A Hundred Farmers an' a' an' a'!
The majority of emigrants from Strathspey went out to the old colonies as individuals or in very small groups. It was, therefore, a suprise to come across this report:-
Apr 29 1774 Edinburgh Advertiser no 1078 p. 268 Edinburgh:
Yesterday se'nnight: 100 emigrants, from Strathspey. bound for New York, arrived in Glasgow. They have cash to pay for their passage, except three, who are supported by the rest.
Further investigation provided the names of these travellers.
Passengers from Strathspey on The George from Port Greenock leaving for New York 20th May 1774
Transcriptions originally made by Viola Root Cameron and David Dobson.
All adult males call themselves “farmers” and no farms are specified unfortunately. So far, searches on Scotland’s People have not found any definite matches in the parish registers. NM beside a name in the list indicates that no match has been found in the registers. Not all names have been checked as yet.
Can family historians help please?
All the adults give as their reason for departure “High rents and dearness of provisions”.
Robert Grant 47 perhaps b 18 Aug 1727 pts Alexander and Ann Grant in Cromdale etc. Two other possibilities in 1728. Two possible marriages to Marys in Kirkmichael only in 1764 which would have to be a second marriage.
Mary Grant 43 wife (b abt 1731) NM
Alexander Grant 24 (b abt 1750) NM
Elizabeth Grant 20 (b abt 1754) NM
Peter Grant 17 (b abt 1757) NM
Katherine Grant 10 (b abt 1764) NM
Donald Grant 8 (b abt 1766) NM
George Grant 6 (b abt 1768) NM
Fanny Grant 4 (b abt 1770) NM
Margaret Grant 3, (b abt 1771) NM
Ellen Grant 2 (b abt 1772) NM
James Stewart 22 (b abt 1752)
Jean Grant 17 (b abt 1757)
John Stewart 35 (b abt 1739)
James Stewart 31 ( b abt 1743)
Mary Stewart 14 (b abt 1760)
George Stewart 10 (b abt 1764)
Henry Stewart 7 (b.c 1767)
Gilbert Stewart 4 (b abt 1770)
John Grant 42 (b.c.1732 perhaps b 12 Oct 1732 bap 24 Oct 1732 pts Humphrey Grant and Els Gunn Cromdale etc )
Margery Grant 39 (b.c. 1735 . No appropriate births or marriages have been found in the OPRs.)
Peter Grant 19 (b.c. 1755 NM)
Donald Grant 17 ( b.c. 1757 NM)
Eliza Grant 15 (Dobson has Elizabeth) ( b.c. 1759 NM)
Eliza Grant 14 (Dobson has Elspeth) ( b.c. 1760 NM)
Nelly Grant 11 (b.c. 1763 NM)
Alexander Grant 10 (b.c. 1764 NM)
Jannet Grant 8 (b.c. 1766 NM)
James Grant 47 (b abt 1727)
Ann Grant 44 ( b abt 1730)
Jannet Grant 23 (b abt 1751)
Ann Grant 21 (b abt 1753)
James Grant 20 (b abt 1754)
Sally Grant 17 ( b abt 1757)
Margery Grant 14 (b abt 1760)
Peter Grant 10 (b abt 1764)
William Grant 52 (b abt. 1722)
Ann Grant 49 (b abt 1725)
Barbara Grant 27 (b abt 1747)
William Grant 22 ( b abt 1752)
Peter Grant 20 (b abt 1754)
Peter Grant 18 (both lists have the two Peters with two years in between) ( b abt 1756)
Ann Grant 15 (b abt 1759)
Margery Grant 9 (b abt 1765)
Janet Grant 6 ( b abt 1768)
John Grant 2 ( b abt 1772)
Robert Grant 1 and half ( b 1771)
Alexander Cameron 32 ( b abt 1742)
Jean Cameron 29 ( b abt 1745)
Jannet Cameron 5 ( b abt 1769)
Elspeth Cameron 2 ( b abt 1772)
Jean Cameron 2 ( b abt 1772)
John Stewart 23 ( b abt 1751)
James Cumming 19 ( b abt 1755)
James Houston 27 ( b abt 1747 : the only James Houston on SP was born Kirkcaldy 06/10/1746)
Robert Grant 29 ( b abt 1745)
Alexander Grant 25 ( b abt 1749)
Ann Grant 18 ( b abt 1756)
Duncan Mackenzie 22 ( b abt 1752)
Alexander Cumming 22? ( b abt 1752)
David Grant 44 ( b abt 1730)
George Grant 24 ( b abt 1750)
John Grant 19 ( b abt 1755)
John Mackenzie 25 ( b abt 1749)
James Grant 23 ( b abt 1751)
James Warrand 24 ( b abt 1750 NM)
Patrick Grant 29 ( b abt 1745)
James Grant 27 ( b abt 1747)
James Cameron 32 ( b abt 1742)
John Cameron 21 ( b abt 1753)
Jean Cameron 19 ( b abt 1755)
William Cumming 52 ( b abt 1722 NM)
Isobell Cumming 40 ( b abt 1734 NM)
Barbara Cumming 26 ( b abt 1748 NM)
Margery Cumming 23 ( b abt 1751)
Isobell Cumming 19 ( b abt 1755 NM)
Alexander Cumming 14 ( b abt 1760)
Katherine Cumming 12 ( b abt 1762)
John Cumming 10 ( b abt 1764 NM)
John MacDonald 48 ( b abt 1726)
Jean Mcdonald 45? ( b abt 1729)
Henereta MacDonald 21 ( b abt 1753)
Jennet MacDonald 19 ( b abt 1755)
Alexander Macdonald 14 ( b abt 1760)
Elspeth Macdonald 10 ( b abt 1764)
William MacKenzie 17 ( b abt 1757)
Allan Grant 22 ( b abt 1752)
John Cumming 16 ( b abt 1758)
Katherine Cumming 10 ( b abt 1764)
Andrew Bain 23 ( b abt 1751)
Isobell Bain 17 ( b abt 1757)
John Duncan 44 ( b abt 1730)
Ann Duncan ? ( b abt
Isobell Duncan 29 ( b abt 1745)
Jean Duncan 17 ( b abt 1757)
Katherine Duncan 5 ( b abt 1769)
James Duncan 3 and half ( b abt 1771)
William Duncan 1 ( b abt 1773)
Donald Cumming 45 ( b abt 1729)
Elspeth Cumming 41 ( b abt 1733)
Mary Cumming 10 ( b abt 1764)
Alexander Cumming 9 ( b abt 1765)
Peter Cumming 7 ( b abt 1767)
John Cumming 2 and half ( b abt17720
Margery Cumming 1 ( b abt 1773)
James Bain 32 (b abt 1742)
Christian Bain 27 (b abt 1747)
Ann Bain 10 (b abt 1764)
William Bain 8 ( b abt 1766)
Alexander Bain 4 (b abt 1770)
Isobell Bain 3 (b abt 1771)
James Calder 18 (b abt 1756)
Margaret Calder 24 ( b abt 1750)
John McKay 18 ( b abt 1756)
James Mitchell 22 (b abt 1752)
Mary Mitchell 25 (b abt 1749)
John Mitchell 4 ( b abt 1770)
Mary Grant 12 (b abt 1762)
John McDonald 22 (b abt 1752)
Margery MacDonald 20 (b abt 1754)
Mary Cumming 4 (b abt 1770)
Alexander Watson 15? ( b abt
Lewis Grant 32 ( b abt 1742)
James Grant 47 (b abt 1727)
Mrs Grant 39 (b abt 1735)
Alexander Grant 19 ( b abt 1755)
Swithin Grant 8 ( b abt 1766)
Betty Grant 6 (b abt 1768)
Mary Grant 3 (b abt 1771
Francis Grant 2 (b abt 1772
John Cumming 24 ( b abt 1750)
Mrs Cumnming 24 ( b abt 1750)
Hugh Ross 17 ( b abt 1757)
William Ross 14 ( b abt 1760)
Margaret Allan 19 ( b abt 1755)
James Ross 10 ( b abt 1764)
John Ross 14 ( b abt 1760)
Agnes McGrigor 26? ( b abt 1748)
A very few passengers are listed from elsewhere.
Typed notes of articles in the Scottish newspapers from the North Carolina Archives, from which there are a selection below, indicate that there was almost an emigration mania during these few years. They also show that there were people on both sides of the Atlantic trying to stem the flow of people, talents and money for various reasons. The American War of Independence, into which these people were plunged, ensured that cessation for a while.
For an account of the kind of life the people hoped to share may I suggest that Mrs Grant of Laggan’s “Memoirs of an American Lady” is worth reading. It is a perceptive and positive recollection of her childhood at this particular time.
The choice of extracts from the newspapers below is, I hope, self-explantory.
Source of what follows: https://archives.ncdcr.gov/media/634/open
July 24 1770 no 685 p. ~l
From the London papers, July 20:
"By a letter from Philadelphia we learn that the provinces of Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina are unanimous in adhering to the resolutions of the more northern colonies, not to import British manufactures until a repeal of the Tea act, as well as all the rest, shall take place."
December 21 1770 no 728, p. 396 Edinburgh:
“The New York Gazette mentions an insurrection or riot that happened in the beginning of last October in Orange-country North Carolina, when the rioters, who stile themselves Regulators, insulted the judges on the circuit at Hillsborough; Col Fanning and Mr Williams a lawyer, and others, were grossly abused, and dragged through the street by the heels; they insulted Judge Henderson in the court house, and told him they had a right to direct him in his procedure, and to pack juries &c. Luckily the judge made his escape in the night time. They continued their lawless behaviour some days and then dispersed.
May 5 1772 no 871 p. 285 Edinburgh:
“A Captain of a vessel lately arrived in Clyde from Charlestown, affirms, that many of the poor deluded farmers that went away some years ago from Ilay &c. to the back settlements of Carolina, were sorry for having been so easily imposed upon, and that they have applied to him in numbers to obtain a passage to their native country. --It is a pity that our people should be sent to cultivate the waste lands in America, and such large tracts of ground lying uncultivated in our own country? Were the waste lands throughout the Kingdom portioned out in small parcels, and given to poor and industrious families, at a small quit rent, or no rent, it would not only be a very charitable expedient by providing for many hundreds who are now in want, but might be a means of preventing such emigrations and would most certainly and effectually prevent the necessaries of life from being at such exorbitant prices. --The cottagers with the small farms would be obliged constantly to supply the markets with poultry, butter, eggs, cheese, &c. &c. in order to procure for themselves such necesseties as they would from time to time be in want of, besides a great part of the country, which now lies desolate and useless would be inhabited and rendered beautiful by cultivation.
Jul 17 1772 no 892 p. 37 Edinburgh:
We hear from Greenock, that a large ship has been freighted at that place, to carry 300 passengers from the Isle of Sky to Carolina; this is the emigration which we mentioned some time ago; they are to sail next month. We hope some proper plan will be thought of to encourage our natives to cultivate their own country; there are abundance of improvements still wanting in this part of the Kingdom, and the loss of useful hands must soon impoverish any country.
Jul 31 1772 no 896 p. 69 Edinburgh:
The emigration from Sutherland and the environs still continue: detachments of these voluntary exiles past the Spey on Thursday and Friday on the way to Greenock.
Sep 14 1772 no 906 p. 150 Edinburgh: Extract of a letter from a gentleman of very considerable property in the Western Isles dated August 16.
"The people who have emigrated from this poor corner of Scotland, since the year 1768, have carried with them at least ten thousand pounds in specie, notwithstanding this is a great loss to us, yet the depopulation by these emigrations is a much greater. Unless some speedy remedy is fallen upon, by the government and the landholders, the consequences must prove very fatal, as this part of the country is rather in the infancy of being civilized than improved; besides, the continual emigrations from Ireland and Scotland, will soon render our colonies independent of the mother country."
Oct 1 1773 no 1018 p. 213 Edinburgh: Extract of a letter from Strathspey, Sept 19:
"I am thoroughly convinced that the emigration will soon be general in this country. 250 emigrants sailed the other day from Fort George, and 308 of the McDonells of Glengary and the neighbouring districts, from Fort William. No less than 8 or 10 vessels are hired this season to carry off emigrants. 840 people sailed from the island of Lewes in July. Alarmed with this Lord F…. their master came down from London about five weeks ago to treat with the remainder of his tenants.
What are the terms they asked of him, think you? "The Land at the old rents : the augmentation paid for three years backward, to be refunded; and his factor to be immediately dismissed”
1 have not yet learned whether he has agreed to these terms; but he must soon, or his lands will be left an uninhabited waste." --Aberdeen Journal
Oct 22 1773 no 1024 p. 263 Edinburgh:
A Letter from Stornoway, in Lewes Island, says, that a ship with emigrants from Murray, put in at Stornoway by stress of weather, in a most misetable condition, most of whom are to return back to Murray; and that other two ships with emigrants from Sutherland and Caithness, parted with them in the storm, and are thought to be lost.
Oct 26 1773 no 1025 p. 270 Advertisement:
EMIGRATIONS just published Price 6d. sold by J. Dickson, Edinburgh The Present Conduct of the CHIEFTAINS and PROPRIETORS of Lands in the Highlands of Scotland towards the Clans and People, impartially presented. Dedicated to his Excellency General Oughton. By a HIGHLANDER
Dec 24 1773 no 1042 p. 406: Advertisement:
“For Edenton, North Carolina. and to call at London, The good ship the MARGARET and MARY of Kincardine, George Izett, master, a new vessel and fast sailer, has good accommodation for passengers, to sail from Leith the 15th of January next, wind and weather serving. For freight or passage, apply to Jamieson and Carmichael merchants, New Exchange, Edinburgh, or the master at Kincadine.
Jan 21 1774 no 1050 p. 44 # Edinburgh, extract of a letter from Argyleshire, Jan. 7:
"Letters have been sent by the different sheriffs to all the ministers here, relative to the emigrations, and enquiries are now making as to the number of people who have emigrated within these two years. It were to b wished that some methods could be devised to prevent the fatal consequences of these emigrations but we are afraid this will be a difficult task; the fact is, that the tenants. labourers, and tradesmen are in general very poor, many of them starving for want of bread. ---As to the act of parliament said to be on foot, to prohibit emigration, we trust such a cruel, tyrannical measure will never be adopted by a British Parliament."
Feb 11 1774 no 1056 p. 93 # Edinburgh, extract of an authentic letter from a gentleman in Edinburgh dated Dec 23 1773:
"About three weeks ago a vessel arrived here from Dornoch, with a number of poor Highlanders in a most miserable condition. Upwards of 80 of them died on the passage; and had the survivors been a few days longer out, they would have died likewise. Since their arrival, they have been in a most wretched situation, and must have died in the streets, bad not the people of this town supported them. I hope this will be the last ship with Scotch emigrants that will arrive at this port: for from a variety of reasons, the Highlanders are most improper emigrants for this country: many of them being sold when they arrive here for their passage or debts; and, in general, they are not accustomed to labour.”
Mar 22 1774 no 1067 p. 180 * London : A letter from a gentleman of Baltimore county in Maryland, to his friend in York dated the l5th of January last, says,
"Many people from England and Scotland are flocking to different parts of this continent of divers schemes, and I see many who wish themselves at the place they came from. This is a very trying climate, the two extremes of heat in summer and cold in winter are severely felt herc. Whole families are daily arriving and travelling to the back country, seeking to take up and cultivate land, which from experience they find a very laborious task: It is just like setting a man in the middle of a wood, and I have seen many people fatigued to death in a little time. Happy are they that can rest contented at home.
Apr 29 1774 Edinburgh Advertiser no 1078 p. 268 Edinburgh:
Yesterday se'nnight: 100 emigrants, from Strathspey. bound for New York, arrived in Glasgow. They have cash to pay for their passage. except three, who are supported by the rest.
May 13 1774 no 1080 p. 101 Edinburgh:
Monday and Tuesday, upwards of 200 emigrants from the north, went from Glasgow to Greenock, to take their passage for America.
Jun 7 1774 no 1089 p. 357 # Edinburgh, copy of a 1etter from a gentleman in New York to his friend in Edinburgh dated April 6 1774:
"I wish the gentlemen in Scotland would take measures to put a stop to the frequent emigrations from the Highlands and other parts of the country; by doing so they will be the means of saving numbers of their unhappy countrymen from misery and ruin. The unfortunate situation of such of these unhappy emigrants as have of late been brought to this colony is beyond description; almost the one half died on the passage, owing to hunger and the bad accommodation on board the vessels that carried them: Most of those that remain depend for their support on the public, who are now become tired of this burden. Such of them as go back into the woods under their chiefs that come out with them find themselves still in a worse situation, and the hardships they undergo are infinitely greater than at home. They have a long winter to struggle with, and a very hot summer, and it will be five years before they can earn a subsistence to themselves, and by that time they and their children will become slaves for life, to pay off the debt contracted for a miserable existence during these five years. Such of them as are at liberty to think for themselves have sold their service for four years for a small sum, and to be found in clothes and victuals, of which they will receive but a very scanty provision. 1t is said here that many of the MacDonalds are going over to bring out more: but though it may be an advantage to the rich, who have estates in the colonies, to get people, yet the poor emigrants cannot be placed in worse circumstances than by being brought to the colonies, where they may expect the very worst treatment, without the least hopes of getting back to their native country. I hope therefore some means will be used to undeceive them, for I am persuaded it is the hopes of better things which tempt them to come here in such numbers. I give you leave to publish this, and if it shall prove the happy means of preventing my countrymen from leaving their native country, to encounter the dangers and distresses they meet with, it will make me very happy.
Jun 2 1775 no 1192 p. 349 Edinburgh: Extract of a letter from Strathspey:
"The spirit of emigration has reached this country: for on Tuesday se‘ennight about two hundred persons rendezvoused at Aviemore, and marched off for Greenock, where they are to embark for America. -- Among these unfortunate persons was a woman of 83 years of age, on foot, with her son before her playing Tullochgorum on his bagpipes; some of them had children a month old, which the fathers carried on their backs in a skull or wooden basket.”
This group seem to have sailed on The Clementina and come from varied backgrounds and places including Beauly, Contin, Nairn, Findhorn, Duffus, Inverness. All are looking for a better life in Philadelphia. They chose a very bad time to arrive, however. The list of passengers and their fate needs a separate investigation.
October 6 1775 no 1228 p. 220 Edinburgh: Extract of letter from Philadelphia:
"No Scotsman, unless he joins the Americans against Great Britain, is now safe in almost any part of the country. Your acquaintance, Christie, has been fined 5000L, his estate confiscated until that sum is paid, and he himself banished the colony, for acting against some of the committees which now govern this country. Our countrymen, Major Skene and Mr. Moncrief, are still kept prisoners, by directions from the Grand Continental Congress, but they are very well treated.”
Nov 7 [1775], p. 291 London, extract of a letter from Newcastle, Oct. 28:
“A tradesman who came from America by the last ship from Glasgow, and who was in this town this week, declared he saw at New-York, a man taken from his family, and buried up to the chin in the earth, by one of the inlisting committees, because he would not bear arms against his lawful sovereign. He was kept there till almost perishing, and told they would knock him on the head, if he did not take their oaths: which at last he was forced to do and join the continental army.”
We might leave the Grand Cham to predict a more positive long-term outcome of the future of the Scottish Highland migrants.
Feb 10 1775 no 1160 p.89 Dr [Samuel] Johnson’s account of the EMIGRATIONS from the HIGHLANDS of SCOTLAND:
"Nor are they only the lowest and most indigent; many men of considerable wealth have taken with them their train of labourers and dependents; and if they continue the feudal scheme of polity, may establish new clans in the other hemisphere”.
