MacTavish/Thom(p)son

From MacTavish/Thom(p)son Worldwide

A Noble Past A Glorious Future

A Noble Past – A Glorious Future – Part IV


…As far as Simon not buying Dunardarie ‘to keep it in the family’ as is suggested in some writings, it is noticed that he had the same Arms of the Chief registered in his name a few weeks later. These Arms were differenced with a Bordure, implying first Cadet, which, of course, was not correct. These Arms to Simon were, of course, granted by the same John Hooke Campbell, Lyon. You make mention that Simon purchased in 1799 the lands of Dunardarie. You also mention that he paid for the training of Lachlan’s eldest son, Dugald, as a lawyer. And – gained entry for John, the younger son, into the Hudson Bay Company. Mr. Campbell, in 1799 Dugald (eldest son and heir to Lachlan) was a mere 16 years old. His brother, John, was younger still. He did bring John into the NorWest Fur Trade Company a few years later, but did not assist Lachlan’s widow, Mary, or assist the heir, Dugald, and was not named as one of the legal guardians (names upon request). Dugald, the heir, became a Writer of the Signet and Sheriff Substitute of Campbelton, where he built Kilchrist House. He and Letitia [Lockhart, mother of Letitia Hargrave] had nine children. William, Dugald’s heir, at age 18 sailed for Canada in 1833 with the Hudson Bay Company, later becoming a Hudson Bay Company factor and Governor of Assiniboia and Ruperts Land.

MacTavishes

A Contribution to Argylshire History

Being a Monograph Sketch of the SWEYNES OF SKIPNESS

and the MACTAVISHES OF DUN-ARDRIGH, KNAPDALE

AND ELSEWHERE, their Ancestors and Descendants

by George D. Mathews, D.D., L.L.D.

Chapter 5 – The MacTavishes of Dun-ArdRigh

[Footnote] 105a.

This kist [in the Kilmartin church] contains the remains of Letitia Lockhart MacTavish, wife to Sheriff Dugald MacTavish [father in-law of James Hargrave]. Letitia died exactly one month to the day after Sheriff MacTavish in 1854. The brown cross was erected with the inscription by William MacTavish, Governor of Assinaboia and Ruperts Land, of the Hudson Bay Company Canada on his first trip back to Scotland after the death of his father and mother.

The Clan MacTavish

The Clan MacTavish


Dugald [MacTavish] was placed as the “Sheriff-substitute” of Kintyre, and built “Kilchrist House” (now referred to as Kilchrist Castle) in 1824. His wife, Letitia Lochhart, bore him 10 surviving children. The first born, Lachlan, died at birth. The second son, William (1816-1870) at age 18 immigrated; sailing in 1833 to Canada with the Hudson Bay Company as a company clerk and took up his duties at Fort Garry. He succeeded as Chief on the death of his father, Dugald, in 1855. William rose within the company to be appointed as Governor of Assinaboia and Ruperts Land and was instrumental in the formation of events leading up to the confederation of Canada in 1867, with John A. MacDonald, first Prime Minister of Canada.

Dugald MacTavish is the father of Letitia Hargrave

Helmcken House

Helmcken House Historic Site,


On his voyage to York factory, Dr. Helmcken learned the card game Whist, to later become a much enjoyed pass time: “Chief Factor Hargrave and Mrs. Hargrave and nurse were passengers also – so the Captain and the above and I had a rubber of whist every night, when possible. I knew nothing about whist, but they broke me in and account was kept of the games with the debt and so forth! At the end of the journey, I had only four shillings to pay!”

John Helmcken (BCARS: ADD.MSS.505, V.12)