Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-11-07
A GAELIC SETTLEMENT N NoRTH-cAR-


In a letter which the Inverness Courier has re-
ceiyed from friend in North Carolina, are the fol-
lowing interesting particulars:
tt NAV be interesting to some of our readers to
learn that the Scotch llighlanders were among the
first settlers of the State of NorthCaroDa. The
majority of them were from the Hebrides, from
Italy. .Jura Null Coll and Skye, and not n few from
the mainland of Argyll. The precise date Of the
landing of the first Scotch emgrants in the Carroll
mas cannot be we'll ascertained. 1t appears that
Scotch families were settled the Cape Fear river
previous to the division Of the province into North
and South Carolina in 1879. Sometime between
174l and TAG Highlander, named Mel Macneil,
from Argyllshre, visited North Carolina
lie returned to Scotland in 1748, and in the fol-
lowing year landed in Wilmington, North-Carona,
with his family and about 800 eingrants (some say
600) from the district of Kintyre Argylshire. 1t
is said that upon the arrival of unusual an i'm
portation at Wilmington, the authorities, struck
with the dress and language Of the new corners,
required Macneil to enter int o bond for their
peaceful and good behavior. Perhaps the warlike
spirit of the Celtic race struck the Wimingtonians
with such terror as led to the demand Of the bond
Our intrepid cuuntryman managed to evade the de-
mand and assembled the Cape Fear with this band OF
his countrymen. From this period the emigration
was yearly on the increase
Mr. Macedonia, of K;ngsburgh, and his lady, the
far-famed Flora Macdonald, famous for her adhe-
renee to the unfortunate Pretender Prince Charles
in his forlorn condition after his defeat at Culloden
emigrated with n number of others from the Isle OF
Skye; so that every year added to the number OF
the Scotch Highland emigrants until they soon
formed the majority of the population and control
cd the civil and ecclesiastical interests of less
than seven counties viz: Cumberland, Bladen,
Robson, Richmond, Montgomery, Moore and
Harnet
The Gaelic language is spoken in its purity by
many in these counties, and in both my churches |
preach in it every Sabbath On last Sabbath ! as
sisted at the dispensa.ion of the Lords Supper in
congregation 40 miles distance from my home and
preached and served table at which upward of $50
had taken their seats, who have not heard sermon
in the language of their childhood for the last ten
years. Many tear was shed during the service
many warm shake Of the hand, such as High
lander can give, was given and many blessing was
bestowed upon your correspondent at parting with
the warm-hearted people. The Rev. Collin Maciver,
a native of Stornoway, Lewis was the last preacher
who could preach in Gaelic till to the State
two years ago lie died in this town in 1850 much
respected and regretted by his countrymen in North
Carolina. 1t will state an instance of the prepon
derance Of the Scotch Highlanders in this State
The North Carolina Presbyterian, a religious pa
paper, and the organ Of synod published in the
town of Fayetteville, has upwards Of 800 Macs on
its list of subscribers, besides those who claim the
honor Of pertaining as much to the Celtic race as
those who bear that ancient patronymic
The Presbytery Of Fayetteville, Of which / and
one of my members, has Is Macs among
its clerical members and seven others who will not
yield the palm to their brethren Of the Mac families
in tracing their Celtic origin; and thence our Pres
bytery has the cognDmen of the Scotch PreSbytery
given to US by our brethren of the Synod of North
Carolina.