Aeneas Macintosh Macpherson 1791 - ensign/captain peninsular war

[marthe53]

I'm looking for information about Captain Macpherson.  Born in 1791 Clune Invernesshire Scotland.  His father, grandfather and 3 older brothers all served in the military.  Much information has been derived from the article Macpherson's of South Canterbury, NZ but as always I need more information especially about his family in Scotland.

1810 Aeneas joined the 59 Regiment (Lily Whites) as an ensign.  Fought at Victoria, St Sebastian, Nivell and Bidart where he received his almost mortal wound.  Received a promotion to captain.

Retired to Scotland and tenant farmed at Nuide.  Served as a deputy lieutenant and magistrate for the county.  Married Ann Helen Clark.  Had 4 daughters and 2 sons.

Moved to Victoria in 1837,  Australia in 1849 and finally to Canterbury New Zealand in 1861 where he died in 1875.

ANY help will be appreciated!   

Marthe53

[Skoosh]

Marthe, you might try the Macpherson Museum.

www.clan-macpherson.org/museum

Also there is a new book about Badenoch, "The Wild Black Region!" by David Taylor covering the period 1750-1800. The Macpherson tacksmen were buying commissions in British regiments for their sons, using the French gold which arrived too late for the '45 Rebellion & Cluny Macpherson had the control of,  which explains his reluctance to join the other Jacobites in France!
The tacksman of Nuidemore at the end of the 18th cent' was a lieutenant Duncan Macpherson who fought in the Seven Years War.

 Very scholarly work, published by John Donald, a good read!

Skoosh.

[marthe53]

Skoosh,

I've been checking out the Scottish Museum and "The Wild Black Region".  This has given me new leads!

Appreciate your help!
 
Marthe   

[Skoosh]

Marthe, despite the losses sustained by the '45, the Macpherson tacksmen bounced back due to the boom in the cattle trade & French Louis D'Ors  .  Their laird the profligate Duke of Gordon was heavily in their debt.

Skoosh.

[ev]

Moved to Victoria in 1837

Looking at the 1841 Census transcription on FreeCEN It would appear that he is still in Scotland 

Nuidemore , Kingussie , Inverness-shire.(all born Inverness-shire)
(Captn) McPherson 45 Army half pay
Ann McPherson 30
Andrew McPherson 8
Alexr McPherson 6
Ann McPherson 4
Margaret McPherson 2
Catherine McPherson 3m


ev

[marthe53]

Yes!  Those are his children and his wife.  His age would be a little off.  That would put him at being born in 1796 rather than 1791.  But all the family members match up!  That is probably him!

Marthe

[ev]

Most ages of adults were rounded down on the 1841 Census , although that was not always the case-
https://genealogy-specialists.com/threads/1841-census-age-rounding-uk.901/


ev

[marthe53]

I guess the census doesn't mention his father or any other family members?

Marthe

[Skoosh]

Checking Nuide in David Taylor's book, it was part of Cluny Macpherson's estate & the tacksman was the opulent Donald Macpherson of Cullinlean one of the clan elite, Cluny being forfeit his estate was administered by the Commissioners. Donald was also the tacksman of Ballachroan across the Spey from Nuide & on the Duke of Gordon's estate, the duke's factor claimed that he was a very difficult tenant & had him evicted in 1770, the sub-tenants at Nuide had previously tried to have him removed by the Commissioners. Duncan Macpherson was evicting the tenants at Nuidebeg on his return from the wars.

Skoosh.