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Genealogy of The Clan Gregor - 101 - Descendants of Gregor Mòr in Glengairn

return to 37 - Descendants of Griogair in Morenish
Donnchadh IV of Roro [1]
b.~1464
m.dtr of MacDonald of Keppoch
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Griogair V of Roro
b.~1490
m.dtr of Colin Campbell of Glenorchy
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Griogair VI of Roro [2] [4]
b.~1530 d. before 1601
m.dtr of Robertson of Fascally
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Iain Dubh nan arm cruaidh (Black John of the strong arm) [6]
b.~1572 exec.1612
Invervar
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Donnchaidh / Duncan McGregor of Ardochie [7]
b~1595
probably the first MacGregor to settle in upland Braemar in the 1620s. His descendants were "the heirs of Duncan McGrigor of Ardochie"
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Griogair mòr nan cogaidhean (Big Gregor of the battles) [9]
b.~1620
m. Agnes, dtr of MacGregor of Strathaven
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Calum òg alias Grierson of Delfad
b.~1650 d.~1715
m. Mary Gordon (of Dalperey)
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Alexander of Glengairn.
b.~1675
His brothers included Gregor, the priest, 1682-1741
Alexander married Margaret Cameron, Cuilmhuilinn, Rannoch
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Alexander
b.~1700
Alexander was among 6 survivors of the 24 men of Inverenzie at Culloden. Adopted Coleman. went to Germany and remarried after 1746
[14]
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Two / three Alexanders had children baptised in RC record 1722-1736. This is my best guess, but all probably descend from Duncan of Ardochie
Braemar St Andrews Catholic chapel [8]

Alexander
b.1/2/1722
m. ? not recorded ~1762
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OPR Crathie & Braemar

Malcolm b 25/12/1763 [5]
m. Jane McDonald - marriage not recorded ~1790
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OPR: Crathie & Braemar

Donald [11]
b.10/2/1791
d.1861
m.Rachel Grassick 18/4/1816
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OPR Strathdon & Corgarff

Donald [12]
b.11/10/1817
d.22/3/1867
m.Jane Wattie 29/12/1848 [13]
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[15]
OPR Strathdon --Stat:- St Nicholas

John Forbes
8/12/1849
to N.Z.
Donald
26/6/1853
to N.Z.
George King
13/10/1856
Charles Forbes
22/12/1858
d.1922
m.Sarah Wellings
to N.Z.
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Gordon Forbes
1896-1939
m. Ida Hedderwick
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Evan Forbes McGregor
1935-2021
m. Carol Miller
James b.3/4/1823
John b.28/9/1828
John b.30/10/1794
Alex b.24/1/1803
James b.12/1/1805
Charles b.22/1/1807
Donald 15/8/1765
? James b~1765
? John b~1767
? Charles b~1770
John
b.8/1/1725
James
b.20/2/1734
George
b.31/3/1729
d.1777
m. -- Mcintosh
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Malcolm
b.1777
d.26/3/1863 [3]
m.Janet McDonald
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Braemar

James
b.26/12/1824
m.Ellen McDonald
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5 sons
2 dtrs
George
b.1827
d.1887
Duncan [10]
b.29/5/1731
m.Grissel Gardiner 7/11/1772
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Alexander
b.29/2/1776
Monkwearmouth
d.30/11/1857
m. Ellen Morton
13/1/1803
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65 - Descendants of Duncan
John
b.~1702
died 16/4/1746, Culloden
m.Mary Duguid, Achnah'uaigh
Duncan
b.~1704
in Tarland
captured after Culloden,
transported
Malcolm
b ~1710
m. Janet Gordon
6/2/1740
Miller, Clathack
Abernethy [16]
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John
b.~12/1740
m. Janet Stuart
27/12/73
Miller, Garlyne
Abernethy [17]
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Malcolm
b.12/12/1774

[1] This is taken from the Innerhaddon genealogy at GD50/101

[2] Gregor mentioned as Gregor MacDhonchie in Roro, and John dubh his brother, in the Act of the Privy Council Feb; 1589 after the death of Drummondearnach. John dubh Mor MacGregor in Roro was executed July 28 1612.

[3] Statutory death: Malcolm McGregor; tailor; on 26/3/1863; at Achindroger, Braemar; m. to Janet McDonald; parents: George McGregor and -- McIntosh; informant James, son of deceased.

[4] "Gregor MacCondoquhy in Roro (under the Laird of Weyme) Head of House of Roro.", #46 and #65-1586; #61-1590; #4-1592; not in 1601

[5] Earlier baptisms by Alexander MacGregor were in the Catholic Braemar St Andrews. The last baptism recorded on SCotlandspeople was in 1750?
The baptisms of Donald & Malcolm in 1763 and 1765 were recorded in the Church of Scotland Crathes and Braemar OPR 183/10/94 and 97
OPR Baptism: MCGREGOR, CALUM; ALEXR. MCGREGOR/; M; 25/12/1763; 183/10 94; Crathie and Braemar
OPR Baptism: MCGREGOR, DONALD; ALEXR. MCGREGOR/; M; 14/08/1764; 183/10 97; Crathie and Braemar
OPR Baptism: MCGREGOR, DONALD; ALEXR. MCGREGOR/; M; 15/08/1765; 183/10 94; Crathie and Braemar

[6] "John dow Maccondoquhy MacGregor in Roro.", - #71-1586 list; #62-1590; #12-1601
#2-1613b Jone Dow his brother (brother of Duncan McGregour of Roro)
Trial and Executions July 28 1612 - John dow mor McGregor in Rora - "And siclike the said John Dow moir McGregor in Rora for stealing and away taking of a great number of goods pertaining to mylord Ogilvie furth of Glenylay And sicklike for taking and keeping of the island called Island varnach against his Majesty’s commissioner and hiring and oppressing of the whole tenants and inhabitants of the country about, taking and inbringing of the haill guids and be all to the number of eight score cows and oxen, eighteen score sheep and goats which were eaten and slain by them within the said island."

[7] With thanks to Richard McGregor for this extract from McGregor Tales 2
Tradition has it that there were MacGregors in Deeside, two distinct families, from the early 1500s, if not before. At the moment no documentary evidence supports this, but certainly by the 1630s they were settled there. Before that, and after 1603, is difficult to penetrate because of Proscription, but tradition holds that the MacGregors of Ardoch were originally from Glenlyon in Perthshire and there is no doubt that they were well connected - a fact we can establish from the land and property transfers which they were involved in.
Sometime in the mid 1650s, or thereabouts, Gregor of Ardoch had a son Malcolm, or Callum Og as he was known (no doubt to distinguish him from Malcolm of Inverenzie, already in the prime of life, and possibly a relative). Callum was, it appears, a bit of a firebrand. Already in 1675 as Callum in Ardochie he was brought to justice for striking another with his sword, and in 1692 his name was recorded in the Record of Justiciary as a `broken lawless man.` Nevertheless he was still well enough off to be to be valued at £160 (Scots) `for himself and representing the heirs of Duncan McGriger of Ardochie` in the 1696 list of Pollable Persons in Aberdeenshire. At that time he was `of Delfad.` and of sufficient stature to be lending and borrowing money on a much wider scale - for example, a bond of 1700 was with the Laird of Grant across the hills in Strathspey.
He was, like many of the better-off MacGregors in that area, a Roman Catholic, and fiercely proud of it. In his latter years he built a chapel at Ardoch and mounted a crucifix on the hill much to the disgust of the local Protestant minister. But worse than that:
`...in September 1701 at Alanquoich, at a public marriage feast, before a great many people, after he had first ridiculed the Protestant religion, he next went to his knees, and with a loud voice, uttered a deal of horrid blasphemie, pretending to personate ministers in their prayers, and then fell apreaching, to the great astonishment of the beholders...`
It was a difficult time for Catholics in Scotland. The Protestant King William of Orange was not long on the throne, and any support for the religion of the exiled King James was viewed with extreme hostility. And Callum was highly committed to Catholicism. He sent his son Gregor to Divi College to train for the priesthood and this son did later minister for some years in Glengairn.
Callum may have lost a lot of money in a lawsuit brought against him but Alexander Strachan of Glenkindie for burning his house in 1698 but Callum wasn`t too worried - there is a story that, when it looked as though he was going to lose the court case, he retired to his room and played on his `pair of Trumps`1 - a gay tune and much to the astonishment of his lawyers who `left without ever advising him to dispose of any part of his estate, and next day, or a few days after, upon considering the high spirits of such a brave man, gained his plea`. The minister of Glenmuick, Tullich and Glengarden (Glengairn) tells us why he was not worried:
`..he makes a considerable deal of money yearly by black mail, extorted by him from several low country parishes...`
[Here black mail is used in the old Scots way meaning `protection money`].
To the Protestant ministers Callum was a `common mocker of God and religion` a `trafficking papist`, `the main Instrument of perverting to Idolatry the numerous Inhabitants of a whole daugh [=davoch, thought to be equivalent to about 416 acres] of land...`
Later reports show that he combined both black mail and evangelism!
`...when any of his Protestant neighbours had Substance he outhounded highland men to Robb `em And qu [when] they came to him to ask redress or protectione he told them, that upon yr [their] renouncing Heresy and coming to the bosom of ye true church he would Secure them...`
Surprisingly Callum was at the same time a Sergeant in Colonel Grant's Independant company!
Callum Og died around 1715, though probably not as a result of taking part in the Jacobite Rising of that year -but we can be sure he was a supporter. A local story tells that:
`..he greatly repined towards the close of his life, that he was acquainted with no MacGregor who could bear his heavy `armachd-chatha` [battle arms]. "Let rust eat them up", he said. "rather than they should pass, after my demise, into the hands of any man of another clan, if a MacGregor cannot be found worthy of them"
His son, Alexander was likewise a supporter of the Catholic Church and `perverted his wife Margaret Cameron` to that religion by `threatenings and other wickedness` - but what he thought of his father's last statement, history does not tell us.
Alexander`s son John was `out` in the `45 . Very little is known of the part MacGregors played in the 1745 Rising but Deeside tradition holds that 24 MacGregors marched to Culloden and only 6 returned. To this day there is near the chapel at Ardoch a mound called the Laird's Seat, where he is supposed have sat day after day mourning the MacGregors slain at Culloden. Unfortunately, this story cannot be exactly true for he himself was one of those slain at Culloden.
`McGrigor of Inverigny [as he was then known], and Fleming of Auchintoul, fell wounded side by side... In the evening, while both lay writhing with pain, some soldiers passed, and one of them, seeing McGrigor move, drove his bayonet through his shoulder, and thus died the Laird of Inverigny`.
Alexander had other children, but they are all supposed to have left the glens before the `45. Of these children, one went to Germany and took the name Coleman - descendants of this man were still living in Germany this century.

[8] From https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Crathie_and_Braemar,_Aberdeenshire,_Scotland_Genealogy
Roman Catholic Church
History—
The chapel, dedicated to St. Andrew in 1703, was at Ardearg to 1795 and then at Auchindryne to 1839. After that it was at Castletown. In 1706 there were said to be 400 Catholics in the area and between 700 and 800 in 1763. In 1772, 62 people were confirmed but names were not recorded.
Source: Catholic Missions and Registers, 1700–1880, by Michael Gandy, pub. 1993. FHL Book Ref 942 K24gm vol. 6.
MCGREGOR JOHN ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ------- M 1/4/1711 1711 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR JOHN ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ------- M 7/8/1714 1714 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR ALEXANDER ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ----- M 29/11/1719 1719 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR ALEXANDER ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ----- M 1/2/1722 1722 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR DONALD ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ------- M 3/7/1722 1722 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR GREGORY ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ------- M 6/4/1724 1724 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR DONALD ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ------- M 5/4/1725 1725 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR JOHN ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ------- M 8/1/1725 1725 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR JAMES ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ------- M 11/2/1727 1727 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR GEORGE ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ------- M 31/3/1729 1729 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR DUNCAN ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ------- M 28/2/1731 1731 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR DUNCAN ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ------- M 29/5/1731 1731 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR JAMES ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ------- M 20/2/1734 1734 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR JOHN ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/----- ------- M 14/6/1736 1736 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR PATRICK ALEXR MCGREGOR/MARGERET FARQRSON M 13/3/1738 1738 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGREGOR JOHN ALEXANDER MCGREGOR/ALISTER ROY ....M 4/11/1744 1744 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGRIGOR DONALD ALEXANDER MCGRIGOR/KATHRINE MCLACHLAN M 12/2/1744 1744 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGRIGOR BENJAMIN ALEXANDER MCGRIGOR/----- ----- M 7/4/1746 1746 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGRIGOR JOHN ALEXR MCGRIGOR/ANN LAMON ........M 2/4/1746 1746 Braemar, St Andrew's
MCGRIGOR GREGORY ALEX MCGRIGOR/ANN COALS ............M 24/4/1750 1750 Braemar, St Andrew's
MACGRIGOR DUNCAN ALEXR MACGRIGOR/ANNE C COUTTS ....M 10/1/1754 1754 Braemar, St Andrew's

[9] Chief's papers at Stirling: PD60 Box 71?
Letter from Rev Robert 1819 with elaboration of Glengairn genealogy
Donachadh Mor Liohuinneach Laird of Inverenzie m dau of Gordon of Breachley in Glenmuick
> Niel - the descent from Donnchadh mor leaves out multiple generations, Donnchadh mor probably lived around 1400. I estimate Grigair mor to be born around 1620
>> Iain Dubh nan arm cruaidh (= Black John of the strong arm)
>>>Grigair Mor nan caigeachan (= Big Gregor of the conflicts) m [Agnes] dau of MacGregor of Strathaven
>>>>Calum Og of Ballater [was at the spoiling of Glenkindie's house][had two brothers drowned in river Gairn]
m [Mary] Gordon daughter of Gordon of Dalperey and Wardis Tullinessel
>>>>>Alexander m Margaret Cameron from Cuilmhuilinn in Rannoch
John m Mary dau of Patrick Duguid of Achnahoue [Achnah'uaigh] Lumphanan
brother Duncan [captured after Culloden, supposedly to be transported] was given as 'in Tarland'
>>>>>>daughter m Macnaughten schoolmaster [thenaged 75]
Most of the family used the name Grierson
Alexander sold the family estate under reversion 2 sons - no available names because they left the country so young
There was a Testament Dative for one of the Griersons here in 1770

[10] For many years I have been searching for the ancestry of Duncan who baptised a son Alexander in 1776. I did not think to check Catholic baptisms!
Recent DNA results have indicated a possible relationship with the line of Evan Forbes MacGregor on this page, who probably descends from Alexander, born around 1695-1700.
Alexander's first marriage around 1720 included sons, Alexander in 1722, John in 1725, possibly George in 1729, Duncan in 1731.and James in 1734

There is a Duncan & Alexander, twins, baptized in 1747 by Gregory and Cristine Forbes. I tried to fit to Gregory, baptised 6/4/1724, but baptisms by Gregory were recorded from 1735. Rather than postulate two Gregory's I used the Gregory baptised by Charles in 1713. Charles therefore had to be a brother or cousin of some degree to Alexander (b.~1675) not his son.
Gregory's children were Donald, 7/12/1735; John 17/9/1743; Gregory 7/10/1744, and twins Duncan & Alexander 10/1/1747 and finally Christian - 25/4/1749

Alexander (~1700) and his brothers John & Duncan were among the 24 MacGregors led by the Laird of Inverenzie at Culloden. Only six returned home. Alexander then fled to Germany and was ancestral to the Coleman family. John died at Culloden while Duncan was probably the "Duncan in Tarland" who was captured and transported.
Whether or not Gregory was at Culloden is not known.

The 1747 and 1749 baptisms by Gregory record Cristine Fraser as the mother. The earlier baptisms by Gregory are without a named wife.
Richard McGregor, referring to a hand-written genealogy of George in GD50, suggested that Alexander (b~1700) married more than once and that Malcolm & Donald (1763 and 1754) were his sons by a later marriage. I cannot find evidence for these marriages, although the parish record is fragmentary. I believe it is more likely that Malcolm & Donald were the sons of Alexander (b.~1722), the first son of Alexander (b.~1700).

There are no records to prove this link between Gregory and Alexander, although there are a number of accounts of Alexander and his descendants. Alexander, for instance is mentioned in a 1704 list of known papists in Braemar as the 4-year son of Alexander of Glengairn. So although I cannot prove that Gregory was a first or second-cousin of Alexander, the DNA match suggests that they could have been.

This is Richard's comment: "However almost certainly Kath (Captain Charles) line split off first and depending on probability it could be anything from 150-300 years before the split of the other two. Evan and Neil Malcolm are quite close - compared with them to Kath there is only one difference common to Neil and Kath and that is an unreliable marker for mutations so I’ve virtually discounted it. On the other hand Evan and Neil share the SAME mutations on three occasions and then Neil has three other mutations which are more likely unique to him. I went back to Frank’s results such as we have and that showed 1 mutation that was unique to Neil and one that Frank and Neil shared - the third mutation was not available in Frank’s.
My conclusion is these are all Roro, Kath's line split off first from the common post S690 ancestor - quite possibly as early as 1460 but probably by 1560, Neil’s (and Frank) split off next but much later and separated from each other maybe as near as two or three generations (we just can’t tell if it’s 1 or 2 mutations difference in 111 STR)"

Reading again Richard's comments, it made me wonder if Duncan, (b.1747 - the son of Gregory and grandson of Charles) might be too early a split. You may note that Alexander (b.1/2/1722) had a brother Duncan (b.29/5/1731) Now, I had assumed that a man marrying in 1772 was likely to have been born in the 1740s. Hence Duncan (b.10/1/1747) would have been 25 in 1772. However, Duncan (b.1731) would be 41. His bride, Grissel Gairden, is likely to have been born in 1746, so a 41-year old marrying a 26 year old woman would not be exceptional. Duncan (1731) is 7 generations to Evan Forbes. Going back to a father of Charles would be a further 3 generations.

Following this discussion of the closeness of the DNA, I decided that it was more likely that Neil Malcolm descended from Duncan, baptised in 1731, so that the difference would be 7 generations, rather than a suggested cousin or second cousin of Alexander (b.~1700) which could be 10 generations.

[11] Here is the email from Ian Stockwell detailing the descent of his line with some comments by Richard.
John Forbes McGregor, in a handwritten note dated 1 May 1912 with the heading ‘The McGregor Family Tree’, recorded the following as being what he knew of his family ancestry:
'First mentioned was Alexander McGregor, who was reputed to have originally come from the McGregor's of Rob Roy's following, or of Patrick Roy's men. He (Alexander) was first a farmer at Richarkie, Glengairn and afterwards a crofter at Aberarder, Crathie, Braemar. He left Glengairn in command of 24 McGregor's to fight for Prince Charles Edward Stuart at Culloden Moor 1746, and only 6 including himself left the battlefield alive.
(Note: according to Dr Richard McGregor, Council Chairman and Genealogist of the Clan Gregor Society, Patrick Roy was a ' freebooter - bit of an outlaw and fell foul of the authorities by his crimes. He was active in Aberdeenshire where there is a cave in which he and his gang lived. He was caught in the north and executed at Banff in 1667 ')
Alexander McGregor was said to have been born about 1700 and was four times married with children by all wives. From the fourth marriage he had 4 sons and one daughter: Donald, James, John, Charles and Jane.
Donald McGregor, eldest son of Alexander's fourth marriage, (and the great grandfather of John Forbes McGregor), was born 1763 and had sons and daughters. His son Donald McGregor, grandfather of John Forbes McGregor, born in 1791, a blacksmith by occupation, married Rachel Grassick, born in 1791, in 1816. Both Donald and his wife Rachel died in 1841.'
Comment by Dr Richard McGregor, August 2002:
'I have a large collection of material on McGregors in the area - according to Donald [married Rachel Grassick]'s death certificate, his father was Malcolm and his mother Jane McDonald. Their first child was Donald in 1791 thereafter John 1794, Margaret 1797, Alexander 1802, James 1805, Charles 1807, Jean 1809. That Donald is your Donald.
The confusion may have arisen because there was another Malcolm born 1777 and died 1863, who married a Janet McDonald 30 years later in the same parish. The Malcolm father of your Donald might well have been born in 1763. The confusion might have arisen because of the mother's unmarried name. There is indeed a Callum baptised 25 Dec 1763 to Alexander in Milntown of Aberarder [no wife given] who could well be a son of Alexander [born 1700] son of Alexander MacGregor alias Grierson, son of Callum Grierson of Ballater. According to family tradition Alexander born 1700 fled to Germany and adopted the name Coleman [and there are descendants to the present day].
However, this family was often confused with that of Alexander McGregor, tacksman in Auchallater by Braemar who was an active catholic in those days, as indeed was Callum Grierson and his son / grandson Alexander. I would not like to say which of these families is actually your ancestor given that they were often mixed up even within 50 years of their deaths. Evidence is wanting all round but it is very likely that these families were originally connected and came from Duncan MacGregor, a younger son of Roro who went to Deeside anytime between 1590 and 1625.'
According to the membership register that I have seen at the Strathdon Post Office, Donald’s father Donald was a foundation member in 1823 of the Lonach Highland Society. The Society is still in existence and its annual Highland Festival of dancing, pipes and drums, caber throwing and so on is famous throughout Scotland.
During my visit to Strathdon in 1975 I was introduced to William McGregor who invited me into his Candacraig Cottage to share a wee dram of whisky. I enjoyed the meeting. William was not in good health and died a few years later. The cottage was subsequently owned for many years by the Scottish comedian, Billy Connolly, and his New Zealand born wife, actress Pamela Stephenson.
Donald McGregor, (born 11 October 1817) at Knocklea) had a sister, Isobel born 27 January 1821, a brother, James Stuart born 3 April 1823 and another brother John born 1831.Their parents, Donald McGrigor and Rachel Grassick, were married 18 April 1816.
Donald McGregor, a farmer, was quite a wild lad, and given the lack of birth control in those days plus high levels of testosterone, there was the inevitable result – he had (according to the parish records that I perused at the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry, Edinburgh) two illegitimate children as follows:
'Donald McGrigor, Knocklea and Barbara Keir had a child in fornication, a son born 29 November 1840 and named William '.
'Donald McGrigor Knocklea and Mary Grant Haugh, Morlick had a child in fornication (his second, her first), a son born 4 March 1844, named James'.
By the time the Rev. Robert Meikeljohn married Donald McGregor and Jane Wattie of Bellabeg on 29 December 1848, the McGrigor had become McGregor. Jane Wattie was born in 1821 and according to JF McGregor her father was Alexander Wattie, (a miller at Hill of Bellabeg). In the 1841 Census Alexander was recorded as 60, Ann Wattie 25, James Wattie as 25 and Jane Wattie as 20 years, Alexander according to JF McGregor, married Ann Kinnear in 1809) and he was the youngest son of James Wattie, (1715 – 1788), born at the Mill of New, Strathdon
Donald and Jane had 7 children. In the 1851 Census, Donald is recorded as ‘a farmer of 33 years farming 56 acres’ employing 5 labourers’ at Knocklea, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, with wife Jane, 31 years and a son John 1 year. Also recorded at the same address were John Stewart, agricultural labourer 22 years; Isabella Stewart, servant 15 years; Alexander Cameron, servant 17 years; Janet Farquharson, general servant 21 years.
They had all moved by the time of the 1861 Census and were registered in Bourtie District Aberdeenshire. Donald was recorded as being 43, Jane 41, John Forbes 11, Donald 7, Rachel 6, George King 4 and Charles Forbes 2. There were 9 other household members recorded – Isaac Milne 38, James McLeod 13, Margaret McReben 47, Elizabeth Marter 25, Robert Smith 26, Peter Moir 58, James Heard 20, Jean McKie 27 and Mary Murray 31.
Donald McGregor died 22 March 1867, in the District of Inveravon, County of Banff, before his 50th birthday, after being ill for 14 days with pneumonia. His son JF McGregor was with him when he died. Donald’s wife, Jane Wattie died 22 years later, on 31 December 1889.
At the time he died, Donald McGregor was a tenant farmer on the estate of Ballindalloch, owned by Sir John McPherson Bart. The factor was John Fleming Esq. In 1865 the annual rent for the farm at Garline was 83 pounds, according to the records held in the National Archives of Scotland
During a visit to the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh, July 2003 I was able to read the following :
At Banff on 10 July 1867 Inventory of the Personal Estate of Donald McGregor presented by William Heming, Solicitor, Grantown, registered by Benjamin Robert Bell, Esquire, Advocate Judge, Inventory of the Personal Estate, wherever situated of Donald McGregor, farmer, Garline, Inveravon, in the County of Banff, who died at Garline 22 March 1867. Farm stocking, household furniture and effects belonging to the deceased, inventory and valuation by John Grant, licenced auctioneer, Grantown valued at 401 pounds 10 shillings and two pence. Amount due to the deceased by John Gordon, farmer Campdelmoret, three pounds 11 shillings but from the circumstances of the debtor it is supposed to be not worth more that 5 shillings in the pound. Allow 17 shillings and 6 pence Total amount of personal estate 402 pounds seven shillings and 8 pence wherever situated Referred to in my affidavit of the date 8 July 1867 signed Jane Wattie or McGrigor, residing at Garline, Inveravon, Executrix of the deceased, Donald McGregor, before John Fleming, one of Her Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the County of Moray.
Besides John Forbes McGregor, born 30 October 1849, there was his sister Isabella Jane born 17 July 1851; a brother Donald born 9 June 1853; another sister Rachel born 29 October 1854; a brother George King born 13 October 1856, another brother, Charles Forbes, born 22 December 1858 and finally another sister, Mary born 1861.
As can be seen above we have two of the sons of Donald McGregor with the middle name of Forbes. What was the connection with the Forbes clan? Perhaps Forbes was the name of the landowner from whom Donald McGregor leased land? But of most relevance could be that a sept of Clan Forbes in Aberdeenshire was Wattie, the maiden name of Donald McGregor’s wife, Jane. The latter would appear to be the logical explanation for the second name of two of the sons being Forbes.
Charles Forbes McGregor (1858 -1922), grandfather of Evan Forbes McGregor, emigrated to Opunake, South Taranaki, New Zealand in 1888 after a short time in South Africa where he married Sarah Wellings. He followed his two brothers Donald McGregor and John Forbes McGregor who had emigrated several years earlier to the same area of New Zealand. Charles and Sarah had one son, Gordon Forbes McGregor (1896 – 1939) who was the father of Evan Forbes McGregor, and three daughters. Gordon married Ida Hedderwick had three sons Evan, Graeme and Alan and two daughters, Jacqueline and Judith.
Evan Forbes McGregor (1935-2021), married Carol Miller. They had three sons, Robert Forbes McGregor, Grant Andrew McGregor and Douglas William McGregor. Robert married Joanne and they have two sons, Claymore Forbes McGregor and Callum.

[12]
OPR Baptism: MCGRIGOR, DONALD; DONALD MCGRIGOR/RACHEL GRASSICH; FR685 (FR685); M; 11/10/1817; 240/20 220; Strathdon and Corgarff
OPR Baptism: MCGRIGOR, JAMES STUART; DONALD MCGRIGOR/RACHEL GRASSICK FR756 (FR756); M; 03/04/1823; 240/30 11; Strathdon and Corgarff
OPR Baptism: MCGRIGOR, JOHN; DONALD MCGRIGOR/RACHEL GRASSICK FR762 (FR762); M; 28/09/1828; 240/30 23; Strathdon and Corgarff

[13]
OPR Marriage: MCGRIGOR, DONALD; JANE WATTIE/FR843 (FR843); 29/12/1848; 240/30 170; Strathdon and Corgarff
OPR Baptism: MCGRIGOR, JOHN FORBES; DONALD MCGRIGOR/JANE WATTIE FR813 (FR813); M; 08/12/1849; 240/30 120; Strathdon and Corgarff
OPR Baptism: MCGRIGOR, DONALD; DONALD MCGRIGOR/JANE WATTIE FR821 (FR821); M; 26/06/1853; 240/30 137; Strathdon and Corgarff
Statutory birth: MCGRIGOR, GEORGE KING; M; 1856; 240/ 27; Strathdon
Statutory birth: MCGREGOR, CHARLES; M; 1858; 168/1 319; St Nicholas

[14] Alexander, aged 4, was listed with his father Alexander in the 1704 list of papists in Braemar.

[15]
Census 1861: MCGRIGOR DONALD 1861 M 70 240/ 3/ 3 Strathdon Aberdeen
Census 1861: MCGRIGOR RATCHEL 1861 F 75 240/ 3/ 3 Strathdon Aberdeen
Census 1861: MCGRIGOR JOHN 1861 M 32 240/ 3/ 3 Strathdon Aberdeen

Census 1861: MCGREGOR DONALD 1861 M 43 176/ 2/ 2 Bourtie Aberdeen
Census 1861: MCGREGOR JANE 1861 F 41 176/ 2/ 2 Bourtie Aberdeen
Census 1861: MCGREGOR JOHN F 1861 M 11 176/ 2/ 2 Bourtie Aberdeen
Census 1861: MCGREGOR DONALD 1861 M 7 176/ 2/ 2 Bourtie Aberdeen
Census 1861: MCGREGOR RACHEL 1861 F 6 176/ 2/ 2 Bourtie Aberdeen
Census 1861: MCGREGOR GEORGE K 1861 M 4 176/ 2/ 2 Bourtie Aberdeen
Census 1861: MCGREGOR CHARLES F 1861 M 2 176/ 2/ 2 Bourtie Aberdeen

[16] With thanks to Prof Richard McGregor for this summary of parish record entries concerning the marriage of Malcolm McGregor in Candellmore and Janet Gordon in Lettoch, 6/2/1740 and their children in Clachack
Lettoch

[17] With thanks to Prof Richard McGregor for these notes on the family of John McGregor, miller, and Janet Stuart and their children in Garlyne
Garlyne