The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-10-31
A GAELIC SETTLEMENT IN NORTH CARO-
LIMA.

A GAELIC SETTLEMENT IN NORTH CARO-
LIMA.
In letter which the Inverness Courier
has received from friend in North Carroll.
na, are the following interesting particulars
1t may be interesting to some OF our read.
ers to learn that the Scotch Highlanders
were among the first settlers of the State Of
North Carolina. The majority Of them were
from the Hebrides, from lslay, Jura, Null,
Coll and Skye, and not few from the main.
land Of Argyll. The precise date OF the Ian
ding of the first Scotch emigrants IN the Car
olinas cannot be well ascertained. 1t APP
pears that Scotch families were settled on
the Cape Fear River previous 20 the division
of the province into North and South Caro-.
lima in I-44land LAG. Highlander, named
Mel Macniel. from Args ishire, visited North
Carolina.
He returned 10 Scotland in i74s. and in
the following year landed in Wilmington, n.
c., with his fomiiy and about 500 emigrants
lsome say 60o) from the district Of Kintyre,
Argyllshire. Ii said that upon the arri-
val of so unusual an Importation at Whining
ton the authorities. struck with the dress and
language Of the new Corners, required Mac
MEL TO enter into bond for their peaceful
and good behaviour. Perhaps the warlike
spirit Of the Celtic race struck the Whining
tonians with such terror as led 70 the demand
Of the bond. Our intrepid countryman man.
aged TO eyade the demand, and assembled the
Cape Fear with this band Of his countrymen.
From this period the emigration was yearly
on the increase.
Mr.. Macdonald Of Kingsburg, and his lady,
the far-famed Flsrz Macdonald, famous for
her adherence to the unfortunate Pretender,
Prince Charles, in his forlorn condition alter
his defeat AZ Culioden. emigrated with num-
Der Of others from the Isle skye; % that ey-
ery year added TO the nunser Of Scotch
Highland emigrants, until they soon formed
the majority Of the population and controll-
ed the civil and ecclesiastical interests Of no
less than seven counties, VIZ: Cumberland.
Baden, Robson. Richmond, Montgomery,
Moore and Harnett.
The Gaelic language j. spoken in its puri-
" by many IN these counties, and ~ both
nv churches preach 10 Il every SABBATH
On last Sabbath Iassisted At the dlspensasion
Of the Lords Supper ii . congregation forty
miles distant frOa ny home and preached
and served table II which upwards Of l5C
had taken their seats. who have not heard !
sermon in the language Of their childhood fol
the last ten years. Many tear vas she'd do
ring the service, many warm shake Of IN
hand, such as Highlander can give. va
given, and many blessing was bestowed up
on your correspondent at parting with the
warm hested people. The Rev, Collin Mac.
lyer, 1 native Of Stornoway, Lews. was the
last preacher Who could preach in Gaelic al
came 70 the State two years ago. lie died
in this town In 1850. much respected and re
GREETED BY his countrymen in North Carroll
"a. I will state an instance OF the prepon
deranee Ct the Scotch Highlanders 10 hi
state
The North Carolina Presbyterian, relig
ious paper and the organ Of our Synod, pub
lished in the town Of Fayetteville, has up
wards Of 500 Mac. on its list d subscribers
besides those who claim The honor Of pertain
ing a. much TO the Celtic race as THOSE VII
bear that ancient patronymie.
The PresbyierJ Of Fayetteville, Of Whic
I aud one Of nv sons are members, has !
Macs among is clerical members. and sese
others who will not yield the palm % thel
brethren 81 the Mac families 10 tracing thei
Celtic origin and thence our Presbytery b
the coeuomen Of the Scotch Presbytery, gi'
IN 10 i. by our brethren Of the synod !
North Carolina.