This was interesting news. Perhaps no true connections, but Alexander Innes, born in Banff and living in Gothenburg (not Holland, but Sweden) also was part owner of two ships, both named Neptune or Neptunus. The other owners of the ships were Laurent Tarras, half brother to Alex Innes, also from Bannf, and during some times mr Charles Blaurock. It is well known that dutch city planners and scottish tradesmen where very well represented in Gothenburg during those days. Howard, we have earlier discussed the possibility of a George Smith being engaged in the Gothenburg based Swedish East India Company. Some time ago I found this note in the Maritime Museum of Goteborg. It is a letter adressed to J. Denison & Co in London dated 1814-08-19, regarding the insurance of two brigs Neptune, making a joint trip to Gibraltar. ".By this we pray You will insure against all and very risk £400 Stirling on ¼ of the shiff Neptune, Capitain John Hagberg and £450 Stirling on ¼ of her cargo consisting of iron, tar, pitch, timber, spares and deals, £800 Stirling on the ship Neptune, the 2nd, Capitain C.H. Röse and £1200 Stirling on her cargo consisting of tar, iron, timber, spares and deals, at and from Gothenburg to Gibraltar with liberty to touch Cadiz and discharge part or the whole of this cargo, at any port or ports in the Mediterranean including but not higher then Leghorn, with proportionate returns of any part on the whole is discharged .at Cadiz or Gibraltar, and on additional premium of the vessels keen to proceed as far as Nessles. According to the best information all is arranged with the barbary and our flag is no more exposed to the depritiations of theirs corsairs, we hope you will of course effectuate these insurance at moderate premium 6% on there and out. Both vessels are since yesterday quite ready for seal and kept as all ours. Ships with the very best order." In my conspiracies, I have searched the reasons for the Innes sons to leave Banff. All three male offspring of the family left Scotland, during what I believe was a very rough time (1760´s). Can this be a clue, although the two ships Neptune in my story actually is somewhat late? Regards, Kaj Andersson

In researching my Montgomery ancestry I found there are Montgomery's in Sweden who are descended from Scottish mercenary soldiers who were in the service of King Gustavus Adolphus.I know that Frederick the Great of Prussia used to recruit soldiers in Moray. There were also Scottish merchants in Danzig and in the Dutch ports. The union with England of course put an end to such European connections and the Scots found an outlet for their ambitions in the expanding British Empire. Harry Montgomery.

Hi Kaj, All I can add about 'local-to-Moray' ships named Neptune is this: "Neptune (sloop) built 1825 63 tons masters: J. Scott and Chalmers. Lost pre 26 November 1835 OS." (I don't know what OS means.) I wouldn't know whether the name Neptune would be carried from ship to ship - being the name it is, I should think it turns up all over the place so little inference could be gleaned from its appearance. I looked to see if I had anything relevant re the Innes name - nothing I'm afraid. Again, George Smith is not an uncommon name, so all I can do is note its occurrence. Maybe one day we'll discover that the enslaved George Smith managed to pay his way free, and is the East India Co man who provided of Fordyce Academy's "George Smith Bounty". Regards Howard

The clan INNES, like ELLIOTT, I understand to be a border clan, and most of the clans were involved in appropriating undefended cattle. K James VI & I wanted this rieving stopped at the beginning of his English reign in 1603. Some went to Ireland as part of the Ulster plantation, and it seems, a lot also went to North America. Of course from 1746 after Culloden was a devastating time and there was much disruption. Shalom Chris Ridings from hot Ryde, NSW. -----Original Message----- From: Kaj Andersson [mailto:kaj.andersson@kajan.com] Sent: Monday, 14 March 2005 6:56 To: MORAY-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: Moray Pirates? This was interesting news. Perhaps no true connections, but Alexander Innes, born in Banff and living in Gothenburg (not Holland, but Sweden) also was part owner of two ships, both named Neptune or Neptunus. The other owners of the ships were Laurent Tarras, half brother to Alex Innes, also from Bannf, and during some times mr Charles Blaurock. It is well known that dutch city planners and scottish tradesmen where very well represented in Gothenburg during those days. Howard, we have earlier discussed the possibility of a George Smith being engaged in the Gothenburg based Swedish East India Company. Some time ago I found this note in the Maritime Museum of Goteborg. It is a letter adressed to J. Denison & Co in London dated 1814-08-19, regarding the insurance of two brigs Neptune, making a joint trip to Gibraltar. ".By this we pray You will insure against all and very risk £400 Stirling on 1/4 of the shiff Neptune, Capitain John Hagberg and £450 Stirling on 1/4 of her cargo consisting of iron, tar, pitch, timber, spares and deals, £800 Stirling on the ship Neptune, the 2nd, Capitain C.H. Röse and £1200 Stirling on her cargo consisting of tar, iron, timber, spares and deals, at and from Gothenburg to Gibraltar with liberty to touch Cadiz and discharge part or the whole of this cargo, at any port or ports in the Mediterranean including but not higher then Leghorn, with proportionate returns of any part on the whole is discharged .at Cadiz or Gibraltar, and on additional premium of the vessels keen to proceed as far as Nessles. According to the best information all is arranged with the barbary and our flag is no more exposed to the depritiations of theirs corsairs, we hope you will of course effectuate these insurance at moderate premium 6% on there and out. Both vessels are since yesterday quite ready for seal and kept as all ours. Ships with the very best order." In my conspiracies, I have searched the reasons for the Innes sons to leave Banff. All three male offspring of the family left Scotland, during what I believe was a very rough time (1760´s). Can this be a clue, although the two ships Neptune in my story actually is somewhat late? Regards, Kaj Andersson ______________________________