Hugh MacLean (abt. 1777 - aft. 1836)

Born about 1777 in Isle of Rum, Scotland

Ancestors

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Biography

It is estimated that Hugh was born around 1777, based on research by MacLean-Bristol into contemporary military lists. ^[1]. MacLean-Bristol notes that lists indicate that Hugh was "tacksman of Sandineesher's son", aged 20. (This also suggests that his father was still alive around 1797).

Hugh married Mary MacLean, daughter of Allan of Crossapol, and grand daughter of Neil MacLean of Crossapol in Coll in 1820. ^[2], ^[3]

In 1836, Hugh presented evidence in a trial in support of his first cousin, Mr Donald MacLean, Minister for the Small Isles. ^[4] Hugh and family were farming the property of Kile (or Kiel) on the Isle of Muck. In his deposition, Hugh appears to have lived on the Isle of Rum from around 1825 to 1827, and then moved to Isle of Muck. He notes that his brother John (Og) (deceased by 1836) lived at the farm of Balmeanach, Isle of Muck.

Hugh also provides dates for the birth of his 4 children during the deposition - Alexander (1825 - on Coll at Mary's parents place), Flora (1827), and Allan (1833). His son Hugh's date is not listed, but one might assume from the statement that Hugh was born between 1827 and 1833.

His older brother John (married to Mary MacAulay), also provides evidence at the 1836 trial - it appears that he had taken over the farm at Balmeanach, Muck from his deceased younger brother. It appears from his deposition that this line of the MacLean family were dispossessed of their tack in Sandineesher, Isle of Rum in 1826, although the family remained for a further 12 months and departed for Muck in 1827.

In the Clan Gillean, 1899, p. 390, MacLean Sinclair discusses the children of Allan MacLean of Crossapol, Isle of Coll. He suggests that Catherine, the eldest daughter married Rev. Hugh MacLean who went to America; Christina married Hugh MacLean in Edinburgh; Janet married a Mr. Barron in Glasgow and Mary MacLean married Rev. A. Fraser of Greenock.

In November, 1902 from Celtic Monthly, No. 2, Vol. XI, MacLean Sinclair has revised the above information as follows:

Catherine married Rev. Donald Allan Fraser, (this has been confirmed).

Christina married Rev. Lachlan MacLean, (this has been confirmed).

Mary married Ewen (Hugh) MacLean, Isle of Rum

Sources

1. ↑ MacLean-Bristol, Nicholas: 2005, " Tacksmen of Rum", West Highland Notes and Queries, Series 3 No 7, pp19-23
2. ↑ MacLean-Sinclair, Alexander: 2005, "The Clan Gillean - with additional changes, corrections and notes transcribed from two author's copies", Volume One Additions Appendix additions listed against p390
3. ↑ Ian Scott, Isle of Coll Marriages 1776-1820 - Parish 551 Vols 1 and 2 (Coll Genealogy Website), Coll Genealogy Website, collgenealogy.com.
4. ↑ MacLean, Donald, 1836: In the General Assembly. Case for Reverend Donald MacLean, Minister of the Small Isles, Appellant, in the prosecution against him, at the instance of the Presbytery of Skye, Respondents. pp55-58 books.google.com.au

Alexander Maclean Sinclair, The Clan Gillean. 1899, Haszard and Moore. http://www.archive.org/stream/clangilleanwithp00sinc#page/409/mode/2up