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THE MINISTER OF
BRACADALE AND HIS WIFE.
THERE was a good deal
of litigation in Skye a century ago. Proprietors, large farmers,
ministers, and others joined in conflict. One of the most famous
litigants was Captain Neil Macleod of Gesto.
Many of the Skye
clergy were too fond of farming, and thereby excited such ill
feeling on the part of the regular farmers and crofters as to lessen
their influence.
The Rev. Roderick
Macleod, first minister in Harris, was licensed on the 1st of May,
1763, and settled there in 1765, being translated from Harris to
Bracadale in 1768, where he remained until his death in 1812, and is
described as having been "eminently zealous in the work of his
Master." The letter after given was written by his clever wife,
Janet Macqueen. Mr and Mrs Macleod were taken into Court by Gesto,
in respect of a charge against them for falsely proclaiming him a
liar at the church door of Bracadale, after divine worship. This was
the ancient way of denying publicly a malicious and unfounded
report, but only resorted to in grave cases. Mrs Macleod's letter to
an Inverness merchant who had interested himself in their behalf is
very forcible, and reflects much credit on the writer, who was an
elderly woman having, however, all her wits about her. The name of
the spinster, not young it may be inferred, who was too delicate or
bashful to appear in Court, but could walk many miles to weddings,
making a creditable appearance on the floor, is fortunately
preserved. The writer died in January, 1817, leaving three
daughters. The following is the letter :-
"Balgown, March 24th,
1805.
"Dear Sir,--I hope
this will find you and family well, which will give me great
pleasure to hear per bearer; he sends me word he won't carry
anything home, but I hope you will prevail with him to bring me 1lb.
of good tea and one pound tobacco twist. I had a letter from Dalness
lately; he says Mr Home and him have agreed to cite witnesses by
sheriff-officer, but Mr McDonell from Inverness does not mention
this in a letter Mr Macleod had from him lately, but I'm sure he'll
do what is best in that respect as well as in other respects. Upon
receipt of this, please speak to him and tell him that if its a
sheriff-officer that is to cite the witnesses we would wish to know
without loss of time as we would wish to summon them early in April
so as to prepare them, tho' we don't mean they should be examined
sooner than the last of April, that they may finish their labouring.
If any messenger came to the country (upon other business) he might
do the business, but I hope you and Mr McDonell will do what is
proper whether the business is to be done by a messenger or
sheriff-officer ; we would grudge the money given Mr Murray and his
attendant Stewart very much if one did not expect Gesto would be
made lyable for it and every other expense his conduct has been the
occasion of since that step. MacCaskill was one of the witnesses
present when John Stewart was summoned and tho' a younger man than
McCaskill he was five days later at Inverness than McCaskill, so
what apology he made for his delay I know not, and I hear he got
more than any other. I hear Mr Murray supported his claim, but the
truth is Mr Murray kept Stewart on the Road to keep himself company,
however its enough to suggest this to him when he makes the next
claim, and if Gesto is brought in for it I would say nothing about
it. Two or three witnesses are to go again, who I'm sure will claim
horse fare, but I hope Mr McDonald and you will know pointedly who
has a might to get this. I'm told none has but such as pay horse tax
and keeps a riding horse. We are to summon a cousin of Gesto's.
Every time she finds out any thing about her being summoned she
turns sick. For this reason we keep it a secret untill we can get
her summoned. Whenever Mr Macpherson summoned her she sent for a
doctor who refused to answer her tho' she travelled some miles to
meet him, but she was going about to dance at weddings when the
people went off for Inverness. Consult Mr McDonell about this
witness whether she is to be summoned over again or sent off as a
prisoner, as she refused to answer formerly. Her name is Florence
Macleod, residenter at Totarder. If she can be brought now at her
own expense so much the better, as I am sure Gesto directs her
excuses. Tell Mr McDonelI let us know if he has any objections
against McCaskill's evidence, for he must be asked whether Mr McLeod
or me ever desired him cause Malcolm McLeod proclaim Gesto a lyar or
even mention Gesto's name to him on that subject one way or other,
for if he desired Malcolm proclaim him a lyar it must be at the
desire of some other person or to please himself, for neither of us
never mentioned Gesto's name to him or the name of any other in that
way to McCaskill or any other person alive. I'll expect to hear from
you per bearer. Mr McDonell or you can expect no money till after
the mercat, then you may be sure to hear from Mr McLeod. I hope
you'll find Dr McCaskill's children good payers. Mr McLeod and Peggy
joins me in respectfull compts. to Mrs Mcpherson, the young ladies,
and you. Ever yours sincerely,
(Signed) J. MACLEOD. |
