The Descendants of William Cumming in Drumcastle,
Logierait parish (detached section)

Drumcastle and Drumachuine as shown by James Stobie's map of Perthshire, 1783

-

Generation 1: The Children of William Cummin and (unknown) in Drumcastle, Logierait parish

'Cummin(g)' is one of the less common surnames in Perthshire. Most people of this name seem to have originated from Fortingall parish and a detached section of Logierait parish, which contained the settlements of Drumcastle and Drumachuine. As the parish church for Logierait was a considerable distance away, some of the births and marriages were recorded in the Fortingall OPR as the church was much closer.

Drumcastle and Drumachuine were part of the Duke of Atholl's property, so they were included in the List of the Duke of Atholl's Fencible Men, 1705-06 and William Cummin was listed as well armed and living at Drumcastle. Doubtless there were other Cumming men, aged between 16 and 60 years, living on the lands of Murlagan (the old name for Dunalastair) belonging to Robertson of Struan, but they are not listed. So these Cummings families started in a small area around Murlagan and spread out.

William Cumming in Drumcastle probably was born around 1670. He was married but the name of his wife is unknown as the OPRs for Fortingall and Logierait do not go that far back. As he is the only Cumming mentioned for Drumcastle and Drumachuine it is thought that all of those mentioned in latter years, were his children and that they were born between 1700 and 1724.

William Cumming's eldest son, John, would have been expected to take over the tenancy of Drumcastle from his father. Consequently, it is thought that the second son, William, moved to Drumachuine and as he was not married his older sister Anne accompanied him, to act as housekeeper.

-

There seems to have been some confusion when the older sons of William Cummings decided to marry, as shown by the Logierait OPR entries between January 1744 to March 1744. The first entry seems straightforward:

11th January 1744, Logierait OPR
William Cumming and Elspit Rotson (Robertson), alias Griegor, both in Drumachuine were listed for proclamation (to marriage).

However, a subsequent entry puts this into question.

25th February 1744, Logierait OPR
John Cumming and Elspit Robertson, alias Griegor, above, in Rannoch in this parish were listed for proclamation.

The Registrar seems to have been confused as to which Cumming brother Elspit was intending to marry, as the Blair Atholl OPR shows that William Cumming was already betrothed to Margaret Stewart.

5th January 1744, Blair Atholl OPR
William Cummin in Drumachuine, Logierait parish, and Margaret Stewart in Dalriach of Bohespic (Banns). Married 15th March 1744.

And just to make everything certain, the Registrar of Logierait recorded the marriage banns eleven days after they had married.

26th March 1744, Logierait OPR
The above William Cumming in this parish and Margaret Stewart in the parish of Blair Atholl were listed for proclamation.

-

Generation 1: The Children of William Cummin and (unknown) in Drumcastle, Logierait parish

-

Donald Robertson and Christian Cumming in Drumcastle, Logierait parish

9th June 1723, Logierait OPR
Donald Robertson and Christian Cumming, both in Drumcastle, gave up their names in order to marriage.

There is no record of the couple having any children.

-

Archibald Campbell and Anne Cumming in Drumachuine

20th February 1731, Logierait OPR
Archibald Campbell in Fortingall parish and Anne Cumming in Drumachuine listed for proclamation.

There is no record of the couple having any children.

-

John Cumming and Janet Robertson in Rannoch, Logierait parish

3rd November 1739, Logierait OPR
John Cumming and Janet Robertson, both in Rannoch, Logierait parish, were booked for proclamation (in order to marriage).

The marriage banns were called in Logierait parish, which suggests that both parties were living at either Drumcastle or Drumachuine. There is no record of any children being baptised which might have helped to clarify things.

John would seem to be the son of William Cumming in Drumcastle. If he was, then Janet Robertson must have died soon after their marriage as William Cumming's son John is thought to have married Elspit McGregor on 25th February 1744.

-

John Cumming and Elspit McGregor in Drumcastle, Logierait parish

25th February 1744, Logierait OPR
John Cumming and Elspit Robertson, alias Griegor, above, in Rannoch in this parish were listed for proclamation.

Elspit McGrigor seems to have been using 'Robertson' as an alias name - a hang-over from the proscription of the McGregor surname. Others in this area used the surname of 'McAlpin'. It is assumed that she would have been in her early twenties when she married, so she probably was born around 1720. John Cumming probably was born around 1710 as men usually married in their thirties.

It is thought that there was a clerical error made for the baptism of Christian in 1752 in the Fortingall OPR, whereby the name of the mother was entered as Margaret instead of Elspit (see Cumming families in Torrachruie).

The Logierait Session Accounts show that 2s was given in charity to the relict of John Cumming in Drumcastle on 17th April 1774.

John Cumming had two sons, Duncan and Donald, who are thought to have moved to Toldamph, in Blair Atholl parish, around the time that they married. Duncan married Jean Hall and had a daughter baptised as Mary in October 1790, but there does not appear to be a marriage recorded in the Blair Atholl OPR. Donald's first child was born in 1792, suggesting that he was the younger of the two. There is no evidence that Cumming families were living at Toldamph before these two, and there are no Cumming baptisms in Blair Atholl parish which would fit the ages of these two men. The only Duncan and Donald in the whole of Perthshire who would seem to fit are the sons of John Cumming in Drumcastle.

-

Generation 2: The Children of John Cumming and Elspit McGregor alias Robertson in Drumcastle

-

Patrick McGlashan and Christian Cumming in Alclune and the 'New Farm'

10th March 1786, Blair Atholl OPR
Patrick McGlashan in Clune-beg and Christian Cumming in Chapeltown (Balchapel) of Borenich (were booked for marriage).

There are few clues to the parentage of Christian Cumming in Chapeltown (Balchapel) of Borenich. As there are no Cumming families living in the Strathtummel area, one must conclude that she was employed at Balchapel as a domestic servant or farm servant. It was usual for girls to marry in their twenties so, assuming that her baptism was recorded in one of the local OPRs, there are only two possibilities.

The first is the daughter of Hugh Cumming and Katharine Cumming, baptised 8th November 1768. She was born at Dalchalloch at the west end of Glenerrochty and nothing further is known about her. She is unlikely to be the bride of Patrick McGlashan, being only 17 years old in March 1786.

The second possibility is the daughter of Duncan Cumming and Margaret Campbell (Margaret McVrachater), who was baptised 15th July 1764. She was born at Culvullin (Cul a'Mhuillin) towards the west end of Loch Rannoch and the family were still there in 1797, when her brother Duncan married Catharine Cameron. So this candidature for Patrick McGlashan's wife is tenuous. So, perhaps, Christian was a bit older than might have been expected.

This leaves the only other Christian Cumming for whom there is a baptismal record. The Fortingall OPR describes her as the daughter of John Cumming and Margaret McGregor, baptised 13th April 1752. However this is a clerical error. John Cumming's spouse was Elspit McGregor, alias Robertson, and their first child was Christian who was born at Drumcastle. John Cumming is thought to have been born around 1708 and it is quite likely that he was dead by the time that Christian married in 1786, which would account for her not marrying from her father's house. She would have been 34 years old at that time.

If this is the correct Christian Cumming, then she would have been nearly 45 years old when their last child, Alexander, was born at the 'New Farm'.

Patrick McGlashan does not seem to have been a tenant farmer as he married at Clune-beg, settled at Aldclune for a while, then moved to Balinuarain in Glentilt before taking his family to the 'New Farm'.

The 'New Farm', as its name implied, had been built only recently and seems to have amalgamated the agricultural land of several smaller properties: Balnald of Blairuchdar; Balmeanach (Middle Blairuchdar); Wester Blairuchdar (Tombea?); and Over Blairuchdar (Kinloch of Blairuchdar). Documents after 1797 refer to it as 'New Farm', Blairuachdar, or Blairwalker.

-

The Children of Patrick McGlashan and Christian Cumming in Alclune and the 'New Farm'

* The 1785 baptism entry was a clerical error by the Session Clerk, who wrote it on the page dated 1785. He then corrected the error by re-writing the entry on the page dated 1788. This was rather important as John's parents didn't marry until 1786!

-

Duncan Cumming and Jean Hall in Toldamph and Dunkeld, Caputh parish

As previously mentioned there is no record of a marriage. It may be that they were married between 1782 and 1784 as the Blair Atholl marriage register either was not kept or has been lost.

Duncan's eldest daughter Mary was born at Toldamph and his second daughter was born at Blairuachdar. The family then moved to Dunkeld, Caputh parish, where another ten children were born.

The death certificate of his son Ralph shows that Duncan was a labourer and was deceased by 1856. As Ralph also was described as a labourer, despite the census showing that Ralph was a sawyer (probably working at the timber sawmill just beyond Dunkeld), his father Duncan may have been likewise employed.

-

Generation 3: The Children of Duncan Cumming and Jean Hall in Dunkeld, Caputh

-

Charles Cameron and Mary Cumming in Dunkeld

The marriage lines for Charles Cameron and Mary Cumming appear in both the Dunkeld and Caputh OPRs. The Dunkeld OPR records them as Marion Cumming and Charles Cameron, while the Caputh OPR names them as Mary Cummins and Charles Camron.

23rd May 1809, Caputh OPR
Charles Camron in Dunkeld and Mary Cummins in this parish, having been three times proclaimed, were married 23rd May.

-

Generation 4: The Children of Charles Cameron and Mary Cumming in Dunkeld

-

Ralph Cumming and Charlotte Robertson in Dunkeld

Ralph Cumming married Charlotte Robertson on 3rd December 1820 and their first child, Sarah was born in December of the following year. Their son Andrew was born in 1823. By the time of the first census in 1841, the family were living in the High Street at Dunkeld. The house seems to have been divided, probably at different levels, as the same address was shared with widow McLeish and her two daughters, widow Bainbridge and widow Stewart.

The 1851 census mentions Ralph Cumming, aged 53 years, and his wife Charlotte, aged 52 years, but only two of their children remained: Charlotte, aged 20; and 16 year old Nance (Ann).

Their son, Andrew Cumming, married Janet McKay in 1847, so that the 1851 census mentions Ralph Cumming, aged 53 years, his wife Charlotte, aged 52 years, but only two of their remaining children: Charlotte, aged 20; and 16 year old Nance (Ann).

15th March 1856, Dunkeld
Ralph Cumming, married labourer died at Dunkeld on 15th March 1856, aged 57 years, as was buried in the Cathedral grounds. His parents were given as Duncan Cumming, labourer, and Jane Hall, both deceased. The informant was his son Andrew Cumming.

There whereabouts of widow Charlotte is unclear in 1861, but by 1871 she had returned to Dunkeld and died there, aged 74 years, in 1872. She may have been living with her niece Mary Elisabeth Cumming and her husband Charles Lynn.

-

Generation 4: The Children of Ralph Cumming(s) and Charlotte Robertson in Dunkeld

-

Andrew Cumming and Janet McKay in Dundee

Andrew Cumming and Janet McKay were married in Perth, 31st July 1847.

The birth or baptism of Ralph Cumming does not seem to have been recorded in any of the OPRs, but the 1851 census for Perth listed him as being 3 years old, so born around 1848-9.

The 1861 census for Perth took place when Andrew Cumming was away from home. His wife Janet, aged 31 years, was looking after 12 year-old Ralph, 4 year-old Andrew and Elizabeth aged 1 year. Around 1862 the family moved from Perth to Dundee.

The 1881 census for Dundee shows Andrew Cumming and his family living at 2 Park Entry (Park Place)

The 1891 census for Dundee shows Andrew Cumming and his family living at 172 Seagate but one of the entries is very odd!

The details for 'Anabella' seem to match what would be expected for 'Andrew' - given as son and his age in the male column. He is shown as married but there is no entry for his wife.

The grand-daughter Jessie McKay Cumming was born in 1876. Her mother's name was Betsy Dorward, the wife of Ralph Cumming.

-

Generation 5: The Children of Andrew Cumming and Janet McKay in Dundee

-

Ralph Cumming and Betsy Dorward in Dundee

On the 16th day of June 1871 at Paradise Road, Dundee, Ralph Cumming, bachelor saw-miller, aged 22 years, living at 14 Dudhope Street and Betsy Dorward, spinster and powerloom weaver, aged 29 years, living at 18 Dens Road were married by the Rev. George Gilfillan. Ralph's parents were given as Andrew Cumming, sawyer, and Jessie McKay. Her parents were given as Robert Dorward, seaman, and Betsy McLaren.

The 1881 census of Dundee shows that Ralph Cummings and his family were living at 3 Burns Court, off 10 Johnstones Lane.

-

Generation 6: The Children of Ralph Cumming and Betsy Dorward in Dundee

-

Henry (Harry) Cumming and Christian Murray in Dunkeld

The marriage of Henry Cummings and Christian Murray is recorded in the Dunkeld OPR, dated 13th January 1828. For Christian Murray, it probably could not have come too soon as their first child was born six weeks later.

4th April 1828, Dunkeld OPR
Henry Cummings and Christian Murray his wife had a child born 28 of February and baptised 4 of April, named Mary Elisabeth.

Their next two children were Jean, baptised 1st June 1831, and John who was baptised 25th February 1833. However, for some inexplicable reason, the Dunkeld OPR records the father's name as Andrew Cummings. There is no record of a marriage between an Andrew Cumming and a Christian Murray, and subsequent research suggests that this was a clerical error by the Registrar.

There is evidence for two more children: Henry born around 1835; and Christian born around 1836, but neither are recorded in the OPRs.

In the 1841 census for Dunkeld, Henry is listed as 'Cummans' and appears to be a widower with his age rounded down to 40 years. Only two children are mentioned: Marey (Mary), aged 12 years; and Henry, aged 6 years. Jean 'Cummans' aged 10 years and Christian 'Cummans' aged 4 years were living at a different address in the High Street, with 75 year old Christian Murray, who was of independent means. Presumably this was their grandmother, but there is no mention of their brother John who must have died in childhood.

The 1851 census for Dunkeld shows that their grandmother had died, with Jean and Christian then living on Hill Street with their aunt Margaret, and that Mary had joined her two sisters.

* Aunt Margaret was the widow of Alexander Conacher (married 12th March 1829), and her maiden name was Murray. Her parents were John Murray and Christian Blaikie, or Blackie. Margaret was born in Little Dunkeld in 1793 and her sister Christian, Henry Cumming's wife, was born 17th May 1799. Interestingly, their older sister was baptised in 1796 as Mary Elspet, the same as Henry Cumming's eldest daughter.

Henry Cumming, senior, died in 1860 and the whereabouts of his son Henry in unclear. He may have been in Glasgow, before returning to Dunkeld where he died in 1865.

5th March 1865, Dunkeld
Henry Cumming, unmarried clerk aged 28 years, died at Cathedral Street on 5th March 1865. His parents were given as Henry Cumming, shoemaker, and Christina Murray, both deceased. The informant was his brother-in-law, Charles Lynn.

Mary Elisabeth Cumming married Charles Lynn in 1863.

-

Generation 4: The Children of Henry (Harry) Cumming and Christian Murray in Dunkeld

-

Hamilton Keir and Jean Cumming in Possilpark, Glasgow

By the time of the 1851 census Jean had left her two sisters and her aunt Margaret, and was living in Kirkmichael parish where the census names her as Joan Cumming, aged 21 years.

On the 26th day of November 1858 Hamilton Keir, smith, and Jane Cumming, both aged 24 years and both living at 25 Garscube Road, Glasgow, were married by D. Macpherson, the Minister of Dunkeld, and witnessed by Mary Cumming and William Campbell. His parents were given as James Keir, contractor, and Mary Phillips Fergusson, both deceased. Her parents were given as Henry Cumming, shoemaker, and Christian Murray, deceased.

-

Charles Douglas and Catherine Cumming in Dunkeld

There is no record of a marriage between Charles Douglas and Catherine Cumming in any of the OPRs. The only documented evidence comes from Catherine Cumming's death certificate. As their eldest child was born around 1836, it can be assumed that they married around 1835, or earlier. Likewise, the OPRs do not record the baptisms for any of their children. It is assumed that they all took place in Dunkeld. Perhaps the family were baptists.

The 1841 census for Dunkeld is scant on detail, but lists: Charles Douglas, aged 26; Catherine, aged 29; and Jannet, aged 5 years, so Charles Douglas was barely 20 when he married - an unusually young age for those times.

The 1851 census for Dunkeld shows the family living at 13 High Street, along with at least three other families.

The 1861 census for Dunkeld lists Charles Douglas as being 46 years old and his wife, Catherine, as 48 years old. In addition there was John, aged 19, William aged 14 and Jane aged 12. There is no mention of Jannet Douglas who would have been 25 years old and may have married. Jannet equates to Jessie, while Jane equates to Jean, so the daughter who was the informant on Catherine's death certificate was her eldest daughter Jannet.

At the time of the 1871 census Charles Douglas was 58 years old and living in Dunkeld with his wife, Catherine, who was 59 years old. They also had an unmarried son, John, who was 29 years old and worked as a slate quarryman. John Douglas married Margaret Scott, later the same year.

12th July 1872, Dunkeld
Catherine Douglas, married to Charles Douglas, labourer, died on 12th July 1872 aged 62 years at Water Wynd, Dunkeld. Her parents were given as Duncan Cumming, labourer, and Jane Hall, both deceased. The informant was Jessie Douglas, her daughter.

The 1881 census shows that Charles Douglas was a 70 year old widower living in Cathedral Street, Dunkeld. He was a tanner and, surprisingly, had been born in England. He died at Dunkeld in 1897.

-

Generation 4: The Children of Charles Douglas and Catherine Cumming in Dunkeld

-

Colin Thomson and Ann Hall Cumming in Dunkeld

6th August 1847, Caputh OPR
Colin Thomson and Ann Hall Cumming, both in this parish, having been duly proclaimed, were married 6th August 1847.

-

Generation 4: The Children of Colin Thomson and Ann Hall Cumming in Dunkeld

-

Donald Cumming and Elspeth Robertson in Fender Bridge

26th May 1791, Blair Atholl OPR
Donald Cumming in Toldamph and Elispeth Robertson in Croftcrombie, married.

The death certificate of Donald Cumming's son William states that Donald was a farm labourer and, going on the places where his first few children were born, he seems to have been following his older brother from farm to farm, until Duncan left for Dunkeld.

Donald Cumming and his wife are commemorated on a family memorial stone in the churchyard of Blair Atholl parish church, but the dates of their deaths and ages in not recorded

In affectionate remembrance of
Grace Cumming
who died at Fenderbridge 29th July 1888
aged 82 years
and of her brother and sister
William Cumming
died 10th March 1865 aged 69 years
Elizabeth Cumming
died 20th March 1872 aged 72 years
Also of their parents
Donald Cumming
and
Elizabeth Robertson
Also
Jane Stewart
who died at Fender bridge 15th June 1894
aged 60 years
Grace Addison
died at Fender Bridge
15th May 1945 aged 82 years

Donald Cumming and his wife had six children: Christian, born at Blairuachdar; John and William, born at Toldamph; Elizabeth, born at Fraochan of Middlebridge; Janet, born at Bridge of Tilt; and Grace.

-

Generation 3: The Children of Donald Cumming and Elspeth Robertson in Fender Bridge

William Cumming, unmarried quarrier, died of apoplexy at Bridge of Fender on 10th March 1865 aged 69 years. His parents were given as Donald Cumming, farmer labourer, and Elizabeth Robertson, both deceased. The informant was James Stevenson his brother-in-law.

The Jane Stewart mentioned on the memorial stone was the illegitimate daughter of Donald Stewart and Elizabeth Cumming, both living at Bridge of Fender, born 12th August 1832.

-

James Stevenson and Christian Cumming in Dull parish

It is unfortunate that the Dull OPR marriage entries seldom provides any details concerning the brides and grooms, and such is the case for James Stevenson and Christian Cumming.

12th May 1821, Dull OPR
James Stevenson and Christ(ian) Cumming, both in this parish, gave up their names to be proclaimed in order to marriage.

The couple seem to have had at least three children while living in Amulree, and their baptisms appear in the Dull OPR: Peter, 26th November 1821; James, 28th November 1823; and Elizabeth, 14th January 1826.

22nd November 1821, Dull OPR
Peter, son to James Stevenson and Christ(ian) Cumming in Amulree was baptised.

14th January 1826, Dull OPR
Elizabeth, daughter to James Stevenson and Christ(ian) Cumming in Amulree was baptised 14th January.

Christian Stevenson, widow of James Stevenson, carter, died at 25 Cross Street, Perth, aged 63 years on 10th October 1868. Her parents were given as John Cumming, labourer, and Betsy Robertson, both deceased. The informant was her son Peter Stevenson, a labourer living at 74 Pomarium, Perth.

-

Generation 4: The Children of James Stevenson and Christian Cumming in Dull parish

-

John Scott and Jannet Cumming in Amulree

15th May 1825, Dull OPR
John Scott and Janet Cumming, both in this parish, gave up their names to be proclaimed in order to marriage.

This sparse entry provides little to expand upon. However, Cumming marriages in Dull parish are extremely rare - there are only 4 prior to 1855 and the subsequent one in 1863 can be ignored as John Cummings's parents married in Edinburgh. In 1844 Donald Cumming married, but as he was an excise officer he is unlikely to have been a local fellow, and the marriage banns for James Cumming in 1826 appear in the Dull OPR as his bride, Grizel Campbell, lived in the village of Dull. So only the 1821 and 1825 Dull parish marriages remain.

As the marriages of Christian and Jannet are so close together, this suggests that they were sisters. Christian Cumming married James Stevenson, as previously mentioned, and they were living at Amulree between 1821 and 1826 according to the baptisms of their children in the Dull OPR. Christian's younger sister, Jannet, was born 16th September 1803, so she would have been 21 years old when she married. Jannet may have moved in with James Stevenson's family as a domestic servant. Alternatively, her parents may have died and she had nowhere else to go.

Either the couple had no children or their baptisms were never formally recorded in any of the OPRs. It is possible that they emigrated.

-

William Cummin and Margaret Stewart in Drumachuine, Logierait parish

5th January 1744, Blair Atholl OPR
William Cummin in Drumachuine, Logierait parish, and Margaret Stewart in Dalriach of Bohespic married, 15th March 1744.

Men tended to marry in their early thirties, while girls married in their twenties, so William probably was born around 1712 and Margaret Stewart around 1720, but no baptismal record has been found for either of them. In 1754 the wadsett for Wester Bohespic was redeemed by the Duke of Atholl and the following were recorded as the tenants of the 1½ merk land of Dalriach: John Stewart; William Robertson; Duncan Stewart; and Donald Robertson, each holding a 5 shilling land.

William Cumming and Margaret Stewart had six children, all born at Drumachuine. The name of the second child is unknown as the OPR is illegible.

-

Generation 2: The Children of William Cummin and Margaret Stewart in Drumachuine, Logierait parish

-

Donald Cumming and Margaret McPherson

The name of William Cumming's second son is not given in the OPR, but evidence suggests that it was Donald. A Donald Cumming, living in Drumachuine, married Margaret McPherson in 1778 and the family of William Cumming were still living at Drumchuine in 1778 as William's son William was living there when he married in 1783. William Cumming does not have another son by the name of Donald, and Donald would have been 29 when he married - the sort of age expected for young men at that time.

26th July 1778, Logierait OPR
Donald Cumming in Drumachuine and Margaret McPherson in Carie, both in this parish, entered their names to be proclaimed. Married at Carie by Mr James Stewart.

The couple do not seem to have had any children, leastways there are no baptismal entries in either the Logierait OPR or the Fortingall OPR.

-

William Cumming and Elspeth McLauchlan in Bohally, Dull parish

13th December 1783, Logierait OPR
William Cumming in Drumachuine and Elspeth McLauchlen in Bohespic were listed for proclamation in order to marriage.

There were no McLauchlen families living at Bohespic at this time. However, Alexander McDonald in Over Bohespic who was married to Janet Cumming used the alias name of McLauchlane as shown in the baptismal entries for his children Donald and Christian. He also had a daughter baptised 25th February 1764 and named Elspeth.

28th August 1790, Dull OPR
Janet, daughter to William Cumming and Elspeth McLachlan in Bohally was baptised.

-

Generation 3: The Children of William Cumming and Elspeth McLauchlan in Bohally, Dull parish

-

Robert Stewart and Janet Cumming in Derculich, Dull

23rd December 1832, Blair Atholl OPR
Robert Stewart in Clochvoddich, Logierait parish, and Janet Cumming in Blairfettie (were booked for marriage).

It is important to establish that Robert Stewart's bride in Blairfettie was this particular Janet Cumming as there is an alternative. John Cumming in Blairfettie and Catharine MacGilliwie (or Lamont) in Tordow (Tor Dubh of Glenerrochty) had an illegitimate daughter baptised as Janet, 24th October 1806. John Cumming in Blairfettie then married Isobel Irons from the parish of Blairgowrie, 1st March 1807, before moving to the Blairgowrie area - so the Blairfettie link is lost. In addition, both the 1841 and 1851 census suggest that she was born in 1801, with the 1851 census stating that she was born in Dull parish, not Blair Atholl parish nor Fortingall parish.

The whole of the Dull OPR only records one Cumming child of either gender being baptised.

28th August 1790, Dull OPR
Janet, daughter to William Cumming and Elspet McLauchlan in Bohally was baptised.

Both the 1841 and 1851 censuses show that Janet was older than her husband by 3-5 years, and they probably were a bit sensitive to the fact that the age gap was at least 10 years.

Only the first two of their four children are recorded in the Dull OPR, but are listed in the subsequent censuses.

23rd July 1833, Dull OPR
James, son to Robert Stewart and Janet Cumming in Derculich was baptised.

22nd August 1834, Dull OPR
John, son to Robert Stewart and Janet Cumming in Derculich was baptised.

The 1841 census for Middleton of Derculich shows that Robert Stewart was a shoemaker and that the family were living at Middleton of Derculich. It also has the first reference to their son Donald or Daniel.

The 1851 census for Derculich 28 (Dull 3/9) also mentions their daughter Annie.

The 1861 census for Middleton of Derculich (Dull 2/6) shows that Robert's wife Janet had died and, subsequently, Robert had married Christiam Stewart, 2nd April 1754. All of the children by his first wife were elsewhere.

-

Generation 4: The Children of Robert Stewart and Janet Cumming in Derculich, Dull

-

James Stewart and Betsy McIntosh

28th November 1863, Kintore
James Stewart, unmarried farm servant aged 27 years, and Betsy McIntosh, unmarried farm servant aged 24 years, both at Braemar, were married at the Free Church Manse at Kintore on 28th November 1863. His parents were given as Robert Stewart, master shoemaker, and Jessie Cumming deceased. Her parents were given as John McIntosh, farmer, and Betsy Cameron. Witnesses were John McIntosh and John McDonald.

St. Clements, Dundee
James Stewart, foundary labourer married to Betsy McIntosh, died at 260 Hilltown, Dundee on 13th April 1899 aged 65 years. Parents given as Robert Stewart, master shoemaker and Jessie Cumming, both deceased. The informant was his daughter Christina Stewart.

-

Malcolm McGrigor and Margaret Cumming in Drumachuine

Note: A different couple but with identical names married in Fortingall parish, 20th January 1818.

18th April 1785, Fortingall OPR
Malcolm McGrigor in Liaran in this parish and Margaret Cumming in Drumachuine in Logierait parish were listed for proclamation in order to marriage.

The couple do not seem to have had any children, or none were baptised.

-

John Cameron and Margaret Cummin in Logierait parish

10th June 1738, Logierait OPR
John Cameron in Fortingall parish and Margaret Cummin in Rannoch (were booked for proclamation)

As this marriage appears in the Logierait OPR, but mentions that John Cameron was living in Fortingall parish, it suggests that Margaret Cumming came from either Drumcastle or Drumachuine.

The couple may have had children in Fortingall parish, but baptisms from this period do not exist. The baptism in Blair Atholl parish in 1758 is just a coincidence of names and is the baptism of an illegitimate child anyway.

-

Between November 1740 and April 1768 the Logierait OPRs mention four women associated with a Duncan Cumming. As previously mentioned, William Cumming is the only Cumming mentioned for Drumcastle and Drumachuine in The Duke of Atholl's List of Femcible Men, suggesting that all of the Cummings belonged to a single family. It would be easy to suggest that William's son Duncan married the four women sequentially, but there are oddities which need examing. Of course it may just be that certain entries were not accurately recorded by the Registar, as has been shown in other cases.

-

Duncan Cumming and Grissel McDonald in Rannoch

14th November 1740, Logierait OPR
Duncan Cumming in Rannoch and Grissel McDonald in Little Dunkeld were listed for proclamation (in order to marriage).

Drumcastle and Drumachuine were settlements in Rannoch but, for historical reasons, were in a detached section of Logierait parish. So any entries in the Logierait OPRs which mention Rannoch are, almost certainly, referring to either Drumcastle or Drumachuine.

From the date of his marriage it is estimated that Duncan was born around 1715, and would appear to be the third son of William Cumming in Drumcastle.

The couple do not seem to have had any children baptised, and where they were living is not confirmed. Unfortunately, the earliest marriages recorded in the Little Dunkeld OPR are in 1759, so no additional information from there. Grissel McDonald seems to have died by 1746 as Duncan Cumming in Drumcastle was listed for proclamation to marriage (again).

-

Duncan Cumming and Janet Robertson in Drumcastle

3rd August 1746, Logierait OPR
Duncan Cumming and Janet Robertson in Drumcastle in this parish were listed for proclamation in order to marriage.

Although the couple had their banns for marriage proclaimed, the ceremony may not have gone ahead. This possibility stems from the fact that the Perthshire OPRs contain no baptisms of children for such a named couple until 1763, 1765 and 1768 - seventeen years later! It would be easy to say that this must be a different couple, sharing the same names, but although Janet Robertson is a very common combination of names, that of Duncan Cumming is extremely rare. In addition there are no new marriage banns preceeding the baptisms. The conclusion must be that, although it may be a different Janet Robertson, it is virtually certain that it is the same Duncan Cumming. Additionally, there is no evidence that the original banns of marriage ever were retracted.

However, at some point prior to 1755, Duncan Cumming married Grizal (Girsel) Kerr.

-

Duncan Cumming and Grizal Kerr in Drumachuine

There is no record of a marriage between people of these two names, or variations of the names, such as 'Carr' instead of 'Kerr', but it must be assumed that they were married as the Logierait OPR states that one child was a lawful son. However, one is never quite sure with this detached section of Logierait parish.

4th May 1755, Logierait OPR
Duncan Cumming and Grissel Kerr, there*, had a daughter baptised, called Florins (Florence).

* The previous entry was a baptism where the parents were living in Drumachuine.

20th September 1758, Logierait OPR
Duncan Cumming and Grizel Kerr in Drumachuine had a lawful son baptised, named Donald.

-

Generation 2: The Children of Duncan Cumming and Grizal Kerr in Drumachuine

If Grizal Kerr died after the birth of the second child in 1758, Duncan may have decided to marry Janet Robertson after all. As already mentioned, there is no indication that the original marriage banns were retracted so there would have been no need for new marriage banns to be entered into the OPRs. Alternately this may have been a different Janet Robertson but, if so, the marriages banns are missing.

-

Duncan Cumming and Janet Robertson in Auchmore

The Fortingall OPR contains baptismal entries for three children which give their dwelling as Auchmore. As the entries are in the Fortingall OPR, it can be assumed that this was Achadh Mor (of Trinafour), which was on the south side of what is now the Errochty reservoir, rather than Auchmore of Foss, which is close to Rannoch but in Dull parish.

It should be noted that 'Sarah' and 'Hugh (Ewan)' were also the names of Duncan's younger siblings.

This may be the same Duncan Cumming in Trinfour who was being given charity by the Kirk Session in 1779.

-

Generation 2: The Children of Duncan Cumming and Janet Robertson in Auchmore

-

Donald Robertson and Margaret Cumming in Drumachuine, Edinburgh and Killin

There is no baptismal record for Margaret Cumming and the main piece of evidence is her Edinburgh marriage certificate which gives her father as Duncan Cumming, a deceased farmer in Fortingall parish. Her first child, born in 1782, appears to have been illegitimate despite the entry in the Logierait OPR, suggesting that she was around the age of twenty. Maybe not conclusive, but the nearest fit that can be found.

The penalty for having an illegitimate child was to be fined and rebuked by the Minister, in front of the whole Congregation, on at least two separate Sabbath Days. The financial consequence was bad enough, but the public humiliation was even worse. For anyone living at Drumachuine in the detached section of Logierait parish it was over 15 miles to the parish church, and there would be no forgiving relatives in the Congregation.

So, when Margaret Cumming found herself pregnant, she would have been extremely apprehensive. However, luck was on her side. A new Minister had just been ordained who did not know his far-flung parishioners. A new page in the OPR relates "Follows children's names from Rannoch as baptised there by Mr John Moncrieff, and in regards the same are, and will be, sent here in lists of few names, it is though more convenient to insert all the names from that quarter hence, hereafter on this, rather than be mixing said small lists in the Register as formerly. 1782, Follows the first since Mr Moncrieff's ordination." So Margaret Cumming presented her child to the Minister for baptisms a few weeks later, and he assumed that the couple were already married. None of her friends nor family said anything and the Minster was soon back in Logierait, 15 miles away, none the wiser.

20th March 1782, Logierait OPR
Duncan, lawful son to Donald Robertson and Margaret Cumming in Drumachuine was baptised.

Two years later, Donald Robertson and Margaret Cumming presented another child for baptism. Perhaps they even brought along the two-year-old. Anyway nothing was said, and the child was baptised as a lawful daughter.

14th February 1784, Logierait OPR
Christian, lawful daughter to Donald Robertson and Margaret Cumming in Drumachuine, baptised.

At this point Donald Robertson took his family to live in Edinburgh where he gained employment as a sedan-chair bearer (the taxi service of those days). The couple also got married.

21st October 1785, Edinburgh OPR
Donald Robertson, chairbearer, Old Kirk parish, and Margaret Cumming, same parish, daughter of the deceased Duncan Cumming, late farmer at Fortingall, County of Perthshire (married).

When people moved from one parish to another, they were expected to present the Minister with a testificate of their good character, from their previous parish. So getting married in Edinburgh, where they were unknown, would have been a prudent move. Their third child was born in Edinburgh in 1786 and Donald Robertson was now a house painter. The witnesses for his son's baptism may well have been two of his relatives.

The 1855 death certificate of Margaret's son John records that his mother was a midwife, so it is quite likely that she trained while the family were living in Edinburgh.

1st September 1786, Edinburgh OPR
Donald Robertson, painter, and Margaret Cumming his spouse, Tron Kirk parish, (had) a son born this day named Robert - Witnessses: Robert Robertson and Alexander Robertson, chair bearers in Edinburgh.

At this point something strange happened. Donald Robertson left Edinburgh and moved north, not back to the place of his roots, but to Killin parish. Perhaps he had met somebody in Edinburgh who had persuaded him.

16th April 1789, Killin OPR
Donald Robertson and Margaret Cumming, Achlyne, (had) a lawful son baptised, called John.

Auchlyne is about 4 miles west of Killin village on the north side of the river Dochart. Their daughter Catharine was also born there, 29th May 1791. Finally the family returned to Bunrannoch where their last child was born.

28th April 1797, Fortingall OPR
Margaret, daughter to Donald Robertson and Margaret Cumming, Lassintullich, (was baptised).

-

Generation 3: The Children of Donald Robertson and Margaret Cumming in Drumachuine, Edinburgh and Killin

-

Ewan (Hugh) Cummin and Catharine Cumming in Drumcastle and Dalchalloch

It is thought that Ewan (or Hugh) Cumming was the fourth son of William Cumming in Drumcastle and was born around 1720 but the Logierait OPR has no records this early.

Ewan Cumming married Catharine Cumming in 1751 and it would appear that they were both living in Drumcastle. Girls tended to marry in their twenties, so Catharine probably was born around 1730 but her parentage is unknown. If she was working at Drumcastle as a domestic servant then her own family might have lived quite near - at Achtarsin, Balintuime, Achlatt or Kinloch Rannoch.

5th January 1751, Logierait OPR
Hugh and Catharin Cummins in Drumcastle in this parish were listed for proclamation in order to marriage.

Their first child, John, seems to have died in infancy as a second child bearing the same forename was baptised about 4 years later. By that time the family had moved to Dalchalloch in Glen Errochty, close to Trinafour, where a further three children were born.

-

Generation 2: The Children of Ewan (Hugh) Cumming and Cathrin Cumming in Drumcastle and Dalchalloch

* The Blair Atholl OPR in 1759 gives the name of Ewan's wife as Sarah Cumming, in error, rather than Katharine Cumming. This mistake may have arisen from Ewan and Katharine being in Drumcastle, where Donald Robertson was married to Ewan's sister, Sarah Cumming.

-

Alexander Campbell and Janet Cumming in Perth

There is no OPR entry for the baptism of a daughter Janet and the evidence supporting her existence comes from a marriage entry in the Perth OPR.

20th November 1784, Perth OPR
Contracted, Alexander Campbell, day labourer in Perth, and Janet Cumming, daughter to Hugh Cumming, tenant in Fingash in the parish of Blair, parties both in this parish - Elder James Ogilvie. The persons beforenamed were regularly proclaimed and married the 30th day of November said year by the Rev. James Moody, minister of the Gospel in Perth.

A problem with this entry is that no place has been identified as 'Fingash' in Blair Atholl parish. However, there is only one Hugh (Ewan) Cumming living in Perthshire at this time, and if Janet was in her twenties she would fit into his family. It is worth noting that the second child of Alexander Campbell and Janet Cumming was christened as Catherine. The child died died by 1798 as another daughter was given the name Katharine at baptism. Obviously this forename was important, and Janet Cumming's mother was Katharine Cumming.

-

Generation 3: The children of Alexander Campbell and Janet Cumming in Perth

-

Donald Cumming and Janet Stewart in Rientsluie of Trinafour

The Blair Atholl Kirk Session minutes for 13th December 1778 show that Donald Cumming in Rientluick (Rientsluie of Trinafour) voluntarily appeared, owned guilt with Janet Stewart in Achtarsin in the parish of Fortingall, paid his own fine of 8s 4d Sterling and was ordered to begin his public appearances at Blair, the next Sabbath. On 20th December 1778 Donald Cumming in Rientluick appeared before the Congregation, was publicly rebuked and ordered to appear the following Sunday at Blair. Finally on 21st March 1779 Donald Cumming in Rientluick paid his party's fine of 8s 4d Sterling which was instantly distributed to the poor.

Donald Cumming in (Rientsluie of) Trinafour and Janet Stewart, lately in Trinafour now in Achtarsin of Fortingall parish, had their illegitimate son baptised 2nd December 1778, named Lauchlen.

31st December 1779, Blair Atholl OPR
Donald Cumming in Riensluick (Rientsluie of Trinafour) and Janet Stewart in Cloichran(?), Kenmore parish, married.

It is assumed that this was the same Janet Stewart, but being employed at a different farm. The Kenmore OPR details the same marriage, but gives the bride's name as Janet Crombuch.

After their marriage the couple had another three children: Catharine, born around 1782; John, baptised 6th July 1785; and Duncan, baptised 17th June 1787. Janet Stewart seems to have died after the birth of their son Duncan, when Donald would have been only 26 years old. There are no more births nor marriages, at Rientsluie, of people named Cumming after 1787.

Riechaile on the Allt Glascorrie

It is thought that Donald Cumming then took his family to Riechaile along with his sisters, Isabel and Elspeth, to care for the children.

After Isabel married Alexander Fergusson and left Riechaile to live at Kinaldy, Donald decided to re-marry.

-

Donald Cumming and Margaret Robertson in Riechaile and Kinaldy

15th January 1791, Blair Atholl OPR
Donald Cumming in Riechaile and Margaret Robertson in Tressait (were booked for marriage).

Margaret Robertson was the daughter of Duncan Robertson and Susan McDonald who had been living at Grennich but moved to Tressait by 1778. Margaret would have been 29 when she married, a bit older than the norm. The Blair Atholl OPRs show that her parents, both in Grennich, married 26th December 1754.

Margaret Robertson's brother Alexander married Cecil Cumming as shown by the Blair Atholl OPR for 25th July 1799, after which they emigrated to the USA and finally into Canada. Margaret Robertson's paternal grandparents were Robert Robertson and Janet Cumming in Over Bohespic.

Donald Cumming was still living in Riechaile at the time of the birth of his first child in 1791. However, by 1793 the family had moved to Kinaldy in Glen Errochty, where his sister Isabel was living with her husband.

It has not been proved conclusively that the Donald Cumming in Rientsluie is the same fellow as living in Riechaile. However, recorded facts about the former Donald Cumming cease shortly before they commence for the one in Riechaile. Secondly, if he found himself a widower with a young family when he was only 26, it would be suprising if he didn't re-marry. Thirdly, although there is no record for his having a sister Isabel, there is for his sister Elspeth. Fourthly, one of his sons by the second marriage was baptised as Ewan (Hugh), which was the name of Donald's father. The Cumming families were not noted for following the traditional naming of their children (i.e. eldest son after the paternal grandfather, eldest daughter after the maternal grandmother etc.), but the use of Ewan or Hugh as a forename within Cumming families is virtually unknown, in the whole of Perthshire, before this time.

However, there is one baptism which is problematical. The Blair Atholl OPR records that Donald Cumming and Katharine Cumming in Kinaldy had a daughter baptised as Katharine, 31st January 1796.

There is no marriage recorded for such a couple, so the registrar may have written the wife's name as Katharine Cumming in error for Margaret Robertson, which could be accepted. The problem is that the Donald Cumming in Rientsluie had a daughter baptised as Catharine around 1782. The baptism does not appear in the OPRs, but Catharine's death certificate of 17th June 1861 clearly states that she was the widow of Robert McDonald, died at Pitagowan, aged 82 years, and that her parents were Donald Cumming, farmer, and Janet Stewart, both deceased. The informant was Robert McDonald her son.

So there is no doubt that this is the Catharine from his first marriage, and children were seldom given the same name at baptism unless the former child had died. There are two possibilities - the registrar not only made a mistake with the mother's name but also with the child's name or, perhaps, there were two Catherines as there were two mothers!

-

Generation 3: The Children of Donald Cumming and Janet Stewart in Rientsluie of Trinafour

-

The Children of Donald Cumming and Margaret Robertson

-

Robert MacDonald and Catharine Cumming in Drumachuine

The OPR marriage entry for Catharine Cumming and Robert MacDonald, wright in Drumachuine has not been found, and the name of Catharine's husband comes from her death certificate. The couple seem to have married around 1812 as they had a child baptised the following year, named Robert. Unfortunately, the child seems to have died in infancy as another son Robert was baptised two years later.

8th January 1813, Logierait OPR
Robert, lawful son to Robert MacDonald, wright, and Katharine Cumming in Drumachuine was born January 8th 1813.

21st February 1815, Logierait OPR
Robert, lawful son to Robert MacDonald, wright, and Katharine Cumming in Lynruich of Drumachuine was born February 21st 1815.

Catharine was a widow by the time of the 1841 census when she and her son were living at Blairfettie in Glen Errochty. Robert MacDonald in Blairfettie married Margaret Gow in Kindrochit (of Struan), 23rd April 1843. She was the daughter of Duncan Gow, joiner, and Elizabeth Gow.

The 1851 census shows that Catharine was living on her own at Drumcroy but next door to her brother, John Cumming, who was a widower with a family.

The 1861 National Census took place on 7th April by which time Catharine was being cared for by her married son at Pitagowan.

Catharine McDonald, pauper and widow of Robert McDonald died at Pitagowan (Blair Atholl), aged 82 years, on 17th June 1861. Her parents were given as Donald Cumming, farmer, and Janet Stewart, both deceased. The informant was Robert McDonald her son.

-

Generation 4: The Children of Robert MacDonald and Catharine Cumming in Drumachuine

-

John Cumming amd Catharine McGilliwie

The Blair Atholl OPR shows that John Cumming in Blairfettie and Catharine MacGilliwie in Tordow (Tor Dubh) had an illegitimate daughter baptised, 24th October 1806, and named Janet. Although the parish church would have ensured that he supported the child, he obviously did not wish to marry Catharine MacGilliwie as within a few months he married Isobel Irons instead.

-

John Cumming and Isabel Irons in Drumcroy of Trinafour

1st March 1807, Blair Atholl OPR
John Cumming in Blairfettie and Isobel Irons in the Parish of Blairgowrie (married)

None of their children seem to have been baptised, leastways their names do not appear in any of the OPRs. However, from census returns, it would appear that initally the family were living in Blairgowrie parish where Alexander and Euphemia were born. Around 1814 the family returned to Blair Atholl parish where James, Duncan and John were born, and the 1841 census shows them at Drumcroy, with the exception of Alexander who had married previously and Euphemia who was a female servant at Tom of Lude (Tomkindrochit).

Isabel Irons had died by the time of the 1851 census and their daughter, Euphemia, returned to Drumcroy with three illegitimate children as a housekeeper for her father. John's sister Catharine MacDonald was living in the next house.

Barbara McDonald was the illegitimate daughter of Alexander McDonald in Tomkindrochit and Euphemia Cumming in Drumcroy, born 11th November 1841.

John Cumming, born in Stirling, was the son of Donald Cumming and Margaret Carmichael who lived in Lanark.

Ann Forbes and Elizabeth Forbes were the illegitimate twin daughters of Alexander Forbes in Monzie and Euphemia Cumming in Drumcroy, born 1st September 1844.

John Cumming died before Civil Registration of deaths in 1855.

-

Generation 4: The Children John Cumming and Isabel Irons in Drumcroy

-

Alexander Cumming and Isabel Robertson in Auchleeks

25th December 1836, Blair Atholl OPR
Alexander Cumming in Drumcroy and Isobel Robertson in Lurg of Auchleeks (married)

Isobel Robertson probably was the daughter of Duncan Robertson in Auchleeks and Janet Robertson in Blairfettie who married 28th December 1794. (Beware - there is another couple of identical names living in the same area at the same time - Duncan Robertson in Bochonie and Janet Robertson in Drumcroy, married 3 Feb 1789).

The 1851 census for Auchleeks shows that Isobel Robertson was six years older than her husband and born in Moulin, but there is no evidence to support this in the Moulin OPR. If she was born at Auchleeks on 18th October 1795, then she would have been more than ten years older than Alexander, which might have been a touchy point.

The 1841 census shows that Alexander Cumming was a farm servant to John Henderson, who was the land stewart.

By 1851 Alexander Cumming had becomes the foreman for Robert Robertson Esq., J.P., of Auchleeks House.

The family seems to have moved to Perth by 1854 as a monument inscription in the Wellshill cemetary (157) states that Amelia died 11th November 1854 aged 11 years. Alexander's wife died 9th May 1874 and was buried in the same plot at Wellshill. By 1881 Alexander's daughter Mary was acting as house-keeper for the family.

All of the nieces and nephews are the children of John Cumming and Christina Dow Stewart.

Alexander Cumming died in Perth, aged 78y in 1889.

-

Generation 5: The Children Alexander Cumming and Isabella Robertson in Auchleeks and Perth

-

Euphemia Cumming

In 1841 the census records that Euphemia Cumming was 30 years old and employed as a female servant by Donald Stewart, the farmer at Tom of Lude (Tomkindrochit). In November of the same year she had an illegitimate daughter by Alexander McDonald in Tomkindrochit who was christened Barbara. The child was officially known as Barbra McDonald but was still with Euphemia in 1851 when she returned to Drumcroy to look after her widower father.

Ann Forbes and Elizabeth Forbes were the illegitimate twin daughters of Alexander Forbes in Monzie and Euphemia Cumming in Drumcroy, born 1st September 1844. They, also, were with Euphemia and her father at Drumcroy in 1851. Elizabeth Forbes, aged 16 years, was still living in Glen Errochty in 1861 but Ann Forbes was not.

Euphemia Cumming died in 1860.

-

Donald Cumming and Margaret Carmichael in Stirling and Glagow

The crucial piece of evidence for this family link comes from the 1851 census return for Drumcroy where John Cumming is shown to have a grandson, named John Cumming, who had been born in Stirling.

The earliest record for Donald Cumming comes from the 1841 census for Stirling, where he is shown as one of two postboys living in King Street. His age was given as 25 and his place of birth was given as not Stirlingshire. So, very few clues to link him to Blair Atholl but his occupation of postboy does link him to his marriage with Margaret Carmichael. Their marriage banns were proclaimed both in Stirling, 18th July 1841, and in Kilmadock parish, 29th July 1841.

18th July 1841, Stirling OPR
Donald Cumming, postboy in this parish, and Margaret Carmichael, parish of Kilmadock, daughter of Peter Carmichael, mason in Coldoch(?).

(Margaret Carmichael was baptised as Mary, the daughter of Peter Carmichael and Christian McGregor, 12th November 1828, Kilmadock parish).

This marriage links the couple to Drumcroy as the baptism of their son John appears in the Blair Atholl OPR, although John is stated to have been born at Dunblane. Later documents given the birthplace as Stirling, rather than nearby Dunblane.

29th December 1841, Blair Atholl OPR
Donald Cumming amd Margaret Carmichael, late in Drumcroy, had a son baptised and named John, born at Dunblane.

It would seem that the family moved to Glasgow, Lanark, shortly afterwards as John seems to have been baptised again - this time in Gorbals parish. John's death certificate states that his father was employed as a carpenter.

1st March 1842, Gorbals OPR
John (lawful son) of Donald Cumming and Margaret Carmichael in this parish (was baptised). Born 4th February 1842, baptised 1st March

Donald Cumming seems to have died by 1851, as his son John was living at Drumcroy with his grandfather.

John Cumming returned to Glasgow and was living with his mother in 1861. She died in Glasgow Central district, aged 48 years, in 1870.

-

Generation 5: The Children of Donald Cumming and Margaret Carmichael in Stirling and Glagow

-

John Cumming and Catherine Brown Izett in Glagow

In 1867 John Cumming married Catherine B. Izett at Anderston, Lanark.

The 1871 census for Blythswood, Lanark, shows that John Cumming had a son named Andrew. John was 31 years old at the time.

The 1881 census for Glasgow, Lanark, is as follows:

John Cumming, his wife Catherine and daughter Margaret were at Blair Atholl by 1901.

Catherine Brown Izett died at Blair Atholl in 1904, aged 70 years. Her mother's maiden name was given as McCaffie.

John Cumming, formerly sub-postmaster and widower of Catharine Brown Izett, died 15th December 1916 at Aberfeldy aged 74 years. His parents were given as Donald Cumming, carpenter, and Margaret Carmichael, both deceased. The informant was his daughter Margaret Cumming.

-

Generation 6: The Children of John Cumming and Catherine Brown Izett in Glagow

* Mother's name recorded as Bisset, not Izatt.

-

Duncan Cumming and Christian Anderson

The birth certificate of Duncan's daughter Jemima states that her father was a wood forrester and that he had married Christian Anderson on 23rd March 1852 in Blair Atholl. However there is no entry in the Blair Atholl OPR, so perhaps the family were baptists. Christian Anderson was the kitchen maid at Auchleeks House in 1851 where Duncan’s older brother was foreman. She was born in Kenmore parish.

After the birth of Jemima in 1862 the family moved to Logierait parish where another three children were born: Duncan, 1864; Isabella, 1867; and Daniel Alexander, 1871.

The 1881 census for Logierait shows that the family were living at Easter Chapelton, to the east of Killiechassie House.

Duncan Cumming jnr. was a servant gardener living in the Gardener's Bothy, while Catherine was a domestic cook to Charles Kerr and his family in the Tower House.

-

Generation 5: The Children of Duncan Cumming and Christian Anderson

-

John Cumming and Ann Campbell

John Cumming, tailor, 40 years old, single and living at Drumcroy and Ann Campbell, spinster, 44 years old and living at Blairfettie, were married at Blairfettie on 8th May 1863, His parents were given as John Cumming, farm labourer, deceased and Isabella Irons deceased. Her parents were given as Duncan Campbell, late farmer, and Margaret McDonald, deceased.

The 1871 census shows that the couple were living at Blairfettie but did not have any children.

The 1881 census shows that they were living in Easter Blairfettie, to the east of current-day Blairfettie.

Ann Campbell died in 1895 and John Cumming, tailor, widower of Ann Campbell died at Drumcroy 7th May 1899 aged 77 years. The informant was John Cumming, nephew.

-

Alexander Fergusson and Isabel Cumming in Kinaldy

8th August 1790, Blair Atholl OPR
Alexander Fergusson in Over Kinaldy and Isabel Cumming in Riechaile (were booked for marriage).

Isabel Cumming married Alexander Fergusson when she was living at Riechaile with her brother Donald, after the death of his first wife.

Isabel probably was born around 1763 but, unfortunately, there are no records in the whole of Perthshire for any baptism of an Isabel Cumming until 1783.

The couple had at least two children: Catharine, who was born at Kinaldy in 1793; and Angus who was born four years later. The baptism of Angus is entered twice in the Blair Atholl OPR. One entry states that Angus's parents were living at Kinaldy, but the other one say "late from the parish of Blair Atholl, now in Parkhall". It is assumed that this is Parkhall, south of Balfron, Stirlingshire.

-

The Children of Alexander Fergusson and Isabel Cumming in Kinaldy

-

John Stewart and Elspeth Cumming in Kinaldy and Clachan of Struan

As mentioned earlier, Elspeth Cumming was living at Riechaile along with her brother Donald and sister Isabel. She may have moved to Over Kinaldy when her sister Isabel married Alexander Fergusson in Over Kinaldy, or she may have moved at the same time as her brother Donald. Either way, she was in Kinaldy by the time that she married in 1800.

28th February 1800, Blair Atholl OPR
John Stewart in Clachan of Struan and Elspeth Cumming in Kinaldy (were booked for marriage).

John Stewart, was a miller who possibly worked at the mill behind Struan church - the lade for the mill is still visible between the Errochty river and the road to the church.

The Children of John Stewart and Elspeth Cumming in various parts of Blair Atholl parish

Alexander Stewart, pauper and former agricultural labourer, widower of Christina Thomson, died at Chapelbank, Findo Gask, on 10th November 1872 aged 72 years. His parents were given as John Stewart, miller, and Elspet Cumming, both deceased. The informant was his son, John Stewart.

-

Donald Robertson and Sarah Cumming in Drumcastle

27th November 1747, Logierait OPR
Donald Robertson in Drumchastle and Sarah Cummin in Drumchastle, both in this parish, were listed for proclamation (in order to marriage).

All of their children were born at Drumcastle, although their baptisms are recorded in both the Logierait and Fortingall OPRs.

-

Generation 2: The Children of Donald Robertson and Sarah Cummin in Drumcastle

* The baptism of Donald seems to have been recorded twice - firstly in the Fortingall OPR, 5th October 1755 and secondly in the Logierait OPR, 26th August 1756. Alternatively, the first Donald could have died and another son given the same name.