The Cumming families from Kinloch Rannoch

Aulich and Craiganour on the north side of Loch Rannoch

The Statistics of the Forfeited Estates of Alexander Robertson of Struan, 1755-56, mentions two men with the surname of Cumming living in Kinloch, Rannoch, - Donald Cumming and Duncan Cumming. Both were tenant farmers and may have been brothers, but there is scant historical evidence at this time.

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Donald Cumming and his wife(?) in Kinloch Rannoch

Ensign James Small, Factor of the Forfeited Estates of Alexander Robertson of Struan, collected the following data for Donald Cumming who was farming at Kinloch Rannoch.

Statistics for Kinloch Rannnoch tenant: Donald Cumming
People under 10 years: none
People betwixt 10 and 17 years: none
People above 17 years: 1 male, 1 female
Number who spoke English: none
Number who could spin: 1
Livestock: 5 horses; 9 cattle; 36 sheep; 0 swine; and 0 goats
Acres in tillage: 4 acres

The single female aged more than 17 years probably was his wife but, equally well, could have been his mother or his sister. There are no marriage banns nor baptisms in the Fortingall OPR to suggest that Donald Cumming was married and had a family.

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Duncan Cumming and Elspet Robertson in Kinloch Rannoch

The Factor's data for the farm of Duncan Cumming showed the following:

Statistics for Kinloch Rannnoch tenant: Duncan Cumming
People under 10 years: 2 males, 1 female
People betwixt 10 and 17 years: none
People above 17 years: 1 male, 1 female
Number who spoke English: 1
Number who could spin: 1
Livestock: 2 horses; 5 cattle; 42 sheep; 0 swine; and 0 goats
Acres in tillage: 5 acres

The date of the marriage between Duncan Cumming and Elspet Robertson is too early for the Fortingall OPR, but must have been around 1749 if Duncan had three young children by the time of the 1756 census. The baptism of his eldest son, John Cumming, is one of the earliest entries in the Fortingall OPR.

17th December 1750, Fortingall OPR
John, son to Duncan Cumming and Elspet Robertson in Kinloch was baptised.

The female who was less than 10 years old is thought to have been Elspeth Cumming, a daughter named after Duncan's wife. She probably was born around 1753 and Elspeth Robertson may have died in childbirth, as Duncan was married to Margaret Robertson by 1756

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Generation 2: The Children of Duncan Cumming and Elspet Robertson in Kinloch Rannoch

The Fortingall OPR contains consecutive entries for two Cumming girls who both married on 16th February 1754 - Elizabeth Cumming and Janet Cumming. Both were living at Kinloch Rannoch which suggests that they were the sisters of Duncan Cumming and would have been keeping house for him, as well as looking after his two children. When the two sister decided to have joint weddings and move out, Duncan would have realised that he needed to re-marry, and quickly.

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Duncan Cumming and Margaret Robertson in Kinloch Rannoch

There is no record of the marriage of Duncan Cumming and his second wife, Margaret Robertson, but it probably took place in late 1754 or 1755 as they were still living at Kinloch Rannoch when their son Allan was born.

18th April 1756, Fortingall OPR
Allan, son to Duncan Cumming and Margaret Robertson in Kinloch was baptised this day.

The Fortingall OPR also records Duncan Cumming and Marjory Robertson had a child, Alexander, baptised in 1763. As the people were Gaelic speaking and their names were being written in English it is not surprising that the names Margaret, Marjory and May were inter-changeable. It is assumed that the couple were still living in Kinloch Rannoch but, unfortunately, the edge of the page in the Fortingall OPR is damaged, so this cannot be confirmed.

It may seem strange that Duncan Cumming had daughters named Elspeth and Elizabeth, as these forenames are normally synonymous. However, they had different mothers and the subsequent entries in the Fortingall OPRs always refer to them, separately, by these specific names - the one exception being an entry in the Dull OPR, where the Minister and Session Clerk might not have known the family very well.

Duncan Cumming must have moved to Aulich after the birth of Alexander in March 1763 as John, Elspeth, Allan, and Elizabeth all married from there.

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Generation 2: The Children of Duncan Cumming and Margaret Robertson in Kinloch (Rannoch)

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Janet Cumming in Aulich

Janet Cumming was living at Aulich when she gave birth to an illegitimate child.

3rd March 1771, Fortingall OPR
Donald, natural son to Janet Cumming in Aulich, no father confessed nor money paid at baptism.

If Janet Cumming was 22 when the child was born, she herself would have been born around 1748 and before the earliest OPR records. It is unusual for there to be no indication of the father, and it is possible that he was a married man rather than a young buck. In these circumstances the child would have been called Donald Cumming, for want of a proper surname. The reason for placing Janet Cumming in this family is for want of a feasible alternative.

Around 1771 the only other Cumming family associated with Aulich was that of Alexander Cumming who was married to Elspeth McGregor. They had a daughter baptised as Janet, and the family were still living at Aulich in 1771 as Alexander's son Donald married from there. However Alexander's daughter Janet was born in May 1756 so she would have been only 15 year old.

Nothing more is known about Janet Cumming and her son Donald.

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John Cumming and Anne Cumming in Aulich and Killichonan

1st March 1782, Logierait OPR
John Cumming in Aulich in the parish of Fortingall and Anne Cumming in Dall (of Carie) in this parish, booked (for proclamation in order to marriage) - Granted a line that they might be married up the country.

2nd March 1782, Fortingall OPR
John Cumming in Aulich in this parish and Anne Cumming in Dall in Logierait parish were booked (for proclamation in order to marriage) -

The expession in the Logierait OPR "that they might be married up the country" merely means that the marriage line was written by the Session Clerk at Logierait parish church, but was intended to be used up at Fortingall parish church.

John Cumming still was living at Aulich when their first child, Allan, was born. There were another six children and baptisms of the later children shows that the family moved from Aulich to Craiganour in the 1790s, and eventually some of them relocated to Killichonan.

1st June 1798, Fortingall OPR
Ann, daughter to John and Ann Cummings in Craiganour (baptised).

26th May 1801, Fortingall OPR
James, son to John and Ann Cummings in Craiganour (baptised).

The 1841 census for Fortingall shows John Cumming and some of his family living at Killichonan, but his wife Anne Cumming had died.

In the 1841 census, the ages of people were rounded down. Obviously, John's daughter decided to round their ages down by a decade.

Jane (Jean) Cumming, unmarried pauper and former domestic servant died of old age at Killichonan on 25th September 1869, aged 82 years. Her parents were given as John Cumming, farmer, and Ann Cumming, both deceased. The informant was Margaret Cumming, her sister.

Margaret Cumming, unmarried pauper and formerly a crofter died of old age, with a slight scald on the small of her back, at Killichonan on 15th September 1876, aged 87 years. Her parents were given as John Cumming, crofter, and Ann Cumming, both deceased. The informant was Donald Cumming in Killichonan (son of John Cumming and Mary Cameron).

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Generation 3: The Children of John Cumming and Anne Cumming in Killichonan

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John Stewart and Elizabeth Cumming in Easter Tempar

The birth of Elizabeth Cumming is unrecorded in the OPRs, but the 1881 census return and a tombstone support the notion that Elizabeth was an older sister of Anne Cumming, the wife of Alexander Buist.

The evidence is as follows -

Firstly, Ann Stewart the daughter of John Stewart and Elizabeth Cumming married Peter Honeyman in 1867 (Edinburgh). At the time of the 1881 census Ann Honeyman (or Stewart) was listed in the household of Alexander Buist and Ann Cumming, at Whitehouse Steading, Kirkcaldy. She was described as a 47 year old, married niece. Thus Elizabeth Cumming and Ann Cumming must have been sisters.

Secondly, a flat stone near the north chapel at Lassintulloch (also known as the Crossmount Cemetery) is inscribed "Elizabeth Cumming died 20th September 1846, aged 50 years, wife of John Stewart, tailor in Easter Tempar." So Elizabeth Cumming would have been born around 1796, which would fit easily between the recorded baptisms of Isobel in 1792 and Ann in 1798.

20th December 1829, Fortingall OPR
John Stewart in Easter Tempar and Elizabeth Cumming in Killichonan, both in this parish, gave up their names (to be proclaimed in order to marriage).

None of their children seem to have been baptised, but can be identified in the 1841 census for Easter Tempar (Fortingall 10/3).

John Stewart and Elizabeth Cumming both died in 1846 and were buried at Lassintulloch (also known as the Crossmount Cemetery). At one time there was a large flat stone inscribed "John Stewart, tailor in Easter Tempar died there 29th March 1846, aged 52 years", but it has since disappeared. A second flat stone near the north chapel is inscribed "Elizabeth Cumming died 20th September 1846, aged 50 years, wife of John Stewart, tailor in Easter Tempar."

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Alexander Buist and Ann Cumming in Kirkcaldy, Fife

The marriage of Ann Cumming to Alexander Buist is recorded in both the Auchtertool and Kinghorm OPRs on 25th November 1831. The first of their four children was born at Auchtertool in Fife but the other three were born at Kinghorn in Fife.

The 1881 census for Whytehouse Steading, Kirkcaldy, is interesting as a niece was listed with the family.

*Anne Honeyman was the daughter of John Stewart and Elizabeth Cumming in Tempar. She had married Peter Honeyman in 1867 (Edinburgh). Ann Stewart or Honeyman died in 1906, in Mid Calder, aged 69 years.

Anne Cumming, the wife of Alexander Buist, died in 1883.

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Generation 4: The Children of Alexander Buist and Ann Cumming in Kirkcaldy, Fife

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Alexander McLean and Elspeth Cumming in Aulich

18th January 1778, Blair Atholl OPR
Alexander McLean in Trinafour and Elspeth Cumming in Aulich, Fortingall parish (were booked for marriage).

6th January 1779
Alexander McLean and Elspeth Cuming in Trinafour had a daughter baptised, named Isabel.

This seems to have been the only child born to the couple and Elspeth Cumming seems to have died at some later time as Alexander McLean in Trinafour and Katharine Forbes in Feanaird, Fortingall parish, married 29th December 1797.

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Allan Cumming and Christian McFarlane in Aulich and Craiganour

15th February 1784, Fortingall OPR
Allan Cummin and Christian McFarland, both in this parish gave up their names (in order to marriage).

Although the Fortingall Session Clerk only wrote vaguely that the bride and groom were "both in this parish", their first child was born at Aulich, after which the family moved to Craiganour and finally to Killichonan. This mirrors the movements of the family of his half-brother John Cumming.

5th February 1785, Fortingall OPR
Janet, daughter to Allan Cumming and Christy McFarlane in Aulich.

7th June 1793, Fortingall OPR
Duncan, son to Allan Cumming and Christy McFarlane in Craiganour.

8th May 1796, Fortingall OPR
Janet, daughter to Allan Cumming and Christy McFarlane in Craiganour.

18th April 1803, Fortingall OPR
Alexander, son to Allan Cumming and Christy McFarlane in Craiganour.

17th March 1806, Fortingall OPR
Allan, son to to Allan Cumming and Christy McFarlane in Craiganour.

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Generation 3: The Children of Allan Cumming and Christian McFarlane

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John Cumming and Mary Cameron in Killichonan, Rannoch

John Cumming and Mary Cameron were married in Fortingall parish on 20th August 1824. Donald appears to have been their only child. He was baptised 15th November 1829.

John Cumming, crofter and road contractor, married, died at Killichonan, Rannoch, on 13th April 1860 aged 74 years and was buried at Killichonan. His parents were given as Allan Cumming, farmer, and Christian McFarlane, both deceased. The informant was Alexander Cumming, his brother, shepherd in Blair Atholl (Woodend).

Mary Cameron, widow of John Cumming, crofter, died at Killichonan, Rannoch, on 24th April 1870 aged 81 years. Her parents were given as Hugh Cameron, crofter, and Janet McGregor, both deceased. The informant was Donald Cumming, her son.

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Generation 4: The Children of John Cumming and Mary Cameron in Killichonan, Rannoch

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Donald Cumming and Anne Cameron in Killichonan, Rannoch

To make it a memorable event, Donald Cumming and Anne Cameron got married in Perth in 1867 instead of the Fortingall parish church.

1871 census return shows the family four years later.

1881 census return lists the family living at Clasha Bhuthe (Clachan Bhuidhe) at the west end of Loch Rannoch.

At the time of the 1881 census Anne's husband, Donald, was lodging with John McGregor and his wife at the farm steading of the Mains of Kenmore. Donald Cumming was described as a 49 year old shepherd who had been born in Fortingall parish.

There is a dark grey granite memorial in Killichonan churchyard enscribed with "In memory of our father Donald Cumming who died here 26th April 1896 aged 66 years. Also his wife Anne Cameron who died 1942 aged 95 years, buried Glasgow".

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Generation 5: The Children of Donald Cumming and Anne Cameron in Killichonan, Rannoch

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John Cameron and Christy Cumming in Killichonan

It is thought that the marriage banns John Cameron and Christian Cumming were recorded in the Fortingall OPR, but that John Cameron was recorded as Duncan Cameron, in error.

20th December 1814, Fortingall OPR
Duncan Cameron and Christian Cumming, both in this parish (were proclaimed in order to marriage).

Firstly, there is no marriage entry for John Cameron and Christian Cumming, although their are baptismal entries for their children, and there is a marriage entry for Duncan Cameron and Christian Cumming, but no baptismal entries for any children.

Secondly, the marriage banns entries for the Rannoch area of Fortingall parish are not in strict chronological order. For example, there is an entry of marriage banns dated for 1816 a couple of lines prior to the December 1814 entry. This gives the impression that the OPR was not maintained on a day to day basis, but was made up from time to time, using an accumulation of separate jottings. If this was the case, then the error in the groom's name may have arisen from the writer being careless and in a hurry, as the forename of the previous groom as a Duncan, and the two entries were scribed by the same hand. So the entry should have read:

20th December 1814, Fortingall OPR
John Cameron and Christian Cumming, both in this parish (were proclaimed in order to marriage).

All of the children of John Cameron and Christian Cumming were born at Aulich, so the family must have moved to Killichonan after the birth of the last child, Catherine, in 1828.

The first child, Ewen, must have died between 1823 and 1826 as another son was baptised with the name of Hugh, which is the equivalent of Ewan in Gaelic. The baptisms of six children appear in the Fortingall OPR, but that of a daughter Elizabeth seems to be missing - she was the informant on her mother's death certioficate in 1871.

Christian Cumming, widow of John Cameron, crofter, died at Killichonan, Rannoch, on 27th November 1871 aged 82 years. Her parents were given as Allan Cumming, farmer, and Christian McFarlane, both deceased. The informant was Elizabeth Cameron, her daughter.

Generation 4: The Children of John Cameron and Christy Cumming in Killichonan, Rannoch

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Duncan Cumming in Woodend, Blair Atholl

At the time of the 1881 census Duncan was living at Kindrum Park, Monzie, with his widowed sister Elizabeth McGregor (see below).

Duncan Cumming, unmarried, shepherd, died at Woodend, Blair Atholl, on 5th December 1881 aged 89 years. His parents were given as Allan Cumming, crofter, and Christina McFarlane, both deceased. The informant was William Cumming, his nephew. (William was the son of Alexander Cumming and Ann Stewart in Woodend).

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Alexander Cameron and Janet Cumming in Laggan, Inverness-shire

21st November 1824, Fortingall OPR
Alexander Cameron in Liaran (Learan) and Janet Cumming in Killichonan, both in this parish, (gave up their names to be proclaimed in order to marriage).

Their first child, John, was born in 1825 and the second child, Duncan, was born at Newtown of Fortingall in 1828. These may have been their only children.

The whereabouts of Alexander Cameron and his family is uncertain in 1841, and the parents are unaccounted for in 1851, but their son, Duncan Cameron. was employed as a shepherd by James Cumming in Wester Camghouran. The census shows him being 22 years old and unmarried.

By 1861 Alexander Cameron had died as the census return for Wester Finnart in Rannoch parish shows Duncan Cameron with his widowed mother.

By 1871 Duncan Cameron and his mother had moved to Aulich Cottage.

In 1881 widow Janet Cameron was 83 years old and living at Learan with two lodgers who were general labourers. Her son Duncan Cameron probably had died in 1878, and her other son, John, took her northwards to live at Strathmachie, Laggan. John Cameron was a gamekeeper at Strathmashie and was married to Margaret Gordon, with a son Alexander and a daughter Jessie.

Janet Cameron, widow of Alexander Cameron, sheep-dealer, died at Strathmachie in the parish of Laggan (Inverness-shire) on 16th August 1882 aged 86 years. Her parents were given as Allan Cumming, farmer, and Christina McFarlane, both deceased. The informant was her son, John Cameron.

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The children of Alexander Cameron and Janet Cumming in Laggan, Inverness-shire

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John McGregor and Elizabeth Cumming in Fowlis Wester

19th December 1824, Fortingall OPR
Alexander (in error and crossed out) John McGregor in Mount Alexander (Dunalistair) and Elisabeth Cumming in Killichonan, both in this parish, (gave up their names to be proclaimed in order to marriage).

The couple had six children. The first two were born in Fortingall parish before the family moved to Fowlis Wester parish, around 1832, where the rest of the family were born.

The 1841 census took place soon after the birth of their last child; a daughter baptised as Robina.

John McGregor had died by 1851. His widow and family were living at Kindrum Park (Monzie 7/2)

The 1881 census shows Elizabeth McGregor living with her brother Duncan Cumming at Kindrum Park, Monzie (Logiealmond)

Elizabeth McGregor, widow of John McGregor gamekeeper, died 6th July 1884 at Kindrum Park, Logiealmond, aged 87 years. Her parents were given as Allan Cumming, farmer, and Christina McFarlane, both deceased. The informant was her daughter, Catherine McGregor.

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Generation 4: The Children of John McGregor and Elizabeth Cumming in Fowlis Wester

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Alexander Cumming and Ann Stewart in Woodend, Blair Atholl

In 1841 Alexander Cumming probably was one of the three shepherds living at Fealar Lodge at the top of Glentilt. He seems to have had a separate dwelling from the other shepherds: two brothers, Donald and Duncan Campbell. Alexander's age is given as 32 years.

The 1855 birth certificate for William Cumming states that his father, Alexander Cumming, was a shepherd aged 50 years who had been born at Craganour in Rannoch and that his mother, Ann Stewart was aged 29 years and had been born at Woodend. The couple had been married at Dunkeld in 1849 and had 2 sons and 1 daughter living, William being their 3rd child.

Although the couple had been married at Dunkeld they wanted their marriage banns recorded in the Blair Atholl OPR. Unfortunately the Session Clerk seems to have recorded the groom as William Cumming instead of Alexander Cumming. This error is currently compounded by ScotlandsPeople having the groom indexed as William Gumming!

15th December 1849, Blair Atholl OPR
William Gumming in Glentilt and Ann Stewart in Kirkton, Braelude, (were booked for marriage).

Ann Stewart was the daughter of William Stewart, a labourer from Bridge of Bruar, and Isobel Stewart from Woodend, who married 13th December 1818. Although Ann was born at Woodend, the family had moved to Kirkton of Lude by 1830.

1851 census shows Alexander Cumming and his family living at Tirinie in Glen Fender, where all of their children were born.

By 1881 Alexander Cumming and his family had moved to Woodend, Blair Atholl.

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Generation 4: The Children of Alexander Cumming and Ann Stewart

There is a memorial stone in the Blair Atholl parish churchyard (I1) - "Erected by the surviving members of the family in memory of their father Alexander Cumming, shepherd, Glentilt, who died 22nd July 1887 aged 85 years. Also of their brother John, born 12th June 1861 and died at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, 24th February 1895, Also of their brother William who died 25th December 1897 aged 42 years. Also of their mother, Ann Stewart, who died 19th September 1901 aged 76 years.

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John Campbell and Margaret Cumming in Innerhaddon and Kingussie

18th August 1832, Fortingall parish
On the 18th day of August 1832, John Campbell, in Culvullin and Margaret Cumming in Killichonan (Innerhaddon crossed out) gave in their names and were publicly proclaimed previous to marriage.

The baptisms of three children are mentioned in the Fortingall OPR: Duncan, 27th February 1833; Ann, 12th October 1837; and Allan, 5th September 1843. However the 1841 census shows another daughter, six-month-old Cirsty or Christian.

1841 Census, Fortingall 10/9

The identity of the 15 year-old Margaret Campbell is unknown, but she might have been John Campbell's younger sister.

By the time of the 1851 census John Campbell and his family had moved to Muir Lodge, at the south end of Rannoch Bridge, where he described himself as a gamekeeper rather than as a farmer. He also had several other children who are unrecorded in the Fortingall OPR.

By 1871 John Campbell and some of his family had moved to Kingussie (7/6).

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Generation 4: The Children of John Campbell and Margaret Cumming in Innerhaddon and Kingussie

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Peter Stewart and Elizabeth Cumming in Balintuim and Lassintulloch

15th April 1780, Fortingall OPR
Peter Stewart in Balintuim and Elizabeth Cumming in Aulich, both in this parish, were booked (for proclamation in order to marriage).

It is unlikely that Peter Stewart was a farmer, as his children were born at several different homesteads, but all relatively close to each other.

25th February 1781, Fortingall OPR
John, son to Peter Stewart and Elizabeth Cummin in Balintuim was baptised.

25th February 1781, Fortingall OPR
Katharine, daughter to Peter Stewart and Elizabeth Cummin in Tulloch Crois (Crossmount) was baptised.

1st December 1790, Dull OPR
Donald, son to Peter Stewart and Elizabeth Cummin in Bohally was baptised.

3rd October 1796, Fortingall OPR
Peter, son to Peter Stewart and Elizabeth Cummin in Lassintulloch was baptised.

26th February 1799, Fortingall OPR
Elizabeth, daughter to Peter Stewart and Elizabeth Cummin in Lassintulloch was baptised.

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Generation 3: The children of Peter Stewart and Elizabeth Cumming in Balintuim and Lassintulloch

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Duncan Robertson and Elizabeth Cumming in Kinloch

16th February 1754, Fortingall OPR
Duncan Robertson and Elizabeth Cumming in Kinloch Rannoch, both in this parish, were booked (for proclamation in order to marriage).

This marriage entry in the OPR is followed by that Archibald Campbell and Janet Cumming. Both Cumming girls were described as living in Kinloch of Rannoch and would appear to be the sisters of Duncan Cumming.

Duncan Robertson and Elizabeth (Elspit) Cumming appear to have had only one child, a daughter baptised as Janat.

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Generation 2: The children of Duncan Robertson and Elizabeth Cumming in Kinloch

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Archibald Campbell and Janet Cumming in Milnavaddie

16th February 1754, Fortingall OPR
Archibald Campbell in Milnavaddy and Janet Cumming in Kinloch (Rannoch), both in this parish, were booked (for proclamation in order to marriage).

As Janet's marriage banns come after that of Elizabeth, she may have been the younger sister.

The Statistics of the Forfeited Estates for the Barony of Kinloch and Murlagan (1756), shows Archibald Campbell as a cottar at Milnavaddie. He could speak English and was a widower. So Janet seems to have died soon after marriage. It was not uncommon for wives to die in childbirth and there do not appear to have been any childen from this marriage.