Vol: 2
Issue; 4
Date; Oct. 2009
THE ARM AND CROWN
Clan MacQuarrie
Teaghlach, The summer is over fall is upon us here in New Hampshire. The clan
tent and the display material has been packed away until next year. We made it
to three games this year and will try for all four of the Games in New England
next year. In November we complete our second year. In order to keep us going
everyone needs to renew his or her membership. Look on you card it will tell
what month your dues are due. I only heard from 6 on the idea of starting a
scholarship fund they were all in favor but I would like to hear from more of
the membership as we have over 40 at this time. Also we need someone to start
thinking about a chapter in your state so the clan can be represented at the
games in your area. Check the by-laws on this.
HIGHLAND FACTS
Highland dancing:
The Scottish form of dance originated before the birth of Christ. Through
various cultural influences, Scottish dances developed specific characteristics.
They were used to tell stories, seek omens, pay tribute, express joys in
triumph, as well as displeasures in defeat. Accounts of intricate Scottish dance
patterns (sword included) were carried back to Rome by Roman emissaries and
soldiers as early as 54 B.C.
The stag played a major role in the Scotsman’s life, providing food, raiment and
materials for making weapons. The elevation of the dancer’s arms represents the
stag’s antlers; the positioning of the fingers, the stag’s head: and the steps,
his antics.
After the rebellion of ’45, Scottish dances, along with the wearing of the
kilts, speaking in Gaelic, and playing of pipes were prohibited. All dancing was
secretly performed – at great risk – until after the repeal of the Proscription
Act.
Scottish Highland Dancing is traditionally a man’s dance, used by Chieftain to
keep clansmen in good shape physically and mentally. It is considered an
athletic event. During World War II, Scottish soldiers in prisoner of war camps
did reels to maintain physical strength and mental stability. The Reel of the
’51 is a dance choreographed by some of these men. This approach to survival
worked so well, soldiers of other nations joined in.
Dances
Highland Fling: is a dance of celebration. After battle, the victorious
clansmen would use the shields of conquered opponents to dance on. To this day,
the steps are done in a limited shield-like area.
The Sword Dance: (Gille-Calum – original Gaelic spelling) is an ancient
dance of Gael. It is said to have originated in 1504 with King Malcolm Canmore
when he defeated one of MacBeth’s chiefs and crossed his own sword with that of
his opponent, whereupon he proceeded to do a dance of victory. Afterwards, this
dance was also performed by warriors on the eve of battle to seek an omen for
the forthcoming encounter. Id he should displace his swords while dancing, he
believed he would not fare well in the next battle. Today’s dancers are
disqualified if they displace the sword.
Sean Triubhad (pronounced shawn-troos) is a Gaelic for “Old trousers”. This is a
dance celebrating the repeal of the Proscription Act. The steps indicate the
shaking off of the hated strews or trousers. In the faster tempo, the dancer
demonstrates the freedom and ease of movement allowed by kilts.
Strathspey and Reel: The four men in this dance move in and out interweaving
patterns. These patterns represent eternal life and are an incorporation of the
Celtic pattern in dance form. It is said to have originated in memory of the
entwined serpent of Moses’ Rod of Life. Each dancer must rely on the other three
to maintain proper placements and patterns. Originally reels were a martial
dance and women did not take part.
FAMOUS MACQUARRIE’S
This MacQuarrie stared in movies and also directed;
Born: Aug 26, 1878 in San Francisco, California
Died: Aug 22, 1942 in Los Angeles, California
Occupation: Actor, Director
Active: teens, '30s-'40s
Major Genres: Western, Action
Career Highlights: The Dark Angel, Stone of Silver Creek, The Man from Hardpan
First Major Screen Credit: The Old Cobbler (1914)
Biography
A handsome and dignified stage actor, Murdock MacQuarrie began his long screen
career in early versions of The Scarlet Letter (1913), The Count of Monte Cristo
(1913), and Richelieu ([1914], in the title role) before becoming a director at
Universal. Increasingly gaunt and cadaverous, MacQuarrie returned to acting
exclusively in the early '20s, playing hundreds of bit parts until the year of
his death. Two brothers, Albert MacQuarrie (1882-1950) and Frank MacQuarrie
(1875-1950), also appeared in films. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide. For a
complete list of his movies click this link
http://www.answers.com/topic/murdock-macquarrie-1
MACQUARRIE STORIES
This issue’s stories are taken from the Journal of James Robertson, Sheriff
Substitute from 1841 to 1847, Isle of Mull. The entries all concern Lachlan
MacQuarie of Glenforsa, Captain Scots Greys. He was the only son of
Major-General Lachlan MacQuarie. And died in 1845. Part II
Wednesday 4 Jan. 1843: Met MacQuarie at Salen drunk with ale, also Achdashennaig:
lunched with them
Saturday 28 Jan. 1843: Lochbuy, MacQuarie and Achdashennaig, after calling on
Miss MacLeod and two former on the Minster, left in Ach’s Gig. I walked on with
McQ beyond Druimfin where the others overtook us. Lochbuy (was Murdoch MacLaine
of Lochbuie) and MacQuarie proposed to submit a dispute about Marches
(boundaries’ The lands of MacLaine of Lochbuy adjoined those of MacQuarie) to
me, and nearly quarreled in talking over the subject. I fear that the Reference
will be a stormy one.
Wednesday 15 Feb. 1843: Walked towards Druimfin with MacQuarie. Saw Quinish, Dr.
McArthur, Mr. Stewart, Colin Campbell Suniple… Declined to sign a Bill for
MacQuarie along with Quinish on the ground that Sheriff Substitutes are tacitly
understood to commit an impropriety by lending their names to Cautionary
Obligations.
MacQuarie told that he lately called with his brother in law young Jura (Young
Jura was Archibald Campbell of Jura who dies unmarried in 1851. He was the
eldest son of Colin Campbell of Jura and Craignish 1772-1848, whose third
daughter Isabella married on 19 Jan. 1836 Lachlan MacQuarie, Captain Scots Greys,
who died in 1845, only son of General MacQuarie of New South Wales) at
Achnacross and after speaking for some time to Mrs. Campbell he went out to meet
Possil himself who he observed coming up to the house. He addressed him “Well
old Boy, how are you”! “How Sir, Old Boy”! Said Possil. “Oh then, Young Boy if
you like it better” – “Go Sir. You are drunk” growled Possil. Macquarie took
fire at this and rejoined “Colonel Campbell, surely you joke and O can take a
joke with any man” – “No Sir O don’t joke” rejoined the unbending Laird “You are
beastly drunk” – “Then Sir politely returned MacQuarie “You are a liar, a coward
and a blackguard” and so they separated, Macquarie returning home, and Jura
remaining at Ardnacross. He says that Jura afterwards (told) him not to
apologize, and that though he will not of course see Possil again, or rather
call on him, still he bears him no spite, regrets the quarrel, and will see him
at Glenforsa.
Achdashennaig told me on Wednesday the 8th inst that he understood young Jura
wished to have MacQuarie cognosed (diagnosed and certified) as insane, and take
away his Sister, who properly refused to leave her husband.
Dined with Macquarie and Dr. McArthur at the Inn. Coarse Dinner and abominable
wine. Poor MacQuarie as loving as ever.(The question of McQuarrie’s supposed
insanity was later to give JR an enormous amount of trouble.)
Wednesday 3, May 1843; Great scrambling and quarrelling between the Parsons and
MacQuarie. Anderson, an insane man from Glasgow, went in last night among the
Parsons. MacQuarie locked him up and the man jumped out at the window and
injured himself.
Thursday 29 June 1843; I invited Mr. Stewart to dine with me who accepted.
Afterwards got and invitation from Mrs. Douglas to meet the MacQuarries, and
describing MacQuarie as “Lost”; declined of coirse. Macquarie called and was at
first tolerably quite, but drank a bottle of ale, talked of his cases with
McKinnon and became excited.
Saturday 1 July 1843; Examination of MacQuarie on reference to oath in Interdict
case against John MacKinnon, the Deponed negative of MacKinnon’s averments and I
decided in his favour with L4.3.6 of Expenses.
Tuesday 31 Oct. 1843; At home, found Macquarrie at the gate; came in and took
wine and water, and when enjoying our tipple, and telling our best and worst
stories, for I fear they were not altogether fit for Moral ears, we heard a
little shuffling at the open window and looking in that direction beheld Mrs.
MacQuarie and Miss Douglas. We were thus caught in flagrant delicto, but how
much the Ladies heard of our conversation or saw of McQuarrie’s drinking
performance can never be known, to me at least.
Tuesday 14 Nov.1843; Walked on the terrace with Miss MacLeod and while we were
in loving converse Mrs. Douglas made her appearance from below all hot and
breathless, and joined us. Moss MacLeod went up stairs, whereupon Mrs. Douglas
poured forth a heavy indictment against MacQuarie, the first charge thereof
being drunkenness, the second Madness, the third outrage to the wife of his
bosom, and the fourth intolerable rudeness to Mrs. Douglas herself. She then
launched her thunders at the head of Mrs. MacQuarie whom she denounced for
‘irreverence’ to her Lord and Master, for provoking pertness, silliness, want of
feeling, and so forth; upon my word I think she is very right in both her
accusations, and that of the two MacQuarie is preferable to his wife.That will
be it for this time. Look for more from Sheriffs journal in Jan. 2010 RESEARCH
NOTES
Here are some of early clan names for chiefs and Pic kings, in both English and
Gale;
Genealogy of the Clan Quarry Do Genealach Clann Guaire Cellach son of Ceallach
mac Paul son of Poil mic Cellach, the liberal, son of Cellach in enig mic
Torquill son of Turcaill mic Celllach son of Ceallaig mic Gauire (Quarry) son of
Guaire mic Cormac son of Cormaic mic Airbertach son of Arbertaig mic Murechach
son of Murechach mic Ferchach og son of Fearchair oig mic Macbeth son of Mic
Beathaidh mic Finnlaech son of Finlaeic mic Ferchar fada son of Fearchar fada
mic Feradach son of Fearadaig mic Fergus. Fergusa Torquill, Guaire, and Cormac,
Turcuill, Guaire agus Cormac three other sons of Paul, son tri meic eile Poil
mhic of Cellach, the liberal Ceallaig an oinigh.
http://clanmaclochlainn.com/pedigree.htm
EVENTS.
I
have already reported on the games in Vermont and Maine. Over the weekend Sept.
18-20 I was at the New Hampshire games at Loon Mt. A great time was had, but
there were a few scary moments. On Friday night we had a storm the wind picked
up and about 12 clans lost their tents and a lot of their display material. We
came through ok no damage, however the tent next to was destroyed. You will see
my wife Yvonne holding down the tent on Sat. morning, we took turns doing this
all day as the wind would gust from time to time, and lift the tent and its tie
downs. Over all it was a good time. On Saturday for the first time at Loon the
clan tartan flag was carried in the parade of clans. They required everyone in
the parade to have on Highland gear. I do not have a kilt as of yet so I cannot
parade at Loon. But we had society member Jack Kearney from Ct. who stepped up
and carried the flag and he could be heard all over the parade ground answering
the roll with a loud “Red Tartan Army” war cry. Thanks Jack. On Sunday the
tartan flag was yet again held high. I was selected to lead half of the
attending clans (33) into the Kirk for the church service. I also had Charles
McQuarrie’s name read for the Flowers of the Forrest. As we all know Charlie
died last September. He also was a founding member of the current society and
took the time to put John R. McQuarrie’s clan genealogy onto Family Tree Maker
which he sent me a copy of and I am using as the base line to connect all of the
MQ’s into the clan data base. Also on Saturday we had a special visitor to the
tent John Carmichael the games Chieftain. I’m sure you have all heard of him,
anyway I gave him a copy of the sheet music that we have, the song that was
written for the gathering in 1985 also some pipe music, the Canadian MacQuarries
and the Red Spectacled Army. On Sunday and other special visitor stopped by. She
is the daughter-in-law of Pan Am Captain James MacQuarrie and her daughter
stopped to say hello. All in all we had 9 MacQuarries stop by over the three
days, which was up by 4 from last year.
ILLNESS
Tom ‘s treatment continues he is bored and looking forward to chemo being
completed
Marilyn, reports that she has moved from Texas to Norman, Oklahoma, and that the
tumors are larger - two in the abdomen and one in the liver. I'm feeling pretty
good and know that God is ultimately in charge and that He can heal me with or
without medicine. I really am going to beat this thing!!!!!
Please keep Tom and Marilyn in thoughts and prayer as they continue their fight.
That’s it for now
Cuimhnich air na daoine o'n d'thàinig thu
"Remember the people from whom you came"