This information is taken from the book entitled James McDonald-Sarah Ferguson:
Their Progenitors and Their Posterity written by Ila May Fisher Maughan and printed
by Utah Printing Company in 1964
“WHY YOU HAVE A FAMILY NAME AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU”
Primitive personal names doubtless originated with spoken language and for
thousands of years thereafter, first or given names were the only designation men and
women bore. In the dawn of history when the world was less crowded and every man
knew his neighbor only one title of address was necessary – Adam, Eve, Abraham, Sarah,
etc.
But with the passing centuries and ever increasing complexity of civilized society,
a need arose for more specific designations. While the roots of our family names may be
traced back to early civilized times, the actual hereditary surname as we know it today is
a relatively recent development. Surnames date back scarcely more than nine hundred
years. Our McDonald name originated in the 13th century as our story will explain as it
unfolds.
As early as Biblical times certain distinguishing appellations were occasionally
employed in addition to the given name, such as Joshua the son of Nun, Judas of Galilee,
Simon the Zealot.
In ancient Greece daughters were scrupulously named after their fathers, as
Chryseis, daughter of Chryses. Sons’ names were usually an enlarged form of the
father’s, such as Hieronymus, son of Hiero.
With the rise of the Roman Empire a need was felt for some hereditary title. To
meet this need they invented a complex system whereby every patrician traced his
descent by taking several names. None of these exactly corresponded to surnames as we
know them because the Roman clan name, though hereditary, was given also to slaves
and other dependents. Excellent as this system was, it proved to be but a temporary
innovation. The overthrow of the Roman Empire brought an end to this system and a
return to the primitive custom of a single name.
Strictly speaking, there were no family names among the Celts from whom the
Scotch and Irish descend. People had only individual names such as Somerled, the first
known patriarch of the McDonald clan, and Fergus, founder of the Ferguson name. But
as tribal groups grew in size, again singe names proved inadequate and supplementary
designations were employed such as “the Strong,” the Hardy,” “the Stern.”
True surnames in the sense of hereditary designations date in England from about
the year 1000 A.D. Perhaps the oldest surname in England was that borne by Hwita
Hatte, a keeper of bees, whose daughter was Tate Hatte. During the reign of Edward the
Confessor (1042 – 1066) there were Saxon tenants in Suffolk bearing such names as
Siuward Rufas and Leurick Hobbesune (Hobson). The Domesday records of 1085 –
1086 show surnames in still more general use.
Classed according to origin most names fall into four general categories: (1)
those formed from the given name of the sire (2) those arising from bodily or personal
characteristics (3) those derived from locality of place of residence (4) and those
derived from occupation.
Our McDonald name is classified in the division of surnames which were derived
from the given name of the father. Such names were formed by adding a prefix or a
suffix. The Gaelic prefix “Mac,” the Norman “Fitz,” the Welsh “Ap,” and the Irish “O,”
all by literal translation mean “a descendant of.” Thus Donald’s son became MacDonald
and Gerald’s son became Fitzgerald, etc.
Our Ferguson title belongs to the same class of surnames derived from the father,
save that in this case a suffix has been added. Fergus’s son became Ferguson. This clan
surname goes back to early, early Irish history as research for our story will later show.
Scotland, too, claimed Ferguson among its native clan titles.
Another class of surnames, those arising from some bodily or personal
characteristic of the bearer, apparently grew out of what was a nickname. Roger of small
stature became Roger Small or Roger Little. Black haired William became William
Black and blond Alfred became Alfred White. Our Glass name belongs in this
classification. The Scottish name Glass originally meant grey or grey-haired.
A third and perhaps the largest class of family names is that where the surname is
derived from the habitat of the bearer. Names of some of the Pilgrim Fathers illustrate
this class. Winthrop means “from the friendly village.” Endicott means an “end
cottage.” Bradford means “at the broad ford.”
The fourth class of surnames is that derived from occupations. The earliest of
these seem to have been official titles such as Bishop, Fawcett (judge), Alderman,
Chamberlain, Marshall, etc. Trade and craft names while of this same general
classification were of somewhat later origin. Currier was a dresser of skins, Webster a
weaver, Wainwright a wagon builder, and Baxter a baker. Such names as Smith, Taylor,
Barber, Shepherd, Fisher, Mason, and Miller are self-explanatory.
Many surnames of today seem to defy classification or explanation. These tend to
thwart genealogical efforts. These corruptions of ancient forms have resulted from
ignorance of spelling, variations of pronunciation, or merely from preference of the
bearer. The majority of English and Anglo-American surnames have in the course of
history appeared in from four to a dozen spellings. Variations of our McDonald and
Ferguson names will be listed later.
In America, the melting pot of all nations, a greater variety of surnames exists
than anywhere else in the world. Family names of every race and every nation are
represented. In the beginning these names were only a word, a convenient label to
distinguish one John from his neighbor John who lived across the field. But with the
passage of time names have established themselves as part of the bearer’s individuality.
As a name passed from children to children’s children and their children, it became not
only a symbol of one person but of a family and all that family stood for.
Handed down from generation to generation our McDonald name has become
inseparably associated with traditions and achievements. In “The Scots Book” our clan is
designated as “The Brave MacDonalds.” Borne through 800 years of progenitors, it has
become a good name, a name to cherish with pride, a name to protect.
We are not only the sum-total of our own achievements but of the whole
achievements of our ancestors. To a remarkable extent certain traits of character and
capabilities and certain talents run in a family. Hence the more we know of those who
have gone before, the better we can understand ourselves.
A renaissance of wholesome, constructive interest in family histories and
genealogies is spreading over the earth. It is not limited to any people, place or creed,
and those interested in the hobby are eager to share and to receive family surname
information. Histories long buried in family libraries are being circulated.
The following account of the progenitors of James McDonald and Sarah Ferguson
founded on professional research recently done in Ireland will save many the useless
effort and expense of repetition. The biographical sketches and charts of family
relationships of the children descendant from James and Sarah forms a solid foundation
on which future generations may build a continuation of the McDonald clan history for
benefit of still more future generations. This research and these biographical sketches
span a period of over two hundred and fifty years. This marks more than a quarter of the
entire existence of our McDonald surname. It is a bridge between the past and future
generation.
“THE ROOTS OF OUR FAMILY TREE”
Before presenting our documented chain of McDonald ancestry, let us survey
briefly the source of the McDonald name. All historians of early Scotland tell the story
of Somerled, progenitor of the MacDonald Clan. With his naval force Somerled led the
expedition that finally succeeded in expelling the Norsemen from northern Scotland and
from the Hebrides, a group of Islands on the west coast of Scotland.
For centuries Nordic invaders had attempted to establish themselves on Scottish
soil, and not until 1164 were they finally and fully expelled by Somerled (a Norse name
meaning “mariner”). Somerled died as a result of battle in this final victory against the
Vikings; but he left three sons, Dugall, Reginald and Angus.
Long before there was any central government in Scotland, Somerled was known
as “lord of the Isles.” He owned much of the Hebrides and most other islands along
Scotland’s west boarder. Sons of Somerled established themselves over considerable of
the western section of the Scottish mainland while still retaining the title of “Lord of the
Isles.”
The clan McDonald, reckoned the oldest and most famous of Scottish clans,
descends from Donald, grandson of Somerled, in the 13th century. This Donald died
before 1249 A.D. The islands and a portion of Argyll were divided among the three sons
of Somerled. Lorn, Mull and Jura went to Dugall; Kintyre and Islay to Reginald; Bute
and part of Arran and the roughbounds from Ardnamurchan to Glenelg to Angus.
Kintyre is the long island which extends down toward the northern coast of
Ireland and forms the western shore of the Firth of Clyde. Islay is the island further west
from Kintyre and south of Jura from which island it is separated by only a very narrow
waterway. Note that it was these two most southern islands that were bequeathed to
Reginald and thence to his son Donald. It was this Donald who gave his baptismal name
meaning “world ruler” to the clan who were thereafter known as the MacDonalds.
Three branches of the original clan were formed – Clanranald, Sleate and
Glengarry. The MacDonalds of Glengarry were later known as MacDonnell. The map
here presented reveals the MacDonald clan situation, also that of the Ferguson.
Since our MacDonald surname was established before the year 1200, it is now
well more than 750 years old. Of this period our story will document our McDonald
lineage back for 200 years and will given an over-all view of Scotch and Irish history.
Now to our known history.
Family traditions all agree that our first known progenitors were born about 1774.
A cursory view of world conditions at that time reveals that it was no tranquil pastoral era
into which Moses McDonald and Mary Glass were born. Due to England’s oppression,
the condition of Irish peasantry was so deplorable that secret societies were being formed
to combat the situation.
George III had received the crown in 1760 and over the years he had been forced
to grant concessions to the American Colonies. In retaliation he had imposed the tax on
tea which simple annoyance had been sufficient to arouse the Colonies to united action.
The first Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia in 1774. The
Revolutionary War erupted early the following year and young George Washington was
chosen as head of the Continental Army. The Declaration of Independence was signed
when Moses and Mary were about two years old (1776).
For decades the Palace Versailles in France had grown bigger and more grand
until under control of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette it was approaching the zenith of
its glory, while French peasants were approaching the point of revolt. This while Moses
and Mary were children.
Theirs was an era of change and adventure. Under patronage of the Italian
Government, the excavations at Pompeii and Herculanaeum were revealing more and
more of ancient civilization. Watts had patented a steam engine in 1769 that was causing
much excitement. James Hargreaves had patented his “spinning jenny” which marked
the beginning of the factory system of labor and greatly influenced the flax and linen
industry in Ireland.
The first edition of Encyclopedia Britannica had been published in 1771.
“Gulliver’s Travels” had been read and talked of for nearly 40 years, and Franklin’s
“poor Richard’s Almanack” was known in most parts of Europe. Gainsborough’s “Blue
Boy” was being locally admired; those who could afford a harpsichord were enthralled
with Haydn’s chamber music; and the brief but brilliant career of Mozart was at its
height.
Moses McDonald and Mary Glass were little children when Cornwallis
surrendered at Yorktown (1780). They were teenagers when French citizens were
marching to a new song, “La Marseillaise,” and they would fully sense the tide that swept
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette to the guillotine (1792-93), but they were no doubt
entirely unaware of the young lieutenant of artillery, Napoleon Bonaparte, who had
begun his rise to power.
What do we know of Moses McDonald and Mary Glass, the earliest proven
progenitors of our clan? Some family traditions declare they were born in Northern
Ireland, and some are more explicit and state they were both born in Belfast. Yet there
were others who felt sure that Moses was born in Scotland.
The family group sheet for Moses McDonald and Mary Glass now completed and
on file in the archives of the Genealogical Library states that Moses was born in
Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland, and Mary Glass in Crawfordsburn, Down County,
Ireland. This assumption of the birthplace of Moses was entirely logical since the
majority of his children were born in Greenock. There are many McDonalds thought that
shire. However no proof that he was born there, not even mention of a Moses McDonald
was found. (1)
A record of work done in the Manti Temple in 1888 and kept by John McDonald
says that his grandfather Moses was born in County Down, Ireland, and that Mary Glass
was born in Ireland. We know that their first child, James, was born there so it is definite
that they were in Ireland early in their married years.
But according to the official family group sheet registered in the archives, all their
remaining five children were born in Greenock, Scotland. Sarah was born about 1803,
and there is official documentation for the birth of Mary Cunningham McDonald on
Mar.21, 1805 in Greenock. William was born about 1807, Bettie about 1809 and there is
official documentation that John was born Mar. 18, 1811. (2)
(1)Microfilm records of East, West and Middle parishes of Greenock, Scotland, read by
Stella McDonald Bethers and Ila F. Maughan – Genealogical Library
(2)Ibid.
The custom-made map of Scotland and Ireland here given enables one to readily
visualize the close proximity of Crawfordsburn, a small village near the coastline on the
Bay of Belfast, and Greenock, Scotland, on the coastline where the River Clyde flows
into the Firth of Clyde.
As the crow flies it is scarcely a hundred miles from Crawsfordsburn, Ireland, to
Greenock, Scotland, and no real ocean voyage is involved in the passage between. The
widest part of the North Channel that flows between Ireland and Scotland would not be
more than 35 miles in width, and the Firth of Clyde is not more than six miles wide at any
point. In the era of our ancestors, Moses McDonald and Mary Glass, passage between
the two coast lines was common experience. There were no problems of arrival or
departure – no passports, no customs, and plenty of small boats were in service.
Since John McDonald’s record gave Northern Ireland as the birthplace of both his
grandparents, it was deemed wisdom to have research work done there. Dr. Brian Leese
agreed to do it, but before beginning the task he wrote:
“I suppose you know that research in Ireland is exceptionally difficult and it is
only fair of me to warn you in advance that your hopes should not be high. It often
happens that when searches are made in Ireland, large sums of money can be spent on
well directed research without finding a single definite connection.
“If you are willing to take this risk and are aware of the slight chances of success,
I will endeavor to do what I can for you. I am planning to make searches in Ireland in
March of next year (1958) . . . My personal recommendation is that very thorough and
extensive searches be made once and for all to determine whether or not there is any
available information. . . “
Even before receiving this report we knew that a great portion of the National
Archives of Northern Ireland had been destroyed by bombs and fire at the close of the
Irish Civil War in 1923; but we were willing, even eager, to take the chance of finding
anything. By trying we would at least be fulfilling our responsibility to the
commandment that we seek out our kindred dead.
Fortune smiled on us even though only a fragmentary hint of the origin of our
Moses McDonald was found. In searching “Parish Registers of Belfast, County Antrim,
Ireland 1745-1812,” Dr. Leese found the following notation of a christening: “John, son
of Moses and Grace McDonald 21 June 1788.”
Here was a ray of hope! Here was a son bearing an often used family name – a
son born in the right place at the right time to fit logically with our known family history.
Here was a father bearing the name of Moses, an unusual name – a name that would be
logically the right name! Could this newly found Moses McDonald be the father of our
Moses McDonald who married Mary Glass? He very well could have been. We feel that
he was. Our known Moses, if he were the son of this “Moses and Grace McDonald,”
would then have been about fourteen years of age when this younger brother John was
christened in 1788.
But alas, the family relationship cannot be documented because neither birth
certification or marriage license can be found for our known Moses nor for this newly
found “Moses and Grace McDonald.” In submitting his report Dr. Leese said:
“I would point out the christening at Belfast in 1788 of John, son of Moses and
Grace McDonald. It does seem likely that this couple were also the parents of Moses
McDonald of Belfast who was born about 1774. There is, however, no proof. I only
point out the entry for attention because of the unusual name of Moses. I can only
suggest that the patron record them on a family group sheet and submit it for clearance on
a “relative” basis as nothing more definite can be done. A charge of $75.00 has been
made for the research.”
That money had been tremendously well spent even though the verdict was
“nothing more definite can now be done.” These words are as a curtain drawn down on
our McDonald research, but curtains can be lifted.
Curtains have been lifted or we would not now be able to record with proof the
progenitors of Sarah Ferguson. No member of any family knew with certainty where
Sarah was born. The majority believed it to be in Scotland.
No special request for research on the Ferguson line had been made with Dr.
Leese although we had given him our pedigree with all information as complete as we
knew it; so when a documented record of Sarah’s progenitors arrived, it was as a
gloriously unexpected boon, the details of which will follow in another chapter.
In summary, let us reflect briefly on possibilities of why Moses and Mary took
their baby James and went to live in Scotland. Greenock is beautifully situated on the
Couth shore of the River Clyde where it flows into the Firth. There are hundreds of
McDonalds listed as living various sections of Greenock Parish at that time. There was
of course a clan relationship. Also the islands west of the Firth of Clyde belonged to the
McDonalds as did the island of Arran in the Firth and the region of Argyllshire stretching
north beyond the River Clyde. It could have been close family ties that took them there.
It could have been just for economic betterment that Moses and Mary left
Crawfordsburn to live in Greenock. At the turn of the 19th century the life of a fisherman
was especially prosperous there. Fishing was an industry of both Crawfordsburn and
Greenock, and our Moses could have been a fisherman.
More than half a century before, industrious Scottish fishermen and their families
living thatched huts stretching along the bay of the Firth of Clyde had developed a small,
foreign trade dealing mostly in herring and chiefly with the American colonies. For this
reason Greenock had become the envy of Glasgow and other larger ports, but during the
American Revolution this foreign trade had been severely curtailed. By 1802 it had been
revived and Greenock was again a boom town. (3)
It could have been famine in Ireland that caused Moses and Mary to take their
little son and flee to Scotland. Between 1728 and 1845 history records 21 official failures
of the potato crop. (4) Such failures meant starvation and death.
During this period of blight, migration was a means of survival. Unless the yearly
rental was paid to the English landowners, farmers were evicted. To meet this tenancy
demand it was necessary to sell all other produce – grains, vegetables, dairy products, and
meat, and these were shipped to England. Native Irishmen perished by the thousands. (5)
Suppositions here made are based on recorded historical facts (see footnote
references), but until we know more of our people there is no answer to the question of
when or where or for how long our progenitors went back and forth between Scotland
and Ireland.
(3) Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Scotland p. 162
(4) Smith, Cecil Woodham, “The Great Famine.” Harper and Roe 1963
(5) Ibid.
By a careful search of John McDonald’s temple work records and from the
Journals left by Edward Clyde, grandson of James and Sarah McDonald, we know that
Moses McDonald and his wife, Mary Glass did return to Crawfordsburn. We assume that
they died there. We know that their daughters, Sarah and Bettie, are buried in
Newtownards, which is about eight miles south of Crawfordsburn. We know that their
daughter Mary died in Crawsfordsburn in 1888.
Would that we could trace the lineage of Mary Glass! Dr. Leese made an effort to
do so and reported: “I would draw your attention to the Glass burials at Crawfordsburn,
Down County, Ireland. Undoubtedly the Glass ancestry could have been traced there if
the Registers prior to 1803 had not been destroyed.”
The entries of the Glass name which Dr. Leese did report give no clues that we
can use at this time, but we know from John’s temple-work records that several close
relatives on the Glass line did live and die in Crawfordsburn. To those who seek, ways
will open up to find them.
Dr. Leese concluded: “I regret that no ancestral connections have been made, but
this is rather as we had feared. All the most likely sources have been tapped, and due to
the deplorable loss of so many records in Ireland, I am afraid that the patron will have to
be resigned to the fact that nothing can be done on this line.”
Nothing at the moment, but Ireland is expending great effort and much money to
restore her records. Dr. Leese’s search was not necessarily the last word. Constant
restorations are being made to the Irish Archives. Copies and in come cases originals of
the records lost in the great destruction of 1923 have been obtained. The lineage of many
Irish families was traced and documented long before their Civil War and these records
are still in existence. Who is to say that we cannot make further connections? If there be
a will there will be a way to continue our family chain.