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[unidentified]
3 Coates Crescent Edinburgh
19th February, 1934.
John Buchan, Esq., M.P., House of Commons, London.
Dear Sir
I have read your book on the massacre of Glencoe, and I trust you will excuse a line from an old Seanachaidh upon the "wife of Sandy Macdonald, Glenlyon's niece," and some other points.
Glenlyon must have known Old Glencoe long before the massacre for they witnessed at Balloch on 26th January 1681 a deed by Archibald Macdonnell of Keppoch to John Earl of Caithness. Old Glencoe was committed to the tolbuith of Inverary by order of the Earl of Argyle and escaped therefrom in April 1674 and Sir James Macdonald was called upon to produce him and John MacDonald of Auchtriatin for several murders and and depredations.
In 1691 Alexander son to the Laird of Glencoe had been a captain of foot in Major Buchan's Regiment and is described as a papist, and in 1691 was a prisoner in Fort William and to be sent to Glasgow.
Alexander was married to a niece of Robert Campbell of Glenlyon prior to 13th February 1692. Who was /
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John Buchan, Esq. M.P. (contd.). 19/2/34.
was she?
Jean Campbell third or fourth daughter of Sir Robert Campbell of Glenurchy was married about 1632 to Archibald Campbell younger of Glenlyon. Their marriage contract is dated 25th June 1632. Archibald was buried between 3rd and 10th July 1642.
They had at least six and possibly seven sons and more than three daughters.
1. Duncan who evidently died without male issue and possibly unmarried prior to 25th August 1649.
2. Robert, Captain in Argyle's Regiment in command at the massacre or Glencoe.
3. Colin, who is stated to have married his cousin german a daughter of John Campbell, tutor to Robert (No.2 above) Their marriage contract is said to be dated 25th April 1665.
4. John, mentioned in 1662 and 1667, and is said to have married Jean, sister to Colonel Menzies of Culdares.
5. Archibald, said to have died abroad.
6. James mentioned in 1654 and 1662
7. Possibly another son, Duncan.
8. Margaret, married to Lieut. Col. Donald McGregor prior to 1671. They were the parents of Rob Roy.
9. - married to Allan MacLean or Kilmore with issue. She /
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John Buchan, Esq. M.P, (contd.) 19/2/34.
She apparently afterwards married as his second wife John Campbell fourth Laird of Lochnell, without issue.
Jean Campbell, the widow of Archibald Campbell of Glenlyon married secondly to Patrick Roy MacGregor before 5th January 1647, and had two sons and one daughter -
The sons and daughter were -
1. James, baptised on above date.
2. Alexander.
3. Jean, who was married (Mar. Cont. 21 August 1666) to Allan brother to Sir Ewan Cameron of Lochiel. Jean Campbell, married thirdly to Duncan Stewart, eighth of Appin before 10th July 1656 and they had only one child -
1. Margaret, who had a provision from Alexander Campbell of Lochnell on 4th January 1675, "her future "husband".
It seems to me tbat these parties (Alex Campbell & Margaret Stewart) could hardly have had a daughter old enough to be the wife of Alexander Macdonald of Glencoe by the beginning of the year 1692. Besides it is unlikely that the head of the senior cadets of the Earls of Argyle would consent to the marriage of his daughter to the /
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John Buchan, Esq. M.P. (contd.) 19/2/34.
the younger son of the head of a small clan like the Macdonalds of Glencoe.
My idea is that she [Alexander Macdonald of Glencoe's wife) must have been a daughter of one of Captain Robert's brothers.
Whoever she was she seems to have perished probably in the hills after the massacre, for on 22nd August 1693 sasine was given to Florence Macdonald eldest lawful daughter to Alexr. Macdonald of Caolniscoan present spouse to Alexander Macdonald of Lagnaha. Alexander her husband died before 30th August 1707, when John Macdonald of Poleveig brother german to the deceased Alexander Macdonald was appointed his executor as he was cautioner in the marriage contract between said Alexander, and Florence. The Macdonalds of Poleveig were the lairds of Glencoe.
That old sinner Breadalbane was evidently in Brussels on 5th - 15th August 1691, and also at the camp near Cogny. He was also in London for a considerable time about 1693-94. Writing from the camp at St. Gerard to the Countess of Caithness he says "I have opened this to tell you "that the K. has signed all I desyred concerning the highlands "therefor send the enclosed to Barcaldine and order him to "meet with them that ar concerned and get ther answers other: "ways /
