The Moon families in Balinuarain

Balinuarain

Balinuarain (Balinuern), just north of Old Blair

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Donald Moon the tailor

The Roll of the Duke of Atholl's Fencible Men (1705-06) lists only eight men with the surname of Moon, and all of the subsequent Moons appear to be their descendants. Of course, it is possible that a Moon over the age of 60 had a son below the age of 16, but it is difficult to tell. Nothing of any substance is known about Donald Moon the tailor except that he was living in the East Mains of Blair. If he was the father of the John Moon who married Ann Stewart, then he probably was born around 1660 or slightly later.

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John Moon and Ann Stewart in Haugh of Blair

The Blair Atholl OPRs record that John Moon and Ann Stewart had a son baptised and named Donald on 2nd June 1723, but the birth took place at Urchil-beg (Orchil-beg) in Moulin parish, to the east of Aldclune which straddled the parish boundary with Blair Atholl. There are no other baptisms for a couple with these names in Moulin parish and, as baptisms in the Blair Atholl OPR only commenced in 1718, the baptism of Donald in 1723 would appear to be that of the first child who probably was named after his paternal grandfather.

If John Moon had come from Blair Atholl parish, which is almost certain, their marriage was before Blair Atholl marriages were formally recorded, and there is no marriage banns in the Moulin OPR at this time. However, there is one for a couple with these names nearly eight years later.

Moulin OPR, 28th January 1731
John Moon in this parish and Ann Stewart in the parish of Blair Atholl, being legally contracted, booked and proclaimed and no objection offered, were married 25th February.

This could be a coincidence, but very few men have the surname of Moon at this time, and the forename of Ann is also uncommon. If one looks at the whole of Perthshire from 1710 until 1740 there are 1,332 recorded baptisms. Of these boys and girls, only 28 have the surname of Moon. Similarly, only 46 Stewarts have the forename of Ann, Anne or Anna. Consequently the probability that these are the same couple exceeds 99.5%. So, how can the facts be explained.

If John Moon was a tailor, like his father, he would not be dependent on having a farm to work but could move from Blair Atholl parish to Moulin parish where there might be better prospects. After setting up at Orchil-beg, it is likely that he would occasionally return to see his parents in the East Mains of Blair, and on one of these visits he probably made Ann Stewart pregnant. That would have been serious as the Kirk Session would have fined them heavily for the offence, and made them sit on the 'stool of repentance' for three Sabbaths, in front of the whole Congregation.

There is no mention of it in the Blair Atholl Kirk Session minutes, so the couple probably returned to Moulin parish where everyone would have assumed that they had been married in Blair Atholl parish. Between 1723 and 1731 the couple could have had more children but many baptisms were not entered into the OPR as a fee had to be paid. It is suggested that the couple decided to return to Blair Atholl parish and settle in the Haugh of Blair, close to East Mains. However, to be on the safe side, they decided to get married in Moulin parish before they left. Orchil-beg and Moulin village are well separated by the Pass of Killiecrankie and the couple probably would not be recognised by the Minister of Moulin, and back in Blair Atholl they would be able to say that they had been married in Moulin without saying exactly when.

It is possible that the couple had more children in Haugh of Blair between 28th January 1731 and 17th April 1737, when their daughter Margaret was baptised, but the baptismal records were poorly kept at this time. Normally one might have expected up to 100 baptisms annually, but in 1731 there were just thirty-four, none in 1732, seven in 1733, fifteen in 1734, twenty-two in 1735 and it was not until 1736 that the number returned to over 100. Two unrecorded children might be Duncan and Katharine.

In Blair Atholl there was a strong tradition for naming the first two sons after the paternal and maternal grandfathers respectively, and the first two daughters after the grandmothers. This suggests that John Moon and Ann Stewart had a son Duncan who married Katharine Moon, the daughter of Thomas Moon and Christian Stewart in Ardkincael. It is worth noting that the use of Ann and Thomas as forenames was uncommon at this time. Later evidence suggests that Duncan also had a sister named Katharine.

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(Generation 2) The Children of John Moon and Ann Stewart

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
Donald 2 Jun 1723 . . Haugh of Blair d.
Duncan ~1725 Katharine Moon 13 Jan 1761 Balinuarain h. after 1785
w.
Katharine ~1730 George Gow 6 Sep 1759 Balinuarain h.
w.
Margaret 17 Apr 1737 Donald Reid 9 Aug 1763 Moulin parish h.
w.

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Duncan Moon and Katharine Moon in Balinuarain

Duncan Moon took over the tenancy of a ½ merk land at Balinuarain from George Stewart in 1757. It is unlikely that the Atholl Estate Factor would have given a tack (lease) to anyone much younger than 30 years, suggesting that Duncan was born around 1725. The other tenant was a George Ritchie, who was succeeded until 1778 by Duncan Ritchie, his eldest son. Duncan Moon was single when he took up the tack and it would appear that his sister Katharine was acting as his housekeeper.

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Katharine Moon in Balinuarain and George Gow in Balinuarain had an illegitimate daughter baptised on 22nd July 1759 and named Margaret. The couple married 6th September 1759 but did not have any more children. Katharine seems to have died at a young age as George Gow in Atholl House and Janet McMillan in Atholl House, married 6 Dec 1765, and this must be the same fellow as their first three children were born at Balinuarain.

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Duncan Moon in Balinuarain and Isobel Richie in Balinuarain had an illegitimate daughter, Margaret, 12th March 1760 but the couple did not married. Instead, Duncan married Katharine Moon in Balnacroft.

Blair Atholl OPR, 13th January 1761
Duncan Moon in Balinuarain and Katharine Moon in Balnacroft, married.

The couple had six children between 1761 and 1776, all born at Balinuarain.

In 1775 Duncan Moon was £6 Scots in arrears for his ½ plough of land but he seems to have cleared the debt as he was granted two further leases: from 1779 to 1784; and from 1785 to 1787. In 1788 the settlement of Balinuarain was cleared and the land incorporated into Blairuachdar. However Balinuarain is fleetingly mentioned twice in 1782 for two separate illegitimate births, so perhaps the buildings were retained as accommodation for farm servants at Blairuachdar.

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(Generation 3) The Children of Duncan Moon and Katharine Moon in Balinuarain

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
John 2 Nov 1761 Helen Dewar
(Nelly)
24 Jan 1813 Pitlochry h.
w.
Thomas 16 May 1764 . . Balinuarain d.
Ann 25 May 1767 John McIntyre 26 Apr 1793 Clune-beg h.
w.
Christian
(Chirstan)
5 Aug 1770 Charles Cuthbert
(Charles Culbert)
25 Nov 1812,
Caputh
Blairgowrie h. before 1841
w. 18 Dec 1857
Katharine 30 May 1773 . . Balinuarain d.
Donald 25 Jun 1776 . . Balinuarain d.

In 1778 the Atholl Estate census states that there was another Duncan Moon living at Balinuarain, a married tailor who employed two servants: James Robertson senior and James Robertson junior, both of whom were tailors. This Duncan Moon was married to Katharine Cree and it is possible that he was the son of John Moon and Isabel McCra who married in Moulin parish, 18th May 1738.

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John Moon and Helen (Nelly) Dewar in Pitlochry

The information concerning this family is the culmination from a number of sources, and additional material may come to light in the future. The marriage of the couple took place in Moulin parish and does not state where either party were living, so the connection to Balinuarain appears tenuous.

Moulin OPR, 24th January 1813
John Moon and Nelly Dewar, both in this parish, married.

The baptisms of only two children appear in the Moulin OPR: Donald, 6th June 1812; and Isabel, 16th October 1823. Luckily, the Minister of Moulin's 1820 census is more informative.

Address Name Status Age Occupation
Pitlochry John Moon head 52y wright
Helen Dewar wife 32y .
Donald Moon son 8y .
Helen Moon dau 6y .
Catherine Moon dau 4y .
Duncan Moon son 2y .
John Moon son 3m .

This confirms that their son Donald, born in 1812, was illegitimate. Naming tradition is still strong, but naming an illegitimate son after your father probably isn't the best route to family harmony. So, ignoring Donald, the first son born after the marriage was baptised as Duncan while the second daughter was given the name of Catherine. So, despite the families living in different parishes, there is a probable link.

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(Generation 4) The Children of John Moon and Helen (Nelly) Dewar in Pitlochry

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
Donald 6 Jun 1812 Janet Scott 27 Jun 1836 Tomcroy h. 1888
w. 1881-88
Helen ~1814 Peter Ferguson 30 Jun 1851 Blairgowrie h.
w. 20 Mar 1893
Catherine ~1816 James Stewart 26 Oct 1851 Dundee h. 1871-74
w. 26 Nov 1886
Duncan ~1818 unmarried . Tomdachoille,
Logierait
d. 24 Aug 1887
John ~1820 . . Pitlochry d.
Isabel 16 Oct 1823 Donald McIntyre Jan 19 1844 Pitagowan h. by 1899
w. 13 May 1899

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Donald Moon and Janet Scott in Kinnaird and Tomcroy

There were two Donald Moons around this time, one born 1st December 1810 and the other born 6th June 1812. Luckily the death certificate of Duncan Moon who died at Tomdachoille in 1887 gives the informant as Duncan Moon in Tomcroy, nephew. So the 1812 Donald must be the deceased Duncan's brother.

Moulin OPR, 27th June 1836
Donald Moon and Janet Scott, both in this parish, married.

The couple seem to have 6 daughters and a son, but the baptism of Catharine seems to have been entered twice: 15th March 1842 and 14th March 1843. All of the children were born at Tomcroy, except the first Margaret and Helen who were born at Kinnaird.

Finding the family in the 1841 census for Moulin (3/11) is not made easy by having the surname indexed as Mean instead of Moon

Dwelling Name Age Occupation Birthplace
Tomcroy Donald Moon 25y Perthshire
Janet Moon 20y Perthshire
Mary Moon
(Margaret)
4y Perthshire
Helen Moon 2y Perthshire
Janet Moon 0y Perthshire

The family was still living at Tomcroy in the 1851 census for Moulin (3/23).

Dwelling Name Related Status Age Occupation Birthplace
Tomcroy Donald Moon head marr 40y farm labourer Tomcroy
Janet Moon wife marr 35y Kinnaird
Helen Moon dau u/m 12y Kinnaird
Janet Moon dau u/m 10y Tomcroy
Cathrine Moon dau u/m 8y Tomcroy
Margaret Moon dau u/m 6y Tomcroy
Ann Moon dau u/m 4y Tomcroy
Duncan Moon son u/m 0y Tomcroy
infant unrelated
male
u/m 0y Moulin

The identity of the unrelated male infant is unknown. Perhaps the parish was paying the family to act as foster parents.

Only two of the children remain at the family in the 1861 census for Moulin (3/16).

Dwelling Name Related Status Age Occupation Birthplace
Tomcroy Donald Moon head marr 48y ag. labourer Moulin
Janet Moon wife marr 51y . Moulin
Helen Moon dau u/m 22y domestic servt. Moulin
Duncan Moon son u/m 10y scholar Moulin

The family in the 1881 census for Moulin (3/15) was still living at Tomcroy.

Dwelling Name Related Status Age Occupation Birthplace
Donald Moon head marr 60y road surfaceman Moulin
Janet Moon wife marr 62y Moulin
Annie Moon dau u/m 31y housemaid Moulin
Duncan Moon son u/m 29y cabinet-maker Moulin

Donald Moon died 27th July 1888 and his last will and testament was lodged with the Perth Sheriff Court. It states that Donald was a roadman living at Tomcroy, near Pitlochry, and he appointed his son Donald Moon, cabinetmaker in Pitlochry to be his executor with instruction to pay all his just and lawful debts, death and funeral expenses, and to make payment of legacies. Firstly to his daughter Annie Moon, all of the household furniture, plate, linen and plenishing of every description. Secondly, to his son Duncan Moon, the sum of one hundred pounds sterling. The remainder of his estate was bequeathed to his daughter Annie Moon. All others were excluded as he said that he was so indebted to them for his support in the past. The inventory of his estate showed that he had £5 cash in the house, household furniture and other effects to the value of £4 16s, money deposited, with interest, with the Union Bank of Scotland Ltd., Pitlochry, to the sum of £165 19s 7d.

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(Generation 5) The Children of Donald Moon and Janet Scott in Kinnaird and Tomcroy

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
Margaret Dec 23 1836 died in childhood . Kinnaird d. 1841-44
Helen Dec 26 1838 . . Kinnaird d.
Janet Mar 21 1839 . . Tomcroy d.
Catharine Mar 15 1842 . . Tomcroy d.
Margaret Jan 25 1844 . . Tomcroy d.
Ann Feb 26 1847 unmaried . Knockard,
Pitlochry
d. 28 Jan 1924
Duncan Jun 14 1850 unmarried . Knockard,
Pitlochry
d. 12 Jul 1911

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Peter Ferguson and Helen Moon in Blairgowrie

Logierait OPR, 30th June 1851
Peter Ferguson and Helen Moon, both residing in Dunfallandy in this parish, gave up their names for proclamation of the banns of marriage 27th June 1851, were proclaimed 29th June 1851 and were married 30th June 1851.

1881 census for Carsie Small Farm, Blairgowrie, shows Peter Ferguson aged 59y, hawker, born in Blair Atholl
Helen Ferguson (Moon), wife aged 56y, born Moulin
Duncan Ferguson, son aged 26 years, general labourer born Moulin.

Helen Ferguson, widow of Peter Ferguson, labourer, died at Carsie, Blairgowrie, on 20th March 1893 aged 73 years. Parents given as John Moon, joiner, and Helen Dewar, both deceased. Informant was her son Duncan Ferguson.

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James Stewart and Catherine Moon in Dundee

The 1851 census for Dull (10/3) shows that Catherine was a 24 year old housemaid, working at Shierglas for Robert McDonald. Her place of birth was Pitlochry.

Dull OPR, 26th October 1851
James Stewart, labourer, lately being at Shierglas and now in Aberfeldy, and Catharine Moon, housemaid at Shierglas, both residing in this parish were proclaimed in order to marriage at the parish church of Dull and no objection offered.

Logierait OPR, 6th June 1852
Ann, antenuptial daughter to James Stewart, labourer in Ballinluig of Dunfallandy, and Catherine Moon was born 29th February 1852 and baptised 6th June 1852.

Logierait OPR, 21st May 1854
John, lawful son to James Stewart, labourer in Ballinluig of Dunfallandy, and Catherine Moon, born 21st May 1854 and baptised 8th August.

Blairgowrie, 1856
Helen, daughter to James Stewart and Catherine Moon.

Burgh of Dundee, District of St Clement, 1877
On 22nd June 1877 at 35 Hill Street, Charles McKay, bachelor and yarn warehouseman aged 20 years in 2 Main Street married Hellen Stewart, spinster and powerloom weaver aged 20 years in 2 Main Street. Witnessed by John Robertson and Jane McLeod. His parents were given as Neil McKay, plumber journeyman, and Margaret Coulls, both deceased. Her parents were given as James Stewart, deceased ploughman, and Catherine Moon.

In 1881 Catherine M. Stewart, widow, was living at 2 Main Street, Dundee, with her son-in-law Alexander Barnet Reid, an engine smith, and his wife Agnes S. aged 29y, who had been born in Blair Atholl.

Catherine Stewart, widow of James Stewart, ploughman, died at 2 Hill Street, Dundee, on 26th November 1886 aged 58 years. Parents given as John Moon, journeyman joiner, and Helen Dewar, both deceased. Informant was her son-in-law Charles McKay, occupier.

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(Generation 5) The Children of James Stewart and Catherine Moon in Dundee

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
Ann
(Agnes?)
Feb 29 1852 Alexander B.
Reid
1874? Dundee h.
w.
John May 21 1854 . . Dundee d.

There is an interesting similarity concerning Ballinluig of Dunfallandy.

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Alexander Stewart and Ann Moon in Ballinluig of Dunfallandy

Logierait OPR, 30th July 1853
Alexander Stewart, Mains of Fincastle, parish of Dull, and Ann Moon, Ballinluig of Dunfallandy in this parish, gave up their names for proclamation of the Banns of Marriage, 30th July 1853, were proclaimed on the 31st July 1853.

Dull OPR, 31st July 1853
Alexander Stewart, ploughman, residing at the Mains of Fincastle in this parish and Ann Moon, maid servant residing at Ballinluig of Dunfallandy in the parish of Logierait, were duly proclaimed in order to marriage and no objections offered.

Logierait OPR, 21st July 1853
John, antenuptial son of Alexander Stewart, labourer in Ballinluig of Dunfallandy, and Ann Moon was born 21st July 1851 and baptised 5th August 1853

Logierait OPR, 5th August 1853
John, lawful son to Alexander Stewart, labourer in Ballinluig of Dunfallandy, and Ann Moon, born 21st July 1853 and baptised 5th August.

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Duncan Moon, maltman in Logierait parish

Duncan Moon, retired maltman, residing at Tomdachoil in the parish of Logierait, died 24th August 1887 and appointed his nephew Donald Moon, road surfaceman residing at Tomcroy, to be his executor. His estate consisted of 8s cash in the house, household furniture and other effects valued at £2 7s, a deposit with interest of £110 13s 7d lodged with the Commercial Bank of Scotland Ltd., a second deposit with the same bank of £201 10s, a deposit with interest of £200 19s 9d lodged with the Bank of Scotland Ltd., a second deposit with the same bank of £100 9s 10d, a deposit with interest of £311 2s 10d lodged with the Union Bank of Scotland Ltd., a second deposit with the same bank of £200 3s 9d, a deposit with interest of £8 3s 105d lodged with the Pitlochry Savings Bank. Totalling £1,139 3s 2d.

Duncan Moon, unmarried labourer aged 67 years, died at Tomdachoille, parish of Logierait, on 24th August 1887. His parents were given as John Moon, labourer, and Helen Dewar, both deceased. The informant was his nephew, Duncan Moon in Tomcroy.

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Donald McIntyre, guide, and Isabella Moon in Pitagowan

Isabella McIntyre, widow of Donald McIntyre, guide, died at Pitagowan on 13th May 1899 aged 75 years. Parents were unknown, except that they were both deceased and her father had been a joiner. Informant was her son Duncan McIntyre.

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Thomas Moon in Bridgend of Tilt

The National Records of Scotland (ref: GD 132/534) contains the minute of a tack (lease) made by James Robertson of Lude to Thomas Moon in Bridgend of Tilt of the lint mill there for 7 years, with proposals for building a barley mill.

There are no records of a Thomas Moon living at Bridgend of Tilt, so it must be assumed that he was unmarried. Thomas is an uncommon name in this parish and there are only two Thomas Moon born in this period who would be of the right age to be leasing a lint mill. One was the son of Duncan Moon and Katharine Moon, and would have been 37 years old. The other Thomas was the son of George Moon and Margaret Stewart and would have been 46 years old. In all probability the Thomas Moon in question was the son from the other family.

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John McIntyre and Ann Moon in Clune-beg

The use of Ann as a Moon forename is uncommon in Blair Atholl parish, so Duncan and Katharine's daughter appears to be the same Ann who married John McIntyre in (Balinluig of) Strathgroy. Balinuarain had been cleared of tenants in 1788, and Ann must have moved to Balinluig of Strathgroy, possibly as a domestic servant. She was nearly 26 years old when she married.

Blair Atholl OPR, 26th April 1793
John McIntyre and Ann Moon, both in Strathgroy, married.

The couple had three children, the first two being born at Clune-beg and the last being born at Ceannamoin.

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The Children of John McIntyre and Ann Moon in Clune-beg

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
Elisabeth Jun 2 1794 John H. Galletly Dec 9 1826
Clunie parish
Rattray h. after 1870
w. 4 Mar 1870
Katharine Mar 30 1799 . . Ceannamoin d.
John Apr 26 1802 . . Ceannamoin d. 1857?

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John H. Galletly and Elizabeth Moon in Rattray

Elizabeth McIntyre, married to John Haggart(?) Galletly, mealster, died 4th March 1870 at New Rattray aged 69 years. Her parents were given as John McIntyre, farmer, and Ann Moon, both deceased. The informant was her husband.

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Charles Cuthbert and Christian Moon in Blairgowrie

Caputh OPR, 25th November 1812
Charles Culbert (sic) and Chirstan Moon, both in this parish, being regularly proclaimed, were married 25th November.

Christian Moon was 42 when she married, but there is no doubt that this was the same Christian as her death certificate shows that her parents were Duncan Moon and Catharine Moon. Perhaps it is not surprising that there is no record of any children. Charles Culbert, or Cuthbert, died before the 1841 census.

The Blairgowrie census for 1841 (7/3) shows that Christian Culbert, aged 60 years, was living on her own in John Street. She was a yarn filler and had been born in Perthshire.

The Blairgowrie census for 1851 (9/10) shows that Christina Moon, aged 72 years, was still living on her own in John Street. Her occupation was given as flax yarn winder and she had been born in Blair Atholl.

Christina Cuthbert, widow, died at John Street, Blairgowrie, on 18th December 1857 aged 78 years and was buried in the parish churchyard. Her parents were given as Duncan Moon and Catharine Moon, both deceased. The informant was John H. Gallerty?, maltman in New Rattray.

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Donald Reid and Margaret Moon in Moulin parish

Moulin OPR, 9th August 1763
Donald Reid and Margaret Moon, both in this parish, being legally booked were married August 9th.

No children have been identified for this couple.

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