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That those who are entitled
to the distinction should wish to place on record their claim to
Highland ancestry, is not to be wondered at, when we remember how that
small section of the globe, geographically considered, has influenced so
many departments of the world's history.
The origin of the
Highland clans dates back to a very early period, some of the Celtic
authorities claiming a direct descent for them from the celebrated Irish
"King Conn, of a Hundred Battles," and to those who might be disinclined
to acknowledge this remote Irish origin, claimed by Sir James McDonald,
in 1615, he says: "Whatever Ireland may have been since those early
days, to the ancient Western world, it was then the cradle of religion
and the nursery of civilization."
In this same connection,
Macneil says: "While the Germans and Northmen were yet roving heathen
tribes, the Gaels in Ireland and Scotland had their Seminaries of
learning, where Literature was loved and cherished. And from the
Colleges of Durrow and Iona, missionaries, whose well-trained minds and
zealous hearts fitted them for the undertaking, went forth to
Christianize the people of England and the Teutonic tribes on the
Continent."
Macaulay, in his "History
of England," says: `'In perseverence, in self-command, in forethought,
in all the qualities which conduce to success in life, the Scots have
never been surpassed. In mental cultivation Scotland had an indisputable
superiority. Though that kingdom was then the poorest in Christendom, it
already vied in every branch of learning with the most favored
countries. Scotsmen, whose dwellings and whose food were as wretched as
those of the Icelanders of our time, wrote Latin verse with the delicacy
of Vida, and made discoveries in science which would have added renown
to Galileo."
Macaulay further says:
"In 1696, the Estates of Scotland met at Edinburg and by far the most
important event of this short session was the passing of the act for the
settling of schools. By this memorable law it was, in Scotch phrase,
statuted and ordained that every Parish in the realm should provide a
commodious school house and should pay a moderate stipend to the
schoolmaster. The effect could not be immediately felt, but before one
-generation had passed it began to be evident that the common people of
Scotland were superior in intelligence to the common people of any other
country in Europe. To whatever land the Scotchman might wander, to
whatever calling he might betake himself, in America, or in India, in
trade or in war, the advantage of his early training raised him above
his competitors. * * * * And Scotland, in spite of the barrenness of her
soil and the severity of her climate made such progress in agriculture,
in commerce, in letters, in science, in all that constitutes
civilization, as the Old World had never seen equalled Scotland in
becoming a part of the British Ionarchy, preserved all her dignity. She
was joined to her stronger neighbor on the most honorable terms; she
gave a king instead of receiving one."
Although the downfall of
the hapless house of Stewart, practically put an end to native rule, the
individuality of the Scotsman was never lost, nor his independent spirit
subdued. And notwithstanding they are credited with being the most
practical of all people, they have furnished both poets and writers of
fiction with some of the most engaging characters known in the realm of
literature. To call those rugged hills "barren" which have supplied fuel
for the divine fire, from the days of Ossian down to the Barnes,
McLarens and Stephensons of our own period, seems almost sacrilege, and
only those who are woefully ignorant,—or worse still,
unappreciative—would dare do so.
In these pages I propose
to devote special attention to that branch of the powerful clan Donald,
called the McDonalds of Glengarry, from whom are descended many
prominent citizens of the United States and Canada to-day and, as in
these latter days it seemeth more popular to be known by ones roots than
by their fruits, I shall show by unquestioned authority that the family
tree first began to send out healthy shoots early in the sixth century,
flourishing variously in the following centuries. Never neutral or
passive in any contest, but actively striving for the side which
appealed to them, usually that of the under dog. And whatever else may
be laid to their account, for their faults were many, few of them can be
accused of self-seeking, or indirect business methods.
Skene, one of the
acknowledged authorities on Highland literature says: "The traditions of
the McDonalds themselves tend to show that they could not have been of
foreign origin, and many sources of evidence show that they are a part
of the original nation who have inhabited the mountains of Scotland, as
far back as the memory of man, or the records of history reach."
McKenzie tells us that:
"The McDonalds were at one time the most important, numerous, and
powerful of the western clans and this noble race is undoubtedly
descended from Somerled, Thane of Argyle, who became one of the most
powerful Chiefs of Scotland. He was the son of a Celtic father,
Gillibride, and a fair-haired, blue-eyed, Norwegian mother. And is
described as living in retirement in his youth and musing in solitude
over the ruined fortunes of his house, but when an auspicious moment
occurred he placed himself at the head of the people of Morvern,
attacked the Norwegians, whom he finally expelled from the mainland and
made himself master, not only in Morvern, but also in Lochaber and
Argyle. But The Norwegian power remained unbroken in the Isles and
Somerled resolved to recover by policy what he despaired of acquiring by
force of arms, namely the possession of the Isles, and with this end in
view he resorted to a successful ruse to obtain the hand of Olave's only
daughter in manage."
This marriage took place
in 1140. Olave, King of the Isles and Man, knowing of Somerled's
ancient, hereditary claim to his kingdom, was anxious to propitiate this
powerful chief and Lord of Argyle and to secure his support, so he never
regretted having given his only daughter to Somerled for his wife.
Somerled, not content with his victories on the mainland, finally
captured the Islands in detail, and established again the old Celtic
authority, and as McKenzie says: "Thus, on the ruin of the Norwegian
power, Somerled built up his Island throne, and became not only the
greatest Thane of his family, but the founder of that second line of
Island rulers, who, for a period of nearly four centuries, were
occasional and formidable rivals of the Scottish kings.
"The extensive power and
high position of this Island Chief, Somerled, whose sister had been
married to a brother of King Malcolm the IV, may be inferred, from the
fact that he was able on one occasion to bring his dispute with the King
to a termination by a solemn treaty, afterwards considered so important
as to form an epoch, from which Royal Charters were regularly dated."
Somerled finally became
such a dangerous rival that Malcolm requested him to resign his
possessions into his Majesty's hands, and hold them in future as a
vassal from the Crown. This he refused emphatically to do and promptly
declared war against Malcolm. Collecting his forces, he sailed boldly up
the Clyde with one hundred and sixty galleys and threatened the whole of
Scotland. After two sharp engagements with the Royal troops in which
Somerled was victorious, he was unmolested for a while, when it was
again demanded that he should surrender at least a part of his
possessions to the Crown. To this he replied, that he would not
surrender the smallest part of them, as he had an undoubted right to
them, but would assist the King in any other affair, and he as loyal as
any of his friends, but as long as he breathed he would not resign his
rights to anyone.
He was finally murdered
by one of the King's followers. Gregory is of opinion that Somerled was
interred in the Church of Saddell, in Kintyre, where Reginald, his son,
afterwards founded a monastery.
Rev. George Hill claims
descent for the McDonalds from Fergus Mor, who Iived about 506. He says:
"The family of Fergus Mor continued to maintain a leading position in
Scotland, supplying, with few exceptions the line of dalriadic Kings and
many of its Thanes, or Territorial Lords.
"Of the latter, the most
historical, and it may be said the most patriotic, was a great Thane of
Argyle, who appeared in the twelfth century called Somerhairle. among
his Celtic kinsmen, but better known as Somerled, and few, if any
military leaders have left their mark more broadly or distinctly in
Scottish history than he. His record seems to have been well preserved
in authentic chronicles."
James McDonald says: "His
only daughter, Beatrice, entered a Priory; and in the Year 1811, the
following inscription was still legible on a slab in Iona `Bshag Nyn
Ilvrid Priora—Beatrice, daughter of Somerled, Prioress.' "
So it seems that all
historians are agreed that Somerled was the immediate progenitor of the
family or clan McDonald, Macdonald, or Macdonell, for all three forms
seem to have been used.
According to Gregory: "Of
the descendants of Somerled there were, in 1285, three great noblemen,
all holding extensive possessions in the Isles as well as the mainland.
And McKenzie says of one of them: "In 1306 Angus Og McDonald of the
Isles attached himself to the party of Bruce and took an important part
in all of his subsequent enterprises, which terminated in the final
defeat of the English at Bannockburn. Here Angus McDonald commanded the
reserve of 5,000 Highlanders, commanded respectively by sixteen of their
Chiefs. And they performed such distinguished service that as a
permanent mark of distinction, Bruce assigned to Angus and his
descendants forever, the right flank of the Royal army."
In addition to this
distinguished honor, Bruce also bestowed upon Angus McDonald the
extensive possessions of the Comyns and their allies the Lords of Lorn,
also the title of Lord of Lochaber, which had formerly belonged to the
Comyns. Also the lands of Doror and Glencoe and the Islands, Mull, Jura
and Tiree, which had formerly been possessed by the Lords of Lorn.
After the battle of
Bannockburn, Robert Bruce spent six months as the guest of Angus
McDonald at the Monastery of Saddell in Kintyre, which had been built by
Reginald, oldest son of Somerled, and the progenitor of the Glengarry
McDonalds. At the age of twenty-two Angus Og McDonald was with great
pomp and ceremony, proclaimed Lord of the Isles and Thane of Argyle and
Lochaber.
Angus died at Islay about
1329 and was buried at Icolumkill. He was succeeded by his only son
John, who McKenzie says played a most important part in the age in which
he lived. His death occurred about 1380 and he was buried with great
splendor in the precincts of Iona. He was called *'The Good John of Isla."
John's second wife was Lady Margaret, daughter of King Robert II; and
first of Stewart dynasty.
To his third son,
Reginald or Ranald (the only child by his first wife to reach maturity),
John bequeathed, at his death, extensive holdings on the mainland,
besides large grants of land including the North Isles, Garmoran and
other extensive possessions. McKenzie says: "Ranald proved himself a man
of great integrity and honor as a tutor to his younger brother, Donald,
second Lord of the Isles, during his minority. He took a leading part in
the government of the Isles during his father's lifetime and was Ieft in
charge of the Lordship after his father's death, until Donald, the
eldest son by a second marriage, came of age, when Ranald or Reginald.
delivered over to him the government of the Lordship in the presence of
the leading vassals."
Reginald married a
daughter of Walter Stewart, Earl of Athol, brother of King Robert. He
died a very old man in 1419 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Donald.
Then followed John and then AIaster, fourth of Glengarry. Then John
again, fifth of Glengarry, who married his cousin, a daughter of Donald
Cameron, of Lochiel. He left one son, Alexander McDonald, who succeeded
hire as sixth Lord of Glengarry. During his Lordship of the Clan, there
is mention made in the public records, under the Privy Seal, of large
grants of land, including Glengarry, Moror with the Castle, Fortalice
and Manor of Strome, LochaIsh and Loch-broom. He married Margaret de
Insulas, co-heiress of Sir Donald McDonald and lineal representative and
heiress of the Earldom of Ross.
They had one son, Eneas
McDonald, who sueceeded as seventh of Glengarry. This Eneas or Angus was
commissioned to hold Courts and minister justice, affix punishments,
&c., according to the laws of the Realm. Which commission was dated at
Holyrood House 10th July, 1574. Donald McDonald, 8th of Glengarry,
succeeded his father Eneas. The period of his Lordship was marked by
very turbulent and cruel conduct and constant fueds with his cousins,
the McKenzies, were carried on. In one of the most sanguinary Angus,
Donald's oldest son, was killed. Donald being now far advanced in years
the leadership fell to Alastair Dearg, the second son, who was of a much
more peaceable nature than Angus, but he also died before his father,
and Donald handed over the actual command of the Clan to his grandson,
Angus, son of Alastair Dearg, who in 1660 was created Lord McDonell and
Aros.
McKenzie says "Hitherto
we have not met with a single instance where `Macdonnell' is used as the
family name of Glengarry. It will be observed that during his
grandfather's life time the future Lord Macdonell and Arros was
designated as 'Angus McDonald' and the first instance of 'Macdonnell' as
a family name, in connection with Glengarry, is in the patent of
nobility to the grandson and successor of Donald MacAngus on the 20th of
December, 1660."
He also says in a
foot-note "Mr. Fraser Macintosh has in his possession two documents
signed by Glengarry. both in the year 1660, in one of which he signs
`Angus McDonald;' in the other, `Macdonnell.'" So it would seem that we
have authority for the use of both forms. All charters, patents and
family records of whatever nature seem to have been carefully preserved
in a family chest, as well as in the public repositories.
Donald McAngus died 2nd
of Feb., 1645, over one hundred years of age. He had two sons named John
and the descendants of both seem to have emigrated to America.
Eneas Macdonell (Lord
Macdonell and Arros) , ninth of Glengarry. was a distinguished warrior,
both at home and in Ireland, where he joined the Earl of Antrim in 1647.
In 1653 the exiled Charles granted Glengarry the following commission as
Major General:
"Charles, by the grace of
God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith,
&c., to our trusty and well beloved Angus MacdoneIl of Glengarry, and to
all others to whom these presentis shall come greeting, know ye that
eve, reposing trust and confidence in the courage, conduct and good
affection of you, the said Angus 1Tacdonell, doe by these presentis
constitute and appoint you to be one of our Major Generals of such
forces of foote as are or shall be Ievied for our service within our
Kingdom of Scotland, giving you hereby power and authority to conduct,
order and command them, in all saide things for our saide service,
according to the laves and custonie of warre, and as belongeth to the
power and office of one of oure Major-Generals of foote ; and with the
same to fight, kill, slay, and destroy, or otherwise subdue all opposers
and enemies who are in present hostility against or not in present
obedience to us.
"Given at Chantilly, the
31st day of October, 1653, in the fifth yeare of our reigne."
In 1651, Angus was
forfeited by Oliver Cromwell for his steady adherence to the house of.
Stewart, but on the restoration of. Charles IT, was as has been stated,
raised to the peerage. It was during this Chief's incumbency that an
incident occurred at Inverness in which many Macdonalds were involved
and to prove that the Chief of Glengarry was rearded by the Government
as the head of all the clan Donald. an act of the Privy Council, dated
Edinburg, 1672, .July 18th, commanded Glengarry as Chief, to be
answerable for the future good conduct of all the Clans. This Angus
married' Margaret, daughter of Sir Donald McDonald and died without
issue in 1682. When the representation of the family reverted to Ranald
or Reginald, eldest son of Donald, who was Donald McAngus' second son.
See how closely they guarded the succession. Ranald or Reginald (besides
being First of Scotus) became also tenth of Glengarry and married a
daughter of Macleoud of Macleoud.
His oldest soy. Alastair
Dubh Macdonell succeeded him as 11th of Glengarry and was one of the
most distinguished men of his day. He and his father were among the
first to join Dundee in the attempt to restore James II "although his
father was both aged and frail." McKenzie, in his description of the
battle of Killicrankie, says, "In the center were placed, under Dundee's
immediate command, the MacDorells of Glengarry and Clanranald with the
Camerons, an Irish Regiment and a troop of Horse under the command of
Sir William :Wallace. In the first charge they were met by a fire from
Mackay's men, by which no less than sixteen of the Glengarry MacdonelIs
fell to rise no more. Nothing daunted, however, the Highlanders steadily
advanced in the face of the enemy's fire, until having come to close
quarters, they made a momentary halt and having discharged their pistols
with but little effect, they set up a loud shout and rushed with their
claymores into the midst of the enemy before they had time to fix their
bayonets. The enemy fled in utter confusion, thousands falling before
the tremendous strokes of the double-edged claymores of the Highlanders.
Alastair Dubh, still only younger of Glengarry, performed feats of valor
on this occasion for which there are few, if any parallels even among
the Highlanders."
Of the gathering of the
Clans in Lochabar, just before the battle, Macaulay says in his History
of England," Macdonald of Glengarry, conspicuous by his dark brow and
lofty stature, came from the great Valley where a chain of lakes then
unknown to fame and scarcely set down in maps, is now the daily highway
of steam vessels, passing and repassing between the Atlantic and German
Ocean. Though he usually professed to scorn all attempts at display, on
this occasion he imitated the splendor of the Saxon warriors and rode on
horse back in advance of his four hundred plaided Clansmen, in a steel
cuirass and a coat embroidered with gold lace."
Of his appearance on the
battle field, he says: "At the head of one large battallion, towered the
stately form of Glengarry, who bore in his hand the royal standard of
King James VII" and other authorities say that "he mowed clown two men
at every stroke of his claymore." After Sheriffmuir he was created a
peer of Parliament by Patent. dated 9th Dec., 1716. His first wife was
Anne, daughter of Lord Lovat. He married a second time, Mary, daughter
of Kenneth Mor Mackenzie, Earl of Seaforth. He died in 1724. His oldest
son, Donald, had been killed at Killicrankie and he was succeeded by his
second son, John, about 1724.
John did not take part in
the Rebellion of 1745. His second son Angus, only nineteen years of age,
led the McDonalds, but he was accidentally shot and killed, by one of
the Clanranald men on the streets of Falkirk, when James (John's oldest
son by his second wife), represented Glengarry, though too young to
command the troops. McKenzie intimates that motives of policy sometimes
prevented the Chief from taking up arms, though his family was always
represented.
John's oldest son,
Alastair (or Alexander), just prior to the "rising," had been sent by
the Chiefs to France, with an address to Prince Charles, and on
returning to Scotland, in charge of a detachment of the Royal Scots and
a Picquet of the Irish Brigade, he was taken prisoner on the sea and
kept in the Tower of London for twenty-two months. He was there at the
time of the battle of Culloden and for some time after, although he was
an officer in the French Guard. He was released from the Tower July,
1747, and went at once to Paris.
Andrew Lang, although lie
accuses Alastair, in a recent publication, of having been a spy,
describes him as "eminently handsome, tall, athletic, with a frank and
pleasing countenance, He seemed the fitting Lord of that castellated
palace if his race, which beautiful and majestic in decay, mirrors
itself in Loch Oich. No statelier gentleman than he ever trod a measure
at Holywood." Which description hardly bears out his accusation.
Alastair died unmarried
in 1761 and was succeeded by his nephew, Duncan, the only son of Colonel
Aeneas (or Angus) , McDonald who was killed at Falkirk.
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