Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 5, 1897

THE OELTIC MONTHLY.
149
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
HIGHLAND CLAN PLACE-NAMES IN
THE UNITED STATES.
To the Editor, Celtic Monthhj.
In my former note I spoke concerning the influence
of tlie Highlanders as exerted in the United States
of America. It is more interesting to know how
he has entrenched himself in local names. In this
he is taken somewhat at a disadvantage. When
America was first being settled the Highlander was
still clinging to the rocks of his native bens. Not-
withstanding this we will see that his name has
gained a permanent residence.
The countries and towns erected since the
American Revolution largely bear the names of the
patriots of that conflict. No State can have more
than county or post ofhce by the same name.
Fre(juently we have a town or village by one name,
but the post office another. Names have been
multiplied by adding a suttix or prefix.
As might be expected the name of Washington
stands pre-eminent. That name is venerated more
by the American than any other of the names of
the sons and daughters of men. Hence the capital
of the nation takes his name ; likewise one of the
States of the Union having 60,860 square miles of
territory, or over 8,000 more square miles than
England. Besides there are 27 counties and 56 post
offices named Washington.
Ctf the counties we find the following number of
Highland names in the various States: — Buchanan,
2 ; Cameron, 1 ; Campbell, 5 ; Graham, 1 ; Grant, 9 ;
Macintosh, 2 ; MacLean, 3 ; MacPherson, 3 ;
Munroe, 16 ; Morgan, 10 ; Murray, 7 ; IStewart, 1 .
Among the post offices we find 398 beginning
with "Mac." We enumerate as follows ; — Buchanan,
14. Cameron, 10 ; Campbell, 39 ; Chisholm, 2 ;
Cummin, 13 ; Drummond, 4 ; Fanpihar, 1 ;
Ferguson, 12 ; Forbes, 3 ; Fraser, 14 ; Gordon, 23 ;
Graham, 25 ; Grant, 52 ; Gunn, 3 ; Lamont, 13 ;
MacAUister, 3 ; MacAulay. 2 ; Macintosh, 4 ;
MacBean, 2; MacDonald. 13; MacDougall, 1;
MacDufl', 1 ; MacFarland, 1 ; MacGregor and
Gregory, 14 ; Mackay, 3 ; MaoKenzie, 4 ; Mac-
Lean, 10; MacLeod, 2; MacNaughton, 1; Mac-
Neil, 7 ; MacPherson, 10 ; MacQueen, 1 ; MacRae,
9 ; Matheson, 3 ; Monroe, 50 ; Morgan, 58 ;
Murray, 19; Robertson, 4; Ross, 37; Shaw, 11;
Stewart, 38; Sutherland, 9; Urquhart, 1.
In the above list it will be noticed that the
names of Morgan, Grant, and Monroe predominate.
Morgan was a Revolutionary hero, and commanded
the light troops that did such fearful execution on
the army of Burgoyne. He was very popular, not
only on account of his bravery but also for his
integrity. James Monroe was fifth President of
the Republic. General Grant came later on the
stage, and in all probability but few of the ottices
are named for him. I have no means of being
informed of the names of the townships. Doubtless
these would also show a fair percentage of Highland
names.
I have not given all the names which are strictly
Highland. It might be of some interest to know
that there are 11 post offices bearing the name of
M'Kinley.
Yours respectfvilly,
J. P. Ma(XEAN.
Greenville, Ohio,
•2ml Mardi, 1S97. . ■ - -
SIR ALLAN MACLEAN OF DUART.
Sir — In your issue of March, designated " A visit
to Inchkenneth," is the following: — " To the right
of these two stones there is a stone lying flat, carved
in the form of a Highlander in full war dress. The
left hand grasps a shield, while the right hand
holds a round ball. The head is surmounted with
a helmet, and by his side are claymore and dirk.
The figure is complete, with the exception of part
of one of the feet, which has been broken off."
It may be of interest to your readers to know
that this stone was placed there in memory of Sir
Allan MacLean, Bart., 22nd Chief of Clan MacLean
and 6th Bart, of Morvern, who died at Inchkenneth,
10th December, 1783.
I am, etc. , John MacLean,
Vice-President, Clan MacLean Association.
HIGHLAND NOTES.
A " HiuHLANii Rambling Club" has been
started by members of the High School Gaelic
Class. The Nmvs hints that they have designs on
the Lowlands.
The Annual Con(;ert of the St. Columba
Choir was a brilliant success. The hall was packed,
and the entertainment a truly delightful one.
The 79th Cameron Highlanders are to have a
second battalion at last. It is reported that the
"Cameron men" are to be found in Manchester
and London, and are expected to pass as the
genuine article so long as 'Arry cocks his bonnet
and keeps his mouth shut. What he will do when
he faces the Boers is a problem too dreadful to
contemplate.
The Glasgow Highland Club have a fund of
£200, but we are not aware that it is available for any
useful purpose. A weekly social, with refreshments,
tobacco and "Tobermory," are evidently considered
a useful means of advancing the interests of the
Highland race 1
Why do Highlanders persist in drinking what
are known as "Highland Honours?" This theatri-
cal performance is still popular in Glasgow. We
would ask the members of the Celtic, Highland,
and Gaelic Societies of Glasgow to refer us to any
work or authority which describes the placing of
dirty brogues on a clean table-cover as an ancient
Highland custom. The fact of the matter is, the
practice is a purely modern innovation, invented in
Edinburgh this century. The habit is altogether a
nasty one, and we wonder at Highlanders adopting
a purely Sassenach " sensation."
The newspajiers still conspire to make us all
"Englishmen ! " The Seaforth Highlanders became
" English troops " as soon as they landed in Crete.
It is all very annoying, but the various Highland
Societies can do something for " dear auld Scotia's
sake," by sigaing the National Petition. So far, the
Clan Mackay alone have supported the movement.