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Discussion: Just received your post this day.
Nancy was pregnant during her voyage on the Jane and gave birth shortly after landing in PEI on July 12, 1790. Sadly, some two years later she would die in childbirth after delivering a healthy son John. Her husband eventually remarried. somewhere I have the name and date of the second marriage.
Nancy came with her two brothers, Donald and Angus, whose histories are well documented in the Launching Point area of PEI. Hugh lived in the same district as recorded in the 1896 PEI Lot census.
Sara was the daughter of Dougald, who in turn was the son of Neil. Neil, a young accomplished boat builder, was recruited from Donegal, Ireland circa 1678 to come to Scotland to build galleys for the Chieftian of the Clanranald. He took up residence in Castle Toriam, at Moidart. The ruins of that castle are still there and should be visited if you go to Scotland.
After Culloden, the clan system was effectively abolished and warfare prohibited. Neil's services were no longer required so he headed for South Uist where he spent the rest of his days.
It should be of some passing interest that Neil claimed to be a descendent of King Cormac, arguably one of Ireland's greatest kings who ruled for some 40 years circa 236AD.
One of his Neil's was Dougald, born circa 1708-20, who had at least three children: Donald, of Frobost, Angus of Boisdale and Nancy.
The latter three came together on the Jane. But they had joined Dougald from the nearby Isle of Eigg for the crossing.. It is from Dougald that I descend.
I cannot definitively connect the four, but indications suggest that my Dougald was originally from South Uist and went to Eigg as part of a resettlement program. I suspect he might be a brother of the others, or at least a first cousin. To date I have had no success in confirming that.
One of the best documented accounts of "our" Maccormacks is the late John R.MacCormack's book: Highland Heritage & Freedom's Quest. It chronicles three centuries of MacCormacks in Ireland, scotland, PEI and cape Breton.
I had the privilege of spending time with Prof. John before his death and he is the source of much of the information I have. The publisher was Kinloch Books, Apt. 509, 85 Spinnaker Drive, Halifax, NS B3N 3E3, Tel 902 -422-7178.
Not sure how valid that address remains, for, as memory serves me, it could very well have been John's address.
I'd say its a must read before going to South Uist. If you are unable to get a response from the publishing info, get back to me and I would be willing to try to trackdown a copy for you.
Jim MacCormack 902 595 4582. |
