Genealogy of The Clan Gregor - 108 - Descendants of John McEwin VcAlasdair

[1] Obitus Gregorii filii Joannis M'Gregor alias M'Ewyn VAllexander de glenstra apud Insulam de Lochrannich vltimo die Julii anno Domini MVxxiJ - this is the death of Gregor in 1522, but Amelia's version has 1526! Having checked the original MS of the Dean's Chronicle it is apparent that 1522 in the BBT is incorrect, Gregory's 1526 in Amelia is correct.

In March of 1522, Gregor had received sasine from Argyll of lands in Glenorchy and Glenstrae
(GD112/2/81/2) 1522 March 21. Precept of sasine by Colin, earl of Argyll, in favour of Gregor McGregor, son and apparent heir of John McGregor, of lands held of granter in Glenurquhay and Glensra. Inverarary, 21 March 1522/3. Witnesses: Mr John Campbell, [-] to the king, Sir John Campbell of Caldor, kt., Archibald Campbell of Skipinche. Amelia has in chapter VI of voluem 1, page 56:

According to the translation of the Chronicle in Amelia - Obit: 1526, July 31. Death of Gregor, son of John Macgregor, alias McEwine McAllaster, of Glenstray, at the Isle of Lochrannoch; he was buried in Dysart, in a stone coffin, on the north side of the High Altar of Glenstray,
The chronicle in BBT does not mention the burial, but the original MS does.

[2] Obit: 1528, April 12 Death of John .Macgregor McEwine, Captain of the Clan Gregor of Glenstray, who died of good memory, at Achallader in Glenurquhay, he was buried in Dysart, as others of his name used to be.
Prof Neil MacGregor reasons thus:
John McEwin McAllester became chief in 1519 (following the death without surviving issue of Eoin dubh the 6th chief) and after that date he married Helen (Eilidh) Campbell (Black Book). Helen had previously been married to MacLaine of Lochbuie and had offspring. In the History of Clan Donald Volume 2 we read:
"The date of John Maclain's death is not quite certain, but he appears to have been alive in March, 1517, for in that year Colin, Earl of Argyll, appointed him lieutenant of the lands of Ardnamurchan for three years, or longer, according to the Regent's pleasure, and it is certain that he was dead before the 18th of August, 1519."
On the 18th August, 1519, a letter was directed under the Privy Seal to Colin, Earl of Argyll, of the gift of the ward, nonentries, and relief of all lands that pertained to the late John Maclain of Ardnamurchan, with the offices, balieries, castles, fortalices, and the keeping of the House of Dunnyveg, together with the marriage of Alexander Maclain, son and apparent heir of the late John,
From this data we must assume that Helen Campbell was born ~1478-80 and to have married John MacIan around 1498-1500. John MacIan appears to have died in early 1519 and Helen married John McEwan in ~1520-21. One account suggests that the date of birth of Alaster was 1514 due to an entry in the Dean of Lismores book in 1531 where it is stated he was 17 years of age so he could not have been Helen's child. We know that John McEwin died 12/4/1528. So there was a potential period when a child could be born. However Helen would have been ~ 45 years of age in 1524 so she was at the end of her reproductive life. The fact the we have no children recorded is consistent with her reproductive age. There is no document evidence of any additional male offspring of this marriage.

The Black book of Taymouth states John McEwan begat upon Helen Gregor and later Alaster.
Sir Colin Campbell, first of Glenurquhay, married fourth Margaret Stirling, dochter to the Laird of Keir, by whom he had ane dochter callit Helene Campbell, quha wes first mareit on Makeane of Arnamurroch, and thairefter on Makgregoure.
Johne Makewin V'Allaster McGregour, in anno . . . ravischet Helene Campbell, dochter to Sir Coline Campbell of Glenurquhay, Knight. This Helene Campbell wes widow and lady of Lochbuy, and scho wes ravischet. The foresaid Johne wes not righteous air to the McGregour, bot wes principall of the ClanDoulagnear.
This Johne M'Ewin begat upon the foirsaid Helene, Allaster McGregour of Glenstray, quha mariet ane dochter of the laird of Ardkinglass, being widdow to McNachtan of Dundaraw.

[3] "1527. August 14th at Edinburgh. Quo die Johannes, Comes Atholie plegins devenit ad intrandum Donaldem Campbell nominatum ad Abbacium de Cowper & &. Archibald Campbell son of Duncan Campbell Knight; James Campbell of Lawers, John Campbell his brother, Neill Stewart, John Stewart, son of John Stewart Kt. Gregour Dougalsoune, John and William Dougalsoune, John Makewin Makalester Captain of the Clangregour, Duncan Bayne his cousin, Duncan Brek his cousin, Donald Patricksone, Duncan Donaldsone, Gregor Patricksone, Patrik Duncansoun in Dundwrne, James his brother, Duncan Campbell, son and heir of Duncan Campbell Kt. ad subcundum leges pro arte et parte convocationes ligeorum Domini Regis ad magnum numerum vemendi super, Patricium Charteris Prepositum de Perth die festi Corporis Christi ultimo elapso, ipsum invadendo et pergarte et parte mutilationis. Duncan Cameron et Patricii Rutherford Servitorum dicte Patricus. Record of Justiciary.

“Indenture of manrent and protection between Duncan Campbell of Glenvrquhay as chief, and Jhone MakCwill [MacDougall] of Kagarra as vassal; the said Jhone being bound to keep the premises under a penalty of one hundred merks Scots: Colling Campbelle brother to the said Duncan, Allester M'Aine V'llene Stewert of Gerglinglaiss, Duncan M'Allane VAllan , Duncan M'Condoquhy Wye Ewyne, Jhone M'Condoquhy Roy and Patrik M'Keller witnesses. Signed at the Castle of Glenwrquhay, 27 July 1528.” (Black Book Taymouth, 1854)

[4] Amelia, Vol i, p52, footnote 20 - from “Black Book of Taymouth,” enumerating the wives of Sir Colin Campbell, first of Glenurquhay, it is stated that Sir Colin married fourth “Margaret Stirling, dochter to the Laird of Keir, by who he had ane dochter callit Helene Campbell, quha wes first mariet on Makeane of Ardnamurroch, and thairefter on Makgregoure.”

[5] 1527. August 14th at Edinburgh. Quo die Johannes, Comes Atholie plegins devenit ad intrandum Donaldem Campbell nominatum ad Abbacium de Cowper & &. Archibald Campbell son of Duncan Campbell Knight; James Campbell of Lawers, John Campbell his brother, Neill Stewart, John Stewart, son of John Stewart Kt. Gregour Dougalsoune, John and William Dougalsoune, John Makewin Makalester Captain of the Clangregour, Duncan Bayne his cousin, Duncan Brek his cousin, Donald Patricksone, Duncan Donaldsone, Gregor Patricksone, Patrik Duncansoun in Dundwrne, James his brother, Duncan Campbell, son and heir of Duncan Campbell Kt. ad subcundum leges pro arte et parte convocationes ligeorum Domini Regis ad magnum numerum vemendi super, Patricium Charteris Prepositum de Perth die festi Corporis Christi ultimo elapso, ipsum invadendo et pergarte et parte mutilationis. Duncan Cameron et Patricii Rutherford Servitorum dicte Patricus. Record of Justiciary.
John Makewin Makalester Captain of Clangregour. He is the chief of clan Gregor, his actual name is John MacGregor VcAne VcEwin VcAllaster (d April 12th 1528). He was the father of Gregor (d July 1526) and Alasdair ruadh (d 1547).

[6] MACGREGOR OF ARDLARICH. This Family in Rannoch claimed to be closely connected with the House of Glenstray, which is probable, although no direct evidence to that effect can be adduced. "One MS. account states that 'In the year 1500 the 32 merkland of the Slios Mhin on north side of Loch Rannoch was divided into three divisions,
The western division consisting of Dunan, Kinchlacher &c comprehending the 11 merkland west of the river Ericht, was held by Alexander mor a younger son of Roro [see Alasdair mor in Dunan ] and notwithstanding the Charter possessed by Sir Robert Menzies Sep.1, 1502, to the 32 merkland, Alexander More and his descendants maintained their right of occupancy until April 22, 1675, when Patrick MacGregor in Dunan took a wadset from Sir Alexander Menzies of the 2 merkland of Kinclacher under reversion of 500 merks scots.
Amelia has on page 215 "The middle division, consisting of the 12 merkland comprehending Ardlaraich, Kilchonan &c was possessed by Gregor MacGregor who died in the island of Loch Rannoch July 31, 1526, he was the son of John McEwne vich Allester MacGregor brother of Glenstray. The last of this family was Captain Robert MacGregor who commanded the MacGregor company raised in Rannoch for Prince Charles' army 1745.” - But if the family were McCondochy mhicGriogair, that suggests they descended from a son of John, named Duncan.

[7] March 16 1549/50 (GD112/24/5/2). Remission by Archibald, earl of Argyle, in favour of ...... Malcolm Roy McAne McEwin, ............indwellers in Fernay, bounds of Braidalbane.

[8] March 16 1549/50, GD112/24/5/5. Remission by Archibald, earl of Argyle, in favour of Malcolm McMelane, Duncan McRobert, Finlay MakGillemore Glaschre, Donald McGillemore, his son, Donald Makkeitht, John McKintur, Duncan McPatrik McGillecreist, Donald MakOlcallum Ravir, Malcolm MakLayine, John Makesaig, Duncan MakKesig, Donald Plokkycht MakDonald Barnycht MakAllister MakIllop, Terloch McDonald Barnycht McAllister MakIllop, Malcolm MakDonald Barnycht MakAllister MacIllop in Ardtollanak,

[9] March 16 1549/50, GD112/24/5/5. Remission by Archibald, earl of Argyle, in favour of ...... John MakConill McGillecreist, Finlay, his son, ...., Malcolm MakConill McGillecreist, John McGillalane MakEwin, ..... John Roy McConill McConill McRobert, John McCawill, Finlay Dow McOlane, Alexander Owir McGregor McPatrik McDowoye, .... in Morynche,

[10] Amelia, vol i, page 53 has "John, who , with his father witnessed a grant by the Earl of Argyle to - Campbell, of the lands of the Phanans. Presumably died young". - Prof Neil says that Phanans would be Fearnan and that John was probably a natural son of John McEwin VicAlasdair

[11] Gorodn MacGregor, Red Book of Scotland, has:
JOHN MACEWEN MACALLISTER MACGREGOR OF GLENSTRAE, succeeded to the lands of Glenstrae on the death of John dubh MacGregor and in contemplation of which Colin, Earl of Argyll, issued a precept of Sasine for his infeftment in the lands of Stronmelochan, Moyan, Tullich, Castill, Dowletter, Corrachworrane and others in Glenstrae on 28 May 1519.2 This it is said, was the cause of internal dispute within the Clan as rival stirpes competed for seniority, however, the support he had from the superior, the Earl of Argyll, was sufficient for him to enforce his claim as heir male to John dubh MacGregor. He m. Helen, daughter of Sir Colin Campbell, 1st of Glenorchy, (she was widow of Alexander MacEan of Ardnamurchan), and d. at Achallader, on 12 April 1528. He was buried at Dysart3 and in his obiit he is described as “Captain of the Tribe of Gregor” (captani tribus Gregoriani). He was father of :
1. Gregor MacGregor, who as son and heir to his father, had a precept for his infeftment in the lands of Glenstrae on 21 March 1522.4 He dsp at the Isle of Loch Rannoch, on 31 July 1522.5
2. Alexander MacGregor of Glenstrae, (see below).
3. Duncan MacGregor, who witnessed his brother Alexander’s infeftment in the lands of Glenstrae on 30 May 1540.

[18] A MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF ARDLARICH. (By R W. D. CAMERON, M.D - There is extant a certificate in favour of Alister MacGilespa of Ardlarich, of which this a copy-" That Alexander Macgregor, &c, in Wester Killichonan, is. according to the information of the most knowtng people in this country, the fifth by lineal succession from James Mac Gregor, who first came out of tbe family of Macgregor (commonly called of Ardlarich), in Rannoch, in the parish ot Fortingall, is attested at Kinloch Rannoch the seventh day of January, 1787 years." (Signed John Moncrieff, minister of Rannoch and Foss. The James referred to in this document must therefore have been the grandfather of Gilespic I. of the memoirs. He was probably the son of Gregor Macgregor, proprietor of the Middle division of Slismine, consistlng of Ardlarich and other villages as far as Aldcheardie, who died in the Island ot Loch Rannoch in July, 1526. This Gregor is mentioned in the Dean of Lismore's manuscript as being the son of John .Macgregor alias McEwine McAllister of Glenstrae, and as having been buried in Dysart, Glenurchy, in a stone coffin on the north side ot the High Altar of Glenstrae. James was succeeded in Ardlarich by John Dubh Macgregor, as would appear from an entry in the Register of Decrees, dated 24th May, 1595-" Alexander Menzies of that ilk against Alexander Macgregor of Glenstra, pretended tenant and occupier of the 32 merk land of Rannoch by himself and sub-tenant under-written." Among the names subscribed appears that of John Dubh McConachdie Vic Allister, as occupier of the 6 merk land of Ardlarich.

[19] There is a puzzle here. On the one hand it is argued that Gregor was the first child of the marriage of John McEwin and Eilidh (Helen) Campbell, born ~1522 and died at about the age of 4 in 1526. His brother Alasdair ruadh then succeeded his father as chief in 1528 when he was only 4 years old.
However, Cameron's account of Ardlarich claims that the family descended from James the son of Gregor of the VcAlasdair line.
One possibility is that John McEwin had children Gregor and John by an earlier marriage. When John, unexpectedly became clan chief on the death of Eoin dubh in 1519, Colin Campbell of Glenorchy matched him to his widowed daughter Eilidh (Helen) and set the earlier children aside in the succession. Thus it is possible that there were two Gregors, one born around 1480 who would be ancestor of Ardlarich and the second born 1522 who died in 1526.
Alternatively, there was only one Gregor, born around 1480, the ancestor to Ardlarich, and who died in 1526 to make way for Glenorchy's grandson to succeed as MacGregor chief.

[20] Duncan Brek: Also listed as cousin to John McEwan. Duncan Brek was recorded as killing his cousin Alexander McPatrick roy and Alexander’s son Duncan in 1529

[21] Here is a puzzle. The chronicle in BBT has Alasdair aged 17 in 1532. Amelia has his age as 7! Memorandum: Rannoch was hareyd the morne aftir Saint Tennennis day in harist be John Erlle of Awtholl and be Clan Donoquhy the year of God 1531 and at the nyxt Belten eftir that the quhylk was 1532, the bra of Rannoch war haryed be them abowin wrytten and Allexander Dow Albrych war heddyth at Kenlochtrannoch the quhylk Belten and yer I com tyll the ewyr of Fortyrgill fyrst and Allexander McGregour of Glenstra our scheyff was bot ane barne of xvii yer that tyme.

GD112/2/81/3 Sasine by Archibald, Earl of Argyle in favour of Alexander MackGregor, son and heir of deceased John MackGregor of Glensra.

The BBT chronicle has Alasdair (Alexander) aged 17 in 1532 " Allexander McGregour of Glenstra our scheyff was bot ane barne of xvii yer that tyme." If he was 17 in 1532 then he was born around 1515. Assuming that his father was actually John McEwin VicAlasdair who succeeded as chief in 1519 and died in 1528. Assuming his mother was Eilidh Campbell he had to be born after his brother Griogar 1519 and therefore could not have been 17. Taking his age as 7 would make his borth around 1525. But the Mackintosh reference makes it clear that John McEwin was married to Morag Mackintosh in 1524, so it has to be assumed that Alasdair was born early in 1524, Eilidh must have died in childbirth and John promptly married Morag during 1524.

[22] John McAne VcEwin and John his son in Loch Tay in 1538/39. GD112/24/1/2. 1538/9, March 9. Loch Taye Bond of manrent by Dougall MakEwin McGilgerf, Finlay, eldest son of said Dougall, Gilchrist and Ewin, brothers to said Finlay, John McGilchrist McGilgerf, Donald, his son, John McEne VcEwin, John, his son, Gilchrist, John and John, sons to Finlay, eldest son of said Dougall, Gilchrist McGilchrist, to John Campbell, laird of Glenurquhay. Witnesses: John Leithe, dewar of the Ferg (an unknown relic of St Fillan), and Robert Burdoun.

[23] Alexander McPatrick roy and Alexander’s son Duncan murdered in 1529 by Duncan Brek his cousin

[24] Amelia has on page 215 "The middle division, consisting of the 12 merkland comprehending Ardlaraich, Kilchonan &c was possessed by Gregor MacGregor who died in the island of Loch Rannoch July 31, 1526, he (Gregor) was the son of John McEwne vich Allester MacGregor
The Ardlarich family were McCondochy mhicAlasdair, that suggests they descended from Duncan, a son of Gregor of the kindred of Alasdair.

[25] From an article by Alan G Macpherson in https://www.clan-macpherson.org/museum/documents/alang09.pdf
On the 25th March 1524, while hunting alone at Breravock near Loindvulgie (Lynwilg) in Badenoch,Lauchlan óg Mackintosh was ambushed and stabbed to death by his cousin, John Malcolmson Mackintosh of Connage, the illegitimate son of an illegitimate father who was an older half brother of William and Lauchlan óg,   all of them sons of Lauchlan 'Badenoch' of Gallovie. His accomplices were Milmor mac Dai, a disgruntled foster brother of Lauchlan óg; Milmor's brother William mac Dai, and three others. The motive, again, was “ambition to bear rule” over the Clanchattan, egged on by Milmor. Retribution for the crime was exacted by the murdered man's nephew, Donald glas Mackintosh of Strone in Badenoch, an illegitimate son of Laird William, and their cousin Donald mac William mór vic Allan, another member of the Sliochd Alain Mackintoshes. They were assisted by William and Lachlan's brother in law, the Laird of MacGregor who was married to their sister Morag.   

From the Macpherson of Invereshie Book: "He (Macintosh) acquired the heritable right of Gillovy, 1st Oct 1481 and died in Sept 1493, leaving issue two sons, 1. William, his successor 2. Lauchlan, who succeeded his brother, of whom afterwards. (and four daughters, viz: Mora married to John Macgregor of Eliustral, (E-li-u-stral - could this be Glen Strae?) afterwards to Stewart of Kincardine; Marjory to Ewen Cameron of Locheil (Ewen Allanson); Catherine to Alan MacRanald of Knyoyart; Jean to one of the Calder family, afterwards to Donald MacLean of Kingairloch)"

When John became chief in 1519, Colin Campbell of Glenorchy arranged his marriage to his widowed daughter Eilidh (Helen). Gregor, their first child is recorded as dying in 1526. Alasdair, the second child, later the 8th chief, was recorded as being just 7 years old in 1532, that suggests that he was born in or about 1524. The mention of John being the brother-in-law of Lachlan Mackintosh in 1524, suggests that Eilidh had died, presumably in childbirth and John had remarried in the same year. After John's death in 1528, Mora "afterwards married Stewart of Kincardine"

[26] Historical memoirs of the house and clan of Mackintosh, page 185
On the 25th March 1524, the two, with a few accomplices, treacherously murdered the chief while hunting at Kavoch in Badenoch. The grief and rage of the clan at this event testify sufficiently to the estimation in which the murdered Lachlan was held, and show that the conduct which he had pursued was disliked only by the bad characters amongst them. The murderers immediately sought refuge in the fort in Loch-an-Eilan (Rothimurcus), and here they were captured three months later by Donald Glas, natural son of Lachlan's predecessor, and Donald mac William, grandson of Alan, aided by the chief of Macgregor, who had married a sister of the deceased.
Lachlan beg had been born in 1482, so was aged 42 at the time of his death. Assuming that Mora had been born by 1480 or later, she would still be of child bearing age in 1521. She would be the stepmother of Alasdair and mother of Donnchadh.

Information from W. Rex Davidson, MA FSA Scot, Clan Chattan Association, Correspondence Secretary - History, ancala@telus.net

To your specific questions regarding Mora Mackintosh, we can confirm that she was the fourth daughter of Lachlan Badenoch Mackintosh who married Catherine Grant of Freuchie, and who was the brother of Duncan (12th of Clan Chattan/11th of Mackintosh) and uncle of Ferquhard (13th and 12th) who died in 1514, without legitimate issue.

Lachlan Badenoch’s son, William inherited as 14th/13th in 1514 and died without legitimate issue in 1515; he had two natural sons, Donald Glas and Donald Mackintosh (alias MacWilliam vicAllan). He was succeeded by Lachlan Beg as 15th/14th. Lachlan Beg had four sisters, one of whom, Mora, married John McEwin vicAlasdair MacGregor of Glenstrae in 1521. Glenstrae was witness to an important band of manrent between Mackintosh and Campbell of Cawdor in that same year.
It seems likely that the date of 1521 in the Macintosh records is wrong and that Eilidh may have died giving birth to Alasdair. John MacEwin then married Mora Macintosh in 1524,

With respect to the chase in which John Macgregor was involved in 1524, there are several written accounts, some at odds with others in minor details. From all of these, however, I can tell you this:
Lachlan Beg inherited the chiefships of the Clan Chattan and the Clan Mackintosh. Beg from his shortness of stature. Bishop Leslie describes him as “a verrie honest and wyse gentleman, an barroun of gude rent, quha keepit her hol ken, friends, and tennntis, an honest and guid rewill.”

Sir Robert Gordon records him as: “a man of great possessions and of such excellences of witt and judgment that with great commendation he did contewyn all his followers within the limit of their dueties.”

"1524-5. Early in the morning of 25th March Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin and by the then reckoning New Year's day 1524, (1525 by the modern computation) Makintosh of that Ilk went to a fatal hunting seat, for John McCallum Milmor, and his brother William, with three others, their associates in wickedness surround him and so soon as they descried Makintosh alone in the hunting seat, they attack him from their lurking places and treacherously run him through the body, in his 34th year. In revenge for this murder, Donald Makintosh (otherwise 'glas,' or wan complexioned) son of Makintosh's brother William and Donald Makintosh (otherwise son of William, son of Allan) his kinsman, by the help of Dominus MakGregor who had married the deceased's sister apprehend John McCallum near Anakelt & a . A M.S. History of the Makintoshes in the archives of Moy Hall states of the lady that she married first ' Lord MacGregor' and afterwards 'the Baron Kincarne.' De origine et incre- mento Macintoshiorum M.S. in MacFarlane's Papers. " It states that Dominus McGregor married Mora McIntosh and that her brother was 34 years of age when killed on 25/3/1525. That means he was born in 1491 and his sister around that time (before or after???). It is likely that she would be around 20 before being married so that would mean some time between 1518 and 1522