Ooooops - rectified. Thanks. Christine Northamptonshire, England www.highlandhearts.com www.sutherlandheritage.com email rhemusaig@tiscali.co.uk -----Original Message----- From: Malcolm.Bangor-Jones@scotland.gsi.gov.uk [mailto:Malcolm.Bangor-Jones@scotland.gsi.gov.uk] Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2003 4:30 PM To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [SUT] Major Clunes (or Cluness) **************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. **************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** a very minor detail: he fell off Brora bridge Malcolm -----Original Message----- From: Christine Stokes [mailto:rhemusaig@tiscali.co.uk] Sent: 26 March 2003 16:10 To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [SUT] Major Clunes (or Cluness) Some information on Major Clunes - if you think you are related let me know and I can put you in touch with a descendant who lives in Australia. Thomas MURRAY and Christian MUNRO had the following children born at Embo, Dornoch (OPR): JAMES, born 13 December 1791; ELSPAT, born 3 February 1798 [died 4 March 1873 spinster] (DC); twin MARGARET, born 3 February 1798; twins HUGH and WILLIAM, born 6 March 1801 and CATHERINE, born 5 May 1803. In 1851, 1861 and 1871 Elspet was in Dornoch. In 1861 Margaret, was with her. Margaret's granddaughter, Mary MacMillan, was also with them. Margaret Murray would appear to be the Margaret who had an illegitimate daughter, Christian Clynes, who was born in Dornoch in 1827 and later baptised in Wick, Caitnness, in 1830. The entry in the Wick parish register states "Gordon Clunes from the parish of Loth in the County of Sutherland at present residing in this parish had by Margaret Murray in the parish of Dornoch in said County an illegitimate daughter born 29 January 1827 and baptised Christina." Gordon and Margaret also had a son, Alexander, born in 1824. Gordon Clunes later married a Betsy McPherson by whom he also had two further children. Gordon Clunes, a slater, died in Helmsdale on 14 February 1890. His death certificate states that he was the illegitimate son of Captain Gordon Clunes. Christian Clunes married Ewen MacMillan from Ross and the couple lived around Dornoch until they emigrated to Queensland, Australia, in 1854. "The Clunes clan in Sutherland all descend from Clunes of Neilston near Cromarty. They suffered terrible losses from Rebel troops in 1746 but, surviving financial difficulties in the 1750s, they later successfully made the transition from Highland tacksmen to large farmers in the post Clearance era." The first Cluness who lived at Crackaig, Loth, came from Ross-shire. He was factor to the Earl of Sutherland. His son, who succeeded him as factor, had two sons, Gordon and John. Gordon entered the army, and rose to the rank of colonel. He had three sons, Archibald, William and Gordon. Archibald died in the West Indies. William was major in the army. He was a tall, stout and handsome man. He retired from the army at quite an early age. He resided at Crackaig where he died in 1829. Gordon, youngest son of Colonel Cluness, was a captain in the army. He and his horse tumbled off Bonar Bridge and drowned in 1811. From this it would seem that the younger Gordon Clunes was the Captain who fathered the illegitmate Gordon Clunes who in turn fathered the children of Margaret Murray. Christine Northamptonshire, England -----Original Message----- From: Elizabeth Campbell Books [mailto:ecbooks@voyageur.ca] <mailto:[mailto:ecbooks@voyageur.ca]> Hello! Through my family research, I have found that my ancestors had crofts in the Strath of Kildonan on "Major Cluness' lot" . I have found one reference to this man in the biography of Patrick Sellar (regarding a letter about the barking of trees). I would be interested in learning more about him and exactly what his role was in relation to the Duke of Sutherland and the Kildonan Clearances. I found his name in correspondence between Angus Matheson and Lord Selkirk in March of 1815. The crofts concerned were at Auldbreach (I've found a brook named Allt Breac on maps) and tenanted by Angus' mother (referred to as Widow Matheson - who was she?) and another of her sons, Alexander Matheson and his family. I don't have the letters in front of me at this time, but I believe her daughter Helen and a man surnamed Polson are mentioned as living with her (her brother perhaps?). I think there is also mention of another daughter and her husband, also Polsons, living on the Major's lot (same one?) at nearby Torrish. I am pretty new to this genealogy thing, and I'd be grateful for any information. Elizabeth Campbell ecbooks@voyageur.ca <mailto:ecbooks@voyageur.ca> ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== To check out previous messages http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.465 / Virus Database: 263 - Release Date: 3/25/2003 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.465 / Virus Database: 263 - Release Date: 3/25/2003