Clan Gunn Chief - Braehour descent line
The Clan Gunn Convention totally ignored Lord Lyon’s first guideline for the holding of a Family Convention, namely –
The ‘Braehour Gunns’ provide an excellent example of a ‘likely’ Gunn Chief line which should have been discussed at the Convention; one proof is that the Commander used this line as part of his 1984 claim to be made Clan Gunn Chief.
Now Lord Lyon Sellar rejected an earlier petition for a Family Convention, which wanted to make the Commander Chief, on the basis that ‘it has become evident that there is in all probability clear and proveable lines of descent senior to that of the present Commander’http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/files/Gunn%20Family%20Convention%20-%20Interlocutor%20refusing%20petition%20in%20hoc%20statu.pdf which means that Lord Lyon Sellar accepted that the ‘Braehour Gunn’ Chief line exists but considered that the Commander was not the right person to be so nominated as Chief (under the guideline for the holding of a Family Convention) as he was a not a senior enough member of that line. In other words Lord Lyon expects the most senior person of the ‘likely’ line to be nominated as Chief.
Therefore the ‘Braehour’ line should have been discussed at the Convention as Lord Lyon Sellar has, by implication, given legal recognition to it as descending from the Clan Gunn Chief line.
The key points of this ‘Braehour Gunn’ line are
Given Lord Lyon may disallow lines for various reasons (lack of marriage, for example) I have provided three lines. I believe successful claimants not bearing the name Gunn would have to change their name to Gunn.
Braehour Gunns
So what do I mean by the ‘Braehour Gunn’ line? In summary it is below –
* John Gunn of Kilearnan & Navidale 4th Mackeamish had
* Alexander Gunn 5th Mackeamish
* George Gunn of Borrobol
+unknown spouse
* John Gunn b. circa 1660
+unknown spouse
*Alexander Gunn (Dalnaglaton & Strathmore) b. 7 Jan 1685, d Jun 1765
+Janet Macleod b. 1 Aug 1695, m. 10 Aug 1716
* John Gunn (Dalnaha, Strathmore & Braehour) b. 21 Jun 1721 at CAI, Scotland, d. 1 810
+Marjorie (May) Dunbar (Rowens & Hempriggs) b. 10 Jan 1727, m. 2 Jul 1745 at CAI, Scotland
* Donald Gunn (Sennachy) (Braehour & Brawlbin) b. 16 Jun 1765 at Halkirk, CAI, Scotland, d. 3 Jan 1861 at CAI, Scotland
+Catherine Gunn (Osclay) b. circa 1782 at CAI, Scotland, m. 3 Mar 1807 at CAI, Scotland, d. 1870
Part of this line was agreed to by Lord Lyon Sellar in his September 2011 Interlocutor where he accepted -
1. ‘6 Alexander 5th Mackeamish’ had
2. ‘34 George Gunn of Borrobol’ had
3. ‘35 John Gunn in Kinbrace’ – from the senior son of John Gunn comes the ‘Chief Hector’ line and, from the second son, my ‘Braehour and Brawlbin’ line. I believe ‘35 John Gunn’ is not in Kinbrace as primary source documents show it to be impossible (see my Kinbrace discussion elsewhere on this site); but it is the person, not the place, which matters as a link to a John Gunn has been accepted as a Chief link.
*****
There are two variations of the Braehour descent from the Clan Gunn Chiefs. The main issue is whether the line is from Alexander Gunn 5th Mackeamish or from another son of John of Navidale, 4th Mackeamish (see later, under ‘Proof a’ Burke’s Peerage). In essence I accept the 1896 family tree of Captain Alexander Gunn as Captain Gunn and his father (Donald Gunn the Sennachy, shown above) are accepted as major historians of Clan Gunn material -
Captain Gunn, Braehour … is admitted to be, if not the greatest, at least a genuine, living authority on Gunn questions … It were strange if the captain had not been well posted up in all historic points, seeing that his father, Donald Gunn, Braehour, was the acknowledged sennachy or historian of his time … an unusually leaned sennachy.
Thomas Sinclair, The Gunns, Pages 185-186
And Captain Gunn is a direct descendant of this Braehour line so is writing about his direct ancestors on the 1896 tree. This direct descent would lessen the chance of errors – the critical John Gunn (as Lord Lyon accepted proof from the Chiefs down to him, as mentioned earlier) was merely his great great grandfather. I would suggest that anyone reading this article will have accurate knowledge of their own great great grandfathers and so should accept this aspect of this tree as highly likely to be accurate, unless proved otherwise, especially given that Captain Gunn’s father Donald (Braehour) was a highly regarded Sennachy and so it is legitimate to assume Donald would have drilled his son in genealogical matters, especially of his own, direct family.
Finally, though, the confusion does not matter as what is important is that both lines accept that Donald Gunn of Braehour and Brawlbin was directly descended from the Mackeamish - Chief - line.
PROOF
a. From Burke’s Peerage[2]
JOHN GUNN OF KILEARNAN and NAVIDALE, 5th MACKEAMISH; … married 2nd (contract 6 March 1641) Catherine, daughter of Francis Sinclair, fiar of Dun, and had:
2a George, of Achintoul; had:
1b John, of Knockfinn; married –, and had:
1c Alexander, of Dalnaglaton; born c 1688; married Janet McLeod, and died June 1765 (memorial at Dirlot), leaving:
1d John, of Braehour; born c 1722; witness in Gunn succession hearing, Wick 1803; died 1810, leaving:
1e Donald, of Brawlbin and Braehour; married 28 Feb 1807 Catherine Gunn, and died Reay 1861
I question some of the above, but the link from a Mackeamish – any Mackeamish - to Donald Gunn of Braehour and Brawlbin is the issue which matters. This line shows Donald Gunn of Braehour and Brawlbin with direct descent from a Mackeamish.
b. Thomas Sinclair, pages 121- 122
He writes –
The second cadet branch from (Chief) John of Navidale was … (then it is inaccurate but ends with) Donald the sennachy Brawlbin… .’
The inaccuracies do not closely match either of the two main descent lines. This extract does add support for Donald of Braehour and Brawlbin descending, somehow, from John Gunn 4th Mackeamish.
c. Thomas Sinclair, page 176
Where he is discussing the ‘Braehour Parchments and Papers’ of Captain Alexander Gunn, says –
Captain Gunn traces … back to a second son of John of Kinbrace (being ‘35 John Gunn in Kinbrace’) Alexander Gunn, Dalnaglaton, who died in 1765. His son John, Braehour, died in 1810. Donald Braehour and Brawlbin, who died in 1861, was John’s son and successor.
And
‘Hector Gunn, Thurso, and my grandfather,’ Captain Gunn says, ‘were first cousins; their fathers, George of Knockfinn, and Alexander, Dalnaglaton, being brothers, the sons of John (being ‘35 John Gunn in Kinbrace’) …, son of George of Borroble, second son of Alexander of Killearnan and Navidale.’
The second quote is strongly supported by Captain Gunn’s actual tree. Again, the issue is simple – Donald Gunn of Braehour and Brawlbin shared common ancestors with the Hector Gunn line recognised in the 2011 Interlocutor as having ‘Chief’ descent.
d. Commander Iain Gunn of Banniskirk’s 1984 petition to be Chief of the Clan Gunn
On pages 3 - 4 of the Commander’s petition he accepts the line from Alexander Gunn 5th Mackeamish to ‘35 John Gunn in Kinbrace’, then he details the Chief Hector line which matches the 2011 Interlocutor.
Footnotes to the above (and below)
[2] ‘Burke’s Peerage’ has Commander Gunn of Banniskirk’s descent being less senior than mine, and that the name Gunn has not always been his family name whereas my family has always carried the name Gunn.
[3] For information on these important trees see the ‘Appendix’ in Thomas Sinclair’s The Gunns or http://clangunn.weebly.com/clan-gunn-blog/clan-gunn-history-and-clan-gunn-genealogy-rediscovered-scottish-archives-vol-19-2013 These trees were drawn by a younger brother of Catherine Gunn of Osclay; she married Donald Gunn the Sennachy (the Braehour line).
- Where a blood link to a past Chief or Head of Name is likely but is not conclusively proven and it is wished to propose a particular person in that situation to be recognised as Chief. http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/656.html
The ‘Braehour Gunns’ provide an excellent example of a ‘likely’ Gunn Chief line which should have been discussed at the Convention; one proof is that the Commander used this line as part of his 1984 claim to be made Clan Gunn Chief.
Now Lord Lyon Sellar rejected an earlier petition for a Family Convention, which wanted to make the Commander Chief, on the basis that ‘it has become evident that there is in all probability clear and proveable lines of descent senior to that of the present Commander’http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/files/Gunn%20Family%20Convention%20-%20Interlocutor%20refusing%20petition%20in%20hoc%20statu.pdf which means that Lord Lyon Sellar accepted that the ‘Braehour Gunn’ Chief line exists but considered that the Commander was not the right person to be so nominated as Chief (under the guideline for the holding of a Family Convention) as he was a not a senior enough member of that line. In other words Lord Lyon expects the most senior person of the ‘likely’ line to be nominated as Chief.
Therefore the ‘Braehour’ line should have been discussed at the Convention as Lord Lyon Sellar has, by implication, given legal recognition to it as descending from the Clan Gunn Chief line.
The key points of this ‘Braehour Gunn’ line are
- I descend from this line and am convinced that my family is the most senior known to have always held the name Gunn, this includes Gunns marrying Gunns.
- The Commander also descends from this line but his line is junior to mine, and was not always Gunn.
- Following discussion with Lyon Court, if one was presenting a case for Chiefship at the Lyon Court lines of descent from females are of equal importance to male lines. Other important female senior lines which have not been Gunn for some time include –
- ‘Chief’ Hector Gunn’s family. This line is the most senior Braehour line. I have been in contact with a descendant.
- ‘Gunns of Durness’; although the male line has died out there may be female lines.
- From my Australian side the most senior would be from Dorothy Catherine Swears who was born 1902 in Devon; I believe she had children.
Given Lord Lyon may disallow lines for various reasons (lack of marriage, for example) I have provided three lines. I believe successful claimants not bearing the name Gunn would have to change their name to Gunn.
Braehour Gunns
So what do I mean by the ‘Braehour Gunn’ line? In summary it is below –
* John Gunn of Kilearnan & Navidale 4th Mackeamish had
* Alexander Gunn 5th Mackeamish
* George Gunn of Borrobol
+unknown spouse
* John Gunn b. circa 1660
+unknown spouse
*Alexander Gunn (Dalnaglaton & Strathmore) b. 7 Jan 1685, d Jun 1765
+Janet Macleod b. 1 Aug 1695, m. 10 Aug 1716
* John Gunn (Dalnaha, Strathmore & Braehour) b. 21 Jun 1721 at CAI, Scotland, d. 1 810
+Marjorie (May) Dunbar (Rowens & Hempriggs) b. 10 Jan 1727, m. 2 Jul 1745 at CAI, Scotland
* Donald Gunn (Sennachy) (Braehour & Brawlbin) b. 16 Jun 1765 at Halkirk, CAI, Scotland, d. 3 Jan 1861 at CAI, Scotland
+Catherine Gunn (Osclay) b. circa 1782 at CAI, Scotland, m. 3 Mar 1807 at CAI, Scotland, d. 1870
Part of this line was agreed to by Lord Lyon Sellar in his September 2011 Interlocutor where he accepted -
1. ‘6 Alexander 5th Mackeamish’ had
2. ‘34 George Gunn of Borrobol’ had
3. ‘35 John Gunn in Kinbrace’ – from the senior son of John Gunn comes the ‘Chief Hector’ line and, from the second son, my ‘Braehour and Brawlbin’ line. I believe ‘35 John Gunn’ is not in Kinbrace as primary source documents show it to be impossible (see my Kinbrace discussion elsewhere on this site); but it is the person, not the place, which matters as a link to a John Gunn has been accepted as a Chief link.
*****
There are two variations of the Braehour descent from the Clan Gunn Chiefs. The main issue is whether the line is from Alexander Gunn 5th Mackeamish or from another son of John of Navidale, 4th Mackeamish (see later, under ‘Proof a’ Burke’s Peerage). In essence I accept the 1896 family tree of Captain Alexander Gunn as Captain Gunn and his father (Donald Gunn the Sennachy, shown above) are accepted as major historians of Clan Gunn material -
Captain Gunn, Braehour … is admitted to be, if not the greatest, at least a genuine, living authority on Gunn questions … It were strange if the captain had not been well posted up in all historic points, seeing that his father, Donald Gunn, Braehour, was the acknowledged sennachy or historian of his time … an unusually leaned sennachy.
Thomas Sinclair, The Gunns, Pages 185-186
And Captain Gunn is a direct descendant of this Braehour line so is writing about his direct ancestors on the 1896 tree. This direct descent would lessen the chance of errors – the critical John Gunn (as Lord Lyon accepted proof from the Chiefs down to him, as mentioned earlier) was merely his great great grandfather. I would suggest that anyone reading this article will have accurate knowledge of their own great great grandfathers and so should accept this aspect of this tree as highly likely to be accurate, unless proved otherwise, especially given that Captain Gunn’s father Donald (Braehour) was a highly regarded Sennachy and so it is legitimate to assume Donald would have drilled his son in genealogical matters, especially of his own, direct family.
Finally, though, the confusion does not matter as what is important is that both lines accept that Donald Gunn of Braehour and Brawlbin was directly descended from the Mackeamish - Chief - line.
PROOF
a. From Burke’s Peerage[2]
JOHN GUNN OF KILEARNAN and NAVIDALE, 5th MACKEAMISH; … married 2nd (contract 6 March 1641) Catherine, daughter of Francis Sinclair, fiar of Dun, and had:
2a George, of Achintoul; had:
1b John, of Knockfinn; married –, and had:
1c Alexander, of Dalnaglaton; born c 1688; married Janet McLeod, and died June 1765 (memorial at Dirlot), leaving:
1d John, of Braehour; born c 1722; witness in Gunn succession hearing, Wick 1803; died 1810, leaving:
1e Donald, of Brawlbin and Braehour; married 28 Feb 1807 Catherine Gunn, and died Reay 1861
I question some of the above, but the link from a Mackeamish – any Mackeamish - to Donald Gunn of Braehour and Brawlbin is the issue which matters. This line shows Donald Gunn of Braehour and Brawlbin with direct descent from a Mackeamish.
b. Thomas Sinclair, pages 121- 122
He writes –
The second cadet branch from (Chief) John of Navidale was … (then it is inaccurate but ends with) Donald the sennachy Brawlbin… .’
The inaccuracies do not closely match either of the two main descent lines. This extract does add support for Donald of Braehour and Brawlbin descending, somehow, from John Gunn 4th Mackeamish.
c. Thomas Sinclair, page 176
Where he is discussing the ‘Braehour Parchments and Papers’ of Captain Alexander Gunn, says –
Captain Gunn traces … back to a second son of John of Kinbrace (being ‘35 John Gunn in Kinbrace’) Alexander Gunn, Dalnaglaton, who died in 1765. His son John, Braehour, died in 1810. Donald Braehour and Brawlbin, who died in 1861, was John’s son and successor.
And
‘Hector Gunn, Thurso, and my grandfather,’ Captain Gunn says, ‘were first cousins; their fathers, George of Knockfinn, and Alexander, Dalnaglaton, being brothers, the sons of John (being ‘35 John Gunn in Kinbrace’) …, son of George of Borroble, second son of Alexander of Killearnan and Navidale.’
The second quote is strongly supported by Captain Gunn’s actual tree. Again, the issue is simple – Donald Gunn of Braehour and Brawlbin shared common ancestors with the Hector Gunn line recognised in the 2011 Interlocutor as having ‘Chief’ descent.
d. Commander Iain Gunn of Banniskirk’s 1984 petition to be Chief of the Clan Gunn
On pages 3 - 4 of the Commander’s petition he accepts the line from Alexander Gunn 5th Mackeamish to ‘35 John Gunn in Kinbrace’, then he details the Chief Hector line which matches the 2011 Interlocutor.
Footnotes to the above (and below)
[2] ‘Burke’s Peerage’ has Commander Gunn of Banniskirk’s descent being less senior than mine, and that the name Gunn has not always been his family name whereas my family has always carried the name Gunn.
[3] For information on these important trees see the ‘Appendix’ in Thomas Sinclair’s The Gunns or http://clangunn.weebly.com/clan-gunn-blog/clan-gunn-history-and-clan-gunn-genealogy-rediscovered-scottish-archives-vol-19-2013 These trees were drawn by a younger brother of Catherine Gunn of Osclay; she married Donald Gunn the Sennachy (the Braehour line).
e. From the Aeneas Gunn family trees[3] – 1870 then 1868
The left hand side shows the Chief line – bottom left is John Navidale, then to the right we have George; John; Alexander (2nd son)- to the right - married Janet MacLeod Dalnaglaton 1765; John Braehour md. May / Marjory Dunbar Hempriggs; Donald Brawlbin married Cath Gunn Osclay.
This primary source document shows Donald of Braehour and Brawlbin’s link to John Gunn of Kilearnan and Navidale. I question the descent from the 4th Mackeamish – but otherwise the names accurately reflect the descent I accept.
The 1868 Family tree also, albeit more messily, confirms this;
The left hand side shows the Chief line – bottom left is John Navidale, then to the right we have George; John; Alexander (2nd son)- to the right - married Janet MacLeod Dalnaglaton 1765; John Braehour md. May / Marjory Dunbar Hempriggs; Donald Brawlbin married Cath Gunn Osclay.
This primary source document shows Donald of Braehour and Brawlbin’s link to John Gunn of Kilearnan and Navidale. I question the descent from the 4th Mackeamish – but otherwise the names accurately reflect the descent I accept.
The 1868 Family tree also, albeit more messily, confirms this;
The left hand side shows the Chief line; the bottom left shows John Gunn of Navidale. He has a son George who has three sons. One of which is John (written over Donald) and the name John is then repeated; then we have Alexander married Miss McLeod Dalnaglaton. He died 1765. Then we have John Braehour marrying May Dr of Dunbar of Hempriggs. Then we have Donald Brawlbin marrying Catherine Gunn of Osclay Died 1861. Note the Hector ‘Chief’ line just to the left of Donald of Brawlbin; both these lines share ancestors. See the next point.
So both of these very early trees provide clear support for Donald of Braehour and Brawlbin – the Sennachy – being a direct descendant of John Gunn of Kilearnan and Navidale, the 5th Mackeamish and sharing an ancestor John in common with the ‘Chief Hector’ line.
f. The 1896 tree of Captain Gunn, son of Donald Gunn (sennachy of Braehour and Brawlbin)
The 1896 tree shows Donald Gunn (Sennachy of Braehour and Brawlbin) descending from the Mackeamish line in this case Alexander Gunn 5th Mackeamish. The name sequence is not identical with some of the earlier evidence, nor some places, but the key point is that both this tree and the earlier evidence accept descent from John Gunn 4th Mackeamish. It is not the exact sequence of names which matters between John Gunn 4th Mackeamish and Donald of Braehour and Brawlbin – it is, as already said, the acceptance that there is definitely a Chief descent which is important.
In this 1896 tree the descent is given from Alexander Gunn (which I accept) whereas, as said, other evidence supports descent from a different son of John Gunn, the 4th Mackeamish (who obviously also had Alexander Gunn 5th Mackeamish). This 1896 tree records –
In the tree John Gunn 4th Mackeamish is in the centre of the bottom; the discussed line is the main trunk on the top right hand side.
To restate - one has to remember the importance of Captain Alexander Gunn as an historian and that his father Donald Gunn (Braehour and Brawlbin) was the Sennachy. This line is the direct male line of descent for Captain Alexander Gunn – the key ‘35 John Gunn’ recognised by Lord Lyon was his Great Great Grandfather. It is legitimate to assume that this descent is correct, given the authority of Captain Alexander Gunn and his father, and the direct descent of the people involved.
Again, this tree proves that Donald Gunn of Braehour and Brawlbin is the most senior line from ‘Chief’ Hector Gunn’s line recognised in the 2011 interlocutor. My family line is now the most senior from them to always hold the name Gunn.
I would normally now insert the 1896 tree but it i s too large to do so.
***
So much had the Braehours been accepted (as next Chief), that Factor Gunn’s son, the last McHamish, before his death, sent to Captain Gunn, as one of his nearest relatives, all the papers on the subject which he possessed…
Thomas Sinclair, The Gunns pages 185-186
[1] Gravestone Dirlot cemetery shows Alexander Gunn of Dalnaglaton d 1765 and children, including John.
I would now normally show the 1896 tree but it is too large an image to be out on, sorry...
Overall
Given that
And it would be a poor judgement, in my view,if Lord Lyon was to accept the Convention's motion, not least as the Convention had no agenda nor have any minutes been circulated. How can I know my view was fairly circulated?
But there is another, more senior line yet to be entered on this site which has not been discussed before…
So both of these very early trees provide clear support for Donald of Braehour and Brawlbin – the Sennachy – being a direct descendant of John Gunn of Kilearnan and Navidale, the 5th Mackeamish and sharing an ancestor John in common with the ‘Chief Hector’ line.
f. The 1896 tree of Captain Gunn, son of Donald Gunn (sennachy of Braehour and Brawlbin)
The 1896 tree shows Donald Gunn (Sennachy of Braehour and Brawlbin) descending from the Mackeamish line in this case Alexander Gunn 5th Mackeamish. The name sequence is not identical with some of the earlier evidence, nor some places, but the key point is that both this tree and the earlier evidence accept descent from John Gunn 4th Mackeamish. It is not the exact sequence of names which matters between John Gunn 4th Mackeamish and Donald of Braehour and Brawlbin – it is, as already said, the acceptance that there is definitely a Chief descent which is important.
In this 1896 tree the descent is given from Alexander Gunn (which I accept) whereas, as said, other evidence supports descent from a different son of John Gunn, the 4th Mackeamish (who obviously also had Alexander Gunn 5th Mackeamish). This 1896 tree records –
- Alexander Gunn (5th Mackeamish)
- George Gunn of Borroble
- John Gunn (not, in my view, in Kinbrace as I make clear elsewhere). To restate - here the Hector Gunn ‘Chief’(ish) line merges with the Donald Gunn of Braehour and Brawlbin ancestors.
- Alexander Gunn 2nd son[1]
- John Gunn Braehour; eldest son
- Donald of Braehour and Brawlbin who married Catherine Gunn of Osclay. Eldest son
In the tree John Gunn 4th Mackeamish is in the centre of the bottom; the discussed line is the main trunk on the top right hand side.
To restate - one has to remember the importance of Captain Alexander Gunn as an historian and that his father Donald Gunn (Braehour and Brawlbin) was the Sennachy. This line is the direct male line of descent for Captain Alexander Gunn – the key ‘35 John Gunn’ recognised by Lord Lyon was his Great Great Grandfather. It is legitimate to assume that this descent is correct, given the authority of Captain Alexander Gunn and his father, and the direct descent of the people involved.
Again, this tree proves that Donald Gunn of Braehour and Brawlbin is the most senior line from ‘Chief’ Hector Gunn’s line recognised in the 2011 interlocutor. My family line is now the most senior from them to always hold the name Gunn.
I would normally now insert the 1896 tree but it i s too large to do so.
***
So much had the Braehours been accepted (as next Chief), that Factor Gunn’s son, the last McHamish, before his death, sent to Captain Gunn, as one of his nearest relatives, all the papers on the subject which he possessed…
Thomas Sinclair, The Gunns pages 185-186
[1] Gravestone Dirlot cemetery shows Alexander Gunn of Dalnaglaton d 1765 and children, including John.
I would now normally show the 1896 tree but it is too large an image to be out on, sorry...
Overall
Given that
- Lord Lyon has provided de facto recognition of the line coming from the Chiefs.
- The Commander accepts that the line came from the Chiefs
- Burke’s Peerage accepts that this line comes from the Chiefs
- The 1896 tree by an important Gunn historian, whose father was the Sennachy, accepts that this line comes from the Chiefs.
- The 1868 / 1870 trees accept this line comes from the Chiefs.
- That Thomas Sinclair accepts that the line comes from the Chiefs.
And it would be a poor judgement, in my view,if Lord Lyon was to accept the Convention's motion, not least as the Convention had no agenda nor have any minutes been circulated. How can I know my view was fairly circulated?
But there is another, more senior line yet to be entered on this site which has not been discussed before…