Newsletter of the Muirhead Clan Society Published by Sandie Morehead-Smith Secretary, Muirhead Clan Society

Transcription

1 Newsletter of the Muirhead Clan Society Published by Sandie Morehead-Smith Secretary, Muirhead Clan Society Volume 4, Issue 3 September 2003 VP reports on Tacoma Scottish Festival and Highland Games June 28, 2003 Greetings to the Clan and Kin, I feel inclined to convey my experiences at this years Tacoma Games-billed as the 34th Annual Scottish Festival. Having moved from its old location to accommodate larger crowds. It was a beautiful sunrise as it peeked over the Cascades. The hustle and bustle beginning to surge as the vendors and Clansman prepared for the days events. As I made my way around the park I was pleased to see many old friends and tried to make some new acquaintances along the way. If you have never been to Frontier Park (Graham Fairgrounds) you owe it to yourself visit. It's a very serene park nestled into the tall trees of the foothills of the Cascades. As noon approached the clans gathered in the shade of tall trees and jousted verbally from one to another. It was a wonderful precession and was finished off by the Clan Gordon Pipe Band with the Tacoma Scots Pipe Band "Great Job". Through out the day we were treated to music and dance and for the first time I was able to watch some of the field games. I was very impressed and look forward to many opportunities to see them in the future. To top off the event they moved the field event finals to the main field located in the middle of the court surrounded by the Clan tents and the vendors. With temperatures well into the 80's it may have been to hot for some but a beautiful day nonetheless. Thank you to all the participants and look forward to seeing you at Enumclaw Games. Clan President s Report On The Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering The 57th Annual Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering, July 25th, 26 and 27, 2003 held at the King County Fairgrounds Enumclaw, Washington is now history. 84 Clans were represented this year that's 10 more than last year. Attendance was good and the weather hot, in the 90's all weekend. On Friday night about 8:30 the Rising of the Clans and Flaming Saltire took place. Clan Muirhead along with Clan Ross was honored to lead all other Clans in the forming of the flaming saltire before a large attendance of the public. It was a great honor for me as your representative to lead 41 other Clans onto the field to form the torch lit saltire and even though I have taken part in this opening ceremony many times before I still get a rush of pride and honor, knowing that I do it not for me alone but for all our members and kith and kin around the world and to be asked to lead some 41 other clans in the opening night Clan Muirhead was most honored. Saterday night after the days events I was pleased to hold a small social gathering at our home in Bonney lake. Where after a great pot-luck dinner, conversation and a wee dram Robert Schueler, our Clan piper honored us all with his outstanding piping, a perfect end to a great day. Members please see Burke's Atavus, an on line magazine. Vol. 2 Issue 4, July/August 2003 "Muirhead Clan Society and Clan Hunter" Sincerely, Charles D. Morehead Newsletter 1

2 A Few Words By Clan Elder, David Grossett On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the founding of the Muirhead Clan Society, I think it appropriate that we pause and reflect on how far we have progressed since September In 1964, Paul Morehead, Raymond Lee Morehead grandfather extracted a death-bed pledge from his teen-aged grandson that he would seek information about their ancient Muirhead heritage. Raymond has fulfilled that promise made almost forty years ago; helped by his wife, Yen Chi, their son, Adam, and daughters, Sandie and Jennifer, he has amassed a great deal of information about our Muirhead, Morehead, Moorhead and Moorehead ancestors and made the information available to all. Welcome!!! The Muirhead Clan Society would like to welcome our new members. They are: Eulan Gay Moorehead and Lawanda Moorehead, John A. Morehead and Janet E. Morehead, and Martha J. Grier. In April I sent a poem to Sharon Ritelis, President of the Seattle Scottish Highland Games Association. In reply: "We would like permission to reprint this in our 2003 Program. Please let me know if this would be OK as soon as possible. (my deadline is this Friday) Sorry for the late notification, but I just tripped across this when researching some of my advertising. I had forgotten that Sharon had sent it to me. If you would like additional credits or any other information, please let me know." Lynda Glaspey <aglaspey@gte.net> Program Chair Gathering of the Clans Many a bard in Gaelic tongue stories they have told, Mystic rhymes they sang throughout times of long ago. Na lovers lute, highland pipes nor thunder of drum was used. Charmed by words of voices no less felt than the flame of passion construed. Of Chief and clansman of oak wooded glen and dale, Kinsman each by blood oath in truth the same. Where aloft their kindred banners flew, In blue of Saint Andrews sky. Marshaled all to gather at first sight, Of signet cross of dancing firelight. Rose each man one and all of clan to answer the call, Targe and iron brand in hand from highland glen and lowland vale. To mustering place known only to their honored names, Where around their chieftain they resoundingly proclaimed loyalties the same. All claimed by birth and solemn word "Twas their right, To stand together against all foe and fight. Never forgetting the kinsman and land of their ancestral birth, And fighting for honor of freedom and all that it's worth. Such is the Caledonian heritage we now claim, In honor of our Ancestral Scottish name. No more the fiery cross need dance though the night, Nor sword and shield take up for bloody fight for right. Whether from humble bower or castle tower they still to this day gather, To wear the tartan braw and hear the pipes played sweet and free. They gather still to this day in peace to compete, These descendants of a still proud Caledonian race. Na blood spilt competing for honors today, Yet honors still there are to be won by end of each day. Where once again kinsman, kith and kin answer the call, And share the history of ancestors of their clan and family with all. "Cuimhnich air na daoine o'n d'thaining thu" Remembering the men from whom you are descendant. -Raymond L. Morehead, Esq FSA Scot Elected Clan Chief Newsletter 2

3 Order of the Red Oak Award As most of our membership knows this organization and its activities are not all done by me alone. It has taken a great amount of work to get to where we are today and we have only just begun. It takes enthusiastic and dedicated members working as a team to accomplish what needs to be done. As I have stated before, I cannot do this alone, and I have not done so. No one in this society is paid for his or her work. So why do they put up with all the extra work? Just putting up with me is enough to make the normal person run. So what keeps them going? There is no one answer, and in no way would I say that I speak for them. The staff and members of the Muirhead Clan Society in my opinion is dedicated to the same goals as we all are. They see the potential value in the legacy we are recording for our descendants and are willing to give of them selves to help make it a reality. I cannot pay them for the work they do, I know they would not accept it even if I could. They have the spirit; Heart and determination that makes everything work and benefit us all. In recognition of their great contributions to the Muirhead Clan Society in years past a special award certificate "The Muirhead Clan Society Order of the Oak Leaf Award" was developed to recognize outstanding members for their exceptional support, performance of duties and devotion of the Muirhead Clan Society. The recipient/recipients in the past received by mail a certificate especially designed by myself for this award. I thought it past time to start recognizing those members that are contributing so much of themselves for the greater good of us all in an even more special way. So with that in mind I have designed "Clan Muirhead's Order of the Red Oak" an Award/Medal to propose to the Elders and Members for approval to have the medal produced by Sparta Pewter the same people that make our Clan Badges. My idea was to have it made so that it could be worn as a Military Medal with ribbon or as a lapel pin for those who would wish it worn in that way and would the accompany the certificate to the award recipient/recipients. Funding for this award will be by donation as Clan funds cannot at this time support the cost. It has been estimated that the cost of the Mold and the first 100 would run around $ Contact Information: Raymond Morehead, Esq. FSA SCOT, Clan Chief Elect th Ave E. Bonney Lake, WA (253) raymond@clanmuirhead.com Sandie Morehead-Smith, Clan Secretary Summit Lake RD NW Olympia, WA sandie@clanmuirhead.com muirheadclansociety@hotmail.com Susan Shaw, Keeper of the Database PO Box 5126 Lacey, WA clanmuirhead@aol.com Adam Morehead, Clan Technician/Technical Advisor educky@hotmail.com Newsletter 3

4 So, you re thinking about going to Scotland? A good place to start your journey to the lovely land of your ancestors is: You may make most of your accommodation plans through them and learn a great deal about the Scotland of today. I recently received two brochures from the national tourism office. One is entitled 'Scotland Vacation Planner and the other is "Scotland Accommodation" and I'd urge you to obtain your own copies of them. They are excellent! Places to visit of interest to members of the Clan Muirhead: Glasgow Cathedral Bishop Andrew Muirhead, a son of Sir William Muirhead, of Lauchope, served as the bishop of Glasgow Cathedral from 1454 until his death in In 1471, he founded what is now the oldest house in Glasgow. It is located at the corner of Castle Street across from the cathedral and bears the Clan Muirhead crest of three acorns on bend argent. The house was recently restored and serves as a museum - free of charge. Mary, Queen of Scots, is reputed to have spent some time at the former manse. Muirheads have served as important religious leaders in Scotland both before, and after, the Protestant Reformation. For example, George Muirhead was an important figure in the 'Great Disruption of 1843' which resulted in the breakaway establishment of the Free Church of Scotland. Bredisholm The former home of the family of Muirhead was an estate named Bredisholm - a Nordic word meaning a hollow. It now forms part of the grounds of the Glasgow Zoo on the eastern edge of the city. The first home of the Muirheads was Lauchope House. Lauchope House The foundations of Lauchope House are located near the village of Holytown, not far from Airdrie. To get there, take the Motorway M8 to where it intersects with Highway A73. On the north side of M8 look for Chapelhall. The Roberton family, to the best of my knowledge,own Lauchope Mains. The family is connected with the Muirheads of Lauchope of yesteryear. Our Muirhead progenitor, William Muirhead was granted the estate by King Robert the Bruce for ridding the countryside of a certain giant named Bertram de Schotts by ambushing him and beheading him with his two handed sword. He took the robber's head to the king and was knighted and awarded the lands of Lauchope by the monarch. Members of the family fought, and died, in the Battle of Flodden which was fought at Branxton Hill in Northumberland, in June of The ballad, "The Laird of Muirhead" recites the story of the death of Sir John Muirhead, of Lauchope and Bullis, who perished there with "twa hundred o' his ain name" while serving as guards for James IV, of Scotland. Our president, Raymond L. Morehead,buried a Muirhead clan pin on the battlefield during his first visit to Scotland in Herbertshire Castle The former estate of William Morehead, Laird of Herbertshire, is located to the east of Holytown near Dunipace to the south of Stirling. Nothing remains of the castle but the foundations. William was a kinsman of the world famous inventor, James Watt, known as the 'Father of the Industrial Revolution' for the improvements he made to the steam engine. His mother was Agnes Muirhead [ ]. Stirling Stirling, the site of Stirling Castle and the Battle of Bannockburn, is a must visit location for members of the clan. The famed Wallace Monument, as well as the recently refurbished Stirling Castle are well worth a visit. Two of our members live in the area. James Muirhead, of the legal firm of Muirhead & Buchanan, of Stirling and Andrew Muirhead, who lives in Alva to the east of Stirling,would, I'm sure, be pleased to meet with other clan members and provide information, etc., about the area. Andrew is a librarian at the Stirling Library. His father, the late Ian Adair Muirhead, was a professor at the University of Glasgow - as were many members of the Muirhead family- and he made the 'Glasgow Connection' of the Muirhead-Watt connections. Newsletter 4

5 Blair Atholl The familial connection to the House of the Murrays of Atholl came with the marriage in 1785 of Lady Jane Murray, a daughter of the John and Charlotte Murray, the 3rd Duke and Duchess of Atholl, to John Grossett Muirhead, later laird of Bredisholm. The castle is open to the public. it is located north of the town of Stirling on the M9 - A9 Highway. Well worth a visit. The Duke of Atholl is the only person in Great Britain authorized to have his own army. On the way to Blair, a stop in Perth is highly recommended. Perth is the 'Gateway to the Highlands' and the home of the famed Black Watch Highland Regiment. The regiment owns a fine museum on the banks of the River Tay - the world renowned salmon fishing river. Glamis Castle Located to the east - and some 14 miles north of the author's hometown of Dundee is the village of Glamis, home of the Earls and Countesses of Glamis - the Bowes-Lyon family - Queen Elizabeth's late mother, was born there as was her sister, the late Princess Margaret Rose. Of particular interest to Muirheads is the fact that the aforementioned John Grossett Muirhead's uncle, Walter Grossett, of Logie, a son of the Muirhead heiress, Euphemia Muirhead, of Bredisholm, mounted an attack on the castle during the 1745 Rebellion to free prisoners seized at the Battle of Prestonpans by the Jacobite forces of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his lieutenant general, Lord George Murray, grandfather of Lady Jane Murray who was mentioned above. Walter's brother, Captain Alexander Grossett, of Price's Regiment, the 14th of Foot, would later be on the same battlefield at the Battle of Culloden Moor on 16 April 1746, and was positioned directly opposing the force commanded by the Lord George Murray on the left flank of the Hanoverian Army. Captain Grossett was killed on the field. One account, the official account, places his death on the day of the battle and is recorded in a 1747 engraving which purports to show his death at the hands of a Jacobite rebel whose life he had spared. The engraving can be seen on page 179 of Sir Fitzroy Maclean's book "a Concise History of Scotland". [The book is recommended as a pretrip primer on Scottish history] Another, more credible in the author's opinion, states that the captain was riding on the battlefield on the day after the battle, the 17th of April, when he came across a killing detail under the command on an English subaltern. When questioned by the captain, the young officer told him that his orders were to have any wounded Jacobite survivors bayoneted to death. Noting a slight movement by a prostrate rebel, Grossett pointed the man out to the subaltern and ordered him to kill the rebel. The young rebel forthwith withdrew a pistol from below his plaid and killed Captain Grossett. While not directly connected to the above, I cannot miss a commercial plug for haggis. A prize for the best haggis manufactured on the East Coast of Scotland was awarded to Gilbert Grossett, Butchers, of 190 Arbroath Road in Dundee. Gilbert is one of the author's three younger brothers who live in Monifieth and St Andrews, Scotland! Their sausages, mealie puddings and bridies are all succulent morsels, too. The former Grossett estate at Logie, in the village of Crossford to the west of Dunfermline, is also of interest. Grossetts owned it from It has been in the Hunt family possession since about Nearby is former home of Alexander Carnegie, the American industrialist, in Dunfermline, a former capital of Scotland and where the remains of King Robert, the Bruce, are interred in the cathedral. Edinburgh Across the Forth Bridges lies the present capital city, Edinburgh - pronounced Edinboro - not Edinburg. You would not amiss to spend four or five days in the city - Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Princes Street, the National Gallery, the new National Museum - two days - Register House for records of you ancestors. The place is full of history - and making more each day with the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe activities and the construction of the new parliament building, not to mention a visit to the Royal Yacht -"Britannia"- now permanently docked at the Edinburgh's port city of Leith. Well, I could blether on and on - but enough for the moment. As aye, David Grossett, Clan Elder Newsletter 5

6 Scots Art Note Cards From the Keeper of the Database $10.95 pack of 10 cards and envelopes Note cards are 41/4 x 51/2 in size, blank inside, white or cream parchment card stock. Orders of 10 cards all same art work or a pack of 10 mixed art work are welcome. Christmas Card No. 8, Greeting reads, In Gaelic and English as follows: "Slainte Maith, Sonas, agus Beartas" Good Health, Wealth, and Happiness "Daonnan agus am feast" Always and Forever "Nollaig Chridheil" Merry Christmas Custom orders welcome! All Sales goes to support the Muirhead Clan Society All donations above the cost will also be contributed to the clan fund. Order from: Muirhead Clan Society th Ave. E. Bonney Lake, WA Hi to all from the dry Northwest! Hope you have enjoyed you summer. Ours was record breaking, making it difficult to stay indoors with a computer. The Clan Database currently contains over 36,000 individuals! If you would like to contribute or make an addition or correction to this database, please contact me at clanmuirhead@aol.com. We are always looking to add to the database, as every new contribution aids us in completing this huge Muirhead/Muirheid/Morehead/Moorhead/Moorehead puzzle! Please remember, the database is not complete, rather, it is a work in progress. Additionally, some of the data is well documented, some of it is not. (Remember, a footnote does not make the data true - it only makes it easier to confirm or refute.) I currently have access to online census documents and would gladly search for an individual. Just me the name and any other information you may have on the individual you are looking for. Enjoy! Susan President receives unanimous vote by the Directors of Clan Wallace Society Worldwide to bestow lifetime membership to him for his untiring efforts to have the Maitland Papers Documents Illustrative of the Life and Times of Sir William Wallace translated. Our president is honored to accept this membership to Clan Wallace Worldwide, the Clan of Scotland s National Hero, Motto: PRO LIBERTATE Newsletter 6

7 Original Message From: "Connie Frandson" To: "Raymond Morehead" Sent: Friday, September 12, :04 AM Subject: Festival at Denver Hi, Raymond. I have meant to you for a month now and report on our experience at our first festival. Seems like time always gets away from me. We had a GREAT time! My sister, her husband, their two children and spouses, four grandchildren, myself, my husband, my daughter and her husband, my son, and four grandchildren, a total of 19, attended. It was a wonderful experience and all are excited about attending again. My sister and I made skirts for ourselves and our daughters, and we bought scarves for everyone, so while we were fully dressed, we felt we looked somewhat a part of the festival. We had two people stop by our tent and ask about the Muirheads. One of the gentlemen was L. W. Moyer. He is part of the Hunter Clan. He said he has gone to the festival for years, and has never found another Hunter nor a Muirhead so he was excited about finding us. We invited him to join in the parade with us which he did and we were delighted to have him. The other young man who inquired about us, said he had a great aunt from Virginia whose last name was Muirhead. Neither one of them have a computer to them, but Mr. Moyer did sign our book and give us his regular address. We were very honored to receive the Best Clan Parade award. We still are very much in the dark, but learned a little bit about the festivals. I do have some questions. Are you our Chieftan? A lot of the tents had pictures of their Chieftans and I wasn't sure who ours is. We received a Best Clan Parade ribbon for which we felt very honored. Left picture: Larry Hay, Clan Coordinator, Connie, Jo, and Jim Johnston, Clan Coordinator. They came to our tent and presented the ribbon to us. In all the books we looked at, and the tents that were there with genealogy lists, we could not find the Muirhead Clan listed. Why is that? We found a tent that does histories of names and found Muirhead there, but never listed as a clan. On the clan maps of Scotland, we could not find Muirhead either. Where were we? Also, will you tell me again, why the Muirhead tartan (fabric) is only available from the one mill? I don't have a digital camera, but I am attaching a Word document that has some pictures that I scanned from the festival. I thought you might like to see them. Newsletter 7

8 Right: L. W. Moyer from Leadville, CO Mr. Moyer came to our tent and was excited that he had found a Muirhead tent. He is part of the Hunter Clan and has never in the many years he has attended this festival, found a Muirhead or Hunter Clan tent. We invited him to join us in the parade which he did. We were delighted. Highlights of the Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering This year, we were in a different spot. Usually, we re placed under the red oaks. This year, we were placed so that Clan Hunter and Clan MacCord were on either side of us, as we were helping them with their first clan tents. You will also notice that this year, we had a LOT more items. We had more tables set up to showcase books and art for sale, the center table held the cases of Muirhead items. Clan MacCord was to the right of us (if looking at the tents as you would in the pictures.) and Clan Hunter was to our left. Newsletter 8

9 Clan Hunter tent, Saturday morning, just after setup. Clan President lets some siblings handle the sword and targe, to get an idea of what it felt like. As you can see by the smiles, they were enjoying pretending to be fierce Scottish warriors. Newsletter 9

10 Even the youngest boy was having fun, though he had a little more trouble holding everything up. Secretary Sandie Morehead-Smith (not in picture) reads a proclamation to the Hunters, presenting them with the Hunter case, officially handing over the Hunter Items for their use during Hunter events. President Raymond Morehead toasting James Lyman of Clan Hunter. James Lyman signing one of the official proclamations. One copy goes to them, one copy will go to Madame Hunter, and Muirhead Clan Society will keep one. Newsletter 10

11 Terri Lyman of Clan Hunter signs, as does Harold Andrews, Clan Ross, as witness. It s not official until you shake on it. Muirhead Clan President Raymond Morehead, James and Terri Lyman of Clan Hunter, and Harold Andrews, Clan Ross. Newsletter 11

12 NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM FOR SCOTTISH AMERICAN LEADERS At the invitation of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society, Clan Elder & Mrs David Grossett participated in a symposium at the Scottish Home in North Riverside, Chicago on the 19th- 20th of September. The national symposium for Scottish American leaders was presented jointly by the Illinois Saint Andrew Society and the American Scottish Foundation of New York City. While their travel arrangements precluded attendance at the educational and more interactive part of the program, David and Edna Mae greatly enjoyed meeting the other participants at a formal dinner in the Scottish Home, resplendent with tartan wall and window coverings and museum type paintings of MacBain of MacBain. which was painted in 1743 and another of Robert Burns, by Dana Pond, as well as a complete wall of glass-encased artifacts and photographs of particular interest to all of Scottish ancestry. David proudly wore his new muted Muirhead kilt to the affair, while Edna Mae sported her miniature Muirhead clan badge. Prior to the formal dinner there was a whisky tasting on the patio of the Scottish Home - in true Scottish style, the tasting was both expansive and expensive. Nothing but the best of the best and the hour added to the conviviality and enjoyment of all who had a wee dram - himself included! Among the attendees who represented the nine national organizations of The Scottish Coalition were the Rt. Hon. Lord Jamie Sempill, the XXIst Lord Sempill. Jamie, as he prefers to be called, is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs; Ms Fiona Kennedy, of Tartan-TV from Aberdeen, Scotland; and her associate, Robert Sproul-Cram formerly of the British Broadcasting Corporation. Fiona sang a lovely Scots mouth song and later, both she and Robert showed an example of their television programs - Scots activities in Chicago and New York city. [Their TV program airs once a week on the Canadian Broadcast System. Robert and Fiona are well-kent and wellloved figures in Scotland. Fiona's father is the famous Callum Kennedy, who is ranked among the best-ever of Scottish singers and entertainers]. The weather was just magnificent and the cameraderie was Scottish - what more could one ask for at such an event! Newsletter 12