John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll
1792 Duke of Argyle Census
In 1792 the 5th Duke of Argyll, who owned around 40% of Argyle, decided to undertake a census to record all his tenants and their ages. An earlier census had been taken in 1770, but it failed to record the tenants' names. The 1792 census was not as comprehensive as later government censuses, which commenced in 1841 and accurately recorded addresses, ages and occupations. Spelling of names and age records were at best "hit and miss" in all censuses in the 19th century.
Even though it only lists tenants on the Duke's properties, the 1792 census is an interesting and valuable publication. People were recorded in family groups, with the maiden names of wives and ages of each inhabitant on each of the properties, be they farms, churches, or in towns. It is proving useful in the following ways:
Unfortunately, the majority of McLeoran family members and those on the McLarans of Dalby direct line were not living on the Duke's lands, but on those of the MacNeills of Carskey and Neill MacNeal of Ugadale. This fact, combined with the evidence of the MacNeill Compt Book, suggests that the McLeoran's had long lived - from 1680 to 1792 - on MacNeill / MacNeal farms and remained loyal to their landlords.
The 1792 Duke of Argyle Census may be purchased online. Below are some typical records relevant to the McLaran family history.
In 1792 the 5th Duke of Argyll, who owned around 40% of Argyle, decided to undertake a census to record all his tenants and their ages. An earlier census had been taken in 1770, but it failed to record the tenants' names. The 1792 census was not as comprehensive as later government censuses, which commenced in 1841 and accurately recorded addresses, ages and occupations. Spelling of names and age records were at best "hit and miss" in all censuses in the 19th century.
Even though it only lists tenants on the Duke's properties, the 1792 census is an interesting and valuable publication. People were recorded in family groups, with the maiden names of wives and ages of each inhabitant on each of the properties, be they farms, churches, or in towns. It is proving useful in the following ways:
- identifying female McLeoran family members;
- confirming birth years of family members born prior to 1770;
- location of some McLeoran family members in 1792;
- verification of John McMillan MacNeill's siblings and parents;
- identification of Margaret McVicar's family and ... with a leap of faith ... Margaret herself.
Unfortunately, the majority of McLeoran family members and those on the McLarans of Dalby direct line were not living on the Duke's lands, but on those of the MacNeills of Carskey and Neill MacNeal of Ugadale. This fact, combined with the evidence of the MacNeill Compt Book, suggests that the McLeoran's had long lived - from 1680 to 1792 - on MacNeill / MacNeal farms and remained loyal to their landlords.
The 1792 Duke of Argyle Census may be purchased online. Below are some typical records relevant to the McLaran family history.
Foreword to the 1792 Census. Points to note:
- separation of the original inhabitants from the newly arrived Lowlanders;
- Scottish custom of married women retaining their maiden names in both this census and on cemetery headstones;
- the two possible sources of the McVicar family.
1792 Duke of Argyle tenant census - some typical family units
Laigh Gartlosken (aka Gartloskan) Donald McIleonan's family
Donald McIleonan 26;
his wife Jean McEaharan 26;
Duncan McIleonan 1.
Donald McIleonan 26;
his wife Jean McEaharan 26;
Duncan McIleonan 1.
Laggan (Campbeltown Parish - the low-lying area west of the town) - Iver McIleonan (McLeoran) son of Donald McLeoran of Carskey (and probably Keramenach) and family
Iver (Ivor) McLauren 27;
his wife Cathrin (Kathrine) Blue (Blew) 25;
Joseph McLaureen 1.
Iver (Ivor) McLauren 27;
his wife Cathrin (Kathrine) Blue (Blew) 25;
Joseph McLaureen 1.
Cragaig (Campbeltown) - Peter McIlenoan (McLeoran) and family
Peter McIleonan 35;
his wife More McMath 30;
Peggy McIleonan 19 - perhaps Peter's sister, cousin of daughter from an earlier relationship;
Archibald McIleonan 11;
Flory McIleonan 10.
Peter's descendants lived in Campbeltown in the 19th century.
Peter McIleonan 35;
his wife More McMath 30;
Peggy McIleonan 19 - perhaps Peter's sister, cousin of daughter from an earlier relationship;
Archibald McIleonan 11;
Flory McIleonan 10.
Peter's descendants lived in Campbeltown in the 19th century.
Drumanrianach - John McVicar and family
Frank Forbes Mackay's Compt Book located this farm near Culinlongart on the banks of Glen Brekerie.
John McVicar 51;
his wife Ann McMillan 45;
Mary McVicar 26;
Flory McVicar 24;
Jean McVicar 19.
Names such as Mary and Margaret are often interchanged in Scottish records, so it is possible that Mary McVicar - 26, born 1766 from the above evidence - was Margaret McVicar: refer McVicar Family.
Frank Forbes Mackay's Compt Book located this farm near Culinlongart on the banks of Glen Brekerie.
John McVicar 51;
his wife Ann McMillan 45;
Mary McVicar 26;
Flory McVicar 24;
Jean McVicar 19.
Names such as Mary and Margaret are often interchanged in Scottish records, so it is possible that Mary McVicar - 26, born 1766 from the above evidence - was Margaret McVicar: refer McVicar Family.
Dunglass - Hugh McVicar and family.
Hugh McVicar 42;
his wife Nelly McCoag 35;
Duncan McVicar 15;
Catherine McVicar 13;
Neill McVicar11;
Barbra McVicar 9;
John McVicar 9;
Malcolm McVicar 5;
Nelly McVicar 2.
Hugh McVicar 42;
his wife Nelly McCoag 35;
Duncan McVicar 15;
Catherine McVicar 13;
Neill McVicar11;
Barbra McVicar 9;
John McVicar 9;
Malcolm McVicar 5;
Nelly McVicar 2.
Laigh Gartvain - Hugh McMillan and family.
Hugh McMillan 45
Barbra McVicar 44
John McMillan 20
Isobell McMillan 18
Ronald McMillan 14
Donald McMillan 12
Barbra McMillan 8
Helen McMillan 3
Comments on the 1792 Duke of Argyle tenant census
The census seems to be reasonably accurate and has good correlation between the ages of various family members whose birth years can be confirmed by Scotlandspeople.
The Duke owned and controlled a vast area of land. By comparison, the MacNeill's Carskey of around 3500 acres was a very small holding. The Duke of Argyle's estate continued to be held by the Campbell family well into the 20th century.
The census has provided the best evidence to date for the possible birth and parentage of Margaret McVicar.
The census seems to be reasonably accurate and has good correlation between the ages of various family members whose birth years can be confirmed by Scotlandspeople.
The Duke owned and controlled a vast area of land. By comparison, the MacNeill's Carskey of around 3500 acres was a very small holding. The Duke of Argyle's estate continued to be held by the Campbell family well into the 20th century.
The census has provided the best evidence to date for the possible birth and parentage of Margaret McVicar.