D M

D — S G. [Group Sheet]

A — J M. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: 1920's, Norwood SA; He attended Norwood High School, learnt Scottish dancing, played the saxophone and won several gold medals. He later played with a dance band. He worked as an electrician at Daniels, then learnt the butchery trade at the Adelaide Meat Stores.
• Occupation: Butchery trade with Adelaide Meat Stores
• Occupation: Electrician with Daniels

Angas — Helen GUION. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: Laurence was educated at the Strathalbyn School after which he went kangaroo shooting in the Ninety Mile Desert, Coonalpyn. From there he joined the Militia at Fort Largs and did gate duty at Government House, Adelaide. His next move was to Western Australia where he found work at Arnott's Biscuit Factory. Two daughters were born in Perth. By 1912 they were back at Adelaide and Laurie joined the Railways as a special constable and at this time they lived at Barnard St. North Adelaide. Their son Angas was born while they resided in there. In 1914 they built a house at 9 Llandower Avenue, Payneham and the children were able to attend East Adelaide School. Laurie played the flute and saxaphone and enjoyed listening to classical music, the gramaphone being the source of records in those days. He rode a bicycle to and from his Payneham home to his work at the Adelaide Railway Station. During W.W.2 he went to and from Melbourne with the troop trains.
• Biography Notes: Laurie was a gate guard at Government House. This might have been in the closing years of the 1900s. We do not know if he was on duty when Sir Samuel Way was serving as interim governor.
• Occupation: At some stage, he was a railway policeman at the Adelaide Railway Station. His future brother-in-law, James Congdon was a station master there, but it is not known whether this was at the same time.

Notes:

Birth:
The birth might have been in the home of Sarah's mother in Russell St in Strathalbyn.

Laurence — Elizabeth Hannah HERON. Elizabeth was born 26 Aug 1883, Wellington SA; died 11 Mar 1955, Payneham SA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Achievements: * Sarah & Allan were ardent card players * Sarah & Allan sang beautifully unaccompanied
• Biography Notes: Allan was away from home much of the time due to his work and was engaged on the relaying of the railway line to Melbourne which had opened in 1887 and was obliged to "live rough" and sleep in a tent in the mallee scrub. Sarah was nervous as frequently tramps came by "humping the bluey" and stopped to demand food and water. Also there were Afghan hawkers who travelled in horse drawn wagons stocked with clothing, materials and small useful articles items for sale, convenient for the women so far from shops, out they added to their nervousness.
• Biography Notes: Adelaide SA; Allan was born in Meadowbank and was raised there until the family moved to Collinsfield when he was 20 years old. By this time the relationship was developing with Sarah who was living with her mother in Strathalbyn. Their wedding was in November 1878, and their first child, Laurence was born a month later. So during 1878, Allan probably moved back and forwards between Strathalbyn and 215 kms away in Collinsfield where he would have had an hand in helping his father get re-established. During this year he also spent time at Strathalbyn with farm work and at the "Burnside" property adjoining "Meadow Bank". The marriage certificate had "Collins 1892 Wife Sarah Thompson (b. 1861) daughter of George J. and Catherine Thompson at her mother's residence Alfred Place, Strathalbyn. The witnesses were Sarah's sister Mary Thompson and Samuel Bates. Sarah was aged 17 when she married and Allan was 21. They probalby lived with Sarah's mother at the Alfred Place (or Russell St??) for their first years of marriage. Their first two children were born in Strathalbyn. By 1884 the family was at Bordertown as a son Sinclair was born there, but two years later they were again at Strathalbyn as the youngest and 4th child Eva was born 1886 at Strathalbyn. (Registration record). Sarah was an expert needlewoman and an excellent cook. She and Allan were ardent card players and sang beautifully together unaccompanied, as grand-daughters Jean Stoba and Audrey Hickey recalled from holidays with them at the railway cottage at Benalla. From Mt Barker Allan and Sarah retired to McDonnell Avenue. Hindmarsh, near the city. the house where Allan died. DEATHS: Allan aged 72 on 20/3/1930 - Sarah on 6/8/1937 aged 76 at the residence of son Sinclair, at Tarragon St. Mile End. Both were interred at West Terrace Cemetery (Barker 5-39W).
• Occupation: Coonalpyn SA; Allan joined the Maintenance Branch of the SA. Railways and soon after was stationed at Coonalpyn. He later moved to Bordertown and Benalla, still with the railways, before being in charge of relay and other works between Tailem Bend and Serviceton, S.A.. He was also employed on both the Kingston, south-east and Victor Harbor lines, the latter passing through Strathalbyn where his family was domiciled and where his children attended school. For some years he was a ganger stationed at Mt Barker and it was from there that he retired in 1927
• Occupation: In 1892 (BRB p86), at the age of 35 years, Allan joined the Maintenance Branch of the South Australian Railways. His employee details from SAR (Volume 7 Page 316) are:- * McLean Allan - Birth 11 11 1857 * On 12 Oct 1891 he was a Packer. * 12 10 91 117 m South. Packer - Wage 6/6 * 02 12 96 Bordertown Packer - Wage 6/6 House 3/- * 30 01 99 Bordertown In charge Keith - Wage 8/- House 3/- * 01 05 99 Bordertown Packer - Wage 6/6 House 3/- * 01 07 06 Bordertown Packer - Wage 7/- Min wage increase. This all means he worked from 1891 to 1906 without a pay rise.
• Residence: Strathalbyn Collinsfield (short time) Strathalbyn (births of Laurence and George) Bordertown (birth of Sinclair) Strathalbyn (birth of Eva) Mt Barker Hindmarsh
• Biography Notes: 20 Mar 1930, Hindmarsh Island SA; DEATH of Mr Allan McLean, of McDonell Avenue, New Hindmarsh, who died on March 20, was born at Strathalbyn 72 years ago, and was the third son of the late Mr. Allan McLean. He joined the maintenance branch of the S.A. Railways at Strathalbyn in 1892, and later was stationed at Coonalpyn, Bordertown, and Benalla. He was in charge Tailem Bend and Serviceton, and also on the Kingston and Victor Harbour lines. For some years he was stationed at Mount Barker, from where he retired three years ago, and then lived at New Hindmarsh up to the time of his death. He has left a widow, three sons, one one daughter ? Messrs. Laurance Allan McLean (Payneham), Geo. Robt. McLean (St. Peters), Sinclair Jas. McLean (Mile-End), and Mrs. Eva Sturtzel (Henley Park). (Adelaide Chronicle, 10 April 1930, p19)

Notes:

Birth:
Meadowbank farm

Buried:
buried West Terrace Cemetery Adelaide SA (Barker 5-39W)

Died:
Hindmarsh

Allan married Sarah THOMPSON 16 Nov 1878, Strathalbyn SA. Sarah (daughter of George James THOMPSON and Catherine DEHONEY) was born 3 Sep 1861, Gawler SA; died 6 Aug 1937, Adelaide SA; was buried , Adelaide SA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Achievements: * Sarah was an expert needlewoman and excellent cook * Sarah & Allan were ardent card players * Sarah & Allan sang beautifully unaccompanied * She was a good cook - the tough workmen in the farm liked her nice soft sponges
• Biography Notes: Sarah spent her childhood in Strathalbyn. She attended the local school and lived with her mother. Sarah's father, George had departed for parts unknown and was heard of no more. Her mother appeared in Directories as "dressmaker". She must have had a difficult time with her mother, a deserted woman, and having a long battle with the council and the asylum board for financial support. Nancy Gemmell told me that Sarah did have one great saving grace. She was the prettiest girl in school. Allan McLean was quite besotted with her. He was obliged to leave his parents, after they moved to Red Hill, to be with her. She must have married Allan as soon as he returned on 6th November. Their first child, Lawrence, was born 25 December, presumably in the Russell Street home of her mother.

Notes:

Buried:
BURIED West Terrace Cemetery Adelaide - plot Barker 5-39W

Died:
DEATH 53 Tarragon Street, Mile End Adelaide SA

Notes:

Married:
Place of wedding: Mother's residence in Alfred Place, Strathalbyn SA
Witnesses: Sister Mary and her husband Samuel Bates

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: GAELIC & 'WORLDLY': * It was said that Allan was a typical highlander and in old age, would lapse into Gaelic when he got excited. His brother John was an adherent to the Auld Kirk and strong on doctrine and observances but Allan was more worldly, with a bevy of beautiful daughters who made Meadow Bank the ideal home of sociality for many a year. (BRB p39). * Allan and John were typical Highlanders and in old age when they got excited they lapsed into Gaelic. (Southern Argus', 22nd July 1915)
• Land - other than residences: As well as Meadow Bank, Allan had several other farming properties, including Angas Park (source?).
• Biography Notes: c1811, Homepage menu-SMALL PRINT; Extensive,evidence,persuasive narrative in SMALL PRINT MENU on HOME PAGE MENU
• Biography Notes: 6 Jan 1838, Hobart Tasmania; Allan travelled on with the Navarino, arriving HOBART, TASMANIA 12 Jan 1838 to purchase with (800 pounds cash) bullock teams, horses, plough, seed wheat and a cat for his mother, Christina. at May 2020 believed (no evidence yet) to return in January on the ship John Duscombe, 27th Jan 1838 via Launceston Tasmania
• Biography Notes: 13 Oct 1855, Homepage menu-SMALL PRINT; For inheritance of part of 57 Hindley St - see E51 in Small Print.
• Biography Notes: 1856, Strathalbyn SA; * In the first Strathalbyn agricultural show in 1856, the McLeans were well represented in the wheat competition with three brothers (Allan, Archibald and Hugh snr)amongst nine from the plains and hills areas. However they did not win any prizes for their wheat and on the day. The only McLean to win a prize was Mrs McLean (which Mrs was this??) for her salt butter. It is not known whether they had entered in the other sections which included barley, oats, potatoes, onions, vegetables, table grapes, apples, lemons, melons, cheese, lucerne, hams, fresh butter, pears, quinces, flowers, plough iron and harrows.(From Matthew Rankine's diary, in Gemmell, p 15).It must have been a wonderful event in this small community.
• Biography Notes: 1861, Strathalbyn SA; Alan and Archibald were among 12 'proprietors of land in the township of Strathalbyn' who attended a meeting on 10th January 1861 to form a trust for the township reserve. Although they were not present at that particular meeting, Donald Gollan, James Dawson and Rankine were given responsibilities to pursue the matter. (South Australian Advertiser - 21st Jan 1861). Alan and Archibald did not appear to take a leading part in the meeting.
• Biography Notes: 30 Apr 1869, Strathalbyn SA; Land Sale at Strathalbyn - Mr Close held a sale of land at the Terminus Hotel, Strathalbyn, on Monday, by instruction of the executors of the late Mrs. McLean, when a fine section lying between the tramway terminus and the cemetery was bought by Mr. R. Hooper, whose land it adjoined, at £8/2/6 per acre. A paddock adjoining the Murray Road was bought by Mr Archibald McLean at a little over £6 per acre, and a two-acre block near the brewery, foundry and gasworks was purchased by Mr Allan McLean for £145. (South Australian Register, 30th April 1869, p2)
• Occupation: 1837-1890, Strathalbyn SA; Skilled Ploughman and Farmer
• Cause of death: 2 Sep 1890, Plympton SA; 4 weeks of bronchitis
• Biography Notes: 8 Sep 1890, Adelaide SA; FUNERAL NOTICES The friends of the late Mr ALLAN McLEAN are respectfully informed that his remains will be removed from his late residence, Marion-road, this Day, at 3 pm, for the West-terrace Cemetery. J. B. SIEBERT, Undertaker. Source: Evening Journal, Adelaide, 8th Sept 1890, p2

Notes:

Biography Notes:
another source on TROVE NEWSPAPERS SHOW:- Newspapers: Browse South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register (Adelaide, SA : 1836 - 1839) Sat 20 Jan 1838 Page 3 SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. Here this journalist entry indicates the Navarino departed on the 8th January 1838. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
ARRIVALS.
January 18 - The ship Royal Admiral, 400 tons Fotheringham, master, from London, with passengers.
January 19 - The barque Lady of the Lake, 350 tons, from Twofold Bay, with stock.
January 19 - The brig Siren, 150 tons, Bell, master, from Launceston, with stock and passengers.
January 19 - The schooner John Duncomb, McLeay, master, 85 tons, from Launceston with stock and passengers.
DEPARTURES.
January 8 - The barque Navarino, Warming
master, for Launceston. OTHER RECORDS INDICATE ARRIVAL HOBART TASMANIA

Buried:
Buried West Terrace Cemetery Road 3 Path 36A 5
Source: Researcher Lorna McLean 01.10.2018 on
https://oldcolonists.weebly.com/1837-navarino.html

Note: A different burial plot was Road 2, area 1, 2row 34W (Source: page 10 of Warren McLean's 'Narratives' quoting Chronical 13th Sept 1890)

Died:
McLean, Allan - b 1814 - died 6th Sept 1890 at Plympton, SA, late of Strathalbyn, aged 79 years, colonialist for 54 years. The friends of the late Mr Allan McLean are respectfully informed that his remains will be removed from his late residence Marion Road, this day at 3 pm for the West Terrance Cemetery - 3 path 36A 5 - JB Siebert, Undertaker (Source: Express Telegraph 8th Sept 1890, p2 & Evening Journal, 8th Sept 1890, p2)

Note: Another death notice has a different burial plot as Road 2, area 1, 2row 34W (Source: page 10 of Warren McLean's 'Narratives' quoting Chronical 13th Sept 1890)


Died at Marion Road, Plympton

Allan married Catherine DAWSON 29 Feb 1844, Mt Barker SA. Catherine (daughter of James (snr) DAWSON and Jane (Jean) HAMILTON) was born 1825, Tehran Persia; died 21 Jan 1892, Hackney SA; was buried , West Terrace Cemetery SA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: * Teheran and Constantinople, Persia * Scotland * Strathalbyn * Collinsfield * Adelaide
• Emigration: 30 Apr 1839, Adelaide SA; In 1839 in the 'Fairfield', Catherine migrated from Scotland with her mother and siblings (her father had come out earlier). Catherine had applied for a free passage as a domestic, so like many other girls she probably sailed as a help to a family of friends.

Notes:

Birth:
Nancy Gemmell ('Old Strathalbyn', p14) states Catherine was born in Glasgow in 1823. However, Persia has been confirmed by John Mathews.

Died:
Catherine died in Eliza's house in Hackney, Adelaide.

Death Notice. Chronical 23rd January 1892.
McLean. On the 21st January, at her daughter's residence, Vaughan's Mansion, Katherine, beloved wife of the late Allan McLean, Aged 64 years.


Express & Telegraph, January 23 1892.
The friends of the late Catherine McLean are respectfully informed that her remains will be removed from her daughter's residence ( Mrs. Haldane), Vaughan's Mansion, Hackney, this day at 2.00pm. for interement in the West Terrace Cemetery. J.B.Siebert, Undertaker.

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: George was very unreliable and left the family and has not been heard again (BRB p86) On 3rd January 1868 a warrant for the apprehension of 28 year old George Thompson for the deserting his wife and family. (see Flinders Ranges Research)

George married Catherine DEHONEY 2 Aug 1859, Adelaide SA. Catherine (daughter of William DOHONEY) was born 4 Mar1842, Tipperary Ireland ; died 5 Feb 1921, Strathalbyn SA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Cause of death: Senility & arterisclerois
• Occupation: Dressmaker
• Residence: Strathalbyn SA; Alfred Place Strathalbyn SA
• Residence: Strathalbyn SA; Catherine was living in Russell St after her daughter's (Sarah's) marriage in 1878 and had still been there when she died as an 80 year old. (This note by Don Gordon in June 2021)

Notes:

Birth:
Possible birth details: Catherine christened on 4th March 1842 at Gortnnahoe Parish in Tipperary, Ireland, with parents John Doheney and Bridgett Hickey and Godparents Philip Cormack and Jenny Doheney.
DOUBTS: We need to consider whether this birth is consistent with the records of her migration, marriage and death.
* Place: There is no doubt that she was from Tipperary because this is confirmed by the Fitzjames passenger list and her death certificate.
* Father: The marriage record has her father as William (not John).
* Birth date: 1842 is consistent with her wedding in 1859 when her age was recorded as 18 years (not 17) but her death certificate has her 80 years old when she died in 1919 - ie born about 1839 (not 1842) and her age when migrating in 1855 as 20 (not 13).
* Analyis: The different father's names are crucial but the year of birth is less clear. Her age at her wedding as either 17 or 18 is not remarkable, but we cannot rely on the estimations of her age in the passenger manifest and death certificate. The issue is her age when she migrated. The record of her age on the passenger list is probably wrong - she could not have been 19 yrs on the ship but 18 at her wedding four years later). If she was 18 years old at her wedding, she would have been 14 years, or turning 15, when she boarded the Fitzjames. Or if she had have been born in 1842, she would have been only 13 years old. How likely is it that she was 13, 14 or 15 years old on the ship? This seems too young for a single girl travelling without her parents. For example, on the Fitzjames, among the 185 single girls/women (without parents) there were no 13 year olds, two 14 year olds, one 15 yrs, and two 16 yr olds. For the 67 single boys/men, there were none 13 yrs, two 14 yrs, none 15 yrs, and one 16 years old. On the other hand, maybe she was travelling with other passengers she knew - she did not have any brothers or sisters with her, but there could have been cousins or friends. There was one other family from Tipperary, and 21 of other girls (no boys) from there.
Conclusion: The 1842 birth might make her too young (at 13 years old) to migrate without her parents, and crucially, her wedding record indicates that her father's name was William, not John. The significance of all this is not so much whether the year is correct, but it is most important to get the correct name for her father because, unless we are certain of this, we cannot build the family tree back to earlier generations.
(This note by Don Gordon in June 2021)




Name:
Sometimes spelled Dehony, Dohony or Dohoney

Died:
Death certificate:
* 5th Feb 1921
* Catherine Thompson, F, 80 years (ie born c1841)
* Widow of the late Geo Thompson
* Residence, Russell Street Strathalbyn
* Birth Tipperary, Ireland
* 64 years in Australia (ie migrated c1857 - actually 1855)
* Age at marriage 20 years (ie married c1861 - actually 1859)
* Children living 1M & 2F; children dead 2M & 0F
* Cause of death senility/arterisclerois
* Place of death Russell Street residence of informant
* Informant Geo H Thompson
* Registration: #4221, James H Kennedy, Strathalbyn.
(Source: Warren McLean's 'Narratives', p 11)

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: 26 Sep 1779, Homepage menu-SMALL PRINT; A persuasive, narrative, biography of evidenced information covering all of Donalds life, wife and more
• Marriage/Wedding: 00.00.1811, Kilmallie Scotland; the first born son, Allan OPR b.bapt offers event 12 Feb early in 1811. Likely parents handfasted or "blessed" at time of baptism of first born. Guesstimate only ....Lorna Mclean OPR READS "1811, Feb 12, Allan son to Donald McLean in Blaich & Christian McPhee in Blaich" Seemingly the parish priest did 3 baptisms on 5th Feb and then Allen on 12th and not documented until AFTER the next baptism: where it was recalled that Allens record had not been entered. Hence it is squashed in between (though legible) in date order between the other baptisms.
• Biography Notes: 3 Aug 1837, Strathalbyn SA; Donald and whole family emmigrated from Scotland, departure on "Navarino" at London to South Australia arriving on 9 Dec 1837. Arrival location initially named Holdfast Bay (due to sticky mud to pass through) later renamed Glenelg. Ewen/Hugh, the youngest child at the time was in his second year born 1836 back 'home'.
• Biography Notes: 00 Dec 1838, Strathalbyn SA; 'Mr McLean ... was one of the first men to grow wheat on the (Strathalbyn) plains. He had some grain ground at Mr Ridley's so-called flourmill while I was at work there. We began to upbraid him for his foolhardiness in taking up land so far away in the unknown wilderness, where he would suffer much privation and - if he escaped being eaten alive by savage beasts or savager men - would probably starve to death. He began to dance a Scotch reel, but not to the sound of the bagpipes but to song and words of his own making. As far as I could make out he was crooning, "I'll nae starve, plenty cows, plenty milk, plenty butter, plenty hens, plenty eggs, plenty pigs, I'll nae starve. And so on through another long list of eatables. He had a jolly day and was not disposed to look at the dangers of the expedition. It was more than probable that whisky had something to do with the elevation, for in after-life he was a slave to it." (Source: Memoirs of John Dunn who knew Donald personally - 'A Miller's Tale' was edited by Anthony Stuart in 1991).
• Biography Notes: 1841, Strathalbyn SA; The third family to purchase blocks in Strathalbyn district to the Rankine and Dawson families. Built a stone building on Section 2603 near the banks of the Angas River.
• Residence: 1842, Strathalbyn SA; The family moved from Adelaide's suburb of Marleston (previously named Hilton) to establish their new home and outbuildings named 'Auchananda's'. It was built on the river's edge of the Angas River which winds through Strathalbyn SA. It is a short walk, south-west of the Strathalbyn township. 2020 Today: The original house has been demolished however the outbuilding that was referred to as a barn, has now been restored as a residence and privately owned (inaccessible). It can be viewed from the other side of the River Angas.
• Biography Notes: 26th Apr 1869, Strathalbyn SA; SALE OF DONALD'S PROPERTIES * "Land Sale at Strathalbyn - Mr Close held a sale of land at the Terminus Hotel, Strathalbyn, on Monday, by instruction of the executors of the late Mrs McLean, when a fine section lying between the tramway terminus and the cemetery was bought by Mr R Hooper, whose land it adjoined, at £8/2/6 per acre. A paddock adjoining the Murray Road was bought by Mr Archibald McLean at a little over £6 per acre, and a two-acre block near the brewery, foundry and gasworks was purchased by Mr Allan McLean for £145." (South Australian Register, 30th April 1869, p2) * "The sale of land under the will of the late Mr D. McLean, advertised to take place at the Terminus Hotel, was held by Mr James Close on Monday last, when there was a very good attendance, and the bidding was spirited. The 84 acres, being Section 2602, lying between the Limestone Hill and Mr Hooper's property, was knocked down to Mr Richard Hooper at £8 2s 6d per acre. The 40 acres (more or less), being portion of Section 2603, and having a frontage to the river, was sold to Mr Archibald McLean at £6. 0s 6d per acre. Mr Allan McLean was the purchaser of the two acres of Section 2612, on Cheriton road, at the south-east corner of the town, the price being £141." (Southern Argus, 1st May 1969, p2) * Comment: This auction was held on 26th April 1869 which was just 17 days after Christina's death and 14 years after Donald's death.
• Biography Notes: 7 Dec 1922, Strathalbyn SA; Southern Argus, 7th Dec 1922, p 3 THE FIRST WHEAT Controversy has furiously raged about the claims of the first wheat crop in South Australia, and a vast amount of research work has been put in to establish various claims. So far as we know, there has never been a satisfactory claim to this honor, since a confusion of dates and localities and hazy memories has usually led up to the proverbial Scotchman's 'doots.' We give another claim in which, we understand, dates and family records have been checked and counter-checked and every thing possibly done to establish beyond doubt a genuine claim to the first wheat grower in this State. The particulars which have been supplied to us by a well-known resident of Murrayville ? a relative of the late D McLean, are as follows: ? The very first wheat grown in SA, without a shadow of doubt, was grown by the late Donald McLean in 1838. Mr McLean, who was a relative of the late Hon. Allan McLean, a former Premier of Victoria, hailed from Argyleshire, and left Gravesend with his wife and family of ten on August 6, 1837, landing by the "Navarino" at Holdfast Bay on December 6. At that time there were no houses in Adelaide, and the Governor was living in a reed hut on the banks of the River Torrens. Equipped with a fair amount of capital he quickly sized up the conditions, and sent two sons to Tasmania, who were then 22 and 24 years of age, providing them with £300 to purchase seed wheat, which, at that time, was only procurable in Van Dieman's Land, two teams of bullocks, horses and drays and other necessaries ? which by the way, included a cat for his wife. A land order entitled Mr McLean to select land, but as the surveying had not been done, it was necessary to wait till June 6, 1838, the date of the ' first land meeting in SA for selecting blocks around Adelaide. Thirty applicants attended, and Mr. McLean selected section No. 50, one and a half miles from the GPO, now known as the suburb of Marleston; better known as Hilton. The two eldest sons, Allan and John, started cultivating operations at once with a plough brought from the old country. Twenty acres of cleared land was fenced and put in seed, a good crop being hand reaped towards the end of 1838. The records in the Government office substantiate the claim that no wheat was grown in SA, before 1838, but the first was the 20 acres by Mr. McLean. In 1839 120 acres were cultivated, and 816 acres in 1840. It is also recorded in the Government office that Mr McLean was granted this land on June 6, 1838. It is believed that the first wheat was ground into meal and eaten after the manner of oaten cake or bannocks, which was a common Scotch fare in those days. A few years ago, a Mr Calaly, of Mount Barker, an old pioneer, claimed to have eaten bread made from the first wheat grown by the McLean, and a Mr W. Greig, a shipmate of the McLean's, testified that he saw the wheat put in and that no other wheat was grown in SA in that year. The remains of the homestead still stand near Hilton. The land was sold later to Mr. John Marle's father. Further evidence was given by a very early pioneer who held land near the McLean's, in which it is recorded in a book, that Mr. McLean was the first wheat grower in the State. Later on, Mr McLean purchased a large area of land at Strathlbyn adjoining the township, and other blocks along the Angas and Bremmer Rivers. The old homestead of Mr. McLean was situated close to Strathalbyn, a solid two-storey house which still stands.

Notes:

Birth:
Edwin MacLean in 2016 stated Donald was born in Fort William. This had long been surmised: evidence pending.

Scotland, births and baptisms, 1564-1950. Born Allan Mclean gender male birth date 26 Sep 1779 birth place kilmallie argyll scotland, father Allan mclean mother Rachel Ranken. FHL Film Number 1041070.

Name:
Donald signed his name variously as - McLane - MacLean - McLean - McClean and Mac (ref p13 BRB)


Buried:
SOURCE: RANKINE FAMILY OF STRATHALBYN
On bottom of the page 93. In the section labelled "Matthew Rankine, 2nd. son" reads...."About this time he [Matthew Rankine, 2nd. son] went to the funeral of a Mr. McLean who was buried close to his house in pouring rain. There was a large attendance and all stayed to hear the will read afterwards.....This seems that it was not dated. However since Donald died on the 11 Oct 1855 and the next paragraph opened with...."On October 13th. 1855 he was asked to be secretary to the newly formed Agricultural Society at Strathalbyn which met regularly so he took the opportunity...." so it can be assumed to be the 11th, 12th, and maybe 13th October 1855.

Although Donald was buried near his homestead, "whether Donald was re-interred at the present cemetery or left in his original grave is not now known? (BRB p16).

Matthew Rankine, who was then of "Woodburn", Angas Plains, attended the funeral and he noted this in his diary. ?On 11/10/1855 he received a letter informing him of the death of Donald McLean. In those days people were invited to funerals. Matthew wrote that he rode his horse Blossom to the Donald McLean house, starting at noon on the 13th and that many people had gathered for the funeral and that Donald was buried near his house and on his own land and that afterwards the Will was read." (BRB p16) [Research: Get a copy of the actual diary entry ? it is on microfilm in the State Library, Adelaide]


Died:
"Died: 0n the 11th instant, at this residence, Auchananda (sic), Strathalbyn SA. Mr Donald Mclean senior aged 75 years. The deceased was an old colonist, highly respected by a numerous circle of relations and friends." - The Adelaide Observer, 13th October 1855, page 5




Did Donald die on 10th or 11th? A quote from text accompanying a sketch of Donald McLean's cottage at Hilton held in the Mortlock Library stated that, "He died at his home on October 10th, 1855, aged 84 years, leaving his wife, Christina, five sons and five daughters and was buried in Section 1 of the Strathalbyn Cemetery" (BRB p9)

Donald — Christina b1787 MCPHEE. Christina (daughter of John Oag MCPHEE and Christian (Christ'n) CAMERON) was born 28 Apr 1787, Crieff Scotland; died 9 Apr 1869, Strathalbyn SA; was buried , Strathalbyn SA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: 28 Apr 1787, Crieff Scotland; See biography of Christina McPhee'S PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS on HOMEPAGE SMALL PRINT
• Biography Notes: 1819, Corriebeg Loch Eil Scotland; At the same time that John Macmasters and Mary MacMillan were at Corriebeg, Christina McPhee and Donald McLean, were just across the Loch at Duisky. It was a six km walk around the eastern end of Loch Eil, or four km in a row-boat. Mary and Christina were first cousins - their mothers were sisters - so there was probably some contact between the families. At the time of Mary's and John's wedding in 1819, Christina and Donald had five children (but one had died).
• Biography Notes: 14 Feb 1855, Mt Barker SA; Local Courts, Mt Barker: Wednesday, February 14, 1855 Full jurisdiction Before Francis Davison, Esq., Stipendiary Magistrate; Robert Davennort and Frederick May, Esqs. "Christian McLean, a septuageniarian wife of Donald McLean, appeared to answer the complaint of Annie Macbean and Catherine Macbean, of the same place for having violently assaulted them with a stick. Mr Andrews defended; and in cross-examination elicited that one of the ladies was enciente [pregnant] by a son of the defendant, and that the defendant on becoming aware of the fact ordered the frail one never to come on her premises again. That on the evening in question the lady did, in defiance of the defendant's injunctions, come on her premises. The charge was, however, clearly proved, and the defendant was fined £2 and costs." (South Australian Register, 21st February 1855, p3) COMMENTS by Don Gordon on 8th Nov 2018: * This newspaper item has Christina in her 70s in 1855 (ie born between 1775 and 1785) whereas we have her christening OPR on 28th April 1787 which would make Christina 67 years at the time of the court. The BRB (p7) had her born in 1791 in which case she would have been about 64 years old at the time of the court. But maybe the reporter was just using the term septuagenarian as another way of saying that she was old. * Donald was 75 years old and maybe frail - he died 8 months later. * At that time, except for Hugh the younger, all of the children of Donald and Christina had married. Only Hugh the younger, 19 years old, was unmarried and still living at Auchananda Homestead, Strathalbyn with his parents. * Annie McBean (McBain) probably had been a live-in servant at Auchananda. She was born in 1838 (BRB p532) so was 16 or 17 years old. This doesn't align with information of shipping records which made her 21 on arrival to SA. * The newspaper item refers to her as enciente (pregant), 'the frail one'. * Catherine was Annie's sister. Catherine might also have been living at Auchananda's because she was 'of the same place'. Their mother was Margaret (BRB p532). * Christina was apparently blaming Annie for becoming pregnant with her son. She had made the sisters leave the house, but they had come back, and so she hit them with a stick. * If we assume that she was at least three months pregnant (otherwise it would not have been such a public issue), the baby must have been born less than six months after the court - ie born before August 1855. It was a boy called Donald. His surname could have been McLean or McBean. * We don't know who raised Donald, but there must have been a strong continuing connection with Christina as evidenced when she made special provisions for him in her Will in 1869. Maybe she had an important role in his care. He was about 12 years old when she died. * Subsequently, Annie married Charles McSween in 1859 and Hugh married Margaret Tannahill in 1862.
• Biography Notes: 11 Oct 1855, Homepage menu-SMALL PRINT; For inheritance of part of 57 Hindley St - see E51 in Small Print.
• Biography Notes: 11 Oct 1855, Homepage menu-SMALL PRINT; Husband's Will - see Donald McLean's profile for details in Donald's will in which Christina was a beneficiary.
• Biography Notes: 26th Apr 1869, Strathalbyn SA; SALE OF DONALD'S PROPERTIES * "Land Sale at Strathalbyn - Mr Close held a sale of land at the Terminus Hotel, Strathalbyn, on Monday, by instruction of the executors of the late Mrs McLean, when a fine section lying between the tramway terminus and the cemetery was bought by Mr R Hooper, whose land it adjoined, at £8/2/6 per acre. A paddock adjoining the Murray Road was bought by Mr Archibald McLean at a little over £6 per acre, and a two-acre block near the brewery, foundry and gasworks was purchased by Mr Allan McLean for £145." (South Australian Register, 30th April 1869, p2) * "The sale of land under the will of the late Mr D. McLean, advertised to take place at the Terminus Hotel, was held by Mr James Close on Monday last, when there was a very good attendance, and the bidding was spirited. The 84 acres, being Section 2602, lying between the Limestone Hill and Mr Hooper's property, was knocked down to Mr Richard Hooper at £8 2s 6d per acre. The 40 acres (more or less), being portion of Section 2603, and having a frontage to the river, was sold to Mr Archibald McLean at £6. 0s 6d per acre. Mr Allan McLean was the purchaser of the two acres of Section 2612, on Cheriton road, at the south-east corner of the town, the price being £141." (Southern Argus, 1st May 1969, p2) * Comment: This auction was held on 26th April 1869 which was just 17 days after Christina's death and 14 years after Donald's death.

Notes:

Birth:
The BRB has her birth as 1791 whereas we have concluded with an OPR that it was 28th April 1787 - see D50.

Name:
BRB: Christina, Donald's wife is named in the Parish Records, sometimes as Christian, the old form of Christina; sometimes as Christy which her husband might have called her (eg in his Will) and also as we know her - Christina.



Died:
"McLEAN, Christina nee McPhee, (b 1791) - Died on the 9th April 1869, at Strathalbyn, Mrs Christina McLean widow of the late Donald McLean, aged 78 years - a colonist for 32 years. Buried in Strathalbyn Cemetery." (South Australian Advertiser, 16th April 1869, p2 & South Australian Register on 24th April 1869)

Some sources (which ones?) have the death as 4th Sept 1869.

Notes:

Married:
Assumed handfasted or/&...12months and one day as was the practise....see https://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2016/11/handfasting-in-scotland.html
Summary cc
Handfasting rituals, especially in Scotland, has long been surrounded by mythical images of couples binding their hands and even drawing blood to form a trial marriage that would last one year, after which, the couple could in mutual consent, stay together or part. The real ritual.... There was no need for witnesses (ONLY STRENGTHENED the proof) or the consent of the parents. There was no need for a priest. .... Two people could exchange vows and that was enough. There was no need for banns or a mass to bless the marriage, just two people consenting. It wasn?t even necessary to have sexual intercourse, the marriage was binding. This legal position was made from about 1200 onwards with the support and direction of the Church.
In Scotland there was a third type of marriage called ?marriage by habit and repute.? This was a marriage established when a couple lived together as if married and presented themselves to society as married; a kind of common law marriage. .....
Like elsewhere, in Scotland, divorce wasn?t possible. A couple were married for life...It wasn?t until the Scottish Reformation in 1560 that divorce and remarriage became possible.
The common process for a marriage in the late medieval time up until the Reformation included a betrothal, a proclamation of the banns and consent in the present tense.... Though the Church and the law recognized clandestine marriages (marriages made without witnesses and the usual Church presence) they did everything they could to discourage them. ...With the Reformation many Protestant.....In 1563 the Roman Catholic Church ...... Since Scotland became a Protestant country in 1560.... So both Scottish civil law and the Church essentially kept what made a marriage unchanged. ...The only changes were to permit divorce and remarriage and a reduction in the degrees of consanguity.....By the 18th century,....the civil law continued to support it and that remained unchanged until 1940.
Though the civil law essentially remained the same the cultural customs surrounding marriage did change over the 4 centuries between the Scottish Reformation and 1940. Handfasting fell away about the late 17th century or.....?

In the late 18th century a kind of a myth arose around handfasting,.....and it continued on until the 20th century and eventually became incorporated in the neo-Pagan rituals still practiced today.

Other Events:

• Military Service: Kew UK; Public Records Office, Kew, London.UK Incomplete detail with no dates or locations of military attendance just pay codes.. WO54/287 Description Book 6th Btn., RA, WO54/299 Description Book 9th Btn., RA, WO10/799 Pay roll 9th Btn.,RA (various years)
• Military Service: Dec 1815, Tehran Persia; Email from John Mathews 8 May 2016; his source attended (dates not provided) Public Records Office, Kew, London. WO54/287 Description Book 6th Btn., RA, WO54/299 Description Book 9th Btn., RA, WO10/799 Pay roll 9th Btn.,RA (various years) WO10/1130 Pay List 9th Btn., Adjutant's Detachment, RA (dates not provided)
• Military Service: 1810-1816; Email from John Mathews 8 May 2016 Limited evidence. "In Royal Artillary 1810-1816, FO60/4, FO60/6 and FO60/10. Correspondence file from British Embassy in Tehran to Foreign Office."dates attained not provided, Repository:assume Public Records Office Kew UK
• Marriage/Wedding: 16 Feb 1816, Falkirk Scotland; DAWSON JAMES m.JEAN HAMILTON FR2560 (FR2560) on 16/02/1816 479/ 90 195 at Falkirk Scotland. no credits for document of OPR MARRIAGE
• Military Service: 1817-1826, Iran; (Iran; Previously named Persia as records state Persia) Repository assumed Kew London, dates/locations/war field locations not provided. FO60/27 (1826) Records payment to "Sgt Dawson". James was the father of Catherine Dawson who married Allen McLean b1811 in Scotland
• Biography Notes: 12 Oct 1944, Strathalbyn SA; Newspaper:Southern Argus (Port Elliot, SA : 1866 - 1954) Thu 12 Oct 1944 Page 4 "Gifts to the Corporation. During the past week further valuable gifts have been received by the Town Clerk for inclusion with the archives of early Strathalbyn. Mr. H. R. Hooper, of Dulwich, has presented the town with the photos of his late great-grandfather and great grandmother, Colonel James Dawson and his wife, and also with a sword, the property of the late colonel. This sword has an interesting story to tell. Colonel Dawson fought in the Persian wars, his wife accompanying him as his orderly,dressed as a soldier. The secret was well kept and no one but the Colonel knew that the soldier orderly was a woman. During the war the Colonel saved the life of a priest, and for this act was presented with the sword that has now come back to Strathalbyn. That was in 1818. Later Colonel Dawson came to South Aust and was one of the first settlers in Strathalbyn. The sword has been handed down from descendants of the late Colonel and was in the possession of Mr. Hooper. Mr. Hooper has supplied the clerk with a long, and interesting account of early Strathalbyn and this has been added to the wealth of information being provided by old residents. Mrs.J.S.Richardson is one who has written up quite a lengthy article on the early days, and Miss Foster is also assisting. Others have offered to send in their reminiscences. Mrs. M.G.Rankine has presented a very old picture of the Presbyterian Church, and bridge, and has loaned Dr. Rankine's Memoirs, and numerous newspaper cuttings for the clerk to take copies. These actions by old residents are very commendable, and future generations, with an interest in early history, will have cause to thank them for their thoughtfulness.

Notes:

Buried:
Plot 80, DIV 1, Strathalbyn Cemetery Parker Road

James married Jane (Jean) HAMILTON 16 Feb 1818, Falkirk Scotland. Jane (daughter of William HAMILTON and Janet LOCKHART) was born 24 Feb 1802, Hamilton Lanarkshire Scotland; was christened 8 Mar 1802, Hamilton Lanarkshire Scotland; died 9 Aug 1885, Springfield SA; was buried , Strathalbyn SA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: Arrived at Adelaide Australia on "Fairfield" 4 May 1839 with children Catherine, Eliza, Ann, Jean (Jane), and Archibald. When Jane died in 1885 she was Strathalbyn's oldest inhabitant. She left her old servant Mary O'Loughlin her chest of drawers, armchair and £50.
• Biography Notes: Death: Dawson - On the 9th August, at her residence, Springfield, near Strathalbyn, Jane, relict of the late James Dawson, of Strathalbyn, aged 84 years. (Southern Argus, 13th August 1885, p2)

Notes:

Birth:
It is not certain that Jane was born on 24th Feb 1802, nor that her parents were William Hamilton and Janet Lockhart - nor that this was in Hamilton (Lanarkshire). This needs to be corroborated or explored further.
Also a few other births have been suggested by other sources (MyHeritage etc) - with a birth year of 1804 - but it is unlikely that she would have been as young as 12 years old when she married James Dawson in 1816:-
* 23rd May 1804 in Stonehouse - parents were William Hamilton & Janet Pollock.
* 18th April 1804 in Falkirk - parents John Hamilton & Margaret Potter.
This note by Don Gordon on 22nd April 2019.

Notes:

Married:
Irregular marriage:
A marriage by declaration was perfectly legal in terms of Scots Law until 1939 [but] it wasn't at all "legal" in terms of the canonical "laws" of the Established Church of Scotland. ..... A proportion of those who underwent a marriage by declaration did so in the presence of a minister of a secession church, or a minister who had at that time no "charge", ie wasn't the minister of any church. .... It could have equally been the case that the minister involved here, unnamed, was a secession church minister, but the couple still wanted the marriage recorded in the Old Parochial Register ... of the Established Church of Scotland.
(Source: DavidWW, 28th Feb 2007 in http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8203)

Notes:

Birth:
PERHAPS : OPR 26/10/1746 Mclean Allan (Old Parish Registers Birth 513/ 2074 Inveraray and Glenaray) Page 74 of 343. National records of Scotland. Image was generated at 30 June 2017.

Christened:
Christening Location: INVERARAY AND GLENARAY,SCOTLAND

Allan married Rachel b.1744 RANKINE 1765, Argyll Scotland. Rachel (daughter of John b1719 ("the younger") RANKINE and Margaret MAIN) was born 00 Dec 1744, Scotland UK; was christened 16 Dec 1744, Campsie Scotland; died 1 Aug 1773, Ancrum Scotland . [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
Extract from D40: Rationale for accepting that Rachel was born in Campsie in 1744 - child of John Rankine (younger) and Margaret Mains
Our starting point
* The BRB (p7) states that, if the traditional naming system was used, Donald's mother would we Ann - but see our discussion on the naming conventions in our strategies article D30.
* We are confident that Rachel was Donald's mother because it is consistent with information on the BRB which is father/birthyear/birthplace = Allan/1779/Blaich.
* This leads us to use the following search criteria for Rachel's birth:
Name
* First name: Rachel or Rachael
* Surname: Rankine, Ranken or Rankin
Years
* If we assume, in the mid 1700s, that a mother's childbearing years were from her late teens to her mid forties, and taking into account that Donald was born in 1779, Rachel must have been born between 1727 and 1764.
Place
* Anywhere in the western Highlands - the closer to Blaich the better.
Progress so far
We have found only one OPR for a birth of Rachel Ranken between 1727 and 1754:-
* Rachel Rankine, baptised 16th Dec 1744 in Campsie, Stirling - with mother Margaret Mains and father John Rankine - "Margt Mains held up her child begotten in fornication with John Rankine younger to be bapt called Rachel with James Burman and William Colquhorrage". This OPR is attached to Rachel's profile on the McLean website.
* Family Search (& WikiTree) has an entry for Rachel with the same parents as the OPR (John Rankine & Margaret Mains) but different year (1751) and different place (Blaich). Edwin MacLean's family tree (Small Print M001) also has the birth as 1751 in Blaich. It would be good news if it was Blaich and her being 28 years old when giving birth to Donald - but we cannot have any confidence in this entry because it has not specified any sources. [Research: Try to find why whoever made these entries into these websites.]
Siblings
* No other births have been found for children of John Rankine and Margaret Mains. This is not surprising because Rachel was "begotten in fornication" so it might have been a casual relationship.
Pros & cons
Reasons for discounting the 1744 birth in Campsie:-
* Year: If Rachel was born in 1744, she would have been 35 when she gave birth to Donald. This is possible, but older than would be common in those times. It indicates that she might have several children before Donald, but we have not found any records of such possibilities.
* Place: If Rachel was born in Campsie (near Glasgow, a 150 km walk north to Blaich), she could have met Allan, but this is less likely than if she had been born nearer to Blaich.
* Alternatives: The names, ?Rachel? and ?Rankine? are not uncommon in that general area. The absence of other OPRs, apart from 1744 in Campsie, could be either because the Kilmallie birth records have been lost or because the birth of our ?real? Rachel was never registered.
* Outside possibility: A Ewen Rankin and Margaret McPhee had a child, Donald Rankin in 1782 in Garvan (next to Duisky and only a few kilometers from Blaich). We have Ewen, Margaret and Donald in the family tree ?Lairds, tacks & residents of Ardgour, Blaich Duisky? in our C&D McLean website It is possible that Ewen might have been born between 1752 and 1762 ? if he was between 20 and 30 years old when he became the father of Donald in 1782 - however Ewen could have been born well before 1752, if he was much older at the time of his son?s birth. Could this Ewen Rankin have been a brother or cousin of our Rachel Rankin? Unfortunately, we have no other evidence of this.
Reasons for accepting the 1744 birth in Campsie:-
* Alternatives: This is the only OPR that matches any of the criteria. So either it is the right one, or the OPR is missing - lost or never registered.
Conclusion
* Rachel Rankine was baptised on 16th Dec 1744 in Campsie, Stirling. Her parents were Margaret Mains and John Rankine - they were not married at the time = ACCEPTED unless we can find evidence for an alternative (eg 1751 in Blaich).



Name:
In the OPR of Donald's birth, the spelling of Rachel's surname is not clear - it could be either Rankin or Ranken.
The clan sometimes spell their name Rankine.

Died:
(Mortcloth hire)

Notes:

Married:
Kaye McArdle has this information on record in her WikiTree with allan florence and mary childlren of Hugh and Christine (McVicar) Mclean.

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: A birth record for John Oag McPhee has not been found, but he was probably born in Crieff, possibly in the late 1750s or early 1760s. He was the last of a long line of tenants of that farm. For many generations the tenancy was passed from father to son, all named John McPhee. John?s great-grandfather was the first McPhee tenant of Crieff in the first half of the 1700s. This was a time when the Cameron chief, known as 'Lochiel', was a powerful presence, and clan traditions were strong. Then John's grandfather took over the tenancy some years before the battle of Culloden in 1746. After the battle, the Lochiel farms, including Crieff, were rampaged by the English troops. The chief was exiled, and the farms were taken over and controlled by English administrators (the 'Factors') who continued to rent Crieff to the McPhees. In 1751, when John?s father took over the tenancy, the role of the chiefs was continuing to decline, highland traditions were being destroyed and the new English order was consolidated. The Factor pushed for improvements of farming practices. In 1784, the ownership was passed back to the chief but he remained exiled in France. There are no Old Parish Records (OPRs) for the birth of Christ'n because the Kilmallie parish records before 1773 are missing. Her parentage by Jane Robertson and Donald Cameron and birthplace of Achnacarry are supported by a family tree by Jeff MacLeod and memoirs of John MacLeod. Her birth year of around 1771 is based on a court case in 1811 when she was 40 years old. Christ?n and her siblings, Jean, Donald and Charles, grew up in Achnacarry where their father operated a large sawmill and their mother taught them handicrafts and English when the common language was Gaelic. In 1786, when Christ'n was 15 years old, she married John McPhee and they lived in Crieff. Later in that same year, her sister, Jean, married Donald MacMillan, on the Callich farm. Achnacarry and Crieff are 5 kms from each other, near the eastern end of Loch Arkaig, in the parish of Kilmallie. Callich is 12 kms from Crieff, westwards along Loch Arkaig. They were amongst the 38 farms that comprised the Lochiel Estate which belonged to the chief of the Cameron clan. There were possibly half a dozen families living in Archnacarry and about four families in Crieff. In 1787, John and Christ'n's daughter, Christina, was born. There are no records of any other children other than Alexander, born in 1799. In 1788, John's father died and he took over the tenancy of Crieff. Black cattle had been the main livestock on the farms but sheep were becoming more profitable if properties were fenced. This led to the enclosures. In 1802, many people (including Angus McPhee of Crieff) migrated from around Loch Arkaig, to Canada. In 1804, the Cameron chief and his trustees evicted all the tenants and families from their traditional lands. The John and Christ?n were forced to leave Crieff. At this time, Christina was 17 years old, and Alexander was 5 years. Jean and Donald MacMillan were probably evicted from Callich at the same time. Most families settled around the outskirts of Fort William. This is how Christina met Donald McLean and, in 1811, they had the first of their 12 children in Blaich and Duisky, a little west of Fort William. (Christina and Donald are the focus of www.christinaanddonaldmclean.com.) While Christ'n and John were living near Fort William, he was in court twice for old debts which he had incurred while he was farming at Crieff. In another case, Christ'n was a court witness for a friend who was facing eviction. Little is known about their later years. They probably remained not far from Fort William. An examination of the censuses in 1841 and 1851 was inconclusive, but maybe Christ'n died before 1841 and John lived with relatives as an old man.
• Biography Notes: c1700's, Homepage menu-SMALL PRINT; Extensive,evidence,persuasive narrative in SMALL PRINT MENU on HOME PAGE MENU

Notes:

Birth:
Year of birth: 1759 is entered as the year of birth by CraigSievenpiper1 in Family Search. No evidence was presented to support this entry but it might have been based on the 1851 census when a John McPhee was 92 years old (ie born 1759) and living in Camagahel which is near Fort William. However this census record could not have been our John because that household had a Margaret, born about 1787 which is the same year as our Christina. Margaret and Christina could not have been full sisters if they were born in the same year. John was not the father of them both, so the census record must have been a different John McPhee.
Although this census is probably not our John, nonetheless the year 1759 is reasonable because that year would have made him 28 years old when his daughter Christina was born in 1787.

See our D55 in SMALL PRINT on the home page for research notes about this.
Further evidence would be welcome.
(This note by Don Gordon on 20th June 2020)

Place of birth: Because John was probably the last of four generations of tenants of the Crieff farm (all named John McPhee), it is almost certain that he was born at Crieff.
See our D55 in SMALL PRINT on the home page for research notes about this.
Further evidence would be welcome.
(This note by Don Gordon, 20th June 2020)

Name:
In the record of John's marriage to Christ'n in 1786, his middle name is 'Oag'. This is a Gaelic word meaning 'younger', 'junior' or 'son of'. It is the similar to 'Oig', 'Oige' and 'Og' in records of other men.
Some genealogical websites have wrongly transcribed his middle name as 'Page'.
'Oag' indicates that there is a older person in the family with the same name, John McPhee. This might be an older brother, father, or grandfather. In this case, our John was the last of a line of tenants of the Crieff farm - handed on from father to son. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all named John McPhee.
(This note by Don Gordon, 20th June 2020)



Died:
John is entered as dieing 'after 1841' by CraigSievenpiper1 in Family Search. No evidence was presented to support this entry. We have found only one instance in the 1841 census that CraigSievenpiper1 might have had in mind. There was a John McPhee who was born about 1766 and was living in Blarmachfoldachy which is a little south of Fort William. He was in the 1841 census but might have died before 1851 because he could not be found in the later census. However, there was nothing to directly confirm that this record is our John.
See our D55 in SMALL PRINT on the home page for research notes about this.
Further evidence would be welcome.
(This note by Don Gordon on 21st June 2020)

John married Christian (Christ'n) CAMERON 00 Mar 1786, Loch Arkaig Scotland. Christian (daughter of Donald CAMERON and Jane/Jean 1735-1754 1743-1752 1851 ROBERTSON) was born 1771, Achnacarry, Kilmallie Scotland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: A birth record for John Oag McPhee has not been found, but he was probably born in Crieff, possibly in the late 1750s or early 1760s. He was the last of a long line of tenants of that farm. For many generations the tenancy was passed from father to son, all named John McPhee. John's great-grandfather was the first McPhee tenant of Crieff in the first half of the 1700s. This was a time when the Cameron chief, known as 'Lochiel', was a powerful presence, and clan traditions were strong. Then John?s grandfather took over the tenancy some years before the battle of Culloden in 1746. After the battle, the Lochiel farms, including Crieff, were rampaged by the English troops. The chief was exiled, and the farms were taken over and controlled by English administrators (the 'Factors') who continued to rent Crieff to the McPhees. In 1751, when John?s father took over the tenancy, the role of the chiefs was continuing to decline, highland traditions were being destroyed and the new English order was consolidated. The Factor pushed for improvements of farming practices. In 1784, the ownership was passed back to the chief but he remained exiled in France. There are no Old Parish Records (OPRs) for the birth of Christ'n because the Kilmallie parish records before 1773 are missing. Her parentage by Jane Robertson and Donald Cameron and birthplace of Achnacarry are supported by a family tree by Jeff MacLeod and memoirs of John MacLeod. Her birth year of around 1771 is based on a court case in 1811 when she was 40 years old. Christ'n and her siblings, Jean, Donald and Charles, grew up in Achnacarry where their father operated a large sawmill and their mother taught them handicrafts and English when the common language was Gaelic. In 1786, when Christ'n was 15 years old, she married John McPhee and they lived in Crieff. Later in that same year, her sister, Jean, married Donald MacMillan, on the Callich farm. Achnacarry and Crieff are 5 kms from each other, near the eastern end of Loch Arkaig, in the parish of Kilmallie. Callich is 12 kms from Crieff, westwards along Loch Arkaig. They were amongst the 38 farms that comprised the Lochiel Estate which belonged to the chief of the Cameron clan. There were possibly half a dozen families living in Archnacarry and about four families in Crieff. In 1787, John and Christ'n's daughter, Christina, was born. There are no records of any other children other than Alexander, born in 1799. In 1788, John's father died and he took over the tenancy of Crieff. Black cattle had been the main livestock on the farms but sheep were becoming more profitable if properties were fenced. This led to the enclosures. In 1802, many people (including Angus McPhee of Crieff) migrated from around Loch Arkaig, to Canada. In 1804, the Cameron chief and his trustees evicted all the tenants and families from their traditional lands. The John and Christ'n were forced to leave Crieff. At this time, Christina was 17 years old, and Alexander was 5 years. Jean and Donald MacMillan were probably evicted from Callich at the same time. Most families settled around the outskirts of Fort William. This is how Christina met Donald McLean and, in 1811, they had the first of their 12 children in Blaich and Duisky, a little west of Fort William. (Christina and Donald are the focus of www.christinaanddonaldmclean.com.) While Christ'n and John were living near Fort William, he was in court twice for old debts which he had incurred while he was farming at Crieff. In another case, Christ'n was a court witness for a friend who was facing eviction. Little is known about their later years. They probably remained not far from Fort William. An examination of the censuses in 1841 and 1851 was inconclusive, but maybe Christ'n died before 1841 and John lived with relatives as an old man.
• Biography Notes: c1700's, Homepage menu-SMALL PRINT; Extensive evidence,persuasive narrative in SMALL PRINT MENU on HOME PAGE MENU
• Biography Notes: 1841, Kilmallie Scotland; Census 1841 Christian not found on it

Notes:

Birth:
Year of birth: Various genealogical websites including Family Search, WikiTree and MyHeritage have entries of years 1761 or 1765, without evidence.
Although the entries did not offer evidence, these years are reasonable because 1761 and 1765 would mean Christian would have been 26 or 22 years old when she gave birth to Christina in 1787.
Our research has indicated that Christian was born in 1771 because she was recorded as 40 years old when she was a witness in a court case in 1811. This would make her 16 years old when she gave birth to her daughter Christina.

Refer to our Research in SMALL PRINT on homepage menu. No D53 and D55

Place of Christians birth: Although we have not found an OPR for her birth, the Kilmallie OPR for her marriage states her as 'in Achnacarry' which probably indicated that she was living in Achnacarry at the time of the wedding to "John Oag McPhee of Crieff" in Mar 1786 (Inverness). Source OPR Kilmallie and FHS 1041070.

It is believed that her parents eloped from Aberdeen to Achnacarry so it is likely that they did not have any children before they settled in Achnacarry. (Source TGSI Vol 63)


Died:
Christian could not be found on the 1841 census.

Notes:

Birth:
The source is MyHeritage - this needs corroboration(Don Gordon Apr 2018)

21 Apr 2019 Researcher Lorna McLean has provided SP OPR evidence of marriage dated 2.7.1920 between Jane Hamilton and John Henderson in parish of HAMILTON

Died:
The source is MyHeritage - this needs corroboration.

William — Janet LOCKHART. Janet was born , Scotland UK. [Group Sheet]

Hugh married Christine b.1727 MCVICAR 20 Jul 1745, Inveraray Scotland. Christine was born 4 Jun 1727, Inveraray Scotland; died 1803, Scotland UK. [Group Sheet]

John married Margaret MAIN c1744, Handfasted-see notes. Margaret (daughter of John MAIN) was born 19 Apr 1725, Campsie Scotland; was christened 25 Apr 1725, Nairn Scotland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Name:
Or Mains

Died:
found at WAGS on 25 Jan 2021 by lorna mclean on website FIND MY PAST Margaret Rankine Or Ranken (born Mains) Birth 1725 Scotland UK Nationality British Title Mrs Religion Protestant Residence Coustown Inverchaolain Argyll Nov 19 1775 Marriage to: John Rankine Or Ranken Tighnabruaich, Argyll, Scotland Death July 18 1830 Scotland, United Kingdom Burial Tighnabruaich, Argyll, Scotland Family members Father John Main Husband John Rankine 1719 - ? Daughter Rachel Mclean (born Rankine) 1750 - 1795 Source Robinson Web Site Updated on Jan 24 2021 (today)7,036 profiles in one family tree1300 photos View full profile in this site Patricia Robinson Site Manager Contact Patricia

Notes:

Married:
9 October 2021 Lorna Mclean
searches from 1744 (the year of the birth of OPR EVIDENCED Rachel Rankine 16 Dec 1744) to 1800 offer no evidence of the

marriage

of Margaret Main and John Rankine-Younger b.1719-assume handfasted this early in time. Scotland was also in an 150 period of history of religious revolution until mid 1700's

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: * The third John McPhee tenant of Crieff was the father of John Oag McPhee who married Christ'n Cameron. * We are using the designation of 'The third John McPhee of Crieff' as our way (nothing official) to distinguish between a sequence of tenants of Crieff who had the same name, John McPhee. * He became the tenant of Crieff after his father had died in 1751. * He took over Crieff just a few years after Culloden and the farm might still not have fully recovered from the reprisals after that battle. * He was the tenant for 37 years, until his own death in 1788. * See our D55

Notes:

Name:
We have this man as being the father of John Oag MacPhee. The 'Oag' indicates 'the younger' or 'son of', so we have taken it that John Oag McPhee's father was named John McPhee.
(This note was by Don Gordon in February 2023)

John — Unknown UNKNOWN. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: c1700's, Homepage menu-SMALL PRINT; Extensive evidence, persuasive narrative in SMALL PRINT MENU on HOME PAGE MENU
• Biography Notes: John Macleod stated that "My grandmother's grandfather, Donald Cameron, the miller at Achnacarry was of these Strathspey Camerons, his father being the miller at Aviemore" (p267) "It was shortly after the middle of the 18th century that Donald Cameron the Miller at Achnacarry under the Commissioners of the Forfeited Estates brought to Lochaber his young wife Jane Robertson. She belonged to an upper class family in Aberdeenshire. When she was sent to Aberdeen to finish her education, she came to know her future husband who was then in that city learning the trade of a millwright. The young folk took to one another and they made a runaway match" (p236).
• Occupation: Three generations of saw millers. Donald's father was a miller at Aviemore, Donald himself was the miller at Achnacarry and Donald's son, Charles was a saw miller at Bunree. These mills a quite some distance apart. This note by Don Gordon in April 2024.
• Occupation: 1891, Midlothian Edinburgh; Occupation Printers Compositor

Notes:

Birth:
We have not been able to confirm the date and actual location of his birth, nor the names of his parents.
We have considered that he might have been born around 1737, 1743 or 1752. It was probably near Aviemore. Several possibilities are explored in the research notes "D57 - Donald Cameron & Jean Robertson" in the SMALL PRINT directory on the left of the homepage.
This note by Don Gordon in January 2024.

Donald married Jane/Jean 1735-1754 1743-1752 1851 ROBERTSON 26 Dec 1873, Newington Edinburgh Scotland. Jane/Jean was born 1735, Aberdeen Scotland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: c1700's, Homepage menu-SMALL PRINT; Extensive,evidence,persuasive narrative in SMALL PRINT MENU on HOME PAGE MENU
• Biography Notes: John Macleod stated that "She belonged to an upper class family in Aberdeenshire. When she was sent to Aberdeen to finish her education, she came to know her future husband who was then in that city learning the trade of wheelwright. The young folk took to one another and they made a runaway match. She came to Lochaber with no Gaelic but learned the language yet so as to speak it always as an acquired one. Disowned, she went to Lochaber by the name of A' Bhean Ghallda or the Lowland wife. She saw to it that her children got from herself a course of English and practical education . Likely she had a course in Aberdeen of what used to be called 'The White Seam'. She taught my great grandmother to spin and weave linen and my sister still has a tablecloth which this daughter made. She grew the flax, scutched it, spun it, and then wove it. Home industries counted for something in those days. It was something more than fancy work. People depended on their own initiative and enterprise. In those days this was an uncommon thing that a whole family boys and girls should get an English education in the fastness of wild Lochaber. There were in the extensive parishes of Kilmallie and Kilmonivaig a few S.P.C.K. schools where the education was being given in English only. These however met the needs of anyone who was within reach of them. One should not forget the extent of these continguous parishes, the two largest in Scotland" (p236&237). NOTES: * Jane and Donald 'made a runaway match' and she was disowned by her upper class family - ie they eloped from Aberdeen to Achnacarry. * Achnacarry is near Loch Arkaig. * 'My great-grandmother' is Jane's daughter who we worked out was Jane Cameron. * White seam is practical household skills, focusing on plain sewing. * Scutching is separating the flax fibers from the woody part by hammering it. * Credibility: This extract from John Macleod's memoirs is our only source about Jane Robertson. It is important to us because it links her to Donald Cameron and therefore, we think, to our Christ'n. Can we rely on it? This part of the memoirs is a fourth-hand account. John must have based it on what he remembers being told by his mother (Isabella), from what she remembers she had been told by his grandmother (Mary who died when John was a baby), who in turn had heard these stories from when her mother (Jane Cameron) was a little girl. Despite this, we accept this because the rest of John's memoirs are so meticulously recorded.
• Marriage/Wedding: 26 Dec 1873, Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland; OPR Names Janes father as George Robertson Silver Smith, deceased, her mother as Jane Robertson nee Walker TBC OPR names Donalds father as Alexander Cameron occupation Tailor deceased and mother as Christina Cameron TBC nee Saunders or Walker TBC

Notes:

Birth:
We have not been able to confirm who Jean's parents were, nor the date and actual location of her birth. It was probably somewhere in Aberdeenshire between 1735 and 1754, particularly 1743 or 1752. Several possibilities are explored in the research notes "D57 - Donald Cameron & Jean Robertson" at the bottom of this profile.

Scotlands People OPR offers
Jane not Jean Robertson is 22 yoa=b.1851
Her father reads George Robertson "Silver Smith" possibly deceased- correction possible after further scrutiiny.
Jane Robertsons mother reads Jane Robertson and maiden name MS SAUNDERS OR WALKER correction possible after further scrutiny.

Other Events:

• Biography Notes: On pages 3 & 4 of D57 we noted about Donald Cameron's father: John MacLeod wrote: "My grandmother's grandfather, Donald Cameron, the miller at Achnacarry was of these Strathspey Camerons, his father being the miller at Aviemore. This sept of the Camerons were often spoken of Na Tomaidh from the fact that they buried in Tom eas an t-slinnein". This implies, but does not specifically state, that Mr Cameron snr, was buried at Tom eas an t-slinnien which is at Glennevis. However Aviemore is 100kms from Glennevis. We know that Mr Cameron lived most of his life in Aviemore because he was the miller there, but did he move to Glennevis late in life? Find-A-Grave has a Donald Cameron buried at Tom eas an t-slinnein however, this is not our Donald?s father because the flat stone is inscribed: "To the memory of Donald Cameron late tenant at Auchintore who departed this life 27th Sep 1810 aged 81 years. Much and justly regretted and Margaret Cameron his spouse who departed this life 28th Sep 1812 aged 80 years and Mary Cameron the daughter who departed this life the 22nd Oct 1808 aged 40 years." Auchitore (or Achintore) is a little west of Glennevis. Without any other evidence, we cannot conclude that our Donald's father lived anywhere except Aviemore, nor that his father had the same name, Donald. (Sources: Page 237 in 'Memoirs of a boyhood in An Gearasdan (Fort William)' by John Macleod - in 'Gaelic Society of Inverness', vol 57, pub 1993 - this is in appendix in D57)
• Occupation: Aviemore Scotland; Three generations of saw millers. He was a miller at Aviemore, his son, Donald was the miller at Achnacarry and his grandson, Donald's son Charles, was a saw miller at Bunree. These mills a quite some distance apart. This note by Don Gordon in April 2024.