McLaurins in Appin and Ardchattan parishes, compiled after Culloden

The two contemporaneous rosters of McLaurins in Appin and Ardchattan parishes, compiled after Culloden.

6 July 1746 at Islandstalker, List of persons within the parish of Lismore and Appin who have not delivered up thier Arms.

“The Stonefield list adds substantially to our understanding of the composition of the Appin Regiment 1745-46. In the absence of indications to the contrary it is assumed that these rebels served with the Appin Regiment.” Angus Stewart, Q.C. And A. T. B. Stewart, C.B.E. “The Stonefield list challenges the notion that the MacLarens who fought under the Appin banner were all Balquhidder men motivated by a centuries old bond between the clans. The MacLarens in the Stonefield list are local tenants and retainers.” Angus Stewart, Q.C. And A. T. B. Stewart, C.B.E.

Auchiblair: Lachlan McLearan, Euan (Hugh) McLearan, Duncan McLearan, Tenants

Glenourock: Lachlan McLearan, Doctor - see below, Donald McLearan, his servant - see below, Learan McLearan, also his servant, John McLearan, Boat Carpenter, McIan vic Euen vic Lauchlan, The Doctor’s herder

Blar-nan-laogh: John Bane McLearan, Servant to old Lauchlan McLearan, Tenant

Fasnacloich: Donald McLearan, Servant to Fasnacloich, Euan McLearan, Miller

Campbell of Glenure in Ardchattan Parish Euan Bane (John the Pale) McLearan, Servant to Duncan Campbell Barcaldine’s Brother, Duncan McLearan his other servant, John McLearan brother to the above an idle man. McLaurin Rebels = 13

3 May 1746, List of Heretors Tennants Servants and Cottars 3 May 1746, List of Heretors Tennants Servants and Cottars that are at home and of those that are abroad in the Present Rebellion out of the Country of Appine and Glencoe Those at home in the Ten pound land of Airds only excepted. Compiled three weeks after Culloden, by Dougal Stewart, 10th chief of Appin. A legal document submitted to chief of the Lord Justice-Clerk, Andrew Fletcher, Lord Milton. “The list has 294 names, 132 at home and 162 abroad (rebels). If the chiefs were tempted to maximize the number of stay-at-homes, he must have been under pressure to give the names of all rebels in the district.” “The beleaguered chief of Appin was undoubtedly trying to give the impression that, on the question of support for the Prince, the clan was almost equally divided. Whether this was in fact correct cannot be stated without knowing the age and fighting quality of the men who stayed at home. The stay-at-homes might have been home guard material. The possibility 46 cannot be excluded that some of them took part in local operations. This would be consistent with observations made at the time by the commander of the Redcoat garrison at Castle Stalker.” The Stewarts, Vol XX #3, 1998

The MacLaurins in Appin’s List are reproduced here with the original spellings. “Abroad” means that they were out fighting with the Regiment. “At Home” means just that they stayed home and were the “Home Guard”

The Appine’s Estate: Sallachan: At home Duncan McColl and Duncan Mclarine Blarnaloe: At home Lauchlane Mclarine and John Mclarine his son - Lauchlane is Duncan at Invernayhle’s father.

Glenouroch: Abroad Lauchlane McLarine, John McLarine, Donald McLarine

Kenlochlaich: Abroad John Mclarine, a large farm

Sheunay: Abroad Ewen Mclarine

Elerick: Abroad Hugh Mclarine, Tack to Campbell of Glenure (who was murdered in 1752)

Carmichael, Baron of Annat’s Estate Croft of Annat: Abroad Hugh Mclarine and Hugh McColl

Campbell Aird’s Estate: Auchblar: At home Donald Mclarine (holder) Abroad Duncan Mclarine, Hugh (Euan) Mclarine, Donald McColl

Ardsheal’s Estate: Acharr: Abroad John Mclarine and Donald Mclarine - the next generation immigrated to North Carolina on “Jupiter of Lorne” with McColls and Stewarts in the 1770’s, arriving in time for the Revolutionary War. Petition signed by Catherine Colquhoun, relict of John McLaren of Acharr a Culloden survivor. In 1755 a Letter of Complaint signed at Duror by Donald McLearin of Acharr a Culloden survivor. Extracts from “Journal of the MacColl Society” or “Cuairtear Chloinn Cholla” July & August 1969

Ballichelishes Estate Laroch: At home Donald Mclarine

Fasnacloich’s Estate Fasnacloich: At home Donald Mclarine Abroad Ewine Mclarine

Invernayhle’s Estate Invernayhle: At home Duncan Mclarine - Probably Ba- Duncan who went to North Carolina in 1790, interred in Stewartsville Cy near Laurinburg.

McLaurin At home = 8, Abroad = 12

x

Last Will and Testament of John McClaurin, Ardchattan Parish, 1694

Inventar of the Goods of John McClaurin, 1694

Reference CC2/5/4

Wri[tte]n Inventar of the good[es] and gear whilk

pertained to the deceast John M^cClaurin

in Carvlickaig in the paroch of Balleodan

the tyme of his decease, which was in the

moneth of November 1687 year[es], faithfully

given up be Neill M^cClaurine his sone, For

himself and in name of John Eun

Duncan and Lauchlane M^cClaurine

y^r Children Exe[cuto]r[es].

                                            £    s    d

Imp[rimis] Fourteen great Cowes                    186 13 04

Item four tuo year olds                                       26 13 04

Item Fyve stirk[es]                                                16 3 04

Item one little fillie                                                  6 0 00

Item tuentie sheep and goatt                                26 13 04

Item sown of Corne six boll[es] three boll[es]

att the 3^d Is nyne                                        18 00 00

Item of laying money                                            25 00 00

It[em] the houshold plenishing                                6 00 00

                                                                              311 03 04

Debts due be to the dead

Imp[rimis] due to the defunct be John Cameron in Auchnaba 10 00 00

      321 13 4

Debts due be the dead

Imp[rimis] for the rent                              25 00 00

It[em] for the Servant[es] Fies                    8 00 00

Item for the defunct[es] funerall Charges 10 00 00

                                                                   43 00 00

To be divyded 278 13 04

I, Dugald Campbell in Bairres, obleidges me as Cau[tion]er that the forsaid[es] good[es] and gear shall be made forth comand to all parties haveing Interest,

And for payment of the quota when requyred.

Sub[scribi]t day and place fors[ai]d.

Alex^r Campbell Cl[er]k

Payed

In 1707, one pound Scots was worth twenty English pence, so a ratio in pounds sterling of  5:1. 278 Scots pounds or 56 English pounds would be worth about $14,000 today, to be divided among John's six sons, Neill, John, Eun, Duncan and Lauchlane McClaurine. Calculator https://www.uwyo.edu/numimage/currency.htm

Ardchattan Parish showing Coire Bliochdaig, Baires (Barrs) and Achnaba

John McClaurin Testament 1694
ScotlandsPeople.0E75E022-ED3D-4F86-B4AC-0CC0971AAA9C-CC000200005-00004-00066-

"I interpret the abbreviation "yr" to mean "other", so Neill is one son of John McLaurin, and John, Eun, Duncan and Lauchlane are other sons of John McLaurin, ie there are five children, all of them executors." Brooke Westcott

"Representative of the Clan from the Principal Branch"

Anybody who was anybody was a peer in 19th century Britain. You could become a peer by matriculating Armorial Ensigns in the lowest court in the land, The Court of the Lord Lyon. Daniel McLaurin (who changed his spelling from McLaren) from a solicitor in London, too Head of the Principal branch, the House of Auchleskine of the imaginary clan McLaren in Balquhidder.

 

Daniel MacLaurin of Auchleskine

Daniel and I are a lot alike, we both looked unsuccessfully, for the ancient history of Clan MacLaren. Daniel relates how he found the ancient Clan MacLaurin history, he had been looking for in vain for over forty years, in an 1845 coffee table book, McIan’s Costumes of the Clans, 1845. But, forgets that he was a Subscriber to the book, that financed the publication? A 19th Century Who's Who of Scottish Clans with color illustrations of fabricated tartans, if you will.

 

Did I tell you, in 1831, D. McLaurin Esq. was a Subscriber to The Scottish Gael written by James Logan, that has no mention of a Clan McLaren. In 1836, McLaurin, Daniel, Esq,. is a Subscriber to History of the Highlands and Isles Scotland, by Donald Gregory, that has no mention of a Clan McLaren. In 1845, Mac Laurin, Daniel, Esq,. was a Subscriber to McIan’s Costumes of the Clans of Scotland . That miraculously contains the Clan Laurin history that Daniel had been unable to find for forty years.

Daniel Mclaren, Solicitor in London, who changed his surname to MacLaurin and become ‘of Auchleskine’, one of the hand full of tacks or fermtouns associated with Mclarens in Balquhidder. In 1866 Daniel matriculates fron the Lyon Court, Armorial Ensigns and self publishes A History in Memorium of Clan Laurin with primary events coming straight from Scotland’s favorite novelist Sir Walter Scott. addenda by James Logan, an abridged version of Logans article itn McIan’s Costumes.

 

Daniel Maclaurin Matriculation 1866

Extract of the Lord Lyon's Letters Patent in favour of Daniel Maclauren Esquire dated the 23^rd day of April 1866

Wheras Daniel Maclaurin of Acacia Road, of St. John's Wood in the County of Middler sec? Esquire hath by Petition of date the fourteenth day of April current Represented unto Me that he is the only surviving son of the late John Maclaurin portioner of Leachinscridan Bulguhidder in the County of Perth and Janet his wife daughter of Hugh MacGrigor of Auchtowmore and that the said John Maclaurin was son of Duncan and grandson of Donald Maclaurin of Auchleskine, and hath Prayed that I would Grant My License and Authority to him and his descendants, and to the other descendants as his said grandfather Duncan Maclaurin to bear and use such Amorial Ensigns as might be found suitable and according to the Laws of Arms. Know ye therefore that I have devised, and do by these present's Asign Ratify and Confirm to the said Daniel Maclaurin Esquire and to his descendants and to the other descendants of his said grandfather Duncan Maclaurin with such congruent differences as may hereafter be matriculated for them, the following Ensigns Armorial, as depicted upon the margin hereof and Matriculated of even date with these presents in My Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland; veg? Or, two Chevronels Gules in base a Lymphad Sable Sails furled Flags flying and oars in action all within a Bordure nebuly of the second Above the Shield is placed a Helmet befiting his degree, with a Mantling Gules doubled Argent, and on a Wreath oof his his Liveries is set for Crest a Lions head erased proper surmounted by an Antique Crown Or between two Branches of Laurel issuing from the Wreath also proper and in an Escrol over the same thise Motto “Dalriada” and in an Escrol below the Shield this Motto "Aborigene fidus.” Matriculated the twenty third day of April 1866. James Lorimer ? Lyon Clerk

In his book, Daniel basically anoints himself “Representative of the Clan” that James Logan created in 1845, after the matriculation of Armorial Ensigns that practically any Scot could achieve. In his book A History in Memorium of Clan Laurin Daniel McLaurin states in the Introduction that

“Auchleskine, or principal branch of the “Clan Laurin,” claiming the Title of Representative of the Clan”

 That is not what the Matriculation said at all, Daniel made it all up!

Flash forward to 1957, when Donald MacLaren achieves chiefly Arms, MacLaren of MacLaren (chief of the surname) and “of Auchleskine”, because it is the “Principal Branch” based on Daniel’s claim. The 1957 MacLaren Petition to the Lyon Court, refers to the “House of Auchleskine.”

Logan manufactured the Clan MacLaren heraldry to support his Strathearn origin narrative. And the anonymous MacGregor Peter corroborated Logan, in The London Journal. Notice that Margaret MacLaren in her book The MacLarens, describes the Arms as UNRECORDED.

All you gotta do is write a book with a glossy cover to become a clan chief.

MacGregor Peter 1854

“ The London Journal,” 14th October, 1854, writing under the pseudonym of

" M'Gregor Peter,” gives an unrecorded version of MacLaren Arms as : “ Or, two chevrons ; in base, a lymphad, sails furled, oars in action. Sable : On a chief gules, a lion passant, argent. Crest : A lion’s head erased, crowned with an antique coronet {with four points), between two laurel branches;orlewise, proper.

Mottoes: Above “ Dalriada.” Under the Arms: “ Aborigine fidus ” (true from the beginning). Supporters : Two mermaids, the dexter holding a comb, the sinister a mirror, in the exterior hand proper.” The MacLarens by Margaret MacLaren, 1960

Here is the COA's of Donald MacLaren of MacLaren and Auchleskine, newly created from James Logan's 1845 Clan Laurin history description, in 1957.

 

 

Donald MacLaren Matriculation 1957 

 Copyright Hilton McLaurin, Oct 30, 2025

 

McLaurins’ on Jupiter of Larne 1775

The voyage could be very treacherous with gale force winds sinking ships. 

Duncan McLaurin “Duncan McJohn” (D-d), left money with his brother John McLaurin (D-e) in Glendroum to care for a child that Duncan left behind when he emigrated in 1775 on Jupiter of Larne with three of his nephews Donald (D-bb), Lauchlin (D-bd), and Lawrin (D-be). A bill among the Neil McLaurin of Inveresregan Papers (NRS GD170/481) dated September 1779 stated John McLaurininGlendroum had died. CAT pg. 429.

On Goggle maps it appears that you can drive to Druimavuic and perhaps to the southern head of Coire Bliochdaig.

Glendroum in my best guess is the small glen leading northeast from Glasdrum, with long time McColl portioners who also emigrated on the “Jupiter of Larne” in 1775, the John McColl family, who settled in Mountain Creek, North Carolina. By the mid 1770s the McColls had lost their portion altogether. This hints that the four McLaurin men are also from Glasdrum.

Coire Bliochdaig is a long narrow ravine at the north west base of Beinn Squilaird, another McLaurin tack associated with Druimavuic, these two Ardchattan Parish properties are combined on the 1802 tax rolls, with Colin Campbell of Balliveolan the owner. One Campbell or another had owned the two properties in Ardchattan Parish since 1470, when they were among the properties resigned by Walter Stewart of Lorn.

From evidence in the Testament of John McLaurine at Coire Bliochdaig dated 1725, there appears to be a debt due John from a long deceased Sir Robert Campbell of Orchy (1575-1657).  This is a “Wadsett”, a loan from one of John’s ancestors to Sir Robert Campbell or one of his ancestors, in exchange for the long term tenancy of  Druimavuic and Coire Bliochdaig, until the loan is repaid sometimes generations later. Perhaps a Campbell repaid the Wadset to the McLaurins, replaced them with sheep then left for America with money in their pocket.

Of interest would be researching the rentals of Druimavuic and Coire Bliochdaig in the Argyll Papers at Inveraray Castle.

#128* Duncan “McJohn” McLaurin (D-d), served as a Richmond Co. North Carolina Tory in the Revolutionary War, just like his cousin Euan McLaurin in Orangeburg Co. South Carolina. He died at the age of 92 in Conecuh Co. Alabama.

Edinburgh Evening Courant

#127* Daniel McLaurin (D-bb), later shipped out of Portland, Maine and was drowned at sea.

#126* Lawrin McLaurin (D-be), appears in the 1810 and 1820 South Carolina census.

#125* Lachlan “Lock” McLaurin (D-bd), appears in the 1790 and 1800 North Carolina census.

*Passenger List Jupiter of Larne from Dunstaffnage Castle to Wilmington, North Carolina, 177

Glasdrum - grey ridge

Druimavuic - ridge of the bucks, pigs

Coire Bliochdaig - A hollow where cows were wont to be milked

Genealogy

A1 ____________ McLaurin B about 1590, Corrieblicaik, Invercreran, Appin

A1a Donald McLaurin B ____ D Nov 1686, TST 1686, Corrieblicaik, Glen Creran, Donald’s testament lists his armour, Balliboydan/Kilbodan Parish, Hew McLaurin (Ec) in Drumurch, Loch Awe Cautioner (Executor), Ardchattan Parish Nov. 12 1686

A1aa Mary McLaurin B ____ D _____ Daughter in A1a TST 1686, Coire Bliochdaig, Invercreran, Balliboydan/Kilbodan Parish

A1b Neil McLaurin B ____ D TST 1686, Corrieblicaik, Glen Creran,

A2 Donald/Daniel McLaurin B about 1600

Aa John McClaurin B about 1630 D Nov 1687, TST 1694, G.G. McL, Corrieblicaik Coire Bliochdaig, Invercreran, Balleodan Parish, m. _____, John Cameron in Auchnaba, Benderloch, Loch Etive owed him money, Dugald Campbell in Bairres, obleidges me as Cautioner,.

Aaa Neil McClaurin B about 1653 D _____ Son in A2a TST 1694

Aab John McLaurine TST 1725, Son in Aa TST1694, “Scottish Highlanders on the Eve of the Great Migration” by David Dobson B_____ D 21, July 1725, M. _____ Cameron, Corrieblicaik, Glencrenan, The deceased Sir Robert Campbell of Orchy (1575-1657) owed John money (a Wadset), Alexander Stewart younger of Invernayhle Cautioneer (a relative?).

Aaba/B Lauchlan McLaurin in Aab T1725, Journal of the MacColl Society July & August 1969) B ______ D ____Tenant Blar-nan-laogh, 1715 Rentals, Tenant Blar-nan-laogh, Glean na h-lola 1746 he is old, SAL & STN show he stayed at home 1745/6.

Lauchlan is living at Blar-nan-laogh, Glean na h-lola, owned by Stewart of Appin, in 1715 and 1745/46 where he is an old man. Both his father and grandfather lived at Druimavuic/Coire Bliochdaig.

Ba Duncan McLaurin B Feb 12, 1724 D Jan. 27, 1809 Duncan @ Invernahyle Estate 1746, wounded at Culloden Q 21, page 13, Appin to Richmond Co., int. Stewartsville Cy, NC

Bb (dates are a mess) Donald/Daniel McLaurin B 1750 Appin, not Skye thats an error, D 18__ M ____ MacColl, M Mary Stewart

Bc Hugh McLaurin of Glenahyle, B 1726 D 18__, M Anne McLeran

Bd NEW John Bane McLaurin B abt. 1725 D 18__ Lauchlan’s servant STN, Lauchlan’s son SAL

Be Mary McLaurin B abt. 1757 D<1785 M Daniel Stewart 1812 Eleventh Co, Robeson Regt.

Sa Dugald Stewart b. 1781

Sb Nancy Ann Stewart M Hugh Laa

Sc Jennett Stewart M Daniel Ban

Aabb Donald McLaurin B ____ D ____ Tenant Blar-nan-laogh, 1715 Rental (Journal of the MacColl Society July & August 1969)

Aabc Duncan McLaurin Glenure Culloden STN B ____  D _____

Aabd / D John McLaurin D. 1746 “John of Culloden”

Da Neil McLaurin b. 1723 Wounded at Culloden (not in STN or SAL)

Db  Donald/Daniel McLaurin of Islay probably Invernayhle, B 1731/5 D 1809, i Stewartsville Cy. M Margaret McLaurin Eaad

Dba Piper Hugh McLaurin B 1760

Dbb Donald/Daniel McLaurin B 1763, 1775 “Jupiter of Larne” drowned at sea later.

Dbc Big John emigrated in 1783

Dbd Lauchlan McLaurin B 1750 1775 “Jupiter of Larne”

Dbe Laurine McLaurin B 1755 1775 “Jupiter of Larne”

Dc Hugh McLaurin B ____ D young

Dd  Duncan “McJohn” McLaurin B 1745 D June 1833, Sept. 1775 “Jupiter of Larne”, Wounded Revolutionary War, L Richmond Co NC - Alabama, M 1 _____ McPhater N.C., M 2 Catherine McLaurin F-bd B 1754 Glasgow D1841 MS. 

NEW! De John McLaurin of Glendroum (Glasdrum) 1779 CAT pg.429, B ____  D. 1775-1779 Cared for brother Duncan’s son in Scotland after Duncan’s 1775 emigration.

Aabe Christian McLaurin B ____  D _____

Aabf Dugald McLaurin B ____  D _____

Aabg Hugh McLaurin B ____  D _____ , X-046 Hugh M’Laurin Sr. 1790 Richmond Census, Glenure Culloden STN

Hugh M’Laurin Jr. Aabga/G per Q 35 pg. 16, B app.1745 D 1817 Appin to Richmond Co, NC, M _____ _____ July 1792 Richmond Co., Road Order/1790 Census

Aac Eun/Hugh McClaurine in Aa TST 1694, B_____ D_____ 

Aad Duncan McClaurine IN Aa TST 1694, B_____ D_____, Tenant Blar-nan-laogh, 1715 Rentals 

Aae/F Dr. Lachlain McLaurine, B. 1685 D. 1759 TST 1759; mentioned in TST 1694, m.Isabella Cameron Doctor from Glenouroch 1746 Stonefield and Saltoun Appin then Maryburgh. John Cameron of Fassfern Cautioneer. Isabella Cameron daughter of Archibald Cameron of Dungallon son of Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel.

Lachlain’s 1st cousin is Colin Campbell of Glenure, a younger son of Barcaldine, and of Lucia, daughter of Sir Ewan Cameron of Lochiel,was the victim in the celebrated Appin murder by gunshot in the wood of Lettermore, in May 1752, Physician to Cameron of Erracht and other Camerons.

Fa John McLaurin, b about 1710, d.     , names in a Gaelic book in SHC, Laurinburg, NC.

Fb Duncan McLaurin, m. Catherine Rankin, Glencoe

Fba Hugh M’Laurin of Slate Quarry, Ballachulish,  b. 1751 Appin d. Jan. 12, 1846 age 95, 1790 Richmond Co, NC m. Catherine Calhoun

Fbd Catherine “of Glasgow” McLaurin,  b. 1754 d. 1841 Mississippi

m. Duncan McLaurin Dd

three others

Fc/HL Euan McLaurin, b about 1710 D. 1782 Charleston, SC, Quarterly Vol. 3, Number 10 June 1971, CAT pg. 447 

Fd Allan McLaurin, b about 1710 eldest son and closest next of kin in Lauchlan’s 1759 Testament.

Copyright HIlton McLaurin 2022