ERRACHT (NN143824)

ca1493-1580 - Ewen MacEwen CAMERON (1st of Erracht)
The progenitor of the Camerons of Erracht was Ewen, elder son of Ewen, 1st of the name of Lochiel, by his second wife, Marjory MacKintosh.   This family is known in Gaelic by the patronymic of "Sliochd Eóghainn 'ic Eóghainn" ("progeny of Ewen, son of Ewen").   Ewen, 1st of Erracht, whose brother John Dow M'Ewen had been murdered about 1550 by Ewen Beag, 2nd of Lochiel in 1550, is believed to have married Margaret Stewart and had by her two sons, Donald Dow M'V'Ewen and John Dow M'V'Ewen. In 'Bygone Lochaber' it is said that the two sons were John Dubh and Allan, and that Allan, his younger son, born in 1560, married Margaret Cameron of Glen Nevis, with issue - Ewen, who was hanged for cattle stealing in 1630.   Ewen, it is said, was assassinated while attending a gathering of Clan Cameron at Inverlochy Castle in 1580 because he claimed the chieftainship.......... succeeded by his son

ca1555-1613 - John Bodach M'Ane M'Ewen CAMERON (3rd of Erracht)
John Bodach and his brother Ewen M'Ane both took part in the raid on Moyness on 8th October 1598 (see an account of this brutal raid in the language of the day)...
In 1613 both brothers were killed, together with a cousin, a nephew and a number of others in a clan feud that could have had its roots in the Erracht family's claim to the Chieftainship of Clan Cameron, but, more immediately, was the result of the rivalry between the two most powerful magnates in the country, Argyll and Huntly.... .............succeeded by his son

ca1590-ca1650 - Allan CAMERON (4th of Erracht)
Allan's name appears as 'Allan Mac Ian a Vodich' in the rental records for 1642. He was dead before 1663.............succeeded by his son

ca1630-1676 - Ewen CAMERON (5th of Erracht)
Ewen's name appears as 'Ewen Cameron, alias Bodach in Erracht' in the rental for 1663.  Shortly after this date he is described as 'now of Delcattaig', bacause Ewen, 5th of Lochiel, was jealous of him on account of his popularity with members of the clan, and had him removed temporarily.  Doubtless in an attempt to patch up the clan quarrel, Ewen married as his first wife Marjory, the daughter of Allan, 4th of Lochiel   ................succeeded by his son

ca1660-ca1730 - John CAMERON (6th of Erracht)
John had four sons by his first wife, Jean, the daughter of Donald Cameron of Glendessary (known as Donald na Cuirc ('Donald of the Knife').   He also had another son, Duncan of Kinlochbeg, by his second wife, Isobel Campbell, widow of John Cameron of Kinlochleven.   His eldest son Donald was kllled at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715............succeeded by his second son

ca1687-1745 - Allan CAMERON (7th of Erracht)
Allan received a wadset of the lands of Erracht in 1727 from 'the Gentle Lochiel'.   One of his sons, Donald Mòr, was second in command of Lochiel's regiment , and was a fugitive for three years after Culloden.............succeeded by his son

ca1710-1780 - Ewen CAMERON (8th of Erracht)
Ewen married his cousin, Marsali, the daughter of Charles MacLean of Drimnin who was killed at Culloden.   Marsali (or Marjory) Maclean of Drimnin was living in 1793.   Her home was on the west coast opposite Tobermory, and was burned down early in 1746 by men from H.M.S.Terror.   Marsali had a brother Allan Maclean, with whom Allan Cameron (Marsali's son) took refuge for the winter after he had killed Alexander Cameron of Muirshearlaich in a duel..............succeeded by his son

1750-1828 - Allan CAMERON (9th of Erracht)
In 1772 Allan had an unfortunate duel, in which he killed Alexander Cameron of Muirshearlich...
He fled to his mother's people in Morvern, thence to America, where he was involved in the War of Independence, being captured and held for a considerable time in jail in Philadelphia.   He returned to London before 14 August 1779, unfit for further active service.   On 10 July 1781 he obtained a new lease of Erracht from the Commissioner of Annexed Estates for 41 years from Whitsunday 1781.   He lost his eldest son Phillips Cameron, Colonel and Commander of the 79th Cameron Highlanders, who was killed in action in 1811 at Fuentes d'Onor against Napoleon's army.   Two other sons served in the 79th Regiment.   Allan had a distinguished career.   He founded the 79th Regiment, the Cameron Highlanders at Fort William on 30th January 1794, and was made a K.C.B. in 1815, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant-General...............succeeded by his son

1787-1860 - Nathaniel CAMERON (10th of Erracht)
..............succeeded by his son

1814-1899 - Nathaniel Pryce CAMERON (11th of Erracht).

ca1588-???? - Donald M''Allan M'Aneduy CAMERON (1st of Clunes)
The first known Cameron to possess Clunes was Donald, grandson of Allan, third son of John Dubh, 2nd of Erracht. Tradition has it that Clunes belonged originally to the Kennedies in Lochaber and that they lost it in a most singular way. .. In a rental of the lands of Glenloy and Locharkaig prepared for MacKintosh in 1642, "Donald vic Allan vic Ian dhu" is shown as occupying Clunes, Glastermore and Torchronan..............succeeded by his son

ca1615-???? - Allan M'Connel CAMERON (2nd of Clunes)..............succeeded by his son

????-???? - Ewen CAMERON (3rd of Clunes)................succeeded by his son

1683-1753 - Donald CAMERON (4th of Clunes)
Donald, 4th of Clunes, was known as 'Old Clunes of the '45'. ..His son Allan was killed at Prestonpans, and, although he was too old to fight, he served his Prince in other ways.   He it was who sheltered Prince Charles at Clunes on his flight to Glenpean after Culloden.; he found those secure hiding places around Achnacarry on his return to Lochaber in August 1746; he arranged to send his son Sandy to deliver the vital message that a ship was lying in Loch nam Uamh ready to take him aboard and sail to safety; and it was he who ferried the Prince, Lochiel, and their party across the swollen Lochy in 'an old crank (weak) boat' that Clunes had been able to hide from the soldiers.
......Clunes house was burned to the ground about the same time as Achnacarry.   It is said that the rude hut he had erected to shelter his family was burned in revenge for the shooting of Culcairn :
......The present house must have been built shortly after the '45 but it has been extensively added to from time to time.   It commands a splendid view of Ben Nevis.   On a small knoll at the back of the house is the burial place of the Camerons of Clunes.   No more peaceful or secluded spot can be imagined ................. succeeded by his grandson

1736-1827 - Donald CAMERON (5th of Clunes)...........succeeded by his son

1781-1841 - Allan CAMERON (6th of Clunes).............succeeded by his brother

1784-ca1875 - Patrick CAMERON (7th of Clunes).

1778-1850 - Alexander CAMERON
In the book 'The Camerons - A History of Clan Cameron' by John Stewart of Ardvorlich, the author quotes Burke's 'Landed Gentry' (1939) as authority for saying that Alexander Cameron was the son of a Donald Cameron born in 1725 at Murlaggan and Helen, daughter of Alexander MacDonald of Achtriachtan in Glencoe.   However Somerled MacMillan in 'Bygone Lochaber' expresses his belief that the father was Cameron of Scamadale in South Morar, the mother being Margaret Cameron, a sister of Allan of Erracht.   Alexander, born in 1778, became a distinguished soldier, serving in the newly-raised Rifle Corps with Sir John Moore in Portugal.   He was present at Corunna, and took part in all the major battles of the Peninsular War, eventually commanding the 1st Battalion The Rifle Corps.   In 1815 he was engaged at the Battle of Quatre Bras, then Waterloo, where he was seriously wounded.   In 1838 he was created Knoght Commander of the Bath.   Inverailort House was used as a Commando training depot during the Second World War.................succeeded by his son

1819-1874 - Duncan CAMERON.............succeeded by his daughter

????-???? - Christian Helen Jane CAMERON..............succeeded by her son

1896-1957 - Francis Somerville CAMERON-HEAD.

(b.ca1493) John Dubh MacEwen CAMERON (1st of Kinlocheil)
The Camerons of Kinlocheil had their seat at Drumnasallie and are descended from John Dubh,second son of Ewen, 1st of Lochiel, by his second wife Marjory MacKintosh.   They are known in Gaelic as "Sliochd Iain 'ic Eóghainn" ("progeny of John, son of Ewen").   John Dubh was slaughtered in 1550 during the violent feud between Lochiel and Erracht.......... succeeded by his son

(b.ca1540) John CAMERON (2nd of Kinlocheil)
This John was beheaded at Dunstaffnage in 1585. The reason for this may well have been connected to the murder in 1569 of Donald Dubh, 3rd of the name of Lochiel.......... succeeded by his brother

(b.ca1542) John Dubh CAMERON 3rd of Kinlocheil)
Mentioned as 'John M'Ane Dwe M'Ewyn in Kandlochele' (i.e.'John, son of John Dubh, son of Ewen') in a Commission dated 1588 to George, Earl of Huntly and others to apprehend a number of Camerons for various crimes........... succeeded by his son

(b.ca1572) Donald CAMERON (4th of Kinlocheil)..............succeeded by his son

(b.ca1605) John Dubh CAMERON (5th of Kinlocheil)
In 1678 the Head of the family was John Cameron "alias MacKonniel Vic-ean-duie of Druimnasyle" ("alias son of Donald, son of John Dubh of Drumnasallie")..............succeeded by his son

(b.ca1635) ?? CAMERON (6th of Kinlocheil)...............succeeded by his son

(b.ca1670) Ewen CAMERON (7th of Kinlocheil)
Ewen, probably a grandson of John, was Wadsetter of Drumnasallie during the '45, and sustained great losses in livestock and property at the hands of Cumberland's men during June or July of 1746 ..............succeeded by his son

(b.ca1710) JohnCAMERON (8th of Kinlocheil)
.John, the elder son, was Wadsetter of Drumnasallie in 1755, and that year he and his brother Donald had to attend a land-court in order to declare the exact rental of their land. Their declaration reads as follows:
"Bunarkaig 5 November, 1755......Compeared John and Donald Camerons in Drumnasallie Who being Solemnly Sworn and Interogate DEPONE That the rents of the ffarm of Druimnasallie is Ten pound Sterling Yearly That the Tenants are liable to pay Cess Tiends and other publick Burdons and to free the Proprietor and this is truth as they shall answer to God and declare they cannot write...........................Mungo Campbell Alex. Campbell B.B."
..............succeeded by his son

(b.1755) John CAMERON (9th of Kinlocheil)
In 1793 John was one of the signatories to a letter to the Episcopalian bishops, appealing for a settled minister in Lochaber........... succeeded by his son

b.ca1775) Ewen CAMERON (10th of Kinlocheil).............succeeded by his son

(b.ca1810) John Angus CAMERON (11th of Kinlocheil).

GLENDESSARY (NM968927) AND DUNGALLON (NM649601) / (NM835683)

ca1620-1695 - John CAMERON (1st of Glendessary)
John, the eldest son of Donald na Cuirc, tenanted Liddesdale and Beach as a tenant of MacLean of Duart on the south side of Sunart prior to 1674.  He was the first of the name of Glendessary ...............succeeded by his son

ca1660-1721 - Allan CAMERON (2nd of Glendessary)
Allan appears to have possessed land in widely scattered places.  The Cameron Sasines include : '26 Nov. 1697 : Wadset of Ulladale in Morvern and Skarranish in Tiree to Allan Cameron in Glendessarie. Sasine 19 Feb. and 15 March, 1698, witnessed by Archibald Cameron of Dungallant and Donald Cameron of Tarnot (73.181).' ...... '10 Nov. 1697 : Wadset of Clunlaitt and Kilcallumkil parish to said Allan by Maclaine of Lochbuie (73.184).' ...... 12 May, 1698 : Said Allan witnessed a wadset in Mull (74.32).' ....... 30 Jan. to 20 Feb. 1699 : Sasine to Allan Cameron of Glendessarie (75.134).'
...... Allan married Christian, eldest daughter of Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel (by his third wife Jean Barclay) and had three children : John, the heir ; Allan ; and Jean.
...... Jean became 'Jenny Cameron of the '45.', famous for her supposed association with Prince Charles during the '45 Rising.  As her two brothers were abroad, she felt it her duty to rally the men of the district, and mounting a white horse she led them to Glenfinnan in support of the Prince. She had a tack of the farm of Innimore from the Duke of Argyll, and the Inverary records show that 45 people of the name of Cameron resided there.  She died aged about 77 in 1772 at Mount Cameron in Lanarkshire....  Allan was ..............succeeded by his son

ca1716-1745 - John CAMERON (3rd of Glendessary)
John and his brother Allan were living in Edinburgh in 1743, and were abroad during the '45 Rising ..........succeeded by his brother

ca1721-???? - Allan CAMERON (4th of Glendessary)..............succeeded by his son

ca1756-???? - Alexander CAMERON (5th of Glendessary).
A most interesting description, written around 1800, of a well-to-do tacksman's house of the period is given in the Duke of Argyll's instructions for his factor in Mull and Morvern : 'Cameron of Glendessary lived stylishly at Achacharn in Morvern in a "creel house formed of oak beams placed at regular distances, the intervening spaces being closely interwoven with wickerwork. The outside was wholly covered with heath, and the interior divided into several apartments, and furnished in a style of taste and elegance corresponding with the enlightened refinement of the occupants".'
...... In 1826 Sir Alexander Cameron of Inverailort assigned the lease of Murlaggan, Loch Arkaigside, to William,son of Alexander Cameron of Glendessary.

ca1672-1719 - Archibald CAMERON (1st of Dungallon)
The first to use the name "of Dungallon" was Archibald, younger brother of Allan Cameron, 2nd of Glendessary.  He married Isobel, daughter of Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel by his third wife Jean Barclay. Isobel was sister to the wife of Archibald's half-brother, Allan Cameron, 2nd of Glendessary. One of Archibald's daughters, Jean, married Dr. Archibald Cameron, brother to 'the Gentle Lochiel'.    Dr. Archibald was executed at Tyburn in 1752 for his part in the Jacobite Rising.  His was the last Jacobite execution to take place.
...... Dungallon is a rocky islet in Loch Sunart near Camusinas, but the Dungallon home was at Glenahurich in Sunart.  The waters of the River Hurich run into Loch Shiel............ succeeded by his son

ca1702-1739 - John Cameron (2nd of Dungallon)
John died at Dungallon at the age of around 37, childless............ succeeded by his brother

ca1708-1759- Alexander CAMERON (3rd of Dungallon)
Alexander was a Major in Lochiel's regiment during the '45, standard-bearer in the Prince's army.  He was imprisoned after Culloden, having given himself up to the military, and his estate was forfeited, but was later returned to him for he appears to have been cooperative.  In 1757 he obtained a commission in the Fraser Highlanders.  He left his estate to ...............his relation (his half-brother's son)

ca1721-???? - Allan CAMERON (4th of Glendessary).

FASSIFERN (NN021788)

ca1698-1785 - John CAMERON (1st of Fassifern)
Fassifern is a delightful old house on the north side of Loch Eil, some five miles from Corpach.
...... John, 1st if Fassifern, was the brother next to "the Gentle Lochiel".  He entered the mercantile business and resided for a time in the West Indies where he became a successful merchant.  He was made a burgess of the city of Glasgow, and his burgess ticket, dated July 1735 is still preserved.
...... It is difficult to say how far John Cameron was actively engaged in the interests of Prince Charles during and after the rising, but we have good reason to believe that the Government of the period had ample cause for their suspicions as to his movements....
................. As a further note as to the character of this man, see above, in the notes to the life of Alan Cameron, 9th of Erracht, the baleful influence he had on the fortune (or rather misfortune) which befell Alexander Cameron of Muirshearlich and Alan Cameron of Erracht.
.........succeeded by his son

1740-1828 - Ewen CAMERON (2nd of Fassifern)
Ewen (later Sir Ewen), 2nd of Fassifern, was created a Baronet in 1817 in recognition of the distinguished service of his son John......... succeeded by his son

1775-1863 - Duncan CAMERON (3rd of Fassifern).
In Burke's "Landed Gentry" it is recorded that Sir Duncan Cameron of Fassifern married a Mary Cameron and that they had an only daughter named Christina.  No information is given regarding this woman's pedigree, nor are we told when and where the marriage took place, or when the child was born. FS Here hangs a tale which was no mystery to an older generation...........

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