Your name Patterson emerged as a Scottish Clan or family in their territory of Rossshire where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated with manor and estates in that shire. Originally the Clan Phaedirean located their home territories on the north side of Loch Fyne. This name was anglicized about trhe 13th century to Paterson. By the 16th century they had acquired lands to the south in Glasgow and they became prominent businessmen of Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow. William Patterson originated Darien scheme as Chairman of the Bank of England in 1700. There is a claim by the Farguharson Clan that the Phaedirean (Patterson) was directly descended from Patarick Farquharson which seems to be a likely source,. Their present family seat is at Castle Huntley in Pertshire. Notable amongst the Clan from early times was William Patterson, Chairman of the Bank of England. For the next two or three centuries the surname of Patterson played an important role in the highlands and in the affairs of Scotland. However, typical of the ancient conflict between highlander and Edinburgh, many ancient highland clans have still not officially been recognized as clans by the Lord Lyon of Scotland. Many clansmen of Highland families migtrated from Scotland to Ireland during the 17th and 18th centuries. They were granted lands of the native Catholic Irish. In Ireland 153 families settled in counties, Down, Antrim, Armagh (?) Armaoh (?) (spelling hard to see) Derry and Tyrone. However, to many, life in Ireland became a disillusionment, Conditions were little better than in their homeland. Poverty prevailed and the religious conflicts remained except that now they were in a strange land and without the support and kinship of the clan. The New World beckoned to the adventurous. Clansmen sailed aboard the small sailing ships known as the 'White Sails' which plied the stormy Atlantic, ships such as Hector, the Rambler and the Dove. Indenturing them- selves for as long as ten years to pay their passage. These ships were originally designed for 100 passengers, but frrequently sailed with 400 to 500 people on board., Many ships arrived with only 60 to 70% of their overcrowded passenger list, the rest dying at sea. TO BE CONTINUED Elizabeth