Robert Gunn of Braemore, and some useful genealogy; Sinclair Clan Gunn History Supplement 20, 28 April 1903
REVIEW
Interesting story about Robert Gunn of Braemore, a rather nasty piece of work according to the story as given. One of those rare times where Gunns are not heroic figures. As well, some useful generalogical details in the early section.
KEY PEOPLE / ISSUES / PHRASING
· Manuscript volume of the inscriptions in Wick Churchyard include; Alexander M’Iain ‘doer to Captain Thomas Dunbar of Westfield’... one of the Bregaul ‘height of Caithness’ Gunns, Ingram Gunn b 1737 d. 2 December 1800, Janet Gunn (Mrs Bruce) b 1802 d . 1880 had a son William lost on the Australian coast in ‘Clutha’ November 1868 aged 47, Catherine Gunn (1792-1936) was the wife of Donald Petrie, Isabella Gunn of Doanld Robertson, merchant, his father David farmer in Mosspalm, dying 24 April 1766, Ann Gunn of David Coghill (possibly relating to http://clangunn1.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/william-beag-gunn-tales-from-alexander.html) her death date 25 June 1825, John Gunn farmer in Tannach b before 1750 had a son Marcus whose daughter aged 4 drowned in the Wick river 9 February 1829, a sister of Marcus – Helen – married Parker Braw saddler Edinburgh, was Housekeeper at Mavisbank House Loanhead (near Edinburgh) and died in Pulteneytown 27 July 1853, aged 65.. At Dornoch in 1814 Alexander Gunn architect married Margaret Mackenzie of Lowhall.
· A FAMILY BIBLE MEMORIAL. Marcus Gunn tacksman of Dalemore. William my son b. 3 November 1763, David 7 August 1768, John Sinclair 17 September 1770, Margaret my daughter died 5 November 1783 aged 27, my eldest daughter Anne wife of William Campbell d. 30 May 11803. My father died 29 August 1810 (initialled JSG – presumably John Sinclair Gunn ) my brother late in Spittal was born 3 November 1763 ( as was already said!) William... died in Dale 21 May 1830, Christina widow of Reverend Robert Dowie d. at Dalemore 3 March 1845, Barbara d. 19 January 1842, Jean d. 15 November 1820.
· ROBERT OF BRAEMORE. Retells the story of Robert of Braemore, not written by Rev. Robert Gunn. 15thcentury story. Hector Sutherland (commonly Hector More or Meikle Hector) owned Berriedale. He was descended from the Duffus family. He built a house at Langwell for his eldest son William who married a beautiful woman and lived there. Robert Gunn tacksman of Braemore on a hunting party. Thought he would visit Hector More’s son. Robert ‘fancied’ the wife and so thought he needed to kill the husband. The friends agreed (cor, what a love story!). Robert Gunn killed the husband, then took the wife and her infant child back to Braemore. ‘ As soon as the mother recovered, she was reconciled to Robert Gunn (!) and begged that the infant son be called William after the deceased father. Robert Gunn held the lands of Braemore from the Earl of Caithness but would pay no rent (tut, tut). This annoyed the Earl. So John Sinclair of Stirkoke (the Earl) with men under arms decided to compel Gunn to pay. Battle ensures and Gunn wins (he’s such a bad boy). Young William’sa mother lived the remainder of her life with Robert Gunn and had two sons by him. Young William and the two sons, when older, go hunting. William killed a roe and decided the other two should carry it home. They said no- William could carry it home himself. William who now knew about his father’s death, said he would revenge his father’s death on them if they did not carry the roe. They were scared, did what they were told, then told their mum about William. She told Robert. Robert was scared of William’s personal strength suggested William should marry Robert’s Gunn sister who acted as housekeeper. He said no (seems fair enough an generational ground alone). Robert held a party and got William very drunk and put his sister in beside William in the bed... They then said he had got married. William said ‘rubbish’. But Robert said, don’t worry we’ll get you the Langwell estates to make you feel happier... Robert with some mates then to Langwell and kidnapped old Hector More before he moves off to Sutherlandshire and then Sutherland of Rearcher. Robert then returned to Braemore and conducted William and his ‘wife’ to Langwell. William was still not happy and complained to John Sinclair, Earl of Caithness who said he would help after dealing with a rebellion in the Orkneys. He wanted William to accompany him (big boy as soldier). William said yes and returned from Girnigo Castle to Berriedale to bid his friends farewell. He told his friends he thought he would not return from the Orkneys. He then told his friends (they were near a graveyard) and said put stones at his head and feet to show posterity his size. The distance was 9 feet 5 inches. He was killed. 1530. James V. Sir James Sinclair of Sanday. Various other people die. The Earl of Caithness’s head bought back to be buried in Caithness... Orkney wins over mainland Scottish rule..
Interesting story about Robert Gunn of Braemore, a rather nasty piece of work according to the story as given. One of those rare times where Gunns are not heroic figures. As well, some useful generalogical details in the early section.
KEY PEOPLE / ISSUES / PHRASING
· Manuscript volume of the inscriptions in Wick Churchyard include; Alexander M’Iain ‘doer to Captain Thomas Dunbar of Westfield’... one of the Bregaul ‘height of Caithness’ Gunns, Ingram Gunn b 1737 d. 2 December 1800, Janet Gunn (Mrs Bruce) b 1802 d . 1880 had a son William lost on the Australian coast in ‘Clutha’ November 1868 aged 47, Catherine Gunn (1792-1936) was the wife of Donald Petrie, Isabella Gunn of Doanld Robertson, merchant, his father David farmer in Mosspalm, dying 24 April 1766, Ann Gunn of David Coghill (possibly relating to http://clangunn1.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/william-beag-gunn-tales-from-alexander.html) her death date 25 June 1825, John Gunn farmer in Tannach b before 1750 had a son Marcus whose daughter aged 4 drowned in the Wick river 9 February 1829, a sister of Marcus – Helen – married Parker Braw saddler Edinburgh, was Housekeeper at Mavisbank House Loanhead (near Edinburgh) and died in Pulteneytown 27 July 1853, aged 65.. At Dornoch in 1814 Alexander Gunn architect married Margaret Mackenzie of Lowhall.
· A FAMILY BIBLE MEMORIAL. Marcus Gunn tacksman of Dalemore. William my son b. 3 November 1763, David 7 August 1768, John Sinclair 17 September 1770, Margaret my daughter died 5 November 1783 aged 27, my eldest daughter Anne wife of William Campbell d. 30 May 11803. My father died 29 August 1810 (initialled JSG – presumably John Sinclair Gunn ) my brother late in Spittal was born 3 November 1763 ( as was already said!) William... died in Dale 21 May 1830, Christina widow of Reverend Robert Dowie d. at Dalemore 3 March 1845, Barbara d. 19 January 1842, Jean d. 15 November 1820.
· ROBERT OF BRAEMORE. Retells the story of Robert of Braemore, not written by Rev. Robert Gunn. 15thcentury story. Hector Sutherland (commonly Hector More or Meikle Hector) owned Berriedale. He was descended from the Duffus family. He built a house at Langwell for his eldest son William who married a beautiful woman and lived there. Robert Gunn tacksman of Braemore on a hunting party. Thought he would visit Hector More’s son. Robert ‘fancied’ the wife and so thought he needed to kill the husband. The friends agreed (cor, what a love story!). Robert Gunn killed the husband, then took the wife and her infant child back to Braemore. ‘ As soon as the mother recovered, she was reconciled to Robert Gunn (!) and begged that the infant son be called William after the deceased father. Robert Gunn held the lands of Braemore from the Earl of Caithness but would pay no rent (tut, tut). This annoyed the Earl. So John Sinclair of Stirkoke (the Earl) with men under arms decided to compel Gunn to pay. Battle ensures and Gunn wins (he’s such a bad boy). Young William’sa mother lived the remainder of her life with Robert Gunn and had two sons by him. Young William and the two sons, when older, go hunting. William killed a roe and decided the other two should carry it home. They said no- William could carry it home himself. William who now knew about his father’s death, said he would revenge his father’s death on them if they did not carry the roe. They were scared, did what they were told, then told their mum about William. She told Robert. Robert was scared of William’s personal strength suggested William should marry Robert’s Gunn sister who acted as housekeeper. He said no (seems fair enough an generational ground alone). Robert held a party and got William very drunk and put his sister in beside William in the bed... They then said he had got married. William said ‘rubbish’. But Robert said, don’t worry we’ll get you the Langwell estates to make you feel happier... Robert with some mates then to Langwell and kidnapped old Hector More before he moves off to Sutherlandshire and then Sutherland of Rearcher. Robert then returned to Braemore and conducted William and his ‘wife’ to Langwell. William was still not happy and complained to John Sinclair, Earl of Caithness who said he would help after dealing with a rebellion in the Orkneys. He wanted William to accompany him (big boy as soldier). William said yes and returned from Girnigo Castle to Berriedale to bid his friends farewell. He told his friends he thought he would not return from the Orkneys. He then told his friends (they were near a graveyard) and said put stones at his head and feet to show posterity his size. The distance was 9 feet 5 inches. He was killed. 1530. James V. Sir James Sinclair of Sanday. Various other people die. The Earl of Caithness’s head bought back to be buried in Caithness... Orkney wins over mainland Scottish rule..