Robert (Gregor) MacGregor (1671 - 1734)

Born 7 Mar 1671 in Glen Gyle, Trossachs, Loch, Scotland

Husband of Helen Mary Mckey — married Jan 1693 in Buchanan, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Descendants

Died 28 Dec 1734 at age 63 in Balquhidder, Sterling, Scotland

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Christopher Wright [send private message]

Biography

Robert Rob Roy mac Gregor was born on Mar 7, 1671 in Glen Gyle, Trossachs, Loch, Scotland, son of Donald Gregor (1635–1693).

Robert (21) married Helen Mary Mckey (8) (born in 1684 in Govan, Lanarkshire, Scotland; daughter of Gregor mac Gregor and Catherine A Mc Laren) in Jan, 1693 in Buchanan, Stirlingshire, Scotland. Their son was Duncan mc Gregor (1700–1786).

Robert died on Dec 28, 1734 in Balquhidder, Sterling, Scotland, aged 63.

Research Notes

usually known simply as Rob Roy, was a famous Scottish folk hero and outlaw of the early 18th century, who is sometimes known as the Scottish Robin Hood.
Along with many Highland clansmen, at the age of eighteen Rob Roy together with his father joined the Jacobite rising led by Viscount Dundee, known as Bonnie Dundee, to support the Stuart King James II who had been deposed during the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Although victorious in initial battles, Dundee was killed in 1689, deflating the rebellion. Rob's father was taken to jail, where he was held on treason charges for two years. Rob's mother Margaret's health failed during Donald's time in prison. By the time Donald was finally released, his wife was dead. The Gregor chief never returned to his former spirit or health.
Rob Roy was badly wounded at the Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719, in which a British army of Scots and English defeated a Jacobite and Spanish expedition that aimed to restore the Stuart monarchy.
Rob Roy became a well-known and respected cattleman - this was a time when cattle rustling and selling protection against theft was a commonplace means of earning a living.[1] Rob Roy borrowed a large sum to increase his own cattle herd, but due to the disappearance of his chief herder, who was entrusted with the money to bring the cattle back, Rob Roy lost his money and cattle, and defaulted on his loan. As a result, he was branded an outlaw, and his wife and family were evicted from their house at Inversnaid, which was then burned down. After his principal creditor, James Graham, 1st Duke of Montrose seized his lands, Rob Roy waged a private blood feud against the duke until 1722, when he was forced to surrender. Later imprisoned, he was finally pardoned in 1727. He died in his house at Inverlochlarig Beg, Balquhidder, on 28 December 1734.[2]
Another version of this series of events states that Rob Roy's estate of Craigrostan and Ardess were forfeited for his part in the rebellion of 1715. The Duke of Montrose acquired the property in 1720 by open purchase from the Commissioners of Enquiry.[3] K. Macleay, M.D., in Historical Memoirs of Rob Roy and the Clan MacGregor quotes, "...but he had taken the resolution of becoming a Roman Catholic, and he accordingly left the lonely residence we have described, and returning to Perthshire, went to a Mr Alexander Drummond, an old priest of that faith, who resided at Drummond Castle." Macleay takes the view that Rob did this out of sorrow for his crimes.
In 1716 Rob Roy moved to Glen Shira for a short time and lived under the protection of John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll also known as Red John of the Battles, "Iain Ruaidh nan Cath." Argyll negotiated an amnesty and protection for Rob and granted him permission to build a house in the Glen for the surrendering up of weapons. "Traditionally the story goes that Argyll only received a large cache of rusty old weapons." A sporran and dirk handle which belonged to Rob Roy can still be seen at Inveraray Castle. Rob Roy only used this house occasionally for the next three or four years.
In July 1717, Rob Roy and the whole of the Clan Gregor were specifically excluded from the benefits of the Indemnity Act 1717 which had the effect of pardoning all others who took part in the Jacobite rising of 1715.[4]
Some time around 1720 and after the heat of Rob's involvement at The Battle of Glen Shiel in the 1719 Jacobite Rising ('The Nineteen') had died down Rob moved to Monachyle Tuarach by Loch Doine and some time before 1722 Rob finally moved to Inverlochlarig Beag on the Braes of Balquhidder.
Glengyle House, on the shore of Loch Katrine, dates back to the early 18th century, with a porch dated to 1707, and is built on the site of the 17th century stone cottage where Rob Roy is said to have been born. Since the 1930s, the Category B-listed building had been in the hands of successive water authorities, but was identified as surplus to requirements and put up for auction in November 2004, despite objections from the Scottish National Party.
The Rob Roy Way, a long distance footpath from Drymen to Pitlochry, was created in 2002 and named in Rob Roy's honour.
Descendants of Rob Roy settled around McGregor, Iowa, and in 1849 it was reported that the original MacGregor seal and signet was owned by Alex McGregor of Iowa. The Scots Gaelic clan seal was inscribed, "S' Rioghal Mo Dhream " ("Royal is my race"). The signet was a bloodstone from Loch Lomond, and was sketched by William Williams.[5]

Sources

Clan: in McFarlane.

AKA: in Scottish Gaelic: Raibeart Ruadh MacGriogair/.

• Ancestry.com Title: Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950 Date: 2014.

Acknowledgments

• Profile Gregor-97 was created through the import of Gass paternal 10 gens.ged on Oct 8, 2015 by Christopher Wright.