Glen Discovery in GlenLyon
Discovery
About us
History
Contact

Amelia Volume 2 chapter 20

The Rising of 1715
[page 282]
Historical Sketch.

THE death of Queen Anne, August 1, 1714, ended all pensions given by her, but lent hope to the Stewart interest to which most of the Highland chiefs were in heart pledged. Immediately after the death of the Queen, Prince George, Elector of Brunswick Lunenburg, was proclaimed King, according to a previous Act of Settlement. James VIII. set off from his residence in Lorraine to Paris to crave the aid of Louis XIV., but the latter declined to interfere. Certain movements among the friends of the Chevalier in Scotland, indicated to the Government that an insurrection was intended. George I. arrived in England, Sep. 1714. On this occasion the Earl of Mar presented himself at Court, and many of the Highland Chiefs addressed to him a letter professing a welcome to the new King.

All the while preparations for an attempt in favour of the exiled monarch progressed, and the Earl of Mar, who had not been well received in London, in August 1715 set out for Scotland. A hunting party was convened at Aboyne which gave the Jacobite leaders an opportunity of meeting and concerting their future plans. The Marquis of Tullibardine arrived unexpectedly at Blair from London on the 13th August, but found his father bound to the service of George I. The Marquis and his brother, Lord George Murray, started again, ostensibly for Hamilton to visit their grandmother, but the first day went no farther than Faskally and thence to the meeting in Braemar. On Sep. 6 the Earl of Mar set up the Standard of King James VIII. at the Castleton of Braemar, and three days later issued a Declaration. On the 1st Sep. an event occurred very fatal to the success of the undertaking, viz. the death of Louis XIV. of France whose support at times had been very valuable [page 283] to the Jacobite cause. On receipt of this intelligence a Council of War was called, but the majority of the Jacobite leaders considered they had gone too far to recede with safety; an appeal to arms was therefore resolved upon and a manifesto issued. Lord Mar moved southward with his forces, and on Sep.28 took up his quarters in Perth. Early in October he sent 2020 men under Brigadier Mclntosh of Borlum to march through Fife, cross the Forth, and join the Jacobites who were gathering in the North of England. Part of the expedition was driven back from the Forth and two boatloads captured, amongst the captives was John Stewart of Glenbuckie in Balquhidder The party who succeeded in joining the English Jacobites eventually marched with them to Preston, but whilst they were there the town was invested by the Government troops who set fire to the outlying houses, and on the 14th Nov. induced the Jacobites to capitulate, a proceeding which enraged the Highlanders amongst them.

Meanwhile the Earl of Mar remained mostly at Perth. The Duke of Argyle had early in Sep. been appointed Generalissimo of the Govern¬ment army encamped at Stirling to oppose Mar and the Jacobite troops. General Gordon in support of the latter had raised the MacDonalds, MacLeans and Camerons, and marched towards Inverary, his “Black Camp," as it was styled, keeping the Campbells in perpetual alarm from trifling causes. But on one of these occasions, concluding from the amount of firing in the Castle of Inverary, that they had received re¬inforcements, General Gordon withdrew towards Perth.

From Rae’s History of the Rebellion, 1715. [1]  

"About the 6th of October the Earl of Hay was sent by the Duke of Argyle, his brother to command the loyal posse of that country, at the earnest desire of that people who requested that one of the stock of that family would come to head them. About the same time McDonald Captain of Clanronald with about 700 men came to Strathphillen in Perthshire where Glengarry, who sometime before was reinforced with 300 of the Mcgregours and Glencoe Men together inforc'd with the Rebels formerly with him, join'd him.
[page 284]
“This Clan of the McGregours had about the End of September, broke out in Rebellion under the Command of Gregor Mcgregiour of Glengyle, Nephew to that notorious Robber Rob Roy, and in a considerable Body made an excursion on their neighbours, especially on Buchannan and the Heads of Monteith, and, coming on them unawares disarmed them. Upon Michaelmas day they made themselves Masters of the Boats on the Water of Enrick and Loch Lomond, and about seventy men of them possessed themselves of Inchmurrin, a large Isle in the said Loch whence about midnight they came ashore on the Paroch of Bonhill three miles above Dumbarton but being alarmed by the ringing of bells in several paroches, and the discharge of two great Guns from the Castle of Dumbarton, to warn the country, they made haste to the boats and returned to the Isle where they did considerable Damage. And having taken up all the boats on the Loch and drawn them up on the land at Innersnait, soon after they went in a body, with their fellows to Mar's Camp, but in a few days after, returned to Craig¬royston and the adjacent places on the North-East side of LochLomond, where they mustered their forces, on the 10th October. Upon this it was resolved by his Majesty's friends in those parts, to retake the Boats from them, if possible, by which they kept the country round in a terrour, not knowing where they might make their Descent In order to which, three long Boats and four Pinnaces were brought from the Men of War then lying in the Firth of Clyde with four Pateraroes, two gunners, and about 100 Seamen, stout and well armed, under the command of Captain Field, Captain Parker, and four Lieutenants, and a large Boat with two screw Guns under the command of Captain Clark, came over from New-Port-Glasgow and rendezvoused with them at the Key of Dumbarton, on the 11th at night; and being joined by three large Boats belonging to that place, next morning about Nine of the Clock they put off from the Key, and being drawn up the River Levin, by Horses, to the Mouth of the Loch, the Pasley Volunteers, in number about 120 Men, commanded by Captain Finlayson, assisted by Captain Scot, a half Pay Officer, who had been posted at Dumharton for some time before, and as many more as the Boats could conveniently stow, went on Board. And at the same time the Dumbarton Men, under the command of David Colquhoun and James Duncanson of Garshaik, Magistrates of that Burgh, with the Men of Easter and Wester Kilpatrick, Rosneith, Rew, and those of Cardross, marched on Foot up the North-West Side of the Loch and after them on Horseback the Honourable Master John Campbell of Mamore, uncle to His Grace the Duke of Argyle, attended by a fine train of the Gentlemen of the Shire, viz Archibald Mcaulay of Ardincaple, Aulay McAulay his eldest son, George Naper of Kilmahew, Walter Graham of Kilmadinny, John Colquhoun of Craigtoun, James Stirling of Law, James Hamilton of Barns, with many others, well mounted and armed."
[page 285]
“At Night they arrived at Luss, where they were joined by Sir Humphrey Colquhoun of Luss and James Grant of Pluscarden his Son-in-law, followed by forty or fifty stately fellows in their short hose and Belted Plaids, armed each of them with a well fix'd Gun on his shoulder, a strong handsome target, with a sharp pointed steel of above half an ell in length screwed into the Naval of it, on his left Arm; a sturdy Claymore by his side, and a pistol or two with a Durk and Knife on his Belt. Here the whole company rested all night, and on the Morrow being Thursday the 13th, they went on in their expedition, and about noon came to Innersnait, the Place of Danger, where the Pasley Men, and those of Dumbarton, and several of the other companies, to the number of 100 men, with the greatest Intrepidity leap'd on shore, got up to the Top of the Mountains, and stood a considerable time beating thier Drums all the while, but no Enemy appearing, they went on in quest of their Boats, which the Rebels had seized, and having casually lighted on some Ropes, Anchors, and Oars hid among the Shrubs; at length they found the Boats drawn up a good way on the Land, which they hurled down to the Loch; Such of them as were not damaged, they carried off with them and such as were they sunk or hewed in pieces, The same night they returned to Luss and thence next day to Dumbarton, from whence they had first set out, bringing along with them the whole Boats they found in their Way, on either side of the Loch, and in the Creeks of the Isles, and moored them under the Canon of the Castle.

During this expedition, the Pinnaces discharging their pateraroes, and the Men their small arms, made such a thundering Noise through the multiplied rebounding Echoes of the vast mountains on both sides of the Loch, that the Mcgregiours were cowed and frighted away to the rest of the Rebels, who were encamped at Strathphillen, about 16 miles away from the Head of the Loch, where, being all joined as above, they continued till the 18th of October: about which time they were also joined by Stuart of Appin with 250 men, Sir John McLean with 400, McDougal of Lorn with about 50, and a part of Breadalbine's Men, making up by the modestest computation 2400 Men."

The continuation relates to the general history of the campaign, the Rev. narrator of the Loch Lomond pursuit, though faithful in the main facts, probably drew a good deal on his own imagination as to the effect produced on Glengyle’s men by the hideous noises of the "Pateraroes." The Earl of Seaforth, with the northern Clans, reached Perth early in Nov. [2]   General Gordon by that time had reached Drummond Castle on his return from Inveraray with the Western Clans on the way to Perth. Mar dispatched an Express to him instructing him to join the main Highland army [page 286] on the March to Dunblane, it having been resolved in a Council of War on the 9th Nov. to leave Perth. Accordingly the Army marched to Auchterarder on the 10th and was joined by General Gordon on the 11th; the Earl of Mar ordered Gordon with 3000 men of the Clans and some horse, on the 12th, to go forward and take possession of Dunblane; whilst the rest of the Army were ordered to parade on the Muir of Tullibardine, and the Earl of Mar went to Drummond Castle to have an interview with the Earl of Breadalbane. Argyle's forces had been almost doubled by reinforcements from Ireland, and he had received intelligence of Mar's advance from his spies, but not being strong enough to hold the Forth, which was now beginning to freeze, he determined to offer battle to the enemy before they could reach the river. His advance guard seized Dunblane; Gordon, on learn¬ing this, halted and sent an express to General Hamilton who forwarded it to Mar, and halted near the Roman Camp at Ardoch. On Mar's return, the Jacobites marched to the Bridge of Kinbuck, while Argyle formed his army in battle array on a rising ground above the house of Kippen¬ross. The two armies bivouacked within three miles of each other, only separated by the Sheriffmuir, but Mar was completely ignorant of Argyle's close vicinity, imagining him to be still at Dunblane. On the 13th Nov. 1715, the Battle of Sheriffmuir commenced. The results of the Action were undecisive, the right of Mar's army having defeated Argyle's left, whilst Mar's left was overthrown by Argyle's right. Both sides therefore claimed the victory, but to the Earl of Mar, it was followed by the defection of many of the Clans he consequently abandoned his intention of crossing the Forth and retired upon Perth.

"The MacPhersons and MacGregors did not join in the contest at all, but looked on as if unconcerned about the result" [3]   The fact is only a portion of the Clan, chiefly such as were followers of Rob Roy or of his nephew Glengyle, took up arms on this occasion, and for some reason Rob Roy chose to stand aloof. It is said that he stood on a hill in the centre of the Highland position when the right wing had cut to pieces Argyll's left wing, while the Clans on the left of Mar's army were completely routed, [page 287] yet Rob Roy could not be prevailed on to charge. [4]   Jacobites have always believed that the reason of Rob's conduct was a subsidy from the Duke of Argyle, and great colour was lent to this supposition by the conduct of his followers who are said to have plundered the baggage and the Dead on both sides after the battle. It is probable that whether money entered into the question or not, Rob Roy must have been averse to act contrary to the Duke of Argyll's wishes, as after the quarrel with the Duke of Montrose, Rob Roy had been at pains to please Argyll.

The capitulation at Preston occurred the day before Sherriffmuir, and at the same time Inverness was captured by the Government troops. In the middle of Sep. the Chevalier himself started from Dunkirk attended by the Marquis of Tynemouth, son of the Duke of Berwick, and Lieutenant Allan Cameron, a son of Locheil. The Chevalier landed at Peterhead on Dec. 22. He remained several days at Fetteresso, the house of Earl Marischal, and there received on the 27th a body of gentlemen who rode out from Perth, and after kissing the King's hand, they proclaimed him at the gates of the house. On the 6th Jany. 1716 the Chevalier made his entrance into Dundee. He slept one night at Fingask and then took up his abode at Scone. On Monday 10th Jan. the Chevalier made his public entry into Perth. From Scone several proclamations were issued, and it was intended the Coronation should take place there on the 23rd Jan., but before that date arrived, the Chevalier and his friends had resolved to abandon the contest as hopeless, Argyll received large reinforcements from abroad, whilst the Jacobite forces and ammunition had diminished; the weather was very severe and the troops in Perth were entirely cut off from coals, as they had been obliged to relinquish all the towns they had secured on the Banks of the Firth of Forth. The Duke of Argyll was advancing on Perth, and after a Council of War held at Scone by the Jacobite leaders it was resolved to march the Highland army northwards and then disband them. The march to Montrose was commenced on Jan. 31, they arrived there on Feb. 3, and to keep up their hope that they were only moving to a stronger position, the troops were ordered to continue on, in the direction of Aberdeen the same night.
[page 288]
Meanwhile the Chevalier was induced to leave the country; it was pointed out to him, that his followers might obtain better terms if he went away, and although he was very averse to leaving those who had risked their all in his service, the Prince was prevailed upon to depart on board a small French vessel with a very few followers. Meanwhile the Jacobite army received at Aberdeen a letter from the Chevalier thanking them for their services and explaining that he was forced to give up the attempt at that time. The troops marched on to Badenoch and there quietly dispersed. Thus ended the Rising of 1715.

Notwithstanding Rob Roy's caution at Sheriffmuir he was included in the Act of Attainder and the house in Breadalbane which was his place of retreat, was burned by General Lord Cadogan who marched through the highlands to disarm the Clans. "But upon going to Inverary with about forty or fifty of his followers, Rob obtained favour by an apparent surrender of their arms to Colonel Patrick Campbell of Finnab who furnished them and their leader with protections under his hand. He established himself again at Craigrostan and resumed his old quarrel with the Duke of Montrose keeping a force of some fifty men in his employ."

From the "Chartulary," quoted from an old pamphlet - Edinchip Papers:

"1715, October 4th. Letter from the Earl of Mar to Lieutenant General Gordon, who had got charge of the expedition which had for its object to seize Inverary House and Town, and plant a garrison there. The Letter is dated from the Camp at Perth October 4th, 1715.

'Sir, "'I had the favour of yours of the 30th September last night, and am very glad you expect to be joined soon by those who ought to have been with you long ago.
"'I have ordered as you desired, Glengyll, Rob Roy, Balhaldie, and the McGriggars with them, to join you, and to follow the orders you give them.
"'Your Chief his Highlandmen were last night in Stratharle &c.
“'After you have done me the work at Inverary, which upon resistance, I think you had better do by Blocad than Storm, you may proceed Westward con¬form to former Orders; but by reason of my not marching from hence so soon as I had intended, you would not march so far that way, but that you can join us upon occasion nearer than Monteth, if there should be need for it' &c My service to Glengary and Glenderule, &c.' (Signed) 'Mar.'
[page 289]
“Letter from the Earl of Mar Directed to the Laird of Glengyll

“Sir
"'I am very well pleased with the account of your securing the Boats on Loch Lomond and the other good services you have done since you was with me; General Gordon, Glengarry and Glenderule are desirous of having you, your uncle the bearer and the men with you with them on the Expedition they are going about, therefore you must lose no time in going to them and follow such orders as you shall receive, since your uncle is the bearer I need say no more.’
(Signed) 'Mar, from the Camp at Perth Oct.14.

"October 14th. Mar to the Earl of Breadalbane from the Camp of Perth October 14th.
"'I just now hear from Monteith, that the Earls Islay and Bute are certainly in Argyleshire, and that there were two men of war come into Clyde, who were send¬ing their long boats to retake the boats on Lochlomond which Glengyle had seized. I wish with all my heart this could be prevented &c.'

"October 14th. 'Honoured Sir,
"'When I came to Argour I wrote to Lochyeal to tryst me where to meet him; he desired me to go to Achnacar, and said he would see me there in two days; But he has met with such difficulties in raising his men in Morvan, who are threatened by Argyle's friends, to be used with utmost Rigour if they rise with their Chief; he is so fatigued and angered with them, that he is rather to be pitied than quarrelled for his Longsomeness. He is mightily ashamed for his not being with you before this time. His people in Lochaber are threatened after the same manner who was mightily disheartened by people on purpose sent amongst them. He is to take other measures with them than he did at first with the Morvan men, and is resolved to be with you next week. Since I have here staid so long I incline to come along with Lochyeal. I presume to trouble you to offer my humble service to Glengary and the other Gentlemen with you. I am, to the utmost of my power, Honoured Sir, your most humble and obedient Servant,'
(Signed) 'McGregor.' [5]  

'Achnacar October 14th, 1715.
"October 22nd. 'At the side of Lochfine October 22, 1715.
“Much Honoured
"'I was honoured with yours of this date desiring to return an Receipt thereof, and by the Memorandum sent to your Excellency with Mr Duncan Comrie (which by this time is at you) tis evident that the Boat and the Freight seized will fall in the Enemies Hands, if I instantly march the men that are here, since there is no security for a small party to guard the same, the Enemies knowing of your being in this Place neither is there any Possibility to carry what was seized this night to the Camp;
[page 290]
Therefore, for the above Reasons, I presume to send this Express to wait your further orders, and if it shall be to march all Night, you shall find that I shall be very ready to obey.
"'Pardon my freedom in this, and I allowing to subscribe myself your Excell-encys most humble servant. (Signed) 'GREG. MCGREG.’ [6]  
Addressed
To Lieutenant General Gordon at the Parks of Inverary.
Sir,
"'Upon sight hereof, return with your own and Uncle's men to the Camp, and leave Glenco's with himself. I am Sir your humble servant.
(Signed) 'ALEX. GORDON.'

'October 22.
Ten o clock.'
(Addressed)
'To the Laird of Glengyle.'
"November 4th. Extract Mar from 'Huntingtour Friday morning November 4th, 1715.' 'To Lieutenant General Gordon at Auchterarder.'
"'I wonder what keeps Rob Roy from coming to Perth, as I ordered him. Pray send him there immediately, for I want very much to speak to him; and if there be no alarm from the enemy, I would have you to come to Perth to-morrow morning, that I may concert some things with you as to our March.'
"Original Order of which the following is a copy
"'John Earl of Mar &c Commander of in Chief of his Majesty's Forces in Scotland These are ordering you and requiring you with the Battalion of the name of MacGregor, to go to the Adjacent Country of Cambus Wallace where you are to put yourselves as you shall find most convenient, for this service and there you are by all possible means to prevent any party of the Enemys carrying off any forage as provisions &c from that Country and the neighbourhood and if necessary you are hereby empowered to call for a reinforcement from the Garrison of Braes, in case you shall not find yourself in a condition to prevent the Enemy's carrying away the forage and Provisions mentioned, you are to drive them off and hring them into the Camp for the use of his Majesty's forces in Scotland. These are ordering you and requiring you upon sight hereof forthwith to call in all the parties you have out as in Garrisons or elsewhere, or order them immediately to join you on your march and to march with them and the whole garrison under your command to Naughton and in conjunction with that Garrison to march to the water side of Dundee, where boats will be ordered to be in readiness to transport you to Dundee, and there you are to observe and obey such other orders as shall he transmitted to you. This you are to do [page 291] with all possible care and expedition as you shall answer to his Majesty's at your highest peril.
"'Given at the Court of Scoan this 27. January 1715. 16.'
(Signed) 'Mar.'
Directed to the Laird of Glengyll Commanding Officer of the Garrison of Falkland.

The above letters show that Gregor MacGregor, the Laird of Glengyll, was of essential service throughout the Campaign.

From the "Chartulary" :-

"List of persons attainted of High Treason by the Parliament of Great Britain for being concerned in the Rebellion 1715.
"The Duke of Ormond and Viscount Bolingbroke unless they shall surrender themselves to justice by 10th September 1715." -Parliamentary Record An. I Geo. R. Sess. 2. Parl. 4.
"Thomas Forrester Esquire and William Mackintosh commonly called Brigadier Mackintosh having escaped from prison after receiving their indictments."
- Parliamentary Record An. I. Geo. R. Sess. 1. Parl. 5.
"William Murray Esquire commonly called Marquis of Tullibardine and James Drummond commonly called Lord Drummond." -Parl. Record An. I. Geo. R. Sess. 1. Parl. 5.
"An Act declaring the persons following to stand attainted of High Treason from 13th November 1715 unless they surrender themselves to Justice by the last day of June 1716.
George Earl Marischal
William Earl of Seaforth
James Earl of Southesk
James Earl of Panmure
William Viscount of Kilsyth
James Viscount of Kingston
Robert Lord Burleigh

Kenneth Lord Duffus James Ogilvie commonly called Lord Ogilvie
William Sutherland Laird of Roscommon brother to the Lord Duffus
Lieutenant General George Hamilton
Major General Thomas Gordon Laird of Auchintool
Colonel John Hay son of the Earl of Kinnoul
Major William Clephan
Sir David Threipland of Fingask
Sir Hugh Paterson of Bannockburn
[page 292]
Sir Donald Macdonald of Slate
Mr John Paterson of Prestonhall
Sir John Mackenzie of Coull
Mr James Malcolm of Grange
Mr John Stuart of Innernytie
Mr Alexander Robertson of Strowan
Mr John Walkingshaw of Scotstown
Mr George Mackenzie of Delvin
George Mackenzie of Ballamachie
Alexander Mackenzie of Fraserdale
Roderick Mackenzie of Fairburn
Alexander Mackenzie of Applecross
Donald Mackenzie of Kilcowie
John Mackenzie of Avach
John Sinclair Esquire commonly called Master of Sinclair
Alexander Farquharson of Inveray
John Campbell of Glendaroul
John Cameron younger of Locheil
James Stirling of Keir
William Graham of Duntroon
Robert Campbell alias Macgregour commonly called Rob Roy
John Oliphant late Baillie in Dundee
Robert Stuart of Appin
Hugh Ross Laird of Clova
John MacDowall of Lorn
John Grant of Glenmoriston
John Mackinnon Laird of Mackinnon
Roderick Chisholm of Strathglas
Alexander MacDonald of Glenco
Alexander Mackenzie of Davachmaluack
John Mackra of Davachcarty
Alexander MacDonald Laird of Glengary
Ronald Mackdonald Captain of Clanronnald."

-Parliamentary Record, An. 1. George I., Sess. 1. Parl, 5.

It is remarkable that Balhaldies, who had been so recently elected by certain of the Clan to be their Chief, does not appear to have taken an active part in the field in this campaign as far as is mentioned in contemporary memoirs and dispatches, although the letter signed MacGregor" in accordance with that election, shows that he was in some way employed. [page 293] His devotion to the Jacobite cause was strong and faithful, and he was probably considered as of most use as a private diplomatist and organiser. [7]  

But a little Pamphlet, entitled "Dunblane Traditions," published in 1835 and reprinted in 1887, after stating that Balhaldies as a mere youth was conspicuous for his gallantry at Killiecrankie, gives an account of his conduct at Sheriffmuir, where:

"his blows are reported to have been equally fatal; He was however among the retreating division in that action; but he disputed every inch of ground with his foe till most of his vassals and tenantry who rallied round him were numbered with the slain. Unable to resist the force of numbers he was latterly singly and alone, under the necessity of taking shelter at his own mansion House which stood within a mile of the line of retreat. Thither he had been followed by some dragoons who seeing him unattended made sure of their victim and justly, wounded as he was, and with such odds against him, had he not been so fortunate as to succeed in saving his life by throwing himself into his own 'kail yard' where he lay concealed among the 'lang green kail' until the attention of the pursuing party was directed otherwise. Luckily this detached party of Argyll's dragoons had been perceived by a retreating party of Stair's horse, who quickly rallying, attacked them with the utmost fury and in a few moments annihilated them horse and man. This affair happened near to the spot where Balhaldie Inn now stands. The heroic warrior at last rose from his uncomfortable place of concealment with the sword still in his grasp, naked and bloody as when he first left the battle ground. He found himself so weak, benumbed and stiff from the excessive fatigue which he had undergone, that it was with difficulty he could walk upright and his hand had so much swollen in the basket of his broad sword, that part of the iron had to be removed by the file, before it could be disengaged from the blooddyed weapon."

In a memorial to be afterwards given, the descendant, representative, of Balhaldies, distinctly says that his ancestor did not take the Field in 1715, but as he alludes to William, younger of Balhaldies, and does not appear to have been very well versed in the history of his predecessors, one is inclined to think there is likely to be some truth in the local tradition, although adorned with startling and even absurd features by the narrator,

Of Rob Roy's conduct at Sherriffmuir the traditions are unfavourable.

[page 294]
After the rising in the interests of James VIII. had miscarried Balhaldies continued to correspond with friends of the Stuart Family, and was greatly trusted by all. He educated his eldest son William for the service of the Royal Exile and sent him over to Paris and Rome in December 1739. James VIII. created Alexander MacGregor of Balhaldies a Baronet of the ancient Kingdom of Scotland on March 1740. He appears to have died before Dec.23, 1743.

Alexander Drummond or Macgregor of Balhaldies married March 26, 1686, Margaret eldest daughter of Sir Ewan Cameron of Lochiel; and had five daughters and six sons.
1.William his heir.
2. Ewin, no descendants.
3 John who wrote the Memoirs of his Grandfather Sir Ewan Cameron, and left no descendants. [8]  
4. Duncan, no descendants.
5. Alexander, no descendants.
6. Donald, born Sep. 12, 1713, bred a sailor, resided at Pitceapsy, New York. When emigrating with other Loyalists to Nova Scotia in 1782 he lost what property he had acquired. He married Miss Ann Grosbeck of New York and by her had a son Alexander who died in the West Indies unmarried and five daughters. Mrs Ann Grosbeck, relict of Donald Drummond MacGregor, died in 1818, aged 84 years.

1 Ann married Lt MacGibbon and left children.
2 Margaret died unmarried.
3 Mary married Christmas 1781, the year before her family left New York, her paternal Cousin German Alexander MacGregor of Balhaldies.
4 Jacobina married Lt Dougald Campbell of the 42d Regt and left children.
5 Susanna married to Captain McLean and left children.

[page 295]
"1740. March 14th. Patent of a Baronetcy to Alexander Macgregor of Balhaldies.
James R
"James the Eight. By the Grace of God King of Scotland England France & Ireland Defender of the Faith &c. We Taking into our Royal consideration the constant & unshaken Loyalty of our Trusty & Well-beloved Alexander MacGregor of Balhaldies as well as the eminent services done & performed by him to Us on all occasions from his early youth to an advanced old age, of which we being truly sensible, are resolved to confer on him as a mark of our Special & Royal favour the Title & Precedency hereafter mentioned, which after him will we hope descend to our Trusty & Well-beloved William MacGregor his eldest son of whose Loyalty & attachment to our Royal person and cause We have essential proofs by his signal services & indefatigable endeavours to promote our Interest and Service. Our Will & Pleasure Therefore is That Letters Patent pass under our Great Seal of Our Ancient Kingdom of Scotland, in due and competent form Making & Creating as We hereby Make & Create the said Alexander MacGregor a Knight & Baronet of our Ancient Kingdom of Scotland, To Have & To Hold to him & the lawful heirs male of his own body, with all the privileges, precedencies, & other advantages thereunto appertaining, in as full and ample manner as any other Knight & Baronet of our said ancient Kingdom holds and enjoys the same. And we hereby Dispense with all informalities (if any be) herein contained, and Ordain the said Letters Patent to pass the Great Seal of Our said Ancient Kingdom of Scotland persaltum, without passing any other Register or Seal, & for so doing this shall be a sufficient warrant. Given at Our Court at Rome this 14th day of March 1740, In the 39th year of Our Reign. J. R."

-Original in the archives of MacGregor of Balhaldies, copied from the same by Revd. William MacGregor Stirling.

"At Huntingtower April 5th 1715, [14 - Atholl and Tullibardine Chronicles. ] In presence of John, Duke of Atholl, Sherriff principal of Perthshire, Lord of the Regalities of Atholl and Dunkeld, Steward principal of the Stewartys of Fife and Huntingtower.

"Grigor Murray, sometime McGrigor, son to Alexr Murray in Coynachan in Glenalmond, being Interrogate if he the said Grigor of himself, or by giving com-mission to any other, bought any arms or amunition at Edinr or els where these five or six months by past, and if the said Grigor was desired to list himself in the service of Robert Roy Campbell or any others, answered:

"That he had not been in Edinr these seven years bypast, neither has he of himself, or by giving commission to any other, bought either arms or amunition these 12 months bygone, except seven Targets he bought for the sd Robert, being Imployed by him, about Candlemas last, to buy Targets for his use, but he the sd Grigor hearing afterwards that the sd Robert became suspected to the Government by drinking the Pretender's health, did dispose of the sd Targets to his Grace's Tennents in Glenalmond, and that he has neither seen nor heard from the sd Robert, since the sd time, and further that the sd Robert did never list him or any other in his hearing either to his own or any other service whatsomever. All which he declares to be of truth and that he is willing to depone upon the verity of the same. In witness whereof he has subscribed these prests &c &c Grigor Murray




[1] History of the Rebellion Raised against His Majesty King George I, by the Revd Mr Peter Rae, 2d Edn. London. 1746.

[2] Condensed from the Account in Browne’s Highlanders

[3] Browne's Highlanders.

[4] Sir WaIter Scott - Introduction to "Rob Roy." More authoritative sources than Scott place Rob Roy and his men guarding the ford of the River Allan, as ordered by the Earl of Mar. A considerable distance from the battlefield and certainly not in the middle of the Battle line. [2002 Edition editor]

[5] Balhaldies

[6] Glengyle

[7] As far back as 1689, Viscount Dundee, on leaving the "Convention" in Edinburgh, had spent the night of March 19th at Dunblane at the house of Alexander Drummond of Balhaldies, who cheered him with favourable accounts of the loyal disposition of the Clans- as is mentioned in the "Memoirs of Locheil” written by John Drummond (or McGregor) son of the said Alexander.

[8] In the appendix of Napier's "Memoirs of Dundee," vol. iii. Mr Napier states that Lochiel's Memoirs were written by "John Drummond of Balhaldy, grandson or great grandson of Lochiel's son-in-law." This is a genealogicaI mistake, for John Drummond was the second son of Lochiel's daughter and son-in-law.