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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Ross & Cromarty => Topic started by: Gwenn02 on Tuesday 11 April 23 23:40 BST (UK)
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On census 1851
I have this occupation listed for one of the ancestor:
Captain Kenneth MacLennan-
Farmer of 3 acres and ship owner.
I wanted to know if at the time it was considered poor or wealthy. Also I am confused with the difference between crofter and farmer.
Thank you in advance
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You have not said where this person lived, how old they were in 1851, but if they owned a ship, then I would assume they were wealthy.
A ‘crofter’ was someone who rented and worked a small farm - not wealthy. A farmer may have rented or owned the land. 3 acres was not much. Sometimes people called themselves a farmer, when they were really an agricultural labourer.
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The person was living in Applecross and was 51 year old at 1851 census.
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If I am looking at the right man (married to Isabella MacDonald) living in Applecross
In 1861 he was a crofter
In 1871 he was a fisherman
In 1881 he was a mariner in the mercantile service
In 1891 he was a crofter
He died in 1896 and is buried in Applecross Burial ground
I can’t see him in 1851 census.
Why do you think he was a ship owner?
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I'm not sure if he was a ship owner. This looks a little like Sheep to me. Maybe Neale might have a look. Also, he was 47 on the 1851.
Gadget
Maybe he meant a boat - needed in Applecross.
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shop owner ?? sheep owner ??? not confident in either.
Or yes, as Gadget suggests, perhaps he had a fishing boat.
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I've just noticed that the next household entry is for a McGregor family - the wife (absent husband) is described as a 'wife of a farmer and ship owner'
I think it is likely it meant boat rather than ship.
Gadget
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I’m not sure where I have got this from, but I think that at that time people often owned a share in a ship, so it doesn’t necessarily imply wealth.
Shorter Oxford Dictionary:
shipowner a person owning, or having a share in, a ship or ships
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Neighbour:
could the Gaelic for boat and ship be similar because there seem to be a lot of Ships in Applecross
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Digging deep into my memory of studying a crofting community a little further up the coast of R&C, I'd say that he was likely to be what was called a crofter/fisherman.
https://www.nwhgeopark.com/thriving-communities/crofting-fishing/
Gadget
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The location of Ardban, where they were living in 1851:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01s89/
It's to the south of Applecross village on what looks like a rugged promontory. That whole area is very rugged and remote. I remember driving over the Bealach na Ba for the first time in the 1980s*. It was a bit hairy, to say the least. The new coast road was being built at the time.
They would definitely need a boat!
Gadget
*time flies - it was the mid 1970s!
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I have this for census 1851 from a transcription
CENSUS 1851
Name: Kenneth McLennan
Age: 47 Estimated
Birth Year: abt 1804
Relationship: Head
Spouse's Name: Isabella
Gender: Male
Where born: Applecross, Ross
Parish Number: 58 Civil Parish: Applecross County: Ross and Cromarty
Address: Ardbam
Occupation: Farmer Of 3 Acres & Shipowner
ED: 1 Page: Household schedule number: 54 Line: 2 Roll: CSSCT1851_13
household : Kenneth, Isabella, Margaret McRae, servant, 19 y
If I am looking at the right man (married to Isabella MacDonald) living in Applecross
In 1861 he was a crofter
In 1871 he was a fisherman
In 1881 he was a mariner in the mercantile service
In 1891 he was a crofter
He died in 1896 and is buried in Applecross Burial ground
I can’t see him in 1851 census.
Why do you think he was a ship owner?
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Three acres would be a very small farm, might be more like a crofter's smallholding, just growing enough to keep a few families alive. Likewise the boat could be small, for fishing close to shore or crab/lobster pots.
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I think that whoever suggested 'shop' was right.