Need Help with a John Cameron of Fassiefern

[bhtodd]

Hello. Thanks for such a wonderful site, and all the work it takes to operate it. I am new at this, so forgive my errrors. I am seeking assistance locating information on my Cameron Ancestors. I have an excerpt from my great grandmother's Diary that gives a lot of confusing (to me) facts. Just having visited this site for the first time today, I am certain that one, or more, of you will steer me in the right direction. My grandmother was Mary Cameron Cole of Clarence, Ontario. Her mother was Margaret Elizabeth Edwards Cole, whose mother was Anne McNair Cameron, daughter of John Cameron and Elizabeth McNair. I will include portions of the Diary here, and the whole four pages are available by e-mail in Word format to anyone interested. This may take more than one post...

From the Diary of Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Edwards, Westmount, Quebec May 16th, 1899
"Mother is visiting us. I am going to try and get some items concerning our ancestors in Scotland. She was nine months old when her people came to Canada. Mother is now 81 years old and is an exceedingly handsome woman.
They arrived in Montreal when the potatoes were being dug in the fall, and went to Mr. Duncan Cameron’s, an uncle of Mrs. J.A. Cameron’s, afterwards of Standacona Hall. Afterwards they went to Glengarry and from there, after seven years, to Cumberland, Ontario.
Mr. John A. Cameron’s father, John Cameron, was a British Officer. Mother lived near his father’s home at first. He received a grant of land on leaving the Army and named the Township Lochaber, where his land was. There was a time in Scotland when for three years people who came to Canada received land free. Mother’s parents took seven years to prepare to come, but they bought their own land and were in comfort. Grandfather Cameron paid 60 Guineas for cabin passage to Canada. Mother’s passage money as an infant was three pounds. So they were always independent. They had such stacks of household effects that one, Judge McDonald, remarked of them, “That’s the first man I have ever seen come out with property. It looks as if he were going to start a business.” They came in 1818. Two of my mother’s grandfathers were at Quebec with Wolfe. Both Highlanders.
Her mother’s father was a McNair. He was purveyor for the regiment. Her mother’s mother was a Stuart, of the Royal Stuarts. She was the ancestor who Lochiel Cameron tried to steal away for a friend of his own who wished to marry her. He had 24 men on horseback to carry off one woman. My great great Grandmother Stuart was too much for the cavalcade. She rode after them on horseback and rescued her daughter. Afterwards, when this same girl Isabell Stuart was to be married at her Uncle’s house was a Minister Lochiel Cameron come with 12 men to stop the marriage but she persisted and married McNair, who was a Roman Catholic.

[bhtodd]

(Continued from the Diary above)
"It’s from our Ancestor Stuart we get our pride. The were people of importance. They lived in Badnock (sic). One of mother’s ancestors (her grandmother’s cousin) was tutor to one of King George’s children. He taught them the Galec (sic). He was a man of learning evidently, and lived in what was then elegance in Scotland.

Mother’s father was a John Cameron of Fassiefern, near Fort William, in Scotland. They lived for generations in the same home. His mother was a Connel or Conal. A Cousin of his was the first merchant who was an Importer to Montreal. His great Grandfather (my grandfather’s great Grandfather) was with Prince Charlie when he signed the declaration that he would be a Protestant. (Prince Charlie is supposed to have spent the night before Culloden in one of the rooms in Fassiefern and it is still kept sacred to his memory.) Mother’s father’s father was in the Lochail (sic) Cameron’s regiment of Highlanders that came with Wolfe to Quebec. He was quite a boy, and was wounded. Afterwards, he received a pension until his death. He was married three times and lived to be ninety-nine. We have several relations in South Carolina –Camerons.

A first cousin of my Mother’s father (John Cameron) whose name was McCrae, went to India as a clerk. He died there without a family and left a fortune to his mother who was a Cameron. Peter Cameron, son of Sir Ewen Cameron, undertook to take care of it for her. She never heard more of it. Grandfather would have been one of the heirs, as she had no children but the one in India."

[bhtodd]

(Continued from the Diary)

Yesterday, May 15th, we got news of Mr. John A. Cameron’s death at Standacona Hall, Ottawa. His wife was of the same family of Camerons as my Mother. Her father, Allan Cameron, was related to my Grandfather Cameron. “Aunt Sally” was his sister. She was the Mother of Mrs. Thomas Christie of Ottawa. “Aunt Jessie” was “Aunt Sally’s” daughter. I remember “Aunt Jessie” as we always called her. She lived in Ottawa while we lived there at Cambridge St.

Grandfather Cameron had a half-brother, Alexander Cameron, who went to Sault Ste. Marie. We heard that one of his daughters married a Judge McCrae. A full brother of my Grandfather’s lived always in Scotland. His name was Allan Cameron. My brother John Edwards, who was once in Scotland, heard that he was married and lived six miles from Fort William. He was described by my Grandfather as “a real gentleman and so handsome”. Our ancestors were of the Royal Camerons and are the legitimate race. We are Black John’s descendants.

I am writing this all down for my children to read someday. I’ve gathered it from a talk with Mother. Some day these things about their ancestors who were never “fisher folks” in Scotland may be of interest. It’s pleasant to think that one comes from good wholesome legitimate stock as my children do on my side. I know little of their father’s, except that his Mother [Mary Cameron] is always spoken of with the utmost respect and she was a Cameron. Mother tells me stories of Scotland often. My grandmother remembered the time Colonel Cameron’s body was brought home from Quatre Bras. An Aunt of mine, Aunt Catherine nine months old—died the morning the ship sailed into the harbour with his body. My grandmother was standing at the window looking out when the vessel came in. They lived then in Fassiefern. Sir Ewan Cameron was knighted then in recognition of his son Colonel Cameron’s services. Sir Ewan tried his best to prevent my grandfather leaving Scotland. My mother Ann Cameron was the only one of the family not born at Fassiefern. She thinks it was not far from there, but it is a Gaelec (sic) name.

Edwin’s mother was Mary Cameron, her father was from Lochaber, Scotland. She was a cousin some removed to my mother. Mother once saw Edwin’s grandmother Cameron. She was a very nice looking lady. Edwin’s grandfather was also of the line of Chiefs. Old Mrs. Ewan Cameron in Thurso, Que., always told me with a great sense of importance “You are of the right line, and him too”. Him was Edwin [her husband, Edwin Alfred Cole]. “Ah, his mother was a fine woman. Many a night we slept together. She and me.” Mrs. Ewan Cameron is now 88. Her husband was a connection of my grandfather. My mother cannot remember the name of her birthplace. It’s a Galic (sic) name and not far from Fassiefern, she thinks. She thinks they were all registered at Fassiefern, but does not know about herself, where she was registered."

Much of this makes my head spin, with cousins marrying, and everyone with the same names, generation after generation. I'll appreciate any help. Thanks for your time,
Harris

[Robert S Cameron]

I've had a good look at the Fassiefern claim in the diary and, allowing for some of the usual embellishment and one unnecessary generation, it does seem possible that Anne McNair Cameron was a granddaughter of Donald Cameron, 2nd son of the original John Cameron of Fassifern. Donald was certainly at Quebec with Wolfe (see a letter in the archive section). He didn't live until 91 and I don't have record of any marriage to a Connell though a 3rd marriage is certainly possible. Donald seems to have had a natural son John about 1760 to an unknown mother, later to be known as John of Kilmodan, South Argyll, where he remained until his death at 80. He had another son Col. Charles Cameron of the Buffs born 1779 (or 1777) to his wife Catherine (probably a Campbell), and perhaps another son Archibald born 1774. A second legitimate John is possible after 1780, when Catherine was still living.

The claim that John (father of Anne McNair C.) Cameron's great grandfather (probably should read grandfather) Cameron of Fassifern was "with Prince Charlie when he signed the declaration to be a Protestant" is interesting. Was John of Fassifern in London in 1750 when Charles converted in the Strand?

I can't identify any others mentioned, except of course Sir Ewen, Peter Cameron and Colonel John.

Harris, I will email you a copy of the Fassifern family tree as I know it in the hope something else will ring a bell for you.

Bob Cameron
Leura, NSW

[2006]

Hello Harris:
I am most imterested in your information. It seems I also am of this line.I would very much like to receive your information , as you offer it.
I need a link from Charles Cameron b Inverness-shire, Scotland, 1783 , somehow was in Quebec in Quebec 1790 and enlsted as a Drummer Boy. On dischsrge he travelled to Town of York, now Toronto, Ontario and eventually got a land grant in Peel County. He raised a family and died there.
From the DNA informatiion on clan-cameron I note there are about nine Cameron Participants with the same line of genes. The common ancestor seems to be Donald and it was previously thought to be James.
I am seeking that link at this time and I would be happy to hear more from you. My ancestors were also at Louisbourg and the Plains of Abraham. I look forward to hearing more.
Delphine Large(Cameron)
Victoria, B.C. ,Canada

[ianjonefan]

I have some information on a John Cameron of Fasssiefern who was a Col. in the Gordon Highlanders during the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and died fighting in that battle. Watever information I have I'll be willing to share. Please send name, street address , & zip-code so I can send you what information I have. If this John Cameron of Fassiefern is an ancestor , also try findagrave.com to find the grave of John Cameron Battle of Waterloo 1815.ianjonefan

[Eilidh]

Dear ianjonefan
Please note that even though John Cameron of Fassiefern was initially interred in Belgium after Waterloo (as per the stone shown in findagrave) his body was ultimately returned to Scotland and re-interred in the Kilmallie Churchyard at Corpach. There is a small building where he is buried with a plaque and also an impressive tall memorial with an inscription near the church. Regards Ele

[Eilidh]

Hi Further on my last post. The building John Cameron is buried in was the original Kilmallie Church, and the memorial near the new church is an obelisk. Also see my post in Cameron History about the Memoir of Colonel John Cameron of Fassiefern. Regards Ele

[eastpoint]

I am a new member her and late in picking up the thread on the Fassiefern Cameron, however I am also interested in finding this link . My direct line can be traced to Charles Edward Cameron ,born1752 in Norfolk Virginia. His Father was a Dr. John Cameron of Fassiefern ,son of John of Fassiefern (1695)grandson Donald and ggson of Ewen. His mother was Margret MacBanon
I have not been able to validate this link to Scotland. I would appreciate any help .
Cameron Blandford

[ChrisDoak]

Hi Cameron,

Welcome to the board.

I think that maybe some of your family stories have got a wee bit mangled over the years,and that somebody has latched on to a Cameron of Fassifern connection where unfortunately one does not exist.

John Cameron of Fassifern,brother to Donald Cameron of Locheil,and second son of John Cameron of Locheil,only aquired the rent of the farm called Fassifern in 1734.Previously to that it had no Cameron connection,and was long-possessed by a family of McLachlans.

John Cameron,himself a mere businessman and merchant rather than a doctor,was married in the late 1730s to Jean Campbell of Achallader. The marriage survived until their deaths,and it was his only marriage.

At the time of Charles Edward Cameron's birth in Norfolk,Virginia in 1752,John Cameron of Fassifern was under arrest,and imprisonned in Scotland.I believe Charles Edward had a younger brother George Hugh,and at the period when he was born in Virginia,John Cameron was under a 10-year banishment to Northumberland,England.

However,as John Cameron of Fassifern was not married until his late 30s,we can't rule out him having fathered an illegitimate son in his younger days,and that that son may have been the father of Charles.Never come across any reference to his indescretions though!

Regards,Chris.

[eastpoint]

Chris , thank you....boy you poked a hole in that ballone...!!! Aw well, now another mistery . The "passed down history " was that Charles Edward was orignally named George Hugh, but after a night of recalling the "Bonny Prince" a priest was called and a renaming took place.. Well it is a good story. Two generations later I do have a great grandfather named George Hugh Cameron .
So what you are telling me...... I have no idea who the father of Charles Edward was.
Any ideas on how to find out? As you can see I am new at this .
Cameron Blandford

[ChrisDoak]

Hi Cameron,

Sorry for bursting your bubble!

I suspect you are only going to find out the name of Charles'father (if at all),by finding some reference to him in old Virginia documents.I think that these have been very well digested and indexed,and someone with a bit of local knowledge there,might be able to point you in the right direction.

I see on the Web that others have been researching the origins of Charles,so you should also try Googling "charles edward cameron norfolk (or virginia)" for instance,and you might come across something worthwhile.

Good luck!

Cheers,Chris.
Glasgow,Scotland.

[heritagelady]

I am new to this site, having just discovered it last night. My husband is related to the Camerons through Ann McNair and Euphemia Cameron who married William and James Cameron in Canada. I was fascinated to read the excerpts from the diary of Margaret Elizabeth Edwards Cole. What I am looking for is information on John Cameron and Ann McNair and the preceding generations. I have a lot of information on the Edwards side of the family, but am severely lacking on the Cameron side.

I would like to share information with anyone who can help fill in the "blanks"

[ianjonefan]

Was your John Cameron of Fassiefern a Capt / Col . who fought in the 1815 Battle of Waterloo ? If so ,I can mail you a copy of what I have on him . I too am supposed to have a conection to the Camerons of Fassiefern .As stated about I'll be glad to mail you what information I have on him . It's not much , but it might be what yoy're looking for .
You can reach me by e-mail cu1745yahoo.com , or Personal message .
ianjonefan