The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-10-30
A GAELIC SETTLEMENT IN N. C.

In letter when the inverness courier mas re-
ceived from friend in North Carolina, are the
following interesting particulars:
1t may be interesting to some of our readers to
learn that the Scotch Highlanders were among the
first settlers of North Carolina. The majority of
them were from the Hebridges, from Islay, Jura,
Null Coll and Skye, and not few from the main
land of Argyll. The precise date of the landing
of the first Scotch emgrants in the Carolinas can
not be well ascertained. 1t appears that Scotch
families were settled on the Cape Fear river pre-
vious to the division of the province into North
and South Carolina in 1879. Some time between
1744 and 746 Highlander, named Mel Macneil,
from ArgylIshire, visited North Carolina
He returned to Scotland in 174S, and in the
following year landed in Wilmington, North Car
DINA, with his family and about three hundred
emigrants (some say six hundred) from the dis
trict of Kintyre Argyllshire. 1t is said that upon
the arrival of so unusual an importation at Will
mington the authorities struck with the dress and
language Of the new corners, required Macneil to
enter into bond for their peaceful and good be-
havior PERHAPS the warlike spirit of the Celtic
race struck the Wilmingtonians with such terror
as led to the demand of the bond. Our intrepid
couutryman managed to evade the demand and as
cended the Cape Fear with this band of his coun-
trymen. From this period the emigration was
yearly the increase.
Mr. Macdonald of Kingsburgh, and his lady,
the far-tamed Flora Macdonald famous for her adj
herence to the unfortunate Pretender, Prince
Charles in his forlorn condition after his defeat at
Culoden, emigrated with 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 controlled the civil and ecclesiastical interests
of no less than seven counties, viz, Cumberland,
Baden, Robinson, 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 the disnensation of the Lords Supper in
a congregation forty miles distant from my home
and preached and served table at which upward
of one hundred and fifty had taken their seats,
who have not heard in the language OF
their childhood iii the last ten years. Many
tear shed during the service, many warm
shake of the hand, such a Highlander can give,
was given and many blessing was bestowed upon
your correspondent at parting with the warm heart
ed people. The Rev. Colin Maciver, native of
Stornoway, Lews the last preacher who could
preach in Gaelic till came the State two years
ago. He died in this town in 1880 much respect
ed and regretted by his cOuntrymen in North Car
DINA. | will state an instance of the preponder-
ance Of the Scotch Highlanders in this State
The North Carolina Presbyterian religious
paper, and the organ Of cur Synod, published in
the town of Fayetteville, has upward of eight hum
dred Macs its list of subscribers, besides those
who claim the honor of pertaining as much to the
Celtic race as those who bear that ancient patrony
mic. T. y.
The Presbytery of Fayetteville, of which and
one of my members, has thirteen 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
hence our Presbytery has the cognomen of the
Scotch Presbytery given to us by our brethren of
the Synod of North Carolina