***************************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. ***************************************************************************** The Ground Officer for Rogart appears, at this period, to have communicated more by letter than his colleagues. I do have some examples from elsewhere and will post to ensure a better and fairer coverage. These letters, which are in the general incoming correspondence [3 to 4 boxes per year per district] are in one of the two Additional Accessions of Sutherland Papers in the National Library of Scotland. Malcolm Dundee, Scotland -----Original Message----- From: Ian Morrison [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 02 December 2002 17:31 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [SUT] Events in Rogart 1894 Malcolm: Fascinating. Do you think that such letters might be available from ground officers in other locations? Where might one find them? Your resourcefulness is amazing! Ian in (cold) Ontario, Canada ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] Sent: Monday, December 02, 2002 8:26 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [SUT] Events in Rogart 1894 **************************************************************************** * This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. **************************************************************************** * Extracts from letters written in 1894 by James Alexander the Rogart ground officer, mainly covering succession to crofts (original spelling and punctuation retained in quotes) Numbers refer to croft numbers. Malcolm Dundee, Scotland Widow James Baillie 94 Druimanargied died 30 December 1893 "leaves an Unmarried Daughter, Marion Baillie, in the house & Croft." "left no will and her family are as under Jane - Married to John Melville Doll, Brora Cathrine - Married to D. Sutherland 60 Culdrain Rogart Marion Single who has been at home with her late Mother & applies for the Croft &c: Christy - married, Surry, England" Widow D MacKay 288 Knockarthur died 4 Jan. "She leaves a grown up family. none of them lived with her. But a Sister, Margaret Ross, Single, lived with her in the house." Donald Murray 29 Balclaggin died 14 Jan "after a lingering illness, and leaves a Widow, and one Child. The deceased's Mother. & Sister, are also in the house. There are Five Brothers in, America, the eldest Hugh, who is also in America, repaired the house, and Slated it. There is only one Cow, 2 Calves, and 2 Sheep. on the place, and very little of the land has been under Crop for some years." 1894 Jan 27 "Wo [Widow] Donald Murray, 29. Balclaggin - is purposing Selling the little Stock &c: - which is on the Croft. there is also one Small Stack of Oats & Straw. She also intends to Sell. and to leave the place for her Native place of Glenelg. Argyleshire. Her Motherinlaw Wo Robert Murray. is in the house with one Daughter." 1894 Feb 1 Widow Robert Murray Midwife Balclaggin "Called on the above person. and her Daughter, and I told them that the Widw. was giving up the place. and that unless they are in a position to take it, and pay any Compensation that may be found to be due they would have to leave, and that they had no legal Claim to the house. and which I made them to understand, There is a House. on the Croft. which was occupied by the late Wo [Widow] D. MacKenzie. (Rent free) the former tenant of 29. up till her Death, which took place on Jany: 31st 1891, But Since then, nothing has been done to this house. and it requires thatching, and Some inside repairs - This house Widow Robert Murray will accept. as She is not able to pay for, or look after a Croft. on Condition that these repairs are executed - and She leaves the matter in your own hands - She does not think that any of her Sons, would be disposed, to Come and take the Croft on the Conditions," Her sons: Kenneth - New Zealand. James - America Hugh America This Son, was the means of Slating the house. Angus New Zealand Robert America Alick America Ebenezer America Andrew America [Widow D Murray left for Glenelg 16 March, appears that Hector MacKenzie from Syre in Strathnaver took over croft at Whitsunday] Widow William Murray 347 Rhimusaig died 21 February "leaves a grown up family: - which have all left. except Alexander. a Son. Married and has been living in the house. with his late Mother. and attending to the Croft. &c: - for many years." James Campbell 280 Inchomney died 23 Feb "occupied the Small Croft. Rent free. and leaves a Widow. two Sons. and a Daughter, all of weak Intellect. all Unmarried. and are living in the house." Christy Campbell (Pauper) 278 Rhilochan died 2 March "Occupied a Small house Attached to the West end of above house. Rent free. the deceased was. Unmarried. and leaves no Successor." 1894 Mar 22 telegram "House Shop D McPherson Achnagairn Burnt with Contents this morning" [4 Achnagarron]. William McPherson aged about 21, son of Duncan McPherson, was the only person about the place. Father and mother subsequently went to "Craggie-beg to his Sisterinlaw. Christina MacKenzie" 1894 Mar 24 Donald Leslie 128 West Langwell wants to renounce Croft 122 West Langwell "which as Heir-at-Law. he Claimed the tenancy. on the Death of his Father. Nov. 6th.1893. and wishes now that this Croft be given to his Sister. Mrs Alexr Macdonald. who with her husband. & family live in her late Father's house. I told him, as he well Knew, that the Neighbours. had Complained to you, about her Conduct, as being very troublesome, regarding their Stock, on the Common pasture &c" Alexander Sutherland 119 Achcork died 28 April "leaves a Widow on the place. also two Sons. grown up. and both are gone abroad." Reported May 26 Widow Alexander Sutherland 119 Achork "wishes in the meantime. to Keep on the Croft till She hears from her Sons. who are William in Fife. Robert in New Zealand. It will be August ere She Can hear from William [sic]." 1894 May 26 Alexander MacKay 263 Muie "left the house & Croft about three weeks ago. and is at present working at Dunrobin. and has I am informed Sublet the Croft to Robert McKay, 188, Muie, who paid the Rent 5/- and there being no Crop laid down this year. he has Cattle & Sheep Grazing on it. and the tenant. William Mackay 180. whose land adjoins the Croft Complains. that he is very much annoyed. with Sheep breaking over the fence. there being no person about the place looking after them." William Mackay 214 Rhilochan died 1 July "leaves an aged Widow. but had no family to the deceased. But there is an illegitimate Son of her late Husband's living with her. and who is about 15. years of age. rather Silly. The Houses on the place are in very bad order". 1894 July 23 Memo: "Wo William Mackay 214 Reidlochan does not intend to keep on the Croft. but has not made up her mind. was to get part of wood for repairing Dwelling house, all houses, are in prefect wreck.". 1894 Aug 15 making arrangements to renounce in favour of Robert Matheson. Son of Widow Charles Matheson 88 Inchomney. Robert Matheson not heir to mother's croft: eldest son, Thomas, in Upper Canada. 1894 July 9 "this is the week of the Communion in this Parish, Thursday first being the Fast day, and very little will be done during the week &c" Mary Mackay 162 Breac-ach-adh died 30 August "Single and a Pauper. Died of Cancer... and leaves no Successor. This house is Situated on the Croft 167. Ann McIntoshe's there is no Garden ground Attached. or enclosure round the house. I would Suggest that it be discontinued. and Attached to Croft 167. and as the roof timber is good. that it would be of Some value to the tenant which she would have to pay for." 1894 Sept 10 "Diphtheria is still in the family of Alexr Murray 199 Pittintraill and the Sanitary Officers are endeavouring to prevent the Spread of the Epidemic. The Schools were opened today after the Summer Holidays. with a Small Attendance &c" John Murray 129 West Langwell died 27 Nov "leaves a Widow, and grown up family of two Sons, and one Daughter. all unmarried." ==== 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 ==== 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 PLEASE NOTE: THE ABOVE MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED FROM THE INTERNET. On entering the GSI, this email was scanned for viruses by the Government Secure Intranet (GSI) virus scanning service supplied exclusively by Cable & Wireless in partnership with MessageLabs. GSI users see http://www.gsi.gov.uk/main/new2002notices.htm for further details. In case of problems, please call your organisational IT helpdesk. ******************************************************************* This email has been received from an external party and has been swept for the presence of computer viruses. *******************************************************************