The Family of Alexander McKenzie in Rinancoillach (Reinakyllich), Glen Girnaig

The ruins of Rinancoillach (Reinakyllich) in Glen Girnaig, with Carn Liath beyond

Alexander McKenzie was the son of Thomas McKenzie, forester in Rinancoillach, who had a life tack (lease) granted by John, Duke of Atholl and dated 1st October 1719, with a yearly payment of 100 merks and six wedders. It was also noted that the former tack for 1,200 merks, from 1715, was still resting with him and that the interest on the loan offset some of this annual payment.

In 1729 a new tack was given by the Duke of Atholl to Beatrix Robertson, widow of the late Alexander McKenzie, son of Thomas McKenzie in Rienaceallach, for half of Rienaceallach and Rieniand, currently held by her father-in-law. This seems to indicate that Thomas McKenzie's health was failing and if he died the life tack on Rinancoillach would terminate. Normally a son would take up his father's tack, but Alexander had died unexpectedly leaving a widow with several childen still too young to take out the tack in their own right. So Beatrix had taken out the tack on their behalf.

Thomas McKenzie seems to have died in 1729 as the Duke redeemed the wadsett in that year, paying £120 Scots to Beatrix Robertson and a similar sum to Elspeth McKenzie, the widow of David McKenzie who had farmed Rieniand. So the repayment seems to have been split equally between Rinancoillach and Rieniand rather than between Thomas's children as neither Donald McKenzie nor his sister were mentioned.

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(Generation 1) The Family of Thomas McKenzie, forester at Rinancoillach

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(Generation 2) The Family of Alexander McKenzie and Beatrix Robertson in Rinancoillach

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The 'Chronicles of Atholl and Tullibardine Families' mention that John MacKenzie and Thomas MacKenzie of Ruidh-nan-culloch (Rinancoillach) were lieutenants in the Jacobite army, and these must have been Alexander's sons. Thomas was probably the elder, named after his grandfather and having the tack for part of Dauchinlialash in his name. After the Act of General Pardon in June 1747 he was able to come out of hiding and married Janet Robertson, the third daughter of John Robertson in Lettoch, Moulin parish. It is interesting to note that his cousins, who likewise were involved in the '45 Rising, also got married at this time.

(Generation 3) The Family of Thomas McKenzie and Janet Robertson in Rinancoillach

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Thomas's son Alexander married Elspeth McKenzie, the daughter of Robert McKenzie in Blairgowrie.

(Generation 4) The Family of Alexander McKenzie and Elspeth McKenzie in Rinancoillach

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Thomas's daughter Isobel married Donald McDonald from Glenfernate.

(Generation 4) The Family of Donald McDonald of Glenfernate and Isobel McKenzie

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Alexander's daughter Ann married Donald Robertson from Seanbhaile of Glentilt. The family moved to Croftcrombie between 1750 and 1752. (see Patrick Lamont/McGilliwie in Loin Conlach)

(Generation 3) The Family of Donald Robertson and Ann McKenzie in Seanbhaile of Glentilt

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Donald Robertson's son James married his cousin Beatrice, or Betty, the daughter of James McKenzie and Christian Stewart in Rinancoillach. Initially the family lived at Croftcrombie, but in 1790 they moved to Tomgoulach in Moulin parish.

(Generation 4) The Family of James Robertson and Beatrice McKenzie in Croftcrombie

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(Generation 2) John McKenzie in Rinancoillach

The 'Chronicles of Atholl and Tullibardine Families' mention that John MacKenzie of Ruidh-nan-culloch (Rinancoillach) was a lieutenant in the Jacobite army during the 1745/6 Rising, but does not mention what happened to him. Perhaps, like so many others, he died at Culloden but it would be nice to think that perhaps he survived and lived to tell of daring deeds and lost causes in his old age.

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Alexander's son James married Christian Stewart who lived at Bridgend of Bruar.

(Generation 3) The Family of James McKenzie and Christian Stewart in Rinancoillach

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James's son Alexander married Isabel Stewart around 1792, but no marriage entry has been found at present. The Blair Atholl OPR gives Rinancoillach as the place of birth for all of the children, but the annual rental for parts of Cnappaig and Balnald of Clune dates back to 1790. This give the impression that, although the family were actually living at Cnappaig or Balnald, it was being stated that these were McKenzies from Rinancoillach.

Alexander's annual rent for Balnald from 1790 until 1800 was £5 and 2 poultry, but in 1802 the new Factor increased this to £11. By 1820 the Factor was complaining that Alexander was unable to keep the farm properly and that it should be let to someone else. However, Alexander was still the tenant in 1823, and described by the Factor as "litigatious and worthless". Alexander's son William was offering £40 as rental for 2 years in 1825 and the census shows that widow Isabel and her sons Alexander and William were still farming Balnald in 1841.

(Generation 4) The Family of Alexander McKenzie and Isabel Stewart in Rinancoillach

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Alexander's daughter Christian married Niel Stewart in Craggan. The 1851 census for Craggan shows that Christian was a widow, farming 6 acres with her son John, a pupil teacher.

(Generation 5) The Family of Niel Stewart and Christian McKenzie in Craggan

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Alexander's daughter Isabel married James Robertson in Kincraigie. She was working at Urrard, Moulin parish, at the time.

(Generation 5) The Family of James Robertson and Isobel McKenzie in Kincraigie

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Alexander's daughter Marjory, who was also known as Mary, married her cousin James McKenzie in Duntaulich. In the 1851 census for Middleton, there is mentioned Isabel Hill, 13 year old neice, scholar, born in Dull parish.

(Generation 5) The Family of James McKenzie and Marjory McKenzie in Duntaulich

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James's daughter Marjory married Alexander McLaren in Riephicair on 4th December 1778, but he died the following year and the baptism of their daughter Christian was sponsored by his brother Robert McLaren in Loin-Conlach.

(Generation 4) The Family of Alexander McLaren and Marjory McKenzie in Riephicair

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James's daughter Janet married Robert Stewart in Toldunie on 24th December 1785. Robert died 1790/1 and the baptism of their son Patrick was sponsored by John Robertson in Mill of Kincraigie.

(Generation 4) The Family of Robert Stewart and Janet McKenzie in Toldunie

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James's son William married Jean Stewart from Nether Orchil, Moulin parish. The couple had at least eight children, but only four baptisms are recorded in the Blair Atholl OPR. The other children have been identified from parentage information on death certificates, so there may be other children as yet unfound.

(Generation 4) The Family of William McKenzie and Jean Stewart in Rinancoillach

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Alexander Stewart and Christian McKenzie in Runroy

William's daughter Christian probably married Alexander Stewart in Runroy on 23rd September 1823, but there is a shadow of doubt. She is of the right age, but gave her residence as Kirkton of Lude at the time of her marriage. Likewise her death certificate gives her father as William McKenzie, farmer, deceased, which would be correct, but her mother is given as Elizabeth Stewart, not Jean (Jane) Stewart. On the positive side she was buried close to the Rinancoillach McKenzies and McBeaths in St Brides, Old Blair.

Erected by William Stewart in memory of his father Alexander Stewart who died at Runroy 2nd May 1862 aged 81 and his mother Christian McKenzie who died there 4th June 1886 aged 87 and his brother Alexander who also died there 31st August 1868 aged 36 and his sister Elizabeth who died at Runroy 11th November 1896 aged 68 and his son William who died 25th April 1924 aged 80

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(Generation 5) The Family of Alexander Stewart and Christian McKenzie in Runroy

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William's son John married Christian Robertson from Bruar on 7th December 1844, but she soon died. His second wife was his cousin Grace McKenzie from Tombeithe (Tombea).

(Generation 5) The Family of John McKenzie and Grace McKenzie in Rinancoillach

The Inventory of John's McKenzie's estate, which was given in by his widow then living in Tombea, amounted to £420 9s 4d Scots. It consisted of:
£1 cash in the house;
£61 0s 5d with the Central Bank of Scotland, Pitlochry;
£56 12s 2d with the Commercial Bank of Scotland, Pitlochry;
£51 9s 3d with the Perth Banking Co., Pitlochry;
£7 5s 6d for household furniture, bed and table linen;
£85 16s 0d for sheep;
£157 6s 0d for farm stock and implements of husbandry sold by roup

Grace Mckenzie had a memorial stone for her husband erected at Old Blair (St Bride's) churchyard.

Erected by Grace McKenzie in memory of her beloved husband John McKenzie farmer Reinacoillach who died on the 27th April 1856 aged 52 years

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Peter McKenzie and Betsy Lamont in Tom-na-gaoith (Tomnaguie)

In 1862 William's son Peter married Betsy Lamont, the daughter of Patrick McGilliwie or Lamont and Ann Gow of Loin Conlach.

When Ann Gow drew up her Last Will and Testament she insisted that her only daughter, Betsy, should receive thirty pounds stirling. This was a large sum of money and guaranteed her some independence.

1871 census for Tom-na-gaoithe

1881 census for Tom-na-gaoithe

* 'Lawson' is a mistake for 'Lamont'.

Peter died in 1889 and was buried at Old Blair (St Bride's) churchyard with the rest of the McKenzies.

To the memory of Peter MacKenzie son of Wm. MacKenzie, Ruidh-nan-coillach for many years tenant of Tom-na-gaoith who died at Alltclune 24th April 1889 aged 77 years This stone was placed by his sorrowing wife Betsy Lamont

Betsy died on the 11th June 1896 at Fender Bridge.

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William's son William married Christian McKenzie, his 2^nd cousin from Easter Kindrochit but, instead of marrying at the parish church in Blair Atholl, they had the ceremony carried out in Perth on 27th July 1860. They were staying at Blue Bell Close, Perth, and the witnesses were John Reid and D. Robertson.

1861 census needed. Were they in Dundavie?

(Generation 5) The Family of William McKenzie and Christian McKenzie in Dundavie

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Thomas McKenzie and Girsel Stewart of Tombeithe (Tombea)

James's son Thomas married Girsel (Grace) Stewart before 1800, but the marriage date and her parentage are unknown.

Around 1820 it was decided to combine the leases of Tombeithe and Pitdornie on the south side of the River Garry, and in 1822 they were leased to ... McLauchlan and J. McKenzie (James?). The following year they were given a 15 year lease for the joint property.

In 1842 the Factor reported that the rent was £17 in arrears, but that Thomas McKenzie was "a good man" and had paid his share, while McLauchlan was to blame for the arrears. The 1841 census shows that Thomas McKenzie was quite old by that time.

1841 census for Tombeithe

1851 census for Tombeithe

Donald McKenzie must have helped the enumerator fill in the census form, as he is the uncle of Christian McKenzie and Thomas Robertson.

John McKenzie is probably the son of Robert McKenzie and Grace Stewart in Ardtulichan, who was born 10th May 1834.

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(Generation 4) The Family of Thomas McKenzie and Girsel Stewart in Rinancoillach and Tombeithe (Tombea)

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James McKenzie and Margaret Stewart of Easter Kindrochit

Thomas's son James married Margaret Stewart, the daughter of Neil Stewart and Margaret Robertson, but the date of the marriage is unknown.

The Blair Atholl OPR states that all of the children were born at Tombeithe although the family were living at (Easter) Kindrochit.

1851 census for Easter Kindrochit

The eldest daughter, Christian McKenzie, was a house servant for William McKenzie at Tombea in 1851.

James McKenzie died in 1876 and was buried at St Brides in Old Blair.

1877 Erected to the memory of James MacKenzie farmer, Easter Kindrochit who died 25th May 1876 aged 76 years Also of Margaret Stewart his wife who died 18th February 1877 aged 75 years And of their grand-daughter Margaret MacCallum who died 1st November 1872 aged 3 years 8 months Also Neil Stewart McKenzie land steward who died at Drumlanrig 15th October 1896 aged 55 years Also Thomas McKenzie, Kindrochit who died 2nd May 1911 aged 75 years Also Grace McCallum, Bruar who died 8th November 1917 aged 84 years

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(Generation 5) The Family of James McKenzie and Margaret Stewart of Easter Kindrochit

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(Generation 6) The Family of James McCallum and Grace McKenzie in Bruar

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Thomas's daughter Christian married Duncan Robertson, the blacksmith in Struan, on 7th January 1827.

(Generation 5) The Family of Duncan Robertson and Christian McKenzie in Struan

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Thomas's son Donald married his second cousin Elizabeth Stewart on 21st December 1855 at Croftgowan, Fincastle. She gave her usual residence as Tombea, where she was working as a servant. She was the daughter of Alexander Stewart, labourer in Croftgowan, and Isabella MacKenzie and was born 17th June 1835 at the Mains of Fincastle, meaning that she was 20 years old and not 27 as written on the marriage certificate. Perhaps, the fact that her husband was 48 may have been an influence. The marriage was witnessed by Robert Stewart, labourer, and John Stewart, labourer. The latter may have been her brother who was born 3rd August 1826.

(Generation 5) The Family of Donald McKenzie and Elizabeth Stewart in Tombeithe (Tombea)

There is a memorial stone to Donald McKenzie and his family in the churchyard of St Brides in Old Blair.

1877 Loving memory of Donald MacKenzie Tombeithe, Killicrankie died 27th November 1887 aged 82 years and his wife Elizabeth Stewart his wife who died 14th Augusty 1910 aged 80 years Also their family Elizabeth died 1876 aged 3 years Robert died 1886 aged 18 years Donald died 1890 aged 29 years Alexander died 1894 aged 36 years Thomas died 1942 aged 66 years John died 1943 aged 79 years James died 1944 aged 82 years Grace died 1950 aged 87 years

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Thomas's daughter Betty (Betsy) married Duncan Stewart, a farmer at Ardtulichan, on 1st September 1833.

(Generation 5) The Family of Duncan Stewart and Betty (Betsy) McKenzie in Ardtulichan

There is a memorial stone to Duncan Stewart and his family in the churchyard of St Brides in Old Blair, which reads:

Ardtulichan Stuarts: D.S. 1883; John Stuart in Mains of Bonskeid, Pitlochry, 9th April 1888 aged 48; wife Jessie Anderson, 22nd March 1920 aged 91 (round top edge) Duncan Stuart 3rd march 1877

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Alexander's son Alexander married Helen Robertson from the village of Blair.

(Generation 3) The Family of Alexander McKenzie and Helen Robertson in Inverslainie

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