The News and Observer, (Raleigh, NC) Sunday 26, 1882, Issue 62 col. C
	All this talk about the Skye crofters gives rise to a question as to who the crofters are, anyhow. Perhaps we can throw some 
light on the subject. Skye is the second largest of the Scottish Isles, and has a population of 20,000, with 1,720 holdings let, 
exclusive of towns, at from L5 to L25 annual rental, the majority being between L5 and L10. The island is owned by eight landlords. 
The people are poor enough at best, but during the past year misfortunes have accumulated. Most of them are fishermen, and last autumn 
their boats and tackle were so much damaged by storms that they were obliged to appeal to their Scotch friends on the mainland to help 
them through the winter. The question of rent, therefore, is both a serious and a general one. And the landlords refuse to make concessions, 
which the tenants consider absolutely necessary to save them from pinching want. No the "crofts" are the patches of rocky ground 
in that rugged and mountainous Scottish isle and one of the first grievances was the assessment of a rent upon the crofters of the braes for 
the privilege of pasturage on Ben Lea, a mountain owned by Lord MacDonald, which they formerly enjoyed free. Following the inability to pay 
rent came proceedings for eviction on the one hand and angry threats on the other. The local police could not be relied on for the protection 
of the process-servers and applications were made to Edinburg, Glasgow, and other Scottish cities for constables to assist them which, as we 
have seen, were flatly refused. The general government has declined to send troops to the island and the augmentation of the local police is 
the best the Home … … …  the preservation of order and the maintenance of the claims of the landlords, though a telegram of 
Wednesday announces that Aberdeen-shire has consented to send a detachment to the island, provided their expenses are paid.

The Daily Journal, (Milwaukee, WI) Thursday, November 30, 1882; Issue 13, col. B
THE SKY CROFTERS
	The outbreak in the Isle of Skye has attracted much attention to that part of the world. The island is the largest of the 
Hebridean group, and has no been lacking in historic and romantic interest. In one of the caves which abound on the island Charles 
Edward, the Pretender, was concealed at one time during his flight from his pursuers. Historical antiquities, which date back to 
the days of early Danish supremacy, are scattered over the island. The island, which has an area of 547 square miles, is owned by 
two or three families, and has a population of about 22,00. For more than anything else, perhaps, the island is noted for its peculiar 
breed of dogs, the Skye terrier. The land trouble in Skye is no new thing, and recalls the trouble with the crofters in the latter 
part of the last century and the beginning of this. The great sheep-farms, instituted at that time and supposed to be a national 
benefit caused the lower slope of the mountains to be denuded of wood, until an end was put to the system under which the small 
tenants drove their cattle annually to the hill pastures. A considerable number of crofters, however, remain in the Highlands, and 
for a long time things have been no better with them than with the Irish. The first blow to them was the failure of the kelp trade, 
the next the potato famine, which struck this part of Scotland as hard as id did Ireland. The peasantry live in uninviting hovels.
-generally away from the main roads, around which are a few sour fields for pasturage, potatoes and perhaps a little grain, though 
the latter is rare in Skye. There are not manufactures except that of the famous Taleskir distillery. There is but little fishing, 
though exactly why is not clear, as this occupation is the chief support of the inhabitants of the other great Hedridean island-the 
Lewes. This state of things might well cause discontent. The present trouble is occasioned by the withdrawal by Lord Macdonald of his 
tenants' rights to free pasturage on Ben Lea, without any diminution of rent, and this provocation, in addition to former troubles, 
appears too much for the crofters. These crofters, or small tenants, are so called because "croft" is the word used to designate a 
small, enclosed field, for pasturage, tillage or other purpose.

The Galveston Daily News, (Houston, TX) Thursday, December 7, 1882
	As the cable has several times recently alluded to the progress of a dispute between the Skye crofters and their landlords, 
the following account may be useful by way of explanation: Skye is one of the islands on the west coast of Scotland, where it rains 
all the time, and the inhabitants fro the most part make a meager living from their farms or garden spots, and eke out their subsistence 
by working for wages on the mainland. A croft is a small piece of ground or garden patch, and a crofter is a small farmer, and, in this 
case, a tenant. The island has a population of 20,000, but eight landlords own the whole, and three four-fifths of it. Exclusive of the 
small town, the island is rented in 1720 parcels, of which 1680 command less than $100 a year, and the vast majority not over $50. The 
landlords have come to the conclusion that it would pay them better to let the whole island to, say, a score of tenants than to deal 
with 1700, and they are, therefore trying to "freeze out" the small farmers. But these people have an astonishing devotion to the little 
island (it has only 550 square miles of territory), and obstinately refuse to be turned out of it. One of the landlords, the Lord Macdonald 
referred to, owns the mountain Ben Lea, on which certain crofters used to enjoy the free right of grazing. Of late he has, in pursuance of 
a settled policy, rented the mountain, and, in order to regain their occupation of it, the crofters have struck against the payment of rent. 
The Land league agitation of Ireland is thus almost exactly reproduced. The authorities of every one of the cities of Scotland have refused 
to send constables, and the government has refused to send soldiers to serve process on the island, so that in the compromise referred to 
the crofters have evidently got the better of Lord Macdonald.	

Daily Evening Bulletin, (San Francisco, CA) Fri, December 15, 1882, pg 2, Issue 59; col. B
THE SKYE CROFTERS
	The Skye crofters have for some months past been holding a place in the eyes of the world quite out of proportion to their numbers 
and importance. They are but a few thousands, and occupy a bare, bleak, rainy island on the western coast of Scotland, which is barely 
twenty miles in length by on-third as many in width. The soil of this island is heavy and poor, and its products limited. When potatoes, 
which are a staple crop, fail, the poorer inhabitants are reduced to the verge of starvation. The crofters occupy turf huts like those of 
the Irish peasantry, and in some cases, instead of money, pay their rent in service to the landlord. There is little wood except low bushes, 
the chief fuel being peat from the bogs, which are numerous in all parts of the island.
	One trouble in which the crofters find themselves is part of the great land problem which is at present vexing all parts of the British 
Islands. Farming in England has been thrown sadly out of gear by the importation of grain, flour, meat, butter and cheese from America. Many 
English farms, not long ago profitably worked, have been turned into game preserves. Many farmers have been rendered bankrupt and have been 
sold out by the Sheriff, while thousands who saw poverty staring them in the face have emigrated to Canada and the United States. The small 
farmers and crofters in Scotland have suffered severely, and numerous societies for mutual assistance and self-protection have been formed all 
over the country. The trouble about rent began in Skye soon after the first outbreak in Ireland, more than two years ago. There have been 
several small riots, and on one occasion the Glasgow police went over to enforce order and aid in the collection of rent. A request for similar 
assistance, recently, was met with a polite refusal from the Glasgow authorities. There was some talk of sending a military force there for the 
purpose of restoring order, but this was made unnecessary by the payment, a few weeks ago, to the landlords of all arears of rent. This 
practically ended the disturbance. No serious trouble could have come from the Skye riots, except to the island proprietors and that caused 
by the sympathy felt for them in Scotland, which might have led to similar acts of lawlessness. They could have been dispossessed of their 
"wee bit o' land," and compelled to emigrate to America, which would be about the best thing that could happen to them-if not to the present, 
at least to the rising generation. …
		
Daily Evening Bulletin, (San Francisco, CA) Saturday, March 3, 1883; Issue 124; col. C
SKYLARKING WITH LAW
	Mr. MacTavish, the Messenger-at-Arms who went from Glasgow to serve the writs of the Court of Sessions upon the crofters of Skye, 
had an experience which must have given him a new conception of the majest of the law. He found that, however it might be on the mainland, 
in the western isles a writ of the Court does not run worth a cent. In point of fact, it is the server that runs, not the writ. Mr. MacTavish's 
account of the reception he me with in Glendale might draw tears from a staff of lignum vitre. He was accompanied to the Glen by James MacRailds, 
the local ground officer of the estate. As the two officers descended the hillside they saw the crofters coming forward to meet them in a body, 
about seventy strong. "This looked alarming," says the Messenger-at-Arms, "so I resolved to display the insignia of my office. I took 
out my blazon and tied it to my breast. I also took out the wand of peace, as we call it, and explained to MacRaillds that when I regarded myself 
as deforced I would move the ring from one end of the wand to the other, which is technically called breaking the wand of peace." Alas, that 
wand was most un-fitly named. As for the blazon, it appears to have acted upon the crofters very much as the brass crown of the head constable's 
staff did upon Sam Weller. Sam, as will be remembered, was spurred to an immediate assault upon the specials, and the Skyemen were equally prompt 
in showing disrespect to the symbol of justice.
	"The very first thing done," Mr MacTavish reports, "and that without warning of any kind, was to place a stick to my breast. This was 
done by one man, while two or three more took hold of me by the shoulders and gave me a push four or five yards back. My front was then to 
them, but, on getting the push I turned round to save myself from falling on my back" He does not exactly say so, but we fear that the Messenger
-at-Arms was kicked. "On again looking round at the people," he continues, "a bucketful of water, mud and all kinds of dirt were thrown in my 
face and eyes, almost blinding me, the intention obviously being to prevent me from identifying any of them. I was at the same time warned not 
to look back, or I would catch it." He had to retrace his course for four miles, with his persecutors literally treading on his heels all the 
way. "They followed, me probing my back with sticks and tripping my heels with their boots." One might well have said to him, in Fabian's words 
to Malvolio, "And you had an eye behind you, you might see more detraction at your heels than fortunes before you." At last after an hour and 
a half of this discourteous dogging, accentuated at times by buffets with a wet bag, as well as by showers of earth and mud, the discomfited 
officer reached the borders of the Glendale estate. There the crofters left him, but O heavens, in what condition for a Messenger-at-Arms! 
"My heels," he declares, "were exceedingly sore and almost skinned with the tripping; while by back was in great torture with the probing it 
had undergone. My hat was all covered with mud, and generally in such a condition that it was ridiculous to have it on at all. My coat was in 
the same way, and could not be in a worse condition had it been trampled in the gutter, so I was obliged to put it off, but, for the sake of 
appearance, carried it under my arm." Surely, since Baillie Nicol Jarvie went up into the Highlands on his memorable visit to Rob Roy, no 
Glasgow official has ever had more irreverent greeting from law-defying Celts.

The News and Observer, (Raleigh, NC) Wednesday, December 19, 1883; Issue 143, col. B
SKYE CROFTERS
	Months ago the telegraph brought us sad tales of the suffering of the Skye crofters, Skye being an island off the west coast of 
Scotland. These people, tenant farmers, are terribly treated, made to give up their holdings of land, and are in desperate straits. A lady 
who was here in the Scotch settlements in Richmond County and there abouts, a couple of years ago, has interested herself in having these 
people come to North Carolina. And so she has been speaking Gaelic to them, and as a result of her persuasive eloquence they are coming. No 
less than 150 of them will be here next month. These facts we learned yesterday from Mr. Cooley, a clever Scotchman of Richmond County, who 
is in correspondence with the lady above referred to. This lady, of a philanthropic turn of mind, has means and is personally aiding the 
people who are on their way here. "They will be aided here by the people of that section, thanks to the kindness of Maj. Winder and Mr. 
Frank Clark are given special advantages in rates of fare, etc., over the Seaboard lines.  Mr. John T. Patrick, the commissioner of 
immigration, has specially interested himself, and has distributed thousands of circulars, describing North Carolina, among the "crofters." 
Nearly a century and a half ago the Scotch, as hardy, as brave, as courteous and as generous a race as live, found a refuge in North Carolina, 
coming here under the guidance of Flora McDonald. Now, in these later days, other Scotch come, to settle in the country peopled by those who 
became citizens so long ago. It is really quite like a romance. We learn that thousands of these Scotch are to settle in the State, for the 
letters to Mr. Cooley, say that the hearts and minds of the "crofters" are set on North Carolina. Looking over a list of "refugees," if we 
may so term them, we notice the name of Murchison, an honored one here these many years.

Fayetteville Observer, (Fayetteville, NC) Wednesday, February 13, 1884; Issue 54, col. A
	The Skye Crofters.-A colony of Scotch people, numbering about 350, says the Rockingham Rocket, will set sail for this county from 
Liverpool, England, on the 9th instant, and will set foot on our soil at Laurinburg about the 20th instant. A public reception will 
be given them at Laurinburg, ending in a good old fashioned Scotch dinner. The exercised will open with prayer in Gaelic by Rev. 
John Monroe of Spring Hill Baptist Church. Someone of our representative Scotch countrymen will deliver an address of welcome, to 
be responded to on behalf of the new citizens by the Hon. D.P. McEachern of Robeson County. Mr. Livy Johnson is expected to set 
forth in an address on the occasion-for the benefit of the new comers-the advantages and opportunities offered by our county and 
State, and introduce them to an acquaintance somewhat with the people, and the modes, manners, etc. of their new-found home.

The Milwaukee Sentinel, (Milwaukee, WI) Sunday, February 24, 1884; pg. 6; Issue 9; col G
THE COMING SCOTCH CROFTERS
	In view of the forthcoming arrival from Liverpool at Norfolk, VA., of about 300 Scotch crofters from the Isle of Skye, on their 
way to Laurinburg, NC., the following, recently published in a North Carolina paper, will be read with interest: The sand hills of North 
Carolina, embracing the counties of Cumberland, Richmond, Moore, Harnett and Robeson, owe their settlement and subsequent prosperity, to 
a lot of hard-fighting Scotchmen, who came over unwilling emigrants, it may be supposed, expatriated after their defeat a the disastrous 
battle of Culloden, fought on the 16th of April, 1745, when the Duke of Cumberland defeated the army of Charles Edward. The leaders of the 
clan who had not perished in battle or escaped with their king, mostly perished on the scaffold. Many of the clansmen were expatriated to 
the colonies, most of them going to the Cape Fear country. They were forced to take the oath of allegiance to George II, which they observed 
religiously in the Revolutionary war, when they were found fighting on the side of King George III against the troops of the American "rebels." 
But their attitude affixed no stigma upon them. They were not tories. They were royalists from the force of their oath, and they were 
respected for the conscientious regard to it.

The News and Observer, (Raleigh, NC) Thursday, February 28, 1884; Issue 86; col. D
	Wilmington, Feb. 27. The first installment of Scotch crofters, twelve in number, will leave Portsmouth tomorrow morning and pass 
through Raleigh tomorrow night. Sixty more will follow in two days. They are to locate near Laurinburg on the Carolina Central railroad. 
It is expected that some two hundred others will follow this party.

The News and Observer, (Raleigh, NC) March 01, 1884; Issue 87; col. B
THE CROFTERS
	On Thursday 12 of the Scotch "Crofters" passed through Raleigh, from Philadelphia, on their way to Laurinburg. They were the first 
installment of the first party who make North Carolina their home. Mr. Frank W. Clark, G.F. & P.A., went to Norfolk Thursday to meet the 
second party, sixty in number. In conversation with a reporter, at Norfolk, Thursday night, he said there would be several hundred of the 
crofters to come here. The steamer on which the crofters left Scotland was compelled to put back into port owing to a storm. Her passengers 
were put aboard two vessels and brought to America. These vessels were greatly delayed by gales, and the first did not arrive at Philadelphia 
until Tuesday and the last on Thursday. In the next few months many of the crofters will arrive in this country, all of whom will settle in 
North Carolina.  It is possible that Miss Elizabeth McLeod, the young Scotch lady who so greatly interested herself in the matter of inducing 
the crofters to come to North Carolina, may accompany one party here. She visited the State about two years ago, spending much time in Richmond 
County. Thursday's Philadelphia "Press" says: Among the passengers who landed here Wednesday were twelve Scotchmen, who came from one of the 
Orkneys, an island to the North of Scotland. This island a rich lord has purchased for a country seat, and has given the inhabitants a sum of 
money and paid their passage to this country. In this manner he obtains complete control of the whole island, which he will devote to hunting, 
and to his horses and dogs. It was expected that the entire company would come together, but the rest will be brought over by the Ohio. The 
twelve who came started at once for North Carolina, where they will proceed to found a new colony."
	A prominent Scotchman, interviewed at New York lately, gave some information about the crofters. He said: "There is a very good practical 
reason why these poor people are coming. The crofters in Scotland have not got land enough to support them, and their kinsmen in North Carolina 
have more than they want. A croft consists of only a quarter of an acre, and the crofters think that if every second crofter goes away two 
crofts can be consolidated into one larger croft, and the men of Richmond County are willing to give thirty or forty acres to each of the 
fifty families that are coming, in order to build up the population and improve the value of their properties. I know the highlands of Scotland 
and the crofters; they are a fine, sturdy race, with large families of hearty children, and will, I think, do well in their new homes, although 
they have not a cent and will save to acquire new habits of life, for they are chiefly fishermen at home. Those that are coming are mostly 
Lord McDonald's tenants, for Lady Cathcart is sending her superfluous crofters to Manitoba."
	Last evening the second detachment of the Crofters arrived. They were in charge of Capt. F.W. Clark and Mr. J.S. Cooley. Commissioner 
John T. Patrick joined them here and went on to Laurinburg. A reporter boarded the train and talked with the Crofters. The men are big and 
burly, with good faces, while the women and "bairns" are ruddy and rosy. The names of the part are as follows: 
Donald McPherson, wife, and children Ewan, Johanna, Frederika, Donald D., and Duncan; 
Alex McKenzie and son Duncan; 
Mendo Murray; 
Robert McDonald; 
Donald McIntosh; 
Angus McMillan, children Catherine, Sandy, Katie, Mary, Isabella, Angus; 
Miss Catherine Matheson; 
John Finlayson, Mrs. Isabella Finlayson, Peter and Annie, children; 
Frederick McKenzie, Marion his wife, Alex, Malcolm, Gustave, George, Donald, children; 
John McKenzie, Jane his wife, Ann, Malcolm, Johnson, Murdock, children; 
Miss Alexander Nicholson, 
Alex. Finlayson, Ann his wife;
Alex. McDonald, Mary his wife, Lauchlin, Donald and Simon, children;
Neill McMillan, Augusta, his wife, Marion, child;
Donald Matheson, Flora, Augusta, Alex. His children;
Alexander Finlayson, Kate, his wife, Donald, Alex., Christopher, Marion, Finlay, Peggy, children; 
Malcolm Finlayson, Mary his wife, Finla, Donald, children; 
John Nicholson;
James Nicholson; 
John Nicholson; 
Donald McPherson.
	At 4 o'clock this morning the party will arrive at their destination and will meet with a hearty welcome. Last evening lunch was 
served upon the train. The crofters said they were glad to get to America, and especially pleased to be in North Carolina.

The Raleigh Register, (Raleigh, NC) Wednesday, March 5, 1884; Issue 2; col. E
	The Scotch Crofters met a most enthusiastic reception at Laurinburg. Great numbers of people, mostly Scotch or of Scotch descent, 
from many of the counties round about, were present. After the dinner and a public introduction the newcomers were taken to homes in various 
parts of the county. All have been very comfortably provided with land, houses and provisions by a hospitable people.

Fayetteville Observer, (Fayetteville, NC) Wednesday, March 5, 1884, Issue 57; col. D
	On Thursday 12 of the Scotch Crofters passed through Raleigh from Philadelphia, on their way to Laurinburg. They were the first 
installment of the first party who make North Carolina their home. Mr. Frank W. Clark, G.F. & P.A., went to Norfolk Thursday to meet the 
second party, sixty in number. In conversation with a reporter, at Norfolk, Thursday night, he said there would be several hundred of the 
crofters to come here. The steamer on which the crofters left Scotland was compelled to put back into port owing to a storm. Her passengers 
were put aboard two vessels and brought to America. These vessels were greatly delayed by gales, and the first did not arrive at Philadelphia 
until Tuesday and the last on Thursday. In the next few months many of the crofters will arrive in this country, all of whom will settle in 
North Carolina. It is possible that Miss Elizabeth McLeod, the young Scotch lady who so greatly interested herself in the matter of inducing 
the crofters to come to North Carolina, may accompany one party here.
	Thursday's Philadelphia Press says: Among the passengers who landed here Wednesday were twelve Scotchmen, who came from one of the Orkneys, 
an island to the north of Scotland. This island a rich lord has purchased for a country seat, and has given the inhabitants a sum of money and 
paid their passage to this country. In this manner he obtains complete control of the whole island, which he will devote to hunting, and to his 
horses and dogs. It was expected that the entire company would come together, but the rest will be brought over by the Ohio. The twelve who 
came started at once for North Carolina, where they will proceed to found a new colony."
	A prominent Scotchman, interviewed at New York late, gave some information about the crofters. He said: "There is a very good practical 
reason why these poor people are coming. The crofters in Scotland have not got land enough to support them and their kinsmen in North Carolina 
have more than they want. A croft consists of only a quarter of an acre, and the crofters think that if every crofter goes away two crofts can 
be consolidated into one larger croft, and the men of Richmond County are willing to give thirty or forty acres to each of the fifty families 
that are coming, in order to build up the population and improve the value of their properties. I know the highland of Scotland the crofters; 
they are a fine, sturdy race, with large families of hearty children, and will, I think, do well in their new homes, although they have not a 
cent and will have to acquire new habits of life, for they are chiefly fishermen at home. Those that are coming are mostly Lord Macdonald's 
tenants, for Lady Cathcart is sending her superfluous crofters to Manitoba.

Fayetteville Observer, (Fayetteville, NC) Thursday, May 08, 1884; Issue 66; col. D
	An exchange speaking of those who have recently located in this State says: The crofters in Robeson county are doing excellently well, 
falling readily into the American ways, and easily accommodating themselves to the changed conditions of life. Some of them express a 
feeling of enjoyment and a sense of freedom at being in a country where they can shoot and kill game without having the law taken upon 
them. They are to be joined by twenty-five families, who are expected to arrive at Norfolk about May. They have already been located 
between Cameron and Carthage (Moore Count, NC)

The News and Observer, (Raleigh, NC) Sunday, May 11, 1884; Issue 151; col. C
MORE SCOTCH CROFTERS
	On the R. & G. train last evening sixty-five Crofters arrived, being the second installment of these seekers after homes in North 
Carolina. About two-thirds of them were children. All were in charge of Mr. J.L. Cooley. Mr. Frank W. Clark, of the Seaboard lines, met 
them here and went on with the party. The Crofters arrived at Philadelphia Friday, and took passage on the steamer for Norfolk, where they 
arrived yesterday morning. Their point of destination is Cameron, whence they will be distributed at various points in Moore County, nearly 
all being in the same neighborhood. A reporter went through the special car and conversed with several of the immigrants. The heads of the 
families are intelligent and conversed pleasantly, and look like good farmers. They are from the Hebrides-Skye, Lewis, and Glenelg, and a 
few from the mainland.  One of the Crofters said the party was unable to express in any words their appreciation of the continued courtesies 
shown them since their arrival in "free America, God bless her." He said they felt like different people since they touched American soil. 
The names of the Crofters are:
Colin McRae, wife, and children Roderick, Joseph, Annie and James; 
Angus McKey, wife, and children Hugh, Catharine, Euphemia, Samuel, Neil, Alex., Jane, John Archie;
Hector McIver, wife, and children Donald, Annie, Murdock, Hector, John, Christina, John; 
Roderick	 McPherson, wife, and children Neil, Alex, Donald, Dolina, John, Lauchlin, Duncan, Margaret, Mary, and Farquhar
Alex McRae, wife, and children Murdock, Annan, Duncan, John, Alex, Roderick, Catharine;
Donald McKinnon, wife, and children Catharine, Christina, John, Janet, John, Alex; (May 27, 1885, Laurinburg Exchange) Mr. John McKinnon 
and family, one of the Scotch families that came to this country more than a year ago, are preparing to return to Scotland soon. Nearly 
all the families have returned. 
John McLeod, wife, and children Murdock, Norman, Annan, Mary;
Malcolm Murray, Donald Murray. The singular fact is noted that often there are two children of the same name in one family.