Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 7, 1899

THE CELTIC MONTHLY.
31
MINOR SEPTS OF CLAN CHATTAN.
By Charli.s Phaser Mackintosh, LL. D.
No. XVII. — The Farquuarsons
Clan Fionlay.
(^Continued Jroiii priijc 13).
fN the year 1741 Anne Farqubarson,
daughter of Invercauld before referred to
— by one of the Athole family, married
Eneas, 22nd Mackintosh, and during the rising
of 1745, she took such a leading part for the
Stuarts as to be called "Colonel Anne." It
says much for the prudence and discretion of
this most honoured lady, who shares with Eva
nic Gilie Chattan, the deepest atleotion of the
Clan Chattan, that in her husband's disqualitica-
tion from holding a command in the old 42nd,
she did not select as temporary leader from
many well qualified members of her own family,
but fixed on the gallant Alexander MacGillivray
of Dunmaglass Her portrait, taken from the
original at Moy Hall, is given on next page.
At CuUoden the Farqubarsons mustered over
300 men. John Farquhar.son, remembering his
pardon in 1716, and arrived at mature age — for
I find a note regarding him in 1686 — did not go
out, nor jiermit his son, although Jacobite feeling
strongly prevailed among the clan. Upon the
death of James Farquharson, son and successor
of John, without male issue, the old close
continuous friendship and alliance with the
Mackintoshes ceased. It might have been well
for Clan Chattan had the views of certain saga-
cious looking-ahead friends, to bring about in a
certain way a permanent alliance been listened
to by tlie principals. At Culloden, the Clan
Chattan were placed 5th in the right division
and the Farquharsons 4th in the left, in other
words both well to the centre of the front line
near each other.
In the trial of Captain John Farquharson, a
witness deponed that "John was Captain in
Colonel Farquharson's regiment, and in the
march to Nairn to surprise the English the night
before Culloden." Another witness deponed
that " John Farquharson was at the head of the
Farquhai-son regiment upon the field of battle
at Culloden when preparing to attack the
Hanoverian foroe.s."
Francis Farquharson of Monaltrie, nephew of
Invercauld, commanded the Farquharsons.
Some days before the battle of Culloden, a
witness at his trial said he saw him some days
before, with a big blue coat on, at the head of
his own regiment, which was then drawn out
with Ardshiel's regiment and some of the
Macleods, upon a plain about a mile from
Inverness (The Wester Haugh — C. F. M.), and
that they went through their exercises, and were
reviewed by the Pretender's (sic) son." Another
witness describes Colonel Farquharson as " a
tall man with thin face, dressed in Highland
garb, with sword and pistol and white cockade."
The Colonel's servant, John Reach, who had
been with his master thirty years, said "his
master joined at Edinburgh with 30 men, and
went back to raise more." Colonel Farcjuharson
was condemned but reprieved.
The name of Balmoial is now often heard of
since its acquisition by Her Majesty, who has
made Braemar her favourite residence. Let us
look at the owner in 1745. James Farquharson
of Balmoral's accession and acts in the '45 are
described by himself, when brought to trial long
after the battle of Culloden. In a Memorial to
the Crown dated 21st November, 1748, he says,
putting all the blame on his brother ; -
"That in the month of October, 1745, your
petitioner, who till then lived quiet and peaceable
at his own house in the County of Aberdeen, was
unhappily induced to join in the late Rebellion, at
the instigation of an elder brother, whom he still
regarded as a parent.
That your petitioner is informed upon this
account, he is excepted from your Majesty's
Gracious Act of Indemnity, and that an indictment
has been lately found against him before a grand
jury at Edinburgh for high treason.
That your petitioner begs leave with the greatest
humility to represent to your Majesty that from
the time of his appearing in arms ui the latter end
of October, 1745, it was his constant care to the
utmost of his power to prevent distresses to your
Majesty's faithful subjects, and to protect them
from injury in their persons and estates, and
particularly those who had the misfortune to fall
into the hands of the rebels as many of them can,
and the petitioner believes will, testify when called
upon.
That in the beginning of February thereafter,
your petitioner retired ' home again ' to his own
country, and has ever since lived in such a manner
as not to give the smallest oti'ence.
That your petitioner is now advanced to a
considerable age, and his health impaired by the
many hardships and distresses which he had
suffered.