[Transcription Notes (2025):
- This MS has been given the name “The Tullochgorm Text” because it was discovered in 2015 by Patrick Grant of Tullochgorm amongst the effects of his forebear Field Marshall Sir Patrick Grant (1804-1895).
- I have inserted some paragraph breaks etc. to aid navigation
- Note that the text (p53) says that this MS was written in 1770. However the text also refers to 1792. The back bears the label “JGN Grant Esq, Ramsbottom, Manchester” so it looks as if this is a later copy of a 1770 MS
- Page numbers are inserted in this colour at the top of their page.
- Where names are omitted in the original **** has been inserted by the author and .... for illegibility.
- Idiosyncratic (and internally variable!) spelling etc. is as accurate as possible.]
The “Tullochgorm Text”
An Account of the Root and Rise of the offspring of the Name of Grant: transcribed from an old M.S.
[1] THERE was a certain Prince came out of Asia, about the year 600, named Wodine which name to this day in the Norway Chronologies signifies Prince or Great a man for heathenish practices piety and bodily strength renowned as much as any in his time. His piety occasioned his being worshipped under the name of Mercurius, and because the Romans called the fourth day of the week Dies Mercurii, therefore, was the day called, in Norway language, Oudinsdagh, and in the English and Scotts Wednesday.
[2] His bodily strength occasioned his being called a Giant, and the tradition among some of the name of Grant says that there were three Giants remarkable in the world; one called Coll or Fin o' Cuil of whom the Macdonalds in Scotland are descended; the second Formid o' duine, of whom the name of Campbell of clan chuine is descended, and of Wodine the name of Grant, who to this day are called Slichk o' dine, that is the offspring of Wodine - hence Siol o' dine, finn o' cuil agus Formid o' dine.
Wodine coming to Norway was in wonderful account, and building there a great City in the province of Fuhinen, called it [3] after his own name Oudinsay, which it retains to this day. The old Saxons had Wodine in no less account, not only boasting of him as their Progenitor, but also esteeming as God to whom they offered in Sacrifice all their Prisoners of War as a testimony of their esteem and thankfulness for their success in wars, and it was their constant practice before their engagement in Battle to make their address by prayer to Wodine for favor and success.
The Danish records bear that Harold the first King of Norway did offer in sacrifice to Wodine two of his sons in hopes of Victory in Battle over Harold King of Denmark.
Wodine was married to Freia, and for [4] her husbands' esteem she is worshipped under the name of Venus & amongst the Danes, Scotch and English, the sixth day, after Freia, is called Friday. Wodine had seven sons with his Wife Freia, who became so many Princes of great note in the World. England being then divided in several Principalities, several of Wodine's Sons reigned therein till about the year 800 after Christ; & history informs us that the true old Saxons do acknowledge and own Wodine for their Progenitor.
Wodine's Sons, were known in the world with the mark of a corned crown, so that the eldest Prince had one Crown in his coat of [5] Arms; the 2nd had two Crowns, the third Son and Prince had three and so on to the seventh.
2nd Cagles or Cassars, was sixth Son to Wodine, and as being so, he had for his distinction's sake six Crowns in his Coat pointing forth his being the 6th son and prince descended from Woodine & all descended of Cagles did bear six crowns after him. Cagles after long and honorable life died about the year 650.
3rd Jofa lineally descended of Cagles (it is true there are some who assert that there are some Progenitors betwixt Cagles & Jofa but all declare also that Jofa is the heir of line) behaved so nobly that about the year 675 he was created King of East Angles, England being then divided into [6] several principalities which had several Princes, he was of a great account in the World and in good old age died about the year 740.
4th Hacken Son of Jofa, King of East Angles, married Suansulla Daughter to Suenarnian alias Hamar, Son to Esmen King of Norway: the confusions in England & Hacken's alliance occasioned his coming to Norway, where he is in great repute and reckoned a valiant Champion, he purchases and is created Lord of Urie in Norway & begets a son with his Lady, Suansulla, whom he named Grotart.
5. Grolgart, Lord of Ury in Norway, lived in great grandeur and begat Hacken [7] about the year 820, there were several confusions about this time in Norway, for in the year 800 began the first King to reign in Norway, these confusions hastened Grotart's days & he is succeeded by his son Hacken the Second.
6 Hacken, the second of that name, Lord of Ury, a man wise and valiant & in great esteem with Harald King of Norway, Hacken being married to Asbred, Earl Hardeck's daughter, begat several hopeful children with her, the Representative of which he named Sigort; at length by the esteem in which he was with Harald, he was created Earl of Trondelagen in Norway - he kept a great [8] Court all his days and died about the 890, he was succeeded by his son Sigort.
7. Sigort Earl of Trondelagen and Lord of Ury in Norway was honorably married and begat a Son whom he named Hacken, the third of that; as this great Earl's esteem was much envied, so at length he was under the silence of night burnt and consumed by his unnatural bastard brother, which cruel fratricide was hotly pursued & duly revenged by his
8. son Hacken, the third of that name, Earl of Trondelagen, was born about the beginning of the Ninth Century, he was one of the most renowned men in the Kingdom for strength, courage,& conduct: once unarmed meeting with some of his greatest [9] envying enemies & particularly moved with the thought of his father's death, he was so strong as to have pulled a big tree out of the root (that being the first weapon that came in his way) and lifting the same on his shoulders, did fiercely pursue & utterly destroy some of his enemies there, the account of his strength was universally spread, and now with this gigantic action so signalised, that he was called Hacken Grant, which in the Latin language is Grandis & in the Scotch & English great, & all descended of this Hacken are still called Grants. His successors after him did bear two strong men with standing trees as supporters, with this motto [10] Stand fast importing his faithfulness & fast standing in the great trust committed to him which we shall hear anon -
Hacken bore in his Coat of Arms an Ax with the edge of it pointing at the face of a rampant declaring his great courage and power against his fiercest enemies. Hacken's conduct & courage was not a whit inferior to his strength & greatness; & therefore he was chosen and appointed Protector of the Kingdom of Norway during the minority of the young king; in which great trust and honourable station he behaved so wonderfully as to have pleased both King & Kingdom & his posterity, for some generations [11] lived in deservedly great esteem there, still called Grants, Grandis in Latin & Great in the English, and in the Irish Moars which occasioned the conjecture of those called by the name of Moir to be Grants. Hacken was no less zealously forward for religion than he was esteemed for conduct; he was a heathen & worshipped the image of his predecessor Wodine; to Wodine did Hacken the Protector build a temple, but also his zeal went to such a length as to have offered in sacrifice to Wodine his eldest Son named Erling, a hopeful youth 11 years of age, and banishing his second when disowning this worship.
Hacken Grant, Lord Protector [12] Norway, was honourably married, and begat 5 Sons - their names are Erling, the eldest, when but 11 years of age sacrificed in favour of his progenitor Wodine; Hemming, the second and representative married to Tora, daughter to the King of Denmark, of whom the name of Grant is descended. Sevenda is the third son & married to Ingary, daughters Claus King Sweden of whom are descended the two great families of Breide in Holstein and the Prince of Cimberne in Germany descended. Hacken was the name of the 4th son was married to Helene, Daughter to the Earl of Danly in England & Peter, begotten in [13] fornication, was his fifth son, he was Steward to the King of Denmark.
At this time the late confusions arisen through Charles the Great & his attempts against the King and Kingdoms of Denmark and Norway, were not fully composed & as there were several bickerings so there was some grounds of a treaty and union between the three Kingdoms of Norway, Denmark and Sweden; so Hacken the Protector was in high and deserved repute with them all & by their compliments they signalized the same for Hacken Grant the Protector, did still bear six Crowns in his Coat of Arms, evidencing his descent from Cagler the sixth Son and Prince descended from Wodine, [14] yet now as a testimony of their respect for Hacken he was favored by a Crown from each of these Kings, and therefore Hacken Grant, the Protector, and all his successors have their Coat of Arms as follows three cornered Crowns, and the other three are in the Arms of Denmark and Norway to this day, also two great men with their trees supporting the Crowns, with the motto Stand fast is given as a testimony from the King to Hacken of his faithfulness and conduct, as well as success in the discharge of his trust to which he stood close & fast notwithstanding the great opposition against him.
[15] But as the deservedly great Prince had his admirers so he wanted not his enviers. Once being at his diversion, the treacherous villain Formid Carcart unexpectedly fell on & murdered him about the year 980. Hacken thus lived in splendour & greatness, was the Progenitor of the Grants. The Norway Chronology, written in the Latin tongue does insist on this. Of this point are the two lines recorded, pointing out the origin of the name of Grant.
Hacken erat Grandis, Dani fuit ille Protector
Hinc Grantes Rowin Fingone Gregorius Orti.Englished by some as follows:
Hacken the Great Protector of the Danes,
[16] Begat Grant, Kinnon, Rowin, Gregory, Thanes.
9. Heming, the Son of Hacken Grant the Protector, so named after Heming, the 5th King of Denmark. This Heming was a man of no less goodness than greatness, being married to Tora, daughter natural to Hacken Adelstein King of Denmark, who by his care endeavoured to have his children instructed in the Christian Religion, by which means Tora is converted, and by her becoming and engaging behaviour, conversation & temper she is made the instrument of Heming Grant's becoming Christian.
This profession however satisfying to Heming & Lady Tora, was so irritating to Hacken Grant his father, that [17] either a renunciation of Christianity or disowning as Son is proposed to Heming to choose for Hacken the Protector was so addicted to his Heathenish Religion and idolatrous esteem and worship of his old progenitor Wodine, that to revolt from his opinion was deadly sin and unpardonable crime in his posterity. Now the alternative being proposed & necessity of a choice declared Heming, after serious thoughts, declares that he rather be disowned of his father than of his Saviour & therefore he is determined to undergo the greatest sufferings rather than renounce the Christian Religion, upon which his heathenish and implacable Father, being great in [18] power as well as zealous in Idolatry, procures an Order to banish his Son Heming,
Which Order had such effect, that good Heming together with his wife & children are obliged to depart and remove from the Kingdom of Norway and suffer harsh dealings in their Exile, so that his Lady Tora died, leaving four sons and two daughters behind her; the daughters were named Astred the eldest and Gurie the youngest. Both were honourably married, and from them descended a numerous and noble posterity in Norway, as by the means and education of the daughters were Christianly instructed, so that they had a regard & respect [19] for the Religion they did profess, that they caused build two churches with their steeples and all ornaments suitable, within a fathom to each others & within nine miles to Christiania in Norway, as yet remarkable & called of Grants, and the Parishioners & people about these Churches are called in their language Grants ager, that is Grant's Parishioners.
There were four Sons descended of the worthy and deceased Tora, who continued in exile with their father Heming. The Eldest was Andlaw or Allan Grant, of whom the name of Grant descended; Gregory, of whom the name of McGregorie [20] of Glenstrae are descended in Scotland save such as alledge themselves to be descended from of Gregorius, King of Scotland. Rowin (because red haired) was third son to Heming, he is the progenitor & representative and Progenitor of the Rowin in Ruthvin, in Scotland, & was afterwards Earl of Gowrie. Fingone was fourth Son to Heming Grant, and of him descended the name of Mc Fingones or Mc Kinnons in Scotland, and to this day there is a warmness of heart betwixt these four names as being descended of our Father Heming.
Heming, being now tired by his exile from his native country & loss of his dear [21] & good lady, resolves to forsake all rather than Christianity & thus, going on as Providence would order their lot, at length Heming, coming to Ireland, was respected suitable to his character, and is married to Isabella, daughter of the Prince of Dublin of whom he begat several hopeful children.
The Sons of Heming became men of deserved renown in the world & coming to Scotland do begin to inherit & to this day do their posterity enjoy their inheritance in Scotland. After a good age Heming dies about the 10th Century.
10. Audlaw 1st. Andlaw or Allan Grant representative of Heming Grant's family, a man of desirable accomplishments, [22] is married to Mora daughter to Neil McGregor, a man lineally descended of Gregorius Magnus, King of Scotland. This Andlaw, or as others call him, Avoldus, was reputed wise and valiant, and at this time Wales, a Principality, possessed by Danes, having rejected the English, calls him to be their King as being of the loyal of Dane and in banishment in Ireland, till by the actings of Malcolm of Scotland, and Edward their King, projects were diverted, as Buchanan in his History more fully narrates, Andlaw or Avolab though thus aspiring, yet fate orders his being [23] married to Mora McGregor, with whom as portion or tocher he enjoys and obtains the Barony of Ballachastle and Freuchy in Strathspey, & begat hopeful children with her the Representative of which is –
11. Patrick. Patrick Grant of Freuchy and Balachastle born about the year 1020, was honourably married, and begat hopeful children, their representative Allan or Avold was his first born, and four daughters their names are Wishilla, married to Duncan the second of that name, 88th King of Scotland, in the eleventh Century. There was still as much of the old correspondence and [24] amity maintained betwixt the Norwegians & Grants: on account of this marriage of King Duncan and Wishilla, Daughter of Patrick Grant of Freuchy & Ballachastle, there was a good understanding between the Kingdoms of Scotland and Denmark, till by the barbarous acting of Mc Pead, Thane of Fife, Duncan is murdered.
Fergusia Grant, 2nd Daughter to Patrick Grant of Freuchy and Ballachastle, was married to Hacken, Prince of Norway; Mora third daughter was married to Dunbar, Earl of March; and Colabella the youngest, was married to the progenitor and representative of the Muffats in Scotland.
[25]12. Alan 2nd. Allan, only Son to Patrick Grant of Freuchy, succeeded in his Father's inheritance of Freuchy and Balachastle, a man of aspiring inclinations, particularly zealous for revenging against Mc Pend, the murder of his brotherinlaw, King Duncan of Scotland. The projects fallen upon to allay Allan's design against McPend was to give him in marriage Mc Pend Thane of Fife's daughter, called Darvegilla, a woman of singular endowments, of whom he begat sons and ane Daughter named Isabella Grant, married to Bancho Stewart of Lochaber.
The eldest son and Representative is called Gregory Grant, the next was Patrick Grant, married to Agnes, daughter [26] to Ingelram, whose sister Mary was married to Alexander, King of Scotland, and was Mother to Alexander the third, 95th King of Scotland anno 1239. Lawrence, third Son to Allan Grant, was bishop of Moray. Robert, fourth Son, was married to Anna Forbes, daughter to Lord Pitsligo; and Malcolm or Mitchell Grant, the youngest son, was Lieutenant of North Scotland, he was a man of deserved in the World, & became and is now the Chief and Progenitor of the name Mitchell or Malcolm in Scotland.
13. Gregory. Gregory Grant, of Freuchy &c &c born about the 1200 succeeded his Father in esteem and inheritance [27] about the year 1230, a man of aspiring inclinations and not satisfied with the narrow bounds of Freuchy &c &c, goes to Court, and where his engaging accomplishments being understood, he is by Alexander the third, 95th King of Scotland, commissioned and appointed Sheriff Principal of Inverness Shire, a post then both great and difficult, yet his conduct & his other perfections gained him a good match & suitable portion, fitting him the more for the Trust committed to him the more. For Mary, daughter to Fraser Lord of Lovat, is wedded to him, with whom he inherited the Country of Stratherrick as his tocher. The alliance thus connected (engaged by Grant's parts and post) confirmed such amity betwixt [28] Lord Lovat & Gregory Grant, they both being the most potent men in that shire, that the trust is discharged with great easiness and satisfying to King and Country.
Gregory Grant begat three Sons with his Lady Mary Fraser, daughter to the Lord of Lovat the Representative is Patrick, & Andlaw or Allan is the 2nd Son to Gregory Grant of Freuchy & Sheriff Principal of Inverness, and Mary, Daughter to Lovat; this Allan is the Representative and Progenitor to the Family of Acharnick, & all descended of him are to this day called Clan Allan they are computed to come off Grant about the year 1200.
There are several families of note [29] descended of Clan Allan - the principal ones are Grant of Dalnaboe in Strathdon, Grant of Lettoch in Abernethy, Grant of Gartenmore there, Grant, sometime of Congas, there Grant of Achterblair in Duthel Grant of Mullochard in Duthel - Grant of Blairfindy in Glenlivet Grant of Nevie Grants of Slich Lan Doug.
Lucas, third son to the laird of Grant, was ordinarily called Keran or Kier, because of his grim and grey colour or hue, is the Representative of the family of Achnarrow, now Delachaple, in Strathspey, & all descended of him are called Clan Cheran, the principal families are Grants, sometime of Glenbeg Grant slich Ian icohan in Kirktown [30] of Inverallan - Grant of Branchule in Dallas. At length after living many days in great esteem, Gregory is succeeded by
14. Patrick 2nd. Patrick Grant of Freuchy & Ballachastle, Sheriff Principal of Inverness, about the year 1200 - a man of no less valuable accomplishments than his progenitors, & wanted only opportunity to extend his grandeur and aspiring mind, which at length by a good he obtained, for at this time the name of Cumming was strong and numerous in Scotland, particularly Lord of Glenchernick, leaving one daughter called Bigla whom he tenderly loved, left her as heretrix of Glenchernick & representative of his family & entrusted [31] her under the tuition of some of the most special Trustees of his name, both for preservation and education, the which Trustees with all care imaginable endeavoured to discharge the trust committed to them, & to facilitate the same, did build underground some little mansion for her and her governess, where she remained for some time, because of the alarming account of her having her stolen & married to another than a Cumming.
Patrick Grant, being well accomplished and duly respected, is advised by his friends to use methods for obtaining Bigla in marriage, & that the rather on account of the continguity of the Lordship of Glenchernick to the Barony of [32] Freuchy and Balachastle, which, if both united, would make him great and comfortable in means & fortune, as well as in parts and esteem. At length Patrick's perfections do so engage little Lady Bigla that, without consent of friends, she is married to him, & by her he purchased the great country of Glenchernick, & the strong envy of the Cummings; yet the enjoyed satisfaction did encourage under any attempts of the latter, & therefore he lived comfortably with his little Lady (for she was very low of stature) and begat one daughter, whom he named Marjory, or Maud, whom he left heretrix of his fortune, and then dyed in a good old age.
15. Marjory. Marjory, or Mauld, daughter & representative of Grant, was left by Patrick heretrix of Freuchy, Stratherrick, and Glenchernick, to the tuition of his nearest friends, with this mandate, that whosoever should be joined in marriage to her must of necessity be of the name of Grant.
About this time Andrew Stewart, Sheriff of Bute, a young man of deserved renown, pursuing his fortune, coming to Ballachastle and visiting the heretrix, their affections are so mutually engaged, that they both consent to promise marriage. The frequency & intimacy of the young courtier Andrew Stewart in Ballachastle, occasioned among the friends a supposition of [34] marriage intrigues, & a little time after did confirm them so as to become incensed and irritated against him. Andrew Stewart at length is in great friendship with the Baron of Dowan (a place scarce half a mile distant from Freuchie) & by this Baron's persuasion and advice, there is a cave made underground & as yet remaining, and where the young courtier is obliged to live for some time for fear of his life, for all the name of Grant were dissatisfied with the match; but yet the affection & inclination of the heiress was so set, that by projects & stratagems both Andrew Stewart and Marjory do meet, & he begets her with child.
Yea & after some time she goes away and remains in the [35] cave of Clash Dunan, with her Gallant, till by proxies matters came to the pitch of a treaty, which is that upon condition that this Andrew Stuart should change his name, & be called Andrew Grant; then, in that case, friends would consent to the marriage. The proposal heard did soon find a satisfying answer to both. At length Andrew Stuart and the heiress of Grant are orderly and solemnly married about 1210, and lived quietly and comfortably together for many years, in the same account with their predecessors; yet the Cummings of Glenchernick wanted not envy of their happiness nor a resentment of their heiress Bigla's marriage.
Andrew Stewart, alias Grant, begat a son [36] and one daughter with his Lady Marjory Grant; the son & representative is called Patrick, the daughter Mary, who at length is married to Simon Lord Lovat, her cousin. With her he got restored the Lands of Stratherrick and the amity still persisted betwixt the family of Lovat and Grant. At last Andrew Stewart alias Grant dying is succeeded by his son
16. Patrick 3rd. Patrick Grant commonly called Patrick Beg Mac Mauld because he was Marjory's son and of low stature. he was a man of good esteem in the world, enjoying the honour & Inheritance of his father, as being Sheriff Principal of Inverness-Shire, heir of Freuchie, Ballachastle & Glenchenick [37] he is married to Bathia McDonald, Daughter to the Earl of Ross with whom he begat one Son named John.
The envied greatness fomented with the malicious designs of the Cummings induced Patrick Grant to call for his friends & proposed his mind as follows:
"I find I am surrounded at Ballachastle by a number of petty Barons I find the Cummings at a misunderstanding with me & irritated against me; I find some grounds of necessity to dispose with the lands of Stratherrick to satisfy my brother-in-law, Lord Lovat in his tocher & I find a remedy for all these my straits, which is, that you, my friends do unanimously resolve to sell off your [38] possessions in Stratherrick, by which means we are not only more united among ourselves but will also be capable to defend against yea & be formidable to the envying Cummings."
Which proposal had such an effect on all the Laird of Grant's friends that they unanimously resolve to sell their possessions to Lord Lovat & accompany their chief to Ballachastle & Strathspey where they purchase land & call it after their old possessions in Stratherrick which continues the same to this day such as Garten, Archnarrow and the like. Leaving Stratherrick, Patrick Laird of Grant with followers [39] to the number of 16 gentlemen come to Strathspey about the year 1250 where they inherit to this day, the most & as yet remaining Gentlemen who came with the Laird of Grant & inherited in Strathspey are Clan Allan who purchased and inherited the Barony of Downan now properly belonging to the laird which became of its contiguity to the Barony of Freuchy was complemented by Achachernick to the Laird of Grant, and my information bears that the Barony of Downan still holds of Achernick.
The next was Clan Cheran who purchased and inherited the lands of Archnarrow near Downan in the Parish of Cromdale which they inherited for many [40] years. Duncan Carrach was next and his representative came to Dellachaple & his two Lucas Lia and Amphra buy, that is gray haired Luky, and yellow haired Humphrey were with all their posterity called Slich Ile Carrich, the most remarkable and principal of these Slich Ile Carrich are Mc Finlay More in the parish of Abernethy and Donald More, Boatman of Bellafurth, their first & principal seat of old was Lettoch of Abernethy, there are not wanting who informs that Duncan Carrach had two sons of whom Lucas Lea the eldest, are descended from the Clan Cheron & Humphrey is the progenitor of the Slich Ile Carrich.
The next followers of the Laird of Grant to Strathspey was Evan Dornock so called [41] because strong heaved or handed and there descended of him ane called Slich Evan Dornoch, Their principal representatives are there called MacRoberts in Strathspey & one John Cattanach a servant who lived long among the Clan Chattan. Their seat of old, was the Barony of Lettoch and Culchoichmore in the Parish of Cromdale. He was called Barron Proiss, and his posterity called slich Baron Proiss.
The next was John Riach, so called because of his grim & marled hue or colour those descended of him are called Slich Ian Riach. They have a desk in the Church of Inverallan of an old standing, but they are for the most part extinct except for those found in Strathaven. [42] There were several other followers whose names have so worn out that I cannot mention them here.
Thus Patrick with his friends being fully settled in the County of Strathspey, was capable of defending or offending as occasion offered: yet however well circumstanced as to the valour and number of his friends, the rancour of his enemies still continued, & he was at length most cruelly murdered by them in the following manner:
While he was on a visit to the Baron of Kincairn a barbarous crew of the most remarkable of these Cummings, surround & cruelly put to death the Laird of Grant at which [43] horrid action the Country of Strathspey being alarmed they pursued the Cummings who finding themselves overpowered, hastened to possess the kirk of Kincairne, (for every Church in these times was a Sanctuary and City of Refuge from the avenging foe). The Grants finding that the Cummings made for the Church are put to a stand what to do being straitened to shed in a Sanctuary on one hand, & suffering their Chieftain's blood to be shed unrevenged on the other; yet the latter consideration so prevailed that no place would secure the murderers.
At length one of the name of Grant effectuates the affair & eases his mind as to [44] the shedding of blood in a Sanctuary by falling on the following stratagem. He takes & fires a spunk on the point of his arrow and shoots it at the roof of the Church, which being thatched with heath did soon kindle in blaze & utterly consumed the Church & all the Cummings within it except one big man commonly called for his stature Cumminach More who by swiftness of foot makes his escape, till at length being overtaken by one of the family of Slich Ile Carrich, his head with a blow of a two edged sword was severed from his body, which sword to this day lies in representative of Clan Cheran's house. Thus Patrick being hastened [45] to eternity by a premature death is succeeded by his son.
17. John 1st. John Grant of Freuchy &c, Sheriff Principal of Inverness-shire, he was a man of good accomplishment, yet he wanted not his infirmities; being after his father's death about Balachastle, in the year 1300, he begat with child a young woman about the family (or as some say his Lady's maid) which proving a son is called Duncan; this is the Progenitor and House of Gartenbeg, & all descended of him are called Clan Donachy; of these are descended several families in Strathspey, the most remarkable are Grant of Inverlaidnen Grant of Dalrachny in Duthell.
[46] John, Laird of Grant is married to Florence McLean daughter to the Laird of McLean, of her he begat one son. The Laird harboured resentment against the Cummings in revenge of his Father's death against the Cummings yet his enemy to them did not prevent him from indulging in visits of diversion. Being once lodging at Baron Lamb's house in Tullochcarron, in the Parish of Inveraven, he begets the baron's daughter (or as others say his wife) with child of a Son whom he called Patrick, after his father, this is the Progenitor & first man of the house of Tullocgorm & all descended of him are called Clan Phadrick. That of all the tribes and families of the name of Grant [47] sticks closest to his Duchos or inheritance of his father, which is more than any other of the name can say. For although Tullochgorm be but a Daugh of land, yet for several hundred years & as yet the heads do inherit though there were several superiors. The families descended of Clan Phadrick are Milnton of Duthel, Grant of Inverlochy, Grant of Glenlochy in Strathaven, John Grott in Caithness & some say, Grant of Crichy in Banffshire.
There being an implacable running in veins of the Cummings of Glenchernick against the Grants ever since the marriage of Heretrix Bigla, John Laird of Grant falls on a project to procure their favour [48] and subjection to himself, which is as follows that his father-in-law McLean should sieze and carry away all the cattle, by way of hership, from the Cummings of Glenchernick & drive them away, until the Laird of Grant would be seen in person to turn them; at length the cattle are all away & the plundered Cummings notwithstanding the feuds between them & the Laird of Grant come & make address to him in humble manner, beseeching him to rescue the spoil & sieze on robbers; & upon that they should all their days subject themselves under his power, with which humble entreaty the Laird of Grant is prevailed upon to follow & turn the spoil which when the McLeans beheld one by chance not [49] being privy to what had passed between his master & the Laird of Grant bent his bow at adventure & unfortunately hit John Laird of Grant in the anckle which wounded him so severely that he bled to death & was buried in Forriken, in the Parish of Duthel, remarked with a large Cairn of Stones called after the Laird of Grant's name, Carn Ian Roy.
After the Laird of Grant's death, the Cummings had their cattle returned but McLean was so grieved as to have immediately erected a Gallows & hanged the perpetrator of the deed in the presence of all the people and in testimony of friendship & esteem received Grant's sword vowing both strictly, that while these two families did remain in the world, they should exchange swords, by giving the [50] defunct's sword to the successor which custom ever since religiously performed between the families of Grant and McLean.
Thus John Laird of Grant being removed, is survived by one son named Duncan & the progenitors of Clan Dunachy & Clan Phadrick: between these two families & tribes there was such a strict union declared that whoever should violate the same should be stigmatized with the following curse
“Sit ulula inter avis et fucus inter apes”.
“Let him be as an an owl among birds & a Drone among bees.”
It was observed till of late that two familiars followed these two tribes, the one following Clan Dunachy, called Bottach Churstan & the little spirit following Tullochgorm, called Meg Molach or Phronach, a little hairy creature in the shape of a child the little familiar [51] followed the family & served for great drudge to them, till by the Blessing of God since the more pure preaching of the Gospel and reformation from Popery, the same is altogether invisible and extinct.
18. Duncan 1st. Duncan Grant of Freuchy and Ballachastle was as yet Sheriff Principal of Inverness-shire, is married to the Laird of Mclntoshs daughter, who continued many years childless. It at length pleased God that she conceived & was in due time found to be in labour of twins, at length after some labour, one of the children's appears to the world, which after the midwife perceived, she ties a red ribbon as a sign about the arm of the child, yet after long labour, the hand of child disappears and the other is fully born. after the midwife & the attending women, now pretty well refreshed, they disputed which of the Twins should be [52] reputed Representative, till it is settled by father's determination in favour of the first born who as portion is to get Ballachastle & the other Ballindalloch so that he became the representative of that family about the year 1320, a family of esteem inferior to none in that shire according to his quality; of him are descended several families those principally remarked are Grant of Kirdels, Grant of Dalvey, now Dunlugas Grant of Delay, Grant of Delmore, Grant of Tomnavoulin, the present Grants of Rothiemaise being the sixth in succession from them of Dalvey & one of them named John the first married to Grant of Achernick's daughter, the second Duff of Drumminers the third to Grant of Blairfindys eldest daughter the fourth married to [53] Leithalls to fifth to [ ] the heiress of Rothiemaise the sixth and present Rothiemaise married the eldest daughter & heiress of Lieth of Kingendy in the parish of Brorty; Grant of Dallas, Brackley (& as is reported, Grant of Crichy) also Grant of Tulloch in Abernethy.
Nota. The eldest line of this late and honourable family of Ballindalloch is now extinct to one man viz the present Patrick Grant of Leslie now of Bruchoyne & the first & nearest branch of Kinilies is Robert Grant of Delmore & his sons. Grant of Tamore is also of the Ballindalloch House as is Grant of Deskie with the parsons of Strathaven & Duthel at the time these memoirs were written viz 1770.
In consequence of the dispute before mentioned Ballindalloch entertained pretensions [54] to be head of the family of Grant which continued several generations until the time of Ludovick Grant in anno 1668 the name of the aforesaid twins were John the eldest & representative of family & Patrick the progenitor of Ballindalloch. After many years dying is succeeded by –
19. John Roy 2nd. John Grant of Freuchy and Balachastle a man of good accomplishments. He was red-haired & was well skilled in poetry, which procured him the name of Bard Roy, that is red poet or Bard; he was married to Lilias, daughter to the Earl of Huntley, and begat one son with her about the year 1350, whom he called John & soon after dyed.
20. John 3rd. John Grant of Ballachastle being, when junior left fatherless, is tutored by his [55] uncle Patrick of Ballindalloch & educated by his grandfather, the Laird of McIntosh. Ballindalloch being now Tutor to the Laird of Grant, is prompted to entertain & with his might maintain that he had as good a right is his brother had to to be the Representative & Laird of Grant & having his encouragers as well as great opportunity he comes and lives in Ballychastle by means & suitable disobligements the minor & righteous heir is altogether discouraged (for Ballindalloch having now all the power as Tutor id for a long time here much favored by the Country), which, when the Heirs grandfather the Laird of McIntosh perceived, he calls for him, & brings him up to Dunachten & sees carefully to his maintenance & education.
After he arrived to years of discretion and [56] passed his minority his grandfather caused him, to visit the country & invited all the gentlemen to a hunting day. Their first visit was to the Baron of Kincairn's house & among their frolics it is proposed to the Baron to permit his daughter to bed with the young squire that night, which, in as rash an answer, the Baron allowed and regardless of shame & sin they both are permitted to sleep together that night & he begets her with child.
The young woman and her father next morning are grieved for their being pretty grave for their inconsiderate conduct; the young laird in order to bring them into good humour promises with the consent of his grandfather that if she proved with child of male he should be called John & should have Glenmoriston [57] for a Patrimony. The following day McIntosh, with his grandchild, being visited & conveyed by all the Country, was at last noticed by Ballindalloch the Tutor, & is invited to Ballachastle then passing some time in discussion the youth of the Country are so taken with him that he is not only owned as the righteous heir, but it is also proposed to civilly desire the Factor to remove, if needs to eject him.
Ballindallock, suspecting the friendship of the Country (by reason of some misunderstanding between them since his becoming Factor), thinks fit to remove for a short time; when the youth of the Country perceived, they not only prevailed on the young man to stay in, but also manned & kept the house, and by force discharged Ballindalloch from [58] ever after entering therein which when he perceived he was prevailed upon to return tho' discontented to Ballindalloch & the young laird now enjoys his land & freedom without controul.
In due time the Baron of Kincairn's daughter is delivered of a male child to the Laird of Grant, whom he called John; and being of his stature he is called Ian More, he was a fierce & rude sort of man & is the progenitor of the family of Glenmoriston he was born about the year 1400. There were several families descended of this John More & it is observable that in all of these there is something of their fatherly strain. The principal families come of Glenmoriston are Grant of Carron for once John More in his [59] visits begets Nick-allen, daughter to a Gentleman in Strathaven with child of a boy who became the progenitor Carron's family.
James commonly called James na Duim, was remarkable for his constant vexation of Ballendalloch & the dexterity & stratagem he displayed in his numerous enterprises of depredations &c. he was also reported to be well skilled in the art of Magic little inferior to Doctor Faustus in the practice of that science.
Grant of Culchoich is descended of Glenmoriston, this last family spring from the Grants of Wester Elchies who enjoyed that estate until sold in **** (this respectable family is in 1792 represented by William Grant of Richmond in Jamaica) Grant of [60] Achinmonie in Urquhart, Grant of Inverane on Avonside, & Grant of Aviemore and Lynchurn in Glenchernick are all descended from John More.
John Grant being now secure is married to Janet Leslie, Daughter to the Earl of Rothes, of whom he begat three sons and one Daughter; the representative is called James, commonly na Greach, the second is called John, he is the progenitor of the family of Corriemonie of whom several other families are descended, such as Grant of Shugly in Urquhart parish &c. The Laird of Grant's third son is the progenitor of the Family of Bonachard near Perth. After John's death he is succeeded by his son [61]
21. James na Creach. James Na Creach, or Jacobus Rapinorum for his attempts & success in plundering. He was a man most remarkable in the World for great and desperate attempts he was married to Barbara daughter to the Earl of Mar, of whom he begat a Son & daughter. The daughter, called Anne was married to Cameron of Lochiel & is mother to the Representative of that family. His son was called John. James Na Creach's only sister was married to Gordon of Brackly on Deeside. He was remarkable in avenging his Brother-in-Law's death which was occasioned as follows.
Gordon Baron of Brackly, by some fatality being murdered by the Country people about him, his friends did make their address & complaint to his chieftain [62] The Earl of Huntly. The Earl of Huntly's slackness in avenging his kinsman's death occasioned the proverb, "If ever I kill a man he shall be a Gordon," for its observed they are not busy in avenging their kinsmen's quarrel. At length the baron's friends make their address & complaint to James na Creach the Laird of Grant, who being exasperated at the Account undertakes to avenge: forthwith with a party of men, beginning at the upper end, destroy and slay all the men of the Country in revenge of Brackly's murder.
The Earl of Huntly, prompted by James na Creach's forwardness, joins in the slaughter the next day as Huntley was viewing the slain he occasionally finds a great [63] number of Orphans whose parents had been killed the day before. The Earl moved with compassion ordered such as were most lively to be carried away to his Castle at Strathbogie, to the number of 3 or 4 score of them & commanded to make a long trough of Wood in which such provision as was thought convenient was put & and the poor Orphans sitting in row on each sides of the trough & ate what was bestowed upon them. Once James na Creach visiting the Earl is by way of pastime after dinner, invited by him to go see the little ones dining and lobbing at their trough. With such admirable fancy was he taken, that anon saying, "My Lord, I was as forward as you in the destruction of their fathers & it is as reasonable that I be a sharer in the preservation of [64] their Children," therefore sweeping away one side of the sitters about the trough, ordered them away to Strathspey & maintained there. Such of those that were brought in Strathspey were called Grants and such as lived in Huntley's land were called Gordons & sometimes Sangsters; they are to this day called Slick na mar, i.e. trough men. There are several families of the Slick na mar in Strathspey, such as McFinlay Roys in Culcoich Beg, and McJameses in Inverallan Parish.
It is observable of James na creach being once maliciously set against a certain gentleman who dreaded bodily harm of him, this Gentleman so prevailed as to have James na creach cited to Edinburgh to sett Law-burrows which citation when James had [65] doggedly obeyed & obliged himself under one thousand merks to do that Gentleman no harm. At length having settled his affairs at Edinburgh be accidentally met with him on the street & he accordingly crying says, "Sir, I shall now alike with you for I know the price of your head now;" with which words he so severely laid on the Gentleman as to have occasioned his death. Thus James na Creagh, living a hectoring sort of life, died about 1480.
22. John 4th. John Grant, son to James na creach, succeed he was commonly called John Roy because he was red-haired a man of good accomplishments, he was married to **** Stewart daughter to the Earl of Athole, of whom he begat 4 sons & 3 daughters. [66] the eldest Son he called Duncan, he is the Heir and Representative of the family; Patrick is the second son he is the progenitor of the family of Easter Elchies, of whom several other families are descended such as James Grant of Achanile in Strathdown & others not so lawfully descended. The son is Mr James Grant, Laird of Moyness, of whom Logie in Ardclach is descended & Robert progenitor of Grant of Lurg, is descended. The names of the Laird of Grant's daughters Isabella the eldest who died unmarried Catherine the second was married to Colin McKenzie, Laird of Kintail he is the chieftain of that name & is now called Seaforth Mary the youngest was married to Leslie of Abergeldie.
[67] John Roy, after many days of contentment and satisfaction, is left disconsolate through the death of his Lady; but after some time he is again married to Isabel Barclay Daughter to the Baron of Towie of whom he begat one son called Archibald, who is the progenitor of the family of Ballintomb in Knockando. Of this family there are several others sprung the most remarkable are Sir Francis Grant of Cullen, Heir and Representative of the family whose son and representative is Sir Archibald Grant of Monymusk Grant of Arndilly Grant of Ruthrie Grant sometime of Allachy, whose daughter he bestowed his inheritance upon & married her to Duff of Keithmore, of whom he begat Duff Dipple & Duff of Craigyhouse. There is also Grant [68] Bogindie, descended of Allachy, his being a Bastard son of his.
About this time there came 2 Brothers out of Athole, as is supposed to shelter themselves under the protection of the Laird of Grant. By virtue of his being married to **** Stewart the Earl of Athole's daughter, these two brethren lived long in the body of Abernethy both were skilful tradesmen the one was a turner & all descended of him are called Slick an Downer or Turners the other was a forger or blocker of the metal for turning of wood and all descended from him are called Forgers, in the Irish Slick an ier, i.e. the Posterity of Forgers. There are several honest families descended from these [69] brethera[n in country of Abernethy in Strathspey who are as respectable to the Laird of Grant as the natives. The principal families Corrichilly Altcharan Mc Ian [Vigi] in the braes of [Glassack] & some time ago, there being one Stewart of little Wells in Athole visiting the Laird of Grant & staying for some time in the country there also being one of the name of Stewart a Bailiff to the Laird then in Cromdale, both being pretty social comrades indeed all the Slick Durners & Forgers considering that they came out of Athole to call themselves Stewarts which name they now currently retain. They are an honest sort of people. John Roy, being now an old Man, waxed dim in his sight & became blind. He is succeed his son
[70] 23. Duncan 2nd Duncan Grant the Representative commonly called Duncan Chiush, because he delighted in Fir Trees & hunting, and was not so polite as his progenitors he was married to the Laird of McIntosh's daughter of whom he begat sons, John and Patrick; John Roy being as yet in life Duncan Chuish & his Lady lived and died in Culnakile, his son Patrick is the representative of Rothiemurchus his Patrimony was the lands of Mugrach in Inverallen & Balnespick in Badenoch, both being Kirk lands & purchased as follows.
The Castle of Mugrach was built Anno 1598 there was a notable villain living in Knockando, called John du Garve, who maintained a mortal hatred against Achernick & not finding an opportunity nor power to exercise the [71] same, it came to pass sometime thereafter, that there was a Priest lived in Duthel, betwixt whom & Achachernich there passed such dry words, that in the Mill of Duthel Achachernick was heard & found to say, in his wrath, that he should be alike with the Priest & it came to pass that within a few days after these words were spoken the Priest of Duthel was found murdered & dead in his own house.
The Bishop & Clergy being informed, there is a great noise & search for the actor but after all there was nothing found but that some few days previously the Priest's murder, Achernick was heard to have threatened him & therefore by a maxim in law, Damnium Miniatum et malum secutatem, they oblidge to apprehend Achernick & carry [72] him to the dark prison of Spynie where he lay in chains for several months till by the obnoxious air of prison, weight of the chains & discouragement otherwise, he becomes deadly sick and dies in Prison.
The Laird of Grant, taking to heart the bad usage of his kinsman & does pursue. Now it came to pass about the same time, that John du Garve, the Villain in Knockando is apprehended for theft & condemned to be hanged, who, among other things in a penitent manner, confessed after sometime, that he was the man who murdered the Priest of Duthel, not out of any ill will to the Priest but hatred to Achernick, whom he [73] knew to have threatened the Priest of Duthel. This declaration and confession being duly heard, & circumstances fully examined into to the conviction of all, it was found that John du was the Priest's murderer, & that Achernick did only threaten. However, the Laird pursues the clergy for his Kinsman's usage & to satisfy the Laird of Grant they thought fit to give him the Lands of Mugrach and Balnespick, which to this day holds of the church & was given in Patrimony to Duncan chuish's second son, who is the Representative of Rothiemurchus.
Patrick Grant of Rothermercherus built the Castle of Mucherach and married **** Gordon, Daughter to the Laird of Gight; with her [74] came one John Cruikshank to Strathspey, who is the progenitor of the Cruikshanks there to this day, of which there are some families.
24. John 5th. John, Son to Duncan Chuish, commonly called John of Freuchy, was a man of good account & deserved renown in the world for prudence & success all his undertakings & therefore was called by way of eminence the wise Laird of Grant. He was married to Lilias Murray, daughter to Tullibardine at which marriage both King and Queen were present of her, he begat one son and four daughters, John the heir, the eldest daughter called Jannet was married to Sutherland of Duffus. Mary, second Daughter was married to the Laird of McIntosh & was mother to his children. Lilias, third [75] was married to James of Balveny. Katherine, the fourth was married to Ogilvy the Laird of Kincairne in Banffshire; as the Laird of Grant's ladies coming as strangers brought some followers to the country as servants Lilias Murray brought one servant with her, called Colin Lawson, who, because of his low stature, and called Collin beg Lawson, he is the progenitor of the name of Lawson, in Strathspey. They are ordinarily red haired the principal Family of them is Lawson of Clashanduan.
John of Freuchy had success in conquest & purchase by land; he bought Lethen in Nairnshire, Arndilly, and several other inheritances and died in great repute, much regretted of all who heard of him about the year 1570.
25. John 6th. John, Laird of Grant & son to [76] John of Freuchy, a man of aspiring inclinations not contenting himself with living at home, goes & is Knighted Sir John. John of Freuchy had good success in buying but this Sir John, took as much delight in selling of land who was therefore ordinarily called Sir John sell the land. He had a natural Son called Duncan, who is the representative & Progenitor of Clurie. About the year 1600 Sir John was married to Mary Ogilvie, daughter to the Earl of Findlater, of whom he begat 8 sons and 3 daughters, whose names and account are as follows.
James is the first born & heir; John, second son was tutor to his brother's children he was married ***** Sutherland daughter to laird [77] Duffus of whom he begat 3 daughters the eldest was married to Fraser of Belladrum; Mary the second was married to Patrick of Rothiemurchus & Anna the third was married to William Grant of Delay. Duffus' daughter having died the tutor married to Sybilla, daughter to the Earl of Seaforth, of he had no Children.
The only representative or the Tutor of Grant is Robert Grant of Curr. Alexander Grant fourth son to the Laird of Grant was married to Elizabeth Nairn, Daughter to Nairn of Morange, of whom he begat daughters. George, fifth Son to representative of the Baron of Cromdale with whom he begat two daughters. One married to Baillie George Cumming of Auldtich & mother to Mrs Grant of Tormon the other was married to Leslie then of Bodium & said Elizabeth again married after Alexr [78] Grant's death Gordon of Lathieston in Enzie. George fifth son to the Laird of Grant was governor of Dumbarton & was commonly known by the name of Major George Grant he was editor to Buchannan & died unmarried. Robert the sixth son was married to Dunbar daughter to Binnagefield of whom he begat one son called Robert now of Milltown of Mucherach & two daughters. Mungo, the Laird of Grant's seventh son married to Barbara Gordon, daughter of the Laird of Strathdown, of whom he begat two sons John the eldest commonly called his heir & eldest son is Mungo Grant of Knockando after Barbara Gordon's decease Mungo is married to Eiizabeth [79] Grant daughter to John of Gartenmore of whom he begat 2 sons and several daughters; the eldest son s Robert Grant of Kinchirdie in the parish of Duthel. Thomas the eighth commonly called Balmakaan married Mary Campbell & begat with her 2 sons called Ludovick & Peter whose son and representative is Capt Thomas Grant in Knockanlich & one daughter called Mary married to Grant of Mullachard whose son is [Mr] Grant now in Ruthven, The daughters of Sir John are Mary the eldest married to Ludovick, Marquis of Huntly she is mother to Gordon & then was married to the Earl of Airly. Margaret the second was married to John McKenzie of Garlock she is the mother of the representative of that family. Lillias the youngest was married to Byons Laird of Cotts of whom he bigat one son & daughter.
[80] Sir John after living in a Grand stile being at Edinburgh in defence of his kinsman Allan of Tulloch contracted sickness and dies.
26. James James, Laird of Grant, succeeds a man of good endowments he is married to Mary Stewart, Daughter of the Earl of Murray, of whom he begat several Children but the only surviving were two sons and three daughters, the eldest and representative of Grant is Ludovick & the youngest is Patrick Grant who is the head & progenitor of Western Elchies he was married to Janet Forbes, daughter to Forbes of Newtown, of whom he begat one Son and a daughter. James Grant of Western Elchies, is married to Ogilvie, daughter to Kincairne; The daughters of Grant their names and account is as follows: Mary the eldest is married to Ogilvie, Laird of Bayne, and is mother to [81] that family. The second daughter is married to Alexander Hamilton of Haggs; and Margaret, the youngest daughter to James, Laird of Grant, is married to Roderick Mackenzie of Redcastle. She is mother to that family. At length James, Grant of Grant, contracts his last sickness & in buried in the Abbey church there.
27. Ludovick Ludovick Laird of Grant Sheriff Principal of Iverness succeeds at the year 1669 a man of very publick spirit he was married to Janet Brodie only child to the Laird of Lethan she was a woman much renowned for piety & prudence of whom he begat 4 sons & 4 daughters. Alexander Grant the Brigadier is heir and representative & married the Earl of Murray's daughter from whom he had no heirs.
28. James Grant second son to Ludovick was married to Anna Colquhon in 1702 only child to the Laird of Luss of whom he begat several [82] hopeful children & upon the death of the Brigadier became Grant & Laird& has several sons & daughters which shall be narrated hereafter. George the third son became a major & Governor of Inverness Castle but never married; he purchased the lands of Moy & died there. The fourth son Lewis became first a major and then a colonel; he purchased the lands of Dunphail & died in America. The daughters begat betwixt the laird of Grant and Janet Brodie are Elizabeth the eldest married in the year 1703 to Hugh Rose of Kilravock & chieftain of that name & he is brother to the representative of that family. Anna the second daughter married to Colonel William Grant of Ballindalloch & brother to the Laird of Rothiemurchus. The third daughter to Lord Lovat mother to the master of that family now [83] Colonel Fraser. The fourth daughter to McKenzie Laird of Scatwell. This Sir James Laird of Grant being married to the heiress of Luss as was observed already had by her 5 sons and 5 daughters the eldest Humphrey died before marriage whereby
29. Ludovick Ludovick the second son became Luss he married first Sir Hugh Dalrymple of North Berwick's daughter (he being Lord President of the Session)by whom he had one daughter & the mother dying Sir Ludovick married again Lady Margaret Ogilvie the eldest daughter to the Earl of Findlater by whom he had one son James, the best & most regular temperate & devout Laird of Grant that has been for many years back (& married upon Duff of Hattons only daughter who has bore him several hopeful children) & several [84] daughters fine young ladies as yet unmarried. The third son of the aforesaid James Laird of Grant is Sir James the present Laird of Luss; fourth son Colonel Francis married upon an English Lady Stays at London. The fifth son Capt Charles of Cobhall in Murray. The daughters of the said Sir James are the eldest Jane married to Duff of Braco now Countess Dowager of Fife. The second married unto Sir Harry Innes of Innes. The third unto Alexander Grant (who was a Capt in the army) of Ballandallock. The fourth upon Sir Wm Dunbar of Durn. And the fifth miss Sophia yet unmarried though not the youngest of the Laird's daughters.
30. James the present worthy Representative of that ancient & honourable family resides at Castle Grant he is married to Duff of Hatton's only daughter, a lady [85] whose amiable conduct & oblidging disposition endears her in a peculiar manner to all her numerous friends & acquaintances.
Their issue are....
JGN Grant Esq
Ramsbottom
Manchester