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Amelia Volume 2 chapter 9 |
James MacGregor of that Ilk, 1649 |
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[page 106] FROM the "Chartulary":- "1649. March. "Act and decreet in favoures of Sir Johns Broune of Fordell knight, Againes Johne McEwing and otheris. "Anent the Summondis or lybellit precept raised at the instance of Sir Johne Broune of Fordell knight and Robert Hay of Strowie for thamesellfes and in name and bebsiff of David and Robert Brounes in Abbotisdewglie, Helene Scotland relict of vmqle Johne Broun thair, now spous to Johne Currie thair, and he for his entres, and others their tenants in the lands of Abbotisdewglie and Classdewglie against Johne Mcewing in Condocloich, Andro Murray in Fendoche eister, Andro McCrae thair, Johne McAra in wester fendoche, Donald McConneill thair, Donald Mconneill in eister Feandoche, Donald Mcgregour in Dawlick, Johne Mcwilliame thair, Neill Mcinewir in middle Feandoche, Williams Gordoune thair, Duncane roy thair, Johne Mcara sometyme in Downy and now in Midlethendy and Johne dow M'gilliechonneill in Keanadrochen Makand mentioune That whair in the moneth of August 1645 The saides defenderes with their complices and followeres came in ane hostile way Armed with warelyke furnitour to the saides landes of Abbottis¬dewglie and Classdewglie perteining to the saides Sir Johne Broune and Robert Hay And thair in a violent way took, spulzied, robbed and drave away The number of Cattell, horse, nolt and scheip efterspecifeit, aff the saides landes &c.-Whilkes horse, nolt, scheip and vtheres abovewritten are zit detenit be the saides defenderes, or sauld and disponed vpone be thame, And zit never redelyverit be thame to the perseweres And thairfore the Committee of Estaites Ordained Messingeres of Armes conjunctlie and severallie To Summond, warne and chairge the saides defenderes [page 107] To have compeired befoir the Estaites of parliament then ensewing - the Twentie third day of January last bypast With continuatioune of dayes &c And Siclyke to Sumond, warne and chairge witnesses to compeir befoir the saids Estates of parliament the said day - To beer Leill and suithfast witnessing, in the said mater - 'Whilk being called in face of Parliament vpone the said twentie third day of Januar &c And the saides Sir Johns Broune and Robert Hay Compeirand personallie for thameselvet and in name of thair saides tennentes And the saides Defenderes being called publictlie in presence of the saides haill memberes of parliament and at the vtter dore of the parliament hous and not compeirand The saides Estates of parliament did Remitt the said mater to the Committee of parliament appoynted for Bills - Wha haveing receaved sworne and examinat sundrie famous witnesses at severall dyetts and tymes efter calling of the saides haill defenderes And they not compeirand to object againes their receaveing Reported their opinione anent the said mater in face of parliament. With the Whilk Reporte of the Committee &~ The Estates of parliament being weill and ryplie advysed They find the foirsaid Summondes &c. sufficientlie proven - And halding the saides defenderes pro con¬fesses - And thairfore decernes and ordaines The foirnamed persones defenderes To redelyver &c. And ordaines letters of horning To pas and be direct heirvpone on ane simple chairge of fyftene dayes poyndeing and vtheres necessar in forme as effeirs." - Parliamentary Record, March 1649, Rescinded Acts. “1649. March 15th. "Act in favouris of George Buchannane fear of that Ilk. "The estates of parliament, Taking to their consideratioune The Supplicatioune given be George Buchannane fear of that ilk, Makand mentioune That James Grahame haveing conceaved ane deadly hatred and malice againes the said supplicant, for his fidelitie and constant service in the publict caus, sent some of the rebelles and took away the haill guids that wer vpone the supplicantes landes, and herried the same in august 1645 Lykas in November that same yeere he came againe with his haill forces, horse and foote and brunt and waisted his haill landes murdered and begg(ar)ed his freindes and tennentes man, wyff and childring without respect of sex or age besydes his hous. Whill the Estaites sent vp for the must pairt of their Armie vnder the Command of the Erle of Callander, Generall major Midletoune and generall major Howburne, who wer ey witnesses and forced the enemie to retire And thairefter ordanit the supplicant to keepe ane garisone in his hous for the vse of the publict. Lykas also the said James grahame in the moneth of Januar thairefter sent the Clangregour and the Macnabes to the rest of the supplicantes landes of Stroshire, Strathire, and vtheris in Perth and Stirling Schires possest thamselves thairin, herrieing and waisteing all whaerever they came placed tennentes of thair owne and removed his exacted in his laite Majesties’s name The haill few dewties at ten merk alledging thame to have ane gift thairof wherby ever since the supplicantes haill landis hes bene altogether vnproffitable to him &c., &c., &c."~Parliamentary Record. "April 30th. "Duncan McGregor alias McChallum Bayne in Aulich & Grissell Stewart his spouse had a Charter dated 30th April 1649, proceeding on a Contract of Wadsett of the same date, from Neill Stewart of Granich, with consent of Grissell Farquhar. sone, his spouse, of the lands of Aulich, under reversion of £1000 Scots; they were [page 108] infeoffed 1st May following."-Sasine recorded 20th May 1649. Particular Register of Sasines, Perth. “August. "In an Act of the Committee of Estates for citing a number of Robertsons, Stewarts, and others of the proprietors in Athole, to appear before the Committee on 30th instant to underly such order as shall be prescribed to them touching their keeping the peace of the kingdom, one of the persons to be cited is‘Jeane Campbell relict of umqle Patrik Murray Laird of McGregour.’ In a similar Act, of the same date, for citing Lord Drummond and others, the following are to be cited to the Same effect "Duncan McGregour in the Shereff Moore of Lerchwood, Angus and John roy Mcindowlaches in Rannoch, and a few other obscure MacGregors."-Record of Committee of Estates, vol. from January to November 1649. To understand the persons mentioned we must now turn to IX. James MacGregor of that Ilk, only son of Patrick Roy Macgregor, Representative of Glenstray. He was very young at the time of his father's death, ie. before August 1649, as is shown by the mention of Patrick's widow in the previous entry. His tutor was Malcolm McGregor, alias Douglas, son and heir of Duncan McEwne, the tutor to Gregor MacGregor, or John Murray of Glenstray, who was uncle to James. The latter resided during his minority at the Hall in the Isle of Loch Rannoch, the authority for this statement being the" Mercurius Politicus," Cromwell's State Gazette, under date 30th July 1653; and from the mention of this residence it may be inferred that his father had successfully held some of the "Rowmes" in Rannoch, of the manner of claiming which Sir Alexander Menzies of Weyme had complained in 1641. James is probably the "Laird of Macgregor" mentioned with other Macgregors as the subjects of a Commission of Fire and Sword given to Sir James Campbell of Laweris, 23rd September 1679. In 1671, 4th June, at "Kilmorie"on Loch Fyne, he entered into a Bond of Friendship with Lauchlan McFingon of Strathordell in Skye, Chief of the McKinnons, in which they acknowledged that they were "descended lawfully from twa Brether of Auld Descent." The following is the text of this instrument “At Kilmorie, the 6th day of June, one thousand six hundred and seventy-one years; [page 109] it is mutually agreed and condescended betwixt the honourable persons underwritten; to wit, James MacGregor of that Ilk, on the one part, and Lauchlan Macfingon of Strathardill, on the other part, in manner and to the effect under written. That is to say, for the special love and amitie between these persons, and condescending that they are descended lawfully from twa brether of auld descent, quhairfore, and for certain onerous causes moving, we witt ye, we to be bound and obliged; Likeas, be the tenor hereof, we faithfully bind and oblise us, and our successors, our kin, friends and followers, faithfully to serve ane anuther in all causes, with our men and servants, against all wha live or die, the King's highness only excepted, and to own all gude friendship ane to aneother, during all the days of our lifetime, and to maintain ane anuthers quarrel, hinc inde, reserving his Highness's interest as said is And this obligement is hereby declared to be for the behoof of all our Kinsfolk, as is allenarly to ourselves. Whereat, we by our oaths and suberscriptions, oblise us to abide firm and stable, under all hazard of disgrace and infamy. In witness quhairof, we have subscribed thir presents with our hands, day, year, and place, above written, before these witnesses, Patrick MacGregor of Cornleath, Duncan MacGregor of Ardrostan, Alexander Macgregor servitor to the Laird of MacGregor, Lauchlan Mackinnon of Gamboll, Charles Mackinnon his brother, Hector Mackinnon of Borraig and Lauchlan Mackinnon his brother. (Signed) "Ja. Macgregor Lach. Macfingon Patrick Macgregor, witness Lauchlan Mackinnon, witness Duncan Macgregor, witness Charles Mackinnon, witness. Alexander Macgregor, witness Hugh Mackinnon, witness Lauchlan Mackinnon, witness This instrument is printed in Douglas's " Baronage," but by error it is there dated 1571 instead of 1671, a mistake which led to considerable confusion as is shown in Vol. I. of this history, page 45. [1] In the same month as this agreement was signed James MacGregor witnessed a Renunciation by his sister Jean McGregor, relict of Allan Cameron in favour of her late husband's brother, Ewin Cameron [page 110] of Locheil. James MacGregor does not appear to have married, and the exact date of his death is unknown. As he left no children, the male line of Gregor Roy nam Bassingheal, became extinct in the third generation, and the succession reverted to the Descendant of Gregor Roy's brother, viz. Gregor son of Malcolm son of Duncan son of Ewin tutor of Allaster. It is desirable to carry on the descendants of Ewin the Tutor to the period now under consideration. Ewin, Tutor of Glenstray, 3rd son of Allaster Macgregor of Glenstray, Generation V. He is frequently mentioned in Vol. I. In 1563-4 as "brether of Gregour McGregour alias Laird McGregour.” In January 1584-5, as Tutor of Glenstray he was summoned to appear personally before the King and Council to answer some inquiries regarding the means of suppressing "broken men." The last mention to be found of him is in a Deed, dated 22nd December 1587, at Balloch, which is witnessed by "Ewine McGregour Tutour of Glenstray." Register of Deeds, 18th June 1591. The tutorship became hereditary in his family for three generations. He had three lawful sons, viz.:- 1. Gregor McEwin in Moirinsche on Loch Tay side, this place had been previously in the occupation of a branch of the Roro family, and there is no evidence as to how it changed hands. In the Records Gregor's relationship to the Tutor is not specially mentioned but it may be clearly inferred. He was one of the principal persons chosen to be answerable for the good rule of the Clan in a Bond, dated 22nd April 1601, where his name appears first on the list: "Gregour McEwne VcGregour …. sall be ansuerable for himself and for all discendit, and to discend of umquhile Ewne McGregour, his Fader." As "Gregor McEwne in Moirinche”, he is mentioned with his brothers John Dow, and Duncan in a list of persons for whom Colquhoun of Luss urged Argyle was answerable 25th November 1602.- In the Black Book of Taymouth "Gregour McEwin VcGregour in Moirinsehe" is entered 2nd on the list of those executed 1604 with Allaster of Glenstray. He is not known to havc left any issue. 2. John Dhu McEwin, mentioned in the Records of the Privy Council, 25th November 1602 with his brothers. On the 17th February 1604 [page 111] he was tried and executed along with eight other victims at the “Mercait¬ croce" of Edinburgh. He seems to have left a son,:- Allaster McEandowie alias McGregor for whom Walter McAulay of Ardincaple and William Stirling of Auchyle were sureties to the High Court of Justiciary, 5th February 1637, for keeping the peace. VII. Duncan McEwin, alias Douglas, of Moirinsche, Tutor of Glenstray, he was the 3rd son of Ewin the Tutor and, after the execution of his two brothers in 1604, he was the nearest male relation to the sons of John Dhu na Luarag, and their second cousin. He is several times mentioned in the Records as "now callit the Laird" to the exclusion of his ward. He appears to have headed the Clan in every adventure in 1610 and 1611, and his name appears first on the list of those for the murder of whom the pardon of all past faults was promised. In November 1611, "in regard he was chief of thame and breker of their Society" he was pardoned, and Argyll became his surety. On the 30th of December same year he assumed, in presence of the Council, the name of Douglas, [2] possibly in compliment to the Countess of Argyll who was Lady Margaret Douglas, daughter of the Earl of Morton. Duncan McEwin married early in 1603, Margaret Macfarlan, daughter of Malcolm Macfarlan of Gartatan. He left two sons. 1. Malcolm, of whom later. 2. Ewin, or Hew, noticed in Record 31st March 1651 as Ewin McCondochenin, when he joined in a Petition by his elder brother to King Charles II. He appears about this time to have been styled Colonel, as in a Charter by Colin Campbell of Mochaster to Patrick Roy McGregor of the Lands of Corriechrombie, [3] 16th June 1655, one of the witnesses is Robert Clerk, Quartermaster to "Hew Colonell McGregor. - In Particular Register of Sasines, Stirlingshire, October 1666. In 1656, 27th March, Hugh McGrigor in Kirkhill entered into a con¬tract of marriage with Mary Napier, daughter of William Napier of Ardinmoir. [page 112] Five years previously, this William Napier had granted to "Hugh McGregor Brother to Malcolm McGregor in Stuckinroy an obliga¬tion for 500 merks" and on 7th July 1657 also to "Hew McGregor son-in-law to the said William another obligation." "Captain Hew McGregor acted as Captain of an armed Watch for protecting the cattle of the Lennox, east and south of Loch Lomond, and the Justices of the Peace at the Quarter Sessions at Stirling, 3rd February 1659, [4] decreed that the inhabitants of certain parishes in Stirlingshire, should pay to him such sums as they had bound themselves to pay for protection. -Certified Extract of Minutes of Justices at this date, quoted by Mr Macgregor Stirling as being in the possession of Archibald Edmon¬stone of Spittal 1831. "Hugh McGregor in Craigiverne" which then belonged to his wife's uncle, the first Lord Napier, had a charter from James, 2nd Earl of Montrose, in 1659, of the Twenty shilling land of Kilmanan, in the Barony of Mugdock, Stirlingshire, to him in liferent and to his son John in fee - Register of Sasines, January 22nd, 1662, Hugh Macgregor with Mary Napier, his spouse, had a charter of the Park of Drumquhassell, in the Parish of Drymen, from William Napier, portioner of the same. In November 1662 ‘Ewne McGregor of Kilmanan' granted an obligation to Archibald Stewart of Scotstown. The date of Ewne's death does not appear, he had two sons- 1. John M'Gregor of Kilmanan, whose natural daughter and only child "Jean" had of her father an heritable bond, dated at Kierhill, 21st October 1673, to her in liferent, and to John Buchanan, younger of Carbeth in fee, of an annuity of £20 acute out of the lands of Kilmanan. 2. Archibald, of whom later. VIII. Malcolm MacGregor of Ewir, as he was latterly called, surnamed Douglas, succeeded to his father, Duncan McEwin or Douglas of Moirinch in the office of Tutor of Glenstray before 28th August 1649, [page 113] on which day he appears on record as "Kallum McConnochie VcEwin Tutor to the children of umquhile, the Laird of MacGregor." - Register of Committee of Estates. The names of the wards were: James, IX, Representative of Glenstray and his sister Jean. In 1651, March, "Calum McCondachie VcEwin” with his brother "Ewin McCondochenin petitioned King Charles II. stating on behalf of the whole name of McGregor, that they having been appointed, by the Marquis of Argyll, and Lt-General David Leslie, to defend the Passes at the Heads of Forth, had contrary to the Act of Levy, which ordained that "all Clans should come out under their respective Chieftains, been daily troubled by the Earl of Atholl and the Laird of Buchanan, for additional men, drafted from them, and praying that their men might be restored, and the Clan have a quarter assigned them for their entertainment, which petition was remitted to the Committee of Estates." - Record of the Scottish Parliament, 31st March 1651. "1653. At the Battle of Aberfoyle, the Tutor at the head of a small force served under the Earl of Glencairn. "October 5th. King Charles II. issued a warrant to the "Tutor of MacGregor" dated at Chantilly, to raise his friends and followers in His Majesty's defence." - Transumpt in the collections of MacGregor of Baihaldies, and of which the original was in those of MacGregor of Kilmanan. [5] 1655, 24th October, "Malcolm, Tutor of McGregor and the Laird of Buchanan signed jointly a Condescendence at Callander to adjust an old quarrel betwixt certain of the MacGregors and certain of the Buchannans. - Original in the possession of Hamilton of Bardowie or Buchanan of Leny. 1661. 1st October. Malcolm McGregor, eldest son of Duncan Mac¬Gregor alias Douglas, Tutor to the Laird of McGregor, "Gregor McGregor of Roro, and Patrick Drummond alias McGregor in Dundurn" had a decree passed against them, as "Chieftains" for neglecting to obey a citation, 2nd August preceeding, to find security in terms of the General Band. -Record of Secret Council. 1662. "Malcolm McGregor, Tutor to the Laird of McGregor,” Callum [page 114] and Ewin McGregors, and several others under their command cited to appear before the Council, 12th June 1662. His residence, 21st Nov. 1651, was Stuckinroy on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, and western shoulder of Ben Lomond. Obligation of this date cited in the account of his brother 1659, 8th December. "Malcolm McGregor in Dow of Glengyle" obtained of John Buchanan of that Ilk for 1000 merks, a few Charter of the lands of Portnellan in the Parish of Callander, but the sale does not appear to have been completed. - Leny Papers. On the 20th March 1667 he renounced an annual rent from his mother's family to …. Macfarlan of Gartatan. Malcolm married Mary Campbell, Relict of John McNab of Bovaine, who fell at the Battle of Worcester, 3rd September 1651, and daughter of Campbell of Glenlyon. In 1663, 6th March, " Malcolm McGregor, Tutor to James MacGregor of that Ilk," and his wife had a disposition from Alexander McNab of Bovaine in conjunct liferent and to the said Alexander in fee of the two Merkland of Ewir in Glen Dochart, held of the Laird of Glenurquhay. This was in compensation for the 6 Merkland of Kinnell in Glendochart, which the lady had by marriage contract, but resigned to her son by her first marriage. Malcolm McGregor alias Douglas left one son – Gregor, his successor, who eventually succeeded also to his distant cousin James Laird of MacGregor. |
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[1] A letter from Mr McGregor Stirling to Sir Evan Murray MacGregor, dated 14th ApriI 1825, and quoted in vol I at page 45, explains "The accident of an inaccurate copy of a voucher dated 1571, instead of 1671 has in the printed history of the Gregorian race, perplexed the genealogist for more than a century" [2] See Record of Privy Council. 9th June 1618, quoted vol.1. page 439. chapter 34 volume 1 Chapter 34 [3] Not Patrick, Laird of MacGregor, who died before 1649. [4] In a memorandum received by Sir John MacGregor Murray in November, 1817, the following page occurs: "The Captain McGregor to whom, petition the Justices of the Peace in Stirling on the 3rd Feb. 1658-9 gave a favourable answer, was, Hew MacGregor. The ministger of Strath¬blane by whom a report was made of the Minute of the Quarter Session, in the statistical work had not been able to decypher the Captain's christian name, and in spite of chronological improbability made him Roy Roy! The name was afterwards decyphered by the Rev. Dr Macfarlane of Drymen, who made a faithful copy of the whole." [5] Mr MacGregor Stirling quotes this in his MS. Memoir of Glenstray |