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Archiver > Scotch-Irish > 2000-07 > 0964106006


From: "Charles.Clark" <>
Subject: Re: MACKNIGHT/MACNAUGHTEN/MACNAUGHTON/ETC.
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 11:13:26 -0400
References: <6c.1460dd8.26a73fe9@aol.com>


wrote:But most, especially in counties Antrim and Down, where
the name is most

> common, are of Scottish origin. The Clan MacNaughten claims descent from the
> eighth-century Pictish king Nechtan. A spt of this clan was called
> MacKnight, a variant of MacNaughten (which is itself made MacNaughton in
> Ulster). The MacNaughtens were one of the families brought in by the
> MacDonnells of the Glens of Antrim in the early seventeenth century, Shane
> Dhu, or Black John MacNaghten, becoming the Earl of Antrim's chief agent.

In fact the late 16th century. The Macnaghten entry in Burke describes Shane Dhu
as having gone to Ireland ca 1580, as agent to his brother-in-law, Sorley Boy
MacDonnell. And his eldest son, John Macnaghtern, of Ballymagarry, who died in
1630, was agent to Sorley Boy's son Randal MacSorley MacDonnell, 1st Earl of
Antrim. John Macnaghten was succeeded as agent by Archibald Stewart, of the
Ballintoy family (see Rev George Hill's "Stewarts of Ballintoy")

The Clan MacNaughten lost all its lands in curious circumstances in 1700 when

> the last chief, John MacNaughten of Dundarave in Argyllshire, was married,
> while drunk, to the wrong daughter of Sir James Campbell of Ardkinglas in
> Argyllshire. The following morning he discovered his mistake ran off with
> the right daughter, leaving the wrong one pregnant. The child that was born,
> a daughter, was drowned by Campbell in a river. The Campbells thus acquired
> the MacNaughten lands.

Not unexpectedly, the family version is a bit different! Their version is that
they spent all their money supporting the Stuarts, and ended up having to sell
their lands to cover their debts
"The Macnachtans in the 17th century were conspicuous for their loyalty to the
Stuarts. In 1627 Alexander Macnachtan raised a force of bowmen to be used in the
relief of La Rochelle, and in 1653 his nephew, Alexander, took a prominent place
in
the "Glencairn Rising" against the Commonwealth. On 10 July, 1689, the youngest
Alexander's son, John Macnachtan, with a large body of his clan, joined Graham of
Claverhouse, the gallant Dundee, and contributed much to the success gained over
the army of WILLIAM III at Killecranke. Although the forfeiture of the clan lands
which followed was soon rescinded, an accumulation of debt incurred during the
century in support of the Stuart cause led to the forced sale of most of the
chief's property. Alexander, John's elder son, was a Capt in the Guards temp.
QUEEN
ANNE, and fell at Vigo, 1702. His brother John, Inspector-Gen of Customs in
Scotland, s. to the Chiefship, but dsp.after 1753, by which time all the clan
property had been lost."

> Shane Dhu had been a brother of the then Laird of
> Dundarave

ie in the late 1500s. As above, the clan lands in Scotland weren't lost until two
centuries later.

> and in 1818, his descendant, Edward A. MacNaughten of Bushmills was
> confirmed by Lyon Court, the supreme heraldic and genealogical arbiter in
> Scotland, as Chief of the Clan MacNaughten.

Edmund Alexander Macnaghten of Beardiville (this family moved about a bit and
lived previously at Benvarden), the one who was acknowledged to be "chief of the
ancient name and clan" as above, was succeeded by his brother, Sir Francis Workman
Macnaghten, of Dundarave (the current place).
Sir Francis Workman MacNaghten, 1st Bt, of Dundarave, co Antrim, Barrister-at-law
1788, Judge of the Supreme Court at Madras 1809-15, and at Calcutta 1815-25. He
assumed by Royal Licence 18 Nov 1809 the additional name and arms of WORKMAN, and
was knighted in the same year. He s his brother as chief of the clan 1832, and was
created a baronet 16 July 1836. Sir Francis was b 2 Aug 1763, m 6 Dec 1787
Letitia, eldest dau of Sir William Dunkin of Clogher, sometime a Judge of the
Supreme Court of Judicature at Calcutta, and had issue etc.

It is said that the formation in which he planted trees on their land represents
the manner in which the regiments were drawn up at the battle of Waterloo

Charlie

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