This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: McPherson, Cameron
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/3UH.2ACIB/1141.1.1.1
Message Board Post:
I believe I am a descendent of Sir Ewan Cameron. He was chief of the Camerons and either
lived in or near Inverness. Historically, the McPhersons and the Camerons were blood
enemies. The Camerons bordered the Macintoshs. They were always having border disputes.
Because the McPhersons belonged to the super clan of Clan Chattan they and the other Clans
of Chattan banded together and regularly defeated Clan Cameron and their allies. Ewan,
being one of the greatest Scottish war lords gave the hand of his daughter Jean to
Lauchlan the Chief of the McPhersons. A little later, the Camerons crushed the
Macintoshes and recovered all disputed lands. I don't know if Clan Chattan went to
the aid of the Macintoshes or not. A little later Lauchlan's uncle Macintosh leaves
Lauchlan the chieftainship of Clan Chattan. He takes the position undisputed.
Originally, the McPhersons had been the head of Chattan but they had lost it to the
Macintoshes for hundreds of years. I have no !
idea if some kind of deal was made or not. I am sure blood enemy or no, not many would
pass up marrying Ewan's daughter. I believe I am a product of that marriage. Ewan
had almond shaped eyes. This is ultra unusual for Scots but some Camerons have this eye.
Because it was believed the eyes made him look more fierce they are clearly depicted in
his portrait and are well described. In fact the Cameron motto "Fiercer than
fierceness itself" came from when he looked at you. Occasionally that eye was seen
in my McPherson ancestors. I have the eye as does one of my sons. It is unlikely the
Cameron eye came from some where else. The present Lochyell/Lochiel also has Sir Ewan’s
eyes. They are the same eyes as mine. So I really only have a wee drop of Cameron blood
in me but I can assure you it is a drop to be proud of.
Sorry I can’t help you. Scottish searches are tough before 1800 because unless you were
somebody you were illiterate. As illiterate as the normal folk were men of property were
highly educated (see the movie Braveheart). The Scotish origins may be able to take you
back a generation or two if you are lucky.