14 Nov 1771 Malcolm's supposed father, Malcolm McLeoran, son of Duncan McLeoran, born at Glennamucklach
Malcolm McLaran 1799 - 1884
ON THIS PAGE: Major events in Malcolm's life in chronological order.
The following summary provides links to Malcolm's life covered in other pages on this website.
Further details of his life may be discovered on ScotlandsPeople, Trove, at QSA's BDM Queensland, and at the Queensland State Archives.
Read on for the story of Malcolm's life in Scotland and his death in Queensland.
The following summary provides links to Malcolm's life covered in other pages on this website.
Further details of his life may be discovered on ScotlandsPeople, Trove, at QSA's BDM Queensland, and at the Queensland State Archives.
Read on for the story of Malcolm's life in Scotland and his death in Queensland.
Summary of the major events in Malcolm McLaran's 84 years:
- 30 Mar 1800 Malcolm McLeoran (aka Malcom McLaran or McLaren) was born at Southend;
- 1807 birth of Malcolm's brother, Archibald, and arguably the death of his mother Margaret McVicar;
- 1822 Malcolm McLaran's first son, Archibald, was born;
- 1826 Malcolm married his first wife, Margaret McQuilkan (aka McCulkin or Wilson);
- 1826 birth of son John McMillan McLeoran;
- 1829 birth of son Malcolm McLeoran;
- 1831 birth of daughter Catherine McLeoran;
- 1833 birth of son Donald McLeoran
- 1836 birth of son Duncan McLeoran;
- 1838 birth of daughter Margaret McLeoran
- c. 1845 death of Malcolm's wife, Margaret;
- 1846 Malcolm married Jane McShenoig (aka McShammock or McShamack or McShamag);
- 1849 Malcolm and Jane's son, Alexander, was born in Campbeltown Parish, Argyllshire;
- 1851 census records show that Malcolm, his wife Jane, and his children Margaret and Alexander lived at Lecknacreive Farm on Lecknacreive Burn in Campbelton Parish, near the Southend Parish boundary;
- 1852 Malcolm and his family (without sons Archibald, John or Malcolm) emigrated to Moreton Bay aboard the America
- Well before 1852, both Malcolm's parents, Malcom McLeoran and Margaret McVicar had died; there are no Southend death records for this period;
- During the 1850's, Malcolm's sons Archibald, John and Malcolm, left Scotland and his brother Archibald and family emigrated to Victoria, Australia in 1855 and 1860;
- 1853 Malcolm and his family lived in Ipswich;
- 1853 Malcolm changed the spelling of his surname from McLeoran to "McLaren";
- 1855 Daughter Margaret married Denis Sullivan in Ipswich;
- 1856 Malcolm's granddaughter, Helen (Ellen) Sullivan was born near Dalby;
- 1857 Marriage of daughter Catherine to Walter Goodman in Victoria;
- 1858 Birth of grandson John Sullivan near Dalby;
- 1858 Birth of grandson Walter Goodman Jnr in England or en route to England;
- 1859 Catherine returned to Ipswich, Australia, for birth of grandson, Malcolm Goodman;
- 1859 Malcolm appeared in Ipswich court for being drunk in public;
- 1861 Birth of granddaughter Margaret Sullivan in the Dawson Valley;
- c. 1862 Death of grandson John Sullivan, possibly in the Dawson Valley;
- c. 1862 Malcolm, Jane, Catherine, Malcolm Goodman and Alexander McLaren moved to Dalby;
- 1864 Birth of granddaughter Agnes Sullivan at Dalby;
- 1864 Marriage of daughter Catherine to James Milford in Dalby;
- 1864 Birth of grandson James Milford in Dalby;
- 1866 Birth of grandson Henry Milford in Dalby;
- 1867 Birth of grandson Donald Milford in Dalby;
- 1868 Death of Malcolm's wife, Jane, drowned in Myall Creek, downstream of Dalby, where the McLaran family was living at that time;
- 1869 Death of grandson Malcolm Goodman at Myall Creek;
- 1869 Death of sister Jean McLeoran, the last of the family to die at Southend, Scotland;
- 1869 Birth of granddaughter Emma Milford in Dalby;
- 1872 Birth of granddaughter Catherine Milford in Dalby;
- 1873 Malcolm's hack, "Bronzewing", raced for the St Patrick's Cup, Dalby;
- 1873 Death of Malcolm's daughter, Margaret, in child-birth, and birth of grandson Daniel James McLaren (the "missing McLaren") at Clermont, Queensland;
- 1874 Malcolm selected Lot 295 adjoining his son Donald's Lot 294, at St Ruth;
- 1874 Birth of Malcolm's first great grandchild Mary Jane Sullivan in Dalby. Or was she Malcolm's granddaughter? Or both?
- 1874 Malcolm's son Alexander denies in court that he is the (incestuous) father of Mary Jane Sullivan;
- 1874 Malcolm was described by a government inspector of son Donald's selection (Frogmore) as "an old man who knew nothing and said less". Malcolm lived at Frogmore around this time;
- 1876 Grandson Walter Goodman Jnr arrived in Dalby from U.K, having never previously met his mother or his McLaran(en) relations;
- c. 1876 Malcolm may have suffered from senile dementia around this time - or earlier - see death certificate below;
- 1879 Malcolm's selection Lot 295 of 320 acres beside son Donald's selection at Oakey Creek received a certificate of fulfilment of conditions. The two selections eventually combined with Malcolm's Lot 296 to create "Kilkevan", which was sold in the 1890's to James Alexander McLennan, brother of William Boyd McLennan, first husband of Sophia McLaran, Donald McLaran's eldest daughter;
- 1879 Birth of great grandson, John Conquest at Taroom;
- 1879 Death of son Duncan McLaren at Springsure;
- 1879 Marriage of Helen (Ellen) Sullivan to Neville Conquest;
- 1879 Marriage of son Donald McLaran to Clara Sophia Eversden in Brisbane;
- 1879 Birth of a grandson, Donald's first child, Duncan James McLaran, in Dalby;
- 1880 Accidental death of son Alexander McLaren in Dalby;
- 1880 Marriage of granddaughter Margaret Sullivan in Roma;
- 1881 Death of granddaughter, Helen (Ellen) Sullivan and death of great grandson, John Conquest, at Taroom;
- 1881 Malcolm's selection Lot 295 at Oakey Creek received a certificate of fulfilment of conditions;
- 1881 Malcolm purchased Lot 296 at Oakey Creek, St Ruth from William Ross. Malcolm retained Ross's property name of "Cockatoo Point";
- 1881 Birth of granddaughter, Donald's first daughter, Sophia in Dalby;
- 1881 Birth of great grandson Albert Ahrens in Roma;
- 1881 Malcolm's surname was declared to be "McLaran" - probably to align with son Donald's spelling;
- 1883 Birth of grandson, Donald's second son, Donald Eversden McLaran, in Dalby;
- 1883 Birth of great granddaughter Margaret (Catherine) Ahrens in Roma;
- 17 Sep 1884 Malcolm died in Dalby, survived in Queensland by 17 descendants ... and perhaps many more in the UK and / or USA and / or Canada - an ongoing investigation - refer John McMillan McLeoran and Malcolm McLeoran and son Archibald McLeoran.
- 25 Sep 1884, eight days after Malcolm's death, Death of Malcolm's brother, Archibald, in Victoria.
Gallery of maps of the Southend Parish area:
1. Map showing Campbeltown and Southend township (arrow).
2. Map showing Feorlan Farm (arrow) and to its north, Keramenac in Strone Glen.
3. Map showing Gartvaigh Farm (arrow) - spelt Gartvaei below.
4. Map showing Dalbhraddan Farm (right) and Leacann Mhic Mhaolain - the McMillan Slopes (arrow).
5. Map showing land usage on the Kintyre Peninsula - brown indicating arable farming.
6. Map showing farms mentioned in the McLeoran stories.
Carskiey Farm (Carskey) appears on several maps.
1. Map showing Campbeltown and Southend township (arrow).
2. Map showing Feorlan Farm (arrow) and to its north, Keramenac in Strone Glen.
3. Map showing Gartvaigh Farm (arrow) - spelt Gartvaei below.
4. Map showing Dalbhraddan Farm (right) and Leacann Mhic Mhaolain - the McMillan Slopes (arrow).
5. Map showing land usage on the Kintyre Peninsula - brown indicating arable farming.
6. Map showing farms mentioned in the McLeoran stories.
Carskiey Farm (Carskey) appears on several maps.
Map showing the division between the Highlands and the Lowlands - Argyllshire is part of the Highlands
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Malcolm's Early years in Scotland
Malcolm McLaran (also spelt "McLeoran") was born in Southend, Scotland, in 1800, the son of Malcom McLeoran (born 1771) and Margaret McVicar (probably born 1766). The McLeoran family lived amongst the farming community of Southend at Drumavoulin. Scottish birth and marriage records show that an extensive McLeoran family lived in Southend Parish. Malcolm Senior was living and working at Drumavoulin and in 1825 Malcolm Junior was employed by "Herd Feorline". The farm (named "Feolan"*) continues today several miles west of Southend - refer the attached map. It is part of the MacNeill Carskey Estate. Malcolm Junior's wives, Margaret McQuilkan and Jane McShenoig, were employed at Carskiey/Carskey Estate when he married them in 1825 and 1845 respectively. *Feorlin means "farthing land" - a measure of the land area. The spelling varies over time. |
29 Nov 1795 Marriage record Malcolm Louran (McLeoran) and Margaret McVicar.
When Malcolm's parents married in 1795, Malcolm Senior was working at Drumavoulin and Margaret at Amod.
When Malcolm's parents married in 1795, Malcolm Senior was working at Drumavoulin and Margaret at Amod.
30 Mar 1800 Birth record of Malcolm McLouran (McLeoran) at Drumavoulin
1826 Marriage record McLeoran - McQuilken
Malcolm was a shepherd at Feorline and Margaret was a servant at Carskey Estate.
Malcolm was a shepherd at Feorline and Margaret was a servant at Carskey Estate.
Lecknacreive
The 1851 Census records Malcolm, his wife Jane, his daughter Margaret & infant son Alexander lived at Lecknacreive near the border of Southend & Campbeltown Parishes. The farm site was in ruins in 1880 and appeared freshly levelled in 2009 Google Streetview.
The 1851 Census records Malcolm, his wife Jane, his daughter Margaret & infant son Alexander lived at Lecknacreive near the border of Southend & Campbeltown Parishes. The farm site was in ruins in 1880 and appeared freshly levelled in 2009 Google Streetview.
Emigration from Scotland
In 19th-century Scotland, emigration was the result of force, persuasion, fall of cattle prices and the potato famine. Until about 1855, a number of the emigrants from the Highlands (Argyllshire is considered to be part of the Highlands) were forcibly evicted from their land. In 1851 the Duke of Argyll said "I wish to send out those whom we would be obliged to feed if they stayed at home; to get rid of that class is the object."
In the Lowlands, the decision to move abroad was nearly always the outcome of the desire to improve one’s living standards. Whatever the reason, Scotland lost between 10% and 47% of the natural population increase every decade. Read more.
Malcolm and his family arrived in Moreton Bay aboard the America. Read more about the voyage.
Articles from Trove, Dalby land purchases, Margaret's wedding certificate and Malcolm Goodman's birth certificate indicate that Malcolm, Jane and Alexander lived in and around Ipswich between arrival and the early 1860's, whilst Donald, Duncan and Margaret lived and worked in the Dalby district.
It is possible that Denis Sullivan, Margaret McLaren's future husband, may have been a sailor on board America. When he died in 1914, Denis had been in Queensland 60 years, but available immigration records do not list his arrival.
In 19th-century Scotland, emigration was the result of force, persuasion, fall of cattle prices and the potato famine. Until about 1855, a number of the emigrants from the Highlands (Argyllshire is considered to be part of the Highlands) were forcibly evicted from their land. In 1851 the Duke of Argyll said "I wish to send out those whom we would be obliged to feed if they stayed at home; to get rid of that class is the object."
In the Lowlands, the decision to move abroad was nearly always the outcome of the desire to improve one’s living standards. Whatever the reason, Scotland lost between 10% and 47% of the natural population increase every decade. Read more.
Malcolm and his family arrived in Moreton Bay aboard the America. Read more about the voyage.
Articles from Trove, Dalby land purchases, Margaret's wedding certificate and Malcolm Goodman's birth certificate indicate that Malcolm, Jane and Alexander lived in and around Ipswich between arrival and the early 1860's, whilst Donald, Duncan and Margaret lived and worked in the Dalby district.
It is possible that Denis Sullivan, Margaret McLaren's future husband, may have been a sailor on board America. When he died in 1914, Denis had been in Queensland 60 years, but available immigration records do not list his arrival.
Fund for the relief of the Indian Mutiny
Malcolm resided and worked for around 10 years (1853 - 1863) in the Ipswich area
Malcolm resided and worked for around 10 years (1853 - 1863) in the Ipswich area
1884 Death of Malcolm McLaran
Malcolm's passing in his 85th years was summarised in Queensland Figaro:
Malcolm's passing in his 85th years was summarised in Queensland Figaro:
Malcolm McLaran was survived in Queensland by 17 descendants:
Malcolm McLaran's final tally of grandchildren would reach 21 and great grandchildren 79. He may also have been survived by up to three sons and their descendants in the UK, USA or Canada.
- two of his five emigrant children (Catherine and Donald);
- 12 of his 15 grandchildren;
- three of his four great grandchildren.
Malcolm McLaran's final tally of grandchildren would reach 21 and great grandchildren 79. He may also have been survived by up to three sons and their descendants in the UK, USA or Canada.
Comment:
The brief Queensland Figaro notice may have been written by Clara Eversden. With the passing of Malcolm, Donald McLaran consolidated the 3 half square mile lots at St Ruth to form Kilkevan.
Kilkevan was sold in the early 1890’s to James McLennan, a brother of Donald’s future son-in-law. For many years in the 20th century the property was owned by Mr Clive Worthington and the southern access road is now named Worthington’s Rd. The northern access road is named Duncan’s Rd. - perhaps after Donald's grandfather, or his brother who died in 1879, or his first son. There was a close friendship between Clive and my grandfather, Malcolm Lewis McLaran, Donald's one son who lived in Dalby all his life.
The brief Queensland Figaro notice may have been written by Clara Eversden. With the passing of Malcolm, Donald McLaran consolidated the 3 half square mile lots at St Ruth to form Kilkevan.
Kilkevan was sold in the early 1890’s to James McLennan, a brother of Donald’s future son-in-law. For many years in the 20th century the property was owned by Mr Clive Worthington and the southern access road is now named Worthington’s Rd. The northern access road is named Duncan’s Rd. - perhaps after Donald's grandfather, or his brother who died in 1879, or his first son. There was a close friendship between Clive and my grandfather, Malcolm Lewis McLaran, Donald's one son who lived in Dalby all his life.
Interpretation of Malcolm McLaran's 1884 death certificate
Notes/comments from Malcolm's certificate, recorded by FW Roche, the "King of Dalby":
Notes/comments from Malcolm's certificate, recorded by FW Roche, the "King of Dalby":
- Malcolm died at the Pratten Street home of his daughter Catherine Milford on 17 Sep 1884;
- His father's name was recorded as Malcolm McLaren (labourer), and it appears his mother's name (Margaret McVicar) had been forgotten - but refer to the McLeoran Family 1800, Catherine was indeed aware of her name;
- The death was certified by Catherine (Kate) Milford;
- Malcolm's actual age was 84 years and 6 months, just shy of the 85 recorded;
- He had suffered from senile decay for seven to eight years. However, his consistent signature 1868 through to 1881 and his property purchase in 1881 suggest he may not have been as senile as the certificate infers;
- He was buried (an unmarked grave) in the Dalby Monumental Cemetery;
- His first wife's name was recorded as "Margaret Wilson" (Margaret McQuilkan) and his second wife's as "Jane McShennon" (Jane McShenoig);
- Living children were listed as "Kate" (Catherine, 50) and Donald (45) ... their correct ages were 53 and 51
- Only deceased offspring recorded were two males (Duncan and Alexander) and one female (Margaret)
- There was no acknowledgement of his three eldest sons: Archibald, John McMillan and Malcolm.
Comment - Malcolm McLaran's Legacy
One may be excused for playing down Malcolm's achievements or his character after reading about his illegitimate son, his negligence on the day of his wife's death in 1868, his apparent clownishness during the property inspection at Frogmore, and his supposed dementia in his later years. However, he demonstrated resilience over 50 years in Southend, and leadership when he and his family emigrated to Australia in 1853 and then nine years later (at the age of 62) relocated to Dalby. There he supported Donald, Catherine and Alexander in their endeavours, and no doubt, Duncan as well.
His children demonstrated a variety of traits and qualities, many which would have been passed on by Malcolm:
Malcolm's legacy was a flourishing family of McLaran's, Milfords and Aherns. The consolidation of Kilkevan which followed his death facilitated the 1890 move of Donald's family to Dalby, and then ultimately to the newly opened area of Kupunn.
One may be excused for playing down Malcolm's achievements or his character after reading about his illegitimate son, his negligence on the day of his wife's death in 1868, his apparent clownishness during the property inspection at Frogmore, and his supposed dementia in his later years. However, he demonstrated resilience over 50 years in Southend, and leadership when he and his family emigrated to Australia in 1853 and then nine years later (at the age of 62) relocated to Dalby. There he supported Donald, Catherine and Alexander in their endeavours, and no doubt, Duncan as well.
His children demonstrated a variety of traits and qualities, many which would have been passed on by Malcolm:
- Duncan was a solid trustworthy character, a frugal man who died a stoic death;
- Donald was enterprising and resourceful, though sometimes a rascal and a joker;
- Catherine was extremely determined and capable;
- Margaret made some poor choices and was unlucky, but her children overcame their early disadvantages;
- And Alexander, decried in the family over the years, was maturing and following in the footsteps of Donald when he met his unfortunate end.
Malcolm's legacy was a flourishing family of McLaran's, Milfords and Aherns. The consolidation of Kilkevan which followed his death facilitated the 1890 move of Donald's family to Dalby, and then ultimately to the newly opened area of Kupunn.