NOTE: The spelling of the names
(Christian and surname) of people and places varied greatly in documents prior
to 1900. The spelling of names in each document were recorded according to the
choice made by the author of that document. This makes research very difficult.
To minimise confusion, I have usually adopted one spelling of each name and
used that spelling for each member of that extended family.
Our Macfarlane branch of the
family originated on the edge of the Highlands in the south of Scotland. The
website www.clanMacfarlanegenealogy.info provides comprehensive information about the
greater Macfarlane Clan including many relatives mentioned below. It is
referred to in the notes below as 'Macfarlane Website'.
Another excellent source of information is the Ancestry Family Tree titled "Family Trees of L.M.Gillon and J.H.Ferguson" developed by Genny Kang which not only has details of hundreds of family members but also has copies of many original documents as well. References to material on this website are referred to as from the ‘Ancestry Site of G.Kang’.
GGGGGP John and Katherine Macfarlan nee Graham are the earliest known ancestors with reliable records. I have gone back earlier, but as multiple people were born with the same name in the same area within a similar timeframe my choice of earlier ancestors are ‘best guesses’ based on limited data. I have explained my rationale when this happens.
 |
| Macfarlane Coat of Arms |
The above extract is taken from
The History of the Macfarlane Clan and tells us that Macfarlanes spread
eastwards at an early date and were probably living in the Gartmore and Port of
Menteith area (35 miles from Arrochar) in the 1600's. Many of our Macfarlane
relatives were buried at Kilmahog Cemetery near Callander, which is around 7
miles from both Port of Menteith and Thornhill. This suggests that Kilmahog may
have been our Macfarlane ancestor's traditional graveyard and early Macfarlane
relatives may have farmed in the Callander area. Macfarlane gravestones at
Kilmahog include those below, but there would be others without gravestones.
- 1809 Upright grave John Macfarlane? & other names that are unclear
- 1825 Short upright grave marker John Macfarlane
- 1851 Monument erected in 1851 to the memory of William Macfarlan b1787
- 1866 Upright grave marker William Macfarlane
- 1878 Upright grave marker Euphemia Macfarlane
The Jacobite army passed through Perthshire close to the lands occupied by the Macfarlanes. We do not know their thoughts about the uprising, but they were Presbyterians, so were unlikely to have thrown their support behind the Catholic Prince Charles. Also, the fact that William Macfarlane b1787 became an officer in the English army, demonstrates that they did not seem to hold any resentment against the English. In addition, in the late 1700's and 1800's, the fortunes of many members of the family flourished, as they took advantage of booming economic conditions that developed in southern Scotland. See the various diagrams in this chapter showing how members of the Macfarlane family fit into our extended family tree.
The history of the Clan Macfarlane goes back to the 13th century when Gilchrist, a son of the Earl of Lennox, obtained a charter to the lands of Arrochar, which lie to the west of Loch Lomond. From Gilchrist's grandson, Parlan or Farlan, the clan took its name, Macfarlane.
The lands of Arrochar included Loch Sloy/Sloidh, a small loch between Loch Lomond and Loch Long. The name Loch Sloy became the clan's battle cry. Involved in many clan wars during the 16th and 17th centuries, the Macfarlanes were proscribed, being deprived of both their land and the use of their clan name. The proscription was lifted in the 18th century and many resumed the name Macfarlane. Others kept the surnames they had adopted during the years of proscription. This accounts for the many septs of the Macfarlane Clan [and why some adopted the surnames Farlan or Farland].
During these troublesome times, some Macfarlanes moved to Perthshire where their descendants are found in the parishes of Menteith. The earliest records of Macfarlanes are in the Parish of Kilmadock when Archibald, son of Walter Farlan, was baptized in 1623. A second son, Dugall, was baptized in 1627. In the early 17th century, the spelling Farlan was used. Later, Farlan became McFarlan; then Macfarlane by the 18th century.
The Macfarlanes of Mid Frew (from the Lamb family Website)
There were several farms along the narrow strip of land between Goodie Water and the edge of the moss covering the Forth, including Easter Frew, Mid Frew and Wester Frew. It was thought this area, called the Fords of Frew on an early map, was the site of several ancient fords before the moss covered them. Here the moss itself was not very deep, providing a sort of underwater causeway across to the south side. Even so, these crossings could only be used in late summer and fall when the water levels were at their lowest. Men and animals were roped together for safety. This risky crossing was favoured by the McGregor clan who knew the route and used it when taking their cattle to market.
A family living in the Parish of Kilmadock close to the Bridge of Goodie were the Macfarlanes of Mid Frew. Mid Frew on the south side of the Bridge of Goodie was the home of John Macfarlane and his wife, Elizabeth Stewart, who were married in 1781. No earlier records of their baptisms were found in the Parish of Kilmadock. Their six children, all born at Mid Frew, were baptized in the Parish of Kilmadock: John in 1782, Elizabeth in 1783, Agnes in 1786, Kathrine in 1788, John in 1790 and Margaret in 1792. Elizabeth Macfarlane grew up at Mid Frew and married James Lamb, of Falkirk, in 1809.
For James Lamb and Elizabeth Macfarlane the year 1809 began with the proclamation of their intention to marry. The entry in the parochial register of the Parish of Kilmadock reads: 1st January 1809, James Lamb, in the Parish of Falkirk and Elisabeth Mcfarlan (sic) in this parish, declared their purpose of marriage and were married. The proclamation was also entered in the parochial register of the Parish of Falkirk, January 8th, 1809, James Lamb in this parish and Elizabeth Macfarlane in the parish of Kilmadock. In 1831, James Lamb and Elizabeth Macfarlane and their seven children, John 21 years old, Helen 17, William 15, Ann 13, Margaret 10, Janet 7 and James, almost 3 years old, sailed for Montreal and Upper Canada.
Note: Our Forrester Family relatives lived at the Bridge of Frew and would have known the Macfarlane family described above.
91.0 Early
Macfarlane Ancestors
There is some uncertainty about our Macfarlane family in the early 1700's. There are two ancestral strands that lead back to Macfarlane families that resided around seven miles apart near Thornhill in Perthshire. These two families probably linked up with a common ancestor at some point in the 1600’s but available records do not make any link clear.
One strand was through GGGGGGM Janet Macfarlane b1740. She was the eldest daughter of GGGGGGGF Robert Macfarlane of Carse of Cambus in Perthshire and married James Innes in 1766 (see 105.1). Her role in our family tree is explored more fully in Part Five of this Blog, dealing with the Forrester family.
The other strand is through GGGGGGF John Macfarlane of Borland c1742. We know that John Macfarlane c1742 married Katherine Graham in Port of Monteith in 1768 and died at the reputed age of 71 around 1812 (some histories nominate on 18 Nov 1814). His burial record gives us the birth year of c1742, but often ages at death were a year or more out, so he could have been born between 1740 and 1745. We also know that John was of Auchrig when he married, and that he lived most of his married life on Borland Farm, west of Thornhill on the road to Port of Menteith. We also know that he and his family were educated and reasonably well off. He probably had a good start to life with some sort of inheritance to help him acquire his farm. Other possibilities were that he was illegitimate, orphaned at a young age or a son from a second marriage which may also account for the lack of records. ‘John Macfarlane’ was a very common name and there is uncertainty about his parentage, but the lives of some contenders are explored below. See 93.0 for details of John’s marriage to Katherine Graham and his later life which is better documented in official records.
There were at least three John Macfarlanes born in that area in the early 1740’s. They were John Macfarlane b1741 baptised at Port of Menteith by John and Janet Macfarlane, John Macfarlane of Carse of Cambus b1742 baptised at Kilmadock and John Macfarlane b1743 at Port of Menteith born to William Macfarlane. See 91.1 to 91.4 for a more detailed look at the various possibilities.
91.1 John
Mcfarlane (1741-?) Baptised at Port of Menteith
John Mcfarlane b1741 was baptised
at Port of Menteith by parents John and Janet Mcfarlane in Nov 1741. His
mother’s maiden name was probably Mcfarlane. It was not unusual for husband and
wife to have the same surnames as there were many Macfarlane families in the
area. John’s parents possibly married in or near Port of Menteith a year or more
prior to his birth and it was common at that time for wives to retain their
maiden names on baptism registrations. The original wording on the record says
"John lawful son to John and Janet Macfarlanes in Mundnie? Witnesses James K??? senior & Junior." The location may have been Mondowie (about 1 mile west of Port of Mentieth) which was also sometimes spelt 'Munday'
Of all the records this one fits best. It has the right date for John being 71 when he died in 1812, he named two children John (the first died) and his last daughter Janet, after his parents and it is the right location.
There is no record of a John Macfarlane marrying a Janet Macfarlane in that area around that time, however there were two Macfarlane marriages prior to 1741 between people with the forenames John and Janet who may have been John’s parents.
The second marriage registration above is a bit early, but the location is right. There was another ceremony in Drymen indicating one of the parties came from that area. Other records show that John Macfarlane b1741 was the only child born to John and Janet Macfarlane at Port of Menteith, which suggests that Janet Clachar died in childbirth.
Aberfoyle was only 4 miles from Port of Menteith but the first marriage above is not the right one because John and Janet Macfarlane nee McLachlan only had daughters named Margaret b1740 and Janet b1741 baptised in Aberfoyle.
In
conclusion, there is no certainty about the parents of John Macfarlane’s c1741.
Neither of the above may have been his parents. The closest church to Borland
was at Thornhill. As the village of Thornhill was founded in the late 1700’s there
are no family baptism records listing that location.
91.2 John Mcfarlane (1742-1825) of Carse of Cambus
John Mcfarlane b1742 was born at Carse of Cambus in Sept and baptised at Kilmadock. Parents of John
b1742 were Robert Mcfarlane and Isobel McGibbon who were both born
within a few miles of Cambus. (See 104.0). John is in our family tree
indirectly through his sister GGGGGM Janet Mcfarlane, who is
covered in the Forrester Part of this blog (see 105.1). This John was not
in our direct tree himself.
After their marriage John’s
parents leased a farm at Carse of Cambus, where they had their family. John b1742
had the following siblings, GGGGGGM Janet Mcfarlane b1740,
Grissel Mcfarlane b1745, Patrick Mcfarlane b1749, Peter Mcfarlane 1750, Margaret
Mcfarlane 1752-? and possible twins Robert Mcfarlane and Isobel Mcfarlane, both baptised 27
Oct 1754. I have included children Peter and Margaret because they are listed
on some family trees, but I have not found baptism registrations. Peter was probably an alternative name for Patrick b1749.
Tragically John’s father Robert
died in 1756 when John was only fourteen. As the oldest son John would have
taken over the farm, no doubt with guidance from his mother. The family must
have managed to survive on the farm with most of the work done by John and his
mother.
There are at least eight baptism
records that list John Mcfarlane of Carse of Cambus witnessing Stewart baptisms
at Kilmadock between 1760 and 1796.
One of these records (in 1784) also listed John Buchanan of Cambus, a witness
at the baptism of John’s sister GGGGGGM Janet Mcfarlane born in 1740. Some of
these baptism records are shown below.
John Mcfarlane 27 (b1742) married Agnes Petrie in 1769 at Kilmadock. Their six known children were Robert Mcfarlane 1770-1770, Stephen Mcfarlane 1771-1806, Robert Mcfarlane 1773-1801, Agnes Mcfarlane 1775-1833, Isobel Mcfarlane 1777-? and James Mcfarlane 1779-? All children were baptised at Kilmadock, which was the closest church to Carse of Cambus.
- There is no record of John and Agnes having a son named John b1785. In fact, Agnes may have died in 1780.
- John and Agnes lived at Carse of Cambus all their lives and their children were baptised close by at Kilmadock. Carse of Cambus was some distance away from Port of Menteith and Borland (on a horse and cart).
- Records seem to show that there were no male descendants through John b1742 after his children died, to carry on this Macfarlane line.
John Mcfarlane above, baptised 1743 at Port of Menteith. The original wording in the record says "Apr 24: John, lawful son to Wm Mcfarlane tailor and Mary Niell in Gartmore. Witnesses all .... folk?"
John’s parents William Mcfarlane and Mary McNiel were
married at Port of Monteith in 1736. Apart from John b1743, they had one other
child named Anna b1745. John named one of his children
William and another was named Margaret or Mary, but none were named Anna. The date and place of birth fit, but the occupation (taylor) of William makes this record unlikely. Our Macfarlanes were farmers for generations.
91.4 John Macfarlane c1742 of
unknown parentage
A fourth possibility is that John was born c1742 as his burial record implied and his baptismal record is lost or unavailable. For example, he may have been the grandson of John Macfarlane and Margaret Johnstone who were married at Port of Menteith on 19 Jul 1716. Their six children, baptised at Port of Menteith were James Macfarlane 1717, Mary Macfarlane 1719, Robert Macfarlane 1721, Janet Macfarlane 1723, John Macfarlane 1725 and William Macfarlane 1728. If this was the case John’s father would have been either James Macfarlane b1717or Robert Macfarlane b1721. Either of these may have married prior to 1742 resulting in the birth of John in 1742. This theory is strengthened by that family living at the right location, the children being born in a plausible timeframe and the fact that John c1742/3 used all six names for his own children (in red). John’s (c1742) children were Catherine Macfarlane, James Macfarlane, Margaret/Mary Macfarlane, Isobel Macfarlane, John Macfarlane (twice), Sarah Macfarlane, Robert Macfarlane, William Macfarlane, Agnes Macfarlane and Janet Macfarlane.
There are other narratives that can be woven to explain the parentage of John Macfarlane c1742 and much more research is needed to identify the right one.
92.0 Macfarlanes
living near Borland from 1600-1800
Another way of learning more about John Macfarlane’s ancestors is to look at Macfarlane families living near Borland before and during his lifetime. Although families moved locations from time to time, usually members settled close by (within ten miles). Below are extracts from records that list Macfarlanes living at locations close to Borland. These include Blairhoyle, Boquhapple, Frew, Poldar, Port of Menteith, Ruskie, Tarr and Torrie.
92.1 Borland Farm (near Thornhill)
There are three properties between Ruskie and Thornhill that are named East, Mid and West Borland Farm. (They may have originally been one farm). The latter two properties are adjacent to Goodie Burn. Several records indicate our John Macfarlane occupied Borland Farm near Rusky in the late 1700’s. There was also a property named Borland House just south of Abefoyle, but this was not John’s property. Records indicate that other Macfarlanes lived at Borland Farm but how and if these people were connected to John Macfarlane is unknown.
As late as 1858, Borland Farm was acknowledged as a Macfarlane property. When granddaughter Agnes b1821 married Rev Gilbert MacMillan in that year, 'The Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser' carried the following announcement, "At Slatefield, Dunoon, on the 19th instant, by the Rev. Dr Clarke, the Rev. Gilbert McMillan, minister of Berriedale, to Agnes, youngest daughter of the late John Macfarlane [1785-1830], Esq., Borland".
NRS document GD22/1/508 provides clues as to John Macfarlane’s connection to Easter Borland Farm. In the late 1700’s grants were made to several people named John Macfarlane. Some of these may have referred to our John Macfarlane. In 1794 Robert Graham of Gartmore [granted] to John Macfarlane in Easter Back Borland [c1742], a tenement in the town of Gartmore, for 500 years. It would be interesting to visit NRS and read the full document to see if it reveals more details about John and his tenement in Gartmore. Gartmore was ten miles from Borland.
Scotlands Places lists various spellings of Auchrig. See map at Scotlands Places . Auchrig was less than 5 miles from both Port of Menteith and Borland. From the extracts below we know Macfarlanes were associated with Auchrig as early 1663 when Archibald Buchanane and John Buchanane in Woodend, Walter McFarland and (and others requested) pretended tenants and occupiers of …. the lands of Achrig and Nether Glenie, to flit and remove themselves, their wives, families, servants, cottars, goods and gear from the said lands at the term of Whitsunday 1667 (GD86/657).
Later connections were through Margaret Macfarlane at her marriage in 1763 and in 1768 through GGGGGF John Macfarlane. Others associated with Auchrig were:
- James Stewart of Ardvorlich rental document for Auchrig in 1649
- Alasdair Oig Stewart of Auchraig born c1630 in Glenfinglas, Callander
- James Stewart of Tar in Ruskie born c1728 in Auchrig, Port of Menteith
- Duncan Stewart in Auchrig and Tarr in Ruskie c1700-c1784 and son James Stewart
- Robert Graham of Mondowie and Glenny in 1740
In 1768 GGGGGF John Macfarlan of Auchrig c1742 married GGGGGM Katherine Graham. See forestry and land website.
From the website of Ryk Brown
Donald
Macfarlane of Lettir (c1685-1744) married Unknown
Stewart. Testament by Alexander Macfarlane in Lettir, tenant of Donald Macfarlane
of Lettir at his death: "balance of his estate managed by David Hume
Stewart 3rd of Ballochallan (1698-1774) as Tutor to the
children of Donald Macfarlane of Letter who bought the said effects."
Tutor for minors usually siblings of deceased parents. Seems David Hume Stewart
was uncle to the children of Donald Macfarlane of Lettir. "Auchraig and
Letter were sold to Macfarlane from whom the late David of Ballochallan
swindled it, although they were his sister’s children."
Letter/Lettir adjacent to Auchrig from 'My Heritage' website
Catherine Cameron was born in 1827 to Donald Cameron (b1794) and Christina McLean (b1797). Catherine moved to N.Z with her parents in 1840. Catherine married John Macfarlane in 1848, at age 21 in NZ. John Macfarlane was born on February 9, 1817, at Letter Farm, Stirlingshire to parents Malcolm Macfarlane b1786 and Agnes Macfarlane b1793, Aberfoyle. John moved to NZ in 1842.
92.3 Port of Menteith
Port of Menteith is a village in the former county of Perthshire (now Stirlingshire). It is at the heart of the ancient earldom of Menteith and the Clan Graham (of which GGGGGM Katherine Graham was a member). The village is the only significant settlement on the Lake of Menteith and was established by King James III of Scotland. Menteith was in the Parish of Kilmadock and lies between Dunblane and Callander with its focal point the Burgh of Doune where a 14th Century castle stands above the River Teith. The hamlet of Thornhill is 5 miles to the east.
93.0 GGGGGP John Macfarlane (c1742-c1812) & Katherine Graham (c1747-1828)
GGGGGF John Macfarlane is said to have been 71 when he died. That would mean he was born around 1742 near Borland in Perthshire (See 91.0 for possible parentage details). Although there is uncertainty regarding his parentage, his marriage and later life is well documented.
As the above record shows, John
Macfarlane of Borland married Katherine Graham (of
Downance near Aberfoyle) aged 20 on 21 Nov 1768 at Port of Menteith, which was
four miles from Borland. See 110.0 to 113.0 for more about Katherine’s
ancestors. After her marriage the spelling of her Christian name varied between Catherine and Katherine in documents.
The couple had eleven children, three of whom seem to have died young, as there are few known records relating to their lives. The eleven children were Catherine Macfarlane 1769, James Macfarlane 1771, Margaret or Mary Macfarlane 1772, Isabella Macfarlane 1774, John Macfarlane 1776, Sarah Macfarlane 1777, Robert Macfarlane 1782, GGGGF John Macfarlane 1785, William Macfarlane 1787, Agnes Macfarlane c1789 and Janet Macfarlane 1791. The last child was born when GGGGGM Katherine Macfarlane nee Graham was around 43. All children were listed as being baptised in the Parish of Port of Menteith. Borland was on the parish border with its closest settlement Thornhill, located in Kincardine Parish.
Many records connect John to the location of 'Borland'.- Wife Katherine Macfarlane nee Graham in Borland was listed in Sasine documents in 1809 and 1822 and her 1813 will describes her as relict of John Macfarlane of Borland.
- NRS document GD22/1/508 lists John Macfarlane of Easter Borland in 1794
- Daughter Agnes was listed as the daughter of the late John Macfarlane, Esq. Borland on her marriage in 1824.
- His gravestone describes him as John McFarlan late of Borland.
- In 1858 when granddaughter Agnes b1821 was married, she was described as youngest daughter of the late John Macfarlane Esq., Borland (b1785), the son of John of Borland c1742.
John and
his family farmed at Borland during their married life and had their children
baptised at the nearby village of Port of Menteith. John's
youngest daughter Agnes' death certificate listed her father as a 'farmer'.
John reputedly died 18 Nov 1814 aged 71 and was
buried in Kilmahog cemetery (above). His gravestone is no longer legible but the wording reputedly reads, "John McFarlan [c1742] late of Borland aged 71, by
wife Mrs C. M. [Catherine Macfarlan nee Graham],
second son John Macfarlan 8 Oct 1830 aged 44, [and his wife] Janet
Forrester 13 Dec 1841 aged 49, son Alexander Macfarlan
of Rosemount & Aldie in Ross shire [who died] 1 July 1909 aged
84." There are
dozens of other headstones listing members of the extended Macfarlan family, including
youngest son William d1851, so this cemetery appears to have been their traditional
burial ground.
The people mentioned in the above inscription are:
- GGGGGP John McFarlan c1742 and his wife Katherine
McFarlan nee Graham.
- GGGGP John Mcfarlan 1785-1830 and his wife Janet Forrester 1779-1841. The fact that the inscription above describes John Macfarlan, who died in 1830, as the "second son", is evidence that the wording on the inscription has errors. Other documents show that at the time of his death, older brothers James and Robert were still alive.
- GGGF Alexander Macfarlan 1825-1909 (Alexander was a grandson of John c1742 and unlike other descendants in the family tree, maintained the tradition of dropping the final 'e' on his surname. It was Alexander who paid for the gravestone to be erected in 1909 long after the death of his ancestors, which may explain minor errors on the headstone..
Since writing this chapter, 'PD' has alerted me to the fact that John’s wife, Katherine Graham, left a will (available on ScotsPeople website and discussed more fully below. See 93.1). In the will, written 17 Apr 1813 Katherine describes herself as “relict of the deceased John Macfarlane in Borland, Perthshire”. This statement infers that John was deceased prior to April 1813, which contradicts the supposed date of death often quoted on Ancestry. I am inclined to believe that John either died around 18 Nov 1812 or early in 1813 and the date given on Ancestry is incorrect because:
- Although family trees on Ancestry quote a date, they do not back this up with the source document.
- The gravestone was written many years after John’s death. Possibly as late as 1909 when John’s grandson Alexander was added to the names on the headstone
- If the gravestone was hard to read, the transcriber could have easily made an error with the date.
- The wording in Katherine’s will strongly suggests that she was concerned about who would control the distribution of her assets, so the will was probably written soon after her husband’s death.
- The will was officially lodged as a legal document by Katherine’s youngest daughter Agnes, who was likely to recollect the date accurately.
- The will was signed by witnesses who would have agreed with the dates given.
John's daughter Agnes b1789, married Lieut. Donald Robertson at Norrieston (close to Thornhill) on 19 Apr 1824. Agnes was described on her marriage certificate and in marriage notices (The Edinburgh Magazine Vol 93) as the daughter of the late John Macfarlane, Esq. Borland.
NOTE: Kilmahog Cemetery was near Callander, about 8 miles north of Borland and its choice as the burial site (rather than the nearby cemeteries at Port of Menteith or Thornhill) may indicate that John’s ancestors came from the Callander area which incorporated Kilmahog. A description of the cemetery today (below) can be found at www.minube.net/place.
93.1 GGGGGM Catherine/Katherine Graham (c1747-1828)
As
with her husband, there are at least two possible ancestral lines for
Catherine/Katherine Graham. I originally thought that Katherine was baptised in
Port of Menteith on 31 Mar 1748 by Robert Graham and Janet Blair. However, I
now agree with ‘PD’ that she was more likely the daughter of Dougal Graham
c1700 of Downance and Katherine Graham b1705 of Drunkie. See 110.0-113.0 for more
information.
‘PD’
wrote "I think Katherine Grahame (let's call her Katherine b1705), the
laird's daughter, was probably born around 1705. Family Search shows a
christening on 4 September 1705 in Aberfoyle (4 miles from Port of Menteith) of
a Kathrein Graham , daughter of John Graham and Jeine (Jean) Bountin. And based
on information in a book entitled ' Davidson Genealogy' page 39, it seems that
John Grahame, laird of Drunkie [Dronkie], was married to a Jean Buntain. So,
suppose Katherine b1705, the laird's daughter, married Dougal Graham of
Overdownance [Downans] around 1730 when she was 25 and they had a daughter
Katherine in, say, 1746 when Katherine b1705 was 41, then Katherine b1746 (or 1747) would
be just (21 or) 22 when she married John Macfarlane. She would still be just about
young enough to have those nine Macfarlane children. What I can't prove of
course is when Dougal married Katherine b1705 or (exactly) when their daughter
Katherine was born."
Taking PD's ideas further, I think Katherine was born in 1747, to her 42 year old mother. Katherine b1705. She married GGGGGF John Macfarlane at Port of Menteith on 21 Nov 1768 when she was aged 21. She had eleven children, with the final child born when Katherine was 43 or 44. She probably lived in Aberfoyle or Port of Menteith Parish in her younger years and moved to Borland Farm after her marriage. (See 94.0 for information about her offspring)
93.2 Katherine Graham (c1747-1828) after the death
of John
Rootsweb
contains an extract from a Sasine dated 27 Sept 1809 (rootsweb.com website)
It reads Robert Buchanan, farmer, Murdiston, seised (sic), Sept 16, 1809, in
the Room & Mailing of land called the Moss-side of Wester Boquhapple with a
proportion of the Moss opposite & belonging thereto, & Teinds, par.
Kincardine; ......... 400 to Thomas Buchanan, 40 to Janet Buchanan, & 150 to Bell
Buchanan, children of the said John Buchanan, 350 in Bond & 50 in Bill by
the said John Buchanan, to Colin Cairns in Craigton, 100 to Robert Thomson,
farmer Bogghall, 100 to Alexander Drummond, farmer, Burnbank, 30 to John Dogg,
farmer, Murdiston, 20 to Margaret Shaw in Thornhill, & 20 to Catharine
Macfarlane in Boreland (P.R. St.48.259).
My
interpretation of this document is that the lands at Boquhapple belonging to
Robert Buchanan (b1767, son of John Buchanan b1740 and Janet Wardell) were
seized in 1809 and distributed to his siblings and neighbours, with Catherine
Macfarlane (nee Graham) on his northern boundary gaining 20 acres.
A
later Sasine dated 19 Oct 1822 reads, Robert Buchanan, farmer, Murdieston, gets
Ren ?? by John Doeg, farmer, Murdieston, son and heir of Janet Buchanan, spouse
of John Dogg or Doeg, farmer there, Bell Buchanan, daughter of John Buchanan of
Moss-side of Boquhapple, Robert Thomson, farmer, Drumore in the Parish of
Doune, Henry Drummond residing in Stirling, son and heir to Alexander Drummond,
farmer, Burnbank, Margaret Shaw in Thornhill, and Catharine Macfarlane in
Boreland, of the Room and Mailing of land called the Moss-side of
Wester Boquhapple, and others, par(ish). Kincardine; and of 50 to the said
Janet Buchanan, 150 to the said Bell Buchanan, 100 each to the said Robert
Thomson and Alexander Drummond, 30 to the said John Dogg sen., and 20 each to
the said Margaret Shaw, and Katharine Macfarlane, in Disp. by the said John
Buchanan of Moss-side, to the said Robert Buchanan, his son, Sept. 15, 1809.
(P.R. St. 102.106). As the acreages are the same, this document seems to be a
confirmation of the earlier sasine in 1809. It confirms Katherine was
still alive in the 1820’s and retained a financial interest in the Borland
Farm.
However, after the death of her husband, Katherine must have found it too hard to manage life on the farm, because by 1813 she had moved to Janefield House on the outskirts of Glasgow. She was probably living with her single daughter, Agnes. Son John Macfarlane b1785 took over the farm after his father's death.
93.3 Katherine Graham's Will
Katherine Graham wrote her will, dated 17 Apr 1813, soon after the death of GGGGGF John Macfarlane. A read of the will strongly suggests that she was very concerned about who would control the distribution of her assets, which would have passed to her from her husband. The will makes it very clear that youngest daughter Agnes Robertson nee Macfarlane had total control in finalising the will. The start of her will reads as follows:
“Know All men by these presents that I Mrs Katherine Graham residing at Janefield in Balgray Moor near Glasgow, relict of the deceased John Macfarlane in Borland, Perthshire considering the propriety of settling my affairs while I am of sound judgement in order to prevent all differences and disputes which exist after my death and that my other children are already sufficiently provided for, I do hereby give, grant, assign and dispone to and in favour of Agnes Macfarlan my youngest daughter her heirs and successors all and sundry tacks, bonds, bills, goods, gear, plate, jewels, debts, sums of money, household furniture and plenishing, and whole other subjects, effects, means and estate of whatever kind or denomination presently pertaining and belonging or that shall pertain and belong or be indebted and resting owing to me at the time of my death nothing excepted or reserved … “
NOTE: The 1858 ordinance Survey name book describes Katherine’s home, Janefield (House) in Lanarkshire County as “A superior dwelling house with a good garden & some out-houses attached. The property of William Brown.” It was close to other many other buildings with Balgray in their title and seems to be located near present day Balgraybank St.
There is a letter in son-in-law Donald Robertson's military file that provides evidence of Donald's marriage to Katherine's youngest daughter, Agnes Macfarlane, in 1824. The letter was witnessed by Mr John Macfarlane and Mrs Katherine Macfarlane nee Graham, but GGGGGF John was deceased by then. That means that the witnesses must have been Agnes’ brother, GGGGF John Macfarlane b1785, and her mother GGGGGM Katherine Macfarlane nee Graham. Katherine was probably still residing in Glasgow either with, or near, daughter Agnes who resided in Dunoon, Glasgow.
Around 1824 Katherine Graham moved to Leitchtown (Blairhoyle, two miles from the family farm at Borland) where son John b1785 resided. When Mrs Agnes Macfarlane lodged the inventory for her mother’s will, she describes her mother as “Mrs Katherine Graham sometimes residing at Janefield in Balgray Moor near Glasgow, thereafter at Leitchtown in the Parish of Callander relict of the deceased John Mcfarlane in Borland”.
Katherine Graham relict of John Macfarlane of Borland died 28 Jul 1828 however, an Inventory of assets was not lodged by daughter Agnes Robertson until 1849 (SC44/44/8). Perhaps disputes about the distribution of Katherine’s assets (that she feared would arise) were one reason why it took so long to finalise the will.
93.4 MCF1 Descendants of John Macfarlane c1742 & Katherine Graham c1747
94.0 Eleven Children of GGGGGP John Macfarlane (c1742-c1812) & Katherine Graham
(c1747-1828)
Of the eleven children, only eight are known to have survived to adulthood; James Macfarlane b1771, Margaret Macfarlane b1772, Isabella Macfarlane
b1774, GGGGF John Macfarlane b1785, Robert Macfarlane b1782, William Macfarlane
b1787, Agnes Macfarlane b1789 and Janet Macfarlane b1791. Of those, only Isobel, John c1785 and Janet are known
to have had children.
Interestingly it was the second
oldest adult son who inherited Borland Farm. Oldest son James seems to have been
bypassed, probably because he had established extensive business interests in conjunction with his younger brother William. Youngest son William joined the English Army,
probably in his late twenties in the early 1800’s and seems to have come into
some wealth by his mid-forties (1830’s).
94.1
Catherine Macfarlane (1769-c1770)
Catherine was baptised on 27 Aug
1769 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire to parents John and Catherine Macfarlane
nee Graham. No other definitive records have been found, which suggests
she may have died young.
94.2
James Macfarlane (1771-1836)
James was baptised on the 12 May
1771 at Port of Menteith, Perthshire.
He may have married in 1800
because there is a Port of Menteith marriage record that fits with time and place. If
it is correct, he married Margaret Wood on 2 Jan 1800. The text of the record reads, "James Macfarlane and Margaret Wood, both parties, parishioners,
proclaimed 2nd in JANUARY, no registrations" Margaret was baptised in
Port of Menteith in 1767 by parents Andrew Wood and Catherine Macfarlane.
It seems that the above marriage
had ended by the early 1800’s, possibly through the death of Margaret. James Macfarlane
seems to have lived at Luggiebank Estate near Kirkintilloch, with his younger
brother William. The property was purchased in the 1830's. (See 95.0)
At the age of 63, James married 25
year old Janet Stevenson (1810-1855) on 13 Nov 1834 in her hometown Milton of
Campsie, which was ten miles from Luggiebank. Janet's death registration tells
us that James was a 'coal master', who was deceased when she died in 1855. In
the 1830's James' brother William Macfarlane b1787 was also described as a
'coal master'.
In 1836 both James Macfarlane and his father-in-law John Stevenson, both of Netherinch, donated money towards the construction of a new church at nearby Banton. (www.books.google.com.au).
James Macfarlane was later referred to as 'James of Luggie Bank' (see wife Janet’s gravestone) and he wrote his will on 17 June 1836 (below). He died at Luggiebank two months later at the age of 65 on 23 Aug 1836.
According to the 1841 census Janet Macfarlane nee Stevenson was living with her family at Netherinch Farm, Stirling. Janet died in 1855.94.2a Will of James Macfarlane of Luggiebank (Abbreviated)
James Macfarlane's will, inventory and Notorial Disposition were recorded by the courts on 20 Nov 1848. According to an inventory presented by James' brother William Macfarlane on 18 Nov 1848, James' assets included
- A financial interest in the coal & Lime Works at Lennoxtown £354
- Rents owing from Luggiebank Estate and from Shirva £41
- Value of Household effects £176
- three parts and portions of the town and lands of Shirva
- thirty one acres of land in the westmost part of Shirva which sometimes belonged to the deceased William Robertson of Shirva with the house, yards, meadows, quarries of coal and lime lying within the sheriffdom of Dumbarton
- Also my half of Luggiebank, with the mansion house ..........
NOTE 1: The use of the phrase 'in the event of me dying without issue' in this case was probably placed in the will as a matter of convention. James and Janet both agreed that there were no children involved and as the will was written shortly before his death, it was very unlikely that there would be any children.
- William Macfarlane (1787-1851) of Shirva sometime Coal and Lime Merchant at Muckroft and co-owner of some of James' properties. Executor and main beneficiary. (See ). The will seems to suggest that James may have acquired property prior to his younger brother, who was a captain in the army. On his return to Scotland after serving in India William seems to have joined several partnerships with James.
- Janet Stevenson (1810-1855) James' spouse (See 94.2b)
- William Robertson previous owner of Shirva and possibly related to the Robertson sisters (See ).
- Robert Macfarlane (1782-c1740) Brother (See ) Deceased before 1841 census and before brother William died in 1851.
- Mary Macfarlane (?-?) Sister, possibly Margaret Macfarlane b1772 going by a variation of her name. Deceased before 1841 census and before brother William died in 1851 (See )
- Janet Macfarlane (1791-1836) and Robert Kincaid (c1785-1868). Janet, described as a sister, is a puzzle. No birth record has been found. Records show that Janet married Robert Kincaid in 1824 at Campsie and she had six children up until 1834 before dying in 1836 at Campsie. It is very unlikely that Janet gave birth to six children in her forties and fifties. Janet must have been born around 1791 and had her last child when she was 43. However, that leads to a situation where three generations of women gave birth to children whilst in their early forties
- Katherine Graham Of Drunkie 1705-1771. Birth record confirms 1705, so she gave birth to Katherine Graham of Borland in 1747 when she was 42 (See 113.2)
- Katherine Graham of Borland born around 1747. She gave birth to her last child Janet Macfarlane in 1791 when she was 44 (See 133.4)
- Janet Macfarlane born around 1791 gave birth to her last child in 1734 when she was 43 (See 94.11).
Janet Macfarlane nee Stevenson was born to parents John Stevenson and Margaret Horne in Shields, Campsie on 10 Nov 1810. She had eleven brothers and sisters. One of her brothers was Robert Horn Stevenson. The Wikipedia entry tells us that their “father, John Stevenson, was tenant of Netherinch from 1832 to 1853”. At the age of 24 she married the much older James Macfarlane of Luggie Bank on 13 Nov 1834 at Campsie. It seems that James and his wife lived at Netherinch at first.
James became a very successful businessman and landowner and the couple probably moved into the Luggiebank mansion in the 1830's. James died in 1836 leaving a detailed will (above).
According to the 1841 census Janet was living with her family at Netherinch Farm, Stirling. The family, with ages rounded down, consisted of John Stevenson 65 (really 67) farmer, Margaret Stevenson 50 (really 54), Janet Stevenson 25 (really 30 & widowed), Marion Stevenson 20 (really 26), William Stevenson 20 really 22, James Stevenson 20 (really 20), David Stevenson 15 (really 16), Joseph Stevenson 13 (really 14), Mary Stevenson 9 (really 20), Janet Donaldson 20 servant and Agnes Lang 15 servant. Janet was not using her husband’s surname in 1841, because in Scotland, women were often recorded under their maiden names in documents (see gravestone above).
Janet died at the age of 45 of pulmonary consumption on 11 Mar 1855 at 'Gartfern', Campsie in the parish of Buchanan. Gartfern was the Stevenson family home in the 1850’s and 1860’s (see census). The widowed Janet had been a resident of the parish for 18 months and was buried in the burial ground at Campsie. No children came of the marriage. The informant was her brother James Stevenson. A portion of the Stevenson family gravestone at Kilsyth Old Churchyard is pictured above.
94.3 Margaret/Mary Macfarlane (1772-c1840)
94.4 Isobella Macfarlane (1774-1814)
Isabella McQueen nee Macfarlane b1774 was not mentioned in brother James' will in 1836 and was listed as deceased in her brother William's will in 1851. She may have died as a result of childbirth in 1814, because there is a death record in Stirling parish in that year, but no age is given.
94.4a Catherine
McQueen later Burns (1814-c1865)
Catherine was the last of four
children born to John and Isabella McQueen nee Macfarlane b1774 (See above).
She was born in Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire in 1814.
The 1841 census listed Catherine McQueen 27 (listed mistakenly as 20) living at Luggiebank, Kirkintillock with her uncle William Macfarlane 54, Donald Robertson 55 (uncle by marriage), Agnes Robertson 55 (auntie), and servants Ann McMee 25, Janet Ferguson 17 and Colum Fauld 17.
Catherine had known James Burns since 1838 when he had married Catherine's cousin (Isobel Macfarlane b1817 [see 97.4], daughter of her uncle GGGGF John Macfarlan b1785) Sadly her cousin Isobel Burns nee Macfarlane b1817 died after giving birth to her only child, Agnes Burns in 1840. During the next twelve years Catherine and the now widowed James Burns became good friends.
Catherine McQueen b1814 spinster aged
38 married James Burns 44 on 24 Dec 1852 at Liverpool, Lancashire and she became
stepmother to James' first child Agnes Burns aged 12 b1840. Catherine’s father
was listed as John McQueen farmer. See 97.4a for more information about James
Burns b1806 and 97.4b for information about Agnes Burns.
During the 1850's James and Catherine Burns nee McQueen had two children; William Burns b1854 and Isobel Burns b1856. The last child was born when Catherine was 42. By 1861 James Burns 56 (b1805 Scotland) druggist (chemist) and his second wife Catherine Burns nee McQueen 47 (b1814 Scotland) had moved to 76 and 78 Myrtle St Liverpool with their son William Burns 7 (b1854 Liverpool) and Sarah Skillicorns 40 widow (a visitor).
Catherine Burns nee McQueen's date of death is unknown but as her husband was a widower (for the second time) at the 1871 census she must have died before then. Catherine's cousin GGGF Alexander Macfarlan died in 1909 and in his will provided for many, if not all of his cousins. As there was no provision for Catherine's children William b1854 and Isobel Burns b1856, they may have died prior to 1909. Probate for James Burns’ will was granted to daughter Agnes in 1872.
94.5 John Macfarlane (1776-c1776)
John was born on the 3 Mar 1776 at Port of Menteith, Perthshire. No other records have been found, and within a decade another child was baptised with the same name (see below), so the first John must have died young. The fact that this John was baptised on the day of his birth suggests that he was not expected to live, and he probably died soon after birth.
94.6 Sarah Macfarlane (1777-c1777)
Sarah was baptised on the 4 Apr 1777 at Port of Menteith, Perthshire. No other records have been found for Sarah so she may have died as an infant.
94.7 Robert Macfarlane (1782–c1840)
Robert was baptised on the 1 May
1782 at Port of Menteith, Perthshire. In 1836 Robert was nominated as a beneficiary in his brother James' will. He was not listed in the 1841 census, nor in brother William's will in 1851 so he probably died around 1840.
94.8 GGGGF
John Macfarlane (1785-1830)
John was baptised on 21 Mar 1785 at
Port of Menteith, Perthshire and was named after his father. He was the second
child baptised with that name; his younger brother having died as a baby. He
married GGGGM Janet Forrester on 29 Apr 1810 and took over the family farm at Borland after his father died. John and Janet had nine children. John died in his mid forties and was buried at Kilmahog in 1830. See 94.8 and 96.0 for
details of his life.
94.9 William
Macfarlane (1787-1851)
William was baptised on 24 April
1787 at Port of Menteith, Perthshire and raised on Borland Farm. He was the
final son of parents GGGGGP John Macfarlane and Catharine Graham.
It is interesting that William chose to join the English army in spite of the
fact that much of Scotland (mainly the highlands) were still recovering from
the English oppression that occurred following the battle of Culloden in 1746.
As the youngest son, he would not have inherited the family property (Borland)
and the army was possibly the best employment path available. It may also be a
hint that some of his forebears may have served in the armed forces. After his army service, William joined older brother James in several business ventures and became a wealthy landowner. He died in 1851 leaving a detailed will. (See 95.0 for more information
about his life)
94.10
Agnes Macfarlane (c1789-1859) & Donald Robertson
Agnes was the second last of John
and Catherine Macfarlane nee Graham's children and was born in Port of
Menteith, Perthshire (1851 census), but no baptism record has been found. Other records indicate various
birth years including 1784 (death cert), 1786 (1841 census) or 1791 (1851
census). Taking these records into account along with her sibling's birth dates, she was probably born around 1789.
At the age of 35, Agnes married
Lieutenant Donald Robertson 38 on 19 Apr 1824 at
Thornhill a mile or two from Borland Farm. Being in her late thirties when she
was married, may also have made it difficult for her to conceive children.
An undated letter attached to
Donald's military record signed by John Lommens, minister of the chapel at Norriston
stated that "At Thornhill in Monteith on 19 Apr 1824 Donald Robertson
Lieutenant on half pay of the 82 Regiment and Miss Agnes Macfarlane.... were
married by me....". The reverse of this letter was witnessed by Mr John Macfarlane,
Mrs Catherine Macfarlane, Miss Jess G Robertson and Miss Janet Robertson. As John Macfarlane senior
b1742 had died in 1814 the Macfarlane witnesses must have been Agnes' brother
John Macfarlane b1785 and her mother Mrs Catherine Macfarlane nee Graham. There is some mystery about who the two Miss Robertson cousins were (See 95.4b).
Donald's service record lists
military activities from 1809 to 1817 but does not specify details of these. A
letter dated 2 Mar 1849 providing evidence of the marriage signed by the
Minister of Port of Menteith, Alex Turner (Church of Scotland) is also in the
file and was required before a pension could be granted to Agnes.
Agnes' mother died in 1828 and Agnes was appointed sole executrix and sol beneficiary. The reason given was that "my other children are already sufficiently provided for". Agnes Robertson of Dunoon, Glasgow, lodged an inventory of the personal estate belonging to her mother many years later, in Feb 1849. The estate included "all and sundry tacks, bonds, bills, goods, gear, plate, jewels …..?, debts, sums of money, household furniture and plenishing, and whole other subjects, effects, means and estate of whatever kind or denomination presently pertaining and belonging or that shall pertain and belong or be indebted and resting owing to me at the time of my death nothing excepted or reserved with the whole vouchers and instructions of my said means and estate and all action and execution competent thereupon dispensing with the generality hereof and admitting and declaring these presents to be as valid and effectual to all extent and purposes as if every particular generally above conveyed were herein specifically."
At the time of the 1841 census, Agnes 55 (b1786) and Donald Robertson 55 b1786 were living at Luggie Bank, Kirkintillock with Agnes’ brother William Mcfarlan 54 (occupation unreadable but looks like 'menef', perhaps manufacturer?). Donald's occupation was listed as H.P, which may be a miswriting of 'A.P.' the abbreviation for Army Pension? Also in the residence were Catherine McQueen 26 (niece b1814, daughter of sister Isobel), Ann McMee 25 servant, Janet Ferguson 17 servant and Colin Fauld 17 servant, most of whom were mentioned in William's will ten years later.
Lieut. Donald Robertson died at
their Slatefield home on 1 Nov 1848 aged 62 (b1786). At the time he had been
receiving an army pension on half pay and Agnes put in an application (above) to
receive a widow's pension on 17 Feb 1849. She stated the place of marriage to
be Thornhill, Menteith, Perthshire.
By 1851 the 60 (really 62) year-old Agnes, widow, was living at Slatefield, Kern Shore Rd, Dunoon [Glasgow]. She
was described as a 'freeholder' (landowner) and she was hosting visits by niece
Janet Macfarlane 27 (b1824, Thornhill, Perthshire) and nephew GGGF
Alexander Macfarlane 26 (b1925 Thornhill) 'planter' (See 103.0). Isabella
Weir 23 was a servant.
Agnes' older, wealthy, bachelor
brother, William Macfarlane (see 95.0) died on 19 Sep 1851 at Agnes' home at
Slatefield. As William was not living there at the beginning of that year he
must have moved there when his health started to decline. The fact that Agnes
was described as a 'freeholder in the 1851 census, indicated that she at least,
part owned the house. William's will provided for his sister "Agnes
Robertson, residing at Slatefield, Dunoon, widow of the late Lieutenant Robertson,
half the income of my estate".
Agnes Robertson nee Macfarlane,
widow of the late Lieut. Donald Robertson, died on the 5 Jun 1859 at
Slatefield, Dunoon, Argylshire with a given age of 75 (b1784). Her death
registration was quite detailed, but frustratingly gives very little
information about her husband, apart from stating that she was the widow of 'a
military officer'. It confirms her parents were John Macfarlane, deceased
farmer and Catherine Graham deceased. Cause of death was cardiac arrest, and
she was buried in the churchyard at Dunoon. The 'informant' was the husband of
her niece Catherine Hardie nee Macfarlane, William Hardie of Ross Farm, Belford
Parish, Northumberland.
Probate was granted on the 21
July 1860 to James Dalrymple of Woodhead, Kinkintillock (a family closely associated
with brother William and nephew Alexander). There were no known
children.
NOTE: Kern Shore Road and
Slatefield, Dunoon are in the same vicinity and are possibly the same location.
Today Kern Shore Road is probably Shore Road, Kirn in the vicinity of Kirn Brae
Rd. Slatefield was an estate developed in the Kirn area possibly on the estate
once owned by the Robertsons.
94.11 Janet Macfarlane (1791-1836)
No baptism record has been found for Janet but her existence is proved, by her being nominated as a sister and beneficiary in her brother James' will in 1836.In 1836, older brother James Macfarlane bequeathed a legacy of £20 to "Janet Macfarlane spouse of Robert Kincaid farmer of Gartmore and her heirs". According to a gravestone erected by son James Kincaid, Janet Macfarlane died later that year (1836).
In 1841 Robert Kincaid 50 farmer was living at Mains, Campsie with six of his children and four servants/labourers. In 1861 Robert 74, was living at the same location with his twin sons and granddaughter. In 1861 Robert Kincaid of Mains of Bencloich, Campsie was the victim of an attempted poisioning by Agnes Kirkwood (JC26/1861/155). Robert Kincaid died in 1868 and son William Macfarlane Kincaid died in 1868.
95.0
William Macfarlane (1787-1851)
William was baptised on 24 April 1787 at Port of Menteith, Perthshire. He was the final son of parents GGGGGP John Macfarlane and Catharine Graham. From the English Probate record we know that William became a 'lieutenant in the 17th regiment of the Light Dragoons', which he would have joined in the early 1800's. "A History of the 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own)" found at https://archive.org/stream includes a William Macfarlane as a captain in 1812, and also lists a W. Macfarlane as a lieutenant in 1814. In his will, William mentions "the gold watch belonging to me, now in her (Agnes Macfarlane’s) possession which was made in Madras (now Chennai)". This watch may have been a souvenir of his service in India.
This extract below describes some of the exploits of the regiment in India. We can only surmise about William's military experiences from histories of the Regiment (shown in the painting above) such as that found at http://17thlancers.org/history.html.
In 1806, the 17th Regiment took
part in the disastrous expeditions to Spanish-controlled South America. After
the first failed invasion "the British force besieged and captured
Montevideo. In 1807, the 17th were part of the force that tried to capture
Buenos Aires, but this failed abysmally. The British force (including the
17th), was forced to surrender, and did not return home until 1808. The 17th
was sent to India shortly after returning home. In 1817 they took part in the
Third Mahratha War. Disease ravaged the regiment during its residency. Whilst
in India, the British Army nominally re-classified the 17th as lancers and
added "lancers" as a subtitle to its regimental designation in
1822."
William probably joined the
regiment when he was 21 on its return to Britain in 1808. The company would
have been recruiting new members to rebuild their numbers in preparation for
their campaign in India which started soon after. William may have paid for his
officer’s commission (a practice at the time) or may have earned it on merit. A
lieutenant’s commission cost over £1000. It seems that if William was involved
in combat, it would have been in India where the regiment was certainly
involved in some serious fighting. The evidence seems to show that William
never rose above the rank of lieutenant, but on retirement assumed the
honorific title, ‘Captain’. Several later documents listed him as Captain
William Macfarlane.
The 17th Regiment returned to England in 1823 and were stationed there until the Crimean War began in 1854 (after William died). William probably remained on reserve until his retirement. His will shows that he was receiving an army pension up until the day he died.
The extract above shows the oath that voters had to agree to. Perhaps his investments were paying a handsome dividend by the 1830’s. He certainly had accumulated enough wealth to start acquiring property. Records show slight variations in the dates, but his main purchases were various properties near Lennoxtown including Bencloich in 1834 (in partnership), Campsie Estates 1835 and Luggiebank with brother James in the early 1830's. William inherited his brother's half of Luggiebank after 1836.
95.1 Properties
belonging to William Macfarlane
NOTE: There were many properties
in Stirlingshire owned by unrelated Macfarlanes including a Captain William Macfarlane.
This makes research very confusing, but the properties listed below were
confirmed in William’s will.
Some family histories suggest that William built up his wealth in Jamaica but there are no documents that support that contention, so it seems his wealth was generated by his army pay, strategic land purchases in Scotland (see purple under-linings in the map above) and from investments in mining ventures which were booming in southern Scotland at that time. William also generated a substantial income from tenants of his land. For example, his will listed 23 tenants on the estates of Shirva, St Flannan and Bencloich whose rent for the preceding half year amounted to £600. Information about his properties is found below.
A) Greenhead, Drumaling & Carrour near Lennoxtown
William’s will described his Lennoxtown properties as "All and whole of the Lands of Carrour and Firbrae, Mains of Bencloich, Drummellon [Drumaling], Mill of Bencloich. Those parts of Greenhead on the north side of road from Kilsyth to Lennoxtown”. Some of these properties were bought in partnership with Charles Macintosh (see below).
William became quite wealthy, and
it seems the source of that wealth was mainly related to strategic land
purchases, parts of which were then leased to tenants or sold at a profit. Some
documents describe him as a coal master and there is a hint of his involvement
in mining enterprises in the two records above found at https://archive.org/stream/parishcampsie. The bottom document details
how Charles Macintosh (1766-1843; inventor of Macintosh raincoats) discovered a
seam of alum at Campsie which was mined in the early 1800’s. Macintosh
purchased the lands and mine works in 1835. Other documents tell us that Charles
Macintosh and William Macfarlane jointly purchased Bencloich in 1834 (see
below), so we can assume that they were in some sort of partnership. The top
document tells us that as late as 1877 William Macfarlane’s trustees still held
shares in the Alum Company at Campsie. There are also records showing that coal
was mined at Bencloich Colliery.
Charles Macintosh died in 1843 and in his will he says that his beneficiaries were to inherit “that part of Greenhead (near Lennoxtown Free Church today) being on the south side of the public road leading from to Kilsyth to Lennox Town with the allum mines, collieries, ironstone, limestone and other mineral deposits of the estate including the lands of Carrour Bencloich and others sold to William Macfarlane Esquire in so far as the said minerals are excepted and reserved from his purchase….” Note: Greenhead is now north of the main road.
B) Bencloich
"The estate of Bencloich was ...sold
to Charles Macintosh, Esq., and William Macfarlan, Esq., in 1834".
Extract from the Statistical Account for Stirlingshire - Campsie Parish (Drawn
up May 1841) and from an 1858 Stirlingshire Ordinance Survey "Bencloich
Mains; A good Farm Steading, the property of the heirs of the late W. Macfarlane
Esqr."
The above extract is taken from an article by Robert Lee titled ‘Parish of Campsie’ written in
1841 and can be found on the website https://stataccscot.edina.ac.uk/. In essence it
says that McFarlans of Kirkton in the Parish of Campsie (unrelated) along with
the Lennox family descended from the same female ancestor. Ancestors of John Macfarlan
of Bancleroche (unrelated) came into possession of that estate in 1624 and
still held it in 1841. Those Macfarlanes were not related to William. In 1834 William
Macfarlane b1787 and Charles Macintosh purchased parts of the Bencloich Estate.
The article also notes that the unrelated John Macfarlane of Kirkton resided
there, and William Macfarlane of Bencloich did not reside there (he
lived at Luggiebank). The article also mentions the Kincaids, which is the family that sister Janet married in to in 1824.
William of Bencloich, [and]
Luggiebank was admitted to the Highland Agricultural Society in 1832. The
membership list above shows that William had a commercial interest in Benloich.
This membership entry was many years later and does not indicate he
owned Bencloich as early as 1832. The reference to Alexander Macfarlane of
Thornhill in the same record was not GGGF Alexander Macfarlane
who was born in 1825 but may have been a relative.
NOTE: The estate of Bencloich was
sold by Sir Archibald Edmonstone to Charles Macintosh, Esq. and William Macfarlan,
Esq. in 1834 (https://electricscotland.com). There is an interesting
history with many anecdotes about Bencloich at https://archive.org/stream/parishcampsie.
Unfortunately, it stops short of the Macfarlane era.
C) Campsie estates of Sir Archibald Edmonstone
William’s will listed “Parts of
the estate of Campsie acquired from Archibald Emondstone 1835” in his assets. (acquisition
date varies). The Campsie estates of Sir Archibald Edmonstone of Duntreath were
sold by his grandson in 1834. "The remainder of the estate was sold to
Captain Macfarlane of Luggiebank, Kirkintilloch, whose trustees sold it to Sir
Charles Stirling, Bart., of Glorat." (From https://archive.org/stream/). In his will, Alexander Macfarlane
refers to William as 'Captain Macfarlane', so he obviously went by that title
sometimes.
William’s will listed “All of
my lands and estate of Shirva and St Flannan on the south side of the Great
Canal and known by the names of Drumhill and St Flannan and village of Tintock
sometimes occupied by James and William Martin....Bounded on the north by the
Great Canal, on the east by lands owned by Walter Ballantyne, on the south by
property owned by John Murray Gartshore and on the west by property of James
Duncan".
The 1860 ordinance survey above listed
the St Flannans and Drumhill properties as farm steadings, the property of
Captain Macfarlane’s heirs. They were about two miles east of Kirkintillock. At
around this time mining companies had expressed interest in the properties (see
below) and they would later be developed into significant coal mines in the
early 1900’s. Although the mines closed many years ago there are still ruins
marking the location of the mines.
The website www.durtnall.org.uk/DEEDS/
lists a document which is an "agreement between trustees of
William Macfarlan Esq of Bencloich and Luggiebank 1859 on the one part and
Graham Hardie and Henry Hardie, coal masters (on the other part) to execute a
lease in favour of the second parties of the "Lands of Saint Flannans and
Drumhill. Regards to the working and carrying away of minerals in said lands
and to the sinking of pits and performing the operations necessary for that
purpose. To bring up said minerals and more." This contract was agreed
to after William's death and we know from GGGF Alexander Macfarlan's
will that he was a trustee of William's estate, so he would have authorised the
agreement.
William’s will
listed “All and whole of my lands known as Luggiebank acquired from William Macfarlane
(unrelated), Lime merchant at Muckroft 29 Sep 1838”.
Dumbartonshire Ordinance Survey
1860, has the above description of Luggiebank. The 'Directory to Gentlemen's Seats,
Villages &c. in Scotland': includes in its 1843 listings the name of the
resident “Macfarlane, William, Luggie Bank, Kirkintilloch, Dumbarton”.
In 'A Survey of Historic Gardens by East Dumbartonshire Council' a description of the Luggiebank property notes that "The strategic location of the estate across the proposed routes for any trains carrying coal from the collieries to east of Kirkintillock to scows at the canal basin at Hillhead and the Campsie Railway allowed the owners additional income from selling land to the railways. The land was developed as a public park in the 1980's. Luggiebank House is now part of a mews housing development at the end of a short access road (Dun Park) off Redbrae Rd."
The report described Luggiebank
House as, "a typical small 18th century laird's house, which was
visited by political radical Thomas Muir in 1792. The Macfarlanes (Captain
William Macfarlane and later his nephew Alexander) who also
owned Bencloich Estate in Campsie were the principal 19th century proprietors.
Later owners included Dr Sam Henderson, a local GP, and the district newspaper,
'The Kirkintillock Herald'. The building was redeveloped as flats c.2000, with
new-build mews-style housing causing a rear cul-de-sac."
“Captain William Macfarlane (also owner of Shirva Farm, Kirkintillock]) had Bailie James Dalrymple of Woodhead as a factor to his advantage...Dalrymple managed to keep Luggiebank outside the burgh boundaries in 1881 and 1883.." [and so reduce taxes due].
William Macfarlane knew James
Dalrymple well as they were both Bailies for Kirtkinkillock in the 1840’s (above).
Nephew Alexander Macfarlane who inherited Luggiebank must have also had a close
relationship with Bailie James Dalrymple because he was a pallbearer at James’
funeral in 1901 (above).
95.2 Later
Life of William Macfarlane
At the time of the 1841 census (above)
William was a resident at Luggie Bank, Kirkintillock, but his occupation is
illegible. The household consisted of William Mcfarlan 54, occupation 'menef?'(manufacturer?),
Donald Robertson 55 brother-in-law, occ 'A.P?' (Army Pension?),
Agnes Robertson 55 sister, Catherine McQueen 20 niece (daughter of sister
Isabella with age rounded down from 27), Ann McMee 25 servant, Janet Ferguson
17 servant and Colum Fauld 17 servant. From 1842 to 1843 William Macfarlane of
Luggiebank was listed as a subscriber supporting the promotion of fine arts in
Scotland.
Whilst living at Luggiebank
William was appointed as one of the municipal bailies of Kirkintillock from
1840 to 1846. He was joined in his final two years by his friend James
Dalrymple.
William Macfarlane of Bencloich
and Luggiebank, died on 19 Sep 1851 and was buried in Kilmahog churchyard. The
size and quality of his memorial headstone also hint of a man of wealth (below). His
gravestone reads "In memory of William MacFarlan of Bencloich,
Stirlingshire, and Luggiebank, Dumbartonshire, Lieut 17th Dragoons, born Parish
of Port, 24 April 1787, died Slatefield, Dunoon, 10 Sep 1851."
William left a very detailed will
(see below). No record of a marriage or children can be found, and all his
siblings except younger sister Agnes predeceased him, which explains why his
nephews and nieces were beneficiaries of his will. However, the probate record
of 13 Aug 1860 provides the following information, "William Macfarlane
late of Bencloich and Luggiebank in the county of Dumbarton, formerly
lieutenant in the 17th regiment of the Light Dragoons deceased who died 19 Sep
1851 at Slatefield Dunoon in the county of Argyle. Effects in England less than
£100". The fact that it specifies 'Effects in England' also confirms
that he had wealth elsewhere such as Scotland.
William Macfarlane's will was over
30 pages long and very detailed. It was dated 2 Jan 1851. He nominated many
beneficiaries and was quite explicit in how his assets were to be distributed.
There were four pages detailing his investments and debts owing, which amounted
to over £10,000. There was another page listing properties that he
had a financial interest in, which are explored in more detail above. They included:
- "All and whole of the Lands of Carrour and Firbrae, Mains of Bencloich, Drummellon [Drumalling], Mill of Bencloich. Those parts of Greenhead north side of road from Kilsyth to Lennoxtown, Parts of the estate of Campsie acquired from Archibald Emondstone 1835.
- All and whole of my lands known as Luggiebank acquired from William Macfarlane, Lime merchant at Muckroft 29 Sep 1838 and
- All of my lands and estate of Shirva and St Flannan on the south side of the Great Canal and known by the names of Drumhill and St Flannan and village of Tintock sometimes occupied by James and William Martin....Bounded on the north by the Great Canal, on the east by lands owned by Walter Ballantyne, on the south by property owned by John Murray Gartshore and on the west by property of James Duncan"
The main provisions in his will
were;
- Payment of debts and "of my deathbed and funeral expenses up to 100 guineas for the erection of a monument at my burial place". See photo above.
- "My cousin Miss Jessie Gordon Robertson,
residing at East Mains, Callander £100 and her sister Isabella Robertson of
Mansefield, Callander £100". NOTE: How these cousins are related is unknown, but
as the first named beneficiaries, William must have regarded them highly. Miss
Jess G Robertson was a witness at William’s sister Agnes’ wedding. See 94.10 and
also note below.
- £200 to Jean Graham (nee Unknown) wife of Duncan Graham residing at Millcroft near Glasgow and her daughter Jeanie Graham in gratitude for the attention paid to my sister Mrs (Agnes) Robertson (nee Macfarlane)
- "My sister Agnes Robertson, residing at
Slatefield, Dunoon, widow of the late Lieutenant Robertson, half the income of
my estate". [Agnes
Macfarlane b1788, See 94.10]
- Surviving child of the late Isabella Macfarlane,
my niece, wife of James Burns, of the Apothecary Hall, Liverpool, interest
of £300 (for her) education until reaching majority. Isobel Burns nee Macfarlane
b1817 was a daughter of William's brother GGGGF John Macfarlan b1785.
In 1851 she was deceased and her only surviving child was Agnes Burns who was
11 at that time. See 97.4b
- Only surviving daughter of the deceased Robert Macfarlane, late of the West Indies £300. "If my sister Agnes dies without making a bequest to the child of Robert Macfarlane and the child of Isabella Burns (i.e. Agnes Burns), an additional £300". Robert Macfarlane was a deceased son of William's brother John Macfarlan b1785 and Robert's only child was Frances Jane Macfarlane (1846-1923). See 102.2
- "Catherine, Isabella and
Janet McRuer, my cousins, £100". See
Theory 1 below.
- "To my sister Mrs (Agnes) Robertson, a gold
watch belonging to me, now in her possession which was made in Madras. At her
death to my nephew John Macfarlane." (John
Macfarlane b1812 married Isabella Fleming See 97.2)
- "Upon the death of my sister Agnes, the whole
lands of Luggiebank, Saint Flannan and Drumhill, all in the parish of
Kirkintulloch and the county of Dunbarton to my nephew Alexander Macfarlane,
late of Jamaica but now in Glasgow, son of my said brother John,
for his lifetime, and to his eldest lawful son whom failing, to his eldest
daughter in life at his death… the sum of £2000 as a provision which I
bequeath to the whole younger or other children male and female of my said
nephew Alexander Macfarlane, who shall be in life at the time of
their father’s death" See 103.0 for information about GGGF
Alexander Macfarlane (1825-1909) and his only child.
- The other half of the income of the estate to William's nieces and nephews, John Macfarlane b1812, GGGF Alexander Macfarlane b1825, Catherine Hardie nee Macfarlane b1810 (wife of William Hardie a farmer of Redhall, Berwickshire) See 98.0, Margaret Fleming nee Macfarlane b1814 (wife of Thomas Fleming now in New South Wales; see 100.0) and Agnes Macmillan nee Macfarlane c1788 (See 94.10) "all children of my late brother John and also consisting of John McQueen and Catherine McQueen, children of my late sister Isabella McQueen" nee Macfarlane b1774. See 94.4.
- There were a dozen or so other beneficiaries who seem not to have been related and £200 set aside "for the poor of my native parish of Port Monteith".
NOTE RE ITEM 9 ABOVE
According to this clause,
William's lands as described above, should have passed to GGGF Alexander Macfarlane
and on his death, to his eldest daughter (and only known child). As it turns
out this child was GGM Margaret Allan Cunningham Macfarlane (now
proven by many documents and DNA tests to be his child). The main reason that
this did not occur, was that GGGF Alexander specifically denied
that Margaret was 'of his blood', in his will. The fact that he
was very clear on this point, in itself, suggests that he knew the truth, but
wanted to ensure that ownership of William's lands passed to relatives in
Scotland. He did provide £4000 to Margaret by way of
'compensation'. (See Cunningham and Smith Sections for more information). The
other legal impediment was the use of the word 'lawful' in the will above,
which probably excluded illegitimate children at that time.
95.4 William Macfarlane's Cousins
The relationship of some of the
listed cousins to William is not entirely clear. The notes below provide
theories for how the McRuer and McRobertson sisters may be related and are
partly based on ideas kindly provided by ‘PD’. Events in red are backed up by
an existing record
95.4a
McRuer Sisters: Catherine, Isabella & Janet
William Macfarlane listed
Catherine, Isabella and Janet McRuer as cousins in his will. If they were first
cousins they were children of a sister of one of his parents. The only record
that indicates a female Graham or Macfarlane married a McRuer is Isobel Graham
marrying James McRuer in Aberfoyle in 1792 (below). This marriage is in the right
timeframe, but no records show that she was a sister of Margaret Graham b1758.
There was an Isobel Graham born at Port of Menteith in May 1767 to John Graham c1740 and Isobel Macfarlane c1745. Either of her parents may have been related to William Macfarlane b1789. John Graham c1740 may have been a cousin of John’s mother Margaret Graham b1748 (son of a brother of Margaret’s father Robert Graham c1720 or Isabella Macfarlane c1745 may have been related to William’s father John Macfarlane c1742.
On 29 Dec 1792 at the age of 25 Isobel Graham b1767 married James McRuer (b1767 Aberfoyle) in Aberfoyle. There were no children listed for this couple in Aberfoyle, but records show that a James McRuer and Isobel Graham had at least eight daughters and one son baptised at Barony, Glasgow between 1798 and 1814. Four of the daughters were Margaret born 1800, Isobel 1802, Catherine 1805 and Janet born 1811. A last child named Jean was born in Feb 1814 when Isobel b1767 was aged 46. Strangely, at two censuses the sisters were listed in birth order, but their given ages differ considerably to the baptism dates above. Their given ages were all lowered by five years or more.
The 1851 census listed the four
McRuer sisters living at 81 Bath St, Glasgow as Margaret McRuer 45 b1806
(really 50), head of the household, lodging housekeeper, Isabella McRuer 43
b1808 (really 48), Catherine McRuer 38 b1813 (really 46) and Janet McRuer 32
b1819 (really 40). All were born in Glasgow and were sisters.
The 1861 census listed Margaret McRuer 54 living in the same address with sister Isabella 54. Also living at that address was 19 year old servant Margaret Macfarlane (b. Isle of Mull) and lodger John Scott. Sister Janet McRuer had married William Hill at Barony in 1852.
The Glasgow McRuers were likely
to be cousins of William. Both William and his nephew Alexander lived in
Glasgow for a time in the 1840’s so the location makes good sense, but issues
with the above records include:-
a) They do not explain why the
eldest sister (Margaret) was not mentioned in William’s will, even though she
was still alive and unmarried and living with her sisters at that time. However
in his old age this may have been an oversight by William!
b) The sister’s ages in both 1851
and 1861 censuses differ greatly from their baptism dates. Wrong ages were
common in censuses, either from incorrect transcription, failing memories or a
deliberated downplaying by the subject. Would the sisters collectively downplay
their ages by so many years?
c) The significant age differences may prove that there were two McRuer families; one in Perthshire and one in Glasgow. This is reinforced by Isobella b1767 being 46 at the birth of her last child. Records show that a Catherine McRuer (c1800 Aberfoyle) married farmer John Dobbie at Fintry in 1826 and died there in 1882. Isabella McRuer (c1810 Aberfoyle) married John McGregor in Aberfoyle in 1832. Perhaps the Aberfoyle McRuers were a different family! More research is needed.
95.4b Robertson
Sisters: Jessie Gordon & Isabella Robertson
Catherine and Janet Robertson witnessed an undated letter for William’s sister Agnes Macfarlane which confirms they were close to the Macfarlane family (see 94.10). The above extract from the ‘Montrose Review', 1853: reported bequests in Janet G Robertson's will. It confirms that Janet resided in Torrie and was the daughter of Dr James Robertson, minister of Callander and sister of both Rev Peter Robertson also a minister at Callander and Duncan Robertson of Jamaica.
'PD' who has traced his family back to the Reverend James Robertson (1739-1812), minister at Callander in Perthshire from 1768 until his death, has done much research on the Robertson sisters and has concluded that they were daughters of the Rev James Robertson and sisters to Rev Peter Robertson (see news item above). However, how they were related to William Macfarlane is unknown although he does wonder "if Henry Graham of Baleich (grandfather of the two Robertson spinsters, Jessie and Isabella) and Dougal Grahame of Overdownance (possible grandfather of Lieutenant William Macfarlane) were brothers? That would make the spinsters and the Lieutenant second cousins." See 131.0 for more information about Dougal Grahame of Overdowance. (See diagram below)
95.5 Diagram ROB1 Robertson Sisters
John was born in 1785 and baptised on
the 17 Mar 1785, at Port of Menteith, Perthshire Scotland to GGGGGP John Macfarlane
1742-1814 and Katherine Graham c1747 (see 94.0). John
was the eighth child born in a family of eleven children. Some of his siblings
seem to have died as children or young adults, but his two surviving brothers
seem to have developed an interest in business, and over their lives acquired
considerable wealth. It appears that John, who on the
death of his father was the third surviving son, became a farmer like his
father before him, and took over the family farm at Borland
On 29 Apr 1810, John 25 married 19 year old GGGGM Janet
Forrester at Port of Menteith. See Part Five: The Forrester Family for more detail of
Janet Forrester's early family life. The couple had nine children, all
baptised in Port of Menteith; Katherine (Catherine) Macfarlane b15 Apr 1810,
John Macfarlane b29 Feb 1812, Margaret Macfarlane b27 Feb 1814, Isobel Macfarlane
b19 Oct 1817, Robert Macfarlane c1819, Agnes Macfarlane b19 Jun 1821, William Macfarlane
b28 Dec 1823, GGGF Alexander Macfarlane b5 Mar 1825 and
William Graham Macfarlane b24 Aug 1828 (from other documents). Baptismal
records for some of their children list Kincardine by Doune as the place of
baptism. Kincardine was a parish in the district of Menteith, 3 miles from
Doune, and close to Port of Menteith in Perthshire.
John's children would have grown up on the family farm (Borland
Farm). Further evidence of the family living at Borland is that fact that some
of his children listed Thornhill as their place of birth. The family farm at
Borland was about one mile from the town.
GGGGF John Macfarlane b1785 died of Tythus fever (typhoid) at the age of 44, on 29 Sep 1830. His death was registered
in the district of Callander, Perthshire and he was buried on 8 October 1830 at
Kilmahog, Perthshire in a family plot. See burial details below.
After the death of her husband
the widowed GGGGM Janet Macfarlan nee Forrester 48 (really 49;
b1791) moved to Dyers Lean, Kincardine. The 1841 census described her as a
widow of independent means and she was living with her daughter Agnes Macfarlan
19 (b1821). GGGGM Janet Macfarlane nee Forrester died later that
year on 13 Dec 1841 aged 49 (according to the gravestone inscription below).
GGGGF John was buried with his wife GGGGM
Janet Forrester, father GGGGGF John Macfarlan (of
Borland), mother GGGGGM Catherine Macfarlan nee Graham and son GGGF
Alexander. Their gravestone reads, "John Macfarlan [b1742]
late of Borland aged 71, by his wife Mrs C. M. [Catherine Macfarlan nee
Graham], second son John 8.10.1830 aged 44, [his wife] Janet Forrester
13.12.1841 aged 49, son Alexander of Rosemount & Aldie in Ross-shire 1 July
1909 aged 84".
Janet was baptised on 13 Nov 1791 in
Kilmadock and according to the Macfarlane Family Website on 29 Apr 1810 at the
age of 19, Janet married GGGGF John Macfarlane
(1785-1830) at Port of Menteith. They had nine children. See Part Five: Forrester Family for information about her early life.
97.0 Nine
Children of GGGGP John Macfarlan (1785-1830) & Janet Forrester
(1791-1841)
All children were probably born near
the village of Thornhill at Borland (the family farm on the outskirts of the
town). However, most were baptised at the nearby church in Port of Menteith.
(See 92.3).
Thornhill, Stirling is a small village about 30 miles north of Glasgow (photo
below). Thornhill was founded as an early planned village in 1696 and most
buildings date from the 18th, 19th and 20th century. In the aftermath of the
1745 Rebellion the population was boosted by displaced highlanders. GGGF
Alexander Macfarlan had a soft spot for Thornhill (the place of his
birth) and remembered the inhabitants in his will.
Although dates of death are not
known for some children, all except Agnes were deceased by 1909, as she was the
only sibling to receive an inheritance from her brother GGGF Alexander
Macfarlan. Also, the will only refers to the children of Catherine
b1810, Margaret b1814 and Robert b1831, making it likely that none of the other
six siblings (apart from GGGF Alexander's illegitimate daughter GGM
Margaret) had any surviving children of their own.
Chapters 44.1 to 44.9 below
provide a very brief look at the lives of all nine siblings. For a more
detailed look at some of the Macfarlane children who survived to adulthood (our
great, great, great aunts and uncles) see 98.0 Catherine Macfarlane
(1810-1889), see 100.0 Margaret Macfarlane (1814-1887) and see 102.0.0
for Robert Macfarlane (c1826-1868). The Macfarlanes in our family tree
were all well off and some acquired considerable wealth. They often employed servants
and owned large properties. It is interesting to note (and also confusing at
times) the repeated use of the same names for offspring in honor of other
family members and the acknowledgement of the maiden names of wives.
97.1
Catherine Macfarlane (1810-?) & the Hardie Family
Catherine was the first child
born to GGGGP John Macfarlane (1785-1830) & Janet
Forrester (1791-1841). She was born on the 15 Apr and baptised on
25 April 1810 at Port of Menteith, Kincardine By Doune, Perth. She married
William Hardie and had eight children. See 98.0 for details of the Hardy Family
and 99.0 for their children.
John was born on 29 Feb 1812 at
Port of Menteith. Records relating to John are hard to locate but Genny Kang's
research has unearthed the following information.
John aged 23 married Isabella
Fleming 19 on 5 Jul 1835 in her home town of St.Ninians when he was in his
early twenties. He was described as a farmer on his death certificate and as
the first born male may have taken over management of the family property
(possibly Borland Farm). There is an 1841 census record that lists John Macfarlane
30 of independent means living in Port of Menteith with Isabel Macfarlane 35
and Peter Macfarlane 48, clerk. Their address is described as N1 Brodleton.
This record fits but Peter Macfarlane would have to be a distant cousin.
John Macfarlane of Thornhill was
listed as a member of the Thornhill Temperance Society in 1846 (below).
John's wife Isabella Fleming
b1816 was most likely sister to Thomas Fleming b1815 who married John's sister
Margaret Macfarlane in 1836. Thomas Fleming was "a native of Glasgow,
son of William Fleming farmer at St Ninians in Stirlingshire (about 11 miles
from Thornhill) and Elizabeth Cowen his wife", according to his
arrival papers as an assisted immigrant. Therefore, Isabella was most likely
born in St Ninians as well and possibly it was her marriage to John that helped
establish a relationship between John's sister and her brother.
Sadly, Isabella Macfarlane nee Fleming died in 1849 at the age of 33 and was
buried at Tradeston, Glasgow on 18 Nov 1849. The family were living in Thistle
St, Glasgow at the time, very close to the River Clyde.
Another record relating to John is found in his uncle William Macfarlane's
will; "to my nephews and nieces consisting of
John....."; where he was listed as one of the beneficiaries in
1851. Another clause in the will stated "To my sister Mrs (Agnes)
Robertson, a gold watch belonging to me, now in her possession which was made
in Madras. At her death to my nephew John Macfarlane."
John's death certificate tells us that he had one daughter and confirms that
both she and her mother were both deceased. In fact, her death and possibly
that of his daughter may have been another factor for him choosing to migrate.
The fact that John was alone in the 1850's, had received a sizable inheritance
and that two of his siblings were living in Australia where the gold rushes were
in full swing, may have also motivated John to migrate.
According to the death certificate above, John had been in the Colony of Victoria for nine months, which suggests he arrived in Melbourne around Jan or Feb 1853. There are two records that could list John arriving as an unassisted migrant. The first listed John Macfarlane, adult, arriving in Nov 1852 on the ship 'Progress'. The other lists John with the correct age (40), but the time frame (arriving in Aug 1852) does not fit.
Sadly, after just nine months in the colony, on 7 Nov 1853, John passed away from 'delerium tremens' at the age of 40. The information on the death certificate was provided by brother, GGGF Alexander Macfarlan, who was present at Little Brunswick St, Collingwood when John passed away. John's parents were listed as "John Macfarlane, farmer and Janet Macfarlane formerly Forrester." John Macfarlane was buried on the 8 Nov, 1853 at Melbourne General Cemetery. His deceased wife (Isabella Fleming) and one unnamed deceased daughter were listed on the certificate.
97.3
Margaret Macfarlane (1814-1887) & the Fleming Family
Margaret was born in Port of
Menteith on 27 February 1814. On 22 May 1836 Margaret married Thomas Fleming at
Kincardine by Doune. Two years later in 1838, the couple with their baby
daughter Jessie Fleming, migrated to NSW. See 100.0 for more details of her
life.
97.4 Isobel
Macfarlane (1817-c1840)
Isobel Macfarlane was
born on 9 December and baptised ten days later on 19 Dec 1817 at Port of
Menteith, to parents GGGGP John and Janet Macfarlane nee Forrester.
At the age of 24 on 31 December
1838, Isabel married James Burns 32 at Glasgow, Lanarkshire (See below). Isabel
and James must have spent some time in Ireland after their wedding, because
their only daughter Agnes Burns was born there in 1840.
Isobel Burns nee Macfarlane probably died before the 1841 census and was certainly deceased by the time of her uncle William Macfarlane's death in 1851. William's will made provision for "the surviving child of the late Isabella Macfarlane, my niece, wife of James Burns, of the Apothecary Hall, Liverpool, interest of £300 for the education until reaching majority".
For more information about her husband James Burns, see below.
97.4a James Burns (1806-1872)
James Burns was born at Dunipace
(south of Stirling, Scotland) on the 8 Dec 1806. At the age of 32 he married
Isobel Macfarlane 24 (b1817 Kincardine) on 31 December 1838 at Glasgow,
Lanarkshire, Scotland (see above). James and Isobel must have spent some time
in Ireland after their wedding because their only daughter Agnes Burns was born
there in 1840. Isobel Burns nee Macfarlane probably died when Agnes was very
young because she did not appear in the 1841 census.
In 1851 James Burns 46 widowed
chemist was living at 41 Louther St, Liverpool with daughter Agnes Burns 11 (b1840
Ireland) and Mary Molloy 23 servant.
The following year on 24 Dec
1852, James Burns 46 year old widower married his first wife's cousin,
Catherine McQueen 38 (b1814) at Liverpool.
By 1861 James Burns 56 b 1805 druggist (chemist), had moved to 76 and 78 Myrtle St Liverpool, with his second wife Catherine Burns nee McQueen 47 b1814, their son William Burns 7 b1854 and Sarah Skillicorns 40 widow and visitor.
In 1871 the family was living a few doors away at 82 Myrtle St. and consisted of James Burns 65 widowed druggist, Agnes Burns unmarried daughter 32, William Burns 17 scholar, Isabella Burns 15 b1846 scholar and Helen Fowler 18 servant.
James Burns, 66 year old widowed chemist, died 11 Feb 1872 at Myrtle St, Liverpool. Probate granted to his eldest daughter Agnes Burns spinster of 82 Myrtle St.
97.4b Agnes Burns (1840-1901) daughter of Isobel Macfarlan b1817
Agnes' parents, James and Isabel Burns nee Macfarlane, must have spent some time in Ireland, because their only daughter Agnes Burns was born there in 1840. Agnes' mother Isobel Burns nee Macfarlane probably died when Agnes was very young; probably before the 1841 census. In 1851 Agnes Burns 11 (b1840 Ireland) was back in England living at 41 Louther St, Liverpool with her widowed father James Burns 46, chemist, and Mary Molloy 23 servant. Later that year Agnes' great uncle William Macfarlane b1787 died and made the following provision in his will; "the surviving child of the late Isabella Macfarlane, my niece, wife of James Burns, of the Apothecary Hall, Liverpool, interest of £300 for her education until reaching majority". The will covered costs for the education of Agnes who was eleven at the time of William's death.
The following year on 24 Dec
1852, Agnes' father James Burns 44 married Agnes' mother's cousin Catherine
McQueen (daughter of Isobel's father's sister), aged 38 (b1814). They were
married in Liverpool, Lancashire and the Burns family set up their home in
Myrtle St.
At the time of the 1861 census Agnes was listed as being 19 and living away from home. She was apparently making use of her inheritance as an enrolled pupil at 'The Panhouse' Chitsey Lane, Eccleshall (65 miles from Liverpool), which was possibly a 'finishing school for young ladies'. Chitsey Lane no longer exists.
In 1871 Agnes 32 was back at home living at 82 Myrtle St with her father who had been widowed for a second time. Her family was listed as James Burns 65 widowed druggist, Agnes Burns unmarried daughter 32 (b1839 Ireland), Agnes' stepsiblings; William Burns 17 scholar and Isabella Burns 15 b1846 Liverpool scholar and Helen Fowler 18 servant.
On 4 Nov 1880 Miss Agnes Burns
arrived in Sydney as a second class passenger on the ship Catopaxi. Why she
moved to Sydney is unknown, but prior to leaving she must have made the
acquaintance of a Liverpool accountant named Benjamin Chadwick. Perhaps he
helped get her financial matters in order after the death of her father in
1872. The relationship was more than for business purposes, because on 4 Apr
1884, Benjamin Chadwick 38 accountant left Plymouth bound for Sydney.
Benjamin arrived in Sydney on the
17 May 1884 and twelve days later he married Agnes Burns 44. The wedding
announcement read, "At St. James's Church, Sydney, New South Wales,
Benjamin Chadwick of Liverpool to Agnes, daughter of the late James Burns,
chemist, both formerly of this city".
The couple lived in various suburbs of Sydney where Benjamin conducted his successful accountancy business. Agnes Chadwick nee Burns died in 1901 at their Burwood home. The death notice in the SMH read "January 13, 1901, at her residence, Wentworth Road, Burwood, Agnes, the beloved wife of Benjamin Chadwick". Benjamin Chadwick passed away four years later. There were no known children.
97.5
Robert Macfarlane (c1819-1845)
There are very few records
relating specifically to Robert Macfarlane. He is the only one of his siblings
where birth or baptism registrations indicating the date of his birth have not
been found. However, other documents indicate he was born around 1819 and
married a woman named Jane Jackson in Jamaica in 1844. He died in Jamaica in
1845 in his late twenties. See 102.0 for more details about his life.
97.6
Agnes Macfarlane (1821-1912)
Agnes was born on 19 Jun 1821 in
the village of Thornhill, Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire. Until the 1840's she
lived with her parents and then her mother, after her father died. By 1841
Agnes and her mother had moved to Dyers Lean, Kincardine. Living in the house
were Agnes' mother GGGGM Janet Macfarlan nee Forrester 48
(really 49) widow of independent means and the unmarried Agnes Macfarlane 19
(b1821). Agnes was probably nursing her mother who died later that year.
In 1851 Agnes and her
brother GGGF Alexander were staying with their widowed
aunt Agnes Robertson nee Macfarlane 60 at Kern Shore Rd, Glasgow. (See 94.10)
The census tells us that her aunt, Agnes Robertson nee Macfarlane 60, was head
of the household and a freeholder (owned her own land). Staying in the house
were Alexander Macfarlane 26, whose occupation was described as
'planter' and Agnes Macfarlane 29 b1821. Later that year Agnes’ uncle William Macfarlane
died leaving a bequest of the other half of the income of my estate to
my nieces and nephews...(including)....Agnes; all children of my
late brother John. This income would have ensured that Agnes was in a very a
comfortable financial position.
Later that decade on 19 Oct 1858
Agnes Macfarlane aged 37 married Rev Gilbert MacMillan at Dunoon and Kilmun,
Argyle (above). Gilbert was educated at University of Glasgow and was ordained 26 Sep
1850. The Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser announced the marriage on
23 Oct 1858, "At Slatefield, Dunoon, on the 19th instant, by the
Rev. Dr Clarke, the Rev. Gilbert McMillan, minister of Berriedale, to Agnes,
youngest daughter of the late John Macfarlane (b1785), Esq., Borland".
It is possible that Agnes met
Gilbert in 1851 when he was attending Glasgow University, as she was living
with her Aunt Agnes b1791 in Glasgow at that time. Gilbert became Minister of
Berriedale on 26 Sep 1850 and transferred to Loth (possibly Lothmore), Sutherland
on 29 Aug 1861 where he was minister for forty years until 1 Oct. 1902.
Interestingly, Lothmore is only about 10 miles from Torrish Burn where Agnes'
brother GGGF Alexander Macfarlan was living in the late
1890's.
The 1861 census listed Gilbert Macmillan
34, 'minister in the established church' and wife Agnes Macmillan nee
Macfarlan 37 and their three domestic servants Donald Sutherland 18, Betsy
Mackay 19 and Jane McEwan 13 living at Berriedale Manse, Latheron.
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Later that year Gilbert and Agnes
moved to The Manse, Loth (above, now a B&B)) where they remained from 1871-1891 with their
four servants. On 7 Jul 1875 Alexander Macfarlan wrote to Deborah Forrester nee
Bowman giving her news from 'home' (Scotland) and including his planned trip to
see Agnes. He wrote the letter in London and said "I am on my way to my
sister in South Sutherlandshire meaning to go via the west coast and Islands
which I have long desired to visit and should the weather prove propitious expect
a pleasing round [trip]"
In 1901 living in The Manse, Loth, were Gilbert Macmillan 74 minister, Agnes
Macmillan 77 minister's wife, Isabella C Gibson 65 niece and merchant's wife,
Isabella M Gibson 31 grandniece and merchant's daughter (see 99.2 Isabella
Cousen Gibson nee Hardie) and three servants. The two Isabella's probably
visited their GGGF Alexander at this time too, as he was
living about 10 miles away from Loth. The younger Isabella (b1870) had travelled
to Australia with Alexander in 1881 so obviously had a close relationship with
him.
Rev. Gilbert McMillan Minister of
Loth Sutherland died at Belle Vue, Hunters Quay, Dunoon on 28 September 1908.
He was buried in Kilmun Church Yard next to his Father John McMillan and uncle
Hugh McMillan.
Agnes’ brother, GGGF
Alexander Macfarlane, died in 1909 and in his will he left his sister
Mrs Agnes Macfarlan or Macmillan, widow of Rev Gilbert Macmillan, an annuity
£300 pa.
Agnes aged 89 died on 12th March 1912 at her home Bellevue, Hunters Quay, with the cause of death listed as pneumonia and cardiac arrest. Her parents were listed as John Macfarlane and Catherine Forrester, both deceased. The informant was W. Robertson, grandnephew. Agnes was buried next to husband Gilbert in Kilmun Church Yard. There is no record of any children being born to Gilbert and Agnes.
Like many others in the Macfarlane
family, Agnes left a very detailed will, with nephew Alexander Hardie and grandnephews
William Hardie and William Robertson appointed as executors.
97.7
William Macfarlane (1823-Inf)
William was baptised on 28
December 1823 at Kincardine by Doune, Perth. He must have died as a child, as
another son was given the name William in 1828. See below.
97.8 GGGF
Alexander Macfarlan (1825-1909)
Alexander was born on 5 March 1825 at
Thornhill, Perth (confirmed by many later documents). There is no record of a
marriage, but he did have one illegitimate daughter (GGM Margaret Allan
Macfarlan Cunningham), whilst living in Melbourne in the late 1850's.
See 103.0 for more details about his fascinating life.
97.9
William Graham Macfarlane (1828-?)
98.0 Catherine
Macfarlane (1810-?) & the Hardie Family
Catherine lived with her family
until 30 Jul 1833 when at the age of 23 she married the much older widower
William Hardie 42. At first they lived in Kilmadock, and Catherine had two
babies John Robert Alexander Hardie b28 Apr 1834 and Isabella Cousin Hardie b17
Sep 1835.
The couple then moved 100 miles
to the Ayton area, where William took over the tenancy lease on the Redhall
Farm, Berwickshire and two more babies were born; Agnes Macfarlane Hardie bDec
1837 and William Hardie b20 Aug 1839. The 1841 census records the family as
living at Redhall Farm, Ayton and comprising William Hardie 50 farmer and
Catherine Hardie 31, their children John R A Hardie 7, Isabella C Hardie 5,
Agnes M Hardie 3, William Hardie 1 and Janet Hardie 18 (daughter from William's
previous marriage).
In the 1840's three more children
were born; Catherine Macfarlane Hardie b6 Sep 1841, Marion Hardie b19 Aug 1845
and Joseph Hardie b15 Oct 1849. In September 1850 William was made executor of
his brother David Hardie's will and was listed as being a "farmer at
Redhall in Berwickshire".
The 1851 census listed the
growing family living at Redhall Farm as William Hardie 60 farmer of 260 acres,
Catherine McFarlan 41 (listed under her maiden name), John Hardie 16, Agnes
Hardie 13, William Hardie 11, Catherine Hardie 9, Marion Hardie 5 and Joseph
Hardie 1. All the children except Joseph were listed as 'scholars' (or being
schooled).
The 1861 census (above) listed the family living at Ross as William Hardie 70 a farmer of 1000 acres, Catherine Hardie 50, William Hardie 20, Catherine Hardie 19, Joseph Hardie 11 and Alexander M Hardie 8.
William Hardie died at Ross from
a heart attack on 9 Aug 1869 aged 79. Probate was granted to son-in-law James
Gibson and William's estate was valued at £4000. William's widowed wife
Catherine Hardie nee Macfarlane moved back to Scotland to live with daughter
Isabella Gibson nee Hardie and her family 1871 at Gunsgreen Hill Farm House,
Ayton. In 1871 the household consisted of James Gibson 35 farmer of 300 acres,
Isabella C H Gibson 35, Helen Mary Gibson 4, Isabella M Gibson 1 and Catherine
M Hardie nee Macfarlane 60 widow. Son Joseph Hardie migrated to USA in 1878,
married and had a family. He died in North Carolina in 1927.
There is no record of Catherine
in the 1881 census. She possibly died in the 1870's or more likely migrated to
the U.S. with her son. No death registration has been found.
Catherine's brother GGGF
Alexander Macfarlan provided various amounts of money for her children
and grandchildren in his 1909 will. Beneficiaries included John Hardie b1834
and his wife (and cousin) Margaret Fleming who lived in NSW, Mrs Marion Hardie
or Robertson and her daughter Kate Robertson; also, the three daughters of the
late Isabella Gibson nee Hardie, nephew Joseph Hardie and nephew Alexander
Macfarlan Hardie.
98.1
William Hardie (1790-1869) Husband of Catherine Macfarlane
(1810-?)
William was born at "Broomie
Knowe" in Saline Fife on 15 June 1790. He was the third child and second
son of John Hardie and Isabella Cousin. William secured a lease on a farm in
Kilmadock, Perth some time before 1821.
It was in the parish of Kilmadock
by Doune, Perth on 4 Feb 1821 that he married Jean Taylor. They had one child:
Janet Ann Hardie. It appears that sometime between 1821 and 1825 his wife Jean
died. William continued to farm in Kilmadock where he was married for a second
time on 30 Jun 1833 to the much younger Catherine (Kate) Macfarlane and they
went on to have a large family. For more details about his life with his second
wife see 99.0 above.
99.0
Eight children of William Hardie (1790-1869) & Catherine Macfarlan (1810-?)
Of the eight children, three died
reasonably young; Agnes aged 17, William aged 34 and Marion aged 34. Most
children remained in the UK, but oldest son John settled in NSW and Joseph
moved to the USA.
99.1 John
Robert Alexander Hardie (1834-1922)
John was born on 28 Apr 1834 at
Thornhill and christened at Kilmadock on 8 May 1834. The 1841 and 1851
census indicates that John lived with his family at Redhall Farm, Ayton where
his father was farming 260 acres up into the 1850's. In 1851 the household
consisted of William Hardie 60, Catherine Macfarlan 41, John Hardie 16, Agnes
Hardie 13, William Hardie 11, Catherine Hardie 9, Marion Hardie 5 and Joseph
Hardie 1.
At some stage between 1851 and
1877, John migrated to NSW. His motivation for migrating to 'the colonies' may
have been a desire to visit his uncle Thomas Fleming, Aunt Margaret Fleming nee
Macfarlane (see 101.0) and their children (his cousins) who had been living in
Australia since the 1830's.
In
fact, John developed an interest in one cousin in particular. In 1877, 43 year
old John Robert Alexander Hardie (1834-1922) married his 29 year old cousin
Margaret Fleming (1848-1930) at Wollongong. Their mothers were sisters. (For
more about John's wife Margaret see 101.5) The couple moved to a farm in the
Burrawang area, which is 19km SE of Bowral. In 1878 John and Margaret had their
first baby, who they named William Thomas Hardie.
Their second baby was named
Alexander Forrester Hardie (1879-1951). In 1884 the elector's roll listed John
Hardie as living on his 40 acre farm called 'Thorn Hill' at Burrawang (named
after the village where he was born). He had two horses and nine cattle. The
following year the family moved to Kangaloon (about 6km northwards as the crow
flies) and it was here on 26 Feb 1886 that their first son William died, aged 7
years and 6 months. He was buried at East Kangaloon Cemetery and his gravestone
reads "William Thomas Hardie, All is Perfect in Heaven". Later
that year Margaret had third baby named John McFarlan Hardie (1885-1947) born
at Kangaloon.
In 1909 John's uncle, GGGF
Alexander Macfarlane, died in Scotland and both John and his wife were
beneficiaries of their uncle's will. They inherited the huge sum of £10,000
shared equally between them, which would have provided a very comfortable
lifestyle for the rest of their lives. (Historical currency calculators convert
£10,000 to over two million dollars today.)
In 1915, son Alexander Hardie
married Elsie Mahood as described in this edited article in the 'SMH', 20
February 1915. "St. Philip's Church, Church-hill, Sydney, on January
16, was the scene of an evening wedding between Elsie Mahood, eldest daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. W. Mahood, of Kanimbla, Roseville, and Alexander Forrester
Hardie, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hardie, Bannockburn, Roseville. Mr. and
Mrs. W. Mahood afterwards entertained about 100 guests at Petty's Hotel.
Musical selections were played by an orchestra, and songs were rendered. Later
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Hardie left for Mount Victoria and the Jenolan Caves,
the bride wearing royal navy silk with touches of tartan, smart white crepe de
Chine hat, trimmed with black wheat and a pale pink rose, and a hand-some white
feather boa. Mr. and Mrs. A. Hardie sailed by the 'Orsova' on March 10 for
England."
Later that year John and Margaret
Hardie's other son John Macfarlane Hardie joined the AIF on 15 July 1915 at
Liverpool, one month before his 29th birthday. He listed his occupation as
'investor', his next of kin was wife Violet Hardie and their home was
Roseville. John was found to be medically unfit after an operation to remove
his appendix in 1916 and re-enlisted for 'home service'.
John Robert Alexander Hardie died
on July 9th 1922, "at the residence of his son, J. M. Hardie,
‘Blinkbonny,' Wilde's Meadow, aged 90. Beloved husband of Margaret Hardie and
beloved father of Allick and Jack. Born Thornhill, Perthshire, Scotland; late
of Kangaloon and Roseville". Wildes Meadow is 17 km from Kangaloon.
An obituary was published in the
Southern Mail 14 July 1922, "By the death of Mr John Hardie, which took
place at the residence of his son, Mr J M Hardie, ' Blinkbonny,' Wilde's
Meadow, on Sunday last, the State has lost another of its pioneers; one who,
during his 90 years of life, had lost no opportunity of devoting his energy and
ability towards the welfare and advancement not only of the particular
localities in which he resided from time to time, but of the State as a whole.
Although born at Thornhill, Perthshire. Scotland, the greater part of his
lengthy life had been spent in Australia, and much of it in this district. Many
years ago he resided at Kangaloon, later on at Bowral, and then removing to
Roseville, while the closing period of his life was passed at Wilde's Meadow. A
man of the strictest honour and integrity, of genial and kindly disposition, he
made many friends and no enemies, and has gone to his rest bearing the highest
esteem of all who knew him. The remains were interred in the Presbyterian
portion of the Burrawang general cemetery."
John's wife Margaret Hardie nee
Fleming aged 84, died ten years later in 1932, at her son's home Blink Bonny. (above)
Isabella was born on 17 Sep 1835
and christened on 5 Oct 1835 at Kilmadock. By 1841 the family had moved to
Redhall Farm, Ayton where her father was farming 260 acres up into the 1850's.
Isabella was missing from the 1851 census, but in 1861 she was listed as a 25
year old visitor at 90 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow staying with Margaret Forrester
60 and her family (possibly a relation of Isabel's grandmother). Isabella's
place of birth was listed as Donne; which is a misspelling of Doune.
In the early 1860's Isabella
married James Gibson and they settled down at Gunsgreen Hill Farm in Ayton,
Berwickshire, Scotland where they had their children; Catherine Helen Gibson
b1865 (above), Helen Mary Gibson (1867–1942 and Isabella Marion Gibson
(1869–1955).
In 1871 James Gibson 35 was
listed as a farmer of 300 acres of arable land, employing 6 men and 4 women and
was also running a manure factory employing 5 men and 2 women. Living with
James were his wife and children; Isabella C H Gibson 35, Helen Mary Gibson 4
and Isabella M Gibson 1, Isabella's widowed mother Catherine M Hardie 60 and
two servants. By 1881 they were still running the farm and factory but only two
daughters were living at home. The family consisted of James Gibson 45 farmer,
Isabella C H Gibson 45, Isabella Marion Gibson 11 and Agnes Macfarlane Gibson
10. Agnes must have died during the 1880's as she disappeared from the records
after this time.
The main change in 1891 was that
their property was described as Gunsgreens Mansion House. James Gibson 55 was
still farming and living with the following family members Isabella Gibson 55,
Catherine Gibson 26 and Isabella Gibson 21.
James Gibson died in 1899 aged 63
and Isabella C Gibson 65 and her daughter Isabella M Gibson 31 moved 270 miles
to stay with her aunt Agnes Macmillan nee Macfarlane 77 and her husband Gilbert
74 at Lothmore (See 97.6). Interestingly, Isabella was described as 'merchant's
wife' implying that her late husband had focussed on commercial activities in
his later life.
Isabella Cousen Gibson nee Hardie
died on 2 Dec 1905 at Rosehill, Berwickshire aged 70. Her three surviving
daughters listed on the probate registration for her will were Kate Gibson or
Moodie, Helen Mary Gibson or Sandison and Miss Isabella Marion Gibson. Then in
1909 each of the three daughters were recipients of £2000 each from Isabella's
uncle, GGGF Alexander Macfarlane's will.
99.3
Agnes Macfarlane Hardie (1837-1855)
Agnes was born 9 Dec 1837 after
the family moved to Redhall Farm, Berwickshire and was living with the family
at the time of the 1851 census when she was 13. In the early 1850's the family
moved to Sunnyside and Kenneddar West Mains farm at Ross near Belford in
Northumberland where Agnes died in late 1855 aged 18 (EDI).
99.4
William Hardie (1839-1873)
William was born on 20 Aug 1839
at Redhall Farm, Berwickshire and lived there with his family in his younger
days. In 1851 the household consisted of his parents William Hardie 60 farmer
of 260 acres, and Catherine McFarlan 41 (using her maiden name; see 98.0) and
children John Hardie 16, Agnes Hardie 13, William Hardie 11, Catherine Hardie
9, Marion Hardie 5 and Joseph Hardie 1.
In the early 1850's the family
moved to Sunnyside and Kenneddar West Mains Farm at Ross near Belford in
Northumberland. Sadly, sister Agnes Hardie 18 died there in 1855. The 1861
census listed the family as William Hardie snr 70 now a farmer of 1000 acres,
Catherine Hardie 50, William Hardie 20, Catherine Hardie 19, Joseph Hardie 11
and Alexander M Hardie 8.
William's father died at Ross
from a heart attack on 9 Aug 1869 aged 79 and young William took over the
management of the farm. At the 1871 census (above) he was listed as living in
Ross Village, Northumberland. Living there at the time were William Hardie 30
unmarried farmer of 1520 acres employing ten men, eight women and three boys,
his unmarried sister Catherine Hardie 28, unmarried brother Alexander Hardie 19
and niece Catherine Gibson 6 scholar (daughter of sister Isabella; see above).
The household had two servants named Helen Charlton 21 and Alice Anderson 19.
William Hardie Jnr died two years
later in 1873 at the very young age of 33. He left a will registered at the
Edinburgh Sheriff Courts which was read on 22 Mar 1873. It appears that
William's youngest brother Alexander Macfarlane Hardie may have taken over the
farm after William's death. There is no record of William marrying or having
children.
99.5
Catherine (Kate) Macfarlane Hardie (1841-1906)
Catherine was born on 28 Sep 1841
at Redhall Farm Ayton, after the census of that year. In the early 1850's the
family moved to Sunnyside and Kenneddar West Mains Farm at Ross near Belford in
Northumberland. Sadly, older sister Agnes Hardie 18 died there in 1855. The
1861 census listed the family as parents William Hardie 70 now a farmer of 1000
acres and Catherine Hardie 50 and children William Hardie 20, Catherine Hardie
19, Joseph Hardie 11 and Alexander M Hardie 8.
Catherine's father died at Ross
from a heart attack on 9 Aug 1869 aged 79 and Catherine's brother William took
over the management of the farm. At the 1871 census living on the farm were
William Hardie 30 unmarried farmer of 1520 acres employing ten men, eight women
and three boys, his unmarried sister Catherine Hardie 28, unmarried brother
Alexander Hardie 19 and niece Catherine Gibson 6 scholar (daughter of sister
Isabella). The household had two servants.
During the 1870's Catherine (in
her thirties) married widower Edward Eccles (1833 -1910) of South Close Villa,
Gateshead, Durham and she moved into his house, where they lived for the rest
of their lives. Edward Eccles was born in Yorkshire in 1833 and had built up a
business in the coal mining industry, owning both mines and ships by the
1870's. His first wife Margaret Newbigin died in 1864 and his only daughter
died in 1869. In 1872 he launched his first ship the iron screw steamer 'Edward
Eccles', which he named after himself.
In 1892 Edward Eccles was a part owner of Backworth Colliery (above). The owners at their own expense built the Backworth Workmen's Institute (opened in Feb) and Edward Eccles donated a billiard table for the use of workers.
[NOTE: In 1980, Backworth's last pit, Eccles Colliery, the deepest in the Northumberland Coalfield at 1,440 ft, closed after 165 years of mining in the area.]
In 1900, Edward Eccles, a coal owner and mining engineer with land holdings in Rothbury and Earsdon commissioned the rebuilding of 'Ellesmere' at Pondicherry, Rothbury. The building was remodelled as six cottages. In 1901 Edward Eccles 67 was listed as being self employed as a coal owner and steamship manager and he was living with his wife Kate M Eccles nee Hardie 58 and two servants in Durham. Even in his seventies Edward was active in the coal industry. On 11th January 1904 he was one of the employer representatives at a meeting of the Conciliation Board at Newcastle-on-Tyne to decide upon the wages for the coming three months.
Catherine Macfarlane Eccles nee
Hardie died in 1906 at the age of 64 (above). She was buried in St John the
Evangelist Church burial ground, Bilton, Yorkshire. Her gravestone notes that
she was the daughter of the late W. Hardie of Ross, Belford and was the wife of
Edward Eccles. Edward and Catherine Eccles nee Hardie had no known children.
Edward Eccles of South Close,
Gateshead and Springfield, Harrowgate died on 29 Nov 1910 and was buried with
his wife at Bilton. Probate was granted in 1911 to Sir Walter Plummer, knight,
William John Hardie and William Carrick coal owners. Estate value £96,390. At
about this time Edward also received an inheritance of £500 from his
brother-in-law Alexander Macfarlane. (The historic calculators convert £96,390
to over 20 million dollars today)
99.6
Marion Hardie (1845-1879)
In early 1871 (EMI) Marion
married George Robertson at Belford, Northumberland. Later, the brother of
George Robertson (James Robertson) married Marion's cousin Frances Jane Macfarlane
in 1875. (See 102.2)
At census time 1871 (above) the
couple were living at Moor Farm, Belford and George Robertson 26 was a farmer
of 830 acres employing 8 men, 6 women and 2 boys. Living with him were his wife
Marion Robertson 25, his sister Mary Robertson 17 and servant Bridget Butler
23. Later that year Marion gave birth to her first baby Kate Forrester
Robertson. The next child was James Robertson who was also born in 1873 at
Belford.
In the mid 1870's the family
moved to Embleton South Farm, Northumberland, which consisted of 1840 acres.
George employed over thirty people to help run the farm. Two more boys were
born there; William Robertson in 1877 and George Robertson in 1878. Then in
1879 Marion had her final pregnancy which resulted in the birth and death of
both her fourth son Joseph Robertson, and herself. Marion Robertson nee Hardie
died in Nov 1879 aged 34 in Northumberland.
In 1881 the widowed George 34 was
living in the Embledon South Farmhouse with his four young children, Kate F.
Robertson 9, James Robertson 7, William Robertson 4 and George (Jnr) Robertson
3. Also living in the house was a lady named Jane Hace 68 and three servants.
Later that year George married again. His new wife was Sophia Jane Drew, and
three more children were born in this second marriage. George Robertson died at
Embelton South Farm on 27 Aug 1924.
In 1911 GGGF Alexander Macfarlane's
will included £10,000 to be shared equally between Marion's four surviving
children with an additional £3000 to go to Kate Forrester Robertson (1871-1959)
99.7
Joseph Arthur Hardie (1849-1927)
Joseph was born on 15 Oct 1849
and baptised on 1 Nov 1849 at Ayton, Scotland and lived with his family at
Redhall Farm, where his father was farming 260 acres. In 1851 the household
consisted of parents William Hardie 60 and Catherine Macfarlane 41 (listed
under her maiden name) and children John Hardie 16, Agnes Hardie 13, William
Hardie 11, Catherine Hardie 9, Marion Hardie 5 and Joseph Hardie 1.
In the early 1850's the family
moved to Sunnyside and Kenneddar West Mains Farm at Ross near Belford in
Northumberland. Sadly, Joseph's older sister Agnes Hardie 18 died there in
1855. The 1861 census listed the family as William Hardie 70 now a farmer of
1000 acres, Catherine Hardie nee Macfarlane 50, William Hardie 20,
Catherine Hardie 19, Joseph Hardie 11 and Alexander M Hardie 8. There were also
four servants to look after the house. Joseph's father William Hardie died at Ross
from a heart attack on 9 Aug 1869 aged 79 and Joseph's older brother William
took over the management of the farm.
In 1878 Joseph migrated to U.S.
In 1882 he married Margaret Wilson, and they moved to Jack Creek, Iowa. In 1900
he was living with his family at Estherville, Iowa. The household consisted of
Joseph Hardie 50, Maggie Wilson Hardie 47, Isabella M Hardie 16, Phillip W
Hardie 15, Joseph A Hardie 13, Kate M Hardie 13 and John L W Hardie 9. By 1910
the family were living on the family farm in Brown Summit Rd, Guildford, North
Carolina. Some of the children had left home, but the family now consisted of
Joseph Hardie 60, Margaret W Hardie 54, Isabel Hardie 27, Philip W Hardie 25,
Joseph A Hardie 23, Katie M Hardie 22 and Jack J W Hardie 19.
Joseph's sister Kate made at
least one trip to the US (in 1908 to New York) and may have visited her brother
at this time. In 1909 Joseph was one of the nephews who received the residue of
Alexander Macfarlane's estate which may have amounted to quite a sum. He died
in North Carolina on 6 Mar 1927 aged 77.
99.8
Alexander Mcfarlane Hardie (1852-1929)
Alexander was born 17 Nov 1852 at
Ayton Berwickshire. The 1861 census listed the family as William Hardie 70 a
farmer of 1000 acres, Catherine Hardie 50, William Hardie 20, Catherine Hardie
19, Joseph Hardie 11 and Alexander M Hardie 8. There were also four servants to
look after the house.
Alexander's father, William
Hardie, died at Ross from a heart attack on 9 Aug 1869 aged 79 and Alexander's
brother William jnr then took over the management of the farm.
At the 1871 census Alexander was
listed as living in Ross Village, Northumberland. Living there at the time with
Alexander 19, were his brother William Hardie 30 unmarried farmer of 1520 acres
employing ten men, eight women and three boys, his unmarried sister Catherine
Hardie 28 and niece Catherine Gibson 6 scholar (daughter of sister Isabella).
The household had two servants; Helen Charlton 21 and Alice Anderson 19.
When his older brother William
died unexpectedly in 1873, it appears that Alexander may have taken on the
management of the farm himself. On 29 Nov 1876 Alexander married Annie
Fulton at Dennistoun, Glasgow. The 1881 census (above) indicates that Alexander
was residing in Ross Village and was a "Farmer Of 1400 Acres Employing
11 Men 8 Women & 3 Boys". He was living with his wife, Annie, and
three sons (William John Hardie 3, David Fulton Hardie 2 and Alexander Macfarlane
Hardie 6 months). The family were obviously quite prosperous as they had 3 domestic
servants.
In 1891 the family were still
living in Ross. There were Alexander M Hardie 39 farmer, Annie Hardie 39,
Alexander M Hardie 10, Elizabeth Bowerman 23 governess and two servants. By
1901 the family had moved to 4 Catherine Terrace, Durham and Alexander had
changed paths. He was now listed as a 'coal agent', but as he was a 'worker'
(as opposed to employer), he was probably working for his brother-in-law Edward
Eccles who had built up a prosperous coal mining company. This theory is
supported by the fact that Alexander named his fourth son Edward Eccles Hardie
when he was born in 1894.
The family living in Catherine
Terrace, Durham in 1901 (above) were Alexander M Hardie 48, Annie Hardie 49,
William J Hardie 23 colliery clerk, David G Hardie 21 mechanical engineer,
Alexander M Hardie 20 insurance agent, Edward E Hardie 7 and servant Amy
Birkett 20.
By 1911 the family had moved to
46 Berwick Rd, Gateshead, Durham and living in the house at that time were
Alexander Macfarlane Hardie 58 coal agent, Annie Hardie 58 and William John
Hardie 33 colliery proprietor and two servants. At around this time Alexander
was one of the nephews who received the residue of his uncle Alexander Macfarlane's
estate which may have amounted to quite a sum.
Alexander Macfarlane Hardie died
on the 23 Jan 1929. The probate record listed his address as Thornbrae,
Ainwick, Northumberland. The value of his estate was £8930 and his executors
were sons William John Hardie coal owner and son David Fulton Hardie engineer.
100.0
Margaret Macfarlane (1814-1887) & the Fleming Family
Margaret was probably born in
Thornhill but baptised at nearby Port of Menteith on 22 February 1814.
According to her immigration papers she lived with her parents at least up
until her marriage.
The couple settled in the
agricultural district of Dungog where four more children were born; Elizabeth
Fleming (1840-1930), William Fleming (1842-1920), Isabella Fleming (1846-1925)
and Margaret Fleming (1848-1932). Two more children were born in the 1850's;
Agnes M Fleming (1853-1879) and Mary Thomas Fleming (1855-1929) possibly at
Shellharbour, which is where the family were living in 1855.
In late 1851 Margaret's wealthy uncle, William Macfarlane, died at his property
named 'Luggiebank' in Scotland (see 95.0). He included Margaret in his will as
a beneficiary and along with four of her cousins she was bequeathed an equal
share of half of the income of William's extensive estate. Margaret's
family probably all benefited from the bequest and 'honored' their relative
through the names of their NSW properties. Margaret's daughter, Elizabeth,
married Charles Smith. In about 1887 Charles and Elizabeth built a house in NSW
and named it 'Luggiebank', probably with money from William's estate. One of
the children of Charles and Elizabeth was William Fleming Smith whose son
Horace built a house called Logiebank. (Macfarlane Website).
Husband Thomas Fleming died in Shellharbour on 2 August 1855 at the age of 40
leaving the now widowed Margaret with five children under the age of ten. In
1861, daughter Elizabeth married James Charles Smith at Wollongong. Margaret
Fleming nee Macfarlane died on 4 April 1887 aged 73 at Bowral, New South Wales and
whatever assets she had left would have passed to her children. She was buried
in Bowral alongside her daughter Elizabeth Smith
nee Fleming (see 101.2).
100.1 Note
about Dungog, NSW (70km north of Newcastle)
It is interesting to note that
during the latter time of Margaret and Thomas Fleming's stay in Dungog (1849),
Jacob and Mary Bisgrove (on the Boardman side of the family tree) settled there
too. Their paths may well have crossed. At that time there was not much to the
village of Dungog. When it was gazetted in 1838 ‘it had a courthouse, lockup
and an increasing number of inns, shops and houses’, and in 1854 the town was
described as a ‘sea of bush and scrub, with a house here and there, and with
bullock teams and drays having to wend their way between stumps and saplings’.
The Australian Agricultural Co (AAC) were selling off allotments to settlers,
as the land had proved to be unsuitable for large scale sheep farming, and
Thomas and Margaret may have purchased a block of land. To bring in income,
Thomas may have worked for the AAC to support his growing family.
101.0 Seven
children of Thomas Fleming (1815-1855) & Margaret Macfarlane (1814-1887)
One of Margaret's children, Agnes, died at the age of 26 in 1879. In 1909, her five surviving daughters and one son were beneficiaries of their unmarried Uncle Alexander Macfarlan's will however, some benefited more than others as follows:
- Mrs Jessie Fleming or Mercer daughter of Margaret £1000 plus share in residue of estate
- Mrs Elizabeth Fleming or Smith daughter of Margaret £1000 plus share in residue of estate
- Mrs Isabella Fleming or Lindsay daughter of Margaret £10,000
- Mrs Margaret Fleming or Hardie daughter of Margaret £10,000 shared equally with her husband (and cousin) John Hardie son of sister Catherine
- William Fleming son of Margaret £5000
- Mrs Mary Thomas Fleming or Boylean daughter of Margaret £5000
101.1
Jessie Fleming (1838-1913)
Jessie Fleming was born on 1 May
1838 in Glasgow and was only a few months old when she sailed to NSW with her
parents (above). The family moved to the agricultural district of Dungog where
they lived during the 1840's and four siblings were born. In the 1850's the
family moved 300km south to Shellharbour and two more siblings were born, then
tragically in 1855 Jessie's father died at the age of 40.
On 6 Jan 1860 Jessie married
James Mercer at Wollongong. The marriage notice read, "On the 6th
instant, James, eldest son of Mr Campbell Mercer, of Shellharbor, to Jessie,
eldest daughter of the late Mr Thomas Fleming, of Shellharbor." That
same year Jessie gave birth to a daughter Margaret Mercer in Kiama. She went on
to have eight more children mostly in Broulee, about 200km south of
Shellharbour.
Sadly Jessie did not live long to
enjoy a comfortable life. She died at her home 'Bingie' in the Moyuna District
in 1913 aged 75.
101.2
Elizabeth Fleming (1840-1930)
Elizabeth was the first of Margaret's babies to be born in Australia. She was born on the 30 May 1840 at Dungog. On 9 April 1861 she married Charles James Smith, third son of Mr. Alfred Smith, of Shellharbour at Wollongong. They had six children; Thomas Alfred Smith (1862-1933), Alexander Macfarlane Smith (1863-1948), Esther Milward Smith (1865-1907), William Fleming Smith (1867-1961), Isabella Smith (1870-1966) and Adelaide Margaret Smith (1872-1951). The first two children were born in Shellharbour but around 1865 the family moved to Kangaloon where the next four children were born. In 1903 daughter Adelaide Smith married James S. Greig at Upper Mittagong.
The 'Smiths' were a well-known a
respected family in the Bowral region and were regarded as pioneers of the
region. Articles about their children appeared in the local press quite often
from 1929 onwards. Their second son Alexander Macfarlane Smith became a local
councillor and for a time was President of the local Shire.
Elizabeth Smith nee Fleming died
in 1930 and her obituary was published in the 'Berrima District Press' 10 May
1930. "The death took place of Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, relict of the late
Charles James Smith, at her residence 'Luggie Bank,' The Range, Mittagong, on
Sunday morning last. Mrs Smith, if she had lived, would have been 90 years of
age on May 29th. She was a native of Dungog. During her long life she enjoyed
good health and it was only a fortnight ago that she complained of feeling
unwell. Deceased is survived by three sons and two daughters. Mr. Thomas Smith,
Moss Vale, Cr A. M. Smith, Mittagong, William Smith, Dorrigo, Mrs. E. Comer,
Glenquarry, and Mrs. J. Greig, Moruya. The remains were interred in the Bowral
cemetery. The funeral cortege was the largest seen in the district for many
years."
The 'Southern Mail' 9 May 1930
published the following, "Old pioneer passes. The highly respected head
of one of the oldest pioneer families of the district passed away last week,
when Mrs. Elizabeth Smith died at Luggie Bank, Comerton Park, in her 93rd year.
Mrs. Smith was the relict of the late Mr. Charles Smith, and they were among
the earliest settlers in the Berrima District. The funeral at Bowral on Monday
was one of the largest seen in the district for many years, residents coming
from far and near to testify their regard for a family to whom the district
owes so much. Mrs. E. Comer, of Glenquarry and Mrs. Greig, of Moruya, are
daughters and the surviving sons are Mr. Thomas Smith, of Robertson Road, Moss
Vale, Mr. A. M. Smith, of Mittagong and Mr. William Smith, of Dorrigo."
On the death of their mother the
children decided to lease out a property adjoining Luggie Bank which they had
purchased and named Luggie Brae. The advert in Southern Mail 21 Oct 1930,
described the property as follows "Splendid Dairy Farm to let by tender
for a term of two years. The well known 'Dairy Farm known as 'Luggie Brae'
situate on The Range, Glenquarry, same locality as Comerton Park. Rich soil,
artificial grasses, plenty of water; containing 228 acres subdivided into
several paddocks; comfortable weatherboard cottage, milking yard and bails,
milk room, car shed, etc. Further information can be obtained from A. M. Smith,
Mittagong or T. A. Smith, Luggie Bank."
The 'West Wyalong Advocate' 23
September 1932 published a brief article about a lucky find at Luggie Bank. "Century-old
Half Crown Found. While ploughing on Mr. T. A. Smith's property at Luggie Bank,
near Bowral, Gordon Clerkin unearthed two old coins, one being a silver
half-crown bearing the head of George IV, and the date 1828, and the other, a
copper token, bearing the inscription, J. M. Leigh tobacconist 824 George
Street, Sydney, and on the reverse the figure of Britannia. Both coins were in
a good state of preservation."
Elizabeth's eldest son Thomas
(1862-1933) died three years after his mother and his Obituary was published in
the Northern Star 10 January 1933. "Obituary Mr. T. A. Smith. A Bowral
message states that the death has occurred after a brief illness of Mr. Thomas
A. Smith of Luggie Bank, who was one of the best-known farmers in the district.
He was a descendant of a pioneer South Coast family and was born at
Shellharbour 71 years ago. He spent practically all his life in the Bowral
district. A noted breeder of Clydesdale horses, he was an excellent judge of
both horses and cattle, and frequently acted as judge in those sections of
agricultural shows. For many years he was a committeeman of the Robertson
Agricultural Society."
In 1936 Thomas' wife loaned two
family heirlooms to a local couple on their marriage. The Kiama Reporter and
Illawarra Journal 2 December 1936 reported the wedding, "A very pretty
wedding was celebrated at All Saints'. Church of England, Albion Park, on
Saturday, November 21st.....The white satin kneeling cushions, loaned for the
occasion: by Mrs. T. A. Smith of Luggie Bank, Mittagong, were those made for
Mr. and Mrs. Don Bradman on the occasion of their marriage....."
101.2a
Luggie Bank, NSW. A listed heritage building
In 2009 'Luggie Bank' was
described as a 120-year-old cottage (c1890) in the Southern Highlands of New
South Wales. The house had four bedrooms when it was purchased by a couple, who
have since added extra rooms.
In 2014 Luggie Bank, the 8.7
hectare property at 635 Range Road at Mittagong, "went very close
recently to sell for just under $4 million. It has been for sale for more than
four years – initially listed with ambitious $7 million price hopes. With beautiful
elevated rural views, Luggie Bank is an architect-designed contemporary
residence, along with an 1887 four-bedroom guest cottage, a tennis court,
heated swimming pool and spa."
William was born on 16 June 1842
and baptised on 27 Jun 1842 at Dungog. In the 1850's the family moved 300 km
south to Shellharbour and two more siblings were born, then tragically in 1855,
William's father died at the age of 40 when William was only seven years old.
William took up a career in the horse
racing industry working as a jockey and later a trainer. He was most well known
for being the trainer of Tim Whiffler, which won the Melbourne Cup in 1867. See
picture below.
'The Southern Mail' published an
obituary on 8 June 1920 (above) "Mr. William Fleming (1842-1920).
We regret to record the death of Mr. William Fleming at the residence of his
sister, Mrs. C. J. Smith, 'Luggiebank', Mittagong. The deceased, who was in his
78th year, was the son of Mr. Thomas Fleming, and was born at Dungog in this
State. For a long time he was attached to the racing stables of the late Mr.
Ettie De Mestre as trainer and rider and was offered the mount on Tim Whiffler
in the Melbourne Cup which he (the horse) won, but circumstances stances
prevented him accepting the engagement, much to his regret. From the knowledge
gained in Mr De Mestre's establishment he became an owner, trainer and rider
upon his own account, and was a well-known figure in the country districts of
Victoria and New South Wales, especially in Albury and its vicinity. Although
successful in his vocation Mr Fleming did not amass a fortune, his good nature
and open-handed liberality to all who appealed to him for assistance preventing
any big bank balance from accumulating in his favour. Mr. Fleming never married;
the free life of Australia engrossed all his thoughts, but many old
acquaintances remember him with affection as one who was always a friend in
times of need. His remains were interred in the cemetery at Lower
Mittagong."
101.4
Isabella Fleming (1846-1925)
Margaret's third child; Isabella
was baptised on 1 Nov 1846 at Dungog. In the 1850's the family moved 300 km
south to Shellharbour, then tragically in 1855, Isabella's father died at the
age of 40, when she was just nine years old.
Isabella married James Lindsay
(b1845 Ireland) at Kiama in 1873 and had nine children, who were all born in
Kiama. In 1909 Jessie's uncle GGGF Alexander Macfarlan died in
Scotland and she was a beneficiary of her uncle's will. She inherited the huge
sum of £10,000, which would have provided a very comfortable lifestyle for the
rest of her life.
Isabella Lindsay nee Fleming died
in 1925 and the death notice in the 'SMH' 26 Oct 1925 read, "Lindsay-
October 25,1925, at her residence, Yantara, 93 Union-street, North Sydney,
Isabella, dearly loved wife of James Lindsay, aged 78 years." Her
husband James Lindsay survived to 1936 and died at Shellharbour aged 91.
Margaret was born in 1848 in the
Dungog Region. In the 1850's the family moved 300 km south to Shellharbour and
two more siblings were born, then tragically in 1855 Margaret's father died at
the age of 40 when she was only seven years old.
Margaret married her cousin John
Robert Alexander Hardie (1834-1922) at Wollongong in 1877. Their mothers were
sisters. (See 99.1 for more information about their married life). Margaret and
John Hardie had two sons; Alexander Forrester Hardie (1879–1951) born at
Burrawang NSW and John Macfarlane Hardie (1885-1947) born at Kangaloon NSW. The
boy's middle names were the surnames of Margaret's parents.
In 1909 Margaret and John's
uncle, GGGF Alexander Macfarlane, died in Scotland and both she
and her husband were beneficiaries of the will. They inherited the huge sum of
£10,000 shared equally between them, which would have provided a very
comfortable lifestyle for the rest of their lives.
John Robert Alexander Hardie died
on July 9th 1922, "at the residence of his son, J. M. Hardie,
‘Blinkbonny,' Wilde's Meadow, aged 90. Beloved husband of Margaret Hardie and
beloved father of Allick and Jack. Born Thornhill, Perthshire, Scotland; late
of Kangaloon and Roseville".
An obituary was published in the
'Southern Mail' 14 July 1922, "By the death of Mr John Hardie, which
took place at the residence of his son, Mr J M Hardie, ' Blinkbonny,' Wilde's
Meadow, on Sunday last, the State has lost another of its pioneers; one who,
during his 90 years of life, had lost no opportunity of devoting his energy and
ability towards the welfare and advancement not only of the particular
localities in which he resided from time to time, but of the State as a whole.
Although born at Thornhill, Perthshire. Scotland, the greater part of his
lengthy life had been spent in Australia, and much of it in this district. Many
years ago he resided at Kangaloon, later on at Bowral, and then removing to
Roseville, while the closing period of his life was passed at Wilde's Meadow. A
man of the strictest honour and integrity, of genial and kindly disposition, he
made many friends and no enemies, and has gone to his rest bearing the highest
esteem of all who knew him. The remains were interred in the Presbyterian portion
of the Burrawang general cemetery."
Margaret survived for a further
decade and died in 1832. Her obituary was published in the Berrima District
Press, 28 May 1932, "The death occurred at Lindfield on 23rd May, of
Mrs. Margaret Hardie, who was 84 years of age, and is survived by two sons,
Messrs. A. F. and J. M. Hardie. Many years ago the deceased lady and her
husband, the late Mr. John Hardie, were well-known residents of Bowral, and
more recently they resided with one of their sons at 'Blink Bonny,' Wilde's
Meadow."
NOTE: Wildes Meadow is about 18km
SE of Moss Vale, NSW.
Agnes was born in 1853, shortly
after the family moved to Shellharbour. Tragically in 1855 Agnes' father died
at the age of 40 when Agnes was only two years old.
The obituary (above) read as
follows, "Mrs. Christopher Fraser, who died on the 15th at the early
age of 25, after a painful illness consequent upon childbirth. Cut off in the
dawn of womanhood she leaves a sorrowing young husband, and a grief-stricken
mother and sisters to mourn the loss." It is interesting to note that
brother William was not mentioned; but it may have been an oversight by the
newspaper.
101.7
Mary Thomas Fleming (1855-1929)
Mary was born in 1855, after the
family moved to Shellharbour. Tragically her father died in that same year
leaving her widowed mother with five children under the age of ten. Normally a
widow in those circumstances would find life very difficult, but in the early
1850's, her mother received an inheritance from her uncle William Macfarlane,
who died in Scotland in 1851, which would have helped her get by.
When Mary was 23, the 'Maitland Mercury' 12 February 1878 published the following story, "Yesterday, William Boylan, a mail driver, while attempting to cross Duck Hole Creek, near Albion Park, was washed away by the flooded waters of the creek. He was only saved with great difficulty from a watery grave."
In 1880 an article in the 'Illawarra
Mercury' 16 April 1880 gave a description of William Boylan's character, "From
Bulla to Bathurst. Finding my health very much impaired by worry and
perplexity, I resolved upon taking a trip over the Blue Mountains to Bathurst.
I took my seat in the mail coach at Bulli, the driver (William Boylan) being
one of the most careful, civil, and obliging men I have ever seen handling the
reins on any public conveyance...."
William was in the 'Mercury'
again on 23 May 1882, when he helped rescue a man who had been robbed. Perhaps
his bravery impressed his future bride, because it was the next year that they
were married. This is an abbreviated version of the article, "Highway
Robbery near Appin. On Saturday evening a robbery was committed on the main
road. As the Wollongong Mail Coach was coming along about 9 o'clock on the
night referred to, the mailman, (William Boylan) and several passengers heard a
man on the west side of the road calling out very excitedly for assistance.
Hearing the man call out in desperation that he had been robbed and was tied to
the fence, Boylan and two or three of the passengers went to see if his
statements were true, taking one of the coach lamps with them. Mr. Alfred
Dwyer, butcher, of Appin related to them how he became placed in such a
predicament... two footmen of considerable stature met him, one instantly
taking hold of his horse by the bridle, and the other dragging him off the
saddle. And no sooner was he on the ground than both men turned him on his
face, and pulling both his arms behind him, tied them there. On his calling out
for assistance his assailants threatened to tomahawk him... he resolved to let
them have what money he had on him rather than lose his life. Mr. Boylan
declaring that so securely was the victimised man fastened by the bridle reins
that he never could have released himself. Mr. Boylan had to cut him free with
a knife.. he then at once conveyed him in the coach to the police station at
Appin."
On 19 November 1883, Mary married
William Boylan (1851-1921) of Albion Park at 213 Macquarie Street, Sydney. The
couple moved to Sydney and over the next ten years they had five children;
Margaret T Boylan (1884-1885), Thomas A Boylan (1885-?), Ethel May Boylan
(1888-1917), Margaret Boylan (1891-?) and Catherine Boylan (1893-?). The 1880's
had their fair share of tragedy when Mary's first baby died at the age of one
and Mary's mother died in 1887.
In 1909 William's uncle, GGGF
Alexander Macfarlane, died in Scotland and Mary inherited £5,000, which
would have provided a very comfortable lifestyle for the rest of her life. In
1917 the family were living at 1 Lavender Bay when their daughter Ethel May
Duncanson nee Boylan passed away at the age of 29.
Mary Thomas Boylan nee Fleming
died on 7 Aug 1929, at the Royal North Shore Hospital aged 74 years.
102.0
Robert Macfarlane (1819-1845)
Robert was born to GGGGP John
and Janet Macfarlane, but there are very few records relating to
him. He was the only one of his siblings where a birth registration indicating
the date of his birth or baptism has not been found. The death registration below
indicates he was only 28 when he died. A birth in 1817 is unlikely, unless he
was a twin, as sister Isabella was born in that year. He was more likely born
in 1819 between the births of sisters Isabel in 1817 and Agnes in 1821.
In fact, one of the few documents
that establishes that he was indeed a son of John and
Janet Macfarlane nee Forrester was his brother Alexander's will.
In his will Alexander leaves a substantial amount to
his niece Frances Jane Macfarlane (1846-1923), 'daughter of his brother
Robert'. Robert's life story below is mostly based on the information in
Alexander's will and records relating to Robert's only daughter Frances. (See 102.2)
The fact that Robert's daughter featured prominently in Alexander's will
indicates he was particularly close to him (he possibly lived with Robert in
Jamaica for a while).
As a young man Robert, possibly with his younger brother Alexander travelled
to Jamaica. They were both later both described as 'planters', so they must
have purchased properties either jointly or as individuals in the Manchester
region of Jamaica. Within a year or two Robert had met and started courting
Jane Jackson, the young daughter of another Jamaican planter.
On 16 Oct 1844 Robert, in his mid
twenties, Robert married the very young, Jamaican born, Jane Jackson, who was
possibly only 17. In 1845 Jane gave birth to a baby girl who they named Frances
Jane Macfarlane, after Jane's mother and grandmother. Although listed as a
'planter' in some documents, at this time coffee and sugar plantations were not
so profitable. In the 1840's, economic activity in Jamaica was in decline due
to the end of cheap labour when slaves were emancipated. As many landholders
went bankrupt, Robert may have been able to afford to buy a former sugar or
coffee plantation and change over to the more profitable occupation of farming
of cattle. Robert's occupation according to his wife's death registration was
'penkeeper' (a Jamaican cattle farmer). In all likelihood the farm supplied
food for the family's own needs and provided a cash income through the sale of
meat and other produce.
Sadly, whilst still in his
twenties, Robert had a bad accident in his house. He took a bet to ride a horse
up the stairs and was badly injured. He died a few days later (above), on 6 Dec
1845 at Grove Place, Manchester, Jamaica leaving his widowed wife to support
herself and their baby daughter. As her extended family lived nearby, she
probably had their support. Above images from the website of Valerie Tanner on
Ancestry.com.
NOTE: Grove Place is
near Dunkeld and southwest of Mile Gully Mountain. Grove Place has an
elevation of 516 metres. Robert owned a plantation and two-storey house here. The map below shows the location of Mile
Gully.
Robert's young wife Jane Macfarlane nee Jackson survived him by 71 years and
does not seem to have remarried. See 102.1 below.
102.1 Jane Jackson (1828-1916) Robert's Macfarlane's Wife
Jane was the daughter of Unknown
Jackson and Frances White c1800. She was born in 1828 (from death certificate)
in Manchester, Jamaica and had four siblings. At the age of only 17 she married
Robert Macfarlane in Jamaica in 1844. In 1846 Robert and Jane had their only
surviving child, who they named Frances Jane Macfarlane (after her grandmother
and mother).
Jane's mother Frances Jackson nee
White, widow, died on 8 Dec 1881 (above). The death registration listed her age
as 75 and described her as a 'gentlewoman'. The cause of death was 'dropsy',
and the informant was son Joseph Jackson of Dunkeld, Manchester, Jamaica.
Jane and her older brother Henry
were executors of their mother's will. The will dated 11 July 1881 provides
information about her family. It reads, "Will of Frances White of
Manchester, Jamaica. My property called Knowsley Park is to be divided among my
5 children: Henry Jackson, Jane Macfarlane, widow of the late Robert Macfarlane,
Frances Jackson, Marie Louise Jackson and Agnes Hine (nee Jackson) wife
of Henry Francis Hine. Whatever I leave for my son Henry is to be kept in trust
for his children, and Frances and Marie are guardians for the trust. My
furniture at Dunkeld to be divided among my unmarried daughters, and at their
death among the other children. To my granddaughter Frances Jane Robertson £50,
to Isabella Macfarlane £20, to Francella Tait the wife of Robert Tait of
Westmoreland £10. My clothes to be divided between my old servants Ruth
Robertson and Elizabeth Bouthrone, and a heifer to Elizabeth, provided they are
in my employ at my death. The rest of my estate is to be divided among my
children. Executors: Henry Jackson and Jane Macfarlane nee Jackson." (www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com) .
It is quite likely that servants Ruth and Elizabeth were former slaves who won
their freedom in the 1840's after slavery was outlawed.
Notes about Frances Jackson's
(Jane's mother) will dated 1881.
i) The Isabella Macfarlane
mentioned in the will is unlikely to have been Robert's sister born in 1817.
(See 97.4) Although she may have visited her brother Robert after he moved to
Jamaica, other records indicate she died in the 1840's and Frances Jackson's
will was dated 1881.
ii) Knowsley Park is a property
in the Manchester area of Jamaica and has a small cave within its boundaries.
It was a former plantation that was owned by John Davy using the labour of 55
slaves in 1831. In 1920 (long after slavery was abolished) it was still in the
hands of Agnes Hine nee Jackson; sister of Robert's wife Jane Macfarlane nee
Jackson.
Jane Macfarlane nee Jackson b1828
survived her husband by seventy-one years. Although her daughter Frances J Macfarlane
(See 102.2) and granddaughter lived in the UK, the records show they did visit
each other from time to time. In 1891 Jane visited her daughter at Moor House,
Rock, England. Residents of the house at that time were son-in-law James
Robertson 46 farmer, daughter Frances J Robertson nee Macfarlan 45, grandchild
Mary Robertson 5 and Jane Macfarlane nee Jackson 62 (b1828 Jamaica).
GGGF Alexander Macfarlane's 1909 will, listed Jane Macfarlane,
widow of brother Robert, and her daughter “Mrs Frances Jane Macfarlan or Robertson”
as beneficiaries and left each of them substantial amounts. With most women in
the will, both their maiden and married names were mentioned. The fact
that Alexander did not list Jane's maiden name
(Jackson) probably meant he was unaware of it and had not seen her for some
time (as she had lived most of her life in Jamaica).
On 13 May 1910 Jane's
granddaughter Agnes J. Robertson departed England on the ship 'Port Antonio'
bound for Jamaica. Two years later on 7 Feb 1912 Agnes married Jamaican resident
Charles Percy Jackson (1880-1961) in Kingston, Jamaica.
At that time Jane Macfarlane nee
Jackson owned a cattle property (pen) called 'Gowrie' which was near the hamlet of
Mile Gully (about 15km north of Mandeville). Photo below
In 1913 at the age of 65, Robert
and Jane's daughter, Frances J. Robertson nee Macfarlane, sailed to Kingston,
Jamaica with two of her daughters on the ship 'Bayano'. The trip in all
likelihood was to take her daughters to see their married sister (Agnes Jackson
nee Robertson) and ageing grandmother, who by this time was in her mid
eighties. Frances returned to Liverpool on the ship 'San Jose' arriving on 19
May 1914, but only one of her daughters accompanied her on the return trip. The
other daughter stayed on for a few months longer and arrived in Liverpool on 25
Aug 1914, just after England declared war on 4 Aug 1814.
Jane Macfarlane nee Jackson aged
88 died on 15 September 1916 at her home at Shooters Hill, Manchester, Jamaica.
The cause of death was cardiac failure. Her death registration listed her as
the 'widow of Robert Macfarlane, penkeeper' [cattle
farmer]. The informant was her nephew who was present at the
death and resided at Waltham. The certificate was signed by Cyril
[George] Jackson (Jane's nephew).
Notes About Jane's siblings
All children were born in Manchester, Jamaica
- Frances Jackson spinster,
died at Dunkeld in 1919.
- Marie Louise Jackson
spinster died of "senile decay" at Dunkeld, Jamaica in 1927.
- Henry Jackson married Louise
Peart and had six children including renowned Jamaican artist Cyril George
Jackson (see his painting above). Henry died from paralysis at Waltham in
1905.
- Agnes Jackson married Henry
Frances Hire and had three children. Agnes died in 1919 at Rockmore, St
Mary, Jamaica
102.2
Frances Jane Macfarlane (1845-1923). Robert & Jane's daughter
Frances was born to Robert and
Jane Macfarlane nee Jackson around 1845 in Manchester, Jamaica. She spent most
(if not all) of her early years in Jamaica (she doesn't appear on any UK census
prior to 1881). Tragically Frances' father died either just prior or soon after
her birth leaving her mother to raise her alone.
Frances' great uncle William Macfarlane died in 1851 and made a bequest to her. The will specified "Only surviving daughter of the deceased Robert Macfarlane, late of the West Indies £300". "If my sister Agnes dies without making a bequest to the child of Robert Macfarlane an additional £300". Robert Macfarlane's "only surviving child" was Frances Jane Macfarlane (1846-1923).
At some stage Frances met and fell in love with a Northumbrian farmer named James Robertson. Her cousin Marion Hardie had married James' brother, George Robertson (b1845), in 1871 in Belford Northumberland. Perhaps Frances attended the wedding and met her future husband there. In the 1870's she travelled to England and on 31 Mar 1875 at St James, Westminster she married James Robertson (b1844, Belford, Northumberland). See registration above. Her father was listed as Robert Macfarlan, gentleman (deceased). Interestingly, Frances signed her name using the same spelling as her uncle GGGF Alexander Macfarlan. She also listed her address as 25 Sackville St, which was the London address used by her uncle in 1885. Presumably he used that address whenever he stayed in London. One of the witnesses was Frances' cousin Isobel Burns b1846 (see 97.4a)
Three months after their marriage
the Robertsons were involved in an accident, as reported in the newspaper above.
They were thrown out of their carriage when their horse took fright and James
suffered some bad cuts and a broken arm, whilst Frances was badly shaken. The
couple settled at James' farm called Moor House at Rock, Northumberland, where
all six of their children were born. Sadly, baby James died a few days after
his birth in 1878.
In 1881 Frances inherited £50
from her grandmother Frances Jackson nee White who died in Manchester, Jamaica
that year. By 1881, living in Moor House, Rock (photo below), were James
Robertson 36 a farmer of 556 acres, Frances J. Robertson 35, Agnes J. Robertson
5, Alice Robertson 3, Mabel Robertson 1 and Robert M. Robertson 5 months. In
1891 Frances' mother came to visit from Jamaica. In the house at the time were
husband James Robertson 46 farmer, Frances J Robertson nee Macfarlane 45, Mary
Robertson 5 and Frances' mother Jane Macfarlane nee Jackson 62 (b1829 Jamaica).
They also had two servant girls living with them. In 1901 the family was at the
same location but some of their children had left home. At that time the
residents were James Robertson 56 farmer, Frances J Robertson 52, Alice
Robertson 23 governess (school) and Mabel Robertson 21.
James Robertson retired from
farming in 1904 and an edited version of an article in the Berwick Advertiser 6
May 1904 is as follows "Rock Moor House. Mr Robertson has farmed
Rock Moor House near Christen Bank, for the long period of 32 years. It is one
those fine farms on the estate of Rock, belonging to Mr C. P. Bosanquet, whose
interest in the welfare of his tenantry, like that of his father before him
stands high as a landlord. On Mr Robertson’s retirement, Mr Bosanquet, had
decided to take the farm into his own occupation and to farm it as an extension
the home farm… One feature of the tenant's retirement is that although he has
ceased from cultivating the land, the respect and esteem between landlord and
tenant is not lessened by the fact that Mr Robertson will continue to live in
the beautiful residence where has lived for the past 32 years."
On 13 May 1910 Frances' oldest
daughter Agnes Robertson departed England on the ship 'Port Antonio' bound for
Jamaica. Two years later on 17 Feb 1912 Agnes married Jamaican resident Charles
Percy Jackson (1880-1961) in Kingston, Jamaica and settled there.
By 1911 James Robertson appeared
to be living apart from his family, as he was in a boarding house at Brighton
and listed as a retired farmer. At about this time Frances Jane Macfarlane
received a substantial inheritance from her uncle GGGF Alexander of
an annuity of £10,000 which would have allowed her to live very comfortably for
the rest of her life. On her death, the annuity would pass to her four
daughters who were Agnes Jane Robertson b1876 married Percy Jackson, Alice
Robertson 1877 married George Sisson, Mabel Robertson b1879 married Arthur
Straton and Mary Robertson b1885.
Frances J Robertson 65 of
'independent means' sailed to Kingston, Jamaica in 1913 on 'Bayano' with two
daughters Mary Robertson 28 and Mabel Robertson 33. The trip in all likelihood
was to visit their sister Agnes Jackson nee Robertson (married the year before)
and to take her daughters to see their grandmother, who by this time was in her
mid-eighties. Frances returned to Liverpool on the ship 'San Jose' arriving on
19 May 1914, but only Mabel (listed as Miss Robertson) accompanied her on the
return trip. The other daughter, Miss Mary Robertson (occupation teacher)
returned to Liverpool later that year on the ship 'SS Zent' and arrived in
Liverpool on 25 Aug 1914, just after England declared war on 4 Aug 1814.
Frances' mother, Jane Macfarlane nee Jackson, died on 15 September 1916 at
Shooters Hill, Manchester, Jamaica. Frances herself died in Scotland seven
years later.
Frances Jane Robertson nee Macfarlane
died on 3 Jan 1923 aged 77 at Ealing. The probate notice said she had
previously lived in Jamaica, then Luggiebank in Scotland and finally at 23
Warwick Rd, Ealing. The death was confirmed by daughter Mabel Robertson or
Straton and son-in-law George Sisson.
NOTE: Luggiebank House had been occupied by members of the Macfarlane family
for almost 100 years, since Frances' great uncle William Macfarlane purchased
the property in the early 1830's. The house was converted into flats after
1999.
Two days after her death, Frances
Jane Robertson nee Macfarlane was interred at Ealing cemetery in South London,
along with her husband, who seems to have died in 1922. The burial record above
records his age on death as 78 and if he was born in 1844 he would have died in
the year prior to his wife. They were both interred in this cemetery on the
same day; 5 Jan 1923 (above).
NOTE: Rock Moor House
Northumberland operates as a B&B today.
102.3
Agnes Jane Robertson (1876-1958) Robert's granddaughter
Agnes was born at Rock Moor House
on 20 Feb 1876 and baptised by her parents James and Frances Robertson nee Macfarlane
on 2 Apr 1876 at Rock in Northumberland. Agnes went on to keep the Jamaican
connection alive by marrying a distant cousin Charles Percy Jackson (her great
grandmother's nephew).
On 13 May 1910 Agnes 34 departed England on the ship 'Port Antonio' bound for
Kingston, Jamaica, but must have returned to England later that same year.
Whilst in Jamaica, Agnes met her future husband.
Two years later on 17 Feb 1912
Agnes 34 (age understated by 2 years) married Jamaican resident Charles Percy
Jackson 32 (1880-1961) at 8 Duke St, Kingston, Jamaica. Her mother Frances Jane
Robertson was a witness at the wedding and her father James Robertson was listed
as her father. Charles occupation was 'penkeeper' (cattle farmer) and Agnes was
described as 'gentlewoman'. Interestingly, for her current residence, Agnes
wrote "Kingston, Jamaica; arrived by steamer today!"
Charles and Agnes Jackson nee Robertson's only daughter was Rhoda Kathryn Moyra
Jackson 1913-1971, who was born in and later died in Jamaica. Rhoda became a
renowned Jamaican artist (see below). Agnes visited England at least one more
time in 1924. She travelled as a first class passenger which indicated she was
well off. She also made trips to the US in 1946 and Canada in 1917.
Agnes Jane Jackson nee Robertson
spent most of her life living in Jamaica and died at the age of 83 from heart
disease at her home 'Waltham', Mandeville, Jamaica on 2 Dec 1958. (Death Registration
above). In his latter years Charles Percy Jackson's occupation was listed as
'the attorney and overseer for Mrs. Phillippo, Gilnock (Hall), Jamaica'.
Charles Jackson, penkeeper, died in 1961 at Mandeville aged 80.
102.4 Rhoda
Kathryn Moyra Jackson (1913-1971) Robert's
G.Grand-daughter
The only daughter of Percy and
Agnes Jackson nee Robertson was Jamaican artist Rhoda Kathryn Moyra Jackson.
Rhoda was GGGF Alexander Macfarlan's great grandniece.
The following information is taken from the National Gallery of Jamaica
website.
Rhoda Jackson (1913-1971) was a
Jamaican artist and designer who was active from the mid 1930s to the 1960s.
She was born in Gilmock Hall, St Elizabeth and was based in Mandeville for most
of her life. She attended the Hampton High School in Malvern, St Elizabeth
in Jamaica and subsequently trained in art at the Reading University Arts
School in England, and the Art Student League in New York City. Her uncle Cyril
George Jackson (1887-1958) was a watercolourist of some note and was also based
in Mandeville. Above is a portrait of Rhoda Jackson by Richmond Bathe c1960
(National Gallery Of Jamaica) and one of her paintings titled ‘Washing by the
River’ 1945 (National Gallery Of Jamaica).
102.5 Jamaican Beneficiaries of GGGF Alexander's Will 1909
There were four Jamaican
beneficiaries in GGGF Alexander Macfarlane's will, who
were probably related to Agnes Jane Jackson nee Robertson (1876-1958); who was
the grandniece of Alexander. There were three unmarried
ladies and one married woman. They were "Miss May Hire" (daughter of
the sister of Robert Macfarlane's widow Jane Macfarlane nee Jackson), "Mrs
Agnes Jackson or Hire" (Jane Macfarlane nee Jackson's sister), "Miss
Gertie Macfarlane Glanville" of Greenvale, Manchester, Jamaica and
"Miss Ann Robertson of Mandeville, Jamaica". Gertrude Macfarlane
Glanville's middle name suggests she was related to Alexander Macfarlane in
some way and Miss Ann Robertson was most likely a relative of James Robertson
and Frances J Robertson nee Macfarlane. In fact, 'Ann' was possibly their
daughter, Alice Robertson b1877, but Alexander may have
got her Christian name wrong. Alice married one year after Alexander's death.
NOTES:
i) Green Vale, Mile Gully was one of the many properties owned by the Glanville
family. The Glanville's were a prominent family at Mile Gully and there are
several of their graves in the Duppy Churchyard Cemetery.
ii) Knowsley Park is a property
in the Manchester area of Jamaica and has a small cave within its boundaries.
It was a former plantation that was owned by John Davy using the labour of 55
slaves in 1831. In 1920 it was listed as part of the estate of the late Agnes
Jane Hine nee Jackson (sister of Jane Macfarlane Jackson nee Robertson
iii) Charles Percy Jackson was
born at Waltham, Mandeville 11 Aug 1880. Son of Henry Jackson of Waltham and
Louisa Peart. He was still the registered occupier of the property in 1910
(above), but it was recorded as part of the estate of his father H.Jackson
iv) Charles Percy Jackson gained
some notoriety for claiming to have invented a fruit called the 'ortanique'
(aka tangor) in 1946. Apparently, his fruit growing business did very well out
of exports to America. However, others claim "The ortanique plant
and fruit was developed by a Jamaican (of mixed blood), David Daniel Phillips,
JP, of Davyton District in the parish of Manchester, Jamaica. The name of this
seedless, extremely juicy fruit was coined by combining the words "orange,
tangerine and unique" by D.D. Phillips, who had previously created the
"Ugli" plant and fruit. The ortanique fruit was created especially
for export by years of experimentation by D. D. Phillips and is one of
Jamaica's most important money-earners. The following is an irate letter on
the subject about who 'invented' the 'ortanique'.
"I am tired of seeing and hearing about the ortanique fruit and plant
being developed by Charles P. Jackson of Chellaston Property, Manchester, circa
1920. The fruit was being exported to England, USA, New Zealand, Panama and
Costa Rica, by D. D. Phillips, from the latter part of the 19th century and
therefore, long before World War 1. He (Phillips) was not a selfish gentleman,
was kind enough to share his ideas, invention and information with Charles P.
Jackson of Chellaston property, among others" www.genealogy.com/forum/regional/countries/topics/jamaica/6738/
102.6 The Jamaican Connection
Our distant Jamaican relatives in
the Macfarlane tree had the surnames Jackson, Robertson and Hire. They mainly
lived in the central Jamaican parish of Manchester in hamlets such as Shooters
Hill, Mile Gully and Mandeville. "No sugar estates can be found in
the parish; slaves worked on coffee plantations. After emancipation, the
ex-slaves became independent coffee farmers. The Irish potato was first
introduced to Jamaica at Bethany, a town in the parish. Citrus also became an
important crop, as in 1920, the citrus fruit ortanique, a cross between the
orange and tangerine, was developed by Charles Jackson". (Wikipedia)
102.8
Jamaican Scots
Rough calculations estimate that
a third of Jamaica’s population was Scottish by the late
eighteenth century. Many of these were plantation owners making their wealth
out of the use of slaves on sugar and coffee plantations. Others were
merchants, administrators and managers and government employees. The high
concentration of Scottish residents lead to many children of both Jamaican and
Scottish heritage and some of these eventually came to live in the UK.
"Scottish vested interests
in the Caribbean were protected in the British Parliament by Henry Dundas,
known as “the uncrowned King of Scotland. As the MP for Midlothian, he
introduced the cynical concept of “gradual abolition” which ensured British
slavery continued for 31 more years after the slave trade was abolished in
1807. The role of Scots in the Caribbean is indisputable and there was a
pervading Caledonian influence in Jamaica. Scots originally surveyed
Jamaica and set the boundaries of the slave plantations. To this day, this
legacy resonates in place names such as Glasgow, Hampden, Argyle, Glen Islay,
Dundee, Fort William, Montrose, Dumbarton and St. Andrews. Of the 173 place
names in Greater Kingston a quarter can be found in Scotland or are based on
Scottish family names; for example, place names such as Hamilton Gardens,
Sterling Castle, Gordon Town and Elgin Street.
Many of the Scots emigrants
in the 18th century were temporary sojourners. However, there are many examples
of Scottish men having children with their slaves. Many Jamaicans are therefore
directly descended from Scots and this is reflected in surnames. Former slaves
also adopted the surnames of plantation owners after Emancipation in 1838.
Common Scots-Jamaican names include Campbell, Douglas, Reid, Macfarlane,
McKenzie, MacDonald, Grant and Gordon."
102.9
Malaysian Connection
Frances Jane Robertson nee Macfarlane's
son Robert Macfarlane Robertson b1880 became an engineer and married a Dutch
woman Gyda Thorkildsen on 19 Jan 1911 at All saints Church of St Marylebone in
London. Robert's sister Mary Robertson was a witness at the wedding. In his
will Robert's uncle, GGGF Alexander Macfarlane left
Robert Robertson a gold ring that belonged to Alexander's uncle,
Captain William Macfarlane (see 95.3). Robert Macfarlane Robertson left England
for Malaya in 1935 and managed a rubber plantation there in the 1940's. He died
at sea in Malaya in 1950. Robert's wife Gyda died four years later in Natal,
South Africa.
103.0 GGGF Alexander Macfarlan (1925-1909)
NOTE: The spelling of Alexander's
surname in documents changes between McFarlan, Macfarlane and
Macfarlan, but the latter spelling is what he used himself in most documents.
In at least one document he signed himself as 'Alec', so probably went by
that name with his friends. A timeline of his life is included at the end of
this chapter.
Alexander had a soft spot for the place of his birth and remembered the inhabitants in his will. Thornhill is a small village about 30 miles north of Glasgow and about 1 mile east of the family farm at Borland. The village was founded in the aftermath of the 1745 Rebellion to house displaced highlanders. We do not know anything about his early life, except that as the eighth of nine children born in the family, he would have had plenty of siblings looking after him.
There appears to have been another Alexander Macfarlane living in Thornhill during the 1830's and 1840's. According to the land tax rolls of 1831, this man was the proprietor of over a dozen blocks of land at this time, so was unlikely to have been our Alexander, who was only six years old. This Alexander also joined the Highland Agricultural Society in 1825 and appears to have been buried 16 miles from his home on the 24 Mar 1863 at Alloa, Stirling. An advert for a coalmine for sale by Alexander Macfarlane of Thornhill in 1843 could be either one of the two Alexanders, but as our Alexander (18 years old) had not had time to build up his assets, it is very unlikely to be him
No 1841 census record for Alexander found so far. We do know that, like his older brother Robert, he lived for a time in Jamaica during the 1840's and this might explain a lack of a census record. Perhaps he had travelled to Jamaica with Robert, who was married in Jamaica in 1844. Whilst in Jamaica he owned property, because he was later described as a 'planter' or plantation owner in documents.
Alexander’s brother Robert died
in Jamaica in 1845 and quite possibly Alexander took over his brother’s
plantation after his death. Slavery had been abolished some years before, and
the 'bottom had fallen out' of the agricultural market in the 1840's so
plantations were being abandoned. It is unlikely that anything came of Alexander's investment.
By 1850 Alexander was back in Glasgow. In a letter written 29 Dec
1858 he said that he had been working "in business in accounts for the
last nine years". This period preceded his arrival in Australia by a
few years, so his Australian business interests commenced in Glasgow around
1850/1851.
In March 1851 Alexander
and his sister Agnes (b1821) were staying with their widowed aunt, Agnes
Robertson nee Macfarlane 60 (c1788) at Kern Shore Rd, Glasgow. (see 94.10) The
census tells us that Agnes Robertson 60 was head of the household and a
freeholder (owned her own land). Staying in the house with her were Alexander
Macfarlane 26, whose occupation was described as 'planter' and his
sister Agnes Macfarlane 27. The use of the term 'planter' suggests ownership of
a coffee plantation in Jamaica. Other documents corroborate Alexander's time
in Jamaica. For example, his uncle William's will stated; "Upon
the death of my sister Agnes, the whole lands of Luggiebank, Saint Flannan and
Drumhill, all in the parish of Kirkintulloch and the county of Dunbarton to my
nephew Alexander Macfarlane, late of Jamaica but now in
Glasgow, son of my said brother John." The will was
written on 2 Jan 1851 and confirms that Alexander was in Glasgow
during 1850.
As mentioned above, Alexander
was a major beneficiary of his uncle William's will in the early 1850's, but
most of his inheritance was in the form of extensive properties, which only
came into his possession on the death of his Aunt Agnes in 1859. However, he
did receive a share of half of the ongoing annual income from William's
estates which was awarded in equal shares to William's seven
nominated nephews and nieces.
There are no records indicating Alexander
had any ongoing financial interests in Jamaica, but he gained considerable
assets from his uncle William's will in 1851, which provided the capital for
his investments in Australia. We also know that in addition to any monetary
assets received, he was given his Uncle William's gold watch, which he later
passed on to his grand-nephew Robert Macfarlane Robertson (grandson of Alexander's
brother Robert Macfarlane; see 102.2) in his own will.
Whilst GGGF Alexander
was staying at his Aunt Agnes house in Glasgow in 1851, he was probably
planning and preparing for his trip to Australia. At that time the great
Victorian Gold Rush was in full swing, and he was possibly receiving regular
reports from his older sister Margaret Fleming nee Macfarlane who had migrated
to NSW with her family in 1838. However, Alexander was not planning to dig for
gold. He saw an opportunity to sell badly needed supplies that were commanding
'top prices', as there were many shortages, due to the rapidly expanding
population, the building boom and the need for machinery. (At that time
Australia had very little in the way of established manufacturing).
103.1 GGGF
Alexander Macfarlan Sailed to Australia
On 22 Oct 1852 Alexander
26 boarded the steamship 'Typhoon' at Glasgow as a cabin passenger and set sail
for Melbourne (see Argus article, 7 Mar,1853 above). The 4½ month trip was not
without drama, as circumstances caused the ship to live up to its name. In the
Bay of Biscay "the iron masts were suddenly taken out of the ship in a
squall". The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful after that
excitement, and it arrived in Port Phillip on 4 Mar 1853. The passenger list on
the 'Prov' website lists Mr A Macfarlane 26 as an unassisted passenger, that
is, he paid his own way.
An advertisement in 'The Argus' 17
Mar 1853 announced to passengers on the 'Typhoon' that their luggage had been
unloaded and that they, "are respectfully informed that goods not
claimed on arrival of lighters from this ship, will be at once stored at their
risk and expense". Alexander may have been late to
collect his luggage because he placed the above advertisement in The Argus 17
Mar 1853. It read "Box of Luggage' Lost- A Wood Box, addressed Alexander
Macfarlane, passenger Typhoon, supposed to have been landed from the
Lighter, on Mr. Cole's Wharf on 9th May. A liberal remuneration will be
given for any information respecting the same."
Alexander possibly recovered his 'wooden
box', because a week later in 'The Argus' 22 Mar 1853, he joined with a group
of cabin passengers thanking the captain of the Typhoon as follows, "To
Capt Alexander Smith. We, the Undersigned Cabin Passengers on board the ship
Typhoon, from Glasgow to Melbourne, have much pleasure in recording our sincere
thanks to you for your uniform kindness and attention to us during our
unavoidable detention in Lisbon, and generally throughout the voyage.
And we beg further to testify our
appreciation of your conduct during the trying circumstances under which we
were placed, and the thorough confidence your Management of the Typhoon has
given us of your abilities as a Commander and while expressing our sincere
wishes for the prosperity of your future career, we earnestly hope you may
never again have to contend with such adverse circumstances as it has been your
lot on this occasion to encounter. With much esteem, we remain, Yours very
truly, Alex. Macfarlane etc."
GGGF Alexander did not waste any time setting
up his business, which initially was a partnership with others. In the same
month in which he arrived in Melbourne, the 'Geelong Advertiser' 23 Mar 1853
ran the following article; "Iron House for Sale. We had the pleasure of
inspecting a corrugated iron house, built by Messrs. Robertson and Lister,
Victoria Works, for the firm of Messrs. Macfarlane, Bogle & Co., and
destined for Melbourne, Australia. The house consists of two stories; the upper
flat being intended for a dwelling house, and the lower, or ground floor, for a
store for general merchandise. The second flat consists of four apartments, of
a convenient size, with a closet at the termination of the stair. It is
composed entirely of corrugated iron, lined with wood, six inches from the
side; the framework is attached to 24 cast iron pillars, by screw bolts."
The website www.scottisharchitects.org.uk
states, "Robertson & Lister were smiths, engineers and millwrights
who worked in Glasgow between about 1852 and 1855. Their business premises were
the Victoria Works, Parliamentary Road. They manufactured various iron
buildings or parts thereof. They also produced a house designed by Thomas
Robertson, son of one of the partners, in 1852 for export to Australia and two
iron churches from designs by Bell & Miller also for the Australian
market."
We don't know how successful the
'Iron House' was, but Alexander would have had to invest funds
and time into arranging the importation of such a large and complex item. The
fact that he was involved in the company 'Macfarlane, Bogle & Co.' within
three weeks of arriving in Melbourne suggests that the business partnership
must have must have commenced prior to Alexander leaving Glasgow.
'Bogle and Co' had been operating in Tasmania as Kerr, Bogle & Co
previously, but one of the partners Robert Kerr died in 1846.
By the end of the year 'Macfarlan, Bogle & Co', had relocated to 183 Elizabeth Street ('Argus' 13 October 1853). Their product range had expanded to include many items that would be in demand on the gold fields including "Scotch made Iron Ploughs, Saws, Invoices of Saddlery, Tents, Ironmongery, Tobacco, Cutty Pipes, Oatmeal, Boots and Shoes, Rope Gin, Whiskey, and Brandy."
In late 1852 Alexander's brother John sailed to Melbourne (33.2) and according to the death certificate arrived in Feb 1853. Sadly, after just nine months in the colony, on 7 Nov 1853, John passed away from 'delerium tremens' at the age of 40. The information on the death certificate was provided by brother Alexander Macfarlan who was present at Little Brunswick St, Collingwood when John passed away. John's parents were listed as "John Macfarlane, farmer and Catherine Macfarlane formerly Forrester." John Macfarlane was buried on the 8 Nov, 1853 at Melbourne General Cemetery. A death notice was placed (presumably by Alexander) in The Argus, 10 Nov 1853. It read "On 7th inst., Mr. John MacFarlan, aged 40 years formerly of Thornhill, Perthshire".
Although Alexander's
company was growing rapidly it was not all smooth sailing. A court case
questioned whether Alexander was a resident of the colony, which
suggests Alexander was making trips between Melbourne and
Scotland. The court case was reported in 'The Argus' 23 Jan 1855. "In
the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria, between Joshua William Brooks and
Murdoch McDougall, Plaintiffs; and Alexander Macfarlane and John Stewart,
Defendants. Whereas an action at law has been commenced against the above named
Alexander Macfarlane and John Stewart, to recover the sum of Three Hundred and Thirty-three
Pounds Ten Shillings and Sixpence, being the balance of money lent, money paid,
and for commission and interest due for and on account of the ship or vessel
called the Scotia, now lying in the Port of Melbourne; and It having been
alleged, that the said Alexander Macfarlane does not reside within this colony,
a Writ of Foreign Attachment has been issued, returnable on the eighth day of
February, 1855. Notice thereof is hereby given and if at any time before final
judgment in this action the said Alexander Macfarlane, or any person on his
behalf, will give the security and notice, and file the appearance and plea
required by law, the detachment may be dissolved."
The outcome of the case is
unknown and so is the whereabouts of Alexander. Perhaps he was
making trips back to Scotland from time to time to arrange business deals. What
is known however, is that the business ran a plethora of advertisements
promoting its ever-expanding range of products.
Later that year the company
started selling heavy machinery, as advertised in 'The Age' 25 Oct 1856; "Steam
Engines, portable, horizontal, and beam, of 4, 10, 12 and 15-horse power, for
sale by Alexander Macfarlan and Co., 12 Flinders Lane West." Dozens
of ad similar this one were run in Melbourne papers each year.
Alexander was also investing his profits
into property. During 1858-1859 he purchased at least four blocks of land in
Melbourne. In 1858 he bought two quarter acre lots in Elsternwick and in 1859
he bought two Town Lots situated west of the Old Cemetery, between King and
William Streets, paying approximately £160 for each (above)
In 1858 Alexander managed
to find the address of his 'long lost' uncle, William Innes Forrester (See
Forrester Section), who had settled in South Australia some years earlier. Alexander
wrote a letter offering to share news of 'home' (Scotland). The letter seems to
be dated 29 Dec 1858 (corrected by hand) and Alexander listed his
address as 21 Flinders Lane. Although most of the news was about members of the
Forrester clan, Alexander does give some information about his
own life. He mentions that he briefly returned 'home' in mid-1857, that he had
been in business for nine years, firstly as 'Macfarlan, Bogle & Co' and
then for the past three years as 'Macfarlan & Co'. If the dates in the transcribed
letter are correct they suggest that his connection with 'Macfarlan,
Bogle & Co' must have commenced around 1850, prior to his move to
Melbourne in 1853. (His association with the company must have started prior to
him leaving Scotland.)
103.2 GGGP
Alexander Macfarlane & Agnes Cunningham (1834-?)
Alexander briefly returned to
Scotland in mid-1857. In a letter to William Innes Forrester written on 29 Dec
1858, he wrote that he had "returned home [Scotland] about
18 months ago..." After he returned to Melbourne in late
1857, Alexander 33 had the only romantic encounter that
we know about.
The woman he had a relationship with, was Agnes Cunningham a 22 year old Scottish girl, who had recently arrived in the Colony (21 Aug 1857). She was born at Bo'ness, Linlithgow, about 28 miles from his hometown in Scotland and would have brought news from 'home' as well as companionship. We do not know how long they were 'together', but Agnes fell pregnant in late Jan 1858, and gave birth to a baby daughter named GGGM Margaret Macfarlane Allan Cunningham as a single mother on 31 Oct 1858 at Prahran St, Prahran. The birth was finally registered over six months later. The registration above tells us Margaret Macfarlane Allan Cunningham was illegitimate and born 31 Oct 1858 and registered 5 May 1859 (Vic BDM above). Perhaps Agnes was waiting and hoping that Alexander would agree to be listed on the birth certificate. Alexander never acknowledged that he was the father; in fact in his will he specifically denied that a group of people including Margaret, was of "his blood", but the fact that he left her a significant inheritance (more than many of his acknowledged relatives) suggests otherwise. In recent times a DNA test has confirmed that the descendants of Margaret are indeed related to the descendants of Alexander Macfarlane. Perhaps the fact that Alexander never married after his relationship with Agnes, was a sign that he remained in love with her, even after they separated. For more about the life of Agnes and Margaret see the Cunningham Section of the Blog.
On 5 Jun 1859, Alexander's aunt, Agnes Robertson nee Macfarlane
died and Alexander then inherited the "whole lands of
Luggiebank, Saint Flannan and Drumhill, all in the parish of Kirkintulloch and
the county of Dunbarton". This event probably necessitated Alexander
returning to Scotland again to finalise the transfer of titles etc. He may have
even returned prior to his aunt's death, if he had been advised of her failing
health. A long absence in 1859 may have contributed to the breakup of the relationship
between GGGP Alexander and Agnes Cunningham.
Alexander threw himself into his business. In the 1850's his company was occasionally running adverts for a small product range from one warehouse. However, in the 1860's the company was advertising hundreds of products, multiple times in multiple newspapers and operated three warehouses.
Above is an example of the wide
range of products Alexander's company sold, as listed in advert
in 'The Argus' 27 Jan 1860.
Alexander's company was not only a huge retail success, with loads of imported goods for his company, arriving on ships every month, but he also gained contracts to supply materials for large Government projects such as the "supply of 4,275 tons of cast-iron water-pipes, for new main from Preston, at £8 12s. 3d. per ton, (total) £30,818 8s. 9d., Alex. Macfarlan and Co". He even gained many top prizes at various agricultural shows for the quality of his imported machinery.
Other large contracts involved
the sale of steam engines, as in the above example taken from 'The Colonial
Mining Journal' 2 Feb 1860. In Nov 1860 two articles appeared in Scottich papers relating to business transactions of "Messrs Alexander Macfarlane & Co of Melbourne".
Alexander was also establishing business links interstate. In
1861 he "made arrangements with Messrs. Joseph Ward and Co., of
Newcastle, to act as their agents in Melbourne, and was prepared to negotiate
any business to their address in connection with the trade of that port."
Alexander cannot have had much spare time
after managing his large business, but he sought ways to build his wealth
through investments. Apart from land, Alexander was also trying
his hand at speculative investments. The 'Bendigo Advertiser' 31 Oct 1859
reported that Alexander Macfarlane was director and shareholder
in the Nelson Reef Quartz Mining Co Bendigo. He also invested in the Eagle Hawk
Mining Co (The Age 14 Sep 1859, see above)
NOTE: John Blyth was born in Scotland and went to California during the gold rush there in the late 1840's. He left San Francisco to come to Melbourne in 1852. He was unsuccessful on the Victorian goldfields and turned to milling at Newstead, near Castlemaine. In the early 1860's he moved to Melbourne and with John Wallace established a mercantile firm and shipping agency, securing the agency for the Loch line, before partnering up with Alexander Macfarlane in 1864.
Later that year Alexander
became a major shareholder in the 'Eagle Mining Company' at Bendigo and the
announcement was signed by his attorney John Blyth. From 1864-67 Sands
Directories (above) listed the company as "Alex Macfarlan & Co
(A.Macfarlan & John Blyth) commission merchants 13 Lt Flinders St East
& Aust Wharf." From 1867-1868 the directory listed Alexander's
private residence as 'The Esplanade, St Kilda' and business address as Alexander
Macfarlan of 'Macfarlan, Blyth & Co' 13 Lt Flinders St East, 153
Bourke St West & 89 Lt Bourke St.
Although business dealings seemed
to dominate Alexander's life, he did have time for some lighter
moments. A lengthy report in 'The Age' 5, Oct 1866 reported on a Fancy Dress
Ball held in Melbourne. Among the many attendees were Alexander
Macfarlan, who was dressed as 'Robin Hood' (Was there symbolism with
that choice?) and his business partner John Blyth attended as a 16th century
merchant.
NOTE: Alexander's
address in 'The Esplanade' was only a few hundred metres from the home of Agnes
Wakefield nee Cunningham (his 'partner' ten years earlier) in Robe St,
St Kilda. Whether Alexander and Agnes knew this, we will never
know.
Over the years there were
occasional setbacks for Alexander. In Feb 1869 the ship 'Formosa'
consigned to 'Messrs Alexander Macfarlan & Co' founded at Pt Nepean whilst
trying to enter Port Phillip Bay. Although everyone made it to shore, the ship
broke up in very dramatic circumstances and the cargo was lost. Fortunately,
insurance covered Alexander's losses. The 'Formosa' was just one
of many ships consigned to Alexander's company. Earlier in
his business career, his imports made up part of a ship's cargo, but by the
1860's as a shipping agent, he was organising whole shiploads of goods and
taking bookings for passengers, both in and out of Australian ports. "For
rates of freight, passage money, and all particulars, apply to Alex. Macfarlan
and Co., Agents".
103.3 GGGF
Alexander Macfarlan Returned to the U.K.
Over the next few years Alexander
appeared to be winding back his involvement in the company, and the business
consolidated addresses. On 1 Oct 1870 there was a "clearing sale by
auction of the large and extensive stock of imported goods of 'Messrs.
Alexander Macfarlan & Co'". An advert in Victorian Government
Gazette 21 Mar 1873 announced that, "the Partnership known as
'Alexander Macfarlan & Co' of London and 'Macfarlane, Blyth & Co' of
Melbourne was dissolved on 30 Jun 1872 at which time Alexander Macfarlane
retired from both businesses".
The above notice (The Argus 28
Jun 1870) listing donations to assist a business man who had fallen on hard
times is another example demonstrating Alexander' s kindly nature.
In the 1870's Alexander
seems to have developed a new focus in his business, where he was operating as
a shipping agent for the Clyde Line. As the ships sailed between London and
Melbourne, Alexander could have easily run this side of the
business, whilst he was based in London, using staff employed in Melbourne.
Hundreds of adverts like the ones above were run in Melbourne papers at this
time.
It may be just a coincidence, but
at about the time that Alexander returned to United Kingdom the
1869 Kildonan Gold Rush occurred in northern Scotland (where Alexander leased a
'tourist lodge' and lived for a number of years). The credit for the discovery
goes to Robert Nelson Gilchrist, a native of Kildonan, who had spent 17 years
in the goldfields of Australia. There is no UK census record for Alexander
in 1871, so in that year he may have once again returned to
Australia for a quick trip to continue winding back his business affairs.
On 7 Jul 1875 Alexander Macfarlane
wrote a letter to Deborah Forrester nee Bowman (see Forrester Section) giving
her news from Scotland and also a little about himself. He wrote the letter in
Glasgow, confirming he was spending more of his time in Scotland at that stage
of his life. He was on his way to his sister Agnes Macmillan nee Macfarlane, who
was living in the north of Scotland at Loth, and mentioned the possibility of
another visit to Melbourne, but he "was far from well" to
contemplate such a journey. He also wrote that he had a habit of making annual
trips to Bridge of Frew, which indicated (as other documents do too) that he
had a fondness for members of his extended family.
There is some evidence that Alexander
made trips back to Australia from time to time. On 28 April 1876 the Tuppal
Station partnership between Alexander, John Blyth and Thomas
Brown was dissolved. The signature of Alexander was
witnessed by a Melbourne solicitor which suggests that Alexander
must have been present in Melbourne for the signing in May 1876 (SMH 27 May
1876). Tuppal Station is a huge property near Tocumwal, NSW. The original
Tuppal woolshed was built around the 1860s.
Alexander's retirement from his Melbourne
business was confirmed in an advertisement in 'The Argus' 10 July 1876, "The
mercantile firm of Messrs. Macfarlan, Blyth, and Co, long well known in this
city, has now changed in its composition by the retirement of Mr. Macfarlan,
and the firm will now trade as Messrs. John Blyth and Co."
Later that year on 11 Oct 1876 Alexander's
illegitimate daughter GGM Margaret Allan Macfarlan 17
married Elijah Smith. We don't know whether Alexander
'caught up with her ' whilst he was in the colony, but he certainly knew of her
husband, his occupation and their address.
In 1883 the Sydn
I am sorry to see 'Mary' still suffers, poor girl hers has been a hard fate. My kindest remembrance to her and all the others and with all good wishes, I am yours respectfully."
NOTE 2: Mary was Deborah's daughter Mary Deborah Bowman Forrester (1859-1908)
NOTE 3: This letter as well as others he wrote, illustrate that Alexander was a compassionate man who felt a 'connection' with members of his large extended family.
NOTE 4: Although he was half a world away from Australia, Alexander kept an eye on his investments through telegrams, letters and probably newspapers too.
By 1886 Alexander was spending at least some of his time in the
far north of Scotland. He spent much of his time at Torrish Lodge, Helmsdale in
the last thirty years of his life. On 15 Sep 1886 Alexander
wrote to Deborah Forrester from his residence at Torrish, telling of his latest
visit to Frew Farm, after the death of his beloved aunt, 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 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."
Alexander finished the letter reporting that he had been on a
trip to New York and that his health was "only fairish". He
was, however, pleased to hear that the drought had broken in Australia and the
"splendid rise" in the price of wool "brightens
matters a bit". This indicates that he was keeping an eye on his
investments in the colonies even from afar.
Although he was still investing in Australian properties, Alexander's business was based in Glasgow in the 1880's. The 1886-7 Edition of the 'Scottish Greenock Post Office Directory' had two listings for him. His residential address was Macfarlan, Alexander of 'Alexander & Co' 75 Union St. and his business address was 'Macfarlan, Alexander & Co' general merchants, 27 Palmerston Buildings, Bremner St.
Alexander's property was being run by
resident partner Thomas Brown, but sadly he died in Jun 1890 (Riverine Herald
17 Jun 1890). On 19 Mar 1891 after the death of Thomas Brown, Alexander
put the 'Tuppal Run Estate' on the market. The property was huge, consisting of
five lots covering a total area of over 150,000 acres.
After another one of his trips to
Australia, Alexander returned to England from Sydney on the ship
Orizaba and arrived back in London on 2 May 1892. See Orizaba Passenger List
1892 above. The passenger list described him as a single man, born in Scotland
whose occupation was merchant. He was travelling with his niece Mrs Eccles
[Catherine Eccles nee Hardie, daughter of Alex's sister Catherine Hardie nee
Macfarlan see 99.0] and grandniece Miss Gibson [daughter of Isabella Gibson nee
Hardie, who was another daughter of sister Catherine Hardie nee Macfarlane].
Mrs Eccles was described on the passenger list as 'married woman' [not
to Alexander] and Miss Gibson as 'lady'.
Alexander was mentioned twice in the book
'The Salmon Rivers of Scotland' (1899) as follows;
"The angling, which goes
with the six
(Helmsdale) shooting lodges on the banks [of the River Helm], is
entirely private. At times, however ....the shooting tenants .... let their
rods to friends. [One of these lodges is].. Torrish held for upwards
of thirty years by Mr. Alexander Macfarlan, and to his
kindness I am indebted for my first cast on the Helm on the 8th of June 1899. [Later
the author informs us that at] Baddan Pool .... in 1895, Mr Macfarlan had
fourteen fish in three hours".
The 1901 census tells us that Alexander
was living at Torish (Tourist) Lodge, Kildonan, Sutherland. A modern view of
the River Helms at Torrish is shown above. By now, aged 76, he had retired and
moved to the north of Scotland. His occupation was given as 'shooting and farm
tenant' and living in his residence with him were servants Hugh Sutherland 29,
Rupert Scott Mckay 28, Mary Fraser 36 and Annie Rae 27. He was listed in the
local Post Office Directory and Slater's Commercial Directory as living at
Torish in 1903. Three years later in 1906 Alexander aged 80 moved
forty miles south to the village of Tain.
Alexander's former Melbourne business
partner John Blyth died 1908 and we learn a bit more about his connection to Alexander
in John's obituary published in 'The Weekly Times' 2 Jan 1909, "Mr John
BIyth died at Blythswood, Lilydale, on December 24, in his 85th year. Born in
Scotland, he went to California during the gold rush there in the late forties.
Leaving San Francisco he came to Melbourne in 1852, and in the early sixties
founded the firm of 'Macfarlane, Blyth and Co'., who became agents for the
well-known Loch line. The firm was afterwards reconstructed as 'John Blyth
& Co'." This piece confirms that John Blyth arrived in the colony
at about the same time as Alexander, but whether it was John who
founded 'Macfarlane, Blyth and Co' is debatable. See the 'Australian Dictionary
of Biography' for more about his life [http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/blyth-john-3017].
The following year on 1 Jul 1909,
Alexander died aged 85 at his home Rosemount and was buried in
Kilmahog Graveyard, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland with his parents and
grandparents. Apparently the headstone is no longer readable but the wording is
as follows, "John McFarlan [b1742] late of Borland aged 71, by wife Mrs
C. M.[nee Graham], second son John Macfarlan 8 Oct 1830 aged 44, [and wife]
Janet Forrester 13 Dec 1841 aged 49 , son Alexander Macfarlan of Rosemount
& Aldie in Ross shire 1 July 1909 aged 84."
Several Australian
newspapers ran articles about him including the following in 'The Argus' 10 Aug
1909, "The older generation of Victorians will learn with regret of the
death in Scotland of Mr Alexander Macfarlane, who was at one time
associated with the late Mr John Blyth as a hardware merchant in
Elizabeth-street, Melbourne. Subsequently Mr Macfarlane, with Mr T. Brown,
purchased Tuppal station, afterwards selling their interest therein to Mr E.S.
Falkiner (now Falkiner and Sons Proprietary Ltd). We have also seen a map
showing that Messrs Brown and Macfarlane held Barooga station, which then
extended from beyond Tocumwal on the west to Boomanoomana on the east, and from
the Murray on the south to Berrigan on the north. In the early eighties Mr Macfarlane
left Australia to reside in Scotland, though he often returned on business
trips. He lived at a tourist Farm, in Scotland, where he had a shooting box,
and Australians were always welcomed there. Some three years ago (1906)
he removed to Tain. He was 85 years of age."
NOTE: Alexander's
Rosemount Estate may still exist. There is a Rosemount [Farm] at Aldie,
Rosshire, Scotland, (Glen Aldie is a hamlet near Tain) and in 1996, Tain
Pottery purchased the derelict steading at Aldie situated on a run-down farmyard,
surrounded by other properties in a state of serious disrepair. Also Rosemount
Lodge, Glenaldie, Tain, sold in 2012.
103.4 GGGF
Alexander Macfarlan's Will
Alexander's will was very lengthy and
detailed and he obviously had put much thought into who would be beneficiaries.
He seems to have provided for every known living relative. Below is a summary
of the main provisions in the will. Bracketed references are to the chapter
dealing with that person.
- £100 to maintain the burial
site at Kilmahog graveyard near Callander where I wish to be interred.
- £500 to provide coal for the
poor of Thornhill & £500 to Maternity Hospital Glasgow
- To my grand-nephew Robert
Macfarlan Robertson, son of niece Frances Jane Macfarlane or
Robertson my gold watch which belonged to my uncle Capt Macfarlan, also my
diamond ring and sketch of me by Colin Hunter and my books.
- To my sister Agnes Macfarlan
or Macmillan widow of Rev Gilbert Macmillan a life annuity of £300
- Alexander left legacies to
the following
II) To the following nephews and nieces
1) John Hardie and his wife Margaret Fleming or Hardie, my sister's children £10,000 (see 99.1 & 101.5)
ii) Mrs Isobel Fleming or Lindsay daughter of my sister Margaret £10,000 (see 101.4)
iii) Edward Eccles, husband of my late niece Mrs Catherine Eccles or Hardie £500 (see 99.5)
iv) Mrs Mary Fleming or Boylean daughter of my sister Margaret £5000 (see 101.7)
v) Mrs Jessie Fleming or Mercer daughter of sister Margaret £1000 (see 101.1)
vi) Mrs Elizabeth Fleming or Smith daughter of sister Margaret £1000 (see 101.2)
vii) Invest £10,000 with income to Mrs Frances Jane Macfarlane or Robertson daughter of brother Robert and after her death to her four daughters (in addition to point 4 below) (see 102.2)
viii) Invest £5000 with income to William Fleming son of sister Margaret (see 101.3)
III) To the Children of nieces as follows:
i) Daughter of Robert Macfarlane (Frances Jane Robertson nee Macfarlane) £20,000 (see 102.2)
ii) Children of my late niece Marion Hardie or Robertson to share £10,000, with an additional £3000 to Kate Robertson (see 99.6)
iii) Three daughters of the late Isabella Hardie or Gibson, £2000 each (see 99.2)
iv) Invest £15000 for the four daughters of Mrs Frances Jane Macfarlan or Robertson (see 102.2)
IV) To Cousins
i). John Ure, Abbeymains £1000 Son of Alexander's aunt Isabel Forrester b1814 (see )
ii). Margaret Ure or Carrick, Cambusdremie near Stirling £3000 Daughter of Isobel (see ).
iv). (Miss?) Julie Forrester, Enfield, Adelaide £100 daughter of William Innes Forrester (see )
v). (Miss?) Mary Forrester, Enfield £100 daughter of William Innes Forrester (see )
vi). Mrs Ellen Richardson or Ness, Kirkcaldy, Scotland £500. G/daughter of Helen Forrester b1793 (see )
V) To a list of 'friends' "who are not related by the ties of blood" and included his illegitimate daughter GM Margaret Allen Cunningham Macfarlane (See below) and Mrs Whitelaw widow of John Whitelaw, corn merchant, Gertrude St, Fitzroy
VI) Various amounts to Alexander's servants
VII) After all the above, the residue to nephews and nieces:-
- Joseph Hardie (see 99.7)
- Alexander Macfarlan Hardie (see 99.8)
- Mrs Jessie R Fleming or Mercer (see 101.1)
- and Mrs Elizabeth Fleming or Smith (see 101.2)
103.5 Comments on Alexander's Will
1) Due to the size of the Estate
(around A$300 million in today's money) and huge number of beneficiaries, news
of Alexander's will was widely publicised. This English probate
document above values Alexander's Scottish assets at £244,410. It does not
include his extensive Australian assets.
The 'Ballarat Star' 4 July 1911
covered the story as follows:- "An Estate of Nearly £350,000. Bequests
to Victorians. Probate was granted today in respect of the New South Wales
estates of the late Mr Alexander Macfarlan, of Rosemount and Aldie. Ross-shire,
Scotland, who died on July 1 1909. The net value of the estate in England and
Scotland was £214,410 11s 7d, and the net value of the New South Wales estate
£103,182, of which £41,175 represented shares in public companies and £55,000
mortgages. Among the bequests made by the deceased were £2OOO to Colin Y Caird.
of Sydney; £4OOO to Mrs Catherine Smith wife of Elijah Smith, of
St. Kilda, Victoria; £5OO to Mrs Whitelaw, widow of John Whitelaw, corn
merchant, Gertrude street Fitzroy, Victoria; £lOOO to his servant, Mary Fraser;
£5OO each to his coachman and gamekeeper; and £l5O to his gardener. Tho residue
of the estate was bequeathed to trustees in trust for certain nieces and
nephews. He also left smaller legacies to other servants. He directed that the
income of £500 should be devoted to the purchase of coal or other fuel to be
distributed annually, on New Year's Day amongst the deserving poor of his
native village, Thornhill."
2) Interestingly, in his will, 'Catherine
Smith' (real name Margaret Smith nee Cunningham/Macfarlan)
was mentioned in the group of people he calls ‘friends’ and makes the point of
saying are ‘not related by blood’. This is quite likely an attempt to
preserve his ‘reputation’ whilst still doing ‘the right thing’. The fact that
he got her Christian name wrong shows he didn’t have a close personal
friendship, (in fact as far as we know he had no 'friendship' in the normal
meaning of the word, with Margaret) but he was definitely
referring to Margaret because he did get husband Elijah’s
name and occupation and their suburb right. His will was written on 23 Apr
1909, some fifty years after Margaret was born, so it is not
surprising that he had a lapse in his memory. The records show that he was
based in London, then Scotland from the late 1870’s up until his death in 1909.
Of the fifty or so beneficiaries
named in his will there were no children of his mentioned. A handful of his
nephew and nieces were given amounts larger than £5000, but the bulk of the
beneficiaries including most relatives, were given less than £2000. The fact
that Margaret Smith nee Cunningham/Macfarlane inherited
£4000 suggests Alexander had a much more significant connection
to her than friendship.
3) Another Melbourne beneficiary was Mrs Whitelaw widow
of John Whitelaw, corn merchant, (100) Gertrude St, Fitzroy.
4) In his very long sixteen page
will, he also remembered many employees who were given amounts ranging from
£100 to £1000. His executors went to some trouble to locate previous employees
including placing adverts like the following in newspapers. 'The Argus' 27 Sep
1910; "If Isabella Duncan, who was some time in the employment of Alexander
Macfarlan, in Melbourne, will communicate with Macdonald, Smith, and
Co. solicitors, Glasgow, Scotland, she will hear of something to her
advantage." His generosity also extended to poor people in the
village of his birth who were to be supplied with fuel each winter.
103.7 MCF4 Descendants of
Alexander Macfarlan & Agnes Cunningham
As explained above (see 90.0) there are two ancestral strands that lead
back to Macfarlane families that resided around seven miles apart near
Thornhill in Perthshire. These two families probably linked up with a common
ancestor at some point in the 1600’s but available records do not make any link
clear. The bulk of the information above is about the family of John Macfarlane
of Borland and his descendants.
The other strand was through GGGGGGM Janet Macfarlane b1740. She was the eldest daughter of GGGGGGGF Robert Macfarlane of Carse of Cambus in Perthshire and married James Innes in 1766. Her role in our family tree is explored more fully in the section dealing with the Forrester Family Tree. The following chapters tell of the life of her parents and siblings.
104.1 GGGGGGP Robert Macfarlane (c1713-1756) of Cambus
Robert Macfarlane of Carse of Cambus was the
father of GGGGGM Janet Macfarlane b1740. As with all the early Macfarlanes
there is uncertainty surrounding Robert’s parents.
One possibility is that Robert Macfarlane was born to John Macfarlane in Dunblane in 1713. If this is the case Robert had at least two siblings born in Dunblane; Margaret Macfarlane b1710 and John Macfarlane 1724 and this would explain why Robert named his first son John (after his father and brother) and his third daughter Margaret (after his sister). Robert’s mother’s name was not listed on the baptism registration, but it may have been Janet, as he named his first daughter with that name. The husband of Robert’s oldest daughter Janet b1740 also came from Dunblane, perhaps further evidence of a family connection to that area. Robert’s birth in Dunblane also fits with him marrying Isobel McGibbon who either hailed from Logie or more likely Kilmadock (both close to Dunblane).
104.2 Isobel McGibbon (c1720-?)
There is a record for the birth of an Isobel McGibbon that indicates she was born at Logie Parish to John and Elizabeth McGibbon in Jan 1724. Logie was near Bridge of Allan, less than 3 miles to Dunblane. However, this would mean Isobel was only 16 years old when she married around 1740 and none of Isobel’s children were named Elizabeth. Because of these facts this Isobel is unlikely to be related.
- Isobel named her third and fourth children Patrick and Grissel after her parents. These were not common names at the time.
- After their marriage Robert and Isobel Macfarlane nee McGibbon settled at Carse of Cambus, Kilmadock in the area where Isobel’s parents were living in the 1720’s and 1730’s.
Marriage Law in Scotland
From the time of the founding of
the Church of Scotland in 1560, marriage ceased to be a church sacrament; it
became a civil matter based upon the consent of adult individuals. A regular
marriage took place before a church minister following the reading of banns. An
irregular marriage came about in one of three ways: by mutual agreement, or by
a public promise followed by consummation, or by cohabitation and repute. In
all cases, for regular and irregular marriages, both bride and groom had to be
free to marry, not within forbidden degrees of kinship and over the age of
consent (12 for brides and 14 for grooms).
Banns are an announcement of your intention to marry and a chance for anyone to put forward a reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place. Banns need to be read in the parish where each of you lives as well as at the church in which you are to be married if that is another parish. Scottish Marriages did not have to be recorded until 1st January 1855, when civil registration was introduced. Prior to this date, the calling of banns was more important for the church records than the marriage.
104.3 GGGGGGP Robert Macfarlane (c1713-1756) & Isobel McGibbon (c1720-?)
Going by the birth of their children,
Robert Macfarlane and Isobel McGibbon were married
at Kilmadock around 1740, but no record has been found. (Possibly an irregular
marriage). The seven known children born to Robert Macfarlane and
Isobel McGibbon were GGGGGGM Janet Macfarlane Aug
1740-?, John Macfarlane 1742-1825, Grissel Macfarlane 1745-?, Patrick Macfarlane
1749-?, Margaret Macfarlane 1752-?, Isobel Macfarlane 1754-? and Robert Macfarlane
1754-? The last two children were twins. Isobel’s sister Ann Steuart nee
McGibbon and her husband Donald of Burn of Cambus baptised their daughter
Katherine two months after the twins were born.
NOTE: All children were baptised at Kilmadock, but the family abode was a leased farm nearby on Carse of Cambus. This was an area of fertile lowland near Buchany Burn (stream) about 1 mile north-west of Doune where quite a few families lived. This area was less than half a mile from the present-day ruins of Kilmadock Church and its graveyard.
Eldest daughter GGGGGGM Janet Macfarlane was baptised on 17 August 1740 at Kilmadock Perthshire. The record listed her as daughter to Robert Macfarlane and Isobel McGibbon who were residing in Carse of Cambus. Witnesses were John Buchanan of Carse of Cambus and Robert Shaw in Buchany. (Ancestry Site of G.Kang). A later record relating to daughter Janet's marriage to James Innes on 12 Dec 1766 at Kilbryde, Dunblane includes the following information "Janet was the eldest lawful daughter of the deceased Robert Macfarlane, late tenant in Carse of Cambus, married with special advice and consent of John Macfarlane eldest lawful son of the said defunct, her brother” [John b1742 see 91.2]. (Source: Ancestry Site of G. Kang). This note confirms that GGGGGGF Robert was deceased before 1766. He actually died ten years earlier in 1756, and it was up to Janet's older brother John, aged 26, to fill the role of a father and offer "advice and consent" at his sister's wedding.
GGGGGGF Robert Macfarlane, was only about 43 years old when he died in 1756. He left a will dated 27 May 1756 that has the wording "settlement of affairs made and granted by him in favour of John Macfarlane his son and other children, including to daughter Janet, 1,000 Merks scots money of Tocher of Bairns, part of gear and rents..." (Ancestry Site of G.Kang). On his death Robert left a family of young children; the youngest being an infant and the oldest 16. Isabel Macfarlane nee McGibbon's date of death is not known.
104.4 MCF5 Macfarlanes of Carse of Cambus
105.0 Seven Children of GGGGGGP Robert Macfarlane (c1713-1756) & Isobel McGibbon (c1720-?)
Robert Macfarlane and Isobel
McGibbon were married around 1740 and had seven known children before
Robert tragically died at the young age of 43, leaving his wife
with four children under the age of ten. At least three of their children
probably died as infants.
105.1 GGGGGGP Janet Macfarlane (1740-?) & James
Innes
Eldest daughter GGGGGGM
Janet Macfarlane was baptised on 17 August 1740 at Kilmadock
Perthshire. The record listed her as daughter of Robert Macfarlane
and Isobel McGibbon residing in Carse of Cambus. Witnesses were John
Buchanan of Carse of Cambus and Robert Shaw in Buchany.
Janet’s father Robert Macfarlane died in 1756 when she was only 16. Along with her brother John and mother, the family managed to retain the farm and make a living from it. The family must have been reasonably well off, because Janet’s father left a will providing an inheritance for members of his family including Janet. At the age of 26 Janet was courted by her future husband who came from nearby Dunblane. In fact, Janet may have known him for some time because Dunblane was also her father’s birthplace.
Above is the marriage
registration for Janet Macfarlane and James Innes at Kilmadock.
It reads “James Innes in Parish of Dunblane and Janet
Macfarlane in this parish declared their purpose of marriage and gave
to the poor”. Another record relating to the marriage of Janet
to James Innes on 12 Dec 1766 at Kilbryde, Dunblane includes the
following information "Janet was the eldest
lawful daughter of the deceased Robert Macfarlane, late
tenant in Carse of Cambus, married with special advice and consent of John
Macfarlane eldest lawful son" (her brother). This note
informs us that Janet's father Robert was
deceased before 1766 and that the family abode was Cambus. (Source: Ancestry
Site of G.Kang). It seems that notifications of Janet’s marriage
occurred at both her and her husband’s hometowns.
GGGGGGP James and Janet Innes nee Macfarlane settled in
nearby Dunblane where they had nine known children. They were Janet Innes 1767-?, Isobel
Innes (Paterson)1769-?), GGGGGM Margaret
Innes 1771-1842, Colin Innes 1773-?,
James Innes 1774-1792, Peter Innes 1776-1842, Ann Innes (Stewart) 1779-1860 (see below), Robert Innes 1780-1839 and John
Innes 1782-1860. Of the children, two were named after their parents
(green), four after their grandparents (red) and at least three after their
parent’s siblings (purple). See Forrester Family in Part 5 for more information
about GGGGGGP James and Janet Innes nee Macfarlane and their
family.
GGGGGGF James Innes probably died at Kilbryde, Dunblane in 1793, but the date of Janet Innes nee Macfarlane's death is unknown.
105.1a
Ann Innis (1779-1860)
Headstone Inscriptions (Headstone text)
- Sacred to the memory of John Stewart of Glastry who died 4th November 1858 age 77, also Anne Innes his wife who died 27th March 1860 aged 80. This stone was erected by their three daughters Janet, Margaret and Anne.
- Another stone on right reads: Erected by John Stewart and Anne Innes, Glastry. In memory of their son Alex? Stewart, minister of the gospel, who died ? June 1847, aged 29?
NOTE 1: Glastry was located on Ardoch Burn, in the vicinity of Kylbride Castle around 3 miles NE of Dunblane. It was about the same distance from Burn of Cambus, where Ann's grandparents resided.
NOTE 2: www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames explains that the Innes family were originally known as ‘McInnes’, but at some point, descendants shortened their surname. James Innes’ siblings were all baptised with the surname ‘McInnes’ and presumably so was James. By the time of his marriage in 1766, he was going by the shortened surname of ‘Innes’. One reason for this change may have been the suppression of Scottish culture that occurred in Scotland after the battle of Culloden in 1746. “Soon after Culloden, laws were passed that banned Highlanders from wearing clan colors or bearing arms. The Gaelic language was marginalized by officialdom. Clans lost land and power. The clan system suffered irreparable harm. Truly, Scotland changed forever during this period” (Source: https://simplyscottish.wordpress.com) By shortening his surname James may have wanted to distance his family from highland culture so as to avoid being caught up in the discriminatory attitudes of officialdom at the time. For more information about James and Janet’s married lives and family see Part 5: Forrester Family Tree.
105.2 John Macfarlane of Cambus (1742-1825)
There are at least eight baptism records (shown above and found at www.chuckspeed.com) that list John Macfarlane of Carse of Cambus witnessing Stewart baptisms at Kilmadock between 1760 and 1796. (John’s niece Ann Innes married a Stewart; see above). One of these records (in 1784) also listed John Buchanan of Cambus, as a witness at the baptism of John’s sister Janet born in 1740. Some records also show that his brother Peter and son Stephen Macfarlane were living at the same abode.
John Macfarlane, 27, married Agnes Petrie in 1769 at Kilmadock. Their six children were Robert Macfarlane 1770-1770, Stephen Macfarlane 1771-1806, Robert Macfarlane 1773-1801, Agnes Macfarlane 1775-1833, Isobel Macfarlane 1777-? and James Macfarlane 1779-? All children were baptised at Kilmadock, which was the closest church to Carse of Cambus.
John and Agnes’ first son died as an infant and second son Stephen married and had two daughters. No marriage record has been found for sons Robert or James, so it seems the Macfarlane name was not passed on in this branch. According to the ‘Ancestry Site of G.Kang’, Agnes Macfarlane nee Petrie died in 1780, one year after the birth of son James. John Macfarlane b1742 died in 1825. Their abode at the time of their deaths was Carse of Cambus.
105.3
Grissel Macfarlane (1745-?)
Grissel Macfarlane was baptised at Kilmadock on 12 May 1745. She was named after her grandmother on her mother’s side. As no more is known about her she may have died as an infant.
105.4 Patrick Macfarlane (1749-?)
Patrick Macfarlane was baptised
at Kilmadock on 20 Jan 1749 and was the second son of Robert Macfarlane
and Isobel McGibbon. He was named after his grandfather Patrick
McGibbon (1679-?).
Patrick aged 30, possibly married Katherine McNaughton on 12 Jun 1779 at Kilmadock. They had at least one child named Christian Macfarlane baptised 10 Nov 1782 at Kilmadock. No more is known about Patrick and Katherine Macfarlane nee McNaughton, but they may have migrated overseas.
105.5 Margaret Macfarlane (1752-?)
One website reports a baptism date for Margaret as 24 May 1752 at Kilmadock,
but I have not found a copy of this record yet. She may have been named after
her father’s sister Margaret Macfarlane b1710. Margaret probably married James
Duncanson (b1753 Kilmadock) in 1780 at Kilmadock. They had children named Agnes
Duncanson 1782, Isobel Duncanson 1783 and Robert Duncanson 1788, all baptised at Kilmadock. No more is
known about her life.
105.6 Isobel Macfarlane (1754-?)
Isobel Macfarlane was born at
Carse of Cambus and baptised at Kilmadock on 27 Oct 1754. She was a twin to her
brother Robert and had the same baptism date as her brother (see below). She
was named after her mother. No more is known about Isobel and she probably died
as an infant.
The website www.chuckspeed.com lists the baptism record for "Robert
and Isabel, twins to Robert Macfarlane and Isabell McGibbon in Carse of
Cambus. Witnesses George Mckewan and Hugh Stewart there".
Robert Macfarlane was born at
Carse of Cambus and baptised at Kilmadock on 27 Oct 1754 on the same date as
his twin sister Isobel. He was named after his father.
Robert Macfarlane is said to
have married Margaret McGregor and the marriage record above, with incorrect
spelling, is often cited. However, Robert would have only been 15 or 16, so
that probably excludes it. In all likelihood, both Robert and his twin sister
died as infants as mortality rate for twins was even higher than that for
single babies.
106.0-108.0 For future use
GRAHAM
FAMILY & origins of Dougal & Katherine Graham
109.0 Introduction & General Information
Most records quoted below come from the National Records of Scotland Website (brackets show document reference numbers). In our Graham family there seem to have been significant marriages with the Semple family of Nobleston and the Bontine family of Dumbartonshire. These relationships were possibly through love matches but I suspect that forming strategic alliances was also a motivation. A hint of the latter can be seen through the large number of complex financial and inheritance documents found in the National Records collection. Locating these records is difficult because of the various spellings used for names (even of the same person). For example, the Bontine surname is spelt in many ways in documents (Buntine, Bontine, Bontine, Bountein, Bountain, Buntyne), but I have adopted the spelling used by some later generations. To add to the confusion place names were often spelt in various ways too. Most birth and death dates given below are estimates based on likely times for life events.
Many of the chapters below explore side branches of our tree and the people therein are not directly related. However, their stories are important because the interconnections between people help confirm relationships and provide more knowledge about events during this period.
Records show that our Macfarlane family date back to John Mcfarlane of Borland and Katherine Graham (of Downance). Katherine’s parents were most likely Dougal Graham of Downance and Katherine Graham of Drunkie. If this contention is correct, Katherine of Drunkie’s ancestors can be traced back to George Graham 1st of Drunkie and further to the Grahams of Downance. However, Dougal’s ancestors are not so clear. Several possibilities are explored below (see 130.0), and I suspect that DNA tests may be the only way of establishing which of these lines (if any) is the correct one.
NOTE: The spelling of ‘Katherine’ changes between documents and over time. In later documents it is usually spelt ‘Catherine’.
KATHERINE GRAHAM OF DRUNKIE
110.0 Drunkie EstateDrunkie Estate was named after the nearby (one mile) Loch Drunkie and was near the Northern border between the Parishes of Aberfoyle and Port of Menteith. The property passed from the hands of the Graham Family in 1807 and some years later the name of the estate was changed from Drunkie to Invertrossachs. The property had been in the hands of the Graham Family for about two hundred years. Invertrossachs House is the mansion house on the estate, and it still exists today.
It seems descendants of the Grahams of Downance (see 124.2) purchased Duchray in 1569 and in 1613 they purchased the lands of Drungy (Drunkie). This section starts with John Graham of Downance c1535 and works down to Katherine Graham of Drunkie b1705.
110.1 GRA1 Grahams of Drunkie
John was born c1535 and married an unknown woman c1560. They had three known sons named William Graham (of Duchray) c1560, Alexander Graham (of Craiguchty) c1565 and George Graham (of Drunkie) c1570. Each of John’s three sons acquired their own estates and fathered children.
In 1569 the lands of Duchray were purchased from John Drummond of Drongy (Drunkie) by John Graham of Downance. John Graham’s descendants became wealthy and acquired many properties in the Aberfoyle area. It was his son George who purchased the lands of Drunkie from the Drummond Family in the early 1600’s. Drunkie was just a few miles north-east of Downance. See 124.2 for more information about the life of John Graham of Downance c1535.
Four Children of John Graham c1535
- Katherine Graham c1558. Married James Knox in 1580?
- William Graham of Duchray (c1560-c1618) Around 1580 William married Christian McFarlane (See 125.0 for more information)
- Alexander Graham of Craiguchty (c1563-c1620). Alexander signed his brother George’s marriage contract in 1593. Craiguchty was located in Aberfoyle. Alexander of Craiguchty married an unknown woman around 1584, and his eldest son John married Jonet Leckie, daughter of Walter Leckie of Polder in 1605 (GD22/3/280).
- George Graham of Drunkie (c1570-1628) See below.
George was born around 1570 and was probably the youngest son of John Graham of Downance in Aberfoyle Parish. He married Margaret Graham of Drumlean in 1593. Drumlean was 3 miles west of Downance. It seems that George and Margaret had at least two sons; Alexander Graham 2nd of Drunkie c1595 and Walter Graham c1598. George possibly had a third son named George who became George Graham of Bofreslie c1600-1665 (See 132.2).
1593 Contract of marriage between Thomas Graham, son of Walter Grahame of Drumlean, Margaret Graham, sister of said Thomas, and James Graham, fiar of Drumlean, brother of said Thomas, on one part, and George Graham, son of John Graham in Downans (father), William Graham (brother), fiar of Duchray, and Alexander Graham in Craiguchty (brother), on other part, whereby said George c1570 agrees to marry said Margaret (GD22/3/279).
Also, in 1593 a Memorandum for discussion before Mr. William Stirling, William Graham, Alexander Graham, John Stirling, George Graham and John Graham regarding roumes, steadings, annualrents, goods and gear of deceased Maleis Graham (c1630), vicar of Aberfoyle (GD22/3/4). The deceased Malise was George’s uncle (brother of father). The signatories included George as well as his father John and brothers Alexander and William. (See Diagram GRA3 in 123.2)
In 1603 George Graham, son of deceased John Graham of Downance, began negotiations to purchase the lands of Drunkie off the Drommond (Dormond/Drummond) family (GD22/3/420). These negotiations were complete in 1613 (GD22/1/452). The second document shows that John Drummond was married to Martha Graham, and their family progressively sold off more of their other lands (Barony of Drummond) to various Graham families well into the 1600’s.
In 1617 George Graham was listed in Bofreslie, adjacent to Balleich and about one mile south of Aberfoyle (GD22/3/562). George was living in Downance in 1618. 1619 Petition to Lords of Council by John Graham of Polder and 1st of Gallangad (George’s nephew, son of brother William), Andrew, Walter and Thomas Graham, his (John’s) brothers, Patrick Graham, son of deceased Duncan Ovir Graham, George Graham in Bofreslie and Walter Graham, his sons (GD22/3/10). They had been accused of slaughter of Jasper Grahame of Blairsesnocht (GD22/3/12) and were “put to the horn” (declared outlaws), but charges were dropped in the same year (below). Jasper Graham was a distant relation, being related to the Grahams of Rednoch and Leitchtown (See Part 5 Forrester tree.)
110.4 Alexander Graham 2nd of Drunkie (c1595-c1655)
Alexander was the first-born son of George Graham c1570 and Margaret Graham of Drumlean and named after his uncle Alexander c1563. Alexander c1595 married Anna Buchanan c1610 around 1630. Alexander and Anna had at least three children named Isobel Graham c1635, Unknown (Katherine?) Graham c1640 and Walter Graham c1655. Some Ancestry trees also list Marjory Graham born at Drunkie 1633. On the death of his father in 1628, Alexander became 2nd laird of Drunkie.
1646 Resignation by Gilbert Graham in Glaschyll (nephew), with consent of William Grahame of Boquhapple, William Graham of Polder, Patrick Monteith of Arnbeg and Alexander Graham of Drunkie, to the Earl of Airth and Menteith, his chief and master, of 40s land of Glaschyll, containing obligation to leave said "rowme" void at Whitsunday 1647, and to make no more arable land therein after present date (GD22/3/616)
1649 Perth Rental list includes Easter Drumkey (Drunkie) belonging to Alexander Graham (Gaelic Place Names by McNiven). Alexander probably died in the 1650’s. His wife, Anna Buchanan, spouse to Alexander of Graham of ‘Druncie’ died in 1664 (testaments).
111.0 Three Children of Alexander Graham 2nd of Drunkie (c1595-c1655)
Isobel Graham c1635, Katherine Graham c1640 and Walter Graham c1655 were born many years apart, so there may have been other children. Some Ancestry sites list Marjory b1633.
111.1 Isobel Graham of Drunkie (c1635-c1696)
Isobel was born c1635 and married John Graham c1622 (born McGregor) of Dunaverig later of Brachern around 1660. Dunaverig was less than one mile south of Aberfoyle. Judging by documents listing their financial dealings, it seems that Isobel and her husband had close connections with John’s McGregor/Graham’s relatives living between Loch Arklet and Loch Ard (See 138.1).
Isabella and her husband were listed in many property documents from 1664 onwards. By the late 1670’s husband John was becoming frail, and documents reported that the couple had no children between them. In 1677 they agreed on how to distribute their properties. The lands of easter and wester Bracherns and Stronmacknair went to the heirs and assignees of Isobel Graham. It is interesting to note that this document does not specify the ‘nearest’ heirs for Isobel. As it turned out her heritors were related by marriage, not by blood.
Isobel’s main beneficiaries were John Graham of Corrie Arklet, husband of Isobel’s niece Katherine Graham of Drunkie c1660 and John’s brother Alexander Graham of Brachern According to HCM John McGregor of Easter Corerklet, eldest son of Gregor McGregor took his wife's name of Graham. His wife Katherine Graham c1660 was a niece of Isobel, and sister-in-law of Alexander Graham. Isobel divided her lands between the two. Katherine c1660 was the daughter of Isobel’s sister Katherine Graham c1640 who probably died soon after giving birth.
A 1706 document provides further evidence about these relationships. It lists a Bond by Walter Graham of Drunkie and others [tutors to the children of the deceased John McGregor/Graham of Corraklet c1646 (husband of Katherine Graham c1660)], to Robert Campbell of Inversnaid (Rob Roy), over the lands of Inversnaid (RS3/90 f 167 Register of Sasines). Tutors were usually close relatives. Katherine Graham c1660 who married John Graham of Corrie Arklet was a daughter of a sibling (niece) of Walter and Isobel Graham). Katherine’s brother-in-law Alexander McGregor was a nephew to Isobel, through Katherine’s marriage to John McGregor. The document also makes it clear that John McGregor/Graham was deceased by 1706. See Diagram MCG3
Isabel’s Graham’s husband died c1680 and she married Malise Graham in Dunaverig a few years later. Isobel Graham probably died in the late 1690’s and had no children.
111.2 Katherine Graham of Drunkie (c1640-c1665) daughter of Alexander c1595
I have found no records listing Katherine by name, but on Ancestry she is identified in some family trees. The main evidence relating to her, is that her daughter, also named Katherine c1660, married John McGregor/Graham of Corrie Arklet in 1680. Records suggest that her daughter was a niece (and main beneficiary) of sister Isobel Graham c1635 and brother Walter Graham of Drunkie. As there are no other records relating to her, she may have died early in her marriage, perhaps after childbirth.
111.2a Katherine Graham of Drunkie (c1660-c1710) daughter of Katherine Graham c1640
Katherine c1660, married John McGregor/Graham of Corrie Arklet on 29 Jan 1680. Katherine Graham c1660 was the granddaughter of Alexander Graham of Drunkie and niece of Walter Graham, who later became tutor to Katherine’s children. Katherine Graham was a sister-in-law of Alexander Graham of Wester Frenich and was a niece of Isobel Graham of Brachern. According to GlenD, John McGregor c1646 of Easter Corerklet called himself by his own name in spite of the penal laws, but later took the surname Graham.
John McGregor (later Graham) c1646 and Katherine Graham had the following three sons, Dougal Graham (c1681-c1795), David Graham (c1692-1711) and James Graham (c1695-?). The last child was born when Katherine was in her late thirties. Katherine was alive in the early 1700’s and probably died about 1710. See 139.0 for more information about Katherine’s married life.
111.3 Walter Graham 3rd of Drunkie (c1655-c1710)
Walter Graham of Drunkie was the first member of the Graham family who was well documented as being the Laird of Drunkie Estate and was the grandson of George Graham.c1570. Walter married an unknown Stewart around 1680. His wife was probably Katherine c1664, first daughter of Duncan Stewart 1st of Ballanchan. See GRA5.
Walter had family of at least two children named John Graham c1681 who later inherited Drunkie Estate and an Unknown daughter (Possibly named Isobel) c1684. (See Diagram GRA5 in 134.3 to see relationships between the Grahams of Drunkie and the Stewarts).
Times were very hard in Scotland in the late 1600’s. In May 1700, Walter, along with many other Perthshire landowners, signed a petition to the King which in its preamble stated “That we having these several years past suffered extremely by the calamities of war and likewise by very bad crops, which have reduced many of our people to the last degree of poverty, and besides those which we have had in common with other places in the kingdom, we have been and are still exposed to inconveniences which are peculiar to those who live upon the borders of the Highlands: continual murders, robberies and depredations, which have brought many who might have wrestled with their other difficulties to such a condition that our countries are now become deserts and lie absolutely waste.” (Petition).
Walter Graham the elder’s first wife probably died in the 1690’s and Oct 1700 he married Jean Bontine nee Graham c1662 at Aberfoyle. Jean was the relict (widow) of William Bontine, who had been the Town Clerk of Dumbarton (GD22/1/279 & GD22/1/17). Jean must have been of child-bearing age because the marriage contract provided for any future children. As it turned out, Jean had at least one child in her second marriage, who was named Mary, born in the early 1700’s. Mary the youngest daughter of the deceased Walter Graham of Drunkie married Robert Buchanan of Strathyre near Callander in 1734. (GD22/1/279 & GD22/1/281).
NOTE Jean Bontine nee Graham c1662 was probably a very distant relation of Walter, both being descended from Malise Graham (c1407-1490). See 123.2 Diagram GRA3 Grahams of Gartmore, Polder, Glenny, Gallangad & Downance.
In 1707 Jean Graham (maiden name) relict of Walter Bontine of Mildovan with her then current husband Walter Graham of Drunkie discharged all debts to her older brother Robert Graham of Gallangad and they had to supply William Naper with two land charters. (GD22/3/183 & GD22/1/434).
A Sasine, dated January 14, 1710, in favour of Walter Graham of Drunkie c1655, Patrick Graham in Ledard (son-in-law?), John Graham of Colliechrae (Callichra?), Alexander Graham in Blair, Malcolm Murray of Marchfield and William Buchanan of Ardoch, of the lands of Inversnaid following feu contract by Robert Campbell of Inversnaid (Rob Roy). (RS59/12/2 f 461, RH8/697). The fact that property was transferred jointly to Walter and Patrick suggests that they were closely related. Of course, it also suggests that John of Callichra and Alexander of Blair were also related. Walter Graham probably died later that year in 1710.
NOTE: In 1698 John Graham of Callichra was a witness to a mortgage involving Rob Roy and Rob’s brother-in-law Dougal of Comer (HCM). A Testament dated 1716 listed Gregor Roy McGregor alias John dying in the Parish of Callander. Gregor Roy’s great aunt was Isobel Graham of Drunkie c1635. See MCG3 in 146.1 for a diagram showing the Family Tree of Rob Roy.
112.0 Two children of Walter Graham of Drunkie (c1655-c1710)
Son John Graham of Drunkie is well identified in records as well as an unnamed daughter (possibly named Isobel). It is very likely that Walter had more children but no records have been found. There is a contract of marriage document (RH8/697) that lists the names of Walter and a possible son-in-law named Patrick Graham in Ledarth. Although the bride’s name is not mentioned, she may have been Walter’s daughter Isobel? named after her aunt Isobel c1635 (See GRA1 Grahams of Drunkie)
112.1 John Graham of Drunkie (c1681-1755)
John was born in the early 1680’s to Walter Graham of Drunkie c1655. He was probably baptised at Aberfoyle, but no record has been found.
John married his stepsister Jean Bontine b1683 around 1703. Jean was a stepsister, but not related by blood, being the daughter of his father’s second wife from her first marriage. (See Bontine family below). According to Family Search records their nine children were Janet Graham b1704, Katherine Graham b1705, Jean Graham 1706, Jenet Graham b1709, Margaret Graham 1711, Unnamed son (Capt Walter Graham) 1713, John Graham c1715, Unknown son c1717 and Patrick Graham 1719. His wife was born in 1783 and was probably a similar age to John. She was unlikely to have had more children after 1719 when she was in her late thirties. When his father died around 1710, John c1680 became Laird of Drunkie. The child named Jenat born in 1709, only had her father’s name on the baptism record. If this is so, the first-born daughter (Janet) must have died as a child.
Letters were written by John Graham of Drunkie from 1713 to 1728 about attempts to arrest the famous outlaw Rob Roy aka Robert McGregor 1671-1734 (GD220/5/967). In 1719 Rob Roy stole John Graham of Drunkie’s cattle and for the next few years John had to fight off bands of thieves who raided his property (GD220/6/1790). According to the Chronology of the Garrison of Inversnaid 1703-1746, compiled by Alexander Robertson, “Following the Jacobite rebellion of 1715, Parliament passed an Act vesting in the king the real and personal estates of those attainted of high treason…. Notably Rob Roy’s land at Inversnaid. On 19th July, 1719 soldiers from Drymen occupied Corriearklet. On the 21st occupied mostly by the MacFarlanes and Macgregors. On 20th July 1719 reinforcements led by John Graham of Drunkie and (brother-in-law) Patrick Graham (of Downance) arrived (at Inversnaid).
One of John Graham’s daughters later (1745) married into Rob Roy’s McGregor family. This may have been partly an attempt to form alliances and settle disputes between the two families.
In 1734 John Graham the elder and his eldest son Walter Graham b1713 the younger submitted a detailed description of the boundaries of their property. By describing John “as the elder’, this document is evidence that he had a son named John c1715 who probably died in the 1730’s. John the elder later named another son (born 1748) from his second relationship/marriage after his first son (GD220/1/K/2/2/3) and himself. John’s eldest son, Walter Graham the younger was the grandson of Walter Graham the elder and later went into military service and became Captain Walter Graham (see below).
John Graham’s c1680 first wife (Jean Bontine) probably died in the 1740’s and sometime after that he started a relationship with his servant Christina McCallum. Some documents suggest they married, but others throw doubt over that. In any case Christina seems to have given birth to three children; John Graham 1748, Unknown daughter c1751 and Janet Graham b1753 (See below).
John Graham senior died around 1755 leaving his estate to eldest son Captain Walter Graham who became the next laird of Drunkie.
- Walter Stewart in Glenfinnglas a cow
- John McLaren in Drunkie a cow
- Malcolm McFarlane at Bridgend (Bridge) of Michael (5 miles away) a cow. (John Macfarlane in Bridge of Michael married Margaret Fergusson of Port in 1780)
- John McFarlane in Ballabeg 2 stirks? (Ballabeg was 3 miles SE of Drunkie near Ackrig. Were these Macfarlanes related to John Macfarlane of Ackrig c1742 who married Dougal Graham's daughter in 1768?)
- Christina McCallum in Cosh (Coish adjacent to Drunkie) a cow, some hay & a quoy (enclosed field. Christina was John's 2nd 'wife')
- Andrew Stewart in Gomerie? a Quoy (enclosed field)
- Henry Graham in Beleigh (Balleich) a horse (Possibly Dougal's brother-in-law)
- Duncan Graham in Dounan a saddle (Dougal's brother or father perhaps)
- Dougal Graham a looking glass (Dougal of Downance was John's son-in-law; a gift for his wife perhaps)
It seems that the provisions laid out in the will of John Graham of Drunkie c1680 were not fully settled until after 1780, because of questions around the status of the children from his second relationship. Legal documents dated 1778-1786 between Robert Graham of Gartmore and the Grahams of Drunkie include discharge by John Graham in Blairhulachan (son-in-law of daughter Katherine Graham b1705), John Graham of Drunkie b1748 (step-brother of Walter) and others to Robert Graham, submission between William Graham in Kirkton of Aberfoyle and others with Robert Graham as arbiter and order for equal division of the estate of the deceased Walter and Peter (Patrick) Graham, sons of deceased John Graham c1680, formerly of Drunkie (GD22/1/206).
112.2 Unknown (Isobel?) Graham (c1684-c1720) married Patrick Graham
Walter’s daughter Isobel? would have been born around 1684. Nothing is known about her except for Document RH8/697 which lists a Discharge and Renunciation by Patrick Graham in Ledarth in favour of Walter Graham of Drunkie of certain provisions under a Contract of Marriage affecting the lands of Drunkie lying within the parish of Port. Recorded in the General Register of Sasines 1 Dec 1707.
This suggests that Patrick married a daughter of Walter Graham of Drunkie in 1707 and was living in Ledarth/Ledard in the early 1700’s. Ledard Farm was about ten miles from Drunkie House. Isobel died in the early 1700’s, after which Patrick married again in Drymen and had a daughter who he named after his first wife.
113.0 Twelve Children of John Graham c1681 & his two wives
113.1 Janet Graham (1704-c1705)
113.2 Katherine Graham (1705-1771)
Katherine was baptised at Aberfoyle by John Graham and Jean Bontine on 4 Sep 1705. Around 1730 she married Dougal Graham of Downance (2 miles east of Aberfoyle). It seems that four children were born from the marriage, and they were Jean Graham 1737, Margaret Graham 1739, Walter Graham c1740 and probably Katherine Graham c1747. No record has been found to confirm the last birth as yet.
By 1755 most of her full siblings were deceased and Katherine b1705 was a recipient of a bequest from her father’s will (see above) and in 1758 Katherine was listed as beneficiary of her brother Walter’s will. Katherine’s daughter Katherine c1747 married John Macfarlane in 1768 (See 93.0 for more information). According to her brother Walter’s will, Dougal and presumably his wife were living in North Britain (Scotland) in 1758. After her marriage, Katherine's name was sometimes spelled as 'Catherine'.
113.3 Jean Graham (1706-1710)
Jean was born in 1706 and baptised at Aberfoyle by her parents on 4 Sep 1706. She was named after her mother. Records show that one of John Graham of Drunkie’s daughters married Robert MacGregor b1713 (Son of Rob Roy) and this may have been Jean but was more likely her sister Jenet b1709. Jean probably died as a child.
113.4 Jenet Graham (1709-1748)
Jenet b1709 fits as the fourth child of John because her age was closer to that of her future husband the Young Rob Roy c1712. In the mid 1740’s, Jenet, described only as “a daughter of John Graham of Drunkie”, married Young Rob, her second cousin, and fourth son of Mary McGregor and Rob Roy. Sadly, Jenet died shortly afterwards, and her husband was hanged in 1754. (See 146.3)
Although records do not specifically mention Jenet’s Christian name, the evidence is quite strong that Young Rob’s wife was Jenet born in 1709. She was close to his age and the birth of Janet c1752 in her father’s second marriage indicates the two earlier Janets were deceased. The extract below from ‘The Stirling Observer’ 9 Oct 1879 provides more information about the young couple.
Young McGregor was of rather slender build, but tall and handsome in person, a daring rider, and an expert swordsman, but vain-glorious in his character, and thus easily made the tool of more cautious rascals. By his ten years' residence in France, however, the young Highlander had obtained considerable accomplishments, and he was admitted into some of the best society of the country. About 1748, he married Miss Graham, daughter of the Laird of Drunkie, and according to the marriage contract, made "suitable remuneratory settlements out of his own private fortune and estate" to his lady. Mrs McGregor unfortunately only survived her marriage some months, and after her death her husband began afresh his reckless and roving life. (Stirling Observer)
113.5 Margaret Graham (1711-c1760)
Margaret Graham was baptised in Aberfoyle on 14 Jun 1711. She married Alexander Buchanan in 1742 with the marriage recorded at both Port of Menteith and Callander. There were four children born at Callander named Walter Buchanan 1743, Unknown Buchanan 1745, Jean Buchanan 1747 and James Buchanan 1750.
By 1755 most of her full siblings were deceased and Margaret was a recipient of a bequest from her father’s will (see above) and in 1758 Margaret was also listed as beneficiary of her brother Walter’s will. Margaret died after 1758. No more is known.
113.6 Captain Walter Graham of Drunkie (1713-1758)
It is not clear where and when Walter was born. There was a Walter Graham baptised 29 Feb 1708 at Port of Menteith (Ancestry) by John and Jean Graham. However, a couple or two couples both named John and Jean Graham of Port of Menteith were married and had many children baptised in that place during same period that Walter’s siblings were born. All of Walter’s siblings were baptised by John Graham and Jean Bontine at Aberfoyle. It is most likely that Walter Graham of Drunkie was the unknown male child baptised at Aberfoyle in 1713.
In 1734 Walter Graham the younger, and his father John Graham the elder submitted a detailed description of the boundaries of their property (GD220/1/K/2/2/3) and soon after Walter joined the marines in the British Army.
Walter Graham was present on an English vessel named Lion when they encountered the French ship that was conveying Bonnie Prince Charlie to Scotland in July 1745. On account of Walter’s gallant behaviour in the ensuing battle he received a commission in Robert Richs’ Dragoons. The Dragoons played a role in putting down the 1745 rebellion that led to the Battle of Culloden. File GD22/4/34 contains 22 items dated between 1745 and 1758 relating to Walter’s life that can only be viewed in person. (Scots magazine).
In 1755 after his father’s death, Walter wrote a letter to Nicol Graham of Drunkie concerning his family and estate; probably related to the complexities of his own will and the rights of his half-brother John Graham c1748 (GD22/1/311). By 1758 Walter “had quitted the (military) service on account of lingering illness” and later that year he died leaving a detailed will and codicil raising the issue of the alleged 2nd marriage of his father John Graham of Drunkie. The will was dated 29 Apr 1758, the codicil was dated 14 May 1758 and Probate was granted 6 July 1758. Captain Walter Graham seems to have never married and there were no known children.
People listed (not necessarily beneficiaries) in Walter’s will (and relationship to him) were:
- Mr Graham of Gartmore (legal advisor & distant relation?). The will authorised payment of Walter’s debts.
- Dougal Graham now residing in North Britain (Scotland) an executor (brotherinlaw married to sister Katherine Graham b1705)
- John Graham c1681, deceased and his second wife? (Walter’s father and Christina McCallum)
- David Hume Stuart (Stewart) of Ballanchalan b.1715 (executor) and his unnamed illegitimate and only son Donald. David was a cousin; the son of Duncan Stewart 1st of Ballanchalan who had married c1669 Agnes Graham c1640 in Kilmadock. Agnes was the daughter of George Graham of Bofroschlie/Bofrishlie. (George was possibly a third son of George Graham 1st of Drunkie c1570; See GRA1 Grahams of Drunkie). Bofrishlie Burn is the headwater of the Pow at Aberfoyle. Called Blairfruslie by Roy and located just south of Aberfoyle adjacent to Balleich and Duniverig.
- John Stuart of The Blue Anchor in Little Britain. The third appointed executor who died prior to probate. The Blue Anchor Inn was on the south-west side of Duck Lane, in Farringdon Ward Without, in a small district of London called Little Britain.
- Mr Graham of Pall Mall (London Lawyer)
- Thomas Bontine of Jamaica (cousin, probably a son of his step grandmother Jean Bontine’s brother Robert Bontine of Mildovan). Thomas was holding £300 left to Walter by Walter’s (late) brother Patrick which was earning 6% interest!
- Patrick Graham c1719 (deceased bother)
- Two Unnamed sisters (£50 each to both of my sisters) and their unnamed children (Margaret who married Alexander Buchanan and Katherine who married Dougal Graham)
- John Graham c1748 (a child at that time and half-brother-probably illegitimate)
- Two Unnamed very young half-sisters (illegitimate daughters of Christina McCallum; Unknown c1751 and Janet c1753)
- Mr Drummond, banker who was holding £500 belonging to Walter
- Francis Buchanan witness (possibly related to brother-in-law Alexander Buchanan)
- The Codicil written in London addressed the fact that according to the Reverend Cameron, Walter’s father had never married servant Christina McCallum, thereby Walter’s step siblings were illegitimate. The codicil changes amounts received by the step siblings, but Walter requested that the three children receive adequate support and education and suggested the boy (John) be sent to his cousin Thomas Bontine in Jamaica who would take care of him.
113.7 John Graham (1715-c1735)
John Graham was baptised in Aberfoyle on 15 Mar 1715. He was named after his father and probably died before he reached adulthood because a son from his father’s second marriage was given the same name in 1748.
113.8 Unnamed Male Child (1717-1717)
An unnamed child was born to John Graham and Jean Bontine in 1717. He probably died as an infant.
113.9 Patrick Graham (1719-c1745)
Patrick Graham was born in Aberfoyle in 1719. He was the last child born to John Graham and Jean Bontine as his mother was in her late thirties. As the name Patrick was not used previously in John’s known family, he may have been named after a brother of his father, or more likely Patrick Graham of Downance, who was the husband of John’s sister Isobel? Other documents show that the two men were of similar age and had a good relationship (perhaps like brothers).
Patrick b1719 was listed as deceased, in brother Walter’s will of 1758 and was not listed as a beneficiary of his father so he must have died prior to 1755. He probably died in the mid 1840’s.
113.10 John Graham of Drunkie the younger (1748-1802) from 2nd marriage
John Graham was born to John Graham and his second partner Christina McCallum (McAllan) in 1748 and baptised at Port of Menteith on 5 Jan 1748. It is clear from Captain Walter Graham’s will, written in 1758 that John and his two younger sisters were children at that time. John was probably born out of wedlock from a relationship between his father and a servant named Christina McCallum. At the baptism of John’s sister Janet in 1753 the minister noted that he was told that John senior had married Christina, but no registration had been found, and son Walter Graham outlined his own doubts in later documents.
There are several legal documents dated 1778-1786 between Robert Graham of Gartmore and the Grahams of Drunkie. They include a debt discharge by John Graham (of Drunkie) b1748 to Robert Graham of Gartmore and another with Robert Graham as arbiter in organising the equal division of the estates of Walter and Peter (Patrick) Graham sons of the deceased John Graham c1684 of Drunkie (GD22/1/206).
John Graham b1748 married an unknown woman (possibly with the surname Cairns) around 1769 and had five known children. His only son was Walter Cairns Graham, and his four daughters were Mary Graham c1769, Margaret Graham, Jean Graham and Jemima Graham. Mary Graham married Malcom Coldstream b1768 in 1803 in Dunblane and Margaret Graham married Dr. John McRoberts.
In the late 1700’s John (with or without his family) was living in Jamaica. John Graham esq was listed as managing Merrywood Estate (owned by Henry Cuncliffe) in Trelawney Parish from 1797-1798.
Document GD22/1/206 includes legal transactions from 1778 to 1786 between Robert Graham of Gartmore and the Grahams of Drunkie: including a Discharge by John Graham in Blairhulachan (son-in-law of Katherine Graham b1705), John Graham of Drunkie and others to Robert Graham. The NRS also holds several letters from John Graham of Drunkie to his tenants dated 1794-1798 (GD170/1787).
113.10a Walter Cairns Graham (c1770-1806) Son of John b1748
Land tax records of 1802 show Walter Cairns Graham of Port (of Menteith) as the owner of Drunkie after the death of his father, John Graham b1748. NAS records include a law case in 1805 whereby Walter Cairns Graham of Drunkie took legal action against Walter Macfarlane. Walter Cairns Graham died the following year.
The Davidson Genealogy Website contains the following information. John Graham, the younger, died about 1800, and was succeeded by his son, Walter Cairns Graham, the last of the old stock. Walter Cairns Graham was, I am told, a very litigious man and ruined himself by his law pleas, one of which he prosecuted at great expense for many years, about the price of a white pony. As far as I can learn he was never married and after he parted with his property, he removed to a place near here called Rednock, where he died.
He had at least four sisters named respectively Mary, Margaret, Jean and Jemima. When he got into pecuniary difficulties, he made his estate over to his four sisters and it was they who sold it. They put it up for sale by public auction in 1807 and it was purchased by George Hunter, Army Contractor, of Edinburgh. About ten years ago one of the heirs of Mr. Hunter sold it to Mr. G. Addison Cox at the price of 35,000 pounds. (Sale of Drunkie)
As the article above states Walter was a litigious man and the law cases continued long after his death. The Scottish Jurist records a case dated 11 Mar 1837 whereby Walter had disponed his estate to his four sisters, and they had appointed a man to wind up the affairs and distribute the residue, but no final adjustment between the parties had occurred. The 1837 case was an attempt by ‘Coldstream’ and others (probably nephews and nieces) to recover money owing.
113.11 Unknown Daughter (1751-c1760) from 2nd marriage
113.12 Janet Graham (1753-1829) from 2nd marriage
Janet was born in 1753 and baptised in Port of Menteith on 1 Feb 1753. She was one of the two unnamed half-sisters listed in Walter’s 1758 will. In 1770 Janet aged 16 married Daniel Fisher b1748 at Callander. Two children were born to Daniel and Janet in Scotland, but in 1775 they moved to the US and had at least six more children there. The Davidson Genealogy contains the following information.
My grandfather married secondly, August 18, 1802, Miss Christina Fisher, eldest daughter of Daniel Fisher and Janet Graham, his wife, daughter of John Graham of Drunkie, Perthshire, Scotland. He married about 1771 or 1772, Janet Graham, daughter of John Graham of Drunkie, and Christina Maccalum, his wife. He was a landed gentleman of ancient family in Perthshire whose estate of Drunkie was situated in the immediate vicinity of Callander.
Miss Graham was at boarding school at Stirling and eloped with Daniel Fisher while there and only sixteen years of age. Her marriage being in opposition to the wishes of her family on account of the great difference in the social standing of the two families, they renounced all intercourse with her unless she consented to forsake her husband, ·which of course she declined to do. Wishing to better their fortunes they decided to emigrate to America. Sir Walter Scott speaks of one of Rob Roy's sons having married a daughter of Graham of Drunkie, "a gentleman of landed property in Perthshire." I would add that my great grandmother, Janet Graham, wife of Daniel Fisher, was the daughter of John Graham, referred to in this letter, and his wife Christina McCallum, and it was from this Christina McCallum that the name Christina came into our family and also the Fisher family. My great grandmother used to say that the Grahams of Drunkie were a branch of the Grahams, Earls of Menteith, and had been in possession of the Drunkie estate for four hundred years. (Davidson Genealogy )
NOTE The History and the genealogy of the Fisher Family can be found in the Fisher family tree found on Ancestry.com.
114.0 Reserved for Future Use
The Bontine surname was spelt in many different ways in historical records. I have adopted a consistent spelling to avoid confusion, but sometimes have maintained original spelling found in documents. The Bontine’s of Milndovan were probably related to the Bontine’s of Ardoch, Perthshire (73 miles apart) but I have not found the link.
“The Milndovan Estate as a whole was for a long time a possession of the Bontine family. For example, it is recorded that Mildovan was farmed by 'Robert Bontine' in 1744, and by 'William Bontine' in 1673. Murray notes that, in his day, a few stones were visible near the site of the former house of Triangle, one of which was inscribed with 'R.B., M.B., 1732', these referring to Robert Bontine and his wife Margaret.” (https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2218172 )
115.1 GRA2 Grahams, Bontines & Semples
Jean Graham c1662 was the eldest daughter of Walter Graham 2nd of Gallangad and Grissel Semple. She married her first husband William Bontine 3rd of Milndovan (c1650-c1695), Town Clerk of Dumbarton in 1682 (contract written Sep 1681), so she was probably born in the early 1660’s (GD22/1/278). She gained a disposition of 1000 merks from her mother’s sister, Jean Semple, in 1683 (GD22/1/17). Jean Graham c1662 had two children from her first marriage, Jean Bontine b1683 and Robert Bontine of Milndovan b1685. Both children were baptised at Dumbarton.
Sadly, her husband William Bontine died in the late 1600’s leaving Jean with two children. She subsequently married Walter Graham of Drunkie 28 Oct 1700 at Aberfoyle. In her mid-forties, Jean gave birth to her only child from her second marriage. The daughter was named Mary Graham c1708. Jean’s second husband Walter died around 1710, leaving her again to raise a child by herself.
Jean Graham outlived two husbands and probably died around 1720.
115.3 William Bontine 3rd Milndovan (c1650-c1695) 1st Husband of Jean Graham
1682 Contract of Marriage between William Bontine, town clerk of Dumbarton and Jean Graham, eldest daughter of Walter Graham of Gallangad, by which the said Jean is to be infeft in an annualrent of 300 merks Scots furth of the lands of Milldovan (GD22/1/278, GD22/1/427). Jean was the daughter of Walter Graham of Gallangad and Grissel Semple. William and Jean had two known children named Jean Bontine b1683 and Robert Bontine b1685. Sadly, William died in the late 1600’s leaving his wife with two children. She subsequently married Walter Graham of Drunkie in Oct 1700 at Aberfoyle. (See 111.3).
115.4 Jean Bontine (1683-c1745)
Jean Bontine who married John Graham laird of Drunkie was born to William Bontine 3rd of Milndovan (c1650-c1695) and Jean Graham (c1662-c1720). See 115.0 for more about her family. Jean Bontine and husband John Graham were step siblings but there was no common blood between them (i.e their parents were completely different couples). John and Jean had nine known children. Jean died in the first half of the 1700’s, prior to 1747.
115.5 Robert Bontine of Milndovan (1685-c1750) brother of Jean Bontine
Robert was born in 1685 and inherited Mildovan after the death of his father. His uncle, Robert Graham of Gallangad (brother of his mother) was his tutor during his minority (GD22/3/195). He married Margaret Bontine c1690 (daughter and heir of Archibald Bontine of Balglas) in 1707. The first of their twenty children was named Archibald Bontine after his grandfather. (Scottish Arms)
1720 Translation by John Bontine of Geilston and Robert Bontine of Milldovan to Robert Buntine, younger of Ardoch, of a Bond granted by Nicoll Buntine (GD22/1/171). In 1728 Walter Buchanan of Balquhan, John Buchanan of Wester Glenbog and others were arrested for robbery and violence against tenants on the estates of Robert Bontine of Milndovan. (GD22/1/599). In 1729 Robert came into conflict with his neighbour Walter Buchanan of Machar and was taken to court as a result of his actions, but after many years of litigation nothing came of the charges. Robert was in conflict again with another Buchanan in 1744 and was held as a prisoner in the Tolbooth of Stirling for a time (CS271/25829).
Robert Bontine, who still held Milndovan, got into embarrassed circumstances, and in 1745 had a litigation with his eldest son Archibald. The report of the case says: "Robert Bontine of Mildovan …..afterwards falling into bad circumstances and being incarcerated for debt, he pleaded against his son …The joint family of Mildovan and Balglas was, however, now near its end. In 1746 Mildovan, the estate of the husband, was sold to the Bontines of Ardoch. Robert died in the mid 1700’s. (https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/95339083?mode=transcription )
116.0 Nicol Bontine of 11th of Ardoch (c1641-c1715) & 3 Children
Document GD22/1/408 dated 1512 lists early ancestors of Nicol including Archibald Buntyn, nephew and heir of Nicol Buntyne of the lands of Ardoch Leis and Craigend. Nicol was the eldest son of William Bontine of Ardoch and had a heritable bond dated 1684 (GD22/1/93). Presumably his father died in that year. This document also infers that Nicol had at least one brother who may have been William Bontine of Milndovan c1650.
1660 Charter by William Buntein (sic) of Ardoch for a contract of marriage between Nicoll B., his eldest son, and Anna Barclay, second daughter of Master Robert Barclay, lately provost of Irvine (GD22/4/6). According to a document dated 1663 Nicol Bontine c1641 married Anna Barclay around 1662 (GD22/1/408). Several documents listed the children of Nicole Bontine and his wife Anna Barclay. A bond by Nicol Bontine of Ardoch to Isobel Bontine, his daughter dated 1686. Assignation by Isobel to William Bontine, her brother 1688. Bond by Nicol Bontine of Ardoch and Robert Bontine, his eldest son, to William Bontine, his second son 1689. Assignation thereof by the said William to Robert Bontine, his elder brother 1696 (GD22/2/30).
Document GD22/1/66 listed discharges to Nicol Bontine of Ardoch from Robert Bontine of Milndovan in 1706. This document indicates that the Bontine families of Ardoch and those of Milndovan were connected financially and were probably brothers.
1653 Discharge by John Smollet, merchant, Dumbarton, widower of Jean Buntein. Bond by Nicol Buntine of Ardoch to James Smollett of Bonhill (son of John Smollet and Jean Bontine), for 1,000 merks Scots, 18 October 1690. Assignation of this Bond by the said James to Robert Bontine, younger, of Ardoch b1663, 2 April 1695 (GD22/2/23).
NOTE: John Smollett was admitted a burgess of Dumbarton in 1638. The affairs of John Smollett falling into disorder, he resigned the management thereof to his son James, in 1672. He died about 1680. By John’s first wife, (Jean died c1653), second daughter of Archibald Bontine of Ardoch, he left an only son, the above James. By his second wife, Mary Sempill (probably of Fulwood), he had no issue.
Nicol Bontine of 11th of Ardoch died around 1715. His three children are listed below with associated document codes in brackets.
116.1 Robert Bontine 12th of Ardoch (c1663-?) Son of Nicol
Robert Bontine (GD22/1/66) eldest son born c1663. Papers in 1693 relative to transactions between Nicol Bontine of Ardoch and his son, Robert Bontine including an Assignation by Nicol Bontine, a list of debts due by Robert Bontine to his father and an Obligation by Robert Bontine to his father for a Bond (GD22/1/124). Letters from Robert Bontine of Ardoch to Robert Graham of Gartmore, his brother-in-law, relative to the proposed anchorage of a boat belonging to the latter at Greenock (GD22/2/92)
116.2 William Bontine (c1665-1730) Son of Nicol
William Bontine c1670 second son (GD47/469). William married Jean Buchanan around 1690 (daughter of Isobel McAuley) and was a writer living in Edinburgh by 1700 (GD22/2/11 & GD22/2/36). Correspondence from Jean Buchanan, wife of William Bontine, to Archibald Buchanan of Drummikill in 1712 (GD47/480). Letters written by Jean Buchanan and William Buntine, son of Nicol Buntine, her husband in 1709 (GD47/795).
William and Jean had sons named Nicol the Younger, after William’s father and William Bontine of Auchindennan after himself. In 1730 payment of the liferent annuity of Isobel Mcaulay (William’s mother-in-law), relict of the deceased William Buchanan of Drummakill, to William Buntine of Auchindennan (GD47/799). William probably died around that time.
116.2a Nicol Bontine 13th of Ardoch (c1685-1760) Son of William c1665
Nicol Bontine the younger of Ardoch seems to have been a son of William Bontine of Ardoch and grandson of the older Nicol b1641. 1702 Disposition by William Bontine writer in Edinburgh to Robert Bontine, younger, of Ardoch, of several Bonds granted by William Bontine of Ardoch and Nicol Bontine, his son (GD22/2/50).
Marriage between Nicol Bontine of Ardoch and Anne Cunningham, only daughter of Captain James Cunningham in 1735 but registered at Edinburgh 1742 (GD22/1/282). 1757 Entail by Nicol Bontine of Ardoch in favour of his male heirs whom failing, to William Bontine of Auchindennan (Dumbartonshire) his brother whom failing, to Robert Graham, 2nd son of Nicol Graham of Gartmore of Ardoch, Ardochbeg, Milldovan, Dalmoak etc: on condition that the male heir bear the name of Bontine until his father's death (GD22/1/408). In 1757 a Declaration of Irritancy by Nicol Bontine of Ardoch, declaring the change in the succession to the barony of Ardoch and other lands as laid down in the preceding Entail on the failure of his brother William Bontine of Auchindennan to implement an Obligation to pay off all the debts due on the said lands to a maximum of £2000. These records imply that Nicol had no male heirs in 1757 when he was in his seventies. According to GD22/1/408 Nicole was deceased in Feb 1761.
116.2b William Bontine (c1790-c1770) of Auchindennan Son of William c1665
In spite of his brother’s Declaration of Irritancy, Ardoch passed to William in 1761. Resignation in favour of William Bontine of Ardoch, brother-german to the deceased Nicol Bontine of Ardoch, of the barony of Ardoch and other lands as laid down in the Deed of Entail 1761: also an Extract of this Charter and the Instrument of Sasine following thereon (GD22/1/408). William died around 1770 which was when Robert Cunninghame Graham 6th of Gartmore became laird of Ardoch.
116.3 Isobel Bontine (c1670-c1650) Daughter of Nicol 11th of Ardoch
Isobel Bontine was born to Nicol Bontine of Ardoch around 1670. She was the granddaughter of Robert Barclay (GD22/1/103) and sister of William Bontine c1665 (GD22/2/30).
Robert Graham of Gallangad and Gartmore, surgeon married Isobel Bontine of Ardoch (66 miles from Gallangad) in 1687 in Edinburgh. Isobel was the daughter of Nicol Bontine of Ardoch (GD22/1/17). Her marriage was confirmed by document GD22/1/437 dated 1706 which listed Robert Graham of Gallangad and Isobel Bontine his spouse.
Robert Graham of Gallangad, surgeon and his wife Isobel Bontine had at least five children named Robert (Bontine Cunningham) Graham, Nicol Graham, Thomas Graham, Grissel Graham and Walter Graham. Document GD22/1/103, dated 1687, listed Isobel Bontine, her spouse Robert Graham of Gallangad and Isobel’s father Nicol Bontain of Ardoch.
In 1714 Robert Graham nominated his wife Isobel Bontine as tutrix to his sons Nicol, Walter and Thomas Graham and daughter Grisell Graham (GD22/3/206). This indicates that these children were still under the age of 21 in 1714 and may have been a sign that Robert’s health was beginning to fail. He probably died later that decade leaving Isobel to care for a young family.
GD22/2/95 contains Letters written in 1724 and 1725 from Robert Bontine of Ardoch to his sister Isobel, wife of (deceased?) Robert Graham of Gartmore, about cures for gout. Isabel probably died in the mid 1700’s. See 131.2c for more about Isobel’s son Robert Bontine Cunningham Graham 6th of Gartmore who became the next Laird of Ardoch.
116.4 Short History of the Lands of Ardoch
- In 1707, Nicol Bontine 11th obtained a charter from the Crown, erecting them into the barony of Ardoch
- In 1722, Robert Bontine, 12th younger of Ardoch, obtained a contract between him and his predecessor Nicol Bontine, over the lands and barony of Ardoch.
- In 1757, Nicol Bontine 13th, grandson, and successor of Robert, executed a procuratory of resignation of the lands and barony of Ardoch
- The right to this procuratory was taken up by his successor, William Bontine, in February 1761 (https://vlex.co.uk/vid/duke-of-montrose-v-804001989 ).
- By 1770, Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham 6th of Gartmore left Jamaica for Britain and became laird of Ardoch in Dunbartonshire. He had succeeded to the estate, (entailed upon him in 1757), on the death of his second cousin William Bontine in the late 1760s. (Wikipedia & GD22/1/408). For more about Robert Bontine Cunningham Graham (1735-1797) see 128.3.
- For almost 600 years, until 1987, Ardoch belonged to the same family. Originally owned by the family of Bontine, it passed by entail to their cousins, the Grahams of Gartmore in 1770, who later took the name Cunninghame Graham (http://www.tommymackay.com/mackay-of-ardoch/ ).
SEMPLE FAMILY
120.0 Grissel Semple (c1635-c1690)Grissel was one of five daughters born to Robert Semple c1590 and his wife Helen Anderson. Grissel was born around 1635 (GD22/1/17, GD22/3/29). In 1655 there was a contract of marriage between Walter Graham c1628, son of the deceased John Graham of Gallangad, with William Graham of Gartmore, his brother, as cautioner, and Grizel Semple, daughter of Helen Anderson Anderson, widow of Robert Semple of Nobleston. (GD22/1/273).
Walter Graham and Grissel Semple had seven known children named Robert Graham of Gallangad (1656-1712), William Graham c1660-1742 writer (later of Gartmore), Jean Graham (c1662-c1720), Walter Graham (c1666-c1742), Thomas Graham, apothecary (c1668-1732), John Graham c1670-c1670 and Marie Graham (c1672-c1720). Grissel was in her late thirties when she had her last child.
1659 Back-bond by Grisall Semple, spouse of Walter Graham of Gallangad, whereby she restricts to 240 merks the annualrent due to her from lands of Netherton of Gallingad by said Walter (GD22/3/72).
Assignation in 1669 by Jean Semple, spouse of John Semple of Nobleston, to Grizel Semple, her sister, of bond by Walter Graham, spouse of said Grizel, brother of William Graham of Gartmore (GD22/3/29).
Document GD22/1/17 contains Papers relative to the family of Semple of Nobleston. Grisel Semple, daughter of Robert Semple of Nobleston, married Walter Graham, 2nd of Gallangad, and their son, Robert Graham, of Gallangad married Isobel Bontine daughter of Nicol Bontine of Ardoch. The date of death of Grissel Semple is unknown, but she probably died in the late 1600’s.
120.1 Jean Semple c1625-c1688) & three marriages
Eldest daughter of Robert Semple and Lady Helen Anderson of Nobleston, Jean was born around 1625. She had 5 sisters (GD22/1/17) including Grissel above.
Her first marriage around 1649 was to John Semple of Stonyflat who later took on his wife’s title ‘of Nobleston’. There is a memorandum for the Laird of Gartmore in favour of John Semple, eldest son of John Semple of Stonyflat and Jean Semple, his spouse, eldest daughter of the deceased Robert Semple of Noblestown, and their heirs, in the lands of Noblestown, 1649. This Sasine granted to John and Jean by (her uncle) William Semple of Fullwood, dated 1648, which Charter followed on a Decreet against Jean Semple and her five sisters, the said Decreet being assigned to John and Jean Semple (GD22/1/17). Jean’s first husband John Semple of Stonyflat died in 1668.
Jean’s second marriage to John Colquhoun was in 1670. Sadly, he died 1674 (GD22/1/17). Two years later in 1676 Jean married for the third time. Her next husband was John Rose. A Decreet against the said Jean Semple, now wife of John Rose, minister at the west church of Old Monkland, for sundry debts due by her late husband, Dr John Colquhoune was dated 1676. John Rose died two years later in 1678 leaving Jean a widow for the third time.
There were no known children from her three marriages and her nephews and nieces became beneficiaries of her considerable wealth. (GD22/1/17 GD22/1/440). In 1686 a Discharge and Obligation by James Smollett of Stonyflat to the said Jean Semple indicates she was alive at that time.
1684 Disposition by Jean Semple, relict of John Sempill of Nobleston, now spouse of Mr. John Ross or Rose, minister at Monkland, to Robert Graham of Gallangad, son of Walter Graham of Gallingad, of her burial place, which pertained to the Lairds of Nobilstoune, lying in the kirkyard of Bonhill (GD22/3/80). Jean probably died in the late 1680’s.
120.2 Robert Semple (c1590-1655) & Lady Helen Anderson of Nobleston
Robert Semple of Nobleston was born to John Semple 5th of Fulwood c1590. He married Lady Helen Anderson around 1620 (GD22/1/17, GD22/1/273, GD22/3/34). Known children were Jean Semple c1625, Janet Semple, Margaret Semple c1640, David Semple of Nobleston and Grissel Semple c1635. (GD22/1/17).
Robert had at least two brothers named George and William and a sister named Jean. All three brothers were Burgess of Dumbarton. Sister Jean married William Menzies in 1668 (GD247/190/2).
A 1655 Contract of Marriage between Walter Graham 2nd Gallangad, son of the deceased John Graham of Gallangad, with William Graham of Gartmore, his brother, as cautioner, and Grizel Semple daughter of Heline Anderson, widow of Robert Semple of Nobleston (GD22/1/273) shows that John 1st of Gallangad had died before 1655. In 1665 there was an Assignation by Helen Anderson, relict of Robert Semple of Nobleston, to Margaret Semple, her daughter, of 2,000 merks due on bond, 1639, by deceased Sir Ludovick Houston.
1n 1666 General discharge by Janet and Margaret Semple, daughters and heirs of deceased Robert Sempill of Nobleston, and Robert McAulay, son of Walter McAulay of Ardincaple, husband of said Janet, to Walter Graham of Gallangad, of all debts due to them by said Walter or Grizell Sempil, his spouse (GD22/3/44).
121.0 Reserved for Future Use
122.0 Introduction
The Early Graham family was made up of three Cadet Branches that were connected back to Malise Graham (c1407-1490). Our Graham families descended from Branches B and C and some descendants are a product of marriages between both lines.
B. House Graham of Gartmore =Lords of Dounans, Duchray, Polder and Gallingad Baronets of Gartmore Issued from John Graham, son of Malise Graham, 1st Earl of Menteith from his 3rd marriage. (SEE GRA3 ) The Grahams of Downance appear frequently in NRS documents from the 1400’s to 1706.
122.4 Downance/Dounance/Dunans
As with other Scottish names, the spelling of Downance varies considerably and can also be confused with other locations. Examples of different spellings for Downance near Aberfoyle include Downans, Dounance, Dounans, Dunans, Dunence, Donnans, Dounenie and Overdounance. The lands of Duchray encompassed the lands of Downance.
According to an article by Lois Stott “Wester and Easter Craiguchtie, in Trossachs Road, were the original settlements where the village of Aberfoyle is now situated. Over Dounance, Ballantone, Carsvockie, Nether Dounance, Woodend, Alinan, Breval (Braeval) in Dounance and Balnacraig were (names found in documents). In 1657 the name ‘Dallenance’ occurs. Dounans, the little hill or Dounance is another long-established name. At one time, there was a castle there, sometimes confused with Duchray. The castle mound can be seen next to the car park at Dounans.
122.5 The Earldom of Menteith
The lands of Downance and other properties managed by the Graham family were part of the Earldom of Menteith ( GD220/1/D/2/5/1). In 1680 these extensive lands were as listed below (our Grahams and McGregors were know to inhabit underlined locations)
The earldom of Menteith comprehending the lands of Inchie and Inchiemoy, the land of Port, Arntamie, mill of Malling, Milton, Ballachraggan, Monivreckie, Gartmullan, Achmore, Gartrenich, Arnachlay, Over and Nether Shannochill, the priory of Inchmahome, the lands of Glaschise, Culgartmore, Culgartbeg, Unoch, Achray, Brigend, Alsanabreck, Cracarie, Drumbuie, Frenich, Blairchapel, Drumlean, Craiguchtie, Ross and Blairnross, the lands of Dallavie, Craigmuck, Downance and Park, Balleich, Kirkton, Inchrie in Aberfoyle; the lands of Blairgall, Letterunshenoch, Dowblair, Dowblairushins, Gartnerinoch, Blairwrack, Dalchon, Blairullachan, Culagarten, Deshore, Ledard, Glassert and Milton of Aberfoyle; Ballinton, Over Cregarie, Kimagour, Bofreshlie, Boninte, Gartloaningmore, Doniverig and Cobleland, all the forest of Ben Venue lying in the parishes of Port and Aberfoyle.
The lands and barony of Drummond alias Drymen lying in the sheriffdom of Stirling, annexed to the earldom of Menteith by a crown charter, 11 Feb 1644; With two and a half merklands of Wester Bowhaple and a third part of the 5 merk land of Drunkie lying in the sheriffdom of Perth; and lands and barony of Airth, the teind sheaves and rental bolls of Wester and Nether Shannochills, Gartrenich, Arnachlay, Achmore, Gartmullan, Monyvreckie, Milton of Malling, Arntamie, Ballachraggan, Portend, the lands of Curvock, the lands called Falconer's lands, Knoxlands and Murray's lands, all lying in the parish of Port [of Menteith].
123.0 Early Grahams
The Graham family tree is very complex and confusing. Descendants of Malise Graham (c1407-1490 include Sir John Graham c1470, his eldest son Thomas Graham c1500, father of John Graham 1st of Duchray c1530 who was father of William Graham 2nd of Polder, Duchray and Glennie c1560. The chapters below mainly focus on the various Graham families involved with the lands of Downance, who perhaps were the ancestors of Dougal Graham of Downance c1708. These were the Grahams of Duchray, Glenny, Gallangad and Gartmore; estates that incorporated Downance.
123.1 Malise Graham, 1st Earl of Menteith (c1407-1490) (from Wikipedia)
He was the first of his name to have borne the title of Earl of Menteith in his own right and was the only son of Sir Patrick Graham of Kincardine. Patrick was the younger brother of Sir Robert Graham; both of them being sons of Sir Patrick Graham, ancestor of the Earls and Dukes of Montrose. They are believed to have been direct descendants of John de Menteith, laird of Ruskie, younger son of Mary I, Countess of Menteith and her husband, Walter "Bailloch" Stewart.
Robert II (1371-1390) King of the Scots from 1371 to his death in 1390 had married Elizabeth Mure in 1348 in a manner that was considered uncanonical, making the legitimacy of his children by her questionable. His subsequent marriage to Euphemia de Ross in 1355 produced two sons and two surviving daughters. Malise Graham was the heir to the Scottish throne between 1437 and 1451, if Elizabeth Mure's children were not counted as lawful heirs. Malise was Robert II's great grandson, through his grandfather David Stewart (1357-c1386), son of Robert 11 by his second wife, about whom the canonicity of the marriage was undoubted. He was also the most senior male heir (regardless of the legitimacy of Elizabeth Mure's marriage). Malise’s mother was Euphemia Stewart, Countess of Strathearn (died c1434) who was a medieval Scottish noblewoman who had married Malise’s father Patrick Graham, son of Sir Patrick Graham of Dundaff.
Descendants of Malaise occupied lands covering a large portion of southern Scotland. A Charter of 1427 by King James I in favour of Malise, Earl of Menteith, includes Downance in the lands incorporated into the earldom of Menteith, to be held by Malise and his legitimate male heirs (GD220/1/C/3/1/2).
Our Grahams probably descended from the Grahams who settled in Downance. It appears that the Grahams of Downance purchased Duchray in 1569 and in the early 1600’s George Graham purchased the lands of Drungy (Drunkie, See 110.0). Both properties were bought from the Drummond family. The relevant records from the NRS catalogue are found below. Although both these Graham families were well off overall, the bulk of wealth and family titles were passed down to the eldest son in each generation. Our direct ancestors received the benefits from being related to significant families but appear to have been “minor family members”. However, they did benefit from having a good education and having access to property.
123.2 GRA3 Grahams of Downance, Duchray, Gartmore, Polder, Glenny & Gallangad
Nothing is known about Thomas and Margaret. They are assumed to be the parents of Malise Graham c1530 and John Graham c1535. There may have been a third son named George Graham of Downance c1540. A testament dated 1618, for George Graham of Downance confirms he died in the early 1600’s.
124.1 Malise Graham (c1530-c1590) in Downance and Aberfoyle
Malise Graham was born to Thomas Graham of Dounans and Margaret Graham around 1530 and most likely descended from the Malise b1407 above (see 123.1). He became, vicar of Aberfoyle and was deceased by 1593 (GD22/3/4). An undated document links Malise to Downance when it states that the Earl of Menteith has set in tack to said Malise, a merkland of lands of Dounance, and delivered the same in hands of granter (GD112/1/388). During his early life Malise was apparently involved in some unlawful activities.
1553 Malise Graham in Downans, under the earl of Menteith, was indicted of theft of 4 cows from Sir Thomas McLellan, canon of Inchmahome, of theft of 100 crowns of the sun (coins) from the chest of Sir William Alexander in Castle Campbell, and of ravishing of Jonet Sandilands, relict of David Forester of Carden; of all which crimes he was convicted (GD22/3/1). I have not found a record showing the consequences.
In the 1560’s Malise purchased the Vicarage of Aberfoyle. 1567 Feu charter by Henry Seton, vicar of Aberfoyle, in favour of Malise Graham in the manse and glebe of Aberfoyle, lying between the strip of water which comes from the muir called the Glebemuire on the east and north, the loch of the glebe on the south and the dyke which comes from the kirk ford till it comes to the highway of Molingate near the said loch on the west, and the green alongside the kirkyard dyke of the said kirk of Aberfoyle, about the dyke and burn called the Kirkburn on the north, in the sheriffdom of Perth, for payment of 20s scots yearly of feu duty and 6s 8d more in augmentation of the rental and doubling the feu duty at the entry of every heir, and providing a house and lodging to him and his successor vicars of Aberfoyle when they shall happen to reside at the said kirk (GD220/1/C/3/3/5)
1573 Letter of collation by Mr John Windram superintendent of Strathearn and Menteith, upon a presentation from King James VI with advice of James, Earl of Morton, Regent, presenting to the said superintendent, Malise Graham to be vicar of the parish kirk of Aberfoyle, vacant due to the failure of Henry Seton to appear before the superintendent to qualify himself in terms of law (GD220/1/C/3/3/8).
1575 Instrument of resignation by John Graham of Duchray in favour of Males (Malise) Graham, his brother, of merklands of Ardchanknaken (GD22/3/535).
1579 Tack by Malise Graham, vicar of Aberfoyle, to George Graham, brother of the deceased William, 5th earl of Menteith [d.1578], of half the teinds and other duties of the parish church of Aberfoyle (GD22/1/561).
1584 Renunciation by Malise Grahame, vicar of Aberfoyle, to Paul Doig of Dumrobene (GD61/4). Document RH9/2/116 tells us that Graham, Maleis, vicar of Aberfoyle; To Margat Montgomerie, his wife. Process in connection with vicarage of Aberfoyle. This document and document GD22/3/4 indicate Malise died about 1593. There is no record of any children born to Malise and his wife.
1593 Memorandum for discussion before Mr. William Stirling, William Graham (nephew, son of brother John), Alexander Grahame (nephew), John Stirling, George Graham (nephew)and John Grahame (brother) regarding roumes, steadings, annualrents, goods and gear of deceased Maleis Graham, vicar of Aberfoyle (GD22/3/4).
Malies was possibly killed by a jealous earl of Menteith around 1590. “I don't remember where I saw this.” Males Graham of merklands of Ardchandnaquin, held subject to a mortgage of Harye Shaw of Camnusmore (https://www.grahamsyfert.com/lands-of-duchray-scotland.html)
124.2 John Graham of Downance (c1535-1603) 1st of Duchray
John Graham was born around 1535 to Thomas Graham of Dounans and Margaret Graham and was the brother of Malise c1530. John married Unknown woman around 1560. Their four known children were Katherine Graham c1558, William Graham 2nd of Duchray c1560, Alexander Graham of Craiguchty c1565 and George Graham of Drunkie c1570. All three sons acquired their own estates and fathered children. See 110.3 for more information about George Graham c1570.
In 1569 the lands of Duchray were purchased from John Drummond of Drongy (Drunkie) by the Graham family of Downance. It appears that Duchray Castle near Downance was built by either John Graham c1535 or his son William. In the early 1860's the castle was still in the ownership of the Grahams and remained in the possession of the Graham family until the 1940's. (See Duchray Castle Website).
In 1575 Instrument of resignation by John Graham of Duchray in favour of (his brother) Males (sic) Graham, his brother, of merklands of Ardchanknaken/ Ardchandnaquin, Aberfoyle (GD22/3/535).
James Knox married John’s daughter Katherine Graham. In 1580 Discharge by James Knox of Ranfurly, to John Graham of Duchray and William Graham, his son, of 350 marks Scots, in part payment of "tocher" of Katherine Grahame, daughter of said John (GD22/3/2). The couple had one son named Robert Knox. James Knox was later murdered in 1611 by his nephew. (Red Books)
A 1593 document listed John Graham c1535, three of his sons and his deceased brother Malise. It was a Memorandum for discussion before Mr. William Stirling, William Graham, Alexander Graham, John Stirling, George Graham and John Graham regarding roumes, steadings, annualrents, goods and gear of deceased Maleis Graham, vicar of Aberfule (GD22/3/4). John was deceased in 1603. Disposition by John Drummond, fiar of Drunkie, to George Graham, son of deceased John Grahame in Downance, of 25s. land of Drungie- neisch, 50s land of Drunkie- Drummond and land of Thomclag (GD22/3/420).
125.0 William Graham (c1560-c1619) 2nd Duchray, Glenny & Downance son of John
William Graham was the first son born to John Graham c1535 and his unknown wife. In 1580 William was listed on his older sister’s marriage contract (GD22/3/2). After his father’s death in 1603 William inherited the lands of Duchray.
William Graham married Christian MacFarlane around 1580 (GD22/3/511) and had seven known children. They were John Graham 3rd of Duchray c1582, William Graham 1584, Andrew Graham 1585, Walter Graham c1587, Marie Graham c1590, Gilbert Graham c1592 (GD22/3/417) and Thomas Graham c1695(GD22/3/10, GD22/3/688), See below for notes on each child.
1586 Discharge by Andro Young, minister at Dunblane, in favour of William Graham, fiar Duchray, of part of Kilmachog (GD22/1/541). 1587 Assignation by John, earl of Mar, Lord Erskine, to Andrew McFarlane of Gartartan of escheat of William Graham of Douchray (GD22/3/3).
In 1588 William sold the liferent of Duchray (but still resided at Downance) and a few years later passed on the lands of Glenny to son John. Crown grant in favour of Malcolm McFarlane, of the liferent of the said lands (of Duchray), which formerly belonged to William Graham of Duchray dated 1588 (GD22/1/433). 1603 Contract between William Graham of Downans and Cristian McFarlane, his spouse, on one part, and John Graham of Over Glenny, their son, on other part, whereby said William and Cristian dispone to said John their liferent to 5 merkland of Over Glenny, presently possessed by said John, as fiar thereof, and the steelbow goods pertaining to them thereupon, and said John obliges himself to pay yearly to said William and Cristian 10 bolls oatmeal and 2 bolls beir from said lands (GD22/3/511).
1603 Bond of relief by Andrew Buchanan, sometime heritable feu-farmer of Over Glennie in favour of William Graham of Duchray and William Grahame, fiar thereof, his son, as cautioners for payment by said Andrew to Walter Buchanan, his father, of 16 bolls oatmeal yearly, and to Bessie Grahame, his mother, of 10 bolls oatmeal yearly after his father's decease (GD22/3/7).
In 1607 there was a contract between William Graham of Downance (c1570-?) and Christian McFarlane, his spouse, on one part, and John Grahame of Over Glenny, their son (GD22/3/511). Over Glenny was 2 miles south of Drunkie Estate and 2 miles east of Downance. In 1610 son William c1584 married Isobel Stirling and in 1612 daughter Marie c1592 married Dougal McFarlane (son of Andro Macfarlane).
In 1612 a submission (GD22/3/560) to arbiters by William, Earl of Menteith, and William Graham of Duchray c1560, raised a dispute concerning "onset", houses and buildings in Downans possessed by said William Graham. The arbitral ordained the said earl to pay to said William Graham £300 Scots (“of this realme of Northbritane") in satisfaction for above. The phrase refers to Scotland being the northern part of the Union of Scotland and England.
Mutual Discharge by William Grahame of Duchray and John Grame, fiar of Glenny on the one part, and Andro McCoull McFarlane in Inverriochan and Dowgall McFarlane of Blairvadock, near Rhu] on the other, of a Contract of Alienation of the said lands, dated 22 April 1612 (GD22/1/433). Blairvadock/Blairvouach lies in the Parish of Aberfoyle west of Ledard.
Document GD22/3/417 lists William’s son Gilbert Graham c1592. It reads Contract dated 13 November 1615, between John Graham of Glenny and William Grahame, his father, on one part, and Gilbert Grahame, son of said William, on other part, concerning disposition by said John and William to said Gilbert of £5 land of their 10 merkland of Duchray.
“William Graham, 2nd of Duchray 1560-1618 owned Nether Glenny, Rednock, Auchyle, and the Duillator land over the Menteith Hills down by Loch Venachar. It was the same land on which many of (our) Macfarlane relatives were living at sometime or another. He also possessed the lands of Bogton, also Dounance, east of Aberfoyle, and Glenny i.e. the Nether Glenny land and Mondowie, which it adjoins. It is fairly certain that he had the land that went over the Menteith Hills to Loch Drunkie, and Loch Venachar.” (from https://ancestorium.com/tng/getperson ).
Document GD22/3/551 implies William died in 1619 and GD220/1/C/4/1/5 confirms William of Duchray was deceased before 1625.
125.1 Seven Children of William Graham 2nd of Duchray (c1560-1619)
Not much is known about William’s children except for his three of his sons John, Thomas c1592 and Walter c1695. Relevant document numbers are cited below.
- John Graham 3rd of Duchray and Polder (c1582-c1650) See 125.2 below.
- William Graham (c1584-?) Contract of marriage around 1610 between William Graham of Douchray and Isobel Stirling, sister of William Stirling (GD22/3/282). 1613 land of Duchray pertaining to William Graham of Dounaine (Downance?) lying within the parish of Drymen, (GD220/1/C/5/2/6)
- Andrew Graham (c1585-?) Along with three of his brothers he was accused of murder in 1619 (GD22/3/10).
- Walter Graham of Glenny c1587 Along with three of his brothers he was accused of murder in 1619 (GD22/3/10). See 125.3 below.
- Marie Graham (c1590-?) Married Dougal Mcfarlane in 1612 (GD22/1/270).
- Gilbert Graham of Glaschyll c1592-c1655 (GD22/3/417). See 131.4
- Thomas Graham of Duchray (c1595-1649) See 125.4 Below
John Graham was the first-born son of William Graham (1560-1618) of Duchray and Christian Mcfarlane. John was born around the mid-1580s. Over the next forty years John expanded his land acquisitions considerably. In 1603 John gained the lands of Over Glenny (GD22/1/491). This acquisition was confirmed in 1607 (GD22/3/511).
Around 1610 John married Katherine Stewart. They had two daughters and two sons named Margaret Graham c1618, Agnes/Ann Graham c1625, (Sir) William Graham 1st of Gartmore c1620 and Walter Graham of 2nd Gallangad c1630.
1614 Tack by William, Earl of Menteith, Lord Kinpont, to John Graham of Glenny, of teinds of lands of Gartnerichnich, in parish of Aberfoyle GD22/3/749. When his father died around 1619, John inherited the lands of Duchray which included Downance. Wife Katherine Stewart became Lady Katherine of Duchray, Polder and Gallangad.
In 1616 John Graham of Glenny and Katherine Stewart, his spouse were granted the lands of Eister Poldour by Jonet McFarlane, spouse of Walter Leckie, elder, of Easter Poldar (GD22/3/536). This transaction was confirmed by the 1621 Bond to John Grahame sometime of Glenny, now Poldar and Katherine Stewart, his spouse, whereby Walter Leckie accepts discharge by John, Earl of Mar, for payment of lands mentioned in GD22/3/536 (GD22/3/538). Walter Leckie’s daughter Janet was married to John’s granduncle, Alexander Graham of Craiguchty
1619 Petition by John Graham of Poldar, Andrew, Walter and Thomas Graham, his brothers, Patrick Grahame, son of deceased Duncan Ovir Graham, George Graham in Bofreslie (1m. S of Aberfoyle), Walter Graham, his son, Robert McKillewe in Duchray, Donald Blair alias Jamieson in Monyvreckie, John Dow McAdam in Balleich, and John McFarlane alias McRoberts, servant of said John Graham of Polder, who are accused of slaughter (GD22/3/10). This matter did not seem to go any further.
According to Wikipedia, “In 1622, with the consent of Katharine Stewart, John Graham 'Fiar of Duchray', son of William Graham of Duchray, gave the lands of Duchray to Thomas Graham in Inchrie, and to his heir, John Graham….. In the same year with consent of Katherine Stewart, his wife, sold Duchray to Thomas Graham in Inchrie, apparently his uncle, and John, his son".
1625 Renunciation by John Graham of Poldore in favour of William, Earl of Menteith, of all right, title and interest he, or the deceased William Graham of Duchray, his father c1560-1619, had or might have had to the manse and glebe of Aberfoyle, dated at Stirling (GD220/1/C/4/1/5).
1629 Charter by Adame Cunningham of Boquhan in favour of John Graham of Polder [grandfather of Nicol Graham of Gartmore], of the lands of Gallangad (GD22/1/420). Thereafter John was known as John Graham of Gallangad (c1582). In 1635 a Marriage bond for son William to unknown Mitchell (GD22/1/20).
A Contract of Marriage in 1640 between George Semple in Dumbarton, brother of Robert Semple of Nobleston and William Semple of Dumbarton, on the one part and Margaret Graham c1618, daughter of John Graham of Gallangad c1582, on the other part; the said Robert and William binding themselves to pay to the said George the sum of 300 merks Scots, Margaret's tocher being 500 merks Scots (GD22/2/86).
1644 Commission by Parliament to John Graham of Callingaid to keep the peace in the sheriffdoms of Dumbarton and Stirling (GD22/1/530). In the same year Bond by the heritors and liferenters of the sheriffdoms of Stirling and Dumbarton, whereby they undertake to pay 40s Scots for every 100 merks of their rents to John Graham of Callengad in order to provide maintenance for him and for 50 men in the execution of his duties under the commission given to him by the late Parliament to apprehend all thieves, vagabonds, masterless men and troublers of the peace in the said counties (GD22/3/793).
1646 Contract of marriage between Mr. Thomas Mitchell, servant of Lord Kinpont, and Agnes Graham c1625, daughter of John Grahame of Gallangad. On the marriage contract for son Walter in 1655 (GD22/1/273) his father, John of Gallangad (c1582) was listed as deceased. He probably died around 1650.
NOTE: the Wikipedia article about the various John Grahams of Duchray has some very useful information, but it is confusing and at times contradictory.
125.3 Walter Graham 1st of Glenny (1587-1669)
Walter Graham was born to William 2nd of Duchray in the late 1580’s. Along with brothers William, Andrew and Thomas he was accused of murder in 1619 (GD22/3/10), but nothing seemed to come of it. The brothers all remained at Duchray in their younger days.
Walter married an unknown woman c1610 and was disponed the lands of Glenny by older brother John in 1618. The couple’s sons were George Graham of Glenny c1615 and Thomas Graham of Inchrie c1620.
1650 disposition by John Drummond in favour of Walter Graham of Gleny, his heirs and assignees, of the 8 merk land of Inchie, to be held feu of the Earl according to the feu contract (GD220/1/D/2/2/1). This was ratified in 1661 (GD220/1/D/2/3/4) and in 1665 the lands of Inchrie were disponed again (GD220/1/D/2/3/7).
1651 Royal warrant, signed by Charles II, to William Grahame of Gartmore and Patrick Monteith of Arnbeg, appointing John Graham of Duchray and (his brother) Walter Graham of Glenny to assist them in apprehending deserters from the army (GD22/1/405).
1656 Charter by Walter Graham of Gleny in favour of his second lawful son Thomas Graham and Christian McFarlane, eldest lawful daughter to Robert McFarlane of Gartcreuch, of two thirds of the lands of Inchie in implementation of their marriage contract in liferent; dated at the Bridge of Inshie GD220/1/D/2/3/5. This contract was confirmed in 1656 by an Instrument of sasine in part of lands on Inchie given propriis manibus by Walter Graham of Gleny to Thomas Graham and Christian McFarlane (GD220/1/D/2/3/5 & GD220/1/D/2/3/6).
1657 Charter by Walter Grahame of Glenny for Marriage Contract between George Graham, his eldest son and Agnes Bean of Over Glenny, Nether Glenny and Mondowie, reserving to himself the liferent (GD22/1/491). According to a Dunblane testament Walter Graham of Glenny died in 1669.
125.3a Thomas Graham 2nd of Glenny & Inchie (c1622-?) Son of Walter b1587
Thomas was born to Walter Graham of Glenny and his unknown wife in the early 1620s. In 1656 Thomas married Christian Mcfarlane and as the following document shows, he was disponed a large part of the lands of Inchie by his father.
1656 Charter by Walter Graham of Gleny in favour of Thomas Graham, his second lawful son, and Christian McFarlane, eldest lawful daughter to Robert McFarlane of Gartcreuch, of two thirds of the lands of Inchie extending to an 8 merk land lying in the parish of Port, earldom of Menteith in implementation of their marriage contract in liferent, and to the heirs of the marriage in fee (whom failing to said Thomas, his heirs and assignees), and the other third part of the lands of Inchie to the said Thomas, reserving his own liferent, all to be held feu of the Earl of Airth for payment of £20 yearly; dated at the Bridge of Inshie (GD220/1/D/2/3/5).
1665 Disposition by Walter Graham of Gleny with consent of Thomas Graham and Christian McFarlane, in favour of David Lord Cardross of the 8 merk land of Inchie (GD220/1/D/2/3/7).
125.4 Thomas Graham of Duchray (c1595-1649) Son of William Graham c1560
Thomas was born to William 2nd of Duchray c1560 in the 1690’s. Along with brothers William, Andrew and Walter he was accused of murder in 1619 (GD22/3/10), but nothing seemed to come of it. The brothers all remained at Duchray in their younger days.
Around c1620 Thomas married Elizabeth Graham and they had at least three sons John Graham of Duchray c1620, Alexander Graham c1625 and Thomas Graham c1630.
In 1631 Contract of wadset by Sir John Buchanan in favour of Thomas Graham of Duchray of the lands of Corriegrennan alias Wester Duchray (3m west of Duchray), to be held of himself for payment of £800 with 20 merks feu duty yearly, containing an obligation to infeft and a tack of the parsonage and vicarage teinds during the not redemption of the lands of 50 merks yearly, under redemption by payment of the principal sum. GD220/1/E/2/7/12.
1649 document B66/25/726 is a warrant for the apprehension of eldest son John Graham of Duchray c1620 and described his father Thomas as deceased. It seems that Thomas c1595 died in 1649 and John succeeded his father as fiar of Duchray.
125.4a John Graham (c1620-c1700) of Duchray Son of Thomas c1595
John Graham c1620 was the eldest son of Thomas Graham of Duchray (c1595-1649). He married and had at least two sons named Thomas Graham c1640 and John Graham c1645.
1643 contract between William, Earl of Menteith on the one part and John Lord Kinpont, Sir James Graham, John Graham of Rednock, William Graham of Boquhapple, John Graham of Caler, Walter Graham, his brother, John Graham of Duchray c1620, Patrick Monteith of Arnbeg, William Graham of Bowton and Walter Graham of Ballochallan on the other part …. Whereby the Earl dispones in favour of the contractors equally amongst them, the lands of Craiguchty, the kirktoun of Aberfoyle, the south park of Dounans, the lands of Tutrone and Ballahan, the lands of Nether Shannochill and the merk land of Dounanie (Downance?) lying in the parishes of Port and Aberfoyle, and the cautioners constitute John Graham of Duchray and Patrick Monteith of Arnbeg their factors dated 14 Oct 1643.
Scotland was thrown into turmoil in the mid 1740’s when supporters of Bonnie Prince Charlie staged an uprising which culminated in the Battle of Culloden in 1746. In a letter to Mungo Graham in 1746, Lord George expresses surprise at a report that “Craiguchty house has been burned and Achry's tenant has lost his cattle and household furniture and that tho' some of my tenants has not behaved as they ought, it was not just my property should be lay'd waste, as it was impossible a landlord could be answerable for the conduct of each of his people” (GD220/5/927). In a return letter, Mungo wrote “Continued apprehension of the country people that their houses will be plundered and burnt, and their animals taken away by the soldiers; damage to Montrose's tenants; suspects that orders did not specify any particular persons whose houses were to be burnt, but that the burning was executed at random; Montrose's losses; suggests that the consequence will be that the people who generally live by stealing from their neighbours will now have to do so to keep themselves from starving, and they can only steal from those who have it, that is, those who have been faithful to the government” (GD220/5/1962).
In 1651 John Graham of Duchray c1620 and (uncle) Walter Graham of Glenny c1587 had to assist in the apprehension of deserters from the army (GD22/1/405).
1656 Contract of wadset by John McFarlane of Arrochar in favour of John Graham, fiar of Duchray and John Drummond in Drummond of the lands of Stronmacnair, Wester Brachurn, Ballimore and Clochvraick lying in the parish of Inchcailloch and sheriffdom of Stirling, to be divided equally between them (GD220/1/E/3/1/1).
1665 Discharge by John Graham of Duchray c1620, Thomas McLachlan in Over Craigies, Walter Graham c1628, brother of William Grahame of Gartmore c1620, and (sons of John c1620) Thomas Graham c1640, brother of John Grahame of Deuchray (c1645), as friends and overseers nominated by deceased George Grahame in Basroschlie to Janet and Anna Grahame, his daughters, whereby they discharge Agnes Grahame, eldest daughter of said George, and Duncan Stewart, her spouse, of 2,000 merks Scots owed (GD22/3/41). George was the son of George Graham 1st of Drunkie. See 110.3, 134.2 and Diagrams GRA1 & GRA7.
From Wikipedia. “In 1671, William Graham, 8th Earl of Menteith, obtained an arrest warrant for John Graham of Duchray (c1620) for disobeying the orders of the king, by failing to repay a debt. Learning that Thomas Graham of Duchray (the son of John Graham of Duchray) was to attend a baptism, the Earl of Airth took advantage of this family gathering to execute his warrant. And on 13 February 1671 the Earl and Alexander Muschet, along with a well-armed party made their way to the bridge to arrest John Graham of Duchray who was known to be sympathetic to the Covenanters and who likely politically opposed the 7th Earl. John Graham of Duchray held papers of protection from the king, and said 'What dar ye do? This is all your masters' but the papers held protection from removal from certain lands, and not from a civil debt.
The son of Thomas Graham of Duchray c1640, ripe for the christening at the kirk in Aberfoyle in 1671, was placed upon the ground and the Duchray party prepared their swords, guns, and muskets, avowing that half of the Earl's party would be killed and the other half would drown. It is said that the Earl was narrowly missed by several bullets, and one of the Earl's party, a Robert MacFarlane, lost two of his fingers. John Graham of Duchray c1620 was placed in the Edinburgh Tolbooth.
John Graham, Prisoner in Canongate Tolbooth, with no apparent charges was transported from Leith Tolbooth to the Plantations (Jamaica) in 1678. However, the ship apparently released the prisoners within England and most made their way back to Scotland within 9 months. John Graham of Duchray was scarcely mentioned again, but in 1686, a pension was granted of five-hundred Scottish marks per year to John Graham of Duchray. The document discharged him of the feu duties which were due and unpaid, beginning in November 1671, the same year as the christening in Aberfoyle. The document fully exonerated him for failing to pay those funds.”
John was listed in a document dated 1670 (GD22/3/671) as ‘now deceased’ in 1707, so he probably died around 1700.
125.4b Thomas Graham (c1640-c1710) of Duchray Grandson of Thomas c1595
Thomas was born to John Graham around 1640. In the 1660’s Thomas’ father John (above) came into conflict with others, culminating with an arrest warrant in 1671, and later imprisonment (see above). In 1664 Feu contract by John McFarlane of Arrochar in favour of Thomas Graham, eldest son to John Graham of Duchray, of the lands of Easter and Wester Brachurns, Stronmacnair, Ballimore and Cloichvraick for 5200 merks, to be held of John McFarlane for payment of 20 merks feu duty yearly (GD220/1/E/3/1/7).
Thomas c1640 married an unknown woman and had at least two sons named Robert Graham and Alexander Graham. An Indenture agreement between Colin Campbell and Robert Graham, son of Thomas Graham of Duchray, for 2 years was signed in 1704 (GD112/1/712). There is a testament dated 1665 for Isobel Graham spouse of Thomas Graham (c1645) in Inchie. This may have been Thomas c1640. He would have married Isobel Graham around 1660. She possibly died after the birth of her second son.
In 1666 Thomas c1640 became fiar of Duchray as shown by document GD220/1/E/3/1/10. Contract of wadset by Thomas Graham, fiar of Duchray with consent of John Graham, his father, and Alexander Colquhoun, donator to the liferent escheat of the said John Graham, and Andrew McFarlane of Arrochar (Isobel’s father?), in favour of John McGregor in Doniverig (See MCG1 McGregor Tree) of the lands of Wester Brachurn, Ballimore and Clochvraick.
1667 contract between Sir William Ruthven of Dunglass and Thomas Graham c1640, brother of John Graham of Duchray c1645 on the other part (GD220/1/C/7/2/1). In the same year a wadset by Sir William Ruthven of Dumglass, with consent of William, Earl of Menteith, and the Earl for himself in favour of Thomas Graham, eldest lawful son of John Graham of Duchray of the lands of Clashmore and Clashbeg (GD220/1/H/2/1/4).
1671 Feu contract by John Buchanan in favour of Thomas Graham, fiar of Duchray, of the town and lands of Corrigrennan alias Wester Duchray, doubling the feu duty at the entry of every heir, excepting from the warrandice a wadset of the lands granted by the deceased Sir John Buchanan to the deceased Thomas Graham of Duchray and Elizabeth Graham, his wife (grandparents), in liferent and deceased Alexander Graham, their second son, his heirs and assignees, under reversion for payment of £800; containing precept of sasine (GD220/1/E/2/6/4).
1672 Discharge and renunciation by Malcolm McFarlane in Easter Brachurn in favour of Thomas Graham, fiar of Duchray, of the wadset right he had on Easter Brachurn. GD220/1/E/3/2/5).
1675 Thomas Graham, fiar of Duchray (GD220/1/D/1/3/3). A 1679 disposition by Thomas Graham, elder c1630, of Duchray, to David Bruce, surgeon apothecary in Edinburgh (GD22/3/688). Records show that Thomas Graham, fiar of Duchray was still at Duchray in 1696 (CS228/B/1/4/2, GD220/1/E/7/3/1 and GD220/1/E/2/6/5) showing that he lived there all his life.
1705 Obligation by Thomas and Alexander Graham, elder and younger (son?) of Duchray, mentioning that GD220/1/H/2/1/4 provided the Earl of Menteith or Sir William Ruthven or their heirs with protection against inhibitions and apprisings of John Graham of Duchray (father) and the power to evict inhibitors or apprisers from the lands renounced by John Graham (GD220/1/H/2/1/7).
1707 Disposition by Robert Graham of Gallangad, tutor of Sir John Graham of Gartmore, to Thomas Graham of Duchray of 10 merkland of Douchray, £10 land of Rednock, lands of Monessan, Kippoch [near Gartmore] and Corries and lands of Corriegrennan alias Wester Duchray, which were apprised from (his father) the now deceased John Graham of Duchray (GD22/3/419). Thomas probably died in the early 1700’s.
1715 document GD86/854 mentions two sons of Thomas c1640 who were named Robert Grahame, brother german of Alexander Grahame of Duchray.
126.0 Children of John Graham (c1582-1650) 3rd Duchray, 1st Gallangad
Around 1610 John 3rd of Duchray married Katherine Stewart. According to the Macfarlane website the children of John Graham and Katherine Stewart were (Sir) William Graham of Polder c1615-1684 (see below), Margaret Graham c1618 who married George Semple, Anna/Agnes Graham c1625, Mary Graham c1628 and Walter Graham 2nd of Gallangad c1630 (see below). Youngest daughter Mary married Robert Macfarlane, son of Walter McFarlane of Gartavirtane, in 1657 (GD22/3/285). Daughter Mary Graham was deceased by 1720 and document GD22/3/211 listed her as an aunt of Robert Graham of Gallangad (sister of Walter Graham c1630). This document also listed her spouse as Robert Macfarlane of Bohellachin (near Drymen).
Interestingly oldest daughter Margaret c1618 married George Semple in 1640 and 19 years later her younger brother Walter Graham married George’s niece Grissel Semple c1635.
126.1 Sir William Graham (c1615-1684) 1st of Gartmore & Downance
William c1615 was the eldest son and heir of John Graham of Duchray and Polder and 1st of Gartmore (GD22/3/129). Document GD22/1/27 confirms William was a brother of Ann Graham and Walter Graham 2nd of Gallangad.
William c1615 married Lady Elizabeth Graham, daughter of John Lord Kilpont in 1643. By that marriage Lady Elizabeth was to be infeft in a liferent furth of the lands of Gartartan, Lindsay, Thomclag, Glenhead and others, in the parish of Port. (GD22/1/276). Two children came from the marriage. They were (Sir) John Graham 2nd of Gartmore c1645 (GD22/3/129) and Mary Graham c1650. (See 127.0 for more information about William’s children John and Mary Graham.
In 1644, the first earl of Stirling's fourth son, John Alexander sold Gartmore to (William) Graham of Donnans (Downance), progenitor of the baronets of Gartmore, and the Grahams of Gallangad (https://electricscotland.com/history/nation/alexander.htm ).
In 1646 Discharge by Walter McKison in Ballangrew of Cardross (near Gartur 2 miles south of Port of Menteith), and his daughter, Helen, to William Graham of Downance (GD22/1/26). In 1649 and 1657 Tack by William, Lord Kilpont to his cousin William Graham of Gartmore c1615 (GD22/3/553) of roume (sic) of Downance and Dalinan, parish of Aberfoyle, for term of 11 years GD22/3/554. William acted as cautioner for his brother Walter in 1655 (GD22/1/273).
According to Crawford’s website, William acquired the Lands of Gartmore from John Alexander, the Earl of Stirling's Son. William was a Gentleman who eminently signalz'd his Loyalty in the Time of King Charles II. And, when the Parliament rais'd an Army, Anno 1650, to oppose the Invasion of the English under the Command of Oliver Cromwel, the Earl of Airth being then infirm, and not able, by Reason of his Age, to lead out his Men, his Lordship reposed so much Confidence in (William of) Gartmore's Loyalty and Sufficiency, that he directed … William to call together and command all the Earl's sensible Men, whenever he should judge it necessary for the Service of the Country: And his Majesty King Charles II. placed so great Confidence in Gartmore's Loyalty, and Affection to his Service, that on the 12th of July 1651, he gave him a Commission to guard the Passes on the River of Forth, and to apprehend and secure all Deserters from the Army.
After the return of the King, in Reward of his Loyalty and Merit, William was made a Knight in 1665. Sir William Graham died in 1684.
126.2 Margaret Graham (c1618-c1670)
Margaret was probably born around 1618. A Contract of Marriage in 1640 between George Semple in Dumbarton, brother of Robert Semple of Nobleston and William Semple of Dumbarton, on the one part and Margaret Graham, daughter of John Graham of Gallangad, on the other part; the said Robert and William binding themselves to pay to the said George the sum of 300 merks Scots, Margaret's tocher being 500 merks Scots (GD22/2/86).
1664 General discharge by George Semple in Gartmore, brother of deceased Robert Sempill of Nobleston, to Helen Anderson, relict of said Robert, for all sums of money contained in marriage contract between said George and deceased Margaret Graham, his spouse, and for other sums (GD22/3/34). Margaret probably died in the 1670’s.
126.3 Agnes/Ann Graham (c1625-?)
Agnes was also known as Ann and was born around 1625. 1646 Contract of marriage between Mr. Thomas Mitchell, servant of Lord Kinpont, and Agnes Graham, daughter of John Grahame of Gallangad (GD22/3/283).
1656 Discharge by Thomas Mitchell, minister at Kilmaronock to William Graham of Gartmore, of the sum of 1000 merks Scots due to the said Thomas Mitchell by the contract of marriage between him and the sister of William Grahame (GD22/1/49).
126.4 Walter Graham 2nd Gallangad (c1630-1676)
Walter Graham of Gallangad was probably born around 1630 and was the second son of John Graham of Duchray, Polder and Gallangad and brother of Sir William Graham of Gartmore (GD22/1/273, GD22/3/129, GD22/3/29).
A contract of marriage was drawn up in 1655 between Walter Graham, son of deceased John Graham of Gallangad and Grisell Semple daughter of Helen Anderson, Lady Nobleston (GD22/3/284) and Robert Semple of Nobleston (GD22/3/60). Grissel was possibly still a teenager at that time. The actual marriage occurred four years later. Grisell had five sisters including Jean, Janet and Margaret Semple. The latter two discharged all debts owed to them by sister Grisell and her husband Walter Graham of Gallangad in 1666. (GD22/3/44).
Walter c1630 married Grissel Semple c1635 in April 1659 (GD22/3/72) and his brother (Sir) William Graham of Gartmore acted as cautioner. 1n 1663 Sir William Graham of Gartmore c1615 discharged 600 merkes to his brother Walter Graham of Gallangad c1625. In 1665 Discharge by William Graham of Gartmore to Walter Graham, his brother, for various items of crop and meal from lands of Gartmore, Gallangad and Gartlea, including corn grown during the year when he was in England (GD22/3/33). Grissel was in her late thirties when she had her last child.
Walter and Grissel’s eldest son Robert Graham 3rd of Gallangad, surgeon, married Isobel Bontine (GD22/3/33). Jean Graham, Robert’s younger sister, married her first husband, William Bontine of Milndovan (see 115.3) in 1682 (contract written Sep 1681 at Dumbarton). It seems two Graham siblings married two members of the extended Bontine family.
Seven children (with their occupations) born to Walter Graham c1630 and Grissel Semple were, Robert Graham 3rd of Gallangad, surgeon c1659, Jean Graham c1661, William Graham writer in Edinburgh c1664 (GD22/3/171), Walter Graham c1666 jeweller in Edinburgh (GD22/3/139), Thomas Graham apothecary c1668, John Graham c1670 and Marie Graham c1672 (GD22/3/71). In 1692 Thomas Graham apothecary of London corresponded with brother Robert Graham surgeon of Glasgow, the latter being executor of their father Walter’s will (GD22/3/98).
A 1676 document lists a bond in favour of (cousin) James Graham of Gallangad (Son of Mary Hodge and William Graham) with cautioner Robert Graham of Gallangad c1660, in place of his late father Walter Graham (GD22/1/76). This document confirms that Walter Graham of Gallangad senior, died around 1676. Two years later in 1678, son Walter junior c1666 was a cautioner for his widowed aunt Jean Semple after the death of her third husband (GD22/3/58). He was presumably acting on behalf of his dead father.
In 1683 an Obligation by Walter Graham of Gallangad (deceased), with consent of Robert Graham, his eldest son, to pay (his youngest children) William, Walter, Thomas, John and Marie, various sums of money as their patrimonies and portions, to be uplifted with the consent of Mr. John Mitchell of Todshaugh and William Bontine, town clerk of Dumbarton (GD22/3/71). The latter was Walter’s son-in-law. Son John must have died in the 1680’s because he is the only brother not mentioned in document GD22/3/88 dated 1690.
127.0 Two Children of Sir William Graham 1st Gartmore (c1620-1684)
William c1615 married Lady Elizabeth Graham, daughter of John Lord Kilpont in 1643. Two children came from that marriage. They were (Sir) John Graham 2nd of Gartmore c1645 (GD22/3/129) and Mary Graham c1650.
127.1 (Sir) John Graham 2nd of Gartmore (c1645-1708) Son of William
John Graham (later Sir John) was born to Sir William Graham 1st of Gartmore and his wife around 1645. The archives hold letters dated 1691 from Sir John Graham of Gartmore to William Earl of Menteith, sending news of his stay in Holland, and information about the political situation on the continent.
1694 Contract between William, Earl of Menteith and Airth, and Sir John Graham of Gartmore, whereby said earl grants in tack, in kindly tenandry, to said Sir John, the lands of Neither Dounenie, including lands of Carsvockie and lands called Ballinton (1m south of Thornhill and 1m east of Polder), in sheriffdom of Perth (GD22/3/728).
1706 Letters of Suspension raised by the tenants of the lands of Downans against Sir John Grahame and the Marquis of Montrose in a dispute over the lands of Dunans and a Decreet Arbitral between the said Sir John and the Marquis of Montrose concerning the lands of Dunans GD22/1/521.
Sir John Graham, 2nd baronet of Gartmore was declared insane in 1696. During his illness his nearest male relative on his father's side was cousin Robert Graham of Gallingad son of deceased Walter Graham of Gallingad. Robert acted as Sir John’s representative during that period. On Sir John’s death in 1708, without issue, the baronetcy became extinct, and the representation of the family devolved upon his sister Mary, wife of James Hodge, Esq, of Gladsmuir, advocate.
127.2 Mary Graham (c1650-c1708) Daughter of William of Gartmore c1615
Mary Graham was born to Sir William Graham 1st of Gartmore and his wife around 1650. Around 1683 Mary married James Hodge of Gladsmuir (GD22/1/94) and they had one daughter named Mary Hodge b1684. When her brother John died in 1708 his titles passed through Mary to her daughter Mary Hodge.
1695 Decreet of Preference in the action raised by the creditors of James Hodge of Gladsmuir, spouse of Mary, sister of Sir John Graham of Gartmore, against Sir John Grahame of Gartmore (GD22/2/41). In the late 1600’s there were many claims on James Hodge for unpaid debts owing.
Mary Graham died in 1708 (GD22/3/190). When her brother John died in the same year, his titles passed through Mary to her daughter Mary Hodge. In 1708 Extract assignation by Mary Hodge, daughter of James Hodge of Gladsmuir and deceased Mary Graham, his spouse, daughter of deceased Sir William Graham of Gartmore, with consent of William Graham, her (Mary’s) husband, son of deceased Walter Graham of Gallangad, to Robert Graham of Gartmore of all moveable estates of said Sir William Graham, her grandfather, and of deceased Sir John Graham of Gartmore, his son (GD22/3/190).
127.2a Mary Hodge 3rd of Gartmore (1684-c1750) Daughter of Mary c1650
Mary Hodge was born in 1684 to James Hodge of Gladsmuir and Mary Graham c1650. She was the grand-daughter Sir William Graham of Gartmore (GD22/3/215) and niece of Sir John Graham 2nd of Gartmore (GD22/1/500).
In 1701 Mary married her cousin, writer and merchant, William Graham c1664, son of Walter Graham 2nd of Gallangad and brother of Robert Graham 3rd of Gallangad. They had seven children who were James Graham c1703 NKC, William Graham, the Beggar Earl (who unsuccessfully tried to claim the title Earl of Menteith through his grandmother’s line, GD22/1/179), Grissel Graham 1707-1774 Unmarried, NKC, Jean Graham b1711, Helen Graham b1713, Margaret Graham 1709-1782, who married John Colquhoun (died without children) and Mary Graham b1709, who married John Bogle in 1779 and had three children, John Bogle, Mary Bogle and Grissel Bogle (GD22/1/461). John Bogle became a renowned portrait painter. Most children were born at the family home in Bonhill, Dumbarton.
In 1708 Mary inherited the Gartmore properties, but in that same year she passed on to Robert Graham of Gartmore all moveable estates of said Sir William Graham, her grandfather, and of deceased Sir John Graham of Gartmore. In 1748 claims of Mary Hodge to the estate of Gartmore as heir to her grandfather, Sir William Graham of Polder and Gartmore, and her uncle, Sir John Graham of Gartmore. They include various memorials setting forth the aforesaid claim, a Heritable Bond, dated 7 October 1708, by which Robert Graham of Gallingad, brother-in-law to the said Mary, binds himself to pay the sum of 10000 merks Scots outstanding on the sale of the estate and the other financial transactions by which the estate was disponed by Mary Hodge to the said Robert (GD22/1/461).
Mary Hodge probably died in the mid 1700’s.
128.0 Walter Graham 2nd of Gallangad (c1630-1676)
Walter Graham of Gallangad was born around 1630 and was the second son of John Graham of Duchray, Polder and Gallangad and brother of Sir William Graham of Gartmore (GD22/1/273, GD22/3/129, GD22/3/29).
A contract of marriage was drawn up in 1655 between Walter Graham, son of deceased John Graham of Gallangad and Grisell Semple daughter of Helen Anderson, Lady Nobleston (GD22/3/284) and Robert Semple of Nobleston (GD22/3/60). Grissel was possibly still a teenager at that time. The actual marriage occurred four years later. Grisell had five sisters including Jean Semple, Janet Semple and Margaret Semple. The latter two discharged all debts owed to them by sister Grisell and her husband Walter Graham of Gallangad in 1666. (GD22/3/44).
Walter c1628 married Grissel Semple c1630 in April 1659 (GD22/3/72) and his brother (Sir) William Graham 1st of Gartmore acted as cautioner. 1n 1663 Sir William Graham of Gartmore c1615 discharged 600 merkes to his brother Walter Graham of Gallangad c1625. In 1665 Discharge by William Graham of Gartmore to Walter Graham, his brother, for various items of crop and meal from lands of Gartmore, Gallangad and Gartlea, including corn grown during the year when he was in England.
Walter and Grissel’s eldest son Robert Graham of Gallangad, surgeon, married Isobel Bontine in 1687 (GD22/3/33). Jean Graham, Robert’s sister, married her first husband, William Bontine of Milndovan (see 115.3) in 1682 (contract written Sep 1681 at Dumbarton). It seems that the two of the Graham siblings married two Bontine siblings.
Seven children (with their occupations) born to Walter Graham c1628 and Grissel Semple were Robert Graham surgeon c1659, Jean Graham c1661, William Graham writer in Edinburgh c1664 (GD22/3/171), Walter Graham c1666 jeweller in Edinburgh (GD22/3/139), Thomas Graham apothecary c1668, John Graham c1670 and Marie Graham c1672 (GD22/3/71). Daughter Marie married Andrew Mackie, portioner of Larbert, but was widowed in 1705. In 1692 Thomas Graham apothecary of London corresponded with brother Robert Graham surgeon of Glasgow, the latter being executor of their father Walter’s will (GD22/3/98).
In 1683 an Obligation by Walter Graham of Gallangad (deceased), with consent of Robert Graham, his eldest son, to pay (Walter’s youngest children) William, Walter, Thomas, John and Marie, various sums of money as their patrimonies and portions, to be uplifted with the consent of Mr. John Mitchell of Todshaugh and William Bontine, town clerk of Dumbarton (GD22/3/71). The latter was his son-in-law, having married Walter’s daughter Jean in 1682. Son John must have died in the 1680’s because he is the only brother not mentioned in document GD22/3/88.
128.1 Robert Graham 3rd of Gallangad, 4th of Gartmore (c1659-c1715)
Robert Graham of Gallangad was Walter and Grissel’s eldest son and brother of Jean Graham c1661. Robert was probably born around 1659. He began a surgeon’s apprenticeship with John Hall in 1672. The five-year medical apprenticeship in Glasgow was completed by 1677 (GD22/3/49). In 1678 the lands of Longcroft were assigned to him by Jean Semple (mother’s sister). In 1679 Margaret Semple (mother’s sister) assigned 2000 merks to her “sister’s son”, Robert Graham of Gallangad (GD22/3/60). In 1690 a Warrant by Jean Semple, relict of (third husband) Mr. John Ross or Rose, minister of Old Monkland, to Robert Graham of Gallingad to pay 300 merks Scots to William, Walter and Thomas Graham, his brothers, for encouragement in their respective trades. Receipt by William, Walter and Thomas Graham for above sum, 8 January 1690 (GD22/3/88). As there is no mention of brother John he was probably deceased.
Robert Graham of Gallangad surgeon married Isobel Bontine of Ardoch (66 miles from Gallangad) in 1687 in Edinburgh. Isobel was the daughter of Nicol Bontine of Ardoch. She was probably related to William Bontine, of Milndovan who married Robert’s sister Jean in 1682.
Robert Graham of Gallangad, surgeon and his wife Isobel Bontine had at least five children named Robert Graham, Nicol Graham, Thomas Graham, Grissel Graham and Walter Graham. Son Walter died unmarried in Jamaica in 1742. Document GD22/1/103, dated 1687, listed Isobel Bontine, her spouse Robert Graham of Gallangad and Isobel’s father Nicol Bontein of Ardoch.
In 1696 Brieve of furiosity (insanity) ordaining inquest upon state of mind of Sir John Graham of Gartmore; and extract retour finding that said Sir John had been furious since 30 September 1696, and that his nearest relative on father's side was Robert Graham of Gallingad son of deceased Walter Graham of Gallingad, who was brother of deceased Sir William Graham of Gartmore, father of said Sir John. Robert’s Uncle, Sir John Graham of Gartmore, died shortly after.
The family resided at Gallangad in 1706 when Robert, wife Isobel and eldest son Robert gained the lands of Lochwood (GD22/1/437). In 1708 Robert Graham of Gallangad had a financial transaction with Robert Macfarlane of nearby Douchlage (near Drymen, GD22/1/436).
1707 Discharge by (Robert’s sister) Marie Graham, relict of Andrew Mackie, portioner of Larbert, to the said Robert Graham, of £1,000 Scots. Included is an Eik of the Testament of the said deceased Andrew Mackie, dated 27 November 1705. Discharge, 4 February 1712, by Edward Buchanan of Spittal to Robert Graham of Gallangad for himself and in name of (cousin) Mary Hodge, heir to the deceased Sir John Graham of Gartmore, for 2,900 merks Scots, in fulfilment of an Indenture made between them, dated 19 February 1695 (GD22/2/45).
In 1708 Robert Graham of Gallangad, succeeded his cousin Sir John Graham (declared insane) who died unmarried in 1708, and became his male heir. By the time he died Robert Graham had increased his family’s possessions far beyond that which any ancestor had done before him. His lands extended from Finlaystone in Renfrewshire across the Clyde to Ardoch near Cardross, to Gallangad on the Dumbarton Muir, to Gartmore and Kippen, in addition to his lands at Lochwood in Lanarkshire, and of course the property that initially set him on the road to serious wealth – his two Jamaican sugar plantations, Roaring River and Lucky Hill (https://answersonapostcard.weebly.com/answers-on-a-postcard/the-laird-of-gartmore-his-creole-wife-and-their-jamaican-slave-tom )
1708 Papers relating to the claims of Mary Hodge to the estate of Gartmore as heir to her grandfather, Sir William Graham of Polder and Gartmore, and her uncle, Sir John Graham of Gartmore. They include various memorials setting forth the aforesaid claim, a Heritable Bond, dated 7 October 1708, by which Robert Graham of Gallangad, brother-in-law (she was married to Robert’s brother) to the said Mary, binds himself to pay the sum of 10000 merks Scots outstanding on the sale of the estate and the other financial transactions by which the estate was disponed by Mary Hodge to the said Robert (GD22/1/461).
In 1714 Robert Graham nominated his wife Isobel Bontine as tutrix to his sons Nicol, Walter and Thomas Graham and daughter Grisell Graham (GD22/3/206). This may have been a sign that Robert’s health was beginning to fail. He probably died later that decade.
128.2 Nicol Graham (c1697-1775) 5th Gartmore & 4th Gallangad
Nicol was the second son of Robert Graham c1659 and Isobel Bontine. In 1732 a document records the transfer of the lands of Gallangad to Nicol Graham from his father, Robert Graham of Gartmore to (GD22/1/420).
Nicol married Margaret Cunningham in 1732 in Edinburgh. Their five children were William Graham, of Ardoch and Gartmore b.1734-1775, Robert Graham (later Cunninghame Graham), of Gartmore and Findlaystone, M.P., 1735-1797, John Graham, Jean Graham c1737, Elizabeth Graham c1740-1825. Their second son Robert Graham (1735-1797) features in many articles on the internet.
Letters, accounts, discharges and other documents dated from 1717 to 1766, relating to affairs of (his brother) Thomas Graham of Buchlyvie, and of Pall Mall, London, King's Apothecary, and Receiver General for Island of Jamaica who died 19 December 1763). The persons mainly concerned with his affairs were Nicol Graham of Gartmore, his brother, and Daniel Graham, apothecary, his business partner (GD22/3/208).
128.3 Robert (Bontine Cunningham) Graham (1735-1797) 6th Gartmore
Robert was the second son of Nicol Graham of Gartmore and Lady Margaret Cunningham and was born at Gartmore. He was educated, along with his elder brother William, at the University of Glasgow and became a Scottish politician and poet. He took the name Bontine in 1770 and Cunninghame Graham in 1796. With no hope of inheriting his father’s estate, Robert age 17 left Britain for the Colony of Jamaica in 1752, where he was a slave-owner, landowner and planter, politician and public servant until 1770.
He profited from his involvement in sugar plantations in the Caribbean and wrote in his letters of numerous liaisons with enslaved women and this infers he is likely to have fathered children by them. By 1770, he left Jamaica for Britain and became laird of Ardoch in Dunbartonshire. He had succeeded to the estate, (entailed upon him in 1757), on the death of his second cousin William Bontine in the late 1760s.
While in Jamaica, Graham married Anne Taylor, sister of Sir John Taylor Baronet of Lyssons Hall, in 1764 and Simon Taylor, one of Jamaica's wealthiest merchants and plantation-owners.
Following his return to Britain in 1770, Graham took Bontine as one of his names and succeeded to the estates of Ardoch, in Dunbartonshire, on the death of William Bontine, 14th laird of Ardoch (d.1770). In 1775, following the death of his father and lack of male issue from his deceased elder brother, he also inherited Gartmore. He built the current Ardoch House (near Dumbarton) in colonial style for Anne. Anne died in December 1780, leaving two daughters and two sons. He secondly married Elizabeth Buchanan circa 1783, by whom he had a further son and daughter; they separated in 1787 and divorced in 1789.
He changed name twice; firstly, under the terms of an entail by which he inherited the Ardoch estate from William Bontine, he took the surname Bontine until his father died. Secondly, in line with the 1709 entail of William 12th Earl of Glencairn, he assumed the name and arms of Cunninghame, in addition to those of Graham, on the death in 1796 of Maj. Gen. John Cunninghame, 15th Earl of Glencairn and last in line.
Robert Bontein Cunningham Graham was elected a Member of Parliament, representing Stirlingshire, in 1794. During his time in the House he attempted to introduce a Bill of Rights, which foreshadowed the Reform Bill of 1832. Graham was also a celebrated writer, his best-known work being the poem ‘If doughty deeds my lady please’, which was well received in both contemporary circles as well as posthumously.
At his death, his estates stretched from Perthshire (Gartmore & Kippen), through Dunbartonshire (Gallangad & Ardoch) and across the Clyde to Renfrewshire (Finlaystone); in addition, he held the lands of Lochwood in Lanarkshire and his Jamaican plantation at Roaring River. Graham's great-great-grandson, Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham was a writer, journalist and adventurer. He was also a notable politician, being a Liberal Party MP. and a founder of both the Scottish Labour Party and the National Party of Scotland.
129.0 Reserved for Future Use
DOUGAL GRAHAM OF DOWNANCE
130.0 Ancestors of Dougal Graham of Downance (c1700-c1770)
Very few records exist that record the life of Dougal Graham of Downance and none have been found that confirm who his parents were. Looking at the timeline of his later life it seems he married Katherine Graham, b1705 in the first half of the 1730’s, which suggests he was born between 1690 and 1710.
Records show three Dougal Grahams born near Aberfoyle in this period.
a) 1700 Dougal Graham to Alexander and Isobel Graham at Aberfoyle. No other known children. This Dougal Graham seems to have married Kathryn Lenny in Drymen Parish in 1730 (south of Aberfoyle).
b) 1706 Dougal Graham to James Graham and Margaret McFarlane at Port of Menteith. Other children baptised to this couple at Port of Menteith were Margaret and Jenet Graham 1701 (twins born in Jan), James Graham b1703, Helen Graham 1708, George Graham 1711 and possibly James Graham 1720.
c) 1708 Dougal Graham to John (Gregor) Graham or McGregor and Janet McFarlane in Ruskanach in Buchanan parish. Another child named John Graham was baptised in 1712.
Dougal may have been one of the above or another person with baptism record lost). There are two likely possibilities in terms of his ancestral background. He may have descended from the Grahams of Downance or he may have come from a McGregor family that changed their surname to Graham as in c) above. It is even possible that both possibilities are correct. Perhaps an ancestor of Dougal McGregor married a member of the Downance Grahams. This would explain the source of the name Dougal and also how Dougal came to be “of Downance”.
Dougal probably had some education and came from a family that was reasonably well off. He later married into a family of similar economic standing. Although we cannot specifically find references to Dougal’s early life, at least some of the existing records (either from the Graham family or McGregor family) must refer to his family. Below I have suggested possible families based on the records that are available.
130.1 Possibility One: Did Dougal descend from the Grahams of Downance?
Above I have detailed Graham families that were connected to Downance up until the late 1600’s (See 122.0). However, I have found few records re Downance in the early 1700’s and none that link Dougal Graham c1700 to the Graham families of Downance listed above. For reasons explained below I think this is unlikely and there is another possibility.
130.2 Possibility Two: Did Dougal descend from Grahams of Glaschyll?
There is circumstantial evidence that Dougal descended from a line of Grahams of Ledard, Frenich and Glaschyll. All these locations are within a few miles of each other. (See 131.2 to 131.4 for more information.) This possibility does not exclude Possibility Three, as these locations all border McGregor lands, and Patrick and Dougal were both Christian names common to that clan.
130.3 Possibility Three: Was Dougal Graham a McGregor?
“Dougal” or variations of that spelling was a very rare name in any of the Graham families living near Aberfoyle at that time. However, it was a common name found in McGregor families including the famous Rob Roy McGregor who had familial connections to the Graham’s of Drunkie.
The name McGregor was illegal for many years between 1603 and 1774 which explains why many McGregor men opted to take their wives surnames and why there are so few baptism records of babies with that surname during that period. McGregor families occupied lands near Loch Arklet, around 10 miles from Aberfoyle and often intermarried with other local families. This theory is supported by the fact that Katherine’s sister Jenet Graham (1709-1748) married Robert McGregor (Rob Roy’s son) c1713 in 1748. Also supporting this ancestral line is fact that the name Dougal was commonly used in the McGregor family.
A third fact is that the Graham families of Drunkie and surrounding areas were often troubled by some members of McGregor family, who had a habit of raiding, stealing from and fighting their neighbours. During the 1600’s and later years, relationships between the families waxed and waned between outright conflict to alliances. Marriages between the two families may have been an attempt to strengthen bonds and bring peace to the area. It seems there were at least three other women of Drunkie who married into the McGregor family. These were Isobel Graham c1635 married John Graham/McGregor of Dunverig around 1660, Katherine Graham c1660 married John McGregor/Graham of Corrie Arklet in 1680 and Jenet Graham 1709 married Rob Roy’s son Young Rob in 1748.
Records show that there were many McGregor/Graham families farming near Aberfoyle. At least three of these had sons named Dougal who took on the surname Graham and these are briefly described below. More detail can be found in the section about the McGregor Family.
130.4 McGregors at Downance
The Commissariot Record of Dunblane: Register of Testaments, 1539-1800 lists a Mary McGregor in Over Donnans, Parish of Aberfoyle in 1684. From this we can deduce that
- McGregors lived at Downance in the late 1600’s.
- Mary seems to have died around 1684 and probably owned property.
- Dougal (of Overdownance) c1700 may have been her son or the son of a brother.
130.5 McGregors at Dunverig (Parish of Aberfoyle)
According to other testaments, another McGregor living near Aberfoyle was John McGregor in Dunverig, about 2 miles S of Aberfoyle (Roy), just south of Balleich. (Testament dated 1680).
John MacGregor (c1622) in Dunaverig (later of Brachern) and Isabella Graham of Drunkie, his Spouse had no children, but they did have a nephew named Dougal Graham c1660 of Blair, an early name for Balleich (GD38/1/406), which was adjacent to Dunaverig. Dougal may have been related to Henry Graham of Balleich. See below for more information about the various McGregor families living in the area.
130.6 McGregors at Corrie Arklet (12 miles from Aberfoyle)
John McGregor of Corrie Arklet was the son of Gregor McGregor in Dhu of Glengyle later Corrie Arklet c1620. John McGregor of Corrie Arklet c1646-c1706 married Katherine Graham of Drunkie around 1680 and took the surname Graham. Their first son was Dougal Graham b1681. This son was NOT our Dougal Graham because he died young without offspring (See 140.1 for more information).
130.7 McGregors at Ruskanach (Buchanan Parish)
‘McGroger’ has several posts on the Rootschat website with a baptism record dated 1708. It reads, ‘John Grame alias McGregor in Ruskanach and Janet Mcfarlan spouse had a son baptised called Dugald. Witnesses were Malcolm Graham alias McGregor in Ruskanach and John Mcfarlan, Kirk officer’. There is also a record for another son named John in 1712.
Ruskanach was located close to Comer in the Buchanan Parish about 15 miles from Drunkie House. Dougal McGregor b.1708 was the grandson of Gregor McGregor of Comer c1648-c1715 and his wife Katherine Ann Mclaren c1670. Gregor’s sister-in-law and Dougal’s great aunt was Katherine Graham of Drunkie. See 141.2 for more information about Gregor/John McGregor/Graham (c1673-c1750) in Ruskanach.
Of all the possibilities in the extended McGregor family this Dougal b1708 was the most likely to have been the husband of Katherine Graham of Drunkie c1705 for the following reasons.
- He was close in age to Katherine c1705.
- His family had strong connections to the Grahams of Drunkie including a great aunt (Katherine Graham c1650), a great grandmother (Isobel Graham c1635) and Dougal’s cousin Robin Oig McGregor 1713-1754 married Jenet, daughter of John Graham of Drunkie around 1748 (a decade after Dougal married Janet’s sister Katherine).
- The baptism record tells us that Dougal was baptised with the surname Graham.
- Being the eldest son, Dougal would have received an inheritance when his father died and would have had a similar social standing to his future wife.
- His parents and cousins were educated, some even travelling to France during times of trouble.
- Like the Graham’s of Drunkie, the McGregors of Ruskanach do not seem to have taken part in either the 1715 or 1745 rebellions.
Of course, this does not prove that this Dougal Graham, son of John Graham alias McGregor, was the one that married Katherine Graham b1705 but it certainly is one of the strongest possibilities. There is also the question of how he came to be Dougal Graham of Downance by the time of his marriage. His father Gregor or John Graham in Ruskanach seems to have died in the 1720’s, so perhaps Dougal used his inheritance to purchase land ten miles away at Downance.
131.0 Dougal Graham (c1700-c1770) of Downance & Katherine Graham (1705-1771)
Records show that Dougal Graham of Downance c1700 and Katherine Graham b1705 (daughter of John Graham of Drunkie) may have had at least four children named Jean Graham 1737, Margaret Graham 1739, Walter Graham c1742 and Katherine Graham c1747. Although there are records that support this contention, they also include discrepencies which I have outlined below. ‘PD’ has suggested that Dougal Graham c1708 of Overdownance married Katherine Graham of Drunkie b1705 (see 113.2). The marriage would have occurred in the mid 1730’s when she was about 30 and in addition to documented daughters Jean and Margaret, they may have had a daughter named Katherine in, say, 1746 when Katherine b1705 was 41. If this was so, Katherine b1746 would have been 22 when she married John McFarlane in 1768, which fits well with known facts. Another child named Walter Graham was born around 1740. There is no baptism record, but his 1763 marriage record describes him as the son of Dougal Graham in Downance.
In 1755 Dougal’s wife Katherine was listed as a beneficiary of her father’s will and in 1758 Dougal Graham was named as brother-in-law and executor of Captain Walter Graham’s will. Daughter Margaret b1739 was married in 1760 (aged 21) and her residence was described as in “Overdownance”. In 1768 Dougal Graham was listed as the father of Katherine Graham c1747 when she married John Macfarlane at Aberfoyle. The evidence shows that Dougal and Katherine lived at Downance all their married lives.
Dougal Graham probably died around 1770. Katherine Graham relict of the deceased Dougal Graham in Balleich died 12 April 1771 in Aberfoyle Parish.
Patrick Graham may have been the father of Dougal Graham. Although no baptism records have been found, other records indicate that, like his son, Patrick married a member of the Drunkie Grahams. Patrick was probably born at Calgarbeig. After the death of his father around 1700, he moved five miles south to his own property at Ledard. Document GD220/5/60 is a copy of correspondence written in 1703 between James, 1st Duke of Montrose and Patrick Grahame of Ledward (Ledard). Ledard Farm was about ten miles from Drunkie House.
Several other records link him and his grandfather to the Drunkie family. Nothing is known with certainty about Patrick’s early life, but document RH8/697 lists a Discharge and Renunciation by Patrick Graham in Ledarth/Ledard in favour of Walter Graham of Drunkie of certain provisions under a Contract of Marriage affecting the lands of Drunkie lying within the parish of Port. Recorded in the General Register of Sasines 1 Dec 1707. This suggests that Patrick married a daughter (possibly Isobel?) of Walter Graham of Drunkie in 1707 and confirms he was living in Ledarth/Ledard in the early 1700’s.
Three years later Patrick and Walter Graham of Drunkie were involved in another financial transaction with Rob Roy. A Sasine dated January 14, 1710, in favour of Walter Graham of Drunkie, Patrick Graham in Ledard, John Graham of Colliechrae (Callichra?), Alexander Graham in Blair, Malcolm Murray of Marchfield and William Buchanan of Ardoch, of the lands of Inversnaid following feu contract by Robert Campbell of Inversnaid (Rob Roy). (RS59/12/2 f 461, RH8/697).
Ledard is located on the northern shore of Loch Ard, about 4 miles west of Aberfoyle, Balleich and Downance and about the same distance from Comer. In 1690 Malcolm Mcfarlane was also living in Ledard (GlenD). The history of this Scottish farmhouse dates all the way back to the 15th century. Ledard Farm was first mentioned in 1474 in the Minute of the Privy Council. Since then, the ancient farm has documented connections with many famous figures including Scottish outlaw Rob Roy, Clan Gregor, the Jacobites and novelist Sir Walter Scott. Rob Roy came of age at the Feast of the Hairst Kirn in October 1689 in the MacGregor’s Barn at Ledard Farm. Sir Walter Scott wrote his famous novel, “Rob Roy” while staying at the Scottish farmhouse, and it was published in 1817. Ledard Farm steading has traditionally, for at least two centuries, been the location for the Hairst Kirn; a gathering of the Clan Gregor and its associates to celebrate the completion of the harvest.
A 1715 summary of document GD220/5/813 contains letters from Mungo Graham of Gothrie, to James, 1st Duke of Montrose and says the following “Rob Roy's letters are to be produced in process at recipient's instance against Bardowie and Glengyle to prove Rob Roy's bankruptcy; a conversation with Patrick Graham and reports of Jacobitism in the highlands; lack of support from England; possibility of Graham being useful as an informer”. This document may throw further light on Patrick’s life. At that time Walter Graham of Drunkie was having trouble with Rob Roy stealing cattle and as Walter’s son-in-law, Patrick may have been trying to use his local knowledge to assist Walter. Patrick was living just a few miles from Rob Roy McGregor’s stronghold.
After his first wife died in the 1720’s, Patrick married Margaret Buchanan in Drymen Parish in 1726. This suggest that Patrick had moved a few miles south from his former home, perhaps because he was not getting along with the extended McGregor family. Patrick and his second wife had a daughter named Isobel Graham who was baptised in Drymen Parish in 1731. Daughter Isobel married Henry Graham of Balleich around 1752.
There is a Testament Dative dated 1737 for Patrick Graham in Woodend of Dounans, Aberfoyle which includes an inventory of his assets at the time of his death. It lists his executor as John Graham in Garyuchly? "discerned as creditor to the said defunct" and it seems that all of Patrick's assets were to be paid to John Graham to satisfy a number of Patrick's debts. No children or a wife were mentioned. The testament was confirmed by Alex McFarlane of Latter/Letter on 17 Feb 1737.
131.3 Patrick Graham (c1630-c1700) of Calgartbeig
Patrick Graham c1630 may have been the father of Patrick Graham c1670 of Ledard and Downance. Nothing much is known about Patrick Graham c1630, apart from the fact that he resided in Frenich in 1648 and was the son of Gilbert Graham of Glaschyll c1592. According to Dunblane Testaments he seems to have married Marjorie McFarlane around 1665 and moved to Calgarbeig, the property adjacent to his father’s property at Glasahoile. It may have been a second marriage. Sadly, Patrick’s wife Marjory died in 1672 shortly after the birth of son Patrick Graham c1670 of Ledard & Downance.
131.4 Gilbert Graham of Glaschyll (c1592-c1658)
Gilbert Graham was the father of Patrick Graham c1630 and the brother of John Graham c1582 of Glenny. Gilbert and John were sons of William Graham c1560 2nd of Duchray (See . As the records below show Gilbert, his father and son Patrick had properties that included Frenich (5 miles from Ledard) and Dunverig near Downance.
In 1615 John Grahame of Glenny c1582 and William Grahame c1560, his father, on one part, and Gilbert Grahame c1592, son of said William, on other part, concerning disposition by said John and William to said Gilbert of £5 land of their 10 merkland of Duchray (GD22/3/417). 1615 Obligation by Gilbert Grahame in Glaschyll to pay John Grahame of Glenny and Thomas Grahame (his brothers), the sum of 200 merks Scots for their relief as cautioners to the said Earl for a Bond of 600 merks Scots due by him to Jonet Bruce (GD22/1/517).
Gilbert married an unknown woman around 1620. It seems he settled at Glaschyle with his family and had at least one son named Patrick c1630. 1642 Contract between Gilbert Grahame in Glaschyll and Earl of Menteith, by which the said Gilbert promises to remove himself and his possessions from the rowme of Glaschyle and to keep his cattle from pasturing in the forest called Benibennane [Obeinyvenene], under penalty of paying certain specified sums of money for non-performance (GD22/1/517). Glaschyll is on the southern shore of Loch Katgrineis known today as Glasahoile and is about 4 miles from both Frenich and Ledard.
Gilbert Resigned lands of Glaschyll in 1646. Resignation by Gilbert Graham in Glaschyll, with consent of William Grahame of Boquhapple, William Graham of Polder (brother), Patrick Monteith of Arnbeg and Alexander Grahame of Drunkie (Uncle of Gilbert), to the Earl of Airth and Monteith Menteith, his chief and master, of 40s land of Glaschyll, containing obligation to leave said "rowme" void at Whitsunday 1647, and to make no more arable land therein after present date. (GD22/3/616).
Gilbert acquired adjacent lands called Calgartmoire or Calgartbeig in 1648. Contract between the said Earl and Gilbert Grahame in Glaschyle for a tack of the two middle half merklands of Calgartmore for a yearly payment of 100 merks Scots, 26 June 1648 (GD22/1/517).
Document GD22/3/618 lists Gilbert’s son as Patrick Grahame c1630 in Phreinche (Frenich). It reads Gilbert Graham in Glaschyll has granted a blank disposition of an annualrent of 240 merks from lands of Blarchappill, Donyverg (Dunverig near Aberfoyle), Lytill Phreinche [Little Frenich] and Calcartbeg, in sheriffdom of Perth, and obliging himself that the friend whose name is inserted in said Disposition shall immediately subscribe a bond for 500 merks Scots in favour of Patrick Grahame in Phreinche, son of said Gilbert Grahame, dated 1648. Reversion by Gilbert Graham in Glaschyle in 1650 (GD22/3/621). According to testament records Gilbert died in 1658.
By 1671 Gilbert’s property at Glaschyll was inhabited by Walter Graham in Glosochyle. Discharge by Janet Graham, (cousin and) daughter of deceased George Grahame in Bassroschlie (Bofrishlie), and Walter Graham in Glosochyle [Glasschoil], her spouse, to Walter Grahame of Gallangad, of 200 merks Scots (GD22/3/47).
131.5 Henry Graham of Balleich (c1710-c1760)
As with Dougal and Patrick, nothing is known of Henry’s early life. One of the few records I have found that may refer to Henry is a 1729 Assignation by Archibald and William Buchanan, elder and younger, of Drumakill, to Harry (Henry?) Grahame, eldest son of George Grahame at Milne of Drummond (GD47/977). This record fits in with the fact that George Graham paid the marriage dues for his grand-daughter Isobel in 1777. Henry was deceased well before then so he could not pay the dues himself.
Henry married Isobel Graham b1731 around 1753 and had three daughters named Katherine 1754, Marjory 1756 and Isobel 1758, all baptised in Aberfoyle. It has been suggested that Henry may have been Dougal’s brother because they were living in a similar area at the same time (a few miles apart). In 1755 Henry bought a horse off the executors of the will of John Graham of Drunkie (Dougal Graham’s father-in-law). Another possibility is that he was related to Dougal through his wife Isobel who may have been a half-sister of Dougal. See GRA4.
We know that Henry died well before his wife, because she remarried in 1761 and he was listed as deceased when his youngest daughter Isobel married in 1777.
It may be a coincidence, but a 1693 document lists the Assignation by Jean Drummond, widow of William Stewart of Kinnaird and one of three children of George Drummond of Balloch/Balleich (died 1692), formerly called of Blair, by Marjorie Graham, his (George Drummond’s) second spouse (GD38/1/406). Could Marjory Graham who was married to George Drummond of Balloch (Balleich) be related to Henry who also lived at Balleich? Henry’s second child had the name Marjory. Could she have been Henry’s mother or more likely grandmother?
Of Henry’s three children, nothing is known about Katherine b1754 but Marjory and Isobel both married and had children. According to the Ancestry family tree written by Robert Hutcheon, daughter Marjory b1756 married Arthur Buchanan of Bochastle, Callander (1750-1821) in 1772 at Aberfoyle (possibly by handfasting). They later had an irregular marriage at Aberfoyle on 12 Nov 1776, which cost them ten shillings and sixpence. The couple settled in Callander and Marjory gave birth to seven children named Alexander Buchanan 1773, Ann Buchanan 1775, John Buchanan 1776-c1776, Henry Buchanan 1778, Robert Buchanan 1781, Marion Buchanan 1782 and John Buchanan 1784.
NOTE: Although nothing concrete is known about daughter Katherine Graham b1754, there was a Katherine Graham buried in Aberfoyle parish in 1771. The entry reads, "March 18 1771, Katherine Graham in 'Cash/Cosh Siffer' (location hard to read) to Drunkie P.M". No husband was mentioned, so she was probably unmarried, which fits in with Katherine b1754 being only 17 years old. The hard to read location may be referencing 'Coish', which is shown on Roy's map as being adjacent to Loch Drunkie, about 3 miles NE of Balleich. As her father was deceased, Katherine may have been working for her relatives, the Grahams of Drunkie.
It seems that daughter Marjory died soon after the birth of the second son named John in the mid 1780’s, because widower Arthur Buchanan Esq of Dullater (near Callander) remarried in Edinburgh in late 1788.
See Robert Hutcheon’s excellent family tree on Ancestry for more information about the Buchanan family of Callander (Family Tree of Robert Hutcheon).
131.5a Isobel Graham (1731-c1779) wife of Henry Graham of Balleich
After Henry died around 1760, Isobel was left alone to care for three young daughters under the age of six. She married John Stewart (?-1780) of Brig of Turk (7m north of Aberfoyle) in 1761 and they continued to live at Balleich. Isabel is not mentioned as next of kin in the testament dative of her second husband John Stewart, which was confirmed on 13 July 1780, and is therefore assumed to have died before then.See testament for John Stewart dated 1780.
According to family histories on Ancestry, daughter Marjory ‘May’ Graham (1756-1788) married Arthur Buchanan of Dullater, Callander (b1750-1829) in 1772 at Aberfoyle. They had seven children all born at Callander. Isobel probably died in the late 1770’s and John died in 1780.
131.5b Isobel Graham (1758-1838) daughter of Henry & Isobel
Isobel Graham (1758-1838) was the youngest daughter of Henry Graham of Balleich and his wife Isobel Graham b1731. Isobel b1758 married Rev James Robertson of Callander in 1777. Callander marriage records list Isobel’s address as “partly here, but mostly in the parish of Aberfoyle”, with the marriage recorded at both Aberfoyle and Callander. The Dues were paid by Isobel’s grandfather George Graham of at Milne of Drymen and mentions that she was the daughter of the deceased Henry Graham late in Balleich (below).
In another document on the same site Duncan Robertson nominates several surviving children of Rev James Robertson as beneficiaries in his 1832 will. He says “pay yearly the whole rents profits and produce of my Estate to Duncan Robertson and Peter Robertson both Sons and Jessey Graham Robertson and Isabella Robertson both Daughters of my late Brother, The Reverend Doctor James Robertson. The latter two daughters were also beneficiaries of their cousin William Macfarlane (1787-1851). The first beneficiaries listed in William Macfarlane's will were, "my cousin Miss Jessie Gordon Robertson, residing at East Mains, Callander £100 and her sister Isabella Robertson of Mansefield, Callender £100".
Isobel Graham died in 1838 and was buried at St Kessog's, Callander and her grave is marked with a tombstone.
NOTE: A full description of the life of Rev James Robertson with copies of relevant documents can be found on the Ancestry site of ‘pdurbin’
131.6 ROB1 Robertson Sisters, cousins to McFarlane family
i) William Macfarlane’s maternal grandfather Dougal Graham c1700 was the brother of the Robertson sister’s maternal grandfather Henry Graham c1710 &/OR
ii) Great grandparents Unknown (Isobel?) Graham c1685 and John Graham c1680 both of Drunkie were siblings &/OR
iii) Another explanation shown in the diagram is that Dougal was the son of Patrick Graham of Ledard c1670 from Patrick’s first marriage, making him a half sibling to Isabella Graham b1731. In this scenario Henry was not the brother of Dougal. The Robertson sisters and William Macfarlane had the same great grandfather in Patrick Graham c1670.
These relationships would also explain why John Graham of Drunkie named his last son Patrick (an unusual name in the Grahams of Drunkie) in 1719. Patrick b1719 was named after his uncle (through marriage) Patrick Graham c1670. Records show that Patrick c1670 had dealings with John’s father Walter Graham of Drunkie (See 111.3). Katherine was another significant name in the family across many generations starting with Katherine Stewart c1664 (1st wife of Walter of Drunkie). Also Katherine of Drunkie 1705 (daughter of John c1680) and husband Dougal Graham c1700, Isobel Graham b1731 and Katherine Graham c1747 all had daughters named Katherine/Catherine.
132.0 Various George Grahams
George was not a very common name in our Graham family. Four Georges are presented here because they can be confused with each other. By having them in proximity to each other helps differentiate between them.
132.1 George Graham of Downance & Bowhaple (c1540-1615)
George Graham was the third son of Thomas Graham of Dounans c1500 and Margaret Graham. In 1613 a record listed Thomas Graham of Bowhaple, son and heir to George Graham, tacksman of Aberfoyle (GD220/1/C/3/5/11). A testament dated 1618 confirms George died in the early 1600’s. (See GRA3) He was an uncle to George Graham 1st of Drunkie.
132.2 George Graham of Bofreslie (c1600-1665)
George was born around 1600. His parentage is uncertain, but he was probably a third son of George Graham 1st of Drunkie c1570 (see 110.3). As an adult he moved to his own property at Bofreslie. Bofrishlie Burn is the headwater of the Pow at Aberfoyle. Called Blairfruslie by Roy and located just south of Aberfoyle adjacent to Balleich and Duniverig. As with other locations there is a wide variety of spellings in documents. The spelling variation may be due to the old convention of using an “f’ like letter to represent ‘s’ in some words, to distinguish between a hard 's' and a soft 's'). Bofreslie is also variously spelled Bofreshlie, Bofrishlie, Bovfresle, Bofressely, Bofressely, Bofresle, Bophreslie, Blairfrusly, Bofroschlie and Bofrishlie.
In 1617 George Graham was listed in Bofreslie, adjacent to Balleich and about one mile south of Aberfoyle (GD22/3/562). 1619 Petition to Lords of Council by John Graham of Polder and 1st of Gallangad (George’s nephew, son of brother William), Andrew, Walter and Thomas Graham, his (John’s) brothers, Patrick Graham, son of deceased Duncan Ovir Graham, George Graham in Bofreslie and Walter Graham, his son (GD22/3/10). They had been accused of slaughter of Jasper Grahame of Blairsesnocht (GD22/3/12) and were “put to the horn” (declared outlaws), but charges were dropped in the same year.
George married an unknown woman and had at least one son named Walter (see above) and three daughters named Anna Graham c1635, Janet c1640, and Agnes Graham c1645.
1664 Disposition by Walter Grahame of Ballachallen and his spouse in favour of Duncan Stewart, second son of John Stewart of Annatt, and Agnes Grahame, his spouse, and lands of Cammislitill alias Camsmacray, lands of Cambusbeg Wester called Ballachallen with salmon fishing in the water of Teath in lordship and stewartry of Monteith (GD275/52).
1665 document GD22/3/41 is a discharge by John Graham of Duchray, Walter Graham, brother of William Graham of Gartmore, and Thomas Graham, brother of John Graham of Deuchray, as friends and overseers nominated by deceased George Graham in Basroschlie to Janet and Anna Graham, his daughters, whereby they discharge Agnes Graham, eldest daughter of said George, and Duncan Stewart, her spouse, of 2,000 merks Scots owed to said George by Lord Kinpont. Duncan Stewart 1st of Ballanchalan married George’s daughter Agnes Graham c1640 around 1669 in Kilmadock.
Daughter Janet c1630 married Walter Graham. 1671 Discharge by Janet Graham, daughter of deceased George Grahame in Bassroschlie, and Walter Graham in Glasschoil/Glasahoile her spouse, to Walter Grahame of Gallangad, of 200 merks Scots (GD22/3/47). Glasahoile is located on the southern shore of Loch Katrine, about five miles north of Ledard and about ten miles northwest of Aberfoyle.
The descendants of George Graham in Bofreslie 1600-1665 remained closely aligned (as cousins) with the Grahams of Drunkie and appear in documents together. David Hume Stewart a cousin of Capt Walter Graham of Drunkie 1713-1758, was a great grandson of George c1600. See 134.3 Diagram GRA5.
132.3 George Graham of Glenny (c1615-c1685)
Geore Graham of Glenny (c1615-1685) was the second son born to Walter Graham 1st of Glenny 1587-1669 and his unknown wife (See 125.3 & GRA3). George of Gleenny was related to George Graham 1st of Drunkie (great uncle) and George Graham of Downance & Bowhaple c1540 (great great uncle).
George married Agnes Bean, daughter of Andrew Bean and Agnes Graham in 1657 (GD220/1/B/2/8/2). 1657 Charter by Walter Grahame of Glenny for Marriage Contract between George Graham, his (Walter’s) eldest son and Agnes Bean of Over Glenny, Nether Glenny and Mondowie, reserving to himself the liferent (GD22/1/491).
1685 Registered Bond by John Grahame of Glenie for repayment of a sum of 7000 merks Scots to William Grahame in Over Glennie, 23 October 1685. Also, a Special Charge against the said John Grahame to enter heir to his father, (deceased?) George Grahame by the said William for fulfilment of the Bond (GD22/1/491).
132.4 George Graham of Drymen Parish (c1695-c1780)
George Graham must have been born in the late 1690s and was the son of Robert Grahame of Shannochill the elder. George was probably born at Shannochill/ between Polder and Gartur and established friendships with surrounding landholders. According to document GD86/854 he was old enough to be a tutor in 1615 and was a friend of John Grahame in Blairsessnoch, James Grahame, elder of Gartur and David Forrester of Polder. All these locations are just south of Port of Menteith. George was living twelve miles west at Gartforran (Gartfairn?) at that time.
On Roys Map, Gartfairn is close to Loch Lomond, just east of present day Balmaha and about about two miles north of Drummikill. Both locations are about four miles from Drymen and about ten miles south-west of Balleich.
Shannonchill (also known as Shannochill and Schennochill) and Blair Cessnock were on the edge of Moss of Flanders south of Port of Menteith and about seven miles from Aberfoyle and Balleich. According to GD220/1/D/2/5/1 dated 1680, the lands and barony of Drummond alias Drymen lying in the sheriffdom of Stirling included Shannochill.
George’s father’s death in 1723 is shown by Testament dative of Robert Grahame of Shannochill (2 miles south of Aberfoyle near Braeval) and Mungo Graham, his son, given up by Robert and George Graham, sons to the said Robert (brothers of Mungo?) GD22/2/59. Son Robert inherited his father’s estate at Shannonchill and wrote several letters to Mungo Graham of Gorthie in the 1720’s and 1730’s.
1721 to 1729 Bond by Andrew McFarlane, fiar of Gartartan, to Robert Graham (possibly George’s father) in Blaircessnock (edge of Flanders Moss), brother to the Laird of Gartur, dated 5 February 1689. With documents relevant thereto, comprising Inhibition and Horning and Poinding, dated 10 February 1721, raised at the instance of Robert and George Grahame, sons to the aforesaid Robert Grahame, now deceased, against the said Andrew McFarlane; and two Assignations, one granted by the said George to his brother Robert, dated 21 December 1728, the other granted by Robert to Nicol Grahame of Gartmore, dated 2 June 1729 (GD22/2/34).
Four documents place George Graham at Milne of Drummond (Drymen) in the 1720’s and 1730’s. Although these documents refer to locations in Drymen, Some documents show a Milne of Drummond located 35 miles away near Muthill, however, document GD220/6/9331715 includes “Accounts for building mill of Drummond (Drymen)”. The fact that it specifies Drymen in brackets suggests it was differentiating this mill from the one near Mutfield. Furthermore the 1706 Crown Charter (GD220/1/H/3/2/5) specifies the lands and barony of Drummond alias Drymen as including “the lands of easter, wester and middle Gartferns, Bohallechan, mill of Drummond, ….. all lying in the sheriffdom of Stirling; all erected into a free barony called the barony of Menteith in a crown charter, 2 May 1680, in favour of deceased James, Marquess of Montrose”.
1726 Bond by Andrew Stewart, portioner in Drymen, and cautioners, to George Grahame at Miln of Drummond (GD47/968). 1729 Assignation by George Grahame at Milne of Drumond to William Buchanan, younger, of Drummikill of a bond by Andrew Stewart in Drymen (GD47/976). 1729 Assignation by Archibald and William Buchanan, elder and younger, of Drumakill, to Harry (Henry?) Grahame, eldest son of George Grahame at Milne of Drummond GD47/977. 1736 letter to Mungo Graham from George Graham at Miln of Drummond (GD220/5/1400). 1746 letter to Mungo Graham of Gorthie from Lord George about the rebuilding the Mill of Drummond (GD220/5/927).
Isobel Graham b1758 youngest daughter of Isobel Graham b1731 and Henry Graham of Balleich c1720 married Rev James Robertson of Callander in 1777. Callander marriage records list Isobel’s address as “partly here, but mostly in the parish of Aberfoyle”, with the marriage recorded at both Aberfoyle and Callander. The Dues were paid by George Graham of Milne of Drymen, possibly Isobel’s grandfather on her father’s side. (i.e father of Henry Graham of Balleich).
It seems that George Graham lived most of his life in the Drymen parish and would have died around 1780. There is no record of a marriage. But as Henry is described as “eldest son” there may have been more than one child.
133.0 Four Children of Dougal Graham (c1708-c1770) Katherine Graham (1705-1771)
All four children were baptised in Aberfoyle Parish which incorporated the Downance area. Baptisms listing Callander or Port (of Menteith), are referring to those particular parishes, so the actual baptism or marriage may have occurred some distance from the village of the same name.
133.1 Jean Graham (1737-?)
Jean Graham was baptised at Aberfoyle on 16 Aug 1737 by Dugald Graham and Katharine Graham. She may have been named after her maternal grandmother Jean Bontine, who was still alive at that time. No more is known about Jean, and she may have died young.
133.2 Margaret Graham (1739-c1788)
Margaret Graham was baptised at Aberfoyle on 15 Jun 1739 by Dugald Graham and Katharine Graham. She may have been named after her mother’s sister b1711.
On 7 Dec 1760 Margaret Graham in Overdownance married John Graham in Blairhullichan/ Blarhullachan in Aberfoyle Parish. Blairhullichan is located at the western end of Loch Ard about 4 miles from Comer, very close to many McGregor families. It was about 6 miles west of Downance where her parents lived. The fact that John Graham paid one pound and one shilling to the poor indicates he was reasonably well off. Children born to the couple were Katherine Graham 1762, Marjory Graham 1767, Duncan Graham 1773 and Dougal Graham 1776. Two of their children were named after maternal grandparents, Dougal and Katherine Graham. Margaret was 37 when she had her last child.
All children were baptised in Aberfoyle Parish, so they were probably living in John’s hometown of Blairhullichan. The nearby Mill of Chon seems to have been in the hands of the Graham family at least between 1768 and 1834 so John and Margaret may have associated with those Graham’s. When the property was sold in 1930 by the owner who lived at nearby Blairhullichan, the Mill of Chon and associated land was part of an extensive purchase including Blairhullichan and the farms at Frenich and Comer. In the title deeds it was noted that the lands and associated farms would be known by the general name of the Estate of Blairhullichan.
Provisions laid out in the will of Walter Graham of Drunkie (Margaret’s Uncle) were not fully settled until after 1780. Legal documents between Robert Graham of Gartmore and Grahams of Drunkie c1780 include discharge by John Graham in Blairhulachan, John Graham of Drunkie b1748 and others (GD22/1/206).
No more is known about John Graham of Blairhullichan and his wife Margaret Graham. Margaret possibly died in 1788. There were two Margaret Grahams and seven John Grahams buried in Aberfoyle parish in the 1780's and 1790's.
133.3 Walter Graham (c1742-?) & Margaret Macfarlane (1746-?)
No baptism record has been found for Walter Graham, but he was probably born at Overdownance around 1742 and married at the age of 21. The main record relating to his life is his marriage registration at Aberfoyle. It reads “17 Feb 1763 Walter Graham, son to Dougal Graham in Downance, and Margaret McFarlane lawful daughter of the deceased Alexander Mcfarlane. (Margaret resided) lately in Letter of Strathgartna in Callander Parish, now in Ackrag. Proclaimed and paid the dues." John Macfarlane c1742, possibly Margaret’s cousin, married five years later and the marriage registration described his residence as “in Ackrig”. It is highly likely that John and Margaret Macfarlane were related.
Walter Graham and Margaret Macfarlane only had one known child named Jean Graham b1766 in Aberfoyle. She was named after her great grandmother. No more is known about Walter and Margaret Macfarlane.
133.4 Katherine Graham (c1747-1828)
Katherine was born around 1747 and probably baptised in Aberfoyle or Port of Menteith, but no record has been found. In her early twenties, Katherine married GGGGGF John Macfarlane in Port of Menteith in 1768. She had nine children, with the final child born in the late 1780’s when Katherine was in her early forties. She probably lived in Port of Menteith in her younger years and moved to Borland farm after her marriage. (See 94.0 for information about her offspring).
The couple had ten children, five of whom seem to have died young, as there are few known records relating to their lives. The children were Katherine Macfarlane 1769, James Macfarlane 1771, Margaret Macfarlane 1772, Isabella Macfarlane 1774, John Macfarlane 1776, Sarah Macfarlane 1777, Robert Macfarlane 1782, GGGGF John Macfarlane 1785, William Macfarlane 1787 and Agnes Macfarlane c1789.
133.5 GRA6 Descendants of Dougal Graham c1700 & Katherine Graham b1705
Dougal Graham’s only known son was Walter Graham c1742 (see 133.3). The wife of Walter Graham b1742, Margaret Macfarlane, was baptised in Callander Parish (encompassing the hamlets of Lettir and Auchrig) on 3 Sep 1746 by parents Alexander Macfarlane 1705 and Janet Macfarlane c1725.
The Macfarlanes may have resided in Lettir for many years as testaments list possible ancestors of Alexander b1705. In 1681 “Margaret Graham, and Alexander Farland (sic), in Letter, her husband, parish of Callander 29 Aug”. Eight years earlier in 1673 there was a tack by John Buchanan of that ilk to Alexander McFarlane in Lettir, of half the Dow of Glengyll, for 7 years (GD220/6/1896).
Alexander Macfarlane in Lettir (1705-c1748), lawful son of Alexander Mcfarlane and Jenat McKeich was baptised in 1705 at Mills of Drunkie, parish of Port (just a few miles from Lettir as the crow flies). Witnesses were Duncan and Alexander Macfarlane (possibly an uncle).
Alexander b1705 and Janet Macfarlane c1720 were married in Callander in 1742 and had three known daughters named Marjory McFarlane 1742, Mary McFarlane 1744 and Margaret McFarlane 1746. All were baptised in Callander. The reason that Margaret married at such a young age was possibly because the family were struggling financially. Margaret was 17 or 18 at the time of her marriage to Walter Graham in 1763, and as her father was deceased (marriage record), the family would have not had a breadwinner. There are three testaments linked to Alexander Mcfarlane in Letter, Parish of Port, dated 1744, 1748 and 1749. The first may relate to a testament by Alexander related to the will of Donald Macfarlane of Lettir, the second to Alexander’s own will and the third to a cousin or son.
Donald Macfarlane of Lettir (c1685-1744)
Much of the information below is taken from the excellent website of Ryk Brown.
Alexander was a tenant of Donald Macfarlane. I am assuming that the first testament in 1744 related to the death of Donald Macfarlane of Lettir, who possibly died that year.
Donald MacFarlane of Lettir (c1685-1744) married Unknown (Christian?) Stewart b1706 around 1725. Testament by Alexander MacFarlane in Lettir, tenant of Donald MacFarlane of Lettir at Donald’s death (in 1744): "balance of his estate managed by David Hume Stewart 3rd of Ballochallan (1698-1774) as Tutor to the children of Donald Mcfarlane of Letter who bought the said effects." Tutor for minors were usually siblings of deceased parents. Seems David Hume Stewart was uncle to the children of Donald MacFarlane of Lettir." (Some time earlier) Auchraig and Letter were sold to (Donald) Macfarlane from whom the late David of Ballochallan swindled it, although they were his sister’s children."
Donald Macfarlane and his unknown Stewart wife had three daughters (alive at the time of his death) named Mary c1730, Katherine c1733 and Christian Macfarlane c1736. Apparently, the girls were left orphans when both their parents died at Lettir around 1744. There are baptism records for children born to Donald Macfarlane and his Stewart wife at Balquhidder. The children were John Macfarlane 1723, Margaret Macfarlane 1725, Mary Macfarlane 1727, Duncan Macfarlane 1732 and Helen Macfarlane 1738. At least two of these records list the mother as Christian Stewart. Ryk’s maps place Balquhidder farm as east of Doune and south of Cambusmore, just south of present-day Muir Dam. It is about 3 miles as the crow flies from Ackrig and Lettir. On Ryk’s maps Ballochallan is located just south of Cambusmore about 2 miles north of Balquhidder.
The 1748 testament probably relates to Alexander’s own death. The 1749 testament may have been Alexander’s father. A fourth testament for Alexander Macfarlane, late tenant in Letter of Strathgartney, parish of Callander is dated 26 Nov. 1784 may relate to the aforementioned son or cousin. In 1758 document GD170/157 listed the sale by Duncan Campbell of Glenure to David Hume Stewart of Ballchallan (sic), of lands of Nether Auchrigg.
134.1 Alexander Macfarlane (1705-c1748) & David Hume Stuart/Stewart of Ballachallan
The will and codicil of Captain Walter Graham of the Lands of Drunkie was written in 1758 (see 111.3). Among his beneficiaries he listed [my comments in brackets]
• Brother-in-law Dougal Graham c1700 [married to Walter’s sister Katherine Graham b1705]
• Cousin David Hume Stuart/Stewart of Ballachallan, one of the executors and regarded as a close friend. David Hume Stewart of Ballanchallon was also brother-in-law to Donald McFarlane of Lettir (see above)].
134.2 David Hume Stewart of Ballachallan, cousin of Capt. Walter Graham of Drunkie b1713
Capt Walter Graham’s parents were John Graham of Drunkie and Jean Bontine. David’s parents were George Stewart 2nd of Ballachallan and Mary Home/Hume so they were not first cousins. The most likely connection between the two men was through Walter’s grandfather, Walter Graham of Drunkie c1655 and his first wife Unknown Stewart c1664, who was sister to David of Ballachallan’s father George Stewart b1675. George’s sister was possibly named Katherine Stewart born at Ballachallan c1664. If she married Walter Graham of Drunkie in 1683, Walter’s father John Graham would have been born around 1684. This would also explain why John Graham of Drunkie named his second daughter Katherine b1705, after his mother Katherine Stewart c1664. Ballachallan and Drunkie Estates were about 8 miles apart so the families would have known each other well.
One problem with the above theory is that many family trees list Duncan Stewart and Agnes Graham of marrying in 1669. However, document GD275/52 reads “a Disposition in May 1664 by Walter Graham of Ballachallen and his spouse, Mary Monteith, and John Grahame, fiar of Bowtoune, and his spouse, Mary Muschet in favour of Duncan Stewart, second son of John Stewart of Annatt, and Agnes Graham, his spouse”. Also 1665 document GD22/3/41 is a discharge by John Graham of Duchray, Walter Graham, brother of William Graham of Gartmore, and Thomas Graham, brother of John Graham of Deuchray, as friends and overseers nominated by deceased George Graham in Basroschlie (Bofrishlie) to Janet and Anna Graham, his daughters, whereby they discharge Agnes Graham, eldest daughter of said George, and Duncan Stewart, her spouse, of 2,000 merks Scots owed to said George by Lord Kinpont. These documents prove that Agnes Graham married Duncan Stewart prior to May 1664 and make it entirely possibly that George Stewart b1675 had a sister named Katherine b1664.
NOTE Duncan Stewart purchased Ballachallon off Walter Graham in 1664. Twenty years earlier in 1643, Walter Graham of Ballachallan also had a commercial interest in Downance (GD220/1/D/1/1/1). The website of Chuckspeed (www.chuckspeed.com)provides further information about David Hume Stewart.
David Hume 3rd of Ballachallan (near Callander) and Annat purchased the property of Annat from his cousin Alexander Stewart of Annat. He also acquired the lands of Ardgaty from his mother on 24 July 1752 and, according to the Factor of Athol's letter, he tried to swindle Robert Stewart, 7th Ardvorlich, out of the property of Ardvorlich. According to the same letter, David is described as "a keen grasping man closely attached to the world and not much to friendship". He is reported to have died without issue, but a later descendant (and Walter Graham in his will) confirms that he did have one illegitimate son named Donald.
In 1758, a document listed the sale by Duncan Campbell of Glenure to David Hume Stewart of Ballchallan (sic), of lands of Nether Auchrigg in parish of Port (GD170/157). Margaret Macfarlane c1746 was living in Auchrig (adjacent to Lettir) in 1763 and John Macfarlane c1742 was living at Auchrig at the time of his marriage in 1768, so it seems that Alexander Macfarlane, his daughter Margaret, John Macfarlane and perhaps Duncan Macfarlane were all related.
NOTE: Ballachallan was about 3 miles SE of Callander and 5 miles from Letter. Other spellings include Ballachallon, Ballochallon, Ballichallin, Ballchallin, Ballachallane and Ballichallon
134.3 GRA5 Walter Graham of Drunkie & David Hume Stewart
The names of people and places have a wide variation in spelling, even in official records. See 136.2 for some of these variations. I have tended to use one spelling for names which may not be the exact spelling used in a record. There are very few records listing the names of daughters. This, along with child morbidity, explains why there are sometimes long intervals between the births of sons.
136.1 Sources and Abbreviations
- Roy refers to Roy Military Survey of Scotland, 1747-1755 found at https://maps.nls.uk/roy/
- GlenD refers to the webpages of Peter Lawrie, FSAScot found at http://www.glendiscovery.com/about_us.htm
- HCM refers to The History of Clan Mcgregor found at https://ia601603.us.archive.org/31/items/historyofclangre02macg/historyofclangre02macg.pdf
- NRS refers to National Records of Scotland found at https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/welcome.aspx Particular records are identified by the code used by NRS and look like this (GD220/1/J/4/1/1). I have abbreviated to the record text in longer documents. See NRS for the full record.
- https://chuckspeed.com/balquhidder/balquhidder%20stewarts.html is a very informative site created by Chuck Speed.
- https://stewartsofbalquhidder.com/ is another useful resource
a) Ballimore, Stirling. About 1 mile west of Strathyre, about 15 miles north of Blair as the crow flies and 2 miles south of Balquhidder. It was about 15 miles north of Aberfoyle as the crow flies.
b) Blair is possibly Blairchulichon/Blairhullichan on the eastern shores of Loch Ard about 1 mile west of Ledard. There over ten locations in Perthshire (mostly near Aberfoyle) that may have ‘Blair’ as part of their name. NRS documents indicate Balleich was formerly called Blair.
c) Brachern/Brachurne/Bracharne/Bracherne/Bracherin/Brachernis was at a location known as Little or Big Bruach-caoruinn (see Canmore for map). It was about 7 miles east of Aberfoyle in the present day Loch Ard Forest. See https://strathardheritage.org/archive/little-bruach-caoruinn-surviving-afforestation-and-harvesting/ for more information about this location.
d) Callichra/Coilachra is on the northern shores of Loch Katrine opposite Stronachlachar, 14 miles north-east of Aberfoyle and about 10 miles north of Brachern. The shortest way to Callichra from the other locations was by ferry across the Loch
e) Clochvraick Documents dated 1540 and 1590 indicate Clockvraick was in the same vicinity as Brachern. The website in c) above mentions the two Bruach-Caoruinn sites using the wording: ‘the temple lands of Little Vercuill, Stronmacnair, the two Brathurns and Clochvraick’. Temple lands belonged to the Knights Templar or, after their suppression in the early 14th century, to the Knights Hospitaller, and such endowments provided them with income. See website above.
f) Comer or Comermore was halfway between Loch Chon and Loch Lomond and west of Frenich and Brachern. About 5 miles from each and about 3 miles south of Loch Arklet.
g) Corriegrennan/ Corghrenen About 5m SE of Comer
h) Corriechan, Corriechon, Corryheichen, Coriheichen near Brachern and Comer on southern shore of Loch Arklet. According to a forestry report cited below, Corriearklet was on the north shore of Loch Arklet. ‘Old House’ Corheichan was located on Loch Arklet on opposite (south) shore. The forestry report identifies it as the home of Rob Roy’s uncle, but no name is specified. Corriechon was the home of Rob’s wife’s uncle Alexander McGregor of Corrie Arklet, Corriechon & Brachern c1660-c1730. It was 3 miles north of Comer.
i) Corrie Arklet is just north of central Loch Arklet. There were several properties such as Easter and Wester Corriearklet acquired by Grahams over the years.
j) Craignaferar or Craignavar in Glenalmond. Today the ruins are found on the banks of the River Almond. About 30 miles east of Ballimore
k) Dunaverig/Donerig, Port Parish is less than 2 miles to Easter Borland near Ruskie
l) Dunvarig/Donneverig, Aberfoyle Parish is adjacent to Balleich about one mile south of Aberfoyle
m) Frenech Farm is 8 miles north east of Aberfoyle, just north of Loch Chon, about 5 miles north of Brachern and 5 miles south west of Callichra
n) Ledard or Ledarth is on the northern shores of loch Ard
o) Stronachlachar on the southern side of Loch Katrine opposite Callichra and about 2 miles to Corrie Arklet
p) Stucknaroy or Sturkineroy on the east shores of Loch Lomond just south of Inversnaid and about one mile west of Corrie Arklet.
136.3 Map showing locations of McGregor Properties
A vicious war, beginning in 1550, between Clan Gregor and Grey Colin Campbell of Glenorchy may have forced Clan Gregor lineages displaced from their lands elsewhere to grab what they could in Balquhidder. In the period 1570 to 1630 there were more than 360 blood-feuds in Scotland. Only Clan Gregor was subject to the vicious and sustained punishments described below.
The Privy Council ordained that the name of McGregor should be abolished and that persons of that clan should take themselves some other name on pain of death. Bounties were paid for the heads of MacGregor men. Children were to be forcibly adopted and reared as servants. Women were to be branded on the face and transported. At first, there were those who helped and sheltered the clan. But the new law was enforced with a thoroughness and vindictiveness not seen before. As the years passed the persecution became less bitter. The survivors took aliases and settled down where they could find shelter. In some instances the Christian name 'Gregor' was also replaced; usually with the name 'John'.
In 1633 on the accession of Charles I, it was re-enacted that none could bear the name MacGregor. No minister could baptise the child of a MacGregor; no agreement with a MacGregor was legally enforceable and killing a MacGregor was not punishable in law.
136.5 MCG1 MacGregor Family Tree
The extract below lists Duncan’s three surviving sons at the time of his death in 1662. “Assignation by Gregor McGregor in Roro in Glen Lyon, John McGregor, yr., and Ewin McGregor in Kinneldie in Glendochart, sons of deceased Duncan McGregor, sometime in Roro in Glen Lyon, to John Campbell, fear of Invergeldie, of bond by now deceased James Campbell of Ardeonaig to said (deceased) Duncan McGregor” (GD13/21). Over the next few years, the three sons each moved onto their own properties. The fact that none of the brothers had tutors and seemed to be living independently indicates they were young adults, probably born in the 1620’s and 1630’s.
Other documents relating to second son, John McGregor of Brachern clearly indicate the existence of two or three more brothers named Donald, Hugh and Alex. Perhaps they were not of age (21) when their father died and therefore were not listed as heritors in document GD13/21. Alternatively they were sons from a second marriage.
- Donald McGregor, John McGregor of Brachern's brother listed in 1679 (GD220/1/L/1/5/7). See 144.0 & Diagram MCG1.
- Hugh McGregor in Wester Frenich, listed in 1677 (GD220/1/J/4/1/1). See 145.0 for more details.
- Alex MacGregor in Corspartek brother to John MacGregor in Brachern, listed in a sasine dated 1677 (HCM).
137.1 Gregor McGregor (c1620-c1693) in Dhu of Glengyle (1st son)
Gregor was born to Duncan McGregor of Glen Lyon around 1620 and married Anna Buchanan around 1645 (GD220/1/K/1/2/1). He was sometimes known as Gregor MacGregor in Dhu of Glengyle (GD220/1/K/1/2/5). Gregor entered into a Contract dated 1661 (around the time of his father’s death), whereby he acquired the land of Stronchlacher (HCM). Stronchlacher is on the southern shores of Loch Katrine and is about two miles from Corrie Arklet. He must have done well financially (or forcefully) because soon he expanded his land acquisitions over a large area.
According to the GlenD Website (GlenD) Gregor McGregor had a tack from John Buchanan for the half of the lands Dow of Glengyle on 9 April 1666 (GD220/6/1896/4). He entered into a contract with John Buchanan for the half of the east side of the lands of Corriearklet in 1670 (GD220/1/K/1/2/5) and also had the wadset of the town and lands of Corriechan in 1678 (GD220/1/J/8/3/1). He married Anna Buchanan around 1645 and was father of John MacGregor of Corriearklet, to whom his parents conveyed an annualrent from the lands of Stronaclachar by disposition dated 14 March 1690, and in which he (John) is styled their eldest son. (GD220/1/K/1/2/3.)
Several documents dated from 1670 to 1690 describe Gregor as “Gregor McGregor in Dhu of Glengyle” (GD220/1/K/1/2/8). He is said to have bought Stronchlachair, two Coirairclets (Corrie Arklets), Inversnaid and Leitter Riach from the Laird of Buchanan. Disposition by Gregor McGregor and Anna Buchanan, his spouse, to John McGregor their eldest son, of the heritable bond by way of contract by John Buchanan in 1670 to them (GD220/1/K/1/2/1).
1678 Contract of wadset by John Buchanan of that ilk with consent of Mrs Jean Pringle, his spouse, in favour of Gregor McGregor in Corriearklet of the town and lands of Corriechan lying in the barony of Buchanan, redeemable by payment of 1000 merks (GD220/1/J/8/3/3).
1685 Declaration by John McGregor, son of Gregor Oig McGregor, possessor of the milne of Stronchlacher, that he has detained in his hands the sum of £20 scots for building a stool to the said mill.
A disposition by Gregor McGregor in Corriearklet in favour of Alexander McGregor, his (third) son, of the wadset right, lands and money therein contained (GD220/1/J/8/3/1), reserving to John McGregor, his eldest son, his rents and possession of the town of Corriechan during the lifetime of said Gregor McGregor and his wife Anna Buchanan, shows that Gregor was probably frail but still alive in 1690. Also, in that year there was a disposition by Malcolm McFarlane in favour of Gregor McGregor, second lawful son to Gregor McGregor in Corriearklet (GD220/1/K/1/1/4). Gregor McGregor senior probably died in the early 1690’s.
Gregor McGregor and Anna Buchanan had three known sons named John Graham of Corrie Arklet c1646-c1706 (see 139.0), Gregor McGregor of Comer c1648-c1715 (See 141.0) and Alexander McGregor of Corrie Arklet and Corriechon c1660-c1710 (see 142.0). The following paragraph from the Highland Constable lists the Land holdings of the three brothers.
“Corryarklet, in Rob Roy’s day, was a township of about twenty houses, and the largest centre of population in Glengyle’s domains. John MacGregor of Corryarklet was the eldest of three brothers who farmed Glen Arklet between them. His own holding lay on the north slope and included half the township of Stronachlachar on Loch Katrine. Gregor (second born brother) had the lease of Comar, away up in Glen Dhu, and some rough grazing land on the lower slopes of Ben Lomond, marching with Sir Humphrey Colquhoun’s forest of Craigrostan. And Alasdair (Alexander), the youngest, was left with the farmhouse of Corryheichen (Corriechan) and a small patch of good land about the foot of Loch Arklet. All three houses are there to this day, the original stones built into the walls of modern sheep farms. The brothers were nearly related to Glengyle (Rob Roy’s family); only second cousins, and their children must all have been brought up together.” (https://www.geocities.ws/macgregorpipeband/Highland_Constable.pdf)
138.0 McGregors at Downance, Dunverig & Brachern
The Commissariot Record of Dunblane: Register of Testaments, 1539-1800 lists a Mary McGregor in Over Donnans, Parish of Aberfoyle in 1684. From this we can deduce that
- McGregors lived at Downance in the late 1600’s.
- Mary seems to have died around 1684 and probably had property rights
- As women tended to keep their maiden names her married name may have been different
- Dougal Graham (of Overdownance) may have been her son or the son of a relation.
138.1 John McGregor (c1622-1680) of Dunaverig, Brachern & Callichra
John was born to Duncan McGregor c1585 around 1630 and married Isobel Graham around 1660. In 1662 no properties were attributed to his name, but after the death of his father in that year, he started to acquire the first of many properties. He and his wife had no children and there are many documents telling how their properties were passed on or inherited by other family members, mainly nephews. Relatives listed in documents were as follows:
BROTHERS
- Gregor McGregor in Roro in Glen Lyon GD13/21
- Ewin McGregor GD13/21
- Hugh McGregor in Wester Frenich GD220/1/J/4/1/1
- Donald McGregor GD220/1/L/1/5/7
- nephew Dougal McGregor in Blair, eldest son of brother Donald GD220/1/L/1/5/7 and GD220/1/L/1/5/6 (beneficiary)
- nephew Donald McGregor (brother to Dougal McGregor in Blair) son of John’s brother Donald GD220/1/K/1/3/5 (beneficiary)
- nephew Gregor (aka John) McGregor son of brother Hugh McGregor GD220/1/J/4/1/1 beneficiary.
- nephew Alexander McGregor son of Ewen McGregor, brother in Wester Frenich GD220/1/K/1/3/5 (beneficiary). Died c1680.
- nephew Dougal McGregor of Callichra son of Ewen McGregor (beneficiary)
John McGregor in Dunaverig and Isabella Graham his Spouse had a charter of the lands of Easter Callichra lying in the parish of Callander including part of the land of Callichra, from John Buchanan dated 1664. (HCM) In documents John was variously referred to as John Graham of Doniverig, as portioner of Callichra or ‘of Brachern’.
1666 Contract of wadset by Thomas Graham, fiar of Duchray with consent of John Graham, his father, and Alexander Colquhoun, fiar of Cambusstrodan, donator to the liferent escheat of the said John Graham, and Andrew McFarlane of Arrochar, superior of the lands underwritten, in favour of John McGregor in Doniverig of the lands of Wester Brachurn, Ballimore and Clochvraick for 4000 merks, redeemable by payment of the principal sum; containing procuratory of resignation and precept of sasine (GD220/1/E/3/1/10). (Brachen is known today as Bruach-Caoruinn and is just west of Loch Ard, about 8 miles from Dunaverig, Aberfoyle)
In a contract dated 1671 between John Buchanan and John McGregor in Doniverig and Isobel Graham, his spouse, John Buchanan dispones to John McGregor and Isobel Graham the land of Callichra with half the wood of oaks and other trees growing upon the land, reserving to himself liberty of cutting and transporting bracken for thatching the houses in Islandyarag from that part of the wood of Callichra called Aldnabaddwin (GD220/1/E/2/6/2).
A Disposition dated 6 Jan 1671 (wrongly transcribed as 1617) by John McGregor of Brachern in favour of Dougal McGregor in Blair, eldest lawful son to Donald McGregor, his brother, his heirs and assignees, of the lands of Ballimore (GD220/1/L/1/5/6). A 1672 Feu contract by John Buchanan in favour of John McGregor, portioner of Callichra, and Isabel Graham, his spouse, includes the lands of easter and wester Bracherns, Cloichvrak, Ballimore and Stronmacknair lying in the parish of Inchcailloch, sheriffdom of Stirling (GD220/1/L/1/5/1).
In 1672 John and his wife acquired two western quarters of Corriearklet (GD220/1/K/1/3/4). John MacGregor (c1622) in Dunaverig and Isabella Graham his Spouse entered into a Feu Contract with the Laird of Buchanan in 1673. Dougal McGregor in Ardonwill (nephew to John and) son of Donald McGregor was a witness (GlenD).
By the mid-1670’s John’s health was beginning to fail. In 1677 a Contract of division between John McGregor and Isabel Graham for the lands of Ballimore and Cloichvrack should pass to the nearest heirs and assignees of John McGregor, and the lands of easter and wester Bracherns and Stronmacknair should pass to the heirs and assignees of Isabel Graham (GD220/1/L/1/5/3). This document specifies how the couple’s properties should be divided up after their deaths as other documents indicate that they had no children (GD220/1/K/1/3/4). A further disposition in 1677 by John McGregor of Brachurne, “failing heirs of his own body” suggests he may have been unwell at this time. (GD220/1/J/4/1/1).
1677 Disposition of 1000 merks by John McGregor of Brachern in favour of Donald McGregor, brother to Dougal McGregor in Blair, and Alexander McGregor, son to Ewan McGregor in Wester Frenich equally between them, of the 1000 merks reserved to him and at his disposal by the contract of division (GD220/1/K/1/3/4). In 1692 Alexander (son of Ewan) died and there was a Retour in favour of Dougal McGregor of Callichra as heir to the deceased Alexander McGregor, his brother (GD220/1/K/1/3/7). In 1693 a Disposition by (brothers) Donald and Dougal McGregor (in Blair) in favour of John McGregor of Corriearklet and Katharine Graham, his spouse, in liferent, and to Dougal McGregor, their eldest lawful son.
A Sasine dated 1679 contained in the disposition (GD220/1/K/1/3/5) by John McGregor of Brachern in favour of Donald McGregor, brother to Dougal McGregor in Blair, [an early name for Balleich and close to Dunaverig (GD38/1/406)], and Alexander McGregor, son to Ewan McGregor in Wester Frenich equally between them (GD220/1/K/1/3/6). This document was confirmed over 30 years later in 1712 (GD220/1/K/1/3/5). Were Dougal Graham in Blair (Balleich) and Henry Graham of Balleich related and how were they related to Dougal Graham of Downance?
In 1679 Dougal McGregor in Blair, eldest lawful son to Donald McGregor, John McGregor of Brachern's brother, his heirs and assignees, were granted the lands of Ballimore following on precept contained in GD220/1/L/1/5/6 (GD220/1/L/1/5/7). 1693 Disposition by Dougal McGregor in favour of Malcolm McFarlane, fiar of Lurgine, his son-in-law, his heirs and assignees, of the lands of Ballimore (GD220/1/L/1/5/8). 1701 Disposition by Malcolm McFarlane with consent of Katharine Graham alias McGregor, his spouse, in favour of Alexander Graham of Brachern of the lands of Ballimore (GD220/1/L/1/5/10). These transactions were confirmed in 1719 (GD220/1/L/1/5/12).
According to the record of testaments, John McGregor of Brachern died at Dunverig in 1680 and his widow Isobel later married Malise Graham around 1692.
138.2 Isobel Graham (c1635-c1696) Wife of John McGregor of Brachern
Isobel was a sister of Walter Graham of Drunkie and daughter of Alexander Graham of Drunkie. Isobel Graham was probably born around 1635 and married John McGregor of Brachern around 1660.
Isobel and her husband were listed in many property documents from 1664 onwards. By the late 1670’s husband John was becoming frail and documents reported that the couple had no children between them. In 1677 they agreed on how to distribute their properties. The lands of Ballimore and Cloichvrack should belong to the nearest heirs and assignees of John McGregor, and the lands of easter and wester Bracherns and Stronmacknair should belong to the heirs and assignees of Isobel Graham. It is interesting to note that this document does not specify the ‘nearest’ heirs for Isobel. As it turned out her heiritors were related by marriage, not by blood.
Isobel’s main beneficiaries were Alexander Graham of Brachern, brother-in-law of Isobel’s niece Katherine, and John Graham of Corrie Arklet (Katherine’s husband). Isobel who died c1696, divided her assets between the two men so she must have had a good relationship with the family of her niece. The McGregor brothers were nephews to Isobel through the marriage of her niece to John. Both men took their wives’ surnames (the name MacGregor was outlawed). Alexander was not a common name in the McGregor family, and Alexander McGregor c1660 may have been named in honour of Isobel’s father Alexander Graham c1595-c1655 as a strategy to bring the McGregors closer to the Grahams of Drunkie.
In 1706 a document lists a Bond by Walter Graham of Drunkie and others “tutors to the children of the deceased John Graham of Corraklet” (husband of Katherine Graham), to Robert Campbell of Inversnaid (Rob Roy), over the lands of Inversnaid (RS3/90 f 167 Register of Sasines). Tutors were usually close relatives and Katherine was a niece to both Isobel and her brother Walter Graham of Drunkie. See diagram MCG1 McGregor Tree.
The following distributions by Isobel are recorded in the NRS
- In 1692 to Isobel’s nephew Alexander Graham in Eastern Brachern (GD220/1/K/1/4/3) the lands of easter and wester Bracherns and Stronmacknair (GD220/1/L/1/5/4). Also 500 merks as part of the 2000 merks belonging to Isobel by the contract of division (GD220/1/K/1/3/4). In 1701 Disposition by Alexander of the 500 merks to (his brother) John Graham of Corriearklet (GD220/1/K/1/4/3) who had already received 1500 merks.
- In 1693 1500 merks and in 1695 (GD220/1/K/1/4/2) the two wester quarters) of the four-pound land of Corriearklet (GD220/1/K/1/3/4) to John Graham/McGregor of Corriearklet (Isobel’s nephew by the marriage of niece Katherine).
Alexander Graham nephew (by marriage) of Isabella Graham relict of John McGregor of Brachern and now Spouse of Malise Graham in Dunaverig, had a Disposition from the said Isabella, with consent of her said husband, dated 1692 for the land of Wester Corerklet (to herself in life-rent and him in fee). By the 1700’s Dunaverig was in the hands of James Stewart.
Alexander Graham in Brachern, nephew (by marriage) of Isabella Graham relict of John MacGregor of Bachern and now Spouse of Melise Graham in Dunaverig had a Disposition of the Land of Easter and Wester Brachern along with the Lands of Stron McNair (also part of the said Land of Brachern) from the said Isabella dated 1692 (GD220/1/K/1/4/3).
1693 Disposition by Isabel Graham, relict of the deceased John McGregor of Brachern, now spouse to Miles (Malise) Graham in Duniverig, with consent of her husband, in favour of John Graham, lately called McGregor, of Corriearklet, her share by the contract of division (GD220/1/K/1/3/4). (GD220/1/K/1/4/1).
Instrument of sasine following on precept contained in the disposition by Isabel Graham in favour of John Graham, lately called McGregor of Corriearklet (GD220/1/K/1/4/1). Dated 6 Jul and registered at Stirling, 24 Jul 1695 (GD220/1/K/1/4/2). Isobel Graham probably died in the late 1690’s. She had no children.
139.0 John McGregor/Graham (c1646-1696) of Easter Corrie Arklet
John Graham c1646 of Easter Corrie Arklet was the first-born son of Gregor McGregor and Ann Buchanan. John McGregor (later Graham) married Katherine Graham on 29 Jan 1680. Katherine Graham c1655 was probably the granddaughter of Alexander Graham of Drunkie and niece of Walter Graham, who later became tutor to Katherine’s children. (See Grahams of Drunkie). Katherine Graham was a sister-in-law of Alexander Graham of Wester Frenich and was a niece of Isobel Graham of Brachern. According to GlenD, John McGregor c1646 of Easter Corerklet called himself by his own name in spite of the penal laws.
John McGregor (later Graham) c1646 and Katherine Graham had the following three sons, Dougal Graham (c1681-c1795), David Graham (c1692-1711) and James Graham (c1695-?). The last child was born when Katherine was in her early forties.
1685 Declaration by John McGregor, son of Gregor Oig McGregor, possessor of the milne of Stronchlacher, that he has detained in his hands the sum of £20 scots for building a stool to the said mill (GD220/6/783).
John McGregor of Easter Corerklet, through a disposition of his father Gregor McGregor, in 1690 acquired the lands of Easter Corerklet. 1693 Disposition by Donald and Dougal McGregor (of Easter Callichra) in favour of John McGregor of Corriearklet and Katharine Graham, his spouse, in liferent, and to Dougal McGregor, their eldest lawful son, his heirs and assignees in fee, of the just third part of the wadset right to the wester half or two quarters of Corriearklet. Containing precept of sasine (GD220/1/K/1/3/10).
In late 1693 John McGregor, like many McGregors at that time started using his wife’s surname “Graham”. 1693 Disposition by Isabel Graham, relict of the deceased John McGregor of Brachern, now spouse to Miles Graham in Duniverig, with consent of her husband, in favour of John Graham, lately called McGregor, of Corriearklet, of 1500 merks of the 2000 merks, her share by the contract of division (GD220/1/K/1/3/4). In 1695 Instrument of sasine following on precept contained in the disposition by Isabel Graham in favour of John Graham, lately called McGregor, of Corriearklet (GD220/1/K/1/4/1).
Discharge and renunciation by John McGregor (therein John Graham of Corriearklet) of the right reserved to him of the rents and possession of the town of Corriechan granted to him in 1690 by his parents (GD220/1/J/8/3/4) in favour of (his brother) Alexander McGregor (therein designed Alexander Graham). Dated 1695 (GD220/1/J/8/3/6).
John and Katherine Graham (of Drunkie) his spouse, had of Donald MacGregor (c1628), brother of John McGregor of Bracherne and of Dougal McGregor of Wester Corerklet (c1681), a joint disposition of one third of those lands to himself and his wife and to Dougal, their (John and Katherine’s) eldest son. Soon after he took his wife's name of Graham in 1695, he (John) was enfeoffed in land of Wester Corerklet on a disposition by Isabella Graham (of Drunkie) relict of John McGregor of Brachern, to whose lands she had succeeded. (GD220/1/K/1/3/10).
In 1698 John Graham of Corerklet was enfeoffed in the land of Pollochroe on a contract of mortgage betwixt him on one part and Archibald Graham of Kilmanan with consent of Hew Graham his (Archibald’s) eldest son on the other. Robert Campbell in Glengyle, known as Rob Roy, Dougal Graham in Cromer, Rob's brother-in-law, son (should read grand-nephew) of Ewne McGregor late in Wester Frenich, afterwards in Comer, and a brother of John McGregor of Brachern; also John Graham of Callichra were witnesses. (GlenD)
NOTE: The latter witness may have been Gregor/John Roy McGregor/Graham c1672 of Callichra. A 1716 testament lists Gregor Roy McGregor as alias John.
In 1699 a letter mentioned Robert Roy, son to Donald Glass McGregor, and John Graham formerly McGregor of Correcklate for goods stolen from them (GD90/2/161). A 1701 disposition by Alexander Graham in Eastern Brachurn (brother) in favour of John Graham of Corriearklet of the 500 merks contained in the disposition from his aunt Isobel McGregor in 1692 (GD220/1/K/1/4/5).
It seems that John’s first-born son Dougal died c1695 in his early twenties. John McGregor c1646 died around the same time and a General retour date 1696 favours David Graham, as (the now) eldest lawful son and heir to his father, the deceased John McGregor therein named John Graham in Corriearklet (GD220/1/K/1/2/10).
When John McGregor/Graham of Corrie Arklet died he left his wife a widow with two or three young sons to raise. In 1706 a document lists a Bond by Walter Graham of Drunkie and others [tutors to the children of the deceased John Graham of Corraklet], to Robert Campbell (Rob Roy) of Inversnaid, over the lands of Inversnaid (RS3/90 f 167 Register of Sasines). Katherine’s brother, Walter Graham of Drunkie, stepped in to be a tutor (or guide) to her sons. Rob Roy was a nephew in-law of Katherine’s deceased husband.
A 1709 document favours David Graham as heir to the deceased John Graham, his father, both in the wadset right to Corriearklet and to an annual rent out of the merkland of Stronachlachar mill and mill lands (GD220/1/K/1/2/11).
Documents dated 1712 confirm that eldest son David Graham was deceased by 1711 and suggest that the death was sudden and unexpected. A disposition by James Graham, now eldest (and third) son and heir to the deceased John Graham alias McGregor in Corriearklet, with consent of Katharine Graham, relict of the deceased John Graham, and with consent of Dougal McGregor now Graham, heir to the deceased John McGregor, portioner of Callichra, in favour of Mungo Graeme of Gorthy, narrating the disposition granted by the deceased David Graham, his brother, and now disponing the wadset right upon the wester half of Corriearklet, the titles thereto in the person of David Graham having never been complete (GD220/1/K/1/5/1).
John McGregor/Graham (c1646-c1705) of Easter Corrie Arklet and Katherine Graham had three known sons named Dougal Graham (c1681-c1696), David Graham (c1692-1711) and James Graham (c1695-1759). Birth dates are guesses based on a marriage date of 1680 and Katherine’s age when she gave birth to her last son. No record exists of their daughters which helps explain the gaps between sons.
140.0 Three Sons of John McGregor/Graham (c1646-1696) of Corrie Arklet
John McGregor/Graham (c1646-1705) of Corrie Arklet and his wife Katherine Graham of Drunkie c1660 had three known sons. The first two sons died quite young and left no known heirs. Youngest son James inherited their property.
140.1 Dougal Graham (1681-1695)
Dougal was the first son of John McGregor (later Graham) c1646 and Katherine Graham. In 1693 Instrument of sasine following on the precept contained in the disposition by Donald and Dougal McGregor in favour of John McGregor of Corriearklet and Katharine Graham, his spouse, in liferent, and to Dougal McGregor, their eldest lawful son, his heirs and assignees in fee, of the just third part of the wadset right to the wester half or two quarters of Corriearklet as in GD220/1/K/1/3/10 (GD220/1/K/1/3/11).
Document GD220/1/K/1/2/10 indicates Dougal was deceased by 1696 because it favours David Graham, as (the now) eldest lawful son and heir to his father, Dougal died as an adolescent and had no known children.
140.2 David Graham (c1691-1711)
General retour dated 1696 favours David Graham, as (the now) eldest lawful son and heir to his father, the deceased John McGregor therein named John Graham in Corriearklet (GD220/1/K/1/2/10). Documents show that David still needed consent of his curators in 1711 indicating he was under 21 at that time.
1709 Disposition by David Graham, with consent of his curators, in favour of Mungo Graham of Gorthy of the whole wadset right upon the wester half of Corriearklet (GD220/1/K/1/3/1) and of the annualrent of £40 out of the mill and mill lands of Stronachlachar (GD220/1/K/1/2/1). Only signed by David Graham and without witnesses.
1711 Obligation by David Graham, with consent of his curators, to make up several defects in the progress of the wadset right to the wester half of Corriearklet. GD220/1/K/1/4/9
1712 Disposition by James Graham, now eldest son and heir to the deceased John Graham alias 2012 McGregor in Corriearklet, with consent of his curators, and also with consent of Katharine Graham, relict of the deceased John Graham, and with (indicative) consent of Dougal McGregor now Graham, heir to the deceased John McGregor, portioner of Callichra, in favour of Mungo Graeme of Gorthy, narrating the disposition granted by the deceased David Graham, his brother, and now disponing the wadset right upon the wester half of Corriearklet, the titles thereto in the person of David Graham having never been complete (GD220/1/K/1/5/1). It seems that David Graham died before the document could be witnessed properly.
140.3 James Graham (c1694-1759) of Corrie Arklet
As James still needed curators in 1712, he must have been under 21 at that time. James Graham was in Corrchen (Corriechon) in 1712 and Corriearklet 1722.
1703 Contract of feu by James, Marquess of Montrose, in favour of Robert Campbell (Rob Roy) of Inversnaid (formerly McGregor), tutor-in-law (sic) to James Graham, eldest lawful son to deceased John McGregor in Glengyle, for himself and taking burden for his pupil, his heirs and assignees, the town and lands of Glengyle (GD220/1/F/4/1/11). Tutors were usually older male relatives. Rob Roy’s wife Mary McGregor was a cousin; the daughter of a brother (Gregor) of James’s father.
James was the heir to his father in 1712. A 1712 Precept of clare constat by James, Duke of Montrose in favour of James Graham of Corriearklet as heir to (both) the deceased John Graham, his father, and (the deceased) Dougal Graham, his brother, in the wester half or two wester quarters of Corriearklet (GD220/1/K/1/4/10).
In 1712 a disposition by James Graham, now eldest son and heir to the deceased John Graham alias McGregor in Corriearklet, and also with consent of (his mother) Katharine Graham, relict of the deceased John Graham, and with consent of (cousin) Dougal McGregor now Graham, heir to the deceased John McGregor, portioner of Callichra, in favour of Mungo Graeme of Gorthy (GD220/1/K/1/5/1).
1712 Act of curatory in favour of James Graham upon his choosing curators (usually in the case of a child or someone incapable of managing their own affairs) (GD220/1/K/1/4/12, GD220/1/K/1/4/13).
James married Marjorie, daughter of Alexander Campbell of Airds (GlenD). According to GlenD, after his marriage in 1729, James restyled his surname as Gregorson. (Grandson of Gregor). The surname McGregor may still have been frowned upon in some quarters. The Red Book of Scotland lists three sons named Alexander, Angus and John Gregorson, but no other records connect these individuals to Corrie Arklet. James is said to have died in 1759.
141.0 Gregor McGregor of Comer c1648-c1709 of Comer & 3 Children
Gregor McGregor was the second lawful son to Gregor McGregor c1620 in Dhu of Glengyle, later in Corriearklet (GD220/1/K/1/1/4). Gregor c1648 the younger married Katherine Ann Mclaren around c1670 (GlenD) and had at least two sons and one daughter. They were Mary Graham in Comer (1671-1745) born at Strathyre, Gregor John McGregor/Graham c1773 (later in Ruskanach) and Dougal Graham in Comer c1673.
In 1690 Malcolm Mcfarlane disponed in favour of Gregor McGregor, second lawful son to Gregor McGregor c1620 in Corriearklet of the 500 merks still due of the principal sum of 600 merks, with a proportional part of the annualrent and penalties relating thereto (GD220/1/K/1/1/4). In that same year (1690) Gregor McGregor, second lawful son of Gregor McGregor c1620 of Easter Corerklet had a Disposition of an Annuity from the Lands of Comermore (Comer) from Malcolm Mcfarlane sometime in Wester Brachern and now in Ledard (GlenD).
In January 1693, at Corrie Arklet farm near Inversnaid, Gregor's daughter Mary (1671-1745) married Robert McGregor otherwise Campbell 1st of Innersnait, and afterwards of Craigrostan, commonly called Rob Roy.
In 1695 Gregor's son Dougal Graham in Comer had from Archibald Graham of Kilmanan a mortgage right of land of Innersnait (Inversnaid). Gregor’s brother, John Graham of Corerklet c1646 and son-in-law Robert Campbell (Rob Roy) witnessed the sasine (GlenD).
A Forest Archaeology report contains the following information. The ages of the buildings and other features at the Bruach-Caoruinn (Bracherne) are not known, but the Inventory compared Big Bruach-Caoruinn with Comer, which was the home of Gregor McGregor (father-in-law of Rob Roy) and suggested that some of these buildings may be at least as old as the late 17th century. Rob Roy married Gregor’s daughter Mary McGregor at Corriearklet on the north shore of Loch Arklet in 1693. On the opposite (south) shore of the loch, 4.8 km (3 miles) to the north of Comer, is Old House, Corheichan (so spelled in the Inventory) – this was then the home of Rob Roy’s uncle. (https://strathardheritage.org/archive/little-bruach-caoruinn-surviving-afforestation-and-harvesting/ )
Gregor succeeded to his father’s lands of Corriearklet and resigned the rights he had to those of Corriechan in favour of his younger brother, Alexander c1660, on 1 November 1709 (GD220/1/J/8/3/6). He probably died not long after. Documents GD220/1/K/1/1/1 and GD220/1/K/1/1/7 also dated 1709 describe Gregor as deceased.
NOTE: Corheichan also known as Corriechan was held by Gregor and his brothers in the late 1600’s until youngest brother Alexander Graham of Brachern disposed of it in 1709.
141.1 Mary McGregor (1671-1745)
Mary was the first-born child of Gregor McGregor c1650 and his wife Catherine Ann Mclaren. Mary was born at Leny Farm, Strathyre in 1671.
In January 1693, at Corrie Arklet farm near Inversnaid, Mary MacGregor of Comer married Rob Roy McGregor. They were both in their very early twenties at the time. The couple had four sons: James Mor MacGregor (1695-1754), Ranald (1706-1786), Coll (died 1735) and Robert (1715-1754); known as Robìn Òig or Young Rob (Wikipedia).
Rob Roy MacGregor (1671-1734) became a clan leader and, in 1701, acquired land on Loch Lomondside and at Balquidder, where he prospered as a legitimate cattle dealer. A business transaction with the Duke of Montrose turned sour when one of Rob’s men absconded with the Duke's money. An order was issued for Rob Roy's arrest, and he was evicted from his Loch Lomond land by the Duke's factor. The earl of Breadalbane came to his rescue, giving him land in Glen Dochart where, in 1713, he renewed his cattle raiding. During the early 1700’s he became a headache for the Grahams of Drunkie who battled to protect their tenants and their property from regular raids by Rob Roy’s men.
Rob Roy led his MacGregor clan during the Jacobite Rising of 1715 and was accused of high treason. Government mercenaries burned his house. In 1716, the Duke of Argyll gave him land at Glen Shira and his raiding activities resumed until he was captured by the Duke of Atholl. He escaped, was eventually forced to submit to General Wade in 1725 but granted a Royal Pardon in 1727. He died peacefully in his own bed at Balquidder in 1734.
Rob’s wife Mary McGregor, daughter of Gregor McGregor of Comermore survived him by several years. Her father was Gregor MacGregor, second son of Gregor McGregor c1620 (HCM)
Mary’s fourth son Robìn Òig or Young Rob murdered a local farmer named Mclaren in 1736. In the mid 1740’s, Young Rob, married his second cousin, one of the daughters of John Graham of Drunkie. Sadly, she died shortly afterwards, and young Rob returned to his reckless and wild life, which is described in great detail in several accounts on the internet. He was hanged in 1754.
141.2 Gregor/John McGregor/Graham (c1673-c1750) in Ruskanach
Gregor/John was the first son of Gregor c1648 and Katherine Mclaren. He was most likely born in Comer around 1673.
He married Janet McFarlane c1705 and they had two known sons baptised in the parish of Buchanan. The family seemed to be living at a hamlet named Ruskanach, about one mile south of Comer where his father and older brother lived.
In 1707 an Instrument of sasine in favour of Robert Campbell (Rob Roy) of the £10 land of Craigroston, comprehending the lands of Ruskinoch (sic), Knockeilt, Roechoish, Stocknaroy, Clackbuy, Inversnaid and Pollochro with the mill of Craigroston, mill lands (GD220/1/L/1/7/5). This suggests that Gregor was a tenant of his brother-in-law Rob Roy.
1709 Precept of clare constat by James, Duke of Montrose in favour of John Graham alias McGregor as heir to the deceased Gregor McGregor, his father, in the annualrent out of the lands of Commermore (GD220/1/K/1/1/1 & GD220/1/K/1/1/7). Being heir to his father confirms that Gregor/John was the older of the two brothers.
‘McGroger’ has several posts on the Rootschat website with the following baptism records in the Parish of Buchanan.
“John Grame alias McGregor in Ruskanach and Janet Mcfarlan spouse had a son baptised called Dugald (named after his uncle). Witnesses were Malcom Graham alias McGregor in Ruskanach and John Mcfarlan, Kirk officer. "
‘Gregor McGregor alias John Grame in Ruskanach and Janet McFarlan spouse had a son baptised called John. Witnesses were Dugal Grame and John Mcfarlan in Corgrinan’ I’ve identified the maternal grandfather’s home, ‘Corgrinan’, as Corriegrennan or Corghrenen (Roy), a farm 1 mile SW of Loch Ard (5 miles from Aberfoyle).
‘Ruskanach’ (Rouskan or Easter Ruskanchan on Roys map) is near Balqhidder is about 20 miles as the crow flies from Downance. However, McGroger hypothesises (with a detailed explanation) that Ruskanach was located on Rinzoorach Burn about one mile south of Comer. Another possibility is Ruiscannoch (Roy) located on Loch Katrine near Rowardennan about 5 miles from Comer. Both latter locations fit well as they are just a few miles west of Corghrenen, near Comer and were located in the Buchanan Parish. The witness Dougal Graham, in Comer was probably John/Gregor’s younger brother c1675.
GlenD (http://www.glendiscovery.com/glengyle) lists McGregor families who lived in the Duke of Montrose's Highland estate, at the time of the 1745 Rebellion. Listed amongst those who were never accessory to the rebellion were:
- Alex McGregor a cottar in Ruskenoch (Perhaps a third son of John/Gregor Graham/McGregor)
- John McGregor a cottar in Ruskenoch (perhaps b1712, son of John/Gregor Graham/McGregor)
- Gregor McGregor a cottar in Comer. (Perhaps John/Gregor McGregor/Graham c1673)
Alternatively, Groger suggests “There is also a record of a monument to Gregor McGregor and Janet McFarlan in the burying ground on Inchcailloch island in Loch Lomond: Gregor McGregor farmer d. 11.7.1722, wife Janet Mcfarland & his successors, 1722’”.
141.3 Dougal Graham (c1675-1720) in Comer
Dougal Graham was the second son born to Gregor McGregor of Comer. Dougal Graham in Comer had from Archibald Graham of Kilmanan a mortgage right of the 3Ib land of Innersnait, John Graham of Corerklet (cousin) and Robert Campbell (brother-in-law Rob Roy) witnessed the sasine 1695 (GlenD). This suggests a birth in the early 1670’s for Dougal to be old enough to gain a mortgage right.
A 1698 mortgage document listed Robert Campbell in Glengyle, known as Rob Roy, Dougal Graham in Comer, Rob's brother-in-law and John Graham of Callichra as witnesses (HCM).
In 1709 a Precept of clare constat by James, Duke of Montrose in favour of John Graham alias McGregor as heir to the deceased Gregor McGregor, his father, in the annualrent out of the lands of Commermore confirms that Dougal was the younger son. Dougal had no known marriage or children but was a witness at the baptism of his brother’s son in 1712. Dougal seems to have lived in Comer all his life and probably died around 1720.
142.0 Alexander McGregor/Graham (1660-c1730) of Corrie Arklet, Corriechan & Brachern
Alexander McGregor c1660 of Corrie Arklet was the third born son of Gregor McGregor c1620 and Ann Buchanan. By 1690, like most other McGregors in his family, he had changed his surname to Graham. From about 1700 he became known as Alexander Graham of Coriheichen, which were lands acquired by his father in 1678 (HCM). His father Gregor McGregor in Dow of Glengyle, son of Gregor a Cnoic, acquired Stronachachar, in 1661, Easter Corerklet in 1670 and Coriheichan near it in 1678.
Many records identify Alexander McGregor of Corrie Arklet as the son of Gregor of Corrie Arklet, but none specifically identify Alexander of Corrie Arklet as being the same person as Alexander of Brachern. However, in the 1690’s Alexander McGregor/Graham of Corrie Arklet, Corriechan then Brachern and brother John McGregor/Graham of Corrie Arklet had many financial transactions between them whereby money or property was passed from one to the other. Also, aunt Isobel Graham makes both Alexander and his older brother John beneficiaries in her will. Although they are not nephews to her by blood, they are by marriage, as John Graham of Corrie Arklet had married Isobel’s niece, Katherine Graham of Drunkie.
A 1690 Disposition by Gregor McGregor in Corriearklet c1620 favours Alexander McGregor, his son, of the wadset right, lands and money therein contained (GD220/1/J/8/3/1), reserving to John McGregor, his eldest son, his rents and possession of the town of Corriechan during the lifetime of said Gregor McGregor and his wife Anna Buchanan. (GD220/1/J/8/3/4). In 1695 John McGregor (therein designed John Graham of Corriearklet) discharged the right reserved to him of the rents and possession of the town of Corriechan during the lifetime of his parents (GD220/1/J/8/3/4) in favour of (his brother) Alexander McGregor (therein designed Alexander Graham) GD220/1/J/8/3/6. In 1709 Alexander disposed of Corriechan (GD220/1/J/8/3/7).
1692 Disposition by Isabel Graham, with consent of Miles Graham her second husband, in favour of Alexander Graham in Easter Brachern, her nephew, of 500 merks as part of the 2000 merks belonging to her by the contract of division (GD220/1/K/1/3/4). Containing precept of sasine GD220/1/K/1/4/3. In 1701 Disposition by Alexander Graham in favour of John Graham of Corriearklet of the 500 merks contained in the disposition in his favour (GD220/1/K/1/4/3). Containing precept of sasine. GD220/1/K/1/4/5.
Alexander McGregor son to Gregor of Corerklet was bailie in enfeoffment of Archibald McGregor of Kilmanan in the land of Craigrostan in 1694. As Alexander Graham in Corerklet in 1695, he entered into a contract of marriage with Agnes Graham, sister of John Graham in Gartnerinoch (GlenD). Alexander and Agnes had two known sons, namely Walter Graham of Brachern (eldest) and John Graham of Clochvraick.
1701 Disposition by Malcolm McFarlane with consent of Catharine Graham alias McGregor, his spouse (daughter of Alexander’s cousin, Dougal McGregor of Blair), in favour of Alexander Graham of Brachern of the lands of Ballimore. Containing procuratory of resignation and precept of sasine, judicially ratified on the reverse by the said Katharine, 29 Jan 1701 (GD220/1/L/1/5/10).
1719 Charter of confirmation by the commissioners of James, Duke of Montrose confirming the contract of division (GD220/1/L/1/5/3), also confirming the disposition by Isabel Graham with consent of her husband (GD220/1/L/1/5/4) and sasine thereon, also the disposition granted by John McGregor of Brachern to Dougal McGregor, his nephew (GD220/1/L/1/5/6) and sasine following thereon, also the disposition by Malcolm McFarlane to Alexander Graham (GD220/1/L/1/5/10), with sasine thereon.
1720 Disposition by Elizabeth Graham (of Clockvraik) with consent of Alexander Drummond, eldest lawful son to Hugh Drummond, sometime McGregor in Achatow, in favour of John Graham, lawful son to Alexander Graham of Brachurn, his heirs or assignees, of an equal half of the town and lands of Clochvraick. Containing procuratory of resignation and precept of sasine. With a judicial ratification on the reverse by Elizabeth Graham of the same date (GD220/1/J/4/1/5).
1720 Disposition by Janet Graham, formerly McGregor (of Clockvraik), with consent of John Graham, son to Alexander Graham of Brachurn, her husband with a judicial ratification on the reverse by Janet Graham of the same date (GD220/1/J/4/1/7).
1728 Disposition by Alexander Graham of Brachern in favour of Walter Graham, his eldest son, his heirs and assignees, of the lands of Meikle and Little Bracherns, Stronmacknair and Ballimore, of which only the first two pages have been delivered up, but which appear to be duly signed (GD220/1/L/1/6/1).
Alexander Graham of Brachern probably died around 1730.
142.1 Walter Graham (c1685-1754) of Brachern. Son of Alexander Graham of Brachern
Walter Graham c1685-1754 was the eldest son of Alexander Graham of Brachern and his wife Agnes Graham. Around c1710 Walter married Catherine McGregor c1692, daughter of John McConnel Glas McGregor b1658. John was a brother of Rob Roy, so Catherine was Rob’s niece. Walter and Catherine had three known children named Alexander Graham b1710, Annie Graham b1717 and Unnamed Graham b1720.
In 1728 a Sasine in favour of Walter Graham, Alex Graham of Brachern's eldest son, of the lands of Meikle and Little Bracherns, Stronmacknair and Ballimore, (GD220/1/L/1/6/1). Walter died in 1754 as indicated by the following document written in that year. Instrument of sasine in favour of Alexander Graham (son b1710) as heir to the deceased Walter Graham, his father, in the lands of Easter and Wester Bracherns, Stronmacknair and Ballimore following on precept of clare constat. Dated 30 Dec 1754 (GD220/1/L/1/6/4).
Eldest son Alexander married Janet McFarlane around 1732. Their son was named Gregor Graham and was baptised in Buchanan Parish on 22 Oct 1733. His parents were listed as Alexander Graham or McGregor & Janet McFarlane (FR148 GlenD).
142.2 John Graham (c1690-1732) Son of Alexander Graham of Brachern
John Graham c1690-1754 was the second son of Alexander Graham of Brachern and his wife Agnes Graham. Around 1710, John Graham married Janet Graham c1690. Janet Graham c1690 was the daughter of deceased cousin John Graham, formerly Gregor McGregor of Clochvraick c1652 (GD220/1/J/4/1/7). John and Janet Graham had three known children named Walter Graham 1712, Marjory Graham b1719 and Unknown Male Graham 1721.
As the following extracts show, after their father died in 1720 John’s wife Janet and her sister Elizabeth inherited Clochvraik. In that same year sister Elizabeth passed over her share of the property to Janet. 1720 Disposition by Janet Graham, formerly McGregor, one of the daughters and heirs portioners of the deceased John Graham, formerly Gregor McGregor of Clochvraick, proprietor of half of the town and lands of Clochvraick, with consent of John Graham, son to Alexander Graham of Brachurn, her husband and John Graham for himself as the proprietor of the other half of the said town and lands, in favour of James, Duke of Montrose, his heirs and assignees, of half of the town and lands of Clochvraick. With a judicial ratification on the reverse by Janet Graham of the same date (GD220/1/J/4/1/7).
In the same year, John’s sister-in-law Elizabeth Graham of Clochvraik, with consent of her husband Alexander Drummond, eldest lawful son to Hugh Drummond, sometime McGregor in Achatow (Achtow), made a disposition in favour of John Graham, lawful son to Alexander Graham of Brachurn, of an equal half of the town and lands of Clochvraick, registered at Stirling, 16 May 1720 (GD220/1/J/4/1/6).
Document GD220/1/J/4/1/8 shows that Janet disposed of Clochvraik in favor of the Duke of Montrose in 1732. Instrument of resignation ad remanentiam following on procuratory contained in disposition by Janet Graham, formerly McGregor, one of the daughters and heirs portioners of the deceased John Graham, formerly Gregor McGregor of Clochvraick, proprietor of half of the town and lands of Clochvraick, in favour of James Duke of Montrose, his heirs and assignees, of half the town and lands of Clochvraick. Registered at Stirling, 26 Oct 1732.
As her husband John was not mentioned in the latter document, he probably died in 1732. Janet probably died in the mid 1700’s.
143.0 Ewan McGregor (c.1625-c1695) in Wester Frenich & 3 Sons
Ewan was born around 1625 and was the third born son of Duncan McGregor. He married an unknown woman around 1645 and had three sons and possibly one daughter. Their names were, Alexander McGregor c1646 of Wester Frenich and Western Callichra, Dougal McGregor c1648 of Easter Callichra and Gregor/John Roy McGregor (c1660-1693) of Stuknaroy.
In 1662 Ewan McGregor was in Kinneldie in Glendochart (GD13/21) at the time of his father’s death. Not much is known about Ewin’s life, but from 1679 to 1712 several NRS documents confirm the names of Ewan’s two sons and his links to his brother John of Brachern. These documents indicate that Ewan lived at Frenich on the northern tip of Loch Chon. Later in life he moved about five miles to Comer where his nephew Gregor McGregor’s family resided.
In 1679 Alexander McGregor, son to Ewan McGregor in Wester Frenich was listed in document (GD220/1/K/1/3/6). In 1692 Dougal MacGregor of Callichra, son of Ewne Macgregor in Wester Frenich was listed as heir to the deceased Alexander McGregor, his brother (GD220/1/K/1/3/7). This document confirms that Dougal and Alexander were brothers. Then after Alexander died a Precept of clare constat in 1712 by James, Duke of Montrose in favour of Dougal McGregor as heir to his brother, the deceased Alexander McGregor, in the equal half of the third part of the wester half or two wester quarters of Corriearklet (GD220/1/K/1/3/8).
“Robert Campbell in Glengyle, known as Rob Roy, Dougal Graham in Comer, Rob's brother-in-law, (should read grandnephew) of Ewen McGregor late in Wester Frenich, afterwards in Comer, and (Ewan was) a brother of John McGregor of Brachern); also John Graham of Callichra, were witnesses.” (HCM). The latter was probably Ewan’s third son as ‘John’ and ‘Gregor’ were often interchanged as names..
Dougal McGregor of Easter Callichra son of Ewne (sic) McGregor in Wester Frenich, …. Entered into the contract dated 1693 (GlenD). According to HCM in 1693 Ewin McGregor resided sometime in Frenich and now in Comer. Ewan probably died in the late 1690’s.
143.1 Alexander McGregor (c1646-c1680) of Wester Frenich & Callichra
Alexander McGregor, son to Ewan McGregor in Wester Frenich (GD220/1/K/1/3/6) was born around 1646. By 1664 he had the lands of Wester Callichra (HCM).
Alexander married Margaret McGregor (daughter of Patrick McGregor of Carnlea) in 1669. HCM listed Alexander as nephew to his Uncle John of Bracherne c1622 and cousin to Donald McGregor c1655, son of Uncle Donald (GD220/1/K/1/3/6). Alexander’s land deals are listed in 1664 and 1679. According to HCM his only child Mary McGregor c1671 married in 1693 and disponed Callichra to her cousin (See 1691 below).
In 1671 a contract between John Buchanan and Alexander McGregor in Callichra, involving the land of Callichra lying west of the burn of Stronard with half the oak woods described in GD220/1/E/2/6/2 (GD220/1/E/2/6/3).
Document GD220/1/K/1/3/7 confirms that Alexander was deceased by about 1680 and having one daughter named Mary and no male heirs, his brother Dougal (of Callichra) inherited his estate. Widow Margaret then married Alexander’s cousin Donald McGregor, in Craignaferar, Glen Almond about 1681.
According to the GlenD website in an Assignation dated 1682 “Margaret MacGregor relict of the deceased Alexander MacGregor of Wester Cailzechra (Callichra), and Donald McGregor in Craignaferar in Glenalmond her present husband whereby for a certain sum paid to them by Dougal McGregor of Ballimoir, they Assign and make over to him and his heirs an annual rent secured to the said Margaret by her Contract of Marriage with her first husband-said Contract to which her father Patrick McGregor (of Carnlea) signed in 1669 (HCM).
In an Obligation dated 1691 by Dougal McGregor in Ballimore and Donald McGregor in Ardowill his brother german (cousins of her deceased father) as Cautioner to Mary McGregor lawful daughter and only child of deceased Alexander McGregor of Wester Cailzechra (Callichra) and Margaret McGregor his Spouse; for 500 merks Scots to be paid to her upon her attaining 21 years (born after 1670) or being married whichever shall happen first by John McGregor in Carnlea, Uncle (on mother’s side) to the said Mary. The Bond requires that the said Mary shall deliver to the said Dougal McGregor such securities as shall be sufficient to secure him his heirs and successors in that 20 shilling Land of Cailzechra (Callichra), which her said deceased father purchased from John Buchanan. (GlenD).
The above-mentioned Mary McGregor married Alexander McGregor with whose consent she Disponed these said lands to Dougal McGregor of Ballimore by Disposition dated 5th May 1693, to which John McGregor late Schoolmaster at Buchanan is a witness. Dougal entered into a Contract of Wadsett with his cousin german, and brother of Alexander the first possessor (HCM).
Document GD220/1/K/1/3/7 confirms that Alexander died before 1692. Retour in favour of Dougal McGregor of Callichra as heir to the deceased Alexander McGregor, his brother, before the bailie of the regality of Montrose.
143.2 Dougal McGregor (c1650-c1700) of Easter Callichra
Dougal McGregor, second son to Ewan McGregor in Wester Frenich (c1625-c1695) was born around 1648. He married an unknown woman around 1680 and his two known sons took the surname 'Graham'; Hugh Graham c1670 and Gregor/John Graham c1672. HCM names Duncan Graham and Katherine Graham as additional children. As the name Gregor was outlawed (both as forename and a surname) in the late 1600’s, son Gregor c1672 seems to have used the names Gregor Roy McGregor and John Graham at various times. Roy was nickname to indicate red hair.
Dougal McGregor, son of Ewne McGregor in Wester Frenich, by Disposition of John McGregor of Brachern his Uncle with consent of Isabella Graham his (John’s) Spouse, acquired the Lands of Easter Callichra lying in the Parish of Callander and Shire of Perth extending to land of old part of Callichra on which Dougal was infeft (in possession) in 1677 (GlenD ).
Dougal’s older brother Alexander McDougal died c1680. Dougal McGregor of Easter Callichra, after having been served heir to his deceased brother, Alexander McGregor son to Ewen McGregor in Frenich, of the Land of Wester Corerklet and had a precept from James Marquis of Montrose with consent of James Graham of Orchill his Tutor 1692 (GD220/1/K/1/4/13).
Dougal McGregor of Easter Callichra son of Ewne McGregor in Wester Frenich entered into the foresaid contract whereby he acquired the land of Wester Callichra in 1693 from his cousin Dougal of Ballimore. Dougal McGregor of Easter Callichra and his sons were infeft in the Lands of Wester Callichra in 1693 (HCM). Hugh and Gregor, sons of Dougal of Easter Callichra, were infeft in Wester Callichra 1693, afterwards Hugh and John Graham, styled Gregor Roy in Callichra, 1694 in Pullichroe, acquired Mill of Stuknaroy, parish of Inchcailliach and Caliness, (HCM)
Dougal MacGregor, now Graham of Callichra, with consent of Hugh and Gregor MacGregor, now Hugh and John Graham, his sons Disponed these Lands under reversion as above mentioned in favour of (cousin) Dougal of Ballimore to John Graham (Gregor Roy?) in Stuik of Callichra by Disposition dated 30th December 1696, on which he was infeft (in possession) 1697 (HCM)
In a 1697 Obligation, dated at Rowardennan Dougal McGregor of Callichra c1648 as Principal and Gregor (Roy) his brother acted as Cautioners to (their cousin) Donald McGregor in Ballimore. The Deed is written by (cousin) Gregor McGregor of Clochbraicks (son of Hugh). (GlenD).
This document tells us that Dougal possibly had a second brother named Gregor Roy McGregor of Callichra and that they were both alive in 1697. In 1712 another document confirms that Dougal McGregor now Graham, was heir to the deceased John McGregor c1622 (uncle of Dougal), portioner of Callichra who died c1680,
The date of death of Dougal McGregor/Graham of Callichra is unknown but he probably died around 1700. Two sons of Dougal are listed in several documents.
143.2a Hugh Graham (c1670-c1710) of Easter Callichra Grandson of Ewan
Hugh McGregor was the first son of Dougal McGregor of Callichra and was born around 1670. In 1693 Hugh and brother Gregor, sons of Dougal of Easter Callichra, were infeft in Wester Callichra, afterwards Hugh and John Grahams, styled Gregor Roy in Callichra. (HCM).
There are not many records relating to Hugh’s later life, but he possibly moved 15 miles to Achtow in the late 1600’s, married an unknown woman named Drummond and took on her surname. They had a son named Alexander Drummond c1690. Documents indicate that Hugh’s brother changed his name from Gregor McGregor to John Roy Graham, so it is not surprising that Hugh also change his name. At times, the surname McGregor was illegal, but it is also possible that name changes were a way of enhancing social standing.
Hugh Graham or Drummond died in the early 1700’s.
Alexander Drummond c1690, eldest lawful son to Hugh Drummond, sometime McGregor in Achatow married Elizabeth Graham the second-born daughter of Gregor McGregor of Clochvraik around 1712 (See 145.1). Achatow was probably a misspelling of Achtow or Achetove near Balquhidder (Roy). Alexander Drummond and Elizabeth Graham/McGregor had two daughters born in Callander Parish in 1714 and 1721. Both girls were given the name Katherine, so the first daughter died young.
143.2b Gregor Roy/John Graham (c1672-1716) of Callichra & Pullichro
Gregor McGregor was the second son of Dougal McgGregor of Callichra (grandson to Ewen), born around 1672 and named after his uncle (see below). Gregor Roy McGregor/Graham had two sons by his unknown wife. They were Malcolm Graham c1693 and John Graham c1695.
According to HCM in 1694 Archibald McGregor in Kilmanan impignorated to Gregor Roy McGregor in Pullichroe, and failing him, his eldest lawful sons Malcolm c1693 and John c1695, in succession the town and lands of Caliness, extending to the mill of Stuknaroy, in the parish of Inchcalzeoch, now Buchanan. Witnesses Duncan McGregor son to Donald McGregor in Glengyll, John McGregor in Nether Corierklet (HCM). The mill of Stuknaroy was in the possession of his uncle Gregor Roy McGregor c1650 up until his uncle died in 1693 (see below).
In 1698, John Graham of Corerklet was enfeoffed in the two mark land of Pollochroe on a contract of mortgage betwixt him on one part and Archibald Graham of Kilmanan. Robert Campbell in Glengyle, known as Rob Roy, Dougal Graham in Comer, Rob's brother-in-law and son (should read grand-nephew) of Ewen McGregor late in Wester Frenich, afterwards in Comer, and (Ewin was) a brother of John McGregor of Brachern; also John Graham (Gregor Roy) of Callichra, were witnesses.” (HCM).
Some of the lands of Gregor Roy McGregor were in the hands of Rob Roy by 1706. In 1706 a sasine in favour of Robert Campbell of the £10 land of Craigroston, comprehending the lands of Ruskinoch, Knockeilt, Roechoish, Stocknaroy, Clackbuy, Inversnaid and Pollochro with the mill of Craigroston, mill lands and multures lying in the parish of Inchcailloch, sheriffdom of Stirling, following on a precept contained in a charter of resignation granted by Sir Humphrey Colquhoun of Luss to Robert Campbell dated 14 May 1706 (GD220/1/L/1/7/5).
A Testament dated 1716 listed Gregor.Roy McGregor as alias John dying in the Parish of Callander.
143.3 Gregor Roy/John McGregor (c1660-1693) the elder of Stuknaroy
Records suggest that Ewan McGregor may have had a third son, perhaps born around 1660. He was an uncle to Gregor Roy/John Graham above, but of course was much older. He settled at Stucknaroy on the east shores of Loch Lomond just south of Inversnaid and about one mile west of Corrie Arklet. Portnellan in Buchanam Parish was located at the west end of Loch Katrine near Glengyle about 3m west of Callichra. Callichra was on the northern shores of Loch Katrine opposite, and a short ferry ride from Stronachlachar. All these hamlets were within a few miles of each other and the same from Wester Frenich and Comer
In 1678 John (Gregor Roy) MacGregor in Stukinroy was Baillie and Gregor McGregor Laird of McGregor were witnesses to a Sasine. (GlenD). In 1679 a Debt was owed to Gregor Roy McGregor in Portnellan, of £666 (GD220/1/E/3/5/4). From 1679 to 1680 Gregor John Roy McGregor in Stuknaroy was a curator (advisor) for Archibald McGregor of Kilmanan in his marriage contract (HCM).
Gregor McGregor of Stocknaroy died in 1693 reputedly aged 32, which indicates a birth year of 1660 or 1661 (GlenD). In 1694 the Stucknaroy property passed to Gregor’s nephew Gregor Roy/John Graham c1672 and his sons (HCM).
144.0 Donald McGregor (c1628-c1690) & Two Sons
Donald was the fourth son of Duncan McGregor and brother or half-brother to Gregor, John, Ewan and Hugh McGregor. Donald was born around 1628 and several documents list him as a brother to John McGregor of Brachern. He was therefore one of the five sons of Duncan McGregor c1580, but possibly from his father’s second marriage.
Donald married an unknown wife around 1650 and had at least two sons; Dougal McGregor of Blair and Ballimore c1650 (the eldest, GD220/1/L/1/5/7) and Donald McGregor in Ardowill/Ardonwill c1655. We do not know much about Donald’s life but there are many documents listing financial and land transactions of his sons.
Donald’s date of death is unknown but probably occurred in the 1680’s or 1690’s.
144.1 Dougal McGregor of Blair & Ballimoir (c1650-c1695)
Dougal McGregor was the first-born son of Donald McGregor (c1635-c1690). He was born around 1650 and at first settled in Blair. The following extracts show that brothers Dougal c1650 and Donald c1660 had many financial arrangements with each other and with some of their cousins and other relatives.
Dougal in Blair, afterwards of Ballimoir with part of Brachern, son of Donald (brother of John of Bracherne) after obtaining Wester Callichra, he disposed of it to Dougal, his cousin, son of Ewne, who, by disposition of his uncle John of Brachern, had already acquired Easter Callichra (HCM). In 1671 John McGregor of Brachern to Dougal McGregor, his nephew (GD220/1/L/1/5/6) and sasine following thereon, (GD220/1/L/1/5/12). A Disposition dated 6 Jan 1671 by John McGregor of Brachern in favour of Dougall McGregor in Blair, eldest lawful son to Donald McGregor, his (John’s) brother, his heirs and assignees, of the lands of Ballimore (GD220/1/L/1/5/6).
Dougal was nephew of John of Brachern and like many McGregors took the surname of Graham (from his father or possibly his wife). He married an unknown woman around 1680 and is thought to have had several children. According to HCM Dougal Graham, nephew of John of Bracherne, took the name of Graham and had a son named John Graham, possibly another son named Duncan Graham in Ballimore and a daughter named Catherine Graham who married Malcolm Macfarlane, the younger of Lurg.
Disposition in 1677 by John McGregor of Brachern in favour of Donald McGregor, brother to Dougal McGregor in Blair, and Alexander McGregor, son to Ewan McGregor in Wester Frenich equally between them, of the 1000 merks reserved to him and at his disposal by the contract of division (between John and his wife Isobel GD220/1/K/1/3/4).
In 1679 Dougal moved to Ballimore. In that year An Instrument of sasine in favour of Dougal McGregor in Blair, eldest lawful son to Donald McGregor (John McGregor of Brachern's brother) of the lands of Ballimore following on precept contained in GD220/1/L/1/5/6. Registered at Stirling, 14 May 1679 (GD220/1/L/1/5/7).
1681 Obligation, Dougal MacGregor of Ballimoir as Principal, and William McAlpine of Ross as Cautioner; to brother Donald MacGregor c1655 in Craignaferar (previously in Ardowill) for 500 merks Scots. Among the witnesses are Duncan McGregor in Ardcrostan, John MacGregor in Carnlea (father-in-law of deceased cousin Alexander c1646) and Duncan MacGregor in Meirie. (Original transaction) recorded 4th November 1662. (HCM)
An Obligation in 1681 that Dougal McGregor in Ballimore as Principal and Donald McGregor in Ardowill his brother german as Cautioner (both cousins of Mary’s father Alexander) to Mary McGregor lawful daughter and only child in life procreated betwixt the deceased Alexander McGregor c1646 of Wester Cailzechra (Callichra) and Margaret McGregor his Spouse; for 500 merks to be paid to her upon her attaining majority, 21 years (she was 11 years old), or being married whichever shall happen first-with Interest till the term of payment, which Interest is paid annually till then by John McGregor in Carnlea, Uncle (on mother’s side) to the said Mary. The Bond however is granted upon the following condition which must be fulfilled otherwise the Bond to have no effect and be void - viz that the said Mary shall do such Deeds in law and make seal, subscribe and deliver in favour of the said Dougal McGregor sufficient rights and securities as shall be sufficient to secure him his heirs and successors in that 20 shilling land of Cailzechra (Callichra), which her said deceased father purchased from John Buchanan Recorded 6th July 1691 ( GlenD).
In 1693 Dougal in Blair, afterwards of Ballimoir with part of Brachern, son of Donald b1628 (brother of John of Bracherne). After obtaining Wester Callichra, he disposed of it to Dougal, his cousin, son of Ewne (sic), who, by disposition of his uncle John of Brachern, had already acquired Easter Callichra (GD220/1/K/1/3/10). In that same year (1693) Dougal’s daughter Catherine married Malcolm Macfarlane of Lurgine. In 1694 Disposition by Dougal McGregor in favour of Malcolm McFarlane, fiar of Lurgine, his son-in-law, his heirs and assignees, of the lands of Ballimore (GD220/1/L/1/5/8). Dougal McGregor of Ballimore occurs as Dougal Graham shortly after this period. John his son is also mentioned (HCM)
Dougal McGregor of Blair and Ballimoir probably died in the late 1600’s.
144.1a Dougal McGregor in Blair (c1610-1666) Uncle to Dougal above?
Some NRS records describe a Dougal McGregor in Blair c1610, who had married Annabel Buchanan and had two daughters named Katherine and Mary McGregor. This Dougal was probably related to but was born well before Dougal c1650 and died around 1666. He may have been a younger brother (or cousin) of Duncan McGregor c1580 or less likely yet another brother of John of Brachern, but his early death meant he was not listed as one of the beneficiaries of John who died c1680.
If he had two adult daughters in 1666, he must have married before c1640 and was most likely born in the early 1600’s. It is interesting to note that Dougal and Gregor both married women in the Buchanan family. Perhaps two cousins married two cousins.
A Bond was signed in that year by John Buchanan and his cautioners to Annabel Buchanan, relict and executrix to the deceased Dugald McGregor in Blair in liferent, and Katharine and Mary McGregor, Dugald's daughters equally between them in fee, for 600 merks payable at Martinmas 1666 with £60 of penalty and annualrent from the term of payment. (GD220/1/F/1/3/3). In 1679 Assignation by Katharine and Mary McGregor, daughters of the deceased Dugald McGregor and Annabel Buchanan, to Mr Robert Buchanan, advocate, of GD220/1/F/1/3/3 (GD220/1/F/1/3/4). According to document GD38/1/406, Blair was an early name for Balloch/Balleich. Perhaps Dougal was related to Henry Graham of Balleich and/or Dougal Graham of Downance.
144.1b Catherine Graham (c1670-1719) daughter of Dougal McGregor c1650 of Ballimoir
According to HCM and other documents Dougal had children named Catherine Graham, John Graham and possibly Duncan Graham. Catherine married Malcolm Macfarlane younger of Lurgine in 1693.
In Dec 1693 Catharine was infeft in Ballimore Lands by Malcolm in annuity in case she should have no children and (her brothers) John & Duncan MacGregor in Ballimore were Witnesses (HCM).
Catherine’s father obtained Ballimore from John of Brachern in 1679 and he then passed it on to Catherine and her husband in 1693. Disposition by Dougal McGregor in favour of Malcolm McFarlane, fiar of Lurgine, his son-in-law, his heirs and assignees, of the lands of Ballimore (GD220/1/L/1/5/8). In 1701 Malcolm and Catherine passed the Ballimore property on to their father’s cousin Alexander McGregor of Corriechan and Brachern. Disposition by Malcolm McFarlane with consent of Catharine Graham alias McGregor, his spouse, in favour of Alexander Graham of Brachern of the lands of Ballimore. Containing procuratory of resignation and precept of sasine. Dated 28 Jan 1701 and judicially ratified on the reverse by the said Katharine, 29 Jan 1701 (GD220/1/L/1/5/10). All these transactions were confirmed in 1719 (GD220/1/L/1/5/12).
Catherine was infeft in said Lands by (her husband) Malcolm in annuity in case she should have no children, and (her brothers?) John and Duncan MacGregor in Ballimore are Witnesses. Dougal McGregor of Ballimore occurs as Dougal Graham shortly after this period and John his son is also mentioned. Recorded 1694. (HCM)
In 1695 Malcolm MacFarlane sometime in Wester Brachern now in Ledard made a disposition of an annuity of £20 out of the lands of Comermore to Gregor McGregor second son of Gregor McGregor of Easter Corerklet.
1701 Disposition by Malcolm McFarlane with consent of Catharine Graham alias McGregor, his spouse, in favour of (her cousin) Alexander Graham of Brachern of the lands of Ballimore (GD220/1/L/1/5/10). In 1719 a sasine (GD220/1/L/1/5/12) follows on from this disposition, but Katherine’s name is not mentioned. This may indicate that she was deceased by this time.
144.2 Donald McGregor in Ardowill & Craignavar (c1655-c1715)
Donald McGregor was the second son of Donald McGregor (c1635-c1690) and his unknown wife. He was born around 1655. The following extracts show that Donald and his brother had many financial arrangements with each other and with some of their cousins and other relatives.
In 1679 Donald jnr, in Ardowill, brother of Dougal of Ballimoir, associated with his cousin Alexander McGregor of Wester Frenich in a disposition over part of Wester Corerklet (HCM). In the same year an Instrument of sasine following on the precept contained in the disposition (GD220/1/K/1/3/5) by John McGregor of Brachern in favour of Donald McGregor, brother to Dougal McGregor in Blair, and Alexander McGregor, son to Ewan McGregor in Wester Frenich equally between them, of the 1000 merks reserved to him and at his disposal by the contract of division (GD220/1/K/1/3/4). Registered at Stirling, (GD220/1/K/1/3/6).
The following document shows that Donald jnr had moved 40 miles northeast to Craignavar by 1680. "Obligation of Dougal MacGregor of Ballimoir as Principal, and William McAlpine of Ross as Cautioner; to (his brother) Donald MacGregor in Craignaferar in Glenalmond for 500 merks Scots” (GlenD). Craignafarrar or Craignavar was about 30 miles from Ballimoir.
1682 Assignation. Margaret MacGregor relict of the deceased Alex MacGregor of Wester Cailzechra (Callichra), and Donald McGregor in Craignaferar in Glenalmond her present husband whereby for a certain sum paid to them by (Donald’s brother) Dougal McGregor of Ballimoir, they Assign and make over to him, his heirs and successors an annual rent of 1400 merks secured to the said Margaret by her Contract of Marriage with her first husband; said Contract to which her father Patrick McGregor was a Party dated 20th October 1669. (HCM)
The above document shows that around 1782, Donald McGregor in Craignaferar in Glenalmond married Margaret McGregor relict of Donald’s cousin Alexander McGregor of Wester Frenich. He then became stepfather to Margaret’s only daughter Mary McGregor c1671. Donald’s wife was in her forties and was unlikely to have had more children. Donald McGregor jnr c1655 probably died in the early 1700’s.
145.0 Hugh McGregor (c1630-c1700) in Western Frenich & his son
Hugh married an unknown woman around 1655 and had at least one son named after Hugh’s older brother Gregor c1655. In 1677 son Gregor McGregor inherited Clochvraik. John McGregor of Brachurne, failing heirs of his own body and with the burden of his liferent, in favour of Gregor McGregor, lawful son to Hugh McGregor in Wester Frenich, his brother, of the town and lands of Clochvraik extending to a 20-shilling land of old extent lying in the parish of Inchcailloch (GD220/1/J/4/1/1, GD220/1/J/4/1/2).
Hugh’s date of death is unknown, but probably occurred in the early 1700’s.
145.1 Gregor McGregor (c1655-1720) of Clochvraik
Gregor married an unknown woman around 1680 and had two daughters and no known sons. Their names were Janet c1685 and Elizabeth McGregor c1690, both later called Graham.
Gregor MacGregor of Clochbraick (sic) wrote a deed dated 7 January 1697 at Rowardennan which detailed an Obligation of Dougal McGregor of Callichra as Principal and Gregor (of Stuknaroy) his brother as Cautioner to Donald McGregor in Ballimore for £100 Scots.
Documents GD220/1/J/4/1/3 and GD220/5/1725 suggest that Gregor died in 1720. In that year there was a Precept of clare constat by the commissioners of James, Duke of Montrose in favour of Janet and Elizabeth McGregor, now called Graham, as heirs to the deceased Gregor McGregor, their father, in the town and lands of Clochvraick.
145.1b Janet Graham (c1685-c1750) daughter of Gregor McGregor of Clochvraik
Janet Graham was the first-born daughter of Gregor McGregor of Clochvraik and was probably born around 1685. Janet married her cousin John Graham, son to Alexander Graham of Brachurn around 1710. John and Janet Graham had three known children named Walter Graham 1712, Marjory Graham b1719 and Unknown Male Graham 1721.
After their father died in 1720 Janet and sister Elizabeth inherited Clochvraik. In that same year sister Elizabeth passed over her share of the property to Janet. Document GD220/1/J/4/1/8 shows that Janet disposed of Clochvraik in favor of the Duke of Montrose in 1732. Instrument of resignation following on procuratory contained in disposition by Janet Graham, formerly McGregor, one of the daughters and heirs portioners of the deceased John Graham, formerly Gregor McGregor of Clochvraick, proprietor of half of the town and lands of Clochvraick, in favour of James Duke of Montrose, his heirs and assignees, of half the town and lands of Clochvraick. Registered at Stirling, 26 Oct 1732.
As her husband was not mentioned in the latter document, he probably died in 1732. Janet probably died in the mid 1700’s. There were no known children.
145.1a Elizabeth Graham (c1690-c1750) daughter of Gregor McGregor of Clochvraik
Elizabeth Graham was the second-born daughter of Gregor McGregor of Clochvraik and was probably born around 1690. Elizabeth married Alexander Drummond, eldest lawful son to Hugh Drummond, sometime McGregor in Achatow around 1712. Achatow was probably a misspelling of Achtow or Achetove near Balquhidder (Roy). Hugh McGregor/Drummond may have been born c1770 and a son of Dougal/McGregor/Graham of Callichra b1648.
Elizabeth probably gave birth to two daughters named Katherine Drummond in 1714 and again in 1721 at Callander. The first daughter would have died as a child. The parents were listed as Alexander Drummond and Elizabeth McGregor.
Elizabeth inherited a share of Clochvraik with her sister from her deceased father in 1720 and in that same year as the following document shows, she disponed of her share to her cousin and brother-in-law John Graham, lawful son to Alexander Graham of Brachurn. Disposition by Elizabeth Graham with consent of (her husband) Alexander Drummond, eldest lawful son to Hugh Drummond, sometime McGregor in Achatow, in favour of John Graham, lawful son to Alexander Graham of Brachurn, his heirs or assignees, of an equal half of the town and lands of Clochvraick. With a judicial ratification on the reverse by Elizabeth Graham of the same date and a confirmation of the disposition dated 7 May 1720 (GD220/1/J/4/1/5).
Elizabeth and her husband were both alive in the early 1720’s and probably died in the mid 1700’s.
146.0 Rob Roy Connection
Rob Roy and his extended family lived most of their lives in the same area as our relatives in the Graham family. Members of both families crossed paths on numerous occasions and at least two marriages brought the families closer together at times. Here are some of the known connections.
Around 1660 Isobel Graham of Drunkie (c1635-c1696) married John Graham c1622 (born McGregor) of Dunaverig and later of Brachern. John McGregor/Graham was a grand uncle of Rob Roy’s wife Mary Graham b1671.
In 1680 Katherine Graham of Drunkie c1650-c1715 married John Graham (formerly McGregor) of Corrie Arklet c1646-c1705. Rob Roy was John’s (and Katherine’s through marriage) nephew.
1706 document listing a Bond by Walter Graham of Drunkie and others to Robert Campbell of Inversnaid (Rob Roy), over the lands of Inversnaid (RS3/90 f 167 Register of Sasines). Another Sasine, dated January 14, 1710, in favour of Walter Graham of Drunkie c1655, Patrick Graham in Ledard (Walter’s son-in-law), John Graham of Colliechrae ( c1690 Callichra?), Alexander Graham in Blair, Malcolm Murray of Marchfield and William Buchanan of Ardoch, of the lands of Inversnaid following feu contract by Robert Campbell of Inversnaid (Rob Roy). (RS59/12/2 f 461, RH8/697).
In 1710 Robert Sempill, Kilbarchan wrote to James Graham, wryter (sic) in Glasgow and asked him to pay writer's debt to 'your friend and myn, Robert Roy. GD38/2/2.
In 1719 Rob Roy stole John Graham of Drunkie’s cattle and for the next few years John had to fight off bands of thieves who raided his property (GD220/6/1790). Letters were written by John Graham of Drunkie from 1713 to 1728 about attempts to arrest the outlaw Rob Roy aka Robert McGregor 1671-1734 (GD220/5/967).
According to Alexander Robertson, “Following the Jacobite rebellion of 1715, Parliament passed an Act vesting in the king the real and personal estates of those attainted of high treason…. notably Rob Roy’s land at Inversnaid. In 1719 soldiers from Drymen occupied Corriearklet. On 20th July 1719 reinforcements led by John Graham of Drunkie and (brother-in-law) Patrick Graham (of Downance) arrived (at Inversnaid).
Records show that one of John Graham of Drunkie’s daughters married Robert MacGregor b1713 (Son of Rob Roy) in the mid 1740’s. This was likely to have been Jenet Graham c1709.
146.1 Diagram MCG3 Family Tree of Rob Roy
(from https://www.highlandtitles.com/blog/rob-roy-macgregor/ )
Robert Roy “Rob Roy” MacGregor was the son of Donald Glas MacGregor and Margaret Campbell. He had 5 siblings: John MacGregor, Sarah MacGregor, Margaret MacGregor, John McGregor and Duncan MacGregor.
In 1693 Rob married Mary MacGregor of Comer at Glen Arklet, and was left an estate by a friend, a departing Laird who had fallen on misfortune. Now Rob Roy could style himself Laird of Craigcrostan, or Baron of Inversnaid, and he often did. Rob married Helen Mary MacGregor on 1 Jan 1693 in Glenarklet and was the father of James Mohr MacGregor, Coll MacGregor, Duncan McGregor, Ranald MacGregor and Robert Oig MacGregor. The site of the building in which they were married can still be seen on the B829 just east of Inversnaid
The Earl of Moray was a friend of Rob’s father Donald Glas Macgregor, a chieftain of the family of Glengyle. Donald and his men helped Moray put down an insurrection, and for this aid, Moray gave Donald a farm at the head of scenic Loch Katrine in the Trossachs. Donald married a daughter of a Campbell family who gave him three sons. The youngest son, born in 1671, he named Robert. Rob was a large active boy who, because of his ruddy complexion and red hair earned the appellation 'Roy'.
During the Jacobite uprising of 1689 Rob Roy joined his father in fighting for the cause of James II (VII of Scotland) who had fled from Britain in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The highlanders under Bonnie Dundee were defeated in 1689, and Rob’s own father was imprisoned for two years. While he was in prison Rob’s mother grew sick and died. The Indemnity act of 1717 eventually pardoned all those highlanders who took part in the uprising, but not the MacGregors.
Rob Roy’s father was in the habit of collecting fees from neighbouring farms and estates in return for protection from marauders, and after his father died, Rob Roy took on this practise, some say with more force. The highlands were in those days an unconscionably difficult place to survive, and this state of affairs gave rise in the end to authorised protectionism in the form of the Black Watch, a land army, paid for by contributions from all estates. The Black Watch became the official protectors of the highlands, and private protectionism such as that practised by Rob Roy was discouraged and punished.
There was the near forgotten rising of 1719 and the battle in Glenshiel where 300 Spaniards surrendered. There was the encounter at Duchary Castle when Rob Roy slipped out the back door while Graham sistera? kept dragoon officers amused at the front.
Whatever the truth, the money was gone, there were no cows to show for it, and Rob Roy was unable to repay the loan. As a result of this episode, Rob Roy was declared an outlaw. He fled from his home at Inversnaid, leaving his wife, Mary, and their children. Montrose's men descended on Inversnaid, burned Rob Roy's house to the ground and forced his family to leave. Later tales suggest that Mary MacGregor was raped, though these tales may have been coloured by later romanticized accounts.
146.3 Five Children of Rob Roy & Mary McGregor
i) James Mohr McGregor (1695-1754) was the eldest child. He ranked as a major in the rising of 1745. His valour at Prestonpas, where Prince Charles defeated Sir John Cope, was extraordinary. It brought honour to his name. He led the army through the remote highlands to Edinburgh and fought at Culloden with a broken thigh bone but escaped with the MacGregor Glengyle battalion. He remained at liberty, and on 3 Dec 1750 led the abduction of the heiress Jean Key as a second bride for his brother Robin Oig. He was arrested for this crime and imprisoned for some years but eventually escaped to France. He married Annabella MacNicol and had 13 children. He died in Paris in great poverty in 1754 at age of 59.
ii) Coll McGregor alias Campbell (1698-1735) In 1720 Coll married Margaret, daughter of John Campbell McGregor in Kerletter and Glencarnoch. Coll was a tacksman in the Kirkton of Balquhidder about the time of his father's death. He lived with Margaret's family at Glencarnoch at first and had seven children.
iii) Duncan McGregor (1704-?) Lived in Strathyre under the name of Drummond. He was tried at the High Court of Edinburgh in 1753 for helping Robin Oig and was found not guilty. He left no family, and few details of his life are known.
iv) Ronald MacGregor (1706-1786) Ronald married Jean MacGregor daughter of Gregor Ghlunn Dubh MacGregor who was a first cousin once removed.
v) Robin Oig McGregor or Young Rob (1713-1754) The youngest child led a life involving much conflict and violence. He murdered John MacLaren of Invernenty in 1736. In 1745, he fought under the Duke of Cumberland at the battle of Fontenoy, where the English were defeated, and he was captured by the French. He obtained his discharge, fought for the Jacobites in 1745, and married a sister of Graham of Drunkie. She died three years later. In 1750 he kidnapped Jean Key, aged 20, from her home and married her by force of her protests. He was caught and hanged four years later. Many family trees list Rob’s birth as 1716, but as his mother was born in 1671 this is unlikely. I think a birth year before 1713 is more likely As this aligns his birth year closer to that of his wife (b1709)
146.4 Colonel Donald Glas Stewart McGregor (c1630-1686)
Lt. Col. Donald Glas McGregor was Rob Roy’s father and was named after his maternal uncle, Donald Glas MacDonald. Glas was a common nickname for many early McGregors. It meant naturally pale skin.
Donald Glas McGregor, attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Scottish army of King Charles II. He died from the results of a prolonged torture in the Tolbooth prison in Edinburgh, under direct orders from a vengeful (Campbell) Earl of Stair, upon the ascension of William of Orange to the throne of Britain. Stair was bitter at Donald for having played such a large part in the battle of Killiecrankie, where the Campbell forces were obliterated. [ http://hal_macgregor.tripod.com/gregor/Believe.htm ]
147.0 to 149.0 Reserved for Future Use
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