Pentland Road - 2

Enumeration district 1 in Registration district 89 appears to encompass some very remote areas of Lewis, on and offshore. In 1901, we find the following houses: 1. Mealista House, a mile south of Brenish has a family of Mitchells in residence. 2. Hamnaway, about 8 miles south of Carnish, houses a family of Mathisons. 3. Beyond Hamnaway, a mile or two round the bay, we find the hamlet of Ardbeg. At no 1, we see Donald (72) and May (78) Mcleanan, with three of their children (aged in their 30s). At 2 Ardbeg, there are a family of Mcdonalds. 4. At Crolaw [Crola] house, near the eastern extremity of Loch Resort a family of Macdonalds is in residence. 5. Kenreasort House, a few miles east of Crola shows Kenneth Mcdonald (51, gamekeeper), married to Catherine (28), and with Catherine Mciver (28) as a general servant there. John Mciver is registered as a sailor, aged 60.  6. Thirty miles out at sea, the Flannan Isles Lighthouse is also in the census returns. Wm Begg...

John Matheson gave evidence to Lord Napier's Commission on behalf of the people of Aird Uig. We find him in the 1881 census, living with his father Malcolm (74), mother Catherine (60), and wife Isabella (36). His siblings Isabella (26) and Dorothy (37) are also present, together with niece Dorothy Mackay (15) and  Catherine Patterson (18), a servant. The 1871 census confirms his location as Aird Uig. This also shows another of John's sisters, Peggy, at that time a laundry-maid aged 20. Dorothy Mackay is present in the household as well in 1871. A decade before, we see all of John's siblings: Alex, Ann, Dorathia, Margaret (Peggy in 1871) and Isabella. John Matheson's record on Hebridean Connections shows he lived at 4 Aird Uig. Going forward in time, John and Isabella had children by 1891: Bella (8) and Kate (6). In 1901, the family had located to Carloway, and John was a missionary at the Church of Scotland Missionary's Manse. The death record shows, I believe...

Alexander Macdonald was the witness for Crowlista in Uig, giving evidence to Lord Napier's Commission on 4 June 1883 at Miavaig. We find him on the 1881 census aged 46, with his spouse Catherine (33) and four children Dolina (7), John (6), Anne (3) and Jessie (8 months); also Christina Buchanan, a 46-year old pauper, who is visiting. Hebridean Connections states that the couple lived at 16 Crowlista. A decade before, Alexander still lives with his mother (Ann, 69) and siblings Murdoch (30, fisherman), Malcolm (23, fisherman), Ann (27, agricultural labourer) and Christina. (25, agricultural labourer). Alexander is a fisherman at Crowlista. This information is linked to the record on Heb. Conn. In 1891, we find Alexander and Catherine at the School House, with their children Ann (13), Janet (9), Kate (6) and Florance (4). Ten years later, the 1901 census lists this family of Macdonalds at 16 Crowlista, providing final confirmation. Alexander Macdonald passed away on 27 Marc...

John Ferguson was the witness from Carishader, Uig, Lewis, who gave evidence at Miavaig on 4 June 1883. He is quoted as being 67 years of age, which is born out when we find his entry in the 1881 census at 12 Carishader. John is a farmer of 10 acres, living with his wife Mary (also 63) and daughters Christina (39) and Ann (22). Jane Macaulay (9) is a granddaughter in the house; John Ferguson (4) is a grandson; he was born in the Black Isle. I refer to Hebridean Connections for John's family history and movement between Uig and Bernera.

Rev Angus Maciver was the parish minister for Uig, when he gave evidence to Lord Napier at Miavaig on 4 June 1883. In the 1881 census, we see him at the Manse of Uig, married to Margaret Jane, 11 years younger than her husband. She was born at Lerwick, the daughter of Robert Bannatyne. He is in the house with his daughter, but the census transcription on Ancestry gives his name as an erroneous 14; Robert's age is in fact 74. He originates from Rothesay, Bute, a retired officer of fisheries. The household also comprises a number of domestic and farm servants.  Hebridean Connections provides further clues on this minister of the Free Church.  He grew up at Tobson, Great Bernera, where he was born in 1832, the son of Angus Maciver and Ann Macleod. Rev Angus Maciver was the minister at Uig for 13 years until 1889, and was involved with the land struggle for Kneep and Valtos. It is therefore no surprise he was called upon to give evidence to Lord Napier in 1883.

George Macaulay (also known as Seoras Dubh or Seoras Iain Bhan ) was one of the witnesses from Great Bernera. He mentions in his evidence that he was removed from Croir in 1880, something that tallies with the George Macaulay that is on Hebridean Connections , born in 1819. In 1881, we find George (62) with his wife Ann (54) in a private house in Hacklet. Peggy Macleod (20) is there as a domestic servant, and Catherine Smith (16) is a cattleherd. Ten years before, George and Ann's location is not specified. They are in a house with William Smith (16, agricultural labourer), Christy Murray (21, servant) and cowherd Peggy Macleod (11). In 1861, George (41) and Ann (35) are listed at Croir. His mother, Cathrine (73) is in the house, together with visitors William Smith (6), Cathrine Macleod (16) and Rachel Mcdonald (17).  Hebridean Connections mentions the date of George's marriage as 1853, meaning that we find him at home with his parents John (68) and Catherine (66) in the...

Angus Macarthur gave evidence at Miavaig, Uig, Lewis as a representative of Great Bernera. Although the census does not specify the township where he lived, enumeration district 9 does include that island. We find Angus, aged 52, in the 1881 census with a family of 8 children. He is married to Margaret (44), with  Catherine (24), Donald (22, fisherman), Henrietta (19), Chirsty (14), Mahu [?] (9), Isabella (7), Kenina (4) and Mary (9 mo). The same family appears in 1871, when Angus's mother Ann (85) is also in the house. In 1861, we find Angus and his wife Margaret (25) at Bosta, where they are staying with his parents Donald (75) and Ann (74). One of Angus's siblings resides at home, Margaret (31). Three of Angus's children are in the house as well, Cathrine (6), Donald (3) and Mary Ann (1). Donald senior was to die some 7 months after the census was taken. Helen was another sister of Angus's, which is not shown in the 1861 census. Angus and Margaret were married...

Norman Morrison was aged 61 when he spoke at the Napier inquiry at Miavaig, Uig, Lewis. He had come across from Brenish, about 12 miles away. Norman was a fisherman and crofter. In the 1881 census we find Norman and his wife Catherine (who was 4 years younger) with their children Donald (25, fisherman), John (22, fisherman), Malcolm (18, fisherman) and Margaret (16). In the 1871 census, we learn that the family lived at 30 Brenish. The 1851 census shows Norman and Katerine (incorrectly marked as his sister) at 'Breynish' as a fisher and land tenant. His sister Jannet (30) is listed there as well. A male infant, 2 months old, is noted as Not Bass. In 1901, we last see Norman (78) and Catherine (74) together at Brenish. Their son John (40) and his wife Marion (37) are present, with their young sons George (2) and Norman (3 months). Norman Morrison passed away on 30 April 1911 aged 84 at Brenish. He is marked as the widower of Catherine, and the son of Donald and Peggy, h...

Donald Matheson gave evidence at Miavaig, Uig, Lewis. He was 65 years of age, and in the 1881 census we find him at Kneep with his wife Anabella (7 years younger). She is marked on the census as blind. He is marked as a crofter. His children Annie (26), Malcolm (21), Donald (19, fisherman) and Peter (15, scholar) are at home. In 1871, his address is given as Schoolhouse and as a fisherman. In 1861, Donald is a crofter at Kneep. In addition to his growing young family, we find a Margaret Maclean (70), his mother-in-law, and a crofter's widow. Her son, Annabella's brother Malcolm (38, tailor) is also in the house. In 1851, Donald Matheson appears to be visiting an address on Kenneth Street in Stornoway. In 1841, Donald is a 21-year old living with his father John (53) and mother Christina (47). This is corroborated by information on Hebridean Connections . His siblings are Anne (14), Malcolm (12), Angus (9), Christiana (6) and Peter (3). Donald died suddenly on 17 October 18...

Murdo Mclean gave evidence during the Commission's visit to Meavaig, in the Parish of Uig in Lewis. He is mentioned in the Report as a fish-curer. His entry in the 1881 census confirms his activities as a merchant and fisherman of Valtos. He is married to Maggie (8 years his junior at 47), and has a family of 6 children - John (18, scholar), Bell Ann (16, dress maker), Alexr (14, assistant teacher (English)), Maggee (12, scholar), Jane (9, scholar) and Annie (6). In 1871, Murdo is a general merchant in Valtos, with his wife Margaret and children Alexander, Bella Ann and Margaret. Bess Macaulay is a 50-year old visitor, a pauper. The 1861 census shows Murdo as the single person in his household, a 35-year old merchant, in Valtos. I have been unable to trace him through the 1851 census, but a decade earlier we find Murdo as a 15-year old, living with his parents John (55) and Isabella (50) at Mangurstadh, which is confirmed through his entry in Hebridean Connections. His si...

Donald Matheson Fraser was born in 1891 in South Gairloch in Wester Ross, a son for Duncan Fraser (a gamekeeper) and Mary Matheson. By 1914, Mary is no longer alive. Donald is a student at the Heriot School in Edinburgh. On 9 December of that year, he joins the Royal Scots and is sent to the Western Front. With the exception of a gunshot wound, sustained in 1916, and a few episodes of illness, Donald comes through the campaign unscathed. But on 26 September 1917, he is reported missing, which is quickly changed to killed in action. His father has by then moved to Invershin, a small village in Sutherland near Lairg, and receives the news of the death of his son. Donald's personal effects are sent to Duncan, which includes religious books, a wallet, a photo, letters and a bible. Donald is remembered on the Tyne Cot memorial in Flanders, but his exact last resting place is unknown. He is also commemorated on the memorial at Timsgarry in Uig, Lewis. Image copyright Uig Historical...

A tribute and account of the fate of Leading Deckhand John Macaulay. Please note that further research into John, his ship and shipmates is relayed on this site . John Macaulay was lost when SS Kenmare was torpedoed in the Irish Sea on Saturday, 2 March 1918. He came from the village of Islivig in the district of Uig in Lewis. His remains turned up on the east coast of Ireland, north of Dublin, and lie buried in a grave in Balrothery. His grave is marked by a Commonwealth War¬graves Commission headstone. This tribute is dedicated to his memory, and endeavours to tell the story of SS Kenmare, the German submarine U-104 which fired the fatal torpedo and John Macaulay’s final resting place. John’s family history John was the son of fisherman Donald Macaulay of Islivig and domestic servant Margaret Macaulay who were married at Miavaig on 4 April 1878. Both were aged 26 at the time. It is worth pointing out that in the Gaelic community, the name Margaret is sometimes conv...

Two interesting findings in the course of my local history research (see map above, click on markers to see locations). First was an interesting census record of the village of Crola. This is no longer inhabited. It stands at Kinlochresort, the head of Loch Resort, in the remote west of Lewis. In 1891, a shepherd's family resided there. Catherine Macdonald, aged 63, is quoted as a shepherd's widow, living there with her two fishermen sons John (41), Malcolm (26) and daughter Annie (22). There is also a granddaughter Ann, aged 13, presumably (but not certain) the child of John. Catherine's home is marked as having two rooms with windows. The noteworthy thing is that her offspring is marked as living in Lewis, whereas she and her granddaughter Ann, aged 13, are marked as being born in Harris. This is significant, because Lewis used to be part of Ross and Cromarty, and Harris was part of Inverness-shire.The confusion arises on account of the fact that the count...

One of men buried there, Duncan Macleod, died in 1943 whilst held in a POW camp in Burma. He himself is interred near the camp on the infamous Burma railway, where so many Allied POWs perished. His name is mentioned on one of the private gravestones at Bragar, and as I had him on record for the World War II memorial for Lewis, I looked into it further. I had little information on him, save that he came from Lochcroistean, a schoolhouse in the Uig district of Lewis. His father was one of the school's headmasters, Norman Macleod, who held sway there until 1923. He died 20 January 1938 at the age of 75. He was married to Bell Ann Mackay, who died 8 December 1944 at the age of 69. The website for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission interestingly state that they came from Tighnabruaich in Argyll. They had four children, two of whom (Iain and Chirsty Mary) died in infancy. Jessie died in May 1980 at the age of 73; their son Duncan died on 19 September 1943 at the age...