Early Scotch Settlers in the Upper Cape Fear

EARLY SCOTCH SETTLERS IN THE UPPER CAPE FEAR

by Wm. McMillan, in Scottish Chief.
Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, North Carolina), Thursday, November 02, 1893

Contact: Myrtle Bridges.

	This newspaper article reveals much valuable genealogical information on the ancestors of many who remain in this area.
Includes McNeill, McMillan, McDonald, McRae, Buie, Clark, Sinclair, Campbell, Finlayson and much about the Roderick McRae family.

A gentleman who resides in Prince Edwards Island, in the Dominion of Canada, recently inquired concerning the Scottish settlers
in this region, their names, places of residence in Scotland, etc., and I have thought a reply to my Scotch friend in Canada might
interest the general readers of your paper. To enumerate all the persons whom I recollect as coming from Scotland would make my letter
too long, and I will only mention a few.
Neill McNeill came from Jura some time before 1800. He had a guardian the Duke or Argyle, to whom he was related, and becoming
dissatisfied, came to Cumberland county and located there. He died, I think, in 1856. John McDonald (carpenter) came from Skye and
settled in Moore county, and subsequently in Cumberland county, where he died at a great age. He was for thirty-five years the
Superintendant of Rockfish Sunday School in Cumberland. Sandy (Alexander) and George Campbell came from Islay in the early part of
the present century, as did Alexander McArthur, now living north of Fayetteville. My grandfather, Wm. McMillan, came from the vicinity
of Edinboro. He came to America after the battle of Culloden, perhaps later than 1750, and located near Elizabethtown, in Bladen county.-
Many of the McMillans located there with Clarks, Buie's, Bulletines and many others. The original colony settled in Bladen at the
solicitation of Governor Gabriel Johnston, who was a native of Scotland, and who built a palace four miles north of Elizabethtown, on
the Cape Fear. Many Scotch people came to this region before Culloden was lost, perhaps as early as 1714, as that date was recently
found in an old building on Person Street in Fayetteville. Alexander Graham came from Jura in the year 1781. He came during the close
of the American War of Independence, and arrived at Charleston on the 19th day of April, and settled soon afterwards west of Fayetteville.
My Canadian friend makes allusion to Alexander Holm who went to Cross Creek during the last century. If this name is the same the
Holmes family East of Fayetteville is descended therefrom.
A large number of the early immigrants came from various localities in Argyleshire. James Black and brothers, Archibald and Neill,
came from Jura after the battle of Culloden, and settled in Cumberland county. Duncan Sinclair and family came from Talbert, in Kintyre,
in 1804, and settled in Robeson.
It has been noticed that few places bear Scotch names, Campbellton (so named after Campbellton in Scotlant), Cameron's Hill, and a
few other places being exceptions. It is remarkable that the fugitives from Culloden named for the Duke of Cumberland, who treated the
Highlanders with inhuman cruelty after the battle of Culloden.
Among the early settlers was Roderick McRae, who came from Inverness-shire, and located in the county of Chatham, on Deep River. He
married a Miss Burke, who made an effort to effect the release of Gov. Burke, in 1781, while he was being carried a prisoner to Wilmington,
by Col. David Fanning. Roderick McRae subsequently lived in Cumberland. His son Colin McRae, died in 1865 at the great age of 95 years.
Among the grandsons were General Alexander McRae and Col. John McRae, who were prominent citizens of Wilmington. General Wm. McRae, Major
Henry C. McRae, Major Robert Burns McRae, of the Confederate Army, Lieut. Archibald McRae, of the U.S. Navy, were prominent among the great
grandsons of Roderick McRae.
Jura, Islay, Kentyre and Skye furnished most of the early settlers here. I knew many who came from the Lowlands. One of my neighbors
long ago was a Mrs. Mary McArn, who came from the town of Ayr; she knew the poet Burns and was intimatedly acquainted with Gilbert Burns,
the brother of the poet. Mrs. McArn was a woman of literary taste and lived to a good old age, and finally went to reside in Georgetown,
S.C., with an only son, living there.
One by one the old Scotch people are passing away and the rising generation know little and cares but little, I fear, whether their
ancestors came from Scotland or England. This fact is to be regretted.
All my early acquaintances in Fayetteville have passed away-and but few remain that lived there in my young days. Angus Finalyson,
who lived about 20 miles West of Fayetteville, lived over 102 years. James Monk, who lived and died in Moore county, lived over 100 years,
according to record obtained from the parish register in Scotland. Rev. John McIntyre died in Robeson at the age of 102 years. He was a
native of Scotland and became a minister after reaching that which is considered old age with most of men.

	I recently received the message below from Mr. Jerrell Sharp, who is attempting to locate a Colin McRae descendant 
in this area. This is explained in his message below. 

The Early Scots article on this page was found while I was in search of the Ancestry of Colin McRae (1772-1865) who is buried in
the McRae Cemetery in Cumberland county.  Contact: Myrtle Bridges   June 27, 2016

	Hello, I saw a very old posting on the internet with your name in regards to the MacRae Cemetery. Do you have 
any information RE relatives or who maintains the cemetery? I have a head stone from there that I would like 
to return to family members if they can be found.  

	Many years ago I was 4 wheeling and found the remains of the cemetery. The kids were partying back there 
and the whole place was covered in trash, stones turned over, broken and covered with graffiti. It was such 
a shame, and I figured before long they would all be smashed. There was one stone broken off, but intact; 
it had a small chip and was covered with green spray paint. It seemed likely that it would soon be broken too 
so I decided to take it home for safekeeping. I couldn't take the stones that were still intact because that 
seemed wrong, and the smashed ones were beyond saving; but I just couldn't let that one be destroyed. So I took 
it home and carefully cleaned off the spray paint.
 
	So, for over 30 years Catharine Munro's marker has lived in peace in my garden. Last year on the way to Fla, I 
decided to try and find the original cemetery and found it between houses in a development, and all cleaned
up and restored.
 
Here rest the mortal remains of 
Catharine Munro
Wife of Robert Munro 
and daughter of 
Colin McRae
Born July 6 1808
Died April 29 1841
and by her side her 
Infant child.
 
Dust returns unto dust and the
Spirit to God who gave it
 
It would be wonderful to find descedents and finally have the marker returned to it's home. Thank You for any help 
you can give. Regards, Jerrell Sharp

Multiple News Items
Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, North Carolina), Monday, April 27, 1863
Death of Maj. Henry McRae--We are deeply pained to hear of the death of Major Henry McRae, of the 8th Regiment N.C.T., which took place in 
Charleston on Wednesday last, the 22nd inst. By his death the army of the Confederacy has lost a brave and true man, and a gallant soldier, 
and this, his native town, one of her worthiest sons. Though not falling on the battle field, his life was none the less a sacrifice to the 
couse of his country.--Wilmington Journal, 24th.

THE DEATH OF GEN. WM. McRAE
The News and Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), Tuesday, February 14, 1882
We are pained to learn of the death of Gen. Wm. McRae, so well known as a distinguished engineer and railroad manager. He was a Wilmington
boy, and his father, Gen. Alexander McRae, being one of the foremost railroad men of his day, he naturally adopted railroading as his profession.
On finishing his scholastic education he entered a large railroad establishment at the North and served his time as a machinist, thus fitting
himself for a correct understnding of the practical details of his business.
During the war he entered the Confederate army as captain of Company B, 15th Regiment, North Carolina State Troops, afterwards 5th Volunteers;
became its colonel in 1864, and greatly distinguished himself on many a hard fought field, attaining the rank of brigadier-general. After the
war he was connected with the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad and then went to Georgia, where his unusual talents and capacity won for him
the highest consideration. About two months ago he resigned as manager of one of the leading roads in that State to undertake a new enterprise.
But few families in the State have been so gifted in talents bordering on genius as the McRaes, and Gen. Wm. McRae was justly esteemed as
one of the foremost of his name. To a strong mathematical mind he united a rare judgment of men and things, great intrepidity and confidence,
a zealous disposition and habits of untiring industry. To such a man, pursuing a blameless and irriproachable life, the South opened a career
of vast possibilities, and year after year it was with pride and pleasure that his friends beheld him adding largely to his fame and usefulness.
Sunday's Augusta Chronicle says:
"Last night, at 9:40, Gen. Wm. McRae breathed his last at the Globe Hotel, in this city.
"Last Wednesday, 8th instant he arrived in Augusta from Wilmington and registering, "Wm. McRae, North Carolina," was assigned
to room No. 6. For the past two or three days he had been feeling badly, although, yesterday morning he came down stairs and seemed able
to get about. Last evening, however, he was seized with a chill, and Dr. R.G. Hitt was summoned to his bedside. Everything possible was
done for his relief, but it was clearly evident that his disease was most vigorous in its attack, and alarming in nature, and at twenty
minutes to ten Gen. McRae died from congestion of the lungs. His body was soon taken charge of by an undertaker and prepared for the shroud.
He was alone in the city, and his remains will lie in state at the Globe until tomorrow, when relatives will reach the city. Mr. Walter McRae,
of Wilmington, N.C., brother of the deceased, was immediately informed of the death of the General, and made all directions by telegraph as
to the disposition of the body. Col. R.H. Anderson, of Atlanta, superintendent of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, was also wired of the
occurrence. The dead man had received every attention and care from Messrs. Atkinson and their employees of the Globe Hotel.
"Gen. McRae was one of the foremost railroad officials of the South. As a civil engineer and manager he had no superior, and until
three months ago had been superintendent of the Western and Atlantic Railroad. Lately he had been interested in building the Belt Railroad
around Atlanta, and was probably in Augusta on business appertaining to that enterprise.
"Gen. McRae was in the prime of life, was unmarried, and was a man of fine physique as well as of professional attainments. He had
friends all over the South, who will regret to hear of his sudden death."

SCOTTISH REMINISCENCES
Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, North Carolina), Thursday, September 13, 1888
(From the Scottish Chief)
The writer attended a picnic recently at Black's Bridge, in Cumberland county, and gathered the following incidents, which may interest
the readers of the Scottish Chief.
On the knoll immediately West of the Big Oak there lived James Black, a Scotchman, who had served under Prince Charles Edward, and like
hundreds of others was driven into exile after the battle of Culloden. He was a native of the island of Jura. His brothers, Alexander, Neill
and Archibald Black, accompanied him to America and settled in Cumberland.
James Black, like many other Whigs, was compelled to remain in concealment during the Revolution, owing to the animosity of Tory neighbors.
He was once attacked in his house by a party of Tories and received a wound which ultimately occasioned his death. His brother Alexander,
faithful to the oath of allegiance taken on leaving Scotland, remained neutral, but having entertained Flora McDonald and her daughter at
his residence in the year 1780, he was shot down at his own door by order of Col. Wade, who accused him also of being concerned with the
Tories in the massacre of Whigs at Piney Bottom.
Neill Black was twice married. He first married Polly Buie, and on her death married Effie Clark. He emigrated to Fort Claiborne, in
Alabama, in 1810. One of his sons is said to have amassed enormous wealth in Texas.
James Black married Ann Peterson, a Scotch lady, who deserves more than a passing notice. Her kindness to the sick and wounded in
Revolutionary times is well known. She once performed a perilous journey on horseback with Mrs. Murphy, of Robeson, mother of Gov. Murphy,
of Alabama, to Lindley's Mill, in Randolph. Their mission was to relieve the wounded and bury the dead. The battle of Stewart's Mill was
fought in 1780 between Col. Hector McNeill and Major Peter Robeson. The Tories under McNeill were defeated and many were killed. The late
Wm. Davis, of St. Paul's related to the writer that while on a visit to his grandfather, John Stewart, who lived near the battlefield, he
saw the mounds where the Tories were buried. This visit occurred thrity year after the battle, and he counted numerous mounds for a distance
of three miles on the North bank of Rockfish Creek. The dead lay unburied for several days, till Mrs. Black and another Scotch lady ventured
to bury them. The bodies were found so far decomposed that it was impossible to move them, and earth was heaped upon them where they lay.
We say a horn which was used by Mrs. Black to notify her husband of any trouble brewing.
Juat a little West of the residence of James Black were buried two Tories, who died in Black's barm after the battle of Moore's Creek.
The tradition runs that in the early part of the night the Tories, who were seriously wounded and starving, applied to Mrs. Black for food a
nd shelter. Some Whig neighbors were at her house, and she did not deem it wise to acquaint them with the presence of the Tories, so she
advised the wounded men to conceal themselves in the barn till a late hour, when she would prepare some food. On the departure of the Whigs,
Mrs. Black found both men dead, and with her it was a life-long regret that she did not yield to the first impulse and relieve them in their
distress, regardless of consequences. She enjoined upon her children, as a sacred duty, always to succor distress without hesitation and
without question.
After the close of the Revolutionary troubles occurred the following incident: Malcom McNeill, Esq., was on a visit to James Black, who,
hearing a call, espied a gentleman and lady on horseback. "Come in," said Black. "No," the gentleman replied; "Christian
Black and myself have concluded to get married, and we are looking for Malcom McNeill, the Justice, to perform the ceremony." The couple
dismounted, and in Black's house the marriage ceremony was performed in a few minutes, and the happy apie went on their way rejoicing. The
gentleman was Colin McRae, the father of General Alexander McRae of Wilmington.
Colin McRae died in 1865, at the great age of 95 years. His father, Roderick McRae, emigrated from Inverness-shire in Scotland, and settled
on Deep River, in Chatham county. His wife's maiden name was Burke. She made an uncessful attempt to rescue her relative, Gov. Burke, from Col.
David Fanning, while the Governor was being conveyed a prisoner to Wilmington. Major Alexander McRae, of the Confederate Artillery, was the
oldest son of Colin McRae, and was the oldest officer in the Confederate army. On account of his great age he was placed on detached service
by Gen. Bragg to keep him out of the battle of Bentonville. He followed the Confederate General till the last remnant of the army was disbanded
at Chester, S.C. From thence, tottering with the infirmities of age and almost blind, he made his way to his residence at Argyle, in Robeson
county. He died in Wilmington, at a great age, beloved and respected by all.
Of the sons, Major Henry McRae and Major Robert Burns McRae gave their lives to the Confederate cause. William McRae became General of
Brigade in the Confederat service, and died within a few years past in Georgia. He was well know among the soldiers of his brigade as
"Fighting Billie McRae." Another son, Archibald, became a distinguished naval officer. At the naval academy he distanced all
competition and was, after graduation, given a commission as Lieutenant. He commanded the Gillis Expedition to South America over forty
years ago, and after performing the perilous feat of ascending some of the loftiest peaks of the Andes for the purpose of taking certain
astronomical and barometrical observations and afte accomplishing his perilous mission satisfactorily to the U.S. Government, he returned
home and died in Sanfrancisco in 1850.
The "Big Oak," beneath whose branches Colin McRae and Christian Black were married still lives, and annually the Scotch
Picnic is held there, and incidents of Scottish hills are rehearsed, that the y oung people may not forget their ancestors.

REMINISCENCES
The Daily Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana), Monday, October 01, 1888

The following from the Scottish Chief, published at Red Springs, Robeson county, says the Wilmington (N.C.) Star, will be read with
interest by hundreds of relatives and friends of the McRae family in this city and section:
After the close of the revolutionary troubles occurred the following incident: Malcom McNeill, Esq., was on visit to James Black, who, hearing
a call, espied a gentleman and lady on horseback. "Come in," said Black. "No," the gentleman replied; "Christian Black
and myself have concluded to get married and we are looking for Malcom McNeill the justice to perform the ceremony." The couple dismounted,
and in Black's house the marriage ceremony was performed in a few minutes, and the happy pair went on their way rejoicing. The gentleman was Colin
McRae, the father of General Alexander McRae of Wilmington.
Colin McRae died in 1865, at the great age of 95 years. His father, Roderick McRae, emigrated from Inverness-shire in Scotland, and settled on
Deep river, in Chatham county. His wife's maiden name was Burke. She made an unsuccessful attempt to rescue her relative, Governor Burke, from
Colonel David Fanning, while the Governor was being conveyed a prisoner to Wilmington. Major Alexander McRae of the confederate artillery was the
oldest son of Colin McRae, and was the oldest officer in the confederate army. On account of his great age he was placed on detached service by
General Bragg to keep him out of the battle of Bentonville. He followed the confederate general until the last remnant of the army was disbanded
at Chester, S.C. From thence tottering with the infirminities of age and almost blind, he made his way to his residence at Argyle, in Robeson
county. He died in Wilmington at a great age, beloved and respected by all.
Of his sons, Major Henry McRae and Major Robert McRae gave their lives to the confederate cause. William McRae became general of brigade
in the confederate service and died within a few years past in Georgia. He was well known among the soldiers of his brigade as "Fighting
Billie McRae." Another son, Archibald, became a distinguished naval officer. At the Naval Academy he distanced all competition and was,
after graduation, given a commission as lieutenant. He commanded the Gillis expedition to South America over 40 years ago, and after performing
the perilous feat of ascending some of the loftiest peaks of the Andes for the purpose of taking certain astronimical and barometrical observations,
and after accomplishing his perilous mission satisfactorily to the United States government, he returned home and died in San Francisco in 1850.
The "big oak," beneath whose branches Colin McRae and Christian Black were married, still lives, and annually the Scotch picnic is
held there, and incidents of Scottish hills are rehearsed, that the young people may not forget their ancestors.

EARLY SCOTCH SETTLERS
Wilmington Review
News-Observer-Chronicle (Raleigh, North Carolina), Tuesday, November 07, 1893

We clip the following from an article by Mr. Wm. McMillan which appeared in the Scottish Chief: (The beginning paragraphs of this article
have been ommitted because it has been recorded in previous articles here. Bridges)
*Colin McRae died in 1875 at the great age of 95 years. Among the grandsons were General Alexander McRae and Col. John McRae, who were
prominent citizens of Wilmington. General Wm. McRae, Major Henry C. McRae, Major Robert Burns McRae of the Confederate Army, **Lieut. Archibald
McRae, of U.S. Navy, were prominent among the great grandsons of Roderick McRae.
Mr. Donald McRae was the eldest brother of this large and remarkable family of boys, every one of whom has proved himself of more than
average ability and prowess. Roderick McRae and Capt. Walter G. McRae, the two youngest, and the only survivors, are still residents of
Wilmington. Their father, Gen. Alexander McRae, was for many years previous to the war president of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad. He
lived in a pretty cottage, with a farm attached, which he called "Hard-scrabble, " and which was located on the site of the Athletic
grounds, between Oakdale Cemetery and the W.& W.R.R. Henry, William, Robert, Rod and Walter were all in the Confederate service. Henry was
Major of the 8th North Carolina, and died in a hospital during the war. William rose to be a Brigadier General in the service. He escaped
serious wounds, and after the war was for a long time General Superintendent of W.C. and A. Railroad. He was afterwards in charge of the
Savannayh, Florida and Western Railroad, and was one of the most noted railroad men in the South. Robert was Major of the 7th North Carolina,
and was so badly wounded that he was compelled to retire from the service. He was made sheriff of New Hanover county, but died not long after
from the effects of his wounds. Roderick was a Lieutenant in Co. I, 18th N.C., the first year of the war. He afterwards ran the blockade on
several occasions. The first time he did so he came all of the way from Nassau to this coast in a little sloop of not more than ten tons, with
one man to help him work her. The blockaders chased him and he could not make New Inlet, but he got into Sloop Point in safety. Walter, the
youngest was with his brother Robert in the 7th Regiment and when the war closed he was captain of his company.
The history of the McRae boys is a part of the war history of the Cape Fear.

*Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, North Carolina), Monday, June 01, 1857
Colin McRae.-The above is the title of a new barque that arrived in our port yesterday from Belfast, Maine, at which place she was built.
The C. McRae is intended as a pioneer packet between this port and Liverpool, and is of the following dimensions: Length of keel 115 feet;
length over all 119 feet 4 inches; breadth of beam 27 feet 8 inches; depth of hold 11 feet 8 inches; about 400 tons capacity, and will carry
3,500 barrels. She is well built, well furnished, and complete in every particular, and bears at her prow a full-sized figure of a Highland
Chief, in full dress.
The Colin McRae is owned one-half by J. & D. McRae & Co., and the other half by Wm. Neff & Sons, of this town, and the Captain; and is
named in compliment to the father of Gen. Alexander and Col. John McRae of this place. Of her Captain, John C. Bramhall, late of the brig
Mary McRae, who is so well and favorably known to the shipping portion of our community, it is needless for us to say anything.-Wil. Herald.

Tremendous Gale at the South (Excerpt from)
The New York Herald (New York, New York), Wednesday, September 16, 1857
There was a severe hurricane, with heavy rains, from Friday evening till Monday morning in North Carolina and Southern Virginia.
The telegraph lines were blown down, and the railroad trains south of Petersburg were obstructed. … By telegraph despatch received
yesterday, we learn that a number of vessels were wrecked on the coast of North Carolina, and we shall probably receive further
accounts, today or tomorrow, of disasters to vessels which were in the track of the storm.
The bark Colin McRae, Captain Bramhall, from Liverpool, arrived at the bar below Wilmington, N.C., on Friday last, the 11th
instant, and went ashore the next day and bilged, and will be a total loss. She was a new vessel, having been built at Belfast,
Maine, this year, rated a 2 or 349 tons burthen, and was owned in Wilmington, N.C.

**Raleigh Register, and North-Carolina Gazette (Raleigh, North Carolina), Friday, July 14, 1843
At the late examination of Midshipmen, with a view to promotion, thirty-nine were passed, a list of whom is published, arranged in the
order of merit, and at the head stands the name of Archibald McRae, a son of Gen. Alexander McRae of Wilmington. Fayetteville Observer.

The Raleigh Register, Saturday, October 19, 1850
Mr. Archibald McRae, son of Gen. Alexander McRae of this town, has been promoted to a Lieutenancy in the Navy. A case of merit properly
appreciated. Wil. Chron.

Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, North Carolina), Monday, December 17, 1855
Lieut. Archibald McRae, of the U.S. Navy, a native of Wilmington, N.C., committed suicide, in a temporary fit of insanity, on board the
U.S. Schr. Ewing, of which he was in command, in San Francisco bay, on the 28th ult. He was 35 years of age.
The San Francisco Sun says:
The deed was committed under perculiarly painful circumstances. The soundness of the mind of the deceased had been doubted for some time by
the men under his command, and on Sunday morning his conduct was so singular as to induce the subordinate officers of the Ewing to send to
the officers of the Active, requesting them to visit that vessel, which they did. After a long social conversation between the parties, the
officers of the Active discerning nothing wrong, took their leave. They had barely reached the deck, when they were startled by the report
of a pistol in the cabin, and upon going below, they found that the deceased had died by his own hand, having shot himself through the head
with a pistol.
The will of the deceased, which was executed by him but a few hours before his death, bears the proof of the diseased state of his mind.
After devising his property equally to his relatives, he directed that his body be dropped in the ocean, outside the Heads, at ebb tide.

 
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