The early Kennedys of Stirlingshire and Perthshire
Copyright © 2007 Iain Kennedy
John Kennedy the shoemaker was born in the remote rural dwelling of Laroch
in the parish of Drymen on February 3rd, 1791 and baptized 3 days later.
You cannot see this place on any modern map; it can be seen on an
1817 map of Stirlingshire, about 2 miles south of Gartmore. The birth
was registered across the county border in Aberfoyle. John's father was an
outdoor labourer called Angus Kennedy. It is likely that he lived in an
outhouse attached to a farm and paid a levy to the local tackman John Buchanan.
This man was granted a 17 year tack agreement from Robert Graham of Gartmore
House in 1786. The original document can be viewed at the
Scottish National Archives in Edinburgh (document code GD22/2/141).
John Kennedy married Catherine McLean at Port of Monteith in 1820. They had
two sons James and John who were born in the estate village attached to
Gartmore House - a private village built to support workers on the
estate - and two daughters Catherine and Mary born later in Glasgow. John
(senior) died in Campsie in 1868 and lies in an unmarked grave.
Little is known for sure about Angus other than his wife's name, Elizabeth
McKay, and his lowly occupation. It is speculated that they came from the large
rural parish
of Fortingall in County Perth. There was a couple of that name who were
born and married there at the right time to be our couple but as parish records
from that era are patchy, this is insufficient proof. It is tempting to make
something of the Highland names 'Angus' and 'McKay' to back up this link.
Certainly this parish produced a surprising number of Kennedys, including two
called Angus born very close together. Most of them migrated south in search of
work or at least to learn English at southern farms. More detailed social
history of Fortingall can be found in the
Statistical Accounts of 1791 and 1845.
Every tree has to come gracefully to a halt somewhere.
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Last updated: 25 May 2005