For years I have listened to my friends talk about their Scottish ancestors. Some even wear kilts when the occasion and one is very proficient on the pipes. After retiring and getting interested in my own genealogy, imagine my surprise to find that I had not one, but four Scottish ancestors!!

My most distant relative, John Wattle (alternate spelling Waddle), fought to defend the Stuart King, Charles II, and was captured at the Battle of Worchester. He was one of the lucky ones, and by the order of the Parliament (and probably because of his young age), he was transported to the colonies in the ship John and Sarah under Captain Jon Greene. The ship left London November 11, 1651, and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts early in 1652. He was sold into servitude by a Mr. Thomas Kemble of Charleston, Massachusetts to Mr. Samuel Richardson, one of the original proprietors of Woburn. When Mr. Richardson died in 1658, John Wattle was listed in his inventory - John Wattle, service, 5 pounds. In 1660 John gained his freedom and moved to Chelmsford, Mass. not far from Woburn. He was granted 15 acres of land under the condition he built and settle on the same and pay town taxes. In 1666 he married Mary Goole, and over the next ten years, fathered four known children. His wife and children were admitted to the church in Chelmsford and were baptized, but John remained loyal to the faith he fought for in Scotland. However, a credit to his character, he paid the ministerial fee for his family. Chelmsford was attacked by Indians in what is known as King Philip's war. In March and April of 1776 homes were burned and people were tortured and slain. John Wattles was among those fallen. John's line carries down to my Revolutionary War Patriot, Philip Carpenter.

My mother’s maiden name was Glassford. (It never dawned on me that Glassford was a Scottish name!) John Glassford, Sr., my 4th great grandfather moved from Scotland to America sometime around 1730 or 1740 and settled in New York State. John, along with a Mr. Banyard and a Mr. Wallis, had 300 acres between them situated on the Susquehanna River. They were to pay 40 pounds per 100 acres. John cleared and fenced 40 acres. He built a good house, barn and corn house and planted an orchard. According to records, he had 1 horse, 15 sheep, 5 hogs, 6 cows and 5 cattle. One of the earliest documented information found on John is his petition for land as a UEL in 1788. (A copy can be found on page 112, Ontario Acrhives Report, #1097 dated Feb. 12, 1788) This helped date his birth to be roughly1708. When the Revolution War started, John’s predisposition was to be a Loyalist. He felt he was too old to serve, but he sent his two youngest sons, Lyttle and Paul, with Capt. Brandt in Indian country. The Rebels (or Patriots), under General Herkman, came in 1779 and plundered their farm, stripping them of everything. They fled to Canada, and their house was burned as soon as they left it.

Two generations later, George Glassford, grandson of John, married Jemina Minnie Cameron – my 2nd great grandparents. According to the source, Cameron Loyalists and Other Early Cameron Families of Upper and Lower Canada, her family received land as DUEL O.C. Jemina’s parent’s names were Evan “Hugh” Cameron and Margaret McLennan, both born in Scotland.

Wow, I was impressed – three connections to clans in Scotland – The Frasers (if my Wattle – according to records, an alternate spelling Waddel is a Sept of that clan), the Camerons and the McLennans! I immediately went to your site and looked for the locations of the clan’s districts.

Searching to find the names (your map is very small) I spotted another familiar name in the Finch line. Could it be? I went to my Genealogy chart and there was Annie Lindsay married to 2nd great grandfather, Samuel Woodcock in Ontario Canada. Her father was Thomas Lindsay – again an immigrant, but I have yet to nail that one down.

So, the way it stands – I may have no one, but four tartans to choose from! J Am I lucky, or what!!

Submitted by Robert L. Finch of Muskegon, Michigan.