Transcript of Precognition of Witnesses against John MacDonald on charges of fraud, October 1860.

John MacDonald (of Tobermory) was working as pilot on board the steamer Cantie Queen in August 1860 when he was approached by Roderick McKenzie and John Campbell on behalf of John MacDonald (the accused) with an offer to work as Master of the smack Mary Balfour. Later, MacDonald (of Tobermory) was asked to wreck the vessel at Barra for the sum of £20.

The report makes mention of various locations, including: Lancefield Quay, Glasgow; John Rankin’s Spirit Celler, Broomielaw; Londonderry; Jeantown, Lochcarron; Davidsons spirit Cellar near Lancefield Quay; McLachlan’s Spirit Shop, Jamaica Street; the Clyde Hotel, Broomielaw; Crinnan; the Isle of Canna; Custom House, Glasgow.

Statements are provided by: John MacDonald (seaman, Craigspure, Tobermory) and Neil Darroch (seaman, Tobermory).

Click to read a transcript of this item.

From the liveArgyll Archives in Lochgilphead, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.