Napier witnesses: Angus Campbell (Bragar)

Angus Campbell gave evidence to Lord Napier during the session at Barvas on 6 June 1883. In the 1881 census, we find him at the age of 56, living with his daughters Anne (23) and Margaret (21). In 1871, the census marks him as a tenant constable, with his daughters Christy (15), Ann (13), Maggie (11) and son Kenneth (9) in the house at North Bragar. By 1861, Angus is at North Bragar with his wife Ann, 4 years his junior, and children Christy (5), Ann (11) and Meron (2). What appears to be Angus Campbell is in the 1851 census as a cottar in North Bragar, marked on his own.

In the 1891 census, Angus (now 65) remains at 28 North Bragar, with his children Kenneth and Margaret. Kenneth's wife Margaret is also there, with their children Ann (4) and Norman (2). Angus passed away on 22 June 1899 at the age of 75. He died of influenza. He was the widower of Ann Finlayson and Christina Smith. His neighbour reported his death to the registrar at Borve, which is 10 miles from Bragar.

Napier witnesses: Norman Campbell

Norman Campbell gave evidence to Lord Napier during the session at Barvas on 6 June 1883. He spoke on behalf of the people of Arnol. I have only been able to trace him on the 1871 census, as living at Arnol. He is aged 54 at that point, married to Ann with 9 children, varying in age from 1 to 22. They are Malcolm (22), Norman (18), Ann (15), Mary (13), Christy (10), Effy (6), Donald (3) and John (1). In 1861, we also find Catherine Maclean, marked as Norman's mother.

Forward in time, we find Norman and Ann at 14 Arnol in 1891, with their children Malcolm and Donald. We also find their daughter Henrietta, living with her husband Malcolm and children Ann (3 months old), Christina and Donald (both aged 7). By 1901, the family have relocated to 33 Arnol. Present at that time are Norman (84) and Ann (75), with son Malcolm and his children Christina and Donald. It should be borne in mind that the Malcolm that is marked as Norman's son in the 1901 census is more likely to be his son-in-law, bearing in mind that Norman's son Malcolm will be about 50 by this time, and the son-in-law is about 10 years younger.

Norman Campbell passed away on 6 June 1909, aged 94, having suffered senility. He was the son of Malcolm and Catherine (nee Maclean). No doctor attended his death. Ann predeceased Norman, dying in 1898 aged 75.

Napier witnesses: Duncan Macleod

Duncan Macleod gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Barvas on 6 June 1883. He is found with his wife Janet, both aged 61, in the 1881 census. Also found at their home is their son Angus (29, fisherman)  and Mary (21). Mary's son Malcolm Finlayson (2) and her brother Norman (19, a pupil teacher) are there as well.

In the 1871 census, Duncan and Janet are clearly marked as being from South Bragar, which corroborates the entry in the Napier Report. Their children are listed as John (27), Angus (19), Sue (17), Malcolm (13), Mary (11) and Norman (9).

I have been unable to trace Duncan before 1871 or after 1881; neither have I managed to find his death record.

Napier witnesses: Rev James Strachan

James Strachan, the minister for Barvas, was heard by Lord Napier on 6 June 1883. He originated from Aberdeen. He is aged 53, and shown with his wife Christina A (aged 47) and their children Christina, Roderick, Cath, Peter, Joan and William. In 1871, their children are quoted as Mina Maggie, Annie Mary, Christina Jessie, Helen Nora, Roderick and Catherine Alice.  We see them again in 1861, with their eldest three children Jamima M, Annie and Christina J. The other ten occupants are domestic and other servants.

In 1891, James Strachan remains as parish minister, living at the Manse in Barvas with his children Annie M, Catherine A (a teacher in the public school) and Agnes J..

Rev Strachan passed away, after a service of more than 30 years at Barvas, on 22 September 1892 aged 65, suffering from a multitude of health problems. His wife Christina (nee Reid) survived him by 28 years, passing away in 1920 at the age of 87.

Napier witnesses: John Matheson (Barvas)

John Matheson was 68 when he gave evidence to Lord Napier during his session at Barvas on 6 June 1883. In the census of 1881, we see him with his wife Margret (aged 64, like John himself at the time), with their children Donald (26) and Catherine (24). Also present is his granddaughter Mary; it is not made clear whose child she was. A decade before, John and Peggy [= Margaret], with their children William (20), Flora (18), Catherine (14) and John (12) at Upper Barvas. In 1861, another two of their children turn up on the census form, namely Ann (16) and Mary (14). These are also evidence on the 1851 census. John is aged 34, Margaret 32 at that time.

Moving forward in time, John and Margaret (both aged 74) feature on the 1891 census as living at 16 Upper Barvas with their son Donald (34), daughter Mary (40) and her husband Donald (42), as well as their children Murdoch (8), John (6), Mary A (4) and Chirstina (2).

John Matheson passed away on 9 December 1898 at the age of 85, son of John and Ann, due to supposed senile decay. No doctor attended his death, which was reported by his son-in-law Donald Morrison. His wife Margaret had died in 1891, after the census had been taken in early April. She was 74.

Napier witnesses: Donald Mcleod

Donald Mcleod was a crofter and the estate constable from North Shawbost. Aged 62 at the time he gave evidence to Lord Napier at Barvas, we find him on the 1881 census living at Carnan Road (North Shawbost) with his children Peggy (22), Christina (18) and Malcolm (20). In 1871, we also see an older daughter Mary (24), with Margaret (of which Peggy is an abbreviated form), Cristy and Malcolm. Donald's wife Mary (50) also features.

Donald is reported to have died in 1897 at the age of 78.

Napier witnesses: John Nicolson

John Nicolson was 69 years of age when he spoke at the Commission's session in Barvas on 6 June 1883. He gave evidence on behalf of the people of New Shawbost. He is easily traced on the 1881 census as a 68-year old drover from New Shawbost (or Park Road), married to Catherine (56) and with daughter Ann (17). In 1871, they appear on the census form with daughters Catherin (16) and Ann (8). John cannot be located on earlier censuses, using the information available.

John Nicolson passed away on 28 March 1886 at the age of 70, having suffered ill health of unknown description for 14 days. His parents' names are given as Nicol and Anne (nee Maciver). His wife Catherine (nee Macaulay) survived him by 9 years, passing away in 1895 aged 73.

Napier witnesses: Malcolm Mcphail

Malcolm Mcphail gave evidence to Lord Napier during the Commission's session at Barvas on 6 June 1883. He represented the people of South Shawbost.

In the 1881 census, there are two men named Malcolm Mcphail in the Carloway district, but the corresponding records in the 1871 census confirm that it was Malcolm Mcphail of South Shawbost, married to Anne, who had spoken to Lord Napier. He was a crofter, aged 65 in 1881, with a wife aged 70.
A decade earlier, we find the couple with their children Mary (29) and Murdo (a sub teacher, aged 20). In 1861, we also find sons John (15) and Robert (13). The family is found complete in the 1851 census, although their ages do not correspond to a passage of 10 years. Malcolm and Anne first appear in the census of 1841, aged 25 and 30, with their eldest child, Mary, aged 1.

In 1891, we find Malcolm and Ann at Uig Manse, as a retired crofter. They are living with their son John (47) and daughter Mary (49). Also present is John's niece Catherin Smith (49) and a number of farm and domestic servants.

Malcolm passed away on 18 January 1898 aged 80, marked as the widower of Ann (nee Macleod), who died in 1894 aged 66. His parents were Duncan and Margaret. He had suffered rheumatic fever for a year. His son John reported the death. Malcolm died at Balnakille in the district of Uig. His occupation is noted as missionary.