The MacLeans of Treshnish, Mull by Donald McLean
I’ve just transcribed this article that was sent to me recently. It’s definitely an interesting read especially if you have MacLean connections.
MACLEANS OF TRESHNISH, MULL
By Donald McLean
1928 Glasgow
| This is the story, as told to me by my grandfather, Duncan McLean as to how the McLeans of Treshnish came to Lochbuie. My namesake, Donald McLean who was born in Luss around 1736. Donald of Luss was the grandson of Farquhar McLean of this story.
The McLeans began in Treshnish on Mull. The SENEACHIE tells us this about Treshnish. “This also is a branch of the house of Ardgour. The founder of this branch was JOHN son of Ewen, second Mclean of Ardgour. The representatives of this family held by hereditary privilege the post of captains of the royal garrison of Kernburg. John first Maclean of Treshnish had a son called DONALD, who succeeded him: but Donald dying without issue his cousin – german. DONALD DUBH. Commonly called Donald Dubh a Chaistail, became 3d Maclean of Treshnish. Donald Dubh was son of Maclean of Blaich and Achnadale, third son of Ewen second laird of Ardgour; he was first married to a daughter of Mac Martin of Letterfinlay, by whom he had Ewen, his successor; he was again married to a daughter of Clanrannald, by whom he had Ewen Uaibhreach, who succeeded to his grandfather Hector Maclean in the three-merk property of Blaich in Lochaber, holden of the crown. He was chamberlain of the estate of Garghambhich, then the property of the chief of Maclean. From Ewen Uaibhreach descended the family of Achnadale in Lochaber.
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| EWEN, 4TH MACLEAN OF TRESHNISH, was the eldest son of Donald Dubh; he was in his day, a spirited and an enterprising character; he was married to a daughter of John Maclean, second laird of Lehire, and had several sons; viz., Ewen, Hector, Lachlan, Allan, Donald, Charles, Archibald, and John.”
Ewen went by the name ‘McLean’ as have all who are descended from him. J. P. MacLean writes that “Lachlan was a wise and rich man, who became manager for Lachlan Og: predecessor of the family of Torloisk.” Lachlan married Una MacLean who was born in Ardnamurchan. He had several children: four daughters and a son, Alister. All his children were born in Treshnish. Alister, according the family tradition, left Treshnish and went to sea. He may have died in Australia. He married a Campbell and had sons Charles and Duncan. Charles had a son, John who was murdered in 1647 at the age of 14 by John Campbell in Glengaristil that belonged to Murdoch Maclean of Lochbuie. “The said murderers were declared to be fugitives and rebels, and ordered to be put to the horn and all their moveable goods to be escheated.” Duncan, son of Alister, sometimes called Duncan Dow, married Christian Nikeich. His marriage record reads: “28 Janu. 1655; Duncan McLean and |
| Christian Nikeich in church proclaimed.” Duncan like his father took to a life on the sea.
Sons of Duncan Dow Mclean and Christian Nikeich wee John Ban, Duncan, and Angus. John Ban married Elizabeth Sempel from Lochbuie. He did not follow his father and grandfather and instead became a landowner and farmer in Cameron in Lochbuie. He was the first Mclean to live in Lochbuie. He named his first son Farquhar after his maternal grandfather. The sons of John Ban McLean were Farquhar and John. Farquhar married Janet a daughter of Lochbuie and died in Cameron in Lochbuie sometime after 1720. Farquhar suffered the 1716 weapons confiscation of weapons from the inhabitants of Mull. Farquhar was living in Cameron, and his son, Farquhar, was living in Laggan. In the unwarranted confiscation, Farquhar the father lost his gun. Farquhar in Laggan lost a gun and dagger.
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