Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-09-11
LADIES DEPARrnnrMr
MISS FLORA NAcDoy,,n
(ffon sketches Of GLstitym,lel F,n.,-

j. S';srea Joass.J
The romantic story of this celebrated
heroine Is not confined To Scotland. nor
To the fortunes of the house of Stuart.
The banks of the Cape Fear, in North
carolina, were for several years distin-
guished by her residence and il is this
circumstance which will link her name
with the history Of that State, almost rs
Inseparably as il already is with that of
her own Scotland.
The rcbellions Of Scotland had con.
tributed to the population of the Cape
Fear counties long before the famous
revolt OF the Highland clans, undc. the
chiyalrous banner of Prince Charlie
Edward, IN l7f5, after which much of
the nobility and gentry Of the Stuart
party sought refuge amidst the soli-
tides OF our forests. The fatal battle
OF Culloden annihilated the power and
independence of the Highland "lairds:"
and in the year l7l7, a colony of five
thousand Highlanders arrived and set
tied on the banks Of Cape Fear. They
came originally from hard necessity.
but, even up to this time. from ties of
relationship, or the still deeper sympa-
my oil mutual origin, the Highland emf
grants are prone to seek the sandy re-
gion OF their countrymcn. He who
cannon go to Scotland may penetrate
INTO the counties of Cumberland.
Moore, Richmond, Robson, and in
deed, into nearly all Cape Fear coun-
heS' where he will find even the Gaelic
tongue, in ali its native purity.
Flora Macdonald was the daughter
OF Macdonald Of Milton, in the Island
oil South list; but her father having
died IN her infancy, and her mother ho7
yang married Macdonald of Arrnadalc.
In Skye, an adhcrent of the Govern
mcnt, she was thus cndearcd to both
Parties, the Government, and that of
Pnnce Charles, the young Prctender.
Her more usual residence was with her
brother, the proprietor OF Milton but
such seems To have been the cstima-
ton Of her character, that she was be-
loved by every clan, rebcllionists or not.
She did not see the Prince Charlie,
until after the battle Of Cullodcn. when
ne was wanderer without home. and
without friends or adhcrents. His for
ces had been slaughtered and routed
and he himself driven 10 the hills and
caves Of his kingdom 10 find a hiding
place; and, al such a moment. Flor,
Macdonald adopted him and hi, cause.
She disguised him in a female dress
and guided him from island 10 i,iand
anf after encounteTing every hardship
ana every peril, put him into the way
~ escape to France, where he had
Ilcnds on and around the throne.
Flora Macdonald was arrested. con-
fined IN prison, and after a year was re-
leased and then carried into the Court
socicly Of London, by Lady Primrose.
Jacobi,c lady Of wealth and distinc- (
ton. IL IS recorded that twenty coach /
- Of the proudcSt names of The realm |
stood at the door Of Lady Primrose. 20
Pay their respects ~ the heroine of the .
scotch rebellion only a few days after
her release. A chase and four were
hi'rd up 10 take her back 10 Scotland (
and when she was consulted az 10 who
Should escort her home, she selected
h'r fellow prisoner Gen. Malcolm Nc
i@oe' who boosted THAT he came to-
London TO be hanged. but rode back in
ohaise-and-four with Flora Macdon-
aid. ''''''
She afterwards married Kingsburq
Macdonald Of Kmgsburg. the son a one
~ her oid associates ~ the perilous saliva
ION Of Prince Charles and he. ike all
NE highland gentlemen, was encumber-
I'd with heavy obligations. in the way
Of private debts, and still heavier oath,
II iealty 20 the house Of Hanover
IN l1T3. Doctor Johnson and Mr.. Bos.
Vel visited the house of Kingsburg
Macdonald. and were entertained by
me generosity and hospitality Of the
proprietor and his noble spouse. She
wa then a fine, genieel looking wo-
man, iull Of the enthusiasm at her ear.
ij bc and as she was now the mis-.