The MacGillivray Family

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The name MacGillivray is an anglicised version of the Gaelic name Mac Gille Bhreith, meaning "the son of the servant of judgement". It is one of the ancient Scottish clans that came together to form the Clan Chattan confederation, and although originally from the Mull area, this line settled in the Invernessshire region.

On March 31st 1760, a Donald MacGillivray of Dunchea (noted as Danchy) married Elizabeth MacGillivray of Gortleg, having initially contracted for the wedding on January 22nd.  

 

On April 15th 1760, Donald MacGillivray, two year old son to John MacGillivray in Dunchea, died in infancy.

On August 11th 1766, a Thomas McIntire was born to John McIntire and Mary MacGillivray, of Dunchea, and baptised on the 17th.

On March 11th 1771, a William Glass was born to Donald Glass and Elspeth MacGillivray of Dunchea, and baptised on the 16th.

On October 23rd 1771, a Donald Fraser was born to John Fraser and Mary MacGilliivray of Dunchea, and baptised on the 27th. 

In October 1780, a William MacGillivray of Dunchea married Janet MacLeod.

And on February 22nd 1796, a Margaret Fraser was born to Donald Fraser and Isobel MacGillivray, both of Dunchea.

CHILDREN of JAMES MacGILLIVRAY and ANN CAMERON:

Donald MacGillivray

b: 24/7/1772  c: 26/7/1772  d: 30/1/1860

 

Donald was Calum's and Jamie's great great great grandfather - see below.

 

 

 

Jean MacGillivray

b: 5/7/1774  c: 11/12/1774

 

Jean was born at Dunchea in the parish of Dores on 5 JUL 1784 and baptised on 11 JUL 1784. Her parents were noted as James McGilvray and Ann Camron (SP/NRS OPR B 096/0A 0010/0038 Dores).

 

 

 

Janet MacGillivray

b: 13/1/1778  c: 8/2/1778

 

Janet was born at Bochrubin in the parish of Dores on 13 JAN 1778 and baptised on 18 JAN 1778. Her parents were noted as Jas MacGilvray and Ann Cameron (SP/NRS OPR B 096/0A 0010/0043 Dores).  

 

 

 

James MacGillivray

b: 1/8/1781  d: 27/2/1866

 

James was born at Dunchea in the parish of Dores on 29 JUL 1781 and baptised on 1 AUG 1781. His parents were noted as James McGilvray and Anne Cameron (SP/NRS OPR B 096/0A 0010/0047 Dores).

 

James grew up to become a weaver in the town of Inverness. Like his father, he too was to marry a woman with the name of Ann Cameron, the happy event taking place in Dunain, in the parish of Daviot and Dunlichty, on March 5th 1800. The couple were to have at least seven children. 

 

In the 1841 census James was noted as a 60 year old agricultural labourer resident in Wells Street, Inverness. Also present were his 60 year old wife Ann S. McGillivray, and children, John (aged 30), Margaret (aged 35), and William (aged 20). All were noted as coming from Invernessshire (SP/NRS 1841 census RD 98 ED 11 p.31 Inverness).

 

In the 1851 census James was noted as a 68 year old agricultural labourer resident at 37 Wells Street, Inverness. Also present were his 70 year old wife Ann McGillivray, children Margaret (a 40 year old ag lab), John (a 38 year old ag lab), and a 14 year ol servant Janet McGillivray. All were noted as coming from Invernessshire (SP/NRS 1851 census RD 98 ED 13 p.7 Inverness).

 

At 11am on 16 AUG 1863 James applied for poor relief from the Inverness based Parochial Board. His application notes that he was resident in Wells Street, was aged 81, married, born in Scotland, and a farmer by trade. He was visited by an inspector two days later at noon. He was noted as having no dependants, whilst the following was recorded under Other Information:

Age and General Debility. William son about 40 years of age, about Fortwilliam when last heard of, John about Aberdeen and a daughter [...] living with us in Wells St.

As recorded, the daughter's name looks something like 'Weakly', but was almost certainly Margaret, who made a subsequernt application from the same address. James was committed to the Poorhouse (Highland Archive, Inverness Parochial Board applications, BI/4/1/46).

 

James died on February 27th 1866 at 2am, at his home of 37 Wells Street, Inverness. The cause was debility from old age, which he had suffered for some nine months, without the aid of any medical attendant. On his death entry in the register, he was again listed as married, as opposed to being a widower, which presumably means his wife Ann was still alive and kicking at the time, although no death entry for her has as yet been identified.  James' son James informed the Inverness registrar about his father's death on March 5th (SP/NRS D 1866/98/76 Inverness). 

 

 

CHILDREN of JAMES MacGILLIVRAY and ANN CAMERON:

Ann MacGillivray

c: 20/3/1801

 

Ann was born in Inverness in approxiamtely March 1801, and christened on the 20th (SP/NRS B OPR 098/00 6 Inverness):

James McGilvray (weaver Dunend) and his spouse Ann Cammron (sic) had a child baptised by H. Rok called Ann - Duncan Fraser & John Gunn witnesses. 

Margaret MacGillivray

c: 23/12/1802

 

Margaret was born in Inverness in approximately December 1802, and baptised in the town on the 23rd (SP/NRS B OPR 098/00 6 Inverness):

James McGilvray Dunain his spouse Ann Cemron had a child bapt by Rd. Fraser called Margrat / Duncan Fraser & John Gunn witn.

Margaret never married, and appears not to have settled in Inverness city until the early 1840s. At 10.30am on 3 JUL 1883 she applied to the Inverness Parochial Board for relief. In her application she was noted incorrectly as aged 78, a domestic servant, Protestant, and resident at 37 Wells Street. Under Country of Birth she is noted as being from 'Inverness - Duncan' and as being Protestant. She was also partially disabled, as certified by Dr. D. S. McDonald, being 'not able-bodied on account of old age infirmaties'. In the Other Information section, the records states the following:

Applicants Parents - James McGillivray and Ann Cameron or McGillivray both dead - They resided in Inverness and were relieved by this Board - Resides in Inverness 40 years.

Margaret was referred to the committee, and granted 1/6 a week in relief payments (Highland Archive, Inverness Parochial Board applications, BI/4/1/51).

 

Margaret died of chronic heart disease at 8.30pm on December 15th 1886, in her home of 37 Wells Street, Inverness. Her niece, Margaret McKenzie, listed as living at 20 Muirtown Bridge, informed the registrar, Donald Fraser, on December 20th (SP/NRS D 1886 098/00 425 Inverness). 

 

 

 

James MacGillivray

c: 8/11/1804  d: 4/4/1892

 

James was born in Inverness in either October or November 1804 and christened on November 8th (SP/NRS B OPR 098/00 6 Inverness):

James McGilvray labourer & his spouse Ann Cameron had a child bapt. by W. H. Bayer named James - Duncan Fraser & John Gunn witnesses.

James married Henrietta Campbell in Wick, Caithness, in the year 1834 (SP/NRS M OPR 043/00 0005 Wick). The couple went on to have two sons in Caithness, but it seems that Henrietta, or "Fanny" as she was known, died between 1837 and 1843.

 

James remarried to Margaret 'Peggy' Cameron, on December 2nd 1843 in Kilmallie, near Fortwilliam in Invernessshire.

 

In the 1851 census, James was listed in Druimarbin, Kilmallie, as a 46 year old road foreman. His wife Margaret was also living in their home, as well as Marion Cameron, a lodger, and described as an "idiot" (SP/NRS 1851 Census RD 520 ED 4 p.6). 

 

In 1861, the couple were listed in Kilmallie at Duncansburg, with James recorded as a road contractor. This census tells us that Margaret was from Blurchaerine in Invernessshire, whilst 62 year old James was from 'Dunean'. Also listed were their son John, Marjery Cameron, a 54 year old pauper and James' sister-in-law, as well as Christian Cameron, a 19 year old servant (SP/NRS 1861 Census RD 520 ED 1 p.3 Kilmallie).

 

Peggy died at 4.00pm on March 20th 1880, at the age of 77, the cause being asthma, from which she had suffered for two years. Her husband James had the sad duty of informing the registrar on the 29th (SP/NRS D 1880 520/00 18 Kilmallie). 

 

The next we hear of James is in the 1881 census. In 1881, James was described as an 81 year old road contractor. Living with him were his 11 year old grandson James (born in 1869), is sister-in-law Marjorie Cameron, described as an 84 year old lunatic, and Annie McDougall, a 19 year old general servant from Glenelg (SP/NRS 1881 Census RD 520 ED 1 p.2 Kilmallie).

 

James finished his days as a crofter in Druimarbin. He died on April 4th 1892 at midday, apparently aged 95, although he was in fact about 88. The cause of his death was senile decay, as certified by Dr John MacNaughton. James' son John informed the registrar on the 7th (SP/NRS D 1892 520/00 24 Kilmallie).

 

CHILDREN of JAMES MacGILLIVRAY and HENRIETTA CAMPBELL:

James MacGillivray 

b: 1834

 

 

 

John MacGillivray

b: 1837  d: 26/5/1915  

 

On December 22nd 1864 John, at that time a labourer, married Mary Clark, from Blarmacfoldach, the daughter of crofter Peter Clark and Ann Campbell (both by then deceased). The marriage was carried out by the Reverend Charles Stewart, the Free Church of Scotland minister in Fortwilliam, and the witnesses were Charles Cameron and Jim Hinton.  From the wedding entry, it is clear that Mary could not write, as she had to make her mark by way of the letter X, which was witnessed by Charles Cameron and James MacGillivray, although it is not known if this James was her prospective brother-in-law or father-in-law. The wedding was subsequently registered on the 24th (SP/NRS M 1864 520/00 21 Kilmallie).

 

In 1881, the year after John's stepmother had died of asthma, we find in the census that John had been born in Wick, Caithness, where his parents had obviously lived for a time. He was living at Blarmacfoldach Road in Killmallie, and was a crofter of 10 acres. His wife Mary was described as having been born in Crieff in Perthshire, and all their children were listed as born in Kilmallie. 

 

In the 1891 census, John is still at Blarmacfoldach in Kilmallie. He is listed as a 51 year old crofter, who was born in Wick, Caithness, and who could speak both Gaelic and English. Also in the house were his wife Mary, and his children, James, Donald, Annie, Alexander, John, Colin, William and Mary. The house was described as having three rooms with one or more windows. 

 

In 1892, John had the sad duty of informing the registrar of his father's death (SP/NRS D 1892 520/00 24 Kilmallie).

 

In the 1901 census, John was still listed as a crofter at 10 Blarmacfaoldach in Kilmallie. He was described as aged 58, and as both a fluent speaker in Scots Gaelic and English. The house was described as having two rooms with one or more windows (SP/NRS 1901 Census RD 520 ED2 p.3 Kilmallie).

 

John died at 11pm on May 26th 1915 at Fassifren Road in Fortwilliam, aged 76. The cause was hemiplegin, retention of urine and cardiac failure. His son Peter, by now living at Burks Cottage in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, informed the Fortwilliam registrar on the 28th (SP/NRS D 1915 098/B0 032 Fortwilliam). 

 

 

CHILDREN of JOHN McGILLIVRAY and MARY CLARK:

Peter McGillivray

b: 17/9/1865  d: 20/10/1951

Peter was born at 5.00am on September 17th 1865 at Blarmacfoldach, in the parish of Kilmallie, Fortwilliam. His father John, a labourer at the time of the birth, informed the Fort William registrar on the 18th (SP/NRS B 1865 520/00 55 Kilmallie).

 

On December 9th 1892, Peter married a twenty two year old domestic servant, Christina Menzies, daughter of William Menzies and Christina Anderson, at Viewlands in Perth. Peter was at that time working at Comrie Farm in Weem, Perthshire, whilst Christina was living at Auchloe in Fortingall, Perthshire. The witnesses were Donald McTavish and Elizabeth Menzies, whilst the Church of Scotland minister was the Reverend Robert Milne, of the West Kirk in Perth.

 

The couple settled down in Kenmore, Perthshire, and had four sons, two of whom were William, born in 1893, and Robert, born in 1900. Peter's job varied from being a careter to working as a ploughman.

 

But tragedy struck shortly after Robert's birth. Almost exactly a year after the birth, Christina died from peritonitis, on March 23rd 1901, as certified by Dr John Mackay. The death may have been due to an ongoing complication from having recently given birth. The couple had been living in Mains parish of Kenmore when the tragedy had occurred, where Peter had been working as ploughman (SP/NRS D 1901 360/00 03 Kilmallie). To get over the shock, Peter had moved back to his parents' home for a while in Kilmallie, where he is found listed in the 1901 census. At this point, Peter was listed as a 35 year old coachman (domestic service), and the census confirms that he could speak in both Scottish Gaelic and English (SP/NRS 1901 Census RD 520 ED 002 p.3 Kilmallie).

 

Peter was the informant to the same registrar for his father's death in 1915, at which time he was living at Burk's Cottage in Aberfeldy, Perthshire (SP/NRS D 1915 098/B0 032 Aberfeldy).

 

Peter subsequently remarried to Christina Cameron, and continued to live in Aberfeldy.

 

At 6.10pm on October 20th 1951, Peter, by now a retired gardener, died. He died at Cuil an Daraich, Logierait, Perthshire, although his home address was 6 Breadalbane Terrace in Aberfeldy. The cause was senility and cardiovascular degeneration, as certified by Dr. W. Yellowlees. The informant was a William A. Graham, the occupier of the premises (SP/NRS D 1951 376 18 Logierait). 

 

 

CHILDREN of PETER McGILLIVRAY and CHRISTIAN MENZIES:

William McGillivray

b: 12/9/1893

 

William was born sat 3.300pm on September 12th 1893, in Kenmore, Perthshire. The informat to the registrar on the 16th was his father, a carter at the time (SP/NRS B 1893 360 13 Kenmore).

 

 

 

John McGillivray

b: 1896

 

John was born in the Mains parish of Kenmore, Perthshire in 1896 (SP/NRS B 1896 360 05 Kenmore).

 

John later married Agnes Gracie (born 1908) and had at least one child.

 

 

CHILDREN of JOHN McGILLIVRAY and AGNES GRACIE:

Peter McGillivray

b: 1936

 

Peter was born in Aberfeldy, Perthshire in 1936. He later went on to marry Janet Salt (born Hinckley, Leicestershire, England in 1937).

 

The couple went on to raise a family of five children.

 

 

CHILDREN of PETER McGILLIVRAY and JANET SALT:

Peter Wayne McGillivray

b: 1957

 

Peter was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England, in 1957.

 

 

 

Gavin Mark McGillivray

b: 1958

 

Gavin was born in Hong Kong, China, in 1958.

 

 

 

Shaun Duncan McGillivray

b: 1959

 

Shaun was born in Hong Kong, China, in 1959.

 

 

 

Cheryl Jayne McGillivray

b: 1963

 

Cheryl was born in Leicester, England, in 1963.

 

 

 

Donna Michelle McGillivray

b: 1965

 

Donna was born in Leicester, England, in 1965.

 

___________________

 

 

Peter McGillivray

b: 3/5/1898

 

Peter was born in the Mains parish of Kenmore at 2.00pm on May 3rd 1898. His father, John, a farm servant at the time, informed the Kenmore registrar on the 10th (SP/NRS B 1898 360 08 Kenmore). 

 

 

 

Robert McGillivray

b: 17/3/1900

Robert was born at 7.40pm on St Patrick's day, 1900, in the Mains parish of Kenmore, Perthshire. His father, a ploughman at this point, informed the registrar on the 21st (SP/NRS B 1900 360 05 Kenmore).

 

Robert married Catherine Stewart in Aberfeldy on October 2nd 1925.

 

Their first child Daniel died in infancy, but their two daughters, Margaret and Christine, survive to this day in Aberfeldy and in Australia.

 

CHILDREN of ROBERT McGILLIVRAY and CATHERINE STEWART:

 

Daniel McGillivray

b: 4/1/1928  d: 5/1/1928

 

Daniel died aged only a day old at 5.00pm on Januray 5th 1928, in the family home at 6 Breadalbane Terrace in Aberfeldy. The cause was premature birth. His father, Robert, a journeyman baker at the time, informed the Aberfeldy registrar on January 14th (SP/NRS D 1928 324 2 Aberfeldy).

 

 

 

Christine McGillivray

b: 31/10/1929

 

Christine currently lives in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland.

 

 

 

Margaret McGillivray

b: 20/8/1932

 

Margaret married Hugh Robertson in 1955, and emigrated to Western Australia in 1964 with their three children. She still lives there with her family, which now includes six grandchildren. In February 2003, contact with Margaret was established, and much information has been gratefully received from her.

 

Donald MacGillivray
24/7/1772 - 30/1/1860

Donald MacGillivray was Calum's and Jamie's five times great grandfather.

Donald was born on July 24th 1772 in Dunchea, parish of Dores, and christened two days later on the 26th.

Donald trained to become a house carpenter, and married Isabella Munroe on 5th September 1796, in Inverness, Scotland (OPR:098/8/14). Donald is listed from Ness Bleachfield, most likely his place of abode at the time.

In August 1832, the cholera epidemic hit Inverness, killing 217 people by the time it had passed in December. Government advice printed in the Inverness Journal on November 11th 1831, the previous year, shows the concern that it had about the forthcoming epidemic, and no doubt Donald and Isabella followed it to the letter:

The inhabitants of the burgh and suburbs should pay the strictest and most scrupulous attention to cleanliness, not only in their houses but on their own persons; and that they should forthwith take the precaution of washing the inner walls of their houses as well as the furniture with a white-wash, composed of quick lime and at all times to allow a free admission of air - and further use the utmost diligence in the immediate removal of all manure and pigstyes from and about their premises and recommending to all butchers in town and neighbourhood, to remove INSTANTLY the offals of the animals slaughtered in their shambles.

The town itself was not the cleanest place in which an epidemic could occur. Dr. John Nicol, the medical officer for Inverness at the time of the cholera plague, recorded the following description of the place in 1841:

There are very few houses in town which can boast of either water-closet or privy; and only two or three public privies in the better part of the place exist for the great bulk of the inhabitants. Hence there is not a street, lane, or approach to it that is not disgustingly defiled at all times, so much so as to render the whole place an absolute nuisance. The midden is the chief object of the humble; and though enough of water for purposes of cleanliness may be had by little trouble, still the ablutions are seldom - MUCK in doors and out of doors must be their portion.

CHILDREN of DONALD MacGILLIVRAY and ISABEL MUNROE:

Between 1829 and 1834, James was listed in the OPR records of his first three children as a corporal and drummer in the Inverness Militia. James seems to have left the militia and taken up work as a shoemaker on Baron Taylor's Lane in Inverness, where the family stayed until at least August 1838.

 

By 1841, we find James, his wife Ann, and his children Donald, William, Mary, Isabella, Ann and Margaret, all recorded as living at Academy Street in Inverness in the 1841 census, where James continued to work as a shoemaker (GROS:1841/98/3/19).  At some unknown point, however, James took up a position as the Bugle-Major of the Inverness Highland Light Infantry.

 

On January 25th 1853, Ann died. In the Inverness Courier of 15 FEB 1853, the following death notice was found:

At Baron Taylor's Lane, Inverness, on the 28th ult aged 52, ANN ALEXANDER, wife of James Macgillivray, Musician.

 

Ann's sons John and Finlay erected a stone in her memory at the Old High Church burial ground, which has been transcribed as stating:

To the memory of Ann ALEXANDER, wife of James MACGILLIVRAY, musician, Inverness. Who died 25th January 1853, aged 29 years.

 

Ann's listed age is obviously incorrectly recorded here in the transcription. 

 

Tragedy again struck James at the start of 1857, when his son Donald died of consumption in Inverness. James informed the regsitrar of the death on January 6th, and from the death entry, we have the confirmation of the kind of musician he was, with him noted was the Bugle Major of the Inverness Militia.

 

A military inspection of the Highland Light Infantry was noted in the Inevrness Courier of 23 SEP 1858 as having occurred the previous Friday at Barrack Square on Telford Road, with the inspecting officer being Lord Lovat, the Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire.  There were various drills involving the regiment, with the following reference to the band:

The bugles, under the direction of the band-master, Mr Macgillivray, were exercised in the barrack and field calls, and afterwards the band played several popular airs in admirable style.

 

James' military position is again confirmed in an Inverness Courier newspaper article dated 26 JAN 1860, entitled 'A Fact for Naturalists'. The article concerned an incident involving his son James (see below).

 

On 14 NOV 1861 the Inverness Courier notes that "Mr Macgillvray's band was in attendance" at a dinner to commemorate "the restoration of the title of the old Earls of Cromartie", and that it "played appropriate airs after the toasts".

 

In May 1869, James took up a new employment position, as recorded in the Inverness Courier of 6 MAY 1869:

NESS ISLANDS.-Mr James Macgillivray, bugle-major, has been appointed keeper of the Ness Islands at a salary of £10 a year.

 

James retired from the Highland Light Infantry in July 1869. The Inverness Courier of 15 JUL 1869 noted the following:

PRESENTATION.-On Saturday a deputation of the Inverness Highland Light Infantry Militia Band waited on Bugle-Major James Macgillivray, and presented him with a handsome gold chain and appendages. Corporal Laing headed the deputation, and requested Mr Macgillivray to regard the articles as a small and inadequate but very grateful acknowledgment of his labours during his services in the regiment. Mr Macgillivray, in replying, thanked the members present for their expressions of goodwill towards him, and also for their generous gifts. The articles were supplied by Mr Macpherson, jeweller. The locket bore the following inscription:- "Presented, by the members of the Inverness H.L.I. Militia Band, to Bugle-Major James Macgillivray, as a token of esteem on his retiring from the regiment. 10th July 1869."

 

On 4 DEC 1873, James remarried to 48 year old Jane McLean, daughter of Alexander McLean, clerk, and Janet Fraser. The marriage was performed at Jane's residence, Beauly (Kilmorack), according to the forms of the Free Church. James was noted as a 73 year old late Bugle-Major from Inverness, and a widower, whilst his parents, both deceased, were noted as Donald McGillivray, house carpenter, and Isabella Munro. The witnesses were John MacLennan and John S. McGillivray. The wedding was registered on 5 DEC 1873 (SP/NRS M 1873 Inverness 100/7).  

 

By the 1881 census, James was described as living in Island Bank Island House, Inverness, with his job listed as Keeper of Ness Islands. His wife Jane was also listed at this address (SP/NRS 1881 Census RD098 ED22 p.2 Inverness).

 

James died at 3am on April 3rd 1883 at Ness Islands Lodge, Inverness. His death entry records that his father was a master house carpenter. The cause of his death was general debility of old age, and he had had no medical attendant with him in his final days. Maritally, he was described as widower of Ann Alexander, and married to Jane McLean.  The death was registered in Inverness by a son-in-law of James by the name of MacDonald (first name illegible), a water worker in Inverness, on April 9th (SP/NRS D 1883 98/146 Inverness).

 

Jane died on 14 MAR 1898 at 1 Haugh Road, Inverness, the cause being pneumonia, as suffered for 7 days. She was noted as the 72 year old widow of James McGillivray, Bugle-Major, Inverness-shire Militia. The informant was Calum's Jamie's and Pippa's three times great grandfather, John Brownlie McFarlane, a 'friend of the deceased', of 2 Hill Place, Inverness (SP/NRS D 1898 098/100 Inverness).

 

CHILDREN of JAMES MacGILLIVRAY and ANN ALEXANDER:

Donald MacGillivray

b: 3/1825  d: 2/1/1857

 

Donald was born in Inverness in March 1825, most likely at some point in the middle of the month. He was christened on the 28th, as the old parochial register records (GROS:OPR 98/11):

James MacGillivray drummer in the Inverness militia and his spouse Ann Alexander had a child baptized by the Revd Thos. Fraser named Donald. Wits - Donald MacGillivray & WM McBain.

Donald died at 9.00am on January 2nd 1857, at the age of 31. He had been working in Wester Haugh as a compositor, i.e. a worker setting type on a press.  The cause of death was consumption, of which he had suffered some two years, without the aid of a medical attendant. Donald's father is listed as a bugle major with the Inverness Militia, and it was he who informed the Inverness registrar on the 6th (GROS: 1857/98/6).

 

 

 

Mary MacGillivray

c: 6/2/1827

 

Mary was born in Inverness most likely at the end of January 1827. He was christened on February 6th, as recorded in the old parochial rgister (GROS:OPR 98/11):  

James McGillivray, corporal Inverness Militia, and his spouse Ann Alexander had a child baptized by the Revd Thomas Fraser named Mary. Witnesses William Anderson & Donald McGillivray.

 

 

 

Isabella MacGillivray

c: 10/2/1829

 

Isabella was born in early February 1829 and christened on the 10th, as recorded in the Inverness old parochial register (GROS:OPR 98/11):

James McGillivray, Corporal Inv Militia & his spouse Ann Alexander had a child baptized by the Revd. Thos. Fraser named Isabella. Witnesses Charles Bird & Dond McGillivray.

 

 

 

James MacGillivray

c: 7/6/1831

 

James was most likely born at the beginning of June in Baron's Lane, Inverness, and christened on the 7th, as recorded by the old parochial register (GROS:OPR 98/11):

James MacGillivray, shoemaker, Baron Taylor's Lane & his spouse, Ann Alexander, had a child baptized by the Revd. Thos. Fraser named James. Witnesses Wm Mackintosh & Donald MacGillivray.

 

At some stage prior to 1860, James travelled to Australia. A story concerning him was published in the Inverness Courier on 26 JAN 1860.

A FACT FOR NATURALISTS

 

Mr James Macgillivray, son of Bugle-Major Macgillivray of the Permanent Staff of the Inverness, &c., Highland Light Infantry, in a letter dated Victoria, Melbourne, 13th November 1859, enlosed, for the sake of curiosity, a mosquito alive. The letter reached Inverness in due course, and was opened by a daughter of Mr McG.'s, who had not read much of the letter when she felt a sharp sting on her wrist. She looked to the part affected, and espied a bright and gold coloured insect stuck on her arm. Feeling the sting rather keen she hastily brushed it off, and thought no more of the matter until she had read the letter through and knew of the insect being inclosed. A search of two hours followed for the insect, but was fruitless. But the fact that the mosquito came home alive, notwithstanding the different post-offices gone through, and amid the pressure, &c., of so many letters together, can be proved, and a ffords a subject to the naturalist.

 

 

 

Ann MacGillivray (DNA match)

b: 12/11/1833

 

Ann was born on November 12th 1833 at Baron Taylor's Lane, Inverness, and christened on December 7th 1833 by the Reverend Thomas Fraser, the witnesses being William McBean and Donald McGillivray, presumably her grandfather (GROS:OPR 98/12).

 

Ann married 25 year old ship carpenter Andrew Robertson on 10 JUN 1862 at Inverness by the Revd Alexander MacGregor after banns according to the forms of the Church of Scotland. Andrew's parents were noted as deceased ship carpenter Andrew Robertson and Mary Paterson, with Ann's parents listed as James MacGillivray, Bugle Major in the Inverness Militia, and Ann Alexander. The witnesses were William Robertson and John L(achlan) MacGillivray. The marriage was registered in Inverness on 11 JUN 1862 (SP/NRS M 1862 098/00 42 Inverness).

 

In March 2019 a DNA match was established via Ancestry to a 5 x great granddaughter of the couple, Sandra Johnston, to whom thanks is given.

 

 

 

William Henry MacGillivray

b: 15/5/1836  d: 4/1/1879

 

William was born in Baron Taylor's Lane on May 15th 1836, and christened on the 26th by Reverend Rose, the witnesses being William McIntosh and Donald McGillivray (GROS:OPR 98/12).

 

William trained as a tailor and married Eliza MacKenzie on September 13th 1867 in Inverness, in a ceremony according to the forms of the Church of Scotland. The record notes William aged 28, a tailor and son of James MacGillivray, Bugle Major with the Inverness Militia, and Ann Alexander, dceased. Eliza was a 22 year old domestic servant and the daughter of Alexander McKenzie, a ploughman, and Mary Smith. William Fraser and John McDonald were the witnesses, and the celebrant was Rev. Alexander MacGregor (SP/NRS M 1867 098/00 69 Inverness).

 

The couple had two children, but at 5.30am on July 29th 1874, Eliza tragically died in her house at 9 Church Street, Inverness, at the young age of 29. The cause was a six month spate of phthisis (tuberculosis) and pulmonary apoplexy, as certified by Dr William MacDonald. William informed the Inverness registrar on August 1st (GROS:1874/98/246).

 

William himself died only a few years later, on January 4th 1879, at 1879, at Porthero Infirmary, Inverness, with is usual residence listed as 30 Castle Street in Inverness. The cause was emphysema, which he had suffered for a year and five months, and pneumonia, which had hit him in the previous month, as certified by Dr D.S.McDonald. William's father informed the registrar on the 6th (GROS:1879/098/4).

 

 

CHILDREN of WILLIAM MacGILLIVRAY and ELIZA MacKENZIE:

Christina McGillivray

b: 21/10/1870

 

Christina was born at 0.50am on October 21st 1870, at the family home of 9 Church Street in Inverness. Her father informed the Inverness registrar on the 7th (GROS: 1870/098/479).

 

 

 

Eliza MacGillivray

b: 9/8/1873

 

Eliza was born at 10.30pm on August 9th 1873, at 9 Church Street. Her father informed the Inverness registrar on the 23rd (GROS: 1873/098/330).

David McGillivray
1815(approx) - 7/10/1887

The fact that David is the son of Donald MacGillivray and Isabel Munroe is confirmed in his wedding register entry to Isabel McIntosh, 2/12/1869 (SP/NRS M 1869 098/00 104 Inverness). David was born in England in about 1815 in Portsmouth, England, where his father was based as a member of the Inverness Militia.

We know from a later poor law application in 1881 that although David was born in Portsmouth, he moved with his family to Inverness shortly after, as the later record notes that he "Resides in Inverness since infancy" (Source: Highland Archive, BI/4/1/50 - 138/1881.

A description of Inverness from 1816 by excursionist Elizabeth Isabella Spence paints the picture of the town at that time:

Inverness is the capital of the Highlands, and considered the only town, north of Aberdeen, of importance. It is large and populous but the idea I had formed of noble streets, and elegant houses, greatly disappointed me, on a near approach. Like several of the Scotch towns, which owe their beauty to situation, the charm is lost on entering, from the old and irregular appearance of many of the houses, to which a handsome one often unites; and the quantity of fish hung over the doors of the ordinary dwellings, for the purpose of drying, is very disgusting in warm weather. The squalid dirty aspect of the children, take from all the engaging attraction of infancy. Civilisation in the lower class seems to be almost a century behind, as far as regards necessary comfort; this is the more extraordinary, as there is such a striking superiority of refinement, in language, and courtesy of manner, in the inhabitants of Inverness, which extends to the humblest individual. English here is universally spoken, and in a state of purity and correctness, which renders it perfectly beautiful. It gives a softness to the manners, extremely graceful, which, united with the Highland urbanity of character, at once win upon a stranger. The Gaelic used, I am told, by all the ordinary people, is very comprehensive and powerful. Its seems, to my ear, to have great affinity to the Welch (sic).

David appears to have married Janet (Jessie) Fraser at some point prior to 1835, towards the end of his apprenticeship, or immediately upon its completion. There is no record for their marriage in the Inverness OPRs, however, or any other OPR in Scotland.

The couple's second known daughter Christina was born in September 1837 in the Merkinch area of the town, on the east side of the river, suggesting that either David and Jessie had moved there, or that Jessie had given birth at a friend's or relative's house. In June 1939, their third daughter Ann was born in Glebe Street, who would eventually grow up to become Calum's and Jamie's great great great grandmother. 

In the 1841 census, a 25 year old David is listed as a tailor, born in England, and living in the east side of Church Street. Also present was his 25 year old wife Jess, six year old daughter Isabella, and two year old daughter Ann. There is no mention of Christina, who may well have died in infancy  (SP/NRS 1841 Census RD 98 ED 3 p.13 Inverness).

A few months after the census, in July 1841, David's first son Alexander was born, at their house in Church Street. It is believed that Alexander may sadly have also died in infancy, as he makes no further appearance in subsequent census entries. In June 1844, a second son was born, David, also in Church Street.

14th May 1864

 

MacGillivray

 

David MacGillivray, Tailor, Church Street, Inverness, and Ann Cameron, same place, both in this parish.

Ann MacGillivray
15/7/1839 - 18/3/1932

Ann was Calum's, Jamie's and Pippa's three times great grandmother.

Ann was born in Glebe Street, Inverness, on June 28th 1839, and was christened on July 15th by the Rev. Robert MacPherson. The witnesses to her baptism were James MacGillivray and Donald MacGillivray (GROS:OPR 98/12)

In her teens, Ann worked as a servant. On August 9th 1860, Ann married tailor John Brownlee MacFarlane in Inverness, in a ceremony according to the forms of the Church of Scotland. The witnesses to the wedding were Lauchlan Ferguson and John Grant, with the presiding minister being the Reverend MacGregor. The marriage was registered in Inverness on the following day.

From the 1861 census we learn that Ann and John lived at 17 Friars Street, Inverness.

In approximately 1870, Ann and John relocated to Nairn to set up business for themselves as a tailoring firm. Tragedy hit the couple though in the late 1870s as work began to fall away, and by 1878, John had declared himself bankrupt, a situation that would hit the family hard for several years, as he struggled to repay his debts.

During the 1881 census, the family lived at 6 Church Street, Nairn. Apart from the family, they had a lodger staying at the house - William Daniel Mitchell, a law apprentice, aged 18, and originally from Avoch.

By the time of the 1891 census, the family were back living in Inverness, now living at 2 Hill Place.

In the 1911 census, recorded on April 2nd, Ann was noted as 71, married for some 50 years with eight children, seven of them still alive, and as having been born in Inverness. She was resident at 8 View Place, Inverness, along with her husband and several of her children (SP/NRS 1911 098/0A 010/00 004).

The next record to mention Ann is a poor relief application made on behalf of a William Campbell on 20 NOV 1913, a recently arrived boarder at Ann's home of 8 View Place. In the application, the following is noted:

Not relieved before. He states he was brought up with his maternal aunt Mrs Hardie at Croy. He was lodging with Mrs MacFarlane 8 View Place for last 8 weeks. He is suffering from Delirium Tremens and Mrs MacFarlane states she has no person to look after him and wishes him removed from her House. She was not in bed for 2 nights as he was going through the house with a lighted candle looking for imaginary persons. I am informed that his wife left him on account of his drinking habit.

Campbell was duly removed to the local asylum on the same day (Highland Archive, BI/4/1/83, Poor relief applciations, Inverness).

In the 1921 census, recorded on June 19th, Ann was found with her family again in Inverness, at 91 Church Street. Husband John was noted as head of the house, aged 87 and a retired tailor, born in Glasgow. Ann was aged 80. With them were 56 year old daughter Annie, 40 year old daughter Minnie (a millener working at 107 Castle Street), 37 year old married daughter Georgina K. Cooney, 10 year old grandson George M. Cooney (scholar), and three boarders, Kenneth McKenzie (a 28 year old tailor from Creich, Sutherland), 29 year old watchmaker Robert Kerr (from Lanark), and 35 year old tailor Alexander Ross (also from Creich, Sutherland). (SP/NRS 1921 RD 098/A ED 20 p.15 Inverness).

Ann's death was recorded in the Inverness Courier and General Advertiser on Tuesday, march 22nd 1932 (p.1):

Died at 2 Culduthel Road, Inverness, on Friday 18th inst., Ann MacGillivray, widow of John Brownlee MacFarlane. Funeral private.

Three days later, the MacFarlane family paid thanks in the Inverness Courier of Friday March 25th to those who gave them support:

THANKS FOR SYMPATHY

MACFARLANE - Miss MacFarlane and Mrs Cooney return thanks for letters of sympathy received in their recent Bereavement; also for the many beautiful flowers sent.  2 Culduthel Road, Inverness.

 

CHILDREN of ANN MacGILLIVRAY and JOHN MacFARLANE:

Ann (Annie) MacFarlane

b: 15/6/1861

 

 

 

David John MacFarlane

b: 10/9/1863

 

 

 

Jessie MacFarlane

b: 5/6/1866  d: 1948

 

Calum's and Jamie's great great grandmother.

 

 

 

Isabella MacFarlane

b: 5/8/1868

 

 

 

Elizabeth (Lizzie) MacFarlane

b: 3/8/1870

 

 

 

Charles Mackintosh MacFarlane

b: 29/4/1873

 

 

 

Williamina Anderson MacFarlane

b: 18/9/1875

 

 

 

Georgina Kerr Heughan MacFarlane

b: 9/11/1879

 

Connecting to Calum and Jamie

James MacGillivray married Ann Cameron in 1772.

Donald MacGillivray married Isabel Munroe in 1796.

Son, David MacGillivray married Janet (Jessy) Fraser, just prior to 1837.

Daughter, Ann MacGillivray married John Brownlee McFarlane in 1860.

Daughter, Jessie McFarlane, married David Hepburn Paton in 1889.

Son, Charles Paton, married Jane Currie in 1934.

Son, Colin Paton, married Charlotte Harper Graham in 1969.

Son, Christopher Mark Paton, married Claire Patricia Giles in 2000.

Sons, Calum Graham Paton and Jamie Christopher Paton.