Life at Willis Creek Ranch: Part 1 of Family History Day

Monday, June 20, 2016

Part 1 of Family History Day (this day requires two posts - it was so full of wonderful events!)

Monday morning we left the apartment for an overnight trip to the west coast of Scotland, specifically Onich, near Glencoe. Our primary focus was to stop at various family history sites all along the way. This turned out to be a true highlight of our trip - we felt a powerful connection with the land where our ancestors lived. What a privilege to be able to see and experience this part of Scotland where we trace our roots.

Here is where I will give a little information about Alexander Magruder II (Alexander the immigrant). I am copying directly from an essay my dear niece, Rachel, wrote about our family history...
"Born in 1610 in Belliclone, Inchaffray, Perthshire, Alexander was 41 by the time of the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651, where he was taken prisoner of war by Cromwell's army. Soon after he was sent to America as an indentured servant on the English warship the Guinea, presumably stopping over at Barbados on the way. They arrived in Virginia in January 1652 and then sailed the short distance to Maryland. Although indentured servants were normally required to serve for six to eight years, Alexander seems to have been able to buy his freedom and acquire land in America that same year."

From Wha's Like Us? MacGrouthers in Scotland before 1855 by Don McGruther...

"Assuming that neither John... or James McGruder of Cargill were killed, [as records seem to indicate,] the solution to the mystery of the rapid advancement of Alexander, once he reached America as a prisoner, is perhaps at hand. Even with Scotland occupied by Cromwell's troopers, with the political and financial influence available to both his brothers, it would have been little problem for them to fund Alexander's quick release in America from Indentures, should these have ever been signed. However, with his brother being a rebel, that influence might not have extended to having him repatriated in Scotland. Far from his brother being a 'poor indentured Scots prisoner' therefore, the McGruder family had access to wealth and influence amongst the greatest then in Scotland, and the release from Indentures, and even funds to facilitate the early purchase of land in America by Alexander in 1652, would seem highly feasible."

Back to Rachel's essay...
"Alexander enjoyed great success in America, establishing a wealthy plantation in Calvert County, Maryland (now in Prince George's County, MD) and owning as many as 3,750 acres of land. He did not forget his homeland. It is interesting to note the names Alexander gave to his land -- "Alexandria," "Anchovie Hills," "Craigneich," and "Dunblane". While "Alexandria" seems to have been named after himself or his father, the other places all refer to places in Scotland that would have held special memories for him. The "Anchovie" in "Anchovie Hills" is likely derived from "Inchaffray," where Alexander was born. "Craigneich" is clearly named after Craigneich in Glen Artney, which had long been his family's home and is likely the place where he grew up. Finally, Alexander may have gone to school in the town of Dunblane, and his last home in Scotland may have been on the estates of the same name."

Our first stop of the day was at Dunblane Cathedral. A school in Dunblane would have been interwoven with the church. We arrived in a gray rain but fell in love with the town immediately. The cathedral was impressive and we spent time wandering around the grounds before even making our way inside. Once inside, however, we were blown away. Again, we felt a connection with the place. Julie talked to one of the volunteers who graciously gave her a copy of the lyric book that accompanies the hymn book they use in services today. We also picked up a copy of the most recent Sunday bulletin and plan to use it as a guide for family church service at the family reunion coming up in just a few weeks. In another of those 'full circle' moments, one of the hymns in that bulletin was "I to the hills will lift my eyes" from Psalm 121. That is Mama's favorite verse and it has a longstanding family history filled with meaning; including that a version of the hymn was sung at Anna and Matthew's wedding.

Dunblane Cathedral

View of The Cathedral Halls beyond cemetery

Dunblane Cathedral on the bell tower side

Jennifer taking a photo...

THIS photo. :D

Mama and Julie

carvings on the pews

we were intrigued by the carvings

Take a Minute cards placed throughout the cathedral - neat idea.

the bulletin

After our time at the cathedral, we walked down the street (now in full sun under a bright blue sky!) to eat lunch at a place we had passed on the way into the town, Another Tilly Tearoom. What a delight! They served us tea in our own little pots covered in cozies. :D Adorable! The food was tasty and the service was wonderful. We all agreed that we would happily go back and spend several days just visiting Dunblane.

The Cathedral Halls and Dunblane Cathedral

where we ate lunch

cute tea pots in their very own cozies. :D

in the village of Dunblane

You probably can't really see it in this photo, but it made Jennifer and me curious... There is a sign in front of that stone wall that says 'Public toilet comfort partner'. Now, we get the 'public toilet' but the 'comfort partner' kind of threw us. We were slightly disappointed(??) to find no comfort partner inside?? ;) ha!!

At this point, dear Jennifer took over the driving for me because I just wasn't strong enough. I was (and remain) so thankful for her! We headed toward Drummond Castle Gardens. "Our ancestor Alexander's brother James became Chamberlain to the 4th Lord Drummond and Earl of Perth who resided at Drummond Castle. Alexander may have even stayed there with his brother from time to time. There are two parts to the castle (1400's and 1600's) which is not open to the public. However, the beautiful gardens are and were originally laid out in the early 1600's during the time of Alexander Magruder and his father, Alexander I." (from Rachel's essay)

The gardens were absolutely stunning. Julie was in hog heaven! :D What a magnificent place!

the one lane entry to Drummond Castle Gardens -
our imaginations ran wild with images on this lovely lane.

the older part of the castle

the 'newer' part of the castle

WOW! The gardens

Mama taking it all in. :)

sweet Jennifer

That is Julie down there walking -
it almost looks like a fake set!

heading out

Julie, Mama, and Jennifer

Julie, Mama, and Laura

I have to end this post back at the beginning... our view this morning from the apartment before we left was mesmerizing! And kept changing right up until the time we drove away! Here are a few photos taken just 15-20 minutes apart.