Post by Cameronian on Mar 29, 2004 3:35:33 GMT -6
On the assumption that all of our Pioneer Cameron ancestors “ made their mark” upon the manner in which early Australia developed, could I offer this treasure that we hold in our Australian Clan History.
The Reminiscence of Alan Cameron –
Alan Cameron was the son of Angus "Taylor" Cameron, b. 24 Aug 1811, Ardnamurchan, who had married on 12 Aug 1834, Burdbie, Scotland, Anne Cameron, b. 1813, Ardnamurchan,
He arrived with wife and 2 children on "Brilliant", Jan 1838,
These two children who traveled out to Australia were both sons:
Duncan Cameron, b. 1835,
Allan Cameron, b. 1837,
In 1922 the year before his death, Alan dictated his life reminiscences to his daughter, this life that he had spent as one of our first Camerons in Australia, it is a poignant description of the life of our early Scottish ancestors in this country….. and one that we should remind ourselves of regularly
“Alan Cameron…… I will now write haphazard some account of our ship and what I know of many of the passengers.
We sailed from Tobermory, Scotland about the middle of September 1838 in the ship “Brilliant” 550 tons, we called at Capetown . The ship had too many passengers for her size and I heard them say that most of the males were on deck half the night…. The ship was kept very clean and we had no sickness…..six of seven children died but no grown-up people.
All passengers except two families were from Argyle-shire and we arrived in Sydney on the 19th January 1838 the 26th was the 50th Anniversary of New South Wales and that day started the first Anniversary Regatta ever held in Sydney.
There were about 40 Camerons onboard the “Boyne” the ship ‘old Sandy McPhee came out in brought over 200 Camerons from Lochaber, Father and Duncan Cameron were living at Cooley Camp, one morning when the landlord came with the ‘ Sydney Herald’ in his hand “ look here” he said “ The Camerons will fill this country over 200 arrived”….. I may mention the next batch came in the ship “Blonde”, between 40 & 50 Cameron, Robert Cameron and the father of Ewen Cameron Ulmarra and the Smith Flat Camerons came in her.
Again our relations numbered more than any other on the “Brilliant” there was Angus father and Ann Mother brother Duncan and I, Isabella my Maternal Grandmother. Uncles Angus and Duncan, John Aunt Mary, Maggie and Christina……Granny MacDonald and Duncan Cameron with his wife and sons Hugh, Dugald and Maggie ……of all of these only Maggie and I are left alive and we are in our 86th year……I often think of the courage of the old Cameron coming to a new land full of convicts with very little money in their pockets. Every soul on our ship was Scottish and it was about the 4th to arrive.
Over 20 years ago passed a few days with George McKay who was a Member of Parliament in Parkes Government (Sir Henry Parkes, Premier NSW) he had a son, a Bank Manager near Tenterfield (NSW) whilst having lunch with his wife and family two men came in to rob the bank, he would not allow the bank to be robbed so they killed him and cleared off, his little girl saw her father killed and never got over the shock.
Uncle Donald and Duncan Cameron (called Portuguese) went up New England way and Hugh MacMaster and family went Mudgee way they are rich squatters.
Donald Cameron a great friend of father’s and Archie Cameron both died on the Manning River Archie was a red-headed wild Highlander.
As far as I am aware there are only three or four of the “ Brilliant” folk, Maggie, Sandy McPherson born onboard ship coming out and myself. A few years ago at a Highland gathering the first year we wore the County badges, I had Argyll on my coat and I met a lady also from Argyll, I spoke to her and found we were both babies on the “ Brilliant”, she was a Cameron who married a Cameron daughter to Duncan (Portuguese) Cameron.
I have a good memory of ‘ old times’ I remember the disruption in the Free Church in 1843 and the 1st election held in Australia in 1843…. Andrew Lang and Richard Windeyer candidates ….. an Irishman killed a Scotsman named McGillvarey at the polls…..it was open voting them days, everyone knew how you voted so look out. I remember the Uncles going to vote with bows of ribbon on coats and horse-bridles.
I do not know if any care to read this, but many like to hear of old times, I do…..there were thousands of convicts at work serving their time after we came out some of the Gentlemen had hundreds of them….."
The Reminiscence of Alan Cameron –
Alan Cameron was the son of Angus "Taylor" Cameron, b. 24 Aug 1811, Ardnamurchan, who had married on 12 Aug 1834, Burdbie, Scotland, Anne Cameron, b. 1813, Ardnamurchan,
He arrived with wife and 2 children on "Brilliant", Jan 1838,
These two children who traveled out to Australia were both sons:
Duncan Cameron, b. 1835,
Allan Cameron, b. 1837,
In 1922 the year before his death, Alan dictated his life reminiscences to his daughter, this life that he had spent as one of our first Camerons in Australia, it is a poignant description of the life of our early Scottish ancestors in this country….. and one that we should remind ourselves of regularly
“Alan Cameron…… I will now write haphazard some account of our ship and what I know of many of the passengers.
We sailed from Tobermory, Scotland about the middle of September 1838 in the ship “Brilliant” 550 tons, we called at Capetown . The ship had too many passengers for her size and I heard them say that most of the males were on deck half the night…. The ship was kept very clean and we had no sickness…..six of seven children died but no grown-up people.
All passengers except two families were from Argyle-shire and we arrived in Sydney on the 19th January 1838 the 26th was the 50th Anniversary of New South Wales and that day started the first Anniversary Regatta ever held in Sydney.
There were about 40 Camerons onboard the “Boyne” the ship ‘old Sandy McPhee came out in brought over 200 Camerons from Lochaber, Father and Duncan Cameron were living at Cooley Camp, one morning when the landlord came with the ‘ Sydney Herald’ in his hand “ look here” he said “ The Camerons will fill this country over 200 arrived”….. I may mention the next batch came in the ship “Blonde”, between 40 & 50 Cameron, Robert Cameron and the father of Ewen Cameron Ulmarra and the Smith Flat Camerons came in her.
Again our relations numbered more than any other on the “Brilliant” there was Angus father and Ann Mother brother Duncan and I, Isabella my Maternal Grandmother. Uncles Angus and Duncan, John Aunt Mary, Maggie and Christina……Granny MacDonald and Duncan Cameron with his wife and sons Hugh, Dugald and Maggie ……of all of these only Maggie and I are left alive and we are in our 86th year……I often think of the courage of the old Cameron coming to a new land full of convicts with very little money in their pockets. Every soul on our ship was Scottish and it was about the 4th to arrive.
Over 20 years ago passed a few days with George McKay who was a Member of Parliament in Parkes Government (Sir Henry Parkes, Premier NSW) he had a son, a Bank Manager near Tenterfield (NSW) whilst having lunch with his wife and family two men came in to rob the bank, he would not allow the bank to be robbed so they killed him and cleared off, his little girl saw her father killed and never got over the shock.
Uncle Donald and Duncan Cameron (called Portuguese) went up New England way and Hugh MacMaster and family went Mudgee way they are rich squatters.
Donald Cameron a great friend of father’s and Archie Cameron both died on the Manning River Archie was a red-headed wild Highlander.
As far as I am aware there are only three or four of the “ Brilliant” folk, Maggie, Sandy McPherson born onboard ship coming out and myself. A few years ago at a Highland gathering the first year we wore the County badges, I had Argyll on my coat and I met a lady also from Argyll, I spoke to her and found we were both babies on the “ Brilliant”, she was a Cameron who married a Cameron daughter to Duncan (Portuguese) Cameron.
I have a good memory of ‘ old times’ I remember the disruption in the Free Church in 1843 and the 1st election held in Australia in 1843…. Andrew Lang and Richard Windeyer candidates ….. an Irishman killed a Scotsman named McGillvarey at the polls…..it was open voting them days, everyone knew how you voted so look out. I remember the Uncles going to vote with bows of ribbon on coats and horse-bridles.
I do not know if any care to read this, but many like to hear of old times, I do…..there were thousands of convicts at work serving their time after we came out some of the Gentlemen had hundreds of them….."
Hi , my friend "down under"! What a lovely photo of yoursel'!! I really enjoyed this post. Could almost hear the old man sitting there talking by the fire... thanks for sharing it with us!
")
Peg,
I forgot to tell you he had me tell the Cameron list he was unable to email but could receive email. I was just shocked when he passed on...Aonaibh re cheile, the one in Heaven! 
