“A Succinct Account of the Grants”

Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness in the desart air.
Gray.

Introduction

(1) History, the farther back we go, becomes darker and darker; and ends, at last, in fable. This, therefore, might satisfy us, when checked in our career, searching for the origin of particular tribes and families. For, if the transactions of states be inveloped in obscurity, 'tis vain to think that the lives and genealogy of the constituent members can be ascertained with precision.

From the subversion of the Roman Empire in the fourth and fifth, till the revival of learning in the twelfth, century, so universal was the midnight darkness (3) of letters that overspread all Europe, that men then seldom thought of recording anything: and, during the middle ages, little credit can be given those things that are preserved. Yet, when literature began to dawn, men did not only set about writing histories, and preserving the transactions of their own times; but, taking a retrospect of the past, when any handle could be obtained from tradition, written or verbal, they interlarded the fictions of their own imaginations; and, in a very short time, filled the world with fable and romance, not with genuine history.

And, tho' 'tis generally agreed that, previous to the time of Malcolm Canmore An. 1057, surnames were unknown in Scotland; they were in use before; but not common till his time; yet several Seneciones and Genealogists have pertly enough carried up their origin to a much higher descent, but without chronological evidence.

Waving a refutation of such procedure; and (5) also a vindication of what hath been said and written concerning that Clan, whereof it is proposed, in the sequel, to delineate the genealogy, I shall give it as I find it in the tracts preserved, recurring, as occasion offers, to contemporary writers; and producing, at the same time, various chronological and historical facts related by these authors. But, before I proceed, it may not be unacceptable, to pause a little, and enquire into the origin, antiquity, &c. &c. of the Grants.

Chapter 1: Of the Origin of the Grants

The surname, Grant or Graunt, is of a very old date. And there are men of this name to be met with, in every history (since the commencement of true history) filling honourable offices. The original name (7) is believed by many to have been Groot of Grud. Hence their name and derivation would be easily accounted for, upon the authority Roman authors; for, according to Caesar, the Grudii were a people of Gaul. Thence we might derive their origin with as much probability of truth, as some who have done so with respect to other names; and that too with as little change in the sound and pronunciation. But 'tis vain to build on uncertainties; to rear a superstructure on a sandy foundation.

Besides assigning them this original name, they are traced from Scandinavia to Scotland, on an occasion to be immediately explained. This is countenanced in an old MS history of part of that country, written by Vanbassan, and said to be still extant in the Advocates' Library. And it is moreover corroborated by a point of fact, that this name has long flourished in that kingdom; as a proof of which, it is certain, as will be seen here after, that there are two antient churches (9) in Christiana having the name of Grant-Soyen, i.e. the parishes of Grant.

To this account I can add a piece of information, more convincing than any supposition however injurious or probable, from a variety of concurring circumstances, it may appear. I received it, on Nov 16 1782, from a Clergyman of undoubted veracity. It is a story, too, that could receive no addition from inventive geniuses, that length of time might produce. It is a simple point of fact.

“When the Clergyman, therefore, from whom I got my information, was a Student of Divinity at Edinburgh, he says that a friend of his (a lawyer) saw, in his younger days, a gentleman of character, who had been sent over to Scotland from the King of Denmark, in order to enquire into the history and family of Grants”.

This not only points at their birth place, but also at their worth and importance. It does not simply show that they are of Scandinavian blood royal, it plainly implies in it that, if not at present in that country, they had one day been a powerful and valuable set of men, as we have hinted at in the account handed down to us of Haquin, the Ld Protector. And from this also we may infer, that there are some vestiges that race still extent in the Northern Kingdoms. Likewise, if I had access to the annals of the nations there, I should perhaps find enough to interest the reader. It is above 50 years, if not 60, since the Clergyman studied Divinity.

It is highly probable that they were erected by such of the family as remained in that kingdom, since the Grants are supposed to have come over to Scotland in the beginning of the fifth century, on the following emergency.

The Romans, commanded by Maximus, defeated the Scots, killed their King Eugenius and, compelled the princes of the blood to shelter themselves where they could Buch Li Li ch 39. On which, the Picts soon began to be oppressed by Ireland and Denmark, in whose behalf they had engaged in this war, and by whose assistance they had almost extirpated the Scots. With this treatment the Picts were much dissatisfied: They found that they had been fighting to establish a power, capable of enslaving themselves; and therefore they did their utmost to be reconciled to their old foes, in order to protect themselves from the servitude of their treacherous friends. With this view, they encouraged the broken remains of the Scotch nobles to invite Fergus, the lineal descendent of their old (11) Monarchs, to assume the direction of affairs against the Romans: and, on their part, they promised him all the assistance in their power. In him, too, who had distinguished himself by his military conduct, were centered all the hopes they had of vindicating the rights of their native country. On this invitation, Fergus, collecting as many of the exiled Scots as he could, took along with him, besides Irish, some Danish and Norwegian, gentlemen, who, for the affection to his person, declined not to follow his fortunes. He was installed in the throne, AD 404 according to the Book of Paisley. Buchanan Lib 5. ca.2.

With this, Fergus, the second of that name, King of Scotland, came over the ancestor of the Grants, whose posterity have ever since flourished in the North of that country. And, because they came hither immediately from Ireland, several have traced them up to an Irish extract without going farther back. 'Tis difficult, however, to speak the truth impracticable, to go so far back, in things of this nature, with any tolerable degree of certainty. At the same time, 'tis a thing beyond all contradiction (13) that they are a very old race, and have all the authentic marks of being a powerful Clan.

To all the ingenious suppositions obtruded on the world, the following may, with as specious a shew of plausibility as any, be added. It is well known that the ancient Caledonians were colonies from those Celtic nations on the Continent that first peopled this country. Before the institutions of sirnames, they had gentile appellations to distinguish them, such were the Gordini, whence the Gordons of this country; the Catti of Germany, whence the Clan Chattan. The posterity of these Caledonians, when sirnames were first thought of assurned the generic or Gentile names which had taken place before. The nation of the Carnutes, so powerful & so frequently met with in Caesar’s Commentaries, is one of these. The formation of Gaul from Gael or Gall from Gaul, when the compound Caledonia by a transposition of the letters, is but a late discovery made by antiquaries. The formation of Grant might be allowed to be as natural; for Carnut, in the singular, by a change of the C into G, becomes as naturally Garnut; and by a metathesis, Graunt as it was long written by the English. To this add that the Garnutes, or Grant, lived, as they still do, among those tribes which antiquaries call aborigines of Caledonia. So that it is probable Grantsoyen in Norway has its name from the same people.

Instead of introducing them thus into this country, Mr Lachlan Shaw brings them thro’ a great circuit, from Norway into Normandy in France; and thence into England with William the Conqueror. That a branch of them settled in England, whence English Grants, is true. But, dropping this account, as merely conjectural, he recurs to one, strengthened more by presumptive evidence and natural marks, and more honourable, too, than any other can be. He makes them a part of the Aborigines, or antient inhabitants of Scotland; and this he endeavours to account for, by searching the etymology and meaning of the name in English. "For," says he, "Grant signifies, in the Irish or old Celtic dialect, Gray or Hoary: and one tribe of the Grants is called Keran, or Kieran, a name of much the same import with Gray or Graunt."

Now, if any one, in direct opposition to the sentiments of many, but in confirmation of Mr Shaw’s (15) hypothesis, would chuse to have the name of Grant to be of Scottish origin, and derived from some peculiarity of the person, to whom it was first assigned, he may read what Buchanan says, in the manner of instituting titles and surnames in the reign of Malcolm, a thing in which he could not be biassed, a fault he is sometimes branded with.

“Nullique praeterea, pro suis erga rem Scoticam, meritis, novis titulis honorati. Sunt, qui tradant tum primum cæptum, ut nobiliores ab agris cogomina sumerent quod equidem falsum pato This is not true; for there are several who borrowed their name from that of their land; the Ogilvies in particular, cum ea consuetudo ne nunc quidem apud priscos Scotos sit recæpta; totaque tum Scotia prisco sermone et institutis uteretur. Loca vero cognominis, more Græcorum, patris nomen proprio subjiciebant A remark no less ingenious that true: for we know that many of our Scotch names were formed in this way. Such are, McRobert; McKenzie; McLachlan; McKeran etc. Aut ex eventu aliquo, notave corporis aut animi, vocabulum assingebant This is no less true; to favours Mr Shaw’s conjecture: These are Bane; Moar; Beg; Dow etc. Eundemque tum sui sec morem Gallis, indicant illa Regia cognomenta Crassi, Cævi, Balbi: Item multorum nobilium in Anglia familiarum cognomina eorum maxime; qui circa eadam hæc tempora Gulielmum Normanum secuti, in Anglia sedes posuerunt. Buch. Lib.7. cap. 14

(17) And what adds weight to the supposition that the Grants are originally Scottish is a fact no less certain than curious. For, when Donald Bane of the Isles had routed King Solvathius’s army, a certain nobleman, accompanied by his son and friends, coming to their assistance had affrighted the islanders, rallied the flyers, and killed Donald the usurper, the king, as he was coming to succour his troops, being informed of this heroic action, asked for the heroe: it was answered him in the Irish tongue, “Sholto Du Glass”, that is, behold the black grayman; for so he was designed from his colour. As a recompense for this service Solvathius assigned him lands of Clidsdale, which he named Duglass. Hence the name of that noble family. If so with the Duglasses, why not so with the Grants?

And Dr McPherson, Minister of Slate in the Isle of Sky, author of incomparable Dissertations, on the antiquities &c. of his country, seems to be rather arbitrary in his conjectures with regard to the origin of the Grants. It is pity that the Norwegians have no records older than the 12th century. There being few well versed or able to judge of the old Celtic or Gallic language, McPherson was at liberty, withall his erudition and acknowledged abilities as an antiquary, to indulge many superstitions, very ingenious in themselves and perhaps true. But, it is to be feared he has mistaken himself, when he derives the name of Grant from Griantochd, ie the country of Grannius.

“The circles of stones so often mentioned by Ossian and so frequent in the Northern Ebudes, were works of the Pictish Druids; & are worthy of attention. They use the temples in which the old heathens worshipped. After relating that there are numbers of such, he proceeds very naturally to the object of their worship. "That the Caledonians” says he, "and the other Celtic nations, worshipped the Sun under the name of Grannius admits of no doubt. Grannius is manifestly derived from the Grian (Gre or Gne – nature, and therefore) the Gallic word for the Sun. In the confines between two districts of Inverness, there, namely Badenoch and Strathspey, is a very extensive and (opp p19) barren heath, thro’ which the river Spey runs. The name of the heath is Slia ghrannas, which, literally translated, is the heath of Grannius.” (And I may add that it is what is called the “Muir of Granie more”) “No person,” continues the Doctor, “understood the etymon of that word, till my friend – (meaning the translator of Ossian's poems I suppose, tho’ he calls him a learned friend in Inverness shire) passed that way. The country about was called, as it is by the vulgar to this day, Ghriantochd, or the country of Grannius. Some think that Ghriantochd had its name from a highland clan called Grants, who possess that country. To me, says the Doctor, it appears more probable that the Grants, in Gallic called Griantich, had their name from the country, & not from a pretended Le Grand, as the genealogists of that tribe confirm. Supposing all this to be true, which I should fain hope for, because I prefer a Scotch to any other origin; how shall we account for the parish of Grant, & the river Grant in England. Did these take their name from the people that lived on them? Or did the people borrow their name from them. Of how old standing this name may be we cannot tell. Nor is it likely that (opp p21) a general practice over all that was called Caledonia should give name to that heath, unless Doctor meant to say that it was the Jerusalem, the place of general resort and the temple or center of worship. Besides, we know, that as far back as history to be depended on carries us, that country was inhabited by the Cumings & that the Grants dwelt in Stratherrick. So that it is more probable, the Grants, from some memorable transaction that might have happened there, in the course of their disputes with the former proprietors gave it that name. Grannic or Griantich more may I suppose, mean the large Grant or perhaps by a figure, the arcterious Grant. Little therefore can be inferred from hence with regard to their origin. If it had this name for many ages back, we are sure the Grants lived else where; if it had been before 12th century, we know there were Grants then in Stratherrick. So that they could not have borrowed their name from it. McPhersons Cri Dif page 286 Dublin Edition

To this account of Dr McPherson’s we shall add another curious piece of antiquity, which will lend to (opp p25) undermine the foundation his ingenious conjecture is built and give additional weight to the contrary supposition. Admitting that our antient fathers worshipped the Sun, under the name he says, and that the muir of Slia-Ghrannas in the head of Strathspey, was so called from the worship of the Caledonians, we have a hill well known to everybody particularly mariners in the lower end of the Grants country, near Craig Ellachie, called by the vulgar Bell-Rhinnas, or rather Bell-Rhannas. Various are the conjectures of antiquaries, about the meaning and etymon of this name. But, following McPhersons’ ingenious opinion with regard to the muir mentioned, I should be inclined to think that the word should be written, Bell Ghrannas, that is the Sun hill, or hill of the Sun; & then the name is descriptive of its nature; for the sun darts his rays against the highest summit of it, as soon as he rises. The highest pinnacle is called the Scurrich of Letter-Lonich. And the sun beams are reflected by it, where they are discernable to all the circumjacent country, before he strike any other hill around them, whence, I suppose, the appellation of Bell-Ghrannus.

Or adhering to the customs of the Caledonian priests, we may suppose that the Devotees of Grian paid their vows in the morning, however soon his beams were seen on this summit. And, if antiquaries will have it so, I shall add to their superstitious notions. For, directly opposite to the highest Scurran, (there are three such on the plane of the hill) in a direction due north [… no further text relating to this as the following page is missing….]

(17 cont.) Others again, have derived the Grants from the Continent of France, making the name correspond to Le Grande in French; or what comes nearer the thing, they use the plural Les Grandes. The similarity, however, of writing and pronouncing the name, even tho’ it should be originally French, seems rather, in my opinion, to prove that either (19) gentlemen of that race have frequently emigrated from the one, & settled in the other country – a fact confirmed by experience; or that, in leaving Scandinavia (particularly, Norway) several took up their residence in the country thro’ which they passed, and where most convenient. But, tho’ I would fain give them a Scotch origin, which indeed their language, province and name very naturally suggest, according to Shaw’s conjecture; yet I should not have it thought that, in this, or any other supposition, I dared to aver as certain, what is at best but presumptive: for it must be acknowledged that the various hypotheses, however specious, laid down by authors successively, and refuted by one another, serve to prove the futility of all.

Chapter II: Of their Antiquity

There were anticipated, in the preceding chapter, (21) with relation to the origin, several things that serve to throw light on the antiquity, of the Grants. Besides these, we have other proofs, and more certain too in the historian’s page, which shall be hence extracted, if we had once produced a few that may be gathered else where. And

First: A strong argument in favour of this may be deduced from their having what the French writers call “Cri de guerre”, or cry of war. Among them, this is “Craig Ellachie”. These cries, in this country at least, were taken from the place at which the clan assembled in time of war. For which purpose, there was one appointed by the Chieftain or Phylarchus, to carry a wooden cross, burnt at the ends, thro’ all the districts inhabited by his dependants. On hearing the cry, and seeing the cross, they immediately repaired to the place of rendezvous, and stood to the part assigned them.

Secondly: The intermarriages of the Grants with other families of note, is an irrefragable evidence of their antiquity, as well as rank, it being one of the noblest rules in

(Lacuna: page 23 missing)

(25) of which shews that he was then a powerful Chieftain, since he is required to furnish a well supported lance which is explained to be three sufficient horse men for every district of a certain size within his bounds, when the king should make war without his realm; and to assemble all the defensible persons, inhabiting within said Barony, when required so to do by that prince or his successors.

Secondly: The ancient record, so famous under the title of Ragman’s Roll, which contains the submission of the nobility and gentry of the best families in Scotland to Edward I, Anno 1292, tho’ then and long after glorious to England, contributes now, in some degree, to the honour of Scotland, as it supplies us with the clearest and most authentic proofs of the antiquity of their families in so much that it has been explained by a long and learned commentary, by one of their ablest antiquaries. Among those, whose subscriptions are preserved in that Roll, we find Robertus de Grant, who was probably the Chief of the clan at that time. And, besides this (27) Baron, we find that, when king Edward, in order to establish his power more effectually, thought fit to imprison a multitude of the most considerable men, whom he set at liberty in 1297, there was one John Grant among the number. Rymer Vol 2. p. 776

Thirdly: Sir John de Grant is one of those mentioned in the debates that happened after the death of Alexr III on the competition of the Baliols and Bruce, An. 1287; and, perhaps, he is that John, Baron, whom with his brother Radulphus King Edward I sent from Berwick to London, An. 1296, (tho’ I think otherwise) when they were obliged to serve him abroad.

Fourthly: In an argument, An. 1258, between the Bishop of Moray and Bisset of Lovat, Robertus de Grant, Vicecomes de Inverness, is witness Prynne. Vol 3. P. 657 & Nisbets’ Heraldry. The differences in point of time and designation make me think that he was not the one mentioned in Ragman’s Roll and sent to England.

Fifthly: In one of our ancient historians, we find that two of the family of Grant, John and Allan are mentioned as knights and leaders of renown in that army (29) which the Scots raised for the relief of Berwick, when besieged by Edward III, and Edward Baliol, An. 1333. Both were in the battle of Hallidon hill; and the former commanded the left wing that day. Abercromby’s Martial Achievements.

Sixthly: In 1359, May 10th, according to Abercrombie, Sir John Grant, said to be he who commanded in Hallidon hill, was one of the commissioners sent to France by King David Bruce, to renew the old league between that kingdom and Scotland. Record taken from the register of France penes Geo. comitem de Wintoniensi.

David was then hard put to it for money to pay Kind Edward the second moiety of his ransom. The commissioners, Sir John Grant, Sir Robert Erskine, and Norman Leslie, met the then Regent of France's commissioners, Simon de Bucy Chevalier, and John Chatemarl Consuller du Roy, at Lupar near Paris. They laid before them a copy of the Treaty of Berwick; they told them that, had it not been for their regard to, and their alliance with, France, their King might have been released sooner, and on easier terms; but that he scorned to sacrifice his honour to what should have then redounded (31) to his interests. He agreed, said they, to pay a ransom of 100.000 marks Sterling to be disbursed proportionally at different terms, in 10 years: only 10.000 are paid.

Ninety thousand remain to be discharged, which, if not assisted by France he is not able to pay. The French agents then replied; That, as their own King was a prisoner, and their kingdom involved in a war with England, they could not aid the Scots so powerfully, nor so soon as they wished; but that they should advance at Bruges in Flanders, 50.000 marks, if they (the Scots) would engage to renew the war. So the Scots agreed to send 500 men at arms, and as many archers to France; and promised, moreover, that they should renew the war, as soon as the money was paid. This treaty was concluded, 29th June 1359, in the New-hall at the palace of Paris, and ratified by the then Regent. Of this embassy Sir John Grant acted a principal part. Abercrombie, Barnes &c. I am not sure, however, whether the same man acted with his former colleagues, who were nominated to treat with Edward's commissioners, 29 Nov 1363, about a peace.

(33) Seventhly: Robert Grant Esqr. Rymer's Fed. Ang. tom.7. p.484 was held in great esteem by King Robert II; and was one of those Barons, among whom were distributed 50.000 crowns of gold, sent over by Charles VI of France, to animate the Scots to invade England, & make war on King Richard, An. 1385. Abercrombie vol 2. p. 187

In much later times, we find such confirmations of charters, as very clearly prove the rank and power of the family, to which it must have attained by degrees, and by a progressive accumulation of wealth, thru' a long series of years; since, tho’ we often find them in the field, and vested with publick offices, we meet not with any of them who received large gifts from the crown, as did some families of distinction in the present age.

Laying all these things, therefore, together, their marriages, their public offices, their rank in almost every department, etc etc they afford at once the most conclusive evidence that can be obtained of the antiquity of any family. And, to this let me add the situation of their country, which corresponds exactly with (35) the facts already specified, that one can see no just reason to suspect them. In all enquiries of this sort, the best judges allow that evidences, taken from records, and charters, are infinitely preferable to private memoirs, subsisting in the hands of individuals, without any proof of their authenticity; and which, unless supported by testimonies, such as the above, are uncertain at best, and often suspected, not without grounds. But, where possessions from time immemorial, honourable offices, charters of confirmation, marriage settlements, and State evidences concur, in an uninterrupted claim to a descent of a more ancient date than most of our histories; they add, if not certainty, at least probability, to tradition.

Facts, so certain as those mentioned; men of such distinction and eminence; and inter-marriages with families for the first rank, prove to a demonstration, the antiquity of the Clan; and that, in those early days, it was numerous, powerful, and (37) much respected. Shaw

Chapter III: Of the English Grants &c.

That families of this name settled easily in England and have flourished for several ages in that Kingdom, is certain. From various circumstances, too, national and local, this appears evident. The first of them that took up their residence there, it is probable, gave their name to the most remarkable objects where they sat down. Hence the river Grant, so called at first, now Cam, on which stands Cambridge: And Grant-castle, now Grantcester, (39) was a castle, built by that family at first, that stood upon the same river; where the village of Granchester now probably stands. This river rises in Hertfordshire, and running NE of Cambridge, afterwards continues its course northward to the isle of Ely, where it falls into the river Ouse. In either Hertfordshire Hampshire of Cambridge there is a parish of Grant. Besides all these, there are various places in England compounded or made up of the name Grant. York, however, seems to have been the place where they flourished most; and this owing perhaps to some of their name being bailiffs of that city.

There are families of them settled also in Wales, of whom Major Richard Grant, at present, in the eleventh Regiment of Dragoons.

Whether these Grants sprung from their neighbours in the North, or settled, as a distinct family, in that country, at the time when the Grants emigrated (41) from their native land (admitting them to be of Norwegian extract) is not so easily determined. There was this difference, for a long time, between the two: The English tribe wrote their name in this manner, Graunt; the Scotch, omitting the vowel, Grant. But both pronounced it the same way; the Scotch, sounding the ‘a’ broad, made it tally with the English diphthong ‘au’.

That the Grants settled easily in England is undeniable. And, therefore, Sir Geo. McKenzie, who was an indefatigable inquirer into, and a very competent judge of, these matters, has been led to think that the family in Scotland came from them; which is not at all probable for many reasons.

First: That they should have left England at a period, when the communication between it and Scotland, and between every kingdom, particularly the highlands and isles, was very little; that they should have settled here, in a part of the kingdom the most remote, singular for the situation (43) and the language and manners of its inhabitants, who kept but little, scarce any correspondence with the southern provinces of their own, and consequently much less with a foreign country; that they should have incorporated with the natives; that they should have risen to power and eminence in a so short a time, (for we are sure there were Grants of distinction in Scotland at the time we meet with the first of the English tribe), I say that all these things should have taken place, is indeed so incredible, like that it not only forfeits claim to belief but even borders upon impossibility.

Secondly: It is not to be imagined that people would have chosen to leave a more fertile country and come to a barren one, which, in respect of the highlands of Scotland, the country where they were settled, is. But, granting that they did remove, which must certainly have been owing to force, not choice, it will not follow that a stranger, settling in a colony far from the seat of empire and but little engaged in these days in public affairs, excluding the sword, (45) could have arrived at such eminence as we find they did in fact attain, before the family in Kent appeared. It was in Kent where the family, first met with in the scenes of action, dwelt, according to antiquaries. Such as, I think, Sir Geo. McKenzie, and Sir Archd Grant, who refutes his opinion with regard to the Scotch Grants being descended of the English.

In 1229, Richard de Wethershed, successor of the famous Stephen Langton, was invested in the Archiepiscopal See of Canterbury, and Primacy of all England. It is certain that this man's name was Grant and, as there are some things very singular in his history, we shall mention a few of them. By the bye, I cannot aver that this is the Grant mentioned by Rymer, in the Foedera Anglicana, as being Archbishop of Canterbury some time after the Norman Conquest, as I have not access to that author; nor am I certain, of course, whether there was more than one of this name in that See. In all probability, however, this Archbishop was a North country man; 'tis likely, of Yorkshire, if not a native of the city of York, in which we know there was one of that name a Bailiff or Sheriff in 1230. Nor was he the first of that family who has born that office. And they are likewise Benefactors (47) to the Abbey of St Mary: but of how long duration, or at what time they began to decline, there is no infallible evidence.

In the fifteen century, there flourished a Thomas Grant, who was Rector of St Margaret Lothbury in the city of London, and one of the prebendaries of St Paul's.

In the sixteenth century we find the learned Dr Edward Grant flourishing. He was master of Westminster school; and one of the best scholars in his day, which, if we consider the number of learned men that flourished at that time, will be reckoned no extraordinary character. He was an excellent Latin poet; and extremely well versed in Greek, to facilitate the acquisition of which useful language, he composed a very copious grammar, which his successor, the famous Mr William Cambden, afterwards abridged.

This Dr Grant was not only distinguished for (49) his perfect acquaintance with the learned languages, and his successful method of teaching them; but he was also singular for a generous disinterested disposition, so conspicuous in the zeal he displayed, preserving the fame, and providing for the orphan family, of the celebrated Roger Ascham, whose letters he published. In his pathetic dedication of them to Queen Elizabeth, so effectually did he recommend his pupil, Giles Ascham, to her patronage, by letting the world know how much, tho' a Queen, she stood obliged to his father, that he procured him, if not a lucrative establishment, at least, a comfortable subsistence; which, without Dr Grant's aid, neither father's merit, not the son’s, would have effected.

The poems of Dr Grant, to which he prefixed his name, which he did to several excellent pieces, shew how much more ready he was to give, than to court praise. His resignation, An. 1592, made way for Camden's taking the chair in Westminster school. He died soon after 1601, August 4; and not in September or October, (51) as Anthony Wood has erroneously placed it; and was interred in that Church.

We find also another of the same name interred in the cloisters of the Abbey, in 1587; a child of five years old, who, probably, was a son of this Dr Edward Grant.

In the record, whence I extracted the account of this Dr Grant, it is added: ''The reader will not, perhaps, be displeased to see the monumental inscription, written on the tombstone of the Doctor, which was worn out long ago, recovered and preserved in the notes''. MS penes Josephum Grant de Carron.

I have not been able, notwithstanding my utmost endeavours, to ascertain that part of England the family was seated, from which these Grants are descended. But we know for certain that there was a family of this name in Hampshire, it is in this shire that the parish of Grant is, and not in those mentioned above; from whom sprung that famous citizen of London, John Grant, who immortalised his memory by an excellent discourse on the bills of mortality. This is that Major John Grant, I suppose, to whom so much deference is paid by the author of the (opp p 53) Notes of the Ballance of Animals in Derhams Physico Theology. This Major Graunt (so the name is written there) makes, both from the London and country bills, the proportion of males to females, as 14 to 13; from whence continues the same author, he justly infers: “That the Christian religion, prohibiting Polygamy, is more agreeable to the law of nature, than Mahumetism, and others that allow it.” This Graunt also observes “there are more breeders in London, and the cities and market towns, than are in the country, notwithstanding the London births are fewer than the country; the reason of which he assigns ch7. Derh. Ph. Th. p. 186


(53) Notwithstanding all this, it seems to be more probable, that the English Grants derived their origin from those in Scotland; unless we suppose, that the English, as well as the Scotch Grants, came at the same time from Denmark or Norway, and with others of their countrymen, settled in Cumberland, Northumberland, Yorkshire, and other northern counties, and from thence extended southward and northward, making distinct families.

In general, however, we cannot admit Sir George McKenzie's notion, That the Grants of Scotland are sprung from those of England. For, if this had been the case, we should have certainly found them making a figure in the Southern, and not in the northern, counties of Scotland, which we shall see by and bye, is their country.

But, that many gentleman of consequence have from time to time removed to England, and raised up families, who now reside there, and are of course (55) called Englishmen, everybody knows for certain.

Besides, they appear to have been a very potent clan before the time of the conquest, when, according to some, the family of Le Graunt came over to England; and most certainly it was so, before they flourished at York. All circumstances, in fine, coincide in showing that, ever after the time they came into that part of the island, they continued, like other great families, seated for the most part, in the same country, and branching out into distinct houses, who all bore the same arms with proper marks of distinction, and acknowledged the Grants of Freuchie, or, as they are now stiled, the Grants of Grant, for their Chieftain.

Chapter IV: Of the Claim to be Representative.

(57) There were several other families, who pretended that they were of longer standing than the Grants of Freuchie or Grant. These were those, commonly known by the names of the Clan Phadrick, or family of Tullochgorm; of Clan Chiaran, Keran, or family of Dellachapple; and of Clan Allan, or family of Achernack.

The claim, maintained by them, for being older than the family of Grant, may be accounted for thus: The Grants were originally settled in Stratherrick See Chap 6. From there they passed over to Strathspey. They, whom the then Chief brought along with him, gradually acquiring wealth and eminence, when incorporated among the natives, and the memory of their emigration obliterated, came, in process of time, to be thought of as long standing as the leader, whose standard they followed from home.

This will appear plainly enough to be the case, on the genealogy that is to follow, when we shall have (59) an opportunity of seeing the descent of the respective clans, above mentioned, from their particular predecessor. By all I can learn too, this claim was dropt long ago; and never heard of after that made by the late family of Ballendallegh.

Chapter V: Of the Armorial bearing of the Grants.

Every separate family have distinct marks (61) to make them be known from the radical family. Its Armorial bearing is ''Gules Three antique crowns, Or; Crest, a burning hill proper; supporters, two savages; Motto, Stand Fast.''

Haquin, said in the sequel to have been Lord Protector of three kingdoms, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, was in great favour with all the three kings, who, in testimony of their approbation of his conduct, gave him, each of them, a crown. This armorial was the reward of Haquin's fidelity and good conduct: but more hereafter.

This is a strong argument for the origin of the Grants. For the “Gules, [Azure] Three antique crowns Or”, is borrowed for the 5th division of the arms of Denmark. And it seems the Armorial bearing was at first broken into another part, having a battle Ax, Argent, pointing to the face of a Lion Rampart, Gules, for Norway. That the Grants are the offspring of Norway, moreover, may be easily gathered, if we admit the accounts concerning the transportation of them thither from the history and geography of the two nations; for, till the time of Magnus of Norway (Alex 3rd of Scotland), the Hebrides or Western Isles were subject to that kingdom. But on the marriage of Infanta of Scotland with the Prince of Norway, the two nations made a contract in 1267 for the exchange of these isles. Now considering how adjacent and near they ly to the West coast of Scotland, it is very probable that the Grants were part of the then inhabitants, at they dwelt there, when the first of them made their appearance in Scottish story. And there is still a branch of them has their residence here, viz. McKinnon of Strath, the Isle of Sky. So that if the account concerning their banishment for the sake of religion be true, (opp page 63) it is highly probable that they were sent thither, as they could not have been lodged in a fuller receptacle for preventing the dissemination of their principles, than in a place then buried in darkness, cold as its owners hearts, & dark as their understandings. This is the account that, of all others, bears the nearest resemblance of truth, because confirmed by several points of fact. And, if they should have been banished first to Ireland, (they might have gone thence to their own countrymen), as the legends bear. Nor can it be alleged as an objection to this account that there were Grants flourishing in Scotland before this æra as we know it to be an undoubted fact. All that it is meant to illustrate, is to throw light on, the origin of the clan.

Chapter VI: Of the Country of Grants

That the Grants came from Denmark or (63) rather Norway into Ireland, and from thence into Scotland, is pretty probable. That they came hither, immediately from Ireland, if they be not part of the Aborigines, is very likely from this single fact, That the country where they began first to appear on the stage of public life is adjacent to the coast of, and very near, Ireland. This is Stratherrick, a district of Rossshire Inverness shire the islands also were stored with them. But, as these isles owed allegiance and were subject to the King of Norway, it is a strong presumption that they came from that kingdom; and if there were not marks of their having settled in that nation, we should be induced to call their origin, not Norwegian, notwithstanding their dependence on that crown, but Scottish; and perhaps this account is more genuine than any of those maintained in the imperfect legends preserved among the Clan.

From Stratherrick, the country where they dwelt, (65) when first mentioned in Scottish story, they passed over into Strathspey, their country at present. And to their seats on the bank of that river they gave the names of their antient ones in Stratherrick. This is proof enough that Stratherrick was their original settlement.

The chief and most remarkable of these are, Ardbreck, Balnabeg, Achernack, Balnacoul near Dingwall. Braccach, Calnakile, Gerlock, Laggan in Mull, Charron, Knocken on the river Okel, Achinarrow, Byllintrae, Bellnagown, Gartmore, Gartbeg, Dellachapple etc. This is also confirmed by marriage settlements, etc. But the exact time they came to Strathspey, I have not had access to learn. Some, particularly Shaw, have supposed that it was about four hundred years ago: it is certain it is longer since that time.

The place, however, in which they first settled here, is generally allowed to be Tamdu, or Tamdui, occupied, at present, by Capt. Lud. Grant of Knockando, in the parish of that name, and about seven or eight miles (67) below Castle Grant, on the same side of the Spey. Thence, it is said, they wore gradually up the river, till they at last entirely exterminated the Cumings, with whom, before they came to Strathspey, they had many bloody encounters.

The country is so called from the river that runs thro' it. Buch 1.20. It issues out of a lake of the same name, Loch Spey, one half mile in length; runs from South West to North East thro’ Badenach, dividing Moray from Marr and Banff; and discharges itself into the Moray firth at Germach, after a course of sixty Scotch miles. It is so called from the Teutonic, Spey sputum, because by its rapidity it causeth a great deal of foam or froath. The MS de situ Albaniæ, written in the 12th century, calls it ''Magnum et miserable flumen, quod vocatur Spe''.

Down the river is navigated, every year, a vast deal of fir, the cutting, manufacturing & conveying of which, affords the people in Strathspey employment; and the proprietors (69) find that it contributes very much to their advantage. Besides, the country is admirably well calculated for several branches of manufacture. Accordingly the laird of Grant [reared] some time ago, at Grant-town, a small village, not far distant from Castle Grant, some of these, not without success and profit in the respective branches.

All the country, intervening between the two Craigellachies situated, one on the confines of Badenoch, the other on the borders of Rothes, at the lower end of the parish of Knockando, is called Strathspey. The rest of the tract along the river, tho' it might be very properly so denominated, is never comprehended within the precincts of Strathspey, when that name is applied to the Highlands.

I shall say no more, in this place, about their country, because if things answer my expectation, I design, after finishing the genealogical part, to describe the seats of particular families on the river.

Before I proceed, however, to the intended genealogy (71) I shall advance some things that relate to the character of the Grants at present.

Chapter VII: Of the Character of the Grants.

Their genius and spirit lead them, for the most part, to a military line of life, in which sphere they shine very conspicuously, and become good soldiers; - the general characteristic of highlanders. So that what Tacitus says of the Catti in Germany may be, not improperly, applied to them: ''Their bodies are hardy; their limbs, strong; their looks, bold and daring; their mental vigour, surprising. And you should as easily persuade them to challenge an enemy, and expose themselves to wounds; (73) as you could, to cultivate a field, or look for the labour of the year. Moreover, they are equally prone to purchase by blood, and acquire by sweat.''

What Abercrombie says of the highlands in general may be said of them, as they constitute a part of that great body. ''They preserved themselves and us from conquest and slavery, in the days of King Robert and David Bruce; and, as they have ever been the last, who laid down their arms, so often as the nation has either been cheated or defeated out of their liberties, so they are always the first that take them up in opposition to domestic iniquity, or foreign encroachments”. Aber. Mar. Atch.vol.2. p 291

In these days, too, some of them may be ranked among the greatest generals of the age. And, as to those who follow this line, it may be said that there are not so many of any other name in his Majesty's service. In the present century, as well as in former times, not a few of them have adorned the field of glory, and distinguished the historian's page. While history remains, and so long as (75) the actions of men are on record, the actions of Gen Sir Alexander Grant of Grant, who died in 1719; of Colonel John Grant of Carron, who fell gloriously fighting at the head of the Grenadiers, before Carthagena, in 1741, after he had entered a formal protest against the attempt, as being the result of a quarrel between the Sea and Land commanders Ad. Vernon & Gen. Wentworth, Goldsmith; of Colonel Lewis Grant, who, at the same place, shared the same fate with Carron, in the same desperate attempt; of General Francis Grant, uncle of the present Chief, who died at his seat at Wind-mill-hill near London, 30 Dec. 1781; of General James Grant of Ballendallegh, who has been engaged in three wars successively, in 1740, 1760 & 1780, in all which few have equalled - none surpassed him; of Capt. Grant of Elchise; and of many more: Besides these, there was one of the name that, owing to a squabble which he had with a comrade, who unluckily fell, was obliged when a boy to fly from home; and settling in (if I remember rightly), Russia, where he rose to the ranks of General. Vide Introduction to Meston’s poems. The actions of these worthies, and others of the name, who have performed their part on the military stage I say, will go down to the latest posterity, as a lasting monument, not of (77) the genius and merit of the officer only, but of the service also of the citizen to his king and country. To immortalize their memory, no costly monument of marble, no elaborate performance of the poet, will be requisite: these decay and soon vanish; but their actions will be remembered, while real patriotism prevails, and true ambition actuates the soul of man.

“Memoriae illorum, monumentis ære omni perennioribus, sit litatum”.

Some of them, too have made a fine figure at the bar; and others, great proficiency in the medical way, even holding the first rank, in that line of life, at the city of Edinburgh, justly esteemed the first for physic and medicine in the known world. Most of them are well enough qualified for business; and several of them have acted no mean part in the commercial department, the only source whence the British Empire derives its only support, as a state. Hence many are led to foreign climes. But they who once (79) go abroad, seldom or never return to their native land to live, except those of the military. Such of them, it is said, as have never seen foreign nations, but have been bred up, and lived in this century are generally, tho' falsely, said to be haughty; hence the proverbial expression, ''The gentle Grants''. And such an idea have the present generation got of going to visit foreign regions, and reside there, that (I have it from undoubted authority), there are not very many young gentlemen of the name in all Strathspey, who for these successive generations, sometimes two, possess their father's farm; except some few who, bettered in fortune and worn out with the tumult of business, occupy their paternal possessions merely because they choose to keep up the name in the place. They themselves often live in towns.

End of Part I.