Thanks for the information. I thought I ought to let you know that, as part of the restoration of the Knockando Woolmill Graeme Stuart, the current weaver, is planning a booklet on the woolmill families. He and I are both looking into whether we can prove that Charles Grant is actually William Grant's son. It has always been assumed because Charles appeared to take the mill over from William but that is not necessarily the case. I'm copying you the letters I sent Graeme recently:
"...I've just downloaded Charles Grant and Janet Phinn's marriage record and it says:
"1816 May 7th, Charles Grant in the parish of Cromdale and Janet Phinn in this parish were matrimonially contracted and married."
William and Ann Grant, who were in Dulnain Bridge by this time (she died there in 1812), were in the parish of Inverallen, southern half of Grantown and surrounding countryside to the south, whereas Cromdale was the northern half of Grantown and surrounding countryside to the north.
I've also downloaded the baptism record of the child born in 1816:
"1816 May 4th, Janet daughter of Charles Grant and Janet Phinn in Waukmill baptised. Charles Phinn there and William Margach in Stripeside (?) witnesses."
Charles Phinn was John Phinn's son, Janet's brother. Charles Phinn THERE as opposed to Charles Phinn Daisy Farm, etc. is saying that Charles Phinn was at the Waukmill too as the Knockando entries usually name the farm, etc. the witnesses are from. The only other entry I've seen with a THERE on it is where the groom and witness have the same surname - father and son?
We only know Charles Grant's d.o.b. roughly, i.e. from his age at death in 1843 which is c45. Ages recorded at death are often out by a number of years; people lie, children get it wrong, etc. There are 3 Charles Grants born in Morayshire between 1794 and 1800, all in the then united parish of Cromdale and Inverallen.
10.03.1796: parents James Grant and Penuel Grant
30.04.1800: parents John Grant or Morrison and Janet Gordon
29.06.1800: parents Charles Grant and Elspet Grant.
Charles and Janet had four daughters, Janet 1816 (named for her mother), Ann 1821 (named for her maternal grandmother) and 1827 twins Jane and Elspet (named for her paternal grandmother?) which would follow the traditional naming pattern. I think it's looking possible that Charles Grant is not William and Anne's son but the son of Charles and Elspet Grant, that John Phinn took the lease over from William Grant when William went to Dulnain Bridge, that Charles Grant and Janet Phinn lived at the Waukmill with Janet's parents on their marriage in 1816 and that Charles took over the lease from John Phinn when he moved on or died in 1823. However, could be wrong. Daughter Ann could be named for both grandmothers!..."
And another letter:
"...William Grant definitely had a mill at Dulnain Bridge in the early 19thC. His gravestone at Duthil Cemetery reads:
"Erected by Lachlan Grant in memory of his father William Grant, late Dyer at Dulnain Bridge who departed this life 14th Jan 1822 also his spouse Ann Grant died Jan 1812."
Lachlan was their second son, the first was another William - my 3xG Grandfather. The question I have been pondering is whether William would have kept the lease on Knockando when he also had Dulnain Bridge. I understand leases in those days were usually for 19 years so he may not have renewed in 1803 going to Dulnain Bridge and then X took over to be replaced by Charles Grant in 1822. The Kirk Session record could be lagging the event, or the lease may have taken time to renew so Charles wasn't actually signed up until 1823. If that is so then the family link to Charles Grant is broken and, given the number of Grants in Knockando at the time, there would be no reason to assume a relationship. William and Ann paid for 3 children, William, Lachlan and Marion, to be recorded in the Kirk Session records so why not Charles if he was one of theirs? Will keep looking and report back..."
If you have any information that could help sort this out one way or the other I'd love to know.
Jenny