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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Aberdeenshire => Topic started by: cutter43 on Tuesday 24 April 07 19:29 BST (UK)
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I would be very appreciative if someone was able to validate and/or add any information concerning family.
Alexander MacDonald's children were born in Scotland, they are Eleanor (Nelly), Margaret (Peggy), Sarah and John, who was born February 6, 1733 or 1744 in Ellon Scotland, they all traveled with him to Virginia.
It is stated Alexander MacDonald purchased land from Aberdeen in 1746 according to Ransom McBride's list of Scottish Rebel Prisoners and transported to America, after the aftermath of Culloden in 1746. Alexander was deported to Falmouth Virginia near Cedar Mountain. There were a total of 81 passengers on the ship 'Gildart', Captain: Richard Holme, which left Liverpool on 5 May 1747, arrived 5 Aug 1747 Port North, Potomac, Maryland.
Thanks in advance from the colonies
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I had a look on
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~hughwallis/IGIBatchNumbers/CountyAberdeen.htm#E
and found
John Mcdonald bap 6Feb 1734 Ellon
female (no name) McDonald bap 20 August 1738 Ellon
Both to Alexr McDonald
also
Alexr McDonald married Janet Donaldson 23 Jun 1730 Ellon.
Am originally myself an Ellon quine (girl!).
Trish
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I have been mulling over your McDonalds because they (obviously) would originally have come from the Highlands and Islands, particularly the Western Isles. There wouldn't have been many in Ellon at this time, so you could be pretty confident the McDonalds mentioned in the IGI would be 'yours'. I note that a John McDonald was having children around the same time as Alexander so I guess there is a possibility they were brothers.
In the 1696 Poll Book for Ellon there are no McDonalds - indeed there are only a handful of people with any Mc or Mac surname. (However, I should also say that this doesn't mean they weren't there at the time, as people in my tree who should have been in a certain Parish in 1696, were not always in the Poll Books.)
There were Donaldsons in Ellon at that time.
I have a book 'A History of the Burgh and Parish of Ellon, Aberdeenshire,' by James Godsman which has a chapter 'A short record of the tenantry'. It isn't particulary short and it's not indexed, but knowing the comparatively early date was helpful. However, there was no mention of any McDonalds as tenant farmers. I had been hopeful as Godsman does mention quite a few non-tenants who had Jacobite sympathies, but no luck.
One last thought : Eleanor would have been an unusual given name in Ellon at the time, so perhaps was a McDonald family name?
Also, if you wanted to know where in the Parish Alexander was when the children were born, it would be worth buying a few credits on Scotland's People to look at the originals. Often, although the mother wasn't important enough to be mentioned when the baptism was recorded, the farm was eg Alexr McDonald in (wherever) had a son baptised...etc. Marriages tend just to say 'of this Parish', but you never know. Or maybe someone here with a few spare credits could look for you?
Trish
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Hi Trish,
Thanks so much for your efforts and your response was not unexpected. Yes, family lore states we are from the highlands and from Clan Glencoe. Another family member provided the following.
“Alexander McDonald is, by way of family legend, the grandson of the McDonald Clan of Glencoe chiefton, Alexander. There is disparity however over which of this Alexander's two sons, Alexander 2 or John, fathered Alexander McDonald. Some sources site Alexander 2 as the father, while others site his brother John. Both brothers were present and participated in the defense of the infamous Glencoe Massacre (1690).” Our records suggest Alexr was born about 1710-1715.
I felt it might be easier to trace family from Ellon based on information given as fact. However, what is known is Alexr married Isabella (Isobel) Mclaughlin, December 12, 1720, Old Parrish, Greenock, Renfrewshire. Then the question becomes why would the family leave the clan and travel from Greenock to Ellon? That’s a long way on foot! Perhaps I should focus my attention in Renfrewshire.
Based on the above, the John you so kindly uncovered could not be the son due to mother (Janet). By the way, it is John A. MacDonald (McDonald). Also, Isabella died in America. And, as you point out, the John McDonald having children at the same time could very well have been Alexr’s brother.
Another source provided “Macdonald, Alexander of Aberdeen (Male) Date: 1744 Occupation(s): merchant, commerce(s) Subscribed to The ancient Liturgy of the Church of Jerusalem, 1744, RATTRAY, Thomas. London, Subject: religion”
So, we have Alexr in Ellon and/or Aberdeen, leaves wife and 4 children, supposedly participates in the battle of Culloden, comes back to Aberdeen and purchases land in 1746. Then the question is why and how could he do this knowing he is being hunted for his activity at Culloden? Gets caught, is moved from Aberdeen to Liverpool for transportation on the Gildart, and sent to America. Are there any records that would substantiate his capture and transportation from Aberdeen?
I’m not confused at all. One would think uncovering facts would be simple. It’s only been 260 years (grin).
Trish, thanks again and any further help or guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Jim McDonald
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Hi Jim McDonald
Having a Grannie McDonald that came from Foveran, near Ellon Aberdeenshire - only later 1800s, I was just wondering how the family name/connection has gotten on over there in North America? Has the family stayed around the same area, or moved around quite a bit?
Also, my Grannie's father was named Alexander McDonald. :D
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Hello,
Alexander was deported to the colonies on the ship 'Gildart' after the aftermath of and his participation at Culloden in 1746. The Gildart left Liverpool on 5 May 1747, arrived 5 Aug 1747 Port North, Potomac, Maryland.
The McDonnald-MacDonald-McDannald-McDonald-McDaniel (variations of name) descendents are spread all over the United States today. Primary locations until about 1880 were Culpeper County, Virginia and Montgomery County, Kentucky.
Regards
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Hi Cutter,
I know that 50 or more Jacobite prisoners were held in Aberdeen at the Tollbooth after Culloden. It is now a Museum and they might have names or details.
Tolbooth Museum
Castle Street
Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
AB11 5BQ
Tel: (01224) 621167
Regards,
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Thanks,
I'll contact them.
Regards
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Hi Cutter,
Did you get anywhere with the Tolbooth?
Seemingly there is a book with names which might be of help;
"No Quarter Given"
The Muster Roll of Prince Charles Edward Stuart's Army 1745-1746
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Hi,
Thanks for asking. No, I've been busy with other projects and haven't had the time to investigate. I did send an email to the Tolbooth but did not receive a reply. There was a grad student I was trying to reach that was giving a lecture on the Tolbooth prisoners.
Regards,
Jim
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Hi all.
My ancestors were also from Aberdeenshire. The earliest I've traced is a William McDonald, who married Barbara Mitchell in Lonmay in 1789. The family stayed in the Lonmay/Rathen/Strichen area until the 1850s when they moved south towards Longside and eventually Ellon.
I too am curious as to how they got there and intrigued by the possibility that one or more McDonalds were held in Aberdeen after Culloden. The verbal history in our family says that we came to Aberdeenshire from Wester Ross during the 18th century, but I have no real evidence for that.
Checking the OPRs shows that there are many hundreds of McDonald births in the 18th century in Aberdeenshire, and given that registration was patchy at the time, it would be fairly unsafe to make any assumptions about how connected any two McDonalds were.
By the way, there is a testament for an Alexander McDonald ( Merchant of Aberdeen, died 1773) available on Scotlands People which sounds like it could be the same person.
Cheers
Colin McDonald
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Thanks Colin.
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Great stuff Colin, you tracing your McDonald ancestry back to 1789. Just how did you get that far back! Do you live in the area, or have some family records to help you?
Best regards
Anne :)
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No I don't live that close - it's all down to spending hours and hours (and a fair few pounds) on Scotlands People, the IGI and Ancestry.
Cheers
Colin
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I have been mulling over your McDonalds because they (obviously) would originally have come from the Highlands and Islands, particularly the Western Isles. There wouldn't have been many in Ellon at this time, so you could be pretty confident the McDonalds mentioned in the IGI would be 'yours'. I note that a John McDonald was having children around the same time as Alexander so I guess there is a possibility they were brothers.
In the 1696 Poll Book for Ellon there are no McDonalds - indeed there are only a handful of people with any Mc or Mac surname. (However, I should also say that this doesn't mean they weren't there at the time, as people in my tree who should have been in a certain Parish in 1696, were not always in the Poll Books.)
There were Donaldsons in Ellon at that time.
I have a book 'A History of the Burgh and Parish of Ellon, Aberdeenshire,' by James Godsman which has a chapter 'A short record of the tenantry'. It isn't particulary short and it's not indexed, but knowing the comparatively early date was helpful. However, there was no mention of any McDonalds as tenant farmers. I had been hopeful as Godsman does mention quite a few non-tenants who had Jacobite sympathies, but no luck.
One last thought : Eleanor would have been an unusual given name in Ellon at the time, so perhaps was a McDonald family name?
Also, if you wanted to know where in the Parish Alexander was when the children were born, it would be worth buying a few credits on Scotland's People to look at the originals. Often, although the mother wasn't important enough to be mentioned when the baptism was recorded, the farm was eg Alexr McDonald in (wherever) had a son baptised...etc. Marriages tend just to say 'of this Parish', but you never know. Or maybe someone here with a few spare credits could look for you?
Trish
Hi Trish,
There is a on-line book (google books) "Historical papers relating to the Jacobite period, 1699-1750, Colonel James Allardyce, LL.D, Volume First", that has provided enormous information.
Because of the above, I'm getting closer as Alexr. was not at Culloden because he was imprisoned in the Aberdeen Tolbooth on 8 April 1746, eight days before Culloden. His charge was harbouring a Jacobite rebel (From researcher at the Tolbooth).
He was listed as a merchant.
Also, there were two Alexander McDonald's as residents of Aberdeen on 28 December 1745.
That gives me concern whether the John born in Ellon is our John.
Also (but not verified for our Alexander),
Macdonald, Alexander of Aberdeen (Male) Date: 1744 Occupation(s): merchant, commerce(s) Subscribed to The ancient Liturgy of the Church of Jerusalem, 1744, RATTRAY, Thomas. London, Subject: religion.
In Frances J. McDonnell's "Roll of Apprentices, Burgh of Aberdeen, 1700 - 1750", there is an Alexander McDonald, son of the late Duncan McDonald who was a farmer in Killeyn Parish, apprenticed to Thomas Niven, merchant for 4 years - no fee. Mr. Alexander Keith, minister at Cruden, cautioner.
Trish, is there someone who would be willing to volunteer to determine the above is our Alexander and if possible determine his birth and location? (it is said to be in Aberdeen, Jan 14, 1695/1695). I have checked all IGI records with no luck.
Alexr. was treated as a Jacobite and transported to the colonies from Liverpool on 5 May 1747. When/how was he transported from Aberdeen to Liverpool? Did his family accompany him or?
So many questions huh?
May 2008 be kind to you.
Jim
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Jim,
Thought this Rootscaht post with be of interest
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,289273.0.html
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hi everyone, I have been searching for my own family hiistory and stumbled apon this page, I think some of you are distantly related to myself and thought I would add what info I know in the hope it may help us all.
In regards to the name Alexander Macdonald, in my line of the family the name Alexander is always given to the first born son.
I'm Alexander Stuart MacDonald
father was Alexander Malcolm MacDonald
grandfather was Alexander Macrae (or McRae) MacDonald
As a child I was taught to write our name as MacDonald with the capitol D signifying which branch of the family I am from.
Grandfather served in WW2 wihtt he Gordon Highlanders and married my grandmoster Elizabeth Lewis. I live in Australia, our branch came here from Aberdeen, Scotland in the 1960's but are all now deceased, unfortunately I was not interested in our history when younger so I didnt ask the questions that I should of when I had the chance, if my info matches with any of yours or if you have any info which could tell me more about who I am please let me know.
Regards and Thanks in Advance
Alexander Stuart MaDonald
P.S
I became interested in this after moving to a small country town of 500 people her in inland Australia where I met a man who looks like my father. When I asked his name he replied he is Mason MacDonald but showed no interest or curiosity even after I showed him a photo of my father and his wife even commenting on the huge similarity in appearance.