The "clearing" of the Highlands is a rather dark period of Scottish history. Whole villages and often whole islands in the Hebrides were "cleared". In some instances the operation was absolutely brutal, while other episodes were quite humane. Fortunately, Sir James Matheson, was a benevolent landlord, in that he offered free passage to Canada for his tennant crofters. However, it should be noted that once it was determined that who was to be evicted, they were evicted.
It seems that the Isle of Lewis could no longer support its population and the crofters could not afford to pay their rent to Matheson. This was a losing situation for Matheson, who decided that there was money to be made by raising sheep on the island. The grazing grounds were occupied by these many crofters, so they would have to be removed. Many families took advantage of Matheson's offer of passage to Canada, my ancestors were among them.
Many highlanders were not so fortunate. The Sutherland clearances, for example, were extremely violent, resulting in deaths, people being trampled by horses, beaten by constables and homes and belongings being burned to the ground. Often evictees were literally dragged to the waiting sailing ships.
To read more about the clearances, including the brutality of them, see the links provided.
13 comments:
My relatives - McLean, Martin, McLeod and McAuley were all part of the "Evictions" on the Isle of Lewis. Donald Daniel McLean b 1805 lived in North Shawbost, Uig. Murdock Angus McAuley b 1811 lived in Mangersta, Lewis. I am going to be on the Island in June 2016.
Hi Jeanie,
Is this your first trip to Lewis, if so you will not be disappointed.
I see you MacAulay family in Lawson's book, but cannot find Donald MacLean. Who did he marry? Where did he settle?
I have been to Lewis twice and would like to go again. If I can help in any way let me know.
David
My great grandparents both came to Quebec, Canada from Lewis. My great grandfather, David Smith from Carloway came in 1874 as a baby. My great grandmother, Marion MacLeod came to Quebec, Canada, also from Carloway as a 22 year old with a friend or cousin in 1894. They both settled in the same area of Quebec near Lake Magentic and the town of Marsboro that had been settled by people from Lewis.
Hi Chris,
I see your Smith family on the Canadian censuses. Have you traced them further back on Lewis? Have you been to Lewis?
Dave
The Isle of Lewis was beautiful. I went to the library on Stornoway and found some info in a book: Croft History, Isle of Lewis, Vol 24, Uig, Part 1. Author : Bill Lawson. The book includes names of people on Crofts in these areas: Taobh Loch Reusort, Mealasta, Branais, Islibhig, Mangurstadh.
Unfortunately The book is not for sale anywhere... So I took pictures of each page.
I have found some of my relatives on the pages but have not had time to do an exhaustive study.
The librarians were very helpful. One of the librarians said a lot of people come to the Island doing genealogy work. That surprised me. She also mentioned that the people wanted to leave - so they could have a better life. I wonder if everyone believes that?
Jeanie
Lewis is indeed beautiful. I also visited the library and the librarian showed me the old rent ledgers (calf leather bound) and I found my great great grandfather's (a Kenneth MacIver)entry. It showed that he was in debt to Matheson and to have the debt canceled he emigrated to Ontario, August 1 1863 aboard the Elizabeth.
I actually stood on the croft that he was forced to leave - a very moving experience!
Should you need any help or wish to compare notes, do not hesitate to email me at daibhidh@sympatico.ca.
Slainte!
My great-grandfather was Donald Maclean, he joined the merchant navy and jumped ship to Australia. My family now live in Sydney ;)
My 3rd great grandparents, Alexander MacDonald & Mary MacIver & 7 children were cleared from Callanish, Uig, Lewis in 1851. I know he had a fishing boat. They emigrated to Winslow Quebec. I'd like to know who was the chief evicting, how payments were made in fishing & what treatment they received, who received them etc.
Hi Jennifer,
All of the people "cleared" from Lewis seemed to have been treated fairly by Sir James Matheson.
Of my ancestors, Matheson gave them a decent price for their livestock etc. if they had any. Their debts were cancelled as well as any arrears. Passage was paid by Matheson as well.
My first trip to Lewis included a stop at the Stornoway library. The research librarian was extremely helpful and pulled out some very old calf-bound rent ledgers from the 1800s. I was able to find entries for some of my ancestors and it indicated when they left, form where, and that all debts were cancelled.
Perhaps if you email the library, they can do some research for you. They, like all of the Lewis people, are extremely helpful and friendly.
I did find your Alexander MacDonald in Bill Lawson's book, along with the children and who they married.
Hope this is of some help.
Dave
My ancestor, John MacIver, left Eireastadh, Uig, Lewis on the brig Anne in 1811. According to records in the Seaforth Muniments, there were "clearings" in Uig as early as 1811. My people did not feel that they left voluntarily.
http://www.alastairmcintosh.com/general/resources/2015-Donald-J-MacLeod-Clearances-Uig-Lewis-&-Quebec.pdf
The above statements regarding the clearances on Lewis are revisionist history. Here is a document from a man who has personal memories of the clearance of Uig.
"The many deserted villages in Uig and other Lewis parishes are monuments to the sheep
farming and sporting estate policies of the Seaforth family (Chiefs of Clan MacKenzie) and
Sir James Matheson (MacDrug). The story o f the untold misery caused to young and old in
Uig by these parasitic landlords has never been told. The power of these landlords resulted in
the wholesale clearance of many of the ancient Uig inhabitants from their native parish.
In 1793 the whole parish of Uig was advertised for letting as a sheep farm by Frances
Humberstone MacKenzie, later Lord Seaforth, (Chief of the MacKenzies). Despite having
raised regiments of soldiers mostly men from the Seaforth estates in Ross-shire and Lewis,
this despot was willing to evict and exile the whole population of this parish.
Aware of the contribution Lewis soldiers had made to the British army in India, a Lewisman,
Colonel Colin MacKenzie,. wrote to the factor from Hyderabad, expressing his concern
regarding the future of the Uig inhabitants and urging Seaforth to supply the evicted with
land or employment elsewhere. Colonel MacKenzie had some clout as he was the Surveyor
General for all India and his interjection prevented the whole parish of Uig being totally
devastated and depopulated. However, it was not long before the Seaforths began their ‘land
improvements’ which lead to fact the clearing o f many Uig townships. Amongst the evicted
were many who had served with the Royal Navy and British army regiments."
Hi everyone. Just starting my genealogy search on my mother’s side and am looking for Campbells that came from this clearance. Is there an exhaustive list anywhere of all the families (I read 109) from Lewis?
The tree I have done by a cousin goes back to a John Campbell b around 1806 and Jane Black. No luck so far finding them in familysearch but they settled in Huron county Ontario with many other Scottish settlers from this clearance so I think it’s fair to assume I’m on the right track!
Thanks
I found an ancestor who migrated from Isle of Lewis to Nova Scotia after 1812. His name was Lachlan Malcom Matheson. I presume he assumed the surname. Was it customary for emigrants to assume the last name of their landlord? Why?
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