The Cumming Family in Garbhloin of Murlagan, Fortingall parish

James Stobie's map of 1775, showing settlements in part of Murlagan

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William Cumming and his wife in Garbhloin of Milnavaddie, Murlagan

The exact location of Garbhloin of Murlagan is uncertain as it does not seem to be marked on any of the early maps. Murlagan is the old name for the Dunalistair estate, so the general area is the east side of Fortingall parish opposite the Bohespics in Blair Atholl parish. On James Stobie's map, 1775, he marked Linemore (Loin-more), Linemeanoch (Loin-meanach) and Linehagoch (Loin-chopagach), so it must have been part of this complex. Indeed, the Statistics of the Forfeited Estates for the Barony of Kinloch and Murlagan (1756), states that there were two families at Garbhloin of Milnavaddie, with a total of eleven people one of whom spoke English. The head of one family was William Cumming who probably was born around 1690, but the marriages and baptisms in Fortingall parish are not recorded before the mid-1740s, so the name of his wife remains unknown.

It is thought that William Cumming and his wife had at least five children. Two of his daughters, Christian and Janet, were living at Garbhloin when they were wed. Christian married Donald Campbell in 1752 so probably she was born around 1727. Janet, his other daughter, married Alexander McDonald in 1760, so she could have been born around 1735. William seems to have had another three children: Donald, William and Katharine, based upon subsequent events.

The Statistics of the Forfeited Estates of Alexander Robertson of Struan, 1755-56, show that William Cumming had a very small farm with hardly any livestock.

Statistics for Garbhloin tenant: William Cumming
People under 10 years: 1 male
People betwixt 10 and 17 years: none
People above 17 years: 1 male, 2 females
Number who spoke English: none
Number who could spin: 2
Livestock: 5 horses; 6 cattle; 0 sheep; 0 swine; and 0 goats
Acres in tillage: 3 acres

The identity of the young male child is unknown but probably was a grandson.

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(Generation 2) The Children of William Cumming and his wife in Garbhloin of Murlagan

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Donald Cumming and Margaret Robertson in Achtarsin of Murlagan

In 1756 Ensign James Small, Factor of the Forfeited Estates noted that there were 10 tenants in Achtarsin of Murlagan, a total of 39 people and that 20 of them could speak English - a very high number for that location and that time. One of the tenants was Donald Cumming who was married to Margaret Robertson.

The Statistics of the Forfeited Estates of Alexander Robertson of Struan, 1755-56, show that Donald Cumming had a very small farm with hardly any livestock - not surprising as he and his wife were just starting out with a new farm.

Statistics for Achtarsin tenant: Donald Cumming
People under 10 years: none
People betwixt 10 and 17 years: none
People above 17 years: 1 male, 2 females
Number who spoke English: 1
Number who could spin: 2
Livestock: 3 horses; 6 cattle; 12 sheep; 0 swine; and 0 goats
Acres in tillage: 3 acres

30th April 1754, Blair Atholl OPR
Donald Cumming in Achtarsin, Fortingall parish and Margaret Robertson in Dalriach of Bohespic (were booked for marriage).

The identity of the second adult female is unknown. It might be the mother or sister of either Donald Cumming or his wife. Only the tenant's family were included in the census, and not the domestic or farm servants.

As far as is known, the couple only had one child, 11 years after their marriage.

30th December 1765, Fortingall OPR
Alexander, lawful son to Donald Cumming and Margaret Robertson in Achtarsin was baptised.

The Children of Donald Cumming and Margaret Robertson in Achtarsin of Murlagan

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Donald Campbell and Christian Cumming in Achtarsin?

17th January 1752, Fortingall OPR
Donald Campbell in Achtarsin and Christian Cumming in Garbhloin in Murlagan, both in this parish, were lawfully booked (in order to marriage).

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(Generation 3) The Children of Donald Campbell and Christian Cumming in Achtarsin?

While Donald Cumming and his wife were living at Achtarsin, a William Cumming in Achtarsin married Christian Duff (or McDuff). It is possible that he was a younger brother of Donald Cumming.

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William Cumming and Christian Duff (or McDuff) in Achtarsin of Murlagan

30th April 1760, Fortingall OPR
William Cumming in Achtarsin and Christian Duff in Innerhadden, both in this parish, were booked (for proclamation in order to marriage).

William Cumming and his wife had a daughter baptised in 1763, but the name of the girl is unknown as the page in the Fortingall OPR is damaged. It is thought that the daughter was the Margaret Cumming who married John McDonald in 1792

5th August 1763, Fortingall OPR
(Margaret?), daughter to William Cumming and Christian McDuff in Achtarsin was baptised.

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(Generation 3) The Children of William Cumming and Christian Duff (or McDuff) in Achtarsin of Murlagan

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John McDonald and Margaret Cumming in Culnasauch and Achtarsin

30th March 1792, Fortingall OPR
John McDonald in Culnasauch and Margaret Cumming in Kinloch, both in this parish, entered their name (for proclamation in order to marriage).

Culnasauch is not shown on James Stobie's map of 1775, but the 1756 census of the Forfeited Estates lists it close to Achtarsin and the 1841 census for Rannoch lists it after the Mount Alexander (Dunalastair) Manse and before Drumcoiller, Woodend, Blackpark and Milnavaddie.

The abandoned ruin at Dunalastair is not the original home of Alastair Robertson, the Poet Chief of Clan Donnachaidh. His house, called 'The Hermitage', was in the same area but was burnt down during the 1745 Jacobite Uprising. It must have been replaced as Ensign James Small, the Factor for the Forfeited Estate of Robertson of Strowan, was living there in the 1750s. By the late 1790s a double tower-house is said to have stood on the site. In 1853 George Duncan Robertson, 18th Chief of Clan Donnachaidh, sold the estate to General Sir John Macdonald of Dalchosnie. He demolished the tower-house and probably several nearby building, including Culnasauch and the Manse, to built the present-day mansion which is now a ruin.

It is assumed that the baptism of Margaret is entered into one of the OPRs, even so her parentage is not obvious, and if she was 18 or older at marriage, she would have been born before 1774. This seems to be the most likely family connection.

27th July 1793, Fortingall OPR
Ewen, son to John McDonald and Margaret Cumming in Culnasauch (was baptised).

11th September 1795, Fortingall OPR
Donald, son to John McDonald and Margaret Cumming in ............ (was baptised).

22nd July 1797, Fortingall OPR
John, son to John McDonald and Margaret Cumming in Achtarsin (was baptised).

2nd June 1798, Fortingall OPR
John, son to John McDonald and Margaret Cumming in Achtarsin (was baptised).

This appears to be a repeat of the previous entry as John McDonald died in 1877 aged 81 years (Kinloch Rannoch deaths).

4th February 1800, Fortingall OPR
Christy, daughter to John McDonald and Margaret Cumming in Achtarsin (was baptised).

2nd November 1802, Fortingall OPR
Janet, daughter to John McDonald and Margaret Cumming in Achtarsin (was baptised).

7th February 1805, Fortingall OPR
Alexander, son to John McDonald and Margaret Cumming in Achtarsin (was baptised).

14th May 1877, Kinloch Rannoch OPR
John McDonald, crofter married to Jane Stewart, died at Achtarsin on 16th September 1877 aged 81 years. His parents were given as John McDonald, crofter, and Margaret Cumming, both deceased. The informant was Jane McDonald, widow, who signed by her mark.

14th May 1869, Kinloch Rannoch OPR
Janet McDonald, unmarried pauper and former domestic servant, died at Achtarsin on 14th May 1869 aged 66 years. Her parents were given as John McDonald, crofter, and Margaret Cumming, both deceased. The informant was Jane McDonald, her sister-in-law.

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(Generation 4) The Children of John McDonald and Margaret Cumming in Culnasauch and Achtarsin

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Alexander McDonald and Janet Cumming in Over Bohespic

26th January 1760, Blair Atholl OPR
Alexander McDonald in Bohespic and Janet Cumming in Garbhloin, Brae of Murlagan, parish of Fortingall, married.

26th January 1760, Fortingall OPR
Alexander McDonald in Bohespic in the parish of Blair Atholl and Janet Cumming in (Garbhloin of) Milnavaddie in this parish were lawfully booked.

In 1754 the wadsett for Wester Bohespic (Over Bohespic) was redeemed by the Duke of Atholl and the following were recorded as the tenants of the 4½ merk land of Over Bohespic: John Robertson; John Robertson, younger; Alexander Stewart; Alexander McDonald; Robert McDonald; and Patrick Robertson, each holding a ½ merk land.

However the tenant probably was a different Alexander McDonald who was married to Catharine Douglas. To distinguish between the two of them, this one used the alias of 'Caanich', while Janet's husband used the alias of 'McLauchlane', which is mentioned in the baptismal records of his children Donald and Christian. It is worth noting that Angus McDonald in Over Bohespic who married Grissel McDonald (alias Mannich) in Trinafour, 12th December 1751, also used the alias of 'McLauchlane', so probably was Janet's brother-in-law. Angus McDonald, son to Robert McDonald and Margaret McLauchlane in Bohespic was born 21st September 1721 is likely to be the same person, and would explain the choice of 'McLauchlane' as an alias name. Robert McDonald was one of the 1754 tenants, previously mentioned.

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(Generation 3) The Children of Alexander McDonald and Janet Cumming in Over Bohespic

The next mention of a Cumming linked to Achtarsin comes from the minutes of the Struan Session of Blair Atholl parish.

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Katharine Cumming in Bohespic and Achtarsin

On 5th February 1769 the Struan Session, being constitute, heard that Katharine Cuming in Bohespic, was delated to be with child, and ordered her to be summoned to appear before the Session at their next meeting at Struan.

(12th March 1769) Katharine Cuming in Over Bohespic appeared, acknowledged guilt and pregnancy, and gave up Alexander Robertson in Dalno as father to it, and that they committed said guilt about twenty days after Lammas last Old Style. The Session appointed said Alexander Robertson to be summoned to appear Sabbath next and Blair and ordered said Katharine Cuming to appear at said diet.

(19th March 1769) Katharine Cuming, late in Over Bohespic, appeared, also Alexander Robertson in Dalno. He owned that he had committed guilt with the said Katharine Cuming, once, the 28th day of August last. They were both ordered to give in their securities by the Session's next meeting at Struan.

(11th June 1769) Katharine Cuming, as minuted, appeared, also Alexander Robertson in Dalno, and did not agree as to their calculations of the times of their guilt. The Session advised them to go to the Commissary Court and there decide the difference.

(1st December 1769 John, illegitimate son to Alexander Robertson in Dalno and Katharine Cumming in Achtarsin was baptised - he would have been known as John Robertson).

(24th December 1769) Alexander Robertson in Dalno made his first appearance for his fornication with Katharine Cuming in Achtarsin, was rebuked and ordered to appear again, Sabbath next at Blair.

(14th January 1770) Alexander Robertson in Dalno made his first (actually his second) appearance for his fornication with Katharine Cuming in Achtarsin, was rebuked and having paid £5 Scots as his said fine, got up his bill for said fine and was dismissed.

(29th April 1770) Katharine Cuming in Achtarsin made her first appearance for her fornication with Alexander Robertson in Dalno of Bohespic, was rebuked and ordered to continue her appearances.

(1st July 1770) Katharine Cuming now in Achtarsin made her second appearance for her fornication with Alexander Robertson in Dalno, was rebuked.

Alexander Robertson took over the lease for half of Dalno (a ½ merk of land) in 1768 and, maybe, Katharine Cumming had thought that he would make a suitable husband. However, instead, he married Margaret Stewart in Loinn Mhor of Fortingall parish, on 26th March 1772.

Initially, Katharine Cumming was described as 'in Over Bohespic' so it is quite likely that Katharine was the sister of Janet Cumming who was married to Alexander McDonald, alias McLauchlane, in Over Bohespic, and was employed as a servant for the family. If so, then she was the daughter of William Cumming in Garbhloin of Murlagan. When the child was born, and afterwards, she was described as being 'in Achtarsin' which suggests that the two Cumming men in Achtarsin were her brothers.