Alexander MacKenzie

MacKENZIE

1. MURDOCH

m. FINGULA, d. of Malcolm Macleod of Harris

According to the traditional genealogy of the clan Mackenzie, Murdoch was the 5th Laird of Kintail and the father of Alexander. The Clan Mackenzie (pronounced MacKenny) supposedly settled in Scotland c.1261 from Ireland and helped King Alexander III repell the invasion of King Haco of Norway and they were subsequently given grants of land in Kintail, County Ross, however, no contemporary information is available to confirm this.

Issue-

  • 2I. ALEXANDER- m.1. ANNA MacDOUGALL, 2. Margaret of Morir, d. 1488


    2I. ALEXANDER (MURDOCH 1)

    m.1. ANNA MacDOUGALL, d. of John MacDougall of Dunollie
    2. Margaret, d. of M'Coull of Morir
    d. 1488

    Alexander was known as Ionraic (upright) and was summoned to meet James I at Inverness in 1427 and by the King's order was sent to Perth for his education.(1) Most of the Western barons were imprisoned and some executed. Alex was sent to the High School at Perth which was the principal literary seminary in Scotland at the time. According to the traditional histories of the Clan Macra he was prevailed upon by Fionnla Dubh Mac Gillechriosd to come back from school to deal with three illegitimate uncles who were disturbing his tenants in Kinlochewe.

    Alexander was involved in the defeat of the Earl of Ross' rebellion and on 7 Jan. 1463 had a charter from Ross of the lands of Kintail and 5 merk lands of Killin, the lands of Garve, and the 2 merk lands of Coryvulzie, with the three merk lands of Kinlochluichart, and 2 merk lands of Ach-na-Clerich [Achnaclerach], the 2 merk lands of Garbat, the merk lands of Delintan, and the 4 merk lands of Tarvie, all lying within the shire and Earldom of Ross, to be holden of the said John and his successors, Earls of Ross. (2)

    Eilean Donan Castle

    Alex then received Strathgarve, Strathcanan, Strathbraan and many other lands from John, Earl of Roos whose estates were forfeited in 1476.(3) It was probably at this point that the family moved its primary residence from Eilean Donan in Kintail to Kinellan Castle near Strathpeffer. The MacKenzie Chiefs were originally vassals of the Earls of Ross, but after their forfeiture they became independent of all superiors except the crown. The MacKenzies opposed the MacDonalds in all their attempts to regain possession of the Earldom and with Alex's son Kenneth's vicotry over the Macdonald at the Battle of Blar-na-Pairc c.1485 they won the war. The Earl of Cromartie said: �as his prudent management in the Earldom of Ross showed him to be a man of good natural parts, so it very much contributed to the advancement of the interest of his family by the acquisition of the lands he thereby made; nor was he less commendable for the quiet and peace he kept among his Highlanders, putting the laws punctually in execution against all delinquents.

    Alex was involved in numerous clan disputes with Allan Macdonald of Moidart, the MacIvers, MacLennans, Macaulays, Macleays, Frasers, Munroes, Dingwalls, etc., etc. It seems like feuding with the neighbors was a major sport at that time!

    Alexander Mackenzie's tomb- Beauly Priory

    Issue- first two children by Anna, last two by Margaret.

  • 2I. KENNETH- m.1. Margaret MacDonald, divorced c.1480, 2. AGNES FRASER, d. 7 Feb. 1491/2
  • II. Duncan- "of better hands than head", ancestor of the Mackenzies of Hilton
  • III. Hector Roy/Eachainn Ruadh- m. d. of Ranald MacRanald. Ancestor of the Mackenzies of Gairloch
  • IV. ______- m. Allan Macleod of Gairloch

    Ref:

    (1) Lord Cromartie's "History"
    (2) Inventory- Allangrange Papers
    (3) Ibid

    History of the MacKenzies- Alexander MacKenzie, Inverness, 1894
    Feuds, Forays, and Rebellions: History of the Highland Clans 1475-1625- John Roberts, Edinburgh University Press, 1999- p. 121
    Oxford Dictionary of National Biography- "Mackenzie Family of Kintail"
    "The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VII, p.497
    "The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880


    2I. KENNETH (ALEXANDER 1)

    m.1. Margaret MacDonald, d. of John, Lord of the Isles, Earl of Ross divorced c.1480
    2. AGNES FRASER
    d. 7 Feb. 1491/2
    bur. Beauly Priory

    Kenneth had a tack from the King before 1479 of Ardovale (Ardival) near Strathpeffer. He was repeatedly in the records as refusing to pay the fermes (feudal payments) for his land and defying the King's officers. Kenneth "a'bhlair" (of the battle) received the lands of Kintail at Dingwall 2 Sept. 1488.(1) He had a charter of Meyne and other lands from the Earl of Ross before 1486.(2)

    Kenneth married Margaret, daughter of the forfeited Lord of the Isles, but they were divorced about 1480 thereby bringing upon himself the wrath of her family. Her brother Angus invaded Ross and defeated the MacKenzies at Lagebread. In 1491 Alexander of Lochalsh called Alaster MacGillespoc nephew of the Lord of the Isles, attacked Kenneth and his clansmen at Strathconnan and was defeated and the MacDonalds were expelled from Ross. After this battle of Blairna Park the MacKenzies ravaged the lands of Ardmanach and Foulis and committed so many excesses that the Earl of Huntly, Lieutenant of the North, was compelled to take action against them as rebels. Kenneth died soon after.

    The children of his second marriage are said to have been legitimized by Pope Alexander VI in 1491 but, no record of this can be found in the Vatican Archives.

    On 17 July 1494 Agnes had a decree by the Lords of Council ordering David Ross of Balnagowan to give back cattle taken by him from Kynlyn.(3)

    Sir Kenneth's tomb- Beauly Priory

    Issue- first child by Margaret, others by Agnes.

  • I. Kenneth Oig- beheaded by the Laird of Buchanan 1497
  • 3II. JOHN- m. ELIZABETH GRANT, d. 1561
  • III. Alexander- ancestor of the Mackenzies of Davochmaluag
  • IV. Roderick- m.1. d. of Farquhar MacHeachen, 2. d. of William Dow Macleod, 3. d. of Balnagowan Grant, d. 17 Mar. 1533
  • V. Kenneth- priest of Avoch, vicar of Conveth, ancestor of the Mackenzies of Suddie
  • VI. Agnes- m. Roderick Macleod of Lewis
  • VII. Catherine- m. Hector Muneo of Fowlis

    Ref:

    (1) Seaforth Charters; John Macrae's MS. History of the Macraes, 1704
    (2) Exch. Rolls- IX, 405
    (3) Acta Dom. Conc.- 327

    History of the MacKenzies- Alexander MacKenzie, Inverness, 1894
    "The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VII, pp.497-8
    The Monumental Effigies of Scotland from the Thirteenth to the Fifteenth Century- Robert Brydall, in "Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland"- Vol. 29 (1894), pp. 329-410
    "The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880


    3II. JOHN (ALEXANDER 1, KENNETH 2)

    m. ELIZABETH, d. of John Grant of Freuchie
    d. 1561
    bur. Beauly

    Through the influence of Lord Lovat in Apr. 1500, John received from James Stewart, Duke of Ross the lands of Kintail.(1) In 1504 he claimed a right to Meyne, Escadell and other lands in Ross (2) and was a tenant of Kynellane, Scatell Mekill and Scatell Beg (3) and later of Kilquilladrum and Mylne of Coulle.(4) He had a charter of Keantalle, Eleandonnan and others incorporated into the free barony of Eleandonnan 25 Feb. 1508/9.(5)

    John succeeded his brother as Chief, but as he was a minor Hector Roy MacKenzie of Gerloch assumed command of the clan. Hector challenged John's succession on the grounds of illegitimacy. Under his rule the Clan Kenzie became involved in feuds with the Munroes and Hector became obnoxious to the government. In 1511 Hector was ordained by the Lords of Council to give his nephew free ingress to Eleandonnan castle.(6) The traditional account states that John's men surrounded and set fire to Hector's house at Fairburn. Gregory in his "History of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland" states that:

    Hector Roy Mackenzie, progenitor of the House of Gairloch, had, since the death of Kenneth Og Mackenzie of Kintail, in 1497, and during the minority of John, the brother and heir of Kenneth, exercised the command of that clan, nominally as guardian to the young chief. Under his rule the Clan Mackenzie became involved in feuds with the Munroes and other clans, and Hector Roy himself became obnoxious to Government as a disturber of the public peace. His intentions towards the young Laird of Kintail were considered very dubious; and the apprehensions of the latter having been roused, Hector was compelled by law to yield up the estate and the command of the tribe to the proper heir.

    An Act of the Lords of Council 7 Apr. 1511 describes a summons issued by John again Hector:

    ...for the wrongous intromitting, uptaking, and withholding from him of the mails 'fermez', profits, and duties of all and whole the lands of Kintail, with the pertinents lying in the Sherrifdom of Inverness, for the space of seven years together, beginning in the year of God 1501, and also for the space of two years, last bye-past, and for the masterful withholding from the said John Mackenzie of his house and castle of Eilan Donan... The Lords of Council decree and deliver, that the said Hector has forfeited the keeping and constabulary of the said castle of Eilean Donan, together with the fees granted therefor... and the said John Mackenzie to have free ingress and entry to the said castle...

    The two seem to have come to terms, however, Hector's son John died under mysterious circumstances at Eilean Donan Castle in 1551.

    John then became Chief and marched with his clan to Flodden where he was taken prisoner by the English and subsequently escaped. Upon his return home he was appointed by the Lords of Council, Lieutenant or Guardian of Western Ross(7) along with Monro of Foulis. In 1515 John seized the Royal castle of Dingwall, but would deliver it to anyone appointed by the Regent, John, Duke of Albany and had a charter of remission dated 1 Dec.(8)

    In 1526 John and his wife were infeft in the lands of Forhirte, Strathgarvy and Killyn.(9) He had charters to Killequhildrum on 25 Sept. 1528, to Fotherty on 25 May 1532, to Kinlochbanquhorie 30 Aug. 1538, to Lagan 12 Dec. 1540, to Meklebrawane 15 Sept. 1541, to Monare 22 Oct. 1542 and to Lochbryne 13 Sept. 1543.(10)

    In 1539 Donald Gorme attacked John's Castle of Elandonan and was killed. On James V's expedition to the Isles in 1540 he was joined by John who accompanied him throughout his voyage. Also in 1540 he was paid for gathering the customs of Inverness and for keeping Sclate castle.(11)

    On 13 Dec. 1545 at Dingwall, the Earl of Sutherland entered into a bond of manrent with John for their mutual defence against all comers reserving only their allegiance to Mary, Queen of Scots.

    Although an old man, John joined the muster called by the Earl of Arran at Musselburgh for the Queen's protection and fought at the battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547 and was taken prisoner and subsequently released upon payment of a large ransom.

    Beauly Priory- burial place of the Mackenzies

    Issue-

  • 4I. KENNETH- m. 1538 ELIZABETH STEWART, d. 6 June 1568

    Ref:

    (1) Seaforth Charter Chest
    (2) Exch. Rolls- XII, 241
    (3) Ibid- p.663
    (4) Ibid- XIII, 598
    (5) Reg. Mag. Sig.
    (6) Acts & Decreets- XXII, 142
    (7) Ibid- XXVI, 25
    (8) Reg. Mag. Sig.- I, No. 2671
    (9) Lord High Treasurer's Accts.- V, 247
    (10) Reg. Mag. Sig.
    (11) Exch. Rolls- XIII, 285

    History of the Clan Mackenzie- Alexander Mackenzie, A&W Mackenzie, Inverness, 1879- pp. 84-116
    History of the MacKenzies- Alexander MacKenzie, Inverness, 1894
    "The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VII, pp.498-9
    "The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880


    4I. KENNETH (ALEXANDER 1, KENNETH 2, JOHN 3)

    m. 1538 ELIZABETH STEWART, d. of John, 2nd Earl of Athol
    d. 6 June 1568
    bur. Beauly

    Kenneth "na Cuirc" (of the whittle) was a tenant of Little Skattil and Bawblair in 1539.(1) As heir of John of Kintail he had a charter to himself and Isabel Stewart his wife to part of the lordship of Kintail and the lands of Mekill Brann from his father 24 Apr. 1543.(2) He had a charter to the lands of Lochalsh purchased from Thomas Dingwall of Kildun 20 Nov. 1554.(3)

    In 1544 Kenneth was ordered by the Earl of Huntly to lead an expedition against Donald Glas MacDonald of Moidart. Kenneth refused and the Earl ordered his army of 3,000 men to march against both men. Huntly was unsuccessful and retreated without any significant victory. Years later Kenneth embarrassed the Earl again at a skirmish known at "the affair of Dingwall Bridge".

    Kenneth and his father received a remission in 1551 for the imprisonment of his cousin John Glassich MacKenzie, son and heir of Hector Roy MacKenzie of Gairlock, who had died under mysterious circumstances at Eilean Donan Castle. John evidently intended to renew his father's claims to the MacKenzie lands in Kintail.

    Kenneth obtained custody, by accident, of Mary Macleod the heiress of Harris and Dunvegan and refused to give her up to her lawful guardian James MacDonald of Dunyveg and the Glens and was compelled to resign her into the hands of Queen Mary 21 May 1562 with whom she remained as a maid of honor.(4) He was also one of the Highland Chiefs who met Queen Mary at Inverness in 1562 to help her obtain possession of Inverness Castle from Alexander Gordon, its governor.

    Kenneth's tomb- Beauly Priory

    Issue-

  • I. Murdoch- d.s.p.
  • 5II. COLIN- m.1. BARBARA GRANT of Freuchie, 2. Mary MacKenzie of Dovochmaluak, d. 14 June 1594 Redcastle, bur. Beauly
  • III. Roderick- m. Finguella Monro
  • IV. Dugald-
  • V. Janet- m.1. Angus MacDonald of Glengarry, 2. Alexander Chisholm of Chisholm
  • VI. Agnus- m.contract 11 May 1567, Lachlan MacKintosh of MacKintosh
  • VII. Margaret- m.contract 24 Nov. 1556, Walter Innes of Inverbrakye, d. June 1570
  • VIII. Catherine- m. Alexander Ross of Balnagowan, d. 12 Apr. 1592 Daan
  • IX. Elizabeth- m. Walter Urquhart of Cromarty
  • X. Marjory- m.contract 30 May 1574, Robert Monro of Foulis

    Ref:

    (1) Exch. Rolls- XVII, pp.670,675
    (2) Reg. Mag. Sig.
    (3) Ibid
    (4) P.C. Reg.- I, 207

    History of the MacKenzies- Alexander MacKenzie, Inverness, 1894
    "The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VII, pp.499-500
    "The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880


    5II. COLIN (ALEXANDER 1, KENNETH 2, JOHN 3, KENNETH 4)

    m.1. contract 26 July 1570, BARBARA, d. of JOHN GRANT of Freuchie
    2. Mary, d. of Roderick MacKenzie of Dovochmaluak
    d. 14 June 1594 Redcastle
    bur. Beauly

    Colin, Chief of the MacKenzies fought on Queen Mary's side at the battle of Langside in 1568. In Aug. 1569 he and Donald Gormeson MacDonald of Skye were forced in the presence of the Regent Moray and the Privy Council at Perth to settle the feuds they had been involved in. Also in 1569 he signed the bond acknowledging James VI and bound himself to obtain letters of slains from the family of the late John M'Anemoir.(1)

    Colin Cam (one-eyed) as heir to his father received several lands in Ross in Oct. 1574(2) and had charters to Allangrange 14 Aug. 1572(3), to Lochbroyne 6 Dec. 1572(4), to Kirktoun of Foddertie 4 Feb. 1577(5), to half the lands of Culteboyd and others 5 Feb. 1582/3(6), to the barony of Assint 20 Jan. 1591/2 resigned by his nephew Torquil Macleod(7), to the church land of Apilcroce and others 4 Feb. 1591/2(8).

    In 1573-5 he provided cautioners for his staying in or near Edinburgh.(9)

    In 1577/8 he was one of several chiefs charged by the Privy Council to defend Glengarry against Argyll(10). In 1578/9 he was denounced for inhumane and cruel treatment towards the Bishop of Ross and his wife Christian Scrimgeour and was ordered to deliver Chanonry Castle to Lord Methven(11) In 1582 he and his brother Roderick and Dugald were sued by Glengarry for killing many of his kin and Colin was ordered to deliver the Castle of Strome to Glengarry but then to Argyll.(12) In 1585 after a complaint from Hugh Fraser of Guisacharr he was denounced as a rebel for violently occupying Fraser's lands.(13)

    In 1586 he stated that he would not injure Andrew, Lord Dingwall(14) and would desist from fishing in the water of Conon(15). In the same year he was ordered to enter Blackness Castle under pain of treason and that he would go to Edinburgh.(16) He was again complained against for obstructing the fisheries.(17)

    However, his good relationship with King James VI came to his rescue and in 1586 the King granted a remission to "Colin McKainzie of Kintaill and Rodoric McKainzie of Auchterfailie" (Redcastle), "his brother, for being art and part in the cruel murder of Rodoric McAllester in Stroll; Gorie McAllester, his brother, in Stromcraig; Ronnald McGorie, the son of the latter; John Roy McAllane vic Allester, in Pitnean; John Dow McAllane vic Allester, in Kirktoun of Lochcarroun; Alexander McAllanroy, servitor of the deceased Rodoric; Sir John Monro in Lochbrume; John Monro, his son; John Monro Hucheoun, and the rest of their accomplices, under silence of night, upon the lands of Ardmanichtyke, Dalmartene, Kirktoun of Lochcarroun, Blahat, and other parts within the baronies of Lochcarroun, Lochbrume, Ros, and Kessane, in the Sheriffdom of Innerness," and for all their other past crimes. This was a good thing for Colin as the records of the Privy Council are full of complaints against him including Christian Scrymgeour, widow of the Bishop of Ross, Henry, Lord Methven, MacDonell of Glengarry, Hugh Fraser of Guisachan, "the united burghs of the realm", James Sinclair, Master of Caithness, etc., etc.

    In 1588-90 he was a member of a Commission for executing the laws against papists(18) and in 1589 was Commissioner for Inverness-shire to convene the freeholders for choosing representatives in Parliament and was a member of a commission to deal with reported witchcraft.(19)

    In 1592/3 Colin was chosen a commissioner of Justiciary for Elgin, Nairn and Inverness and subsequently was a member of the Privy Council.(20) The Earl of Cromartie stated that: "there was none in the North for whom the King hade a greater esteem than for this Colin. He made him one of his Privie Councillors, and oft tymes invited him to be nobilitate (ennobled), but Colin always declined it, aiming rather to have his familie remarkable for power, as it were, above their qualitie than for titles that equalled their power."

    Issue- first seven children by Barbara, last four by Mary.

  • 6I. KENNETH- m.1. Jean Ross (D. 9 mAY 1604), 2. before 12 Mar. 1607 ISABEL OGILVIE (m.2. Sir John Seton of Barns), d. 27 Feb. 1611
  • II. Roderick- b.c.1574, m. contract 6 May 1605, Margaret Macleod (m.2. Thomas Fraser of Strichen), will 22 Sept. 1626. Roderick of Coigeach, the "Tutor of Kintail" was the ancestor of the Earls of Cromartie
  • III. Colin- m.1. Catherine Macleod, 2. Isobel MacKenzie of Gareloch, d. May 1650 Kinchulladrum
  • IV. Alexander- m.1. contract 15 Aug. 1611, Jean Fraser of Strichen (m.1. James Stewart of Kilcoy), 2. Margaret Dunbar
  • V. Murdoch- living in 1609
  • VI. Katherine- m. Dec. 1589 Simon, Lord Lovat, d. May 1593
  • VII. Janet- m. Hector Og Lachlan Maclean of Duart
  • VIII. Mary- m. Sir Donald MacDonald of Sleat
  • IX. Agnes-
  • X. Margaret-
  • XI. Alexander- m.1. Annabella MacKenzie of Fairburn (m.1. Thomas MacKenzie of Ord), d. Mar. 1650 Pittonachtie

    Ref:

    (1) Cal. State Papers- Scotland III, 166; P.C. Reg.- I, 654,673; XIV, 108
    (2) Retours- Ross, No.6
    (3) Reg. Mag. Sig
    (4) Ibid
    (5) Ibid
    (6) Ibid
    (7) Ibid
    (8) Ibid
    (9) P.C. Reg.- II, 319,332,358,435,438
    (10) Ibid-674
    (11) Ibid- III, 80,90
    (12) Ibid- pp.505,541,555
    (13) Ibid- p.745
    (14) Ibid- Vol.IV, p.38
    (15) Ibid- p.65
    (16) Ibid- pp.70-1
    (17) Ibid- p.122
    (18) Ibid- pp.301,464
    (19) Ibid- p.384
    (20) Ibid- Vol.V, pp.51,90,753; Acts and Decreets- Vol.III, p.562

    History of the MacKenzies- Alexander MacKenzie, Inverness, 1894
    "The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VII, pp.500-3
    "The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880


    6I. KENNETH (ALEXANDER 1, KENNETH 2, JOHN 3, KENNETH 4, COLIN 5)

    m.1. Jean or Ann, d. of George Ross of Balnogowan (d. 9 May 1604)
    2. before 12 Mar. 1607 ISABEL, d. of Sir GILBERT OGILVIE of Powrie (m.2. Sir John Seton of Barns)
    d. 27 Feb. 1611

    Kenneth was twelfth chief of the MacKenzies and a member of the Privy Council of James VI in 1595. On 18 Feb. 1595/6 a note from the records of the Privy Council shows that Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail "being elected and chosen to be one of the ordinary members" of the Council and being personally present makes faith and give oath in the usual manner. (1)

    Kenneth had charters to Little Scattoll 27 Feb. 1594/5 to the churchlands of Cullicudden with the office of constable of the bishopric of Ross 27 Mar. 1595, to the manor of Pluscardine and others 28 Feb. 1595/6, to the castle of Strome with the lands of Lochailshe, Lochcarron, Assint, Lewis and others 17 Mar. 1607, to Inscherorie 15 Apr. 1608 and to the barony of Glenelg 22 July 1609.(2)

    On 9 Nov. 1594 Kenneth swore an oath in the presence of the King and Privy Council that he would "faithfully, loyally, and truly concur, fortify, and assist his Majesty's Lieutenant of the North with his advice and force at all times and occasions as he may be required by proclamations, missive letters, or otherwise."

    Kenneth supported the claims of Torquil Cononach Macleod the disinherited son of Macleod of Lewis and John MacKenzie's sister. The barony of Lewis he conveyed to the MacKenzie chief and had the usurper and his followers beheaded in July 1597.

    Kenneth resigned the manor of Redcastle, the ferry and fishery of Kessok to his uncle Roderick MacKenzie of Ardfaillie 26 Feb. 1598/9.(3)

    On 9 Feb. 1600 Kenneth purchased from Andrew Monro of Newmoir the office of chief "mair" of Ross-shire which was confirmed 16 Mar. 1624.(4)

    In 1598 Kenneth joined Macleod of Harris and MacDonald of Sleat in opposing King James' project of colonizing the isle of Lewis with men from Fife. Because of complaints from the colonists Kenneth was arrested and was a prisoner in Edinburgh castle but through his friend the Lord Chancellor he escaped without a trial. In 1601 Neill Macleod deserted the cause of the colonists so Kenneth sent Ruari Macleod, Lord of Lewis' son Tormod to the island to assist Neill in opposing the settlers. In 1602 the feud between the MacKenzies and the Glengarry MacDonalds regarding their land in Western Ross was renewed. The feud began with murder of the cousins' fathers in Lochcarron in 1580. They burned the house of one of the murderers at Applecross, killing him and his family, and also killed Donald Mackenzie who lived at Kishorn. Kenneth and Glengarry went to Edinburgh to present their complaints against each other, but Kenneth produced Donald's bloody shirt as evidence before the Privy Council and the Council 9 Sept. 1602 declared him an outlaw and rebel and a commission of fire and sword was granted to Kenneth against Glengarry. Angus MacDonell, the younger of Glengarry, raided the Mackenzie's land at Kintail and carried away a large number of cattle. Kenneth then defeated Angus at Morar and brought back to Kintail "the largest booty ever heard of in the Highlands of Scotland". The Glengarry MacDonald's then raided Kinlochewe and Applecross and joined forces with their kin , the MacDonalds of Moidart. While Kenneth was in Mull obtaining the support of his brother-in-law Hector Og Maclean of Duart, Glengarry's son raided Lochcarron. His galley was intercepted between Kylerhea and Kyleakin by Kenneth's men and he was killed, his body being brought back to Kenneth's wife who was holding the down the fort at Eilean Donan. Glengarry's cousin burned the church of Kilchrist in East Ross, killing the congregation inside with Glencarry's piper marching around the flames playing a pibroch called "Cillechriost". After much bloodshed an agreement was reached and the MacKenzies were given the castle of Strone and land in Lochalsh, Lochcarron and others. A crown charter was granted to Kenneth MacKenzie in 1607. Also in 1607 Kenneth received from the influence of the Lord Chancellor a gift of the isle of Lewis, but after the complaints by the colonists the King was forced to withdraw the gift. Kenneth resigned the lands and barony of Lewis towards the formation of Stornoway into a burgh of barony on 18 Oct. 1607.(5)

    Kenneth was a commissioner ot the Parliament at Edinburgh in 1607 and in 1609 he was one of the Lords of the Articles.(6) He was made a peer with the title of Lord MacKenzie of Kintail 19 Nov. 1609.(7)

    The scheme for colonizing Lewis was abandoned and the remaining colonists sold their title to Kenneth and after acquiring a legal right to the isle he obtained a commission of fire and sword against the Islanders from the government and landed there with a large force and subdued the inhabitants except for the Macleods. The feud between the Macleods and the MacKenzies continued for some time, but the MacKenzies ultimately won as his rights were confirmed by the King and he returned to Lewis in 1610 with 700 men and brought the island into submission.

    Kenneth died 27 Feb. 1611. The Earl of Cromartie said that he "was truly of an heroic temper, but of a spirit too great for his estates, perhaps for his country, yet bounded by his station..."

    Issue- first five children by Anne, last five by Isabel

  • I. Barbara- m. Aug. 1610 Donald, Lord Reay
  • II. Janet- m. Sir Donald Gorme MacDonald, Laird of Sleat
  • III. Colin- 2nd Lord Kintail, 1st Earl of Seaforth
  • IV. John- m. Isobel, d. of Alexander MacKenzie of Gairloch
  • V. Kenneth-
  • VI. Sybyl- m.1. John Macleod of Macleod, 2. Alexander Fraser of Lovat, 3. Patrick Grant of Cluniemore
  • VII. Alexander- d.s.p.1614
  • 7VIII. GEORGE- int. 22-3 Jan. 1628 BARBARA, d. of Lord FORBES (alive in 1666), d. Aug. 1651 Schiedam
  • IX. Thomas- m.1. after 1626 Jean Grant of Freuchie (m.1. William Sutherland of Duffus), 2. Jean Cockburn of Langton (m.1. Alexander Dunbar of Grange)
  • X. Simon- m.1. Elizabeth Bruce of St. Andrews, 2. Agnes Fraser of Culbokie (m.1. Alexander MacKenzie)

    Ref:

    (1) P.C. Reg.- Vol.V, p.273
    (2) Reg. Mag. Sig.
    (3) Ibid
    (4) Ibid
    (5) Ibid
    (6) Acts and Decreets- Vol.IV, p.413
    (7) Reg. Mag. Sig. 17 Nov.; P.C. Reg.- VIII, 470

    History of the MacKenzies- Alexander MacKenzie, Inverness, 1894
    "The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VII, pp.503-6
    "The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880


    7VIII. GEORGE (ALEXANDER 1, KENNETH 2, JOHN 3, KENNETH 4, COLIN 5, KENNETH 6)

    int. 22-3 Jan. 1628 BARBARA, d. of ARTHUR, Lord FORBES (alive in 1666)
    d. Aug. 1651 Schiedam, Holland

    George became the second Earl of Seaforth in 1633 after the death of his brother Colin. He received the barony of Pluscardine 14 Jan. 1620(1) and the barony of Eilandonan 24 May 1633(2) He had charters to Balmungie and Avache 8 Aug. 1634, to Rasay 5 Feb. 1636, to the barony of Lewis 13 Mar. 1637, to the teinds of Insche and Avache 20 March 1637 and to Lochalsche 4 July 1642.(3)

    In 1634 George was appointed Justice of the Peace for Elgin, Forres, Nairn and Inverness-shire. (4) In 1637 and in 1641 he was a member of the Privy Council and was entrusted with various commissions.(5)

    Sir George was opposed to the attempt of Charles I to establish English episcopacy in Scotland. In 1639 he was placed in command of a large group of Covenanters assembled north of the Spey. Soon after receiving a dispatch from the Earl of Montrose he disbanded his army and returned home. The ratification of his infeftment in the lands of Lewis by Parliament in 1641 was protested against by the Earl of Sutherland and the Marquess of Argyll.(6)

    In Feb. 1645 Montrose opposed the Covenanters and destroyed Moray. A committee of the Estates consisting of Sir George, his brother Thomas of Pluscardine, Laird of Innes, Sir Robert Gordon and others were meeting at Elgin when hearing of Montrose's approach they sent a notice through the town prohibiting the holding of the annual fair. They sent a delegate to meet with him, but he refused to enter into any negotiations so George and Thomas, Gordon, the Lairds of Grant and Findrassie and several others joined Montrose and accompanied him across the Spey. Montrose then had them swear an oath of allegience to the King and allowed them to return home to defend their estates. Sir George then went back over to the Covenanters and told the committee of Estates at Aberdeen that he had yielded to Montrose through fear only and vowed he would follow "the good cause to his death". He joined Sir John Hurry the Convenanting general and on 9 May 1645 took part in the Battle of Auldearn between Hurry's army of Sutherlands, MacKenzies, Frasers, Roses, and Brodies and Montrose's army of Gordons, MacDonalds, MacPhersons, MacKintoshes and Irish. George refused a commission from the Committee of Estates appointing him as their Lieutenant north of the Spey and in June 1646 he was excommunicated by the General Assembly for having joined Montrose publicly at the siege of Inverness in April 1646.

    In May 1646 George laid siege to the castle of Donald Ban Mor Macleod on the Isle of Assynt in an effort to take Assynt from the Macleods. In a complaint by the Macleods his men were said to have carried away 3,000 cows, 2,000 horses and 7,000 sheep and goats as well as burning the house of 180 families.

    In 1648 George raised 4,000 troops from the Western Isles and Ross and marched south, however, after being involved in a few minor battles they returned home to "cut their corn which was now ready for their sickles". George was always trying to be on the winning side and came to terms with the Committee of Estates, however, the church would only be satisfied by a display of public penance in sackcloth at the High Church in Edinburgh. After this degrading ceremony his sentence of excommunication was removed.

    After the King was executed in 1649 George went to Charles II in Holland and was made Principal Secretary of State for Scotland, the duties of this office he never had the opportunity of forfilling. He accompanied the King to Scotland and with others entered into a "bond and oath of engagement" in behalf of the King, the "true religion", the national covenant and the solemn league and covenant. This was sent to General Leslie and a treaty was made 4 Nov. 1650 at Strathbogie and the Royalists laid down their arms.

    Issue-

  • 8I. MARY- m.1. int. 8 Oct. 1647 JOHN ERSKINE, 2. Andrew, Lord Fraser
  • II. George- m. Mary, d. Alexander Skene of Skene
  • III. Kenneth- m. Isabel, d. of John MacKenzie of Torbat (bur. 18 Feb. 1715 Holyrood Abbey) d.Dec. 1678
  • IV. Colin- m. Jean Laurie of Edinburgh (bur. 5 Jan. 1671)
  • V. Roderick- of Kingwalledrum
  • VI. Margaret- int. 4 Oct. 1648 Sir William Sinclair of Mey, Bart.
  • VII. Barbara- m. John Urquhart of Cromarty

    Ref:

    (1) Retours- Elgin, No.35
    (2) Ibid- Ross, No.79
    (3) Reg. Mag. Sig.
    (4) P.C. Reg., 2nd Series, Vol.V, pp.387,429
    (5) Ibid- Vol.VI, p.378; Vol.VII, p.144,V,VI,VII
    (6) Acts and Decreets- Vol.V, pp.530,583

    History of the MacKenzies- Alexander MacKenzie, Inverness, 1894
    "The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VII, pp.507-9
    "The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880


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