Napier witnesses: Breasclete

A few notes on the witnesses that were heard in Breasclete. The census records for the witnesses from the Carloway area are all marked as being in the parish of Lochs - in spite of the fact that Carloway is formally in the parish of Uig. Lochs is at least 15 miles away to the southeast.

Witness Murdo Mcleod, Borrowston, could not be traced in the censuses, as far as I could make out.

EDIT: As pointed out in a comment by Angus S below and by fellow blogger Direcleit, Carloway was a detached area of Lochs Parish (see this transcript of the Gazetteer of Scotland on ceuig.com).

Napier witnesses: Angus Paterson

Angus Paterson gave evidence at Breasclete on behalf of the people of Kirivick. We find him on the 1881 census, aged 54, living with his wife Mary (56). We can trace this couple back to 1861 - they do not appear to have had any children. Angus himself turns up in 1841 as a 15-year old in Tolstachaolais. He is staying with a family of Macaskills at the time.

Angus Paterson died on 15 May 1885 at the age of 58 "supposed to be asthma" - the death record is not too clear. He is survived by his wife Mary Mcgregor, who passed away in 1900 at the age of 75.

Napier witnesses: Norman Morrison (Carloway)

Norman Morrison from Knock, Carloway, gave evidence to Lord Napier at Breasclete. He was aged 52 at the time, and he is easily traceable on the 1881 census. We find him there as a crofter in Knock, married to Christy (39) with their family of 7 children, varying in ages from 1 to 15. Although listed as a crofter in '81, the 1871 census lists his occupation as grocer and crofter.

In 1891, his household comprises of 14 people. Norman (60), his wife Christy (47) and five of their children. From the 1901 census, we learn that Norman was in fact born at Dalmore, a mile or so east of Carloway on the coast. At the time, he is aged 71, and lives with Christy (59), two of his children and two grandchildren.

Norman Morrison passed away on 16 November 1909 aged 80. He had been suffering from heart disease for three years. His parents' names are given as Donald and Mary (nee Macleod). His wife Christina (nee Maciver) died in 1929, aged 87.

Napier witnesses: Norman Mcphail

Norman Mcphail gave evidence on behalf of the Carloway crofters in front of Lord Napier at Breasclete on 5 June 1883. He was aged 64, according to the Report. We find him in the 1881 census, aged 60, with his wife Chirsty (57), at a fisherman's house. This is located in Carloway in the 1871 census. In '81, we see Norman's family, Duncan (25), Malcolm (23), Isabella (20), Kenneth (17, an unemployed baker), Chirsty (15) and Murdoch (13). Norman's brother Malcolm (57) is listed as a visiting pauper. In the 1871 census, we find the same people there, but just about a decade younger. Malcolm Mcphail (brother) is now a 'Defendenton Relater'.  The earlier censuses do not readily yield Norman Mcphail at Carloway.

Moving forward in time, the 1891 census adds a daughter Ann (30); daughter Christy (now aged 24) has two young children, Bella (3) and Norman (1). Malcolm Mcphail remains in the house - presently referred to as an imbecile. The last available census, 1901, still shows Norman and Christy (now aged 82 and 77), with their children Bella (36), Chirsty (32), Catherine (45, married to Norman Macphail), John (16),  Kate (12), Kenneth (8) and Angus (5). The latter four youngsters all have their father's name given as Norman Macphail, but I'm not sure whether this is the elderly man referred to in this post.

Norman Mcphail passed away on 27 September 1902 at the age of 83. The cause of death is not specified. His parents' name is given as John and Mary (nee Macleod). His wife Christina survived him by 17 years, dying in 1919, aged 95.

Napier witnesses: George Smith

George Smith was a witness from Callanish, who gave evidence to Lord Napier on 5 June 1883 at Breasclete. He does not appear to feature in the 1881 census, but can be traced in 1871. We see him as a crofter at Callenish, aged 57. He is there with his wife Christy (50) and children Ann (17), Catherine (14) and Donald (5). Ten years before, the family is annotated at 31 Callanish, also with George's mother Ann (80) present. She is marked down as a mid wife. In 1851, George and 'Cursty' have their children Mary (4) and Ann (1). Ann Smith (70) is also in the house.

George Smith does also not appear in the 1891 census. He passed away on 21 August 1896, aged 83, having suffered from the effects of old age. His parents are listed as Donald and Ann (nee Maciver). His daughter Catherine registered the death at Carloway 5 days later; she was not able to write her own name.

Napier witnesses: John Mackenzie

John Mackenzie was 60 when he gave evidence to Lord Napier's Commission at Breasclete. He did not have far to travel, coming from the next door village of Callanish - sometimes referred to as Callernish in the 19th century.

In the census of 1881, John is shown with his son Angus (27) and daughters Cathrine (23), Chirsty (20) and Mary (12). A decade further on, we see John's wife Mary, 6 years his junior, in the house, with their daughter Kate (Catherine), with her husband Thomas Mckay. Their young daughter Annie (5) is also present.  In 1901, John and Mary are shown at 23 Callanish, living with their granddaughter Annie and a 10-year old visitor, Effie Fraser.

Moving back in time, the 1871 census shows John Mackenzie being married to Ephemia Mckenzie, 5 years his junior. At that time, they have children named Angus (17), Catherine (14), Christy (11), Ephemia (9), Peggie (6) and Mary (3). Of these, the children Ephemia and Peggie do not appear in later censuses. Their mother died in 1875, at the age of 48, of 'inflammation'.

John Mackenzie died on 27 August 1906 aged 85, of old age.

Napier witnesses: Murdo Macdonald

Murdo Macdonald was the witness for Tobson, Great Bernera, heard at Breasclete on 5 June 1883. We find a Murdo Macdonald, aged 56, at Tobson in the 1881 census, with his wife Henretta (50). Their children Henretta (20), Murdo (17) and Angus (25) are also present. The family is picked up in the 1871 census, not specifying where their 'private house' is located. A son Donald (12) and daughters Catherine (4) and Margaret (2) are shown in that census. In 1861, Angus (36) and Henrietta (29, born at Knock) are listed at 'Hopson' (which we can interpret as Tobson), with their young children Angus (5), Donald (3) and Ann (1).

Murdo passed away at Tobson on 25 January 1889, aged 65. He had suffered from consumption for some years. His parents' names are listed as Angus and Ann Macdonald. His son Angus reported the death at Miavaig on January 31st. Murdo's wife Henrietta followed him into death in 1892, aged 64.

Napier witnesses: Donald Macdonald

Donald Macdonald is 50 years of age when he gives evidence to the Napier Commission in Breasclete. We find him on the 1881 census with his wife Maggy, who in 1891 is referred to as Peggie. It should be born in mind that both are abbreviations / corruptions of Margaret.

They have six of a family in 1881, Angus (15), Murdoch (13), Bella (12), Mary A (10), Donald (4) and Anne (1). The 1881 census shows the curious discrepancy of putting Carloway in the parish of Lochs. In 1891, the family is in Park (Carloway). Donald is 58, and Peggie 50. Since 1881, Kenneth was born, aged 8 in '91. The other children are all still in the home, with the exception of the eldest, Angus.

By 1871, Donald and Margaret (Peggy) are shown with their eldest three children, Andrew [Angus?], aged 5 (should be 15), Murdo (8) and Issabella (5). Donald is a fisherman in the Carloway area.

Donald Macdonald passed away on 18 February 1899, aged 65, having suffered indigestion for a year. His parents are given as Angus and Ann Macdonald, his wife's name is Margaret nee Maciver. Donald's son Kenneth registered the death in his home township of Carloway.

Napier witnesses: Donald Martin

Donald Martin (61) was the witness for Tolsta Chaolais, the small village between Carloway and Breasclete. The 1871 census clearly shows him from there. The '81 census is confusing, as the transcription calls his area "Uig Hacktex". His family in 1871 consists of Donald (49), his wife Cathrin (48) and their children Cathrine (18), Kenneth (13), Anne (10), Marrion (7) and Dolly (3). Donald is listed as a mason crofter, which is the same information we find in 1861, with only the family about 10 years younger. In 1851, he lived in Doune Carloway, which is a mile or two to the north of Tolsta Chaolais.

Donald is found with his parents in 1841, living at Doune (near Carloway). He is the son of Kenneth (50) and Marion (45), with his siblings John (of the same age as Donald, twins?), Murdo (8), Ann (25), Margaret (20), Catherine (12) and Jane (4).

In 1891, Donald and Catherine remain at TC, with their children Kenneth, Annie and Dolly; Dolly's son Roderick (5) is also present.  A decade later, Kenneth Martin (42) is head of the household, with his wife Mary and 4 young children. Donald and Kate, now in their late 70s, are there, with their daughter Annie, now 39.

Donald Martin passed away on 16 February 1904 at the age of 83, having suffered influenza for 10 days. His son Kenneth reported the death. Catherine Martin died in 1915 at the age of 93.

Napier witnesses: John Maciver

John Maciver gave evidence at Breasclete on 5 June 1883. Tracing him through the censuses leaves some uncertainty, as the 1881 census entry gives no address. However, going through the timeline from 1861 onwards reveals a picture that matches our witness fairly closely.

In 1861, we find John (35) with his parents, Donald (76) and Cathrine (56) in Breasclete. His siblings Norman (29) and Mary (26) are also present. Ten years later, John Mciver has assumed the tenancy in Breasclete, with his mother Catherine (63) still in the house. Although John's wife is not present, her relations are. We find a Donald Mcray, and his sister Mary, as well as John's child Charty Mcray (6).

In 1881, John (52) and his wife Mary (44) are now alone in the house, except for a cousin. Ten years later, two of their children appear on the scene, Alexander (19) and Donald (10).

I am unable to find John Maciver with any certainty in the 1891 census, but it would appear he passed away on 3 March 1892, aged 70, at Breasclete. He left behind his widow Mary, nee Macdonald; his parents' names are given as Donald and Catherine. The cause of his death is not certified, but it appears John had been suffering ill health for 15 months previous. His brother Norman reported the death to the registrar in Carloway. Mary Maciver passed away 18 years after her husband, at the age of 75.

Napier witnesses: Neil Maclennan

Neil Maclennan gave evidence to Lord Napier at Breasclete, on the eastern shore of Loch Roag, on 5 June 1883. In the written submission, Neil is put forward as the representative for Callanish Park (should be Breasclete Park). Bearing this in mind, he appears in the censuses as follows.

In 1881, he is a shoemaker (aged 45) at "a crofthouse" in the Carloway district. Neil is married to Ann (34) with five children, Donald (7), Malcolm (4), Neil (1), Cathrine (9) and Maggie (3). His nephew Donald Mcleod (20) is there as an apprentice, and another nephew, Donald Mclennan (20) is there in a similar position.

Following the trail back in time, we find confirmation that this is the Neil Maclennan that spoke to Lord Napier in 1883. In 1871, Neil is a shoemaker at Callenish, married to Ann, with her brother Kenneth Mckay (14) also present. A decade earlier, Neil is not yet married, living with his brother John (40) and his wife Jane (24) and their two young children. Cathrine Mclennan (65) is the mother of Neil and John, and of Donald (27), Kenneth (23) and Robert (20).

The 1841 census gives us the first appearance of Neil, confirming his evidence that his folk were moved from Reef. At that time, we find Cathrine Maclennan (46) with her husband Donald (50) and their children John (20), Anne (18), Malcolm (14), Margaret (16), Donald (7), Neil (5), Kenneth (4) and Robert (6 months).

Fifty years later, Neil is a crofter in Breasclete, with his wife Anne. Their children are Catherine (19), Malcolm (15), Maggie (12), Neil (11), Kenneth (8) and John (6). In 1901, Neil (aged 64) remains at 5 Breasclete Park with his children Catherine, Neil and John.

Neil Maclennan passed away on 28 July 1908 at the age of 72, the widower of Ann, who died in 1899 aged 58. He had suffered a cerebral haemorrhage six days before his death, resulting in hemiplegia. His son Neil reported the death to the registrar in Carloway.