The McGlashan Families of Blair

One of the notable families in Blair Atholl were the McGlashans (Mackglashan), but the family relationships in the early 1700s are not easy to ascertain due to the lack of records. This is not made any easier with some of the McGlashans using the alias name of Gow, so they may have been descended from a family of blacksmith. The following notes try to take account of all the known facts, but future research may well show that there are errors.

The list of the Fencible Men of Blair Atholl (22nd January 1705) shows all the men in the parish, between the ages of 16 and 60 years, who could bear arms in times of need. The only McGlashan men living close to Blair village were: Patrick McGlashan, the tacksman of the Mill of Blair; Patrick McGlashan, the under-miller, (who was needing a gun but was better equipped than the other under-miller, Patrick McInroy, who needed both a gun and a sword); and John McGlashan who lived in Kirkton of Blair with two servants. There is no mention of a Neil McGlashan but in 1716, when Patrick McGlashan the tacksman of the Mill of Blair died, the new tacksman Gregor Murray was instructed to exempt the house and kaleyard where Patrick McGlashan's widow and Neil McGlashan's widow both lived, allowing their cows to graze on the grassings. This suggests that Patrick McGlashan had a brother Neil who had died by 1705. If the McGlashans were following the tradition naming pattern of children, which was quite likely in these times, then the father of Neil and Patrick would have been a John McGlashan but, unfortunately, records do not exist for the early 1600s.

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(Generation 1) The Children of John(?) McGlashan in Blair

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Patrick McGlashan, tacksman of Katherine's Mill in Blair

In 1701 Patrick McGlashan was the tenant of Tigh Glas, the inn at Blair village, and obviously he was enterprising as soon he also was leasing the Mill of Blair. The mill would have been grinding corn (oats and barley), which was a lucrative business for the tacksman running an efficient mill. Tenants were not supposed to grind their own corn using hand querns as each farm was thirled (tied) to a particular corn mill. The miller's fees (multures) were the same for all farms. Normally the tacksman would receive 7 lippies of un-ground grain for each boll of grain that the tenants brought to the mill, while the under-miller would receive 1 lippie. Any grain in excess of a boll, but less than half of a firlot was ground free of all dues. In addition, every tenant was entitled to get half a firlot of grain ground free of multures annually. Sometimes the tenants ‘forgot’ to pay their multures and by 1781 the miller’s fees were part of the annual rent. (1 boll equalled 4 firlots or fourth lots, where 1 firlot was roughly 50 litres of seed, and there were 16 lippies to a firlot).

While his Patrick was working as the miller, his eldest son, John, seems to have been running the inn and John's two servants mentioned in the list of Fencible Men (Donald Toshach, or McIntosh, and John Robertson) probably were working at the inn.

Little is known about Patrick McGlashan, the under-miller, but he might have been a nephew, the son of Neil McGlashan.

Patrick's second son, Neil, is not mentioned in the List of Fencible Men, so he must have been born after 1690. There is no record of Patrick having any daughters, but one must have existed as the Kirk Session minutes for 18th January 1756 records that:

"The Minister gave Grissel MackGlashan in Kilmaveonaig two old, run out (after by payment date) bills signed by the deceased John McGlashan in Blair, her brother, in order to have recourse upon his son Patrick McGlashan (of Lambtown) to help her in her indigent circumstances".

In 1710 Patrick McGlashan, tacksman at the Mill of Blair paid the Duke of Atholl 7,000 merks (roughly £400 sterling) for a wadset in life-rent for his son John McGlashan upon the 2½ merk land of Tressait, 1½ merk land of Chamberbane and 4 merk land of Grennich, all in Strathtummel. This was an enormous amount of money but, as there were no banks, it was safer to lend it to the Duke of Atholl. In return Patrick McGlashan had a wadset and held the lands in Strathtummel as a guarantee of repayment in the future. In addition he would get annual rent from the tenants and could install some of his family on the property, if he so wished.

The Duke of Atholl and Patrick McGlashan seem to have been on very good terms, as Mr Murray (Gregor Murray?) and Patrick McGlashan were buying timber for a new mill roof in 1711, and the mill was grinding nearly 40 boll of barley from the Atholl farm every year. In 1713 Patrick McGlashan and his second son, Neil, paid for a 7 year tack (lease) for the Mill of Blair, so that provision had been made for both sons. However, Patrick died in 1716 and although Neil was expected to take possession of the cornmill with Duncan McDougall as miller, the lease was terminated by the Duke as it had been a joint lease, and was offered to Gregor Murray instead.

Although Neil's father Patrick died in 1716, his Testament was not confirmed by the Commissary of Dunkeld until 1736.

"The Testament dative and Inventory of the sums of money and debts which pertained to the umquhile (deceased) Patrick Mackglashan at Katherine’s Mill of Blair the time of his decease, which was in the month of (blank) 17(blank), faithfully made and given up by Neil Mackglashan, second lawful son to the said defunct and executor dative discerned to him by the Commissary of Dunkeld upon the day and date of their present and that in corroboration and fortification of, and general disposition and assignation granted by the said defunct of his haile (whole) goods, gear, sums of money and debts, to and in favour of the said executor dated the fourteenth day of May 1717 years and registered in the Regality Court Books of Atholl upon the fifteenth day of January 1721 years as the decreet dative following on an edict duly execute and endorsed in itself more fully bears.

Imprimis (Firstly) There is given up, resting to the said defunct, the sum of two hundred merks Scots money principal, with the haill (whole) bygone annual rents (interest) thereof as long owing unpaid together with twenty pounds money foresaid of signed at expenses specified and contained in a bond granted by Donald Robertson of Killiechangie to the said defunct dated the twentieth day of March 1700. Summa Inventory.

This Testament was confirmed at Dunkeld, the first day of July 1736 by Thomas Bissett, Commissary of Dunkeld and James Stewart in Clunes became Cautioner for the Executor and he bound for his relief."

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(Generation 2) The Children of Patrick McGlashan, tacksman of Katherine's Mill in Blair

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John McGlashan of Grennich

In 1708 John McGlashan in Blair was witness to discharges by Alexander Steuart and John Steuart to their brother Malcolm Steuart of Inverslanie, for payment of inheritance from their father. (National Records of Scotland, Ref: GD132/230)

As John McGlashan held the wadset for Grennich he had the right to use the title 'John McGlashan of Grennich' and would have been held in high regard by the local community. His father, Patrick McGlashan in Mains of Blair, had been an Officer for the Barony Court of Faskally since February 1697, but in February 1700 Patrick McGlashan was indisposed so his son John McGlashan attended in his place. In January 1713 John McGlashan in Blair was called as an Officer in his own right and, in the following year, was recorded with his correct title of John McGlashan of Grennich. By December 1717 he was appointed as one of the two Baillies for the Barony Court of Faskally, a post which he held until his death in March 1723.

Mr Duncan Stewart was the minister at Blair Atholl from 1690 until August 1715 when the Duke of Atholl wrote to the Presbytery at Dunkeld telling them that he would no longer tolerate the minister who, being both Episcopalian and a Jacobite, would not pray for the Hanovarian King. In September 1718, shortly after the arrival of the new minister, Dr John Hamilton, the Session Minutes show that John McGlashan was proposed as a Church Elder, a position which he accepted. The politics of the day were difficult and, although the McGlashans were Jacobite at heart, there was little reason to fall out of favour with the Minister's sponsor, the Duke of Atholl.

The Session Minutes record his involvement as an Elder. He was cautioner (guarantor) for the baptism of Donald Robertson's illegitimate child (26th February 1719), and suggested that the stair on the south side of the Kirk could be repaired using John Gow's fine for fornication (3rd December 1721). The Session also lent him the principal sum of the mortification of Alexander Forbes in Urrard-more, late Kirk Officer at Blair, for which he paid annual interest of 2½ merks on the 50 merks legacy (26th January 1720 and 4th March 1722).

John McGlashan died in March 1723, according to a Testament recorded at Dunkeld in 1732, presented by his widow, Isabel Stewart.

John McGlashan – The Testament Testamentar and Inventory of the sums of money and debts that pertained to umquhile (deceased) John McGlashan in Kirktown of Blair Atholl, (at) the time of his decease which was in the month of March 1723 years, truely made and given up by Isabel Stewart, relict of the said defunct and executrix testamentar, decerned to him by the Commissariot of Dunkeld upon the day and date of these presents in corroboration of the said defunct, his latter will and nomination dated the nineteenth day of the said month of March and year foresaid, as the decreet dative following on an edict duly executed and endorsed, in itself more fully bears:

Imprimis (Firstly), there is given up, resting to the said defunct (at) the time foresaid of his decease, the sum of two thousand merks Scots money of principal by the deceased John (Murray), Duke of Atholl, conformed to and contained in a bond and tack granted to the said defunct by: William Murray, Lord Nairn, Sir Patrick Murray of Ochtertyre; Thomas Graham of Balgowan; James Oliphant of Gask; John Murray of Strowan; Charles Stewart of Ballechan; Gilbert Stewart of Fincastle; and Mr Leonard Robertson of Straloch, Trustees to the said Duke, dated the third day of May 1711 years.

This testament was confirmed at Dunkeld, the sixteenth day of February 1732 years. Charles Mackglashan, lawful son to the said defunct became cautioner for the executrix and she became bound for his relief.

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(Generation 3) The Children of John McGlashan of Grennich and Isabel Stewart

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Patrick McGlashan of Wester Baluaine (Lambtown)

Patrick McGlashan probably was born around 1704. The first reference to him occurs in December 1722 when he acted as a Court Officer for the Barony of Faskally, shortly before the death of his father. He acted in a similar capacity in November of the following year. In 1725 he officially took over the inn in Blair and was given a 9 year tack (lease) and he seems to have run the inn efficiently and made a good income from it.

In 1727 Patrick McGlashan paid an annual rent of £35 6s 8d Scots for the inn, the malt barn (for malting barley to make beer and whisky), stables and a piece of land to the north between Ginn Corner and the inn. In addition, he had to pay 10½ bolls of meal (oats) and bere (barley), two dozen poultry and fifty loads of peat.

There is a record of an account, paid 17th June 1736, of entertainment furnished (board and lodging provided) by Patrick McGlashan to the parties, at several times, that brought in the thieves who stole the Duke of Atholl's cattle, which amounted to £......... Alexander McLachlan and Donald McDonald alias McIlvandich were taken prisoner for this deed on 12th October 1735 and hanged on 2nd January 1736.

New stables for 18 horses were built in 1731 and the malt barn was repaired, with a new brew house and distillery built in 1744. At about the same time Patrick McGlashan became the tacksman of the Mill of Blair. Remembering how his uncle had 'lost' the mill, it was a stipulation that the 7 year lease would be transferred to his wife in the event of his death.

In 1736 Duncan Robertson of Auchleeks sold the 40 shilling land of Wester Baluaine, or Lambton, to Patrick McGlashan of Grennich, together with the summer shielings of Ruidh Dorcha-beg and Riechlachrie, both in Glen Bruar. At the same time the Duke of Atholl signed a Charter of Resignation to Patrick McGlashan, for the same lands which he had sold to Auckleeks.

With so much time, effort and money invested in his various enterprises, the Jacobite Rising of 1745 must have put Patrick McGlashan in a very difficult position. His uncle, Neil McGlashan, had been at Sherrifmuir with the Duke's elder brother William, and took on the role of Duke William's secretary at Blair. So, in October 1745, Duke William instructed Neil McGlashan to "now leave the small commissions you were charged with, as formerly desired, in the hands of your nephew, Patrick Mackglashan, who ought, and may easily discharge that trust, and come directly here without losing any more time".

It is probable that it was business as usual for Patrick McGlashan regardless of which side controlled Bliar Atholl. In late 1745 Colonel Duncan Robertson of Drumnachuine paid him £15 Sterling for 'sustenance' of his regiment, but just a couple of months later he was hosting Government troops at Tigh Glas.

In early March 1746 Lord George Murray heard that part of the Government army (Campbells and regulars) were laying waste to the Blair Atholl area and asked permission to drive them out. Permission was granted and on Sunday 16th March 1746 the Atholl Brigade and McPherson, about seven hundred in number, arrived at Dalnacardoch. In the early hours of Monday morning small detachments made surprise attacks on Bunrannoch, Kynachan, Blairfettie, Struan, Blair Inn, Bridge of Tilt and Lude House. All were taken without a single casualty on the Jacobite side, and over 300 Government soldiers were taken prisoner. The only except was McGlashan's House (Blair Inn) which was found deserted, as the occupiers must have been alerted and had retreated to the safety of Blair castle.

Blair Inn became the headquarters of the Jacobites who beseiged Blair Castle. On the Tuesday Lord George Murray sent a message to Sir Andrew Agnew, demanding that he surrender the castle, but Sir Andrew refused even to receive it. The circumstances were later related in the Scots Magazine (1808) by General Robert Melville, who had been an Ensign during the seige.

"It appeared that no Highlander, from the impression they had received of the outrageous temper of Sir Andrew Agnew, could be prevailed upon to carry that summons, but a maid servant from the Inn of Blair, (then kept by one McGlashan), being rather handsome, and very obliging, conceived herself to be on so good a footing with some of the young officers, that she need not be afraid of being shot, and undertook the mission: taking care however, when she came near to the castle, to wave the paper containing the summons over her head as a token of her embassy: and when she arrived at one of the low windows in the passage, the window was opened and her speech heard by three or four of the officers; which strongly advised a surrender, promising very good treatment by Lord George Murray and the other Highland Gentlemen; but denouncing if resistance was made, that as the Highlanders were a thousand strong, and had cannon, they would batter down, or burn the Castle, and destroy the whole garrison. The speech was received from Molly (Margaret Scott?), with juvenile mirth by the officers, who told her that those gentlemen would soon be driven away, and the garrison again become visitors at McGlashan's as before".

Cannon fire was used against the castle, but with little effect except to damage the roof, so a blockade was set up to starve out the garrison. As well as the garrison of over 200 soldiers, seven of the Duke of Atholl's servants were in the castle. One of them was Elizabeth McGlashan, a maid servant, who may have been Patrick McGlashan's daughter. At the end of March, Lord George Murray and his forces were ordered back to Inverness and the last battle at Blair Castle was over. By the 3rd April Earl Crawford and his Dragoons marched north from Moulin to find that Peter McGlashan the inn-keeper had been taken prisoner by Mr Cunningham and his Dragoons from Rannoch.

After the Jacobite Rising had been quelled the Duke of Atholl decided to revoke the lease on the Mill of Blair. A number of other people showed interest in taking over the mill, but Patrick McGlashan was the only person with ready money and the Duke was desperately needing funds to repair the ravages of civil war which were estimated to be well over £1,600 Sterling. So Patrick McGlashan retained the mill and immediately started to make repairs costing over £600 Scots.

By 1754 Patrick McGlashan of Lambton was paying rent to the Duke of Atholl for: the Mill of Blair, the Inn and 40d lands of Kirkton of Blair, the malt barn, the croft of Balinloan of Blair, Balintuim in Strathtummel, part of Ardkincael, as well as superplus duty for Tressait (the difference between the interest on the wadsett and its annual rent) and feu duty for Lambton.

In 1772 the 3rd Duke of Atholl purchased Baluaine and Ruidh Dorcha-beg from Patrick McGlashan for £336. Patrick was described as the late inn-keeper at Blair, so it is assumed that he died around this date. Surprisingly there does not seem to be any monument to him in Blair Atholl churchyard.

(Generation 3) The Children of Patrick McGlashan of Wester Baluaine (Lambtown) and his wife

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Charles McGlashan, vintner in Little Dunkeld

There is very little documentary evidence concerning Charles McGlashan. He was cautioner to the Testament of John McGlashan in KIrkton of Blair Atholl (Dunkeld Commissary, 16th February 1732), described as lawful son of the deceased, but he could not have been John's eldest son as Patrick McGlashan seems to have inherited most of John's financial interests.

Charles probably was born around 1710 as he and his wife Margaret Robertson appear in the Blair Atholl OPRs for the baptism of their son on 3rd July 1739. Unfortunately, the register does not record the name of the child. As the couple were living at Dalnacardoch at the time, it is probable that Charles was managing the Dalnacardoch inn. The inn came into existance in 1732 when the Duke of Atholl contracted Alexander Robertson of Blairfettie to undertake the building of an inn and offices at Dalnacardoch at a cost which was not to exceed 1,000 merks.

Further evidence that Charles was the Dalnacardoch inn-keeper comes from the Testament of John Robertson of Lude, recorded by the Commissary of Dunkeld on 18th March 1742. In a public roup (sale) at Lude House, Charles McGlashan at Dalnacardoch purchased: three silver spoons at 3s 6d; a looking glass at £1 12s; a dozen chairs at £3 1s; a dinner bowl at 3s; a pair of brass candlesticks at 3s 3d; a pair of brass candlesticks at 2s 3d; and a coffee mill at 5s 4d (his brother Patrick purchased a coffee roaster at 2s 6d).

Charles had a son, John, baptised 2nd March 1743, when the family were living at Tressait which was held in wadsett by Charles's elder brother Patrick.

The Jacobite Rising of 1745 saw Duke William oust his younger brother from Blair Castle, and Charles McGlashan was soon involved in the rebellion. Lord George Murray ordered "two or three clever runners to be waiting constantly at Charles McGlashan's, for to carry letters from thence (Little Dunkeld) to Blair or to Perth" (7th September 1745). He was also enlisting men for the Jacobite army, which could not have been an easy task.

Letter from John Stewart, younger, of Stenton to Duke William

"In obedience to your Lordship's commands, I went to Dunkeld, but to no purpose, for I plainly see that the whole inhabitants there are quite degenerat from their ancestors, and not one spark of loyalty among them; and, as the bearer can inform Your Grace, not one man of them will stir without force, and even then there is neither gun nor sword to be had; the Laighwood men are on the same footing, and have neither arms nor willingness. As for Inver and Little Dunkeld, Charles McGlashan tells me they have delivered four men as their quota to Mr Mercer of Aldie.

Your Grace's most humble and most obliged servant, John Stewart, Stenton, 15th September 1745"

After the Battle of Preston Pans, men were deserting the Jacobite army to take home booty and plunder. Charles McGlashan was not slow in taking advantage of the situation, and Commissary Thomas Bissett when writing to Mr Humphrey Harrison mentioned that "I hear Charles Mackglashan (vintner in Inver) hath purchassed three gold watches for 30 bolls (of) meall, and a fine horse at a very cheap rate from a Rannoch man".

Having made a good bargain Charles was soon in the difficult position of not being able to supply Duke William and the Jacobite army in the following February.

Letter from Charles McGlashan to Neill McGlashan, writer at Clune

"Dear Uncle, This moment I received an order from my Lord Duke desiring me to send all the meall I have in readyness to Blair Castle, and to meall all the corn I have threshen, and send it likeways; please know that I have litle or no meall sucken, and the little meall I get from them, it does not maintain my family; wherefore you’ll be so good as tell His Grace I have not a boll by me of what meall multure I got this winter. I have a few bolls oats by me, which I intended for feed, and if I should meall them, my miller assures me that a boll of them would not give three firlots meall. If you can prevail with His Grace not to insist on my making meall of them, it will be considerably in my way; if otherwise, rather than his Grace should be in the least disoblidged, I shall, on recept of your’s, meall them, whatever loss I may sustain thereby.

I offer my complements to my aunt, and am, dear Uncle, your affectionate Nephew and Servant. Charles MackGlashan, 6th February 1746, Inver

I had all the oats bespoke for feed, and was to get £7 the boll, so that you’ll easily know my loss. I beg you’ll write me without loss of time if I be to meall them."

With the defeat of the Jacobites at Culloden, those who had helped them in the rebellion were rounded up and it is recorded that Charles McGlashan, vintner in Inver parish, was imprisoned in the Perth Tolbooth for aiding the rebels (3rd June 1746). Presumably he was released under the General Pardon and return to Dunkeld and a quieter life. Charles McGlashan is mentioned in the 'Chronicles of the Atholl and Tullibardine Families' on two further occasions.

Letter from Thomas Bisset, Factor, to Major Harrison

"A Highlander, who was formerly servant to Lord Strechine, having turn'd Lunatick, was put in the mad house at Edinburgh, from whence he made his escape, and coming down Strathbrawn, scrambled in the Hermitage, gathered all the fruit and went off without further damage; he came next to Charles McGlashan's Stable, seized upon a horse belonging to Mr Hamilton Gordon, rode off, and being pursued by Mr Gordon's servants, was catched at Perth, the horse taken from him, and left raveing mad". (Dunkeld, 22nd September 1761)

Letter from Sir John Stewart of Murthly to His Grace

"I declare upon my honour I gave particular and strict orders to Charles McGlashan that in selling that wood, that the trees in the shough oposit to the Hermitage should be excepted in the sale, as I had formerly promised you. How it has been neglected is very strange, and gives me reall concerne". (Edinburgh, 9th July 1763)

(Generation 3) The Children of Charles McGlashan and Margaret Robertson

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William McGlashan, in Blair

The only evidence for the existance of William comes from the Kirk Session minutes for 25th November 1759.

"The Minister reported that Lude paid a guinea as the balance unpaid of his fine for his fornication with Janet Gow, late in Lude, which was sent to William Mackglashan, brother to Patrick McGlashan of Lambtown, and his poor family as objects of charity, now out of business, residing in the Low Country, which the Session approved of".

William McGlashan returned to the parish the following year, still penniless, as shown by the Kirk Session minutes for 28th December 1760.

"1s Sterling was given to the Kirk Officer from 1s 6d Sterling generously given for the use of the mortcloth for the burial of the child of Mr Charles Murray. The Session added 2s Sterling to the remaining 6d and gave it to William McGlashan, a poor man, brother to Patrick McGlashan of Lambtown".

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Neil McGlashan, writer (notary) in Clune

Patrick McGlashan's second son, Neil, probably was born around 1690 and seems to have been a clever young man. He is first mentioned in 1712, during a dispute between the Duke of Atholl and the Heritors of Dull parish. The church had been vacant for two years following the death of the incumbent, Mr. Cunnison, so the Laird of Grandtully together with Lady Menzies and the guardian of young Sir Robert Menzies petitioned the Presbytery of Dunkeld to arrange for the Rev Thomas Menzies to be ordinated as their new Minister. The Duke of Atholl, backed up by Lord Breadalbane opposed Mr Menzie's appointment and, on the day fixed for the ordination, when the Presbytery arrived at the church, they were met by Mr Neil McGlashan, The Duke's Chamberlain, leading a hundred men with drawn swords preventing them from entering the church.

Neil McGlashan would have been only in his early twenties, and to be given the position of Chamberlain he must have been well educated, as well as being from an influential family. The next time that he is mentioned in the records is less auspicious. The problem was of a political nature. James Murray, 2nd Marquis of Atholl had been created 1st Duke of Atholl by Queen Anne in 1703. However, four years later he was under arrest on a charge of high treason which was later disproved. Suspicions about his loyalty to the crown were not helped when three of his sons (William, Charles and George) were involved in the 1715 Rising, led by John Erskine, Earl of Mar.

On 6th September 1715 the Earl of Mar set up the Standard of King James VIII at Braemar, starting the 1715 Jacobite Rising. Marching southwards, Mar's main forces stationed themselves at Moulin, calling on the Duke to surrender Blair Castle which he refused to do. However, many of the local 'gentlemen' were sympathetic to the Jacobite cause and joined the rebels, including the Duke's Chamberlain who joined Tullibardine's batallion.

Neil McGlashan, the Duke of Atholl's Chamberlain is listed as one of eighty prisoners taken at the inconclusive battle at Sheriffmuir and, being a 'gentleman', his father probably had to pay for his release. He was lucky as, although few of the Scottish rebels were executed, many were indentured as servants in the Americas as punishment. It is worth noting that when the Duke's daughter, Lady Susan Murray, was to marry William Gordon, 2nd Earl of Aberdeen, both Neil's father and his brother John paid a complement of £12 Scots, but Neil was not included.

After the death of his father in 1716, Neil McGlashan had expected to take possession of the mill and employ Duncan McDougal as miller, but the Duke of Atholl, while honouring the tack with his loyal father, changed his mind about the wilful rebel son and instructed Gregor Murray to take possession of the mill, mill land, houses and grassing, declaring that the previous tack was null and void and of no effect as to Neil McGlashan.

Neil kept well away from the Duke by living at Tressait, which his brother John held in wadsett, and used his skill as a writer (notary) for Alexander Robertson of Faskally, who had Jacobite inclinations.

"Court of the Barony of Faskally held, at the Milntoun thereof at the insistance of Alexander Robertson of Faskeilly, by James Stewart of Urrard and John Mackglashan in Kirktoun of Blair Atholl, baillies of the said Barony, constitute by him, Neill Mackglashan wryter in Tressad his clerk, Duncan Robertson, procurator fiscal, and Patrick Strang, officer. The twelfth day of December jajvii and seventeen years" (i.e. 1717).

By 1718 Neil's position as a public notary seems to have been more secure and he returned to Miltown of Blair where he probably was living with his mother.

"Court of the Barony of Faskally held at the Milntoun thereof at the insistance of Alexander Robertson of Faskeilly, heritable proprietor of the said Barony, by James Stewart of Urrard and John McGlashen in Blair Atholl, baillies appointed by him for the said Barony. Neill McGlashan wryter at Katharine's Milne, clerk, Duncan Robertson at Milntoun of Faskally, procurator fiscal and Patrick Strang, officer. The seventeenth day of December jajvii and eighteen (1718) years".

Neil was still living at Katherine's Mill when his son, Patrick, was born.

"Neill Mackglashan and Jean Stewart, his consort, at Katherine's Mill had a son baptised and named Patrick" (5th January 1719)

Soon afterwards Neil and his family moved to Miltown of Essintullie (Ashintully), Kirkmichael parish, where he probably was employed as a secretary by Andrew Spalding of Glenkilry and his brother David Spalding of Ashintully, both staunch Jacobites. He continued to act as clerk for the Barony Court of Faskally until December 1722 while living at Glenkilry, where his daughter Jean was born.

"Neill McGlashan and Jean Stewart his spouse in Glenkellrie had a child baptised, called Jean" (Kirkmichael OPR, 24th May 1724).

The Testament of Charles Robertson in Easter Monzie, recorded by the Commissary of Dunkeld on 22nd August 1727, mentions Neil Mackglashan, public notary in Pitlochry. Nothing more is known about Neil until he appears as co-executor in the Testament of John Stewart in Achmark-beg, recorded by the Commissary of Dunkeld on 19th September 1738, where is described as 'writer in Clune'. Another Testament, that of Christian Stewart in Port-an-eilean, recorded at Dunkeld on 27th June 1741 also mentions Neil McGlashan in Clune, public notary, as well as Patrick McGlashan, his son, who acted as a witness.

The Jacobite Rising of 1745 saw John Murray, Duke of Atholl, head south for safety. His elder brother William who was attainted due to his involvement in the 1715 Rising, and had lost his right to the Atholl estates, then returned from France as the Jacobite Duke of Atholl. Duke William sent out the crosstarie (burning cross) to muster troops for the Jacobite cause, but memories of the 1715 and previous rising were still fresh and few tenants came forward. Neil McGlashan had been with Duke William at Sherrifmuir in the 1715 Rising, and he soon became the Duke's man in Atholl. However, from the correspondence of Duke William, it is obvious that as time went by Neil became less and less enthusiastic.

Letter from Neil Mackglashan to Mungo Murray, secretary to William Murray, Duke of Atholl

"Sir, There has been no accounts of the Mackintoshes or Frazers being on this side Drumachter, but we expect to hear of them this night by the return of the express that was sent to Foyers with His Grace’s letter. I have ordered up 20 bolls meal to Dalnacardoch, with a proper person to give it to them upon receipt. As soon as I hear of their march over the hill, I’ll go on to meet them, so that they’ll meet with no hinder for want of meal or money. I really believe that the bad weather yesterday and the day before, swelled the waters so high that there was no passing of them. If his Grace leaves Perth tomorrow, it’s not possible for me to be with him there, otherwise I must return without doing what I came for; but if my Lord Duke wants I should wait on him at any rate, I’ll go off directly for any place I’ll be ordered to, to receive His Grace’s last commands for this Country.

I should think, with submission, that if His Grace would please send his commands by this bearer, or any other he pleases, I should stay to deliver that £100 to the Frazers, since they’re not come already, so as I might have time enough to overtake His Grace at Perth. If my Lord Duke pleases to order any thing he thinks proper for me out of the £100 I got for the Service of the Country, or out of any other fund, for my personal travel and charges, it will be acceptable. As my receipt lyes for the £100, I must produce vouchers for every groat of it. I wait his Grace’s orders, and shall with the outmost fidelity and diligence do all in my power to see them punctually obeyed. I wish the Duke all happiness and prosperity, and am, sir,

Your most humble and Obedient Servant, N. MackGlashan, 20th October 1745, Blair"

Letter from Duke of Atholl's secretary to Neill MacGlashan

"Sir, Three o’clock this afternoon I received your’s of yesterday’s date, which I immediately showed to my Lord Duke, who was much surprised that instead of seeing you before this time, as he positively required at your parting, to find, instead thereof, you have sent by an express a letter which signifies little or nothing; which he says is not only losing of time, but also gently giving him the slip the second time, as you did first at Crieff. In short, he hopes you will now leave the small commissions you were charged with, as formerly desired, in the hands of your nephew, Patrick Mackglashan, who ought, and may easily discharge that trust, and come directly here without losing any more time; where perhaps you may be still usefully employed in helping to send off necessary dispatches, instead of precious time being lost in writing to you, as you may very well imagine, since knowing how few my Lord has about him fit for being employed in putting pen to paper. As for me, I am not alone able to answer innumerable demands and letters, which arrive every minute from all hands. Consider, then, if you have judged well in leaving my Lord destitute of your assistance on so pressing and critical a juncture. The day after you parted, another ship arrived at Stonehaven with more arms, cannon, money, officers, etc. which helps to multiply the care of many affairs which lie on our hands. Think then what you have to do quickly, as you wish well to a good cause; which is all at present from, sir,

Your most humble and Obedient Servant. Mungo Murray, 21st October 1745, Perth

I send you enclosed from my Lord six of the Prince’s last Declaration, which he desires may be left in the hands of honest people about Blair. I forgot to tell you, that if bare words can do any service, He wishes, as you do him, all happiness and prosperity may attend you."

Letter from Duncan Robertson of Drumachuine to William Murray, Duke of Atholl

".... As to private affairs, Kincairney says, he begged your Grace would excuse him from accepting being Factor, and when I asked Neil McGlashan why he did not begin to levy the rents at the proper time, he told me, he could not act by himself, as he was only joined in Commission with Kincairney; and I know nobody else in Atholl or the neighbourhood that is capable and would be willing to execute the thing. I have had no assistance from such Gentlemen of influence as I applied; Glenkilry offered me his for raising men, but I had no funds for them.

I hope your Grace will excuse so long a letter, and believe that I am, with all respect,

Your Grace’s most humble and Obedient Servant. Duncan Robertson, 11th January 1746, Blair"

Letter from Charles McGlashan to Neill McGlashan, writer at Clune

"Dear Uncle, This moment I received an order from my Lord Duke desiring me to send all the meall I have in readyness to Blair Castle, and to meall all the corn I have threshen, and send it likeways; please know that I have litle or no meall sucken, and the little meall I get from them, it does not maintain my family; wherefore you’ll be so good as tell His Grace I have not a boll by me of what meall multure I got this winter. I have a few bolls oats by me, which I intended for feed, and if I should meall them, my miller assures me that a boll of them would not give three firlots meall. If you can prevail with His Grace not to insist on my making meall of them, it will be considerably in my way; if otherwise, rather than his Grace should be in the least disoblidged, I shall, on recept of your’s, meall them, whatever loss I may sustain thereby.

I offer my complements to my aunt, and am, dear Uncle, your affectionate Nephew and Servant. Charles MackGlashan, 6th February 1746, Inver

I had all the oats bespoke for feed, and was to get £7 the boll, so that you’ll easily know my loss. I beg you’ll write me without loss of time if I be to meall them."

Although Neil McGlashan was listed as sympathetic to the Jacobite cause, like many others he was not arrested, and lived peaceably for the rest of his life. He died in 1764 and his Testament was recorded in the Dunkeld Commissary Court Book on 22nd February 1765.

"The Testament dative of the goods, gear, debts and sums of money which pertained and was resting to the deceased Neil McGlashan, writer in Clune in the parish of Blair Athole (at) the time of his decease which was in the month (blank) 1764 years, truly given in and made by Jean Stewart, relict of the said defunct, only executor dative discerned and confirmed whereof by the Commissary of Dunkeld upon the date hereof and that in corroboration of a general disposition and assignation executed by him bearing date the 2nd November 1762 years registered in the Sheriff Court Books of Perth, the 14th June 1764 years whereby he assigns and dispones, in favour of the said Jean Stewart, his spouse, all and whatever debts and sum of money as well heritable and movables adebted, and resting or owing to him by whatever person or persons, or that should happen to pertain or be adebted and resting to him at the time of his decease with the ….. thereof as the decreet dative following on an edict duly executed, endorsed itself more fully bears.

Imprimis (Firstly) There is given up, pertaining and resting to the said Neil McGlashan (at) the time foresaid of his decease, the sum of twenty pounds Sterling money, by William Donald, merchant in Greenock, by draught on him by Alexander McGlashan in Montreal, payable to the said defunct.

This Testament was confirmed at Dunkeld the twenty second day of February 1765 years by Mr Thomas Bisset, Commissary, and Mr Patrick McGlashan of Lambtown became cautioner for the executrix, and she for his relief".

Neil McGlashan was buried at St Bride's churchyard where there is a table stone to commemorate him.

(Generation 3) The Children of Neil McGlashan, writer in Clune, and Jean Stewart