Elizabeth McGrath - Born in a Field of Heather

Over the years I have come to know a wonderful bunch of people who are dedicated to the search for their family roots.  They are generous and often come into your life at serendipitous moments when you need them most.  Such is the case with William T. Hill.  We are related in several different ways, but primarily our connection is as descendants of Donald Chisholm and Elizabeth McGrath of  Inverness, Scotland.  We reconnected this week over the Chisholm family history and one sentence in his work caught my attention.  It stated that the matriarch of the Nova Scotia Chisholms, Elizabeth Mc Grath was born in a field of heather on the battlefield at Culloden Moor on April 16, 1746.

Clan Chisholm Cairn at Culloden

What a romantic and dramatic start to a life that would prove extraordinary from beginning to end!  Elizabeth was the daughter of Alexander and Ann McGrath and grew up in the spectacular hill country around Glen Moriston that runs between Loch Ness and Loch Cluaine in the highlands of Scotland.  She would have thrilled to the tales of the Jacobite rebellion and the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie right by her house to safety from the Butcher Cumberland.

In 1772, Elizabeth married Donald Chisholm of nearby Strathglass, son of John Daniel Chisholm of Culloden fame.  He and his clansmen stood shoulder to shoulder with their fellow Jacobites and suffered terrible casualties during that April battle.  Donald was a farmer and had his heart set of removing to North America where he had heard about the wonderful land available for the asking.

Sailing Ship Glasgow

In 1775 - on the brink of the American Revolution, Elizabeth, Donald and their little son, John climbed aboard the sailing ship "Glasgow" and headed out upon the waves towards New York.  Along with about 40 other young souls, they set out for a new land enduring a voyage in cramped, dirty quarters with poor quality food and primitive living conditions.  To make matters worse, on arrival in New York they were told they were not wanted unless they were willing to join the British sponsored 84th Regiment, Royal Highland Emigrants.  They were promised care and accommodation for their families (half rations for the women and 1/4 rations for the children)  for the duration of the war and free land in Nova Scotia when the war was over.

Sounding like a great solution, the families continued on to Halifax where the men began training, including the young boys of 11 years or so - who were to become drummer boys.

Soldier of the 84th Regiment
Royal Highland
Regiment

Elizabeth and her family went on to the Bay of Fundy region, where they were among the first farming families to settle in the area since the expulsion of the French.  They settled in an area they called Highland Village and while Donald took part in the Revolutionary War, Elizabeth began to build a new home.

At the wars end the land became their own, lush and bountiful in a place with equal beauty to her beloved highlands.  She had three sons, and finally a daughter, Polly who all prospered and produced families of their own.

Elizabeth died sometime after 1782 quietly leaving a life that started in a dramatic way and finished half way around the world with great challenges, great adventures and great achievements in between.  She was my 6th Great Grandmother.