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Some years ago I found an old diary in the attic of the cottage where I used to live. It was written over one  month during 1908 by Margaret Cameron of Brack (which I take to be the name of a house) near Doune by Dunblane in Perthshire. In it there are references to several neighbours, relatives and school friends. I would estimate Margaret was about 14 years old at the time. There is little detail but I know that even  a passing reference is of great interest to us family historians. If you have an ancestor in this area at this time I can check to see if they are mentioned. There are also references to farms and hamlets in the area: The Bow, Deanston, Clarkton, Glenhead and others. I was informed by a distant relative of Margaret's that she did not marry. From the diary it seems she may have had siblings named Jany or Jenny, John, Archie and Christian. Somebody out there may be descended from one of them. The references are mostly of the kind: "Aunt J.A. is cutting potatoes with James Dunn in the kitchen." and "Aunt Maggie tells us that the little Watston ones have got the measles." "Annabel has quarreled with Connie Winter" and so on. The 28 April records a reference to "C.B.'s funeral" when "all the liberals agreed to take a holiday" (C.B.??).  On the 7th May she refers to "Shaw the grave digger hanging himself down in the cemetery."
Chirp

Hello there!



I'm new to this site so bear with me.


My mother's  great great grandfather was was John Murdoch and his brother was Thomas for whom my own brother is named. They were pistol makers in Doune at the end of the18th.Centuary.  I think John died in 1812 and was the last of the Scottish flintlock pistol makers.

The brothers had the destinction of being the makers of the pistols that fired 'the shot that was heard around the world' - the first shot fired in the  American War of Independence.  They were made for two british officers who were killed in battle.  The pistols were given to George Washington who later left them in his will to the Laffayette family.  The other pair are in the Lexington History Museum.

John had a son who went to Jamica and died there in about 1825.  he owned a plantation there which he named 'douine Castle.

The same Murdochs were the decendents of the builders of Doune castle which I think was built for the then Regent of Scotland.  His son was named Murdoch.  Perhaps that's where the name vcame from originally.  There were not a few illigitimii around in those days?

The other side of the family were Buchanans who were also pistol makers from Doune.  I don't know anything about them.  Can enyone help?


Sailorjim