MACALISTER OF GLENBARR AND COUR

AND OTHERS INCLUDING

COLONEL NORMAN MACALISTER
OF CLACHAIG HOUSE
Though the primary purpose of this document is to draw attention to the deaths of
Lieutenant Charles Augustus Macalister of Glenbarr and Cour, at Peking in 1911 and
Colonel Norman Macalister of the unfinished and abandoned Clachaig House, he Governor-
General of Penang's Prince of Wales' Island and lost at sea aboard The East India Company's
ship "Ocean" in 1810, it makes sense to add some record of the clan's history and lineage to
their stories here.

In 1770 it is recorded that one Gilbert McIlchallum (McCallum), from Bracklarach, Carradale,
took out a 19-year lease of the farm of Crubastill, near the village of Muasdale, on the west
coast of Kintyre. The lands of Crubastill extended to 4 merklands and he had the rental of one
merkland for 19 years at 18 pounds (Scots), £10 7 shillings sterling, 1 boll bear (barley) and
'?' boll meal annually. He was succeeded by his son Peter McCallum, who farmed there until
1829 on the Mid-Crubastill division until it changed hands, one Iver McGeachy becoming the
new tenant.

Crubasdale Lodge, or 'Rockfield' as it was originally named, was built either around that time,
or slightly later, its construction funded by an uncle of one Thomas Butler Parry who,
according to a list of British Guiana colonists, died in the Surinam town of Paramaribo on
August 6, 1843, Parry perhaps a missionary of some sort, his wife being Mary McDonald,
daughter of Killean and Kilchenzie parish's minister, the Rev. Donald McDonald, minister of
the parish from minister from 1798 to 1851, who lived in the old manse on the shore at
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Muasdale, the 1841 census recording also that the Parry's had a then year-old son, Thomas
McDonald Parry, the young Thomas' uncle, thought to be one John M McDonald, made his
guardian after his father's death and Thomas, according to the 1851 and 1861 census returns,
reported to have been living with John McDonald's family in Walcot, Bath.

Whatever the case, the house at Muasdale, then known as 'Rockfield', was sold to Matthew
Charles Brodie Macalister, his wife Augusta Lees, in 1868 and a report in the February 1912
issue of 'The Celtic Monthly' (Vol. XX, No 2) tells us of the life and death of their son,
Lieutenant Charles Augustus Macalister of Glenbarr and Cour, he a Justice of The Peace for
Argyll and dying at Peking's British Legation on Sunday, December 31, 1911 'at an early age'.

"Born in Edinburgh on July 10, 1883, his earliest years were passed in Crubasdale, at
Muasdale, on the west coast of Kintyre and, whilst yet a child, moving to Glenbarr when his
father succeeded to the estate and in that beautiful spot he grew to manhood, beloved by all
who knew him.

"On the 4th of June 1904, Charles Augustus Macalister was gazetted to The 1st Battalion
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, a distinguished regiment of which his grand-uncle,
Lieutenant-General J. F. G. Campbell C.B. had been Colonel.

"Keenly interested in the profession he had chosen, the young Macalister determined to fit
himself for it in every way he could and, while at Tedworth, he took a first class certificate in
musketry at Hythe and was also appointed signalling officer to his regiment.

"Anxious to see foreign service, he exchanged into the 2nd Battalion and, leaving home on
November 5, 1908, he travelled overland, by Russia and Siberia and joined the regiment at
Tientsin in China.

"His battalion being ordered to India, he went with them and spent a few months at Bangalore
but, with a preference for China and being desirous to qualify as a language officer, he was,
by his own request, seconded for two years and returned to Peking to study Chinese and a
year later passed his first examination with a degree of distinction, which gained him a reward
of £100 from The War Office.

"Being a keen sportsman, Macalister combined pleasure with work and, during his sojourn in
China, besides shooting, he won many cups and other prizes with his racing ponies.

"Shortly before his death, Lieutenant Macalister had been sent on a scouting expedition into
Mongolia to get some information for the Government, which his knowledge of Chinese made
him well qualified to do and, it is surmised, while there, that he must have contracted scarlet
fever as, only a few days after his return to Peking, he was struck down by a violent attack
and, on the last day of the old year, Death was laid upon him and thus ended what gave
every promise of being a very bright career.

"Although alone in a foreign land and far from home, he was surrounded by many friends and
his laying to rest, with full military honours, was a touching and deeply impressive sight and
all the foreign legations in Peking, as well as The British, were largely represented at his
funeral.

"His grave in The English Cemetery, which lies beyond the western wall of Peking, was a
mass of lovely wreaths and every mark of respect, love and sorrow was shown for the gallant
young soldier who had passed from their midst, never more to return, having laid down his
life for his country as truly as if he had fallen on the field of battle.

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"Cheerful, generous, warm-hearted, thoroughly unaffected, Lieutenant Macalister had
indeed an attractive personality, his manly look and soldierly bearing drew the eye.

"A dutiful and affectionate son and brother and a fast friend, with a character above what is
ignoble and base, those who knew him most intimately recognised in him the stamp of a high-
souled gentleman.

"The promise of his life lent colour to the expectation that, had length of days been given him,
he would have still more adorned the profession to which he was so entirely devoted. He
loved his home and the people among whom he was brought up.

"Troops of friends in this country and abroad will grieve that by his untimely death the King
has lost a brave soldier and they themselves a loved associate. They will grieve that over his
home is cast the shadow of a deep sorrow, that his head lies low in a foreign land".

In Volume III of 'The Clan Donald' http://www.archive.org/details/clandonald03macd written

jointly by the ministers of Killearnan and Kiltarlity, both Rev. A. MacDonalds, it published in
1904, Volume I published in 1896, we learn of the
MacAlisters of Strathaird, Glenbarr and Torrisdale etc..

Importantly, a note has been included with the entry about Colonel Norman
Macalister (of Clachaig), Governor of Prince of Wales' Isle, Penang, who died in
August 1810 when his ship, the "Ocean", was lost at sea.

On hearing the news of his loss at home, work was immediately stopped on the building of
Clachaig House, only a single gable wall standing to mark its position in Clachaig Glen,
behind Muasdale and the money set aside for the building of the
house, £1,000, was given to the people of the parish of Killean, a plaque in the then newly
built local church at A'Chleit recording this generosity.

In the 1950's, the fund wisely administered over the years, money was given out to ensure
that even the least well-off in the community were able to take advantage of the new supply of
mains electricity to the parish and even today Norman Macalister's fund is still available if
necessary to help the parish's residents in emergency.

Thus (3) THE MACALISTERS OF STRATHAIRD, GLENBARR, TORRISDALE &c.

Of the earlier connection of this family with the McAlisters of Loup not much is known, and for
several generations only the bare links can be supplied in the shape of the heads of families.
They trace their descent to John McAlister, 6th of the line, known in his day as John Dubh or
Black John, father of Charles McAlister Stewart of Kintyre, before 1500, and they appear to
have branched out first in the person of

I. RANALD, son of John Dubh, who flourished early in the 16th century. He had two sons,
Alexander and Donald, of whom

II. ALEXANDER succeeded. The next of the line was III. RANALD, who was succeeded by IV.
RANALD, who was succeeded by V. HUGH, who was succeeded by VI. HECTOR, who was
succeeded by

VII. JOHN MCALISTER, who flourished c. 1700, and with whom we come into the region of
comparative genealogical definiteness and certainty. He, like his ancestor, was called John
Dubh, and was styled of Ardnakill and Torrisdale Glen. He m. Flora MacNeill of Tirfergus in

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Kintyre, both of them enjoying great longevity the former dying at 96 and the latter at 98
years of age so the family traditions relate. They had issue

1. Alexander, b. 1706; d. 30th October, 1779; m. Miss M'Millan of Cour, Kintyre, with issue.
John, laird of Cour, m. Anna, daughter of Rev. Archibald M'Neill of Clachan; no issue; d. 1824.

2. Hector, of Lepincorach or Torrisdale Glen, m. Miss Simpson, daughter of Rev. Neil Simpson
of Gigha, with issue.

(A) John, lieutenant in the army; d. in East Indies.

(B) Neil, d. at home, aged 15.

3. Ranald, who succeeded. There were three daughters

1. Margaret, who m. Charles Macquarrie, of the family of Ulva, with issue Isabella, who m.
Capt. Charles McAlister, who was lost at sea in 1797, with issue. Margaret m. 2ndly Duncan
M'Alister, merchant, Campbelltown, with issue

(A) John McAlister, Laird of Ballinakill, who m. his cousin "Jackie," daughter of Angus McAlister,
19th of Loup, with issue (vide Loup genealogy).

(B) Ranald, Lieut. Indian army, died in E. Indies,

(C) Charles, d. without issue.

(D) Alexander, d. without issue.

(E) Mary, m. James McMurchy, shipmaster, Campbelltown, with issue.

2. Mary, m. Hector McNeill of Barliagh, Cantyre, with issue.

3. Catherine, d. unmarried.

VIII. RANALD, who in consequence of the death of his two brothers without surviving issue
carried on the representation of the family. . He spent much of his life in Skye, where he
possessed the Farm of Skirrinish, and was factor on the Macdonald Estate of Troternish. He m.
Anne, daughter of Alexander Macdonald of Kingsburgh, and widow of Lauchlan Mackinnon of
Corrychatachan, with issue

1. Donald, who d. at Kingsburgh without issue.

2. Allan, who d. at Kingsburgh without issue.

3. James, who d. at Cour, Kintyre, without issue.

4. Janet, who d. in infancy.

5. Captain John, who d. in India, 12th May, 1784, without issue.

6. Alexander, of whom afterwards.

7. General Keith, who is designed Col. Keith M'Alister of Loup in 1812 ; d. without issue.

8. Colonel Matthew, of Bar and Rosehill, of whom hereafter.

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9. Colonel Norman, Governor of Prince of Wales Island, Penang, was lost at sea on
his way home to Scotland in the ship "Ocean" in August 1810. He left two daughters,
said to have been illegitimate, viz. :

(A) Frances Byng, m. her cousin, Angus M'Allister, laird of Ballinakill, with issue.

(B) Flora, m. Keith M'Alister of Inistrynick.

It seems that then Captain Norman Macalister had been posted to Malaysia and Penang's
Prince of Wales' Island, at least, in the early 1800's for, in 1805, as Commander of The
Artillery, he made an inventory of the useful timber of Penang, part of the company's
exercise to identify potential naval timber and secure suitable woods for masts and spars to
replace supplies from the lost American colonies.

Sixteenth century Portuguese traders from Goa, India sailing to The Far East in search of
spices and needing a place to replenish their water supplies referred to it as Pulo Pinaom.

One of the very first Englishmen to reach Penang was the merchant-navigator Sir James
Lancaster who in 1588 served under Sir Francis Drake as commander of the Edward
Bonadventure against the nemesis of The Spanish Armada. On April 10, 1591, commanding
the same ship, he set sail from Plymouth for The East Indies, reaching Penang in June 1592,
remaining on the island until September of the same year and pillaging every vessel he
encountered.

In the 17th century, Penang's location at the northern entry to The Straits of Malacca provided
a sheltered harbour for Chinese, Indian, Arabian and European ships during the monsoon
months; this, in turn, inevitably made it fertile hunting ground for pirates.

Lancaster returned to England in May 1594, but it wasn't till Francis Light that the Europeans
became truly involved in the history, government and development of the island.

Light had set sail for India in 1765. There he secured command of a trading ship and was sent
by the company of Jourdain, Sulivan & Desouza, a Madras firm of merchants interested in
trading with Acheh, Kedah and Southern Siam. He was posted to Kedah and learnt to read and
write several languages while trading around the region, including Siamese and Malay.
Eventually Light worked his way to an influential position with the Sultan Abdullah Mukarram
Shah of Kedah by helping the Sultan recapture the fort of Kota Kuala Kedah which had been
earlier seized in 1771 by the Bugis who supported forces in Kedah opposed to the Sultan.

Light realised the commercial potential of having a permanent British trading outpost in the
region and suggested to the Sultan that if he could have Kota Kuala Kedah as his base he
might use the fort to protect the Sultan from future attacks along the Kedah river estuary. The
Sultan agreed, Light's earlier retaking of the fort having convinced him of the efficacy of British
might. Light informed Jourdain, Sulivan & Desouza of this opportunity and urged his employers
to convince the British East India Company's Government in Bengal to accept the terms. At the
same time he wrote to Warren Hastings, and argued that the island of Penang would be highly
advantageous to commerce in the East. In 1772 Warren Hastings was appointed Governor-
General of Bengal and sent out two missions, one to Acheh and one to Kedah, neither of which
were successful.

Light decided to move to Salang near Phuket, which he made into his headquarters. For the
next fourteen years he traded from there until he was approached by the British East India
Company. War in the American colonies and with their allies, France and the Netherlands had

5
emphasised the increasing need for British naval presence and commercial settlement in the
Straits of Malacca. Interest in Penang was revived.

In 1785 Light wed the daughter of the Sultan of Kedah who settled on Light, as a country, the
island of Penang as a wedding dowry. Light promptly informed the East India Company and an
agreement was made between the two. Light had his ownership of the island transferred to
the Company and was appointed its governor. In May 1786 Light was made a Captain in the
Marines of the British East India Company and Superintendent of its intended new settlement.

Light arrived at Kedah and presented his credentials to the Sultan. However instead of the
broad undertaking of protection The British East India Company only promised to keep an
armed vessel to guard Penang and the adjacent coast belonging to Kedah, and there was no
sum fixed for compensation for loss of trade. The Sultan hesitated, but eventually signed with
reluctance. On 11 August 1786, Captain Francis Light, raised the Union Jack, took formal
possession of the island in the name of His Majesty, the King and renamed it Prince of Wales'
Island (the name used until after 1867) in honour of the heir to the British throne whose
birthday was the day after the founding of the island. Penang with a population all of less than
a hundred native fishermen, was the first British possession in the Malay States and Southeast
Asia, the location of the island at the opening of The Straits of Malacca attracted The British
East India Company to use the island as a natural harbour and anchorage for their trading
ships and as a naval base to counter growing French ambitions in the region, the settlement
on the north-eastern tip of the island was named George Town after King George III of the
United Kingdom.

Unbeknownst to the Sultan, Light had acted without the approval of The East India Company
when he promised military protection. When the Company failed to aid Kedah when it was
attacked by Thai, the Sultan tried to retake the island in 1790.

The attempt was unsuccessful, and the Sultan was forced to cede the island to the Company
for an honorarium of 6,000 Spanish dollars per annum. This was later increased to 10,000
dollars, with Province Wellesley (Seberang Prai) being added to Penang in 1800. An annual
honorarium of 18,800 'ringgit' continues to be paid by the Penang State Government to the
Sultan of Kedah.

The settlement was first built around the harbour with Fort Cornwallis forming the island's
defence. Light became the first Superintendent of Prince of Wales Island. To expedite jungle
clearing by labourers, Light fired silver coins from his ship cannons into the dense vegetation
and the land was cleared in no time, Light declaring Prince of Wales Island a free port to
attract trade away from the Dutch who were then the colonial ruler of The Dutch East Indies.
This strategy drew many immigrant traders to Penang. Settlers were allowed to claim
whatever land they could clear.

By 1789, Penang had 5,000 residents and this doubled by the end of the following decade. The
first Chinese settlers in Penang came from an existing community in Kedah, with their leader,
called a Kapitan Cina, being Koh Lay Huan, a Baba.

Light died of malaria on October 21, 1794 and was buried at the Protestant cemetery at the
end of Northam Road (now Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah). His son, William Light went on to found
the city of Adelaide in Australia.

The original governors of Penang were Superintendents appointed by the Governor-General in

Calcutta, subject to the Bengal Government and were retained on a very small salary by The
British East India Company. They were not members of the Indian Civil Service nor were they
attached to any of the garrisons or military forces of the British East India Company. They

6
were civilian traders who spent part of their time on the governance and administration of the
island and part on their own personal commercial activities. Superintendents mediated and
arbitrated in local disputes but had no formal of local jurisdiction. Light had argued for the
need for well-paid, full-time administrators with complete responsibility and full powers of
jurisdiction backed up with sufficient resources to enforce that authority, but this did not
come for another fourteen years

Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Wellesley (the future Duke of Wellington) arrived in Penang to

coordinate the island's defences and, in 1800, Lieutenant-Governor Sir George Leith secured a
strip of land across the channel from the island and named it Province Wellesley, after Richard
Colley Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley, Governor-General of India.

Early in the 19th century, Penang was used as a staging post for the opium trade between
India and China. The East India Company auctioned off licences to gambling dens, brothels
and opium traders (this alone accounted for approximately 60% of colonial Penang's trade).

In 1805, Penang's colonial status was elevated to that of a Residency and was also known as
the Eastern Presidency under the direct control of the Governor-General of India - Stamford
Raffles, subsequently to become known as the founder of Singapore, in 1819, also arrived in
Penang in 1805 to begin work as the Deputy Secretary to the Governor of Penang, Philip
Dundas from 1805 to 1810.

This change in Penang's status was likely the catalyst for the founding of 'The Government
Gazette' in 1806, the new Government consisted of three councillors in addition to the
Governor and 11 other officers and 'The Gazette' subsequently dutifully recorded the arrival of
new governors and appointment of new councillors and, during 1805 to 1807, we note Captain
Norman Macalister named as Commandant and 'fourth' in the list of council members under
the newly appointed governor, Philip Dundas, who had arrived at the newly-created
Presidency of The British East India Company in September 1805.

The status of Penang, comprising Prince of Wales' Island and Province Wellesley, was now such
that it was on an equal footing with the three great Presidencies in India - Calcutta, Madras
and Bombay.

Dundas created a 'red-light district', so that he could control disease without having to
discourage business but, just two years later Dundas died from ill health, a consequence of
the territory's generally unsanitary conditions - He 'so seriously indisposed as to be incapable
of attending his duty' that he was taken on board HMS "Belliqueux", a 64-gun 'third rate' ship
of the line of The Royal Navy and, dying on April 8, 1807, was buried in Penang.

Five days later, on April 13, 1807, Henry Shepherd Pearson took up his post as Acting
Governor, Norman Macalister, now a Colonel, then appointed and sworn in as Governor on 17
October 1807.

The official report of October 17, 1807 tells us that The Hon. Colonel Norman Macalister in
conformity with the orders of the Hon. the Governor General in council, took the usual oaths
and his seat as governor of this presidency, a salute of 19 guns being fired on the occasion
and his predecessor, Henry Shepherd Pearson, also took the oaths and took his seat as
second member of council, Pearson to be warehouse-keeper and paymaster and, interestingly
we find that one Mr. John Macalister is then appointed to be assistant collector of customs and
land revenues at Malacca, the relationship, if any, now unclear at this late point in time.

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Of other 'potentially 'local', perhaps Kintyre native, appointments, the following year, 1808,
saw one Lieutenant R. McDonald as ADC to the Governor and Captain John McInnis as Private
Secretary to the Governor.

During his term as governor, Macalister Road in Penang is named after him, Macalister
completed the brick structure of the star-shaped Fort Cornwallis on the north-eastern coast of
Penang with convict labour in 1810.

The fort is named after the late 18th century Governor-General of Bengal, India, Charles
Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis and is the largest standing fort in Malaysia, Captain Sir
Francis Light's original fort built with a nibong (Malay : palm trunk) stockade with no
permanent structures, covering an area of 417.6 square feet (38.80 m2).

In 1804, Indian convict labour had started to rebuild the fort with bricks and stones, during
Colonel R.T. Farquhar's term
as Governor of Penang, the fort, intended as a defense against the pirates, Kedah and the
French because of The Napoleonic Wars, completed in Macalister's term as governor costing
the equivalent of $80,000. The moat, 9 metres wide by 2 metres deep, which surrounded the
fort, filled in in the 1920's due to a malaria outbreak in the area.

The chapel at Fort Cornwallis, built in 1799 on the southwest bastion, is the earliest roofed
structure surviving in Penang
from the colonial era, the first recorded marriage there taking place that same year, when John
Timmers married Martina Rozells, the widow of Francis Light.

Even though the fort was originally built for the Royal Artillery troops and the military, its
function, historically, was more administrative than defensive and, in its entire history, the fort
had never engaged in any battle.

Macalister was succeeded as Governor by Charles Andrew Bruce, on March 24, 1810, the
official report stating that, "Late on Tuesday night, the ship "Bengal Anna", Captain Thomas
Scott, anchored in the harbour from Calcutta, having on board the honourable C. A. Bruce as
governor, the honourable Mrs. Bruce and (their) two children and at sunrise, on Wednesday,
the "Bengal Anna" saluted the fort, which was returned. At seven o'clock, the honourable Mr.
Bruce landed under the appropriate honours, and was received at the wharf by the honourable
the governor and members of council, who accompanied him through a street, formed by the
military, to the government house. At ten o'clock, the honourable Mr. Bruce took the usual
oaths and his seat as governor, and Colonel Norman Macalister was sworn in as second, and
W. E. Phillips Esq. third and last member of council, under the customary salutes".

Macalister, taking leave, set sail for home on The East India Company's ship "Ocean" in August
1810, nothing more ever heard of the ship and Macalister assumed lost at sea.

His successor's tenure as Penang's governor was short-lived, this report made out at Penang's
Fort Cornwallis on December 28, 1810, just months after Macalister had sailed for home.

"In consequence of the much lamented death of the honourable Charles Andrew Bruce, late
governor of Prince of Wales's Island and its dependencies, and commander in chief of the fort
and town, and in the absence of Colonel Norman Macalister, second member of council, and
next in succession to the office of government, vacant by this event, PUBLIC notice is hereby
given, and it is proclaimed, the powers of governor of Prince of Wales's, and the command of
the fort and town, has necessarily developed pro-tempore on William Edward Phillips, esq.
third member of council; and that the same Wm Edward Phillips, esq. has this day duly taken
the prescribed oaths and seat accordingly. It is also hereby further proclaimed, that John

8
James Erskine, esq. has, in conformity to the provisional appointment of the honourable, the
court of directors, been called in to the board, and has taken the prescribed oaths and his seat
as a member of council. All persons in the civil, military and marine service, of the honourable
East India Company, and all the other inhabitants of Prince of Wales's Island, and its
dependencies, are therefore hereby required and directed to take due notice thereof, and to
obey the said William Edward Phillips, esq. as governor and commander in chief accordingly
pro-tempore. Published by command of the honourable the Governor in council. W. A.
CLUBLEY, Act. Sec. to Govt.".

World War II, on the other hand, unleashed unparalleled social upheaval on Penang. With news
of the imminent attack of the Japanese, the European population was evacuated beforehand,
leaving the rest of Penang's population to suffer under a brutal Japanese occupation, causing
much disillusionment and injury to the British prestige and image of invincibility. The British
withdrawal left the defenceless island in the hands of a State Committee which had to subdue
a three-day civil unrest. Penang was captured by Japanese forces invading from the north
through Thailand on 19 December 1941, one of the key stages of The Battle of Malaya, days
after having neutralised American sea power at Pearl Harbor. Three and a half years of rule of
terror ensued. Many of the local populace fled to the interior and plantations to escape from
Japanese atrocities, of which many were reported and documented. During this occupation,
Penang was governed by four successive Japanese governors, starting with Shotaro Katayama.

It is a little known fact that Penang served as a German U-boat base in The Far East. "U-511",
under the command of Kptlt. Fritz Schneewind, arrived in Penang, then under Japanese
occupation in July 1943, followed by "U-178" in August 1943. This essentially started the U-
boat campaign in the Indian Ocean and also provided the Germans with penetration into the
Pacific for the first time, alongside their ally, Japan. Korvettenkapitän Wilhelm Dommes
became the first commander of the U-boat base, located in the former British seaplane base in
Penang - Japanese forces in Penang finally surrendered to British forces on September 6,
1945.

Returning now to the Macalisters -

10. Charles, Lieut, in the E.I.C. service; d. without issue.

11. Catherine, m. Peter Nicolson of Ardmore, Waternish, Skye, with issue

(A) John M'Alister.

(B) Donald.

Both died young.

(c) Flora, Nicolson, m. Allan Macdonald, major of the 55th Regiment of Foot, afterwards of
Waternish, son of Allan Macdonald of Belfinlay (vide Belfinlay genealogy under Clanranald).

(D) Susannah MacAlister, m. Norman Macdonald of Scalpay with issue (vide Scalpay genealogy
under Sleat)

(E) Margaret, m. Dr Alexander Macdonald of Gillen in Sleat, Skye, with issue (vide MacEachen
genealogy under Clanranald).

IX. ALEXANDER MACALISTER, his oldest surviving son, succeeded Ranald of Skirmish in the
representation of the family. He is said to have bought the property of Strathaird, in Skye, in or
about 1789. He m. Miss Campbell of Ederline, with issue

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1. Janet, who m. Dr Duncan McAlister of Tarbert, with issue

(A) Alexander.
(B) Matthew,
(C) John.
(D) Charles.
(E) Lachlan.
(F) Norman.
(G) Archibald.
(H) Catherine.

Alexander McAlister of Strathaird m. 2ndly Miss Macleod of Greshornish, with issue

2 John, who m. Miss McCormick, with issue

(A) Donald, who died young.

(B) Norman, who died young.

(C) Alexander, m. daughter of Admiral Fleming, Elphinston, with issue, several daughters but
no son.

3. Isabella, who m. John Nicolson, Claggan, Skye, with issue.

4. Charles, a W.S., who d. without issne.

5. Donald, d. without issue.

The offspring of Alexander McAlister having become extinct in the male line, the succession
devolved upon his brother

X. Colonel MATTHEW MACALISTER of Bar and Rosehill, Glenbarr. He m. (1st) Miss Campbell of
Saddell, with issue, a son and a daughter, who both died young. He m. (2ndly) Miss Brodie of
Brodie, with issue

XI. KEITH MACALISTER of Glenbarr and Cour (b. 1803), who succeeded him in the
representation of the family. He m.
(1st) Mary, only daughter of Robert Campbell of Skipness, whom he afterwards divorced. The
issue of this marriage was

1. Agatha, who m. A. Stikemaii, with issue.

2. Caroline, m. H. Greer of Lurgen, with issue.

3. Ellenor Georgia.

4. Eliza Gordon, m. Charles Vendin, of Jersey, with issue.

5. Anne Argyll, d. unmarried.

6. Matthew Charles Brodie M'Alister of Glenbarr Abbey and Crubasdale; b. 1838.

Keith McAlister m. (2ndly) Alexandrina Georgia Cunningham, 2nd daughter and co-heiress of
William Miller of Bonkcastle and Monkredding, Ayrshire, with issue Norman Godfrey,

10
Commander K.N.; b. Feb. 3, 1861; m. July 21, 1896, Florence Stewart, daughter of Captain
Duncan Stewart, R.N., of Knockrioch, Kintyre.

He died in 1886, and was succeeded by his older son

XII. Major MATTHEW CHARLES BRODIE MACALISTER of Glenbarr Abbey and Crubasdale. He m.
1869, Augusta Lees, 2nd daughter of Major Henry Lees, with issue Charles Augustus, b. 10th
July, 1883. He m. (2ndly) 27th Nov., 1901, Edith Margaret, only daughter of George Dudgeon,
Esq., Almond Hill, Linlithgowshire, and has issue a son, Ranald Macdonald Brodie, b. 22nd Feb.,
1903, his son, Angus, succumbing to his long fight with cancer on April 4, 2007.

The following understanding of the history of the MacAlister clan has been taken from the
Wikipedia web page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_MacAlister and it is followed by a list
of links to other Wikipedia pages concerned with Clans with Chiefs, Armigerous Clans and
other matters.

Clan MacAlister is a Scottish Clan and a branch of Clan Donald. The clan is the earliest
branch to have split off from Clan Donald, claiming descent from Alasdair Mòr, son of Domhnall
founder of Clan Donald. From Alasdair Mòr the clans takes its surname MacAlister; this
surname is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic Mac Alasdair meaning "son of Alasdair". In the 15th
century the chief of the clan was seated in Kintyre, and the clan was centred there until the
18th century, when a chief sold the family estate in preference to a lowland estate. The
current chief of the clan lives in England.

Origins

Clan MacAlister is a branch of Clan Donald, one of the largest Scottish clans. The eponymous
ancestor of Clan Donald is Domhnall, son of Raghnall, son of Somhairle. Traditional Clan
Donald genealogies, created in the later Middle Ages, give the clan a descent from various
legendary Irish figures. Modern historians, however, distrust these traditional genealogies, and
consider Somhairle, son of Gille Brighde to be earliest ancestor for whom there is secure
historical evidence. Somhairle, himself, was a 12th century leader, styled "King of The Isles"
and "King of Argyll".
Confusion and The Clan's Founder

Today, Clan MacAlister claims to descend from Alasdair Mòr, son of Domhnall, founder of Clan
Donald. There has, however, been confusion as to who really was the clan's founder. This is
because within a generation there lived two prominent Alasdairs (an uncle and newphew).
Both of these men left many sons, however, their immediate posterity are not clearly
connected with definite area. The lack of charter evidence clouds the true history of the clan;
11
as does that fact that for about two hundred years, the descendants of both men did not form
an organised clan of their own.

Alasdair Mòr first appears on record in 1253, when is recorded as witnessing a charter by his
brother, Aonghas Mór a Íle, to the Paisley Abbey. According to Angus and Archibald
Macdonald, he must have been a prominent man, being the only recorded brother of the
Aonghas Mór. A. and A. Macdonald state that he was recorded in The Irish Annals, in 1299, as
being aa man noted for "hospitality and excellence". In that year he was slain in a conflict with
Alasdair of Argyll and the MacDougalls. According to the traditional shanachies, Alasdair Mòr
had at least five sons: Domhnall, Gofraidh, Donnchadh, Eoin and Eachann. He was succeeded
by Domhnall

Younger Sons of Alasdair Mòr

Sometime in the early 14th century, descendants of Alasdair Mòr seem to have settled in the
county of Stirling. The first such descendant of whom there is any record is Gilbert, son of
Domhnall, who received a charter for unspecified lands in the region, in the year 1330. This
man appears to be same as the Gilbert de Insula who received a charter for the lands of Glorat
in the parish of Campsie. Today, Gilbert de Insula is considered to be a grandson of Alasdair
Mòr. He is also considered to possibly be the ancestor the Alexanders of Menstrie, earls of
Stirling from 1633. Little is known about the descendants of Gofraidh, second son of Alasdair
Mòr. According to the MS of 1450, he had a son, Somhairle, who had a son, Gilbert. A. and A.
Macdonald could not find any other definite piece of information about the descendants of
Gofraidh. According to A. and A. Macdonald, Donnchadh, third son of Alasdair Mòr, possessed
lands in the parish of Glenorchy. In about 1343, David II granted to Alexander MacNaughtane,
all the lands which had belonged to the deceased Eoin, son of Donnchadh, son of Alasdair. A.
and A. Macdonald were unable to find any other record of this branch of the clan. Nothing is
known about Eoin, son of Alasdair Mòr. According to the MS of 1450, Eachann, youngest son of
Alasdair Mòr, had two sons, Charles and Lachlann. Nothing definite is known of Eachann, yet
the Sleat seanachie McVurich claimed that he had another son, Siothach an Dronan, who
settled in Ireland and founded Clan Sheehy of Munster. This clan is recorded in 1552, as
fighting in army of O'Neill, and described as gallowglass. The Irish Annals, however, describe
them as belonging to the province of Leinster. McVurich also claimed that Clan Domhnuill
Renna and MacWilliam of the province of Cannaught were also descended from Alasdair Mòr.

Successors of Alasdair Mòr

Domhnall, son of Alasdair Mòr, swore fealty to Edward I of England in 1291. He was succeeded
by his own son, Alasdair. Alasdair was also recorded as swearing fealty to the English king at
the same time as his father. He was in turn succeeded by his son, Raghnall, who in 1366
crossed over into Ulster to fight in the wars between Donald and Neill O'Neill. A. and A.
Macdonald considered the succession of the next three MacAlister chiefs to have been
obscure. The two historians stated that Raghnall was succeeded by Alasdair who flourished
about the year 1400. Alasdair was succeeded by Eoin Dubh from whom the modern chiefs
derive their Gaelic designation Mac Iain Duibh. A. and A. Macdonald stated that this
patronymic has caused confusion since the eldest son of Alasdair Og, the forfeited Hebridean
magnate, was also named Eoin Dubh; and that his descendants were called Clann Eoin Duibh.

15th Century

Eoin Dubh was succeeded by Charles. In 1481, James III granted a considerable amount of land
in Kintyre to John, Lord of the Isles. Among these lands were those of "Lowb", or Loup. That
year, Charles McAllister was appointed by the king, to the Stewarty of Kintyre, and received a
considerable grant of lands in that area. The Stewartry of Kintyre was a life appointment, and

12
the lands consisted of 40 merklands. The lands were as follows: 4 merklands of
Machquarrymore of Dunaverty, 2 merklands of the two Ramcollis, 2 merklands of Edyne, 1
merkland of Knockstippilmore, 1 merkland of Keranbeg, 2 merklands of Glennomudlach, 5
merks of Kildovy, 5 merklands of Polmulyn, 1 merkland of Salkanch, 3 merklands of
Glennahervy, 2 merklands of Feachaig, 20 shillings lands of Corpany, the half merkland of
Barfarnay, 2 merklands of Kilmichell, 4 merklands of de la Crag, to be held in fen farm. These
lands were situated in North and South Kintyre. There is no mention of Loup and A. and A.
Macdonald stated that the lands were probably already in his possession, and had likely been
in his family's possession for quite some time.

16th century

Charles was succeeded in the representation of the clan by his son, John. A. and A. Macdonald
state that the only record of the existence of John is of his son's patronym Angus John Dowson
of Loup. Angus is recorded among other Argyll chieftains whom protection was given by the
Duke of Albany in 1515. The chieftains were described as "familiars and servitors" of Colin,
Earl of Argyll. Angus John Dowson was succeeded by Alexander MacAlister. This chief was
involved, among the Macleans and Clan Donald South, in the invasion of the Campbell
territories of Rosneath, Lennox, and Craignish, in 1529. He was later denounced as a rebel for
his failure to find security for his future good behaviour.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, members of the clan obtained lands in the islands of Arran and
Bute, which lie close to Kintyre. In 1506, Donald MacAlister received a grant of the lands of
Longilwenach, and according to A. and A. Macdonald, his descendants beacme quite numerous
in the said islands. Despite the fact the chiefs of Clan MacAlister never possessed lands in
Buteshire, the connection of several of their clansmen to that area brought the chiefs trouble.

A. and A. Macdonald state that during the remainder of the 16th century, the clan sought the
protection under the more powerful Macdonalds of Dunyveg, and the powerful lords Argyll and
Hamilton. Following the forfeiture of the lordship of the isles in 1493, the clan especially
sheltered itself under the Macdonalds of Dunyveg. Between the years 1540 - 1572, the clan
appears to have turned its attention to the turbulent north of Ireland. During this era men from
the Hebrides often fought in Ulster on the side of Sorley Boy MacDonnell and according to A.
and A. Macdonald, there is reason to believe that Clan MacAlister gave him some of his most
strenuous support. A. and A. Macdonald stated that, sometime around the years 1571 - 1572,
a body of Highlanders were defeated by Cheston who was captain of the English forces. One of
those recorded as slain was one "Owen Mc Owen duffe Mc Alastrain, called the Lord of Loop".
A. and A. Macdonald were of the opinion that this man was the son of Alexander MacAlister of
Loup. The chief, John, was slain in 1572 and was succeeded in the chiefship by his son,
Alexander. The following year, Alexander is recorded as receiving a charter from the Earl of
Argyll; and around the same time was recorded as being ordered by an Act of Parliament to
deliver hostages for his the security of his peaceable behaviour.

In 1587, Alexander MacAlister of Loup was recorded in the General Band of 1587, in which
Highland chiefs were held accountable by the Government for their tenants. In 1590, the clan
rendered a bond of dependence and service to Lord John Hamilton; shortly afterwards a similar
bond was given by the Tutor of Loup and clan members also Lord John Hamilton. A. and A.
Macdonald state that Clan MacAlister was in no way dependent on the Hamiltons in Kintyre,
yet those MacAlisters that settled in Arran and Bute had done so in the lands where the
Hamiltons were lords. In 1591, Godfrey MacAlister of Loup received a charter from the Earl of
Argyll.

In 1598, a serious quarrel broke out between Godfrey MacAlister of Loup, who had just
reached the age of majority, and his former tutor and guardian. It is unknown what the

13
reasons for the quarrel were, yet what is known is that MacAlister of Loup had the former tutor
murdered. The sons of the murdered man then fled to Askomull House which was the Kintyre
residence of Angus Macdonald of Dunyvaig. The historians A. and A. Macdonald stated that
Macdonald of Dunyvaig was the tutor's sons' clan superior. MacAlister of Loup was however
aided by Sir James Macdonald, younger of Dunyvaig and surrounded the house with several
hundred armed men.

17th Century

In 1603, Campbell of Auchinbreck and Archibald MacAlister, heir apparent of MacAlister of

Tarbert, took part in an invasion of Bute. The force consisted of 1200 men and when it arrived
on the island, first ravaged the property of a widow named Marion Stewart, and her lands of
Wester Kames. The raiders then moved onto the land sof Ninian Stewart, Sheriff of Bute,
committing similar atrocities. In consequence of the raid, the leaders were summoned to
appear before the Council, yet failed to appear and were ordered to be denounced as rebels.
In 1605, the Privy Council ordered Archibald MacAlister of Loups and John MacAlister, tutor of
Loup to appear and produce evidence of their infeftments and rentals, under the pain of
having their titles declared void. A. and A. Macdonald state that MacAlister of Loup was one of
the few to attend and that he got titles from Argyll for his lands that year.

In 1614, Alexander was supposed to have supported his feudal superior, Argyll, in the capture
of Dunyveg Castle. However, when he arrived on the scene he sided with the leader of the
insurgents, Angus Og Macdonald. Because of his support of the rebels he was also punished.
At his trial he was found guilty of treason and hung. The years between 1614 and 1623 were
uneventful for the leading family of the clan. In 1623, a bond of caution was signed on the
behalf of Godfrey MacAlister of Tarbet, pledging that he would not molest the family and
followers of Archibald Stewart of Castlemilk, John Shaw of Greenock, Ferlie of that Ilk, John
Crawford of Kilbirnie, John Brenshaw of Bishoptown, and James Crawford of Flatterton. For
sometime, Godfrey, who was son of the chief of MacAlister of Tarbet, raided the lands of the
mentioned Lowland landowners. He is also recorded the same year as having to find caution
for himself and Ronald Roy MacAlister for 3000 and 500 merks not to molest the following
landowners and their families: Walter MacAulay of Ardincaple, Malcolm MacNaughtane of
Stronseir, Robert Colhoun, fiar of Cumstrodone, and Dougal Campbell in Mamoir. A. and A.
Macdonald made note of a serious quarrel between Godfrey MacAlister of Tarbet and Walter
MacAulay of Ardincaple, chief of Clan MacAulay. Both Tarbert and Ardincaple claimed to be
depute to the Admiral of the Western Seas; and the two Macdonald considered that Ardincaple
had been ousted in favour of Tarbert. In 1623, a bond of caution was registered by Hector
MacNeill of Kilmichell and John Lamont of Achagyll of 3,000 merks for Godrey MacAlister of
Tarbert, and of 1,000 merks each for another four of his followers, not to molest Walter
MacAulay of Ardincaple and his family. A. and A. Macdonald unsure of the outcome of this
particular quarrel, stating: "As often happens regarding Highland quarrels and delinquencies,
the records leave us enquiring wonderingly, and failing to answer the question, how this
matter was settled, if it was settled at all".

In 1631, Archibald MacAlister of Tarbet visited William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling and
acknowledged him as his chief. This was despite the fact the MacAlisters of Loup are today
considered the chiefs of the clan. In 1689, a French ship which had sailed from Ireland reached
Kintyre and was taken by MacAlister of Loup and Angus Campbell of Kilberry. The two lairds
put the ship under guard and wrote to Argyll, who was attending the Convention of the
Estates, asking for instructions as to what to do with it. According to A. and A. Macdonald,
there is evidence to suggest that members of Clan MacAlister, possibly under their chief, took
part in the Battle of Killiecrankie.

18th Century to The Present

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In the years spanning from 1689 and 1704 there is little to no record of the clan. However, in
the year 1704, during the first parliament of Queen Anne, Alexander MacAlister of Loup and
Archibald MacAlister of Tarbert are recorded as Commissioners of Supply for Argyll. By 1706,
Tarbert had ceased to be a part of the family of the MacAlisters of Tarbert, as the estate into
the possession of a Maclean. Alexander MacAlister of Loup was succeeded by his son, Godfrey,
who was in turn succeeded by his son. During this period, the chiefly line of the clan severed
all ties with Kintyre; the family mansion of Ardpatrick House was sold to Walter Campbell of
Islay, after which Loup also passed out of the hands of the chiefly family.

Charles, 12th of Loup married the daughter and heiress of William Somerville of Kennox in
1792. In consequence, he assumed the name and arms of Somerville along with his own and
the seat of the family was since then located at in the Scottish Lowlands at Kennox, in
Ayrshire. He died in 1847 and was succeeded by his son, Charles. Charles was succeeded by
his son, Charles. Charles Somerville McAlester of Loup and Kennox died in 1903 and was
succeeded by his son, Charles Godfrey Somerville McAlester of Loup and Kennox. Today the
chiefly line of has also lost possession of their Kennox lands. The current chief of the clan is
William St John Somerville McAlester of Loup and Kennox who lives in England. The current
chief is a member of The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Today there is a clan centre
located at Glenbarr Abbey.

Clan Profile

Clan chief : The current chief of the clan is William St John Somerville McAlester of Loup and
Kennox, Chief of the Name and Arms of MacAlister. The chief was recognised as such by the
Lord Lyon King of Arms, in 1991. The Gaelic designation of the chiefs of Clan MacAlister is Mac
Iain Duibh in reference to Eoin Dubh, from whom the MacAlisters of Loup claim to descend.

Chiefly arms : The current chief's coat of arms is blazoned : Or, an eagle displayed gules
armed sable surmounted on the breast of a galley of the first within a bordure of the third
charged with three cross crosslets fitchée argent. The supporters : (on a compartment
entwined with an escrol bearing the second motto) dexter, a bear pierced in the back with an
arrow all proper; sinister, an eagle proper. The motto : fortiter; and on the compartment : per
mare per terras.
The mottoes translate from Latin as "boldly" and "by sea and land". The crest : a dexter arm in
armour erect, the hand holding a dagger in pale all proper.

Clan member's crest badge : The crest badge suitable for members of the clan contains the
chief's heraldic crest and motto. Motto: fortiter. Crest: a dexter arm in armour erect, the hand
holding a dagger in pale all proper.

Clan badge : According to Robert Bain, the plant badge of the clan is heath.

Tartan : There are several tartans attributed to the surname MacAlister. Contemporary
accounts of Flora Macdonald suggest that the MacAlisters wore the Macdonald tartan at that
time. The tartan pictured right dates from the 19th century and was approved as a clan tartan
by the chief in 1845. Another approved tartan is the 'MacAlister dress' tartan. It is a modern
tartan that was approved by the clan chief in 2005. It is also the official tartan of the
MacAlister Clan Society of North America.

Branches of The Clan : The principal cadet of the MacAlisters of Loup were the MacAlisters
of Tarbet. Several members from this branch were for a time, constables of Tarbert Castle on
Loch Fyne. Another branch of the clan are the MacAlisters of Glenbarr, who trace their descent
from Eoin Dubh.

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SCOTTISH CLANS WITH CHIEFS Agnew · Anstruther · Arbuthnott · Arthur · Bannerman ·
Barclay · Borthwick · Boyd · Boyle · Brodie · Broun · Bruce · Buchan · Burnett · Cameron ·
Campbell · Carmichael · Carnegie · Cathcart · Charteris · Chattan · Chisholm · Cochrane ·
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Drummond · Dunbar · Dundas · Durie · Elliot · Elphinstone · Erskine · Farquharson · Fergusson ·
Forbes · Forsyth · Fraser · Fraser of Lovat · Gayre · Gordon · Graham · Grant · Gregor · Grierson
· Guthrie · Haig · Haldane · Hamilton · Hannay · Hay · Henderson · Home · Hope · Hunter ·
Irvine · Jardine · Johnstone · Keith · Kennedy · Kerr · Kincaid · Lamont · Leask · Lennox · Leslie ·
Lindsay · Lockhart · Lumsden · Lyon · MacAlister · MacBain · MacDonald · Macdonald of
Clanranald · MacDonald of Keppoch · Macdonald of Sleat · MacDonell of Glengarry ·
MacDougall · Macdowall · MacIntyre · Mackay · Mackenzie · Mackinnon · Mackintosh ·
Maclachlan · Maclaine of Lochbuie · MacLaren · MacLea (Livingstone) · Maclean · MacLennan ·
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Macpherson · MacTavish · MacThomas · Maitland · Makgill · Malcolm (MacCallum) · Mar ·
Marjoribanks · Matheson · Menzies · Moffat · Moncreiffe · Montgomery · Morrison · Munro ·
Murray · Napier · Nesbitt · Nicolson · Ogilvy · Oliphant · Primrose · Ramsay · Rattray · Riddell ·
Robertson · Rollo · Rose · Ross · Ruthven · Sandilands · Scott · Scrymgeour · Sempill · Shaw ·
Sinclair · Skene · Spens · Stirling · Strange · Stuart of Bute · Sutherland · Swinton · Trotter ·
Urquhart · Wallace · Wedderburn · Wemyss

ARMIGEROUS CLANS Abercromby · Abernethy · Adair · Adam · Aikenhead · Ainslie · Aiton ·

Allardice · Anderson · Armstrong · Arnott · Auchinleck · Baillie · Baird · Balfour · Bannatyne ·
Baxter · Bell · Belshes · Bethune · Beveridge · Binning · Bissett · Blackadder · Blackstock · Blair
· Blane · Blyth ·Boswell · Brisbane · Buchanan · Butter · Byres · Cairns · Calder · Caldwell ·
Callender · Campbell of Breadalbane · Campbell of Cawdor · Carruthers · Cheyne · Chalmers ·
Clelland · Clephane · Cockburn · Congilton · Craig · Crawford · Crosbie · Cunningham ·
Dalmahoy · Dalrymple · Dalzell · Dennistoun · Don · Douglas · Duncan · Dunlop · Edmonstone ·
Fairlie · Falconer · Fenton · Fleming · Fletcher · Forrester · Fotheringham · Fullarton · Galbraith ·
Galloway · Garden · Gartshore · Ged · Gibsone · Gladstains · Glas · Glen · Glendinning · Gray ·
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· Houston · Hutton · Inglis · Innes · Kelly · Kinloch · Kinnaird · Kinnear · Kinninmont · Kirkcaldy ·
Kirkpatrick · Laing · Lammie · Langlands · Learmonth · Little · Logan · Logie · Lundin · Lyle ·
MacAulay · Macbrayne · MacDuff · MacEwen · MacFarlane · Macfie · Macgillivray · MacInnes ·
MacIver · Mackie · MacLellan · Macquarrie · Macqueen · Macrae · Masterton · Maule · Maxton ·
Maxwell · McCorquodale · McCulloch · McKerrell · Meldrum · Melville · Mercer · Middleton ·
Moncur · Monteith · Monypenny · Mouat · Moubray · Mow · Muir · Murray of Atholl · Nairn ·
Nevoy · Newlands · Newton · Norvel · Ochterlony · Orrock · Paisley · Paterson · Pennycook ·
Pentland · Peter · Pitblado · Pitcairn · Pollock · Polwarth · Porterfield · Preston · Pringle · Purves ·
Rait · Ralston · Renton · Roberton · Rossie · Russel · Rutherford · Schaw · Seton · Skirving ·
Somerville · Spalding · Spottiswood · Stewart · Stewart of Appin Strachan · Straiton · Strange ·
Sydserf · Symmers · Tailyour · Tait · Tennant · Troup · Turnbull (telfer) · Tweedie · Udny · Vans ·
Walkinshaw · Wardlaw · Watson · Wauchope · Weir · Whitefoord · Whitelaw · Wishart · Wood ·
Young

CULTURE and SOCIETY Scotland · Clan Chief · Septs · Clan Badge · Clan Crest · Clan Battles
· Tartan · Bagpipes · Clearances · Kilt · Manrent · The Highlands · Battle of Culloden · Highland
Games · Border Reivers · Scottish heraldry
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