A Footnote to "An 18th Century Letter from
Campbeltown to America"
The Magazine - Hard Copy Issue 14, Page 21 / WebEdition 14, Page
5
Subj: Letter from Campbeltown, etc
Date: 2 1/08/98 12:25:14 GMT
From: fpm9944@ix.netcom.com (Frances Morrison)
Reply-to: fpm9944@ix.netcom.com
To: KintyreMag@aol. com
Hi - and Good Morning!
Really NICE site - I particularly appreciate it because (supposedly) 3 Morrison
brothers b Kintyre, Campbeltown c 1726-30. They were also supposedly in PA
for a while, and ended up definitely NC, then Mecklenburg Co., by 1766-71.
I am writing, however, to add a footnote to your explanation of letter’s
recipient address
http://www.ndirect.co.uk/~iforshaw/Mag14/14page5.html
which states “Peacbottom Ferry, (near Slate ridge Meeting House, York
Co., Merryland [sic]
I am almost positive this is really Pennsylvania! - there is/was, in York
Co. PA, a Peachbottom Ferry, a Slate Ridge Presbyterian Church. In fact,
this area of PA is currently under investigation by me in an effort to find
our Morrison brothers c 1750’s. We HAVE established some Kintyre residents
in this area around this time; these also have later ended up in Mecklenburg
(now Cabarrus) Co. NC. The confusion between MD and PA is quite understandable
- this area is on the border of the two states; and for many years each state
claimed land between them which went into PA and into MD for some miles.
First land-holders in this area, however do not show name Galbraith (in any
variation), but, then, 1791 is very late - most incomers came in the 1730-60
time frame.
Sincerely,
Frances Morrison
Frances P. Morrison - fpm9944@ix.netcom.com
Web sites for Palmer, Morrison, Perry Co AL:
http://pw2.netcom.com?~fpm9944/index.html
Web site for Mongtomery Co PA:
http://www.rootsweb.com?~pamontgo/montgomery.htm
( I replied, thanking Frances
for the information, and this came back. I like to think that there are readers
of The Magazine out there who might be able to assist Frances. - Ian
)
Hi Ian and Good Morning again!
.........This MD/PA/DE and sometimes even VA conflict of that part of
the US is a real pain - the records are widely dispersed, what with state
capitals and also one can waste a lot of time looking in the wrong place!
After I wrote you, yesterday, I bethought myself of something I feel is really
necessary in ferreting out information about Kintyre. When one reads the
general history - History of Scotland, and even “Kintyre in 17th
Century” the author/s refer to “Archibald, the XX Earl” or
“John the XX Duke” and/or “Argyll” or “the Earl”
or “the Marquis”and then, of course, utter confusion reigns with
“Lord Lorne”, “Eighth Earl” and “First Marquess”
and “Archibald Campbell” !!!! the last 4 all the same person, right?
It has taken me some time to start putting together an order; not sure if
it’s correct, and sure would help if SOMEONE could straighten it out!
This poor ‘colonial’ really needs help. I gather Campbell is the
family name of the holders of the Argyll title/s; the British have a habit
of calling someone by their title, rather than name, and by the title they
are holding at the moment, rather than the one they are best known by (which
I’m sure is correct, but...). It would also help if the dates were known
(when he was born/died! and then when he held title). Finally, a short biography
(with emphasis on home, i.e. Argyllshire and Kintyre information) would be
great viz:
“Archibald Campbell(1607-1661), Lord Lorne, 8th Earl, 1st Marquess,
powerful Presbyterian leader; crowned Charles II in Scotland in xxxx; responsible
for xx, xxx, and xxx; executed for treason by xxxx; suceeded by his son,
Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl.” Ref: McKerral, Dictionary of Scotish
Biography, etc.”
[IS there a Dictionary of Scottish Biography???]
Since it is very difficult to recount the history of the Kintyre (and I’m sure Argyllshire!) without having a ‘guide’ to this family, you can see my need. I was bemused by how “close” history is to the British; when we visited several years ago, kings long dead were referred to as if they were in next room; events long distant were recounted as if yesterday’s news. So I’m sure British readers do not necessarily need this kind of genealogy/family chart - it is strictly for us colonials! ;-)
It also seems that the man is submerged by his title - I was at this for some time before I realized references to “the Campbells” and “Argyll” were the same! - does this mean that the “TITLE” does the work and is responsible for its actions, not the man? In that case, all we should do is strip the TITLE and not execute the man! - ah, well, a pecularily “American” way of looking at things, I’m sure.
Well, bent your ear more than I meant - should let you get on with your day. Thanks for listening.
Sincerely, Frances Morrison
Dear Ian,
Came across your website and The Kintyre Antiquarian and Natural History
Society Magazine. While browzing the back issues I read several very helpful
issues in researching my ancestor. Please tell me the connection between
the names MacDonald and MacConnell as they relate to the MacDonalds of Kintyre
and Islay. My research contends that they are one in the same. When reading
old sources they refer to the MacConnells of Kintyre. Doesn't this refer
to the same MacDonalds? Isn't this the Anglicized form of MacDonald? I've
always read that the MacConnells are decendants of Iain Mhor MacDonald, brother
of Donald of Harlaw. Are they connected to the MacDonalds of Largie?
Thanks so much for your work and the Magazine. It is a blessing.
Yours Aye,
George Ross McConnell
Charlotte, North Carolina
( There are questions there which I as a layman just cannot answer
but I'm sure that there are readers who can - Ian.)
A FITTING PUNISHMENT FOR AN ERRING HORSE ?
Dr. Helen Scott, who bought Macharioch House when
it was sold by the Duke of Northumberland, told me the following story. This
was formerly the house of the MacDonalds, and a MacDonald owner, of rather
a quick temper, was greatly annoyed when his horse broke into a field of
growing grain, probably not for the first time, and he ordered the horse
to be hung from a tree in the yard. In the yard there is the stump of a very
large tree which may have been the place of execution?
Machrioch House and Estate have been known by a number of names. It
was known as Sanda House, as it was the residence of the MacDonalds of Sanda,
and as Balleshare House when it was bought by MacDonald of Balleshare in
North Uist, and this name which lingered in the memories of local people
has been revived for a house, most beautifully converted from the stables
and coachhouse. The Estate has also been known as the “Pennyland
Estate” from one of its constituent farms.
A monument on the bent above the Macharioch shore was erected
by Ina, Duchess of Argyll, at the favourite spot where her busband, George,
8th Duke, used to sit.
Page 2: Half a Highlander / North Carolina 1739-1989 (short) / Ring Net Fishing (short)
Page 3: The Lowland Church Baptismal Basin / The Lowland Church Baptismal Laver
Page 4: Seventeenth Century Agricultural Tenancys in Kintyre
Page 5: A Miniature Volcano
Page 6: The Private Journal of Robert Picken, Smerby, 1810-1840
Page 7: After Culloden / A Melder Wi' the Miller
Page 8: By Hill and Shore - Another foray from the pen of Mr. Angus Martin
Page 10: Researching your Family History