Ellon, Aberdeenshire Lookup - MACDONALD - 1733 - 1744

[cutter43]

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

[trishmac]

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

[trishmac]

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

[cutter43]

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

[atom12]

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. 

[cutter43]

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

[Grothenwell]

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,

[cutter43]

Thanks,

I'll contact them.

Regards

[Grothenwell]

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