Pentland Road - 2

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 B...

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 s...

Farquhar Murray gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Ness on 7 June 1883. At the time, he was in his early 50s, and we duly trace him in the 1881 census as living at 24 North Dell. He is a joiner and crofter, and has six children: Elizabeth (16), Donald (14), Rachel (12), Peter R (9), Malcolm (6) and Alexr (4). A decade earlier, he is listed as a cartwright, married to Cathrine, who was 11 years younger than Farquhar. Their children Elizabeth, Donald and Janet are listed, as are Farquhar's mother Catherine (74) and his sister Margret (37). The 1851 census, which gives the earliest reference to this witness, lists Farquhar Murray as a tenant at North Dell, living with his mother Catherine (50) and siblings Margaret (2), Anabella (12) and Dolina (10). Forty years later, the 1891 census shows Farquhar (58) with his six children at North Dell. By 1901, his daughter Rachel has married Donald Mcritchie, who has joined Farquhar and Rachel's siblings Elizabeth, Donald and Malc...

John Macleod is listed as a boat builder from Ness, aged 35, who gave evidence to Lord Napier on 7 June 1883. John lives at 9 Port with his wife Eliza, who is two years younger, and children Gordon (3) and John M (1). Also present is Eliza's sister Deanie Gordon. A decade earlier, John (23) lives with his parents Murdo (70) and Marion (58) in Port - he is a general merchant at that point. Also present are his siblings Donald (26) and Malcolm (18). In 1861, John is a 14-year old scholar. His siblings are listed as Norman (17), Cursty (12) and Malcolm (8). The 1851 census entry has mutilated the name of Caligvol (the old name of Port Ness) and Murdo Mcleod. John Mcleod is aged 4, and lives with his parents and siblings Norman (16), Mary (19), Cathrine (10), Donald (7) and Christian (1).  By 1891, John (by then 43) has become the sub-postmaster for Port. The names of his children are Gordon (13), Jack (11), James (9), David (7), Walter (4), Mile (10 months) and Margaret (22).

John Munro was a teacher at Lionel School, who gave evidence at the Napier Commission in Ness on 7 June 1883. He says he was born in Ross-shire, which is born out on the census return for 1881. He lives at 10 Lionel with his sister Netta, two years his junior. John Munro was 21.

John Macdonald gave evidence to the Napier Commission during its session at Ness on 7 June 1883. He is  listed as a 57-year old crofter from South Dell. This tallies with the 1881 census record, which shows John and his wife Catherine (who is 13 years younger) and their children Donald (22), Christy (14), Peggy (10), Norman (7), Mary (4) and Ann (1). John Macdonald is listed as a mason at 23 South Dell. A decade later, we find John and Catherine at North Dell, with their daughter Margaret (Peggy is a form of Margaret) and granddaughter Jane (6). I have not been able to reliably locate John Macdonald in the censuses before 1881.

Donald Mciver gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Ness on 7 June 1883. We find him in the 1871 census as a blacksmith and crofter at Cross. He is married to Mary, of the same age (36), with their children Cathrine (9) and Donald (4). The 1881 census shows the family extended to Anne, Angus and Anabella. They live at no 14, the Manse, although a village is not specified. By 1891, Murdo has also joined the family as a child of 8. Effy Campbell occurs in the '81 and '91 censuses as Mary's mother. In 1861, Donald and Mary live at South Dell, a mile or so from Cross. A decade earlier, Donald is the 16 year old son of Angus and Anabella, with siblings Margaret (30), Sebla (29), Isabella (22), Angus (14) and Anabella (11). Donald Mciver passed away on 28 January 1894 at the age of 60. He had suffered from hemiplegia (apoplectic) for 10 months. His widow, Mary, reported the death. She passed away in 1905, aged 65.

Malcolm Mackenzie, 4 Skigersta, gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Ness on 7 June 1883.  He was a fisherman aged 69 (in 1881), married to Effie (69). Also in the house were their son Murdo (38) and his wife Catharine (26); daughter Marion (28) and granddaughter Johanna (3). Malcolm features in the 1851 census as being married to Henny, living at Skigersta. The (transcribed) entry on the census corrupts the name of the village. Their children are Norman (12), Murdo (7), Donald (5), Marion (2 months). Margaret Murray, who is Effie's mother, lives with them in 1851, aged 75. Malcolm Mackenzie died on 11 January 1885, aged 74. His parents' names are Norman and Henrietta (nee Smith). His cause of death is "supposed to be consumption". His son Donald reported the death; he was unable to write his name. Henrietta died in 1887, aged 76.

Murdo Morrison gave evidence to Lord Napier's Commission at its hearings in Ness on 7 June 1883. He was a wool weaver, aged 72½ according to the Report. He was living with his wife Margaret at 3 Lionel. Murdo and Margaret show up in the censuses for 1871, '81 and '91; she was a year younger than her husband. The 1891 census shows their son-in-law John Maclean (58) and daughter-in-law Christina Maclean (48) with their children Alexander (25), Donald (23), Mary (14) and Angus (9). The address in 1891 is 4 Lionel. This remains unchanged in 1901, except we no longer find Murdo's wife Margaret. His age is listed as 91 on the census. Murdo Morrison passed away only a few days after the 1901 census was taken, on the night of 31 March / 1 April 1901; he died on 16 April 1901 aged 90, the widower of Margaret (nee Gillies) who had pre-deceased him in 1897, aged 85. His parents' names were Donald and Christina (nee Maclean). Murdo's cause of death is listed as "sup...

I came across the death records of two men from Ness, which were annotated as follows: "Supposed to have died in the month of February [1885], Island of Rona". The cause of death is marked as not known; the deaths were not reported until April 30th. The two men are named as Malcolm Mcdonald, crofter, married to Mary Mcleod, usual residence Lionel, Barvas. He was aged 67, the son of Murdo and Christina Mcdonald (nee Morrison). His son John reported the death. Murdo Mckay, crofter, married to Ann Morrison, usual residence Lionel, Barvas. He was aged 57, the son of Murdo and Catherine Mckay (nee Mciver). His daughter Christina reported the death; she was unable to write her name. The Aberdeen Weekly Journal of 2 May 1885 relates what happened. Information has been received at Stornoway to the effect that two elderly Ness men who had gone to Rona Island last July - namely Malcolm McDonald and Murdo Mackay - to look after the sheep on the island, were found last week by a ...

Murdo Mackay gave evidence to Lord Napier's Commission at Ness on 7 June 1883. The 1871 census shows Murdo as a wool weaver in Cross (Barvas), aged 45. He is living with his daughter Christina (27), her husband Norman (20) and their daughter Catherine (5 months old). I have been unable to trace Murdo in earlier or later censuses. It is possible that this Murdo Mckay supposedly died on North Rona in February 1885, aged 57. He was married to Ann Morrison.

Finlay Mackenzie gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Ness on 7 June 1883. He was aged 51 in the 1881 census, married to Cathrine (41), with 8 children. He is listed as a merchant (grocer) at 9 Habost. The Napier Report quotes Finlay's village of residence as Tabost; Habost is the lenited form of Tabost. The children are named as Cathrine (18), Ann (16), Margaret (14), Donald (12), John (10), Finlay (5), Margaret (3) and Angus (4 months). A decade earlier, Finlay (noted as a sailor) was living at Cross with his parents, John (82) and Catherine (70) as well as his children Catherine (8), Ann (6), Margret (4), Donald (2) and John (1 month). In 1861, we see Finlay's wife Catherine (20) and their first child Ann (2), who died later, in 1863. Finlay's father is head of the household at that time. In 1851, we see Finlay's siblings Angus (31), Donald (24) and Ann (17); Finlay is 21 years of age. The last census entry from Finlay Mckenzie is in 1901, when he is 70 y...

Malcolm Mclean appeared before Lord Napier during the session at Ness, Lewis, on 7 June 1883. At the time he is 64 years of age, and we duly find him in the 1881 census, living at 33 Swainbost. His wife is Christina (48), and they live with their children Cathrine (27), Angus (24), Christina (20), John (14), Malcolm (12), Donald (10) and Mary (7). No further reliable references to Malcolm can be located in the census records before or after 1881.

Private NORMAN MORRISON Last address in Lewis: 10 South Dell Son of Murdo and Flora Morrison of 10 South Dell Service unit: 3rd Gordon Highlanders Service number: 3/5645 Discharged at Aberdeen on 29 May 1916 due to gunshot wounds and TB Date of death: 16 March 1917 at the age of 23 Died of wounds at home Interred: Old Ness Cemetery, Swainbost, lair 95 Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross I am pleased to announce that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has formally recognised Norman's status as War Dead from the Commonwealth, and a stone is to be (has been?) erected at the Swainbost Cemetery (referred to as Old Ness). It is a matter of pride for me personally that Norman's sacrifice is finally recognised and he will be remembered for perpetuity by CWGC, and in that old, windswept graveyard by the sea. I am equally grateful to the volunteers from the laudible In From the Cold Project for facilitating this process of recognition.

Bàthadh Chunndail is an event in the history of Ness which occurred in 1885. Twelve fishermen were lost as they were setting out from the bay at Cunndal, west of Eoropie. Angus Morrison, 36 Eoropie, was the skipper and his remains were the last to be recovered from the sea. He was buried on the machair nearby, just above Eoropie Beach (Traigh Shanndaigh). A memorial cairn has been placed there. Today (27 November 2010), a ceremony was held at the Comunn Eachdraidh in Habost (Ness) to commemorate the loss, and to dedicate a new memorial cairn to remember all those lost, 125 years ago. The event was to have taken place at Traigh Shanndaigh, but due to the inclement weather it was relocated indoors. I apologise for the scant information available, which is based on a reference in the report of the 2006 Ness Archeological Landscape Survey. Apparently, more info is held at the CE Nis office; if I learn more, I shall add it to this post.

Norman Morrison, formerly of 10A South Dell in Lewis, died on 16 March 1917 after suffering with TB for 9 months. He had served on the Western Front, but was repatriated with gunshot wounds. He was interred at Swainbost Cemetery, but his grave was not marked. Norman would have qualified for a Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) gravestone, but was overlooked. I have gathered what I hope is sufficient evidence for Norman to be included on the CWGC files and be afforded a proper gravestone. Even if his actual grave cannot be located.

You may remember from a few weeks ago that I am working to get a casualty of the First World War on the Commonwealth Wargraves Commission register. Things have progressed, and the last piece of the jigsaw is about to fall into place. In the next day or so, I shall receive confirmation that Norman Morrison, formerly of 10A South Dell, was buried at the Swainbost Cemetery on 16 March 1917. He died 9 months after contracting turberculosis. Once I have confirmation, a case will be submitted to the CWGC to have Norman entered onto their records. A CWGC wargrave stone will then be erected at the cemetery. In connection with this, it has come to my attention that reservists who died after being discharged from war service do not qualify for CWGC status. Not fair, is it? This is the Swainbost Cemetery, where 9,000 people have been buried since the 16th century.Norman Morrison's grave is somewhere in here - each stone represents a grave.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) keeps records on all British service personnel, killed in the First and Second World Wars. In their files, accessible on the Internet, you can find out about the more than one million servicemen and -women who lost their lives in those conflicts. Its files are comprehensive, but not complete. This evening, with the aid of a fellow researcher elsewhere in Scotland, I traced the details of: Private NORMAN MORRISON Last address in Lewis: 10 South Dell, Service unit: 3rd Gordon Highlanders Service number: 3/5645 Date of death: 16 March 1917 at the age of 23 Died of wounds at home Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross Private Morrison is not remembered by CWGC. As soon as I have obtained the details of his burial, a case can be submitted to have Norman included on the registers of the CWGC. After 93 years (and a few days), we will finally be able to give him the honour and remembrance on the scale that he deserves. He is menti...