Payments to emigrants from Tiree to Canada in August 1849
Transcription of a list of payments made to emigrants to Canada in August 1849.
Courtesy of His Grace the Duke of Argyll
In 1847, the second year of the potato famine, the Central Relief Board assumed overall control of the relief efforts of the Free Church and the Destitution Committees of Glasgow and Edinburgh. The following year inspectors were appointed to ensure that all recipients passed the ‘destitution test’.
No-one was eligible for relief until all their means were exhausted. Able-bodied labourers were excluded as were those who had a legal claim to subsistence from the Parish. Those considered fit enough were expected to labour outdoors on public works, the rest to spin, knit or make nets.
To ensure that only the truly destitute would accept relief, the meal ration was cut to one pound a day and paid for by the whole labour of the recipient. Such harsh conditions and the promise of assisted passages from the Estate persuaded a further 364 to emigrate from Tiree in 1849.
Photocopied extract from `Oighreachd agus Gabhaltas`: `Aimhreit an Fhearainn an Tiriodh, 1886` by Prof. Donald Meek.
Paper about the land agitation on Tiree in the 1880s, in particular the disturbances centring on Greenhill, the arrival of the marines and the subsequent court case.
Includes unofficial translation ‘Land Agitation in Tiree in 1886’ by Donald Meek.
Audio cassette recording of 1985 BBC Reidio nan Gaidheal programme about the Balemartine bard by Donald Meek.
Professor Donald Meek talks on BBC Reidio nan Gaidheal in 1985 about the Balemartine bard, John MacLean (1827-1895), his songs and poetry including A’ Chailinn Mhaiseach Dhonn, Calum Beag, Di-moladh na Tea, Manitoba and Breacan Màiri Uisdean, the community he lived in, clearances, emigration and Land Leagues. Tha an Àrd-Ollamh Dòmhnall Meek a’ bruidhinn air Rèidio nan Gàidheal ann an 1985 mu Bhàrd Bhaile Mhartainn, Iain Mac ’Ill ’Leathain (1827-1895); na h-òrain ’s am bàrdachd aige nam measg A’ Chailinn Mhaiseach Dhonn, A’ Chaluim Bhig, Dì-Moladh na Tea, Manitoba agus Breacan Mairi Uisdein; a’ choimhearsnachd; eilthireachd; agus Tirisdich a shabaid an aghaidh nan uachdaranan.
Photocopied newspaper cutting about Pipe-Major John MacDonald.
Photograph and article about Pipe-Major John MacDonald of Tiree who served in the Seaforth Highlanders and saw service in both the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny.
Twelve colour photographs of the New Zealand gravestones of Sir Donald Maclean and his family.
New Zealand gravestones of Sir Donald MacLean, Alexander MacLean, Archibald and Catherine MacLean, Sir Robert Donald Douglas MacLean, Florence and Beatrice MacLean, and Algernon MacLean.
