane, Esq , Doune, and John Forrester, Esq., Bridge of Frew ...”
GGGGGF John Forrester b1767 died at Bridge of Frew on 12 May 1839 aged 72. On 16 January 1840 the Perthshire Courier reported that a man “was ordained to be imprisoned for 40 days, for stealing a number of articles of clothing from the house of Mrs Forrester, Easter Frew, Kilmadock.” In 1841, widow GGGGGM Margaret Innes Forrester 70 was running the family farm with her unmarried daughters Ann Forrester 40 and Isabella Forrester 25. Also living with them was grandson John Forrester 9 (son of William Innes Forrester (see 157.7c) and five servants to help run the farm. Among the servants were three McFarlanes including Alexander McFarlane 11 (this may have been GGGF Alexander Macfarlan with the age incorrectly transcribed). GGGGGM Margaret Forrester nee Innes died the following year in 1842 aged 72.
NOTE: The Alexander Mcfarlane listed as a servant in 1841 could well have been GGGF Alexander Mcfarlane b1825 (see 103.0). Although he was listed as an eleven year old male servant, the document on the internet has been transcribed from the original and his actual age of 16 could have been misread. (A narrow '6' can look like a '1'.) The fact that he was listed as a servant may have been a way of indicating that he was not a son. Child relatives were often listed as servants in this way and although they would have helped around the farm, they were not formal servants in the traditional way. Ten years later Alexander's cousin John Forrester b1832 was treated in the same way. (See 157.7c). This contention is supported by the fact that there is no other 1841 census for Alexander and in later letters he expressed a great fondness for his Forrester relatives and the Farm at Frew. Countering this explanation, is the inclusion of two other young Macfarlane servants on the that census. Their details were Davis/David Macfarlane and Betsy/Elizabeth Macfarlane, both aged 20.
GGGGGP John and Margaret Forrester's gravestone is at Norrieston Churchyard, Thornhill and reads, "Erected to the memory of John Forrester, Farmer, Bridge of Frew who died 12th May 1839 aged 72 years and of Margaret Innes his wife who died 4th November 1842 Aged 72 years." Adult children Ann, James, Alexander, Jane and Isabella are buried with them.
John Forrester farmer at Bridge of Frew died 12 May 1839. He named daughter Ann Forrester at Bridge of Frew b1799 as his executor (see 157.5)
156.1 Norrieston Churchyard, Thornhill
Norrieston Church cemetery is located on Main St, Thornhill. Many of our Forrester relatives were buried here.
The extracts above about Norrieston are taken from ‘The Stirling Sentinal 1888-1893’. In the 1790's it had a population of 626, almost double that of Kippen.
156.2 Map3 West Frew, Ashentree, Norrieston, Spittalston, Kincardine & Kikmadock
Kincardine was the closest church to Ashentree, whereas West Frew was closest to Kippen. Borland farm (top left) taken up by John Macfarlane b1743 and Catherine Graham c1746 was close by. Their son John Macfarlane b1785 married Janet Forrester of Frew b1791.
GGGGGF John Forrester b1767 died at Bridge of Frew on 12 May 1839 aged 72. On 16 January 1840 the Perthshire Courier reported that a man “was ordained to be imprisoned for 40 days, for stealing a number of articles of clothing from the house of Mrs Forrester, Easter Frew, Kilmadock.” In 1841, widow GGGGGM Margaret Innes Forrester 70 was running the family farm with her unmarried daughters Ann Forrester 40 and Isabella Forrester 25. Also living with them was grandson John Forrester 9 (son of William Innes Forrester (see 157.7c) and five servants to help run the farm. Among the servants were three McFarlanes including Alexander McFarlane 11 (this may have been GGGF Alexander Macfarlan with the age incorrectly transcribed). GGGGGM Margaret Forrester nee Innes died the following year in 1842 aged 72.
NOTE: The Alexander Mcfarlane listed as a servant in 1841 could well have been GGGF Alexander Mcfarlane b1825 (see 103.0). Although he was listed as an eleven year old male servant, the document on the internet has been transcribed from the original and his actual age of 16 could have been misread. (A narrow '6' can look like a '1'.) The fact that he was listed as a servant may have been a way of indicating that he was not a son. Child relatives were often listed as servants in this way and although they would have helped around the farm, they were not formal servants in the traditional way. Ten years later Alexander's cousin John Forrester b1832 was treated in the same way. (See 157.7c). This contention is supported by the fact that there is no other 1841 census for Alexander and in later letters he expressed a great fondness for his Forrester relatives and the Farm at Frew. Countering this explanation, is the inclusion of two other young Macfarlane servants on the that census. Their details were Davis/David Macfarlane and Betsy/Elizabeth Macfarlane, both aged 20.
GGGGGP John and Margaret Forrester's gravestone is at Norrieston Churchyard, Thornhill and reads, "Erected to the memory of John Forrester, Farmer, Bridge of Frew who died 12th May 1839 aged 72 years and of Margaret Innes his wife who died 4th November 1842 Aged 72 years." Adult children Ann, James, Alexander, Jane and Isabella are buried with them.
John Forrester farmer at Bridge of Frew died 12 May 1839. He named daughter Ann Forrester at Bridge of Frew b1799 as his executor (see 157.5)
156.1 Norrieston Churchyard, Thornhill
156.2 Map3 West Frew, Ashentree, Norrieston, Spittalston, Kincardine & Kikmadock
156.3 Fords of Frew
This crossing of the River Forth was significant in several events in Scottish history. The Scots Clans website has the following account about the activities of the famous Scottish outlaw Rob Roy in 1691.
"Rob Roy was droving 200 cattle to the tryst (market) at Buchlyvie, crossing the fords of Frew on the way. How he came by the cattle is arguable, but perhaps he was working honestly for his living at the time. When he came to Kippen all that changed, for the temptation of the villager's cattle was difficult for any Highlander, brought up on tales of reiving and raiding, to resist. Rob Roy swept through the place, driving everything movable before him. At the fords of Frew, one of the few places where the huge Flanders Moss was passable, Rob Roy was caught by a party of dragoons from Cardross but he used the land and his MacGregors to panic them. What the good folk of Kippen thought of all this romantic thievery is not mentioned in the legend. No doubt they laughed heartily at the antics of that jolly outlaw, Rob Roy, as they looked at a bleak and hungry future."
As this event occurred just 20 years prior to the birth of Robert Forrester c1710; his parents and grandparents may have been witnesses. The Fords of Frew are about 1 mile north of Kippen, 4 miles from Thornhill, 8 miles to Kilmadock and 12 miles to Dunblane where GGGGGM Margaret Innes was born in 1771.
In 1746 General Cumberland was pursuing the Scottish rebels (lead by Price Charles) as they moved north towards the fateful Culloden moors. The extract above notes that the rebels escaped over the Fords of Frew (using the advice of our Forrester ancestors).
The map above of the Thornhill and Kippen region shows the 'Fords of Frew' between Thornhill and Kippen, on the far right. Apparently General Campbell of Boquhan "built an excellent road, six miles long, from the ford of Frew to his muirland - it is suitable for carts. Initially the tenants of the muir were hostile but they now accept it. All (other) roads are very bad and near impassable for carts - even travel on horseback is difficult. Farmers often complain about the roads and say they will work on them but as soon as the weather improves, they forget about the problem. The best solution would be for landlords to make roads to farms and recover the outlay from the rents." (From www.oldroadsofscotland.com).
156.4 The Doigs of Frew
The Doig Family Society (www.doig.net/DOIGK.htm) has a wealth of information about members of the Doig family who lived in the area of Frew from the 1300's onwards. Below are some extracts.
- “On 8 July 1613…. Paul Dog of Dunrobin, heir of James Dog of Dunrobin, his father in the lands of Coldoch Easter also called Nether Coldoch; lands of Over Coldoch also called Middle Coldoch; - lands of Kip and … especially the obligations of the many lands written below, that is, 20 merk land of Boquhapple, lands of … Coldoch, lands of all the Frews with the Varda and Goodie, and the complete lands of the lordship of Cessintully…"
- "The testament of James Harvie in Middle Frew, Kincardine, husband of Elizabeth Mushet, was recorded 12 July 1677 in the Dunblane Commissary Court (CC6/5/17)"
- Paul Doig farmed in Frew and Easter Frew, Kilmadock, Perthshire from at least 1750. Paul married Elizabeth McAllister and they had ten children. Some (if not all) were born at Mid Frew Farm.
- "Jean Shaw was born in 1761 in Frew, Kincardine. She was christened on 8 Feb 1761 in Kilmadock, Perth, Scotland. Witnesses to Jean's christening were Paul Doig and John Paterson, both of Frue."
- "Paul Doig was born on 11 Jun 1758 in Easter Frew, Kilmadock. He was christened on 22 Jun 1758 in Kilmadock. Witnesses at Paul's christening were James Shaw and John Paterson. Paul married Elizabeth Doig daughter of Andrew Doig and Janet Doig on 8 Dec 1781 in Kilmadock. They had children most of whom were born at Easter Frew."
156.5 Bridge of Frew Farm (Wester Frew)
Before the bridge was built there were a number of farms with 'Frew' in the title including Easter Frew, Middle Frew and Wester Frew (see map above). In 1608 Tack by David, commendator of Inchmahomo, and the convent thereof, to John, Earl of Mar, of the teind sheaves of the town and lands of Easter, Wester and Midle Frewis, Watstoun, Broche and others in parish of Kilmadok, for all the days of his life and on his decease to pass to Harry Erskyne, his son (GD15/356). The Frew area was used for growing grains and grazing cattle.
Our Forresters were tenant farmers in Wester Frew for at least four generations and over a period of at least 200 years. Robert Forrester was born around 1710. Thirty five years later Robert had an interaction with the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie on his farm. Robert's farm was described as being on the northern side of the River Forth at near the point where Boquhan Burn meets the Forth
According to the above article the rebel armies passed through the ford of Frew twice. First on their march towards London in 1745, then on their retreat in 1746. When the rebel army was retreating across his land Robert Forrester tried to assist Prince Charles Stuart and hinder the pursuing English troops. The above extract is from ‘A Topograhical Dictionary of Scotland’.
Robert's son John Forrester b1732, settled on nearby Ashentree Farm (see map above) around 1750; after he married Helen Shaw (probably because his father and older brothers were running the family farm at Wester Frew). GGGGGGF John Forester b1832 died in 1810. Although John Forrester b1767 was the youngest son and third in line, he took on the family farm at Frew with his wife Margaret Innes and that was where he had his own family. (They had married in 1791.) By this time his older brothers had either died or moved on. It was after the bridge had been built near the Fords of Frew in 1783, that the farm started to be known as 'Bridge of Frew Farm'.
In 1815 the Farmers Magazine published a letter praising the quality of a new reaping machine developed by a Mr Smith of Doune. Among the signatories were Robert Paterson of Easter Frew, J. Forrester of Bridge Frew, John Henderson of Middle Frew, James Murdoch of Mime (adjacent and north of Wester Frew) and William Dounie and Gilbert Christie of Ashentree.
GGGGGF John Forrester b1767 died at Bridge of Frew on 12 May 1839 aged 72. In 1841, his widow GGGGGM Margaret Innes Forrester 70 was running the family farm with her unmarried daughters Ann Forrester 40 and Isabella Forrester 25. Also living with them was grandson John Forrester 9 (son of William Innes Forrester (see 157.7c) and five servants to help run the farm. GGGGGM Margaret Forrester nee Innes died in 1842 and the farm passed to daughter Jean (later Jane) Forrester.
The Valuation Roll for 1857-8 described 'Bridge of Frew Farm' as follows,
"A farmsteading, dwellinghouse, one, offices, partly one, and partly two storeys, partly slated, and partly thatched, the whole in good repair; the property of the Right Hon. the Earl of Moray, and occupied by Miss [Jean] Forrester [see 157.11]. This is situated so close to the Bridge, that one name would do for both. One half of this Bridge is kept in repair by the County of Stirling and the other half by the County of Perth."
According to the above article, Jean/Jane Forrester was an "enterprising tenant" and rebuilt the old dwelling house on the farm in the 1860's. However, the article mistakenly named her great grandfather as 'William', when in fact it was William’s brother Robert Forrester! The building of a new house was confirmed in letter Alexander Macfarlan wrote to Deborah Forrester in 1875, when he informed her that "They are building a new house in Mime much refined - the old one was a miserable low damp erection".
On 7 Jul 1875 John and Margaret Forrester nee Innes' grandson GGGF Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to Deborah Forrester nee Bowman (see 157.7) in which he wrote of a recent visit to Bridge of Frew Farm. In the letter he spoke fondly of the family farm and reflected that the house was a "wee bit" place. "To me it is a wonder.....how our grandfather and mother managed... to raise respectably, the large family they did".
On 15 Sep 1886 Alexander Macfarlan again wrote to Deborah Forrester telling of his latest visit to Frew Farm, after the death of his beloved aunt, Jane (Jean) Forrester. Of his aunt he wrote "she got up in the morning of her death- went about the ordinary routine and after milking two cows went in and lay down- saying she felt weak and tired. Her sister, Mrs Ure (Isabella Forrester b1814) sent for the Dr - he came, but the patient's time had come, she died about noon on 20 Apr aged 76. She was buried beside the rest of them at Thornhill Churchyard. She left all her means for life to her sister Mrs Ure. and to her [Mrs Ure's] children John [Ure]and Margaret [Carrick]."
"Mrs Ure has taken up residence at the farm. Whether to continue or not is uncertain. Well, she has her two children settled close by her, otherwise her position, the last of all the once large family that were born and raised in Bridge of Frew would be a sad one."
It would be interesting to know how long after 1886, the Forresters or their relatives occupied the Bridge of Frew Farm at Kippen, but from the tone of Alexander's letter, it sounds like they gave it up towards the end of the 19th century. There are copies of plans of each of the Farms at Frew dated 1769 and 1777 held by 'National Records of Scotland', but I believe these can only be inspected on site.
From 1861 onwards Jean Forrester 50, went by the name Jane. Jane was still farming her 80 acres on Kippen Rd, Bridge of Frew, but brother disabled Alexander had died earlier that year. Jane had a young visitor; her grandniece Helen F. Richardson aged 7 and four servants to help out. In 1871 Jane was 60 and still living with grand niece Helen F. Richardson 17 (see 157.2c) at the farm.
On 7 Jul 1875 John and Margaret Forrester nee Innes' grandson GGGF Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to Deborah Forrester nee Bowman (see 157.7) in which he wrote of a recent visit to Bridge of Frew Farm. In the letter he spoke fondly of the family farm and reflected that the house was a "wee bit" place. "To me it is a wonder.....how our grandfather and mother managed... to raise respectably, the large family they did".
"Mrs Ure has taken up residence at the farm. Whether to continue or not is uncertain. Well, she has her two children settled close by her, otherwise her position, the last of all the once large family that were born and raised in Bridge of Frew would be a sad one."
It would be interesting to know how long after 1886, the Forresters or their relatives occupied the Bridge of Frew Farm at Kippen, but from the tone of Alexander's letter, it sounds like they gave it up towards the end of the 19th century. There are copies of plans of each of the Farms at Frew dated 1769 and 1777 held by 'National Records of Scotland', but I believe these can only be inspected on site.
The 'County directory of Scotland 1901-1904' listed the following residents:-
- Frew, Bridge of : Thornhill, Kippen Station, Stirlingshire : Mrs M'Laren.
- Frew, Easter : Kippen Station, Stirlingshire :David Arnott. T. 0. Thornhill.
- Frew, Mid : Kippen Station, Stirlingshire ; John Inglis. T. 0. Thornhill.
- Frew, North Mid : Thornhill, Kippen Station, Stirlingshire : John Inglis.
- Frew, South Mid : Thornhill, Kippen Station, Stirlingshire : Robt. and J. M'Culloch
The directional signs at Frew can be confusing! "Frew is a Scottish locational name from the Fords of Frew (also known as ‘The Frews’), a fortified site on the River Forth. The name derives from the Olde English pre 7th Century “frwd” meaning: a “current” or “stream.” Frequently, settlements grew up at the lowest crossing point of a river as happened in this case. This place was the lowest crossing point on the river Forth, and so an important strategic location in the Middle Ages."
156.6 FOR8 Descendants of John Forrester & Margaret Innes
157.1 GGGGM Janet Forrester (1791-1841)
Janet was baptised on 13 Nov 1791 in Kilmadock. Witnesses at the baptism were uncle Robert Forrester in Frew b1755 and grandfather John Forrester at Ashentree b1732. She grew up on the family farm at Bridge of Frew and at the age of 19 married GGGGF John Macfarlane (1785-1830) at nearby Port of Menteith. They had nine children. See 97.0 in the Macfarlane section of this Blog for more about her married life with John Macfarlane.
157.2 Helen Forrester (1793-1831)
Helen was baptised on 28 Sep 1793 in Kilmadock and lived on the family farm until her marriage
On 2 Dec 1820, Helen 27 married Henry Richardson (b1789) at Gargunnock in Kilmadock Parish. The marriage was announced in ‘The Scots Magazine’ as follows, “At Wester Frew Henry Richardson Esq of Wester Culmore, to Miss Helen, second daughter of Mr John Forrester.” The couple settled on their own farm at nearby Wester Culmore and had at least four children; James Richardson b1821, Margaret Richardson b1823, John Richardson 1825 (who later married Lilly Watt) and Helen Richardson b23 Sep 1827. All children were born in Gargunnock.
Helen Richardson nee Forrester aged 38 died in 1831 and was buried at Gargunnock on 21 Apr 1831. See Gargunnock burial record above. Henry Richardson (widower) was listed at Wester Culmore on the Male Heads of Family Survey taken in 1834-1836 (NRS Reference: CH2/1121/5 pp. 230-234). However, he was not listed in 1837. It seems that Henry couldn’t cope looking after his young family. In 1851 aged 61, he was listed as a labourer working on Morrison’s land in Denny, Stirlingshire. Henry probably died in the 1850’s. That would explain why their youngest daughter Helen Richardson b1827 had to work as a servant from the age of 13 (see below).
157.2a Helen Richardson (1827-1906)
Helen was born on 23 Sep 1827 at Gargunnock, Perthshire; the fourth child of Henry Richardson and Helen Forrester b1793. (See above). Unlike most of the extended Forrester family, Helen's family do not seem to have been well off. To make matters worse, her mother and possibly her father died before Helen was a teenager. In 1841 at the age of 13 she was working as a servant at Banknock, Denny (15 miles from Gargannock) for the Benney family. By 1851 Helen Richardson 24 was working as a servant on her aunt Jean Forrester's farm at Bridge of Frew (4 miles from her birthplace). Another worker on the farm was John Forrester 18 (a cousin; the abandoned son of Helen's uncle William Innes Forrester who had migrated to Australia in 1833. (See 157.7)
In 1854 a baby girl named Helen Forrester Richardson was born in Glasgow. It is possible that, baby Helen b1854, was either the daughter of John Richardson and his wife Lilly, or the illegitimate child of his sister Helen Richardson b1827, as the birth was the year prior to Helen b1827 suddenly migrating to Australia.
In 1855 Helen Richardson 30 (really 28), occupation servant, set sail from Greenock (Glasgow) as a passenger in 'steerage' on the ship 'Echo' bound for Victoria, Apparently, she made this perilous voyage all alone and arrived in Melbourne in Oct 1855. As described above, there is a possibility that it was not just 'adventure' that drove Helen to migrate so far from home. She may have chosen Victoria as her destination because a year or two earlier, her cousin Alexander McFarlan had migrated to Melbourne and set up a very successful business (see 103.0 in the Macfarlane Section of this Blog).
A few years after her arrival in the colony, Helen married James Rogerson in 1862 in Victoria. The couple set up their own farm at Glenburnie a few miles north of Kilmore and started a family. Their children were Helen Forrester Rogerson (1863-1945), James Rogerson (1865-1915) and Jane Rogerson (1869-1943). In 1873 James sold his 143 acres at Glenburnie and with his brothers looked at land at Gowengardie near Benalla. In 1874 brothers; Francis Rogerson (b1827), John Rogerson (b1833) and James Rogerson (b1825) all successfully applied for grants of land (each 320 acres) in Gowengardie.
In the 1890's James and Helen moved to a farm at Nar Nar Goon. It was there that James died in 1898 aged 71 years. The probate record listed the value of his estate as £1588.
It seems that Helen needed help with the property, as son James moved to Nar Nar Goon soon after the death of his father. An item in the Bendigo Independent on 2 Dec 1901 reported that all did not go well. "Mr. James Rogerson 30 a farmer, residing at Narnargoon, Gippsland, met with a serious accident last night. He was picking fruit in his orchard and standing on a ladder, when he fainted, and fell to the ground, a distance of about 15ft. He sustained a fracture of the spine and was admitted to the Melbourne Hospital today. Faint hopes are entertained of his recovery."
James must have recovered because in 1903 both Helen and son James were listed as living in the electoral district of Nar Nar Goon (AER). That year, son James married Ada Louise Young and was listed as being a fruit grower at Wandin. Soon after her son's marriage, Helen moved to the Dandenong Ranges, where she lived with her daughter until her death in 1906.
The death notice was published in The Leader; "R.I.P. Rogerson.— On the 16th December, at her eldest daughter's residence, Monbulk, Helen; relict of the late James Rogerson, late of Narnargoon and Kilmore, aged 78 years." Helen's parents were listed on the death registration as Henry Richardson and Helen Forrester.
John Richardson was baptised at Gargunnock on 24 Jul 1825. He was the third child of Henry and Helen Richardson nee Forrester (See above).
156.6 FOR8 Descendants of John Forrester & Margaret Innes
157.0 Thirteen children of GGGGGP John Forrester (1767-1839) & Margaret Innes (1770-1842)
Of John and Margaret's twelve children it appears that four did not survive childhood; John Forrester (1795-bef 1806), John Forrester (1806-bef 1808), Elizabeth Forrester (1806-?) and John Forrester (1808-?). Of the remaining seven, three or possibly four migrated to Australia; all to different states. There are no records that show they met up (or even communicated with each other). In fact, William (67.6) was scolded by his older sister for not keeping in contact with the family between 1833 and 1862. 157.1 GGGGM Janet Forrester (1791-1841)
157.2 Helen Forrester (1793-1831)
157.2a Helen Richardson (1827-1906)
In 1854 a baby girl named Helen Forrester Richardson was born in Glasgow. It is possible that, baby Helen b1854, was either the daughter of John Richardson and his wife Lilly, or the illegitimate child of his sister Helen Richardson b1827, as the birth was the year prior to Helen b1827 suddenly migrating to Australia.
In 1855 Helen Richardson 30 (really 28), occupation servant, set sail from Greenock (Glasgow) as a passenger in 'steerage' on the ship 'Echo' bound for Victoria, Apparently, she made this perilous voyage all alone and arrived in Melbourne in Oct 1855. As described above, there is a possibility that it was not just 'adventure' that drove Helen to migrate so far from home. She may have chosen Victoria as her destination because a year or two earlier, her cousin Alexander McFarlan had migrated to Melbourne and set up a very successful business (see 103.0 in the Macfarlane Section of this Blog).
In the 1890's James and Helen moved to a farm at Nar Nar Goon. It was there that James died in 1898 aged 71 years. The probate record listed the value of his estate as £1588.
It seems that Helen needed help with the property, as son James moved to Nar Nar Goon soon after the death of his father. An item in the Bendigo Independent on 2 Dec 1901 reported that all did not go well. "Mr. James Rogerson 30 a farmer, residing at Narnargoon, Gippsland, met with a serious accident last night. He was picking fruit in his orchard and standing on a ladder, when he fainted, and fell to the ground, a distance of about 15ft. He sustained a fracture of the spine and was admitted to the Melbourne Hospital today. Faint hopes are entertained of his recovery."
James must have recovered because in 1903 both Helen and son James were listed as living in the electoral district of Nar Nar Goon (AER). That year, son James married Ada Louise Young and was listed as being a fruit grower at Wandin. Soon after her son's marriage, Helen moved to the Dandenong Ranges, where she lived with her daughter until her death in 1906.
At the time probate was applied for in 1906, son James Rogerson gave his address as Sealers Cove and occupation as 'saw miller'. Helen's assets were said to be valued at 640 pounds. The extract from Helen Rogerson's will above shows that she appointed son James Rogerson and a bank manager as executors of her will. Son James Rogerson went on the have six children, however bad luck continued to follow his family, as outlined in this report in the 'Dandenong Advertiser', 2 September 1915,
"Monbulk. The first case of meningitis occurred here on Monday in the person of Mr James Rogerson. On the Saturday he was ordered to the Melbourne Hospital by the doctor and was received for treatment when it was discovered he was suffering from meningitis, he was removed to Alfred Hospital, where he expired on the Monday. This family have had very hard luck, as it is just five months since an accident happened resulting in the death of two of their children, while at the same time the mother was attending the hospital with an injured arm, and for some time there was doubt if it would not have to be amputated; as it is she has lost the use of it entirely. Mr Rogerson was the only son of the late Mr James and Helen Rogerson of Nar Nar Goon, and brother of Mrs Hayne, of Monbulk, and Mrs Nicholson of Oakleigh."
157.2b John Richardson (1825-?)
It seems that John Richardson either died or disappeared in the 1850's because he was not listed on the 1861 census, and his wife was listed as 'head of the household". She was not listed as a widow.
As a single mother, Lilly Richardson nee Watts would have struggled to raise three children and run a business at the same time. (She was a confectioner). The result was youngest daughter Helen (aged about 5) was sent to live with her father's aunt, Jean Forrester, who farmed the old Forrester Farm at Bridge of Frew. (See below for an alternative explanation re Helen Forrester Richardson's ancestry.
As Lilly Richardson nee Watts was not listed on the 1871 census, she probably died in the 1860's.
The above death certificate of son James Richardson a draper provides his year of birth as 1849, year of death 1919 and cause of death as pneumonia.
157.2c Helen Forrester Richardson (c1854-1935)
In 1909 she received £100 inheritance from Alexander Macfarlan's will. She was named in the will as Mrs 'Ellen' Richardson or Ness of Kirkcaldy and she was the great granddaughter of Alexander's aunt by marriage. Helen Forrester Ness nee Richardson died in 1935 at Rotherham aged 80.
John was baptised on 1 Aug 1795 in Kilmadock. Witnesses were uncles (John senior’s older brothers) Robert Forrester b1755 and William Forrester b1753, both in Frew. Sadly, John died as an infant. Another child was named John in 1806 (see below).
157.4 Margaret Forrester (1797-?)
157.2c Helen Forrester Richardson (c1854-1935)
No baptism registration has been found, so Helen's birth year has been estimated from the age she gave on various census records and the death record. Helen c1854 named her parents on her 1896 wedding registration as John Richardson (b1825) master baker and Lilly Muller Richardson nee Watts (both deceased). They had been married on 17 Dec 1846 and in 1851 were living at 290 Buchanan St, Glasgow with their two children Ann Richardson b1847 and James Richardson b1849.
By 1861 father John Richardson had died or abandoned the family (when Helen c1854 was under 7). Lilly, 36 year old confectioner, was living at 53 John St, Glasgow as a single mother with her two young children, Anne 14 and James 12 and a servant. It seems unlikely that Lilly would have sent her youngest daughter Helen c1854 to live 25 miles away at the time of both the 1861 and 1871 censuses. The fact that Helen c1854 was raised by her great aunt raises the possibility that Lilly may not have been her birth mother. See below for another possibility for Helen's parentage.
At both the 1861 and 1871 census Helen F Richardson (aged 7 then 17) was living at the Bridge of Frew Farm owned by her spinster great aunt, Jane Forrester. By 1881 at the age of 27 she was living in a lodging house at 2 Barns Cres, Ayr, where she worked as a dressmaker.
Helen Forrester Richardson 40, married the much younger Andrew Terrace Ness 27 (b.Cupar 1868) on 19 Aug 1896 at Partick, Glasgow In the registration record above Helen’s parents are listed as John and Lilly Richardson, (deceased). Andrew and Helen were both residents of Kilcaldy Rd. at the time, and the marriage was witnessed by Annie Watts (a relative of her 'mother/aunt'). The marriage announcement read "At 19 Parkgrove, Whiteinch, on the 18th inst. by the Rev David Ness, Andrew Ness, Kircaldy to Helen Forrester, youngest daughter of the late John Richardson," In 1901 the couple were living at Church St. St Helens, Sinclairtown, Fife. Andrew 33, was a commercial cashier and Helen was a 'fancy goods merchant' who was older than the 40 she stated (really 42).
In 1909 she received £100 inheritance from Alexander Macfarlan's will. She was named in the will as Mrs 'Ellen' Richardson or Ness of Kirkcaldy and she was the great granddaughter of Alexander's aunt by marriage. Helen Forrester Ness nee Richardson died in 1935 at Rotherham aged 80.
Alternative parentage for Helen Forrester Richardson c1854 The alternative possibility for the parentage of Helen c1854 is that she was the illegitimate child of Helen Richardson b1827 (See 157.2a), as the birth was the year prior to the older Helen suddenly migrating to Australia. This would explain why Lilly Richardson sent Helen c1854 off to live with her great aunt Jean Forrester, when she was just a small girl. Also supporting this theory is the fact that both Helens spent their childhood living with Aunt Jane Forrester and they had the same Christian name. If Helen b1827 had become pregnant whilst working at her aunt's farm, she may have been sent off to Glasgow (where brother John was living) to have the baby to avoid any scandal. At the time she migrated, she had two uncles living in South Australia and NSW, but chose to 'go it alone' in Victoria. If Helen b1827 was indeed the mother, John and Lilly Richardson would be Helen's (c1854) uncle and aunt. Helen c1854 may have been told that they were her parents to avoid any scandal.
There is other circumstantial evidence supporting the theory that Helen c1854 was the daughter of Helen b1827. The younger Helen was conceived when the older Helen aged 27 was working on her aunt's farm along with cousin John Forrester 21, and the child was named Helen Forrester Richardson (perhaps the middle name was chosen to 'honour' the father of the child). Secondly after mother Helen c1854 moved to Australia, she named her first daughter born in Australia. Helen Forrester Rogerson; perhaps an attempt to 'reconnect' with her first daughter, who she probably had no hope of seeing again.
157.3 John Forrester (1795-bef 1806)
157.4 Margaret Forrester (1797-?)
John Forrester and Margaret McInnis his spouse in Frew had a child baptized called Margaret. Witnesses were the baby’s uncles Robert Forrester b1755 and William Forrester b1753both in Frew. The child was born the 15 July 1797. As no more is known about Margaret she probably died as a child.
157.5 Ann Forrester (1799-1848)
Ann was born on 31 Dec 1799 and baptised on 12 Jan 1800 in Kilmadock. Witnesses were uncle Robert Forrester b1755 and uncle by marriage Robert Paterson both in Frew. Ann was named executor of her father’s will and fulfilled his wishes when he died in 1839.
In 1841 Ann 40 was living at home, helping her widowed mother run the family farm at Frew, along with her sister Isabel Forrester 25. Also living with them was nephew John Forrester 9 (son of brother William, see 157.7c) and five servants to help run the farm.
157.6 James Forrester (1802-1858)
"James Forrester migrated to NSW and established a farm near Bathurst. Ship records show a James Forrester arrived as a cabin passenger in 1836. In 1841, James was shown as living at "Belubula," Carcoar, Bathurst, the property having one wooden house. The census recorded 23 men aged 21-45, all single. There were 21 shepherds, one domestic servant and one other. Of the shepherds, two had arrived free, nine held tickets of leave and twelve were convicts on private assignment." James was most likely the overseer and listed as the "one other".
An announcement in 'SMH' 18 Apr 1850 announced: "The Partnership hitherto existing under the firm of 'Wills and Forrester, Sheep Farmers and Graziers, Belubula, has expired from effluxion of time. All claims will be settled by James Forrester". Other newspaper items indicate he remained in the Bathurst area at least until late 1853.
By 1856 James' declining health forced him to return to Scotland. His sister Isobel (see 157.13) wrote to William Forrester (see 157.7) "Your brother (James) came home from Australia in very bad health in 1856. He went to England through the recommendation of doctors but it did not do him much good. Although he was badly (sic), he never was off his feet, for he was out, the day of his death, but he was quite resigned to the will of God."
James made his will on 13 Nov 1856, "leaving £100 to his brother William and £50 each to the Benevolent Asylum of Sydney, the Sydney Infirmary, the Destitute Children’s Home and the Bathurst Hospital. The residue was to be invested and £15 paid yearly towards the clothing and maintenance of his brother Alexander Forrester (67.11), the rest to be divided between his sisters Jean (Jane; see 157.11) and Isobel (see 157.13). On the death of his sisters and brother, the residue was to be divided between the children of his sisters Helen (see 157.2) and GGGGM Janet (see 157.1). In a codicil added a week later, he increased the amount for his brother to £25, with legacy of £100 for his nephew John Forrester 1847-1900 (son of brother William see 157.7c). The proceeds of £100 were to be set-aside for educational purposes in the parish of Kippen and Callender, with a further £100 for educational purposes in Thornhill parish. The executors appointed by the will were Sir James Campbell, of Strathcura (see 169.3), William Campbell of Tillichewan (Sir James’ brother. Both were cousins to James Forrester b1802) and GGGF Alexander Macfarlan (See 103.0)."
The will informs us that James was in contact with his cousin Alexander Macfarlan, who was busy building his business empire in Melbourne at this time. It also tells us that Forrester family had strong connections to their cousins in the Campbell family who were very active politically. The son of Sir James Campbell was elected Prime Minister in 1905 (see 169.4).
157.7 William Innes Forrester (1804-1866)
There is some confusion in regard to William's birth year and his age at death. There are baptism records confirming William's birth in 1804 (above) but his death records and gravestone state that he was 56 when he died in 1866 (i.e born in 1808). However, the only baptism record for that year, is for brother John Forrester (see below). All evidence points to a mistake being made with his age when he died.
The following is an edited version of William's life story (with incorrect birth year) from the Geni profile of WilliamForrester by Linda Margaret Field (Skipsey)."William was born on 4 Feb 1808 in Kilmadock, Perthshire, the son of John Forrester and Margaret Innes of Bridge of Frew farm. He grew up on the farm and lived there until his early twenties. William Forrester, 23, and Mary Blair of the parish of Balfron (9m from Bridge of Frew) were married 20th June 1831 at Kilmadock (see above registration). In a move that probably irritated and upset his parents, William left farming and became a victualler in Glasgow. Tragically his young wife Mary died soon after giving birth to a son John Forrester b1832. William was unable to cope with a child on his own and left his son in the care of his parents whilst he was residing in Glasgow. It is unlikely that his business was successful and over the next twelve months William decided to rebuild his life and try his luck in a new country. Prior to setting sail for Australia his indignant father paid his debts and gave him the very sizable amount of £250 when he left Scotland.
William sailed from the Port of Liverpool on the 'Othello' 27 Aug 1833, leaving his infant son, who he would never see again. The Sydney Herald of March 17, 1834 reported that the Othello was a 404 Ton Immigrant ship. It set out from Liverpool carrying 117 passengers on the 27th of August 1833. She made landing in Hobart Town in Van Diemen's Land on the 18th of February 1834 (almost 6 months) with the health of passengers described as very good. As a sign of possibly danger on the high seas the ship carried four guns. "It is worth noting that Othello had been struck by lightning on the night of the 19th September 1833...... Jury masts were afterwards got up, and the vessel arrived at Rio' on the 29th October of that year, having sailed 3145 miles since the disaster, the distance, in a direct course, being; 2424 miles."
William arrived as a free settler in Van Diemen's Land on 18 Feb 1834. Nothing is known about his life in Tasmania during 1834-1838 but he later moved to the newly established Colony of South Australia and on 13 Aug 1838 a notice in the 'South Australian Gazette' announced, "The Fleece Inn. William Innes Forrester begs to inform his friends and the public that he has taken those premises occupied by Mr Ferguson, opposite the Southern Australian office, where he has for sale Wines, Potter, &c., with accommodation for beds. Horses for hire." The Inn was on the northeast corner of Rundle St and Stephens Place, Adelaide.
NOTE: At this time (1837-1840's) members of our Smith and Collins families also moved to the newly established Adelaide, which had a small population. William's second wife, Jane Herbert, had arrived in South Australia on 4 Dec.1837. The S.A. Register of 1 Sep 1838 recorded the marriage of William Innes Forrester to Jane Herbert at the Holy Trinity Church in Adelaide. Just six months later, on 16 Apr 1839, GGGF Anthony Smith 23 married GGGM Charlotte Elizabeth Collins 21 in the same church. Members of the three families may have crossed paths with each other, and very likely read about each other, in the Adelaide newspapers. The Collins and Forrester families in particular appeared in widely publicised articles at different times. Little would they know that in the late 1800's all their families would be united when GGF Elijah Smith married GGM Margaret Allen Cunningham Macfarlane in Melbourne.
For an unknown reason William did not make any contact with his Scottish family, (including his first-born son, who he left behind with his parents) for the next thirty years! This was very uncharacteristic of members of the Forrester family, who seemed to keep in contact, visit each other, and care for each other's offspring during bad times. It seems that William's decision to migrate to Australia was a deliberate attempt to 'shut the door' on his family.
On 28 Aug 1838, William married for the second time. His second wife, Jane Herbert had arrived in South Australia the year before. Although widowed, William was listed as a bachelor. It seemed like he did not want to acknowledge his previous marriage in Scotland! William's second wife died less than a year later on 25 July 1839 aged 27, eighteen days after the birth of her child, who also died.
William next established himself as a farmer of 60 acres at Emma Grove, between the present day Kooyonga Golf links and the River Torrens. The property consisted of two paddocks, a dwelling and cattle yards and drew water from the Torrens River. However, wheat sown in August 1840 was destroyed by cattle and disease. This problem with the wheat crop also beset the Collins family and GGGF Anthony Smith who were just a few kilometres away in the Brighton area and were also struggling to establish farms at this time. Quite possibly, members of these three of our ancestral families crossed paths with each other in the very early days of Adelaide, when the population was only a few thousand.
On 31 July 1840, 'The South Australian' reported that William gave evidence in a murder trial. "Mr Forrester, one of the jury, was next called and sworn. Resides at Emma Grove, near the Reed Beds. Was returning from Adelaide to his residence, about two o'clock, and saw Stagg riding Oakley's bay horse. The horse had a teeth-rope round its neck. Witness saw nothing of any gun."
William Innes Forrester (above) met Deborah Bowman, his third wife, through a friendship with her brothers. Deborah enjoyed writing poetry and as part of his courtship, he sent her a romantic poem. A month later on 3 Feb 1841 they were married at Trinity Church, Adelaide, by the Rev Charles Beaumont who recorded, "I certify that William Innes Forrester, widower, of Emma Grove, near Adelaide, late of the parish of Down, (Doune) Perthshire, Scotland, and Deborah Bowman, Spinster of Barton Vale, late of the parish of Askham, Westmoreland were married by me according to the rites of the United Church of England and Ireland”.
Not long after their marriage, William took up farming at Willunga, at the foot of the Mount Lofty ranges, 29 miles south of Adelaide. He named his farm 'Corstophine' after a church in Scotland associated with the Forrester clan. Willunga was one of the earliest settlements in rural South Australia and William Forrester was one of the first to run sheep in the district. In 1844, William was recorded as having 800 ewes, 600 wethers and 200 cattle. In 1845 the 80 acre farm was advertised as being available for lease. "The premises comprise a stone-built house of four rooms, a garden stocked with fruit-trees and a few vines, and a commodious stock-yard. Persons desirous of taking (sic), are requested to apply to Mr Bowman of the Pine Forest, and in the meantime Mr Forrester, on the premises, will be ready to answer any enquiries."
When the Bowmans moved their sheep to the mid-north, William took up inn-keeping again. Travel in the early days was slow and difficult, whether on horseback, bullock dray or horse and coach. Inns, where travellers could rest on their journey, played an important role, with roads often still very rough and with considerable movement of the population as the initial settlements expanded out. William held the licence of the Gilbert Arms, an inn on the lower Gilbert River, in the town of Stockport, from 1850 to 1853. A visitor to the inn wrote, “After a ride of 23 miles, we stayed at the Gilbert Arms, a neat little road side house of which we had not received so good a report as we think it deserves. It was far superior to many of greater pretensions we have put upon the road; and the landlady was both fair and obliging. We saw here a great many sheep stations and large flocks of sheep, some of which belonged to Mr Bowman, our landlady's father”.
The 'Adelaide Times' reported a tragedy for the family on 28 Jan 1850. "Fatal Accident. A lad, nine years of age, son to Mr Forrester, of the Gilbert Arms, Gilbert River, was unfortunately killed on Wednesday last, by being thrown from a horse." The child was William's eldest son born in Australia Edmund Bowman Forrester. This was doubly tragic for William, because this was the second son of his, that he would not see grow into adulthood.
There was another court case involving William on 15 November 1853, which was reported as follows, "Horse stealing; Mr. Eber Goulter, of Adelaide, who was then on a journey to the North, left his horse at the Gilbert Inn, on the River Gilbert, intending to call on his return for the purpose of riding it back to Adelaide. After an absence of three days he again arrived at the inn, when, to his no small surprise and disappointment, he was informed by Mr. Forrester, the landlord, that the horse had been stolen from the stable that morning."
There was more drama on 14 Apr 1854 when the newspaper reported "An old Settler Lost, but Found again. We received intelligence from the Gilbert, under date 8th April, that Mr. Bowman, of the Pine Forest, had been missing from his station near the head of the Gulf since the 2nd instant. He was at that time carrying two bottles of brandy and one of wine. An 'anxious search was made for several days in every direction by his sons, assisted by different neighbours, the fear being that, in the absence of water, he might have taken the spirits, wandered into the scrub, and died. Inspector Rodda being at the Gilbert on his way from Clare to Kapunda, heard of the circumstance from Mr. Forrester, Mr. Bowman's son-in-law, and joined in the search ; his intention being to go to Wakefield bridge, then to the Hummocks, and search the scrubs in that neighbourhood. On Friday night, Mr. Bowman was found, in a most helpless condition, near, as far as we can understand, the head of the Gulf. He had been without food or water for six clear days; but though a man of above 70, he is, we are happy to hear, recovering. At the time, he was found he was suffering from paralysis, and could scarcely have, survived the night."
As well as running the 'Gilbert Arms', William was the postmaster in Gilberton from 1851-2. William had no contact with his family in Scotland until 1858, when his nephew Alexander Macfarlan (see 103.0) managed to obtain his address from a Forrester relative named William Nimmo. William Nimmo b1790 was probably the son of William Forrester's aunt, Margaret Nimmo nee Forrester b1760.
Alexander Macfarlan wrote "So many years have elapsed since the writer had the pleasure of hearing you, let alone seeing you, that I feel some difficulty in your calling to mind the person of your correspondent...I know not if you are aware of many circumstances connected with our family... Should you favour the letter with a reply, my next will be longer, and so far as I can manage, give you all intelligence of doings among our friends... Meanwhile with regard to all of you, I am your affectionate nephew...." This letter illustrates the fact that members of the extended Forrester and Macfarlane families corresponded with each other and maintained a familial relationship. This was confirmed in 1910 when Alexander left money in his will to several Forrester descendants in Australia.
Life was never dull at the Inn and there were many articles of incidents in the newspapers including the time in 1869 when the roof and verandah of Mr. Forrester's Hotel, at Gilberton, were blown away in a storm.
Despite establishing contact again with his family, it was a few years before William wrote to Scotland. In 1862, his younger sister Isabel (see 157.13) wrote a very scolding letter in which a reader can feel her pain and anger. "Dear William, how have you allowed 30 summers to pass without inquiring about home. We did not know where to find you but you always knew where to find us. I am sure many a scene has come to mind since the morning you left the Bridge of Frew when your father and mother were crying and carrying many a sad thought. It cost them your leaving and always saying some of us might meet thee but they would never see you in the world again."
157.7a Move to Gilberton & Death of William
William's next move was to become the licensee at an inn called the 'Bow and Arrow', built by the Bowman brothers, five miles further upstream on the Gilbert River, where the main line of roads converged on a convenient ford. They built the inn and stockyards near a government reserve called the Green Water Hole. (Today it can be found on the main road as it leaves Tarlee, but it seems the hotel has completely disappeared.) William was the first licensee of the 'Bow and Arrow', which opened on 22 Sep 1853. The inn was a meeting place for travelers and stock-dealers. In 1862, the Bowmans deeded the rents and profits to their daughter Deborah Forrester nee Bowman. According to records in the Land Titles Office, in March 1862, the Bowman brothers transferred to William Forrester 71 acres "with the buildings on it used as an Inn or Public House known as the 'Bow and Arrow' £1,200." The money was never paid. The name of Forrester became attached to the locality around the inn. The 'Roseworthy and Forrester Railway Bill' of 1866 referred to a 24 mile horse tramway proposed to link the two districts. For miles around, people spoke of 'Forresters' or passing by 'Forresters'.
William arrived as a free settler in Van Diemen's Land on 18 Feb 1834. Nothing is known about his life in Tasmania during 1834-1838 but he later moved to the newly established Colony of South Australia and on 13 Aug 1838 a notice in the 'South Australian Gazette' announced, "The Fleece Inn. William Innes Forrester begs to inform his friends and the public that he has taken those premises occupied by Mr Ferguson, opposite the Southern Australian office, where he has for sale Wines, Potter, &c., with accommodation for beds. Horses for hire." The Inn was on the northeast corner of Rundle St and Stephens Place, Adelaide.
NOTE: At this time (1837-1840's) members of our Smith and Collins families also moved to the newly established Adelaide, which had a small population. William's second wife, Jane Herbert, had arrived in South Australia on 4 Dec.1837. The S.A. Register of 1 Sep 1838 recorded the marriage of William Innes Forrester to Jane Herbert at the Holy Trinity Church in Adelaide. Just six months later, on 16 Apr 1839, GGGF Anthony Smith 23 married GGGM Charlotte Elizabeth Collins 21 in the same church. Members of the three families may have crossed paths with each other, and very likely read about each other, in the Adelaide newspapers. The Collins and Forrester families in particular appeared in widely publicised articles at different times. Little would they know that in the late 1800's all their families would be united when GGF Elijah Smith married GGM Margaret Allen Cunningham Macfarlane in Melbourne.
For an unknown reason William did not make any contact with his Scottish family, (including his first-born son, who he left behind with his parents) for the next thirty years! This was very uncharacteristic of members of the Forrester family, who seemed to keep in contact, visit each other, and care for each other's offspring during bad times. It seems that William's decision to migrate to Australia was a deliberate attempt to 'shut the door' on his family.
On 28 Aug 1838, William married for the second time. His second wife, Jane Herbert had arrived in South Australia the year before. Although widowed, William was listed as a bachelor. It seemed like he did not want to acknowledge his previous marriage in Scotland! William's second wife died less than a year later on 25 July 1839 aged 27, eighteen days after the birth of her child, who also died.
William next established himself as a farmer of 60 acres at Emma Grove, between the present day Kooyonga Golf links and the River Torrens. The property consisted of two paddocks, a dwelling and cattle yards and drew water from the Torrens River. However, wheat sown in August 1840 was destroyed by cattle and disease. This problem with the wheat crop also beset the Collins family and GGGF Anthony Smith who were just a few kilometres away in the Brighton area and were also struggling to establish farms at this time. Quite possibly, members of these three of our ancestral families crossed paths with each other in the very early days of Adelaide, when the population was only a few thousand.
On 31 July 1840, 'The South Australian' reported that William gave evidence in a murder trial. "Mr Forrester, one of the jury, was next called and sworn. Resides at Emma Grove, near the Reed Beds. Was returning from Adelaide to his residence, about two o'clock, and saw Stagg riding Oakley's bay horse. The horse had a teeth-rope round its neck. Witness saw nothing of any gun."
Not long after their marriage, William took up farming at Willunga, at the foot of the Mount Lofty ranges, 29 miles south of Adelaide. He named his farm 'Corstophine' after a church in Scotland associated with the Forrester clan. Willunga was one of the earliest settlements in rural South Australia and William Forrester was one of the first to run sheep in the district. In 1844, William was recorded as having 800 ewes, 600 wethers and 200 cattle. In 1845 the 80 acre farm was advertised as being available for lease. "The premises comprise a stone-built house of four rooms, a garden stocked with fruit-trees and a few vines, and a commodious stock-yard. Persons desirous of taking (sic), are requested to apply to Mr Bowman of the Pine Forest, and in the meantime Mr Forrester, on the premises, will be ready to answer any enquiries."
When the Bowmans moved their sheep to the mid-north, William took up inn-keeping again. Travel in the early days was slow and difficult, whether on horseback, bullock dray or horse and coach. Inns, where travellers could rest on their journey, played an important role, with roads often still very rough and with considerable movement of the population as the initial settlements expanded out. William held the licence of the Gilbert Arms, an inn on the lower Gilbert River, in the town of Stockport, from 1850 to 1853. A visitor to the inn wrote, “After a ride of 23 miles, we stayed at the Gilbert Arms, a neat little road side house of which we had not received so good a report as we think it deserves. It was far superior to many of greater pretensions we have put upon the road; and the landlady was both fair and obliging. We saw here a great many sheep stations and large flocks of sheep, some of which belonged to Mr Bowman, our landlady's father”.
The 'Adelaide Times' reported a tragedy for the family on 28 Jan 1850. "Fatal Accident. A lad, nine years of age, son to Mr Forrester, of the Gilbert Arms, Gilbert River, was unfortunately killed on Wednesday last, by being thrown from a horse." The child was William's eldest son born in Australia Edmund Bowman Forrester. This was doubly tragic for William, because this was the second son of his, that he would not see grow into adulthood.
There was another court case involving William on 15 November 1853, which was reported as follows, "Horse stealing; Mr. Eber Goulter, of Adelaide, who was then on a journey to the North, left his horse at the Gilbert Inn, on the River Gilbert, intending to call on his return for the purpose of riding it back to Adelaide. After an absence of three days he again arrived at the inn, when, to his no small surprise and disappointment, he was informed by Mr. Forrester, the landlord, that the horse had been stolen from the stable that morning."
There was more drama on 14 Apr 1854 when the newspaper reported "An old Settler Lost, but Found again. We received intelligence from the Gilbert, under date 8th April, that Mr. Bowman, of the Pine Forest, had been missing from his station near the head of the Gulf since the 2nd instant. He was at that time carrying two bottles of brandy and one of wine. An 'anxious search was made for several days in every direction by his sons, assisted by different neighbours, the fear being that, in the absence of water, he might have taken the spirits, wandered into the scrub, and died. Inspector Rodda being at the Gilbert on his way from Clare to Kapunda, heard of the circumstance from Mr. Forrester, Mr. Bowman's son-in-law, and joined in the search ; his intention being to go to Wakefield bridge, then to the Hummocks, and search the scrubs in that neighbourhood. On Friday night, Mr. Bowman was found, in a most helpless condition, near, as far as we can understand, the head of the Gulf. He had been without food or water for six clear days; but though a man of above 70, he is, we are happy to hear, recovering. At the time, he was found he was suffering from paralysis, and could scarcely have, survived the night."
As well as running the 'Gilbert Arms', William was the postmaster in Gilberton from 1851-2. William had no contact with his family in Scotland until 1858, when his nephew Alexander Macfarlan (see 103.0) managed to obtain his address from a Forrester relative named William Nimmo. William Nimmo b1790 was probably the son of William Forrester's aunt, Margaret Nimmo nee Forrester b1760.
Alexander Macfarlan wrote "So many years have elapsed since the writer had the pleasure of hearing you, let alone seeing you, that I feel some difficulty in your calling to mind the person of your correspondent...I know not if you are aware of many circumstances connected with our family... Should you favour the letter with a reply, my next will be longer, and so far as I can manage, give you all intelligence of doings among our friends... Meanwhile with regard to all of you, I am your affectionate nephew...." This letter illustrates the fact that members of the extended Forrester and Macfarlane families corresponded with each other and maintained a familial relationship. This was confirmed in 1910 when Alexander left money in his will to several Forrester descendants in Australia.
Life was never dull at the Inn and there were many articles of incidents in the newspapers including the time in 1869 when the roof and verandah of Mr. Forrester's Hotel, at Gilberton, were blown away in a storm.
Despite establishing contact again with his family, it was a few years before William wrote to Scotland. In 1862, his younger sister Isabel (see 157.13) wrote a very scolding letter in which a reader can feel her pain and anger. "Dear William, how have you allowed 30 summers to pass without inquiring about home. We did not know where to find you but you always knew where to find us. I am sure many a scene has come to mind since the morning you left the Bridge of Frew when your father and mother were crying and carrying many a sad thought. It cost them your leaving and always saying some of us might meet thee but they would never see you in the world again."
157.7a Move to Gilberton & Death of William
William's next move was to become the licensee at an inn called the 'Bow and Arrow', built by the Bowman brothers, five miles further upstream on the Gilbert River, where the main line of roads converged on a convenient ford. They built the inn and stockyards near a government reserve called the Green Water Hole. (Today it can be found on the main road as it leaves Tarlee, but it seems the hotel has completely disappeared.) William was the first licensee of the 'Bow and Arrow', which opened on 22 Sep 1853. The inn was a meeting place for travelers and stock-dealers. In 1862, the Bowmans deeded the rents and profits to their daughter Deborah Forrester nee Bowman. According to records in the Land Titles Office, in March 1862, the Bowman brothers transferred to William Forrester 71 acres "with the buildings on it used as an Inn or Public House known as the 'Bow and Arrow' £1,200." The money was never paid. The name of Forrester became attached to the locality around the inn. The 'Roseworthy and Forrester Railway Bill' of 1866 referred to a 24 mile horse tramway proposed to link the two districts. For miles around, people spoke of 'Forresters' or passing by 'Forresters'.
"An inquest was held by J S Browne, Esq., at the Bow and Arrow, Gilberton, on the body of W.I. Forrester, who had been murdered on the previous day. The jury viewed the body before taking evidence. Witnesses were then called. The murderer, Michael O'Donnell, 24, had been in Australia for three years. He arrived at the hotel in the afternoon and asked for a room and supper. He left his swag behind the bar and spent the afternoon reading, drinking and eating bread and cheese, for which he paid William Forrester a shilling. When he was shown a room, he took offence and demanded a better one. The bar was full that evening of farmers, shepherds, teamsters and several workmen. John McFall, a labourer and James Fern, a shepherd reported to the court that they saw Mrs Forrester slap down a shilling in front of O'Donnell and say that if the bed was not good enough for him he could go and find one elsewhere. After an angry exchange with William Forrester and seeming rebuff from Fern, who refused to drink with him, O'Donnell paced up and down the verandah working himself into a fury. At ten o'clock, William Forrester moved to clear the bar. He either shoved or was shoved by O'Donnell. They struggled briefly and Forrester ran back through the bar-room. In a few minutes, the girls came screaming that their father was stabbed."
The doctor appeared at the inquest. He reported that the wound penetrated the upper portion of the right ventricle of the heart which must have caused immediate death. Although one member of the jury held out against a verdict of wilful murder, as there were 13 jurors, the Coroner decided he had the right number of votes and committed the prisoner for trial in the Supreme Court. The sentence was death by hanging, commuted to life imprisonment. Thirty-two years later (O'Donnell aged 56), after three short spells in a Lunatic Asylum, O'Donnell (in his forties) was freed and said to be the first life prisoner to be discharged in Australia.
William was buried in the Riverton Cemetery on 10 Feb 1866 (Announcement above). The funeral procession was followed by about 150 persons on horseback and about thirty or forty vehicles (horse and carts). Mr Bowman acted as chief mourner. William's headstone reads; "Erected to the memory of William Innes Forrester. Died February 9th, 1866. Aged 58 years [really 62]. Also of Edmund Bowman, Died October 23rd 1850, aged 8 years and 5 months, and was buried at Gawler Town. Also of Alfred Harold, died January 25th 1862, aged 10 months." The latter two, are sons of William, that died as children.
On 7 Jul 1875 GGGF Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to the widowed Deborah Forrester, in which he gave her news of her Forrester in-laws back in Scotland. He concluded by trying to console her in the loss of her husband by saying "All this will little gratify you; and very, very hard it must be. I felt it so what must you... [have endured]".
Alexander wrote to Deborah again in the early 1880's. He was responding to an earlier letter from Deborah in which she outlined problems being experienced by family members in the colonies. Alexander acknowledged "the struggles being waged by my cousins in the their battle for life. No part of the world seems exempt from the prevailing depression." He seemed to be referring to financial difficulties as he went on to say "I am no exception; a victim to over confidence in a friend-relative I was wishfully assisting...." He finished off the letter with news about family members residing in Scotland. Deborah Forrester nee Bowman died on 14 Nov 1887 and was buried in North Rd, Cemetery in Adelaide.
NOTE: The hamlet of Gilberton, South Australia is not the modern day Adelaide inner suburb of Gilberton. The Bow and Arrow Inn, Gilberton was located 80 km away on the Gilbert River, north of present day Tarlee and its remains appear to have disappeared over the past 150 years.
157.7b Twelve Children of William Innes Forrester (1804-1866) & Deborah Bowman (1821-1887)
In addition to William's son John Forrester, born in 1832 to his first wife (see 157.7c), he had eleven more children. They were Edmund Bowman Forrester (1842-1850) killed in a riding accident, Emma Mary Forrester (1843-1915), Jane Forrester (1845-1936), John Forrester (1847-1900), Elizabeth Forrester (1849-1938), William Gilbert Forrester (1851-1924), Julia Frances Forrester (1853-1936), Louisa Bowman Forrester (1855-1927), Edwin Thomas Forrester (1857-1913), Mary Deborah Bowman Forrester (1859-1908) and Alfred Harold Forrester (1861-1862).
Three of William's children received inheritances from GGGF Alexander Macfarlan, who was the brother-in-law of their aunt Janet Forrester (b1791). Why these three daughters of William were singled out for mention in Alexander's will is unknown. Mrs Jane Forrester b1845 who married Gilbert Ferguson Forrester and had seven children (one of whom was Lindsay Macfarlan Ferguson) inherited £100. Spinster sisters Julia Forrester b1853 and Mary Forrester b1843 of Enfield Adelaide also received £100. Unfortunately Mary died in 1908 before she could receive her share.
157.7c John Forrester (1832-1879): First Son of William Innes Forrester
John was born in Glasgow on 3 July 1832 to William Innes Forrester, victualler and his first wife Mary Blair (above). Witnesses were Mary's brother Duncan Blair and either William's brother John b1808 or his father John Forrester b1767. Sadly, baby John's mother died before his first birthday and his father decided to start a new life in Australia. In late 1833 William Innes Forrester set sail from Glasgow leaving his baby son in the care of his own parents at their Bridge of Frew farm. He would not see his son again, and not make contact with him for the next thirty years!
John's (b1832) grandfather GGGGF John Forrester died in 1839. In 1841 John 9, was living with his widowed grandmother, who was 71 and still running the family farm, along with John's aunts Isabella 25 and Ann Forrester 40. After his grandmother died in 1842 John stayed on at the farm. In 1851 at the age of 18, John Forrester was living with his aunt Jean Forrester, unmarried farmer of the 80 acre Bridge of Frew Farm. Also living with them was his unmarried uncle Alexander Forrester. John was not listed as a nephew but as one of their four servants.
In a letter to John's father, Alexander Macfarlan wrote in 1859 that "John was also home at the Frew with Jean (John's aunt, see 157.11)....assisting her with the farm".
On 17 Dec 1858 John Forrester 26 year old farm steward? of Bridge of Frew married Jane Gardner of nearby Kippen in her home town. The ceremony took place in Arngomery Gardens Kippen. John's parents were listed as William Forrester, farmer in Australia and Mary Blair. Arngomery was one of the principal mansions in Kippen at that time. Perhaps the wedding took place under the famous Old Yew Tree located there.
The doctor appeared at the inquest. He reported that the wound penetrated the upper portion of the right ventricle of the heart which must have caused immediate death. Although one member of the jury held out against a verdict of wilful murder, as there were 13 jurors, the Coroner decided he had the right number of votes and committed the prisoner for trial in the Supreme Court. The sentence was death by hanging, commuted to life imprisonment. Thirty-two years later (O'Donnell aged 56), after three short spells in a Lunatic Asylum, O'Donnell (in his forties) was freed and said to be the first life prisoner to be discharged in Australia.
On 7 Jul 1875 GGGF Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to the widowed Deborah Forrester, in which he gave her news of her Forrester in-laws back in Scotland. He concluded by trying to console her in the loss of her husband by saying "All this will little gratify you; and very, very hard it must be. I felt it so what must you... [have endured]".
Alexander wrote to Deborah again in the early 1880's. He was responding to an earlier letter from Deborah in which she outlined problems being experienced by family members in the colonies. Alexander acknowledged "the struggles being waged by my cousins in the their battle for life. No part of the world seems exempt from the prevailing depression." He seemed to be referring to financial difficulties as he went on to say "I am no exception; a victim to over confidence in a friend-relative I was wishfully assisting...." He finished off the letter with news about family members residing in Scotland. Deborah Forrester nee Bowman died on 14 Nov 1887 and was buried in North Rd, Cemetery in Adelaide.
NOTE: The hamlet of Gilberton, South Australia is not the modern day Adelaide inner suburb of Gilberton. The Bow and Arrow Inn, Gilberton was located 80 km away on the Gilbert River, north of present day Tarlee and its remains appear to have disappeared over the past 150 years.
157.7b Twelve Children of William Innes Forrester (1804-1866) & Deborah Bowman (1821-1887)
In addition to William's son John Forrester, born in 1832 to his first wife (see 157.7c), he had eleven more children. They were Edmund Bowman Forrester (1842-1850) killed in a riding accident, Emma Mary Forrester (1843-1915), Jane Forrester (1845-1936), John Forrester (1847-1900), Elizabeth Forrester (1849-1938), William Gilbert Forrester (1851-1924), Julia Frances Forrester (1853-1936), Louisa Bowman Forrester (1855-1927), Edwin Thomas Forrester (1857-1913), Mary Deborah Bowman Forrester (1859-1908) and Alfred Harold Forrester (1861-1862).
Three of William's children received inheritances from GGGF Alexander Macfarlan, who was the brother-in-law of their aunt Janet Forrester (b1791). Why these three daughters of William were singled out for mention in Alexander's will is unknown. Mrs Jane Forrester b1845 who married Gilbert Ferguson Forrester and had seven children (one of whom was Lindsay Macfarlan Ferguson) inherited £100. Spinster sisters Julia Forrester b1853 and Mary Forrester b1843 of Enfield Adelaide also received £100. Unfortunately Mary died in 1908 before she could receive her share.
157.7c John Forrester (1832-1879): First Son of William Innes Forrester
John's (b1832) grandfather GGGGF John Forrester died in 1839. In 1841 John 9, was living with his widowed grandmother, who was 71 and still running the family farm, along with John's aunts Isabella 25 and Ann Forrester 40. After his grandmother died in 1842 John stayed on at the farm. In 1851 at the age of 18, John Forrester was living with his aunt Jean Forrester, unmarried farmer of the 80 acre Bridge of Frew Farm. Also living with them was his unmarried uncle Alexander Forrester. John was not listed as a nephew but as one of their four servants.
In a letter to John's father, Alexander Macfarlan wrote in 1859 that "John was also home at the Frew with Jean (John's aunt, see 157.11)....assisting her with the farm".
On 17 Dec 1858 John Forrester 26 year old farm steward? of Bridge of Frew married Jane Gardner of nearby Kippen in her home town. The ceremony took place in Arngomery Gardens Kippen. John's parents were listed as William Forrester, farmer in Australia and Mary Blair. Arngomery was one of the principal mansions in Kippen at that time. Perhaps the wedding took place under the famous Old Yew Tree located there.
By 1861 John Forrester and wife Jane Gardner were living at 10 Burnside, Kippen. By then, John 28 farm manager and Jane Forrester nee Gardner 24 had a son; William Forrester who was one year old and named after John's long lost father. Number 10 Burnside is on the outskirts of the village and today a modern house sits on the site. In 1858 it was probably a farmhouse from which John managed the adjacent farm.
In 1875 GGGF Alexander wrote a letter to John's stepmother describing John in the following unflattering manner; "he never was of a very amiable turn, but latterly to my mind is less attentive to matters generally and less kind to her [his aunt Jane] that has done so much for him." In the letter, Alexander refers to John as "the claimant", as it appears that John was making a claim on the Myme property (in the 1857 valuation roll above, the lease was held by his aunt Jean). Hence the negative feelings toward John earlier in the letter. Alexander went on to say that John had "the Mime Farm lease (65 acres) in his own name..... They are building a new house in the Mime, much refined; the old one was a miserable old damp erection." An 1878 Directory lists John Forrester of Myme, Thornhill.
John Forrester, farmer at Myme, died at home on 6 May 1879 aged 46 in the Parish of Kincardine. The death certificate above indicates he was an alcoholic (which explains the negative character description given above by Alex Macfarlan) and died of pneumonia and other causes. His son William was present at the time. John Forrester and Jane Gardener had eleven children in total and after her husband's death, Jane had three children still under the age of 15 living at home. In 1881 the oldest of those three, Mary 16, was living with her spinster great aunt Jane/Jean Forrester b1809 at Bridge of Frew (see 157.11).
Probate was granted in 1879 for John Forrester farmer of Myme, who died with assets valued at 377 pounds (above). After the death of John Forrester b1832, another family took over the lease of 'Myme Farm', Doune, but according to Alexander Macfarlan, they gave it up and moved to Suffolk in the early 1880's.
157.7d Mary Forrester (1864-?): Daughter of John Forrester b1832
157.7d Mary Forrester (1864-?): Daughter of John Forrester b1832
The letter was written in July 1885 before the death of Jane/Jean Forrester in Apr 1886 and describes Alexander's visit to the Bridge of Frew the previous Nov in 1884. Mary McLaren nee Forrester and her husband had at least eight children and lived on Drummore Farm, Doune. They had two domestic servants in 1891. Either William or his son (they had the same name) were still managing this property in 1926 when another son, James Maclaren died.
157.8 John Forrester (1806-c1807)
John was born on 15 Oct 1806 and baptised on 10 Nov 1806 in Kilmadock. He was a twin with his sister Elizabeth, and both appeared to have died as infants. The next son born to the family was given the same Christian name in 1808.
157.9 Elizabeth Forrester (1806-?)
Elizabeth was born on 15 Oct 1806 and baptised on 10 Nov 1806 in Kilmadock. The baptism record reads "John Forrester and Margaret Innis, his spouse at Wester Frew had twins baptized called John and Elizabeth". Witnesses were Robert Forrester and John Innis both in Wester Frew probably uncles Robert Forrester b1755 and John Innes b1782. Brother John and Elizabeth both appeared to have died as infants.
157.10 John Forrester (1808-c1865)
157.9 Elizabeth Forrester (1806-?)
157.10 John Forrester (1808-c1865)
John was born on 5 Mar 1808 in Kilmadock and baptised on 14 Mar 1808 in Kilmadock. He was the third child named John, and like the two earlier Johns, he may have died as an infant, as there are no marriage or other documents that conclusively indicate he survived to adulthood. However there is one document that suggests he may have lived into his fifties.
The Valuation Roll for 1857-8 listed the Myme property as follows: "Mr William Paterson-North Mid Frew, John Forrester, Myme..... Under Descriptive remarks it adds; A farmhouse one Storey high, with offices attached, the former slated, the latter tiled, both only in middling repair. Tenant Miss Jane Forrester, Bridge of Frew; Proprietor The Earl of Moray."
The Valuation Roll for 1857-8 listed the Myme property as follows: "Mr William Paterson-North Mid Frew, John Forrester, Myme..... Under Descriptive remarks it adds; A farmhouse one Storey high, with offices attached, the former slated, the latter tiled, both only in middling repair. Tenant Miss Jane Forrester, Bridge of Frew; Proprietor The Earl of Moray."
John's unmarried sister Jean/Jane Forrester was running the family farm at Bridge of Frew at that time. The John Forrester listed at Myme may have been her brother, John Forrester b1808. If it was him, he was single, and according to his nephew, living in the Myme house, which was "a miserable old damp erection." It is also possible that like his younger brother Alexander b1811, he had a disability that prevented him from managing the family farm. Sister Jane held the leases for both Myme and Bridge of Frew. If this theory is correct, John probably died in the 1860's, which allowed his nephew (John Mafarlane b1832) to move into Myme before 1870. After John b1832 became the tenant, he built the "new house in the Mime, much refined".
157.11 Jane (Jean) Forrester (1809-1886)
157.11 Jane (Jean) Forrester (1809-1886)
Jane was born on 12 Sep 1809 and baptised as 'Jean' on 6 Oct 1809 in Kilmadock. The choice of name 'Jane' may have related to the fact that it is a female equivalent of 'John' and her parents had already lost at least two infant sons named 'John'. The baptism was witnessed by uncle (by marriage) Robert
Paterson and uncle John Innis b1782 both in Middle Frew.
In 1841 aged 32, Jane was living and working on the family farm at Frew with her brother Alexander Forrester 28. They had five servants. Although brother Alexander was listed as farmer and head of the household, it was actually Jane who was running the farm. There were three 'Macfarlane' servants, one of whom may have been Jean's nephew Alexander Macfarlan b1825 (listed with an incorrect age, see 103.0).
In 1851 at the age of 40, Jane was unmarried and a farmer of 80 acres living with her unmarried younger brother Alexander. As she was listed as being the head of the household, she leased the farm and Alexander (who had a disability, see 157.12) was helping with the farming operation. They had four servants including John Forrester 18 (b1832, Glasgow). John was a nephew; the son of Jean's older brother William, who had permanently migrated to Australia in 1833 and left his son John in the care of his parents. (See 157.7c) In 1858 Jean inherited money from her brother James who died that year, after returning from Australia (See 157.6).
The Valuation Roll for 1857-8 described Bridge of Frew farm as follows, "A farmsteading, dwellinghouse, one, offices, partly one, and partly two storeys, partly slated, and partly thatched, the whole in good repair; the property of the Right Hon. the Earl of Moray, and occupied by Miss Forrester. This is situated so close to the Bridge, that one name would do for both. One half of this Bridge is kept in repair by the County of Stirling and the other half by the County of Perth."
From 1861 onwards, Jean 50 went by the name Jane. Jane was still farming her 80 acres on Kippen Rd, Bridge of Frew, but brother Alexander had died earlier that year. Jane had a young visitor, her grandniece Helen F. Richardson aged 7 and four servants to help out. The Stirling Directory (see above) listed Jane as 'farmer leasing Myme Farm in 1865', so she was managing the two adjacent farms at that time.
In 1871 Jane was 60 and farming the family farm at Bridge of Frew. She was probably still living with grandniece Helen F. Richardson 17 (see 157.2b).
On 7 Jul 1875 Jane's nephew GGGF Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to Jane's sister-in-law Deborah Forrester nee Bowman (see 157.7) in which he gave a mini 'character' study of Jane. He wrote that on a recent visit to Jane he found her much changed; "she will not give up toiling and worrying away at the ordinary work of the house and dairy, such has become second nature to her, but it is absurd that a woman at her time of life [aged 66] with no reason in a pecuniary sense should be milking away at cows.... I felt very sad in looking at her worn and wearied appearance." He then goes on to say that Jane's nephew John Forrester b1832, who was Deborah Forester's stepson, was making a claim on the farm and causing Jane some anxiety. Alexander writes of John "he never was of a very amiable turn but latterly to my mind is less attentive to matters generally and less kind to her that has done so much for him."
Alexander went on to say that Jean/Jane had "retaken a new lease on the Frew Farm", (80 acres) and that it was a "wee bit" place and "To me it is a wonder.....how our grandfather and mother managed... to raise respectably the large family they did".
At the age of 70 in 1881, Jane was still farming her Bridge of Frew Farm. She employed two men, one girl and three boys. Staying with her at the time was another of her grand-nieces, Mary Forrester aged 16, who was the daughter of nephew John Forrester b1832, who had worked on her farm in 1851. (See 157.7c). In the 1880's Mary became engaged to be married, but her father had died some years earlier in 1879. In the absence of a father, Jean took on responsibility for her grand niece's wedding which appears to have been held in 1884. Alexander Macfarlan wrote about the wedding. He described Mary as the third daughter of the 'late claimant' (John Forrester b1832) and said "she had married a very respectable well doing farmer in their own neighbourhood, a Mr Mclaren, son of a small landowner.... Aunt Jean did everything very liberally-between thirty and forty guests present. The good old soul was worn through with all the worry and trouble she undertook. I saw a great change in her. She has got so weak looking of late.... I fear she will not see many more seasons"
Jane (Jean) Forrester 77 died on 19 Apr 1886 in Kincardine Parish and was buried in Norrieston Churchyard, Thornhill. There is no record of a marriage and there are no known children, but she appears to have spent much of her life caring for the children of other family members.
At the age of 70 in 1881, Jane was still farming her Bridge of Frew Farm. She employed two men, one girl and three boys. Staying with her at the time was another of her grand-nieces, Mary Forrester aged 16, who was the daughter of nephew John Forrester b1832, who had worked on her farm in 1851. (See 157.7c). In the 1880's Mary became engaged to be married, but her father had died some years earlier in 1879. In the absence of a father, Jean took on responsibility for her grand niece's wedding which appears to have been held in 1884. Alexander Macfarlan wrote about the wedding. He described Mary as the third daughter of the 'late claimant' (John Forrester b1832) and said "she had married a very respectable well doing farmer in their own neighbourhood, a Mr Mclaren, son of a small landowner.... Aunt Jean did everything very liberally-between thirty and forty guests present. The good old soul was worn through with all the worry and trouble she undertook. I saw a great change in her. She has got so weak looking of late.... I fear she will not see many more seasons"
Jane (Jean) Forrester 77 died on 19 Apr 1886 in Kincardine Parish and was buried in Norrieston Churchyard, Thornhill. There is no record of a marriage and there are no known children, but she appears to have spent much of her life caring for the children of other family members.
NOTE: The Perthshire Directory for 1889-1890 listed Jean Forrester of Bridge of Frew and also John Forrester. Jean's name was probably inadvertently carried over from an earlier edition, and the latter person was probably John Forrester b1870; the son of John Forrester b1832 (see 157.7c).
On 15 Sep 1886 Alexander wrote to Deborah Forrester telling of his latest visit to Frew Farm, after the death of his beloved aunt, Jane (Jean) Forrester. Of his aunt he wrote "from early boyhood days she seemed a gentler lovable nature than others.... there was something in her that drew upon the deeper feelings that won and retained affection....she got up in the morning of her death- went about the ordinary routine and after milking two cows went in and lay down- saying she felt weak and tired. Her sister Mrs Ure (sister Isabella Forrester b1814) was fortunately with and sent for the Dr- he came, but the patient's time had come, she died about noon on 20 Apr aged 76. She was buried beside the rest of them at Thornhill Churchyard. She left all her means for life to her sister Mrs Ure. and to her children John [Ure]and Margaret [Carrick].
Mrs Ure (Isabella Ure nee Forrester b1814) has taken up residence at the farm. Whether to continue or not is uncertain. Well she has her two children settled close by her, otherwise her position, the last of all the once large family that were born and raised in Bridge of Frew would be a sad one."
NOTE: Mrs Ure (Isabella Forrester b1814) had been recently widowed with the death of her husband in 1885, so the opportunity to take over Bridge of Frew Farm would have had some appeal.
157.12 Alexander Forrester (1811-1861)
Alexander was probably born with, or acquired a disability in his youth, as several documents implied that he was being cared for in his adult life. In 1841 aged 28 along with his older sister Jean, he was farming the family farm at Bridge of Frew. The siblings had four servants to assist them.
In 1851 at the age of 37 Alexander was unmarried and was listed as a farmer living with his 40 year old unmarried sister Jean, who was 'head' of the household. She leased the farm, and he was helping with the farming operation. They had four servants including John Forrester 18 (b1833 Glasgow), son of Alexander's uncle William Forrester (see 157.7). In 1858 Alexander inherited an annuity of "£25 paid yearly towards the clothing and maintenance" from his older brother James who died in that year. The use of the word 'maintenance' in the will and the fact that Alexander's sister Jean was 'head of the house' suggests that Alexander had a disability of some sort and needed care.
Alexander died at Bridge of Frew on 2 Jan 1861 aged 50. He was buried in Norrieston Churchyard, Thornhill with his parents.
157.13 Isabella Forrester (1814-1896)
In 1851 William Ure 47 was farming 80 acres and employing four men at Newburn, Kippen. Isabella Ure was 35 and at that point they had one son John Ure 3. Living with them were three servants including Henry Mcfarlane who was probably related to her brother-in-law's family. (John and Janet McFarlane nee Forrester, see 96.0)
In late 1862 Isabel wrote a letter to her brother William and scolded him for not keeping in contact whilst he was in South Australia. The words of her letter reveal the pain and anger of her thoughts. "Dear William, how have you allowed 30 summers to pass without inquiring about home. We did not know where to find you but you always knew where to find us". (See 157.7)
In 1861 at the age of 57, William Ure was listed as a retired farmer and the family were living at Gargunnock Rd, Kippen. He must have had a change of heart about retirement a few years later, because in 1871 William was back farming on an even bigger farm (Fanenastan? Farm) covering 138 acres of arable land and the family consisted of William Ure 69, Isabella Ure 55, John Ure 23 and Margaret Ure 17. Possibly he had gone back into farming to help his son John Ure get established.
On 7 Jul 1875 Isabella's nephew GGGF Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to Isabella's sister-in-law Deborah Forrester nee Bowman (see 157.7) with information about Isabella's family. He wrote 'Easy' ['Izzy'; a pet name for Isabella Ure nee Forrester] was well, her husband now in his 73rd year grows rapidly aged and complains of much pains in his back. I hardly think he will last long."
Finally in 1881, William 76 did retire, and he and Isabella 66 moved to 67 Wallace St., Stirling. Four years later on 20 Aug 1885, William Ure died and was buried in Port of Menteith, Churchyard.
On 15 Sep 1886 Alexander Macfarlan wrote to Deborah Forrester telling of his latest visit to Frew Farm, after the death of his beloved aunt, Jane (Jean) Forrester. Of his aunt he wrote "she got up in the morning of her death- went about the ordinary routine and after milking two cows went in and lay down- saying she felt weak and tired. Her sister Mrs Ure (Isabella Forrester b1814) was fortunately with and sent for the Dr- he came, but the patient's time had come, she died about noon on 20 Apr aged 76. She was buried beside the rest of them at Thornhill Churchyard. She left all her means for life to her sister Mrs Ure. and to her children John [Ure] and Margaret [Carrick].
Mrs Ure has taken up residence at the farm. Whether to continue or not is uncertain. Well, she has her two children settled close by her, otherwise her position, the last of all the once large family that were born and raised in Bridge of Frew would be a sad one."
Isabel Ure nee Forrester survived another eleven years and died on 28 Dec 1896 at Kincardine aged 82 and was buried in Norrieston Cemetery with her parents. She lived just long enough to see her son marry for the second time in early 1896.
157.13a Two Children of William Ure (1804–1885) & Isabella Forrester (1814-1896)
Both of Isabella's children received an inheritance from their cousin GGGF Alexander Macfarlan (1825-1909)
157.13b John Ure (1848-1911)
John was born in Kippen in 1848. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Prentice (1852–1891) on 15 Mar 1872 at Polmont, Stirling. They had one child named William Forrester Ure 1880–1924 born on 19 March 1880 at Port of Menteith, Perthshire.
On 7 Jul 1875 John's cousin Alexander Macfarlan wrote a letter to Deborah Forrester nee Bowman (see 157.7) saying the following "John is in Westwood a farm of 240 acres on the Blair Drummond.... not far from Stirling. He is a steady well doing young man."
By 1881 the family was farming at 'Abbeymains', Haddington. John was a farmer of 476 acres, employing 14 men, 6 women and 2 boys. The family consisted of John Ure 33, Elizabeth Ure 29 William Forrester Ure 6 and four servants. Ten years later in 1891, Elizabeth Ure nee Prentice died at Haddington. Another disaster occurred on 8 June 1895 as reported in the 'Dundee Chronicle'; "Mains Farm, tenanted by John Ure. Six horses were burned, and four others seriously injured that they will have to be destroyed. The stables and part of the steading were burned the ground."
157.13c Margaret (Maggie) Ann Ure (1854-1932)
Margaret's mother Isabella Ure nee Forrester was an auntie to Alexander Macfarlan b1825 and in 1909 Alexander left £3000 to his "cousin Mrs Margaret Ure or Carrick of Cambusdremmie near Stirling".
158.0-159.0 Reserved for Future Use
GRAHAM & NAPIER FAMILIES
160.0 Ancestors of GGGGGGGM Margaret Graham (1703-?)
The main sources of information about members of the Graham family are historical books which detail how lands and titles were gained, lost or passed on to family members. Sometimes these documents vary in their accounts and even contradict each other. Family titles were usually passed down to sons. Daughters often did not get a mention in publications, but sometimes gained a title through their marriages. Few original baptism, marriage or burial documents have been found, so birth and death dates are often approximated based on other documents and typical ages for life events.
Margaret’s ancestors occupied Culnagrean Estate which was adjacent to the lands of the Grahams of Drunkie (See 110.0 Part 4 Macfarlane Tree). Unsurprisingly both families were related. According to Stuart Parks’ Tree, the common link in both families was Alexander Graham of Drunkie and his wife Margaret Buchanan and/or his ancestor Malise Graham.
Copies of original documents can be found on the following Ancestry Trees
‘Burkes Landed Gentry’ provides much information about GGGGGGGM Margaret's ancestry, including the name of her father, Patrick Graham, and her mother Margaret Napier. There are numerous editions with varying titles, with some having a focus on Scotland. The more recent editions hopefully have the most accurate information. Wikipedia says, “This dedication to accuracy reached its peak under the chief editorship, from 1949 to 1959”. Unfortunately, the information in some early editions is not reliable and needs to be verified by alternative means.
The information below is largely based on 'Burkes Family Records', Family trees on Ancestry and another publication (1896) titled "The Lake of Menteith....historical accounts" by A F. Hutchison (www.electricscotland.com). The latter includes many accounts of battles the Graham's fought. Quotes below, from this book, are in italics. Extracts from some documents held by National Records of Scotland website are also quoted with the record code listed.
160.1 Map4 Rednock, Leitchtown, Blairhoyle
The map above shows that our ancestral families originated in locations not far apart (within 5 to 10 miles of each other along direct routes). Both Macfarlane families probably had a common ancestor, likewise the Grahams of Leitchtown and Drunkie.
Gilbert Graham was born around 1550 to Patrick Graham c1530. Note that Burke lists a different ancestry for Gilbert of Rednock but the following text is largely based on his work.
Gilbert married Margaret Kinross of Kippenross in 1572. They had two known sons David Graham c1585 and Patrick Graham (c1590-1624). The family built a house on the property and named it 'Grahamstown'. This estate was also known as Leitchfield and is now known as Blairhoyle. According to Burke, in 1618 when Gilbert’s brother-in-law Jasper Graham of Blaircessnock was murdered by the Grahams of Duchray, Gilbert was an elderly man (around 70).
Document GD220/1/C/3/6/8 dated 1624 is a Procuratory by Gilbert Graham c1550 in Rednock, son and heir of deceased Patrick Graham c1530, his father, with consent of David Graham c1585, his eldest lawful son (Gilbert’s son), for resigning ad perpetuam remanentiam the half lands of Gartraime alias Achmore in the hands of William, Earl of Menteith, his superior thereof; dated at Spillstoun in Menteith. It confirms that Gilbert c1550 was the son of Patrick c1530 and that David c1585 was the eldest son of Gilbert Graham c1550.
Document GD220/1/C/3/6/9 dated 1625 is a Precept of clare constat by William, Earl of Menteith, in favour of David Graham, heir to the deceased Gilbert Graham in Rednock, his father, in half the lands of Gartraime alias Achmore. This document confirms that Gilbert of Rednock died around 1625 with his eldest son David his heir.
Documents GD22/3/10 to GD22/3/12 confirm that Gilbert had a brother-in-law named Jasper Graham of Blaircessnoch. In 1619 Petition to Lords of Council by John Graham of Polder and 1st of Gallangad, his brothers Andrew, Walter and Thomas and Graham George Graham in Bofreslie (and of Drunkie) and Walter Graham, his son had been accused of the slaughter of Jasper. (Collectively known as the Grahams of Duchray).
The above incident is an example of interactions between two Graham families (they were often not on good terms). In 1619 a Petition to Lords of Council by John Graham of Polder and 1st of Gallangad, his brothers Andrew, Walter and Thomas Graham, George Graham in Bofreslie (and of Drunkie) and Walter Graham, his son who had been accused of the slaughter of Jasper Grahame of Blairsesnocht (GD22/3/12) were “put to the horn” (declared outlaws), but charges were dropped in the same year.
David Graham died before 1631 leaving two young daughters who were tutored by their uncle Patrick until they came of age. In 1622 David and his brother were consenting parties to the granting of remissions to the accused murders of their uncle Jasper Graham. David probably died in 1630. Younger brother Patrick inherited the family property.
160.3 Patrick Graham of Grahamstown & Blairchoille (c1590-c1644)
Patrick Graham was born at Rednock around 1590, the second son of Gilbert Graham c1550 and was younger brother to David c1685.
The above passage from Burke confirms that Patrick and his brother David represented their elderly father at the 1622 trial of the accused murderers of their uncle Jasper who died in 1618. It also confirms that Patrick was a tutor to his nieces after his brother David died c1631.
The information below is largely based on 'Burkes Family Records', Family trees on Ancestry and another publication (1896) titled "The Lake of Menteith....historical accounts" by A F. Hutchison (www.electricscotland.com). The latter includes many accounts of battles the Graham's fought. Quotes below, from this book, are in italics. Extracts from some documents held by National Records of Scotland website are also quoted with the record code listed.
160.1 Map4 Rednock, Leitchtown, Blairhoyle
The map above shows that our ancestral families originated in locations not far apart (within 5 to 10 miles of each other along direct routes). Both Macfarlane families probably had a common ancestor, likewise the Grahams of Leitchtown and Drunkie.
- Grahams of Leitchtown, Rednock and Blairhoyle built Grahamstown and lived in the area east of Port of Menteith from the early 1500's
- Grahams of Drunkie originated in Duchray west of Port of Menteith but settled at Drunkie (Invertrossachs) from the early 1600s.
- Grahams of Downance were possibly McGregors (after their surname was proscribed in the 1600's) who originated near Aberfoyle west of Port of Menteith
- Macfarlanes of Borland originated near Ackrig north of Port of Menteith
- Macfarlanes of Carse of Cambus originated north of Doune
- Napiers originated in Merchison, Edinburgh but moved Culcreuch near Fintry then to Culnagrean near Drunkie
- Forresters originated near Garden in Kippen and settled on farms in Boquhan, Frew and Polder
160.2 Gilbert Graham in Rednock (c1550-1625) & Margaret Kinross
Gilbert Graham was born around 1550 to Patrick Graham c1530. Note that Burke lists a different ancestry for Gilbert of Rednock but the following text is largely based on his work.
Gilbert married Margaret Kinross of Kippenross in 1572. They had two known sons David Graham c1585 and Patrick Graham (c1590-1624). The family built a house on the property and named it 'Grahamstown'. This estate was also known as Leitchfield and is now known as Blairhoyle. According to Burke, in 1618 when Gilbert’s brother-in-law Jasper Graham of Blaircessnock was murdered by the Grahams of Duchray, Gilbert was an elderly man (around 70).
Document GD220/1/C/3/6/8 dated 1624 is a Procuratory by Gilbert Graham c1550 in Rednock, son and heir of deceased Patrick Graham c1530, his father, with consent of David Graham c1585, his eldest lawful son (Gilbert’s son), for resigning ad perpetuam remanentiam the half lands of Gartraime alias Achmore in the hands of William, Earl of Menteith, his superior thereof; dated at Spillstoun in Menteith. It confirms that Gilbert c1550 was the son of Patrick c1530 and that David c1585 was the eldest son of Gilbert Graham c1550.
Document GD220/1/C/3/6/9 dated 1625 is a Precept of clare constat by William, Earl of Menteith, in favour of David Graham, heir to the deceased Gilbert Graham in Rednock, his father, in half the lands of Gartraime alias Achmore. This document confirms that Gilbert of Rednock died around 1625 with his eldest son David his heir.
Documents GD22/3/10 to GD22/3/12 confirm that Gilbert had a brother-in-law named Jasper Graham of Blaircessnoch. In 1619 Petition to Lords of Council by John Graham of Polder and 1st of Gallangad, his brothers Andrew, Walter and Thomas and Graham George Graham in Bofreslie (and of Drunkie) and Walter Graham, his son had been accused of the slaughter of Jasper. (Collectively known as the Grahams of Duchray).
The above incident is an example of interactions between two Graham families (they were often not on good terms). In 1619 a Petition to Lords of Council by John Graham of Polder and 1st of Gallangad, his brothers Andrew, Walter and Thomas Graham, George Graham in Bofreslie (and of Drunkie) and Walter Graham, his son who had been accused of the slaughter of Jasper Grahame of Blairsesnocht (GD22/3/12) were “put to the horn” (declared outlaws), but charges were dropped in the same year.
David Graham died before 1631 leaving two young daughters who were tutored by their uncle Patrick until they came of age. In 1622 David and his brother were consenting parties to the granting of remissions to the accused murders of their uncle Jasper Graham. David probably died in 1630. Younger brother Patrick inherited the family property.
160.3 Patrick Graham of Grahamstown & Blairchoille (c1590-c1644)
Patrick Graham was born at Rednock around 1590, the second son of Gilbert Graham c1550 and was younger brother to David c1685.
According to Burke (above) Patrick married Catherine McGibbon in 1629. Catherine was the only child of Baron McGibbon and inherited the lands of Blairhoyle (adjacent to Leitchtown) from her father, which on her marriage passed to her husband Patrick. They had at least one son, who they named Gilbert c1630 after his grandfather. After the death of his older brother, Patrick also inherited the Leitchtown property.
Hutchison writes “Baron McGibbon, as he was called, again had an only daughter. She married one Patrick Graham, and their descendants in regular succession, held the estate till about twenty years ago, when the then James Graham of Leitchtown sold it to A. H. Lee, Esquire”.
NOTE: The property known as Leitchtown was granted to John Leitch in 1517 but passed to the Graham family through marriage. It is two miles east of Port of Menteith and has been known as Blairchoille and Blairquhoille, but in the 1800’s spelling was changed to Blairhoyle.
160.4 Gilbert Graham of Leitchtown (c1635-1704) & Janet Smith (c1639-?)
Gilbert Graham of Leitchtown/Blairhoyle was probably born in the mid 1630's and named after his grandfather. He inherited the Leitchtown lands from his father (see extract from Burke above). Gilbert married Janet Smith of Claish, Callander around 1660 and they had several children, but only the eldest son Patrick c1665 is known (Burke). Gilbert Graham of Leitchtown was in 1668 appointed an elder of the church at Port of Menteith.
Hutchison writes about the 1670's “During this Earl's time one of those local feuds, which were unhappily so common in Scotland, broke out between the Grahams of Menteith and their neighbours the Leckys, on the south side of the Forth. What the original cause may have been is not known. It is said in the records of the affair' to have been "'licht and slendir." But the quarrel increased in intensity till several persons on both sides of it had lost their lives, and the Privy Council had to intervene.”
Document GD1/393/5 dated 1681 is a Contract between Henry, Lord Cardross, and Gilbert Grahame of Blairquhoill, whereby said Henry dispones to said Gilbert the parsonage teinds of the lands of Blairquhoill in parish of Porte.
When William 8th Earl of Menteith and 2nd Earl of Airth died without a male heir in 1694, Gilbert took on his titles and his full title became Earl of Strathearn, 9th Earl of Menteith and 3rd Earl of Airth. Gilbert died in 1704 and was survived by his eldest son, Patrick Graham c1665 (Burke).
Document GD22/1/95 dated 1707 describes two Bonds, each for £100, by Gilbert Graham of Blairquheile. These bonds may have been arranged prior to Gilbert’s death.
160.5 Patrick Graham (c1665-1732) & Margaret Napier (1663-1716)
Hutchison writes about the 1670's “During this Earl's time one of those local feuds, which were unhappily so common in Scotland, broke out between the Grahams of Menteith and their neighbours the Leckys, on the south side of the Forth. What the original cause may have been is not known. It is said in the records of the affair' to have been "'licht and slendir." But the quarrel increased in intensity till several persons on both sides of it had lost their lives, and the Privy Council had to intervene.”
Document GD1/393/5 dated 1681 is a Contract between Henry, Lord Cardross, and Gilbert Grahame of Blairquhoill, whereby said Henry dispones to said Gilbert the parsonage teinds of the lands of Blairquhoill in parish of Porte.
When William 8th Earl of Menteith and 2nd Earl of Airth died without a male heir in 1694, Gilbert took on his titles and his full title became Earl of Strathearn, 9th Earl of Menteith and 3rd Earl of Airth. Gilbert died in 1704 and was survived by his eldest son, Patrick Graham c1665 (Burke).
Document GD22/1/95 dated 1707 describes two Bonds, each for £100, by Gilbert Graham of Blairquheile. These bonds may have been arranged prior to Gilbert’s death.
160.5 Patrick Graham (c1665-1732) & Margaret Napier (1663-1716)
GGGGGGGGF Patrick Graham of Leitchtown born c1665 married Margaret Napier b1663 of Culnagean in 1695 (Burke above). Margaret had been born about 10 miles away at Culcreuch Castle near Fintry, but her family moved to Culnagrean, Port of Menteth in 1675. Margaret's father William Napier was killed by the Camerons in 1685 (see below).
Document GD1/185/7 dated 1705 is an Instrument of sasine of the life rent of the lands of Blairquhoyle (Leitchtown) in the parish of Port and Stewartry of Menteith in favour of Margaret Napier, spouse of Patrick Grahame of Blairquhoyle (Leitchtown), in terms of a Marriage Contract between said Patrick and Margaret.
Patrick and Margaret Graham nee Napier had six known children. Baptism records of some are below. The children were James Graham 1695-1775, William Graham 1696-? (died abroad), John Graham 1700-?, GGGGGGGM Margaret Graham 1703-?, Janet Graham 1709-? and Patrick Graham 1712-1780. See note in 162.0 regarding Margaret’s age at the birth of her last child.
The Genealogical magazine 1897 reported that "Margaret Napier and her husband (Patrick Graham) are buried at the Priory of Inchmahome on the easter isle of the Lake of Menteith. He was the last of the Grahams of Leitchtown to be interred there, the new family burial-place being on the lake side of the parish church of the Port of Menteith. It was a railed-in space, but an extension of the church some years ago took it in, and the bodies of Margaret Napier’s son and grandson, Lairds of Leitchtown, and of certain members of their families, repose beneath the vestibule of the church".
GGGGGGGGM Margaret Graham nee Napier died in 1716 and some family trees list the year of death for Patrick Graham as 1732.
Document GD1/185/7 dated 1705 is an Instrument of sasine of the life rent of the lands of Blairquhoyle (Leitchtown) in the parish of Port and Stewartry of Menteith in favour of Margaret Napier, spouse of Patrick Grahame of Blairquhoyle (Leitchtown), in terms of a Marriage Contract between said Patrick and Margaret.
Patrick and Margaret Graham nee Napier had six known children. Baptism records of some are below. The children were James Graham 1695-1775, William Graham 1696-? (died abroad), John Graham 1700-?, GGGGGGGM Margaret Graham 1703-?, Janet Graham 1709-? and Patrick Graham 1712-1780. See note in 162.0 regarding Margaret’s age at the birth of her last child.
The Genealogical magazine 1897 reported that "Margaret Napier and her husband (Patrick Graham) are buried at the Priory of Inchmahome on the easter isle of the Lake of Menteith. He was the last of the Grahams of Leitchtown to be interred there, the new family burial-place being on the lake side of the parish church of the Port of Menteith. It was a railed-in space, but an extension of the church some years ago took it in, and the bodies of Margaret Napier’s son and grandson, Lairds of Leitchtown, and of certain members of their families, repose beneath the vestibule of the church".
GGGGGGGGM Margaret Graham nee Napier died in 1716 and some family trees list the year of death for Patrick Graham as 1732.
160.6 Grahamstown, Leitchtown & Blairhoyle
The Historic Environment website provides an overview of the history of the Graham family at Leitchtown, Perthshire. "The estate, previously called Leitchtown but originally Blairquhoille, was granted by James V in 1517 to one of the Leitch family (John Leitch of Perth). Through marriage (in 1600's), it later passed to the Grahams, who built a house in the mid-19th century and laid out the designed landscape. In the 1860s it was acquired by A.H. Lee who changed the name back to Blairhoyle. Mr George Crabbie acquired the estate in the 1890s. He planted extensively in the grounds and established the arboretum. The estate was split up in the early 1960s...." and the mansion was demolished.
The extract below from the Macfarlane Family Website provides more information about the location of Grahamstown; "Grahamstown ... is a farm on the estate of the Grahams of Leitchtown, who lived near the Lake of Menteith. Together the lands of Grahamstown, the lands of Blairhoyle and the lands of Leitchtown formed the estate owned by the Grahams of Leitchtown. In modern maps it is shown as the tiny hamlet of Blairhoyle, on the main road between Aberfoyle and Thornhill. It's in the heart of the 'Grahams, Earl of Menteith' country". [Post by Belinda Dettmann 31 Oct 2002 in http://www.genealogy.com]
161.0 Six Children of Patrick Graham (c1665-1732) & Margaret Napier (1663-1716)
Most of the following information comes from 'Burkes Family Records'. Two of Patrick Graham (c1665-?) and Margaret Napier's daughters became GGGGGG Grandparents in our family tree (see below). Three of Patrick’s sons lived in Jamaica, but the eldest son James returned to Scotland to marry and take up his inheritance of the family property.
161.1 James Graham (1695-1775) married Ann Leckie
James Graham was born c1695, but no baptism record has been found. As an adult he became a surgeon and lived in the West Indies, but returned to Scotland, where, in his thirties in 1734, he married Ann Leckie. They had at least seven known children. See 'Burkes Family Records' for more information about James' descendants.
GD1/185/10 dated 1758 is a sasine relating to the lands of Blairquhoyle commonly called Leitchtown and part of the lands of Callimuck (Calziemuck) both lying in the parish of Port and shire of Perth in terms of a bond granted by James Grahame of Leitchtown with consent of Ann Leckie, his wife, in favour of William Grahame of Garturr, William Leckie of Broich, James Forester of (East) Polder (b1701), and Robert Grahame in Shannochile.
James's son John was buried in Port of Menteith in 1810. His gravestone includes details of his parents; James Graham of Leichtown who died in 1775 and his wife Ann Leckie who died in 1795.
161.2 William Graham (1696-?) Moved to Jamaica
William Graham was baptised in Port of Menteith on 25 Jun 1696. According to 'Burkes Family Records' he moved 'abroad'. He probably moved to Jamaica as an adult with his brothers. As no more is known about him, he probably died overseas.
161.3 John Graham (1700-?) Moved to Jamaica
161.3 John Graham (1700-?) Moved to Jamaica
John Graham was baptised on 26 Dec 1700. According to 'Burkes Family Records' he moved to Jamaica as an adult, possibly with his brothers. He married there and had one son. He was said to have died whilst overseas, but the date of death is unknown.
161.4 GGGGGGGM Margaret Graham (1703-?)
Margaret was the fourth child born to Patrick Graham (c1665-?) and Margaret Napier (1663-1716). and was baptiosed on 24 Oct 1703. (See 151.2) At some time in the 1720's (probably when she turned 21) GGGGGGGM Margaret married Robert Forrester. Margaret's younger sister Janet also became a GGGGGGGM in our family tree when she married Colin Innes. Two of their grandchildren (cousins) married to reunite the Innes and Forrester trees. For more information about Robert Forrester and Margaret Graham (see 151.2).
161.5 GGGGGGGM Janet Graham (1709-1772)
161.4 GGGGGGGM Margaret Graham (1703-?)
Margaret was the fourth child born to Patrick Graham (c1665-?) and Margaret Napier (1663-1716). and was baptiosed on 24 Oct 1703. (See 151.2) At some time in the 1720's (probably when she turned 21) GGGGGGGM Margaret married Robert Forrester. Margaret's younger sister Janet also became a GGGGGGGM in our family tree when she married Colin Innes. Two of their grandchildren (cousins) married to reunite the Innes and Forrester trees. For more information about Robert Forrester and Margaret Graham (see 151.2).
161.5 GGGGGGGM Janet Graham (1709-1772)
Janet Graham was baptised on 18 Sep 1709 at Port of Menteith. She was six years younger than her older sister. At some stage Janet Graham met Colin McInnes, who lived 13 miles away at Kilbryde, Dunblane.
Colin and Janet McInnes nee Graham were married on 1 Jun 1731 at Port of Menteith. Their children were Patrick McInnes b18 Mar 1732, GGGGGGF James Innes 1734, Margaret McInnes b5 Mar 1738, Colin McInnes 29 Apr 1743 (died young), Janet McInnes b7 Apr 1746, William McInnes 29 Jan 1749, Colin McInnes 5 Mar 1751 and David McInnes b8 Oct 1755. (See 168.0 for more information about their married lives)
Janet McInnes nee Graham's granddaughter (daughter of son James), GGGGGM Margaret Innes b1771 married John Forrester b1767 and this brought the Innes and Forrester families into our tree.
161.6 Patrick Graham (1712-1780)
Colin and Janet McInnes nee Graham were married on 1 Jun 1731 at Port of Menteith. Their children were Patrick McInnes b18 Mar 1732, GGGGGGF James Innes 1734, Margaret McInnes b5 Mar 1738, Colin McInnes 29 Apr 1743 (died young), Janet McInnes b7 Apr 1746, William McInnes 29 Jan 1749, Colin McInnes 5 Mar 1751 and David McInnes b8 Oct 1755. (See 168.0 for more information about their married lives)
Janet McInnes nee Graham's granddaughter (daughter of son James), GGGGGM Margaret Innes b1771 married John Forrester b1767 and this brought the Innes and Forrester families into our tree.
161.6 Patrick Graham (1712-1780)
Patrick Graham was baptised on 20 Apr 1712. It is possible that Patrick was actually born the previous year as Margaret Graham nee Napier was 48 in 1712. (Baptisms did not always occur in the year of birth). According to 'Burkes Family Records' he moved to London as an adult and became a successful merchant. He died unmarried in 1780.
162.0 Ancestors of GGGGGGGGM Margaret Napier (1663-1716)
162.0 Ancestors of GGGGGGGGM Margaret Napier (1663-1716)
GGGGGGGGM Margaret Napier was the daughter of William Napier of Culcreuch and Elizabeth Houston. Thirty years before her birth, her grandfather GGGGGGGGGGF Robert Napier had bought Culcreuch Castle and Margaret had probably grown up there. Fintry, where she was baptised, was less than a mile from Culreach Castle. Margaret moved 15 miles north with her family to Culnagrean, after her father sold Culcreuch Castle to her Uncle Alexander in 1675.
Whilst living at Culnagrean in 1696, Margaret 33, met then married Patrick Graham who was living about five miles away at Leitchtown (Blairhoyle). They probably met in Port of Menteith which was the local town and about halfway between the two locations. See 161.0 above for more about their married lives and offspring.
NOTE: Patrick and Margaret Graham nee Napier had six known children baptised between 1695 and 1712. If this is correct Margaret Napier was 43 when she had her last daughter (Janet) and 48 when her final baby (Patrick) was baptised in 1712 (Burke)! That age was very rare for a woman to give birth. Margaret’s 1663 birth record listed her parents as William Napier and Elizabeth Houston and other records indicate that Elizabeth died in 1670. Perhaps their daughter Margaret b1663 also died, and William remarried naming his next daughter Margaret. A birth around 1675 would make much more sense but there is no evidence to support this contention!
Sources:
William Napier was the eldest son of Robert Napier and Anna Drummond and was probably born at Culcreuch, sometime after his father purchased the castle in 1632.
William married Elizabeth Houston, daughter of Sir Ludovic Houston of Houston and Margaret Maxwell in 1659. The Houston and Napier families were quite close because William's brother Alexander had married Elizabeth's sister (i.e. two brothers married two sisters).
William and Elizabeth Napier nee Houston had the following children Marion Napier 1660, Elizabeth Napier 1662, GGGGGGGGM Margaret Napier 1663, William Napier 1665, Anna Napier 1666 and Robert Napier 1669. All children were baptised in Fintry, except for last daughter Anna Napier whose birth was registered in 1666 in Dunbarton (24 miles from Port of Menteith).
In the same year as his marriage (1659) 'William Napier of Culcreuch' gave evidence in the trial of the local minister who had been charged with various misdemeanors. William and Thomas Napier (possibly his brother) testified that they had seen the minster clearly drunk at various times. The above extratc is from 'Strathendrick'.
162.1a William Napier (1665-?) Son of William Napier b1635
GD22/1/434 contains documents relating to the son of William Napier b1635, also named William Napier b1665. The documents confirm that the William Napier b1665 sold Culnagrein in 1720 and purchased Easter Rednock in 1729. He married Helen McKison. He also had dealings with Walter Graham of Drunkie the property adjacent to Culnagrein. These documents include:
Whilst living at Culnagrean in 1696, Margaret 33, met then married Patrick Graham who was living about five miles away at Leitchtown (Blairhoyle). They probably met in Port of Menteith which was the local town and about halfway between the two locations. See 161.0 above for more about their married lives and offspring.
NOTE: Patrick and Margaret Graham nee Napier had six known children baptised between 1695 and 1712. If this is correct Margaret Napier was 43 when she had her last daughter (Janet) and 48 when her final baby (Patrick) was baptised in 1712 (Burke)! That age was very rare for a woman to give birth. Margaret’s 1663 birth record listed her parents as William Napier and Elizabeth Houston and other records indicate that Elizabeth died in 1670. Perhaps their daughter Margaret b1663 also died, and William remarried naming his next daughter Margaret. A birth around 1675 would make much more sense but there is no evidence to support this contention!
Sources:
- Strathendrick, and its inhabitants from early times
- https://www.thepeerage.com/p53955.htm#i539548
- http://www2.thesetonfamily.com:8080/gallery/Culcreuch_Castle_History.htm
William Napier was the eldest son of Robert Napier and Anna Drummond and was probably born at Culcreuch, sometime after his father purchased the castle in 1632.
William and Elizabeth Napier nee Houston had the following children Marion Napier 1660, Elizabeth Napier 1662, GGGGGGGGM Margaret Napier 1663, William Napier 1665, Anna Napier 1666 and Robert Napier 1669. All children were baptised in Fintry, except for last daughter Anna Napier whose birth was registered in 1666 in Dunbarton (24 miles from Port of Menteith).
The above extract is from 'The Genealogical Magazine May 1897-1898'. William sold Culcreuch in 1675 to brother Alexander Napier and moved his family to Culnagrein, Port of Menteith Parish. Culnagrein was near Loch Drunkie (8 miles by road, possibly less by horse).
GGGGGGGGGF William Napier died on 16 Jun 1685, killed during Argyll's abortive uprising in support of the Duke of Monmouth and against a Protestant succession. Apparently, this was a tragic case of what today we would call 'killed by friendly fire'!
162.1a William Napier (1665-?) Son of William Napier b1635
GD22/1/434 contains documents relating to the son of William Napier b1635, also named William Napier b1665. The documents confirm that the William Napier b1665 sold Culnagrein in 1720 and purchased Easter Rednock in 1729. He married Helen McKison. He also had dealings with Walter Graham of Drunkie the property adjacent to Culnagrein. These documents include:
- Drumgeneish alias Culnagreine: Progress of the writs of the lands of Drumgeneish sold by William Napier to Nicoll Graham younger of Gartmore, with an Inventory in 1720.
- Obligation by Walter Grahame of Drunkie to render available to William Napier (younger) the two charters necessary for him to make up his title to the said lands in 1708.
- Disposition by John Monteith of Easter Rednock to William Napeir (younger) and Helen McKison, his spouse, of the said lands, 6 December 1729.
Robert was the father of William Napier b1635. Robert was born to John Napier and Agnes Chisholm in 1582 at the family property in Merchiston (Edinburgh). His second marriage was to Anna Drummond and by her he had two known sons named William Napier and Alexander Napier.
The above extract is from Strathendrick by John G Smith published 1896 and informs us that Robert dabbled in the ' occult arts'.
Document GD430/65 dated 1616 was a Contract between John Napier of Merchiston, Agnes Chisholm, his spouse, and Mr Robert Napier, their second son, and Archibald Edmonston of Ballinton, Marjory Edmonston, his spouse, James Edmonston, their son and heir apparent, Alexander Bruce, son of Captain James Bruce in Airth, and Marjory Edmonston, his spouse, whereby the Edmonstons grant to the Napiers the 20 merklands of Boquhapple, in stewartry of Menteith and sheriffdom of Perth, with discharge of previous grant of said lands to John Napier of Merchiston, his spouse and John Napier, their first son.
From the 'Strathendrick' by John G Smith pub 1896. “In 1632 Robert Napier purchased Culcreuch Castle from Alexander Seton of Gargannock and it thereafter remained in the family until 1796. Like his father he had an inquiring mind and had an interest a wide variety of subjects. It was Robert who published his father's work (see below) two years after his father had died”.
From the 'Strathendrick' by John G Smith pub 1896. “In 1632 Robert Napier purchased Culcreuch Castle from Alexander Seton of Gargannock and it thereafter remained in the family until 1796. Like his father he had an inquiring mind and had an interest a wide variety of subjects. It was Robert who published his father's work (see below) two years after his father had died”.
Robert Napier of Kilcroich (Culcreuch) within the Parish of Fintry .... was deceased in month of July 1652
162.3 John Napier (1550-1617) & Agnes Chisholm (?-?) Wikipedia
162.3 John Napier (1550-1617) & Agnes Chisholm (?-?) Wikipedia
NOTE: The Napier, Chisholm and Drummond families have been traced back to the 1300's. (www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/74268499/person/312101861260/facts)
John Napier was the 8th Laird of Merchiston (portrait above). His father was Sir Archibald Napier of Merchiston Castle, and his mother was Janet Bothwell, daughter of the politician and judge Francis Bothwell, and a sister of Adam Bothwell who became the Bishop of Orkney. Archibald Napier was 16 years old when John Napier was born.
John was a child prodigy and became one of Scotland's most famous men. He studied at university at the age of 13, then went to Europe to continue his studies. His main claim to fame is the invention of Logarithms and he also popularised the use of the decimal point. His first wife Elizabeth Stirling delivered at least four children but died in 1579. A few years later John married Agnes Chisholm and by her he had another ten children. Agnes was baptised on 4 May 1558 by her parents James Chisholm and Jean Drummond.
GD430/151 dated 1598 was a Cancelled charter of sale by Archibald Napier, fiar of Merchiston, with consent of John Napier, his father, in favour of Agnes Chisholm, spouse of said John, in liferent, and of John Napier, their first-born son, of annual rent of £100 Scots from lands of Ballat, in dukedom of Lennox and sheriffdom of Dumbarton.
John Napier was the 8th Laird of Merchiston (portrait above). His father was Sir Archibald Napier of Merchiston Castle, and his mother was Janet Bothwell, daughter of the politician and judge Francis Bothwell, and a sister of Adam Bothwell who became the Bishop of Orkney. Archibald Napier was 16 years old when John Napier was born.
John was a child prodigy and became one of Scotland's most famous men. He studied at university at the age of 13, then went to Europe to continue his studies. His main claim to fame is the invention of Logarithms and he also popularised the use of the decimal point. His first wife Elizabeth Stirling delivered at least four children but died in 1579. A few years later John married Agnes Chisholm and by her he had another ten children. Agnes was baptised on 4 May 1558 by her parents James Chisholm and Jean Drummond.
GD430/151 dated 1598 was a Cancelled charter of sale by Archibald Napier, fiar of Merchiston, with consent of John Napier, his father, in favour of Agnes Chisholm, spouse of said John, in liferent, and of John Napier, their first-born son, of annual rent of £100 Scots from lands of Ballat, in dukedom of Lennox and sheriffdom of Dumbarton.
One the children from his second marriage was Robert Napier b1582. It was he who published his father's work two years after his father had died in 1617.
162.4 Culcreuch Castle
162.4 Culcreuch Castle
Culcreuch Castle, once owned by GGGGGGGGGF William Napier and his descendants, now operates as a hotel. The above extract is from the Culcreuch Castle Website.
Culcreuch Castle was built in 1296 by Maurice Galbraith. It was the clan seat of Clan Galbraith from 1320 to 1624, when it was sold to a cousin, Alexander Seton of Gargunnock, to settle a financial debt. In 1632, it was purchased by Robert Napier, a younger son of John Napier, the 8th Laird of Merchiston. The Napier family held the estate for five generations. Robert died in 1652 and ownership passed to his eldest son William Napier c1635. The castle was used to garrison Oliver Cromwell’s troops in 1654.
By 1675 William Napier had sold the castle to his brother Alexander Napier who was married to Marion Houston, a sister of William's wife. The castle passed through the hands of several Napiers in the 1700's, until in 1796, the castle was sold to Alexander Spiers of Glasgow, who built a cotton mill and a distillery in Fintry. It had various owners until 2007, when ownership was transferred to a holding company in Los Angeles, and the property is now managed as a hotel by Robert Reynolds.
NOTE: Much of the information about the Napier Family History, like that above, is taken from the book "Strathendrick" written by John Guthrie Smith and published in 1896
162.5 NAP1 Early Grahams & Napiers
163.0-164.0 Reserved for Future Use
Culcreuch Castle was built in 1296 by Maurice Galbraith. It was the clan seat of Clan Galbraith from 1320 to 1624, when it was sold to a cousin, Alexander Seton of Gargunnock, to settle a financial debt. In 1632, it was purchased by Robert Napier, a younger son of John Napier, the 8th Laird of Merchiston. The Napier family held the estate for five generations. Robert died in 1652 and ownership passed to his eldest son William Napier c1635. The castle was used to garrison Oliver Cromwell’s troops in 1654.
By 1675 William Napier had sold the castle to his brother Alexander Napier who was married to Marion Houston, a sister of William's wife. The castle passed through the hands of several Napiers in the 1700's, until in 1796, the castle was sold to Alexander Spiers of Glasgow, who built a cotton mill and a distillery in Fintry. It had various owners until 2007, when ownership was transferred to a holding company in Los Angeles, and the property is now managed as a hotel by Robert Reynolds.
NOTE: Much of the information about the Napier Family History, like that above, is taken from the book "Strathendrick" written by John Guthrie Smith and published in 1896
162.5 NAP1 Early Grahams & Napiers
163.0-164.0 Reserved for Future Use
INNES & McINNES FAMILY
165.0 Ancestors of Margaret Innes (1771-1842)
GGGGGGP James Innes (1740-1793) and Janet McFarlane (1740-?) were the parents of GGGGGM Margaret Innes (1771-1842). See 166.3.
165.1 GGGGGGP James Innes (1740-1793) & Janet McFarlane (1740-?)
James was born on 13 Oct 1740 and baptised with the name John on 19 Oct 1740. It seems that John later went by the Christian name James. A marriage settlement for son James to Janet McFarlane dated 1766 confirms that James was the son of GGGGGGGF Colin McInnes and a birth in 1740 fits in with a marriage in 1766. In the settlement, Colin ‘made over’ half of his property to son James, who was to inherit the other half on his father's death. James named his first son Colin after his father. See GKang's Ancestry Website for copies of documents.
GGGGGGM Janet Mcfarlane was born 4 miles away on 17 Aug 1740 at Carse of Cambus, Kilmadock, Perthshire. Her parents were GGGGGGGP Robert Macfarlane and Isobel McGibbon. See 104.1 in Part 4: The Macfarlane Tree for more details of their ancestors.
At some point James Innes met Janet Macfarlane 26 and they were married on 15 Nov 1766 at Kilmadock. The record says "James Innes in parish of Dunblane and Janet Macfarlane in this parish (Kilmadock) declared their purpose of marriage and gave to the poor". (It was a tradition that a married couple gave a donation to the poor at the time of their marriage.) "Janet was the eldest lawful daughter of the deceased Robert McFarlane late tenant in Carse of Cambus, married with special advice and consent of John McFarlane eldest lawful son of the said Defunct (deceased father) and her brother." (See 105.1)
At some point James Innes met Janet Macfarlane 26 and they were married on 15 Nov 1766 at Kilmadock. The record says "James Innes in parish of Dunblane and Janet Macfarlane in this parish (Kilmadock) declared their purpose of marriage and gave to the poor". (It was a tradition that a married couple gave a donation to the poor at the time of their marriage.) "Janet was the eldest lawful daughter of the deceased Robert McFarlane late tenant in Carse of Cambus, married with special advice and consent of John McFarlane eldest lawful son of the said Defunct (deceased father) and her brother." (See 105.1)
The couple settled down in Dunblane. James and Janet's nine known child were Janet Innes 1767-?, Isobel Innes 1769-?, GGGGGM Margaret Innes 1771-1842, Colin Innes 1773, James Innes 1774-1792, Peter (Patrick) Innes 1776-1842, Ann Innes 1779-1860, Robert Innes 1780-1839 and John Innes 1782-1860. Daughter GGGGGM Margaret Innes was born on 4 May 1771 and baptised in Dunblane on 19 May 1771. See 166.0 for more about James and Janet McInnes nee Macfarlane's children.
GGGGGGGF James Innes b1740 and brother William Innes b1749 were executors for older brother Patrick (or Peter) Innes' will in 1775. GGGGGGF James Innes possibly died at Kilbryde, Dunblane in 1793, but the date of Janet Innes nee Mcfarlane's death is unknown.
NOTE: www.genealogy.com/forum/Innes/ explains that the Innes family were originally known as McInnes, but at some point, descendants shortened their name.
165.2 Map5 Dunblane, Kilbryde & surrounding hamlets
165.3 Dunblane (from http://www.dunblane.info)
"Dunblane is one of the oldest settlements in Scotland [and a key location for many historical events]. It is worth strolling through the Old Town of Dunblane with its pleasing mixture of 18th century, Victorian and contemporary buildings. It is strung along the Old Great North Road from Bridgend, to the High Street, round the Cathedral, up the Braeport and through Ramoyle. Along this road came the armies of William the Conqueror and Edward 1st, 'The Hammer of the Scots', who told his son, later Edward II, to strip the lead off the roof of the Cathedral to help with the siege of Stirling Castle. Back down the road came the followers of Wallace and Bruce to fight at the Battles of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn."
Several documents place the Innes family as living at the Milne of Kilbryde. Presumably they ran a farm in the vicinity of Kilbryde Castle which is about 2 miles NE on the outskirts of Dunblane. The website saintsplaces has the following description:
“Kilbride parish was not part of Menteith, unlike Dunblane, but in the earldom of Strathearn. The parish territory was that of the barony of Kilbride until at least the seventeenth century, so the lands of the barony as given when purchased by John Stirling in 1662 give an idea of the extent of the parish. They included the farms of Nether Glastry, Dalbrack, Grainston Presumably also the lands of Kilbryde itself, around Kilbryde Castle.”
165.4 Dunblane & Bonnie Prince Charlie
"On 11 September 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie spent a night in Dunblane at Balhaldie House on his way south with his Highland army. Six months later the Duke of Cumberland spent a night in Dunblane while pursuing the Prince and his army which was in retreat. As the Duke was riding past the Leighton Library the next morning a servant girl from Balhaldie House, who had taken a fancy to the Prince, threw a pail of boiling oil over the Duke from the upper window of a house. He was thrown from his horse but not otherwise hurt. She was not caught, probably escaping up the Minnie Burn which runs underground through the centre of Dunblane. If you walk up to St Blane’s Church on your left down a passage way between the houses you will be able to hear and see the Minnie Burn running beneath you."
Colin and Janet McInnes nee Graham were in their forties and had a young family, when the rebel army moved south to Edinburgh through the Dunblane area. They would have been very close to the action then, and again in the following year, when the English army pursued the retreating rebels, who were on their way to the fateful battle at Culloden. To what extent these military activities involved the McInnes is unknown, but armies needed food, and farmers were the best source of that product. After Culloden, economic and social conditions in Scotland; particularly in the highlands, made life very hard. However, the Innes family, like many of our ancestors probably 'weathered the storm' quite well.
165.5 FOR9 Forrester, Graham & Innes Family Tree
166.0 Nine Children of GGGGGGP James Innes (1740-1793) & Janet McFarlane (1740-?)Below are the nine known children born to GGGGGGP James Innes and Janet Macfarlane. Most children seem to have been born on the family farm at Milne of Kilbryde and baptised in the parish of Dunblane. Janet was 41 when she gave birth to her last child in 1782. Most children were named after other family members.
166.1 Janet Innes (1767-?)
Several documents place the Innes family as living at the Milne of Kilbryde. Presumably they ran a farm in the vicinity of Kilbryde Castle which is about 2 miles NE on the outskirts of Dunblane. The website saintsplaces has the following description:
“Kilbride parish was not part of Menteith, unlike Dunblane, but in the earldom of Strathearn. The parish territory was that of the barony of Kilbride until at least the seventeenth century, so the lands of the barony as given when purchased by John Stirling in 1662 give an idea of the extent of the parish. They included the farms of Nether Glastry, Dalbrack, Grainston Presumably also the lands of Kilbryde itself, around Kilbryde Castle.”
165.4 Dunblane & Bonnie Prince Charlie
"On 11 September 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie spent a night in Dunblane at Balhaldie House on his way south with his Highland army. Six months later the Duke of Cumberland spent a night in Dunblane while pursuing the Prince and his army which was in retreat. As the Duke was riding past the Leighton Library the next morning a servant girl from Balhaldie House, who had taken a fancy to the Prince, threw a pail of boiling oil over the Duke from the upper window of a house. He was thrown from his horse but not otherwise hurt. She was not caught, probably escaping up the Minnie Burn which runs underground through the centre of Dunblane. If you walk up to St Blane’s Church on your left down a passage way between the houses you will be able to hear and see the Minnie Burn running beneath you."
Colin and Janet McInnes nee Graham were in their forties and had a young family, when the rebel army moved south to Edinburgh through the Dunblane area. They would have been very close to the action then, and again in the following year, when the English army pursued the retreating rebels, who were on their way to the fateful battle at Culloden. To what extent these military activities involved the McInnes is unknown, but armies needed food, and farmers were the best source of that product. After Culloden, economic and social conditions in Scotland; particularly in the highlands, made life very hard. However, the Innes family, like many of our ancestors probably 'weathered the storm' quite well.
165.5 FOR9 Forrester, Graham & Innes Family Tree
166.0 Nine Children of GGGGGGP James Innes (1740-1793) & Janet McFarlane (1740-?)
166.1 Janet Innes (1767-?)
Janet Innes was born on 20 Oct 1767 and baptised in the parish of Dunblane on 1 Nov 1767 and was named after her mother. She married John Millar of Kilmadock. They had ten children mostly baptised in Kilmadock. On 13 March 1808 Isabel, daughter of John Miller and Janet Innes of Eastertown of Argaty was baptised with Janet’s younger brothers, Peter and Robert Innes of Torrens of Kilbryde as witnesses. In 1810 John Miller and his spouse Janet Innes baptised their daughter Helen at Kilmadock. (see Ancestry family tree of Ingrid Forrester). Janet's date of death is unknown, but she probably died in the early 1800’s.
166.2 Isobel Innes (1769-?)
166.2 Isobel Innes (1769-?)
Isobel Innes was born in Dunblane on 21 Feb 1769 and baptised on 28 Feb 1769 at Dunblane. She was named after her grandmother.
Isobel married Robert Paterson in Dunblane on 18 Dec 1795 (declared intention to marry on 29 Nov 1795). The Paterson family had lived in Frew for many years, and this was where Isobel and her husband settled. Robert and Isobel Paterson nee Innes had ten known children, all baptised in the parish of Kilmadock. The last child was born in 1809 when Isobel was 40 years old with the registration reading as follows, “George, son of Robert Paterson and Isobel Innes of Frew”. Isobel's date of death is unknown.
166.3 GGGGGM Margaret Innes (1771-1842)
Margaret was the third daughter born to GGGGGGP James Innes and Janet Macfarlane. She was named after her father's sister. According to the record above she was born on 4 May 1771 and baptised at Dunblane on 19 May 1771, by her father James Innes of [Milne of] Kilbryde. Margaret probably spent her childhood years at Dunblane until at the age of 20 on 29 Jan 1791 she married GGGGGP John Forrester (1767-1839) at Kilmadock. Dunblane was about 10 miles from Bridge of Frew. See 156.0 above for more about her married life. 
166.3 GGGGGM Margaret Innes (1771-1842)
166.4 Colin Innes (1773-1773)
Colin Innes was the first son born to GGGGGGP James and Janet Innes nee Macfarlane on 22 Jan 1773 and baptised at Dunblane two days later on 24 Jan 1773. He was named after his grandfather. Only his father was listed on the baptism registration. Colin was named after his uncle b1751 and grandfather Colin McInnes b1704. There are no other records relating to Colin, so I assume he died at a young age.
166.5 James Innes (1774-1792)
166.5 James Innes (1774-1792)
James was born to GGGGGGP James Innes and Janet Macfarlane at Milne of Kilbryde, Dunblane and named after his father. As no more records have been found, he may have died as a child, but some family trees list 1792 as his year of death.
166.6 Peter (Patrick) Innes (1776-1842)
166.7 Ann Innes (1779-1860)
John and Ann Stewart nee Innes were living at Glastry in the 1840's and 1850's. The 1841 census lists the family as, John Stewart 60, farmer, Ann 60, Margaret 25, Alexander 23 student of philosophy and Ann 18. In 1851 John 70 and Ann 72 were still in Glastry, farming 80 acres and living with daughter Ann 27 and three servants.
his wife Ann Stewart nee Innes aged 80, died on 27 Mar 1860. The stone was erected by their three daughters Janet, Margaret and Anne. An adjacent headstone (right) is for John and Anne’s only son, Alex Stewart, minister, who died unmarried eleven years before his father in June 1847, aged 29.
166.8 Robert Innes (1780-1839)
An Inventory testament was lodged by John Innes, farmer at Blenboard (one of “Robert’s next of kin and executor”) in 1840. It stated that Robert Innes, farmer at Tenandry (tenant) of Milne of Kilbryde died on 3rd Nov 1839. As there is there was no mention of a wife or children it is very likely that Robert was unmarried. John Innes was Robert’s younger brother (below). Robert’s assets included household furniture, a thrashing mill, cash, a cow and several debts owed to him. The total value was £244.
166.9 John Innes (1782-1860)
John was born and baptised at Dunblane on 11 Aug 1782 and was named after his mother's brother.
166.9 John Innes (1782-1860)
On 5 Dec 1840 John Innes 58 married Janet McAlpan 31 at Dunblane. They had at least six children; all born in Dunblane. The children were James Innes1842-1914, Robert Innes1843-1873, Margaret Innes 1847-?, John Innes 1851-?, Peter Innes 1854-1936 and Jessie Innes 1857-1865.
John was living on his own farm at Blenboard, Dunblane, before 1840 when he acted as the executor for brother Robert’ will. In 1851 the census recorded that John was a farmer of 20 acres at Blenboard in the Kilbryde district and was employing one woman. Residing at the house were his wife and four young children.
John Innes aged 78 died on 23 Mar 1860 at Kilbryde. Witness to John's death certificate was his wife Janet Innes nee McAlpan.
167.0 GGGGGGGP Colin McInnes/Innes (1704-1772) & Janet Graham (1709-?)
Colin Innes or McInnes was born at Milne of Kilbryde on 18 Aug 1704 and baptised at nearby Dunblane on 20 Aug 1704. His father was Patrick McInnes. At some stage Colin met Janet Graham who lived 13 miles away at Culnagrean, near Port of Menteith (See 161.5).
There are not many records of his life events, but below is an edited version of a note on GKang’s Ancestry Website including some of the wording in Colin McInnes’ son’s marriage settlement.
"Colin McInnes or Innes was the son of Patrick McInnes and a tenant farmer in Miln of Kilbryde. Colin married Jenat [Janet] Graham in Port of Monteith on 1 Jun 1731, the daughter of Patrick Graham and Margaret Napier and sister of Margaret Graham, who married Robert Forrester of Frew. Colin was prosperous enough for his daughters to be literate, his children to have marriage agreements and for a son to become a Minister. The first of his children was baptised in 1732 when Colin was 28, the youngest in 1755 when he was 51. Baptisms of his children record simply his name and two male witnesses.… "
John was living on his own farm at Blenboard, Dunblane, before 1840 when he acted as the executor for brother Robert’ will. In 1851 the census recorded that John was a farmer of 20 acres at Blenboard in the Kilbryde district and was employing one woman. Residing at the house were his wife and four young children.
John Innes aged 78 died on 23 Mar 1860 at Kilbryde. Witness to John's death certificate was his wife Janet Innes nee McAlpan.
167.0 GGGGGGGP Colin McInnes/Innes (1704-1772) & Janet Graham (1709-?)
There are not many records of his life events, but below is an edited version of a note on GKang’s Ancestry Website including some of the wording in Colin McInnes’ son’s marriage settlement.
"Colin McInnes or Innes was the son of Patrick McInnes and a tenant farmer in Miln of Kilbryde. Colin married Jenat [Janet] Graham in Port of Monteith on 1 Jun 1731, the daughter of Patrick Graham and Margaret Napier and sister of Margaret Graham, who married Robert Forrester of Frew. Colin was prosperous enough for his daughters to be literate, his children to have marriage agreements and for a son to become a Minister. The first of his children was baptised in 1732 when Colin was 28, the youngest in 1755 when he was 51. Baptisms of his children record simply his name and two male witnesses.… "
Colin McInnes and Janet Graham's nine children were Patrick or Peter McInnes 1732-1775, Margaret McInnes 1738, GGGGGGF James/John McInnes 1740, Colin McInnes 1743 (died young), Janet McInnes 1746, William McInnes 1749, Colin McInnes 1751 and David McInnes 1755. Janet McInnes was 46 when her last child was born.
In 1766, Colin McInnes was a signatory to the marriage settlement of son James to Janet McFarlane, making over half of his property to James, who was to inherit the other half on his father's death. The agreement recorded “In Contemplation of Marriage, the said Colin McInnes hereby not only Binds and Obliges him, his heirs, executors, Successors ….immediately after solemnizing the said Marriage All and Hail the sum of fifty pounds Sterling money with ten pounds money ….and annual rent thereafter during the net payment of the same. But also hereby Provides Assigns and Disposes to the said James Innes the just and equal half of all and sundry Goods, Gear, Cattle, horse, sheep, Crops of growing Corns … presently upon the possession at Miln of Kilbryde ….. And after the decease of the said Colin McInnes, he hereby Provides Assigns and Disposes to the said James his son, the other Just and equal half of the foresaid Goods Gear and Possessions above mentioned ……"'
Colin Innes died on 16 Jan 1772 and was buried in Kilbryde. The grave inscription also includes the date 1774 and the initials CIG. (From GKang's Ancestry Website. The will confirms that GGGGGGGP Colin and Janet Innes nee Graham spent their lives at Milne of Kilbryde.
167.1 Patrick McInnes (c1660-1738) & Janet Buchanan (c1664-c1738)
Much of the information below is from an article on GKang's Ancestry website.
Patrick McInnes was a farmer born around 1660. He married Janet Buchanan on 28 Sep 1685, and they lived at Milne of Kilbryde for the rest of their married lives. Going by the marriage date and the birth dates of her children, Janet would have been born around 1664.
"Patrick had at least four children baptised in Dunblane between 1697 and 1708, listed just as 'the son or daughter of Patrick McInnes'. The witnesses to the baptisms were Robert Sharp, James Sharp and Andrew Lennox. In line with Scottish tradition of the time, they are likely to have been either uncles or other close relatives or else close family friends."
Dunblane baptisms for Patrick's children listed on the 'Scotlands People Website' include Margaret McInnes 11 Apr 1703, GGGGGGGF Colin McInnes 20 Aug 1704 and John McInnes 4 Jul 1708.
Patrick McInnes is also recorded as a witness on 24 Apr.1705 of the baptism of Jean Mitchell, daughter of John Mitchell of Kilbryde and on 14 Jul 1711 of Cybilla, daughter of Edward Baxter of Kilbryde, the other witness being Walter Lennox of Kilbryde. Dunblane parish registers also record the baptisms of five children to John McInnes of Watson between 1682 and 1697, possibly either the brother or father of Patrick McInnes.
Patrick McInnes’s will was proven on 12 Jan 1738 in Dunblane. It was listed as the will of Patrick McInnes of Miln of Kilbryde and Janet Buchanan, spouses.
In 1766, Colin McInnes was a signatory to the marriage settlement of son James to Janet McFarlane, making over half of his property to James, who was to inherit the other half on his father's death. The agreement recorded “In Contemplation of Marriage, the said Colin McInnes hereby not only Binds and Obliges him, his heirs, executors, Successors ….immediately after solemnizing the said Marriage All and Hail the sum of fifty pounds Sterling money with ten pounds money ….and annual rent thereafter during the net payment of the same. But also hereby Provides Assigns and Disposes to the said James Innes the just and equal half of all and sundry Goods, Gear, Cattle, horse, sheep, Crops of growing Corns … presently upon the possession at Miln of Kilbryde ….. And after the decease of the said Colin McInnes, he hereby Provides Assigns and Disposes to the said James his son, the other Just and equal half of the foresaid Goods Gear and Possessions above mentioned ……"'
Colin Innes died on 16 Jan 1772 and was buried in Kilbryde. The grave inscription also includes the date 1774 and the initials CIG. (From GKang's Ancestry Website. The will confirms that GGGGGGGP Colin and Janet Innes nee Graham spent their lives at Milne of Kilbryde.
167.1 Patrick McInnes (c1660-1738) & Janet Buchanan (c1664-c1738)
Much of the information below is from an article on GKang's Ancestry website.
"Patrick had at least four children baptised in Dunblane between 1697 and 1708, listed just as 'the son or daughter of Patrick McInnes'. The witnesses to the baptisms were Robert Sharp, James Sharp and Andrew Lennox. In line with Scottish tradition of the time, they are likely to have been either uncles or other close relatives or else close family friends."
Dunblane baptisms for Patrick's children listed on the 'Scotlands People Website' include Margaret McInnes 11 Apr 1703, GGGGGGGF Colin McInnes 20 Aug 1704 and John McInnes 4 Jul 1708.
Patrick McInnes is also recorded as a witness on 24 Apr.1705 of the baptism of Jean Mitchell, daughter of John Mitchell of Kilbryde and on 14 Jul 1711 of Cybilla, daughter of Edward Baxter of Kilbryde, the other witness being Walter Lennox of Kilbryde. Dunblane parish registers also record the baptisms of five children to John McInnes of Watson between 1682 and 1697, possibly either the brother or father of Patrick McInnes.
Their son Colin McInnes was nominated as "the only executor dative and nearest in kin to the said defunct his mother and father ..."
167.2 Milne of Kilbryde
Generations of the Innes family farmed at 'Milne of Kilbryde'. This appears to be a farming area in the vicinity of Kilbryde Castle about one mile NW of Dunblane. According to the 'The Dictionary of the Scots Language', 'milne' was a term referring to a mill or a grain farming area; specifically corn. We know the Innes family were farmers, so their main crop would have probably been grain or corn, which would have been milled at the local mill. Power for the mill would have come from a stream, so it was probably located on Ardoch Burn which flows through the area.
The Innes' property was probably close to Nether Glastry which is mentioned in several documents.
168.0 Eight children of GGGGGGGP Colin McInnes/Innes (1704-1772) & Janet Graham (1709-?)
The parish baptism records held by 'Scotlands People' list all children by the full surname 'McInnes' with only their father's name on the record. All baptisms were listed in the Dunblane Parish but would have occurred at the local church. Most of Colin McInnes' children seem to have adopted the shorter version of their surname in later life and went by the name 'Innes'. This may have been a result of the aftermath from the Culloden rebellion. After 1746 symbols of Scottish nationalism were not looked on favorably by the government and the dropping of the prefix ‘Mc‘ may have been a way of ‘anglicizing’ the surname so the family could distance themselves from the rebels.
168.1 Patrick or Peter McInnes (1732-1775)
Patrick, or Peter as he was later known, was born on 18 Mar 1732 at Milne of Kilbryde and baptised 26 Mar 1732 and was named after his two grandfathers. He became a minister at Kippen. Peter died at the relatively young age of 43 and the text from the inventory of assets for his will can be found on GKang's Ancestry Website.
Peter Innes died at Kippen in Feb 1775 with the value of his assets given as £430. Patrick seemed to have extensive land holdings and owned various quantities of grain or meal. Executors were his brothers James Innes b1734 and William Innes b1749.
168.2 Margaret McInnes (1738-?)
Margaret was born at Milne of Kilbryde on 5 Mar 1738 and baptised on 12 Mar 1738. She was named after her grandmother. As no more is known about her life she may have died at a young age.
168.3 GGGGGGF James/John McInnes (1740-1793)
James/John was born on 13 Oct 1740 and baptised on 19 Oct 1740. He was named after an uncle (his mother's brother). No other records refer to John McInnes. However, as James and John were names that were often associated with the same person, it seems that John later went by the Christian name James. A marriage settlement for son James to Janet McFarlane dated 1766 confirms that James was the son of GGGGGGGF Colin McInnes and a birth in 1740 fits in with a marriage in 1766. In the settlement, Colin ‘made over’ half of his property to James, who was to inherit the other half on his father's death. James named his first son Colin after his father. See 166.0 for more information about James Innes and his family and GKang's Ancestry Website for copies of documents.
168.4 Colin McInnes (1743-c1750)
167.2 Milne of Kilbryde
Generations of the Innes family farmed at 'Milne of Kilbryde'. This appears to be a farming area in the vicinity of Kilbryde Castle about one mile NW of Dunblane. According to the 'The Dictionary of the Scots Language', 'milne' was a term referring to a mill or a grain farming area; specifically corn. We know the Innes family were farmers, so their main crop would have probably been grain or corn, which would have been milled at the local mill. Power for the mill would have come from a stream, so it was probably located on Ardoch Burn which flows through the area.
The Innes' property was probably close to Nether Glastry which is mentioned in several documents.
168.0 Eight children of GGGGGGGP Colin McInnes/Innes (1704-1772) & Janet Graham (1709-?)
The parish baptism records held by 'Scotlands People' list all children by the full surname 'McInnes' with only their father's name on the record. All baptisms were listed in the Dunblane Parish but would have occurred at the local church. Most of Colin McInnes' children seem to have adopted the shorter version of their surname in later life and went by the name 'Innes'. This may have been a result of the aftermath from the Culloden rebellion. After 1746 symbols of Scottish nationalism were not looked on favorably by the government and the dropping of the prefix ‘Mc‘ may have been a way of ‘anglicizing’ the surname so the family could distance themselves from the rebels.
168.1 Patrick or Peter McInnes (1732-1775)
Peter Innes died at Kippen in Feb 1775 with the value of his assets given as £430. Patrick seemed to have extensive land holdings and owned various quantities of grain or meal. Executors were his brothers James Innes b1734 and William Innes b1749.
168.2 Margaret McInnes (1738-?)
168.3 GGGGGGF James/John McInnes (1740-1793)
168.4 Colin McInnes (1743-c1750)
Colin was born on 29 Apr 1743 and baptised in May 1743 and named after his father. We know he died at a young age because his parents had another son born in 1751, who they named Colin after his deceased brother and his father.
168.5 Janet McInnes (1746-1812) From GKang's Ancestry website
Janet was born in Kilbryde on 7 Apr 1746 and named after her mother. Her father had died in 1772, so when she married John Wright in 1776, her oldest surviving brother, GGGGGGF James Innes had to give his consent (see below). A witness at the wedding was GGGGGGF John Forrester of Wester Frew b1732 (sometimes known as John Forrester of Ashentree). John Forrester b1732 was cousin to Janet's father John Innes b1740 (their mothers were sisters). The Innes family of Kilbryde and the Forrester family of Frew were both in our tree and in 1791 John's son John Forrester b1767 would marry Janet's niece GGGGGM Margaret Innes b1771.
John and Janet Wright nee Innes had five children; all born in nearby Logie; Janet Wright 1780-?, Beatrix Wright 1782-?, David Wright 1784-1856, John Wright 1787-1870 and Colin Wright 1789-1875. The last child was born when Janet was 43
Janet died at the age of 65 on 25 Feb 1812. She was buried at Logie with her husband and three of her children. Logie is near the present-day University Of Stirling, about seven miles from Kilbryde
168.6 William McInnes (1749-?)
168.5 Janet McInnes (1746-1812) From GKang's Ancestry website
Janet died at the age of 65 on 25 Feb 1812. She was buried at Logie with her husband and three of her children. Logie is near the present-day University Of Stirling, about seven miles from Kilbryde
168.6 William McInnes (1749-?)
William was born on 29 Jan 1749 and baptised on 5 Feb 1749 and named after an uncle (his mother's brother). William was an executor for his older brother Patrick's will in 1775, so we know he reached adulthood, but no more is known about his life.
168.7 Colin McInnes (1751-?)
Colin was born on 6 Mar 1751 and baptised on 10 Mar 1751. He was named after his father and a deceased brother born a few years earlier. No more is known about his life.
168.8 David McInnes (1755-?)
David was born on 8 Oct 1755 and baptised on 10 Oct 1755, but no more is known about his life.
169.0 Henry Campbell Bannerman (1836-1908) Prime Minister of U.K.
168.7 Colin McInnes (1751-?)
168.8 David McInnes (1755-?)
169.0 Henry Campbell Bannerman (1836-1908) Prime Minister of U.K.
Henry Campbell Bannerman (1836-1908) was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1905-1908. He died at 10 Downing St on 22 Apr 1908. He was a "genial and popular politician .... and proved to be much more shrewd and determined than his apparently more talented rivals in both parties....... He was a "A typical Lowland Scot" ......and led his party to its greatest electoral victory in 1906.....Indeed, throughout his career he derived strength from his capacity to foster the confidence of radical Liberals for his loyal advocacy of progressive causes including women's suffrage, Labour representation, and Scottish devolution..." (from www.encyclopedia.com)
Prime Minister Henry Campbell Bannerman; was grandson of Helen Forrester b1763, sister of GGGGGF John Forrester b1767.
The Edward Davies website lists the ancestors of PM Henry Campbell Bannerman and I have shown how it relates to the early history of our family tree. See 169.5.
169.1 Mysterious McOran-Campbells
There are many articles online about the McOran family and their origins. The website www.glasgowwestaddress.co.uk/100_Glasgow_Men/ includes the following information.
“About the year 1660, a young Campbell of Melfort, in Argyllshire, who had got into trouble at home, came to the Menteith district under the assumed name of McCoran or McOran. He was received into service by the Earl of Menteith, who knew his history, and was soon appointed to the charge of the Earl's household. He afterwards married a niece (Nancy) of Haldane of Lanrick, and was settled by the Earl on the farm of Inchanoch. There he and his descendants lived, bearing in Menteith the name of McOran”
Another detailed article about the family is by Malcolm Lobban and can found at www.valeofleven. According to this article the first known son born to Nancy Haldane was James McOran 1709-1775. He married Janet McKercher and held a lease from Graham of Gartmore. His first son also named James McOran was born in 1753 and married Helen, daughter of John Forrester of Frew.
Although Malcolm Lobban outlines this version of the McOran ancestral story in detail, he also outlines an alternative theory that early McOrans originated in the parish of Port. In any case, documents do show that James McOran was born in 1753 and married Helen, daughter of John Forrester of Frew.
169.2 James McOran (1753-?) & Helen Forrester (1763-?)
Prime Minister Henry Campbell Bannerman; was grandson of Helen Forrester b1763, sister of GGGGGF John Forrester b1767.
The Edward Davies website lists the ancestors of PM Henry Campbell Bannerman and I have shown how it relates to the early history of our family tree. See 169.5.
169.1 Mysterious McOran-Campbells
There are many articles online about the McOran family and their origins. The website www.glasgowwestaddress.co.uk/100_Glasgow_Men/ includes the following information.
“About the year 1660, a young Campbell of Melfort, in Argyllshire, who had got into trouble at home, came to the Menteith district under the assumed name of McCoran or McOran. He was received into service by the Earl of Menteith, who knew his history, and was soon appointed to the charge of the Earl's household. He afterwards married a niece (Nancy) of Haldane of Lanrick, and was settled by the Earl on the farm of Inchanoch. There he and his descendants lived, bearing in Menteith the name of McOran”
Another detailed article about the family is by Malcolm Lobban and can found at www.valeofleven. According to this article the first known son born to Nancy Haldane was James McOran 1709-1775. He married Janet McKercher and held a lease from Graham of Gartmore. His first son also named James McOran was born in 1753 and married Helen, daughter of John Forrester of Frew.
Although Malcolm Lobban outlines this version of the McOran ancestral story in detail, he also outlines an alternative theory that early McOrans originated in the parish of Port. In any case, documents do show that James McOran was born in 1753 and married Helen, daughter of John Forrester of Frew.
169.2 James McOran (1753-?) & Helen Forrester (1763-?)
James McOran was baptised in 1753 by his parents James McOran and Janet McKercher at Port of Menteith. James McOran 32 (later Campbell) b1753 married Helen Forrester 22 (b1763) in 1785 at Port of Menteith. She was the sister of GGGGGF John Forester (b1767). James and Helen McOran nee Forrester had nine known children; John McOran 1786, Helen McOran 1788, James McOran 1790 (See below), Alexander McOran 1792, William McOran 1794, Mary McOran 1795, Janet McOran 1797, Margaret McOran 1800 and Elizabeth McOran 1802. All children were baptised in Port of Menteith.
James McOran and Helen Forrester gave up their farm lease and moved to Glasgow in 1805. On arriving at their new location, family members reverted to the surname Campbell. James McOran or Campbell died in 1781, but the date of death of Helen McOran nee Forrester is not known. Helen is thought to have died in the 1820's. For more about Helen Forrester's early life see 155.5.
NOTE: It was Helen Forrester's grandson, Henry Campbell Bannerman (1836-1908), who became Prime Minister of the U.K. (See 169.4)
169.3 Sir James Campbell of Stracathro (1790-1876) Son of Helen Forrester b1763
James McOran was born on the farm at Inchanoch, in Port of Menteith and baptised on 5 Jun 1790. His parents were James and Helen Campbell nee Forrester in 1790.
James' family moved to Glasgow in the early 1800's, and the family took up the surname 'Campbell'. As an adult James became involved with several business enterprises including "J & W Campbell & Co", a retail drapery and dry goods company, which he developed in 1817 with his two brothers. In 1837 and 1841 he unsuccessfully stood as a conservative candidate in the British elections.
James Cambell, 32 old merchant of Glasgow, married Janet Bannerman 17 Jan 1822 in Manchester Cathedral. The book 'Angus or Forfarshire' published in 1885 has several paragraphs about James Campbell. Their youngest child was Henry Bannerman Campbell who became Prime Minister of Britain (See above).
A reader of this blog named Lauren kindly alerted me to another website, https://landedfamilies.blogspot.com, which contains much more information about the extended Bannerman family including the following, “Janet Bannerman (1791-1873), born at Tullibardine, 7 July 1791; married, 17 January 1822, Sir James Campbell (1790-1876) of Stracathro, Lord Provost of Glasgow, 1840-43, and had issue two sons and four daughters (including Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman (1836-1908), the future Prime Minister”.
James Campbell was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1842 and purchased the Stracathro Estate in Angus in 1847. Sir James Campbell kept in contact with his Forrester cousins. In 1856 James was a joint executor for the will of cousin James Forrester b1802. The other two executors were William Campbell (James' brother) and GGGF Alexander Macfarlan. Sir James Campbell died on 19 Sep 1876 aged 86.
169.4 James Alexander Campbell (1825-1908); brother of PM Henry Campbell Bannerman (Adapted from Wikipedia)
James Alexander Campbell was a son of Sir James Campbell of Stracathro and his wife Janet Bannerman of Manchester. His father established the firm J & W Campbell, wholesale merchants and was Lord Provost of Glasgow between 1840 and 1843. Campbell was educated at Glasgow High School and Glasgow University and became a partner in the family firm of J & W Campbell. On the death of his father in 1876 he inherited the Stracathro estate near Brechin of some 4,000 acres (16 km2). In 1880, Campbell was elected Member of Parliament for Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities and held the seat until 1906. As a Conservative he was opposed to the policies of his brother, Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Liberal prime minister from 1905 to 1908.
Campbell married in 1854, Ann Peto, daughter of Sir S. Morton Peto, Bt. a railway contractor, and they had one son and three daughters. He died at Stracathro at the age of 83 after a lingering illness, a fortnight later than his brother.
169.5 Henry Bannerman Family Tree
NOTE: It was Helen Forrester's grandson, Henry Campbell Bannerman (1836-1908), who became Prime Minister of the U.K. (See 169.4)
169.3 Sir James Campbell of Stracathro (1790-1876) Son of Helen Forrester b1763
James McOran was born on the farm at Inchanoch, in Port of Menteith and baptised on 5 Jun 1790. His parents were James and Helen Campbell nee Forrester in 1790.
James' family moved to Glasgow in the early 1800's, and the family took up the surname 'Campbell'. As an adult James became involved with several business enterprises including "J & W Campbell & Co", a retail drapery and dry goods company, which he developed in 1817 with his two brothers. In 1837 and 1841 he unsuccessfully stood as a conservative candidate in the British elections.
James Cambell, 32 old merchant of Glasgow, married Janet Bannerman 17 Jan 1822 in Manchester Cathedral. The book 'Angus or Forfarshire' published in 1885 has several paragraphs about James Campbell. Their youngest child was Henry Bannerman Campbell who became Prime Minister of Britain (See above).
A reader of this blog named Lauren kindly alerted me to another website, https://landedfamilies.blogspot.com, which contains much more information about the extended Bannerman family including the following, “Janet Bannerman (1791-1873), born at Tullibardine, 7 July 1791; married, 17 January 1822, Sir James Campbell (1790-1876) of Stracathro, Lord Provost of Glasgow, 1840-43, and had issue two sons and four daughters (including Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman (1836-1908), the future Prime Minister”.
James Campbell was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1842 and purchased the Stracathro Estate in Angus in 1847. Sir James Campbell kept in contact with his Forrester cousins. In 1856 James was a joint executor for the will of cousin James Forrester b1802. The other two executors were William Campbell (James' brother) and GGGF Alexander Macfarlan. Sir James Campbell died on 19 Sep 1876 aged 86.
169.4 James Alexander Campbell (1825-1908); brother of PM Henry Campbell Bannerman (Adapted from Wikipedia)
James Alexander Campbell was a son of Sir James Campbell of Stracathro and his wife Janet Bannerman of Manchester. His father established the firm J & W Campbell, wholesale merchants and was Lord Provost of Glasgow between 1840 and 1843. Campbell was educated at Glasgow High School and Glasgow University and became a partner in the family firm of J & W Campbell. On the death of his father in 1876 he inherited the Stracathro estate near Brechin of some 4,000 acres (16 km2). In 1880, Campbell was elected Member of Parliament for Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities and held the seat until 1906. As a Conservative he was opposed to the policies of his brother, Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Liberal prime minister from 1905 to 1908.
Campbell married in 1854, Ann Peto, daughter of Sir S. Morton Peto, Bt. a railway contractor, and they had one son and three daughters. He died at Stracathro at the age of 83 after a lingering illness, a fortnight later than his brother.
169.5 Henry Bannerman Family Tree
The Forresters had owned land in the Culbeg and Culmore area from at least 1509. The two main sources used are:
• Red Books of Scotland Vol. 4 (RB)
• NAS Records held by National Records of Scotland (NAS)
• Red Books of Scotland Vol. 4 (RB)
• NAS Records held by National Records of Scotland (NAS)
170.1 Duncan Forrester of Culmore & Polder (c1540-c1599)
According to document GD15/271 Duncan and his first wife Elizabeth Shaw gained the property in 1569. Document GD3/1/1/31/22 dated 1590 mentions Duncan’s second wife Margaret Maxwell and GD15/273 is a 1594 Charter to Duncan Forrester of Polder and Margaret Maxwell, his wife, in liferent, and Walter Forrester, his son and heir, in fee, of said lands. In 1596 a royal letter (GD124/6/39) also mentions Duncan Forrester of Culmore and his sons.
170.2 Walter Forrester of Culmore (c1570-c1650) & Giles Seaton (c1570-c1629)
Walter married Giles Seaton around 1595. She bore him one known son in the late 1500’s and she died in the late 1620’s. In 1622 a Charter by Walter Forrester of Culmoir to James Forrester, his son, and the heirs male between him (James) and Alison Seton, his (James’) future wife, of said lands, reserving to said Walter the liferent of said lands (GD15/277). In 1629 GD15/278 was a Renunciation by Thomas Buchanane of Ballochrune of lands granted to him by said Walter Forrester, deceased Giles Seton, his wife, and James Forrester, their son. In 1649 Walter passed Culmore on to his grandson James Forrester the younger c1623 as James Forrester the elder was deceased.
170.3 James Forrester elder of Culmore c1595-c1631 & Alison Seaton
James the elder married Alison Seaton at Gargunnock in Oct 1622 (Wiki). They had four known children, James Forrester (the younger) c1623, Robert Forrester c1625 (later of Wester Polder), Grisel Forrester 1625 and Geillis Forrester 1627. The latter two were baptised at Gargunnock (Scots People). GD15/277 contains a 1622 (marriage) Charter by Walter Forrester of Culmoir to James Forrester (the elder), his son, and the heirs male between him (James) and Alison Seton, his future wife, of said lands, reserving to said Walter (his father) liferent of said lands. In 1632 Alison Seytoun [Seaton] was described as the relict (widow) of James Forrester, fiar of Culmoir. According to document GD15/271 Duncan and his first wife Elizabeth Shaw gained the property in 1569. Document GD3/1/1/31/22 dated 1590 mentions Duncan’s second wife Margaret Maxwell and GD15/273 is a 1594 Charter to Duncan Forrester of Polder and Margaret Maxwell, his wife, in liferent, and Walter Forrester, his son and heir, in fee, of said lands. In 1596 a royal letter (GD124/6/39) also mentions Duncan Forrester of Culmore and his sons.
170.2 Walter Forrester of Culmore (c1570-c1650) & Giles Seaton (c1570-c1629)
Walter married Giles Seaton around 1595. She bore him one known son in the late 1500’s and she died in the late 1620’s. In 1622 a Charter by Walter Forrester of Culmoir to James Forrester, his son, and the heirs male between him (James) and Alison Seton, his (James’) future wife, of said lands, reserving to said Walter the liferent of said lands (GD15/277). In 1629 GD15/278 was a Renunciation by Thomas Buchanane of Ballochrune of lands granted to him by said Walter Forrester, deceased Giles Seton, his wife, and James Forrester, their son. In 1649 Walter passed Culmore on to his grandson James Forrester the younger c1623 as James Forrester the elder was deceased.
170.3 James Forrester elder of Culmore c1595-c1631 & Alison Seaton
170.4 MAP of Frew, Polder & Culmore
170.5 FOR1 Forresters of Culmore & Polder
171.0 Forresters of Culmore: Descendants of James Forrester the Elder c1623
The early Forresters of Culmore also owned Culbeg and Easter and Wester Polder. Over the years these properties passed backwards and forwards between various branches of the family, and over the years the latter properties were sold off. However the extended Forrester family held on to Culmore up until the mid 1800’s.
The early Forresters of Culmore also owned Culbeg and Easter and Wester Polder. Over the years these properties passed backwards and forwards between various branches of the family, and over the years the latter properties were sold off. However the extended Forrester family held on to Culmore up until the mid 1800’s.
171.1 James Forrester younger of Culmore & Easter Polder c1623-c1685
In 1647 James Forrester, apparent of Culmoir, as heir of said James Forrester, his father, in said lands, reserving liferent of said lands to said Walter Forrester, his grandfather (GD15/279). 1649 Renunciation by Walter Forrester of Culmoir to James Forrester, fiar of Culmoir, his grandson, of his liferent of said lands, and said James binds himself to entertain said Walter at bed and board and to pay him yearly £20 Scots (GD15/284).
James married Unknown around 1655 and had two known sons who moved to Edinburgh. They were David Forrester of Culmore c1660 who became a writer and had a charter for Culmore in 1681 and Robert Forrester c1655 apprenticed as a tailor in Edinburgh (RB). Prior to the birth of his sons in 1648, James assigned Culmore to his brother Robert (Red Book). This was confirmed by GD15/289 in 1656 and in 1662 (SIG1/55/51). Bond in 1672 by James Forrester of Easter Polder that in terms of the Feu Charter granted to him he shall fulfil his yearly obligations (GD15/270).
In 1682, a supporter of the Convenanters in the battle at Bothwell Bridge (1679), James Ure of Shirgarton of Kippen, “along with a number of others - several from Kippen parish - was formally tried (in absence). The indictment charged him and the rest with the murder of two soldiers …. Millar, the boatman at Ford of Frew, was the only witness cited against him. The Lords found the libel fully proved, and adjudged him with the others: "to be executed to the death as traitors, when they shall be apprehended; their names, memory, and honours to be extinct - that their posterity may never have place nor be able to bruik or joyse any honour, office, etc, and to have forfaulted all and sundry their lands, etc."
The Privy Council had received a list of heritors in Western Stirlingshire who had been at Bothwell Bridge. Here we find James Ure, of Shirgarton; David Forrester, of Kilmore (Culmore is in Gargunnock parish); Alexander Buchanan, Fiar of Buchlyvie and others (Forrester family history).
Instrument of Disposition and Assignation in 1684 by James Forrester of Easter Polder to Harry Dow of Wester Polder. (GD15/303). Harry/Henry had already gained Wester Polder in 1664 from James’ brother Robert Forrester c1625 (see 172.1).
171.2 David Forrester (c1660-1722) Writer of Culmore. 1st Son of James c1623
David was born around 1660 and moved to Edinburgh where he became a writer. He married Unknown and had one known child named Margaret Forrester. His wife was possibly Margaret Gillespie in which case daughter Margaret was born in 1681 in South Leith. In 1681 David’s cousin David c1650 (son of uncle Robert) regained the lands of Culmoir (SIG1/56/27). This transaction may have been an attempt by the family to retain Culmore as Robert’s son David c1650 had joined the Coventers at the battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679 and in the early 1680;’s was a fugitive. The list of wanted men specifically excluded David Forrester “sometimes of Culmore and a writer in Edinburgh”. Documents dated 1686 (GD141/278), 1688 (GD141/278) and 1690 (GD141/288) confirm that David Forrester of Culmore was a writer in Edinburgh.
In 1704 Culmore lands were sold it to James Renton (SIG1/139/10), but part of property was retained by the family and passed on to daughter Margaret (RB). David Forrester died in 1722 and testament Dative and Inventory was lodged in 1724 (CC21/5/13).
NOTE: A possible grandson of David or his brother Robert, named John Forrester of Culmore c1720 (CS181/7545, CS271/23480 & CS271/482281782) was listed in legal disputes from 1781 to 1794. The dispute was between Andrew Wallace, merchant, Stirling & John Gillespie, physician vs Mrs. Isabella Gillespie, relict of John Forrester: Protestation Suspended.
John Forrester c1720-c1780 married Isobel Gillespie in Stirling 1764. Children born at Stirling were Mary b1764, John b1766, William Forrester b1769 and Katherine b1771. Was William Forrester b1769 the same person as William Forrester of Frew who had a son named John, meal dealer in Glasgow?
171.3 Robert Forrester (c1665-c1720) 2nd son of James c1623
Robert was the second son of James Forrester the younger of Culmore and was born c1665. According to Red Books he became an apprentice tailor in Edinburgh. In 1692 he married Elizabeth Bain (1666-?) in Edinburgh. Six known children were born to the couple named Alexander 1695, Christian 1697, Archibald 1700, Elizabeth 1702, David 1704 and Bessie 1706. No record of death has been found, but he probably died in the early 1700’s.
171.4 Margaret Forrester (c1681-1730) Daughter of David c1660
According to Red Book, Margaret inherited lands of Culmore from father on his death in 1822. No record of her marriage or the birth of any children has been found so far, but she may have been the daughter of David Forrester and Margaret Gillespie born in South Leith in 1681.
In 1724 Margaret married David Houston (RB) and being an older woman at that time, she had no children of her own, so her Culmore property was inherited by a cousin named William Forrester of Frew in 1731 (RB).
171.5 William Forrester of Frew (c1670-1734) Cousin of Margaret
William was probably born around 1670 but no record has been found. If he was a first cousin of Margaret Forrester c1681, he was likely a son of her father’s younger brother Robert Forrester c1665 the apprentice tailor, but Robert is not known to have had a son named William. William could well have been an uncle to GGGGGGGF Robert Forrester of Frew c1706. Supporting that theory is the fact that Robert c1706 named one of his sons William.
According to Red Books, (Margaret’s cousin) William Forrester of Frew (c1670-1734) succeeded to Culmore in 1731 but died not long after in 1734 and the property was inherited by his son John Forrester c1720, meal dealer in Glasgow. John c1720 married and had at least two daughters, Elizabeth c1750 and Agnes Forrester c1760 (William’s granddaughters). It seems that the two sisters remained spinsters and died without children, but no records for baptisms, marriages and deaths have been found. The sisters were succeeded by ‘Major [Captain] William Forrester’.
171.6 Captain William Forrester of Culmore (1768-1823)
Captain William Forrester may have been born at Port of Menteith in 1768 to James Forrester c1701 and Helen Neill. Captain William Forrester married Katherine Gordon in 1796 at Invernettie and on the marriage record is described as” Captain William Forrester of Culmore”. The couple had four daughters baptised at Peterhead. Mary was baptised in 1797, Catherine in 1798, Isabella in 1802 and in 1808, “Captain William Forrester of Culmore had daughter Elizabeth Arbuthnot Forrester (died 1845) baptised”. According to Red Books William succeeded to Culmore in 1819, but other records list him as “of Culmore” from as early as 1796.
Most of the family are listed on a family gravestone that reads: “Katherine Gordon relict of William Forrester, Esq of Culmore Stirlingshire, died Edinburgh 14 Dec 1851, youngest daughter Elizabeth Arbuthnot d Edinburgh 23 Oct 1845, aged 37; dau Catherine 5 Apr 1892, widow of George Crichton Esq of Viewforth, Jemima Mary d Edinburgh 20 Feb 1919, widow of the Rev William Temple DD FSA Scot, Aberdeen”.
Willam’s daughters were:
• Mary Forrester (1797-?) On 10 June 1815 the Caledonian Mercury reported that James Hutchison, Esq. married Mary, eldest daughter of Major Forrester, of Culmore.
• Catherine Forrester (1798-1892) married George Crichton Esq of Viewforth in 1825. Catherine Forrester Crichton died 5 Apr 1892 (aged 93). On the gravestone she is described as the “Daughter of Major William Forrester, 22nd Laird of Culmore & Katherine Gordon.” One of geiorge and Catherine’s daughters died in 1919. On 27 February 1919 the ‘Aberdeen Press and Journal’ reported that “The daughter the late George Crichton, West India merchant, Edinburgh, and granddaughter of the late Major William Forrester Culmore and Culbeg, Stirlingshire. Interred in Warriston Cemetery, Edinburgh”.
• Isabella Forrester (1802-?) In 1839 George Hunter. Esq. married Isabella, third surviving daughter of the late William Forrester, Esq. of Culmore, Stirlingshire (17 October 1839 Perthshire Courier)
• Elizabeth Forrester (1808-1845) lived unmarried with her mother up until her death. She died of Consumption at 11 Hamilton Place, in 1845 and was buried in Edindurgh.
By the time of his death in 1823 William had the rank of Major. There is a testament and an inventory for the will of Major William Forrester in the Forfarshire Regiment of Militia, residing in Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, Forfarshire, held on the Scots People website dated 1824. According to Red Books, William’s cousin John Young (1762-1840) was the male heir in 1836.
171.7 Judge John Young (1762-1840)
After the death of Capt William Forrester in 1823 there was no obvious male heir to Culmore and according to Red Books it was not until 1836 that the matter was settled. It seems that Judge John Young b1762 was a cousin of William because John's mother was Elizabeth Forrester (1734-1773) who had married his father John Young senior in July 1761 at Glasgow. No baptism registration has been found for John b1762, but there is one for his sister Mary in 1764.
John's mother, Elizabeth Forrester b1734 was the youngest daughter of John Forrester c1693 and Mary Marshall c1695-1761. Her siblings, all born in Glasgow, were David 1722, Mary 1726, Janet 1730 and Hugh Forrester 1733. John Young c1762 was the son of a wealthy merchant in Glasgow also named John (1732-1795). At the age of 17, John b1762 migrated to the US where he became a widely respected judge.
In 1840, after the death of John b1762, his eldest living son also called John Young b1803 became heir. In 1843 John b1803 legally changed his name to John Young Forrester. After John died in 1853, his brother Joseph Jamieson Young Forrester (1809-1870) residing in Greensborough Pennsylvania was served heir. Joseph seems to have died without heirs. From 1864 to 1884 Wanted Adverts like the following looking for beneficiaries of the Culmore Estate appeared in several publications. “Young, Joseph Jameson (otherwise Joseph Jameson Young Forrester), of Easter Culmore, Stirling, Scotland ; presently residing at Indiana, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.” . The history of Culmore in recent times is unknown.
NOTE: Much of the above information about the Young family is taken from “History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania”.
172.0 Forresters of Polder: Descendants of James Forrester the Elder c1623
The early Forresters of Culmore also owned Culbeg and Easter and Wester Polder. Over the years these properties passed backwards and forwards between various branches of the family until most were sold off. However, Easter Polder was held by one branch of the Forresters at least up until 1841.
172.1 Robert Forrester (c1625-1666) in W.P. & Helen Morrison
Robert was the second son of James Forrester the elder and was born around 1625. Robert married Helen Morrison around 1645. They had two known sons named James Forrester c1645 of West Polder and David Forrester c1648 of East Polder. Robert gained a charter from his older brother James of Culmore and Wester Polder for the lands of Wester Polder in 1648 (Red Books). In 1662 Robert also gained Culmore and Culbeg from his brother James (SIG1/55/51).
In 1664 Robert Forrester of Wester Polder with consent of Helen Moriesoune, his wife, resigned Wester Polder to Harry Dow in Noriestoune. Thereafter Wester Polder was in the hands of Henry Dow and his descendants (GD15/292) but Robert retained Culmore which he passed onto his son David two years later. Robert died in 1666 with the Testament listed for Robert Forrester of Kilmore, Gargunnock (CC21/5/7)
172.2 James Forrester (c1645-c1720) of Easter Polder & Culmore
James was born about 1645 in Perthshire and was the first son of Robert Forrester c1625. Around 1666 he succeeded his father to the lands of Easter Polder. Around 1672 James married Janet Buchannan, daughter of John Buchannan of Carbeth (18 miles from Culmore) around 1672. On her marriage Janet was invested with East Polder. James Forrester and Janet Buchanan had the following sons: David Forrester of East Polder c1675 and James Forrester c1680 styled of Easter Polder in a 1715 doc (Red Book).
In 1684 a list of fugitives was published (The History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland) following the battle of Bothwell. It confirms that James Forrester (son of Robert) and David Forrester sometimes of Culmore (also son of Robert) were fugitives. Apparently, James was not hindered by the Bothwell accusations because 1691-95 Heath Tax records list ‘James Forrester of Easter Polder, Esquire of the lands of Culmoir’ (E69/22/1/7). Then a Sasine dated 1715, listed James Forrester, brother german of David Forrester of Polder, bailie of the granter. No death record has been found but he probably died in the early 1700’s.
172.3 David Forrester of Easter Polder (c1648-c1690) 2nd Son of Robert
In 1666 Culmore and Culbeg was inherited by Robert’s second son, David Forrester (SIG1/55/74). However, in 1681 David c1648 granted the lands of Culmoir to cousin David Forrester c1660 (writer and son of David’s uncle, SIG1/56/27).
In 1684 a list of fugitives was published (The History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland) following the battle of Bothwell. It confirms that James Forrester (1st son of Robert) and David Forrester sometimes of Culmore (2nd son of Robert) were fugitives, but David Forrester a writer in Edinburgh (cousin, son of James Forrester and Janet Buchanan) who was now heritor of Culmore was not a wanted man.
No record of the death of David Forrester of Easter Polder has been found but he probably died in late 1600’s, possibly as a result of his actions at the battle of Bothwell. No record of a marriage or children has been found.
172.4 David Forrester of Easter Polder (c1675-c1745) 1st Son of James c1645
No baptism record has been found. David married Helen Graham in 1699. Their children baptised in Port of Menteith were James Forrester (heir) to Easter Polder b1701-1784; Margaret Forrester b1705; John Forrester b1707-c1708; David Forrester b1708-c1709; Walter Forrester b1710, styled 2nd son of David F in 1737 (RB); Robert Forrester b1714 and Helen Forrester c1716-1792 (married Alexander MacGruther of Meggar).
Several records place David at Culmore in the early 1700’s. In 1707 Robert Sibbald listed David Forrester as a resident of Culmore. GD15/304 is a 1711 Obligation in 1711 by David Forrester of Easter Polder to Henry Dow of Wester Polder to make available to him certain legal documents and in that same year SIG1/55/74 contains a Signature of the lands of Culmore and Culbeg etc granted to David Forrester.
In 1715 David Forrester was a tutor for Marrie Grahame and Marrion Grahame only lawful children alive procreated of the marriage of John Grahame in Blairsessnoch and Jean McFarlan. James Forrester, brother german of David Forrester of Polder. Witnesses to the sasine, James Forrester, eldest lawful son of the said David Forrester of Polder b1701 (GD86/854).
In 1719 David Forrester paid land Tax for Easter Polder and in 1721 he was listed in an Instrument of sasine in favour of John Grahame of Mckenstoun and David Forrester of Polder (GD1/393/26).
In 1741 David of Polder was the executor for brother James’ will (Wiki & Scots People CC6/5/25). David probably died in mid-1700’s.
172.5 James Forrester in Easter Polder (1701-1783)
James married Helen Neill c1730 in 1755 at Port of Menteith. Their eight children baptised at Port Of Menteith were: Unknown son 1756-c1756, Janet 1758-c1760, David 1761-?, James 1762-?, Helen 1764-?, Walter 1766-?, William 1768-? and Somerville 1770-1804.
In 1715 James Forrester, eldest lawful son of David Forrester of Polder b1701 was a witness to a sasine (GD86/854). There are 21 Documents dated 1749-1800 (GD15/213) relating to an action at the instance of John Erskine of Carnock for the division of the land known as Flanders Moss between himself, John Campbell, Dr. Walter Stirling in Stirling and James Forrester of Easter Polder. The action was carried on by his son James Erskine of Cardross who claimed Flanders Moss as part of the barony of Cardross.
In 1753 Culbeg was sold to Henry Seaton 1753 (SIG1/157/23). James Forester of Polder was a witness on a 1758 sasine (GD1/185/10) and in that same year a disposition by William Graham of Garturris to David Graeme of Orchill and James Forester of Polder of lands of Garturris in security (GD1/393/42 & GD1/185/10).
A publication titled “Memorial for Captain Thomas Græme of Duchray, and his commissioners, pursuers; against James Forrester of Easter-Polder, and Dr. Walter Stirling of Wester-Polder, defenders” dated 1762, indicates that James was probably in serious financial trouble by this date (NLA). Documents dated 1762-3 (GD15/873) cover a process between Capt. Thomas Graeme of Duchary and James Forrester of Easter Polder. In 1767 a disposition by David Graeme of Orchill and James Forrester of Polder to James Erskine, younger of Cardross, of lands of Gartur. In 1783 David Forrester of Polder was named as heir to his deceased father James Forrester of Polder b1701 (Red Book)
NOTE: Somerville Forrester (1770-1804) was the youngest son of James Forrester. He became an attorney and worked in Jamaica in the early 1800’s until his death in Sep 1804. He purchased Haddo Pen in Westmoreland, Jamaica and had a relationship with a woman of mixed blood, resulting in three children. His will was written in 1804 and proved in 1836 and mentions his dear brother David Forrester of Polder b1761, another brother William b1768 and a sister Helen b1764; reputed children Helen, Veronica and Walter; and the mother of two of his children Theresa Reynolds Dause. Somerville bequeathed sizable amounts of money to his ‘wife’ and children. Presumably his other siblings were deceased by 1804.
Student Walter Forrester, who later attended the University from 1817-20 may have been his son. "Walter Forrester, the only son of Somerville Forrester, a merchant in Jamaica, attended the University from 1817-1820, studying Greek, Logic and Moral Philosophy. Like many men of his time, he does not appear to have graduated despite his studies qualifying him for the degree of BA." (Legacies of British Slavery).
172.6 David Forrester of Polder (1761-1833) son of James b1701 & Helen Neill
David was baptised in 1761 at Port of Menteith by James Forrester and Helen Neill. In 1783 he inherited Little Ward (of Goodie which encompassed Easter Polder) as heir to his father (RB). At this point of time the family had many debts. David Forrester indicated to his trustees that he was to go abroad to clear the heritage of debts and burdens and the liabilities to his mother and brothers. In 1784, document CS271/27231 is a Bill of Advocation for his mother Helen Neill, relict of deceased James Forrester of Polder, now spouse of James Callender of Stonefield and confirms the absence of David Forrester of Polder, now in Jamaica.
Around 1800 David married an unknown woman and had one known son named James Forrester b1806. The lack of records may indicate that David was overseas for several years. David’s brother Somerville had lived in Jamaica for some time and in 1804 David was listed in his brother’s will (see above).
From 1802-1835 David Forrester Esq of Easter Polder was listed in the Land Valuation rolls and he appeared in a 1816 petition (GD24/1/809). In 1819 he was a beneficiary of the Will of John Graham of Garter made in 1811 and proved on 11/05/1819 (Legacies of Britsh Slavery).
In the late 1700’s David Forrester of Easter Polder’s lodged a claim in the courts for the lands of Polder (Flanders) Moss. His family had owned Easter Polder since the mid-17th century and he was able to produce a long list of titles and other documents, going as far back as 1533. Documents dated 1821-1826 include papers relating to the dispute about water on Polder Moss, between Henry Home Drummond of Blair Drummond, David Forrester of Polder and Robert Buchanan of Mosside of Boquhapple GD24/1/711. David died at Polder in 1833 with a reputed aged of 76, really 72. (RB)
172.7 James Forrester of Easter Polder (1806-?)
No baptism record has been found but his birth year is confirmed by both the Red Books and the 1841 census. James married Sarah Cunningham at Bellfield House Stirling in 1832.
According to the 1835 Perthshire Cess Rolls, Easter Polder formerly owned by his father David Forrester, was now owned by David Forrester’s heirs (son James). In 1841 James Forrester 35 of independent means was living at East Polder House with wife Sarah Forrester nee Cunningham 30 and children Somerville Forrester 8 (b1832), Andrew Forrester 5, Helen Forrester 2 and David Forrester 2 months and 4 servants. Son Somerville was named after great uncle Somerville (1770-1804). I have found no records of the family after 1841 except for daughter Helen who married John Lochore in 1866 and had a large family. Her parents and siblings either died young or moved overseas.
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In 1840, after the death of John b1762, his eldest living son also called John Young b1803 became heir. In 1843 John b1803 legally changed his name to John Young Forrester. After John died in 1853, his brother Joseph Jamieson Young Forrester (1809-1870) residing in Greensborough Pennsylvania was served heir. Joseph seems to have died without heirs. From 1864 to 1884 Wanted Adverts like the following looking for beneficiaries of the Culmore Estate appeared in several publications. “Young, Joseph Jameson (otherwise Joseph Jameson Young Forrester), of Easter Culmore, Stirling, Scotland ; presently residing at Indiana, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.” . The history of Culmore in recent times is unknown.
NOTE: Much of the above information about the Young family is taken from “History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania”.
172.0 Forresters of Polder: Descendants of James Forrester the Elder c1623
The early Forresters of Culmore also owned Culbeg and Easter and Wester Polder. Over the years these properties passed backwards and forwards between various branches of the family until most were sold off. However, Easter Polder was held by one branch of the Forresters at least up until 1841.
172.1 Robert Forrester (c1625-1666) in W.P. & Helen Morrison
Robert was the second son of James Forrester the elder and was born around 1625. Robert married Helen Morrison around 1645. They had two known sons named James Forrester c1645 of West Polder and David Forrester c1648 of East Polder. Robert gained a charter from his older brother James of Culmore and Wester Polder for the lands of Wester Polder in 1648 (Red Books). In 1662 Robert also gained Culmore and Culbeg from his brother James (SIG1/55/51).
In 1664 Robert Forrester of Wester Polder with consent of Helen Moriesoune, his wife, resigned Wester Polder to Harry Dow in Noriestoune. Thereafter Wester Polder was in the hands of Henry Dow and his descendants (GD15/292) but Robert retained Culmore which he passed onto his son David two years later. Robert died in 1666 with the Testament listed for Robert Forrester of Kilmore, Gargunnock (CC21/5/7)
172.2 James Forrester (c1645-c1720) of Easter Polder & Culmore
James was born about 1645 in Perthshire and was the first son of Robert Forrester c1625. Around 1666 he succeeded his father to the lands of Easter Polder. Around 1672 James married Janet Buchannan, daughter of John Buchannan of Carbeth (18 miles from Culmore) around 1672. On her marriage Janet was invested with East Polder. James Forrester and Janet Buchanan had the following sons: David Forrester of East Polder c1675 and James Forrester c1680 styled of Easter Polder in a 1715 doc (Red Book).
In 1684 a list of fugitives was published (The History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland) following the battle of Bothwell. It confirms that James Forrester (son of Robert) and David Forrester sometimes of Culmore (also son of Robert) were fugitives. Apparently, James was not hindered by the Bothwell accusations because 1691-95 Heath Tax records list ‘James Forrester of Easter Polder, Esquire of the lands of Culmoir’ (E69/22/1/7). Then a Sasine dated 1715, listed James Forrester, brother german of David Forrester of Polder, bailie of the granter. No death record has been found but he probably died in the early 1700’s.
172.3 David Forrester of Easter Polder (c1648-c1690) 2nd Son of Robert
In 1666 Culmore and Culbeg was inherited by Robert’s second son, David Forrester (SIG1/55/74). However, in 1681 David c1648 granted the lands of Culmoir to cousin David Forrester c1660 (writer and son of David’s uncle, SIG1/56/27).
In 1684 a list of fugitives was published (The History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland) following the battle of Bothwell. It confirms that James Forrester (1st son of Robert) and David Forrester sometimes of Culmore (2nd son of Robert) were fugitives, but David Forrester a writer in Edinburgh (cousin, son of James Forrester and Janet Buchanan) who was now heritor of Culmore was not a wanted man.
No record of the death of David Forrester of Easter Polder has been found but he probably died in late 1600’s, possibly as a result of his actions at the battle of Bothwell. No record of a marriage or children has been found.
172.4 David Forrester of Easter Polder (c1675-c1745) 1st Son of James c1645
No baptism record has been found. David married Helen Graham in 1699. Their children baptised in Port of Menteith were James Forrester (heir) to Easter Polder b1701-1784; Margaret Forrester b1705; John Forrester b1707-c1708; David Forrester b1708-c1709; Walter Forrester b1710, styled 2nd son of David F in 1737 (RB); Robert Forrester b1714 and Helen Forrester c1716-1792 (married Alexander MacGruther of Meggar).
Several records place David at Culmore in the early 1700’s. In 1707 Robert Sibbald listed David Forrester as a resident of Culmore. GD15/304 is a 1711 Obligation in 1711 by David Forrester of Easter Polder to Henry Dow of Wester Polder to make available to him certain legal documents and in that same year SIG1/55/74 contains a Signature of the lands of Culmore and Culbeg etc granted to David Forrester.
In 1715 David Forrester was a tutor for Marrie Grahame and Marrion Grahame only lawful children alive procreated of the marriage of John Grahame in Blairsessnoch and Jean McFarlan. James Forrester, brother german of David Forrester of Polder. Witnesses to the sasine, James Forrester, eldest lawful son of the said David Forrester of Polder b1701 (GD86/854).
In 1719 David Forrester paid land Tax for Easter Polder and in 1721 he was listed in an Instrument of sasine in favour of John Grahame of Mckenstoun and David Forrester of Polder (GD1/393/26).
In 1741 David of Polder was the executor for brother James’ will (Wiki & Scots People CC6/5/25). David probably died in mid-1700’s.
172.5 James Forrester in Easter Polder (1701-1783)
James married Helen Neill c1730 in 1755 at Port of Menteith. Their eight children baptised at Port Of Menteith were: Unknown son 1756-c1756, Janet 1758-c1760, David 1761-?, James 1762-?, Helen 1764-?, Walter 1766-?, William 1768-? and Somerville 1770-1804.
In 1715 James Forrester, eldest lawful son of David Forrester of Polder b1701 was a witness to a sasine (GD86/854). There are 21 Documents dated 1749-1800 (GD15/213) relating to an action at the instance of John Erskine of Carnock for the division of the land known as Flanders Moss between himself, John Campbell, Dr. Walter Stirling in Stirling and James Forrester of Easter Polder. The action was carried on by his son James Erskine of Cardross who claimed Flanders Moss as part of the barony of Cardross.
In 1753 Culbeg was sold to Henry Seaton 1753 (SIG1/157/23). James Forester of Polder was a witness on a 1758 sasine (GD1/185/10) and in that same year a disposition by William Graham of Garturris to David Graeme of Orchill and James Forester of Polder of lands of Garturris in security (GD1/393/42 & GD1/185/10).
A publication titled “Memorial for Captain Thomas Græme of Duchray, and his commissioners, pursuers; against James Forrester of Easter-Polder, and Dr. Walter Stirling of Wester-Polder, defenders” dated 1762, indicates that James was probably in serious financial trouble by this date (NLA). Documents dated 1762-3 (GD15/873) cover a process between Capt. Thomas Graeme of Duchary and James Forrester of Easter Polder. In 1767 a disposition by David Graeme of Orchill and James Forrester of Polder to James Erskine, younger of Cardross, of lands of Gartur. In 1783 David Forrester of Polder was named as heir to his deceased father James Forrester of Polder b1701 (Red Book)
NOTE: Somerville Forrester (1770-1804) was the youngest son of James Forrester. He became an attorney and worked in Jamaica in the early 1800’s until his death in Sep 1804. He purchased Haddo Pen in Westmoreland, Jamaica and had a relationship with a woman of mixed blood, resulting in three children. His will was written in 1804 and proved in 1836 and mentions his dear brother David Forrester of Polder b1761, another brother William b1768 and a sister Helen b1764; reputed children Helen, Veronica and Walter; and the mother of two of his children Theresa Reynolds Dause. Somerville bequeathed sizable amounts of money to his ‘wife’ and children. Presumably his other siblings were deceased by 1804.
Student Walter Forrester, who later attended the University from 1817-20 may have been his son. "Walter Forrester, the only son of Somerville Forrester, a merchant in Jamaica, attended the University from 1817-1820, studying Greek, Logic and Moral Philosophy. Like many men of his time, he does not appear to have graduated despite his studies qualifying him for the degree of BA." (Legacies of British Slavery).
172.6 David Forrester of Polder (1761-1833) son of James b1701 & Helen Neill
David was baptised in 1761 at Port of Menteith by James Forrester and Helen Neill. In 1783 he inherited Little Ward (of Goodie which encompassed Easter Polder) as heir to his father (RB). At this point of time the family had many debts. David Forrester indicated to his trustees that he was to go abroad to clear the heritage of debts and burdens and the liabilities to his mother and brothers. In 1784, document CS271/27231 is a Bill of Advocation for his mother Helen Neill, relict of deceased James Forrester of Polder, now spouse of James Callender of Stonefield and confirms the absence of David Forrester of Polder, now in Jamaica.
Around 1800 David married an unknown woman and had one known son named James Forrester b1806. The lack of records may indicate that David was overseas for several years. David’s brother Somerville had lived in Jamaica for some time and in 1804 David was listed in his brother’s will (see above).
From 1802-1835 David Forrester Esq of Easter Polder was listed in the Land Valuation rolls and he appeared in a 1816 petition (GD24/1/809). In 1819 he was a beneficiary of the Will of John Graham of Garter made in 1811 and proved on 11/05/1819 (Legacies of Britsh Slavery).
In the late 1700’s David Forrester of Easter Polder’s lodged a claim in the courts for the lands of Polder (Flanders) Moss. His family had owned Easter Polder since the mid-17th century and he was able to produce a long list of titles and other documents, going as far back as 1533. Documents dated 1821-1826 include papers relating to the dispute about water on Polder Moss, between Henry Home Drummond of Blair Drummond, David Forrester of Polder and Robert Buchanan of Mosside of Boquhapple GD24/1/711. David died at Polder in 1833 with a reputed aged of 76, really 72. (RB)
172.7 James Forrester of Easter Polder (1806-?)
No baptism record has been found but his birth year is confirmed by both the Red Books and the 1841 census. James married Sarah Cunningham at Bellfield House Stirling in 1832.
According to the 1835 Perthshire Cess Rolls, Easter Polder formerly owned by his father David Forrester, was now owned by David Forrester’s heirs (son James). In 1841 James Forrester 35 of independent means was living at East Polder House with wife Sarah Forrester nee Cunningham 30 and children Somerville Forrester 8 (b1832), Andrew Forrester 5, Helen Forrester 2 and David Forrester 2 months and 4 servants. Son Somerville was named after great uncle Somerville (1770-1804). I have found no records of the family after 1841 except for daughter Helen who married John Lochore in 1866 and had a large family. Her parents and siblings either died young or moved overseas.
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